CA1165992A - Lid cutter - Google Patents
Lid cutterInfo
- Publication number
- CA1165992A CA1165992A CA000381593A CA381593A CA1165992A CA 1165992 A CA1165992 A CA 1165992A CA 000381593 A CA000381593 A CA 000381593A CA 381593 A CA381593 A CA 381593A CA 1165992 A CA1165992 A CA 1165992A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- blade
- cutting
- opening
- lid
- punching
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26F—PERFORATING; PUNCHING; CUTTING-OUT; STAMPING-OUT; SEVERING BY MEANS OTHER THAN CUTTING
- B26F1/00—Perforating; Punching; Cutting-out; Stamping-out; Apparatus therefor
- B26F1/32—Hand-held perforating or punching apparatus, e.g. awls
- B26F1/36—Punching or perforating pliers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26B—HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B26B27/00—Hand cutting tools not provided for in the preceding groups, e.g. finger rings for cutting string, devices for cutting by means of wires
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D3/00—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor
- B26D3/14—Forming notches in marginal portion of work by cutting
Abstract
ABSTRACT FOR THE DISCLOSURE
A cutting apparatus for cutting an aperture or notch In a plastic container lid has a cutting head with a V-shaped blade. The blade has a piercing point and two cutting edges sloping upwardly from the point. The base of the apparatus provides a flat supporting surface for holding the container lid in position for cutting by the blade. An opening is formed in the support surface and is adapted to receive at least a lower part of the blade. The cutting head is pivotally connected to the base so that by pivoting the cutting head downwards the blade can be driven into the opening to cut the lid The opening is preferably formed by a metal plate and the opening is sized and shaped so that there is a close fit between the edge of the plate defining the opening and the blade.
A cutting apparatus for cutting an aperture or notch In a plastic container lid has a cutting head with a V-shaped blade. The blade has a piercing point and two cutting edges sloping upwardly from the point. The base of the apparatus provides a flat supporting surface for holding the container lid in position for cutting by the blade. An opening is formed in the support surface and is adapted to receive at least a lower part of the blade. The cutting head is pivotally connected to the base so that by pivoting the cutting head downwards the blade can be driven into the opening to cut the lid The opening is preferably formed by a metal plate and the opening is sized and shaped so that there is a close fit between the edge of the plate defining the opening and the blade.
Description
~ ~ 6S~92 This invention relates to cutting apparatus and particularly apparatus suitable for cutting notches. m e notches formed can ke any suitable shape including V-shaped, parabolic or semi-circular~
Various punches are knGwn for cutting or forming holes in paper cand netal. For example, it is known to provide punches suitable ~or forming one, two, t~ree or more holes in paper so that the paper can be placed on a suitable holder or in a ring binder. Such punches generally form a small hole that is just large enough to easily insert a n~tal ring therethrough. m ese punches are not generally suitable for forn~ng large holes or for formLng notches in the edge o~ a sheet of paper or other materi~l. Kncwn device~3 f~r punching holes in metal cans include the per~orator taught by U.S. Pa~ent 2,595,653 issued May 6, 1952 to L.E. Fuller. This known per~orator employs a plunger rod wi~h a handle at the tcp end and a V-shaped blade at t~e koktom end.
A tongue and eet are provided ~or properly positioning the perforator at the edge of a can prior to use of the perfo~ator. As with many can cpeners, the perforator itself must be supported by the top of the oan when it is ~eing used. Because of the shape and canstructiGn o~ the nechani6n for h~lding t~e per~orator i~ the correct position, this Xnown ~evice is guite unsui~able for puncturing a t~in dis~ of ~Rterial such as a container lid.
$~¢q 9 ~
U.S. Patent 2,722,737 issued November 8, 1955 to R.A.
Withers teaches the use o~ a can cpener that includes a support apparatus especially adapted to hold a metal can in the required position for use of t~e cpener. The support for the oan includes an elongated upright, a slider to which t~e punching element is connected and an adjustable support base. The punching element is shaped and designed to form a pGuring spout in the top of the can. Again, although this kncwn can cpener may ke suitable for forming an aperture in the tcp of a can, the support apparatus provided m~kes it unsuitable for use on a flat piece of material such as a plastic container lid.
m e use of plastic oontainer lids to cover a drinking cup is well known and such lids are perhaps found most often in take-out food establishments. m ey can either be used on top of a paper cup non~ally contain mg a cold drink or on tcp of a polystyrene or other plastic cup oontaining a hot drink. Often such plastic lids come with a hole partially or completel~ formed in the tcp thereof for the use of a straw. When the hole is partially formed in the lid, it is possible to open the aperture fully by breaking the ren~ining material which connects ~he small disk cver the cpening with the rest of the lid. A problen with these known openings in plastic lids is that the~
are unsuitable for drinking the liquid directly ~rcm the cup without the use of a straw. Because these openings are normally n~t formed at the edge of the l;d, it is almost impossible to drink from such openings and, in order to drink the liquid, it is generally necessary to rem~ve the lid. How~ver if the lid is rem3ved, the danger of spilling the liquid is greatly increased.
