Safety cutter bracelet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable safety cutting device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cutting device that can be worn on the wrist like a bracelet or watch, so that simply by a wrist movement, a cutting action can occur upon contact with a surface to be cut. It consists of a cutting blade holder for cutting straps, string, adhesive tape, cardboard, plastics, etc., a cutting beak for various materials but not skin, and two slots for blade holder refills. The advantage here is the freedom offered by the device, keeping the hands free without having to hold a conventional safety cutter, thus saving time, eliminating bulk, improving hygiene, and preventing loss of the device. The invention becomes an extension of the human body.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a modified bracelet that adjusts to the human wrist, and in particular to a bracelet equipped with a blade holder with insert-molded blades, a cutting beak, and two storage slots for spare blade holders. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a wrist-operated safety blade. The safety cutter bracelet is worn like a conventional bracelet so that the invention remains firmly attached to the wrist. With minimal wrist force, the safety cutter bracelet provides the necessary movement to utilize the dual cutting capacity of the present invention.

[0002] This type of classic safety cutter is most commonly used in warehouse shipping and receiving departments, retail stores / grocery stores, restaurants / fast food establishments, etc. With this type of cutter, workers can cut open cardboard packaging, cut string or strapping material, and cut adhesive materials (e.g., tape) and plastic packaging.

[0003] Various safety cutters and box cutters already exist. Perhaps the most popular are those with molded, protected blades and interchangeable heads (see patents US2010263219A1 and USD521844). These work very well, but the handles remain encumbered by the object being cut when using a conventional safety cutter, in addition to other problems explained later in the description.

[0004] The present invention relates to a cutting device for various materials (cardboard, paper, plastics, string, etc.). More specifically, the cutting device of the invention consists of two cutting elements and is designed as an extension of the wrist, in the form of a bracelet. The cutting device according to the present invention allows the hands to be free when handling materials to be cut. The technical problems solved here are, firstly, the bulkiness of a conventional safety cutter in the hands, in addition to the object to be cut, which often needs to be handled simultaneously and held in the same hand. Thanks to the invention, the hands remain free while still being able to manipulate the object to be cut or opened.

[0005] Secondly, the loss of traditional safety cutters due to being placed on the floor while working and constantly being taken in and out of pockets. Thirdly, time is saved by eliminating the need to search for, pick up, and orient the cutter correctly before cutting or opening the object. The ergonomic design of the invention, which will be detailed later, also saves time in the strategic placement of its various cutting elements.

[0006] Another advantage offered by the invention is improved hygiene in restaurants or shops that handle fresh produce. Indeed, contamination from handling the safety knife is eliminated.

[0007] The safety features are even superior to those of a standard safety cutter. The blade is protected, making it impossible to cut a finger. The finger is not accessible on the blade. Furthermore, it is impossible to use the blade as a weapon in the workplace.

[0008] Document WO 2004 / 026541 A1 describes a cutting device conforming to the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] The present invention provides a cutting and opening device, as defined in claim 1. In particular, according to various embodiments, this device comprises an ergonomic body. The ergonomic body is attached to a wrist strap. The cutting and opening device includes a blade holder with a blade suitable for cutting, for example, cardboard and various other materials. The cutting and opening device has a beak at its end, preferably made of metal (for example, steel), designed for cutting sticky tape and plastic, enabling the opening of cardboard boxes. The cutting and opening device has two slots within the ergonomic body for holding replacement blade holders. The cutting and opening device has two openings on either side of the upper face of the ergonomic body, configured to allow the removal of the replacement blade holders.The cutting and opening device features a slide on the top of the ergonomic body for inserting a cutting blade holder. The cutting and opening device has a slope on the top of the ergonomic body at a specific angle. This angle creates a cutting angle between the blade of the blade holder and the slope. The cutting and opening device also has a second slope on the top of the ergonomic body, again at a specific angle, to facilitate cutting in various materials.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal direction L is essentially parallel to the user's arm when the cutting device is attached to that arm.

[0011] According to the invention, the extension direction E has an acute angle less than or equal to 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction L. The angle between the longitudinal and extension directions L, E is for example 80°, or 75°, or 60°, or 45°, or 30°.

[0012] The invention has the advantage of no longer being a cumbersome safety cutter, but rather an extension of the human body. This safety cutter facilitates the work of professionals who must perform the same movement thousands of times a day when opening or cutting packaging, cardboard boxes, etc.

