Package opening tool

A package opening tool is useful for opening packages made of cellophane and other flexible plastic materials. The package opening tool comprises first and second plates pivotally connected at their respective back ends. The two plates are biased, as by a living hinge or a spring, to an open configuration whereat there is a V-shaped gap between the plates. The first plate has a cutter that faces the second plate. A package is inserted into the gap, and the tool is operated to a closed configuration by squeezing the front ends of the two plates together to cause the cutter to penetrate the package. A recess in the second plate receives the entire cutter when the tool is in the closed configuration. Then pulling the package from between the closed tool slices the package for easy further opening. The first plate preferably has a wall around the cutter to restrict access to the cutter. In some embodiments, positive stops limit the relative locations of the two plates in the open and closed configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention pertains to cutting devices, and more particularly to 
apparatus for slitting thin sheet materials. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The ubiquitous plastic packages that hold snack foods and other products 
possess many advantages. The packages are inexpensive, sanitary, and 
easily disposable. The packaging material is very strong, and it is 
usually transparent so as to permit consumers to see the package contents. 
On the other hand, the strength of the plastic packaging material presents 
a problem that is as widespread as the packages themselves--how to open 
the packages. Manually tearing open a package is very difficult. In some 
packages, it is possible to spread the package walls and pull them apart 
at a seam, but that method has limited usefulness. Cutting instruments 
such as knives and scissors can easily cut a package, but those 
instruments are rarely at hand when needed. As a consequence, people often 
resort to using their teeth or any convenient sharp object to open a 
package, often with harmful results to the fragile contents. 
A prior tool for opening plastic packages is marketed commercially under 
the trademark CHEF CRAFT. That tool includes a short blade point embedded 
in one end of an elongated plate. The other end of the plate is hingedly 
connected to a second generally parallel plate. By placing a plastic 
package between the two plates and squeezing them together, the bag is 
punctured. Then pulling the bag causes the blade to slice the bag. Despite 
its apparent usefulness, the prior tool has a couple of disadvantages. The 
blade is installed in a direction perpendicular to the lenth of the 
plates, which makes the tool rather awkward to use. The blade tip contacts 
the opposite plate during operation, which causes the blade to rip and 
tear the bag rather than to neatly slice it. Further, the blade is quite 
exposed and accessible to the user's fingers, thereby rendering it 
dangerous to use. 
Thus, a need exists for a way to easily open plastic packages. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, an inexpensive and convenient 
package opening tool is provided that quickly and reliably opens plastic 
food packages and the like. This is accomplished by apparatus that 
includes a cutting element concealed in the gap between a pair of closely 
spaced and pivotally connected plates. 
In the preferred embodiment, the package opening tool plates are generally 
rectangular. The plates are pivotally connected at their respective first 
ends, as by a living hinge. The plates normally define a small acute angle 
such that a rather sharp V-shaped gap exists between them. The living 
hinge is designed to bias the plates to increase the gap between them. The 
package opening tool is said to be an open configuration when a gap exists 
between the two plates. 
To limit the spread or angle between the two plates, the package opening 
tool may comprise a catch acting between them. The catch acts against the 
biasing force of the living hinge to prevent the plates from spreading 
apart greater than a predetermined distance. 
The package opening tool is closeable from the open configuration to a 
closed configuration by manually squeezing the plates together against the 
biasing force of the living hinge. The closed configuration may be defined 
by a positive stop acting between the plates. The plates are generally 
parallel and in facing contact with each other and the gap disappears when 
the tool is in the closed configuration. 
The first plate preferably has an upstanding wall that extends across its 
second end and along its side edges. A pair of guide surfaces may extend 
from the wall generally perpendicular to the plane of the first plate at a 
location approximately midway between the plate ends. 
The package opening tool further comprises a sharp edge cutter embedded in 
o otherwise joined to the first plate near its second end. The plane of 
the cutter is parallel to the longitudinal dimensions of the plates. The 
cutter has a tip that lies between the first plate and the plane that 
contains the free ends of the upstanding wall on the first plate. 
Accordingly, when the package opening tool is in the open configuration, 
the cutter is inaccessible to a person's fingers. A recess is formed in 
the second plate opposite the cutter. The recess receives the cutter tip 
when the package opening tool is squeezed to the closed configuration. 
