Abstract:
An efficient and safe device designed to perform the difficult task of opening tightly fitting Shrink Wrap plastic packaging material and security tape around a product or product case, particularly that used for the distribution of CD-ROM&#39;S, DVD&#39;S, videogames, and videotapes. The device quickly cuts a clean slit opening in the Shrink Wrap and security tape along the inserted edge of the packaged product. The cutting element of the device can be in the form of a wire or blade, and function via heating, mechanical cutting action, and/or ultrasonic vibration. A multiple-capacity alignment channel guides various shaped products into proper cutting position. Sensors may activate the cutting/slitting action, with adequate heat, vibration, and/or mechanical cutting being applied for a time period sufficiently long, or until sufficient temperature is reached, to cut through the Shrink Wrap material and security tape without damaging the underlying product or product case.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/481,753, filed by the same inventor on Dec. 8, 2003, for substantially the same subject matter, the title of which was ‘Package Opener for Shrink Wrap and Security Tape’. All benefit from the above-identified provisional patent application is herein requested. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to cutting devices used to open packaging, specifically to a device and method for opening the combined Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape that is commonly employed to package media recording products, such as but not limited to CD-ROM&#39;S, DVD&#39;S, videogames, and videotapes. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The advent of the Shrink Wrap plastic packaging film and package security tape has proven to provide a number of advantages for the retail packaging of CD-ROM, DVD, videogames, and videotape media. Among the advantages of this tightly fitting clear plastic Shrink Wrap are, high visibility of product graphics through the crystal clear plastic, all product contents are held and contained together inside the plastic wrap and a high degree of security and protection from tampering and or removal of the product contained within. However, this high degree of protection and security for the packaging contents is a double-edged sword, as the tightly fitting Shrink Wrap plastic packing film and security tape employed proves very difficult for consumers to remove. Some consumers resort to the use of a razor blade, knife, or sharp scissors to cut open this packaging. Using these types of implements for the opening of such packaging can prove to be dangerous not only to the user, but also cause unintentional damage to the product itself. 
   Anyone who has tried to open such packaging by hand or with a blade knows of the difficulty this task poses. The prior art describes solutions that enclose a blade for user safety, but these devices do little to prevent actual product damage while cutting through the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape. Additionally such devices are tedious to use, often requiring multiple passes to cut through both the shrink wrap packing material and security tape and the blades used are prone to become dull over time. No opening device for packaging is known that has all of the features and advantages of the present invention. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a rapid, safe, and effective way for purchasers to open the combined Shrink Wrap and security tape packaging that is commonly used for retail of media products, including but not limited to CD-ROM&#39;S, DVD discs, videogames, and videotapes. It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a Shrink Wrap and Security Tape opening device that is compact in configuration and easy-to-use. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a Shrink Wrap and Security Tape opening device that is durable, reliable, and requires little or no maintenance between uses. 
   The current invention provides an efficient and safe device designed to perform the difficult task of opening tightly fitting Shrink Wrap plastic packaging material and security tape, which are commonly used for sale of CD-ROM&#39;S, DVD discs, videogames, videotapes, and all other digital media. This device will quickly cut a clean slit or slit-like opening in the Shrink Wrap and security tape centrally along any targeted edge of the packaged product. The cutting element of the device is comprised of a heating/cutting element member that could be in the form of a wire or blade and cuts via mechanical movement, heat, vibration, or any combination thereof. A multiple capacity alignment channel serves to guide the various shaped products into proper alignment position with the heating/cutting element member, which is in parallel position relative to the alignment channel. As the packaged product is placed into the alignment channel, sensors activate the heating/cutting element member so as to prepare it for its cutting task. When heat will be used, adequate heat is applied for a sufficiently long time period to cut through the Shrink Wrap material and security tape without damaging the product contained within the packaging. A visual and/or audible indicator may alert a user to periods of present invention operation or the conclusion of its operation. Once a slit is made in the Shrink Wrap and security tape along one edge of a packaged product, additional cuts are typically made in the Shrink Wrap and security tape on other edges of the product packaging for easy book-like opening of the media case to access the contents inside. 
   The description herein provides preferred embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention opening device. For example, variations in the size and configuration of the base member; the spatial orientation of the channel, the height and thickness dimensions of the back wall; and the cutting means used; other than those shown and described herein may be incorporated into the present invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than being limited to the examples given. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention with a DVD movie case having Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape positioned above the present invention channel, and an indicator light on the base supporting the channel. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention with a heating wire and two sensors communicating with the lower end of the channel. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention with a DVD movie case having Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape being positioned within the present invention&#39;s alignment channel for contact with a heating element member or other opening means. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention with a smaller CD-ROM case having Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape being positioned in the left most portion of the alignment channel for contact with a heating element member or other opening means. 
