Package opener

• US 5,555,624 A
• Filed: 02/13/1995
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ez-Cd, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Brian Mccracken
• Inventors: McCracken, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): WATTS, DOUGLAS D
• Application Number:
  US08/387,115
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 30/2, 30/289, 30/294, 30/290, 30/298.4, 30/DIG. 3
• US Class Current: 30/2
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 27/00 Hand cutting tools not provided for in the preceding groups, e.g. finger rings for cutting string, devices for cutting by means of wires
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 29/06 Arrangements for guiding hand cutting tools guiding equipment or arrangements for specific cutting tools, see the particular places, e.g. for hair trimming devices A45D24/36, for saw blades B27B11/02, B26B13/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 30/03 Envelope openers

Abstract

A package opener that can be used safely to open packages, such a jewel boxes containing compact discs, that are encapsulated within thin outer coverings. The device includes an edge guide channel into which a cutting edge extends so that the device can be guided along a selected edge of the package to precisely cut the covering to permit its easy removal from the package.

Claims

1. A package opening device for use in opening packages having spaced apart walls, a connecting wall interconnecting said spaced apart walls, said connecting wall having a width and a thin outer covering extending over said spaced apart walls and said connecting wall, said opening device comprising:

(a) first and second side walls defining an interior space therebetween, each said side wall having an extension, said extension being spaced apart a distance slightly greater than said width of said connecting wall;

(b) cutting means for cutting said outer covering, said cutting means including a cutting edge extending between said extensions for cutting engagement with said outer covering; and

(c) connector means for interconnecting said first and second side walls and for supporting said cutting means, said connector means comprising a pair of spaced apart members connected to one of said side walls, said members engaging said cutting means in a manner to orient said cutting means within said interior space.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 further including a base wall disposed between said side walls proximate said extensions, said base wall having an opening for receiving therewithin said cutting edge.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 in which said cutting means comprises a razor blade having a body portion terminating in a cutting edge.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 further including support means connected to one of said first and second side walls for removably connecting said device to a surface.

5. A package opening device for use in opening packages having spaced apart walls, a connecting wall interconnecting said spaced apart walls, said connecting wall having a width and a thin outer covering extending over said spaced apart walls and said connecting wall, said opening device comprising:

(a) a housing having first and second side walls and a base wall disposed between said first and second side walls, said base wall having an opening therein, said side walls and said base wall cooperating to define an interior space;

(b) first and second extension walls connected to said first and second side walls respectively and extending therefrom, said extension walls cooperating to define a package receiving guide channel;

(c) cutting means for cutting said covering, including a body portion and a cutting edge, said body portion being disposed within said interior space and said cutting edge extending through said opening in said base wall and intermediate said extensions for cutting engagement with said outer covering; and

(d) connector means for interconnecting said first and second side walls and for supporting said body portion of said cutting means therebetween in a manner such that said cutting edge of said cutting means extends through said opening in said base wall said connector means comprising a pair of members connected to said second side wall for engagement with said cutting means to clamp said body portion thereof against said first side wall.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 in which said cutting means comprises a razor blade having a body portion terminating in said cutting edge.

7. A device as defined in claim 6 further including support means connected to one of said first and second side walls for removably connecting said device to a surface.

14. A device as defined in claim 5 in which said pair of members connected to said second side wall comprise sockets and in which said connector means further comprise a pair of spaced apart posts connected to said first side wall, said posts being receivable within said sockets.

15. A device as defined in claim 5 in which said razor blade engages said posts proximate said first side wall.

8. A package opener for use in opening packages having spaced apart side walls, a connecting wall interconnecting said side walls, said connecting wall having a width and a thin outer covering extending over said side walls and said connecting wall, said package opener comprising:

(a) a housing including;

(i) a first side wall;

(ii) a first base wall portion integrally formed with said first side wall, said first base wall portion having a slot;

(iii) a second side wall;

(iv) a second base wall portion integrally formed with said second side wall, said second base wall portion having a tongue receivable within said slot; and

(v) connector means connected to said side walls for connecting said side walls together to form an interior space and to position said tongue within said slot to form a base wall having an opening therein;

(b) a first extension integrally formed with said first side wall;

(c) a second extension integrally formed with said second side wall, said first and second extensions being spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than said width of said connecting wall; and

(d) cutting means carried by said housing for cutting said outer covering, said cutting means including a cutting edge extending through said opening in said base wall and between said first and second extensions for cutting engagement with said outer covering.

9. A device as defined in claim 8 in which said cutting means comprises a razor blade having a body portion terminating in said cutting edge.

10. A device as defined in claim 9 in which said connector means comprises:

(a) a plurality of posts connected to said first wall and extending into said interior space; and

(b) a plurality of sockets connected to said second wall and extending into said interior space, said posts being closely receivable within said sockets.

11. A device as defined in claim 10 in which said razor blade includes a pair of spaced apart slots and in which a selected pair of said posts are receivable within said slots of said razor blade.

12. A device as defined in claim 10 further including support means for removably connecting said device to a support.

13. a device as defined in claim 12 in which said support means comprises:

(a) a first panel having a multiplicity of hooks and being connected to said first wall of said housing; and

(b) a second panel having a multiplicity of loops releasably interconnectable with said hooks, said second panel including attachment means for connecting said second panel to said support.