Abstract: A bag cutter for opening a sealed package using at least one of a blade and a piercer. Preferably, at least one blade is disposed partially within a cutout of an arm in a manner that exposes an edge of the blade. A piercer can comprise an extension of a cutout edge or be located on any other suitable portion of an arm. Another blade can be provided that is substantially perpendicular to the blade within a cutout, and juxtaposable against a cutting surface.

Abstract: A bag cutter for opening a sealed package using at least one of a blade and a piercer. Preferably, at least one blade is disposed partially within a cutout of an arm in a manner that exposes an edge of the blade. A piercer can comprise an extension of a cutout edge or be located on any other suitable portion of an arm. Another blade can be provided that is substantially perpendicular to the blade within a cutout, and juxtaposable against a cutting surface.

Abstract: Contemplated tool and tool cartridge assemblies are provided that include at least one tool component and a movable cover. The movable cover has at least one guard portion that moves to cover or expose at least one tool component to protect a user from injury. Contemplated movable covers could be biased to cover tool components, and can be moved by a user or work piece as needed.

Abstract: The present utility knife provides a uniquely improved safety mechanism that increases safety, reliability, and reduces the cost of manufacturing. A shield is locked over the blade by a strut braced between the shield and a stop within the housing. The strut is biased to the locked position by an integrally molded sinuous spring that is designed to force the strut into engagement with the stop and to force the shield to cover the blade, allowing just one cut per actuator pull. The stop structure checks the motion of the strut when locked and closely guides the movement of the strut when unlocked through use of an L-shaped channel. These features reduce the complexity of the safety knife and increase the reliability of the safety mechanism under rough conditions.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods for a low-cost, disposable protective cover for handles and other objects. The disposable cover can include a flexible tube having first and second ends, an inner surface and an outer surface. One or more layers of the tube will preferably include corrugations, ridges, bumps or other non-smooth surface such that air spaces are formed between the handle and the inner surface, or the inner surface and the outer surface.

Abstract: A pitcher for safely receiving, transporting and decanting a hot liquid includes a body with first and second openings, and a bottom cover removably attached to the body. An opening baffle near the first opening reduces the hot liquid flow rate through the first opening during decanting, and a funnel near the second opening directs the hot liquid through the second opening when receiving the hot liquid. The funnel directs the hot liquid from the second opening to the first opening if the hot liquid exits the second opening during decanting. The pitcher includes an elongated handle, a fin for dividing the hot liquid during decanting, and a scalloped outer sidewall for limiting contact with a user's hand.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods for ergonomic handheld cutting tools. Some contemplated handheld cutting tools will include an articulating gripping portion, and allow for adjustability of a cutting depth. Additionally or alternatively, contemplated tools can be motored power and include one or more auxiliary power packs tethered to the handheld portion.

Abstract: Contemplated tool and tool cartridge assemblies are provided that include at least one tool component and a movable cover. The movable cover has at least one guard portion that moves to cover or expose at least one tool component to protect a user from injury. Contemplated movable covers could be biased to cover tool components, and can be moved by a user or work piece as needed.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods for a low-cost, disposable protective cover for handles and other objects. The disposable cover can include a flexible tube having first and second ends, an inner surface and an outer surface. One or more layers of the tube will preferably include corrugations, ridges, bumps or other non-smooth surface such that air spaces are formed between the handle and the inner surface, or the inner surface and the outer surface.

Abstract: The present utility knife provides a uniquely improved safety mechanism that increases safety, reliability, and reduces the cost of manufacturing. A shield is locked over the blade by a strut braced between the shield and a stop within the housing. The strut is biased to the locked position by an integrally molded sinuous spring that is designed to force the strut into engagement with the stop and to force the shield to cover the blade, allowing just one cut per actuator pull. The stop structure checks the motion of the strut when locked and closely guides the movement of the strut when unlocked through use of an L-shaped channel. These features reduce the complexity of the safety knife and increase the reliability of the safety mechanism under rough conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for hanging and manipulating items that are suspended from a ceiling or wall. The apparatus includes hanging structures to suspend items from a wall or ceiling, a remotely controlled motorized take up reel system to raise and lower the items by way of suspension lines so the items can either be positioned, replaced, repaired or displayed, and a leveling system. The system can be safely operated without a person having to move a ladder in place and go up the ladder to work with the suspension item.

Abstract: An apparatus for hanging and manipulating items that are suspended from a ceiling or wall. The apparatus includes hanging structures to suspend items from a wall or ceiling, a remotely controlled motorized take up reel system to raise and lower the items by way of suspension lines so the items can either be positioned, replaced, repaired or displayed, and a leveling system. The system can be safely operated without a person having to move a ladder in place and go up the ladder to work with the suspension item.

Abstract: A draw cut utility knife includes an elongated handle and a head holding a blade. The handle defines a thin central portion surrounded by a flange extending around its perimeter, the central portion aligning with the blade. The head has a rounded edge from which the blade protrudes, and is formed around the blade in a manner permanently embedding it in the head. The central portion may have cut outs for reduced weight, and the head preferably includes a thickened portion for holding the blade adjacent a centrally located cut out which accommodates a user's finger. A second blade may be secured to another thickened portion of the head opposite the first blade, both blades permanently secured in the head with a rearward sharpened edge allowing the knife to be safely drawn toward a user and easily guided for a precision cut.

Abstract: A draw cut utility knife includes an elongated handle and a head holding a blade. The handle defines a thin central portion surrounded by a flange extending around its perimeter, the central portion aligning with the blade. The head has a rounded edge from which the blade protrudes, and is formed around the blade in a manner permanently embedding it in the head. The central portion may have cut outs for reduced weight, and the head preferably includes a thickened portion for holding the blade adjacent a centrally located cut out which accommodates a user's finger. A second blade may be secured to another thickened portion of the head opposite the first blade, both blades permanently secured in the head with a rearward sharpened edge allowing the knife to be safely drawn toward a user and easily guided for a precision cut.

Abstract: A multi-blade bag cutting apparatus for opening a sealed package using one of at least two methods has a first arm partially enclosing a first blade and a first or second arm having a cutout exposing a second blade. The two arms can be injection molded as a single piece of plastic or comprise two separate pieces coupled to a pivot. Preferably, the first blade is partially juxtaposable against a cutting surface, which can be, among other things, a raised portion and/or an anvil.

Abstract: A bag cutter for opening a sealed package using at least one of a blade and a piercer. Preferably, at least one blade is disposed partially within a cutout of an arm in a manner that exposes an edge of the blade. A piercer can comprise an extension of a cutout edge or be located on any other suitable portion of an arm. Another blade can be provided that is substantially perpendicular to the blade within a cutout, and juxtaposable against a cutting surface.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for opening a sealed package has a first arm partially enclosing a first blade that is at least partially juxtaposable against a second arm having a cutting surface. The two arms can be injection molded as a single piece of plastic or comprise two separate pieces coupled to a pivot. Preferably, the cutting surface comprises a raised portion at least partially enclosing a hard anvil.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a utility knife is provided to prevent more than one retraction of the blade shield for each trigger actuation. A separable linkage extends between an actuator and a strut, and has a seat member and a deflecting member that are linked together when the actuator is not depressed and the strut is in the safety position blocking the retraction of the shield. The separable linkage is configured to transmit the pressing action of the actuator to the strut to disengage it from the bracket. The separable linkage is configured to delink as the shield retracts. If the actuator continues to be pressed in after the shield returns from being retracted, the safety mechanism prevents relinking of the seat member and the deflecting member, due to the deflecting member being deflected away from the seat member in a substantially longitudinal direction.