Abstract:
The invention is a magnetic knife sheath that permits easy transport and protection of knives in a relatively small sheath. The sheath has either one or two magnetically charged faces. The user places the knife blade against a magnetically charged face and the knife blade is held in place by magnetic attraction between the knife and the magnetically charged face or faces.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not Applicable.  
         FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP  
         [0002]    Not Applicable.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Professional chefs frequently carry their knives from place to place. During transport it is necessary to protect the knife blades, both to keep the blade sharp and to prevent accidentally cutting oneself. In addition, individuals at home frequently use some sort of sheath to protect and secure kitchen knives.  
           [0004]    In order to transport their knives, professional chefs typically use a lightweight, hard plastic sheath that holds the knife blade. The plastic sheath is shaped like a long and very narrow taco shell. The bottom side is sealed. The other three sides have a very narrow slot. The knife blade must be forced into the narrow slot, between the plastic faces. The knife blade is held in place simply by the narrowness and tightness of the plastic slot.  
           [0005]    The plastic sheath has several disadvantages. A knife blade is not immobilized between the plastic faces. The knife blade can move against the bottom of the plastic sheath, dulling the knife blade.  
           [0006]    In addition, the plastic sheaths are solid and inflexible. They cannot be opened. Therefore, the plastic sheaths cannot be cleaned or sterilized. Chefs are often tired at the end of a long night of work, and frequently place their knives into the plastic sheaths without thoroughly cleaning the knife blade first. Because the plastic sheaths cannot be opened or cleaned, particles of food from the dirty knife blade may remain inside the plastic sheath. The invention makes it possible to open and clean the knife sheath.  
           [0007]    Furthermore, because the plastic sheath cannot be opened, chefs may cut their hands when placing the knife blade into the plastic sheath. Placing the knife blade in the plastic sheath involves holding the plastic sheath in one hand and the knife in the other. The chef then lines up the knife blade with the very narrow slot in the plastic sheath, and pushes the knife blade into the plastic sheath. If the chef misaligns the knife blade and the slot in the plastic sheath, the knife blade may be pushed into the palm of the hand that is holding the plastic sheath. The knives are very sharp and will frequently cut the chef&#39;s hand. It is much easier and safer to place a knife blade into the invention because the invention may be opened.  
           [0008]    Individuals at home also wish to protect and secure their knifes. The magnetic knife holders most commonly used in the home involve a large magnet, which is attached to a wall or cabinet. Alternatively, knives are frequently placed in some sort of wooden block, or some other solid material that holds the knives as a group on a countertop. These various types of knife holders take up a lot of space on a wall or cabinet. In addition, they are difficult to clean. None of the prior inventions provide a lightweight, compact means for securing and protecting knife blades.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,239, issued to Applicant on Oct. 1, 2002, describes a magnetic knife sheath with two parallel, flat magnets with a central hinge between the magnets. This central hinge is exposed to wear and tear due to the knife-edge hitting the hinge, and due to repeated opening and closing of the magnetic knife sheath.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY  
         [0010]    There are several embodiments of the present invention. All embodiments use magnets to hold a knife blade in place in the knife sheath. In all cases, the magnets may be either flexible or hard magnets.  
           [0011]    In one embodiment, there is a single magnetically charged face. This magnetically charged face is generally J-shaped; the magnetically charged face is flat with a trough at one side. The user inserts the knife-edge into the trough and the magnet is secured in place by magnetic attraction between the knife blade and the magnetically charged face. There is no second magnetically charged face and therefore no need for a hinge in this embodiment.  
           [0012]    All other embodiments have two magnetically charged faces and a hinge. All of these embodiments provide protection to the hinge, either by off-setting the hinge, by modifying the shape of one magnetically charged face to protect the hinge, or by providing additional structural protection to the hinge.  
