Cutting apparatus with reusable visual wear indicator

Abstract

Described herein is a cutting apparatus comprising a blade having a cutting edge, and a reusable visual wear indicator located at least proximate to the cutting edge for indicating state of wear of the cutting edge. The visual wear indicator may continuously indicate the state of wear of the cutting edge during a useful life of the cutting apparatus.

Description

CUTTING APPARATUS WITH REUSABLE VISUAL WEAR INDICATORFIELD

[0001] The specification relates generally to cutting apparatuses, and specifically, to cutting apparatuses having a reusable visual wear indicator and embodiments thereof.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cutting apparatuses are found and used in all aspects of our society and daily life. From culinary arts to construction, and agriculture to healthcare, cutting apparatuses are fundamental instruments that enable the shaping, crafting, and creation of various products and services. In the culinary realm, knives are essential for food preparation. In manufacturing and construction, cutting apparatuses are crucial for shaping materials and assembling structures with precision and efficiency. In healthcare, surgical instruments ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of medical procedures. Moreover, cutting apparatuses are essential for everyday tasks, from arts and crafts to personal grooming. The ubiquity and versatility of cutting apparatuses demonstrate their integral role in enhancing productivity, creativity and overall quality of life.

[0003] One of the main factors that impact the usability and lifespan of a cutting apparatus is that it becomes dull over time. The dullness could be caused by a gradual wear and deformation of the cutting edge and / or oxidation of the cutting edge. The dullness of the cutting apparatus not only makes it less effective at performing the intended task, but also presents safety risks to its users. A dull cutting apparatus loses its precision and struggles to cleanly cut through intended items, often resulting in tearing or crushing rather than clean cuts. As the dullness progresses, more force is required to use the apparatus effectively, increasing the risk of slips and accidents to the user. A common question that users have is when a cutting apparatus should be sharpened to restore its performance.

[0004] Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a cutting apparatus having a visual wear indicator that can be reused throughout the useful life of the cutting apparatus to provide a visual indication of the relative wear of the cutting edge to prompt users to sharpen the cutting apparatus.SUMMARY

[0005] The needs remaining in the art are addressed by the present disclosure. The present application relates to cutting apparatuses having a reusable visual wear indicator that provides a visual indication of the relative wear of the cutting edge to prompt users to sharpen the apparatus.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present application, the cutting apparatus comprises a blade having a cutting edge, and a reusable visual wear indicator located at least proximate to the cutting edge for indicating relative wear of the cutting edge. In one aspect of the invention, the visual wear indicator may exhibit a first color in an initial use of the cutting edge, and a second color in a subsequent use of the cutting edge. According to some embodiments, the second color indicates to the user that the cutting edge requires or is close to requiring sharpening.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present application, the visual wear indicator resets after sanding and / or polishing of the visual wear indicator. In a non-limiting embodiment, the visual wear indicator returns from the second color to the first color after the sanding and / or polishing of the visual wear indicator, thereby allowing the visual wear indicator to be reused for the purpose of indicating the relative wear of the cutting edge. Through this mechanism, the visual wear indicator preferably continuously indicates the relative wear of the cutting edge (e.g. from sharp, to dull, back to sharp, and to dull again, and continues to cycle on) during the useful life of the cutting apparatus. In a further embodiment, the visual wear indicator is sanded and / or polished at or around the time the cutting edge is sharpened. According to an embodiment, the visual wear indicator is sanded and / or polished as a result of sharpening of the cutting edge. According to another embodiment, the visual wear indicator is sanded and / or polished separately from the sharpening of the cutting edge.

[0008] The cutting apparatus of the present application having the reusable visual wear indicator generally allows a user to continuously assess the wear and dullness of the cutting edge and prompts the user to sharpen the cutting edge to restore the performance of the cutting apparatus.

