Abstract: There is disclosed an electric appliance (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800) with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater (102, 202, 302, 506, 702) and a number of batteries (106, 206, 308, 406, 508, 606, 708, 806), in which the PTC heater (102, 202, 302, 506, 702) is adapted to be powered by the batteries (106, 206, 308, 406, 508, 606, 708, 806) and an outside electric power source, and the PTC heater (102, 202, 302, 506, 702) is adapted to be powered by the outside electric power source when the electric appliance (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800) is started, and to be subsequently powered by the batteries (106, 206, 308, 406, 508, 606, 708, 806).

Abstract: A lock-out mechanism for use with a dispenser having a back plate and a cover hingedly attached thereto for receipt of a refill container with an attached pump. The cover carries a pressure member in the form of a push bar having a pump activating projection which normally activates the pump by engaging a collapsible portion thereof when the push bar is activated and the refill cartridge and pump are properly seated within the dispenser. The push bar also carries an interference rib on the push bar which projects therefrom and engages a non collapsible portion of the pump and prevents the pump activating projection from engaging the collapsible portion of the pump when the pump is misseated in the dispenser.

Abstract: A grinder for use with a tire uniformity machine and being selectially moved into and out of contact with a tire mounted in the tire uniformity machine and including a pair of rotatable grindstones for grinding the tire carried by a grinding head. The grindstones are moved radially toward and away from the tire and are driven by one or more motors mounted on the grinding bead for rotating the grindstones in opposite directions relative to each other.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine having a framework for receiving a tire to be tested, a rotatable chuck located within the framework and having a spindle driven by a motor directly coupled to the spindle to selectively cause rotation thereof, whereby the tire is chucked within the chuck assembly and caused to rotate by the motor. The motor is disposed in axial alignment with the spindle.

Abstract: A container holder assembly for removably receiving a product dispensing container having a flexible nozzle spout includes a wall-mounting back plate having a longitudinal axis and a container holder for receipt of the dispensing container hingedly attached to the back plate. The container holder has a through central bore for receipt of the dispensing container and the longitudinal axis of that bore is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the back plate so that the container, when inserted, is disposed at an angle with regard to that axis and with regard to any vertical surface supporting the back plate. The product dispensing container is inserted into the container holder in an inverted condition so that the flexible nozzle projects below the container holder whereby, when the container holder is moved toward the back plate, the nozzle will contact a portion of the back plate and be deflected to dispense product.

Abstract: A display apparatus for displaying an article such as a pneumatic tire includes an elongate base with a substantially planar top surface and article support members projecting from said top surface at opposed ends of the base. Opposed side or lateral article support members are also provided each having an elongate side wall for supporting the article and connection means are provided projecting from opposed ends of each of the side article support members for removable and adjustable inner connection with the article support members on the base to provide a display for displaying an article such as a pneumatic tire in a vertical position and with the ability to accommodate different sizes of tires.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides an apparatus and method for accurately and rapidly imposing the required average force on a tire by using a drive mechanism, which initially drives the loadwheel carriage to a known average load position for tires of the type under test. This average can be computed based on a single previous test tire or based on an entire population of previously tested tires of the same or similar type.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine having a processor and a load wheel rotatably mounted within a frame, the tire uniformity machine including non-visible indicia adjacent the load wheel; and a sensor operatively located with respect to the indicia and in communication with the processor, wherein the sensor detects the presence of the indicia during the rotation of the load wheel.

Abstract: A tire bead lubricating assembly for lubricating the bead area of a tire includes a lubricator sleeve mounted for reciprocal movement into and out of the center of the tire. The sleeve has an hourglass shape for engagement with the opposed bead of the tire when inserted into the center of the tire.

Abstract: A storage and display container for the storage and display of small articles such as jewelry includes a base or display unit and a cover removably received on the base or display unit. The base or display unit includes first and second display areas, one for the article and one for the indicia bearing material relating to the article. The cover for removably closing off the display unit is provided with a tapered top wall so that it can be removed from the display unit, inverted and have the display unit replaced in its open end. The cover has a tapered top wall so that, when inverted, it will support the display unit at an angle to one viewing it. A modified form of the invention includes a slot in the wall of the display unit for receipt of a transport, storage and display package which carries the indicia bearing material. The package has a pocket for receipt of the article for transport and storage when the article is not being displayed.