           [0013]    In all of these embodiments, one magnetically charged face is flat. The other magnetically charged face has different shapes: flat; generally L-shaped, or generally J-shaped. In all these embodiments the magnetically charged faces are permanently affixed to a magnet support. In all these embodiments a hinge is located between the two magnetically charged faces. The hinge allows the user to open the knife sheath, place a knife against one magnetically charged face, and close the knife by means of the hinge. The hinge is located so that the two magnetically charged faces align when the invention is closed. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of the invention in the open position with a knife in place.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1A is a perspective drawing of the same embodiment as in FIG. 1 in a partially closed position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of the invention in the partially closed position.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the same view as in FIG. 2.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of the invention in the partially closed position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the same view as in FIG. 3.  
         [0020]    Fog.  3 B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in the open position.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of the invention in the partially closed position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the same view as in FIG. 4.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of the invention in the partially closed position.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in the open position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the view shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows an L-shaped magnetically charged face  10  and a second magnetically charged face  8 . Magnetically charged faces  8  and  10  may be made from flexible magnets or non-flexible, hard magnets.  
         [0032]    The second magnetically charged face  8  is a flat magnet. In this embodiment, the L-shaped magnetically charged face  10  has a long plane  11  and a short plane  12 . L-shaped magnetically charged face  10  may be formed as a single unit. Alternatively, the long plane  11  and short plane  12  may be formed in any other manner so that short plane  12  extends perpendicularly from long plane  11 . The use of the phrase “L-shaped” is for identification only, and is not meant to limit the angle of connection between long plane  11  and short plane  12 . Thus, short plane  12  may extend perpendicularly from long plane  11  through a curve rather than a right angle. Or, as shown in FIG. 1 short plane  12  may extend at a 90-degree angle from long plane  11 , forming an “L”.  
         [0033]    Magnetically charged faces  10  and  8  are permanently affixed to magnet support  20  by thermal bonding, thermal welding, pressure sensitive adhesive, or any other adhesive that will permanently attach the magnet support  20  to the magnetically charged faces. In this embodiment, only long plane  11  of magnetically charged face  10  is permanently affixed to magnet support  20 . The inventor currently prefers making the magnet support  20  from flexible vinyl. However, the magnet support  20  may also be made of a wide variety of materials that may be repeatedly bent without breaking, for example, high-density polymers, rubber, paper, plastic, or leather.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 1, hinge  21  is made of the same material as magnet support  20 , and is the same thickness as magnet support  20 . Hinge  21  is located between long plane  11  and second magnetically charged face  8 .  
         [0035]    As shown in FIG. 1A, hinge  21  allows the magnet support to curve around short plane  12 . Also as shown in FIG. 1A, hinge  21  is located on magnet support  20  so that magnetically charged faces  8  and  10  align when the knife sheath is in the closed position. The second magnetically charged face is thereby magnetically attracted to first magnetically charged face  10 , holding the knife sheath closed. If a knife is placed in the knife sheath the magnetically charged faces will be attracted to the knife, as well, and will secure the knife in the knife sheath.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 8 and 8A show an alternative embodiment using L-shaped magnetically charged face  10 . In this embodiment, magnet support  20  is permanently affixed to long plane  11 . Magnet support  20  has projection  24 . Projection  24  is made of the same material as magnet support  20 . Projection  24  is permanently affixed to the side and top of short plane  12 . Projection  24  wraps around the end of magnetically charged face  10  and extends slightly beyond magnetically charged face  10 . Projection  24  then bends up so that it is parallel to magnetically charged face  10 . Projection  24  forms a gap next to magnetically charged face  10 . A knife-edge is inserted into this gap. Hinge  21  is located between projection  24  and magnetically charged face  8 . The inventor currently prefers forming projection  24  so that a ⅛″ gap is created. However, it is apparent that the size projection  24  may be varied to accommodate different sizes of knife blades. Hinge  21  is thus off-center, and is protected from the knife-edge. Hinge  21  is located on the same said of the device as magnetically charged face  8 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 8B shows another embodiment using L-shaped magnetically charged face  10 . In this embodiment, projection  24  wraps around short plane  12 , as described above. Hinge  21 , however, is in the center of the invention, and is located between projection  24  and second magnetically charged face  8 . In this embodiment, the L-shape of L-shaped magnetically charged face  10  protects hinge  21  from the knife-edge.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 3 and 3A show another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment has a first flat magnetically charged face  13  and a second flat magnetically charged face  8 . Both magnetically charged faces are permanently affixed to magnet support  20 . Projection  24  is made of the same material as magnet support  20 . Projection  24  wraps around the end of magnetically charged face  13  and extends slightly beyond magnetically charged face  13 . Projection  24  then bends up so that it is parallel to magnetically charged face  13 . Projection  24  forms a gap next to magnetically charged face  13 . A knife-edge is inserted into this gap. Hinge  21  is located between projection  24  and magnetically charged face  8 . Hinge  21  is thus off-center, and is protected from the knife-edge. The inventor currently prefers forming projection  24  so that a ⅛″ gap is created. However, it is apparent that the size projection  24  may be varied to accommodate different sizes of knife blades.  
