Abstract:
A small, safe, and disposable package-opening device with the dimensions of a credit card or smaller that can be attached to a cardboard package for facilitating opening of the package. In one embodiment, the device has a notch in a cutting edge to form a point to pierce the package to initiate its opening.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/705,878 filed Aug. 5, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to devices for opening packages, and more particularly, to a small cutting device that can be included with a product such as a book or any other item sent in a cardboard package. The device can be used to open the package it is included with when the device is attached to the exterior of the package.  
         [0004]     B. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Most cardboard packages today are manufactured with rip-away features created by indentations. These rip-away features often do not succeed, and the person opening the package must resort to scissors, a knife, or a box cutter. A traditional device for opening packages is all metal and can be quite dangerous since the cutting edge is sharp.  
         [0006]     The disadvantages of the prior art devices are that they are heavy, sharp, metal implements that can cause serious injuries if used carelessly. Furthermore, existing devices often cannot be packaged with shipped products due to mailing restrictions and the increased package weight and, therefore, shipping cost.  
         [0007]     What is needed is a small, light-weight device for opening packages safely that can be packaged with the products as a “built-in” package opener.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention is a device for opening packages that in one preferred and illustrated embodiment has the dimensions of a credit card, in length, width and thickness. Such dimensions (preferably one and three quarter inches (height) and two and a half inches (width)) allow the device to be included with a shipped product, preferably by attaching the device to the outside of the packaging in which the product is shipped.  
         [0009]     The device can be smaller than a credit card, so that it can be packaged with very small products, such as compact discs, digital video discs, videotapes, and computer or video games. The preferred dimensions for this embodiment are one inch (height) by one and a quarter inches (width). Each embodiment of the device is typically affixed to the outside of a cardboard package by means of a releasable adhesive such that, when the device is removed, the adhesive remains on the package and not on the device. One edge of the device has a notch with a sharp edge for the purpose of slicing the package. The notch is preferably circular in shape, but it can be of a different shape suitable for slicing the package open. The edge is preferably a pointed edge that has a sharp point for piercing the packaging. The pointed edge and the sharp point are formed by the notch, the notch preferably being in the shape of a semi-circle or closer to a complete circle. Together with the edge of the device, the notch shaped as a near-complete circle produces a sharp pointed edge suitable for piercing and cutting the packaging.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the device can be sized so that it can be easily placed on a key ring. Suitable dimensions are one and one half inches (height) by two inches (width).  
         [0011]     Each of the embodiments of the device can be fashioned to contain an indent so that the user&#39;s finger does not slip off of the device when it is used to slice open a box. The circular notch of the device can be supplied with a metal covering attached to the notch to allow for easy slicing; the metal can be on the circular notch alone or along the entire cutting edge. Plastic can cover the metal before use and can be designed to fall away when the cutter is used.  
         [0012]     The slicing element of the device can be made retractable, enclosed within a housing and sliding out when needed. The device is ideally made from a plastic that is hard enough to create a cutting edge and rigid enough so that it does not bend during cutting. The cutting edge is sharp enough to slice through cardboard, tape and labels. Alternatively, the cutting edge in any embodiment of the invention may be covered with metal to aid in cutting.  
         [0013]     The plastic of the device of the present invention is easy to use, and the edge of the notch, whether or not with a metal component, is not as sharp as that of a traditional device for opening packages. Since the device is preferably affixed to the package, there is no need for the person opening the package to search for scissors or knives. The user can keep the device and use it to open packages in the future. Moreover, the smaller, key-fob sized device is immediately accessible by individuals who carry their keys with them if the key-fob sized device is carried on a key chain. The smallest embodiment of the device (smaller than the key-fob embodiment) is suitable for placement on CD and DVD packaging.  
         [0014]     Advertising material may be placed on each embodiment of the device for a fee (or without a fee). This advertising material can take the form of a third party&#39;s trademarks, coupons, and/or gift cards. In this fashion, the sender of the package or any third party that buys advertising space on the device will increase its brand recognition and continue to gain the customer&#39;s loyalty through providing an extra benefit to the customer. An alternative way of advertising using the present invention is manufacturing the device in the shape of a logo or trademark, with one straight sharpened edge for opening packages. This device is preferably the size of a credit card or smaller, and the logo or trademark shape can be any complex line or curvilinear shape starting at the first end of the sharpened edge and ending at the second end of the sharpened edge. In addition to being usable by companies or businesses, the device may be used by schools, teams, cities, or states.  