The package opening tool may be molded as a single piece from a tough 
thermosetting plastic material. The cutter may be integral with the first 
plate, that is, the cutter may be molded of the plastic material. 
Alternately, the cutter may be a sharp steel component such as a blade or 
pin inserted and bonded into the first plate. 
The outside surface of either plate may be provided with a magnet for 
storing the package opening tool on a ferrous surface. Further, either 
plate may have a clip for retaining the package opening tool in a shirt 
pocket or the like. If desired, the clip may be in the form of a flexible 
U-shaped loop that is attached to the opposite edges of one of the plates 
near the living hinge and extends around the plate periphery. 
In use, the two plates are released such that the living hinge biases the 
package opening tool to its open configuration, which is controlled by the 
catch. A margin of the food package or the like to be opened is inserted 
into the gap between the two plates. The guide surfaces limit the distance 
the package margin is inserted into the gap. The user then squeezes the 
plates together, which forces the cutter to penetrate the package as the 
cutter tip enters the recess in the second plate and does not contact the 
second plate. The positive stop limits the approach of the two plates 
toward each other so as not to bind the package material between them. 
Then the package is pulled from between the plates, and the cutter slits 
the package material as the package is pulled. The package is then easily 
torn manually at the slit to gain access to the contents. 
In a modified embodiment, the package opening tool does not have a catch, 
positive stop, or wall. The living hinge between the plates is designed to 
retain them at their proper angular relation in the open configuration. 
The cutter tip is quite close to the second plate, so that danger from the 
cutter to a person's fingers is minimal. The recess in the second plate 
may extend entirely through that plate. Squeezing the plates together 
forces the cutter to penetrate a package placed between them, and 
withdrawing the package from between the plates causes the cutter to slit 
the package. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the first plate is fabricated with 
a short wall that extends along the side edges of the second plate. The 
second plate is formed with a pair of longitudinal extending ridges that 
straddle the cutter when the tool is in the closed configuration. The 
ridges serve as stops that define the closed configuration, and no recess 
is necessary in the second plate. The second plate is guided by and nests 
within the wall of the first plate when the tool is in the closed 
configuration. 
The plates need not be shaped as solid rectangles. Rather, the plates may 
have notches in their respective first ends. The notches may extend almost 
as far as the cutter and the recess in the first and second plates, 
respectively. 
The two plates need not be made as one piece connected by a living hinge. 
Rather, the two plates may be separate pieces connected by a pivotal 
joint. In that design, the tool is biased to and retained in the open 
configuration by a spring, such as a generally U-shaped leaf spring. The 
opposite ends of the spring are retained within the respective plates. 
Other advantages, benefits, and features of the invention will become 
apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description 
of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those 
skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments 
herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention, which may be embodied in 
other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the 
claims appended hereto. 
Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a package opening tool 1 is illustrated that 
includes the present invention. The package opening tool is particularly 
useful for opening flexible plastic food packages schematically 
represented at reference numeral 3. However, it will be understood that 
the invention is not limited to food related applications. 
The package opening tool 1 is comprised of a bottom plate 5 and a top plate 
7. The back end 9 of the bottom plate 5 is flexibly connected to the back 
end 11 of the top plate 7 by a living hinge 13. The package opening tool 1 
is shown in an open configuration in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the open 
configuration, a rather small angle of approximately 5 degrees to 7 
degrees exists between the plates, so that a V-shaped gap 38 also exists 
between the two plates. The living hinge 13 biases the two plates away 
from each other so as to tend to increase the angle between them and thus 
increase the gap 38. 
To limit the gap 38 between the bottom and top plates 5 and 7, 
respectively, when it is in the open configuration, the package opening 
tool 1 further comprises a catch system 15. In the construction 
illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the catch system 15 includes a short post 17 
upstanding from a boss 18 formed integrally with the bottom plate. The 
free end of the post 17 terminates in a mushroom shaped cap 19. The cap 19 
and at least part of the post 17 are fabricated with a slit 21. The top 
plate 7 is formed with a hole 23 therethrough that may have a counterbore 
25. The hole 23 is sized to accept the post 17 and cap 19. When the top 
plate is pushed toward the bottom plate 5, the top plate contacts the cap 
sloped surface 20 and forces the post and cap together through the width 
of the slit 21. After the cap has passed through the hole 23, the 
counterbore surface 25 contacts the cap undercuts 27 to limit the open 
configuration of the package opening tool 1 against the biasing force of 
the living hinge 13. 
