Safety device for the protected storage of manual cutting tools

Abstract

A safety device for the protected storage of hand cutting tools, comprising a body (1) configured as a closed or substantially closed capsule, intended to house one or more hand cutting tools (2), characterized in that the body (1) comprises at least one locking element (3) allowing access to the interior of the body (1), locking means (11) associated with said locking element (3), and at least one support (4) arranged inside the body (1) for the secure housing of the hand cutting tools (2).

Description

Safety device for the protected storage of manual cutting tools OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention, as its title indicates, is a safety device for the protected storage of hand-held cutting tools. This innovation offers advantages previously unknown within current techniques. The present invention is characterized by the special functional and constructive characteristics of the elements that form part of the device, so that all of them contribute to achieving a safety device for the protected storage of manual cutting tools, intended to limit and control access to said tools, both in domestic environments and in professional environments, such as industrial kitchens, hospitality establishments or shared spaces. In particular, the invention aims to provide a device that allows for the safe storage of potentially dangerous hand-held cutting tools, preventing their accidental or improper handling by unauthorized persons, while ensuring controlled access for authorized users. TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the sector of safety and storage devices, and more specifically within the field of protection and access control systems for potentially dangerous hand tools. In particular, the invention is situated in the field of secure storage devices for manual cutting tools, applicable both in the domestic and professional spheres, especially in kitchens, hospitality facilities, training centers, homes or shared spaces where effective control of access to this type of utensil is required. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the state of the art, various systems for storing knives and cutting utensils are known, such as knife blocks, magnetic supports, drawers, sheaths or cases, used both in the domestic and professional spheres. However, these known solutions have significant safety limitations, as they allow direct and immediate access to manual cutting tools, which can lead to domestic accidents, especially in the presence of children, or to misuse of these tools by unauthorized persons. In professional settings, such as industrial kitchens or hospitality establishments, manual cutting tools often have a high economic value, making it common to need to ensure their exclusive use by specific professionals. Traditional storage solutions do not effectively restrict access or protect these tools from unauthorized handling. On the other hand, there are general-purpose locking systems or safety cabinets, but these are usually oversized, not adapted to the shape and specific use of manual cutting tools, or do not include a safe internal organization that reduces the risk during the handling of the tools. Furthermore, existing solutions do not easily integrate access control methods combined with internal organization systems and, where applicable, disinfection methods, proving insufficient to meet current safety and hygiene needs in certain professional environments. Therefore, there is a need for an improved security device, specifically designed for the protected storage of manual cutting tools, that allows effective access control, improves safety during handling, and is adaptable to different usage environments, overcoming the limitations of known solutions. With reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although various container device designs are known, the existence of any other that presents structural and constitutive technical characteristics equal or similar to those presented by the invention claimed herein is unknown. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a safety device for the protected storage of manual cutting tools, designed to limit and control access to this type of tool, both in domestic and professional environments, such as industrial kitchens, hospitality establishments or shared spaces. The invention arises from the need to prevent unauthorized access to manual cutting tools which, due to their physical and functional characteristics, may pose a risk to unauthorized persons, minors, users with inappropriate behavior or third parties outside the work environment, as well as to protect high-value tools intended for exclusive use by certain professional users. To address this problem, the invention proposes a device that integrates into a single structural assembly a body configured for the secure storage of manual cutting tools, a locking element that allows controlled access to the interior, and locking means that restrict such access exclusively to authorized users. In this way, the tools are protected when the device is closed, preventing accidental or improper handling. Furthermore, the invention includes the internal arrangement of at least one specific support for manual cutting tools, designed to hold them in a stable and secure position, preventing unwanted movement and reducing the risk of cuts during handling. In configurations with multiple tools, the supports allow individual access, facilitating the controlled removal of each tool without interfering with the others. Advantageously, the device can incorporate fixing means that allow stable installation on different surfaces, such as countertops, walls, furniture or similar structures, guaranteeing its correct position during use and preventing unintentional displacement of the assembly. The invention supports different locking systems, both mechanical and electronic or biometric, which allows the device to be adapted to different security levels and different contexts of use, always maintaining the fundamental principle of access control. Additionally, the device can integrate auxiliary housings for other potentially dangerous utensils, as well as disinfection means, such as ultraviolet radiation sources, which allow utensils to be stored in suitable hygienic conditions, proving especially advantageous in professional food handling environments. Overall, the invention provides a simple, safe, and versatile solution that combines access control, physical protection, and internal organization of manual cutting tools, without resorting to complex mechanisms or limiting its installation to a specific environment, while maintaining the functional essence of the proposed device. Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Similar or equivalent procedures and materials to those described herein may be used in the practice of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complete the description being made and in order to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by figures in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 is a perspective representation of the closed safety device for the protected storage of manual cutting tools. Figure 2 is a perspective representation of the safety device for the protected storage of open cutting hand tools. Figure 3 is a perspective representation of the safety device for the protected storage of open cutting hand tools and an unfolded support (4). Figure 4 is a perspective representation of the safety device for the protected storage of open cutting hand tools where the axis (7) can be seen. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures, a preferred, though not limiting, embodiment of the invention is described below, which consists of a safety device for the protected storage of manual cutting tools, intended to limit and control access to said tools in both domestic and professional environments, such as homes, industrial kitchens, hospitality establishments or similar. The device comprises a body (1) configured as a closed or substantially closed capsule, sized to house one or more manual cutting tools (2), such as knives of different lengths and shapes, scissors, utility knives, or other similar implements. The body (1) is preferably made of a rigid and resistant material, which hinders unauthorized tampering. The body (1) comprises at least one locking element (3) for access to the interior, mounted in a hinged, sliding or equivalent manner, which allows the introduction and removal of the manual cutting tools (2) when the locking means (11) are in the unlocked position. The device further comprises fixing means configured to secure the body (1) to a stable surface and maintain it in a fixed position during use. These fixing means may include, but are not limited to, screws, mechanical anchors, structural adhesives, interlocking systems, guides, or combinations thereof, allowing its installation on countertops, walls, wall cabinets, cabinet interiors, modular kitchen structures, or other similar surfaces. The invention also comprises locking means (11) associated with the locking element (3), configured to allow controlled opening and closing of the device, so that access to the interior of the body (1) is restricted to authorized users. The locking means (11) may alternatively or in combination comprise fingerprint readers, code entry keypads, magnetic cards, mechanical keys, electronic identification systems, or any other equivalent access control means. Inside the body (1), the manual cutting tools (2) are housed in at least one holder (4) configured to keep each tool in a secure position. Each holder (4) comprises a cover (5) intended to cover at least the blade or tip area of ​​the manual cutting tool (2), as well as an auxiliary stop (6) configured to secure the base or handle of the tool, preventing unwanted movement. The device may comprise one or more holders (4), depending on the number of tools to be stored. In one embodiment where the device comprises a plurality of supports (4), these supports are arranged to allow individual access to each manual cutting tool (2). In particular, each support (4) can be attached to a pivot (7) about which it is rotatable and tiltable, so that, when the device is unlocked, the corresponding support (4) can be tilted and separated from the other supports, facilitating the safe and convenient removal of the tool by the user. Additionally, the device may include auxiliary housings (8) intended to house other potentially dangerous kitchen utensils, such as scissors (9), skewers, sharp tools or other similar items, keeping them equally protected and with controlled access. Optionally, the device includes disinfection means, such as ultraviolet lights (10) arranged inside the body (1), configured to emit UV radiation when the locking element (3) is closed. These ultraviolet lights (10) allow for the disinfection of stored hand cutting tools (2), proving particularly advantageous in hospitality or professional settings. The activation of the ultraviolet lights (10) can be automatically linked to the device being closed or controlled by the locking means (11). Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it, it being noted that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other modes of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

