Abstract: A tape dispenser for applying adhesive tape to a substrate surface. The dispenser includes an exterior application surface with an opening therein. A plurality of rotatable cylindrical rollers are mounted within the housing, wherein the surfaces of the rollers coact with each other and the tape surfaces to retain, guide and feed the tape through the tape dispensing opening to the exterior application surface. At least two of the plurality of rollers are opposed rollers that engage the tape surfaces therebetween. The outer surface of at least one of the plurality of rollers protrudes through the opening enabling frictional contact of the roller surface with the substrate surface. When the dispenser is drawn over the surface, the outer surface of the this roller engages and rolls over the substrate surface. It also coacts with the outer surfaces of the other rollers, causing them to grip the tape and feed it through the opening, enabling the adhesive tape to be applied to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A locking device having a cylindrical plunger with a key thereon and a cylindrical sleeve for receiving the plunger and key. The sleeve has a lip therein with a mating keyway that passes therethrough. An indicium on the sleeve is aligned with the keyway. To lock the device the plunger is inserted into the sleeve, the key sliding along the keyway through the lip into the bottom portion compressing a spring member therein. The sleeve and plunger are then rotated with respect to each other and released, the spring biasing the plunger upward to lock the key onto the bottom surface of the lip. To unlock the device, the sleeve and plunger are pressed together and rotated with respect to each other until, by noting the position of the known indicium, the key and keyway are aligned with each other. The plunger is then removed from the sleeve.

Abstract: A tab-clip identification badge for attachment to the clothing of a person. The badge includes a badge substrate having a front surface and a back surface. A tab is provided having an inner surface and an outer surface and an upper portion and a lower portion hingedly attached to the upper portion. The inner surface of the upper portion of the tab is fixedly mounted to the back surface of the badge substrate. When the badge is not in use, the lower portion of the tab covers a portion of the back surface of the badge substrate. When the badge is ready for use the lower portion of the tab can be lifted from the back surface of the badge. An adhesive coating is on the inner surface of the lower portion of the tab. When the badge is not in use the adhesive coating on the lower portion of the tab functions to adhesively and removably mount the lower portion of the tab to the portion of the back surface.

Abstract: A midsole includes a thick plate-shaped or column-shaped cushioning portion. A plurality of grooves is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cushioning portion. The respective grooves are helically formed around a substantially vertical line. The respective grooves are arranged substantially parallel with each other. A range &agr; in which each of the grooves is formed is larger than a range of 15 degrees around the axial line and is smaller than a range of 180 degrees around the axial line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shoe sole comprising an outer sole 1F, 1B, a midsole 2 and a reinforcement device 4 made of a resin plate. The reinforcement device 4 is firmly secured to the underside of an arch portion 2M of the midsole 2. At a medial side 11 and a lateral side 10 of the foot, the reinforcement device 4 is shaped like an arch between separated outer sole parts 1F and 1B. A medial foot portion 43 of the reinforcement device 4 is formed to have a higher hardness than a lateral foot portion 40 of the reinforcement device 4. This allows the reinforcement device 4 to have a greater flexural rigidity in its medial foot portion 43 than in its lateral foot portion 40.

Abstract: A novel fatty polypropoxylate ester which is an ester of an aliphatic or an aromatic monoacid formed by reacting the acid with a stoichiometric excess of a polypropoxylated fatty alcohol. The compounds have the following structural formula: wherein R1 is a polypropoxylated fatty alcohol having the structural formula: wherein R5 is a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or aromatic moiety containing from 4 to 24 carbon atoms, and x is an integer from 3 to 30; and wherein R has the structural formula: wherein R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl; or wherein R6 is H or OH or NH2 or methyl or ethyl. The compounds possess exceptional pigment dispersant and esthetic emollient properties for use in personal care and topical pharmaceutical preparations, e.g., lipsticks, cream foundations, waterproof sunscreens, sunscreen lotions.