Patent Application
20100288094
This invention relates to a cutting assembly and in particular a cutting assembly for cutting sheet materials.
The invention has been developed primarily for use with sheet materials found in a typical kitchen. Sheet materials include products sold as GLAD WRAP (Trade Mark), GLAD BAKE (Trade Mark), GLAD GO-BETWEEN (Trade Mark), plastic wrap, cling film, cling wrap, food wrap, plastic bags, baking paper, greaseproof paper and aluminium foil. The invention will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.
Sheet materials such as plastic wrap, aluminium foil, and baking paper have been found to be extremely useful additions to a well equipped kitchen. Plastic wrap is a convenient means to cover foods stuffs, for storage in a fridge for example, or for cooking in a microwave. Aluminium foil is used every day in oven cooking to prevent excess browning for example, and also for cooking on a fire, or barbecue. Baking paper can be used, amongst other things, to line cake or loaf tins, and for cooking food “en papillote”.
Plastic wrap, aluminium foil and baking paper are conveniently sold and stored as a roll of material, around a tubular core. Conventionally the roll of material is provided in a box which incorporates a means for cutting a length of material away from the roll. When a person wants a piece of plastic wrap, for example, an end of the sheet of plastic wrap is pulled from the roll, out of the box through a suitable gap, and over a serrated or other cutting edge that runs along one side. The serrated or cutting edge cuts through the sheet material that overlays it and breaks a piece away from the roll, so that the plastic wrap can be used elsewhere.
There are serious problems with the aforementioned known means of cutting sheet materials. These problems include difficulties in cutting a neat piece of sheet material, finding the end of the roll, and cutting a piece of material when the roll has become tangled or several parts overlaid one on another.
One most serious problem is that the serrated or other cutting edge lies on the outside of the box, and is unguarded. Hence, it is easy to inadvertently pick up the box by the serrated or cutting edge and cut your hand. Or a person may accidentally run their hand or arm over the serrated or other cutting edge and injure themself. Clearly this is dangerous and undesirable.
An attempt has been made to try to overcome the problem by providing a cutting system for plastic wrap, that has the cutting edge guarded against accidental contact. The known system has a plastic channel, attached along the length of a box containing a roll of plastic wrap, and a cutting tool that can move along the channel from one end of the box to the other. The cutting tool includes a blade and a handle so that a person can hold the handle and move the blade through the sheet of plastic wrap, overlaying the channel, to cut a piece away. The known system also includes a sticky coating on the channel which somewhat attracts the plastic wrap to the channel.
The known system described above is a far safer and much improved system to the serrated or cutting edge system, but does have significant disadvantages. The known system is intended to only cut plastic wrap, and does not work on other frequently used sheet materials, such as aluminium foil and baking paper. Also the known system does not cut the plastic wrap at all well unless the sheet of plastic wrap is straight and slightly under tension over the cutting strip. The sticky coating assists here to hold onto the plastic wrap to make it easier to cut. Unfortunately, the sticky coating does not work if wet or if it gets dirty. In a kitchen, and in particular in a commercial kitchen, with many people trying to use the roll of plastic wrap the known system quickly becomes difficult to use or unusable; this can be extremely frustrating. Commercial kitchens are high stress environments where time is money. There is no room in the schedule for time to straighten out a roll of plastic wrap, return it to its box, clean the sticky strip, and perhaps disentangle the blade from ragged ends of plastic wrap that have not cut properly. The product must be ready to use, quickly and efficiently.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cutting assembly for cutting sheet material that, at least to some extent, ameliorates some of the problems of the prior art.
Accordingly the present invention provides a cutting assembly for cutting a sheet material, including a cutting surface having first and second surfaces having a slit there between, one of the surfaces being at an angle compared to the other, and a slideable cutting means, the cutting means having a cutting edge adapted for receipt in the slit when the cutting means is moved along the slit.
It is preferred that the cutting assembly includes a guide means to constrain the cutting means to run parallel to the slit. Preferably the guide means is located behind the cutting means, and an aperture is located between the guide means and the cutting surface through which a sheet material is adapted to be fed.
