Abstract: An air conditioner with a cleaning member having an opening, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The member is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when a collector electrode array is moved. A lifting arm is mounted to the collector electrode. The lifting arm can move the member to clean the wire-like electrode as the collector electrode is moved (e.g., removed from the air conditioner for cleaning).

Abstract: A high capacity motorized rack holds a plurality of jewel case enclosed CDs in holders flexibly inter-connectable with each other to form a rotatable continuous loop. The loop is rotatably retained within a vertical rack housing and is driven by a motor, disposed within the housing, under user control such that the loop is rotated until a desired CD is moved to the top region of the belt. A rack may hold two or more such loops of inter-connected holders. In one embodiment a holder retains a single jewel case, and comprises two independent loops that are rotated with a single motor. A lamp and/or barcode scanner may be disposed on the housing for ease of CD selection. The housing base preferably is detached during shipping to permit transporting the rack in a smaller volume container. User control can include voice commands to direct loop rotation and speed.

Abstract: A brush includes a self-contained ion generator that subjects material being brushed to an outflow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises at least one metal pin spaced coaxially-apart from a metal ring-like structure. Alternatively, the first array may comprise one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is directed between the brush bristles onto the material being brushed.

Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. A bias electrode, electrically coupled to the second array electrodes, affects net polarity of ions generated. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is thus conditioned.

Abstract: A self-contained evaporative personal cooling device has an articulated C-shaped housing that fits conformally around a user's neck or forehead. The housing retains and urges at least one heat dissipating plate conformably against the user's neck or forehead. A sponge material within the housing contacts upper and/or lower portions of the metal plates but is spaced-apart from the plate to form a plenum. In use, the sponge material is saturated with water introduced through slots in the housing. A DC powered fan within the device draws air into the housing and circulates the air within the plenum and out through exit openings in the sponge material and housing. Moisture from the sponge material wets the plenum-facing surface of the metal plates, which surface preferably has been treated with a wicking material. Fan-circulated air promotes evaporation and heat is withdrawn by the plates from the user's neck or forehead, thus cooling the user.

Abstract: A pulse action facial massager apparatus including a headset assembly for mounting to a user's head. A pair of flexible extension fingers extending from opposite sides of the headset assembly each of which is operably coupled to a vibrating device each generating an independent vibrating action. A tip portion of each extension finger is manually movable for selected contact at independent portions of the user's head. Hence, the respective vibrating device transmits the vibrating action thereof along the extension finger to the respective tip portion. Each vibrating device includes a motor that is controlled by an electronic controller mounted on the headset assembly. The controller permits user-variation of the repetition rate and duty cycle of the motors. This permits the user to vary the vibrational patterns produced by the present invention. In an automatic mode, duty cycle is automatically varied by a sawtooth waveform to produce a dynamically changing pattern of massage intensity.