Abstract:
A tool having a combined synergistic function for users of sealed plastic bags in order to quickly and safely open and reseal them, wherein a cutting tool for cutting the bag open is connected with a clipping tool for clipping closed the opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to sealed plastic bags of the type used to hold loose articles, such as food, and more particularly to a tool which provides selective cutting open and subsequent clipping closed the opening in the bag.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Sealed bags for loose articles, such as for example snack foods and breakfast cereals, are marketed in the form of a bag which has an upper seal, and is typically constructed of plastic (sometimes cereal boxes have therewithin sealed bags composed of wax paper). In the case of plastic bags, the plastic is quite strong and the seam is in the nature of a strong weld which provides a hermetic seal for the contents. The manufacturer expects the user to be able to open the sealed bag by either tearing the seam, cutting the seam with a knife or scissors, or by brute force peeling it apart at the seam. Peeling apart the seam is difficult for an able-bodied person, but it is quite frustrating for children and disabled persons. And, once the bag has been opened, frequently the entire contents are not dispensed at the time of opening, introducing a sealing problem because the seam is not self re-sealing. Also, the use of tamper-proof sealed bags has become increasingly prevalent, with even more difficulty being associated with opening them.  
           [0005]    In the art, it has become now ubiquitous to utilize a spring-loaded bag clip (or bag clamp), as described for example by U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,791. One example of a prior art bag clip is shown at FIG. 1. The bag clip  10  has a pair of elongated jaws  12 ,  14  which are pivotably connected at a rocking pivot  16  and biased closed by action of a spring  18 . A handle  20  is connected to each of the jaws and allows a user to manipulate the bag clip  10 . In operation, the jaws are opened, placed along the open seam and then clamped thereupon to reseal the bag. The jaws preferably terminate in a frictional surface, such as soft plastic tubes (which is a costly design/construction), or terminate in a rows of interengaging serrations. A second example of a prior art bag clip is shown at FIG. 2. The bag clip  22  has a first wing  24  and a second wing  26 , each terminating at one end in a jaw  28 ,  30 , respectively, and at the other end in a handle  32 . A living hinge  34  provides a pivot, and a spring  36  provides a clamping action at the jaws. Operation is similar to the first example.  
           [0006]    Specialized devices to cut open sealed packages are known. For example, FIG. 3 shows a prior art envelope opening device  38 . The opening device  38  has a main body  40  having a slot  42  into which is resident a blade  44 . The blade is at an acute angle relative to the slot so that any thin planar, fibrous paper-type material entering the slot will encounter the blade at a cut facilitating incidence. The slot is defined at one side by a piercing member  46 . A tongue  48  may be present. In operation, the piercing member is used to enter into the space between the envelope proper and its sealed flap. As the fold between the flap and the envelope proper passes into the slot, the blade cuts open the envelope. This device does not, however, work well to cut open plastic bags because the blade is not well positioned relative to the slot for this purpose. Another prior art opener is depicted at FIGS. 4A and 4B. The opener  50  has a body  52  which integrates a head  54  with a handle (or stem)  56 . The body  52  is in the form of an upper planar part  58  and a lower planar part  60 . The head has a slot  62  which is formed at each of the upper and lower planar parts. A blade  64  is carried by the lower planar part and is seated so as to be at an acute angle relative to the slot for the cutting advantage mentioned hereinabove. With the blade seated, the upper and lower planar parts are connected to each other. Operation to open a plastic bag involves holding the handle and placing a portion of the bag into the slot so that the blade cuts it. This device does not work well to cut through paper, but does work well to cut through a plastic bag because the blade cutting edge is positioned relative to the slot for this purpose.  
           [0007]    What remains needed in the art is a tool which provides a user with an ability to both easily open a sealed bag and further to reseal the bag after it has been opened.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention is a tool which has a combined synergistic function for users of sealed plastic bags in order to open and reseal them.  
           [0009]    The cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention is composed of a clipping tool integrated with a cutting tool. The clipping tool includes a pair of jaws which are pivotably connected and springably biased into a closed position. When at the closed position, the jaws provide a clamping force sufficient to hold closed an opening in a bag (rolled or unrolled). The clipping tool has a handle for providing ease of use and may have any of a variety of jaw interfaces, including those conventionally known in the art, and further including off-set configurations which provide a superior S-curve closure to the bag opening than a conventional nose-to-nose closure. The cutting tool is of a generally conventional design (FIGS. 4A, 4B), having a head and a stem connected thereto. The head has a slot having a base whereat a blade is resident, the cutting edge of which being at an inclined angle relative to the slot which is positioned for cutting plastic sheet, forcing a plastic bag to be cut (without bunching-up) as it is passed into the slot.  