If kncwn cutters or punches are used for formi~g a dri~king opening in the edge of a container lid, problems may be encountered.
For example, most container lids are form~d with a rim so that th~y can be detachably connected to the container or ~up. Since it is not a flat ed~e of rnaterial that mu~t be cut, it may be difficult to insert the container lid in known punches for formation of the c~ening. Also, as indicated above, the apertures formed by m~y of the kncwn punches are normally quite small and it might be necessary to use such a punch a numker of times in order to make the opening in the lid large enough for drinking. Such a process w~uld be awkward and time consumlng and w~uld not guarante the formation of a suitable opening. Also nany known punches would not have suitable means for properly aligning the lid for the cutting qperation. One reason for this deficiency in the known punches is t~at in the past such punches havé normally been used for ~onming a hole~ at some location spaced from the edge of t~e material. However in the case of an cpening which is to be used for drinking, the opening must be formed at the very edge of the lid; in cther w~rds, the e~ge o~ t~e l;d ~ust ~e notched.
Accordingly, the cutting apparatus of the present invention provides a mechanism suitable for cutting an aperture or nct~h in a container lid. The preferred apparatus disclosed herein is inexpe~sive to construct and easy to use.
~ ~ 6~9~
According to the invention, a punching and cutting a~paratus for piercing and cutting a drinking aperture in a thin, disc-like, plastic container lid having a hollcw upstanding rim edge defining an edge groove comprises: a cutting head having a blade with a piercing point and cutting edges sloping upwardly from said point; means for holding a container lid in positicn for cutting by said blade, said holding means having an opening adapted to r~ceive at least a lcw~r part of said blade and stop means for engaging the edge of said container lid and t~ereby holding said lid at a proper ~osition for cutt mg said aperture at the edge of the lid with said blade; an~
means for mDvably connecting said cutting head to said holding means wherein said blade can be driven into said opening to cut said container lid and form the drinking aperture at the edge of said lid.
` In one preferred embcdiment, the blade is generally V-shaped and is adapted to cut a V-shaped notch in the edge o the container lid. Hcwever the blade could also have a parabolic or curved shape.
~t least the top of the opening i~ formecl by metal plate and is sized and shaped so that there is a close fit between tlle edge of the plate defining the opening and the blade.
In the disclosed preferred embodiment, the connecting means co~sist of a mechanism for pivoting the cutting head relative to the holding means and this mechanism includes a pivc,t pin.
Further features and advantages will become apparent fran the ~ollowing detailed description of preferred e~bodIments, which description is to be read in conjunction with t~e acca~panying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a front end view of one embodiment of a cutting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a ~ectional elevation taken along the line II-II
shcwn in Figure 1, with the coil spring ~eing anitted for sake of clarity;
1 :~ 65992 Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cutting apparatus with a container lid positioned on the apparatus for cutting;
Figure 4 is a detailed view shcwing the front portion of the apparatus of Figure 3 after the cutting head has been lowered to cut the aperture in the lid;
Figure 5 is a top view of a rimmed container lid showing a notch cut in the edge of the lid;
Figure 6 is a side view of another ernbodiment of a cutting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the blade used on the apparatus of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a detailed view showing the shape of the plate used to form the top of the opening in the apparatus of Figure 6; and Figure 9 is a right hand end view of the cutting apparatus of Figure 6.
The cutting apparatus 10 shawn in Figures 1 to 4 is suitable for cutting an aperture in a container lid 12. The type of aperture or notch that can be cut in the edge of ~he lia is shcwn in Figure 5.
The aperture 14 is V-shaped and extends ir~ardly from the edge 16 of the lid. The lid 12 that ~s shown is one designed for use on a paper or plastic cup and it is formed with a rim 18. A lip 20 may also protrude up from the edge of the lid. m e use of the rim 18 and the lip 20 on such lids can make them difficult to cut or notch with previously known cutter~ and punches. Normally such lids are made from a sheet of thin plastic.
The illustrated apparatus 10 includes a cutting head 22 having a blade 24 with a piercing point 26. The blade is ormed ~36~9.~
with two cutting edges 28 which sloFe upwardly and rearwardly frcm the point 26. Ihe blade 24, which is preferably made of steel, is an integral part of an elongated metal member 30 in this emkcdiment.
Except at its two ends, the me~ber 30 is channel-shaped and has two downwardly extending sides 32. Fastened to the top of the metal m~mber 30 is a plastic plate 34. The plate 34 pxovides a smooth attractive top and it can be made wider t~an the member 30 as s~cwn in Figure 1. The metal m~mber 30 with its blade 24 and the plastic plate 34 together form an elongated tc~ member which is also referred to as he cuttin~ head in this application. At the end of the cutting head opposite the blade 24 are tw~ dcwnwardly extending connecting brackets 36 which form part of t~e means for m~vably connecting the autting head to a bottom member or base 40.