       FIG. 5A  is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention having drive means in the bottom portion of the channel that is adapted to pull a cutting blade along a guidance track. 
       FIG. 5B  is a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6A  is a front view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention having ultrasonic opening means for Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape and two sensors for activation thereof. 
       FIG. 6B  is a top view of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1–4  shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention that is used for opening the type of Shrink Wrap plastic packaging frequently used on the cases and packaging of DVD discs, CD-ROM&#39;S, videotapes, videogames, and digital and analog media discs and tapes.  FIG. 1  shows a DVD case  10  with an outer layer (not separately numbered) of retail Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape that is in need of removal, with DVD case  10  being positioned above and vertically aligned with the first preferred embodiment, prior to its use to open the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape surrounding DVD case  10 . Proper alignment of DVD case  10  for cutting of the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape is achieved by means of an upwardly-extending back wall  20  that communicates with a downwardly-extending alignment channel  30 . A front wall  50  and opposing side walls  40 A and  40 B, together with back wall  20 , define alignment channel  30 . Optionally, side walls  40 A and  40 B may be attached to back wall  20 , secured in fixed positioned close to the opposing ends of back wall  20 , and/or made adjustable relative to back wall  20  for different sizes of DVD cases  10  and other cases/packaging, such as but not limited to CD-ROM case  70  in  FIG. 4 . However, in most preferred embodiments of the present invention side walls  40 A and  40 B would not be attached to front wall  50 . The primary function of side walls  40 A and  40 B is to keep a DVD case  10  properly aligned within channel  30  to prevent product damage while the cut/slit in the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape is being made, as well as to prevent any portion of DVD case  10  from extending laterally beyond channel  30 . As a DVD case  10  travels into the alignment channel  30 , front wall  50  also serves to completely trap DVD case  10  in a proper position for cutting the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape surrounding it without damage to DVD case  10 . When the DVD case  10  is fully seated and touching the active end of alignment channel  30 , activation sensors (shown by the numbers  80 A and  80 B in  FIG. 2 ), activate a heating element member (shown by the number  60  in  FIG. 2 ), which then cuts open the Shrink Wrap packaging and any associated security tape on the fully seated edge of inserted DVD case  10 . Since the more difficult-to-remove security tape is typically located on more than one edge of a DVD case  10 , after the Shrink Wrap packaging and any associated security tape on the first edge of a DVD case  10  is cut, it would then be rotated to allow other sides of DVD case  10  having Shrink Wrap packaging and/or security tape to be inserted into channel  30  for cutting.  FIG. 1  also shows an arcuate base  90  positioned beneath and supporting the channel  30  defined by back wall  20  and front wall  50 . The perimeter configuration and size of base  90  is not critical, as long as it fulfills its support function, and it may have perimeter configurations other than the elliptical configuration shown. An audio and/or visual indicator  95  may optionally be positioned through base  90  or front wall  50 , to denote the time period during which heating element member  60  is activated, or perhaps in the alternative when the cutting/slitting action is complete. In addition, activation sensors  80 A and  80 B may be configured to activate heating element member  60  for a set period of time to achieve the needed cutting/slitting of the Shrink Wrap packaging and/or security tape, or in the alternative until heating element member  60  reaches the pre-selected temperature at which cutting would occur without damage to DVD case  10 . Further, although the first preferred embodiment in  FIG. 1  is shown with only one DVD case  10  being processed at a time, it is considered within the scope of the present invention for more than one DVD case  10  or other cases/packaging, such as but not limited to CD-ROM case  70  in  FIG. 4 , to be cut or slit at one time. Although not limited thereto, for simplicity of operation and reduced product cost, when multiple cases/packing are cut at one time, it is preferred that all cases/packaging opened at one time be similar in size and configuration. The materials used for base  90 , back wall  20 , front wall  50 , and side walls  40 A and  40 B are not critical, as long they remain unaffected by the heat generated by heating element member  60  and channel  30  is able to provide secure positioning for DVD case  10  and other cases/packaging while Shrink Wrap packaging and/or security tape is being cut/slit. Typically in preferred present invention embodiments, although not critical, side walls  40 A and  40 B would have identical structure, with side wall  40 A being used as a stop for smaller sizes of cases  10 . When the Shrink Wrap packaging and/or security tape around smaller size cases  10  is being cut or slit, side wall  40 B could be movable toward side wall  40 A to make certain that the inserted case  10  is in proper alignment for cutting. In the alternative, side wall  40 A could be movable toward side wall  40 B, as long as the sensors  80 A and  80 B shown in  FIG. 2  are repositioned accordingly toward side wall  40 B. Although not shown, the source of power provided for heating element member  60  is not critical and it is contemplated for the first preferred embodiment of the present invention to be able to use any appropriate source of alternating or direct current. As an option, although not shown, base  90  can be configured with a battery compartment that is accessible through its bottom surface or behind back wall  20 . 