           [0010]    The cutting tool is attached to the clipping tool so that the slot at the head of the cutting tool is unobstructed by any of the structure of the clipping tool, and further so that the clamping function of the jaws is unobstructed by any of the structure of the cutting tool. The cutting tool is preferably attached to the clipping tool on a jaw or on a handle via a seat receiving the stem; alternatively, the stem may be glued to the clipping tool in absence of the seat.  
           [0011]    In operation, a user grasps the cutting and clipping tool and grips the sealed bag to be opened. Then, the user directs an edge of the bag (preferably the top seam) into the slot and causes the blade to cut open the bag. The user then selectively dispenses contents of the bag. To reseal the bag, the user preferably rolls the cut edge once or several times, then grasps the cutting and clipping tool so as to place the jaws over the (preferably rolled-up) cut edge, whereupon the jaws clamp closed the opening in the bag.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combined cutting and clipping tool for the purposes of cutting open sealed bags and thereafter clipping closed the opening.  
           [0013]    This, and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art clipping device.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second prior art clipping device.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art paper envelope opener.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of a prior art plastic bag opener.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a partly sectional end view of the first embodiment of the present invention, seen along line  6 - 6  of FIG. 8.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective, exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is an end view of an alternative form of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention, shown in operation opening a sealed bag.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention, shown in an open state.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention, shown in a closed state of operation whereby an opening that was formed in the bag of FIG. 10 is held closed by the clipping tool.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first form of a second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 13A is a detail view of circle  13 A of FIG. 13.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the first form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 15 is a side view of the first form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention, wherein one serration row is shown clamped into the center of an opposing pair of rows of serrations so as to provide a C-curve bag sealing bend.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the first form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 17 is a top plan view showing the cutting tool of FIG. 13 in a preliminary stage of assembly.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 18 is a side view of a second form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a third form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the third form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 21 is a side view of the third form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention, wherein two opposing pairs of serration rows provide an S-curve bag sealing bend.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a first variation of a first form of a third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention, wherein two opposing pairs of serration rows provide an S-curve bag sealing bend.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 23 is another variation of the first variation of the first form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 24 is still another variation of the first variation of the first form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention, wherein one serration row is shown clamped into the center of an opposing pair of rows of serrations so as to provide a C-curve bag sealing bend.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 25 is yet another variation of the first variation of the first form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention, wherein one serration row is shown clamped into the center of an opposing pair of rows of serrations so as to provide a C-curve bag sealing bend.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 26 is an exploded detail plan view of a clipping tool seat according to the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 27 is a sectional view depicting the clipping tool seat of FIG. 26 in operation with respect to the stem of the clipping tool of FIG. 26.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a second form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 29 is a detail side view of a first jaw variation of the cutting and clipping tool of FIG. 28.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 30 is a detail side view of a second jaw variation of the cutting and clipping tool of FIG. 28.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0045]    Referring now to the Drawing, FIGS. 5 through 12 depict a first embodiment of a cutting and clipping tool  100  according to the present invention. The cutting and clipping tool  100  is composed of a mutually attached cutting tool  102  for cutting an opening in a sealed bag and a clipping tool  104  for clamping closed the opening.  
         [0046]    The clipping tool  104  includes a first wing  106  which is somewhat planar, and a second wing  108  which is generally curved (see FIG. 6). At the end of the wings  106 , 108  is a respective first and second jaw  110 ,  112 . The first jaw  110  of the first wing  106  is provided with a pair of mutually spaced apart off-set nibs  114 , 116 . The second jaw  112  of the second wing  108  is provided with a single center-set nib  118 . The spacing and location of the nibs is such that the center-set nib  118  is receivable between the off-set nibs  114 , 116  when the wings are in a closed state, as shown at FIG. 6.  
         [0047]    The wings  106 ,  108  are interconnected by a living hinge  120 , which may be, for example, in the form of a soft elastomer. The living hinge  120  allows the wings  106 ,  108  to be moved between an open state (see FIG. 11) to the aforesaid closed state. This movement in provided by hand manipulation of handles  122 , 124  respectively of the wings  106 , 108  (see FIG. 11).  
         [0048]    The wings  106 , 108  are biased toward the closed state by a spring  126 . The spring  126  is preferably of spring steel sheet and is trapped by bosses  128 , 130  at an inside surface of the wings  106 , 108 .  
         [0049]    A cutting tool seat  132  is formed at one of the wings, preferably at the inside surface, but may be located at the outside surface (see cutting tool seat  132 ′ of wing  106 ′ at FIG.  9 ). The preferred cutting tool seat  132  is a pair of mutually separated rails  134 , 136  having lips  134   a,    136   a  which are structured to receive the stem  138  of the cutting tool  102 . The cutting tool seat  132  may hold the stem  138  received therein by friction, by a snap fit, as shown by way of example at FIGS. 26 and 27, (wherein the cutting tool may be replaceable (see FIG. 7) or by being adheringly connected, such as for example by glue, sonic welding or hot staking. As best shown at FIGS. 6 and 7, a lip  136   a  the cutting tool seat  132  may serve as an attachment location for the living hinge  120 .  
