Abstract: A knife assembly includes a handle having a blade cavity and a deployment slot extending longitudinally in the handle. A blade is slidably positioned within the blade cavity, and is slidable between a retracted position, in which the blade is wholly enclosed within the handle, and an extended position, in which a portion of the blade extends from a first end of the handle. A clip assembly includes a pin configured to releasably engage a tang portion of the blade in the blade cavity via the deployment slot. While the pin engages the blade, it can traverse the deployment slot from a first end to a second end to move the blade between the extended and retracted positions. The handle is configured to hang from the pin at the second end of the deployment slot while the blade is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle and a blade attached thereto and configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. A locking element is coupled to the handle, while a pawl is coupled to the blade and configured to engage the locking element as the blade rotates to the closed position, such that the blade is locked in the closed position thereby. Opening pressure on the pawl causes it to release the locking element and also causes the blade to rotate from the closed position toward the open position. The knife blade may include a flicker positioned to extend from a back portion of the handle when the blade is in the closed position. The pawl is coupled to the flicker such that pressure on the flicker causes the pawl to release the locking moves the blade toward the open position. The folding knife may also include an opening assist mechanism.

Abstract: A process for forming knife blades such as for kitchen or sport knife use comprises injecting a compound including a binder and a metallic powder into a mold having a shape of the knife blade, removing a green blank from the mold and sintering the green blank to produce a sintered blank. The sintered blank is then subjected to a hot-isostatic-pressure to produce a finished blank. An insert may be placed in the mold to impose a desired feature, such as a logo or legend, on the green blank during the molding process. The mold is so configured as to changeably receive the insert so that a first series of blanks can be made using the insert, then a new insert may be emplaced to impose a different feature on succeeding blanks formed in the mold. An edge component may be placed in the mold, around which the blank is injected, to form a compound blade.

Abstract: A knife is provided including a first side and a second side where the first side may be removably coupled to the second side. The knife further includes a blade removably secured to the handle and rotatable about a pivot point between an open position and a closed position. A manually-releasable fastening device disposed on the handle is adapted to secure the first side to the second side and to secure the blade to the handle, while remaining attached to the handle.

Abstract: Methods of identifying products by using small radio frequency identification tags mixed in a liquid, the mixtures, and articles coated with such mixtures are provided. One exemplary mixture includes a liquid that is able to retain at least one of the tags when the liquid is applied to a surface. An exemplary method of identifying a product includes introducing at least one radio frequency identification tag into a liquid that is able to retain the tag when the liquid is applied to a surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically reordering parts are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a tray adapted to support parts, and a resilient member operatively engaged with the tray that flexes according to the weight of parts stored on the tray. A switch generates a signal when the amount of parts on the tray is less than a predefined amount. A central processing unit coupled to the switch receives the signal generated by the switch and automatically reorders parts based on the received signal from the switch.

Abstract: A knife is provided including a first side and a second side where the first side may be removably coupled to the second side. The knife further may include a blade removably secured to the handle and rotatable about a pivot point between an open position and a closed position. A manually-releasable fastening device disposed on the handle may be adapted to secure the first side to the second side and to secure the blade to the handle.

Abstract: A multi-tool with a handle formed to have a cross section that is S-shaped so that a foldable tool stored in the handle may be opened and closed independently of other selected operations for the multi-tool. The foldable tool is stored in a first pocket, facing away from an opposing handle, and an adjustment mechanism is stored in a second pocket, facing toward the opposing handle. A leaf spring is cut from an opposing wall of the first pocket, and biased so that the leaf spring moves to a blocking position at least partially within the first pocket when the foldable tool is in an open position. A post is mounted on the foldable tool and is exposed for engagement by a human hand to facilitate deployment of the foldable tool from its closed position to its open position. The S-shaped construction of the handle allows a flange to be incorporated as part of the handle without interfering with the foldability of the foldable tool stored in the first pocket of the handle.

Abstract: A multi-tool with a handle formed to have a cross section that is S-shaped so that a foldable tool stored in the handle may be opened and closed independently of other selected operations for the multi-tool. The foldable tool is stored in a first pocket, facing away from an opposing handle, and an adjustment mechanism is stored in a second pocket, facing toward the opposing handle. A leaf spring is cut from an opposing wall of the first pocket, and biased so that the leaf spring moves to a blocking position at least partially within the first pocket when the foldable tool is in an open position. A post is mounted on the foldable tool and is exposed for engagement by a human hand to facilitate deployment of the foldable tool from its closed position to its open position. The S-shaped construction of the handle allows a flange to be incorporated as part of the handle without interfering with the foldability of the foldable tool stored in the first pocket of the handle.