Abstract: A carton cutting tool for cutting and opening a sealed peaked top of a paperboard carton comprises a first blade attached to a first handle and a second blade attached to a second handle. The first and second blades are pivotally coupled at respective distal ends thereof relative to a user and are movable between open and closed configurations in response to corresponding movements of the first and second handles. At a closed configuration, the second blade overlies the first blade while the second blade is offset approximately 90 degrees from the first blade at the open configuration. The first blade defines a slot extending longitudinally therealong for receiving the peaked top of a carton therein. One longitudinal edge of the slot presents a sharp cutting edge. The second blade includes a slightly convex cutting edge such that a peaked top of a carton that is positioned in the slot is pinched and severed upon a movement of the second blade between open and closed configurations.

Abstract: A safety cutter with a retracting guard. The safety cutter has a blade permanently held to the blade handle. The blade has a point which extends beyond the handle and is surrounded by a retracting guard. When enabled, the guard retracts into the handle when the guard is pressed against an object to be cut, thereby exposing the point of the blade. The safety cutter is made so that it may be operated either by a right handed person or a left handed person by having a button on each side of the handle. A button override is also provided on each side of the handle so that the guard can be retracted by pressing only one of the buttons, since the other of the buttons is capable of being overridden. Preferably, a portion of the override can be removed so that the guard can only be released by pushing the push button.

Abstract: A foil-cutting device is disclosed for opening a foil protecting a dose of medical power carried by a dosing cassette or the like for an inhaler device. The dosing cassette will in a typical embodiment carry a number of prepared doses (31), which for protection of the medical powder are covered by a metallic or plastic foil (24). The foil-cutter device of the present invention provides a tool (11) for accessing a selected sealed dose of medical powder of the cassette during an inhalation process using a dry powder inhaler (DPI). When a user inhales through the DPI the foil-cutter opens the foil (24) for access to a pre-metered powder dose (31). The foil-cutter arrangement ensures that no access is permitted to the pre-metered dose during any other circumstances. Particularly the present invention is adapted to be applied in an inventive continuous inhaler prolonging the release of a powder dose during the inhalation of the medical powder.

Abstract: A deflectable safety shield extends transversely across a cutting plane in a protective guard position completely overlying the cutting edge of a utility knife. A portion of the shield extends over-center with respect to the cutting edge, thereby tending to hold the shield in the guard position in response to contact of the shield against the operator at the normal angle of engagement during follow-through that accompanies rapid slicing hand movements. The shield is resiliently biased for movement to the guard position by a torsion spring. An outwardly-turned flange portion of the shield provides an angularly offset leverage point for reacting the torsion spring when the operator desires to perform a cutting operation. The shield swings away from the cutting plane automatically in response to pressure engagement of the offset flange portion against the box surface, thus exposing the cutting edge.

Abstract: A carton cutting tool for cutting and opening a sealed peaked top of a paperboard carton comprises a first blade attached to a first handle and a second blade attached to a second handle. The first and second blades are pivotally coupled at respective distal ends thereof relative to a user and are movable between open and closed configurations in response to corresponding movements of the first and second handles. At a closed configuration, the second blade overlies the first blade while the second blade is offset approximately 90 degrees from the first blade at the open configuration. The first blade defines a slot extending longitudinally therealong for receiving the peaked top of a carton therein. One longitudinal edge of the slot presents a sharp cutting edge. The second blade includes a slightly convex cutting edge such that a peaked top of a carton that is positioned in the slot is pinched and severed upon a movement of the second blade between open and closed configurations.

Abstract: A vibrator motor has a stationary piece and a moving piece hinged at one end. The moving piece does not generate substantial internal spring forces under the influence of an electromagnetic field, because it does not have a tail bracket. Other parts of conventional motors are also eliminated, so the motor is easier and less expensive to manufacture. In addition, the motor can be assembled and tuned before installation, which increases the ability to automate assembly.

Abstract: A flap pull tool used in conjunction with a separate closure in fastening containers having a pair of upper entry-exit flaps and at least one lower entry-exit flap. The closure includes an upper member, a lower member and a connector disposed between and attached to both the lower and upper member. In use the closure's connector is positioned between the container's closed upper flaps. The flap pull tool comprises an elongated arm having at one end a handle for gripping and at an opposite end a catch means for engaging a portion of the container's lower flap and lifting the lower flap against the closed upper flaps, at which point a portion of the closure's lower member is inserted beneath the lower flap. The lower flap is then released onto the lower member and the connector is moved against the edge of the lower flap, which is sufficient to fasten the container.

