Abstract: An auto-retracting utility cutter includes a cutter body, a handle and an access door enabling top loading of replaceable blades into an slidable internal blade carriage. The blade carriage is actuated when sufficient force is applied to a linkage connected to the blade carriage which overcomes the inertia of the linkage but is resistant to casual squeezing and prevents injury from inadvertent deployment of the blade.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hinge stile gap blocking apparatus and to a method designed to prevent hand and finger injuries resulting from inadvertent door closures. The apparatus includes a pair of joined elongate members, each elongate member is joined to the other by an elastic band which extends through the opening of a door frame hinge stile gap with each joined elongate member residing on opposite sides of the hinge stile gap. The elongate members move when the door is pivoted, but are sufficiently tensioned against the hinge stile such that hands and fingers cannot be placed in the hinge stile gap when the door is open.

Abstract: A shelving assembly includes upright supports configured to support shelf units. The shelf units are height and angularly adjustable by way of an upright-mountable jack assembly. The shelves are supported by pivotable clip members that are removably mounted to slots formed in the upright supports. The assembly includes dividers that may be longitudinally attached to the shelf units. The dividers include a riser portion that separates adjacent packaged merchandise and a glide portion over which the packaged merchandise slides. Multiple slope angles are obtainable by jacking at least one end of a shelf unit, repositioning the clip members, and lowering the shelf unit to reengage with the clip members.

Abstract: A safety utility knife includes a pair of blades at one end of a handle. The cutting edges of both blades are configured to be shielded by a guard member. The guard member is movable with relation to the blade member.

Abstract: A safety utility knife includes a pair of blades at one end of a handle. The cutting edges of both blades are configured to be shielded by a guard member. The guard member is movable with relation to the blade member.

Abstract: A method for replacing a tag tool needle includes securing at least a portion of a tag tool needle coupled to a tag tool in a needle container; and removing the tag tool needle from the tag tool with the needle container. A tag tool needle container includes a first tubular aperture adapted to receive at least a portion of a first tag tool needle therein, where the first tubular aperture has a compression-fit adapted to securely enclose the portion of the first tag tool needle when urged over the first tag tool needle; and a second tubular aperture coupled to the first tubular aperture and adapted to receive at least a portion of a second tag tool needle therein, where the second tubular aperture has a compression-fit adapted to adapted to securely enclose the portion of the second tag tool needle when urged over the second tag tool needle.

Abstract: A safety utility knife includes a pair of blades at one end of a handle. The cutting edges of both blades are configured to be shielded by a guard member. The blade is movable with relation to the guard member. Only the cutting edge of one blade of the pair is exposed if one of the blades is placed in an active position.

Abstract: A utility cutter includes a handle that includes a gripping surface; a blade slide including a blade pair is extendable from an opening of the handle; a guide coupled to each blade near a distal end of the blade opposite the proximal end, the guide including a contoured surface configured to engage a workpiece wherein a portion of the guide is pointed and configured to puncture the workpiece and another portion of the guide is configured to smoothly abut an underside of the workpiece once the guide has been inserted into the workpiece.

Abstract: A collapsible cart includes at least one platform and rolling casters. The platform includes pivotable panels that medially break enabling the cart to collapse for storage purposes. Adjacent pivotable panels are connected via pivotable plates. The pivotable plates are connected to struts that are connected to a sliding member configured to be lockable in a fixed position or slide along a medial support member bridging the one or more platforms. The struts are connected to a middle support member that terminates in a middle caster on each side of the collapsible cart.

Abstract: A pallet moving system includes a pallet dolly puller, and a pallet dolly with a guiding structure thereon permitting and facilitating the blind engagement and disengagement of the dolly puller to the pallet. The dolly puller includes caster wheels, a handle, and at least one projecting portion configured to mateably couple with recessed portions on the underside of the pallet dolly in order that the pallet dolly may be moved and readily re-positioned even in confined spaces.

Abstract: A knife includes a handle that includes a gripping surface; one or more blades positioned in one or more recesses of the handle that extend from an opening of the handle; a guide coupled to the blade near a distal end of the blade opposite the proximal end, the guide including a contoured surface configured to engage a workpiece wherein a portion of the guide is pointed and configured to puncture the workpiece and another portion of the guide is configured to smoothly abut an underside of the workpiece once the guide has been inserted into the workpiece, and the handle further includes cut-away regions just ahead of the leading edge of cutting edges of the one or more blades, the cut-away portions configured to provide relief for bunching sections of a workpiece being cut by the knife.

