FR2727899A1 - DEVICE FOR OPENING LETTER ENVELOPES AND MAKING PERFORATIONS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for opening envelopes by cutting them, comprising a body (4) mounted on or integral with a base (2), which base has a loading surface (12) along which the envelopes. (E) are introduced into the device, the body being provided with a slot (20) which extends perpendicular to the surface (12); a cutting blade (10) having at least one cutting edge (22) mounted to slide in the slot and adapted to be moved first in a direction facing the surface (12) and then in an opposite direction; a handle (8) hinged to the body to force the blade to approach the surface (12); and biasing means (26) for causing the blade to move away from the surface (12), the cut being effected by a shearing effect between the cutting edge (22) of the blade and a cutting edge ( 14) defined on the surface (12), and the opening of an envelope being effected by cutting a relatively narrow strip on one edge thereof.

Description

i DisDositif to open envelopes of letters and realize

perforations.

  The present invention relates to a device for opening

  envelopes of letters and make perforations.

  Currently, two methods are generally used to open envelopes: either the method which consists in opening an envelope by tearing it, primitive and rather rough method which results in most cases in deteriorating the contents of the envelope, or the method which is to use a pen-shaped paper cutter. The problem posed by this tool is that it is necessary to introduce the point of the latter into a small existing space, if necessary, between the edge of the envelope and the gummed part and

  glued from the flap. Once this space is located and the

  paper inserted, it must be moved by a pulling movement along the flap while keeping the envelope stationary. Not only is this method time consuming and requires excessive attention, but it also often happens that by being inserted into the envelope, the cutter slides into a fold of the letter or document contained

  in the envelope, with the consequences that we know.

  The object of the present invention is precisely to propose a device for opening letters which operates quickly and safely and reliably without requiring a

special attention and care.

  This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by a device for opening envelopes by cutting them, comprising a body mounted on or integral with a base, base which has a loading surface along which the envelopes are introduced. in the device, the body being provided with a slot which extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the loading surface and whose length substantially defines the cutting length of the device; a cutting blade having at least one cutting edge and mounted so that it can slide in the slot, the blade being adapted to be moved first in a direction oriented towards the loading surface, then in a direction opposite to it; pressure applying means articulated to the body for forcing the cutting blade to move in the direction of the loading surface; and a return means intended to force the cutting blade to move away from the loading surface, the cutting being carried out by virtue of a shearing effect between the cutting edge (s) of the cutting blade and an edge cutting defined on the loading surface, and the opening of the envelope being carried out by cutting a strip

  relatively narrow on one edge of said envelope.

  The foregoing will become more evident from the

  following detailed description of embodiments

  preferred of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the device for opening letters according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of the device of the invention seen in cross section; Figure 3 is an elevational view of a cutting blade in the direction of arrow A in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a top view of the blade, in partial cross section along the plane IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a head portion visible in Figure 2; Figure 6 shows a third preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, equipped with a cutting blade holder; Figure 7 is an elevational view of the blade holder and a blade shown in Figure 6, seen in the direction of arrow B in Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a torsion spring replacing coil springs of the previous embodiments; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention in which a paper punch has been combined with the device for opening the letters of the invention; Figure 10 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 9, showing only the base and the body of the device; Figure 11 shows the cutting blade of the embodiment of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a side view, in partial cross-section, of the blade of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a blade holder for the blade of Figure 11, and Figure 14 is a partial top view of the

  device, showing a retaining clip.

  Referring to Figure 1, one can see the first preferred embodiment of the device for opening letters according to the present invention. The device comprises a hollow base 2 on which a body 4 is mounted, or with which, in certain design variants, it is integral, body 4 on which a handle 8 is articulated by means of pivot axes 6. As this can be seen in the following figures, the handle 8 is suitable for, when pressure is exerted on it, act on a cutting blade 10 mounted so that it can slide in the body 4, in order to force it to descend. The base 2 has a loading surface 12 along which an envelope intended to be opened by being cut is introduced into the device. Advantageously, there is also provided, at the same level as the loading surface 12, a fixed counter blade 14 of which only the rear edge is visible in FIG. 1. The cutting operation is carried out between the edge front of the counter blade 14 and the cutting blade 10 which descends. We can also see two guide plates 16 mounted on the loading surface 12 and defining a

  flared entrance, to facilitate the introduction of an envelope.

  The rounded edge 17 also performs the same function.