[0009] Other and further aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent during the course of the following discussion and by reference to the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For a better understanding of the various implementations described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a lateral perspective view of a cutting apparatus according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a visual wear indicator is located on and near a cutting edge of the cutting apparatus; FIG. 1 A depicts the visual wear indicator in a first color and FIG. IB depicts the visual wear indicator in a second color;

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a lateral perspective view of a cutting apparatus according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a visual wear indicator is located proximate to a cutting edge of the cutting apparatus; FIG. 2A depicts the visual wear indicator in a first color and FIG. 2B depicts the visual wear indicator in a second color;

[0013] FIG. 3 A depicts a lateral perspective view of a cutting apparatus according to a nonlimiting embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a visual wear indicator is located on a cutting edge and spans at least a portion of the height of a blade of the cutting apparatus; FIG. 3B depicts an enlarged view of a portion of a non-limiting embodiment of the cutting apparatus of FIG. 3A, with dotted lines illustrating the visual wear indicator spanning the entire height of the blade of the cutting apparatus; FIG. 3C depicts an enlarged view of a portion of another nonlimiting embodiment of the cutting apparatus of FIG. 3 A, with dotted lines illustrating the visual wear indicator spanning half the height of the blade of the cutting apparatus; and

[0014] FIGS. 4 A to 4C depict a lateral view of a cutting apparatus according to a non -limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a visual wear indicator is located on a cutting edge and a color reference for the visual wear indicator is provided on the blade of the cutting apparatus; FIG. 4A depicts the visual wear indicator in a first color, and FIGS. 4B and 4C depict color change of the visual wear as the cutting edge dulls.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The cutting apparatus of the present disclosure may, according to at least some embodiments, provide a visual indication of the relative wear of the cutting edge to prompt users to sharpen the apparatus. While there are existing visual wear indicators in the art, none are reusable over the useful life of the cutting apparatus. For example, U.S. Patent 5388331 describes a wear indicator located in proximity to the shaving edge of a disposable razor. The wear indicator is comprised of a mass of material that gradually wears away as the disposable razor is used to provide a visual indication of the relative wear on the razor blade. Another example of visual wear indicator is described in U.S. Patent 5906834, which teaches sustained-release matrices that include a colorant and a water-leachable substance released over time when exposed to water, causing a change in color, which can be used as a wear indicator for toothbrushes. A common mechanism to these wear indicators is the utilization of more than one substrate and exposing of an underlying substrate as a visual indication of wear. Due to this mechanism, the visual wear indicator is not reusable once the top substrate wears away. Therefore, such visual wear indicators are typically limited to disposable items, such as disposable razors and toothbrushes, that once wear is indicated by the visual wear indicator, users generally dispose the item, rather than attempt to restore their performance. This means such visual indicators cannot be used for non-disposable cutting apparatuses. The cutting apparatus of the present disclosure addresses the need in the art and, according to at least some embodiments, provides a visual wear indicator that can be reused throughout the useful life of the cutting apparatus.

[0016] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary aspects of the present application described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skilled in the art that the exemplary aspects described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the exemplary aspects described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the exemplary aspects described herein. Any systems, method steps, method blocks, components, parts of components, and the like described herein in the singular are to be interpretedas also including a description of such systems, method steps or tasks, components, parts of components, and the like in the plural, and vice versa.

[0017] Attention is direct to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, which depict examples of cutting apparatus 10, according to non-limiting embodiments of the present application. Cutting apparatus 10 comprises a blade 20 with a cutting edge 30, and a reusable visual wear indicator 40. According to some embodiments, the cutting apparatus 10 further comprises a handle 50 coupled to the blade 20 for ease of handling.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the visual wear indicator 40 is located at least proximate to the cutting edge 30. In one embodiment of the present application, the visual wear indicator 40 is located on and around the cutting edge 30, as shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment of the present application, the visual wear indicator 40 is located proximate to the cutting edge 30, as shown in FIG. 2. In yet another embodiment of the present application, the visual wear indicator 40 is located on the cutting edge 30 and spans the entire height of the blade 20, as shown in FIG. 3B, or half the height of the blade 20, as show in FIG. 3C.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the visual wear indicator 40 exhibits different colors that correlate to the relative wear or dullness of the cutting edge 30. It will be understood that for the purposes of this application, “different colors” may refer to different colors, different tones of a color, or different shades of a color. It will be further understood that wear or dullness of the cutting edge 30 may be caused by physical (e.g. deformation) or chemical (e.g. oxidation) wear of the cutting edge 30, and that for the purposes of this application, the visual wear indicator 40 is not required to undergo the same wear process as the cutting edge 30.