The ~ottom me~ber 40 provides means for holding the container lid 12 in position for cutting by the blade. me bottom me~ker has an cpem ng 42 adapted to receive at least a lower part of the blade 24 includin~ all of the cutting edge of the blade. In the e~bodiment o~ Figures 1 to 4, the b~ttom ~ber 40 ccmprises a w~oden or plastic main member 44 and a metal plate member ~6. The n~bers 44 and 46 can be ~oined together in any well kncwn manner such as with glue or with screws (not shown3. Except for the tw~ ends, the pla-te m~mber 46 is ~hannel-shaped as can be seen from Figure 1. Thus the member 46 has two upwardly extending sides 48. These sides A8 terminate at 50, a p~int in line with the inner- most extremity of the 25 opening 42. The ends of the sides 48 located at the point 50 form means for stcpping the lid 12 so that the lid is properly located o~er the opening 42 and keneath the cutting head fc~ cutting the aperture in the edge o~ the lid. ~hese ends provide stops disposed on cpposite sides of the opening. The end portion of the me~ber 46 in the region of the cpening 42 is flat and this portion forms a lid supporting surface 52 in the region of the cpening. Thus the lid 12 is supported at a location which permits the blade to be driven cc~,pletely through the lid to form the desire~ aperture or notch. Ihe 1at surface 52 conform~ to the flat surface of the lid 12 and ~herefore helps to prevent te~ring of the lid as it is being cut by the blade 24. If a proper support ~or the lid is not provided, the cut in the ~hin lid material could have a rough or uneven edge. Because the cutting edges 28 of t~e blade slope upwardly and rearwardly, the~ tend to push the lid i~wardly or rearwardly. Hcwever such m~vement is prevented by the stop means and therefore the lid can be ~ut readily and easily without requiring any undue effort to hold the lid in the necessary position for cutting.
~he end of the plate me~ber 46 located opposite the supporting surface 52 has two upstanding brackets 54 which are extensions o the sides 48. The brackets 54 also ~orm part of the means for movably connecting the cutting head to the bottom member 40.
B~th the brackets 54 and the brackets 36 are formed wi~h cpenings to receive a pi~ot pin 56. m e pin 56 can be in the f~rm of a suitable rivet or a bolt with a nut ~astened at one end.
As can be seen fro~ Figure 2, the tcp of the opening 42 is form~d by the metal plate me~ber 46. Ihe cpening in the plate me~ber has generally the same shape as ~hat ~hown in Figure 8, which figure shows the metal plate used m the second eTbodiment shown in Figure 6.
In other words the opening is generally triangular and it i5 sized and shaped so that there is a close fit between the edge of ~he plate defining ~he opening and the blade 24. In ~his way ~he lid 12 will be ~ .
g supported as much as possible from belcw ~hen being cut by the dcwnwardly m~ving blade 24. In the preferred embodiment there is a sheering action between the metal edge forming the opening 42 and the blade during the cutting process. This action results in the ormation of a cleanly cut aperture or notch 14.
In the preferred embodimY~t means are provided ~or biasing the cutting head 22 away from the opening 42. The illustrated biasing means comprises a coil spring 58 which is inserted between the cutting head and the bottom member 40. In order to hold the spring in an upri~ht position, upper and lower pin retainers 60 and 62 are provided. The retainer 60 is firmly attached to the bottcm of the plate member 30 while the pin retainer 62 is firmly attached to the top of the plate member 46 between the sides 48. The diameter of each of t~ese retainers are slightly smaller than the diameter of the coil spring. These retainers can be rivetad to tha adjoining plates or attached by screw connections. If desired, and in order to preven~
the spring 58 from being dislocated from the cup m~mbers, the brackets 36 can be provided with a lower oorner 64 whic~ comes into contact with the plate member 46 when the cutting head ~2 is raised to the position shcwn in Figure 2. l~us further clockwise rotation of the cutting head relative to the bottom me~ber 40 is prevented by the ~ngagemant of the corners 64. It will be appreciated that a variety of other stop machani ms could also be provided. Alternatively, the bottom and the top of the coil spring oould be firmly attached to the ~5 plate member ~6 and the member 30 respectively and this would prevent an excessive clockwis~ rotation of the cutting head relative to the bottom ~e~ber.
O~her forms of biasing means can of c~urse be used. A leaf spring arrangement could be used. A single turn, round ~ ~ ~5~92 wlre type spring w~uld also be satisfactory. Air balloon type or soft rubber ball type springs could be used if desired.
