TITLE OF THE INVENTION

CASE/PACKAGE OPENING DEVICE. KIT OF COMPONENTS THEREFOR, AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING AND UTILIZING SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC

Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a novel and unique device for opening cases or packages, a kit of components therefor, and methods of constructing and utilizing same.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a device designed to open sealed, plastic coin cases, a kit of components therefor, and methods of constructing and utilizing same.

Various companies and others seal coins of various value in hard plastic or glass cases which permit viewing both sides of the coin, but which

impede opening the coin case. Also sealed in the case and viewable is a grading designation indicative of the value of the coin as determined by the company which sealed the coin in the case.

Ofttimes the purchaser of the coin as sealed would like to open the case in order to remove the coin for various reasons. One such reason is to send the coin to a second company for re-grading. Frequently, the re-grading results in a higher grading, thus increasing the amount of money the coin can be sold for.

Prior to the advent of the present invention, a sealed coin case could not easily be opened. Indeed, a hammer or saw had to be resorted to in order to open a coin case.

The prior, but not necessarily relevant, art is exemplified by the following United States patents.

Bromley U.S. Patent 5,640,825 entitled "OPENER FOR A COIN PACKAGE;

McCracken U.S. Patent 5,894,003, entitled "PACKAGE OPENER;

Eberhard U.S. Patent 5,416,260 entitled, "DRILL BIT.

It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversions of the conventional techniques, while providing a simple way to open case/packages, including sealed coin cases.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel and unique kit of components, comprising: a hand held rotary tool; a rotatable cutter for selective connection and disconnection to and from said rotary tool; a head device for selective threaded connection and disconnection to and from said rotary tool; and said head device having a channel therein within which a predetermined portion of said rotatable cutter protrudes

The present invention also provides novel and unique head device for faciltating opening of an external case/package, comprising: a body member having an axial chamber within a first portion of said member; a threaded portion provided at a first end of said chamber for selective threaded engagement and disengagement to and from a mating threaded portion of an external rotary tool/machine; said chamber being provided with a predetermined shape, dimensions and configuration to enable a predetermined portion of a rotatable cutter to pass therethrough; and said body member having in a second portion thereof a channel which is provided with a predetermined shape, dimensions and configuration to enable the external case/package to pass therethrough while being supported by surfaces of said channel as said cutter cuts a predetermined portion of said case/package,

The present invention also provides a novel and unique method of opening an external case/package, comprising the steps of: providing a rotary tool/machine having a head device comprising a body member having an axial chamber within a first portion of said member, threaded portion provided at a

first end of said chamber for selective threaded engagement and disengagement to and from a mating threaded portion of an external rotary tool/machine, said chamber being provided with a predetermined shape, dimensions and configuration to enable a predetermined portion of a rotatable cutter to pass therethrough; and said body member having in a second portion thereof a channel which is provided with a predetermined shape, dimensions and configuration to enable the external case/package to pass therethrough while being supported by surfaces of said channel as said cutter cuts a predetermined portion of said case/package; activating said rotary tool/machine to rotate said cutter; passing the case/package through said channel; and cutting open the case/package as it comes in contact with the cutter in said channel.

A primary object of the present invention is to achieve a simple and inexpensive way to open sealed glass or hard plastic coin cases.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a specially- designed head device which screws on to a high speed drill of the Dremel ^® type to allow easy opening of all types of coin cases.

The aforesaid objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to others after having read the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying photographs and drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig, 1 is a perspective view of a kit of components of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a sealed coin case next to a head threaded on a rotary tool in accordance with invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig, 2.

Fig. 4 shows the head disconnected from the rotary too).

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4 but showing the bit removed from the rotary tool.

Fig. 6 shows a spacer element.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the head.

Fig. 8 is a side eievational view of the head.

Fig. 9 is a front eievational view of the head.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the head taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 1 1 is another perspective view of the head.

Fig. 12 shows a sealed coin case.

Fig. 13 shows the case of Fig. 12 after it has been cut open using the invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Fig. 1 , a kit of components 10 is shown depicting rotary tool 1 1 , a head 12, and a component carrying case 13.

Optionally, the kit 10 may also include a wrench 14 to help lock the bit 1 5 (Figs, 3 — 5) in or remove it from the rotary tool 1 1 .

Preferably, but not necessarily, the case 1 3 may include a compartment 1 6 for storing a plurality of bit 1 5.

Figs. 1 , 2 and 1 2 s how a sealed coin case 17 . The coin case 17 is frequently made of clear plastic, and is approximately 3 1 /4 " x 2 1/2" x 1/4" thick.

With reference to Figs . 2-1 1 , the rotary tool 1 1 is preferably of the Dremel® type, which is ahan held tool that can rotate at speeds from 3,000 to 28,000 rpm. The tool 1 1 is provided with male threaded portion 1 8, a drill bit collet 1 9 and collet nut 20. The collet 19 holds the cutter or bit I 5.

To loosen the collet nut 20, first the shaft lock button 30 is pressed, and then the collet nut 20 may be loosened by hand or by means of the wrench 14 placed on a flatted portion 2 1 of the nut 20.

The bit 1 5 cuts along the side cutting surface 22 thereof.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the bit 1 5 may be a special 1 /8" diameter bit which is 1 1/2" long, and designed specifically to cut pastic.

The head 1 2 has a female threaded portion 23 which threadediy mates with the male threaded portion 1 8 of tool 1 1 . Preferably, but not necessarily, the head 1 2 may be fabricated from a high quality plastic, but other hard materials may also be used.

The head 1 2 is provided with an internal chamber 24 through which the bit 1 5 extends.

A special channel 25 is orthogonally disposed in the head 1 2.

The channel 25 has a bottom surface 26 and two opposing wall surfaces 27 and 28, between which the case 17 is placed.

The head 12 with its special channel 25 is a guide which fits over the edge 29 of the case 17.

The bit 1 5 extends a predetermined distance into the channel 12. This distance may be adjusted by placing a washer-like spacer 31 (Fig. 6) on portion 18 between tool 1 1 and head 12.

In use, a side 32 of case 17 is placed in channel 25 against bit 15. the tool 1 1 is then turned on to start the cutting operation.

The user rotates case 1 7 to enable bit 1 5 to cut all four sides 32, 33, 34 and 35 of the case 1 7 at approximately 1/4" from the outermost edge 37 of the case 17.

When all four sides 32, 33, 34 and 35 are cut, the flat top 38 of case 1 7 can easily be lifted.

The tool 1 1 should be used at the highest rate of rotation, e.g., 28,000 rpm, to cut open the case 1 7 with ease.

The specially designed head 12 screws on to a high speed drill 1 1 to allow easy opening of all types of coin cases.

The head 12 allows for ease in opening, as opposed to smashing the case 1 7 thereby avoiding damage to the user and the coin.

The present invention thus gives a coin collector many options he/she would ordinarily not have

While the invention has been explained hereinabove with reference to a hand held rotary tool 1 1 , the invention also may be used with a rotary machine (not shown) which is not hand held.

It is to be understood that many changes, modifications and variations, may occur to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to other persons after having been exposed to the present patent application, and such changes, modifications, and variations are embraced within the scope of the present invention and the patent claims set forth hereinbelow.