Abstract:
The present invention is directed toward a method and an apparatus for cutting material, such as paper and/or fabric, while simultaneously marking the material with a decorative border. The present invention utilizes an air pump and replaceable coloring means source affixed on a cutting apparatus, such as scissors, having an air pump and replaceable coloring dispenser along the blade(s) of the scissors. The pumping mechanism utilizes check valves to regulate the flow of air through the system. In another embodiment, a colorant may be used along the blade of the scissors wherein each cut leaves a decorative border along the cut area of the material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a method and an apparatus for cutting material, such as paper and/or fabric, while simultaneously marking the material with a decorative border. The present invention utilizes an air pump and replaceable coloring means on a cutting apparatus, such as scissors, where the air pump and the replaceable coloring means are along the blade(s) of the scissors. A colorant reservoir may be used along the blades of the scissors wherein each cut leaves a decorative border along the cut area of the material. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There is a variety of well-known apparatus and methods for cutting materials, including scissors and shears. However, these methods and apparatus present several problems. There is a long felt need for a more effective method and apparatus for cutting materials and leaving a decorative border on a material as it is being cut. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,672,416 to LaClair discloses a roofing paper cutter in which a cutting disc turns under the influence of oil and wiping means that prevents tar from adhering to the cutting disc of the device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,276,365 to Angel discloses a rotary cutting device having a pair of coactive rotary cutters for cutting various materials. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,826,859 to Shaffer discloses a toy knife adapted to discharge a fluid, whereby the fluid is used to simulate bleeding. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,107,425 to Rentz discloses a cutting instrument having a stylus with a moistening means. The cutting instrument is used to divide sheet material. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,669 to Arai discloses a glass cutter having a barrel and cutter head co-axially provided at the lower end of the barrel. The cutter head and barrel are hollow and have an oil reserve provided therein. Cutting oil is supplied to a cutting blade for cutting glass. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,907 to Ravaux discloses a device for simultaneously cutting and treating a plant system. This device is applicable, particularly, to pruning and treating vines, fruit trees, and other plants of the same type. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,882 to Bloom et al. discloses a liquid dispenser for supplying a treatment fluid to blades on a cutting implement used to cut plants. A liquid supply unit having a flow regulator is used to regulate the flow of the treatment fluid. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,627 to Deal discloses a cartridge-type water bomb water gun conversion device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,588 to Lewis discloses a lubricated barrel pivot removably mounted in a knife handle. An oil reservoir within the barrel communicates with the bearing surface by means of an oil wick in a bore. 
     While the known apparatus and methods for cutting materials are of interest, they do not address the particular need to provide a decorative border on a particular material as it is being cut. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a method and apparatus for cutting an object while simultaneously applying a decorative ink border thereto. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a scissors having a pumping apparatus for applying a decorative border to objects being cut. 
     It is another object to provide a scissors having a marking apparatus for applying a decorative border to objects being cut. 
     Other objects will become apparent from the foregoing description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scissors having a pumping apparatus for disseminating a decorative border on an object to be cut. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pumping apparatus used with the scissors of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a scissors having a marker for discharging a decorative border on an object to be cut. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the scissors of FIG. 1 as used to dispense a decorative border on an object being cut. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of scissors having a marker affixed thereto for dispensing a decorative border on an object to be cut. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of scissors having a marker and colorant supply affixed thereto for dispensing a decorative border on an object to be cut. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a case used in conjunction with the scissors of FIGS.  5  and  6 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present method and apparatus is of broad applicability to many technical fields for the production of an infinite variety of articles. For illustrative purposes only, a preferred mode for carrying out the inventive method will be described hereinafter in conjunction with a cutting tool, namely, a scissors having a means for distributing a colored border on an item being cut by the scissors. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a scissors  11  is implemented in conjunction with a color distribution means. Any type of scissors  11  now known or hereinafter developed may be implemented with the present invention. The scissors  11  should have a first cutting member  13  pivotably mounted to a second cutting member  15 . The first cutting member  13  should have a first blade  17  and a first grasping means  19 . Similarly, the second cutting member  15  should have a second blade  21  and a second grasping means  23 . Preferably, the first grasping means  19  and second grasping means  23  are configured so that a cutter&#39;s finger(s) fit securely therein. The first cutting member  13  is mounted to the second cutting member  15  through the use of a pin mount  25 . This method is well known for securing the cutting members of a scissors together. The first cutting member  13  and second cutting member  15  should be capable of moving between an open and closed positions for cutting material, such as paper, cloth and the like. 
     The color distribution means of the present invention is used for applying a decorative border to material while being cut by the scissors  11 . A variety of color distribution means may be used in conjunction with a scissors. In a first embodiment, a pumping apparatus is used to create an air spray effect. In a second embodiment, a color marker is applied to the scissors  11 . Each embodiment is described below. 
     The first embodiment of the present invention is now described. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pumping apparatus is affixed to the scissors  11 . The pumping apparatus has a pressure pump  27 , a first air conduit  29 , an air reservoir  31 , a second air conduit  29   a  and a coloring means  33 . The air conduit  29  connects the pressure pump  27  to the air reservoir  31 . The air reservoir  31  is connected to the coloring means  33 . Air reservoirs are well known and are used for storing and maintaining a steady supply and flow of air. The coloring means  33  should have an aperture  36  for dispensing colorant onto a cutting surface. Preferably, the pressure pump  27  is a hollow bladder capable of inflating and deflating in response to pressure on the pump. The pressure pump  27  and the air reservoir  31  may be made of rubber, plastic or other materials capable of performing their respective functions. The pressure pump  27  is connected to the air reservoir  31  by the first air conduit  29 . The air reservoir  31  is connected to the coloring means  33  by the second air conduit  29   a.    
