Abstract:
A cutting apparatus configured to hold an elongate element, such as a ribbon, in a desired orientation as the elongate element is cut into two sections. A cutting element of such a cutting apparatus may be confined to a single orientation relative to that of the elongate element, reducing or eliminating the likelihood of misalignment between the cutting element and the elongate element immediately before the elongate element is cut. In some embodiments, the cutting apparatus, or even its cutting element, may be configured to seal the newly cut ends of the elongate element. Methods for cutting and or sealing elongate elements, such as ribbons, are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/506,940 titled “Portable Cutting Apparatus,” filed Jul. 12, 2011, pending (the “&#39;940 Application“). A claim for the benefit of priority to the &#39;940 Application is hereby made pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e). The entire disclosure of the foregoing application is, by this reference, hereby incorporated herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to apparatuses for cutting elongate elements, such as ribbons, strings, cords and the like, and for sealing the cut ends of the elongate elements. More specifically, this disclosure relates to hot wire apparatus for forming clean cuts through elongate elements while sealing the cut ends of the elongate elements, and to cutting and sealing methods. 
       BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Conventionally, scissors have been used to cut ribbons and other elongate elements. When scissors are used to cut a ribbon, the individual who is cutting the ribbon holds it in one hand while using the scissors with his or her other hand. Oftentimes, manual ribbon cutting results in a crooked cut, a cut having an undesirable angle, or both. Thus, the ribbon may be cut repeatedly until an edge that meets the individual&#39;s expectations has been formed, or until the individual gives up and accepts an edge with one or more undesirable characteristics. 
         [0004]    Even though many individuals are adept at using scissors to cut ribbons and other elongate elements, the use of scissors and other conventional cutting apparatuses does not prevent fraying of the cut edges. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In various embodiments, a cutting apparatus may be configured to hold an elongate element, such as a ribbon, in a desired orientation as the elongate element is cut into two sections. A cutting element of such a cutting apparatus may be confined to a single orientation relative to that of the elongate element, reducing or eliminating the likelihood of misalignment between the cutting element and the elongate element immediately before the elongate element is cut. In some embodiments, the cutting apparatus, or even its cutting element, may be configured to seal the newly cut ends of the elongate element. 
         [0006]    In a specific embodiment, the cutting apparatus includes a top and a base that are configured to be assembled with the elongate element positioned therebetween, and in a manner that holds the elongate element in a desired orientation while the cutting element of the cutting apparatus engages and cuts the elongate element. One or both of the top and the base may include features that retain the elongate element in its desired orientation (to cut the elongate element precisely as desired) and in a position that enables precise and accurate cutting of the elongate element. 
         [0007]    The cutting element of the cutting apparatus may comprise an elongate element that is configured to be forced through an elongate element while the elongate element is held in position by the cutting apparatus. In some embodiments, the cutting element may comprise a so-called “hot wire,” which comprises an elongate electrically resistive element, or wire, of an electrical circuit that may be heated to a sufficient temperature to simultaneously cut through and seal the newly cut edges of the elongate element. 
         [0008]    In addition to apparatuses for cutting through elongate elements, methods for cutting elongate elements (e.g., ribbons, etc.) are disclosed. One embodiment of such a method includes orienting an elongate element relative to a cutting element. With movement of the cutting element confined in a manner that dictates where the cutting element may engage the elongate element (e.g., by a cutting apparatus that simultaneously holds and cuts the elongate element, etc.), the cutting element may be forced through and, thus, cut the elongate element. In some embodiments the edges of the elongate element may be sealed as they are cut. Once the elongate element has been cut, it may be released and used in a desired manner. 
