Abstract:
The device ( 1 ) according to the invention makes it possible to cut out material such as paper or cardboard. It comprises a body ( 2 ) which includes handling means, and means of fixing at least one blade ( 6 ), possibly retractable, one end of which extends projecting relative to a determined area of the surface of the body ( 2 ), in the position of use of the device ( 1 ). It is characterized in that the height of the blade ( 6 ) extending beyond the abovementioned area is between 10 microns and 10 4  microns, preferably 10 2  microns, and in that said area presents a relatively large surface area, of the order of 0.5 to 15 cm 2 .

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The object of the present invention is a device for proceeding with cuttings. It notably but not exclusively, relates to a device which may be used by children quite safely and which allows paper or cardboard to be cut out. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    It is known that there exist devices with which paper or cardboard may be cut, which consist of a sliding blade in a handle with a slide. Nevertheless, these cutter type devices are dangerous, notably for children, because of the extremely sharpness of their blade. Further, the handle of these cutters does not have ergonomics adapted to the hands of children, which makes their use difficult by the latter. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    More particularly the object of the invention is to suppress these drawbacks by proposing a device with which it is possible to proceed with cutting out material such as paper or cardboard, comprising a body having ergonomics adapted to children, as well as at least one blade positioned so as to not form a risk of injury for the users. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    For this purpose, it proposes a device with which it is possible to proceed with cutting out material such paper or cardboard, comprising a body which comprises gripping means and means for attaching at least one optionally retractable blade, one end of which extends protruding relatively to a determined area of the surface of the body, in the position of use of the device, characterized in that the height of the blade jutting out from the aforesaid area is comprised between 10 microns and 10 4  microns, preferably 10 2  microns and in that said area has a relatively large surface area of the order of 0.5 to 15 cm 2 . 
         [0007]    In this device, the height of the protruding portion of the blade is just sufficient for carrying out for example the cutting-out of a sheet of standard thickness, i.e. 0.1 millimeter. 
         [0008]    Nevertheless, contrary to the prejudices of one skilled in the art, this blade is not capable of making cuts on the skin of a user, for example of a child. Indeed, taking into account the extent of the supporting surface surrounding the blade, the pressure exerted on the skin will not be significant and cannot generate a punching effect. Consequently, at the blade, the skin retains its flexibility and withdraws upon contacting the blade (all the more since the height of the blade is small). The sharp edge of the blade will therefore slide on the external relatively hard layer of the epidermis, by pushing it back gradually. The obtained effect (absence of cuts) is relatively surprising. 
         [0009]    Advantageously, the upper portion of the body of the device according to the invention may have shape conformity with that of the palm of the hand of a child so that the latter may hold said device according to the invention with ease and steadiness. Preferentially, the upper portion of the body of the device according to the invention is convex while its lower portion comprises at least three supporting points with which great stability may be provided to said body. 
         [0010]    Advantageously the body of the device according to the invention may be partly or totally transparent so that the contact area between the blade and the item to be cut out may be viewed perfectly. 
         [0011]    According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the device according to the invention may also comprise a protective and guiding part positioned under the item to be cut out, the latter being thereby placed between said body of the device according to the invention and said protective and guiding part; Said body, as well as the protective and guiding part, may each comprise an element which may be subject to magnetic attraction, positioned so as to be facing each other when the device according to the invention is in the position of use, so as to ensure attraction of both of these elements. With this protective and guiding part, it is thereby possible:
       to still further reinforce the safety of the device according to the invention by not making the blade apparent during cutting operations;   to protect the support, which may be formed by a table, on which the item to be cut out is positioned: this support being protected from involuntary cuts or scratches;   to do without the use of such a support notably due to the stiffness of the protective and guiding part;   to ensure guiding of the cutting operation, which enables it to perform more accurately.       
 
         [0016]    In this scenario, the blade may jut out from the determined area of the surface of the body by a height larger than 10 4  microns, the protective and guiding part enabling injuries to be prevented. 
         [0017]    According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the body of the device according to the invention may comprise an illumination means of the LED type positioned so as to illuminate the contact area between said blade and the item to be cut out. 
         [0018]    The body of the device according to the invention may also comprise a magnifying glass positioned so as to be in the field of view of the user, the latter may thus see said contact area in a magnified way. 