         [0039]    Another embodiment using flat magnetically charged face  13  is shown in FIG. 3B. As shown in FIG. 3B, lip  22  is perpendicularly attached to magnet support  20 . Lip  22  is preferably made from the same material as magnet support  20 . Hinge  21  is located between lip  22  and second magnetically charged face  8 . In this embodiment, magnet support  20  is permanently affixed to long plane  11 . Hinge  21  is located between lip  22  and second magnetically charged face  8 . Lip  22  is placed on magnet support  20  so that the magnetically charged faces  13  and  8  align when magnet support  20  curves over lip  22  through hinge  21 . The length of lip  22  must be sufficient to extend beyond approximately ⅛″ beyond magnetically charged face  13 . However, it is apparent that the length of lip  22  may be adjusted as needed to accommodate different knife thicknesses.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 3 and 3A show a variation of hinge  21 . This variation may be used in any of the embodiments with two magnetically charged faces described herein. In this embodiment, hinge  21  is made of the same material as magnet support  20 , but is thinner than magnet support  20 . The thickness of hinge  21  may be varied in any of the embodiments described herein.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 2 and 2A another embodiment of the invention using an L-shaped magnet. This embodiment has a first magnetically charged face  16  that is L-shaped. First magnetically charged face  16  has a long plane  11  and a short plane  12 . Second magnetically charged face  8  is flat. Hinge  21  moveably connects first magnetically charged face  16  and second magnetically charged face  8 . Hinge  21  is made from flexible vinyl, polymers, rubber, leather, plastic or paper, or any material that may be repeatedly bent without breaking. Hinge  21  is permanently affixed to the magnetically charged faces  8  and  16 . Hinge  21  will be offset from the center of the invention due to the L-shape of first magnetically charged face  16 . Hinge  21  is protected from the knife-edge by the L-shape of first magnetically charged face  16 . Hinge  21  allows the magnetically charged faces  8  and  16  to open and close. A knife will be secured by magnetic forces when it is placed in between the magnetically charged faces  8  and  16  and hinge  22  is closed.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, J-shaped magnetically charged face  14  has a long plane  11 , a short plane  12 , and a second short plane  15 . Short plane  12  extends perpendicularly from long plane  11 , as described above. Second short plane  15  extends perpendicularly form short plane  12  to form a trough. The trough must be of sufficient size to accommodate the edge of a knife blade.  
         [0043]    J-shaped magnetically charged face  14  may be formed as a single unit. Alternatively, the long plane  11  and short planes  12  and  15  may be formed in any other manner to form a trough. The use of the phrase “J-shaped” is for identification only, and is not meant to limit the angles of connection between long plane  11  and short planes  12  and  15 . Thus, short plane  12  may extend may extend perpendicularly from long plane  11  through a curve rather than a right angle. And, short plane  15  may extend perpendicularly from short plane  12  through a curve rather than a right angle. Or, as shown in FIG. 4 short planes  12  and  15  may extend at 90-degree angles.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 4 and 4A show magnet support  20  permanently affixed to long plane  11 , short plane  12  and second short plane  15 . Hinge  21  will thus be offset from the center of the invention. Hinge  21  is located between second magnetically charged face  8  and short plane  15 . As described above hinge  21  may be the same material and same thickness as magnet support  20 . Or, hinge  21  may be of the same material and thinner than magnet support  20 . Hinge  21  is located on magnet support  20  so that magnetically charged faces  8  and  14  align when the knife sheath is in the closed position.  