A second embodiment of the cutting apparatus is shown in Figures 6 to 9 and, except as described hereinafter, this embodim. nt is constructed substantiall~ in the same manner as ~he first cuttin~
aeparatus 10. The second embodir.nt 70 has an elongated top me~ber 72 ~hich is constructed entirely frcm a suitable plastics material except for the blade 74 which is sh~wn separately in Figure 7. lhe blade 74 can be constructed frcm a single piece of bent steel and like the blade 24 it is V-shaped as seen from the top or the bottom. To provide mRans for connecting the blade 74 to the rest of the tcp member, the blade is formed with horizontal sections 76 provided with .. holes 78. The holes 78 will accommodate scr~ws ~or attachin~ the steel blade to t~e elongated plastic me~ber 72. It will be aypreciated that, with this construction, ~he blade 74 can be replaced from time to time if it becomes dull or ~ ~aged. The me~ber 72 also has two dow~wardly extending brackets 80,-each with a hole therein for receipt of a pivot pin 82.
A bottom member 84 is also made entirely of plastic except for the small, flat steel plate 86 in the vicinity of the opening whi~h receives t~e blade 74. ~he plate 86 is ~rovided with a hole 88 at each of its four corners for receipt o~ a screw. Thus ~he plate 86 can be attached to the bottom me~ber 84 by means o~ screws (not shown1. The en~ of the b~ttom me~ber 84 opposite the plate 86 is provided with tw~ upst~nding brackets 89, each of which has a h3le for passage of the pin 82.
In place of the stops provided by ~he ends of ~he walls 44 - in the first embodiment, the second embodin~nt 70 i5 pnovided wit~ a ~, g ~ 2 protruberance 90 which is integral wit~ the bottom m~mber 84. The p~otruberance 90 is located ju~t behind the plate me~ber 86. When the eaga of the lid 12 is pushed against this protr~berance, it is in the correct p~sition for cutting a notch 14 in the lid.
Instead of a coil spring to bias the tcp member ana blade away ~rom the cpening, the second embodiment is provided with a wire spxing 92 h~ving a single loop 94 t~rough which ~he pivot pin 82 extends. This wire spring has an upper end 96 that extends through a retaining bracket 98 and a lcwer end 100 that extends through another retaining bracket 102. The brackets Joosely e~brace the spring ends to prevent ~hem from slipping out from between the cutting head and the b~ttom m ~ber 84.
It will be appreciated that other mechanisms for mDvably o~nne~ting the cutting head to the bottom me~ber could be provided.
For example, the cutting head and the bottam me~ber could ke fashioned fram a single pie oe of suitable plastic. The plastics m~terial used would have a thick cross-section for mDst of the leng~h of ~he cutting head and bottam m~ber but it would have a t~in flexible and resilient cross-section ~here the cutting head and the b~ttom me~ber join. As in the embodinent of Figures 6 to 9 the blade itself and a flat plate m the vicinity of ~he cpening in the bottom menber wDuld still be n~de of a metal such as steel.
It will ~e appare~t to those skilled in the art t~at various ~difications can be ~ade to the descriked cutting aFparatus without departing fnom t~e spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the blade could have a shape different fm m that shcwn in the drawings. The blade could have a semi-circular ~hape ~hen viewed frcm the tcp rather than a V-shape. A spring or other d~vice ~or biasing ,. ..
9 ~ -the cutting head away from the opening could be omitted entirely frcm the apparatus because ~he cutting head oould be lifted manually ~o the positic~ shcwn in Figures 2 and 3 prior to inserticn of a lid for cutting. Also the present apparatus could be co~structed entirely o~
metal if desired.
Various punches are knGwn for cutting or forming holes in paper cand netal. For example, it is known to provide punches suitable ~or forming one, two, t~ree or more holes in paper so that the paper can be placed on a suitable holder or in a ring binder. Such punches generally form a small hole that is just large enough to easily insert a n~tal ring therethrough. m ese punches are not generally suitable for forn~ng large holes or for formLng notches in the edge o~ a sheet of paper or other materi~l. Kncwn device~3 f~r punching holes in metal cans include the per~orator taught by U.S. Pa~ent 2,595,653 issued May 6, 1952 to L.E. Fuller. This known per~orator employs a plunger rod wi~h a handle at the tcp end and a V-shaped blade at t~e koktom end.
A tongue and eet are provided ~or properly positioning the perforator at the edge of a can prior to use of the perfo~ator. As with many can cpeners, the perforator itself must be supported by the top of the oan when it is ~eing used. Because of the shape and canstructiGn o~ the nechani6n for h~lding t~e per~orator i~ the correct position, this Xnown ~evice is guite unsui~able for puncturing a t~in dis~ of ~Rterial such as a container lid.
$~¢q 9 ~
U.S. Patent 2,722,737 issued November 8, 1955 to R.A.
