SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING ONE OR MORE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF GLASS SCORING WHEELS

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, a packaging system for glass scoring wheels having different physical attribute configurations is provided that includes a plurality of containers and a plurality of caddies. Each caddy includes a wheel mount shaft extending from a base. The wheel mount shaft has an axial length that permits a plurality of glass scoring wheels to be mounted on the mount shaft. The base is adapted to mate with an open end of the container. The caddies include “n” number of different color configuration caddies. The color configuration of each of the “n” different color configuration caddies is different than the color configuration of the other of the “n” different color configuration caddies. Each of the “n” color configurations identifies a particular physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels, which attribute is operable to distinguish glass scoring wheels having different physical attributes.

Description

Applicant hereby claims priority benefits of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/641,019 filed May 1, 2012, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to glass scoring wheels in general, and to a system for identifying different types of glass scoring wheels in particular.

2. Background Information

Glass scoring wheels, sometimes referred to as “glass cutting wheels”, do not in fact “cut” the glass. The wheel is drawn along a glass substrate to create a crack or “fissure” along which the glass will break when bent. The idea is to produce a fissure which is continuous, and of uniform depth, without creating a flaky score line full of loose glass chips. The wheel angle, wheel diameter, and cutting pressure are variables which influence the quality of the fissure. The wheel angle is the included angle to which the apex is honed; i.e., the wheel angle is measured from one beveled face of the wheel around through the wheel to the other face (See FIG. 1). Thus, the angle between the wheel and the glass on a 150° wheel will be 15° on each side. When downward pressure is exerted on the wheel rolling along the glass, forces are created which radiate down and slightly to the side trying to shear or separate the glass along the surface. If these forces are great enough, a crack will be generated along the path of the wheel. The direction of these shearing forces is determined by the wheel angle. Hence, there is great importance in choosing the “right” glass scoring wheel for the job at hand.

Most glass scoring wheels have a small diameter (e.g., less than 12 mm). In addition, glass scoring wheels typically come in a large range of wheel angles (e.g., 110°-170°), and finishes (e.g., polished, regular grind, course grind, etc.), and different materials/hardnesses) (e.g., steel, carbide, etc). The size of the wheel and the subtle differences in wheel angle can make it difficult for a user to readily distinguish one wheel from another. It would be useful to have a system that facilitates identifying the physical characteristics of the glass cutting wheels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a packaging system for glass scoring wheels having different physical attribute configurations is provided. Each wheel has a center aperture. The packaging system includes a plurality of containers and a plurality of caddies. Each container axially extends between an open end and a closed end. Each caddy includes a wheel mount shaft extending from a base, which wheel mount shaft is configured to fit in the center aperture of each scoring wheel. The wheel mount shaft has an axial length that permits a plurality of glass scoring wheels to be mounted on the mount shaft. The base is adapted to mate with the open end of the container and thereby couple the respective caddy to the respective container. The caddies include “n” number of different color configuration caddies, where “n” is an integer. The color configuration of each of the “n” different color configuration caddies is different than the color configuration of the other of the “n” different color configuration caddies. Each of the “n” color configurations identifies a particular physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels, which attribute is operable to distinguish glass scoring wheels having different physical attributes.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a packaging system for glass scoring wheels having different configurations is provided. The packaging system includes a plurality of containers and a plurality of caddies. The containers axially extend between an open end and a closed end. The caddies each include a wheel mount shaft extending from a base, which wheel mount shaft is configured to fit in the center aperture of each scoring wheel. The wheel mount shaft has an axial length that permits a plurality of glass scoring wheels to be mounted on the mount shaft. The base is adapted to mate with the open end of the container and thereby couple the respective caddy to the respective container. The plurality of containers include “n” number of different color configuration containers, where “n” is an integer. The color configuration of each of the “n” different color configuration containers is different than the color configuration of the other of the “n” different color configuration containers. Each of the “n” color configurations identifies a particular physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels, which attribute is operable to distinguish glass scoring wheels having different physical attributes.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a packaging system for glass scoring wheels is provided that includes a container and a caddy. The container axially extends between an open end and a closed end. The caddy includes a wheel mount shaft extending from a base. The wheel mount shaft is configured to fit in the center aperture of each scoring wheel. The wheel mount shaft has an axial length that permits a plurality of glass scoring wheels to be mounted on the mount shaft. The base has a segment adapted to be mated with the open end of the container. The caddy has a color coded to a physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels.