         [0019]    According to another alternative, the front portion of the body of the device may be tapered in order to allow the user to have an optimum view of the contact area between said blade and the item to be cut out. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    Embodiments of the invention will be described hereafter, as non-limiting examples with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic three quarter view of the face of the device according to the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a partial schematic view of one side of the device according to the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view according to a vertical section of the front portion of the body of the device according to the invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are schematic views according to a vertical section of the front portion of the body of the device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are schematic views according to a vertical section of the front portion of the body of the device according to another alternative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a supporting element of a device according an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration as seen from the top of the supporting element illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration as seen from the top of the body and of said supporting element according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration as seen from the front of the device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10   a  is a schematic illustration as seen from the side of the device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, in the cutting position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10   b  is a schematic illustration as seen from the front of the device illustrated in  FIG. 10   a , in the rest position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10   c  is a schematic illustration as seen from the side and partly as a section of the device illustrated in  FIG. 10   a  in the disassembled position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    In this example, as this is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the device according to the invention  1  comprises a body  2  which comprises:
       a front portion  3  having at least one ground supporting point;   two wings  4 ,  4 ′ facing each other, extending in the extension of the front portion  3  on either side of its longitudinal axis, and the flanks of which are curved outwards, each of these wings  4 ,  4 ′ comprising at least one ground supporting point.       
 
         [0036]    The front portion  3  of the body  2  of the device according to the invention  1  comprises at least one cavity  5 , the orifice of which is comprised on the lower face of said front portion  3 ; 
         [0037]    The cavity  5  of the front portion  3  of the body  2  of the device according to the invention  1  comprises a blade  6  positioned along a substantially vertical axis so as to be positioned in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the item to be cut out  7 , this blade  6  may be retractable. 
         [0038]    As this is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in the case when the blade  6  is retractable, said cavity  5  may also open out on the upper face of said front portion  3 , this cavity  5  becoming flared outwards in its upper portion. The cavity  5  then comprises:
       a pusher  8  which comprises:
           a rod  9  surmounting said blade  6 , or attached to the upper portion of this blade  6 ;   a preferably rounded head  10  opening out at the upper face of said front portion  3 ;   
           at least one elastic means such as a spring  11  positioned in the space located between the base of the head  10  of the pusher  8  and the base of the flared portion of the cavity  5 .       
 
         [0043]    In this way, simple pressure on the head  10  of the pusher  8  enables the lower end of the blade  6  to be deployed out of said body  2 , another pressure on the head  10  of the pusher  8  enabling this blade  6  to be retracted. 
         [0044]    Advantageously, in the deployed position, the lower end of said blade  6  juts out from said body  2 , by a distance of a few microns, preferably 10 2  microns, with which it is possible to prevent the user from cutting himself/herself. 
         [0045]    According to an alternative embodiment, the pusher  8  may be positioned so that its head  10  opens out at the lower face of said body  2 . The rod  9  in this case is in contact with the upper portion of the blade  6 , appearing in another orifice also opening out at the lower face of said body  2 , by means of an intermediate part which may be a jointed lever (not shown). In this way, by laying down the device according to the invention  1  on a support, it is possible to actuate the pusher  8  and therefore cause deployment of the blade  6 . 
         [0046]    According to another alternative embodiment, the body  2  of the device according to the invention  1  may also comprise a luminous means (not shown) such as a LED which may be comprised on the lower face of the front portion  3  of said body  2  or in a cavity opening into the one  5  where said blade  6  appears, this luminous means being oriented so as to illuminate the contact area between the blade  6  and the item to be cut  7 . 
         [0047]    Advantageously, the curved shape of the flanks of the wings  4 ,  4 ′ of the body  2  gives ergonomics to the assembly facilitating the handling of the device according to the invention  1 . Further, the space comprised between the wings  4 ,  4 ′ of said body  2  enables the user to better view and therefore better control the cutting-out operation. 
         [0048]    According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, as this is notably illustrated in  FIG. 4   b , in order to optimize control and efficiency of the cutting-out operation, the device according to the invention  1  may also comprise a preferably stiff protective and guiding part  13 , positioned under the item to be cut out  7 , the latter being thereby placed between said body  2  of the device according to the invention  1  and this protective and guiding part  13 . 