Withers teaches the use o~ a can cpener that includes a support apparatus especially adapted to hold a metal can in the required position for use of t~e cpener. The support for the oan includes an elongated upright, a slider to which t~e punching element is connected and an adjustable support base. The punching element is shaped and designed to form a pGuring spout in the top of the can. Again, although this kncwn can cpener may ke suitable for forming an aperture in the tcp of a can, the support apparatus provided m~kes it unsuitable for use on a flat piece of material such as a plastic container lid.
m e use of plastic oontainer lids to cover a drinking cup is well known and such lids are perhaps found most often in take-out food establishments. m ey can either be used on top of a paper cup non~ally contain mg a cold drink or on tcp of a polystyrene or other plastic cup oontaining a hot drink. Often such plastic lids come with a hole partially or completel~ formed in the tcp thereof for the use of a straw. When the hole is partially formed in the lid, it is possible to open the aperture fully by breaking the ren~ining material which connects ~he small disk cver the cpening with the rest of the lid. A problen with these known openings in plastic lids is that the~
are unsuitable for drinking the liquid directly ~rcm the cup without the use of a straw. Because these openings are normally n~t formed at the edge of the l;d, it is almost impossible to drink from such openings and, in order to drink the liquid, it is generally necessary to rem~ve the lid. How~ver if the lid is rem3ved, the danger of spilling the liquid is greatly increased.
If kncwn cutters or punches are used for formi~g a dri~king opening in the edge of a container lid, problems may be encountered.
For example, most container lids are form~d with a rim so that th~y can be detachably connected to the container or ~up. Since it is not a flat ed~e of rnaterial that mu~t be cut, it may be difficult to insert the container lid in known punches for formation of the c~ening. Also, as indicated above, the apertures formed by m~y of the kncwn punches are normally quite small and it might be necessary to use such a punch a numker of times in order to make the opening in the lid large enough for drinking. Such a process w~uld be awkward and time consumlng and w~uld not guarante the formation of a suitable opening. Also nany known punches would not have suitable means for properly aligning the lid for the cutting qperation. One reason for this deficiency in the known punches is t~at in the past such punches havé normally been used for ~onming a hole~ at some location spaced from the edge of t~e material. However in the case of an cpening which is to be used for drinking, the opening must be formed at the very edge of the lid; in cther w~rds, the e~ge o~ t~e l;d ~ust ~e notched.
Accordingly, the cutting apparatus of the present invention provides a mechanism suitable for cutting an aperture or nct~h in a container lid. The preferred apparatus disclosed herein is inexpe~sive to construct and easy to use.
~ ~ 6~9~
According to the invention, a punching and cutting a~paratus for piercing and cutting a drinking aperture in a thin, disc-like, plastic container lid having a hollcw upstanding rim edge defining an edge groove comprises: a cutting head having a blade with a piercing point and cutting edges sloping upwardly from said point; means for holding a container lid in positicn for cutting by said blade, said holding means having an opening adapted to r~ceive at least a lcw~r part of said blade and stop means for engaging the edge of said container lid and t~ereby holding said lid at a proper ~osition for cutt mg said aperture at the edge of the lid with said blade; an~
means for mDvably connecting said cutting head to said holding means wherein said blade can be driven into said opening to cut said container lid and form the drinking aperture at the edge of said lid.
` In one preferred embcdiment, the blade is generally V-shaped and is adapted to cut a V-shaped notch in the edge o the container lid. Hcwever the blade could also have a parabolic or curved shape.
~t least the top of the opening i~ formecl by metal plate and is sized and shaped so that there is a close fit between tlle edge of the plate defining the opening and the blade.
In the disclosed preferred embodiment, the connecting means co~sist of a mechanism for pivoting the cutting head relative to the holding means and this mechanism includes a pivc,t pin.
Further features and advantages will become apparent fran the ~ollowing detailed description of preferred e~bodIments, which description is to be read in conjunction with t~e acca~panying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a front end view of one embodiment of a cutting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a ~ectional elevation taken along the line II-II
shcwn in Figure 1, with the coil spring ~eing anitted for sake of clarity;
1 :~ 65992 Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cutting apparatus with a container lid positioned on the apparatus for cutting;
Figure 4 is a detailed view shcwing the front portion of the apparatus of Figure 3 after the cutting head has been lowered to cut the aperture in the lid;
Figure 5 is a top view of a rimmed container lid showing a notch cut in the edge of the lid;
Figure 6 is a side view of another ernbodiment of a cutting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the blade used on the apparatus of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a detailed view showing the shape of the plate used to form the top of the opening in the apparatus of Figure 6; and Figure 9 is a right hand end view of the cutting apparatus of Figure 6.
The cutting apparatus 10 shawn in Figures 1 to 4 is suitable for cutting an aperture in a container lid 12. The type of aperture or notch that can be cut in the edge of ~he lia is shcwn in Figure 5.
The aperture 14 is V-shaped and extends ir~ardly from the edge 16 of the lid. The lid 12 that ~s shown is one designed for use on a paper or plastic cup and it is formed with a rim 18. A lip 20 may also protrude up from the edge of the lid. m e use of the rim 18 and the lip 20 on such lids can make them difficult to cut or notch with previously known cutter~ and punches. Normally such lids are made from a sheet of thin plastic.
