Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a hair removal tool. The tool may include a coil that is tightly wound and engaged to a housing. In operation, a user may roll the coil across a substrate (e.g., skin) to capture hairs between the coils in the coil. As the coil rolls radially around the housing, the outer edge of the coil can expand and contract, capturing and removing hairs as the coil rolls.

Abstract: A flexible switch has a deformable body and a plurality of electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being provided on the deformable body. The switch has a first state in which the electrodes are spaced apart and a second state in which the electrodes are in electrical contact, and the switch is configured to allow movement between the states when a force is applied to or removed from the deformable body.

Abstract: A method for removing a glazing panel bonded to a frame by an interposed bonding material, the method utilizing a flexible cutting line and has a set up phase resulting in the line being looped around substantially the entire the periphery of the glazing panel with opposed end portions of the line being secured on separate winder spools. In a cut out phase, the line is wound on to one of the winder spools while simultaneously being wound off the other of the winder spools.

Abstract: A tissue removal tool for use with an endoscope. The tool includes a loop formed by a piece of wire. The loop is movable between an open position and a closed position. The shape of the loop is defined in the open position by a proximal portion and a distal portion. The piece of wire may have a cross-sectional height in the proximal portion unequal to a cross-sectional height in the distal portion.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator operable to detach the uterus and cervix from the vagina. The uterine manipulator includes a shaft with a first end and a second end, a handle coupled to the first end, and a tip assembly coupled to the second end and adapted for insertion into the uterus. The uterine manipulator also includes a cutting assembly coupled around the shaft and adapted to receive the cervix when the tip assembly is inserted into the uterus. The cutting assembly includes a cup portion and a cutter wire. The cup portion is configured to be positioned at a juncture between the cervix and the vagina and includes with two grooves around its circumference. The cutter wire is configured to be positioned between the two grooves when in a stored position, and then pulled from between the two grooves through tissue at the juncture to cut the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed in various example embodiments is a cake cutter and server apparatus, system, and methods of use adapted to neatly cut differently-shaped cakes into regularly-sized slices and serve them without ruining the appearance of the cake or making a mess. Provided in various example embodiments are first and second longitudinally-extending members connected with a plurality of spaced-apart flexible lines that may be coiled around one or more of the members prior to use. One or more of the longitudinally-extending members may be readily disassembled and a portion thereof converted into a handle of a server that may be provided therewith in a kit that can be inexpensively manufactured, is compact, easy-to-use, and could be provided within typical cake boxes.

Abstract: A multiple cell battery charger with a parallel topography is disclosed which requires fewer active components than known battery chargers and protects the battery cells from overcharge and discharge. The charger that includes a regulator for providing a regulated source of direct current (DC) voltage to the battery cells to be charged. Each battery cell is connected in series with a switching device, such as a field effect transistor (FET) and optionally a current sensing device. In a charging mode, the serially connected FET conducts, thus enabling the battery cell to be charged. Battery voltage is sensed by a microprocessor. When the microprocessor senses that the battery cell is fully charged, the FET is turned off, thus disconnecting the battery cell from the circuit. Since the battery cell is disconnected from the circuit, no additional active devices are required to protect the battery cell from discharge.

Abstract: A cutting wire placement tool includes an elongated tool body, a pulling element carrier structure, and an elongated pulling element. The elongated tool body has a handle end and a sealant piercing end opposite the handle end, and the pulling element carrier structure is located at the sealant piercing end of the elongated tool body. The pulling element carrier structure includes a recess and at least one piercing element having a configuration to pierce a sealant material as a sealant piercing force is applied to the elongated tool body. The elongated pulling element is connected to the elongated tool body at a location spaced apart from the sealant piercing end of the elongated tool body and has a pulling loop which is adapted to be movable between an insertion position and a pulling position relative to the recess of the pulling element carrier structure.

