Abstract: A knife of the kind having a blade (14, 43) and a handle has an extendible and retractable blade edge guard (16, 45). When the blade (14, 43) is extended, any violent movement of the knife with the cutting edge in a leading attitude acts inertially to disengage a detent (27, 55) from a recess (28, 57) in the guard (16, 45) so that a tension spring (17, 46) quickly extends the guard (16, 45) into its projecting, operative position to guard the blade edge (21, 50) and prevent at least serious injury. When the blade carrier (13, 42) is fully retracted, its engagement with a part (31, 58) of the guard (16, 45) causes that also to retract and be engaged again by the detent (27, 55) due to spring-bias.

Abstract: There is provided a knife having a blade and handle. The knife incorporates acceleration detection means adapted to cause automatic occlusion of the blade upon detection of violent movement of the knife of at least 25 meters per second per second.

Abstract: Disclosed is an applicator for the application of liquid to webs and methods of using it. A web-guide path is defined through the applicator and has an intermediate enlargement. One or more inlets and one or more outlets are provided at the exterior of the applicator and at the enlargement respectively, which are part of a closed passageway system for the supply of liquid to the enlargement. A slit-like passageway system affords passage of web to the enlargement. An exit passageway with one outlet affords passage of web, to which liquid has been applied, from the enlargement out of the applicator. Means are provided for changing characteristics of the exit passageway whereby selectively to influence the application of liquid to the web. By using such an applicator in which provision is made for changing the size or shape, or both, of the exit passageway, considerable control may be exercised over both the degree of impregnation of the liquid into the web and the thickness of liquid coating on the web.