         [0015]     Each embodiment of the device may be saved or disposed of by the customer. The small size of the cutting device is designed so that the recipient of the package can easily save the device in a wallet, purse, backpack or, in case of the second smallest embodiment, on a key ring. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cutting device of the present application;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cutting device of  FIG. 1  affixed to a package;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view along line  3 - 3  of the cutting device of  FIG. 2 , showing the finger of the user in a position to peel the device off the package and showing the finger of the user peeling the device in phantom lines;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative version of the cutting device having a metal strip with a cutting element;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cutting device of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view along line  6 C- 6 C of the cutting device of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view along line  7 D- 7 D of the cutting device of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a portion of a further cutting device having a notch and a cooperating metal strip disposed therein;  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the cutting device having a notch and an indent capable of receiving a finger;  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of the cutting device having a curved metal strip  41 D applied to the device where notch  43 D is formed on the side of device  21 D opposite to the side where finger indent  47 D is formed;  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view along line  11 H- 11 H of the cutting device of  FIG. 10  showing a user&#39;s finger in place;  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view along line  12 I- 12 I of the cutting device of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  is a perspective exploded view of a retractable cutting device;  
         [0029]      FIG. 14  is a view of the assembled retractable cutting device of  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 15  is a view of the retractable cutting device of  FIG. 13  showing the use of the retractable cutting device;  
         [0031]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view along line  16 - 16  of the cutting device of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view along line  17 - 17  of the cutting device of  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cutting device;  
         [0034]      FIG. 19  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the cutting device;  
         [0035]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view along line  20 - 20  of the cutting device of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 21  is a top view of the embodiment of the cutting device in the shape of a circle;  
         [0037]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view along line  22 - 22  of the cutting device of  FIG. 21 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 23  is a top view of the embodiment of the cutting device in the shape of a triangle;  
         [0039]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view along line  24 - 24  of the cutting device of  FIG. 23 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 25  is a top view of the embodiment of the cutting device defined by a zigzagged line;  
         [0041]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the cutting device defined by a curvilinear line;  
         [0042]      FIG. 27  is a top view of the embodiment of the cutting device in the shape of a square; and  
         [0043]      FIG. 28  is a top view of the embodiment of the cutting device in the shape of an octagon. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0044]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cutting device  21  of the present invention prior to being affixed to a cardboard package  23  by means of adhesive  25 . The cutting device  21  is preferably rectangular-shaped and, in one embodiment, is of a size similar to that of a credit card. In another embodiment, the cutting device  21  is somewhat smaller than a credit card, and, in a third embodiment, the cutting device  21  is of a size suitable for placement on a key ring. The cutting device  21  has lengthwise edges  27  and widthwise edges  29 . Preferably, one of the lengthwise edges  27  is formed with a notch  31  for defining a cutting element  33  of the cutting device  21 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 2  illustrates the cutting device  21  affixed to a package  23 .  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the cutting device  21  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  and illustrating removal of the cutting device  21  from the surface of the package  23 .  
         [0046]     An alternative embodiment of the inventive cutting device, identified at  21 A, is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , which is an exploded perspective view of the cutting device  21 A. The cutting device  21 A is preferably formed of plastic. It has lengthwise edges  27 A, and one of the lengthwise edges is formed with a plastic strip  35  extending therealong and defining a notch  31 A. The strip  35  includes a plurality of plugs  37  for receiving openings  39  of a corresponding strip  41 , which is preferably made of metal. The metal strip  41  is formed with a notch  43  that corresponds to the notch  31 A of the plastic strip  35 . The notch  43  defines a cutting element  45 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the metal strip  41  of the cutting device  21 A is fitted over the plastic strip  35 . The cutting device  21 A may include an indent  47  designed for receiving the finger of an individual during use, to prevent the finger from slipping off the cutting device. A similar indent may be included in every embodiment of the present invention. Cross-sectional views of the cutting device  21 A taken along line C-C of  FIG. 5  and along line D-D of  FIG. 5  are illustrated in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  respectively.  
         [0047]     A part of yet another embodiment of the cutting device, identified as  21 B, is shown in  FIG. 8 , which is a perspective view of this embodiment. In this embodiment, a curved metal strip  41 B is applied to the cutting device  21 B and runs along only the curved edge of the device  21 B, where a notch  43 B is formed.  
         [0048]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the inventive cutting device identified as  21 C. The cutting device  21 C includes a notch  31 C and an indent  47 C, capable of receiving a user&#39;s finger, but does not include a metal strip along one of the edges. In this embodiment, device  21 C is made of hard plastic suitable for use in cutting. Cross-sectional views of the cutting device  21 C taken along line H-H of  FIG. 9  and along line I-I of  FIG. 9  are illustrated in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12  respectively.  
         [0049]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of the inventive cutting device, identified at  21 D. In this embodiment, a curved metal strip  41 D may be applied to the cutting device  21 D where the notch  43 D is formed on the side of device  21 D opposite to the side where a finger indent  47 D, capable of receiving the user&#39;s finger, is formed.  
