Prior Art Plastic foil, wrap foiling, wrap film and the like for household or domestic use is often received in a pack- age. The package is usually made of cardboard and has a lid. A cutting edge is normally arranged on the lower end of the lid or perhaps on an upper edge of one side of the package. The cutting aid of the present invention may also be used with packages having no cutting edge. The cutting edge, if present is usually a part of the sealing and open- ing means of the package, and is revealed when some kind of strip is ripped away. The existing cutting edge of the package functions well as long as the package is new and the cutting edge is still straight. The cutting aid of the present invention is intended for use with existing pack- ages for plastic foils etc.

The package receiving the wrap foiling is susceptible to deformation, due to being gripped incautious, getting hooked in kitchen drawers, etc.

In view of demands regarding waste separation differ- ent materials in packages are to be avoided. Thus, the cut- ting edges used are normally a part of the packages and are made of the same material as the packages. Said material is

almost always cardboard or paper. The cutting edges of cardboard or paper are relatively sensitive and are worn easily. Furthermore, the cutting edge placed on the lid is susceptible for bending and may be deformed, which affect the cutting capacity. To function well the cutting edge should be kept straight.

Depending on use it may be desirable to cut the foil either by a movement upwards, downwards, horizontally or inclined away from the package. With existing packages it is only possible to cut the foil by movement in one direc- tion.

A problem with wrap foils is how to get hold of the end of the foil when a length of foil is to be advanced. If the foil is allowed to be wound back onto the roll it will be very cumbersome to find and grip the end of the foil. It is therefore common to have some means to hold the end of the foil after cutting.

Summary of the Invention For convenience the expression"foil"is used in a broad sense throughout this description. Thus, a person skilled in the art realises that the cutting aid may be used for wrap foiling, aluminium foil, plastic film, greaseproof paper etc.

As stated above the cutting aid is preferably reus- able, i. e. moved from a used package to a new package. It is normally made of plastics but could be made of any suit- able material e. g. a metal.

One object of the present invention is to hold the foil during cutting independently of type and placement of the cutting edge. This is achieved by co-operation between the lid of the package and the cutting aid of the present invention. In some embodiments the cutting aid will support the existing cutting edge of the foil package. The support will take the form of protecting the cutting edge and keep-

ing it straight. By means of the cutting aid possible bends of the cutting edge are straightened at cutting.

A further object of the present invention is to pro- vide a cutting aid making it possible to cut the foil or the like by movement in any desired direction. Different persons may have different preferences of the best way to handle the foil and how to cut it. Thus, a more flexible use of the foil package is achieved.

The above objects are met by a cutting aid for a foil or the like received in a package. The package has a lid with or without a cutting edge. The cutting aid includes parts receiving the lid and co-operating with the lid to hold the foil during cutting.

Further objects and advantages of the present inven- tion will be obvious to a person skilled in the art when reading the detailed description below of at present pre- ferred embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be explained further below by way of examples and with reference to the enclosed drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a package for plastic foil ; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cutting aid accord- ing to the present invention ; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the cutting aid of Fig.

2 placed in the package of Fig. 1 ; Figs. 4 to 7 are end views of different embodiments of the cutting aid according to the present invention ; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a cutting aid according to the present invention ; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a cutting aid according to the present invention ;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing the cutting aid of Fig. 9 received in a. packaged Figs. 11 and 12 are perspective views of further em- bodiments of the cutting aid according to the present in- vention ; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an example of a package to use with the cutting aids of Figs. 11 and 12 ; Figs. 14 and 15 are perspective views of further em- bodiments of the cutting aid according to the present in- vention; Fig. 16 is an end view of an example of a package to use with the cutting aids of Figs. 14 and 15; Fig. 17 is a sectional view illustrating an optional feature of the cutting aid; and Fig. 18 is an end view of a further embodiment of the cutting aid according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments For convenience the present invention will be de- scribed below in relation to plastic foil. However, a per- son skilled in the art realises that the cutting aid of the present invention may be used also for other products such as greaseproof (wax) paper or aluminium foil. The terms "horizontal","upward","downward"and similar expressions are used throughout this description in relation to the parts as shown in the enclosed drawings.