  The cavity 3 present in the base 2 serves as a receptacle for ribbons of paper Ps (see Figure 6) cut from the envelopes. It is covered by a cover 18 made,

  advantageously from a semi-plastic

  transparent to make it easier to see when

  the receptacle needs to be emptied.

  Figure 2 shows the second preferred embodiment of the device of the invention. We can see the hollow base 2 provided with its cover 18, and the body 4 on the vertical part of which the handle 8 is articulated by means of the pivot axis 6. We can also see a slot 20 which passes through the body 4 and the base 2 and through which the cutting blade 10, better visible in Figures 3 and 4, is mounted to be able to slide. Seen in these figures, the blade has two cutting edges 22 which define an obtuse angle. This V-shaped configuration of the blade has the advantage of reducing the stroke thereof, required to open by cutting an envelope of a given width. We can also see two window-shaped openings 24 whose function will be explained later. The upper edge of the cutting blade 10 is advantageously rounded at

  less at its point of contact with the handle 8.

  Figure 2 also shows the loading surface 12 provided with its guide plates 16 and the steel counter blade 14 which is at the same level as the loading surface 12 and fixedly connected to the base 2. In the figure , we can also see an envelope E ready to be cut to be opened. The windows 24 provided in the blade 10 serve to receive at least one coil spring 26, as is clearly shown in FIG. 4. The springs 26 which are compressed when a downward pressure is exerted on the handle 8 and, consequently, on the blade 10, provide a restoring force to return both the blade 10 and the handle 8 to their rest position which, in this embodiment, is defined by the abutment of the folded ends 28 of the arms handle 8

  against the vertical part of the body 4.

  It is naturally necessary that the springs 26 cannot come out of the windows 24 in a lateral direction. This is advantageously obtained thanks to a shallow recess 30 which stabilizes the lowest turn of the springs 26, and to a head portion 32 shown in the Figure in which a represents the thickness of the blade 10, b the width of the windows 24 and c the inside diameter of the coil springs 26. The head portion 32 "blocks' the

  or the highest (s) whorl (s) in position.

  Another means for retaining the springs 26 inside the windows 24 may consist, for example, of providing, at the upper end of the windows 24, a projecting part adapted to the inside diameter of the windows.

  springs 24 to prevent them from coming out of the windows 24.

  In this embodiment, the width of the paper strip which is to be cut from the envelope E is determined by the width of the slot 20, the rear wall of which serves, as can be seen in FIG. 2, as a stop for the 'envelope E when this is introduced in

the device.

  The third preferred embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 differs from the embodiment of Figure 2 by an important detail, namely that the cutting blade 10 itself, made of quality steel, is

  fixedly connected to a blade holder 34 which itself

  also the window-shaped openings 24, while its lower part 34a serves as a stop for the envelope E, as

  this is clearly visible in Figure 6.

  In the variant shown in Figure 8, there is provided at least one torsion spring 36 to replace the coil springs 26 of the previous embodiments. The torsion springs 36 are mounted on the pivot axes 6, having one branch abutting against the vertical part of the body 4, while the other acts on the blade holder 34 and therefore also on the handle 8. It is obvious that these

  torsion springs 36 make windows 24 superfluous.

  A cut is made thanks to a shearing effect which takes place between the cutting blade 10 which descends and the

fixed counter blade 14.

  Although the cutting edges 22 shown are all V-shaped edges, other configurations of the cutting edges of the blades are obviously possible. These configurations include straight or beveled cutting edges and

also curved.

  Despite the fact that the device of the present invention has been described with a view to serving as a device for opening letters, it will be understood that it can also be used for, in general, cutting and guillotine

paper.

  FIG. 9 represents a fourth preferred embodiment in which a paper punch has been combined with the device of the invention, these two devices being

  operated by a single handle.

  The base 2 visible in the figure, which has a loading surface 12 is advantageously made of steel since it defines both an antagonistic cutting edge 38 for the blade 10, and dies 40 for at least two punches 42. In the area in front of the punches 42, the base 2 is slightly lowered to allow a large number of sheets to be perforated at the same time, and to form a stop 43 defining the distance

  perforations relative to the edge of the sheet.

  In this embodiment, the body 4 is in the form of two separate elements, advantageously produced by the press, having a profile substantially in the shape of a U and fixedly connected to the base 2 by means, for example, of rivets. 39, the wings of the profiles being turned towards one another. The contours of the base 2 and of the body 4 are clearly represented in FIG. 10 which shows the device seen from above, without the handle 8, the pivot axis 6, the

  punches 42, blade 10 and blade holder 34.