Abstract: A packaging cutter for the safe and effective perforation of packaging materials on packages or other containers comprises a body and a cutting mechanism housed within the body. The body comprises two side walls and a top wall defining an interior volume in which the packaged container is positioned during the cutting process. The cutting mechanism is mounted in or to the top wall. The packaging cutter also comprises a depth setting mechanism to prevent cutting of the package or container itself.

Abstract: A knife has a blade-carrying blade slide and a separate actuator slide, both urged by springs into rear positions. A transversely displaceable coupling member on one of the slides is engageable with the other of the slides for coupling the blade slide with the actuator slide for movement of the blade slide from its retracted position into its intermediate position on displacement of the actuator slide from its rear end position into its front end position and for decoupling the slides from each other and shifting transversely out of a path of the other slide on movement of the blade slide from its intermediate position into its extended position. Cam formations on the slides displace the blade slide into the extended position on exertion of a transverse force against the blade edge in the intermediate position of the blade.

Abstract: A razor blade tool relating to overcoming single use shortcomings of current utility knives allows a user to select multiple razor blade positions. Each razor blade position allows a razor blade tool to be utilized for a different purpose, such as scraping, case cutting, twine cutting, and as a knife. Additional razor blades are stored in a razor blade tool in a manner that prevents the sharpened edges of razor blades from contacting side-walls of the storage area so that stored razor blades remain sharp and undamaged.

Abstract: A utility knife comprising a bar having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper side, and a lower side; a blade having a cutting edge; screw clamps for removably mounting the blade upon the forward end of the bar; a pull handle extending upwardly and forwardly from the rearward end of the bar; a cutting edge guard pivotally mounted upon the bar; and a blade shroud fixedly mounted upon the bar.

Abstract: An improved bag clamp and bag cutter is presented that is a non-obvious increase in capability over this inventor's previous bag clamp/cutter invention. The improved clamp possesses a stronger spring, an improved cutting blade with safety guard, a springboard button for pressing the blade firmly against a bag surface, and other improvements.

Abstract: A safety utility razor knife is normally maintained in a locked closed condition which protects the user or carrier from accidental injury by the blade. No action on the part of the user or carrier is required to lock the protective hood over the blade. The hood pivots into the open position, exposing the razor blade, when the knife is in use, and automatically self-locks the safety hood immediately after use, requiring no action or adjustment on the part of the user. The knife is designed for easy and convenient use in cutting cartons, and other materials, including but not limited to dry wall, floor coverings, and insulation, etc. The hood is unlocked by the user's thumb by moving a slide forward. The amount of blade exposed may be determined by a hood stop on the shoulder of the knife, or as regulated by the depth of cut cam action dial. This insures that only enough blade is exposed for the task at hand, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention has a safety hood which is pivotally mounted to the body of the knife at the front end. The body is pivotally mounted to a spine at the back end. The blade is removably mounted on the spine such that the hood covers the blade when the knife is closed. The hood is biased closed and has a latch to hold it closed unless the latch is released. The user depresses a button, which moves the latch, releasing the hood to push up when the user presses the hood against a working surface. The upward rotation of the hood releases the latch, so that when the hood rotates down the latch automatically re-locks the hood closed. The hood cannot be release again with out releasing the button and re-depressing the button.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus having a pivotable blade holder includes a blade housing with an internal blade cavity with a blade opening to the outside of the housing. A blade holder adapted for removably retaining a cutting blade having a cutting edge is pivotally mounted within the housing for pivotal movement about a lateral pivot axis between a fully retracted position and a cutting position. The fully retracted position is such that the cutting edge of a cutting blade retained by the blade holder does not protrude through the blade opening to the outside of the blade housing. A cutting position is one in which the cutting edge of the cutting blade extends through the blade opening to the outside of the housing. A blade actuator accessible to a user from the exterior of the housing, when depressed, urges the blade holder into a cutting position while a biasing member normally biases the blade holder toward its fully retracted position.

Abstract: A deflectable safety shield extends transversely across a cutting plane in a protective guard position completely overlying the cutting edge of a utility knife. A portion of the shield extends over-center with respect to the cutting edge, thereby tending to hold the shield in the guard position in response to contact of the shield against the operator at the normal angle of engagement during follow-through that accompanies rapid slicing hand movements. The shield is resiliently biased for movement to the guard position by a torsion spring. The shield swings away from the cutting plane automatically in response to pressure engagement of the offset flange portion against the box surface, thus exposing the cutting edge. A stop leg is pivotably coupled to the shield providing the operator the option of limiting the pivotal movement range of the shield in the retracted position, for example, when cutting along the edge of a cardboard box.

