Abstract: A shipping container following the teachings of the present invention is made by an insert molding process. The walls and bottom are each formed with structural portions that form a frame and any necessary cross bracing. A fabric covers any opening between structural portions. The fabric is placed in a mold that defines a cavity shaped like the structural portions, and thereafter a thermoplastic resin in injected. The resin intimately penetrates the fabric fibers to hold the fabric in place. The fabric may have holes formed in it to enhance the penetration of the resin. A wide variety of fabric and resins may be used.

Abstract: A shipping container following the teachings of the present invention is made by an insert molding process. The walls and bottom are each formed with structural portions that form a frame and any necessary cross bracing. A fabric covers any opening between structural portions. The fabric is placed in a mold that defines a cavity shaped like the structural portions, and thereafter a thermoplastic resin in injected. The resin intimately penetrates the fabric fibers to hold the fabric in place. The fabric may have holes formed in it to enhance the penetration of the resin. A wide variety of fabric and resins may be used.

Abstract: A shipping container is made with a bottom and walls of a first rigid material and hinges connect the walls that are made of a second, flexible material. The hinge material is fused to the bottom and walls so that there are no crevices to collect contaminants. The container has an erect position in which the walls extend upward from the bottom, and it can be knocked down by folding the walls outward until they are splayed out from the bottom or inward until they lie flat on top of the bottom. The sides and bottom include structural elements that engage each other when the container is in the erect position to transfer loads between the sides and the bottom and so relieve the hinges of carrying such loads. This arrangement allows the hinges to be flexible and elastic. When the container is knocked down with the walls spread outward from the base, it can be cleaned easily before reuse because there are no enclosed areas such as around conventional hinges that use hinge pins to retain hidden contaminants.

Abstract: A filtered water system for pets that includes two (2) gravity feed units, one (1) of which dispenses filtered water and the other which dispenses dry pet food. The filtered water gravity feed unit includes a breather tube such that when the water level drops below the breather tube level in the water bowl, air enters into the breather tube equalizing the pressure inside and outside of the water bottle. This allows water to fill the water bowl to a level where the pressure inside the water bottle is equal to or less than the pressure on the water in the water bowl and water stops flowing. The water gravity feed unit includes a filter capable of removing some contaminants from the water.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination metal halide and auxiliary light bulb floor or table lamp which is suitable for home or office illumination. The lamp includes a lampholder module which provides a unitary housing for the bulb sockets and the electrical components required to operate the bulbs. The module also positions each bulb relative to the others to minimize shadowing which results when a bulb casts a shadow due to the light emanating from another bulb.

Abstract: A dispenser for fluid materials in which at least two replaceable cartridges having collapsible tubes for conducting the material to nozzles on the distal ends of the tubes. The dispenser includes a movable carriage which releasably holds the tubes and carries a platen against which the tubes may be collapsed to expel the material. The dispenser cover carries an operating handle bearing a compression pad. The carriage is movable to bring one or the other of the tubes into alignment with the compression pad so that the selected tube can be collapsed against the platen upon actuation of the operating handle.

Abstract: A hand-held corded vacuum cleaner having a housing with a motor compartment containing a motor mounted on partitions defining inlet, cooling and outlet chambers for efficient motor cooling by air which enters inlet and exits outlet vents in the inlet and outlet chambers, respectively. A dirt channel extends from a fan chamber having a fan mounted by being swaged on a motor shaft. A nozzle chamber is disposed at one end of the housing and a bag assembly is removably detached from the rear of the housing by means of a collar having a side hole through which a detent extends and which may be depressed to remove the bag assembly. The nozzle is in communication with the fan chamber and the fan pushes dirt through a dirt channel over the motor compartment into the bag of the bag assembly. The motor shaft has a pulley at the end thereof which is connected to a brush which is releasably retained in the nozzle compartment. A belt extends around the brush and the pulley.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing soap from a container including a flexible, collapsible tube in fluid communication with the container. The dispenser includes a back plate which has a cover pivotally connected to it for movement between open and closed positions. The cover has a recessed front surface with an enlarged sight window for viewing the contents. The back plate receives the container and tube with the tube having fitments at its proximal and distal ends for mating engagement with complemental fitment locators on the back plate. The cover carries ramps which engage the fitments on closing to insure seating thereof. An output restrictor is releasably received on the back plate for limiting the stroke of a pressure applying handle carried by the cover.

Abstract: A hand-held corded vacuum cleaner having a housing with a motor compartment containing a motor mounted on partitions defining inlet, cooling and outlet chambers for efficient motor cooling by air which enters inlet and exits outlet vents in the inlet and outlet chambers, respectively. A dirt channel extends from a fan chamber having a fan mounted by being swaged on a motor shaft. A nozzle chamber is disposed at one end of the housing and a bag assembly is removably detached from the rear of the housing by means of a collar having a side hole through which a detent extends and which may be depressed to remove the bag assembly. The nozzle is in communication with the fan chamber and the fan pushes dirt through a dirt channel over the motor compartment into the bag of the bag assembly. The motor shaft has a pulley at the end thereof which is connected to a brush which is releasably retained in the nozzle compartment. A belt extends around the brush and the pulley.

Abstract: A balloon inflator utilizes a bypass motor such that the inflation or working air is separate from the motor cooling air. The intake for the motor cooling and inflation air is separated from exhaust vents to limit any recirculation of the air, assuring that the inflation air be maintained as cool as possible. An impaler is maintained in an involute to achieve the requisiting inflation pressure. A free floating inflation nozzle is maintained within a collar and is adapted for engagement with an output of the involute when inflation activity is desired; otherwise the nozzle is disengaged from the involute allowing the air from the involute to otherwise be exhausted. The motor driving the impaler is selectively interconnected with a half wave rectifier for speed selectability.

Abstract: A hand-held corded vacuum cleaner having a housing with a motor compartment containing a motor mounted on partitions defining inlet, cooling and outlet chambers for efficient motor cooling by air which enters inlet and exits outlet vents in the inlet and outlet chambers, respectively. A dirt channel extends from a fan chamber having a fan mounted by being swaged on a motor shaft. A nozzle chamber is disposed at one end of the housing and a bag assembly is removably detached from the rear of the housing by means of a collar having a side hole through which a detent extends and which may be depressed to remove the bag assembly. The nozzle is in communication with the fan chamber and the fan pushes dirt through a dirt channel over the motor compartment into the bag of the bag assembly. The motor shaft has a pulley at the end thereof which is connected to a brush which is releasably retained in the nozzle compartment. A belt extends around the brush and the pulley.

Abstract: A valving mechanism for a balloon inflator is presented. The valving mechanism is attached to an inflator comprising a fan driven by a through-flow motor. A piston, received within a cylinder, has two bores passing therethrough, the first bore communicating with atmosphere, and the second bore communicating with a nozzle adapted for receipt of a balloon neck. When the balloon is placed on the nozzle and the piston is urged against a spring, an airstream passes through the second bore to inflate the balloon. When the balloon is removed, a spring urges the piston to a position in which the airstream passes through the first bore to atmosphere reducing the load on the motor and allowing the motor to run cooler.