[0013] A careful reading of the detailed description of the invention, also referring to the accompanying drawings, reveals other advantages of the present invention.

[0014] In the drawings: There figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention and all its constituent elements in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the blade doors outside the device as shown in the figure 1 . There figure 3 is a top view of the invention with its various elements as shown on the figure 1 . There figure 4 is a side view of the invention as shown on the figure 1 . There figure 5 is a rear view of the invention showing the two openings for placing the replacement blade holders inside the device. figure 6 is a front view of the invention showing the slide entry for the insertion of a blade holder as shown on the figure 1 . There figure 7 is a side view and a perspective view of a blade holder for cutting various materials out of the device as shown on the figure 1 . There figure 8 is a side view of the present invention attached to a wrist as shown in the figure 1 . There figure 9 is a front view of the present invention attached to a wrist as shown in the figure 1 . Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0015] Regarding the drawings and initially the figures 1 à 9 A safety cutter bracelet in the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an ergonomic body 1 to fit the human wrist. The ergonomic body 1 is attached on either side by a quick-release bracelet 11, such as a hook-and-loop fastener in the preferred embodiment, or any other fastener. The safety cutter bracelet has a metal (e.g., steel) cutting beak 7 at its tip. The safety cutter bracelet has a cutting blade holder 8 inserted by means of a slide. The safety cutter bracelet has a slide 2 for inserting the blade holder 8. The safety cutter bracelet has a slope 5 with a certain angle extending from the slide. The safety cutter bracelet has a second slope 6 extending from the metal (steel) beak 7.The safety cutter wristband has a double opening 4 at the rear of the ergonomic body 1 for inserting two spare cutting blade holders 8. The safety cutter wristband has a double opening 3 on the front of the ergonomic body 1 for removing two spare cutting blade holders 8.

[0016] The ergonomic body 1 is a single piece to which the various constituent elements of the invention are attached. It essentially replaces the ergonomic handle of a conventional safety cutter; here, it is no longer manipulated but rather acts as an extension of the human body.

[0017] The 11 wristbands attached to the ergonomic body fasten around the wrist in the manner preferred by the present invention. The fastening is in the form of a hook-and-loop fastener for quick and effective closure. This fastening also allows it to adapt to all wrist sizes.

[0018] Slide 2 is advantageously in the vertical extension of the ergonomic body 1. Slide 2 is a female slide in the shape of an inverted "T" to allow the insertion of the cutting blade holder 8 through it.

[0019] With reference to the figure 7 The cutting holder 8 consists of 5 separate parts: The blade holder body 9 serves to protect the user from the blade 12 during cutting. A blade 12 is molded by insert into the blade holder body. A male slide 14 is part of the blade holder body 8. Advantageously, the slide 14 is configured to allow the insertion of the blade holder body 8. Advantageously, the slide 14 is configured to retain the blade holder body 8 once inserted into the slide 2 of the ergonomic body 1. A forward-extended head 15, advantageously pointed, allows piercing in plastic, cardboard, and various other materials during cutting. Advantageously, this same elongated head 15 also provides protection by preventing fingers from coming into contact with the blade. A certain angle 13 formed by the blade holder body when the blade is molded by insert allows for easy cutting without having to force or become fatigued.

[0020] The two openings 4 at the rear, on either side of the ergonomic body 1, allow for the insertion of two additional blade holder refills 8 inside the device. This configuration allows for three blade holders to be readily accessible in a minimal amount of space, enabling very quick blade replacement once the blade is worn.

[0021] The two openings 3 on the front face, on either side of the ergonomic body 1, allow for the extraction of the two additional blade holder refills 8 from outside the device. This configuration allows for quick replacement once a blade holder 8 is worn.

[0022] The cutting nozzle 7 is designed to cut soft materials, such as sticky tape, cardboard boxes, or other plastic packaging surrounding goods. The cutting nozzle 7 has the advantage of not cutting skin or fingers. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting nozzle 7 has a triangular shape and is sharp on at least one edge. This embodiment allows the cutting nozzle 7 to penetrate the material directly and cut it when the appropriate movement is applied to the object.