Normally the plastic foil 4 is distributed in the form of a roll 3 received in a package 1. On the lid 5 of the package 1 a cutting edge 6 is formed on the outside of the package 1. The cutting edge 6 is normally a part of the opening and sealing means of the package 1 and the cutting edge 6 is released when the sealing means is broken. In other packages (not shown) the cutting edge of the package is formed on top on one side of the package. The reusable

cutting aid 2a-2h of the present invention could also be used with this latter type of packages.

The cutting aid 2a according to one embodiment of the present invention is to be received in the package 1. The cutting aid 2a has a back part 7, a middle part 8 and a front part 11. The back part 7 is connected to the middle part 8 by way of an upper bend 20 and the middle part 8 is connected to the front part 11 by way of a lower bend 19 or the like. The back part 7 is to be received inside the package 1. A person skilled in the art realises that the length of the back part 7 may vary in different embodi- ments, as long as the function to hold the cutting aid 2a at the package 1 is fulfilled. The front part 11 is di- rected upwards and is placed at a distance from the package 1. Furthermore, the front part 11 may be slightly inclined outwardly, i. e. in direction away from the package 1. The cutting aid 2a is normally formed by the above back, middle and front parts 7, 8, 11 integrated into one unit. Nor- mally, a cutting edge 9 is arranged at the outer end of the front part 11. However, in some embodiments the cutting aid 2a has no cutting edge, in which case only the cutting edge 6 of the lid 5 of the package 1 is used to cut the foil 4.

In alternative embodiments (not shown) the cutting aid is formed as an integrated part of the package. In which case a part resembling the front part normally un- folds when the sealing of the package is broken. Said un- folded part is to form a channel or the like receiving the cutting edge 6 of the lid 5. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art realises that a cutting aid (not shown) having no back part but otherwise identical with the shown cutting aid, may be fixed directly to one side 18 of the package 1.

Glue or the like normally achieves the fixation, but any suitable fixation means may be used.

As indicated in Fig. 3 the cutting aid 2a is to be received attached to the front side 18 of the package. The

back part 7 is received inside the package and the bend be- tween the back part and the middle part 8 is placed on top of the front side of the package 1. The middle part 8 nor- mally lies against the side 18 of the package 1. When the lid 5 of the package 1 is fully down, the cutting edge 6 of the lid 5 should have a position below the position of the upper edge or cutting edge 9 of the front part 11.

The cutting aid 2a may have many different cross sec- tion forms, without deviating from the principals of the present invention. In Figs. 2 to 8 examples of different, possible forms are shown. In the embodiments of Figs. 2 and 8 the front part 11 is approximately vertical. In the other shown embodiments the front part 11 is inclined outwardly, i. e. away from the package 1. In some embodiments a channel 16 is formed in the area of the bend between the middle part 8 and the front part 11. Said channel 16 is formed to receive the cutting edge 6 of the lid 5 in position for cutting. Thus, at cutting the cutting edge 6 is supported by the channel 16. In some embodiments the cutting edge 6 of the lid 5 is received with a tight fit in the channel 16. By means of the cutting aid 2a the cutting edge 6 of the lid 5 is kept in optimal position for cutting. Possible bends on the cutting edge 6 are straightened by being forced into the channel 16 of the cutting aid 2a. The func- tion of the cutting edge 6 is impaired if it has bends or the like.

As stated above the outer end of the front part 11 is inclined outwardly in some embodiments. This is to avoid that the cutting edge 6 of the lid 5 is entangled in the cutting edge 9 of the cutting aid 2a when the lid is low- ered. When the lid 5 is lowered the inclination of the front part 11 will assist in guiding the cutting edge 6 down into the channel 16 of the cutting aid 2a.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the middle part 8 and the front part 11 are brought abutting each other forming a

joint 14. The channel 16 is formed above said joint 14. At the lower end of the joint 14 a further cutting edge 13 is formed. In the shown embodiment said further cutting edge 13 is directed downwards. In other embodiments the cutting edge 13 is directed forward or inclines at an angle between vertical and horizontal.

