Patent Publication Number: US-11376752-B2

Title: Embedded blade cutters and blades for same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/600,319, entitled “Embedded Blade Cutter” filed on Apr. 11, 2017 now U.S. Pat. No. D867,097, a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/600,323, entitled “Embedded Blade Cutter” filed on Apr. 11, 2017 now U.S. Pat. No. D867,847, a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/821,787, entitled “Embedded Blade Cutters” filed on Nov. 23, 2017 now U.S. Pat. No. 10,493,645, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/695,228, entitled “Embedded Blade Cutter” filed on Jun. 17, 2019 now U.S. Pat. No. D897,807 which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to cutters and cutter apparatuses, in particular, hand-held cutting tools including at least one cutting head with an embedded blade, and blades for embedded blade cutters. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A great variety of knives, cutters, safety cutters, and cutter apparatuses are known. Features variously found in prior knives, cutters, safety cutters, and cutter apparatuses include mechanisms and devices facilitating, for example, blade deployment, blade change, or blade storage. 
     It is known to provide a safety cutter with a guard (or guide) located a short distance from and facing a side of the cutting blade. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,386,632, 6,314,646 B1, D544,774 S, and 7,987,602 B2, which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     It would be useful to be able to provide a hand-held cutting tool with a cutting head that has improved structural integrity, durability or strength and/or an embedded blade for such a hand-held cutting tool. 
     It would be useful to be able to provide such a hand-held cutting tool in which the embedded blade has multiple operative surface portions including a cutting edge and a tape splitter portion. 
     It would be useful to be able to provide such a hand-held cutting tool in which the embedded blade consists of a single unitary piece made of metal or other material(s). 
     It would be useful to be able to provide a hand-held cutting tool in which the cutting head includes or is provided with surfaces or other structures providing visual indicators of cutting edge location and/or orientation in relation to a cutting channel of the tool that receives a workpiece or other object to be cut. 
     It would be useful to be able to provide a hand-held cutting tool with a mechanism or device that facilitates one or more of improved, advantageous, or otherwise desirable cutter qualities, performance and/or manufacturability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an example embodiment, a blade for a hand-held cutting tool includes a main portion including, at a bottom side thereof, a cutting edge, the main portion being planar and substantially uniform in thickness between front and back sides thereof, the main portion including a periphery boundary extending from opposite ends of the cutting edge, the periphery boundary being defined by a plurality of contiguous side surfaces including flat surfaces and curved surfaces, the flat surfaces including a first group of flat surface sections all of which are parallel or orthogonal to the cutting edge and none of which are adjacent to others of the first group, the flat surfaces including a second group of flat surface sections all of which are at a 45° angle in relation to the cutting edge and none of which are adjacent to others of the second group, the curved surfaces including a tape splitter portion at a top corner of the main portion. 
     In an example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool includes a handle and a cutting head with an embedded tool having multiple operative surface portions, the cutting head being connected to the handle, the embedded tool consisting of a single unitary metal piece, the multiple operative surface portions thereof including a cutting edge and a tape splitter portion at an opposite side of the metal piece from the cutting edge, the cutting head including a distal opening and a channel sized to receive a workpiece therein, the embedded tool being molded or otherwise secured within the cutting head such that the tape splitter portion extends from the distal opening and a portion of the cutting edge extends from the cutting head and is located and exposed within the channel for cutting a workpiece that is advanced into the channel and brought into contact with the cutting edge; wherein the embedded tool includes a top flat surface section which is part of and defined by an uppermost structural reinforcing portion of the single unitary metal piece; and wherein the tape splitter portion is recessed in relation to the uppermost structural reinforcing portion relative to the cutting edge of the blade. 
     In an example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool includes a handle and a cutting head with an embedded tool including a cutting edge, the cutting head being connected to the handle, the cutting head including a channel sized to receive a workpiece therein, the embedded tool being molded or otherwise secured within the cutting head such that a portion of the cutting edge extends from the cutting head and is located and exposed within the channel for cutting a workpiece that is advanced into the channel and brought into contact with the cutting edge; wherein the cutting head includes a hook portion at an opposite side of the channel from the handle, the hook portion including a visually distinct narrow surface section coaligned with the cutting edge of the blade. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric perspective view of an example embodiment of a cutter apparatus; 
         FIGS. 2-6  are right side, front, left side, back and top views, respectively, of the cutter apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines F-F of  FIG. 4  showing embedded blade and tape splitter elements secured within a cutting head; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines A-A of  FIG. 4  showing generally U-shaped gripping ridges at left and right distal side portions of the handle; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines B-B of  FIG. 4  showing side wall surfaces defining recesses at opposite (the left and right) sides of the handle; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines C-C of  FIG. 4  showing an interconnection support structure and a clip extending therefrom; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional magnified view of the portion of  FIG. 8  denoted DETAIL D showing portions of the U-shaped gripping ridges in profile; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view showing in isolation the portion of  FIG. 11  denoted DETAIL E; 
         FIG. 13  is a magnified view of DETAIL G (of  FIG. 4 ) showing the U-shaped gripping ridges at the left side of the cutter apparatus; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the cutter apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an isometric perspective view of the proximal end of the handle showing an opening of the handle and (facing the opening) a clip connected at a base portion thereof to the handle; 
         FIG. 16  is another isometric perspective view of the proximal end of the handle showing a recess of the handle and a connection interface at which the clip is connected to the handle, the connection interface including a bottom portion of the recess and a side wall portion of the recess (periphery portion of an annular or ring-like wall structure); 