The sheet material may be any suitable material including paper, metal, fabric, plastic or rubber. In a preferred form of the invention the sheet material is plastic wrap, aluminium foil or baking paper.
Preferably, the cutting assembly is adapted to be able to cut more than one kind of sheet material. In a preferred form of the invention, many kinds of sheet material can be cut by the cutting assembly. In a most preferred form of the invention the cutting assembly is adapted to be able to cut at least three kinds of sheet material. The at least three kinds of sheet material may be plastic wrap, baking paper and aluminium foil.
Preferably the cutting assembly includes a housing, which may take any suitable form. Preferably, the housing is a substantially cuboid shape with substantially square first and second ends and substantially rectangular top, bottom and first and second sides. The housing may be made of any suitable material such as plastic, wood, or metal or any combination of suitable materials. Preferably, the housing is made of moulded plastic. The housing may include decorative elements. The housing may include trade marks, brands details, colours, advertising, safety instructions or other information relating to the sheet material contained therein.
The housing preferably has a base, and a top. The base and top may divide the housing substantially in half longitudinally. The base may take any suitable form. The base may be rectangular in cross-section. Preferably, the base has a pair of ends, spaced apart and joined to a pair of longitudinal sides around a bottom, and having an open top. The base may include one or more cut-outs. Preferably, a cut-out is included in each end of the base, to facilitate lifting or moving of the cutting assembly. There may be a second cut-out in one or more of the sides of the base. The first and/or second cut-outs may be moulded indents or recesses, in the base of the housing. In this form of the invention, the moulded indents or recesses may form handles or hand-holds for moving and lifting the cutting assembly. The bottom of the base of the housing may include one or more moulded indents or recesses.
In an alternative embodiment, the housing may not be divided into a base and top. In this form, there may be cut-outs or recesses formed in any part of the housing to provide handles or hand-holds to facilitate lifting and/or moving of the cutting assembly.
Preferably, the base of the housing is configured to receive a spindle means. The spindle means may be made of any suitable material including metal or plastic. Preferably, the spindle means is made of plastic. Preferably, the spindle means is a cylindrical rod made of extruded polymer. The spindle means may be configured to closely correspond to a tubular core of a roll of sheet material. The spindle means may have a slightly smaller diameter than the core of the roll of sheet material wherein the spindle means can readily be passed there through.
In one form of the invention more than one spindle means may be housed within the housing to enable a plurality of sheet materials to be dispensed from the same cutting assembly.
In another form of the invention, spacer means may be provided to hold the ends of the spindle in different positions. The spacer means may enable spindles of different core diameters to be installed in the housing.
In yet another alternative form of the invention more than one spindle means is provided, each being adapted for receipt in the core of a different roll of sheet material, each roll having different dimensions. The different dimensions may be length and/or diameter of the core.
The spindle can take the form of two individual plugs adapted to be ‘push fit’ inserted into each end of the core. Preferably, the core of the roll of sheet material is made of cardboard.
Preferably the spindle means is slightly longer than the roll of sheet materials, wherein a first end and a second end of the spindle means project beyond the end of the roll of sheet material. Preferably, the first and second ends of the tubular core of the spindle means are seated in seating means in the housing. Preferably, the seating means are in the base of the housing. Each of the seating means may include a recess adapted to receive the ends of the spindle means. The recess may take any suitable shape. Preferably, the recess is substantially U-shaped.
Preferably, in use, the spindle means is passed through the tubular core of the roll of sheet material wherein the protruding ends of the spindle means are positioned in the substantially U-shaped recesses in the seating means. The seating means may be adapted to receive more than one roll of sheet material, having different dimensions. The different dimensions may be a different length and/or diameter.
There may be one or more seating means. Preferably, there are at least one pair of seating means. Preferably, there are two pairs of seating means adapted to receive two rolls of sheet material of the rolls having different dimensions. The rolls of sheet material may have a different length or different core width. The two pairs of seating means may be spaced apart within the housing at different spacings in order to receive spindle means and different rolls of different lengths. The recesses of the two pairs of seating means may be of different sizes and/or shapes to be adapted to receive spindle means and hence rolls of sheet material with different dimensions.