         [0049]    As this is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in order to ensure, when the device according to the invention  1  is in the position of use, attraction between the protective and guiding part  13  and said body  2 , the protective and guiding part  13  may comprise, as an example, a magnet  12  positioned so as to be facing a metal element  30  or a magnet of opposite polarity comprised in the front portion  3  of said body  2 . 
         [0050]    With this protective and guiding part  13  it is notably possible to ensures guiding and control of the cutting-out operation, the element to be cut out  7  being maintained between said body  2  and the protective and guiding part  13 . 
         [0051]    According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, as this is illustrated in FIGS.  4 . a  and  4 . b , said body  2  may comprise a magnet  14  mobile in vertical translation, connected to said blade  6  or to the rod  9  itself attached to the blade  6 . The protective and guiding part  13  may be at least partly made in a metal material in this way, when this protective and guiding part  13  is positioned under the front portion  3  of said body  2 , magnetic attraction between the magnet  14  and this part  13  is created and expressed by deployment of the lower end of the blade  6  out of said body  2 , this solution having the advantage of making any direct contact between the blade  6  and the user impossible. 
         [0052]    According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, as this illustrated in FIGS.  5 . a  and  5 . b , the front portion  3  of the body  2  of the device according to the invention  1  may comprise a tubular cavity  5  becoming flared at its base and opening out on the lower face of said front portion  3 . This cavity  5  may comprise a blade support  15  of a substantially tubular shape attached to the top of said cavity  5  by means of an elastic member  16  such as a cylindrical traction spring, this blade support  15  comprising a fitted-in blade  6 , the lower end of which opens out at the base of the blade support  15 . The front portion  3  of the body  2  of the device according to the invention  1  also comprises a part  17  substantially having the shape of a dome, the lower perimeter of which consists of metal material. This dome-shaped part  17  is connected with a joint to the blade support  15  substantially at its vertical axis. 
         [0053]    The protective and guiding part  13 , according to this alternative, substantially has the shape of a ring with a diameter substantially equal to that of the base of the dome-shaped part  17 . This protective and guiding part  13  is at least partly magnetized in this way, when this protective and guiding part  13  is positioned under the front portion of said body  2 , magnetic attraction is created between the dome-shaped part  17  and the protective and guiding part  13 , which is expressed by lowering of the blade support  15  and therefore by deployment of the lower end of the blade  6  out of said body  2 . 
         [0054]    Advantageously, by attaching the dome-shaped part  17  to the blade support  15  with a joint, it is possible to cause deployment of the blade  6  out of said body  2  only if, when the protective and guiding part  13  is positioned under the front portion of said body  2 , said vertical axis of this protective and guiding part  13  coincides with that of the dome-shaped part  17 . 
         [0055]    According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, as this is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9 , the device according to the invention comprises:
       a supporting element  18  which substantially has the shape of a ring and comprising:
           an arm  19  which extends radially in the plane delimited by this supporting element  18 , this arm  19  along a horizontal section, substantially having the shape of an “n”, the end of each of the two legs of which is connected to the inner edge of the supporting element  18 ; in this example, each of said legs of the arm  19  comprises a through-orifice centered substantially horizontally, both of these orifices being positioned facing each other;   a part  20  extending radially and which will partly cover said arm  19 , this part  20  along a horizontal section, substantially having the shape of an “n” each flank of which is respectively attached to a leg of said arm  19 ; each of said flanks comprises a through-orifice centered substantially horizontally, both of these orifices being positioned facing each other; this part  20  is positioned so that its orifices are located on the same horizontal axis as those of said arm  19 ;   a connecting item  21  with a substantially cylindrical shape, and which allows the arm  19  to be connected to the part  20  by engagement into their respective orifices;   an elastic means  22  which may be a spring, connected to the arm  19  and comprised in the space delimited by the part  20 , this elastic member  22  extending substantially vertically above said arm  19 ;   a blade  6  attached to the lower end of the elastic means  22  and which extends substantially vertically downwards, the top of this blade  6  being positioned in the inner space delimited by the legs of said arm  19 ;   at least two magnetic elements  23  with which attraction may be ensured between said supporting element  18  and the protective and guiding part  13 ; in the case in point, these magnetic elements  23  which substantially have a cylindrical shape, are centered vertically and attached to the external edge of the supporting element  18 , these magnetic elements  23  being positioned in the same horizontal axis as the one of said arm  19 ;   
           a body  2 , the vertical section of which has a flared shape form its base to its top, and which comprises a central through-orifice centered vertically, the base of said body  2  being substantially equal to the diameter of the supporting element  18 ; the body  2  also comprises an appendix  24  which extends radially in the plane delimited by said body  2 , this appendix  24  being conformed so as to be able to cover the arm  19 -part  20  assembly of the supporting element  18 ;   a protective and guiding part  13 , the vertical section of which has a flared shape from its top to its base, and which comprises a central through-orifice centered vertically, this protective and guiding part  13  may comprise at least one magnetic element (not shown) positioned so as to be facing a respective magnetic element  23  of the supporting element  18 .       
