Abstract: A paper shredding tool is disclosed as including a first pair of cutters partly abutting each other along a first cutting plane; a second pair of cutters adjacent to the first pair of cutters, the second pair of cutters partly abutting each other along a second cutting plane; a third pair of cutters partly abutting each other along a third cutting plane; and a fourth pair of cutters adjacent to the third pair of cutters, the fourth pair of cutters partly abutting each other along a fourth cutting plane; in which each pair of cutters are rotatable relative to each other to cut a piece of paper passing between the pair of cutters along their respective cutting plane; and the distance between the first cutting plane and the second cutting plane is different from the distance between the third cutting plane and the fourth cutting plane.

Abstract: An electric sharpener for writing instruments, e.g. an electric pencil sharpener, is disclosed as including an electric motor, a cutting blade which may be driven by the electric motor to rotate to cut an end of a pencil received within the sharpener, a circuit opening arrangement operatively associated with the motor in which the circuit opening arrangement is adapted, upon insertion of the pencil into the electric pencil sharpener by a pre-determined length, to open an electric circuit in the sharpener to cease operation of the electric motor, and an adjustment member operable to change the orientation of the circuit opening arrangement relative to a longitudinal axis of the electric sharpener to vary the pre-determined length.

Abstract: An electric sharpener for writing instruments, e.g. an electric pencil sharpener, is disclosed as including an electric motor, a cutting blade which may be driven by the electric motor to rotate to cut an end of a pencil received within the sharpener, a circuit opening arrangement operatively associated with the motor in which the circuit opening arrangement is adapted, upon insertion of the pencil into the electric pencil sharpener by a pre-determined length, to open an electric circuit in the sharpener to cease operation of the electric motor, and an adjustment member operable to change the orientation of the circuit opening arrangement relative to a longitudinal axis of the electric sharpener to vary the pre-determined length.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for sharpening a writing instrument, e.g. an electric pencil sharpener, is disclosed as including a body for receiving a pencil for sharpening, and a base, the base having a bottom surface to support the apparatus on a surface, and the body may be positioned relative to the base in a first configuration and at least a second configuration, and when the body is positioned relative to the base in the first configuration, a longitudinal axis of the body and an axis perpendicular to the bottom surface of the base subtend a first angle, and when the body is positioned relative to the base in the second configuration, these two axes subtend a second angle which differs from the first angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for sharpening a writing instrument, e.g. an electric pencil sharpener, is disclosed as including a body for receiving a pencil for sharpening, and a base, the base having a bottom surface to support the apparatus on a surface, and the body may be positioned relative to the base in a first configuration and at least a second configuration, and when the body is positioned relative to the base in the first configuration, a longitudinal axis of the body and an axis perpendicular to the bottom surface of the base subtend a first angle, and when the body is positioned relative to the base in the second configuration, these two axes subtend a second angle which differs from the first angle.

Abstract: A pencil sharpener (10) is disclosed as including a body (12) with a hole (22) for receiving an end of a pencil, a cutting blade (24) secured to the body (12) for sharpening the pencil, and a stopper (30) movable relative to the body (12) to vary the length of the end of the pencil which may be received into the hole (22).

Abstract: An extruder for paste-like food substances including a barrel provided at one end with an outlet from which the paste-like food substance can be extruded in either measured amounts or in a steady flow, a rotatable screw is located within the barrel and is capable of being rotated and moved vertically within the barrel, a clutch located within a housing is capable of engaging the screw to ensure measured amounts of paste-like food are extruded or capable of being disengaged from the screw to permit the screw to be freely rotated and moved vertically within the barrel to permit the paste-like food substance to be extruded from the outlet in a steady flow.