GB2556288A

GB2556288A - Safety Knife

Info

Publication number: GB2556288A
Application number: GB1802396.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ireland William
Original assignee: Safety Knife Co Ltd
Current assignee: Safety Knife Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-20
Filing date: 2016-10-14
Publication date: 2018-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-14
Also published as: GB201617418D0; GB2543661B; GB2543661A; GB2556288B; GB201518555D0; GB201802396D0

Abstract

A safety knife for opening packaging, comprising a parallel side guard 20 and blade 16, supported by a handle 10, the side guard 20 being transparent and comprising a lens. Preferably, the blade 16 and sideguard 20 have variable spacing and are biased to be less than a predetermined distance apart. Preferably, the sideguard 20 defines a pocket that the blade 16 bears against when stowed. Preferably, the handle 10 is angled and U-shaped with the guard 20 and the blade 16 mounted on each limb. Each limb may be resiliently biased apart, but this could be overcome by a biasing means, such as a spring, that urges the guard and blade together. The blade may be a blunt nose blade. Preferably, a button urges the blade and guard apart by a set distance and the knife further comprises a light.

Description

(56) Documents Cited:

WO 1993/011916 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B26B

B26B3/08 (2006.01) (62) Divided from Application No

1617418.7 under section 15(9) of the Patents Act 1977

Other: WPI, EPODOC, Patent full text (71) Applicant(s):

The Safety Knife Co. Ltd.

(Incorporated in the United Kingdom) Olympus Park, QUEDGELEY, Gloucestershire, GL2 4NF, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

William Ireland (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Bailey IP Consulting Limited

142 Leckhampton Road, CHELTENHAM,

Gloucestershire, GL53 0DH, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Safety Knife

Abstract Title: Safety Knife with a Transparent Guard (57) A safety knife for opening packaging, comprising a parallel side guard 20 and blade 16, supported by a handle 10, the side guard 20 being transparent and comprising a lens. Preferably, the blade 16 and sideguard 20 have variable spacing and are biased to be less than a predetermined distance apart. Preferably, the sideguard 20 defines a pocket that the blade 16 bears against when stowed. Preferably, the handle 10 is angled and U-shaped with the guard 20 and the blade 16 mounted on each limb. Each limb may be resiliently biased apart, but this could be overcome by a biasing means, such as a spring, that urges the guard and blade together. The blade may be a blunt nose blade. Preferably, a button urges the blade and guard apart by a set distance and the knife further comprises a light.

I 1 22

Figure 1

Figure 3

Figure 5

Safety Knife

This invention relates to a safety knife, and in particular to a safety knife intended for use in the cutting or opening of plastics material packaging.

One form of packaging in common use takes the form of a plastics material moulded shell. The shell may be of two piece form, including two parts that overlie one another and are welded, adhered or otherwise secured or bonded to one another, or may be of single piece, hinged form, hinged to define a similar pair of parts than overlie one another and that are welded or otherwise bonded to one another around at least part of the periphery thereof. Typically, the two parts of the packaging define an elongate void that runs alongside the bond between the two parts. If the material of one or other of the parts is cut adjacent the void, the cut extending along the length of the void, then the two parts of the packaging can be separated from one another allowing the contents of the packaging to be accessed.

Whilst knives with exposed blades may be used to cut one or other part of the packaging to open the packaging, the use of knives with exposed blades is not desired in some applications due to the risk of the user accidentally injuring himself or others either whilst using the knife or whilst it is stored between uses, for example in a pocket or connected to a lanyard.

It is an object of the invention to provide a safety knife suitable for use in such applications and in which the risk of injury is reduced. A further object of the invention is to provide a safety knife that is easy for an operator to use, thereby reducing the risk of damage to products contained within the packaging.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a safety knife comprising a blade and a sideguard located parallel to a face of the blade, the blade and sideguard being supported by a handle, the sideguard being of transparent form and comprising a lens.