 
         [0065]    In this way, after having connected the supporting element  18  to the body  2  of the device  1  according to the invention (the supporting element  18  being positioned so as to surround the base of said body  2 ), and having placed an item to be cut out  7  under the thereby formed assembly, the protective and guiding part  13  may be positioned under this item to be cut out  7 , the body  2  and this protective and guiding part  13  being connected through magnetic attraction. 
         [0066]    Advantageously, the supporting element  18 -body  2  assembly is conformed so as to be able to be subject to an oscillating movement around its vertical axis when the protective and guiding part  13  is set into place, this feature making it possible to give the assembly larger handiness. 
         [0067]    Advantageously, the device according to the invention  1  may be conformed so that its vertical axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the palm of the hand of the user when the latter uses it. 
         [0068]    In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b  and  10   c , the cutting-out device  1  comprises a hollow ovoid body  2  extended at one of its ends with two curved massive wings  50  substantially in the shape of a “C”, and returning to the other end of said body  2 . These two wings  50  extend symmetrically relatively to the main middle plane of the body  2 , by following a path which deviates from said plane, the free ends of these wings  50  forming flarings of a rounded shape located at the height of the free end of said body  2 . 
         [0069]    This free end of the body  2 , which may optionally consist of a portion which may be clip-fastened on said body  2 , is provided with an axial bore optionally extended with a chimney into which a removable tool-holder  51  engages and will be clip-fastened, comprising:
       a tool-holder head  52  provided with a blade (not shown) which may consist in a blade of the type described above;   a cylindrical section  53  which coaxially extends the base of the head  52  and has a smaller diameter than the latter;   an elastic fork  54  which extends the section and which comprises two parallel branches  55 ,  55 ′ each having at its end a radial protrusion  56 ,  56 ′ of triangular section used for ensuring axial blocking by snap-on fastening.       
 
         [0073]    The distance comprised between the head  52  and the protrusion  56 ,  56 ′ is substantially equal to the length of the bore. 
         [0074]    By means of these arrangements, in order to assemble to tool-holder  51  in the body  2 , the end of the fork  54  is first of all introduced into the bore. During this introduction, the action of the edge of the bore on the beveled outer face of the protrusions  56 ,  56 ′ causes elastic flexure of the branches  55 ,  55 ′ of the fork  54  until the protrusions  56 ,  56 ′ are engaged into the bore. The cylindrical section  53 /fork  54  assembly may then be engaged into the bore until the protrusions  56 ,  56 ′ jut out on the outside of the bore. The branches  55 ,  55 ′ of the fork  54  then resume their initial position while the protrusions  56 ,  56 ′ cooperate with the inner edge of the bore or of the chimney in order to ensure axial blocking of the tool-holder  51  in the body  2 . 
         [0075]    A particularity of the device described earlier consists in that in the position of use, the ends of the body  2  and of the wings  50  are maintained pressed on the sheet which one wants to cut out, as a tripod. However, the device is not stable in this position. Indeed, the distribution of the masses is provided so that the device topples over as a toppling toy, the wings  50  then playing the role of curved rockers. With this particularity it is possible on the one hand to prevent the support on which the device is laid, from being involuntarily scratched and on the other hand, the blade from being subject to impacts notably upon falling of the device. 
         [0076]    Advantageously, the tool-holder  51  may be mounted so as to be able to be subject to a rotary movement relatively to said body  2 , which notably allows improvement in the comfort and accuracy of the cutting-out operations.