         FIG. 17A  is a cross-sectional isometric perspective view of the distal end of the cutter apparatus showing a blade receiving recess/channel and (adjacent thereto) a tape splitter recess/channel—the blade and the tape splitter are not shown in this view; 
         FIG. 17B  shows the cross-sectional isometric perspective view of  FIG. 17A  with the tape splitter positioned within the tape splitter recess/channel and extending from an opening in the cutting head (defined by the tape splitter recess/channel); 
         FIG. 18A  is another cross-sectional isometric perspective view of the distal end of the cutter apparatus showing the blade receiving recess/channel and the tape splitter secured within the tape splitter recess/channel—the blade is not shown in this view (to also show a cutting channel that extends into the blade receiving recess/channel to expose the cutting portion of a blade secured within the blade receiving recess/channel); 
         FIG. 18B  shows the cross-sectional isometric perspective view of  FIG. 18A  with the blade positioned within the blade receiving recess/channel; 
         FIG. 19  is an isometric perspective view of an example tape splitter including a keyed end portion that interfits with the tape splitter recess/channel; 
         FIG. 20  is an isometric perspective view of an example blade including openings that receive posts or other structures for securing the blade within the blade receiving recess/channel; 
         FIG. 20A  is an isometric perspective view showing in isolation the tape splitter and blade adjacent to each other when secured within the tape splitter recess/channel and the blade receiving recess/channel, respectively; 
         FIG. 21  is an isometric perspective view of another example embodiment of a cutter apparatus; 
         FIGS. 22-27  are left side, top, bottom, front, back and right side views, respectively, of the cutter apparatus of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus at lines A-A of  FIG. 22  showing generally U-shaped gripping ridges at left and right distal side portions of the handle; 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus at lines B-B of  FIG. 22  showing side wall surfaces defining recesses at opposite (the left and right) sides of the handle; 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional magnified view of the cutter apparatus at lines C-C of  FIG. 22  showing a series of ridges that includes an interconnection support structure and a clip extending therefrom; 
         FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional magnified view of the portion of  FIG. 28  denoted DETAIL D showing portions of the U-shaped gripping ridges in profile; 
         FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view showing in isolation the portion of  FIG. 31  denoted DETAIL E; 
         FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines F-F of  FIG. 22  showing embedded blade and tape splitter elements secured within a cutting head that includes a box cutter; 
         FIG. 34  is a magnified view of DETAIL G (of  FIG. 22 ) showing the U-shaped gripping ridges at the left side of the cutter apparatus; 
         FIG. 35  is a magnified view of DETAIL H (of  FIG. 27 ) showing an additional cutting head (of the cutter apparatus) that includes a film cutter; 
         FIG. 36  is a magnified view of DETAIL J (of  FIG. 27 ) showing (and interiorly, in broken lines) the tape splitter and the blade of the box cutter; 
         FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional magnified view along lines K-K of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIGS. 38A and 38B  are side and end views, respectively, of an example blade (of one or more of the cutting heads) including openings that receive posts or other structures for securing the blade within a blade receiving recess/channel; 
         FIG. 38C  is a magnified view of DETAIL A (of  FIG. 38B ); 
         FIG. 39  a cross-sectional right side view of the cutter apparatus (of  FIG. 21 ) showing blade receiving recesses/channels of the film cutter and the box cutter, respectively—the tape splitter are not shown in this view; and 
         FIG. 40  is a cross-sectional isometric perspective view of the proximal end of the cutter apparatus showing a recess of the handle and a connection interface at which a clip is connected to the handle, the connection interface including an arcuate side wall portion of the recess (an arcuate side wall portion of a ridge or wall structure). 
         FIG. 41  is an isometric perspective view of another example embodiment of a cutter apparatus; 
         FIGS. 42-66  are right side, front, left side, back and top views, respectively, of the cutter apparatus of  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 47  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines F-F of  FIG. 44  showing an embedded tool consisting of a single unitary metal piece secured within a cutting head; 
         FIG. 48  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines A-A of  FIG. 44  showing generally U-shaped gripping ridges at left and right distal side portions of the handle; 
         FIG. 49  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines B-B of  FIG. 44  showing side wall surfaces defining recesses at opposite (the left and right) sides of the handle; 
         FIG. 50  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines C-C of  FIG. 44  also showing side wall surfaces defining recesses at opposite (the left and right) sides of the handle; 
         FIG. 51  is a cross-sectional magnified view of the portion of  FIG. 48  denoted DETAIL D showing portions of the U-shaped gripping ridges in profile; 
         FIG. 52  is a cross-sectional view showing in isolation the portion of  FIG. 51  denoted DETAIL E; 
         FIG. 53  is a cross-sectional view of the cutter apparatus along lines K-K of  FIG. 42  showing the embedded tool consisting of a single unitary metal piece secured within a cutting head; 
         FIG. 54  is a magnified view of DETAIL G (of  FIG. 44 ) showing the U-shaped gripping ridges at the left side of the cutter apparatus; 
         FIG. 55  is a bottom view of the cutter apparatus of  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 56A  is a cross-sectional isometric perspective view of the cutter apparatus showing at a distal end thereof an embedded tool or blade receiving recess/channel—the embedded tool consisting of a single unitary metal piece is not shown in this view; 
         FIG. 56B  shows the cross-sectional isometric perspective view of  FIG. 56A  with the single unitary metal piece positioned within the embedded tool or blade receiving recess/channel and the tape splitter portion of the single unitary metal piece extending from a distal opening in the cutting head (defined by the embedded tool or blade receiving recess/channel); 
         FIG. 57  is an isometric perspective view of an example embedded tool or blade consisting of a single unitary metal piece; 
         FIG. 58  is an enlarged plan view of the embedded tool or blade of  FIG. 57  showing a cutting edge and a periphery boundary extending from opposite ends of the cutting edge, the periphery boundary being defined by a plurality of contiguous side surfaces including flat surface sections and curved surface sections; 
         FIG. 59  is left side view of the embedded tool or blade as shown in  FIG. 58 ; and 
         FIG. 60  is a magnified view of DETAIL A (of  FIG. 59 ) showing the sharpened cutting edge in profile. 
