Abstract: An improved note pad device is disclosed comprised of a plurality of sheets arranged in overlying and coextensive relation, wherein each of the sheets has a top, bottom and side edges, a means for removably binding said sheets at the top edges to form a bound pad, and a position means for identifying the position of the bottom edge of each of the sheets to facilitate successive removal of each of the sheets from the bound pad. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the position means comprises a diagonal edge cut in each of the sheets on the intersection of at least one of the side edges and bottom edge. Alternatively, the position means may comprise diagonal edge cuts at opposing sides of the note pad located at the intersection of each of the side edges and bottom edge. In another embodiment the position means comprises a backing sheet which underlies and is bound to the plurality of sheets.

Abstract: Electrically conductive polymeric materials, having microwave susceptive characteristics, are produced by suspending a fibrous based material and a monomer precursor of a conductive polymer in an aqueous solution. Addition of a chemical oxidant induces polymerization of the monomer resulting in coating of the fibrous based material. The invention provides a susceptor material useful for cooking food items in a microwave oven, and enhances the browning and/or crispening of the items. Conductive polymer coated fibrous based materials can be formed into a paper product by conventional papermaking techniques or molded into an integral structures having microwave interactive properties.

Abstract: An index rotary switch has a distributor which undergoes stepped rotation in response to longitudinal displacement of a plunger. The distributor is coupled to the plunger via a conventional tooth and cam arrangement to produce a 45-degree stepped rotation of the distributor in response to each up-down reciprocation of the plunger. A spring is arranged between a radial annular surface of an actuator cam follower and the radial annular flange of the distributor. The distributor is a unitary component made of electrically conductive material and having four radial extension arms spaced at equal angular intervals. At each of eight predetermiend stepped angular positions of the distributor, one radial extension arm engages a first electrical contact, another radial extension arm angages an insulating part, and the remaining two radial extension arms engage respective contact portions of either a second or a third electrical contact.

Abstract: A device for moving a door provided in an air conditioner upstream of an area in which cold air and hot air are mixed to produce a stream of air having an appropriate temperature includes an electric motor which is rotatable in either direction for rotating the door in either direction. An electric switch is connected to the motor for controlling its operation. The switch is reciprocatively slidable by a lever. A cam follower is connected to the motor reciprocatively slidably in parallel to the switch for changing an electrical circuit connection between the switch and the motor. The cam follower is connected to the motor by a wire and the door is also connected to the motor by a wire. The switch has a rotatable arm which is engageable with the cam follower. The arm has a neutral position in which it is engaged with the cam follower so that no electric current may be supplied to the motor. The arm is rotatable in two opposite directions from its neutral position.

Abstract: A modular self-dispensing ice cream maker includes an open-ended chilling container which encloses a mixing chamber in which a dasher is mounted for bidirectional rotation. The container includes a cylindrical chamber which is at least partially filled with freezable solution for cooling ice cream ingredients. The open end of the mixing chamber receives a cover having a dispensing outlet. The ice cream maker is adapted for orientation in mixing and dispensing modes in which the container is respectively supported in generally vertical and horizontal orientations. The dasher includes blades configured to scrape an inner container wall during rotation in a first direction for mixing ice cream. Reverse rotation of the dasher advances ice cream toward the cover for dispensing.