The closed configuration of the package opening tool 1 is best shown in 
FIG. 4. The closed configuration is achieved by manually squeezing the 
front ends 29 and 31 of the bottom and top plates 5 and 7, respectively, 
toward each other in the direction of arrows 33. To limit the approach of 
the plates, a positive stop is employed. Preferably, the boss 18 acts as 
the positive stop. The height of the boss 18 is chosen such that the 
bottom and top plates are generally parallel when the package opening tool 
is in the closed configuration. 
Extending around the side edges and the front end 29 of the bottom plate 5 
is a short upstanding wall 37. The wall 37 is located such that the top 
plate 7 nests inside the wall when the package opening tool 1 is in the 
closed configuration. As is best seen by comparing FIGS. 2 and 3, the 
V-shaped gap 38' between the top plate and the free end 36 of the wall 37 
is substantially less than the gap 38 between the top and bottom plates. 
The wall 37 along the side edges of the bottom plate is formed with guide 
surfaces 39 approximately half way between the bottom plate back and front 
ends 9 and 29, respectively. 
Between the bottom plate front end 29 and the boss 18 is located a cutter 
41 with a sharp tip 44. In the particular construction illustrated in 
FIGS. 3 and 4, the cutter 41 is fabricated as a thin blade integral with 
the bottom plate 5. The cutter is oriented generally parallel to the tool 
longitudinal direction. The tip 44 of the cutter 41 protrudes from the 
bottom plate 5 for a distance less than the height of the wall 37. 
Accordingly, as best shown in FIG. 2, the cutter 41 is inaccessible to a 
person's fingers. The cutter tip 44 enters a recess or depression 42 in 
the top plate 7 when the package opening tool 1 is in the closed 
configuration, FIG. 4. 
To store the package opening tool 1 in a convenient location, it may be 
formed with a clip 43. The clip 43 is shown joined to the bottom plate 5, 
but it will be appreciated that the clip may just as well be joined to the 
top plate 7. To further increase the versatility of the package opening 
tool, one or more magnets 45 can be bonded to the bottom plate (or to the 
top plate) for storing the package opening tool on any convenient ferrous 
surface. 
To use the package opening tool 1, a person holds it in one of his hands, 
with the tool being in the open configuration. He inserts the margin of a 
flexible package 3 into the gap 38' between the bottom plate wall 37 and 
the top plate 7. The guide surfaces 39 serve as stops that prevent the 
package from wedging between the bottom plate wall and the top plate. The 
user then squeezes the two plates together in the direction of arrows 33. 
The wall 37 guides the top plate as the package opening tool is pivoted 
between the open and closed configurations. As a consequence, the gap 38' 
disappears and the cutter 41 penetrates the package. Then, by pulling the 
package from between the two plates, the cutter 41 cleanly slits the 
package for a short distance. The person can then easily tear the package 
at the slit and gain access to the contents. Upon releasing the plates, 
the natural resiliency of the tool material at the living hinge 13 returns 
the package opening tool to the open configuration, ready to accept and 
open another package. 
The various portions of the package opening tool 1 may be made of any 
suitable materials and joined in any suitable manner. However, I prefer 
that the package opening tool be molded as a single piece from a tough 
thermosetting plastic material. The bottom plate 5 is molded to include 
the cutter 41. The living hinge 13 is designed to have good fatigue 
strength and thereby provide a long service life to the tool. 
FIGS. 6-9 depict a modified package opening tool 47. The package opening 
tool 47 has a bottom plate 5', a top plate 7', and a living hinge 13'. A 
wall 37' extends along the two side edges and the front end 29' of the 
bottom plate 5'. The gap 48' of the package opening tool 47 between the 
bottom plate wall 37' and the top plate 7' is limited in its open 
configuration against the biasing force of the living hinge 13' by a pair 
of snaps 49. Each snap 49 is comprised of a short flexible leg 51 
upstanding from the bottom plate wall 37'. The forward edges 52 of the 
legs 51 serve as guide surfaces analogous to the guide surfaces 39 of the 
package opening tool 1 described previously in connection with FIGS. 1-5. 
