Abstract: A stationery item, e.g. a letter opener or a pencil sharpener, with a motor actuatable to move a cutting member to perform a task, e.g. to cut open a letter or to sharpen a pencil, and in addition to movement of the cutting member, the stationery item also generates a further mechanical, audio, or visual output.

Abstract: A container for elongate articles, e.g. a pen stand (100, 200), is disclosed as including a base (102, 202), a number of platforms (108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224) engaged with and movable relative to the base (102, 202), and a number of holders (114, 116, 118, 226, 228, 230) engaged with each of the platforms (108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224), each for receiving a stationery item (120), in which the holders (114, 116, 118, 226, 228, 230) move relative to the respective platform (108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224) during movement of the platforms (108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224) relative to the base (102, 202).

Abstract: A lock for a female member of a fastening mechanism is disclosed, in which the female member is releasably engageable with a male member of the fastening mechanism, the male member having two arm members which are movable relative to each other, and the lock is movable relative to the female member between a first position in which, when the male and female members are engaged with each other, relative movement between the two arm members is allowed, thus allowing the male and female members to be disengaged from each other, and a second position in which, when the male and female members are engaged with each other, relative movement between the two arm members is denied, thus locking the male and female members against relative movement.

Abstract: A letter opener is disclosed as including a body with a channel allowing an envelope to pass through, and a cutting blade extending into the channel, in which the body and the cutting blade are movable relative to each other to vary the position along the channel at which the cutting blade cuts the passing envelope. At least part of the channel is of a generally S shape.