System and Method for Identifying Cutting Devices

Abstract

A method and system identifies the cutting capability of a cutting device, such as scissors, via a color coding identification system. A cutting device is attached to a packaging. The packaging contains colored indicia associated with the cutting capability of the cutting device. A color-coded identification system defines the colored indicia.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to packaging which provides information concerning applicability of products for end users. More particularly, this disclosure relates to packaging for cutting devices.

A variety of cutting devices of differing structure and material may be appropriate for a multitude of uses with no clear identifying system to help guide the user. Cutting devices with different structures that contain a single blade, dual blades, or a plurality of blades made from a variety of materials may all seem appropriate for a particular application to the untrained eye of the end user.

SUMMARY

Briefly stated, in a preferred form, a method for identifying the cutting capability of a device, such as a pair of scissors, comprises providing a cutting device in an attached packaging. The method includes depicting on the packaging one of a plurality of colored indicia associated with the cutting capability of the cutting device. The method further comprises depicting on the packaging a color-coded identification to define the colored indicia.

The method may also comprise defining the cutting capability with specific performance characteristics. The performance characteristics may comprise materials to be cut by the cutting device. The method may also comprise defining the cutting capability with the physical properties of the cutting device and/or further comprising depicting a plurality of colored indicia on the packaging. For one embodiment, the color-coded identification system comprises a spectrum of relative cutting capability.

The cutting capability identification system comprises a cutting device attached to a packaging. The packaging contains a colored indicia associated with the cutting capability of the cutting device and a color-coded identification system to define the colored indicia.

The cutting capability preferably comprises specific performance characteristics of the cutting device. The performance characteristics may comprise materials to be cut by the device. The cutting capability may also comprise physical properties of the cutting device. For one embodiment, the color-coded identification system comprises a spectrum of relative cutting capabilities. A plurality of colored indicia may be displayed on the packaging.

In one embodiment, a cutting device identification system comprises a display comprising a multiplicity of cutting devices each attached to a packaging. A color-coded identification chart associated with the display comprises a plurality of first color codes each associated with a different cutting capability. A color-coded indicia on the packaging of each device comprises a first color code.

The cutting capability preferably comprises specific performance characteristics of the device. The performance characteristics may further comprise materials to be cut by the device. The cutting capability may also comprise physical properties of the cutting device. In one embodiment, the chart also comprises a plurality of second color codes each associated with the different second characteristics of the device and the color-coded indicia further comprises a second color code. Each packaging may comprise a plurality of different color codes which correspond to various aspects of the cutting device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a cutting device attached to packaging containing a first colored indicia;

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a second cutting device attached to a second packaging having a second colored indicia;

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a third cutting device attached to a third packaging having a third colored indicia; and

FIG. 4 is a chart setting forth a representative color coding identification system which may be employed for the cutting devices and packing of FIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 5 is a representative display of different cutting devices each with associated packaging and a representative chart setting forth a color coding identification system for the various cutting devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed system and method for identifying the cutting capability of the cutting devices depicts colored indicia on the packaging of the cutting device. The cutting devices may be scissors, shears or various other cutting tools. The colored indicia allow the user to select the appropriate cutting device, at the point of purchase, for his or her desired application. The colored indicia may also include words, symbols, pictures, or other graphic design to identify the cutting capability of the cutting device attached to the packaging. The indicia may be defined according to the physical properties of the cutting device, such as the material the cutting device is made from, or performance characteristics, such as suggested materials for which the cutting device is suitable. This indicia may make the application self-evident based on the individual indicia alone or in the context of a range of indicia. This range may be evident entirely on a single packaging or provided in a separate associated color-coded identification system. There may be a multitude of ranges, such as cutting devices for use in the home, in the office, outdoors, and specialty or heavy-use applications.

This system and method allow the user to easily and readily identify the nature of each cutting device and the specific applications appropriate for each device. The indicia provide comparable descriptions on similar locations of the packaging allowing the user to differentiate among similar cutting devices and ultimately decide on the appropriate device based solely on the indicia. The color-coded identification system may be explained entirely on the packaging itself or in the context of a separate display. This explanation may be by way of words, symbols, pictures, or other graphic design.

A wide palette of colors may be used for the color-coded identification system. A single color may be used with different hues to designate different products within a single range of products with different ranges using gradients of different colors. Alternatively, different colors may be used within a single range of products. Additionally, a single cutting device packaging may also include a plurality of color indicia, with each color representing a different physical property or performance characteristic.

In one embodiment, the colored indicia are incorporated into the cutting device itself. The indicia depicted on the device may be limited to the color or incorporate the other elements of the indicia such as words or symbols. This would allow the user to identify the physical properties of the cutting device or other performance characteristics when the device is no longer attached to the packaging.

With reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures, a system for identifying cutting devices is depicted attached to packaging for a range of scissors in FIGS. 1-4. It should be understood that the present disclosure is applicable to cutting devices in addition to scissors.