     
    
    
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-20A , in an example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool (or cutting apparatus)  100  includes a housing  110  (e.g., shaped to be hand-held as shown), an embedded blade (or blade)  112  and a tape splitter (or tape splitter component)  114 . The housing  110  includes a handle (or handle portion)  120 , and has a left side  122  and a right side  124  at opposite sides of the blade  112  and the tape splitter  114 . The housing  110  includes a cutting head (portion)  130  at a distal end  131  of the handle  120 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 16 , the handle  120  includes a recess  140  at a side portion thereof (e.g., a recessed side portion/area of the handle as shown). The housing  110  also includes a clip  150  that is connected to (or integrally formed with) the handle  120 , the clip  150  including a resilient member  151  extending generally lengthwise along the handle (e.g., shaped/configured as shown). The housing  110  can be formed of various materials, for example, a moldable composite material (e.g., a material: glass-filled polymer or glass-filled plastic (GF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nylon), and by various processes (e.g., insert molded). For example, the housing  110  can be molded or otherwise formed around the blade  112  and the tape splitter  114  such that the left and right sides of the housing are (permanently) positioned in relation to each other with the blade  112  and the tape splitter  114  secured therebetween and adjacent to each other ( FIG. 7 ). The term “embedded blade” can refer (for example) to a blade that is secured within or to or otherwise connected to a cutting head and/or handle of a hand-held cutting tool. The blade  112  can be formed of various materials, for example, steel (e.g., SAE 1095 steel heat treated to HRC 58-60). The tape splitter  114  can be formed of various materials, for example, steel (or a high strength plastic). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A and 18B , the cutting head  130  includes the blade  112  secured within a blade receiving recess/channel  132 , and the tape splitter  114  secured within a tape splitter (keyed) recess/channel  134  adjacent to the blade receiving recess/channel  132 . The cutting head  130  includes a (cutting) channel  136  formed as shown and extending into the blade receiving recess/channel  132 . When secured within the blade receiving recess/channel  132 , a cutting portion  113  of the blade  112  is located (e.g., visible/exposed) within the channel  136 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the clip  150  is only connected to or in contact with the handle  120  at an interconnection interface  152  that includes a bottom (surface/)portion  142  of the recess  140  and a side wall (surface/)portion  144  of the recess  140 . The interconnection interface, at the bottom and side wall portions of the recess, can be described as approximately “right angled”. Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the bottom (surface/)portion  142  of the recess  140  includes an opening  160  facing the clip  150  and provided through the handle  120  as shown. Referring additionally to  FIG. 2 , the handle  120  includes surfaces  162  that define the opening  160  including a periphery boundary of the opening (e.g., at a bottom surface of the recess) circumscribing or generally being co-aligned with side surfaces(/portions)  154  of the clip  150  though, in this example embodiment, not circumscribing a base (or base portion)  156  of the clip  150 . The recess  140  has a periphery (or boundary)  146  defined (at least in part) by side wall surfaces(/portions)  126  of the handle  120  and/or the (contiguous) side surfaces(/portions)  154  of the clip  150 . Accordingly, the clip  150  is connected at its base (portion)  156  to the handle at a location within (e.g., interconnection location or juncture of) the recess  140 . The clip  150  is only connected to or in contact with the handle  120  at the location independent of whether the resilient member  151  of the clip  150  flexes or otherwise repositions in relation to the base (portion)  156  of the clip  150 . 
     Thus, in an example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool includes a handle configured for gripping by a hand, the handle including a recess at a side portion thereof, a cutting head at a distal end of the handle; and a clip (integrally formed with or) connected at a base portion thereof to the handle within the recess, the clip only being connected to or in contact with the handle at an interconnection interface that includes a bottom portion of the recess and a side wall portion of the recess. In example embodiments, the cutting head has a blade (an embedded blade) that is secured within or to or otherwise connected to the cutting head, a cutting portion thereof (of the blade) being located (e.g., visible/exposed) within a channel (or other opening, recess or the like) of the cutting head. In example embodiments, the cutting head provides (embodies) at least part of or includes an embedded blade cutter. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the handle  120  includes (and the recess  140  is in part defined by) an annular or ring-like wall structure  170  at a proximal end  133  of the handle, and the clip  150  (at its base portion  156 ) is (integrally formed with or) connected to a periphery portion of the wall structure at the side wall (surface/)portion  144  of the recess  140  (providing a side wall portion of the interconnection interface  152 ). The annular or ring-like wall structure  170  also defines, at its interior, an opening  172  as shown (e.g., a lanyard or hanger hole opening). 
