Abstract: Disclosed is a tape dispenser including a housing configured to support a roll of tape, such that the tape is dispensable from the roll. A tape cutter is engageable with the tape. The tape cutter includes a heating element. A power source, such as batteries, is in electrical communication with the heating element. When a flow of electricity passes from the power source to the heating element, a temperature of the heating element increases to sever the tape. Buttons and/or switches are preferably included and designed as a safety feature. The buttons and switches are to be operated in a certain manner in order to prevent unwanted heating of the heating element.

Abstract: A capless retractable sealed marking instrument has a sealed chamber incorporated in a marker casing. The sealed chamber includes a chamber, a wiper ring, and an annular rim and a seal portion with a cross-slit aperture defining surfaces or flaps which are moved out of contact by a linearly-advanced marker nib to open the seal for extension of the marker nib. The configuration of the disk provides positive sealing force between the lateral sealing surfaces of the seal flaps. Retraction of the marker nib draws the flaps back into the sealed chamber configuration to protect the marker nib and cartridge from atmospheric degradation.

Abstract: A hand-held device for shredding paper comprising a pair of rotary cutting wheels disposed within a housing between an inlet slot and an outlet slot. A motor is positioned in the handle to drive the cutting wheels through a gear assembly. One wheel serves as a drive wheel, which is coupled directly to the gear assembly, and the other wheel serves as an idler, driven from a spur gear attached to the drive wheel at the end opposite a gear case. Paper sheets are fed into the inlet slot and pulled between the wheels. Wheels are comprised of a stack of alternating discs of a large and small radius, and staggered so as to allow the two wheels to be interleaved while rotating in opposite (clockwise and counterclockwise) directions and maintain clearance. Large discs have a frictional edge to grab and feed the paper into the intersection of the wheels, tearing the paper into strips and forcing the strips into the outlet slot. A battery compartment in the handle contains the batteries for energizing the motor.

Abstract: A tape dispensing device is comprised of a means for rotatably supporting a roll of tape. A means for adhering to the tape and pulling the tape forwardly is positioned forwardly of the supporting means. The adhering means and pulling means is rotatably supported. A motor means is provided for imparting rotation to said adhering and pulling means. Means for cutting the tape means is positioned forwardly of said adhering and pulling means. A switch means is provided for actuating the motor continuously while said actuating means is engaged. Also a shaping means is positioned above the path of travel of the tape to urge the tape against the adhering and pulling means, the adhering and pulling means including a set of feed rollers. The shaping means is positioned between a pair of adjacent feed rollers, the lowermost edge of the shaping means being positioned below the uppermost edge of said pair of adjacent feed rollers forming a structural indentation in said tape.

Abstract: A portable hand-held power stapler with an outer housing contoured to fit comfortably within the grip of a hand, said stapler having an improved actuation system comprising a manually operated power switch that will actuate the stapling mechanism when a paper-sensing arm positioned in a document insertion slot is brought into contact with the inserted edge of a document, thereby completing the electric circuit to the power source of the electric motor driving the stapling mechanism, said actuation system further having a manually actuated reverse switch to engage a reverse function of the stapling mechanism to clear a paper or staple jam.

Abstract: A portable, handheld sharpener having an elongated body with loop attachments, a battery-operated DC motor with speed reducing gears and a gear plate and a rotatable sharpening unit. A pouch-shaped waste shavings receptacle detachably attached to the body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension ergonomically contoured to fit within the grip of a hand while providing increased internal space for waste shavings storage. An actuator button is molded into the receptacle and is partially circumscribed to provide a hinge-like action to engage a leaf spring connecting the battery source to the motor and also provides a momentary operation of the sharpener while in the original retail packaging. The actuator button will not operate when the receptacle is detached from the sharpener and the internal sharpening unit is exposed, thus acting as a safety feature.

Abstract: A portable, handheld envelope opening device is disclosed. The envelope opening device has a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion includes a slot defined by a pair of opposing walls and a base plate. The walls being spaced so as to guide the passage of an envelope and preferably are slightly angled to provide a tapered insertion end. A pair of rotary discs disposed within the head portion adjacent the base plate intersects in partially overlapping fashion along a centerline of said slot. The discs are spaced and positioned adjacent the base plate. The first disc includes a cutting edge, and the second disc is adapted to urge the envelope into engagement with the first cutting disc to sever a marginal edge of the envelope to expose the contents. A motor is coupled through a gearbox to the rotary discs to drive the discs. A switch is used to couple the motor to a battery power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a sign element on a fixture includes a left side support member and a right side support member with each of the support members being separated from the other and being free standing. Each support member includes a support surface and an engagement surface that is oriented substantially transverse to the support surface. A substantially linear side groove is located along a length of the engagement surface of each of the left and right support members. A left side base and a right side base are provided on which a respective one of the support members is mounted. Preferably the bases each have a projection extending into a recess formed in a housing of the support member for engaging a wall of the housing.