As a result, the operator can see through the sideguard, aiding the operator in controlling the knife and thereby ensuring that the packaging is cut in the desired position, simplifying the task of opening the packaging and reducing the risk of accidently damaging a product located within the packaging, and providing the operator with a magnified image and so further aiding control.

At least one of the blade and the sideguard may be movable relative to the other of the blade and the sideguard in a direction to vary the spacing of the sideguard from the said face of the blade, biasing means being operable to bias the blade and/or sideguard to a position in which the spacing of the sideguard from the face of the blade is less than a predetermined distance.

In such an arrangement, when the knife is not in use, the spacing of the blade from the sideguard is sufficiently small that the sideguard restricts access to the cutting edge of the blade with the result that the risk of significant injury when the knife is in a stowed condition is reduced. Preferably, when stowed the blade bears against the side guard. The sideguard may be shaped to define a pocket in which the blade can be received when stowed.

The handle may be of generally U-shaped form, the blade being mounted upon one limb of the handle and the sideguard mounted upon the other limb thereof, the limbs being resiliently biased apart, the biasing means providing a biasing load able to overcome the resilient biasing to urge the blade and sideguard towards one another.

An actuator button is preferably provided, the application of a force to which urges the blade and sideguard apart. The actuator button may be shaped to limit the distance by which the sideguard and blade can be spaced apart.

The blade may be of the type including a blunt nose. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that the blunt nose of the blade may, once located within the void, guide movement of the knife along the void.

If desired, the knife may incorporate a light, for example in the form of a battery powered LED or the like, arranged to illuminate the area being cut, in use. Such an arrangement still further aids the user in controlling the knife. Such a light may be arranged to switch on automatically, for example upon manipulation of the actuator button or the like.

The handle may be angled to a plane containing the face of the blade. Such an arrangement may result in the knife being easier to use as it may increase the clearance between the handle and the packaging, providing additional space for the user’s hand.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a safety knife in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is another view of the knife of Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates part of an item of packaging with which the knife of Figure 1 may be used; and

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate alternative safety knives in accordance with other embodiments of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a safety knife is illustrated comprising a handle 10 of generally U-shaped form, including a pair of limbs 12, 14 resiliently interconnected at one end. The material of the handle 10 is resilient with the result that the limbs 12, 14 are resiliently biased apart.

The first limb 12 has a blade 16 mounted thereon. The blade 16 is of generally planar form and defines a cutting edge 18 orientated to extend substantially perpendicularly to the length of the limb 12. The blade 16 is mounted in such a manner as to project from both sides of the limb 12, thus defining a pair of cutting regions of the cutting edge 18 that may be used in cutting open packaging, in use.

The second limb 14 has a sideguard 20 mounted thereon, the sideguard 20 being of generally circular shape and of a substantially transparent material, the sideguard 20 being shaped to form a magnifying lens. The diameter and position of the sideguard 20 is such that the circumference thereof projects beyond the ends of the cutting edge of the blade 16. The sideguard 20 is arranged generally parallel to a face of the blade 16.

An actuator button 22 is rigidly secured to the first limb 12, extending through a suitably positioned opening provided in the second limb 14, and including an enlarged diameter head 22a. A spring 24 is engaged between the head 22a and the second limb 14, the spring 24 providing a biasing load sufficient to overcome the force biasing the limbs 12, 14 apart, resulting in the limbs 12, 14 being biased towards a position in which the sideguard 20 and blade 16 are located parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another by only a small distance, sufficiently small that the sideguard restricts access to the blade 16 and so provides protection against the risk of a user injuring himself, or indeed in which the blade 16 bears against the sideguard 20.