[0023] The cutting tip 7 is attached, for example, by means of an insert onto a flat surface 6 at the upper end of the ergonomic body 1. This flat surface 6 has an angle (slope) of between 15 and 20 degrees. This allows for more intuitive wrist movement when cutting the object being handled. The flat surface 6 also provides greater cutting stability once the cutting tip 7 is inserted into the material to be cut.

[0024] The ergonomic body 1, at the location of the slide 2, also has a slope 5. This slope 5 has an angle between 5 and 10 degrees to allow the blade holder 8, once inserted into the ergonomic body 1 via the slide 2, to have a cutting angle 13 wide enough to easily cut cardboard or other materials. This slope 5 also keeps the blade holder 8 perpendicular to the wrist, as shown in the diagram. FIG 8This slope 5 also allows for sufficient cutting clearance for the blade 12 between the blade holder head 9 and the slope 5. This same slope also maintains a cutting angle of approximately 60 degrees for the blade 12. This angle allows for easy cutting of the material with minimal force.

[0025] The invention has been explained according to its preferred embodiment(s) as described above. However, it should be noted that many other modifications or variations are possible without altering the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the claim(s) in the appendices include such modifications or variations as fall within the actual scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cutting device for a user, comprising: - a body (1) defining an inner surface intended to face a user's arm and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; - a wristband (11) connected to the body (1), the body (1) and the wristband (11) together being configured to attach the cutting device to the user; the body (1) comprising a blade (12) protruding along an extension direction (E) from the outer surface, characterized in that the blade (12) is removable along a longitudinal direction (L) between a fixed position in which the blade (12) is secured to the outer surface of the body (1), and a detached position in which the blade (12) is spaced apart from the body (1), the outer surface comprising a first slope (5) having a first acute angle relative to the inner surface, and wherein, when the blade (12) is in its fixed position, the blade (12) forms an angle strictly less than 90° relative to the first slope (5).

2. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the blade (12) comprises a cutting edge extending along the extension direction (E), the length of the cutting edge protruding beyond the outer surface being less than 2 cm, preferably less than 1 cm.

3. The cutting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (1) comprises a beak (7) protruding from the outer surface, the beak (7) comprising at least one cutting edge configured to pierce a sheet of material having a thickness of less than 1 cm.

4. The cutting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the blade (12) is in its fixed position, the blade (12) forms an angle of between 60° and 70° relative to the first slope (5).

5. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the body (1) has, along the longitudinal direction (L), a first end edge and a second end edge opposite the first end edge, the first slope (5) extending away from the inner surface from the first end edge, the outer surface comprising a second slope (6) extending away from the inner surface from the second end edge, the second slope (6) forming a second non-zero angle relative to the inner surface, the first and second slopes (5, 6) meeting each other.

6. The cutting device according to claim 5 in combination with claim 3, wherein the beak (7) is fixed to the second slope (6).

7. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the body (1) comprises: - at least one blade holder (8), the blade holder (8) comprising a base connected to the blade (12); - a groove (2); the base being configured to cooperate with the groove (2) such that movement of the base within the groove (2) causes movement of the blade (12) between the fixed position and the detached position.

8. The cutting device according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one blade-holder storage space arranged between the body (1) and the wristband (11), preferably two storage spaces located on either side of the body (1), each between the body (1) and the wristband (11), each storage space being configured to accommodate a blade holder (8), each storage space comprising an opening (4) configured to allow a blade holder (8) to pass out of the storage space.

9. The cutting device according to claim 8, wherein movement of the blade (12) from the fixed position to the detached position defines a first direction of the longitudinal direction (L), the blade holder (8) accommodated in the storage space being configured to exit therefrom along the longitudinal direction (L) in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

10. The cutting device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the storage space comprises a lower surface substantially flush with the lower surface of the body, and an upper surface opposite the lower surface, at least one storage space comprising a window (3) opening onto the upper surface.

11. Use of the cutting device for cutting an object, the cutting device being according to any one of the preceding claims, the user's hand remaining free during cutting operations and not holding the cutting device.

12. A method for replacing a blade holder (8) of the cutting device, the cutting device being according to claim 8, the replacement method comprising the following steps: - moving a first blade holder (8) within the groove (2) of the body (1) from its fixed position to its detached position; - removing a second blade holder (8) accommodated in the storage space from said storage space; - placing the base of the second blade holder (8) in the groove (2) and moving the second blade holder (8) from its detached position to its fixed position.

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