         [0050]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a retractable cutting device  21 E. Device  21 E comprises a body  51 , which is a housing, and an extending element  53 . Body  51  is formed with a key slot  55  adjacent to the element  53 . A cutting tool  57  is shown selectively disposable over extending element  53 . The cutting tool  57  includes a pin element  59 , which engages and is received by the key slot  55  as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The cutting tool  57  also includes a cutting element  61  formed by a notch  63  that is retractable up and down due to the pivoting action of the pin element  59  (see  FIG. 15 ). Cross-sectional views of the cutting device  21 E taken along line L-L of  FIG. 14  and along line N-N of  FIG. 15  are illustrated in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  respectively.  
         [0051]      FIG. 18  illustrates a different embodiment of the device. A cutting device  21 F has lengthwise edges  27 F and widthwise edges  29 F. A strip  35  extends along the circumference of the cutting device  21 F, preferably perpendicularly to the lengthwise edges  27 F and widthwise edges  29 F of the device, forming a piercing element  65 . The piercing element  65  is used to puncture cardboard or mailing tape, and the piercing element  65  is preferably shaped like the point of a chisel. The strip  35  defines an edge for cutting cardboard and may include a plurality of recesses defining a serrated edge  75  for opening packages. The cutting device  21 F is preferably of a size similar to a credit card, but the cutting device  21 F may be somewhat smaller than a credit card, or the cutting device  21 F may be of a size suitable for placement on a key ring. An aperture  70  may be included for placement on a key ring. Furthermore, an indent  47 F to receive the user&#39;s finger during use may be disposed on the cutting device  21 F.  
         [0052]      FIG. 19  illustrates yet another embodiment of the device. A cutting device  21 G is affixed to a cardboard package  23  by means of adhesive  25 . The cutting device  21 G is preferably of a size similar to a credit card, but the cutting device  21 G may be also smaller than a credit card, or the cutting device  21 G may be of a size suitable for placement on a key ring. The cutting device  21 G has lengthwise edges  27 G and widthwise edges  29 G. One of the lengthwise edges  27 G is formed with a notch  31 G, defining a cutting element  80  with an edge having a plurality of recesses, i.e., a serrated edge. The cutting device  21 G may further include an indent  47 G disposed on the cutting device  21 G to receive the user&#39;s finger during use.  
         [0053]      FIGS. 21-28  illustrate embodiments of the device that can be manufactured in the shape of a logo or trademark, with one straight sharpened edge for opening packages. The logo or trademark shape can be any complex line or curvilinear shape, for example, starting at the first end of the sharpened edge and ending at the second end of the sharpened edge. The logo and trademark shapes can be manufactured from plastic of the appropriate color, or the shapes can be colored with the appropriate logo and/or trademark colors after the manufacturing of the device to complete the visual appearance of the device.  FIGS. 21-22  show a one-piece, roughly elliptical (from the top view shown in  FIG. 21 ) cutting device  21 H with a sharp, straight edge  85 H.  FIGS. 23-24  show a one-piece, roughly triangular (from the top view shown in  FIG. 23 ) cutting device  21 J with a sharp, straight edge  85 J and an indent  47 J disposed on the cutting device  21 J to receive the user&#39;s finger during use.  FIG. 25  shows a one-piece cutting device  21 K with a sharp, straight edge  85 K and an aperture  90  for placement of the cutting device  21 K on a key ring. The shape of the cutting device  21 K is outlined by a freeform zigzagged line.  
         [0054]      FIG. 26  shows another freeform-line-shaped cutting device  21 L, which can be made in the form of any trademark or logo, including those of businesses, schools, sports teams, or cities. This embodiment of the device has one straight edge with a plastic strip  85  that has a plurality of plugs  37 L for receiving openings  39 L of a corresponding strip  41 L, which is preferably made of metal. As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the metal strip  41 L of the cutting device  21 L is fitted over the plastic strip  85 . The edge with the sharp metal strip  41 L is used to open packages.  
         [0055]      FIGS. 27-28  show yet other embodiments of the inventive cutting device for opening packages that can be manufactured in the shape of a logo or trademark.  FIG. 27  shows the top view of a one-piece, square cutting device  21 M with a sharp, straight edge  85 M and an indent  47 M disposed on the cutting device  21 M to receive the user&#39;s finger during use.  FIG. 28  shows a one-piece, octagonal cutting device  21 N with a sharp, straight edge  85 N and an aperture  100  for placement of the cutting device  21 N on a key ring.  
         [0056]     The logo or trademark can also be placed on one or more surfaces of any of the embodiments of the inventive cutting device depicted and described herein.  
         [0057]     A feature of the several embodiments is that the cutting tool is flat and cheap to manufacture, so that it can be affixed to a package to facilitate its opening and then even discarded if desired. The “system” if the invention is thus a combined package and device for opening packages.  
         [0058]     Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, the embodiments are merely illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.