Abstract: A device and a method for cutting through the adhesive bead of panes that have been fixed by bonding is specified, said device having a motor-drivable winding device, a coil for winding-on a separating means for cutting through the adhesive bead, a suction plate for fixing the winding device by means of negative pressure on a pane to be removed, wherein the winding device is mounted so as to be rotatable on the suction plate and wherein at least one guide roller for guiding the separating means is provided, which is preferably placed in a corner region of the pane in order to hold the cutting angle between separating means and adhesive bead extensively ?90° during the removal operation.

Abstract: The invention discloses a coil for a winding-up device adapted for winding up a cutting wire used for cutting through an adhesive bead of a bonded-on pane, having a coil body for winding up the cutting wire, the coil body being provided with at least one opening for securing one end of the cutting wire.

Abstract: A glazing panel cut out system for use with a cutting wire in cutting out a vehicle glazing panel cut out procedure has a dispenser unit for dispensing cutting wire and a winder unit for winding the wire, both being mounted to the glazing panel during use. The winder unit has one or more winder spools for winding the cutting wire dispensed from the dispenser. The cutting wire is paid out from the dispenser whilst mounted to the glazing panel during the cut out procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is a rail system cheese cutter comprised of an arched cutting surface, rail and cutting arm with a removable cutting wire and tension adjustment component which allows the user to adjust the tension of the wire. The rail has a milled portion where the cutting arm is to be attached to the rail. One end of the cutting arm has a rotational bearing with a slot and opening. The slot is slid around the milled portion of the rail until the rail rests in the opening of the rotational bearing. Once attached, the cutting arm can be pivoted around the rail and moved laterally along the rail allowing the user to uniformly cut or slice a food item without moving it.

Abstract: A layer cutting apparatus includes a tray having an interior defined by a bottom and sidewall. A sleeve is at least partially disposed in the interior of the tray, and a cutting line is attached to the sleeve. The cutting line is configured to be removed from the sleeve by pulling the line away from the tray at one point of the sidewall.

Abstract: A device and a method are disclosed for severing a bead of adhesive of a motor vehicle window pane. A cutting wire is firstly introduced into a gap between the window pane and the body flange, the cutting wire then being guided around the bead of adhesive, one first end of said cutting wire preferably being fixed outside the vehicle, preferably to the windshield wiper shaft, the second end of the cutting wire being inserted through the bead of adhesive and fixed to a winding device, and the bead of adhesive is severed by means of the cutting wire by reeling in the cutting wire with the aid of the winding device.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices for modifying the shape and size of moldable materials including various types of natural and synthetic clays, edible materials such as cookie dough, and modeling compound in ways that preserves the features contained within a cross section of the moldable materials and is safe to use by children.

Abstract: An apparatus for partitioning a food mass, such as a solidified egg, is disclosed including a base, a holder for supporting the food mass, and a plurality of cutting members for partitioning the food mass, wherein the holder is rotatable to permit the cutting members to partition the food mass in a first orientation and in a second orientation. The apparatus further includes a retainer positionable on a top surface of the food mass having passageways permitting the cutting members to pass through a portion thereof. The apparatus may include a cleaning plate receivable by portions of the holder in a position below the food mass, the cleaning plate being removable from the holder to remove food matter from between the support portions. The apparatus may include a lock for securing apparatus in a closed or lowest position for storage.

Abstract: A layer cutting apparatus includes a tray having an interior defined by a bottom and sidewall. A sleeve is at least partially disposed in the interior of the tray, and a cutting line is attached to the sleeve. The cutting line is configured to be removed from the sleeve by pulling the line away from the tray at one point of the sidewall. In one form, the sleeve has a length less than the peripheral length of the sidewall and includes first and second pivotally connected flaps. The cutting line abuts with the sidewall within the space between the first and second flaps. In preferred aspects, the sleeve is disposed in the interior of the tray after baking of a food product in the interior of the tray. In other preferred aspects, the sleeve includes tabs inserted into slits in the bottom of the tray to prevent the sleeve from floating in the tray.