The free ends of the legs 51 terminate in allochiral hooks 53. The hooks 
53 overlie the top plate 7' and restrain it from opening further relative 
to the bottom plate 5' under the biasing force of the living hinge 13'. A 
post 54 integral with the bottom plate 5' limits the approach of the 
bottom and top plates toward each other when the package opening tool 47 
is in the closed configuration (not shown in the drawings). In FIGS. 7-9, 
the package opening tool 47 is shown with a clip 55 joined to the bottom 
plate 5'. A magnet 57 may be bonded to the outside surface of the clip 55. 
In FIG. 9, the cutter 59 is shown as a component that is not an integral 
part of the bottom plate 5'. Rather, the package opening tool 47 of FIG. 9 
utilizes a cutter 59 that is made as a thin steel blade and inserted and 
bonded into an appropriate groove in the bottom plate 5'. The top plate 7' 
is formed with a recess 42' for receiving the cutter 59 in a manner 
identical to that described in conjunction with the package opening tool 1 
of FIGS. 1-5. 
It will be appreciated, of course, that the particular combination of 
components shown in the package opening tools 1 and 47 can be interchanged 
without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, 
the dual magnets 45 of the package opening tool 1 may be interchanged with 
the single magnet 51 of the package opening tool 47. Similarly, a separate 
cutter 59 as shown inserted in the bottom plate 5' of the package opening 
tool 47 can be used with the package opening tool 1 instead of the 
integral cutter 41 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
FIGS. 10-12 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. In FIGS. 10-12, 
a package opening tool 61 has a bottom plate 63 flexibly connected by a 
living hinge 65 to a top plate 67. The bottom plate 63 has a peripheral 
wall 69 that includes guide surfaces 71. The package opening tool 61 is 
shown with a separate cutter 59' inserted into the bottom plate 63. 
To limit the open configuration of the package opening tool 61, a catch 72 
including a split post 73 is joined to the inside surface of the top plate 
67. The split post 73 terminates in a pair of hooked caps 75. The caps 75 
and post 73 are passable through a hole in the bottom plate 63 to enable 
the caps to lock against a counterbore 77 in the bottom plate. The 
counterbore 77 is formed in a boss 79 integral with the bottom plate 63. 
End surface 81 of the boss 79 acts as a stop that defines the relative 
locations of the bottom and top plates 63 and 67, respectively, when the 
package opening tool 61 is in the closed configuration (not shown). 
To store the package opening tool 63, a flexible generally U-shaped loop 83 
is joined to either the bottom plate 63 or to the top plate 67 near the 
living hinge 65. The loop 83 is designed with sufficient flexibility to 
enable it to cooperate with the plate to which it is joined to clip over a 
thin planar object such as a shirt pocket or the like. If desired, a 
magnet 85 can be bonded to the loop 83. It will be appreciated, of course, 
that the loop 83 may also be used with the package opening tools 1 and 47 
described above. 
Now looking at FIGS. 13-16, a package opening tool 87 has generally 
identically sized and shaped top and bottom plates 89 and 91, 
respectively. The back ends 92 and 95 of the plates 89 and 91, 
respectively, are joined by a living hinge 93. The living hinge 93 is 
designed to locate the two plates in a relaxed condition whereat the 
package opening tool 87 is in the open configuration of FIG. 14. The two 
plates preferably make an angle of approximately 6 degrees to 9 degrees 
with each other when the package opening tool is in the open configuration 
to thereby create a gap 94. To the inside surface 96 of the bottom plate 
91 near its front end 97 is attached a cutter 99. Like the cutters 41, 59, 
and 59' described previously in connection with the package opening tools 
1, 47, and 61, respectively, the cutter 99 may be molded integrally with 
the bottom plate 91 as is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, or the cutter 99 may 
be a separate piece inserted and bonded into the bottom plate. In either 
situation, it is preferred that the cutter point backwardly toward the 
living hinge 93. When the package opening tool 87 is in the open 
configuration of FIG. 14, the cutter tip 101 lies within the gap 94 
between the two plates. Access to the cutter 99 with the package opening 
tool in the open configuration of FIG. 14 is prevented by the small size 
of the gap 94. 