  The cutting blade 10 (Figures 11, 12) has, unlike the blade 10 of Figures 3 or 7, cutting edges 22 which define a re-entrant angle. In addition, ribs 44, preferably produced by the press, serve to stiffen the relatively thin blade 10. Figure 11 also shows slightly elongated holes 46 by which, as will be explained below, the blade 10 is connected

  movably to the blade holder 34.

  The blade holder 34 seen in perspective in Figure 13 is advantageously made of a plastic material. As can be seen, it consists of a flat body 48 comprising, formed in one piece with it, three elastic tabs, that is to say elastically deformable, whose zones 52 protrude beyond the front surface of the body 48. The first and third tongues 50 also include substantially cylindrical protrusions 54, the diameters of which are adapted to the above-mentioned elongated holes 46 of the blade and which in fact serve to drive the blade 10 when pressure is exerted on the handle 8 (Figure 9), in which case two tabs 56 come into contact with recesses 58 appropriately positioned in the handle 8 (Figure 9). We can also see two guide uprights 60 which slide into slots 62 formed in an appropriate alignment in the body 4 and the base 2, to guide the blade holder 34 in the direction of the vertical cutting movement generated when the handle 8 is lowered. Small flanges 64 define a shallow groove whose width is greater than the thickness of the blade 10, groove in which, during assembly of the device, the blade 10 is made to slide in front of the tongues 50 temporarily deformed, until that the protrusions 54 fit into the elongated holes 46 of the blade 10. The tabs 50 are obviously intended to keep the cutting edges 22 pressed against the

opposing edge 38.

  The uprights 60 also include holes 66 (shown in dotted lines in Figure 13) which house the return springs & coil 26 (Figure 9). The springs 26 are supported on legs 67 (Figure 9) integral with the base 2 and raised relative to the latter. The blade holder 34 also has shallow recesses 68 which define upper and lower abutment shoulders for a U-shaped retaining clamp 72 (Figures 9 to 14), thereby defining the extreme upper and lower extreme positions of the door blade 34 and blade 10. The two punches 42 guided in the body 4 are of a well-known type and are arranged near the pivot axis 6 and the handle 8, which offers an advantage

  mechanical in the case of a multilayer perforation.

  The mutual spacing of the punches corresponds of course to the distance which separates the two holes from the standard perforation used for filing letters and documents. Coil springs 74 are used to bring the punches 42 into

  their rest position when the handle 8 is released.

  Although the foregoing description has focused on

  preferred embodiments of the present invention, the latter is of course not limited to the particular examples described and illustrated here, and those skilled in the art will readily understand that it is possible to make numerous variants and modifications without leaving

of the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

  1. Device for opening envelopes by cutting them, characterized in that it comprises a body (4) mounted on a base (2) or integral with the latter, base which has a loading surface (12) along which the envelopes (E) are introduced into the device, the body (4) being provided with a slot (20) which extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the loading surface (12) and whose length defines substantially the cutting length of the device; a cutting blade (10) having at least one cutting edge (22) and mounted so that it can slide in the slot (20), the blade (10) being adapted to be moved first in a direction oriented towards the surface of loading (12), then in a direction opposite thereto; pressure applying means (8) articulated to the body (4) for forcing the cutting blade (10) to move in the direction of the loading surface (12); and a return means (26; 36) intended to force the cutting blade (10) to move away from the loading surface (12), the cutting being carried out thanks to a shearing effect between the edge (s) ) cutting (22) of the cutting blade (10) and a cutting edge (14; 38) defined on the loading surface (12), and the opening of an envelope (E) being produced by cutting a relatively narrow band on one edge of said envelope (E).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a stop forming means which   determines the width of the cut strip.   3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the return means consists of at least one spring coil compression (26).   4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the return means consists of at least one spring twist (36).   5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting blade (10) has two cutting edges (22) which intersect with each other defining one with the other a obtuse angle.   6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in   what the pressure applying means is a handle (8).   7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a blade holder (34) for the blade cutting (10).   8. Device according to claims 2 and 7,   characterized in that the stop means is formed by   a part (34a) of the blade holder (34).   9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises at least two punch punches (42) mounted in a sliding manner in the body (4) with a mutual spacing equal to the distance which separates the two holes of the standard perforation used for filing letters and documents, punches (42) which are actuated by the same pressure applying means (8) as that used to force the cutting blade (10) to   move towards the loading surface (12).