     FIGS. 2–4  also show the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  reveals the positioning of the heating element member  60  used to cut the Shrink Wrap packaging material and security tape around a DVD case  10  or other cases/packaging, which is substantially parallel to the back wall  20  and front wall  50  defining channel  30 . Two activation sensors  80 A and  80 B are also shown, although the number of activation sensors  80 A and  80 B used may be more or less than the two shown in  FIG. 2 . If a single activation sensor  80 A is used and smaller cases  10  are to be opened by the first preferred embodiment, the sole activation sensor  80 A would have to be situated near the side wall  40 A or  40 B selected for positioning of the smaller cases  10 , which in  FIGS. 2 and 4  is side wall  40 A. In addition, the size and configuration of the activation sensors  80 A and  80 B shown in  FIG. 2  are representative only and should not be used as a limitation for their scope. Further, in the alternative although not shown, a manually activated on/off switch can be substituted in place of sensors  80 A and  80 B, or be used in conjunction with sensors  80 A and  80 B.  FIG. 2  also shows base  90  as having an oval configuration. In the alternative, base  90  in other preferred embodiments of the present invention may have other perimeter configurations. However, for greatest stability during the cutting/slitting process and when DVD case  10  is inserted and removed from channel  30 , although not critical as balance could otherwise be provided, it is preferred for channel  30  to have a centralized position relative to base  90 . Side walls  40 A and  40 B are shown positioned in  FIG. 2  near the opposing ends of back wall  20 , but not connected to front wall  50 . It is not critical for side walls  40 A and  40 B to be physically connected to back wall  20  as long as they are securely fixed into their usable positions by base  90 . Also,  FIG. 2  shows heating element member  60  positioned adjacent to front wall  50 , the inside surface of front wall  50  having a slightly arcuate configuration allowing its central portion to be used for applying pressure to and biasing a case  10  against back wall  20  during cutting/slitting operations, and heating element member  60  extending laterally beyond side walls  40 A and  40 B. At a minimum, it is contemplated for heating element member to extend the full width of channel  30 .  FIG. 3  depicts a target DVD case  10  within alignment channel  30  in a position where the retail Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape around it can be cut or slit without damage to the underlying product inside Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape. Once the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape on one edge of DVD case  10  is cut, DVD case  10  would be rotated 90° or 180° so that the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape on other edges of DVD case  10  can also be cut/slit. When heating element  60  is activated for a pre-selected period of time, a user (not shown) can simply remove DVD case  10  or other cases/packaging from channel  30  after that amount of time has elapsed. In the alternative, the indicator  95  shown in  FIG. 1  or other similar device can be used via audio, visual, and/or other means to alert a user that cutting of the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape is complete. The manner in which a user of the present invention is alerted to completion of the cutting/slitting process can be as a result of the presence or absence of an alert signal from indicator  95 . Typically, the time required for cutting and/or slitting Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape on media cases  10  and similar packaging is very brief. Although indicator  95  is not shown in  FIGS. 2–4 , it is still considered an optional feature of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, as well as other preferred embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 4  depicts a target CD-ROM package  70  within alignment channel  30  and in a position where the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape around it can be cut. When CD-ROM package  70  or any other cases/packaging does not extend the full width of channel  30 , it is placed against one of the side walls  40 A or  40 B, with  FIG. 4  showing CD-ROM package  70  using side wall  40 A as its lateral stop. Should  40 B instead be used as a lateral stop for CD-ROM package  70 , it would be expected for sensors  80 A,  80 B, or one or more additional sensors  80  (not shown) to be positioned within channel  30  where CD-ROM package  70  would contact it when fully inserted within channel  30 . 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a second preferred embodiment of the present invention that has a movable cutting member  130  replacing the heating element member  60  shown in  FIG. 2 . Movable cutting member  130  extends beyond the side walls  40 A and  40 B that in combination with back wall  20  and front wall  50  define channel  30 . At a minimum, movable cutting member  130  should extend the full width of channel  30 . However, it should be noted that although not shown in the accompanying illustrations, use by the present invention of a combination of heating and cutting activity to cut/slit Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape is also considered to be within the scope of the present invention.