     The clip  150  includes an angled end portion  157  (see also  FIG. 10 ) at an opposite end of the clip in relation to the base portion  156 , and the handle  120  includes (or is provided with) (concentric/equidistantly nested) generally U-shaped (raised) gripping ridges  180  (see also  FIGS. 8, 9, 11 and 12 ) having beveled portions(surfaces)  182  at the ends of each ridge ( FIG. 13 ), the beveled portions  182  facing the angled end portion  157  of the clip  150  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the clip  150  includes an inwardly facing engagement portion  158  (for securing/clipping the tool to a pocket), e.g., a protrusion shaped/configured as shown, that is wider laterally in relation to the handle  120  than at either the base portion  156  or the angled end portion  157  of the clip  150 . The clip  150  includes two generally planar surfaces  191 ,  192  at and defining different (non-adjacent) portions of an inward facing side  190  of the clip  150 , the planar surfaces not being parallel in relation to each other (e.g., not located within respective planes that are parallel to each other). The engagement portion  158  transitions (curves) between the two generally planar surfaces  191 ,  192  (e.g., as shown). The clip  150  also includes two generally planar surfaces  195 ,  196  at and defining different (adjacent and contiguous) portions of an outward facing side  194  of the clip  150 , the planar surfaces not being parallel in relation to each other (e.g., not located within respective planes that are parallel to each other). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21-40 , in another example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool (or cutting apparatus)  200  includes a housing  210  (e.g., shaped to be hand-held as shown). The housing  210  includes two cutters (or cutting heads) at opposite ends of the handle, both or at least one of the cutters (or cutting heads) being an embedded blade cutter. In this example embodiment, the housing  210  includes a handle (or handle portion)  220 , a first cutting head (portion)  230  at a distal end  231  of the handle  220  and a second cutting head (portion)  330  at a proximal end  233  of the handle  220 . The handle  220  is configured for gripping (by a hand) about a lengthwise (gripping) portion  221  of the handle between opposite ends thereof. The cutting heads  230 ,  330 , at opposite ends of the handle, respectively, each provide at least part of or include an embedded blade cutter. An embedded blade (or blade)  212  and a tape splitter (or tape splitter component)  214  are secured within the first cutting head (that includes a box cutter), and an additional embedded blade (or blade)  312  is secured within the second cutting head  330  (that includes a film cutter). The housing  210  includes has a left side  222  and a right side  224  at opposite sides of the blades  212 ,  312  and the tape splitter  214 . As shown in  FIGS. 27 and 40 , the handle  220  includes a recess (or recessed portion)  240  at a side thereof (e.g., a recessed side portion/area of the handle as shown). The housing  210  also includes a clip  250  that is connected to (or integrally formed with) the handle  220  between the two cutting heads  230 ,  330 , the clip  250  including a resilient (arm) member  251  extending (generally lengthwise) along the handle (e.g., shaped/configured as shown). The housing  210  can be formed of various materials, for example, a moldable composite material (e.g., a material: glass-filled polymer or glass-filled plastic (GF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nylon), and by various processes (e.g., insert molded). For example, the housing  210  can be molded or otherwise formed around the blades  212 ,  312  and the tape splitter  214  such that the left and right sides of the housing are (permanently) positioned in relation to each other with the blades  212 ,  312  and the tape splitter  214  secured therebetween and adjacent to each other ( FIGS. 33, 36 and 37 ). The term “embedded blade” can refer (for example) to a blade that is secured within or to or otherwise connected to a cutting head and/or handle of a hand-held cutting tool. The blades  212 ,  312  can be formed of various materials, for example, steel (e.g., SAE 1095 steel heat treated to HRC 58-60). The tape splitter  214  can be formed of various materials, for example, steel (or a high strength plastic). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 36 and 39 , the first cutting head  230  includes the blade  212  secured within a blade receiving recess/channel  232 , and the tape splitter  214  secured within a tape splitter (keyed) recess/channel  234  adjacent to the blade receiving recess/channel  232 . The first cutting head  230  includes a (cutting) channel  236  formed as shown and extending into the blade receiving recess/channel  232 . When secured within the blade receiving recess/channel  232 , a cutting portion  213  of the blade  212  is located (e.g., visible/exposed) within the channel  236 . The second cutting head  330  includes the blade  312  secured within a blade receiving recess/channel  332 . The second cutting head  330  includes a (cutting) channel  336  formed as shown (see also  FIG. 35 , which shows channel  336  without blade  312 ) and extending into the blade receiving recess/channel  332 . When secured within the blade receiving recess/channel  332 , a cutting portion  313  of the blade  312  is located (e.g., visible/exposed) within the channel  336 . In example embodiments, the embedded blades  212 ,  312  (or the cutting portions  213 ,  313  thereof) are coplanar (as shown in  FIG. 39 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 27 , the cutting portions  213 ,  313  include cutting edges  214 ,  314 , respectively (visible/exposed within the cutting channels  236 ,  336  as shown). In example embodiments, the edge of one of the embedded blades forms an obtuse angle with a longitudinal axis of or associated with the handle. For example, and as shown in  FIG. 27 , the cutting edge  214  forms an obtuse angle with a longitudinal axis (denoted “LA”) defined by a lengthwise surface of the clip  250  or of an opening  260  facing the clip  250 , and the cutting edge  314  forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22 and 27 , the handle  220  includes a (palm/hand/finger) guard  400  between the clip  250  and one of the embedded blade cutters—in this example embodiment, the second cutting head  330 . The (palm/hand/finger) guard  400  includes a protrusion  402 , transitioning at a periphery edge  404  thereof (at its widest portion laterally in relation to the handle sides) to an inside wall  338  of the (cutting) channel  336  within which the blade  312  of the embedded blade cutter is held. Referring to  FIG. 27 , the housing  210  includes, adjacent to the protrusion  400 , a recessed portion (or recess)  410  including (or being