Abstract: A device for trimming candles which have burnt and left an upwardly extending rim portion, the device comprising, in one embodiment, a housing, a blade assembly mounted thereon and at least one blade member in the blade assembly, the blade being movable between first and second positions so as to trim wax from the upwardly extending rim portion.

Abstract: A string cutter includes two handles, two fixing devices, and a cutting string. The cutting string has two ends each secured on the respective handle by the respective fixing device. Each of the two handles includes a loop-shaped handgrip for insertion and holding of a user's fingers. The handgrip has two sides each provided with a protection rib, for encompassing and protecting the user's fingers received in the handgrip. Thus, when the cutting string is broken due to wear or excessive pull and is sprung toward thehandles, the broken cutting string will be blocked and stopped by the protection rib of each of the two handles, thereby efficiently preventing the broken cutting string from injuring the user's fingers, so as to protect the user's safety.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing a food product into a plurality of slices in one action. The apparatus includes a frame having a first end, a second end and a body portion having an opening therein, the body portion having a plurality of spaced apart cutting strands disposed across the opening that are operably supported by the body portion of the frame. In use, the body portion of the apparatus is disposed in a substantially vertical alignment over at least a portion of a food product, and forced downwardly such that the plurality of spaced apart cutting strands across the opening slices the food product into a plurality of individual slices in one action.

Abstract: A tool for cutting out motor vehicle windscreens is described, with a suction cup, a rotating head pivotable on the latter, a cutting wire and a spring between the rotating head and the end of the wire. The spring is a compression spring which is arranged between the rotating head and the inner end of the cutting wire so that the spring is compressed when the cutting wire is pulled, and extends when the wire is released, drawing the wire inwards.

Abstract: A cable stripping equipment and method for exposing conductors of a flat cable transports the cable in a transport direction with first and second cable advancing devices positioned on opposite side of a cutting station having a cutting unit movable in x, y and z directions. During the cutting process, the flat cable is tensioned by the cable advancing devices. A measuring wheel detects the movement of the flat cable which movement is converted by an encoder into an electrical signal to coordinate with the cutting unit. The flat cable is guided on both sides of the cutting station by an adjustable cable guide positioned at the front edge of the cable.

Abstract: A cheese storage and cutting system for storing cheese such that the amount of cheese remaining is visible. The cheese storage and cutting system includes a base portion having a peripheral edge. A lip extends upwardly from the base portion. A platform for resting cheese on has a shape substantially similar to the base portion. The platform has a plurality of bores therein. A cover portion covers the base portion and the platform. The cover portion has a top wall and a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has a free peripheral edge that has a shape and size adapted to fit between the lip and the peripheral edge of the base portion.

Abstract: A hand tool for carving a generally ellipsoid shaped vegetable, such as a potato, turnip, radish or carrot, into a predetermined shape, particularly a mushroom shape, is provided. The hand tool includes a hollow elongated cylinder that has a first end terminating in a circumferential cutting surface, a second end, and an outer surface. At the outer surface of the cylinder between the first and second end of the cylinder, there is attached a wire form. The wire form extends outwardly from the outer surface of the cylinder. A cutting wire is attached to the first end of the cylinder and the end of the wire form furthest from the outer surface of the cylinder. Also disclosed is a method of using the hand tool to carve a generally ellipsoid shaped vegetable into the shape of a mushroom.

Abstract: A cutting guide is provided, comprising a first clamping member having a first surface adapted to contact a pipe; a second clamping member having a second surface adapted to contact the pipe; a connecting device operatively disposed between the first clamping member and the second clamping member for connecting and urging the first and second clamping members toward one another to grip the pipe; and a cutting guide member, preferably a cylindrical member, attached to the second clamping member for slidably retaining and guiding a flexible cutting member in contact with the pipe. The first and second surfaces which contact the pipe are preferably contoured to approximate the shape of the pipe. Also preferably, the bottom surfaces of both the first and second clamping members are coplanar during operation of the cutting guide. Optionally, a recess is formed into the first clamping member which is adapted to receive a reducing member for contacting smaller sizes of pipe.