Abstract: A utility knife and various manufacturing methods for the utility knife. In one embodiment, the utility knife includes: (1) a body having a cutting face and (2) a blade-holding slide mounted for linear movement within the body and having a knife-holding head extendable through an opening in the cutting face. The opening has aparallel opposing sides that diverge toward a cutting direction of the utility knife. The knife-holding head has corresponding aparallel opposing sides that cooperate with the sides of the opening to cause a cutting force exerted on the knife-holding head to wedge the blade-holding slide within the opening and thereby stiffen the knife-holding head with respect to the body during operation of the utility knife. In one embodiment of the present invention, the blade-holding slide resiliently urges the knife-holding head to unwedge when the cutting force is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A utility knife has a flat blade formed with at least one throughgoing hole, a housing member forming a seat adapted to receive the blade, and a retainer member engageable with the blade on the seat. A pair of respective pivot elements on the housing and retainer members allow pivoting of the retainer member between a closed position engaging the blade and holding it against the seat and an open position exposing the blade and permitting its removal from the seat. Respective threadedly interengageable holding elements including a threaded screw on one of the members extending through the hole of the blade and a nut on the other of the members secure the retainer member in the closed position. The threaded screw is fixed in the housing member and has a threaded shaft projecting up from the seat. The nut is rotatable on the retainer member. The retainer member is formed with a large-diameter recess receiving the nut with radial play.

Abstract: A flute knife for cutting of corrugated plastic sheet includes a handle, a blade shank, two cutting edges and a pair of elongate guide members. The blade shank has a projecting end portion and the cutting edges are located on the projecting end portion and face rearwardly. One elongate guide member is located adjacent a free edge of the blade shank and the other guide member is located between the cutting edges. The handle and the guide members are preferably of a plastic material molded onto the metal blade shank.

Abstract: A method and cutting device for unwrapping a case, such as a CD or DVD case wrapped in thin packaging material such as cellophane and adhesive tape, the case comprising two adjacent parallel plates defining a profile with a narrow side. The cutting device may comprise a longitudinally extending gripping arm adapted to be gripped at least partially in the palm of a user's hand, a cutting blade adapted to cut packaging material, and a cutting guide attached to the gripping arm, the cutting guide adapted to guide the sharpened tip of the cutting blade along the narrow side of the case. The cutting device has a longitudinal axis which may be held substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the case during cutting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting device with a retractable blade comprising a blade and a sleeve into which it is adapted to be retracted. It comprises: support means (16) for the blade (12), having means forming a drive abutment (36), adapted to slide along the axis of said sleeve (10), first resilient return means (19); controllable movement means (26) mounted on said sleeve (10), adapted to coact with said support means (16) and abutment means adapted to receive said support means (16) of the blade (12) in a second working position to block them in translation.

Abstract: A package unpacking hand tool includes a grip, a shaft axially slidably inserted through the grip, the shaft having an oblique top peak for hooking the packing plastic film of a package, and an oblique notch at the bottom side of the peak, a cutter blade supported on a spring inside the shaft and moved with the grip up and down across the oblique notch relative to the shaft to cut open the packing plastic film, a lever pivoted to the shaft, the lever having a protruded cutting portion for cutting adhesive tape, and an actuating member adapted to turn the lever in and out of the shaft between the operative position and the non-operative position.

Abstract: An improved automatically retractable cutting device includes (a) a housing having a guide slot, with one or more notches disposed in the guide slot, (b) a return spring within the housing, and (c) a blade carrier disposed within the housing and biased by the return spring. The blade carrier includes a thumb piece extending through the guide slot, the thumb piece having a protuberance adapted to at least partially frictionally engage the notch during movement of the thumb piece along the guide slot to enable the thumb piece to be held in position adjacent to the notch with reduced force. Each notch may include a forward direction ramping surface, whereby reduced force is required to prevent further blade extension, and/or a reverse direction ramping surface, whereby reduced force is required to prevent blade retraction. Each ramping surface is preferably angled at less than ninety degrees.

