CUTTING DEVICE

• US 20080163491A1
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Pearson, Scott D.
• Application Number:
  US11/969,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20080163491A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 30/123
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 17/00 Hand cutting tools , i.e. with the cutting action actuated by muscle power with two jaws which come into abutting contact nail clippers or cutters A45D29/02; joints therefor B25B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 27/005 Carton openers
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 7/30 Hand-operated cutting devices

Abstract

The cutting device has (a) first and second members, each having opposing inside and outside surfaces, a cutting end, and a pivoting mechanism that allows the first and second members to be in communication with one other; (b) a cutting edge protruding from the inside surface of and disposed proximate to the cutting end of the first member; and (c) an extension protruding from the inside surface of and disposed proximate to the cutting end of the second member, wherein the cutting edge and the extension cooperate with one to cut the media when the cutting end of the first and second member are in a closed position.

Claims

1. A device for cutting media comprising:

first and second members, each having opposing inside and outside surfaces, a cutting end, and a pivoting mechanism that allows the first and second members to be in communication with one other;

a cutting edge protruding from the inside surface of and disposed proximate to the cutting end of the first member; and

an extension protruding from the inside surface of and disposed proximate to the cutting end of the second member,

wherein the cutting edge and the extension cooperate with one to cut the media when the cutting end of the first and second member are in a closed position.

2. The cutting device of claim 1 having a longitudinal axis along its length and wherein the first member is elongated and has opposing clipping and cutting ends and opposing inside and outside surfaces, wherein the second member is elongated and has opposing clipping and cutting ends and opposing inside and outside surfaces such that the respective clipping and cutting ends of the first and second members are aligned and the inside surfaces of the first and second members are proximate to one another and the pivoting mechanism is disposed between the first and second members and between their respective clipping and cutting ends.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the clipping end of at least one of the first and second members includes a gripping surface.

4. The device of claims 1 wherein the cutting edge is discontinuous.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the pivoting mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a living hinge, a mechanical device, and a biasing mechanism.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a clamp, a bolt and screw, and a latch and wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the biasing mechanism is a torsion spring having first and second tangs, the first tang in contact with the inside surface of the first member, the second tang in contact with the inside surface of the second member.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the cutting edge is disposed below a top edge of a mounting wall extending from the inside surface of the first member.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the extension is a beam that protrudes non-perpendicular from the inside surface of the first member and the cutting edge is disposed off-centered in a substantially U-shaped guide.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the beam includes a slot such that when the cutting ends are in a closed position, the cutting edge lies within the slot.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the cutting edge is serrated.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the cutting edge comprises a groove and the extension comprises a notch that cooperates with the groove to cut media when the cutting ends of the first and second members are in a closed position.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the extension is made from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, polymer, and polymer coated metal.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a magnet disposed on the outside surface of at least one of the first and second member.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the outside surfaces of at least one of the first and second members include indicia.

16. The device of claim 1 formed from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer, wood, ceramic, and combinations thereof.

17. The device of claim 1 made from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polystyrene, high impact polystyrene, polycarbonate, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second members is formed of two different polymers wherein a first polymer has a different property from a second polymer, the property selected from a group consisting of durometer, color, and combination thereof.

19. The device of claim 2, wherein the extension is substantially L-shaped and the cutting edge is disposed in a guide comprising a first mounting wall having a ramp connected to a flat section and a mid-section connecting the first mounting wall to a second mounting wall and wherein

20. The device of claim 19 wherein during cutting, the extension contacts the ramp of the first mounting wall.

21. The device of claim 1 wherein during cutting, the device creates a plurality of punctures and perforations the media.

22. The device of claim 1 wherein during cutting, the device creates at least one puncture along an edge of the media.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the cutting edge is not accessible to a user whether the device is in a clipping or cutting state.