The illustrated apparatus 10 includes a cutting head 22 having a blade 24 with a piercing point 26. The blade is ormed ~36~9.~
with two cutting edges 28 which sloFe upwardly and rearwardly frcm the point 26. Ihe blade 24, which is preferably made of steel, is an integral part of an elongated metal member 30 in this emkcdiment.
Except at its two ends, the me~ber 30 is channel-shaped and has two downwardly extending sides 32. Fastened to the top of the metal m~mber 30 is a plastic plate 34. The plate 34 pxovides a smooth attractive top and it can be made wider t~an the member 30 as s~cwn in Figure 1. The metal m~mber 30 with its blade 24 and the plastic plate 34 together form an elongated tc~ member which is also referred to as he cuttin~ head in this application. At the end of the cutting head opposite the blade 24 are tw~ dcwnwardly extending connecting brackets 36 which form part of t~e means for m~vably connecting the autting head to a bottom member or base 40.
The ~ottom me~ber 40 provides means for holding the container lid 12 in position for cutting by the blade. me bottom me~ker has an cpem ng 42 adapted to receive at least a lower part of the blade 24 includin~ all of the cutting edge of the blade. In the e~bodiment o~ Figures 1 to 4, the b~ttom ~ber 40 ccmprises a w~oden or plastic main member 44 and a metal plate member ~6. The n~bers 44 and 46 can be ~oined together in any well kncwn manner such as with glue or with screws (not shown3. Except for the tw~ ends, the pla-te m~mber 46 is ~hannel-shaped as can be seen from Figure 1. Thus the member 46 has two upwardly extending sides 48. These sides A8 terminate at 50, a p~int in line with the inner- most extremity of the 25 opening 42. The ends of the sides 48 located at the point 50 form means for stcpping the lid 12 so that the lid is properly located o~er the opening 42 and keneath the cutting head fc~ cutting the aperture in the edge o~ the lid. ~hese ends provide stops disposed on cpposite sides of the opening. The end portion of the me~ber 46 in the region of the cpening 42 is flat and this portion forms a lid supporting surface 52 in the region of the cpening. Thus the lid 12 is supported at a location which permits the blade to be driven cc~,pletely through the lid to form the desire~ aperture or notch. Ihe 1at surface 52 conform~ to the flat surface of the lid 12 and ~herefore helps to prevent te~ring of the lid as it is being cut by the blade 24. If a proper support ~or the lid is not provided, the cut in the ~hin lid material could have a rough or uneven edge. Because the cutting edges 28 of t~e blade slope upwardly and rearwardly, the~ tend to push the lid i~wardly or rearwardly. Hcwever such m~vement is prevented by the stop means and therefore the lid can be ~ut readily and easily without requiring any undue effort to hold the lid in the necessary position for cutting.
~he end of the plate me~ber 46 located opposite the supporting surface 52 has two upstanding brackets 54 which are extensions o the sides 48. The brackets 54 also ~orm part of the means for movably connecting the cutting head to the bottom member 40.
B~th the brackets 54 and the brackets 36 are formed wi~h cpenings to receive a pi~ot pin 56. m e pin 56 can be in the f~rm of a suitable rivet or a bolt with a nut ~astened at one end.
As can be seen fro~ Figure 2, the tcp of the opening 42 is form~d by the metal plate me~ber 46. Ihe cpening in the plate me~ber has generally the same shape as ~hat ~hown in Figure 8, which figure shows the metal plate used m the second eTbodiment shown in Figure 6.
In other words the opening is generally triangular and it i5 sized and shaped so that there is a close fit between the edge of ~he plate defining ~he opening and the blade 24. In ~his way ~he lid 12 will be ~ .
g supported as much as possible from belcw ~hen being cut by the dcwnwardly m~ving blade 24. In the preferred embodiment there is a sheering action between the metal edge forming the opening 42 and the blade during the cutting process. This action results in the ormation of a cleanly cut aperture or notch 14.
In the preferred embodimY~t means are provided ~or biasing the cutting head 22 away from the opening 42. The illustrated biasing means comprises a coil spring 58 which is inserted between the cutting head and the bottom member 40. In order to hold the spring in an upri~ht position, upper and lower pin retainers 60 and 62 are provided. The retainer 60 is firmly attached to the bottcm of the plate member 30 while the pin retainer 62 is firmly attached to the top of the plate member 46 between the sides 48. The diameter of each of t~ese retainers are slightly smaller than the diameter of the coil spring. These retainers can be rivetad to tha adjoining plates or attached by screw connections. If desired, and in order to preven~
the spring 58 from being dislocated from the cup m~mbers, the brackets 36 can be provided with a lower oorner 64 whic~ comes into contact with the plate member 46 when the cutting head ~2 is raised to the position shcwn in Figure 2. l~us further clockwise rotation of the cutting head relative to the bottom me~ber 40 is prevented by the ~ngagemant of the corners 64. It will be appreciated that a variety of other stop machani ms could also be provided. Alternatively, the bottom and the top of the coil spring oould be firmly attached to the ~5 plate member ~6 and the member 30 respectively and this would prevent an excessive clockwis~ rotation of the cutting head relative to the bottom ~e~ber.
