Abstract: A gravity fed display device for displaying hangable articles comprising a mounting board, including a display surface, a suspension apparatus downwardly extending from the mounting board, and a guide apparatus extending substantially parallel to the suspension apparatus. The hangable articles are suspended from the suspension apparatus and the hangable articles rest against the guide apparatus so that they hang parallel to one another. The mounting board may be a peg board and the suspension apparatus may be a peg hook. The suspension apparatus may include an upwardly extending portion and the guide apparatus may include an upwardly extending portion.

Abstract: A non-contaminating catheter includes a hollow tube having an axial lumen extending along the length thereof, and an elongated, tubular, flexible membrane disposed within the lumen. The leading end of the membrane is circumferentially folded back over the leading edge of the tube and fixed to a guide assembly. As the catheter is inserted into a patient, the membrane is dram through the tube and out the leading edge of the tube. Once the catheter is fully inserted, the membrane circumscribes the tube; thus, contact between the tube and the patient is substantially, if not entirely, prevented during insertion of the catheter over the length of the membrane. More particularly, the membrane is laid out as the catheter is urged along the anatomical canal and thus remains interposed between the exterior wall of the catheter and the patient's internal organs (e.g., the urethra).

Abstract: A gravity feed merchandise display device including a plurality of downwardly inclined track assemblies that support a row of bottles by its neck flanges. The forwardmost bottle is prevented from exiting its track by a spring mechanism that must be overcome to remove the bottle from the track assembly on which it is located.

Abstract: A shelf system including a rail member and a plurality of shelf dividers. The shelf divider includes a longitudinally extending portion which has formed at its front end an integral flexible undulated C-shaped member disposed normal to the longitudinally extending portion. The divider includes at its front end a cutout whereby the divider and flexible member can be readily compressed so that the flexible member can be snap-fitted into channels formed by the rail member and the divider positioned relative thereto against accidental movement.

Abstract: A non-contaminating surgical introducer/dilator includes a variably inflatable tubular balloon membrane. The leading section of the membrane is circumferentially folded back over, forming a double walled tubular membrane. The open end of the tubular membrane is fixed to the stem of the guide. The stem of the guide is placed over the body cavity while the guide is slid over the introducer tube, thereby forcing the membrane through the guide and into the body cavity while simultaneously inverting the membrane over itself. Contact between the introducer tube and the abdominal/body cavity is inhibited and the passive transportation of pathogens into the cavity concomitantly prevented. The inflator tube is used to variably inflate the tubular balloon with sterile water or gas via a syringe/pump device to the desired pressure. Various methods of making and using the introducer/dilator of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gravity feed system for a merchandise dispenser such as a refrigerated cooler. This includes a plurality of downwardly inclined track assemblies that support a row of bottles by its neck flanges. The forwardmost bottle is prevented from exiting its track by a stop member. The stop member includes an opening whereby when the bottle is tilted toward the horizontal it can be removed from its track. The stop member also includes an arrangement for preventing tilting of the bottle when in its forwardmost position.

Abstract: A wireless interactive consumer video system and a method for wireless communication between an input and display unit and a video electronics unit. The input and display unit includes a key pad and a video display. The input device accepts a user entry and generates a data signal corresponding to the user entry. The input and display unit transmits the data signal to the video electronics unit, which generates a video signal responsive to the data signal. The video signal is then provided to the input and display unit, which provides an image on the video display.

Abstract: A non-contaminating catheter includes a hollow tube having an axial lumen extending along the length thereof, and an elongated, tubular, flexible membrane disposed within the lumen. The leading end of the membrane is circumferentially folded back over the leading edge of the tube and fixed to a guide assembly. As the catheter is inserted into a patient, the membrane is drawn through the tube and out the leading edge of the tube. Once the catheter is fully inserted, the membrane circumscribes the tube; thus, contact between the tube and the patient is substantially, if not entirely, prevented during insertion of the catheter over the length of the membrane. More particularly, the membrane is laid out as the catheter is urged along the anatomical canal and thus remains interposed between the exterior wall of the catheter and the patient's internal organs (e.g., the urethra).

Abstract: A sign display assembly for a gondola-type shelving arrangement. The display system includes a bracket and a support arm assembly to which a sign support is connected. The support arm assembly includes telescoping support arms and a support clip. The support clip includes projections for securing the support clip to the support arms and flanges that are placed in a track found on the back of the sign supports to interengage the sign with the support assembly.

