Definition

This class provides for devices for, and methods of, severing by manually forcing work against a fixed edge or by breaking or tearing, as more specifically defined below:

A. SEVERING BY MANUALLY FORCING WORK AGAINST A FIXED EDGE

This subject matter includes devices or processes accomplishing manual severing of indefinite length material such as strands or webs or of fixed length material such as sheets, cards, or tickets wherein a blade having a severing edge is provided and wherein the severing edge is fixed in position with respect to a portion of the work material during severance, the work itself is directly manually grasped on one side of the edge and forced against the edge to effect severance along that edge while at least some portion of the work on the opposite side of the edge is restrained from movement during severance to thereby prevent any portion of the work from being transported across the edge.

(1) Note. Although the severing blade is not moved to effect severance, such blade may be moved or adjusted for any other purpose. (2) Note. This section of the class includes the combination of claimed means for performing an additional severing operation by a diverse type of severing instrumentality. For example, included is the combination of slitting a web longitudinally by moving the web past a relatively fixed cutting edge followed by severing the slit web laterally by means under the class definition (see subclass 7). (3) Note. Excluded from this section of the class are those devices wherein the work is manually twisted or tensioned to rupture or break along a pre-determined weakened line which is not registered with and co-extensive with a fixed edge disclosed as functioning to cooperate with the weakened line to effect severance of the work. For excluded subject matter, see subclasses 93+ and the "SEARCH CLASS" notes below to Classes for Special Receptacle or Package; Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding,; and Supports: Cabinet Structure. See Search Notes below. (4) Note. This section of the class does not include claimed means for accomplishing any work-treating operation other than severing or claimed means which are ancillary to a nonsevering work-treating operation, on the same or different work from that treated by the fixed severing edge. For example, the combination of a severing device under the class definition with a means to apply a coating to the work is classified in the class for Coating Apparatus. (5) Note. This section of the class does not include claimed combinations of a severing device under the class definition with an art device elsewhere classified, except for diverse type cutters, as in (2) Note above, and for subclasses in this class specifically providing for combinations with timers, web or strand feed means, indicators, housings for work supply, brakes, clamps and guides. For example, the combination of a dental floss holder with means to manually sever the floss is found in the class for Toilet; or a holder for sticky tape for cleaning lint, etc., from surfaces combined with a severing edge is found in the class for Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning. See Search Notes below. B. BREAKING OR TEARING This subject matter includes devices or processes for breaking or tearing the work. For the purpose of this class breaking or tearing is defined as a failure by tension of the work at the point or line of separation, effected by moving one part of the work relative to another part or by causing internal stresses to be built up within the workpiece. The tension is applied by stretching, bending, twisting or applying thermal shock so as to stress and strain the work beyond its yield and failure point. This effectuation of the failure by means of the relative movement of the parts distinguishes breaking and tearing from other types of separating, e.g., where the separation is effected by moving a tool relative to the work (as e.g., through the work) which may incidentally move the severed parts relative to each other. (1) Note. Where a breaking or tearing function is alleged or disclosed, the claimed structure must be such as to be capable of inducing in the work a force of tension. A structural limitation in the claim which precludes the induction of such force will direct classification of such claim on some more appropriate structural basis. For example, where a punch and die are claimed as having a close fit, or one tool of a pair is claimed in contact with the other tool or in closely spaced relation, such limitations would exclude the patent from this group of subclasses. (2) Note. This section of the class does not include claimed means for accomplishing any work treating operation other than severing. Merely incidental shaping or deformation of the product produced solely by the severing instrumentality in its severing motion will not be excluded; however, where the severing instrumentality is specially designed or modified so as to impose a desired shape on the product the patent will be classified elsewhere. For example, a device for breaking and bending sheet metal to a desired configuration will be classified in the class for Metal Deforming. (3) Note. Tension, as contemplated in this class, should extend over a substantial continuous area of the work, as contrasted with tension applied to extremely small, even if contiguous, local areas as in sawing wood, for example, or crushing brittle cellular material such as that disclosed in Patent No. 2, 781, 838. (4) Note. Where a work-contacting tool is utilized but there is no tension failure specifically alleged, the following guide lines should be applied to the disclosure: a. If the work is tensioned across and against a fixed severing edge, whether sharp or dull, the patent will be placed in this class (225). b. If a dull edged tool and supported work are moved relatively to one another to cause tensioning and rupture of the work the patent will be placed in this class (225). c. If a sharp-edged tool is moved into the work with the work support or holder at a substantial distance from the plane in which the blade moves but there is no clear teaching of a "slicing" cut (i.e., into and through the work and also with a component of force or motion transverse thereto, as in a "draw cut" or "progressive" cut) the patent will be placed in this class (225). d. Where relatively flaccid work material is held in two spaced zones and a tool, whether sharp or dull, is relatively moved so as to first tension the work between the zones of support and then to cause rupture of the work along the localized line of stress at the blade edge, the patent will be classified in this class (225). e. Where relatively stiff work is held or supported at one or both ends and a dull tool moves to engage the work in a zone spaced substantially from the support zone or zones, the patent will be classified in this class (225). f. Where relatively stiff work is held or supported at an end zone or at two spaced zones and a sharp-edged tool is directed into the work in spaced relation to the zone or zones of support and the work is parted by movement of the tool therethrough rather than by stressing of the work beyond its yield point the patent will be classified in Class 83. g. Where a severing tool has an edge which moves in contact with or in substantially close relation to the edge of a cooperating tool so as to sever the work therebetween, or where an edged tool is directed into work supported on a surface underlying the edge, the patent will be classified in Class 83 (or some other appropriate class).