     Section  22  holds the reservior  33  in position and may be removable. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the pressure pump  27  may be connected to the first grasping means  19  by a connector  50 . The use of a connector  50  is preferred because it prevents the pressure pump  27  from sliding between the grasping means  19  and  23 . 
     The pumping apparatus of the present invention operates in response to pressure applied to the system. The pumping apparatus should have inlets and outlets for receiving and discharging the air, when pressure is applied and released. Preferably, these inlets and outlets have valves to prevent unwanted intake or loss of air from the system. Accordingly, the various components of the pumping apparatus have check valves to regulate an entry and an exit of air in the pumping apparatus. The use of such check valves is described below. 
     The pressure pump  27  should be initially filled with air. As discussed herein, the pressure pump  27  deflates and discharges the air, when a positive pressure is applied thereto. Accordingly, the pressure pump  27  should have a one-way intake valve  35  for replenishing its air supply when deflated. When a positive pressure is released, the intake valve  35  should automatically draw air into the pressure pump  27  until its air supply is replenished. Since the intake valve  35  allows for only one-way flow of air, air may enter the pressure pump  27  through the one-way intake valve  35 , but cannot escape. 
     Similarly, a one-way check valve  32  should be implemented to regulate the flow of air between the pressure pump  27  and the air reservoir  31 . Preferably, the check valve  32  is positioned at an exit  42  of the pressure pump  27 . It should be noted, however, that the check valve may be positioned within the air conduit  29  or at an entry  44  of the air reservoir  31 . The check valve  32  allows air to flow from the pressure pump  27  to the air reservoir  31 . Similarly, the check valve  32  prevents air from flowing from the air reservoir  31  into the pressure pump  27 . 
     A second check valve  37  should be implemented to regulate the flow of air between the reservoir and the coloring means  33 . The check valve  37  should be a one-way valve that allows air to exit the air reservoir  31  and enter the coloring means  33 . Similarly, the one-way check valve  37  prevents air and/or colorant from flowing from the ink coloring means  33  into the air reservoir  31 . 
     The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to FIG. 4. A person may desire to cut an object, while simultaneously marking the object with a decorative border. Prior to cutting an object, the pumping apparatus must be filled with air. To accomplish this, the pressure pump  27  should be initially filled with air and rest securely between the grasping means  19  and  23 . The grasping means  19  and  23  are pressed together so that a positive pressure is applied to the pressure pump  27 . As a result, the air pressure pump  27  is transferred through the air conduit  29  and into the air reservoir  31 . The scissors  11  should then be moved to an open position, thereby eliminating the positive pressure. Air enters the pressure pump  27  through the one-way check valve  32 . This process is repeated until the air reservoir  31  is completely filled with air. 
     Once the reservoir is filled with air, an object, such as paper, should be cut. Accordingly, the object is placed between blades  17  and  21 . Grasping means  19  and  23  are pressed together to cut the object. As grasping means  19  and  23  are squeezed together, a positive pressure is applied to the pressure pump  27 . As a result, the air flows from the pressure pump  27 , through the air conduit  29  and into the reservoir  31 . In turn, the air pressure causes the stagnant air in the reservoir  31  to be transferred into the coloring means  33 . This air pressure causes the colorant in the coloring means  33  to be discharged through the aperture  36 . As a result, a decorative border is sprayed on the cutting surface of the object as it is being cut. This process is repeated until the object is sufficiently cut with a desired border. 
     In a second embodiment, the scissors  11  has a color marker  51  affixed to cutting blade  17  as shown in FIG.  5 . It should be noted, however, that the color marker may be fixed to the cutting blade  21 . The color marker may be a magic marker, a rubber ink stamp, or any other color marking means. The color marker  51  may be fixed to the cutting blade  21  through the use of glue, cement or any other adhesive. Alternatively, a colorant reservoir  53  may be affixed to cutting blade  21  as shown in FIG.  6 . Referring to FIG. 7, a cover  55  should be used to store the blades  17  and  21  of the scissors. The cover  55  will prevent the color marker  51  from drying out. 
     The reservior may be connected to the blade by means of a tube, a moisture supply mechanism, or similar means. 
     The operation of the second embodiment of the present invention is now described. A person may desire to cut an object while simultaneously marking the object with a decorative border. The person should place his finger(s) in grasping means  19  and  23  and begin cutting the object. The scissors  11  is moved to an open position and the object is placed between cutting blades  17  and  21 . Grasping means  19  and  23  are pressed together and the object is cut. The marker  51  contacts the cutting surface of the object and dispenses a decorative border on the edge of the object. This process is repeated until the object is sufficiently cut with a desired border. 
     In the foregoing description of the invention, reference to the drawings, certain terms have been used for conciseness, clarity, and comprehension. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be implied from or because of the terms used, beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Furthermore, the description and illustration of the invention are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown, represented, or described. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not so limited but rather includes any and all changes and modifications thereto which would be apparent to those skilled in the art and which come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.