Decorative ribbon shredder

Abstract

Our invention relates to a hand tool for the purpose of shredding decorative ribbons, such as used on gift wrappings, in such a manner that will make the ribbon more decorative.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of gift wrapping and related uses of ribbons, where a strand of ribbon can be made more decorative by its use. This is accomplished by simply drawing a section of ribbon through the tool.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art of making ribbons, such as used in gift packaging, more decorative, it has been customary to cut the end of the ribbon into strands, using scissors, and then curling the strands by drawing them over the scissor blades or other edge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is a tool to eliminate the tedious work and time required to cut and curl a ribbon to make it more decorative, by simply pulling the ribbon through the tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows the tool as held in hand with ribbon being drawn through it.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing hinged joint of assembled tool, the shredding teeth, compression spring with post retainer, also the special configuration where the ribbon enters the tool.

FIG. 3 shows the shredding teeth, mounted in the upper jaw of the tool, and the post spring retainer.

FIG. 4 is a view of the bottom jaw of the tool with hole to accept the spring retainer post.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It has always been time consuming and laborious to cut ribbon ends into strands and curling them in such a manner as to make a ribbon tied package more attractive. This has been accomplished previously by cutting the ribbon ends into narrow strands, using scissors, and curling them by stretching and pulling them over a sharp edge. The object of this invention is a tool that will strand the ribbon and curl it, by grasping the ribbon in the tool and simply pulling it through to cut the desired length of strands. This one simple stroking motion will strand the ribbon and cause it to curl and fluff up, thus enhancing the ribbon ends.

FIG. 1 shows the invention, as held in hand, and the manner in which the ribbon is being stranded by being pulled through the tool when the jaws are pressed together.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing first or upper jaw 6, hinged joint 7, the second or lower jaw 8, compression spring 9, spring retainer post 10, the shredding teeth 11, and the contoured portion of the jaws where the ribbon enters 12.

FIG. 3 is a view of the first or upper jaw 6 showing the shredding teeth 11. These teeth can vary in number and size and are embedded in upper jaw, being held by means of spurs, (as shown in FIG. 7) and two elongated grooves 13 to reduce material required in manufacture.

FIG. 4 is a view of the second or lower jaw 8 that comes into contact with the shredding teeth 11, two elongated slots (to reduce material required in manufacture), and hole 14 to receive spring retainer post 10.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of pinned type hinge 7 utilizing a headed rivet.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate method of hinging, utilizing a suitable resilient flexible material.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of shredding teeth, detailing the punched out portion forming spurs that will hold the metal teeth in narrow slot provided in upper jaw 6.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

We claim:

1. A hand operated tool for the purpose of stranding or shredding decorative ribbon, such as used on gift packages and the like,

said tool having a first jaw and a second jaw,

means swingably connecting said jaws together to swing relative to each other about a lateral axis,

teeth fixed to one of said jaws,

said teeth being pointed and arranged in a longitudinal row generally perpendicular to said axis about which said jaws swing,

said teeth terminating in spaced points,

said points being adapted to penetrate a ribbon disposed between said jaws and to engage the jaw adjacent said points to cause said ribbon to curl and fluff up, thus making it more attractive, this being accomplished by pulling said ribbon through said tool,

a post is fixed to one said jaw and said post is slidably received in an opening in the other said jaw whereby said post will act as a stop when said ribbon enters said tool and also serves as a spring retainer, holding the spring required to force said jaws apart after said ribbon has been pulled through, and will also act as a stop to keep said jaws from spreading too far open after said ribbon has been pulled through.

2. The tool recited in claim 1 wherein said teeth are in the form of a row of stamped metal teeth of suitable number and length, that when pressed against said lower jaw of said tool, will strand and curl said ribbon as it is pulled through.

3. The tool recited in claim 1 wherein said jaws are integrally connected together by flexible material.

4. The tool recited in claim 3 wherein said flexible material comprises resilient means.