[0020] In one embodiment, the visual wear indicator 40 exhibits a first color 40a in an initial use of the cutting edge 30, as shown in FIGS. 1 A, 2A, and 4A, and a second color 40b in a subsequent use of the cutting edge 30, as shown in FIGS. IB, 2B, 4B, and 4C. Preferably, the second color 40b indicates the relative wear of the cutting edge 30. The change from the first color 40a to the second color 40b may be gradual, as shown in FIGS. 4 A - 4C. The change from the first color 40a to the second color 40b may be caused by oxidation of the visual wear indicator 40, which may result in patina, etching, or rust on the visual wear indicator 40. Preferably, the second color 40b indicates when the cutting edge 30 nears or reaches a state that requires sharpening. Morepreferably, the user is prompted to sharpen the cutting edge 30 when the second color 40b appears. According to some embodiments, a chart or color reference 60 may be provided to users so that users can gauge the relative wear of the cutting edge. For example, and as shown in FIG. 4, the color reference 60 may be provided directly on the blade 20.

[0021] According to some embodiments, upon the user sanding and / or polishing of the visual wear indicator 40, the visual wear indicator 40 returns from the second color 40b to the first color 40a. In one embodiment, the visual wear indicator 40 is sanded and / or polished at or around the time the cutting edge 30 is sharpened. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the visual wear indicator 40 is sanded and / or polished separately from the sharpening of the cutting edge 30. According to another non-limiting embodiment, the visual wear indicator 40 is sanded and / or polished as a result of the user sharpening the cutting edge 30. The return from the second color 40b to the first color 40a may be due to the removal of rust, patina, or etching on the visual wear indicator 40, possibly through the sanding, polishing, and / or sharpening process. In a preferred embodiment, once the second color 40b returns to the first color 40a, the visual wear indicator 40 re-begins the cycle of indicating the relative wear of the cutting edge 30, preferably until the first color 40a turns to the second color 40b again, and thereby prompting the user to re-sharpen the cutting edge 30 again. According to some embodiments, the visual wear indicator 40 continuously indicates the relative wear of the cutting edge 30 throughout the useful life of the cutting apparatus 10, as described in a non-limiting example below.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user initially acquires the cutting apparatus 10, the visual wear indicator 40 appears in the same color as the blade 20, to indicate that the cutting edge 30 is sharp. The visual wear indicator 40 darkens gradually over time:

[0024] The darkening of the visual wear indicator 40 indicates that the cutting edge 30 is becoming duller and duller. In this example, the cutting edge 30 is duller in month 2 of use than month 0 of use, is duller in month 4 of use than month 2 of use, and is duller in month 6 of usethan month 4 of use. The user decides to sharpen the cutting edge 30 in month 7 of use and sand the visual wear indicator 40 at the same time, which returns the cutting edge 30 to its original sharpness and the visual wear indicator 40 to its original color. The visual wear indicator 40 again darkens over time as the cutting edge 30 dulls:

[0025] The above cycle of the color of the visual wear indicator 40 in relation to the sharpness / dullness of the cutting edge 30 continues until the user disposes the cutting apparatus 10. In this example, the visual wear indicator 40 provides information continuously on the relative wear of the cutting edge 30, at any point throughout the useful life of the cutting apparatus 10 (e.g., at month 2 of use vs. at month 7 of use vs. at month 13 of use).