The seating means may be integral to the housing or mounted thereon. Preferably, the seating means are formed of moulded plastic.
The seating means may, in an alternative form of the invention, be provided in any other part of the housing.
Preferably, the top of the housing is hinged to the base. Alternatively, the top may rest on the base. The top and base may clip or otherwise be temporarily fastened closed. The top may, in another form of the invention be removably attached to the base. When the top is opened the roll of sheet material and the spindle means may be positioned in the base of the housing or removed therefrom. Preferably, a leading edge of the sheet material protrudes through an aperture in the top of the housing.
Preferably, the top includes a lid means movable between a closed and an open position. In the closed position the lid means may lie substantially flush with the remainder of the top of the housing. The lid means may be clipped or otherwise temporarily fastened closed. In the open position the lid means may enable access to the slidable cutting means. The lid means is preferably hingeably attached to the top of the housing. The lid means may form part of the top of the housing or be a separate piece. Preferably, the lid means is made of a suitable plastic material.
In the closed position the leading edge of the sheet material may protrude between the lid means and the top of the housing. Preferably, the lid means includes a recess or edge. The recess, to at least some extent, may help to maintain the sheet material in position on the cutting surface. The recess may be made of any suitable material and may take any suitable form. Preferably, the recess has a substantially flat surface that contacts the sheet material when the lid means is in the closed position. Preferably, the recess has rounded edges. The recess may take any suitable shape. Preferably, the recess is a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and generally corresponds to the length of the sheet material. The recess may also allows visual access to the sheet material. The recess may be made of a transparent plastic.
When the lid means is in the open position, access is provided to the slidable cutting means.
In an alternative form of the invention the lid means may form the top of the housing and be attached directly to the base means. In this form of the invention the roll of sheet material may be positioned within the housing through the lid means, bottom of the housing or any other suitable means.
Preferably the first and second surfaces of the cutting surface are configured, to at least some extent, facilitate cutting of the sheet material. Preferably, the first and second surfaces of the cutting surface substantially increase the friction of the sheet material moving over the cutting surface. The cutting surface may grip, to at least some extent, the sheet material. The cutting surface may be include a suitable material to increase friction of the sheet material over the surface. Preferably, the cutting surface includes a rubber or elastomeric material. More preferably, the cutting surface is made from a a rigid polymer forming the base and an elastomer forming the surface. The rigid polymer and elastomer are preferred to be manufactured by co-moulding or co-extruding. Preferably, the cutting surface is removable from the housing. The cutting surface may be removed for cleaning or replacement.
The angle of the second surface of the cutting surface may be any suitable angle different from the first surface. Preferably, the angle of the second surface of the cutting surface is substantially 35 degrees different from the first surface. Preferably, the angle between the first and second surfaces facilitates the retention of the sheet material on the cutting surface. The configuration of the cutting surface may increase the tension in the sheet material when the leading edge of the sheet material is pulled away from the roll of sheet material and over the cutting surface.
Preferably, the angle of the second surface of the cutting surface is substantially 35 degrees different to that of the first surface and the cutting surface includes an elastomeric outer surface, wherein as the leading edge of the sheet material is pulled from the roll of sheet material over the cutting surface the cutting surface grips, to at least some extent, the sheet material and increases the tension of the sheet material to facilitate the cutting thereof.
Preferably the slit runs substantially the length of the cutting surface. The slit may run only a proportion of the length of the cutting surface. The slit may be at any suitable angle relative to the first surface including substantially vertical. Preferably the slit bisects the angle of difference between second surface of the cutting surface and the first surface of the cutting surface. The angle of the slit may be substantially 17.5 degrees. The slit may have any suitable width. Preferably, the slit is 1.5 mm in width.