To permit closing the package opening tool 87 to the closed configuration 
of FIG. 15, the top plate 89 is manufactured with a recess in the form of 
a slot 105 or similar opening that extends completely through the top 
plate. The slot 105 is designed to prevent access of a person's finger to 
the cutter 99 through the slot. Further, the cutter lies entirely within 
the slot when the package opening tool 87 is in the closed configuration, 
thereby preventing injury from the tip 101. A magnet 107 may be bonded to 
either plate, if desired, for holding the package opening tool 87 on a 
ferrous surface. 
In use, a plastic bag or similar package 3 is inserted between the plate 89 
and the cutter 99 of the open package opening tool 87. Upon squeezing the 
front ends of the plates 89 and 91 together, the cutter point 101 
penetrates the package. Then pulling the package out from between the two 
plates while holding them closed causes the cutter to slit the package. 
Upon complete withdrawal of the package and release of the plates, the 
natural resiliency of the living hinge 93 restores the package opening 
tool to its open configuration of FIG. 14. At all times, the cutter 99 is 
inaccessible to the user's fingers. 
FIG. 17 depicts a package opening tool 109 that is generally similar to the 
package opening tool 87 of FIGS. 13-16. However, the package opening tool 
109 includes a clip in the form of a U-shaped loop 110 that surrounds 
three sides of the top plate 112 or of the bottom plate. In FIG. 17, only 
top plate 112 is shown. The free ends 114 of the loop 110 join to the top 
or bottom plate in the region of the living hinge 116 between the two 
plates. The loop 110 is resiliently deformable relative to the plates to 
enable the package opening tool 109 to be clipped to a shirt pocket or the 
like in a manner similar to that described in connection with the package 
opening tool 61 of FIGS. 10-12. 
The modified package opening tool 123 of FIGS. 18-20 is also generally 
similar to the package opening tool 87 of FIGS. 13-16. To reduce the 
amount of material required, the top plate 115 of the package opening tool 
123 has a rather large opening 117. Similarly, the bottom plate 111 has an 
opening 113. The top plate 115 further has a slot 119 designed to safely 
receive the cutter 121 when the package opening tool 123 is in the closed 
configuration (not shown). In other respects, the package opening tool 123 
is similar in structure and function to the package opening tool 87 
described previously in connection with FIGS. 13-16. 
In FIGS. 21 and 22, a package opening tool 125 has a top plate 127 and a 
bottom plate 129 of substantially similar outlines. The top and bottom 
plates are joined at their respective back ends by a living hinge 137. 
Both plates 127 and 129 have deep notches 131 extending inwardly from 
their respective back ends. The bottom plate 129 is provided with a cutter 
133 similar to the cutter 99 of the package opening tool 87 of FIGS. 
13-16. The top plate 127 is fabricated with a slot 135 for receiving the 
cutter 133 when the package opening tool 125 is in the closed 
configuration. 
Joined to the living hinge 137 between the top plate 127 and the bottom 
plate 129 are the free ends of a U-shaped loop 139. Like the loop 83 of 
the package opening tool 61 (FIGS. 10-12) and the loop 110 of the package 
opening tool 109 (FIG. 17), the loop 139 enables the package opening tool 
125 to be clipped to a shirt pocket or similar thin planar member. 
FIGS. 23-25 show an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which 
a package opening tool 141 has a top plate 143 with a flat cross section 
and a bottom plate 145 with a curved cross section. A cutter 147 is 
embedded in the bottom plate 145. Preferably, the plane defined by the 
edges 149 of the bottom plate 145 lie closer to the top plate 143 than 
does the tip of the cutter 147. The top plate 143 has a recess 151 that 
receives a portion of the cutter 147 when the package opening tool 141 is 
in the closed configuration, not shown. The top plate 143 may extend 
across and be joined to the bottom plate edges 149 at a hinge portion 153. 
A magnet 155 may be bonded to the top plate 143. Further, the package 
opening tool 141 may include an integral clip 157 that doubles back under 
the bottom plate 145. 