The present packaging system and advantages associated therewith will become more readily apparent in view of the detailed description provided below, including the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view and an end view of a glass scoring wheel.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a glass scoring wheel container and caddy according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of a glass scoring wheel caddy according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention include a packaging system for glass scoring wheels 10 having different physical attributes. The packaging system packages and identifies glass scoring wheels 10. Components of the packaging system include “n” number of different color configurations, where “n” is an integer. The color configuration of each of the “n” different components is different than the color configuration of the other of the “n” different color components. Each color configuration identifies one or more physical attributes (e.g., diameter, material, wheel angle, etc.) of the glass scoring wheels 10 contained therein.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a typical glass scoring wheel 10 (hereinafter “scoring wheel”) that includes a first axial side 12, a second axial side 14, and a center aperture 16 extending between the axial sides 12, 14. The scoring wheel 10 further includes a beveled cutting edge 18 disposed between the axial sides 12, 14, and positioned at an outer radial region of the scoring wheel 10. The cutting edge 18 is defined by a first beveled edge surface 20, a second beveled edge surface 22, and an included wheel angle 24 extending between the beveled edge surfaces 20, 22. The wheel angle 24 is measured from one beveled edge surface 20, 22 through the wheel 10, to the other beveled edge surface 22, 20. Typically, wheel angles 24 for glass scoring wheels 10 are in the range of 110° to 170°. A variety of surface finishes (e.g., polished, regular grind, course grind, etc.) can be applied to the beveled edge surfaces. The glass scoring wheels 10 can come in different radial diameters and materials (e.g., steel, carbide, etc.). The scoring wheels 10 can be adapted for use with a handheld glass cutter or a manually operated or automated glass cutting system.

FIGS. 2 and 3 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of a component of the present packaging system, which system facilitates storing, handling, and identifying a variety of different scoring wheels 10 similar to the one shown in FIG. 1. The component includes a container 26 and a wheel caddy 28. The container 26 has an annular cross-sectional geometry that extends from an open end 30 to a closed end 32; e.g., a cylindrical shaped container with a closed end 32 and an open end 30. The container 26 can be constructed from, for example, a translucent material such that a user can view the contents of (e.g., quantity of the scoring wheels 10 in) the packaging.

The wheel caddy 28 includes a base 34 and a wheel mount shaft 36 mounted to the base 34. The base 34 has a cross-sectional geometry, configured to mate with the container 26. The base 34 axially extends between an exterior end 38 and an interior end 40. The interior end 40 of the base 34 may be configured to mate with the container 26 in a male or female configuration; e.g., the interior end 40 may be a male configuration that is received within the open end 30 of the container 26, or may be a female configuration that receives the open end 30 of the container 26. The wheel mount shaft 36 has a base end 42 and a distal end 44. The base end 42 is attached to the base 34 (e.g., by mechanical attachment, frictional attachment, adhesive, insert molding, etc.) and the shaft 36 extends axially outwardly from the interior end 40 of the base 34, terminating at the distal end 44 of the wheel mount shaft 36. The length of the wheel mount shaft 36 can be varied to accommodate different numbers of scoring wheels 10. The wheel mount shaft 36 is adapted to selectively maintain the scoring wheels 10 on the shaft 36 until removed by a user; e.g., the shaft 36 may be bent to prevent wheel 10 removal, a stopper may be attached to the distal end 44 of the wheel mount shaft 36, etc.

In the wheel caddy 28 embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 34 includes a grip segment 46 extending from the base exterior end 38 to a plug segment 48, which plug segment 48 extends to the base interior end 40. In this embodiment, the plug segment 48 is configured to be removably received within the open end 30 of the container 26. Once inserted into the open end 30, the plug segment 48 is configured to stay within the container 26 (e.g., a slight interference fit) until removed by the user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the base 34 includes a shaft mounting aperture 50 extending between the interior and exterior ends 38, 40. The shaft mounting aperture 50 is configured with a larger cross-section proximate the exterior end 38 of the base 34, compared to the cross-section proximate the interior end 40 of the base 34. A standard cotter pin may be inserted through the shaft mounting aperture 50, with the head of the cotter pin residing in the larger cross-section of the aperture 50, thereafter serving as the wheel mount shaft 36. The opposite end of the cotter pin can be deflected to maintain wheels 10 on the wheel mount shaft 36.

