GB2223708A

GB2223708A - Paper cutter

Info

Publication number: GB2223708A
Application number: GB8822557A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Conrad Alexande Silverman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-09-26
Filing date: 1988-09-26
Publication date: 1990-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-26
Also published as: GB2223708B; GB8822557D0

Abstract

A blade 1 has a forward-facing cutting edge 1' which rises from a base 3 substantially vertically or inclined backwards at an angle alpha of less than 30% to the vertical. A resilient deflector 5 prevents the paper, card etc from riding up the edge 1' and the base is slid under the sheet to be cut. The blade is close to the plane of one side of the base 3 so that the sheet may be cut along the edge of e.g. a ruler. <IMAGE>

Description

Paper Cutter This invention relates to a paper cutter for cutting sheet paper materials such as paper sheet, paper card and thin cardboard.

Cutting paper materials is a common task. Normally, the task is carried out using scissors or a craft knife. Scissors have the disadvantage that they produce a jagged cut, while the use of a craft knife will mark the support surface on which the paper is being cut.

A known cutter designed to take a cutting from a newspaper or magazine without cutting the sheet underneath (the Martor 'Quick Cutter 401') has a blade whose edge projects only slightly from a holder.

However, this cutter may not cut completely through and will still score either the sheet underneath or the support surface.

A known cutter designed as a letter opener (the Martor 'Polycut') comprises a body and an elongate portion for insertion into an envelope, a shrink foil wrapping, or a polythene bag, the elongate portion having a blade running along part of its length: it is not designed for cutting paper sheet.

The present invention provides a paper cutter which comprises a blade mounted on a base, the blade having a forward-facing edge which rises fromrthe base.

Preferably, the cutter includes means for preventing the paper from riding up the cutting edge, as the cutter moves parallel to a paper sheet, and a main body for releasably securing the blade to the base. The said means may comprise a deflector which projects ahead of the cutting edge and descends towards the cutting edge.

Preferably the deflector is resiliently deformable, so as to press the sheet against the base, in use.

The cutting edge is generally perpendicular to the base. Preferably it is angled slightly backwards from the vertical as it rises; it has, been found that this facilitates cutting, possibly by encouraging a shearing action of the cutting edge in relation to the sheet being cut, and can avoid the risk of snaring of the sheet between the blade and the parts supporting it.

The angle of inclination should be less than 300, preferably less than 200, and more preferably less than 100; the optimum angle when cutting paper sheets has been found to be about 50.

Preferably the blade is vertically elongate (preferably tapering towards the base) and the parts of the cutter immediately behind the blade are not substantially wider than the blade. This facilitates cutting along curves.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example. with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a paper cutter; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the cutter; and Figure 3 shows a frontal view of the cutter.

Referring to the drawings, the cutter comprises a blade 1 held upright by a top section 2, a base plate 3 and a support 4 which connects the top section 2 to the base plate 3. The cutting edge 1' of the blade 1 rises from the base plate 3 and slopes slightly backwards from the vertical at an angle CL about 5 . The blade 1 is releasably secured to the top section 2.

The support 4 has a curved flange 7, adjoining the base plate 3, which tapers towards the end supporting the blade 1 and which is widest at the end remote from the blade. The purpose of the flange 7 is to enlarge and strengthen the interface between the support 4 and the base plate 3, and to guide cut paper away as the cutter moves forward. The length d of the support 4 is sufficiently short to permit cutting along curves.

In order to prevent the paper from riding up the cutting edge 1, during cutting, a split flexible loop 5, attached to (or integral with) the top section 2, extends down towards the base plate 3, the blade 1 passing through the split in the loop 5.

The leading surface 8 of the base plate 3 is curved, or bevelled, so that as the cutter slides along a support surface the paper is caused by the tapered leading surface 8 causes to ride up onto the top surface of the base plate, but is prevented from riding up the cutting edge 1' by the flexible strip 5; the paper is thus held in the optimum position for the advancing cutting edge.

During cutting, the base plate 3 moves under the sheet of paper, preventing the supporting surface from being marked. This has the advantage that cutting can take place on any surface, without causing any damage to the surface.

The blade 1 is positioned so that it lies close to the plane of a vertical side of the base plate 3, i.e.

the distance x in Figures 2 and 3 is small; this enables paper to be cut along the edge of a ruler or other guide.

Although shown as separate interconnected parts, the base plate, the body comprising the support and top section, and the deflecting loop could be integral with one another.

Claims

Claims:

1. A paper cutter comprising a base which is to slide under a sheet of paper being cut, and a blade having a forward-facing cutting edge which rises from the base substantially vertically or backwards at an angle of less than 300 to the vertical.

2. A paper cutter as claimed in claim 1, including means for preventing the paper sheet from riding up the cutting edge.

3. A paper cutter as claimed in claim 2, in which the said means comprises a deflector which projects ahead of the cutting edge and descends towards the cutting edge.

4. A paper cutter as claimed in claim 3, in which the deflector causes the paper sheet to contact the base in the region of the cutting edge, in use.

5. A paper cutter as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which the deflector is resiliently deformable and presses the paper sheet against the base, in use.

6. A paper cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the blade is vertically elongate.

7. A paper cutter as claimed in claim 6, in which the blade tapers towards the base.

8. A paper cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the blade is mounted on the base by means of a main body including a support extending rearwardly of the blade.

9. A paper cutter as claimed in claim 8, in which the support has a curved flange which adjoins the base and tapers towards the end of the support adjacent the blade.

10. A paper cutter as claimed in any preceding claim. in which the blade lies close to the plane of a vertical side of the base.

11. A paper cutter as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said angle is less than 10 to the vertical.

12. A paper cutter substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.