Abstract: A stick product dispensing system is disclosed which prospectively provides an advance or early warning to a user that the product will soon be depleted. In one embodiment, the product dispensing system includes a dispenser (10) having a tubular barrel (20) with an open end (24), a solid stick product (12) disposed in the barrel (20), and a moveable platform (40) disposed in the barrel (20) for supporting and dispensing the product (12) through the open end (24). The platform (40) includes a plurality of spaced apart indicator protrusions (100) extending outwards from the platform (40) forming interstitial spaces holding a reserve amount of product. After repeated uses of the dispenser, the protrusions (100) eventually emerge from the top of the stick product (12) signaling the user that one or a few additional applications remain. This allows the user to purchase another dispenser in advance to avoid running out of product. In one embodiment, the product may be a deodorant/anti-perspirant.

Abstract: A dose counter for a metered dose inhaler includes a force sensor, an electronic controller, a memory for storing data indicative of a remaining number of doses and an electronic display device coupled to the controller for displaying the remaining number of doses. The dose counter is attached or integrated into a base of a canister containing medicament such that force applied to the base of the canister is registered by the force sensor, the controller being configured to measure force applied to the dose counter when depressing the canister and being responsive to measured force to decrement the remaining number of doses stored in the memory and shown on the display device.

Abstract: Collected-dust-amount indicating device (16) includes a pointer tube, at least a part of which is configured with a transparent material. The pointer tube includes a first end portion to which a first pressure is applied, and a second end portion to which a second pressure is applied. In the inside of the pointer tube, a pointer is disposed which is displaced by a differential pressure between the first pressure applied to the first end portion and the second pressure applied to the second end portion. Moreover, a pointer spring is disposed to be accommodated in the pointer tube such that the pointer spring biases the pointer toward larger one of the first pressure and the second pressure.

Abstract: A tabbing apparatus is provided that includes a pocket and a tab element disposed within the pocket in a retracted position. The tab element includes an indexing segment configured for protruding from the pocket in an extended position as a tab and for being received within the pocket in the retracted position, an anchor portion attached to the pocket, and an intermediate portion connecting the anchor portion and indexing segment and configured for folding to allow the indexing segment to move between the retracted position and the extended position. The indexing segment is configured for displaying writing thereon for indexing a file.

Abstract: A consumable product use tracking system includes a consumable product handling apparatus having a first marker is moveable relative to a date indicia, wherein the first marker selectively identifies a distinct date from the date indicia, and a second marker is moveable relative to a time indicia, wherein the second marker identifies a distinct time from the time indicia. A marker positioning mechanism is associated with the first and second markers, the apparatus, or both, for securely holding the markers so as to identify the distinct date and time and prevent accidental or unintended movement of the markers to another date and time. The markers are selectively moved to identify the distinct date and time after each use or for a future use of the consumable product handling apparatus.

Abstract: A file folder blank can be folded to form a file folder. The file folder blank is designed for single side printing. The file folder blank can be folded to reveal printed indicia to two directions of a single panel. The printed indicia can be printed by a standard desktop type of printer. The printed indicia can include graphics, location indicator, content indicators, pictures, graphs or the like. In addition, top taps or side tabs are integrally formed with the file folder blank that can be printed with identifying indicia. In some applications, the identifying indicia comprises a repeating set of color bars that can be individualized during printing of the folder blank.

Abstract: A file folder blank can be folded to form a file folder. The file folder blank is designed for single side printing. The file folder blank can be folded to reveal printed indicia to two directions of a single panel. The printed indicia can be printed by a standard desktop type of printer. The printed indicia can include graphics, location indicator, content indicators, pictures, graphs or the like. In addition, top taps or side tabs are integrally formed with the file folder blank that can be printed with identifying indicia. In some applications, the identifying indicia comprises a repeating set of color bars that can be individualized during printing of the folder blank.

Abstract: A document holder includes upper and lower plastic sheets superimposed on each other to define a document holding space therebetween. A saddle member of a flexible and heat sealable material is heat sealed on two corresponding edges of the upper and lower sheets to form a stiffened ridge, and first and second straddle portions that extend along an entire length of the stiffened ridge. A rider has a riding portion slidably disposed on the straddle portions and a tab index holding portion exposed outwardly of the stiffened ridge into which a tab index can be inserted to classify the documents held in the document holding space.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a display device for a vehicle which assures that visual recognizability can be improved by using a circular disc-shaped pointer while the pointer and characters, calibrations or the like on a dial overlap each other. A circular disc-shaped pointer composed of a polarized plate and including a slit-shaped indicating portion radially extending from the central part and the outer peripheral part of the pointer is arranged in front of a dial composed of a polarizing plate and having characters, calibrations or the like placed thereon. In addition, a light source is arranged behind the dial so as to illuminate the pointer with the light beam emitted therefrom. A movement is disposed at the central part of the light source to turn the pointer.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus for a vehicle in which luminance of the display pattern of letters, graduations, a pointer, and the like are increased without unevenness in the luminance but also the distance between a front face of a pointer plate and a rear face of the movement of the display apparatus is shortened. A circular pointer plate with a transmitting slit is disposed on front a portion of the display apparatus. An outer periphery of the pointer plate is toothed and is engaged with a driving gear fixed to a driving shaft of the movement to be directly driven by the movement. A dial is disposed on a back face of the pointer plate. A portion where the dial overlaps the pointer plate, and other portion for graduations and the like which surrounds the portion are formed as light transmitting portion, but, other portions are formed as light intercepting portion. Behind the pointer plate is installed a discharge lamp with a reflector.

Abstract: In order to correct errors in the reading of a graduated scale, especially on a compass card driven by a damped gyroscopic system, the scale is juxtaposed with a block having slits simultaneously alignable with different scale graduations and illuminable by respective light sources within the block. The light sources can be selectively energized by a rotary switch whose bank contacts are connectable via a changeover switch to either of two groups of light sources for positive or negative deviations from a reference position; the slit so illuminated serves as a pointer by coacting with a confronting scale graduation.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuator such as an hydraulic top link has an external indicator device for marking the position of the piston within the actuator cylinder. The indicator has a collar which clamps on to the piston rod and a finger which extends longitudinally along the outside of the actuator cylinder to provide a direct reading of the piston position. An indirect indication may be provided by linking the longitudinally extending finger to a spring loaded tape indicator, or to an indicator arm which moves angularly across a scale.