As indicated above, the packaging system includes a plurality of components that package and identify glass scoring wheels 10. In some embodiments, the packaging system includes caddies 28 (i.e., components) having “n” number of different color configurations, where “n” is an integer. The color configuration of each of the “n” different color configuration caddies 28 is different than the color configuration of the other of the “n” different color configuration caddies 28. Each color configuration identifies one or more of a diameter, a material, and wheel angle 24 of the glass scoring wheels 10 contained therein. In some embodiments, the packaging system includes containers 26 (i.e., components) having “n” number of different color configurations, where “n” is an integer. The color configuration of each of the “n” different color configuration containers 26 is different than the color configuration of the other of the “n” different color configuration containers 26. Each color configuration identifies one or more physical attributes (e.g., diameter, material, wheel angle, etc.) of the glass scoring wheels 10 contained therein. In some embodiments, a caddy 28 may have a first color configuration, and the container 26 may have a second color configuration.

In some embodiments, the color configuration is a single color that identifies a single attribute of the scoring wheels 10 packaged within the container 26/caddy 28 pair. For example, Table 1 below illustrates a legend for identifying a plurality of different scoring wheels 10 based on their wheel angle 24:

TABLE 1
Container Color Wheel Angle
Light Brown     120° RG
Blue            125° RG
Yellow          130° RG
White           135° RG
Gray            140° RG
Black           145° RG
Green           150° RG
Red             155° RG
Light Green     160° RG
Light Blue      165° RG

In the example shown in Table 1, all of the scoring wheels 10 have a regular grind (“RG”) beveled edge surface finish. As indicated above, scoring wheels 10 can have different surface finishes (e.g., polished (“P”), regular grind (“RG”), course grind (“CG”), etc.). The identified colors may be present on the caddies 28 and/or on the containers 26. In preferred embodiments, the caddies 28 are colored and the containers 26 are translucent so that the user may readily determine how many scoring wheels 10 are disposed within the container 26. Hence, in the described embodiment of the present system as depicted in Table 1, the packaging system includes a plurality of components for packaging and identifying the scoring wheels 10 based on their wheel angle 24, which system distinguishes scoring wheels 10 having ten different wheel angles 24 based on ten different colors.

Another embodiment of the present system is illustrated in Table 2 below. In this embodiment, the color configuration of the containers 26 identifies both the wheel angle 24 and the beveled edge surface finish:

	TABLE 2
	Container	Wheel	Beveled Edge
	Colors	Angle	Surface Finish
	Light Brown	120°	RG
	Pink stripe
	Blue	125°	RG
	Pink stripe
	Yellow	130°	RG
	Pink stripe
	White	135°	RG
	Pink stripe
	Gray	140°	RG
	Pink stripe
	Black	145°	RG
	Pink stripe
	Black	145°	CR
	Orange stripe
	Green	150°	RG
	Pink stripe
	Green	150°	CR
	Orange stripe
	Red	155°	RG
	Pink stripe
	Red	155°	CR
	Orange stripe
	Light Green	160°	RG
	Pink stripe
	Light Green	160°	CR
	Orange stripe
	Light Blue	165°	RG
	Pink stripe

In the example shown in Table 2, the scoring wheels 10 having ten different wheel angles 24 are identified by certain colors, and the beveled edge surface finishes are identified by other colors; e.g., pink stripes indicate a regular grind (“RG”) and the orange stripes indicate a course grind (“CG”). Here again, the identified colors may be present on the caddies 28 and/or on the containers 26, and in preferred embodiments, the caddies 28 are colored and the containers 26 are translucent so that the user may readily determine how many scoring wheels 10 are disposed within the container 26. Hence, in the described embodiment of the present system as depicted in Table 2, the system includes a plurality of components for packaging and identifying the scoring wheels 10 based on their wheel angle 24, which system distinguishes scoring wheels 10 having ten different wheel angles 24 based on ten different colors, and beveled edge surface finishes are identified by additional different color stripes.

The present packaging system can include a separate legend that the user can use to identify the significance of the colors/combination of colors.

