Abstract: A mechanism for secure engagement of slideable elements in dovetail or similar tracks. The mechanism comprises a pair of plate-like clamping elements adapted to be received within a slide track. The plates are disposed in non-engaging face-to-face relation having a spacer element positioned therebetween adjacent lower edges of the plates. The lower edges project outwardly in relation to the spacer at an angle to engage interior sidewalls of a slide track. A lever element is adapted to converge the upper portions of the plates in a direction towards the spacer and thereby force the lower edges securely against the slide track. The spacer element can be rotatably mounted and can have a non-circular cross section to facilitate installation and removal of the mechanism.

Abstract: A system for the display and distribution of multiple product items, where the product items bear radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and an RFID reader is associated in close proximity for maintaining effectively continuous inventory control. A product display tray is provided with multiple product channels and individual pusher sleds in the product channels for urging the product items to the front of the display. The pusher sleds are actuated by non-metallic tension elements extending underneath the product items in conjunction with spring-actuated windup reels for maintaining the tension elements under tension urging the sleds in the desired direction. An RFID reader board is disposed directly under the product display tray, arranged for periodic reading of the entire contents of the tray. The non-metallic tension elements, extending underneath the product items, provide for actuation of the pusher sleds without interfering with the radio frequency identification procedures.

Abstract: A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature.

Abstract: A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature.

Abstract: A vacuum storage and dispensing container for use with perishable items, particularly food products, and more particularly for use with roasted whole-bean coffee in any retailing application, to extend shelf life of the perishable item. The invention includes a storage and dispensing container, and further includes a valve mechanism for opening the cylinder to the atmosphere. A merchandising unit for storing and dispensing perishables includes a plurality of the above described vacuum storage and dispensing containers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vacuum storage and dispensing container for use with perishable items, particularly food products, and more particularly for use with roasted whole-bean coffee in any retailing application, to extend the shelf life of the perishable item for several months. The invention comprises a storage and dispensing container having a cylinder with a top end and a bottom end. An upper enclosure is attached to the top end and a lower enclosure to the bottom end. There is provided a system for releasing and creating a vacuum in the cylinder, upper enclosure, and lower enclosure for maintaining freshness of the perishable item. In another aspect, there is disclosed a merchandising unit for storing and dispensing perishables comprising a plurality of storage and dispensing containers. Each container includes a cylinder having a top end and a bottom end. An air-tight upper enclosure is attached to the top end and an air-tight lower enclosure to the bottom end.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a water-powered toothbrush appliance or the like wherein the water-powered motor for driving the toothbrush is mounted in a hand held housing. A valve for controlling fluid flow to the water-powered motor is mounted in the housing and a valve control portion is rotatably mounted by the housing at an area thereof which generally underlies the thumb of a hand holding the appliance. The valve control portion is rotatable by the user's thumb to actuate the valve. In order to efficiently utilize the space within the housing, while maintaining optimum proportions thereof for convenient handling by the human hand, the valve is mounted within the housing on the side of the motor more distant from the valve control portion and the valve control portion is mechanically connected to the valve by an actuator which is arranged to pass directly through the nutating action motor.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power toothbrush or the like characterized particularly by the fact that the brush element is driven in an orbital path, as distinguished from a more conventional angularly reciprocating motion. To particular advantage, the power driven brush may be motivated by a water powered nutating action motor mounted in the handle of the unit, although alternative arrangements, including conventional electric motor units, may be used to power the device. In the preferred appliance, an orbital output motion of a nutating drive motor is converted to rotary motion, and this in turn is converted back to an orbital motion in the brush or working element. In other forms of the device, the orbital output of the nutating motor is imparted directly to the working element. The latter arrangement has advantages of greater simplicity, while the former arrangement has advantages of greater compactness.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a diverter coupling, for use in connection with a water-powered appliance, for coupling the appliance to a water outlet, typically a standard household faucet. The diverter coupling is constructed predominantly of molded plastic parts, to accommodate low cost manufacture, and includes detachable sections mounted respectively on the faucet outlet and on the end of the inlet tubing to the appliance. When the two parts are coupled together, water flow from the faucet is diverted into the appliance inlet, flows through the appliance, and is returned and discharged at the sink. Pressure regulating means prevents overloading of the appliance by excessive water pressure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power toothbrush or the like characterized particularly by the fact that the brush element is driven in an orbital path, as distinguished from a more conventional angularly reciprocating motion. To particular advantage, the power driven brush may be motivated by a water powered nutating action motor mounted in the handle of the unit, although alternative arrangements, including conventional electric motor units, may be used to power the device. In the preferred appliance, an orbital output motion of a nutating drive motor is converted to rotary motion, and this in turn is converted back to an orbital motion in the brush or working element. In other forms of the device, the orbital output of the nutating motor is imparted directly to the working element. The latter arrangement has advantages of greater simplicity, while the former arrangement has advantages of greater compactness.

Abstract: In a fluid driven, nutating action apparatus, comprising a motor housing with a wobble plate mounted therein for universal tilting movement and movable by the driving fluid through progressively changing tilt angles for a nutating action cycle, a new and improved means for preventing rotation of the wobble plate is disclosed. In accordance with known construction of fluid driven, nutating action motors, a dividing wall is arranged in the motor housing and extends from the top wall of the housing to the bottom wall thereof. The wobble plate includes a slot arranged to straddle the dividing wall. In accordance with the present invention, at least a portion of the edges of the slot are placed in a close bearing relation to the dividing wall. The dividing wall is arranged and configured whereby the close bearing relationship between the slot and the dividing wall is maintained for the entire nutating action cycle of the motor, providing a superior working action of the wobble plate.

Abstract: A portable, battery-operated manicuring machine is disclosed in which the batteries and the final output shaft are aligned substantially coaxially. The motor and actuating switch are positioned within the housing intermediate the battery chamber and the final drive unit with the motor being radially offset from the axis of alignment of the drive unit, batteries and housing and the switch being positioned diametrically opposite the motor. The drive between the motor and the final output shaft includes a gear reduction train comprising a pinion gear on the motor output shaft, a cluster gear having its larger-diameter gear in meshing relationship with the pinion gear and its smaller gear in meshing relationship with an internally-toothed gear and the output shaft.The motor and gear-reduction train are mounted on opposite sides of a bulkhead which is mounted transversely within the forward part of the machine housing.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a flexible fluid line arrangement suited for connecting a hand held fluid-driven appliance to a source of motive fluid in a manner providing reliable, effective fluid supply, while permitting easy and facile manual manipulation of the appliance. The application specifically discloses a water driven power toothbrush adapted for connection to a household faucet. Concentrically arranged tubes connect the faucet with the hand held appliance, with the pressure side of the faucet connected to the innermost tube, while the exhaust or discharge side connects to the annular space between the inner and outer tubes. Novel, simplified swivel connections are provided between the appliance and the concentric tubes, and also between the tubes and the outlet fitting at the faucet.