         [0050]    The length of the jaws may be any desired length, ranging for example from about 2.5 inches (as shown) to 6 inches or more. In widths of 4 or more inches, 2 springs are preferred. While the nibs  114 ,  116 ,  118  are preferred, there may be only two nibs (one for each jaw) or a pair of mutually spaced apart nibs on each jaw which are off-set relative to each other.  
         [0051]    The cutting tool  102  is similar to the cutting tool described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B (except a clip  66  is preferably absent, although it may be retained, see alternative cutting tool  102 ′ in FIG. 9), inclusive of two planar parts (see FIG. 17). The cutting tool  102  includes a head  140 , the aforesaid stem  138 , a slot  142 , and a blade  144  (see FIG. 7) having a cutting edge positioned in the slot at an acute angle (which facilitates an easy plastic bag cut, yet is generally child safe).  
         [0052]    Referring now in particular to FIGS. 10 through 12, operation will be detailed. A user grasps the handles (handle  122  being visible) of the clipping tool  104  and grips a sealed bag  150  to be opened. Then, the user directs an edge  152  of the bag into the slot  142  of the cutting tool  102  and causes the blade  144  to cut open the bag. The user then selectively dispenses the contents of the bag. To reseal the bag, the user preferably rolls the cut edge once or several times (see rolled edge  154 ), then grasps the handles of the clipping tool so as to place the jaws ( 110 ,  112 ) over the rolled bag opening. Next, the jaws are clamped closed upon the opening so as to thereby close the bag. The bag  150  may be of any composition, as for example plastic, wax paper, etc., and may or may not have a weld-type seam as shown.  
         [0053]    In order for the jaws to reliably stay clamped on the bag, it is preferred for the nibs  114 ,  116 ,  118  to be covered with a soft rubbery material  156  to add friction (see FIG. 11). Preferably in manufacture, the soft rubbery material  156  is co-extruded with the nibs.  
         [0054]    Turning attention now to FIGS. 13 through 21 a second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention will be discussed, wherein FIGS. 13 through 15 show a first form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  200 , wherein a three serration row arrangement provides a C-curve bag sealing bend, FIGS. 16 through 18 show a second form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  200 ′, wherein the three serration row arrangement also provides a C-curve bag sealing bend. FIGS. 19 through 21 show a third form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  200 ″, wherein a four serration row arrangement provides a superior S-curve bag sealing bend.  
         [0055]    A clipping tool  204  includes a first wing  206 , and a second wing  208 . At the end of the wings  206 ,  208  is a respective first and second jaw  210 ,  212 . The first jaw  210  of the first wing  206  is provided with a pair of mutually spaced apart off-set serration rows  214 , 216  (see detail of serrations  215  at FIG. 13A). The second jaw  212  of the second wing  208  is provided with a single center-set serration row  218 . The spacing and location of the serration rows is such that the center-set serration row  218  is receivable between the off-set serration rows  214 ,  216  when the wings are in a closed state, as shown at FIG. 15. This three serration row arrangement provides a C-curve bag sealing bend, as shown at FIGS. 15 and 18.  
         [0056]    Alternatively, the serration rows of the jaws may be configured as shown at FIGS. 19 through 21. Now, each jaw  206 ′,  208 ′ carries a respective off-set pair of serration rows  216   a,    216   b,    218   a,    218   b,  wherein the serration rows mesh as shown at FIG. 21. This four serration row meshing causes a bag placed therein to undergo an S-curve sealing bending which is superior to the C-curve sealing bending provided a bag when the jaws of FIGS. 15 and 18 are closed thereupon because the added sealing bends result in a more assured sealing closure of the bag opening and tight gripping of the bag in the jaws.  
         [0057]    The wings  206 ,  208  are interconnected by a conventional rocking pivot  220 , of the kind well known in the art and shown at FIG. 1. The pivot  220  allows the wings  206 ,  208  to be moved between an open state and a closed state, as discussed hereinabove. This movement in provided by hand manipulation of handles  222 , 224  (which are integral portions of the wings  206 ,  208 ) in a mode analogous to FIG. 11.  
         [0058]    The wings  206 ,  208  are biased toward the closed state by a spring  226 . The spring  226  is preferably of spring steel wire, wraps about the wings and resides in slots formed in the wings in a manner known in the art.  
         [0059]    In the first form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  200 , shown in FIGS. 15 through 17, one of the wings  206  integrally includes a cutting tool  202 ′. In the second form of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  200 ′, the cutting tool  202  is adhered to one of the wings by (for example) an adhesive, as shown at FIG. 18.  