Abstract: A promotional method comprising the steps of storing a predetermined number of recognizable data, storing a message for each of the predetermined number of recognizable data, scanning a document to read machine readable information appearing thereon, determining whether scanned data represented by the machine readable information on the scanned document represents data corresponding to any of said stored recognizable data, identifying the stored recognizable data corresponding to the scanned data in response to the determination that the scanned data corresponds to one of the stored recognizable data, identifying a stored message associated with the identified stored recognizable data, and selecting the identified message and producing an output response corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A display system consisting of a plurality of vertically disposed shelves and transversely spaced and vertically disposed dividers to form a series of bins defined by said shelves and dividers. The dividers are held in place by brackets and pins. The brackets fit into grooves defined by the dividers and are held in place by pins that secure the dividers to an adjacent vertical shelf. The dividers contain grooves in their upper surface adjacent the front ends thereof into which transversely extending J-shaped members fit. The J-shaped members are designed to contain advertising material and are of a size to cover the gap between the dividers and an adjacent shelf.

Abstract: A modular storage rack for CD jewel boxes, or the like, comprising individual tray units that are stackable vertically and connectable laterally. The tray itself has no moving parts but only a ribbon spring which acts to both secure the jewel box when inserted and eject the same when retrieval is desired. Release of the jewel box is obtained by inward pressure against the spring and rotation of the box about a fulcrum on one of the tray walls, permitting the spring to urge the box out of the tray.

Abstract: A unitary plastic bottle carrier assembly designed to support a plurality of bottles by their neck portions. The carrier includes split collars through which the closure and bottle neck extends and the collars support the bottles through contact with the neck ring located below the closures. The spaced split-collar assemblies are connected to a central support member and are braced relative to each other by a channel-shaped member to form a handle receiver. A handle assembly is disposed in said handle-receiving means to provide for convenient transport of the carrier and associated bottles.

Abstract: A display stand assembly in which the main shelves have side rims provided with rectangular collars at opposite ends thereof. Vertical side members comprising top and bottom cross beams having channel-shaped top receivers and channel-shaped bottom inserts cooperate with the main shelves. The top receivers fit frictionally and snugly into the collars of a shelf rim thereabove and bottom inserts fit snugly into the receivers of a side member therebelow, whereby a pair of side members cooperate with the collar of the shelf to provide three-wall support for the shelf therebetween. The bottom cross beams cooperate with longitudinal recesses in the shelf rim to further stabilize the assembly. Extension end shelves are provided which are frictionally attachable to the main shelf side rims for increased merchandise support area. There are floor support feet which have a similar channel-shaped receiver insertable into a collar of the bottommost shelf of the assembly.

Abstract: A shelving assembly mountable on conventional vertical, slotted standards. The shelving assembly includes a shelf and brackets permitting movement of the shelf on the brackets between a rear merchandising position and a forward stocking position, and permitting movement into selected horizontal and inclined merchandising positions.

Abstract: A two-piece assembly for the operational holding of a display balloon in the inflated state. One piece comprises a male member cylindrical receptacle having slots for facilitating the positioning of the balloon neck therein. A cleat depends integrally from the bottom wall of the male member and the balloon neck is wrapped therearound to retain and constrict it and tend to prevent the escape of gas from the balloon. A female member receptacle of complementary configuration is resiliently snap-fittable over the male member to conceal and shield the operationally positioned balloon neck. The assembled holder is supportable as desired, such as in a tubular standard.

Abstract: A shelf divider system comprising a divider wall mountable in a channel member secured to the front of a shelf. A spring-urged pusher member is slidably mounted on a track having a pair of rails integral with the divider shaft. In one embodiment, the operationally mounted divider wall is vertically oriented and the pusher member extends horizontally therefrom so that displayed merchandise resets directly on the shelf surface but is automatically urged forwardly by the retracted pusher member. In another embodiment, the track provides the supporting surface for displayed merchandise and a vertical divider wall is integrally formed with the track.

Abstract: A shelf organizer assembly comprising but two elements, each of which is integrally molded, preferably of clear plastic materials. One element is an L-shaped rail member having a horizontal foot connectable to a shelf and a vertical rail leg. The rail leg has integrally formed rails to provide a channel on the inner face thereof. The second element comprises an elongated divider panel having an I-shaped mounting flange integral with its front edge. The flange is resiliently compressible so that the same is snap-fittable into the rails to operationally mount the panel. The panel also includes break-off grooves for selectively shortening the same and a footing flange which cooperates with the horizontal foot of the rail member to prevent angular movement of the operationally mounted panel.