A problem often encountered with plastic foil 4 is that the free end of the foil 4 may be difficult to grip after cutting. This is especially true if the end is al- lowed to fall back onto the roll 3. Thus, one normally tries to hinder that said free end falls back onto the roll 3. At least one manufacture has tried to solve this problem by applying a spot of adhesive at the outside of the front side 18 of the package 1. The spot of adhesive is placed in the middle and at the top of the front side 18 of the pack- age 1. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 an opening 10 is pro- vided in the middle part 8 of the cutting aid 2a, to be able to use such a spot of adhesive if present.

In the embodiment of Fig. 8 the middle part 8 of the cutting aid 2b is thicker at the upper edge, i. e. in the transition area to the back part 7. Said thicken part 17 of the middle part 8 is made of a material with a friction to make the foil 4 to adhere to the thickened part 17. To en- hance or favour the adhering the surface of the thickened part 17 is made as smooth as possible. The surface of the middle part 8 placed below the thickened part 17 is rather rough to counteract adherence. Due to the form of the thickened part 17 and the surface structure of the differ- ent parts an air gap will be formed between the foil 4 and the middle part 8 and below the thickened part 17. To en- hance the gripping possibility a number of openings 12 are furnished, which openings 12 are arranged for gripping the foil 4 with the fingers. A person skilled in the art real- ises that the exact form of the thickened part is of no im-

portance for the present invention, as long as it supports the possibility to grip the foil 4.

In a further embodiment indicated in Fig. 7 a number of pegs 15 or any other means to hold the free end of the foil 4 after cutting are arranged on the middle part 8, close to or just inside the channel 16. The purpose is that the foil 4 will be pressed against the pegs 15 when the lid 5 is pushed down into the channel 16. After cutting of the foil 4 the foil 4 will be held by the pegs 15 and it is relatively simple to grip the free end of the foil 4.

In still further embodiments (not shown) one or more protrusions are arranged at the upper part of the middle part 8 to facilitate gripping. Said protrusions have a relatively rough surface to avoid that the foil adheres to the protrusions. Often openings are arranged in connection with the protrusions to enhance the gripping possibility.

The sizes of the protrusions and possible adjacent openings are normally adapted to a normal thumb or finger size.

When a new package 1 of wrap foiling is opened the cutting aid 2a, 2b is to be placed in the package 1, if it is not already integrated in the package. The cutting aid 2a, 2b is placed with the back part 7 inside the package 1 and the middle part 8 abutting the front side 18 of the package 1. In use an appropriate amount of foil 4 is ad- vanced from the roll 3 received in the package 1, whereupon the lid 5 of the package is brought down into the channel 16 of the cutting aid 2a, 2b. In that position the channel 16 supports the cutting edge 6 of the lid. With the package 1 hold in that position the foil 4 is cut either by a move- ment upwards or downwards for the foil 4 in relation to the package 1. Depending on the direction of the relative move- ment between the foil 4 and the package 1 the foil 4 will be cut by the cutting edge 6 of the lid 5 or the cutting edge 9 of the front part 11 of the cutting aid 2a, 2b. If a cutting edge 13 is provided in the area of the lower edge

of the front side 18 the foil 4 may also be cut by means of the cutting edge 13. When a new foil part is wanted the lid 5 is lifted and the end of the foil 4 is gripped. Then the desired amount of foil 4 is advanced.

In the embodiment of Fig. 9 the cutting aid 2c has a back part 7 and an outer part 21. The back part 7 and the outer part 21 are connected by means of an upper bend 20, in the same way as described previously. Further, as de- scribed previously the cutting aid 2c has a thickened part 17 and an opening 12 to enhance the possibility to grip the end of the foil 4. On the outer part 21 a protruding part 22 is arranged. The protruding part 22 is directed horizon- tally away from the outer part 21, forming a groove 24 be- tween the protruding part 22 and the outer part 21. A cut- ting edge 23 is arranged on the protruding part 22, which cutting edge is directed inwards towards the groove 24 and the outer part 21. By this arrangement the risk of cutting oneself on the cutting edge 23 is strongly reduced.

As indicated in Fig. 10 the lid 5 of the package 1 is to be received in the groove 24 of the cutting aid 2c. The lower edge of the lid 5 should be positioned below the pro- truding part 22 at cutting. At cutting the foil 4 should be held between the cutting aid 2c and the lid 5, placed in the groove 24. As shown in Fig. 10 the foil 4 is to go from the package 1, between the lid 5 and the outer part 21, into the groove 24, around the lower edge of the lid 5 and back into the groove 24 from below. In said position the foil may be cut against the cutting edge 23 of the cutting aid 2c or a cutting edge of the package if present.

The cutting aids 2d and 2e of Figs. 11 and 12, re- spectively, also have protruding parts 22 forming a groove 24 and having a cutting edge 23. These cutting aids 2d and 2e are to be used with a package 26 having an elongated opening 27 in the front side to receive the protruding parts 22.

The cutting aid 2d of Fig. 11 has a back part 7 to be received inside the package 26, in the same way as de- scribed previously. Furthermore, it has a thickened part 17 furnished with an opening 12. A notch 25 to receive the up- per edge of the front side of the package 26 is arranged at the transition between the back part 7 and the thickened part 17. When the cutting aid 2d is to be placed in the package 26, the roll 3 of foil 4 is first taken out. The cutting aid 2d is then placed in the package 26 with the back part 7 inside the package 26. The protruding part 22 is to protrude through the elongated opening 27 of the package and the upper edge of the front side of the package 26 is to be received in the notch 25 of the cutting aid 2d.

The cutting aid 2e of Fig. 12 corresponds to the cut- ting aid 2d of Fig. 11 except that it has no thickened part. It has only a back part 7 to be placed inside the package 26.

The cutting aids 2f and 2g shown in Figs. 14 and 15, respectively, are formed as frames 28 corresponding to the protruding parts 22 of the cutting aids 2c, 2d and 2e de- scribed above. A package 30 having notches 31 in the upper part of the short ends is to receive the frames 28. The frames 28 are rectangular and elongated forming a groove 32, corresponding to the grooves 24 of the previous embodi- ments. A cutting edge 29 is arranged on the inside of the frame 28 facing the groove 32 and the package 30 after mounting. The cutting aid 2f of Fig. 14 has a thickened part 17 and opening 12 to enhance the possibility to grip the end of the foil 4.

In the shown embodiments the packages 26,30 of Figs.

13 and 16 have no cutting edge. However, a person skilled in the art realises that also these packages may be fur- nished with cutting edges at different locations.

In use, i. e. at cutting, all the cutting aids 2c-2g hold the foil 4 by co-operation with the lid 5 of the pack- age 1, 26,30 in the way indicated in Fig. 10.

As indicated above the cutting aids 2a-2g functions irrespectively if the packages 1, 26, 30 have cutting edges or not. If the package has a cutting edge it is optional which cutting edge to use.

When a new package 1, 26, 30 of foil is opened the back part 7 of the cutting aid 2c-2e of Figs. 9, 11,12 is placed in the package 1,26, with the protruding part 22 protruding from the cutting aid 2c, 2d or through the pack- age 26. The cutting aid 2f, 2g of Figs. 14 and 15 are placed in the notches 31 of the package 30. In use an ap- propriate amount of foil 4 is advanced, and brought down into the groove 24,32 also receiving the lid of the pack- age 26,30. The foil 4 is then brought round the lid and up back through the groove 24,32. With the foil 4 hold in that position it is cut against the cutting edge 23,29 of the cutting aid 2c-2g or a cutting edge of the package.

In Fig. 17 a further cutting aid 2h is shown, to il- lustrate that a stop 33 may be furnished to hinder the roll 3 of foil 4 from leaving the package 1. The stop 33 pro- trudes inwardly into the package 1 at a level above the roll 3. A person skilled in the art realises that a stop 33 of this kind is optional to include with any of the above cutting aids 2a-2g.

Fig. 18 is included to show that the outer part 21 of the cutting aid may be inclined. By inclining the outer part 21 it is possible to adjust and optimise the cutting angle of the foil 4. The cutting aid of Fig. 18 is intended for use with specially designed packages, having an in- clined lid and/or front side. A person skilled in the art realises that the cutting aids of the present invention may be used together with packages having varying cross sec- tions, such as triangular, polygonal etc.

By means of the cutting aid 2a-2h the cutting move- ment is less restricted compared to the foil package used on its own.

A person skilled in the art realises that the differ- ent features described above may be combined in many dif- ferent ways. E. g. it is possible to have different surface structures at different parts of the cutting aid 2ache without having any thickened parts or protrusions.