The slideable cutting means may take any suitable form. Preferably, the slideable cutting means is adapted to slide only in the direction defined by the slit. The slideable cutting means may engage with means to guide it along the slit. Preferably the slideable cutting means has an arm means. Preferably, the slideable cutting means is mounted in a fashion so as to allow it to move parallel to the slit, and to slide freely along the entire length of the cutting surface. The cutting means may be constrained by the arm means being mounted on the guide means. The guide means may be a rod means or other linear constraint such as a groove or track. The arm means may include an aperture through which the rod means is passed, or may include a section adapted to mate with the guide means. In a preferred form of the invention the guide means being in the form of the rod means is attached across the lid means so that the slideable cutting means can easily slide along the rod means from one side and back again with minimum force, and without becoming caught. In an alternative form of the invention, the guide means may be installed in the base or top of the housing. For instance, the rod means may provide the pivot for the lid means. Preferably, the rod means is made of metal or other suitable material with a low coefficient of friction. Preferably, the slideable cutting means is moveable, to some extent, up and down above the cutting surface to enable the slideable cutting means to be moved up and over an edge of the sheet material into a desired position to commence cutting. Preferably the movement of the slideable cutting means is restricted to prevent user injury from the cutting edge.
Preferably, the slideable cutting means is configured to have a cutting face substantially corresponding to the configuration of the first and second surfaces of the cutting surface. Preferably, the cutting face has a first face and a second face, the first face corresponding to the first cutting surface and the second face corresponding to the second cutting surface. Preferably, the first cutting surface and the first cutting face are at one angle and the second cutting surface and the second cutting face are at an angle 35 degrees different. Preferably the surfaces of the slideable cutting means are parallel to but offset from the adjacent faces of the cutting surfaces. Preferably, the faces of the slideable cutting means are shaped to allow the slideable cutting means to slide easily over the edge of the sheet material, and to slide easily over the surface of the sheet material. The edges of the slideable cutting means may have a chamfer and a radius. The face of the slidable cutting means which comes into contact with the sheet material to be cut may be of a convex form, to minimise contact with the sheet material. Preferably, the slideable cutting means acts at least to some extent to hold the sheet material in tension by stretching it across the slit when the sheet material is gripped between the slideable cutting means and the cutting surface, so as to promote a clean cut in the sheet material.
The slideable cutting means may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials such as metal or plastic. The slideable cutting means is preferably made of a suitable slippery material. The slideable cutting means may be made as a single piece or several pieces assembled together. Preferably, the surface of the slideable cutting surface has a lower coefficient of friction compared to the sheet material.
Preferably, downward pressure on the slideable cutting means creates tension in the sheet material.
Preferably, the slideable cutting means is adapted to be readily moved from side to side by the user holding the cutting means and moving from one side of the housing to the other. Preferably, the cutting edge is removably installed in the slideable cutting means. The cutting edge may be removed by means of a screw or other suitable fixing means. The cutting edge may take any suitable form to cut through the sheet material as the slideable cutting means moves along the rod means. Preferably the cutting edge is configured to be received in the slit without contacting the cutting surface. Preferably the cutting edge includes a metal blade. The blade is preferably a bidirectional blade. More preferably the slidable cutting means is disposed at an angle to the sheet material. Most preferably the angle is 25 degrees. The sharpened portion of the blade may be substantially an isosceles triangle shape. The blade preferably has chamfered edges. The blade may be provided with a cover which can be used to protect the blade when it is not installed in the slideable cutting means.
One or more guide means may be included to guide the sheet material leaving the roll of sheet material over the cutting surface. The guide means may lightly hold the sheet material to prevent movement away from the cutting surface. The guide means may include two substantially rectangular projections, positioned apart from one another, projecting towards the leading edge of the sheet of material. The guide means may grip the sheet material, to at least some extent. Preferably, the guide means exerts pressure on one surface of the sheet material, such that the sheet materials is held between the guide means and the cutting surface. The pressure exerted by the guide means may press the sheet material onto the cutting surface, which has a higher amount of grip than the surface of the guide means.
A thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPE) may be used to form the cutting surface. TPE has an affinity for cling wrap type materials. One the other hand, the rubbery nature of the TPE may be used as the grip for materials such as an aluminium foil and baking paper. As such, a portion of cutting surface may have a gloss finish for gripping the cling wrap type materials whereas the cutting surface and a band of the cutting surface may have a matt or rubbery finish for gripping the aluminium foil, baking paper or the like. This combination may provide material softness and a fine surface texture thereby enhancing the friction between the cutting surface and the sheet material. It is preferred that the cutting surface is manufactured by co-moulding or co-extruding having the rubber or elastomeric material forming an upper surface and a stiff polymer forming the base.
In one form of the invention the cutting assembly includes attachment means for removably mounting on a wall. In an alternate form of the invention the cutting assembly includes means for removably attaching to a flat surface.
The invention also provides a method for cutting sheet material including the steps of:
The method may include the additional steps of:
The invention will now be described in connection with a non-limiting preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring first to
Housing 12 as illustrated is made of a suitable plastic but alternative materials could be used including wood or metal or a combination of suitable materials.
Cutting arm 22 is shown in a first position on cutting surface 24 with cutting tool 26 and cutting edges 27 (refer
Housing 12 in the illustrated embodiment is configured to be of suitable dimensions to receive roll 32 of sheet material. Housing 12 is adapted to receive different rolls 32 of different dimensions for example, a roll of baking paper may be housed initially only to be replaced with a roll of plastic wrap. It is envisaged that housing 12 could be adapted to be suitable for receipt of roll 32 of any dimensions.
Cutting arm 22 is mounted on rod 34 through aperture 36 (not shown), rod 34 being mounted across lid 20. Cutting arm 22 can slide readily from one side of housing 12 to the other side by passing along rod 34.
Lid 20 in the illustrated embodiment has recess 38 which may help to hold sheet 30 in position when in the closed state or during transit for example. As illustrated recess 38 is made of transparent plastic (refer
Lid 20 is hinged to top 16 by rod 34 in the illustrated embodiment but any suitable hinging means may be used. Edge 42 of lid 20 is configured to correspond to edge 44 of top 16 so that in the closed position lid 20 lies flush to the rest of housing 12. Housing 12 of the illustrated embodiment has been developed with ergonomics and ease of use in mind. For example, first recesses 46 at either end of base 14 and second recess 48 enable a person to readily pick up cutting assembly 10. First recesses 46 and second recess 48 may take any suitable form or may be omitted entirely if preferred. Lip 50 of top 16 and lip 52 of base 14 are configured to correspond one to the other as top 16 is closed on base 14.
Guide 54 has fingers 56 which lie on sheet 30 to bias it onto cutting surface 24, and to keep sheet 30 in position for cutting. Guide 54 as illustrated is attached across the length of housing 12 and is made of a suitable plastic material. Fingers 56 to some extent grip the sheet material.
In use, roll 32 is positioned within base 14, top 16 is closed and lid 20 is raised. Leading edge 58 of sheet 30 is then drawn out of opening 60, over cutting surface 24 and slit 28 so that a short length of sheet 30 extends out of cutting assembly 10. Cutting arm 22, is moved along rod 34 moving cutting tool 26 and cutting edges 27 (refer
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Any suitable angle of second surface 76 can be used. An angle of 35 degrees difference has been found to be particularly beneficial in assisting holding sheet 30 onto cutting surface 24. Also tension in sheet 30 is increased as leading edge 58 is drawn over cutting surface 24 and trails over the edge, as sheet 30 is held somewhat on first surface 74 due to the high friction, gripping coating. The increased tension in sheet 30 makes it easier for cutting tool 26 and cutting edges 27 to cut through sheet 30, makes the cut straighter and significantly reduces the risk of sheet 30 rucking and becoming tangled.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects.
Referring to
The invention has industrial applicability in that it provides a cutting assembly which can give the benefits of cutting most if not all commonly used sheet materials including aluminium foil and baking paper in a ready to use, quick and efficient fashion.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007903613 | Jul 2007 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU08/00978 | 7/3/2008 | WO | 00 | 7/7/2010 |