Referring to FIG. 1, cutting device 1 is attached to packaging 2 that contains first colored indicia 4. The colored indicia depicted on packaging 2 are understood to be yellow. First colored indicia 4 provides additional information such as the length of the blade and the type of handle of the cutting device. Second colored indicia 6 qualifies the cutting device as heavy relative to a range including heavy, medium, and light. Third colored indicia 8 provides examples of materials suitable for cutting with cutting device 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, cutting device 11 is attached to packaging 12 that contains first colored indicia 14. The colored indicia depicted on packaging 12 are understood to be blue. First colored indicia 14 provides additional information such as the length of the blade and the type of handle of the cutting device. Second colored indicia 16 qualifies the cutting device as medium relative to a range including heavy, medium, and light. Third colored indicia 18 provides examples of materials suitable for cutting with cutting device 11.

Referring to FIG. 3, cutting device 21 is attached to packaging 22 that contains first colored indicia 24. The colored indicia depicted on packaging 22 are understood to be grey. First colored indicia 24 provides additional information such as the length of the blade and the type of handle of the cutting device. Second colored indicia 26 qualifies the cutting device as light relative to a range including heavy, medium, and light. Third colored indicia 28 provides examples of materials suitable for cutting with cutting device 21.

Referring to FIG. 4, the color-coded identification system 30 is preferably depicted on a separate display located nearby or in the immediate vicinity of the range of cutting devices. The color-coded identification system 30 may also be depicted on the packaging itself, such as on the reverse side, to allow the user to evaluate the range of cutting devices easily when viewing a single packaging. The color-coded identification system 30 provides a range of cutting devices in relation to one another and depicts additional information relating to performance characteristics of cutting device 1 through picture 32. This range may be limited to cutting devices fit for a particular application or expanded to related applications to allow the user to make an efficient choice.

Referring to FIG. 5, a representative display is generally designated by the numeral 100. For purposes of illustration, the display includes multiple cutting devices 101 each attached to packages 102, multiple cutting devices 111 each attached to packaging 120 and multiple cutting devices 121 each attached to packaging 122. A chart 150 which sets for the color-coded identification system for colors 151-155 is mounted to the display. It should be understood that numerous other cutting devices and attached packaging may also be employed.

In one embodiment, the first colored indicia 4, the second colored indicia 6 and the third colored indicia 8 may exhibit different shades or hues of yellow. Alternatively, for a modified embodiment of cutting devices and packaging 2 (not illustrated), the first colored indicia 4, the second colored indicia 6 and the third colored indicia 8 may exhibit different colors.

While preferred embodiments of the foregoing have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing descriptions should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for identifying cutting capability of a device comprising: providing a cutting device in an attached packaging;depicting one of a plurality of colored indicia associated with the cutting capability of the cutting device on the packaging; anddepicting a color-coded identification system to define the colored indicia on the packaging.

2. The method for identifying the cutting capability of claim 1, further comprising defining the cutting capability with specific performance characteristics.

3. The method for identifying the cutting capability of claim 2, wherein the performance characteristics comprise materials to be cut by the cutting device.

4. The method for identifying the cutting capability of claim 1, further comprising defining the cutting capability with the physical properties of the cutting device.

5. The method for identifying the cutting capability of claim 1, wherein the color-coded identification system comprises a spectrum of relative cutting capabilities.

6. The method for identifying the cutting capability of claim 1, further comprising depicting a plurality of colored indicia on the packaging.

7. A cutting capability identification system comprising: a cutting device attached to a packaging;a colored indicia associated with the cutting capability of the cutting device displayed on the packaging anda color-coded identification system to define the colored indicia.

8. The cutting capability identification system of claim 7, wherein the cutting capability comprises specific performance characteristics of the cutting device.

9. The cutting capability identification system of claim 8, wherein the performance characteristics comprise materials to be cut by the device.

10. The cutting capability identification system of claim 7, wherein the cutting capability comprises physical properties of the cutting device.

11. The cutting capability identification system of claim 7, wherein the color-coded identification system comprises a spectrum of relative cutting capabilities.

12. The cutting capability identification system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of colored indicia displayed on the packaging.

13. The cutting capability identification system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of colored indicia exhibit different colors.

14. The cutting capability identification system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of colored indicia exhibit the same color or different shades of the same color.

15. A cutting device identification system comprising: a display comprising a multiplicity of cutting devices each attached to a packaging;a color-coded identification chart associated with said display comprising a plurality of first color codes each associated with a cutting capability; anda color-coded indicia on the packaging of each device comprising a first color code.

16. The cutting device identification system of claim 15 wherein said cutting capability comprises specific performance characteristics of the device.

17. The cutting device identification system of claim 15 wherein the performance characteristics comprises materials to be cut by the device.

18. The cutting device identification system of claim 15 wherein the cutting capability comprises physical properties of the cutting device.

19. The cutting device identification system of claim 14 wherein said chart further comprises a plurality of second color codes, each associated with a second characteristic of said device, and the color-coded indicia further comprises a second color code.

20. The cutting device identification system of claim 19 wherein the first and second color codes are different colors.