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show an elliptical base  90  supporting a front wall  50 , two side walls  40 A and  40 B, and a back wall  20  that together define a channel  30  where a DVD case  10  or other cases/packaging are inserted for cutting of the retail Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape that surrounds it. The elliptical configuration shown for base  90  is not critical and other perimeter configurations are also contemplated, including but not limited to those that are non-symmetrical, irregularly-shaped, and/or curvilinear. In addition,  FIG. 5A  shows a drive belt  100  within base  90  that is guided in its movement by two spaced-apart drive wheels or pulleys  110 A and  110 B. In the alternative, although not shown, it is contemplated for the present invention to include other drive means for its cutting member  130  that allows movement of cutting member  130  across the bottom portion of channel  30  for Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape cutting/slitting purposes.  FIG. 5A  further shows a rail or track  120 A that is used to guide cutting member  130  along a linear path centrally down the fully inserted edge of a DVD case  10 , CD-ROM packaging  70 , or other cases/packaging (not shown) during its cutting of Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape without damage to the product it protects. The circle designated as  140  in  FIG. 5A  represents the motor or other drive means used for movement of cutting member  130 , and is not meant to be indicative of the size and shape of drive means  140 . Further,  FIG. 5A  shows cutting member  130  being in the form of a single edged razor blade, although not limited thereto, and secured for movement via a horizontally-extending shaft  150 , the end of which is visible in  FIG. 5A . Due to the angle at which the upwardly-extending sharp edge of cutting member  130  is positioned, it is contemplated in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention for cutting member  130  to travel from side wall  40 A to toward side wall  40 B during the cutting of Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape. However, it is equally contemplated for cutting member  130  to travel from side wall  40 B to toward side wall  40 A during the cutting of Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape, wherein cutting member  130  would be angled in an orientation that is substantially the mirror image of that shown in  FIG. 5A , or similarly effective cutting angle.  FIG. 5B  also identifies a second rail/track  120 B that is not illustrated in  FIG. 5A . It should be remembered that all of the dimensions, relative positioning, and orientations of components shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are merely representative of one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims. It should also be noted that although  FIGS. 1–4 ,  5 A and  5 B, as well as  6 A and  6 B, show the present invention base  90  positioned under an upwardly-extending channel  30  defined by front wall  50 , side walls  40 A and  40 B, and back wall  20 , it is equally contemplated for channel  30  to have a horizontally-extending or downwardly-extending orientation, as well as oblique orientations. It is contemplated that attachment of base  90  to any needed surface (not shown), whether channel  30  is upright or in any other orientation, would be via conventional means. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a third preferred embodiment of the present invention that has an elongated ultrasonic cutting means  160 , which extends beyond the side walls  40 A and  40 B that in combination with back wall  20  and front wall  50  define channel  30 . At a minimum, it is contemplated for ultrasonic cutting means  160  to extend the full width of channel  30 . The ultrasonic horn transducer  160  used as the cutting/slitting means in  FIG. 6A , and which is long and thin like a knife blade, is vibrated by ultrasonic energy to produce heat and mechanical action that provide the means by which the Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape are cut/slit.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show an elliptical base  90  supporting front wall  50 , side walls  40 A and  40 B, and back wall  20  that together form the channel  30  where a DVD case  10  or other cases/packaging are inserted for cutting Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape without damage to the underlying product and product packaging. The perimeter configuration and size of base  90  is not critical, as long as it fulfills its support function, and it may have perimeter configurations other than that shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . In addition,  FIG. 6A  shows an electronic ultrasonic driver  170  within base  90  that is connected to the ultrasonic horn transducer  160  communicating with the lower portion of channel  30 .  FIG. 6A  further shows the ultrasonic horn transducer  160  being positioned adjacent to front wall  50 , and two activating sensors  80 A and  80 B also communicating with the bottom portion of channel  30  that are used to trigger the vibration of ultrasonic horn transducer  160  once a DVD case  10  or other cases/packaging reached its fully inserted position within channel  30 . The shape and relative size of the electronic ultrasonic driver  170  shown in  FIG. 6A  is representative only and not meant to be determinative thereof. Thus, use of any of the preferred embodiments of the present invention makes the opening of retail of Shrink Wrap packaging and security tape much easier to accomplish, with access to the contents of the DVD case  10  or other cases/packaging within the opened Shrink Wrap being achieved in a very brief period of time, typically a matter of seconds, and without injury to the operator or damage to the DVD case  10 , other cases/packaging, and/or the contents thereof.