Abstract: A utility knife especially suitable for use by either right-handed or left-handed persons includes a generally symmetrical casing, as viewed from the side, having a generally pointed leading edge and two surfaces sloping back at equal angles from the point. When a standard razor-like blade is positioned in the knife, the midpoint of the blade between its sharpened cutting edge and non-sharpened opposite edge, lies on an imaginary line extending from the point at the forward end of the casing and generally through the center of the knife. The blade may be positioned with its cutting edge being on one side or the other side of the imaginary centerline. In either position, the cutting edge of the blade will project similarly from the casing when a thumb piece is pushed toward the forward end.

Abstract: A planar air pallet supports a load for frictionless transport on a backing member which overlies a fixed support surface. The pallet employs at least one sheet of flexible plastic film underlying the load and backing member and overlying the support surface and being perforated except for the perimeter to effect controlled pillowing of that flexible plastic film sheet and carries external air dispersion elements such as slats, ribs or strips. The dispersion element may take the form of a thin piece of cardboard to the side of the load adjacent the air inlet to the plenum chamber and may comprise a folded over portion of a generally rigid planar sheet forming a fixed support surface.

Abstract: A planar air pallet supports a load for frictionless transport relative to an underlying fixed support surface. A single sheet of flexible plastic film may underlie a stack of cartons forming the load with the edges sheet heat shrunk about the stack of cartons. Small diameter perforations are provided at least within that portion of the sheet underlying the lowermost tier of cartons to form a plenum chamber, preferably through air dispersion members between the flexible sheet and the carton load. The perforations unrestrictedly open directly to said plenum chamber. Pillowing of the sheet portion of the plenum chamber is controlled to permit jacking of the load sufficiently for a combination of surface irregularity for both the load support surface and the backing surface. The air pallet may also comprise a flexible film bag, which carries internally a rigid sheet which may be the load to control pillowing and provide air dispersion.