In use, the user grips the knife by holding the second limb 14. Initially, before depressing the button 22, the sideguard 20 and blade 16 are close to one another, and so the risk of injury is low. When the user is ready to use the knife, he depresses the button 22, for example using his thumb, the depressing of the button 22 compressing the spring 24, reducing the load applied thereby, and so allows the limb 14 to move away from the limb 12 under the reliance of the handle 10. Such movement results in the spacing of the blade 16 from the sideguard 20 being increased, allowing access to the blade 16. The blade 16 can then be used in cutting materials such as plastics material packaging.

Depending upon the design of the handle 10, it will be appreciated that the spring 24 may be omitted. Alternatively, arrangements are possible in which the handle 10 does not provide a biasing load and, instead, it is the spring 24 that serves to bias the sideguard 20 and blade 16 towards one another.

As shown in Figure 3, such packaging may take the form of two moulded plastics material parts 30, 32, areas of which are bonded to one another, for example by welding or using adhesive or the like. Adjacent the areas that are bonded to one another, the parts 30, 32 are shaped to define a void 34 therebetween. It will be appreciated that by cutting one or other of the parts 30, 32 adjacent the void 34 allows the parts 30, 32 to be separated from one another allowing access to products contained within the packaging. By way of example, the packaging may be opened by cutting region 30a of the part 30 with the knife held with the blade 16 in a substantially vertical orientation (in the orientation shown), or by cutting region 30b of the part 30 with the knife orientated such that the blade 16 is substantially horizontal (in the orientation shown).

Conveniently, the knife is used in such a manner that the blade 16 is used to pierce one or other of the parts 30, 32, the blade 16 projecting into the void 34, whilst the sideguard bears against one of the walls defining the void 34. The knife can then be drawn or moved along the length of the void 34 to form an elongate cut or slit. Whilst cutting, the transparent, magnifying nature of the sideguard 20 allows the user clear sight of the blade 16, thereby allowing accurate control over the part of the packaging that is cut.

It is desirable for the parts 30, 32 to be cut substantially along their centre lines. A skid 26 may be provided upon the handle 10 and arranged to bear, in use, against part of the part 30 to support the blade 16 at approximately the desired level when the knife is being used to cut region 30b. Where the design of the packaging is such that cutting in this manner is not possible or is inconvenient, for example arising from the presence of raised moulded features on the part 30 obstructing movement of the knife, then cutting of the region 30a may be undertaken, conveniently using the spacing of the blade 16 and sideguard 20 to guide the knife movement.

After use, once the knife is withdrawn from the packaging, release of the button 22 allows the spring 24 to force the limbs 12, 14 towards one another, moving the blade 16 and sideguard 20 relative to one another to the stowed position in which the sideguard 20 provides protection against injury.

Conveniently, when the knife is in the stowed condition, the blade 16 bears against the sideguard 20. Indeed, the sideguard 20 may include a suitably shaped and positioned recess to allow the blade 16 to be stowed therein. It will be appreciated that such an arrangement reduces the injury risk associate with the use of the knife.

As shown in Figure 2, the handle 10 is preferably of bent or kinked form. As a result, in use, a significant clearance may be present between the handle 10 and the packaging, accommodating the user’s hand, in use.

The knife is of symmetrical form and can be used either left handed or right handed.

If desired, the handle 10 may carry a light or lamp, illumination of which illuminates the area being cut, further aiding the user in controlling and using the knife. Such a light or lamp may comprise a battery powered LED. Conveniently, the light or lamp is arranged to switch on automatically upon depression of the button 22 to allow the spacing of the limbs 12, 14 to be increased.

Whilst Figures 1 and 2 illustrate one form of handle 10 and actuator, it will be appreciated that a number of other designs are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. By way of example, arrangements including a pivoting actuator lever rather than an actuating button are possible.

Whilst Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a design in which the blade is of double ended form, arrangements are possible in which a shorter, single ended blade is used. Furthermore, blunt ended or blunt nosed blades (for example as used in the arrangements of Figures 4 and 5) may be used. Such blades may be advantageous in that the blunt end or nose may, when located within the void, guide movement of the knife. As with the arrangements of Figures 4 and 5 (described below), the blunt end or nose of the blade may project beyond the periphery of the sideguard 20, if desired. As this part of the blade is blunt, the risk of injury from the presence of such a projecting part is relatively low.