1. A safety device for the protected storage of hand cutting tools, comprising a body (1) configured as a closed or substantially closed capsule, intended to house one or more hand cutting tools (2), characterized in that the body (1) comprises at least one locking element (3) allowing access to the interior of the body (1), locking means (11) associated with said locking element (3), and at least one support (4) arranged inside the body (1) for the secure housing of the hand cutting tools (2).

2. A safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (3) is mounted in a hinged, sliding, or equivalent manner.

3. A safety device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises fastening means configured to secure the body (1) to a stable surface. 4.A safety device according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening means comprise screws, mechanical anchors, structural adhesives, interlocking systems, guides, or combinations thereof.

5. A safety device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (11) comprise fingerprint readers, code entry keypads, magnetic cards, mechanical keys, electronic identification systems, or combinations thereof.

6. A safety device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each support (4) comprises a cover (5) intended to cover at least the area of ​​the blade or tip of the manual cutting tool (2), and an auxiliary stop (6) configured to secure the base or handle of the tool. 7.A safety device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a plurality of supports (4) arranged for the individual accommodation of various manual cutting tools (2).

8. A safety device according to claim 7, characterized in that each support (4) is attached to a shaft (7) about which it is rotatable and tiltable.

9. A safety device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises auxiliary housings (8) configured to accommodate other potentially dangerous implements, such as scissors (9) or other sharp implements.

10. A safety device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises disinfection means, such as ultraviolet lights (10) arranged inside the body (1).