provided with) an opening (or aperture)  412  therethrough (suitable for a lanyard, or to serve as a hanger hole). The handle  220  includes (a series of) ridges  420  laterally extending across the handle  220  adjacent to and in part defining the recessed portion  410 . The clip  250  includes a base portion  256  connected (or otherwise secured) to the handle  220  between the (palm/hand/finger) guard  400  and one of the embedded blade cutters—in this example embodiment, the first cutting head  230 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 27 and 40 , the handle  220  includes a recess  240  (e.g., a recessed side portion/area) within which the clip  250  is secured to the handle  220  (e.g., integrally formed with or otherwise connected or secured to a ridge (or wall) that extends across the handle). The handle  220  includes a ridge  422  that (laterally) extends across the handle  220  (e.g., as shown), the ridge  422  (at portions thereof adjacent to the base  256  of the clip  250 ) defining inside wall portions  241  of the recess. The handle  220  includes an (arcuate) interconnection interface  252  (e.g., at the ridge  422 , such as shown, that (laterally) extends across the handle) at which the base portion  256  of the clip  250  is secured (e.g., integrally formed with or otherwise connected) to the handle  220 . The recess  240  also includes a (substantially planar) bottom surface (or area)  242  and adjoining periphery walls (or wall portions) (contiguous with the bottom surface or area, e.g., as shown) that define a periphery (or boundary)  246  of the recess  240 . The handle  220  includes ridges (laterally) extending between periphery portions of the handle, the periphery portions including inside-facing walls/surfaces  244  (adjacent to the ridges) that in part define (sides of) the recess  240 . The ridges  420  are recessed (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 40 , at the top (or apex)  424  of each ridge) in relation to adjacent top edges  248  of the periphery portions (of the handle). At both sides, the handle  220  includes gripping structure  430  including (a series of) ridges (ribs or other engagement elements) (laterally) extending across the handle, the ridges separating (and in part defining) recesses (or recessed areas) at opposite ends of the gripping structure—in this example embodiment, the recesses  240 ,  410  previously discussed. Referring to  FIGS. 22, 27 and 40 , in this example embodiment, the clip  250  is only connected to or in contact with the handle  220  at an (arcuate) interconnection interface  252  (e.g., at a ridge, such as shown, that (laterally) extends across the handle) at which a base portion  256  of the clip  250  is secured (e.g., integrally formed with or otherwise connected) to the handle  220 . The bottom surface (or area)  242  of the recess  240  includes the opening  260  facing the clip  250  and provided through the handle  220  as shown. The handle  120  includes surfaces  262  that define the opening  260  including a periphery boundary of the opening (e.g., at a bottom surface of the recess) circumscribing or generally being co-aligned with side surfaces(/portions)  254  of the clip  250  though, in this example embodiment, not circumscribing the base (or base portion)  256  of the clip  250 . The recess  240  has a periphery (or boundary)  246  defined (at least in part) by side wall surfaces(/portions)  226  of the handle  220  and/or the (contiguous) side surfaces(/portions)  254  of the clip  250 . Accordingly, the clip  250  is (integrally formed with or) connected at its base (portion)  256  to the handle at a location within (e.g., interconnection location or juncture of) the recessed portion  240  of the handle  220 . The clip  250  is connected to or in contact with the handle  220  only at the (interconnection) location—independent of whether the resilient member  251  of the clip  250  flexes or otherwise repositions in relation to the base (portion)  256  of the clip  250 . 
     The handle  220  includes (and the recess  240  is in part defined by) a ridge or wall structure (such as the ridge  422 ) at a proximal end  233  of the handle, and the clip  250  (at its base portion  256 ) is (integrally formed with or) connected to ridge or wall structure. Referring additionally to  FIG. 30 , the handle  220  includes (and the recess  240  is in part defined by) a ridge (such as the ridge  422 ) adjacent to and contiguous with a portion  263  of the opening  260 , and the clip  250  is connected at a base portion thereof to the ridge. 
     Thus, in an example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool includes a handle configured for gripping (by a hand) about a lengthwise (gripping) portion of the handle between opposite ends thereof, two cutting heads, at the opposite ends of the handle, respectively, the cutting heads each providing at least part of or including an embedded blade cutter, and a clip (integrally formed with or) connected to the handle between the two cutting heads. In example embodiments, each of the cutting heads has a blade (an embedded blade) that is secured within or to (e.g., connected to) the cutting head, a cutting portion thereof being located (e.g., visible/exposed) within a channel (or other opening, recess or the like) of the cutting head. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22, 27 and 40 , the clip  250  includes an angled end portion  257  at an opposite end of the clip in relation to the base portion  256 , and the handle  220  includes (or is provided with) (concentric/equidistantly nested) generally U-shaped (raised) gripping ridges  280  (see also  FIGS. 28, 31, 32 and 34 ) having beveled portions(/surfaces)  282  at the ends of each ridge ( FIG. 34 ), the beveled portions  282  facing the angled end portion  257  of the clip  250 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22 and 40 , the clip  250  includes an inwardly facing engagement portion  258  (for securing/clipping the tool to a pocket), e.g., a protrusion shaped/configured as shown, that is wider laterally in relation to the handle  220  than at either the base portion  256  or the angled end portion  257  of the clip  250 . The clip  250  includes two generally planar surfaces  291 ,  292  at and defining different (non-adjacent) portions of an inward facing side  290  of the clip  250 , the planar surfaces not being parallel in relation to each other (e.g., not located within respective planes that are parallel to each other). The engagement portion  258  transitions (curves) between the two generally planar surfaces  291 ,  292  (e.g., as shown). The clip  250  also includes two generally planar surfaces  295 ,  296  at and defining different (adjacent and contiguous) portions of an outward facing side  294  of the clip  250 , the planar surfaces not being parallel in relation to each other (e.g., not located within respective planes that are parallel to each other). 