[0026] According to some embodiments, the blade 20 may be resistant to discoloration. In one embodiment, the blade 20 may be made from stainless steel. In one embodiment, the visual wear indicator 40 may be made from a material different from the blade 20. According to some embodiments, the visual wear indicator 40 may be made from carbon steel, titanium, or copper. In a further embodiment, the material of the visual wear indicator 40 may be coupled to the material of the blade 20. Any suitable method for coupling or manufacturing the blade 20 with the visual wear indicator 40 is contemplated. For example, in one embodiment, the material of the visual wear indicator 40 may be welded to the material of the blade 20. In another example embodiment, the material of the visual wear indicator 40 may be layered and compressed in-between the material of the blade 20, with a cut-out section to reveal the visual wear indicator 40.

[0027] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.INTERPRETATION

[0028] It will also be understood that for the purposes of this application, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” or “one or more of X, Y, and Z” language can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XYY, YZ, ZZ).

[0029] In the present application, components may be described as being “configured to” or “enabled to” perform one or more functions. Generally, it is understood that a component that is configured to or enabled to perform a function is configured to or enabled to perform the function, or is suitable for performing the function, or is adapted to perform the function, or is operable to perform the function, or is otherwise capable of performing the function.

[0030] Additionally, components in the present application may be described as being “operatively connected to”, “operatively coupled to”, and the like, to other components. It is understood that such components are connected or coupled to each other in a manner to perform a certain function. It is also understood that “connections”, “coupling” and the like, as recited in the present application include direct and indirect connections between components.

[0031] References in the application to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an implementation”, “a variant”, etc., indicate that the embodiment, implementation or variant described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment, implementation or variant necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect or connect such module, aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. In other words, any module, element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility, or it is specifically excluded.

[0032] It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as “solely”, “only”, and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a“negative” limitation. The terms “preferably”, “preferred”, “prefer”, “optionally”, “may”, and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.

[0033] The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and / or” means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase “one or more” is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.

[0034] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual values making up the range, particularly integer values. A recited range includes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within the range. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, or tenths. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cutting apparatus comprising: a blade having a cutting edge, and a reusable visual wear indicator located at least proximate to the cutting edge for indicating state of wear of the cutting edge.

2. The cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual wear indicator exhibits: a first color in an initial use of the cutting edge; and a second color in a subsequent use of the cutting edge, the second color indicates the state of wear of the cutting edge.

3. The cutting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second color is a different color from the first color.

4. The cutting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second color is a tonal change from the first color.

5. The cutting apparatus of claim 2, wherein change from the first color to the second color in the visual wear indicator is gradual.

6. The cutting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the change from the first color to the second color in the visual wear indicator is due to oxidation.

7. The cutting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the oxidation results in patina, etching, or rust on the visual wear indicator.

8. The cutting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second color of the visual wear indicator indicates when the cutting edge nears or reaches a state that requires sharpening.

9. The cutting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the visual wear indicator returns from the second color to the first color after sanding and / or polishing of the visual wear indicator.

10. The cutting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sanding and / or polishing of the visual wear indicator results from sharpening of the cutting edge.

11. The cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual wear indicator continuously indicates the state of wear of the cutting edge during a useful life of the cutting apparatus.

12. The cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual wear indicator comprises a material different from the blade.

13. The cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade comprises stainless steel.

14. The cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein material of the visual wear indicator is coupled to material of the blade.

15. The cutting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the material of the visual wear indicator extends beyond the cutting edge into body of the blade.

16. The cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual wear indicator is nested within at least the cutting edge.

17. The cutting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a handle coupled to the blade.

18. A visual wear indicator for a metal object, comprising an oxidation indicator located at least proximate to a sharpened edge of the metal object, wherein: the oxidation indicator exhibits a first color prior to oxidation and a second color upon oxidation; and the oxidation indicator returns from the second color to the first color upon sanding and / or polishing of the oxidation indicator.

19. The visual wear indicator of claim 18, wherein the sanding and / or polishing of the oxidation indicator results from sharpening of the sharpened edge.

20. The visual wear indicator of claim 18, wherein the visual wear indicator is comprised of a material different from the metal object.

21. The visual wear indicator of claim 18, wherein the metal object is resistant to discoloration.

22. The visual wear indicator of claim 18, wherein the metal object is a blade or a knife.

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