In FIGS. 26-28, a package opening tool 159 has a bottom plate 161, a top 
plate 163, and a living hinge 165 connecting the top and bottom plates. A 
cutter 167 is embedded in the bottom plate 161. A wall 169 is joined to 
and extends perpendicularly from the bottom plate 161 at the front end 170 
and along the side edges thereof. The height of the wall 169 is preferably 
approximately equal to the thickness of the top plate 163. Accordingly, as 
shown in FIG. 28, in the closed configuration the bottom plate 161 and the 
top plate 163 are in facing contact, although for clarity a slight space 
is shown between the top and bottom plates in FIG. 28. The wall 169 guides 
the top plate as the package opening tool 159 approaches the closed 
configuration of FIG. 28. To enable facing contact between the plates, the 
top plate is formed with a recess 171 for receiving the cutter 167. The 
thin nature of the package opening tool 159 when in the closed 
configuration makes it especially attractive for storing in a billfold 
between uses. 
FIGS. 29-32 illustrate a package opening tool 173 having a bottom plate 175 
and a top plate 177 that are separate pieces. The two plates 175 and 177 
are pivotally connected at a mechanical hinge 179. The mechanical hinge 
179 may be in the form of a pair of extensions 180 of the bottom plate 175 
that straddle a central lug 182 on the top plate 177. Snap detents 184 may 
be used to pivotally retain the extensions 180 and lug 182 to each other 
and thus keep the top and bottom plates together. 
The bottom and top plates 175 and 177, respectively, are biased to the open 
configuration of FIGS. 30 and 31 by a generally U-shaped leaf spring 183. 
The ends of the leaf spring 183 are provided with short tabs that are 
retained in respective slotted guides 187 and 185 that form integral parts 
of the bottom and top plates 175 and 177, respectively. The package 
opening tool 173 is shown with a cutter in the form of a sharp pin 189 
embedded in the bottom plate 175. If desired, the pin 189 may slant 
backwardly toward the hinge 179. The tip of the pin 189 does not protrude 
above the free end of a wall 191 that extends around the front end and a 
portion of the side edges of the bottom plate 175. A recess 193 in the top 
plate 177 receives the pin 189 when the package opening tool 173 is in the 
closed configuration, not shown in the drawings. In the closed 
configuration, the package opening tool 173 has the same general 
appearance as the package opening tool 159 described previously in 
conjunction with FIGS. 26-28. 
In FIGS. 33-35, a package opening tool 195 is shown that has a bottom plate 
197 and a top plate 203 of about equal lengths. A cutter 201 is formed in 
the bottom plate 197. A wall 199 upstands from the side edges of the 
bottom plate, but the wall need not extend around the front end 202 of the 
bottom plate. The front end 202 of the bottom plate blends into a gradual 
lead-in 204 at the front end of the walls 199 along the bottom plate side 
edges. 
The top plate 203 is fabricated with a pair of spaced longitudinally 
extending ridges 205. The ridges 205 straddle the cutter 201 when the 
package opening tool 195 is in the closed configuration of FIGS. 34 and 
35. The two walls 199 guide the top plate as it approaches the bottom 
plate 197 to the closed configuration. The free ends 206 of the ridges 
serve as positive stops that limit the approach of the top and bottom 
plates toward each other and thus define the closed configuration. The 
free ends 206 of the ridges also cooperate with the free ends 208 of the 
walls 199 to define the gap 209. The ridges are high enough such that no 
recess for the cutter 201 is required in the top plate 203. It is 
preferred that the ridges have tapered lead-ins 207 that are aligned with 
the bottom plate wall lead-ins 204. 
Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the 
invention, a package opening tool that fully satisfies the aims and 
advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in 
conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many 
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those 
skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. For example, 
either an integral cutter 41, a separate blade 59, or a pin 189 may be 
employed with any of the package opening tools 1, 47, 61, 87, 109, 123, 
125, 141, 159, 173, and 195. Further, any combination of clips, such as 
clip 157 of package opening tool 141, and magnets, such as magnet 155, may 
be employed with any of the package opening tools. Accordingly, it is 
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations 
as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.