     Thus, in an example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool includes a handle, at least one cutting head with an embedded blade, the at least one cutting head being connected to the handle, and a clip connected to the handle within a recess thereof, the clip including a resilient member extending generally lengthwise along the handle. Each of the cutting head(s) is connected to the handle at an end thereof (i.e., at one or the other of two ends of the handle along a lengthwise portion thereof). The clip is connected at a base portion thereof to the handle at a location within (e.g., an interconnection location or juncture of) the recess. The clip is only connected to or in contact with the handle at the location independent of whether the resilient member (of the clip) flexes or otherwise repositions in relation to the base portion of the clip. In example embodiments, the recess has a periphery (or boundary) defined (at least in part) by side wall surfaces(/portions) of the handle and side surfaces(/portions) of the clip. In example embodiments, the recess has a periphery (or boundary) defined (in part) by (contiguous) side surfaces(/portions) of the clip. The handle includes an opening (therethrough), surfaces of the handle that define the opening, including a periphery boundary of the opening (e.g., at a bottom surface of the recess), circumscribing or generally being co-aligned with side surfaces(/portions) of the clip though not circumscribing the base of the clip. The handle includes (and the recess is in part defined by) a ridge or wall structure, and the clip is (integrally formed with or) connected at a base portion thereof to the ridge or wall structure. In example embodiments, the handle includes (and the recess is in part defined by) a ridge, e.g., adjacent to and contiguous with a portion of the opening, and the clip is (integrally formed with or) connected at a base portion thereof to the ridge. In example embodiments, the handle includes (and the recess is in part defined by) an annular or ring-like wall structure (e.g., that also defines, at its interior, a lanyard or hanger hole opening), and the clip is (integrally formed with or) connected at a base portion thereof to a periphery portion of the wall structure. 
     Example embodiments involve a hand-held cutting tool with a cutting head that has improved structural integrity, durability or strength and/or an embedded blade for such a hand-held cutting tool. Example embodiments involve a hand-held cutting tool in which the embedded blade has multiple operative surface portions, for example, a cutting edge and a tape splitter portion. Example embodiments involve a hand-held cutting tool in which the embedded blade consists of a single unitary piece made of metal or other material(s). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 41-60 , in another example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool (or cutting apparatus)  500  includes a housing (e.g., shaped to be hand-held as shown), an embedded tool (or blade)  512  having multiple operative surface portions. In this example embodiment, the embedded tool (or blade)  512  consists of a single unitary piece  513  (see. e.g.,  FIGS. 57-60 ) made of metal or other material(s), the multiple operative surface portions thereof including a cutting edge  514  and a tape splitter portion  516  at an opposite side  517  of the unitary piece from the cutting edge. The housing includes a handle (or handle portion)  520 , and has a left side  522  and a right side  524  at opposite sides of the blade  512 . The housing includes a cutting head (portion)  530  at a distal end of the cutting tool  500 . As shown in  FIGS. 42 and 44 , the handle  520  includes recessed side portions/areas  542  and  544  (e.g., formed as shown) at the left and right sides  522  and  524 , respectively, of the handle. The housing can be formed of various materials, for example, a moldable composite or other material (e.g., a composite material: glass-filled polymer or glass-filled plastic (GF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nylon) (e.g., nylon 6/6 40% GF), and by various processes (e.g., insert molded). For example, the housing can be molded or otherwise formed around the blade  512  such that the left and right sides of the housing are (permanently) positioned in relation to each other with the blade  512  secured therebetween and adjacent to each other ( FIG. 47 ). The term “embedded blade” can refer (for example) to a blade or tool that is secured within or to or otherwise connected to a cutting head and/or handle of a hand-held cutting tool. The blade  512  can be formed of various materials, for example, steel (e.g., SAE 1095 steel heat treated to HRC 58-60) (e.g., SK4 steel heat treated to HRC 62-64) or a high strength plastic. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 56A and 56B , the cutting head  530  includes the blade  512 —in this example embodiment, provided in the form of single unitary piece (or single metal piece)  513 , the multiple operative surface portions thereof including the cutting edge  514  and the tape splitter portion  516 —secured within a single blade receiving recess/channel  532 . The cutting head  530  includes a (cutting) channel  536  formed as shown and extending into the blade receiving recess/channel  532 . When secured within the blade receiving recess/channel  532 , a cutting portion  518  ( FIGS. 42 and 44 ) of the blade  512  is located (e.g., visible/exposed) within the channel  536 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 57-60 , in this example embodiment, the blade  512  includes a main portion  540  including, at a bottom side  542  thereof, the cutting edge  514 , the main portion  540  being planar and substantially uniform in thickness (see e.g.  FIG. 59 : blade thickness, W 1 =0.0155±0.0005 inches) between front and back sides  544  and  546  thereof, the main portion  540  including a periphery boundary  550  extending from opposite ends  552  and  554  of the cutting edge  514 , the periphery boundary  550  being defined by a plurality of contiguous side surfaces including flat surfaces and curved surfaces. The flat surfaces include a first group of flat surface sections  556 ,  557 ,  558 ,  559  all of which are parallel or orthogonal to the cutting edge  514  and none of which are adjacent to others of the first group. The flat surfaces include a second group of flat surface sections  560 ,  561 ,  562  all of which are at a 45° angle (see e.g.  FIG. 58 : α 1 , α 2 , and α 3 =45°) in relation to the cutting edge  514  and none of which are adjacent to others of the second group. The curved surfaces including the tape splitter portion  516  at a top corner  564  of the main portion  540 . The curved surfaces include a curved surface section  566  between the flat surface section  558  of the first group and the flat surface section  561  of the second group. In this example embodiment, the flat surfaces and the curved surfaces, including the tape splitter portion, are nonsharp. 
     In the example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 57-60 , the first group of flat surface sections consists of the four first group flat surface sections  556 ,  557 ,  558 ,  559 ; and the second group of flat surface sections consists of the three second group flat surface sections  560 ,  561 ,  562 . In other example embodiments and implementations, the first group of flat surface sections includes four or more first group flat surface sections. In other example embodiments and implementations, the second group of flat surface sections includes three or more second group flat surface sections. 