Abstract: A method for replacing a tag tool needle includes securing at least a portion of a tag tool needle coupled to a tag tool in a needle container; and removing the tag tool needle from the tag tool with the needle container. A tag tool needle container includes a first tubular aperture adapted to receive at least a portion of a first tag tool needle therein, where the first tubular aperture has a compression-fit adapted to securely enclose the portion of the first tag tool needle when urged over the first tag tool needle; and a second tubular aperture coupled to the first tubular aperture and adapted to receive at least a portion of a second tag tool needle therein, where the second tubular aperture has a compression-fit adapted to adapted to securely enclose the portion of the second tag tool needle when urged over the second tag tool needle.

Abstract: A pallet moving system includes a pallet dolly puller, and a pallet dolly with a guiding structure thereon permitting and facilitating the blind engagement and disengagement of the dolly puller to the pallet. The dolly puller includes caster wheels, a handle, and at least one projecting portion configured to mateably couple with recessed portions on the underside of the pallet dolly in order that the pallet dolly may be moved and readily re-positioned even in confined spaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and to a method designed to prevent hand and finger injuries resulting from inadvertent door closures. The apparatus for use with an existing door and door surround includes a door latching mechanism mountable to the door having a reversibly extendable bolt actuated by a turning member, a striker member mountable to the door surround wherein a portion of the striker member projects beyond the door surround, and when the bolt is extended, complete door closure is impeded by the projecting portion of the striker member with a gap width created between the leading edge of the door and the door surround sufficient to protect human hands and fingers from being crushed, injured, or amputated. When the bolt is intentionally retracted complete door closure is permitted. The apparatus is designed to be interchangeable with standard sized door knobs, latching mechanisms, lock assemblies, and striker plates.

Abstract: A knife includes a handle that includes a gripping surface; a blade slide positioned in a recess of the handle that extends from an opening of the handle through a cavity within the handle; a blade coupled to the blade slide near a proximal end of the blade and extending through the recess and into the opening when the blade slide is in the retracted position; and a guide coupled to the blade near a distal end of the blade opposite the proximal end, the guide including a contoured surface configured to engage a workpiece to extend the blade slide a distance from the retracted position to an extended position such that the blade is extended from the opening of the handle, the blade slide biased to move from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A roller grill for hot dogs and other comestibles possessing a cabinet having an array of rotationally driven heat tubes, each with an outer surface heated by an internal heating element. Mounting plates at sides of the roller grill are configured to support a plurality of axles that are adapted to mate with a gear at distal ends of each heat tube. The gears of the heat tubes are held in parallel alignment by the axles, and are driven by one or more idler gears and one or more drive gears powered by one or more motors. Disposed between an output shaft of the motor and a drive gear, is a slip clutch that disengages power to the drive gear and thereby pauses rotation of the heat tubes if enough rotational resistance is encountered. Heat containment panels with a curvature on an uppermost portion are mountable to sides of the roller grill to reduce heat loss from the peripheral rows of heat tubes and thereby stabilize the temperature gradient of the heat tube array.

Abstract: A knife includes a handle that has a surface that may be gripped by a user of the knife. The handle includes an extendable blade that has a cutting portion and a non-cutting portion. The guide is attached to the blade independent of an engaging contact between the guide and the handle. The guide exposes the cutting portion of the blade and cover at least part of the non-cutting portion of the blade.

Abstract: A roller grill includes a housing structure adapted to support the roller grill; a plurality of tubular heating surfaces mounted between a first end of the housing structure and a second end of the housing structure; a first side housing coupled to the first end of the housing structure; a second side housing coupled to the second end of the housing structure, at least one of the first side housing or the second housing including a pressurized plenum maintainable at a plenum air pressure that is greater than a tubular air pressure of an inner volume of the plurality of tubular heating surfaces; and a drive assembly at least partially enclosed in the first side housing or the second side housing, the drive assembly configured to rotatably drive the plurality of tubular heating surfaces.

Abstract: A roller grill includes a housing structure adapted to support the roller grill; a plurality of tubular heating surfaces mounted between a first end of the housing structure and a second end of the housing structure; a first side housing coupled to the first end of the housing structure; a second side housing coupled to the second end of the housing structure, at least one of the first side housing or the second housing including a pressurized plenum maintainable at a plenum air pressure that is greater than a tubular air pressure of an inner volume of the plurality of tubular heating surfaces; and a drive assembly at least partially enclosed in the first side housing or the second side housing, the drive assembly configured to rotatably drive the plurality of tubular heating surfaces.