Abstract: A model airplane, airplane kit, method of making a model airplane, a plastic foam cutter useful for making the model airplane and a method for making the plastic foam cutter. The kit of the present invention enables children and adults to easily make a well flying model airplane using recycled plastic foam moldings such as polystyrene food trays well known as 10-S in the food packaging arts.

Abstract: A butter pat dispenser including a rectangular box-like container having a U-shaped cover and a rectangular plate-like member. An end wall closes the first end of the container and the second end defines an opening. In one embodiment, the first end of the plate is pivotally mounted to the side walls defined by the legs of the cover. In another embodiment, side edge portions of the plate are received in longitudinally extending grooves in the interior surface of each of the side walls. A driver and a pusher provide means for advancing an end of the stick of butter out of the opening for slicing. The pusher comprises a pusher member disposed in the container and a nut or threaded sleeve disposed exteriorly to the container. The driver comprises a drive rod which is rotatably mounted to the top wall of the container and a knurled knob which is rotatably mounted to the end wall of the container. One end of the drive rod extends into a cavity in the knob.

Abstract: A windshield removal apparatus that includes a suction cup assembly that is secured, via a vacuum, onto the interior center portion of an automobile's windshield. A swivel head is located at the opposite end of the assembly where the vacuum interface is initiated. The swivel head rotates bi-directionally 360 degrees in approximately the same plane as that of the windshield. The rotation of the swivel head is relatively friction free. A spring is located between the swivel head and the cutting wire which is in turn attached to a grip, to complete the configuration of the apparatus. The cutting wire is initially threaded through the seal between the windshield and automobile. The connection of the cutting wire to the spring and swivel head may take place in any order such that the apparatus is in the appropriate position to commence the cutting process of the entire perimeter of the seal.

Abstract: A slicer for slicing cheese and the like articles of food comprising a slicing string being connected to a finger grip at one end. Moreover, the slicer is provided with a shank having an insertion portion adapted to be inserted into the cheese and a gripping portion adapted to be gripped by the user. A second end of the string is connected to the insertion portion.

Abstract: An economical adjustable clay cutter for repeatably cutting equal segments of clay is disclosed. The device includes an arbor, cutting means, guide means, locking means, a handle and measuring means. The adjustable clay cutter is designed to reduce the amount of stress and strain to the user's wrist during repetitive use.

Abstract: A clay cutter for simultaneously cutting a plurality of slabs of clay, including a frame including first and second opposing, longitudinally-extending side members. A plurality of cross wires are attached to and extend between the first and second side members in mutual parallel relation to each other. First and second springs extend along respective ones of the side members and are alternately retractable and uniformly extensible between a relatively short length and a relatively long length. The cross wires are attached by opposite ends to the springs and are moveable with the springs as the springs move between the relatively short length and the relatively long length to thereby decrease or increase uniformly the space between each of the cross wires.

Abstract: A hair treating implement which has an electrical heating wire, a slidably removable support which the heating wire under tension, and a hand grip which can be connected with the support. The support is detachably connected to the hand grip by a longitudinally slidable tongue--and--groove interfit, and when connected, is engaged with electrical contacts in the hand grip. Electrical power is supplied to the heating wire through either an internal power source or an external power source, and hair is cut by the heating wire which is heated by the electrical power.

Abstract: A glass cut-out device according to the invention includes a length of cutting or cut-out wire adapted to be held at both ends by gripping devices that form handles for manipulating the wire so as to provide a desired cutting action. Each gripping device includes a first handle piece, a first grip surface formed thereon, and a wire end container adapted to receive one end of the cutting wire so that a portion of the wire near the end extends over a portion of the first grip surface. Each gripping device also includes a second handle piece having a second grip surface formed thereon. A suitable connector is associated with each handle piece and adapted to connect the handle pieces together with the first and second grip surfaces positioned closely together so as to grip at least some of the cutting wire extending over the first grip surface and to hold the end of the wire in the wire end container.