The wheel angles and colors given in examples illustrated in Tables 1 and 2 are for illustrative purposes only, and the present packaging system is not limited to these examples. Additional color combinations and patterns can be used to further identify different physical attributes of the scoring wheels 10.

In some embodiments, physical aspects of the scoring wheels 10 may be identified using a combination of colors (as indicated above) and alphanumeric characters printed and/or embossed onto the base 34 and/or container 26. In this manner, a user can quickly identify a desired first attribute (e.g., wheel angle) and a second attribute (a beveled edge surface finish).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A packaging system for glass scoring wheels having different physical attribute configurations, each wheel having a center aperture, the packaging system comprising:

a plurality of containers, each axially extending between an open end and a closed end; and

a plurality of caddies, each including a wheel mount shaft extending from a base, which wheel mount shaft is configured to fit in the center aperture of each scoring wheel, and which wheel mount shaft has an axial length that permits a plurality of glass scoring wheels to be mounted on the mount shaft, and which base is adapted to mate with the open end of the container and thereby couple the respective caddy to the respective container;

wherein the plurality of caddies include “n” number of different color configuration caddies, where “n” is an integer, and the color configuration of each of the “n” different color configuration caddies is different than the color configuration of the other of the “n” different color configuration caddies, and each of the “n” color configurations identifies a particular physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels, which attribute is operable to distinguish glass scoring wheels having different physical attributes.

2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels is selected from the group consisting of a diameter, a material, and a wheel angle of the glass scoring wheels.

3. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the base of each of the “n” number of different color configuration caddies has a single color associated with one of the physical attributes of the glass scoring wheels to be packaged with that caddy.

4. The packaging system of claim 3, wherein the base of each of the “n” number of different color configuration caddies has a first color associated with one of the physical attributes of the glass scoring wheels to be packaged with that caddy, and has a second color associated with another of the physical attributes of the glass scoring wheels to be packaged with that caddy.

5. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of containers includes a color configuration associated with one of the physical attributes of the glass scoring wheels.

6. A packaging system for glass scoring wheels having different configurations, each wheel having a center aperture, the packaging system comprising:

a plurality of containers, each axially extending between an open end and a closed end; and

a plurality of caddies, each including a wheel mount shaft extending from a base, which wheel mount shaft is configured to fit in the center aperture of each scoring wheel, and which wheel mount shaft has an axial length that permits a plurality of glass scoring wheels to be mounted on the mount shaft, and which base is adapted to mate with the open end of the container and thereby couple the respective caddy to the respective container;

wherein the plurality of containers include “n” number of different color configuration containers, where “n” is an integer, and the color configuration of each of the “n” different color configuration containers is different than the color configuration of the other of the “n” different color configuration containers, and each of the “n” color configurations identifies a particular physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels, which attribute is operable to distinguish glass scoring wheels having different physical attributes.

7. The packaging system of claim 6, wherein the physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels is selected from the group consisting of a diameter, a material, and a wheel angle of the glass scoring wheels.

8. The packaging system of claim 6, wherein each of the “n” number of different color configuration containers has a single color associated with one of the physical attributes of the glass scoring wheels to be packaged with that container.

9. The packaging system of claim 3, wherein each of the “n” number of different color configuration containers has a first color associated with one of the physical attributes of the glass scoring wheels to be packaged with that container, and has a second color associated with another of the physical attributes of the glass scoring wheels to be packaged with that container.

10. The packaging system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of caddies includes a color configuration associated with one of the physical attributes of the glass scoring wheels.

11. A packaging system for glass scoring wheels, each wheel having a center aperture, the packaging system comprising:

a container axially extending between an open end and a closed end; and

a caddy including a wheel mount shaft extending from a base, which wheel mount shaft is configured to fit in the center aperture of each scoring wheel, and which wheel mount shaft has an axial length that permits a plurality of glass scoring wheels to be mounted on the mount shaft, and which base has a segment adapted to be mated with the open end of the container;

wherein the caddy has a color coded to a physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels.

12. The packaging system of claim 11, wherein the one or more physical attributes of the glass scoring wheels is selected from the group consisting of a diameter, a material, and a wheel angle of the glass scoring wheels.

13. The packaging system of claim 11, wherein the caddy has a plurality of colors, and each color is coded to a different physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels.