Package for Monofilament Line with Embedded Cutting Tool and Related Method

A package for storing a roll of monofilament line and dispensing a length of monofilament line from the package in combination with a cutting tool embedded in the package for cutting the length of monofilament line from the roll, comprising:

• a package formed from two opposing clamshell portions made from sheets of film and pivotally connected together, said two clamshell portions being pivotal between open and closed configurations;
• a recess formed in each of the clamshell portions that collectively form a chamber when said two clamshell portions are in the closed configuration, said chamber configured to store and allow a length of monofilament line from the roll;
• and
• a cutting tool disposed in a second pocket formed in one of the clamshell portions, said cutting tool including a body portion that is completely contained in the pocket and a cavity in the main body having a slotted opening, wherein the slotted opening is aligned with a complementary slotted opening formed in the opposing clamshell portion;
• wherein the monofilament line is inserted through the opening in the clamshell portion into the cavity and urged against a blade disposed in the cavity to cut the length of monofilament line being dispensed from the roll in the chamber of the package.

A cutting device for cutting a length of monofilament line from a roll of monofilament line stored in a package, comprising:

• a body portion that protrudes through an opening in one of two clamshell portions forming the package such that a blade portion disposed on the body portion is exterior to the package;
• a base portion sandwiched between the two clamshell portions when the clamshell portions are sealed together;
• and
• a slotted cavity formed on the main body and disposed exterior of and accessible only from the exterior of the package;
• wherein a length of monofilament line is inserted into the cavity and pressed against a blade in the cavity to cut the length of the monofilament line being dispensed from the roll stored in the package.

A method of dispensing and cutting a length of monofilament line from a package storing the monofilament line, comprising the steps of:

• advancing a length of monofilament line from a roll of monofilament line stored in a compartment formed in the packaged;
• inserting the monofilament line in the region where the monofilament line is to be cut through a first sidewall of the package into a cavity of a cutting device disposed in a pocket formed in a second opposing sidewall of the package;
• urging the monofilament line against a blade disposed in the cavity to cut the length of monofilament line from the roll;
• and
• removing newly cut ends of the length of monofilament line and the roll of monofilament line from the cavity of the cutting device and back through the opening formed in the first sidewall.