         [0009]    Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects, of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of cutting apparatus; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is side view of the embodiment of cutting apparatus depicted by  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a top of the embodiment of cutting apparatus depicted by  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the top shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the top shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the top shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a base of the embodiment of cutting apparatus depicted by  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a variation of an upper surface of the base shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is another variation of the upper surface of the base shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the base shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the base shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the base shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of cutting apparatus, showing the cutting apparatus in an open orientation, with an elongate element disposed between the top and the base of the cutting apparatus; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  illustrates depression of a button of the cutting apparatus shown in  FIG. 11  to cut the elongate element; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  shows the cutting apparatus in an open orientation, with the elongate element separated into two pieces, each having a linear cut end; and 
           [0026]      FIGS. 14 through 17  illustrate another embodiment of a method for cutting an elongate element, with the cut ends of the elongate element having V shapes. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a cutting apparatus  10  that incorporates teachings of this disclosure. The illustrated cutting apparatus  10  includes a top  12  and a base  16 , which are configured to be at least partially assembled with and disassembled from one another. More specifically, the top  12  may be configured to be positioned over and assembled with the base  16  to define a closed arrangement between the top  12  and the base  16 . In addition, the top  12  may be configured to be removed from or spaced apart from the base  16  to provide an open arrangement of the top  12  and the base  16 . In some embodiments, a hinge  18  may secure corresponding edges of the top  12  and the base  16  to one another to facilitate movement of the top  12  between the closed position over the base  16  and the open position relative to the base  16 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 through 6 , an embodiment of the top  12  of a cutting apparatus  10  is described in further detail. The top  12  may include an upper surface  20  and an opposite engagement portion  21 . The upper surface  20  may define at least a portion of an upper surface of the cutting apparatus  10 , while the engagement portion  21 , and a retention surface  30  thereof, may be configured to face the base  16  of the cutting apparatus  10  when the top  12  is placed over the base  16  in the closed arrangement. 
         [0029]    The engagement portion  21  of the top  12  may define a recess  22 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the recess  22  may be elongated in configuration and be arranged centrally relative to the retention surface  30  into which the recess  22  extends (e.g., between elongated, spaced apart sections of the retention surface  30 , etc.). An aperture  15  may extend between the recess  22  and the upper surface  20  of the top  12 . Together, the aperture  15  and the recess  22  may accommodate certain other components of the top  12 . 
         [0030]    Among other components, the top  12  may include a button  14  with an external portion  14 E and an internal portion  141 . The external portion  14 E of the button  14  may extend through the aperture  15  and protrude from the outer surface  20  of the top  12 , where the external portion  14 E of the button  14  may be accessed and depressed when use of the cutting apparatus  10  is desired. 
         [0031]    The internal portion  141  of the button  14  may be located within the recess  22 . As depicted, the internal portion  141  may include a pair of spaced apart arms  27  that extend generally away from the upper surface  20  of the top  12 . A wire  28  may extend from one arm  27  to the other, and be positioned at an elevation that causes the wire  28  to remain within the recess  22  when the button  14  is in its non-operational original position, but enables the wire  28  to be moved downwardly out of the recess  22  as the external portion  14 E of the button  14  and, thus, the button  14  is depressed, or placed in an operational position. 
         [0032]    The top  12  may also include means for resiliently moving the button  14  back to its original position once its external portion  14 E is released. In a specific embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4 , one or more springs  29  may be associated with the internal portion  141  of the button  14  in a manner that urges the button  14  toward its original position. 
         [0033]    As  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate, the top  12  may also include other features, such as the depicted switch  23  (e.g., a two position sliding switch, etc.) and indicator light  24  (e.g., a light-emitting diode lamp, etc.), which are associated with an electrical circuit of which the wire  28  and a power source  46  ( FIG. 8 ) is also a part. The wire  28  may comprise an electrically conductive material with sufficient resistance to heat up to a desired temperature as the switch  23  is placed in a position that completes the electrical circuit and the power source  46  applies a current to the wire  28 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the top  12  of a cutting apparatus  10  may also include a safety mechanism. In some embodiments, a safety mechanism may prevent depression of the button  14  if the top  12  and the base  16  are not in the closed arrangement, but enable depression of the button  14  if the top  12  and the base  16  are in the closed arrangement. In addition, or alternatively, a safety mechanism may be configured to enable operation of the heating element only when the top  12  and the base  16  are in the closed arrangement. 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIGS. 7 through 10 , an embodiment of the base  16  of a cutting apparatus  10  is illustrated. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the base  16  includes a support surface  34  against which the retention surface  30  of the top  12  ( FIG. 6 ) is configured to be positioned. At least a portion of the support surface  34  may have a contour that complements a contour of a corresponding portion of the retention surface  30  of the top  12 , which may enable these portions to contact each other when the top  12  and the base  16  are placed in the closed arrangement. In the depicted embodiment, the support surface  34  of the base  16  and the retention surface  30  of the top  12  are both flat. 
         [0037]    With continued reference to  FIG. 7  and returned reference to  FIG. 6 , one or both of the retention surface  30  of the top  12  and the support surface  34  of the base  16  may be configured to hold an elongate element in place while the top  12  and the base  16  are in the closed arrangement with the elongate element positioned between the retention surface  30  and the support surface  34 , and as a downward force on (i.e., depression of) the button  14  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ) forces the wire  28  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ) against the elongate element. In some embodiments, one or both of the retention surface  30  and the support surface  34  may comprise (e.g., be coated with, be formed from, etc.) an engagement material  32  and  36 , respectively, that holds the elongate element in place. Such an engagement material  32 ,  36  may be tacky, compliant or have another property that enables it to engage the elongate material. In a specific embodiment, one or both of the retention surface  30  and the support surface  34  may comprise silicone. In addition, or as an alternative, one or both of the retention surface  30  and the support surface  34  may include a texture  33  and  37 , respectively, that holds the elongate element in place. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, such as those illustrated by  FIG. 7A and 7B , the support surface  34  of the base  16  may include alignment features  35 ,  35 ’, which may facilitate placement of an elongate element on the support surface  34  and, thus, its alignment with the wire  28  ( FIG. 4 ). In various embodiments, the alignment features  35 ,  35 ′ may include horizontal elements and vertical elements. The alignment features  35 ′ may also include diagonal elements. 
         [0039]    Again referring to  FIG. 7 , in addition to the retention surface  34 , the base  16  includes an elongated receptacle  38  recessed in a central region of the support surface  34  (e.g., between spaced apart elongated sections of the support surface  34 , etc.). The receptacle  38  may be configured to receive and accommodate the wire  28  ( FIG. 4 ) and the arms  27  of the internal portion  141  of the button  14  ( FIG. 4 ) (or at least the lowermost portions thereof) when the button  14  is depressed. In addition, as depicted by  FIG. 7B , an indicator  40 , such as the depicted line, may be provided in the bottom of the receptacle  38  to show where the wire  28  will intersect an elongate element positioned over the support surface  34 . 
         [0040]    The base  16  may also define a receptacle  45  for a power supply  46  (e.g., four AA batteries, etc.). In the embodiment depicted by  FIG. 7 , the base  16  includes an engagement portion  16 A and a lower portion  16 B that are ordinarily assembled with one another (e.g., while the cutting apparatus  10  is being used, during storage of the cutting apparatus  10 , etc.), but may be disassembled from one another to provide access to the receptacle  45 , such as when access to the power supply  46  is desired (e.g., for replacement, etc.). Alternatively, as illustrated by  FIG. 10 , access to the receptacle  45  within the base  16  may be obtained through an access panel  44  (e.g., a sliding access panel, another type of battery cover, etc.) at the bottom surface  42  of the base  16 . 
         [0041]    Various embodiments of methods for using the cutting apparatus  10  are also disclosed. In  FIGS. 11 through 14 , an embodiment of a method for forming a substantially linear cut through an elongate element  50  is depicted.  FIGS. 15 through 18  illustrated an embodiment of a technique for forming a V-shaped cut through an elongate element  50 ′. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the top  12  of a cutting apparatus  10  may be at least partially spaced apart from the base  16  of the cutting apparatus  10  to expose a support surface  34  of the base  16 . An elongate element  50  that is to be cut, such as the depicted ribbon, may be placed on and supported by the support surface  34 . In some embodiments, one or more alignment features  35 ,  35 ′ ( FIGS. 7A and 7B , respectively) and/or another indicator  40  ( FIG. 7B ) may be used to guide placement of the elongate element  50  on the support surface  34 . 
         [0043]    With the elongate element  50  positioned as desired on the support surface  34 , the top  12  of the cutting apparatus  10  may be positioned against the base  16 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this closed arrangement, the retention surface  30  ( FIG. 11 ) of the top  12  and the support surface  34  ( FIG. 11 ) of the base  16  may hold the elongate element  50  in place. 
         [0044]    The wire  28  ( FIG. 4 ) may be heated as power is supplied to the wire  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, power may be supplied to the wire  28  by moving the switch  23  to an “on” position. Once the wire  28  has heated to a sufficient temperature (which may occur within a matter of seconds (e.g., about five seconds or less, etc.) of supplying power to the wire  28 ), it may be used to cut the elongate element  50  and, when the elongate element  50  includes a material that may be seared or melted, seal the cut ends  52 A and  52 B ( FIG. 13 ) of the elongate element  50 . 
         [0045]    As depicted by  FIG. 12 , slight depression of the button  14  in the top of the cutting apparatus  10  may force the top  12  against the base  16  ( FIG. 11 ) and, thus, hold the elongate element  50  in place between the top  12  and the base  16 . Further depression of the button  14  may bring the heated wire  28  ( FIG. 4 ) into contact with the elongate element  50 . As disclosed previously herein with reference to  FIG. 7 , such further depression of the button  14  may cause the wire to move from a first position within a recess  22  in the top  12  of the cutting apparatus  10 , or a location above (or on a first side of) the elongate element  50 , to a second position within a receptacle  38  in the base  16  of the cutting apparatus  10 , or a location beneath (or on a second side of) the elongate element  50 . As the heated wire  28  contacts and is forced through a portion of the elongate element  50  that extends over the receptacle  38  in the base  16 , the heated wire  28  cuts and, in some embodiments, seals the newly cut ends  52 A and  52 B ( FIG. 13 ) of the elongate element  50 . 
         [0046]    Once the elongate element  50  has been cut, the button  14  may be released, enabling the button  14  and the wire  28  to return to their original positions. As illustrated by  FIG. 13 , the top  12  may then be at least partially removed from the base  16  of the cutting apparatus  10 , and the cut sections  50 A and  50 B of the elongate element  50  may be removed from the support surface  34  of the base  16 . 
         [0047]    In a variation of the process depicted by  FIGS. 11 through 13 ,  FIGS. 14 through 17  illustrate a process in which a V-shaped cut may be formed in an elongate element  50 ′. As illustrated by  FIG. 14 , a portion  54 ′ of the elongate element  50 ′ may be folded along its length, then positioned somewhat diagonally relative to the support surface  34  of the base  16  of a cutting apparatus  10 . While that portion  54 ′ of the elongate element  50 ′ remains folded, a top  12  of the cutting apparatus  10  may be positioned against the base  16 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , holding the elongate element  50 ′ in place and maintaining its folded orientation. With the wire  28  ( FIG. 4 ) heated to a sufficient temperature, an individual may depress the button  14  in the top  12  of the cutting apparatus  10 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , forcing the hot wire  28  through and cutting (and, in some embodiments, sealing) the folded portion  54 ′ of the elongate element  50 ′. Once the elongate element  50 ′ has been cut, the button  14  may be released and, along with the wire  28 , allowed to return to its original position. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the top  12  may be at least partially removed from the base  16  to enable removal of the cut sections  50 A′ and  50 B′ from the cutting apparatus  10 . As the cut sections  50 A′ and  50 B′ are unfolded at their respective cut ends  52 A′ and  52 B′, the V shapes of the cut ends  52 A′ and  52 B′ are revealed. 
         [0048]    By holding the elongate element in a desired orientation while confining movement of the wire  28  (or any other embodiment of cutting element), the cutting apparatus  10  may be used to cut an elongate element  50  without repeated effort. In addition, the use of a heated wire  28  to cut through an elongate element  50  may seal the newly cut edges  52 , which may prevent fraying of the edges  52 . 
         [0049]    The disclosed embodiments should not be deemed to limit the scope of any of the claims that follow. The scope of each claim should be limited merely by its plain language, and should be deemed to include the full complement of available equivalents.