         [0060]    The cutting tool  202  is identical to the cutting tool  102  described hereinabove, inclusive of two planar parts  202   a,    202   b,  a head  240 , a stem  238 , a slot  242 , and a blade  244  positioned in the slot at an acute angle. The stem  238  is adhered to one of the wings  206  by, for example, an adhesive  232 , as shown at FIG. 18. The cutting tool  202 ′ is similarly configured to the cutting tool  202 , except now planar part  202   a′  is an integral part of wing  206  (see FIG. 15).  
         [0061]    Operation of the second embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  200 ,  200 ′,  200 ″ is as generally described previously. It is preferred to include a key chain hole  270  in one of the wings  208  to provide easy carrying in a purse or pocket. While the second embodiment may be any size the jaws may be made to any desired length (ranging for example from about 1.5 inches (as shown) to 6 inches or more), a small size (jaws of about 1.5 inches in length) is preferred for carrying on a key chain or for ladies to carry in their purse. Also, magnets  272  may be attached which allows placement on a refrigerator for ready reach.  
         [0062]    Referring now to FIGS. 22 through 30, a third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool according to the present invention is depicted, wherein FIGS. 22 through 27 depict a first form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  300  and FIGS. 28 through 30 depict a second form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  300 ′.  
         [0063]    In a first variation of the first form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  300 , the clipping tool  304  is as described hereinabove with respect to the clipping tool  200 ″ of FIGS. 19 through 21, wherein a first jaw  306  is pivotally connected to a second jaw  308  via a rocking pivot  320 , the jaws are biased closed by a wire spring  326 , and each jaw carries a pair of mutually spaced apart serration rows  316   a,    316   b,    318   a,    318   b  which intermesh in the off-set manner of FIG. 21 so as to provide the aforementioned superior S-curve bag sealing bend. Handles  322 ,  324  integrally connect, respectively, with the jaws  306 ,  308 .  
         [0064]    The cutting tool  302  has two planar parts  302   a,    302   b,  and a head  340  having a slot  342  and a blade  344  acutely angled in the slot. As in the above described cutting tool  202 ′, the planar part  302   a  is an integral part of a jaw  308 , wherein the head  340  is clear of the jaws so that a bag may be placed into the slot without interference by the clipping tool  304 .  
         [0065]    In a second variation of the first form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool, a cutting tool seat  332  is formed at one of the jaws  308 ′ (see FIG. 23). The preferred cutting tool seat  332  is a pair of mutually separated rails  334 , 336  having lips  334   a,    336   a  which are structured to receive the stem  138  of the cutting tool  102  depicted at FIG. 7. The cutting tool seat  332  may hold the stem  138  received therein by an adhesive, friction or by a snap fit, as shown by way of example at FIGS. 27 and 28, wherein a first set of saw-teeth  338  on the stem  138 ′ ratchet with respect to a complementary set of saw-teeth  340  in the cutting tool seat  332 ′.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 24 depicts a third variation of the first form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool, wherein the jaws are configured as in FIG. 15 so as to provide the aforesaid C-curve bag sealing bend, and wherein one jaw  308 ″ has a center-set serration row  318   a′  and the other jaw  306 ′ has a pair of mutually spaced off-set serration rows  316   a′,    316   b′  such that the spacing and location of the serration rows is such that the center-set serration row  318   a′  is receivable between the off-set serration rows  316   a′,    316   b′.    
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 25 depicts a fourth variation of the first form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool, wherein the jaws are configured oppositely to FIG. 24, yet also provide the C-curve bag sealing bend, wherein one jaw  306 ″ has a center-set serration row  316   a″  fitting into the other jaw  308 ′″ which has a pair of mutually spaced off-set serration rows  318   a″,    318   b′,  such that the spacing and location of the serration rows is such that the center-set serration row  316   a″  is receivable between the off-set serration rows  318   a″,    318   b′.    
         [0068]    In the second form of the third embodiment of the cutting and clipping tool  300 ′, the cutting tool  50  is conventional (see FIG. 4A) and the clipping tool  10  is conventional (see FIG. 1), wherein the handle (stem)  52  is glued to the jaw  12  whereby the slot  62  is free of the jaw so that a bag may be inserted therein without interference by the clipping tool. The jaws  12 ,  14  may carry resilient plastic tubes  380 , or may each end in a serration row  382  which collectively intermesh in a manner known in the art.  
         [0069]    It is to be understood that any of the embodiments and variations thereof may be combined with any other embodiment and variation thereof, and that the embodiments and variations thereof depicted and described herein are by way merely of preferred example and not limitation. It is to be further understood that by the term “integral” is meant an integrated, single piece construction.  
         [0070]    To those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, the above described preferred embodiment may be subject to change or modification. Such change or modification can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.