Abstract: A toilet tissue dispenser comprising a housing. An upper front door in the housing lifts upwardly, so that multiple toilet paper rolls can be stacked into the housing. The housing has a lower front notch opening, to allow the lowest toilet paper roll to be removed therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for massaging the body by subjecting the body to impacts from reciprocating plungers. The plungers are secured in a flat array within a flexible pad. Each plunger has an associated solenoid device which alternately causes the plunger to project from the pad and to retract within the pad. An electrical circuit includes a power cord and plug assembly, manual controls disposed serially on the cord and plug assembly, and a controller generating operating signals randomly to the solenoids. A heating element is optionally included in the flexible pad, with a suitable controller provided among the controls.

Abstract: An optical switch operatively sensitive to a fluid pressure differential includes a house having an open end, a fiber optic input line, a fiber optic output line, and a fluid-proof diaphragm sealingly engaged with the housing. The diaphragm is formed from a thin elastic material resiliently stretchable between first and second switching states and supports an optical barrier within the housing for blocking the propagation of an optical signal between the fiber optic lines when the diaphragm is in one switching state and for permitting the propagation of the signal between the fiber optic lines when the diaphragm is in the other one of the switching states. For a given housing and a given diaphragm, different optical barriers may be employed to achieve different switching thresholds. As well differing optical barriers may be used to make the switch either a normally "on" switch or a normally "off" switch. Apparatus for monitoring the level of a liquid may include a plurality of such switches.

Abstract: A flexible, disposable toothbrush and hygiene kit incorporating the same. The toothbrush comprises an elastomeric sheath which can be slipped over the user's finger. A patch of bristles is located on the closed end of the sheath. Constituent material of the sheath is thin, flexible, and capable of receiving and maintaining indicia printed in ink. The constituent material of the sheath or the bristles or both is impregnated with a flavoring agent. The toothbrush may be incorporated into a kit providing dentifrice stored in a readily frangible capsule and dental floss.

Abstract: A drinking container having a removable, freezable member. The drinking container has a cylindrical inner receptacle and a surrounding cylindrical outer receptacle. An annular chamber is formed between the inner and outer receptacles. A refrigerant member comprising a plastic envelope containing a freezable gel is dimensioned to fit into the annular chamber, and is readily removable therefrom. A cap engages the drinking container to retain the refrigerant member once placed in the annular chamber. The refrigerant member is preferably an annular sleeve which slips between the inner and outer receptacles, and folds flat for storage and freezing. The inner receptacle projects above the outer receptacle so that the user is obliged to engage only one wall with the mouth and lips, thereby enjoying comfortable drinking, rather than being obliged to span the combined thickness of the inner and outer receptacle walls together with the refrigerant member when drinking.

Abstract: A sterilizing cabinet for storing and sterilizing personal toilet articles, such as toothbrushes. The cabinet has a housing including a swinging door, receptacles for receiving and supporting a variety of differently configured electrically operated toothbrushes, and a rack having holes or slots for receiving and supporting manual toothbrushes. The cabinet has an electrical system having and supplying a sterilizing lamp capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation, an illuminating lamp capable of emitting visible light, and an AC-to-DC converter connected to recharging elements disposed within the receptacles for receiving electric toothbrushes. The sterilizing and illuminating lamps are independently switched. A safety switch senses door closure, and breaks power to the sterilizing lamp when the door is open. A charging receptacle connected to the AC-to-DC converter is mounted on the exterior of the cabinet.

Abstract: A carrier for mounting audiovisual equipment in a passenger vehicle between two passenger seats. The carrier comprises a harness substantially encircling the audiovisual equipment, straps projecting from the harness, for engaging the seats, and a flexible, transparent cushion disposed over the screen of the audiovisual equipment. Preferably, four straps are provided, two on the right side of the harness and two on the left side thereof. One strap on each side is located at a high position on the harness, and one on a low position, so that the carrier is substantially prevented from inclining responsive to vehicle motion.

Abstract: A portable particulate spreader comprising a container having a closed end, an open end and a storage chamber for holding particulate materials therein. A first strap handle is affixed to a side of the container adjacent the closed end. A second strap handle is pivotally affixed to same side of the container approximately midway between closed end and open end, so that a person can grasp the strap handles with both hands and toss particulate materials out of open end. The container further includes an agitation assembly for automatically agitating particulate materials within the container, so as to prevent particulate materials from sticking together. A dispensing assembly is for automatically dispensing particulate materials out of open end of the container.

Abstract: A backpack spreader comprising a hopper having an outlet port. The hopper holds chemical materials therein. A mounting means is for mounting the hopper on a back of a person. A flexible feed tube has a first end connected to the outlet port of the hopper. A dispensing gun is connected to a second end of the flexible feed tube. The dispensing gun held and operated by a hand of the person will evenly spread the chemical materials over large areas.

Abstract: A composition for a granular solid possessing superior absorbancy for absorbing oils. The composition includes perlite plaster aggregate, corn starch, and sodium bicarbonate, all being dry and powdered. Proportions of the constituent materials is nine parts by volume perlite aggregate, two parts by volume corn starch, and one part by volume sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A bag for storing and dispensing flexible bags. The bag has an upper opening closed by a drawstring and a lower opening closed by an elastic gather. The drawstring is enclosed within a hem. The drawstring is partially exposed so that it may be draped over a hook or the like, thereby suspending the bag from an environmental surface. The gather comprises an elastic band stitched to the bag either by passing stitches through the elastic band or such that the stitches surround and entrap the band without penetrating it. The novel bag is fabricated by placing the drawstring and the gather at opposite, parallel ends of a spread out panel of flexible fabric. The ends are folded over to enclose the drawstring, and are adhered, welded, or otherwise secured in this fashion. The remaining two opposed edges are then joined, thereby reconfiguring the rectangular panel as a cylinder, with one open end encircled by the drawstring and the other open end closed by the gather.