Abstract: A food scoring knife of the presently preferred embodiment has an ergonomic handle portion and a head portion. A bottom edge of the handle portion is convex, while a bottom edge of the head portion is linear. During scoring, the user applies gentle pressure to the scoring knife, in particular, by placing fingers on a tapered finger rest, and at gripping indented sides of the handle portion. A tapered blade in the bottom edge of the head portion has a sharp cutting edge angled back toward the handle portion. The sharp edge slashes the surface of the food item as the scoring knife is pulled by the user. The convex bottom edge helps the user avoid dragging a bottom surface of the handle portion along the food item while scoring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-function exacter knife structure designed with a handle to correlate with the angle of the grip of the user as well as providing a slant panel for slanting the knife, and a wheel structure assisting in cutting and an adjustable structure allowing for adjusting cutting depth. The said structure provides multi function through a safer knife usage design, cutting depth adjustment and angle cutting capability, as well as the capability to cut straight lines without damaging rulers.

Abstract: A safety knife comprises a handle and a blade mounted on the handle so that a part of the blade projects from the handle. Two retractable safety guards are also mounted on the handle, overlying opposite sides of the projecting portion of the blade. Each guard is spring-loaded so that pressure from the material being cut causes the guards to retract into the handle as the blade cuts into the material. A manually controlled locking device normally prevents the guards being retracted but, when operated, allows the guards to retract. The guards automatically extend, under the action of springs, when the knife is removed from the material.

Abstract: An artist's knife is formed of a main body, an end retaining member, a guide member, and an elastic member. The main body is provided in one side with a long hole. The end retaining member is disposed at one end of the main body. The guide member is movably disposed in the main body and is provided in one end with a notch in which a blade is disposed. The one end of the guide member can be extracted out of the main body to expose the blade. The elastic member is disposed between the retaining member and the guide member for providing the guide member with a recovery spring force enabling the guide member to return to its initial position after each displacement.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a coin roll wrapper includes a housing, a front cover, a blade spring assembly and a safety spring. The housing includes a top opening and a bottom opening, both of which are sized to receive a roll of coins therethrough. A preferred blade spring assembly includes a cutting blade and a leaf spring which mechanically couples the cutting blade to the front cover. An end portion of the leaf spring is positioned between the cutting blade and the bottom opening. A preferred safety spring comprises a second leaf spring which is secured to the front cover between the top opening and the spring blade assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the safety spring and the blade spring are configured to allow a roll of coins to pass through the housing entering from the top opening and exiting from the bottom opening, but not vice versa. In a preferred embodiment, the safety spring and the blade spring are also configured to center the roll of coins relative to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A razor blade tool relating to overcoming single use shortcomings of current utility knives allows a user to select multiple razor blade positions. Each razor blade position allows a razor blade tool to be utilized for a different purpose, such as scraping, case cutting, twine cutting, and as a knife. Additional razor blades are stored in a razor blade tool in a manner that prevents the sharpened edges of razor blades from contacting side-walls of the storage area so that stored razor blades remain sharp and undamaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knife with a replaceable blade which is spring-biased in the retracted position. The knife is designed such that the blade can only be extended by exerting a downward force and by turning the handle with respect to an inner housing. The handle has a tab affixed to the inside wall of the handle. The inner housing has an angled slot in its wall adapted to receive the tab. When the blade is fully retracted, the tab rests on the shoulder at the top of the inner housing. A straight downward pressure on the handle causes the tab to engage the shoulder and will not allow the blade to extend. When the handle is rotated, the tab enters the slot and the blade is forced downward. As this occurs, the blade extends through a slot at the bottom of a blade cover. When the blade is removed from the object to be cut, the spring forces the handle to move with respect to the inner housing and causes the blade to retract within the blade cover.

Abstract: A box opening device including a handle having a base, a neck, and a stopping surface. The handle may be an elongated S-shape. The base may be continuous with the neck and the neck being continuous with the stopping surface. The handle ranges five to seven inches in length. The handle ranges from less than one inch to more than three inches in thickness. The handle ranges from less than one inch to more than three inches wide. A cutting mechanism having a plurality of pointed edges being homogenous with the neck and the stopping surface. A plurality of pointed edges being homogenous with the neck. A plurality of pointed edges being homogenous with the stopping surface. The handle and the pointed edges may be plastic.

Abstract: A utility knife in accordance with the present invention includes a handle having a longitudinal cavity, a channel member fixedly received in the longitudinal cavity, a blade carrier slidably received in the channel member and configured to receive a cutting blade, an operating button to facilitate movement of the blade carrier to a selected operating position, and a catch to prevent the blade carrier from being extended forward of a selected position with respect to the channel member.