         [0045]    Another embodiment of the invention using the J-shaped magnetically charged face  14  is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the magnet support is permanently attached only to long plane  11 . Hinge  21  is located between long plane  11  and second magnetically charged face  8 . Hinge  21  is protected from the knife-edge by the J-shaped magnetically charged face  14 . Hinge  21  allows the magnet support to curve around short planes  12  and  15 , and to align magnetically charged faces  8  and  14 . The second magnetically charged face  8  is thereby magnetically attracted to first magnetically charged face  14 , holding the knife sheath closed. If a knife is placed in the knife sheath the magnetically charged faces will be attracted to the knife, as well, and will secure the knife in the knife sheath.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention using only a single J-shaped magnetically charged face. In this embodiment, as described above, J-shaped magnetically charged face  14  has a long plane  11 , a short plane  12 , and a second short plane  15 . Short plane  12  extends perpendicularly from long plane  11 , as described above. Second short plane  15  extends perpendicularly form short plane  12  to form a trough. The trough must be of sufficient size to accommodate the edge of a knife blade. The inventor currently prefers a trough of about ⅛″. However, it is apparent that the length of the trough may be adjusted as needed to accommodate different knife thicknesses.  
         [0047]    J-shaped magnetically charged face  14  may be formed as a single unit. Alternatively, the long plane  11  and short planes  12  and  15  may be formed in any other manner to form a trough. The use of the phrase “J-shaped” is for identification only, and is not meant to limit the angles of connection between long plane  11  and short planes  12  and  15 . Thus, short plane  12  may extend may extend perpendicularly from long plane  11  through a curve rather than a right angle. And, short plane  15  may extend perpendicularly from short plane  12  through a curve rather than a right angle. Or, as shown in FIG. 4 short planes  12  and  15  may extend at 90-degree angles.  
         [0048]    There is no magnet support or hinge in this embodiment. The knife-edge is simply placed in trough. The knife is held in place through magnetic attraction.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIGS. 7 and 7A show seal  23 . Seal  23  is an optional addition to any of the embodiments described herein. Seal  23  is made from vinyl tape, polypropylene tape, polyester tape, thermal bonding, or any other tape. Seal  23  is placed over all or a part of the first and second magnetically charged faces, and the hinge  21 . Seal  23  creates a barrier to prevent food or other contaminants from getting between the magnetically charged faces and the magnet support  20  or hinge  21 .  
         [0050]    In all of the embodiments described, the magnetically charged faces adhere to magnet support  20  by virtue of either the application of adhesive, such as urethane, acrylic, epoxy glue, or other adhesive, or the application of heat to form a thermal bond. The adhesive or thermal bonding should be susceptible to washing and sterilizing, thus permitting the entire invention to be cleaned and sterilized.  
         [0051]    In all of the described embodiments, the two magnetically charged faces are placed in such a manner that when the invention is in the closed position the magnetically charged faces are magnetically attracted to each other. The magnetic attraction of the magnetically charged faces will hold the knife sheath in a closed position and will hold the knife blade in place.  
         [0052]    In all of the described embodiments, the hinge  21  is sufficiently flexible to allow hinge-like motion so that the invention may be repeatedly opened and closed. When in the closed position, one magnetically charged face aligns with the second magnetically charged face. Hinge  21  may be made out of the same material used for the magnet support  20 . Alternatively, the hinge  21  may be any material that may be repeatedly bent without breaking. Hinge  21  may also be a living hinge, or may be made by scoring, or by a mechanical hinge.  
         [0053]    The size and shape of the magnetically charged faces and the magnet support  22  can be varied as needed to match the different sizes of different knife blades. Typically, the entire knife blade will be completely covered by the magnetically charged faces or, the magnet support  22 . However, it is not absolutely necessary to have the entire knife blade covered by the magnetically charged faces or the magnet support  22 . Some knife blades, for example, large or curved knife blades, may be secured and protected by the invention as long as the sharp edge of the blade is covered.  
         [0054]    The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.