TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to cutting tools. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a packaging assembly which allows better showcasing and safekeeping of the cutting tools.

BACKGROUND

Cutting tools, particularly small cutting tools, are generally packaged with a packaging which usually includes a vertical hanging arrangement. This allows a potential buyer to better interact with different details and specifications of the cutting tools. Ability of the potential buyer to interact with the cutting tool generally depends upon the accessibility permitted by the packaging. However, there have been many limitations with use of the common packaging available for the cutting tools.

Some packaging also allows the potential buyer to perform limited operations with the cutting tools without having to completely remove the packaging. But, this could pose certain security threats for the potential buyer and may also have a bearing on life of the packaging or the cutting tool. Further, there are constraints to better market the cutting tools, preferably with better utilization of the packaging of the cutting tools.

An example of a packaging is provided by DE202012103761A1 (hereinafter referred to as’761 reference). The’761 reference provides a safety suspension element with a fold-up rear wall. The safety suspension element includes a main body from which a suspension plate extends upwardly, in which a perforation is provided for suspending the main body. Further, lower part of the main body has an enclosing insertion opening through which a tool element can be inserted. The lower half of the plate surface of the rear wall is formed as an outwardly foldable movable plate at both ends of underside of the movable plate respectively. However, the ’761 reference comes short of providing adequate safety, and security features while ensuring functionality of the tool within the suspension element. Thus, there is a need of an improved packaging for enhancing appeal and applicability of the cutting tools.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a packaging assembly for a cutting tool. The cutting tool has a first lever defining a first cutting edge. The cutting tool has a second lever defining a second cutting edge. The packaging assembly includes a base plate to receive the cutting tool. The base plate defines a cavity such that a first pivot pin coupling the first lever and the second lever of the cutting tool is received inside the cavity. The packaging assembly includes a primary cover member coupled to the base plate to restrain the cutting tool over the base plate such that the cutting tool can move between an open blade configuration and a closed blade configuration. The packaging assembly comprises a pivotally hinged section to pivot between an open position and a closed position allowing the cutting tool to be inserted into the packaging assembly. The packaging assembly is characterized in that the packaging assembly further includes a blade cover member fixedly coupled to the first cutting edge of the cutting tool such that the blade cover member covers a space between the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge. Thus, the present disclosure provides a simple, convenient and user-friendly packaging assembly for the cutting tool. Coupled to the first cutting edge is not to be understood that the coupling consists of a fixation of the blade cover member to the first cutting edge, but merely describes a fixed relationship between the two, where both elements touch each other. Thus when the fist cutting edge moves in space the blade cover member moves in the same direction not losing the touch with the first cutting edge and in this sense being coupled to it.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blade cover member covers an open space between the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge in the open blade configuration of the cutting tool. This ensures improved safety and protection for a user engaging with the cutting tool in the open blade configuration. Even more important the blade cover prevents the fingers of a user to enter the open space between the two cutting blades and thus get hurt when opening the cutting tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blade cover member stays between the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge in the closed blade configuration of the cutting tool. Presence of the blade cover in the closed blade configuration protects the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge from outside agents such as dust, moisture and the like, and simultaneously allows clear visibility of the cutting edges of the cutting tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pivotally hinged section is a part of the base plate. The pivotally hinged section of the packaging assembly allows proper securement of the cutting tool as per the application requirements.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pivotally hinged section is the primary cover member. Presence of the pivotally hinged section is in accordance with ease of assembly or disassembly of the cutting tool while ensuring a compact profile of the packaging assembly.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blade cover member is coupled to the cutting tool through the first pivot pin. This provides safekeeping and a theft-proof operation of the blade cover member even for non use cases of the cutting tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blade cover member is further coupled to the first lever of the cutting tool through a second pivot pin. Provision of multiple pivot pins may be in consideration with a requirement of desired mechanical advantage among other reasons. In another embodiment, in particular if there does not exist a second pivot pin, the blade cover member may be fixed or additionally coupled onto the first lever via a snap fitting or the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a surface of the blade cover member defines a first opening to receive the first pivot pin, and a second opening to receive the second pivot pin. Optimum locking of the cutting tool with the packaging assembly shall be a priority as provided by first opening and the first pivot pin, and the second opening and the second pivot pin of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a surface of the base plate further defines an arcuate slot to allow movement of the first lever relative to the second lever. During implementation, the arcuate slot constrains the movement of the first lever between the open blade configuration and the closed blade configuration.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blade cover comprises of a transparent material. Use of the transparent material for the blade cover member ensures clear visibility of the cutting edges of the cutting tool at all times. This allows a user to be aware of the sharp cutting edges and ensures safe handling of the cutting tool on display.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a secondary cover member is pivotally coupled to the base plate, such that the secondary cover member is adapted to restrain the second lever of the cutting tool over the base plate. The secondary cover member provides additional restrain on the second lever for optimum securement to the base plate of the packaging assembly.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base plate has one or more markings on a surface of the base plate. The markings are indicative of a size of an object which may be received for cutting between the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge. This allows the user to have a better understanding of profile of the object (say a branch) to be cut by the cutting tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the packaging assembly further includes a surface cover adapted to cover the base plate. The surface cover may have at least one information such as specifications of the cutting tool, potential application areas, brand information, brand logo etc. displayed on the surface cover.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base plate further defines a hole to enable hanging the packaging assembly on a display panel. This finds applications such as for marketing, storing of the cutting tool in the packaging assembly.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cutting tool is a lopper. The cutting tool can be any tool as used or known in the art such as pruner, shears, or any other such cutting tools.

Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and IB show perspective views of a packaging assembly which houses a cutting tool in a closed blade configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show perspective views of the packaging assembly with the cutting tool in an open blade configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective views of the packaging assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B shows perspective views of the packaging assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate front and back views respectively of a packaging assembly 100 as used for packaging a cutting tool 120. The present disclosure illustrates the cutting tool 120 as a pruner, however the packaging assembly 100 can be readily used with any other tool (such as shear, scissor, lopper or the like) or even fixture as known or used in the art. Thus, the present disclosure is not to be limited by the type of the cutting tool 120 in any manner.

The packaging assembly 100 includes a base plate 102. The base plate 102 has a surface which defines a cavity 104. The packaging assembly 100 includes a primary cover member 106 coupled to the base plate 102. The primary cover member 104 is pivotally coupled to the base plate 102. The primary cover member 104 may pivot between an open position and a closed position. The primary cover member 104 restrains the cutting tool 120 over the base plate 102 such that the cutting tool 120 may move between an open blade configuration and a closed blade configuration. The packaging assembly 100 comprises a pivotally hinged section adapted to pivot between an open position and a closed position allowing the cutting tool 120 to be inserted into the packaging assembly 100. The pivotally hinged section 106 may be the primary cover member 106. This allows ease of placement or removal of the cutting tool 120 to/from the packaging assembly 100. Additionally, or alternatively, the pivotally hinged section 106 may be a part of the base plate 102. In such cases, the part of the base plate 102 will need to be hinged depending upon placement or removal of the cutting tool 120.

The base plate 102 of the packaging assembly 100 further defines an arcuate slot 108. During implementation, the cutting tool 120 may engage with the arcuate slot 108 to allow movement of a first lever 122 relative to a second lever 130. The base plate 102 of the packaging assembly 100 has one or more markings 110 on a surface of the base plate 102 indicative of a size of an object which may be received for cutting between the first cutting edge 124 and the second cutting edge 132. The markings 110 serve as a guide of the ability of the concerned cutting tool 120 to cut a range of objects such as branches. Moreover, the markings 110 can directly correspond to the diameter of the objects to allow better comparison between different cutting tools 120 without having to remove the cutting tools 120 from their packaging assemblies.

In some embodiments, the packaging assembly 100 may have additional features which can contribute to increasing its appeal for application with different types of the cutting tools 120. Preferably in case of smaller cutting tools, the base plate 102 of the packaging assembly 100 further defines a hole 112 to enable hanging the packaging assembly 100 on a display panel (of a shop) or even in premises of the user. This enables the user to store the cutting tool 120 in the packaging assembly 100 especially for non-use periods of the cutting tool 120.

The cutting tool 120 has the first lever 122 defining a first cutting edge 124, and the second lever 130 defining a second cutting edge 132. In some embodiments, a secondary cover member 126 is pivotally coupled to the base plate 102, such that the secondary cover member 126 is adapted to restrain the second lever 130 of the cutting tool 120 over the base plate 102. The base plate 102 receives the cutting tool 120 such that a first pivot pin 134 coupling the first lever 122 and the second lever 130 of the cutting tool 120 is received inside the cavity 104. Further, the first pivot pin 134 can be supplemented by a second pivot pin 136 depending upon the type of the cutting tool 120. Moreover, the primary cover member 106 restrains the cutting tool 120 over the base plate 102 such that the cutting tool 120 can move between a closed blade configuration (shown in FIGS. 1A and IB) and an open blade configuration (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B).

The packaging assembly 100 further includes a blade cover member 140 fixedly coupled to the first cutting edge 124 of the cutting tool 120 such that the blade cover member 140 covers a space between the first cutting edge 124 and the second cutting edge 132. As best illustrated in FIG. 1A, the blade cover member 140 stays between the first cutting edge 124 and the second cutting edge 132 in the closed blade configuration of the cutting tool 120. Further, since the blade cover member 140 is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material, depending upon the application requirements, a user can better appreciate the first cutting edge 124 or the second cutting edge 132 without a need of removing the blade cover member 140. This feature serves dual-purpose of protecting the user as well as the cutting tool 120 as will be appreciated by reference to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective views of the packaging assembly 100 with the cutting tool 120 in the open blade configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The blade cover member 140 covers an open space between the first cutting edge 124 and the second cutting edge 132 in the open blade configuration of the cutting tool 120. This ensures improved safety and protection for a user engaging with the open blade configuration. Moreover, protection by the blade cover member 140 ensures a longer and maintenance- free life at least till the time of first use of the cutting tool 120.

The blade cover member 140 of the present disclosure can serve multiple purposes with or without the packaging assembly 100. Initially, the blade cover member 140 protects the first cutting edge 124 of the cutting tool 120 while the cutting tool 120 remains in the packaging assembly 100. Later, such as after-sale or first-use, the cutting tool 120 is taken out from the packaging assembly 100, however the blade cover member 140 may still be used without the packaging assembly 100 for a required time. This is allowed since the blade cover member 140 can be readily assembled or disassembled with the packaging assembly 100 as per the need.

In some embodiments, the blade cover member 140 is coupled to the cutting tool 120 through the first pivot pin 134. The blade cover member 140 is further coupled to the first lever 122 of the cutting tool 120 through the second pivot pin 136.

FIGS. 3 A and 3B illustrate perspective views of the packaging assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The packaging assembly 100 further includes a surface cover (not shown), which can be used to cover any face or side of the base plate 102. As will be appreciated by a person having skill in the art, the surface cover may have at least one information such as, but not limited to, specifications, price, brand logo of the cutting tool 120 displayed on the surface cover.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective views of the packaging assembly 100 without the cutting tool 120, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, surface of the blade cover member 140 defines a first opening 402 to receive the first pivot pin 134, and a second opening 404 to receive the second pivot pin 136. In some embodiments, the blade cover member 140 can have only one opening to receive the first pivot pin 134. As will be appreciated by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art, preference for a single or multiple opening such as the first opening 402 and the second opening 404 will usually depend upon factors such as relating to the cutting tool 120.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims. LIST OF ELEMENTS

100 Packaging Assembly 102 Base Plate

104 Cavity

106 Primary Cover Member

108 Arcuate Slot

110 Markings

112 Hole

120 Cutting Tool

122 First Lever

124 First Cutting Edge

126 Secondary Cover Member

130 Second Lever

132 Second Cutting Edge

134 First Pivot Pin

136 Second Pivot Pin

140 Blade Cover Member

402 First Opening

404 Second Opening