     In the example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 57-60 , the cutting edge  514  is adjacent to the first group flat surface section  556  at one end  552  of the cutting edge and adjacent to the second group flat surface  562  at the opposite end  554  of the cutting edge  514 . Another of the first group, the flat surface section  559 , is located between and adjacent to the tape splitter portion  516  and the second group flat surface section  562  located at the opposite end  554  of the cutting edge  514 . In this example embodiment, the second group of flat surface sections consists of three second group flat surface sections  560 ,  561 ,  562 , which considered as a sequence are orthogonally arranged in relation to each other about the periphery boundary  550 . In this example embodiment, the first group of flat surface sections includes the top flat surface section  557  at an opposite side of the main portion (of the blade) from, and parallel to, the cutting edge  514 , and the second group of flat surface sections includes the two second group flat surface sections  560  and  561  adjacent to opposite ends  568  and  570 , respectively, of the top flat surface section  557 . The top flat surface section  557  is part of (and defined by) an uppermost structural reinforcing portion  515  (denoted in dashed lines) of the blade  512 . In this example embodiment, the uppermost structural reinforcing portion  515  has a trapezoid shape generally and blends at its right side flat surface section  561  into the curved surface section  566  (e.g., shaped as shown) transitioning into the flat surface side section  558  and then transitioning into the tape splitter portion  516 . As an operative surface portion of the blade  512 , the tape splitter portion  516  fixedly extends from a distal opening  519  in the cutting head  530 , the distal opening  519  being an intersection of the blade receiving recess/channel  532  and the exterior of the cutting head  530  at the distal end of the cutting tool  500 . Accordingly, though extending from the cutting head  530 , the tape splitter portion  516  is recessed in relation to the embedded uppermost structural reinforcing portion  515  relative to the cutting edge  514  of the blade  512 . The length of the uppermost structural reinforcing portion  515  is greater than the length of either side  558 ,  559  of the tape splitter portion  516 ; and (as previously discussed) the transition from the uppermost structural reinforcing portion  515  to the tape splitter portion  516  includes the right side flat surface section  561  and the curved surface section  566  which adds strength to the blade  512  making it more difficult for forces bearing laterally on the tape splitter portion  516  to deform the blade from its substantially planar shape or possibly crack the cutting head  530  (e.g., at or near the distal opening  519 ) and the uppermost structural reinforcing portion  515  located and embedded as shown further strengthens the cutting head  530  in this regard. 
     The main portion  540  includes pairs of openings along the main portion and symmetrically positioned in relation to the opposite ends  568  and  570  of the top flat surface section  557 . In this example embodiment, the pairs of openings include a first pair of openings  572  and  573  and a second pair of openings  574  and  575 , and each of the pairs of openings includes as shown and described herein two different sized circular openings located at the opposite ends  568  and  570 , respectively, of the top flat surface section  557 . Referring also to  FIGS. 42, 44 and 53 , during an example process of molding the cutting head  530  around the blade  512  along with the handle  520 , pins (not shown) clamp the blade  512  from both sides at the periphery of the opening  575  and at the right side periphery of the opening  574  once the plastic has entered the mold. The openings  674  and  675  in the cutting head  530  are formed during the molding process as the pins remain in place while the plastic is cooling. As shown in  FIG. 56B , in this example embodiment, the first pair of the openings  572  and  573  in the main portion  540  of the metal piece are located at opposite sides of the channel  536 , respectively, and are filled through the openings between opposite sides of the cutter head with cutter head material for enhanced structural stability. The second pair of the openings  574  and  575  in the main portion  540  of the metal piece also located at opposite sides of the channel  536 , respectively, as discussed above are configured to receive pins that hold the single metal piece  513  in a mold tool during fabrication of the cutting tool, resulting in formation of the openings  674  and  675  ( FIGS. 42, 53 ) in the cutting head  530  from being molded around the pins, which are subsequently removed. 
     Accordingly, in this example embodiment, the periphery boundary  550  extending from opposite ends  552  and  554  of the cutting edge  514  includes and is defined by a sequence of nine surface sections, the first four (sections  556 ,  560 ,  557 ,  561 ) and the last two (sections  559 ,  562 ) of which are flat and change directions by 45° in relation to each other at each section transition between them along the periphery boundary  550 ; the curved surface section  566  provides a transition between the flat surface sections  561  and  558 ; and the curved surface section (tape splitter portion)  516  provides a transition between the flat surface sections  558  and  559  (the flat side sections, or sides, of the tape splitter), which are orthogonal in relation to each other. In this example embodiment, among flat surfaces of the periphery boundary  550  and the cutting edge  514 , considering such surfaces in relation to each other about the blade  512  disregarding curved surfaces, the only other adjacent pair of flat surfaces that are orthogonal are the flat surface  556  and the cutting edge  514 , and this pair is located (on the blade) diametrically opposite from the orthogonal adjacent pair of flat surfaces provided by the surface sections  558  and  559 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 44, 52, 53, 55, 56A and 58-60 , example dimensions for the hand-held cutting tool  500  and the blade  512  are as follows: L 1 =1.610 inches; L 2 =1.102 inches; L 3 =0.492 inches; L 4 =0.205 inches; L 5 =0.787 inches; H 1 =0.630 inches; H 2 =0.453 inches; H 3 =0.079 inches; H 4 =0.394 inches; H 5 =0.331 inches; H 6 =0.429 inches; H 7 =0.004±0.001 inches; T 1 =60 to 80 thousands of an inch; T 2 =60 to 80 thousands of an inch; W 1 =0.0155±0.0005 inches; D 1 =0.094 inches; D 2 =0.118±0.002 inches; D 3 =0.138 inches; D 4 =0.114 inches; D 5 =0.380 inches; R 1 =0.98 inches; R 2 =0.016 inches; α 1 =45°; α 2 =45°; α 3 =45°; α 4 =26°; α 5 =18°; α 6 =10°; α 7 =58°. 