Abstract: A device for slicing and storing food such as cheese and the like for cutting of said food into slices of any thickness. Said device comprises a carrier with a top, a bottom, two sides, one enclosed end and a closable aperture end. A pusher, integral to the device, is provided for advancing food matter within the carrier toward the aperture end, without handling the food, at which point a spring actuated tensioned wire tool component, integral to the device, mounted on two spaced arms with a cross bar, can be manually pressured across the aperture end to sever said food. Said wire tool coponent returns to the pre-cutting position after each cut by spring action. A door to close the aperture end is provided to allow storage of food matter between cutting function uses.

Abstract: A tool for facilitating the removal of temporary fiber or plastic film pots from shrubs or other nursery products. The tool comprises an elongated rod having a spike tip at one thereof and a gripping handle integrally formed at the other end. A thin flexible strand or cable is connected at one end proximate the spike tip. The cable has a pull ring or other type of handle to facilitate the gripping thereof. In use, the cable or strand is first aligned with the rod and the spiked end is pushed downward into the root ball next to the side wall of the container in which the plant has been growing. While pushing down on the handle portion of the rod with one hand, the operator grips the ring at the free end of the cable and pulls outwardly and downwardly to cause the cable to cut through the side wall of the container, allowing it to be spread open and the plant to be removed with the root ball generally intact.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for demounting in a radiation detector a photomultiplier tube the bottom of which is solely bonded with a scintillation crystal assembly by means of an elastic light transparent adhesive. A shearing tool is placed at the bond between photomultiplier tube and scintillation crystal assembly which is operated such that it shears the bond. Especially as a shearing tool a thread is placed around the bond such that it forms a noose. The thread ends have been wrapped around a rod. When twisting the rod the thread continues to wind around the rod thereby making the loop smaller and shearing the bond.

Abstract: A system for releasing parts of a spacecraft construction that are contained by the use of a tensioned cable, made of a material that will degrade or decompose under the influence of heat, and stretched between two supporting elements of the construction. At least one heating element is connected to an electrical power source mounted into a frame that is attached to the spacecraft structure, in a manner such that the heating element and the opposed cable section are pressed towards each other. The tension in the cable is of sufficient degree to displace the ruptured ends of the cable, when broken, out of contact with the heating element.

Abstract: A slicing apparatus for foodstuffs comprising a baseboard with a groove extending transversely thereof; a bore extending into one end of the baseboard through and beyond the groove; a U-shaped bar having two legs and a central portion; the first leg of the U-shaped bar extending into the bore beyond the groove and having a slot located immediately below the groove; said leg being frictionally engaged in the bore to prevent lateral movement in said bore but being rotatable in the bore; the second leg of the U-shaped bar having a transverse hole, a handle with a spindle carried within the hole in the second leg of the U-shaped bar and an adjusting nut carried on the spindle having a transverse slot; a cutting element with enlarged end portions carried within the slots on the leg of the U-shaped bar and the adjusting nut so that when tightened the cutting element may be utilized to provide a slicing apparatus for foodstuffs, and including a passage in the baseboard near the juncture in the baseboard of the bore

Abstract: A combined storing and slicing device is provided with a rectangular box-like container having one open shorter side through which a stick of butter or the like is received. A cutting line is held in a taut condition and is mounted for movement between a first rest position at the top of the open side and a second position at the bottom of the open side while traversing the open side. A cover is provided for the open side which retains the line in the second position when the cover is over the open side.