Abstract: A skirt guard for a mobile home skirt having a skirt track on the ground. The skirt guard comprises an elongated protective panel. A structure is for retaining the elongated protective panel to the skirt track in front of the skirt. The elongated protective panel will cover a lower portion of the skirt and the skirt track, to protect against the damaging effects of a string grass trimmer that trims the grass.

Abstract: A down-flow drinking straw that delivers liquid below a drinking vessel while eliminating siphoning to avoid spills. The straw has a first straight supply tube portion connected by an adjustable bend to a pickup tube portion with a liquid reservoir just below the adjustable bend. The adjustable bend is biased to a normal position, such that the supply tube portion is above the reservoir when the straw is released. Once the supply tube portion is above the reservoir, the reservoir provides a volume of liquid to reverse the siphon and pull the remaining liquid in the supply tube portion back into the vessel. A first embodiment has a reservoir in the form of an increased diameter portion that extends from below the adjustable bend downwardly. At the bottom of the increased diameter portion, the pickup tube may neck down to a smaller diameter to reduce the flow rate or the pickup tube has an increased diameter along its entire length, to maximize the return flow rate.

Abstract: A hanger for suspending a parallelepiped, such as a box for storing and dispensing tissue papers from furniture having a graspable element, such as the headboard of a bed. The hanger is generally "Z" shaped, having a central strap member, a first hook located at the top of the central strap member, for compressively entrapping the headboard, and a second hook located at the bottom of the central strap member, for compressively entrapping the box of tissue papers. The two hooks project in opposite directions from the central strap member. The second hook is adjustable in width to accommodate boxes of different capacities and dimensions. Each hook comprises two flat strap sections arranged at acute angles to one another. The constituent material of the hanger is elastic, so that the hooks can be spread open and will be spontaneously urged to close.

Abstract: A backpack in which length of the shoulder straps automatically adjust as to length when the wearer twists his or her torso. The shoulder straps are connected at their lower end to form one continuous strap. This strap passes below the bottom panel of the backpack, and is contained within a channel. The channel extends along the bottom panel for its entire width from right to left. The channel bends upwardly and forwardly as it exits the bottom panel to follow the side panels of the backpack. A member of low friction characteristics enables the continuous strap to slide freely within the channel. The channel is formed to resist distortion by compression from the load carried within the backpack. The shoulder straps may be elastic, and include an adjustment feature enabling adjustment of their overall length to accommodate different body dimensions.

Abstract: A cabinet having brackets disposed to support shelves behind glass panes of the front wall of the cabinet in a location concealed behind one horizontal mullion. The cabinet has at least two other vertical walls having a plurality of pre-drilled screw holes for attaching brackets, and at least one shelf which fits behind the front wall and between the vertical walls. Each bracket is generally L-shaped, having a flat vertical leg bearing a plurality of holes for passing a fastener and a flat horizontal leg for supporting a shelf. The vertical leg has two short extensions projecting beyond the horizontal leg, thereby stabilizing the bracket against tilting responsive to weight being imposed thereon. The horizontal leg has a neck adjoining the vertical leg which enlarges to form a broad head. The head is rounded and is of width no greater than that of the vertical leg. Distal ends of the short extensions and of the main section of the vertical leg are also rounded.

Abstract: A spray shower apparatus reconfigurable and adjustable for watering flowers and other plants planted in beds. The apparatus comprises a kit enabling modular assembly and enclosed within a common enclosure. The principal component of the kit is a rigid liquid conduit having at least one threaded end and a plurality of orifices disposed on the lateral wall of the conduit. The conduit has a plurality of spray nozzles attachable to the orifices of the liquid conduit. Each spray nozzle is adjustable as to direction of spray relative to the liquid conduit. Other components of the kit include a connector for connecting the liquid conduit to an external source of liquid, brackets for securing the liquid conduit to a vertical environmental surface, and an end cap for closing the distal end of the liquid conduit. Preferably, components are provided in quantities enabling a plurality of liquid conduits to be arranged in series.

Abstract: A generally flat holder for clipping to a user's trousers and holding a towel or other fabric object. The holder has a body including an upper section forming a C-shaped hook forming a first gap between opposing ends of the C, and a lower section comprising a frame forming a central opening encircling an upwardly projecting tab. A U-shaped second gap is defined between the tab and the surrounding portion of the frame. The body is generally rigid, but is sufficiently flexible so that the hook and tab may be deflected to increase their respective gaps. Deflection enables the hook to be slipped over the belt or edge of the trousers of a user, and enables the tab to admit passage of a towel or the like into the central opening of the lower section of the body. The tab is configured to maintain engagement with the towel, but readily releases the towel when deflected by manual pressure such that its respective gap is widened. All edges of the body are beveled.

Abstract: A modular vehicle comprises a preassembled undercarriage module, a preassembled overcarriage module, and coupling means for releasably coupling the overcarriage module to the undercarriage module. The undercarriage module includes wheels for permitting travel of the vehicle on a travelling surface, means for holding a power source for supplying operating power to the vehicle, and means for directing controlled motive power from the power source to at least one of the wheels. The overcarriage module includes control means linkable with the undercarriage module for controlling operation of the vehicle.