Turning to Figure 4, an arrangement in shown in which a sideguard 20 is held in a fixed relationship to a blade 16. The blade 16 in this arrangement is a double ended, blunt ended blade. As the ends of the blade 16 are blunt, they may safely project beyond the circumference of the sideguard 20. Like the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, the sideguard 20 is conveniently of transparent, magnifying form, allowing a user clear sight of the blade 16 and so aiding accurate control over the knife, in use. As in the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, the handle 10 is of angled form, ensuring that adequate clearance is present to accommodate a user’s hand.

The spacing of the blade 16 from the sideguard 20 is sufficiently small that access to the blade is restricted and so the risk of injury is low. The spacing conveniently results in the blade 16 being located approximately midway across the void 34 when the sideguard bears against one of the parts defining the void 34. A skid 26 is provided on the handle 10 supporting the blade 16 in a position spaced above the packaging material, in use.

The symmetrical nature of this design allows it to be used either in a left handed operating mode or in a right handed operating mode.

Figure 5 illustrates an arrangement in which the handle 10 is coplanar with the blade

16. A single ended, blunt ended blade 16 is used in this design. This knife is best suited to cutting packaging parts in which plenty of clearance to accommodate a user’s hand is already present. As with the other designs described hereinbefore, the sideguard 20 is of transparent, conveniently magnifying form so as to provide a user with clear sight of the blade 16 to aid accurate control thereof.

Whilst a single ended blade 16 is used in the arrangement of Figure 5, it will be appreciated that the blade 16 could be a double ended blade, one end of which is safely located adjacent the side of the handle 10.

Whilst specific embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A safety knife comprising a blade and a sideguard located parallel to a face of the blade, the blade and sideguard being supported by a handle, the sideguard being of transparent form and comprising a lens.

2. A knife according to Claim 1, wherein at least one of the blade and the sideguard is movable relative to the other of the blade and the sideguard in a direction to vary the spacing of the sideguard from the said face of the blade, the knife further comprising biasing means operable to bias the blade and/or sideguard to a position in which the spacing of the sideguard from the face of the blade is less than a predetermined distance.

3. A knife according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising a light arranged to illuminate the area being cut, in use.

15

4. A knife according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle is angled to a plane containing the face of the blade.

34460837-1-RBAILEY

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1802396.0 Examiner: Dr Kathryn Willett

3. A knife according to Claim 2, wherein, when stowed, the blade bears against the side guard.

4. A knife according to Claim 3, wherein the sideguard is shaped to define a pocket in which the blade is received when stowed.

5. A knife according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the handle is of generally Ushaped form, the blade being mounted upon one limb of the handle and the sideguard mounted upon the other limb thereof, the limbs being resiliently biased apart, the biasing means providing a biasing load able to overcome the resilient biasing to urge the blade and sideguard towards one another.

6. A knife according to any of Claims 2 to 5, further comprising an actuator button, the application of a force to which urges the blade and sideguard apart.

7. A knife according to Claim 6, wherein the actuator button limits the distance by which the sideguard and blade can be spaced apart.

8. A knife according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the blade is of the type including a blunt nose.

9. A knife according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a light arranged to illuminate the area being cut, in use.

10. A knife according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle is angled 5 to a plane containing the face of the blade.

1204 18

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS

CLAIMS:

1. A safety knife comprising a blade and a sideguard located parallel to and alongside a face of the blade, the blade and sideguard being supported by a handle, the

5 sideguard being of transparent form and comprising a lens through which the blade and workpiece being cut can be viewed, in use, providing the user with a magnified image of the workpiece being cut.

2. A knife according to Claim 1, wherein the blade is of the type including a blunt

10 nose.