Abstract: A cutting tool for sectioning cakes or other foodstuffs, for removing the crown from a cake while it is still in the pan or after it has been removed therefrom, for slicing the cake or foodstuff into any number of horizontal layers and/or dividing the cake or foodstuff into any desired vertical sections. For simply sectioning the cake or foodstuff into horizontal sections or removing the crown from a cake the tool is provided with two notched vertical blades spaced apart to span the cake or foodstuff and a cutting strand is disposed between the blades and drawn through the cake or foodstuff. For simply cutting the cake or foodstuff into vertical sections the cutting strand is removed and two or more vertical blades are spaced apart the desired width and using the edge of the pan or the edge of the cake as a guide for one blade, the tool is drawn through the cake or foodstuff. If additional sectioning is required the blades may then be repositioned to make further spaced vertical cuts.

Abstract: A tool for use in the reciprocating manipulation of wire to cut through an adhesive compound supporting a replaceable item such as an automobile windshield comprises a handle portion from which projects a blade having a curved marginal wall having a trough along which the wire to be handled is permitted to extend. The tool is equipped with guide surfaces to facilitate location of the wire into its trough and with lock nut means for anchoring a free end of the wire at a location convenient to the guiding action of said guide surfaces.

Abstract: A pair of interlocking single filament or multifilament loops (6,7) are mounted on the opposed operating ends (4,5) of a pliers action type hand tool. An aperture is formed between the two loops through which an optical fibre (31) complete with soft plastics primary coating (32) is inserted. The loops are tensioned by operation of the tool, and while this tension is maintained the fibre is removed causing the coating to be stripped off by the tightened loops.

Abstract: System and apparatus for removing a casted wall from a human appendage includes a strand embedded laterally through the wall at an inner surface thereof and adjacent the human appendage, and a take-up roller for severing the wall by drawing the strand into a cutting angle adjacent the inner surface and then through the wall, and further including a guide exterior of the wall and having a guide surface about which the strand is drawn. The guide surface is disposed substantially away from the cutting angle along the direction of travel of the take-up roller and the guide, whereby the strand is drawn through the wall and it is at a substantially acute angle of less than 60 degrees.

Abstract: A portable pipe-cutting apparatus, for use in cutting plastic, rubber and other non-metallic pipes or tubing and thin-wall metal pipes and tubing, having a rotatable cutter head for supporting a cutting element therewith, the cutting element being a serrated, plain wire, or cutting tooth. The cutting head is adapted to be opened for engaging and releasing the pipe. Because of its light weight and simple design, the cutter can be used in a variety of awkward working situations.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting arbitrary shapes in material, particularly in synthetic plastic foam material, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a bendable, shape-retaining, electrically conductive resitive wire which may be successively formed into any desired shape by selectively arranging either or both elements of a pair of independently movable wire positioning elements which are respectively attached to end portions of the resistive wire. The resistive wire is also connected to an electrical current source provided on said elements for heating the wire to a predetermined temperature which is sufficiently high so that the wire may cut the desired shape into the workpiece by heat.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting a piece of synthetic fibrous material to a desired shape is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongate heat resistive mounting structure having a shape conforming at least partially to the curvature of the desired shape. The mounting structure has an exposed face, and a resistor wire is embedded in this exposed face. Electric power is applied to the resistor wire so that the wire in the heat resistive mounting is heated to melt the synthetic fibrous material as the mounting structure is moved therethrough to cut the material to the desired shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting arbitrary shapes in material, particularly in synthetic plastic foam material, comprises a bendable, shape-retaining, electrically conductive resistive wire. The wire may be successively formed into any desired form factor by selectively arranging either or both elements of a pair of independently movable electrically non-conductive wire-positioning elements which are respectively connected to end portions of the wire. The wire cuts the desired shape by the heat produced by connecting the wire to an electrical current source which heats the wire to a sufficiently high temperature. Securing portions are respectively provided on the movable wire-positioning elements so that the latter may be fixedly positioned and form an interlocked assembly, whereby the wire may be positioned into a narrow loop and thereby cut circular patterns into a series of workpieces.