O~her forms of biasing means can of c~urse be used. A leaf spring arrangement could be used. A single turn, round ~ ~ ~5~92 wlre type spring w~uld also be satisfactory. Air balloon type or soft rubber ball type springs could be used if desired.
A second embodiment of the cutting apparatus is shown in Figures 6 to 9 and, except as described hereinafter, this embodim. nt is constructed substantiall~ in the same manner as ~he first cuttin~
aeparatus 10. The second embodir.nt 70 has an elongated top me~ber 72 ~hich is constructed entirely frcm a suitable plastics material except for the blade 74 which is sh~wn separately in Figure 7. lhe blade 74 can be constructed frcm a single piece of bent steel and like the blade 24 it is V-shaped as seen from the top or the bottom. To provide mRans for connecting the blade 74 to the rest of the tcp member, the blade is formed with horizontal sections 76 provided with .. holes 78. The holes 78 will accommodate scr~ws ~or attachin~ the steel blade to t~e elongated plastic me~ber 72. It will be aypreciated that, with this construction, ~he blade 74 can be replaced from time to time if it becomes dull or ~ ~aged. The me~ber 72 also has two dow~wardly extending brackets 80,-each with a hole therein for receipt of a pivot pin 82.
A bottom member 84 is also made entirely of plastic except for the small, flat steel plate 86 in the vicinity of the opening whi~h receives t~e blade 74. ~he plate 86 is ~rovided with a hole 88 at each of its four corners for receipt o~ a screw. Thus ~he plate 86 can be attached to the bottom me~ber 84 by means o~ screws (not shown1. The en~ of the b~ttom me~ber 84 opposite the plate 86 is provided with tw~ upst~nding brackets 89, each of which has a h3le for passage of the pin 82.
In place of the stops provided by ~he ends of ~he walls 44 - in the first embodiment, the second embodin~nt 70 i5 pnovided wit~ a ~, g ~ 2 protruberance 90 which is integral wit~ the bottom m~mber 84. The p~otruberance 90 is located ju~t behind the plate me~ber 86. When the eaga of the lid 12 is pushed against this protr~berance, it is in the correct p~sition for cutting a notch 14 in the lid.
Instead of a coil spring to bias the tcp member ana blade away ~rom the cpening, the second embodiment is provided with a wire spxing 92 h~ving a single loop 94 t~rough which ~he pivot pin 82 extends. This wire spring has an upper end 96 that extends through a retaining bracket 98 and a lcwer end 100 that extends through another retaining bracket 102. The brackets Joosely e~brace the spring ends to prevent ~hem from slipping out from between the cutting head and the b~ttom m ~ber 84.
It will be appreciated that other mechanisms for mDvably o~nne~ting the cutting head to the bottom me~ber could be provided.
For example, the cutting head and the bottam me~ber could ke fashioned fram a single pie oe of suitable plastic. The plastics m~terial used would have a thick cross-section for mDst of the leng~h of ~he cutting head and bottam m~ber but it would have a t~in flexible and resilient cross-section ~here the cutting head and the b~ttom me~ber join. As in the embodinent of Figures 6 to 9 the blade itself and a flat plate m the vicinity of ~he cpening in the bottom menber wDuld still be n~de of a metal such as steel.
It will ~e appare~t to those skilled in the art t~at various ~difications can be ~ade to the descriked cutting aFparatus without departing fnom t~e spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the blade could have a shape different fm m that shcwn in the drawings. The blade could have a semi-circular ~hape ~hen viewed frcm the tcp rather than a V-shape. A spring or other d~vice ~or biasing ,. ..
9 ~ -the cutting head away from the opening could be omitted entirely frcm the apparatus because ~he cutting head oould be lifted manually ~o the positic~ shcwn in Figures 2 and 3 prior to inserticn of a lid for cutting. Also the present apparatus could be co~structed entirely o~
metal if desired.
Claims (14)
1. A punching and cutting apparatus for piercing and cutting a drinking aperture in a thin, disc-like, plastic container lid having a hollow upstanding rim edge defining an edge groove comprising:
a cutting head having a blade with a piercing point and cutting edges sloping upwardly from said point;
means for holding a container lid in position for cutting by said blade, said holding means having an opening adapted to receive at least a lower part of said blade and stop means for engaging the edge of said container lid and thereby holding said lid at a proper position for cutting said aperture at the edge of the lid with said blade; and means for movably connecting said cutting head to said holding means where m said blade can be driven into said opening to cut said container lid and form the drinking aperture at the edge of said lid.
a cutting head having a blade with a piercing point and cutting edges sloping upwardly from said point;
means for holding a container lid in position for cutting by said blade, said holding means having an opening adapted to receive at least a lower part of said blade and stop means for engaging the edge of said container lid and thereby holding said lid at a proper position for cutting said aperture at the edge of the lid with said blade; and means for movably connecting said cutting head to said holding means where m said blade can be driven into said opening to cut said container lid and form the drinking aperture at the edge of said lid.
2. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said blade is generally V-shaped and is adapted to cut a V-shaped notch in the edge of said container lid.
3. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least the top of said opening is formed by a metal plate and the opening in said plate is sized and shaped so that there is a close fit between the edge of said plate defining said opening and said blade.
4. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said connecting means includes means for pivoting said cutting head relative to said holding means, said pivot means including a pivot pin.
5. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3 including means for biasing said cutting head away from said opening.
6. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said cutting head is an elongated first member having said blade at one end and part of said connecting means at the other end and said holding means is an elongated second member having said opening at one end and a further part of said connecting means at the other end thereof.
7. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said connecting means includes a pivot pin joining said parts of said connecting means together and wherein said cutting head is pivoted towards said holding means in order to cut said aperture.
8. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 7 including a spring located between said first and second members and adapted to bias said members apart.
9. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first member is made of plastics except for said blade, which is made of steel, and said second member is made of plastics except for a steel plate around the top of said opening.
10. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said blade is attached by screws to the plastics material of said first member and said steel plate is attached by screws to the plastics material of said second member
11. A punching and cutting apparatus for piercing and and cutting a drinking hole in a thin , plastic container lid having a hollow upstanding rim edge defining an edge groove comprises:
an elongated top number with a V-shaped blade at one end, said blade having a piercing member point and cutting edges;
an elongated bottom member with an opening at one end adapted to receive at least a lower part of said blade, said bottom member having a lid support surface in the region of said opening;
and stop means for engaging the edge of said container and thereby holding said lid at a proper position for cutting said hole at the edge of said lid with said blade; and means for pivotally connecting the other end of said top member to the other end of said bottom member wherein said blade can be driven into said opening to cut said lid by pivoting said top member towards said bottom member and to form said hole at the edge of said lid.
an elongated top number with a V-shaped blade at one end, said blade having a piercing member point and cutting edges;
an elongated bottom member with an opening at one end adapted to receive at least a lower part of said blade, said bottom member having a lid support surface in the region of said opening;
and stop means for engaging the edge of said container and thereby holding said lid at a proper position for cutting said hole at the edge of said lid with said blade; and means for pivotally connecting the other end of said top member to the other end of said bottom member wherein said blade can be driven into said opening to cut said lid by pivoting said top member towards said bottom member and to form said hole at the edge of said lid.
12. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 11 including a spring to bias said top and bottom members apart.
13. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said opening is generally triangular and is size to provide a close fit between said blade and said opening
14. A punching and cutting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said cutting edges slope upwardly and rearwardly from said piercing point and said stop means are positioned adjacent the rear edge of said opening.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000381593A CA1165992A (en) | 1981-07-13 | 1981-07-13 | Lid cutter |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000381593A CA1165992A (en) | 1981-07-13 | 1981-07-13 | Lid cutter |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1165992A true CA1165992A (en) | 1984-04-24 |
Family
ID=4120422
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000381593A Expired CA1165992A (en) | 1981-07-13 | 1981-07-13 | Lid cutter |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1165992A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2594741A1 (en) * | 1986-02-27 | 1987-08-28 | Gault Jean Pierre | Machine for cutting out the porches of miniature ceramic houses |
| EP0329259A1 (en) * | 1988-02-18 | 1989-08-23 | Walker-Hagou B.V. | Angular cutter |
| EP0740595A1 (en) * | 1992-12-10 | 1996-11-06 | Port Bell Pty. Ltd. | Cutting apparatus |
| US20210400882A1 (en) * | 2020-06-30 | 2021-12-30 | Peter J. Gaffney | Cutting tool |
-
1981
- 1981-07-13 CA CA000381593A patent/CA1165992A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2594741A1 (en) * | 1986-02-27 | 1987-08-28 | Gault Jean Pierre | Machine for cutting out the porches of miniature ceramic houses |
| EP0329259A1 (en) * | 1988-02-18 | 1989-08-23 | Walker-Hagou B.V. | Angular cutter |
| EP0740595A1 (en) * | 1992-12-10 | 1996-11-06 | Port Bell Pty. Ltd. | Cutting apparatus |
| EP0740595A4 (en) * | 1992-12-10 | 1997-11-05 | Port Bell Pty Ltd | Cutting apparatus |
| US20210400882A1 (en) * | 2020-06-30 | 2021-12-30 | Peter J. Gaffney | Cutting tool |
| US11910761B2 (en) * | 2020-06-30 | 2024-02-27 | Ne-Clone L.L.C. | Cutting tool |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |