Combined cutting and clamping device and use thereof

Abstract

A cutting and clamping device adapted for cutting open a portion of a receptacle and for clamping shut the opened portion. The device combines the dual functions of cutting open a receptacle, such as a bulk food containing receptacle, and clamping shut the opened receptacle, into a single device. By way of example, the device generally includes a clamping member for receiving and securing a portion of a receptacle therebetween; and a cutting member associated with the clamping member for cutting a portion of the receptacle. By way of additional example, the cutting member is preferably pivotally associated with the clamping member for selectably maintaining the cutting member in a closed position.

1 . A cutting and clamping device adapted for cutting open a portion of a receptacle and for clamping shut the opened portion, wherein the device comprises: 
 a clamping member comprising a first receptacle engaging member and a second receptacle engaging member, wherein the first receptacle engaging member is communicably associated with the first receptacle engaging member, and wherein the first receptacle engaging member and the second receptacle engaging member are adapted to receive and secure a portion of a receptacle therebetween; and    a cutting member, associated with the clamping member, comprising a blade adapted for cutting a portion of the receptacle to expose a contents thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping member further comprises a dissociating means adapted for separating the first receptacle engaging member from the second receptacle engaging member in order to receive the opened portion of the receptacle therebetween.  
   
   
       3 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 2 , wherein the dissociating means comprises a living hinge having a first end associated with the first receptacle engaging member and a second end associated with the second receptacle engaging member.  
   
   
       4 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 2 , wherein the first receptacle engaging member comprises a receptacle engaging portion, wherein the second receptacle engaging member comprises a receptacle engaging portion, and wherein the clamping member further comprises a biasing means adapted for biasing the receptacle engaging portions into engagement for securing a receptacle therebetween.  
   
   
       5 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 4 , wherein the dissociating means comprises a first pressure receiving surface, associated with the first receptacle engaging member, and a second pressure receiving surface, associated with the second receptacle engaging member, and wherein the pressure receiving surfaces are adapted to receive user-generated pressure for separating the receptacle engaging portions.  
   
   
       6 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 5 , wherein the cutting member is associated with the receptacle engaging portion of the first receptacle engaging member.  
   
   
       7 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 6 , wherein the cutting member further comprises a blade supporting member having the blade associated with a bottom surface thereof, and wherein a first end of the blade supporting member is associated with the receptacle engaging portion of the first receptacle engaging member.  
   
   
       8 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 7  further comprising pivoting means adapted for pivoting the cutting member between an open position, in which a second end of the blade supporting member is maintained in spaced apart relationship to the receptacle engaging portion, and a closed position, in which the second end of the blade supporting member is maintained in proximity to the receptacle engaging portion.  
   
   
       9 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 8 , wherein the pivoting means comprises a cylindrical member rotatably disposed in a cavity associated with the receptacle engaging portion of the first receptacle engaging member, and wherein the blade supporting member first end is communicably associated with the cylindrical member.  
   
   
       10 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 9 , wherein the receptacle engaging portion of the first receptacle engaging member comprises a slot adapted for receiving the blade therein when the cutting member is in the closed position.  
   
   
       11 . A cutting and clamping device adapted for cutting open a portion of a receptacle and for clamping shut the opened portion, wherein the device comprises: 
 a clamping member comprising a first receptacle engaging member and a second receptacle engaging member, wherein the first receptacle engaging member is communicably associated with the first receptacle engaging member, and wherein the first receptacle engaging member and the second receptacle engaging member are adapted to receive and secure a portion of a receptacle therebetween; and    a cutting member, associated with the clamping member, comprising a blade adapted for cutting a portion of the receptacle to expose a contents thereof; and    a blade guarding means, associated with the clamping member and the cutting member, adapted for selectably preventing contact with the blade.    
   
   
       12 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 11 , wherein the clamping member further comprises a dissociating means adapted for separating the first receptacle engaging member from the second receptacle engaging member in order to receive the opened portion of the receptacle therebetween.  
   
   
       13 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 12 , wherein the dissociating means comprises a living hinge having a first end associated with the first receptacle engaging member and a second end associated with the second receptacle engaging member.  
   
   
       14 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 12 , wherein the first receptacle engaging member comprises a receptacle engaging portion, wherein the second receptacle engaging member comprises a receptacle engaging portion, and wherein the clamping member further comprises a biasing means adapted for biasing the receptacle engaging portions into engagement for securing a receptacle therebetween.  
   
   
       15 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 14 , wherein the dissociating means comprises a first pressure receiving surface, associated with the first receptacle engaging member, and a second pressure receiving surface, associated with the second receptacle engaging member, and wherein the pressure receiving surfaces are adapted to receive user-generated pressure for separating the receptacle engaging portions.  
   
   
       16 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 15 , wherein the cutting member further comprises a blade supporting member having the blade associated with a bottom surface thereof, and wherein a first end of the blade supporting member is associated with the blade guarding means.  
   
   
       17 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 16 , wherein the blade guarding means comprises a pivoting means adapted for pivoting the cutting member between an open position, in which a second end of the blade supporting member is maintained in spaced apart relationship to the receptacle engaging portion, and a guarded blade position, in which the second end of the blade supporting member is maintained in proximity to the receptacle engaging portion.  
   
   
       18 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 17 , wherein the pivoting means comprises a cylindrical member rotatably disposed in a cavity associated with the receptacle engaging portion of the first receptacle engaging member, and wherein the blade supporting member first end is communicably associated with the cylindrical member.  
   
   
       19 . The cutting and clamping device of  claim 18 , wherein the receptacle engaging portion of the first receptacle engaging member comprises a slot adapted for receiving the blade therein when the cutting member is in the guarded blade position.  
   
   
       20 . A cutting and clamping device adapted for cutting open a portion of a receptacle and for clamping shut the opened portion, wherein the device comprises: 
 a clamping member comprising a first receptacle engaging member and a second receptacle engaging member, wherein the first receptacle engaging member is communicably associated with the first receptacle engaging member, and wherein the first receptacle engaging member and the second receptacle engaging member are adapted to receive and secure a portion of a receptacle therebetween;    a cutting member, comprising a blade, associated with a bottom surface thereof, adapted for cutting a portion of the receptacle; and    a pivoting means, pivotally associated with the clamping member and associated with an end of the cutting member, for pivoting the cutting member between an open position, in which a second end of the cutting member is maintained in spaced apart relationship to the clamping member, and a closed position, in which the second end of the blade supporting member is maintained in proximity to the receptacle engaging portion.