Abstract: A tool, such as a utility knife, comprising an elongate sheath, a longitudinally reciprocatable blade shield coupled to the elongate sheath, and a blade retainer with a retaining arm for being removably and replacably received in a channel within the elongate sheath. The blade shield comprises a side member, such as an elongate panel, for allowing a user to see at least a portion of a retained razor blade even while the blade shield is in an extended position. A displaced smooth bulbous segment may serve to widen and smooth the blade shield adjacent to a retained razor blade. The blade retainer may be detachably fixed to the elongate sheath by at least a first locking leg with a locking protuberance that engages a corresponding first locking aperture. The blade retainer may be formed from a first blade retainer half and a second blade retainer half. Each blade retainer half may have a blade depression therein for retaining a razor blade.

Abstract: An opener (100) for cutting open a packaging film of a box containing a CD, CD-ROM, VCD or DVD disc or the like, which opener (100) has a body (10) providing a gap (18) for receiving a part of a narrow side of the box. Inside the body (10), the opener (100) includes a cutter (29) and an operating member (20) for operation to move the cutter (29) into the gap (18) for cutting open the packaging film. The operating member (20) has a knob (24) for operation, which is resiliently biassed by a spring (40) to be accessible in the gap (18).

Abstract: A device (2) for effecting opening of a sealed bag-like flexible packet (4) and for dispensing its contents. The device (2) includes two interconnected limbs (6, 8), each limb includes an inside (12) and an outside (10) surface, and is of a size at least equal to one dimension of the packet (4), to facilitate placing the packet (4) in between the limbs (6, 8). The device (2) also includes a mechanism (32, 36) located at the end portions of the limbs (6, 8) facilitating piercing or cutting the packet (4) to form an opening (38), allowing the contents to be dispensed upon effecting a sequential squeezing action on the packet (4) starting from a point distant from the opening (38).

Abstract: A safety knife comprises a handle, a main blade mounted on the handle with a pointed end part of the cutting edge of the blade projecting from the handle at an obtuse angle, and a guard mounted on the handle to shield the projecting portion of the blade. The guard comprises a further blade which is mounted on the handle in generally the same plane as the main blade and has a concavely curved cutting edge which extends around the projecting point of the main blade. The outer edge of the guard blade is unsharpened so that the guard blade protects and shields the point of the main blade as well as contributing to the cutting action of the knife.

Abstract: A gripping type of cutter knife wherein a knife blade can be locked into both the retracted and projected positions. This cutter knife includes a locking mechanism of which construction and handling are simple. In this cutter knife, a knife blade is projected by grasping, against spring force, a trigger lever projected from the grip portion of the cutter body. This cutter knife is characterized in that it has a push-type locking mechanism which is selectively held in “unlocking position” wherein the trigger lever is allowed to swing, or “locking position” wherein the swing is prohibited.

Abstract: A stock carton knife including a handle and a blade projecting from the handle and having two lateral edges and an outer end. The blade has a lateral cutting notch in one of the lateral edges, the cutting notch having a laterally oriented mouth including an inner edge closer to the handle and an outer edge farther from the handle. The outer edge converges with the outer end to form a juncture. The juncture has a configuration which includes at least one lateral recess. The safety carton knife further includes a blunt knob bonded on the juncture by a bonding material which is in the least one recess, thereby securing the knob to the blade.

Abstract: In a slitter, the combination comprises a blade having a cutting edge; a holder for the blade, including a handle, and a terminal on the handle retaining the blade with the blade edge protruding; a shield carried by the holder proximate the terminal, for movement between extended position in which the blade is protected, and retracted position in which the blade edge is exposed for cutting, there being a torsion spring carried by the holder and having an arm biasing the shield toward extended position, the spring arm projecting in a hollow defined by the shield; and the shield extending parallel to the blade, at opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: A coin holder opener having a housing with a central axis and a set of rollers rotatably mounted at an acute angle with respect to the housing and in a spaced relationship from each other and a central axis so that when a roll of wrapped coins are inserted into pressure contact and rotated, the rollers force the wrapper against an edge of a coin to compressively cut the coin wrapper located therebetween.

Abstract: A knife has a housing and a blade slide carrying a blade and displaceable longitudinally in the housing between a rear retracted end position with the blade wholly received in the housing and a front extended end position with the blade extending forward from the housing and through an intermediate position. A spring urges the blade slide continuously rearward into the retracted position. An actuator slide is displaceable in the housing independently of the blade slide between a front end position and a rear end position and through an intermediate position and is provided with an externally accessible actuating formation. Another spring urges the actuator slide continuously into the rear position.