     Thus, in an example embodiment, a blade for a hand-held cutting tool includes a main portion including, at a bottom side thereof, a cutting edge, the main portion being planar and substantially uniform in thickness between front and back sides thereof, the main portion including a periphery boundary extending from opposite ends of the cutting edge, the periphery boundary being defined by a plurality of contiguous side surfaces including flat surfaces and curved surfaces, the flat surfaces including a first group of flat surface sections all of which are parallel or orthogonal to the cutting edge and none of which are adjacent to others of the first group, the flat surfaces including a second group of flat surface sections all of which are at a 45° angle in relation to the cutting edge and none of which are adjacent to others of the second group, the curved surfaces including a tape splitter portion at a top corner of the main portion. 
     Thus, in an example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool includes a handle and a cutting head with an embedded tool having multiple operative surface portions, the cutting head being connected to the handle, the embedded tool consisting of a single unitary metal piece, the multiple operative surface portions thereof including a cutting edge and a tape splitter portion at an opposite side of the metal piece from the cutting edge, the cutting head including a distal opening and a channel sized to receive a workpiece therein, the embedded tool being molded or otherwise secured within the cutting head such that the tape splitter portion extends from the distal opening and a portion of the cutting edge extends from the cutting head and is located and exposed within the channel for cutting a workpiece that is advanced into the channel and brought into contact with the cutting edge; wherein the embedded tool includes a top flat surface section which is part of and defined by an uppermost structural reinforcing portion of the single unitary metal piece; and wherein the tape splitter portion is recessed in relation to the uppermost structural reinforcing portion relative to the cutting edge of the blade. In the illustrated example embodiment, the length of the uppermost structural reinforcing portion is greater than the length of either side of the tape splitter portion. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 56A , in this example embodiment, a portion  533  of the cutting head adjacent to the top flat surface section  557 , within which the embedded tool is secured, has a thickness (denoted T 1 ) of 60 to 80 thousands of an inch. Also, in this example embodiment, the embedded tool includes the side flat surface section  556  (of the embedded tool) is at an opposite end of the single unitary metal piece from the tape splitter, and a portion  535  of the cutting head adjacent to the side flat surface section  556 , within which the embedded tool is secured, has a thickness (denoted T 2 ) of 60 to 80 thousands of an inch. In this example embodiment, the cutting head  530  includes, or is formed with, a recess (the blade receiving recess/channel  532 ) including walls, namely, interior wall sections  714 ,  715 ,  756 ,  760 ,  757 ,  761 ,  766 ,  758 ,  759 ,  762 , complementary in shape with portions (previously described) of the cutting edge  514  and the periphery boundary  550  and sized to receive and secure the single metal piece  513  within the cutting head  530 . 
     In example embodiments and implementations, a hand-held cutting tool has a cutting head that includes, or is provided with, surfaces or other structures providing visual indicators of cutting edge location and/or orientation in relation to a cutting channel of the tool that receives a workpiece or other object to be cut. Referring to  FIGS. 42 and 44 , in this example embodiment, the cutting head  530  includes the channel  536 , which is sized to receive a workpiece therein. The embedded tool (or blade)  512  is molded or otherwise secured within the cutting head  530  such that a cutting portion  518  of the cutting edge  514  extends from the cutting head  530  and is located and exposed within the channel  536  for cutting a workpiece that is advanced into the channel and brought into contact with the cutting edge. Referring to  FIGS. 42, 44 and 55 , the cutting head  530  includes a hook portion  580  (e.g., shaped and oriented as shown) at an opposite side of the channel  536  from the handle  520 , the hook portion  580  including (e.g., as shown at both sides thereof) a visually distinct narrow surface section  582  (e.g., a surface region/area that is angled, beveled or otherwise visually distinct from adjacent areas of the hook portion  580 ) coaligned with the cutting edge  514  of the blade. 
     Thus, in an example embodiment, a hand-held cutting tool includes a handle and a cutting head with an embedded tool including a cutting edge, the cutting head being connected to the handle, the cutting head including a channel sized to receive a workpiece therein, the embedded tool being molded or otherwise secured within the cutting head such that a portion of the cutting edge extends from the cutting head and is located and exposed within the channel for cutting a workpiece that is advanced into the channel and brought into contact with the cutting edge; wherein the cutting head includes a hook portion at an opposite side of the channel from the handle, the hook portion including a visually distinct narrow surface section coaligned with the cutting edge of the blade. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 42, 44 and 54 , in this example embodiment, the handle  520  at both sides includes a gripping structure  590  including ridges  592  extending across the handle  520  adjacent to the cutting head  530 ; and the handle  520  further includes at the right side  524  a cut line/guide structure  594  (e.g., a ridge or step) that is parallel with the cutting edge  514 , the cut line/guide structure  594  being visible through openings (spaces) between the ridges  592 . In this example embodiment, the ridges  592  are generally U-shaped gripping ridges having beveled portions  594  at the ends of each ridge. In example embodiments and implementations, the embedded tool (or blade)  512  consists of a single metal piece with multiple operative surface portions including a cutting edge and a tape splitter portion at an opposite side of the metal piece from the cutting edge; and the embedded tool (or blade) is molded or otherwise secured within the cutting head such that the tape splitter portion extends from a distal opening in the cutting head. In example embodiments, the hand-held cutting tool  500  includes, at the base of the handle  520 , an opening  596  (e.g., a lanyard or hanger hole opening provided as shown). 
     Although the present invention(s) has(have) been described in terms of the example embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the scope of the present invention(s) extend to all such modifications and/or additions.