Abstract: In performing cesarean section (c/section) surgery, and other surgery, a scalpel blade is used having a blunt and rounded edge to divide or separate tissue. In a cesarean section a scalpel with a sharp edge is first used to begin the uterine incision. A scalpel blade with a blunt and rounded edge is then used to continue the incision through the uterine wall to the amniotic cavity. The blunt edge scalpel blade reduces the possibility of lacerating the baby during delivery.

Abstract: A novel device especially useful in opening a tobacco can or the like which has an outer wrapper embracing the can's sidewall and lid flange. A primary force member, curved to have the curvature of a tobacco can, has a longitudinal cutting lug on its innerface; and an outward tab connected to the primary force member provides a tab for pushing the tool circumferentially while the tool is pressed against the outer wrapper of the can, thus achieving a circumferential slit of the can's wrapper.

Abstract: A knife has an elongated handle having an outer end and a longitudinally extending flat blade secured in the handle and projecting from the outer end. The blade has a transverse outer edge and a longitudinally extending side cutting edge meeting at a point. The handle is formed with a pair of longitudinally outwardly open and longitudinally extending guides flanking the blade adjacent the cutting edge thereof. Respective longitudinally extending pins having generally parallel and transversely projecting outer ends sections are longitudinally displaceable in the guides between extended positions with the outer end sections lying longitudinally outward of the point and retracted positions with the outer end sections longitudinally rearward of the point and the blade passing between the outer end sections. Respective springs braced between the pins and the handle urge the pins into the extended positions.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel includes an elongate handle defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The scalpel has a cartridge removably mounted to the handle that has a blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end. There is a blade fixedly attached to blade holder disposed so that the blade projects distally outwardly when the cartridge is mounted on the handle. The cartridge also has a shield with a proximal end, a distal end and a bottom mounted onto the blade holder. The shield is slidably movable between a distal position where the shield substantially prevents inadvertent access to the blade and a proximal position where the shield substantially surrounds a portion of the handle and the blade is exposed for use. The cartridge is releasably mountable to the handle and has elements for substantially preventing movement of the shield with respect to the blade holder unless the cartridge is mounted on the handle.

Abstract: An improved safety knife which has a hollow body and a blade which is normally retracted within the knife, but can be extended by urging the operating lever (26) down and forward. The lever is connected to the blade carriage near the aft end of a leaf bias beam (24). A sear, protruding inward, at the far aft end of said leaf bias beam serves to interlock the blade and carriage in the cutting position. Upon sensing pressure of the cut, blade carriage pivots at the pivot point (22), causing the sear (28) to disengage from interlock.At this point, blade and carriage are free to retract into sheathed position within the body. This retraction takes place at the termination of cut, when cutting drag is diminished and knife accelerates towards user.

Abstract: A carton knife for opening a carton includes a body member and a blade supported by the body member. The blade has a cutting surface and a cutting edge disposed thereon, the cutting surface and the cutting edge being adapted for cutting movement through the carton during operative engagement of the knife with the carton. A guide is disposed on the body member and is adapted to engage and slide along an edge of the carton to maintain the knife at a predetermined orientation relative the carton during the operative engagement, in which the cutting surface is disposed at an oblique angle relative the edge of the carton. The oblique angle serves to maintain a leading portion of the cutting edge closer than a trailing portion to the edge of the carton. Advantageously, during cutting, the blade is biased towards the edge of the carton and thus away from product inside the carton. Moreover, the orientation of the blade generates a force vector towards the edge during cutting for improved tactile sensitivity.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel includes an elongate handle that has a proximal end, a open distal end and sidewalls that define an upwardly open cavity with a bottom with an open void therein. The sidewalls each have an elongate channel therein. The scalpel of the invention includes a cartridge that is removably retained within the cavity. The cartridge includes a shield. The cartridge has a blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end mounted within the shield for slidable movement between a proximal and a distal position. There is a latch on the blade holder for engaging the handle and the shield to retain releasably the blade holder in the distal position and the proximal position. The scalpel has a blade fixedly attached to the blade holder so that when the blade holder is in the distal position, the blade projects distally from the handle. When the blade holder is in the proximal position, the blade is within the shield and the handle and thus substantially protected from inadvertent exposure.