Abstract: A lead propelling mechanism for a mechanical pencil includes a lead chuck, a ring fitted loosely about the chuck for tightening its head, a sleeve having a front end contacting the ring, and an elastic member having a front end bearing on the front end of the sleeve and a rear end held by a shoulder formed on the outer surface of the chuck adjacent to its rear end. The mechanism is very easy to assemble and join to a lead holding tube in the pencil. The rear end of the elastic member bears against an adjacent end of the tube to urge the ring to tighten the head of the chuck, when the chuck is inserted into the tube.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser according to the present invention has a tubular body having therein a fluid chamber, a pusher for pushing the fluid, and a feed mechanism for progressively advancing the pusher. The feed mechanism has a slider and an actuator for advancing the pusher so that a suitable amount of the fluid in the fluid chamber of the tubular body is fed to an outlet of the dispenser. The outlet may be in the form of a nib when the dispenser is in the form of a writing pen.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the feed mechanism has a nut fixed within the tubular body, a threaded rod threadedly engaged with the nut, a rotary member slidably mounted on the threaded rod and spring biased rearwardly towards the actuator, a slider for rotating the rotary member, and a guide device for guiding the rotary member and the slider. The guide device has grooves on the inner surface of the tubular body.

Abstract: A simply constructed knee-supporting brace comprises a pair of structures to be adapted to be fastened to a leg from both sides of the knee. Each structure includes two elongated solid members rotatably connected to each other which are adapted to be fastened respectively above and below the knee. Two springs connect these elongated members respectively between their upper ends and their lower ends so that the user must exert a force to stretch the springs but the compressed springs aid the user when the knee is straightened as the user stands up.

Abstract: A washing and scrubbing utensil has a hollow elongated handle having a back longitudinal end provided with a cap and an opposite front longitudinal end formed with a central longitudinally forwardly projecting feed tube communicating with the interior of the handle and with two longitudinally forwardly projecting holding spikes each having opposite edges formed with sawteeth. A sponge is fitted to the front end with the spikes and feed tube imbedded in the sponge and the sawteeth of the spikes poking into the sponge. The spikes are generally flat and lie generally in a common plane with the teeth of each spike projecting oppositely in the plane, the sponge being formed with respective slits receiving the spikes and extending generally perpendicular to the plane thereof. The sponge is formed with a further such slit between the slits of the spikes and receiving the feed tube.

Abstract: A dispensing container for solid stick-type products is described which is adapted to be bottom filled with molten solid stick-type product while in a completely assembled condition. The dispensing container includes a substantially tubular container body having an open upper end and a base member with an aperture formed therethrough mounted in its lower end. A cup-shaped closure cap telescopes over the upper end of the dispensing container. A threaded follower having an at least partially open skeletal structure adapted to permit axial flow of molten solid-stick product therethrough during filling operations is slidably and non-rotatably disposed within the container body for axial movement therewithin.

Abstract: An information reel system (10) is provided for displaying information on sheet material (32) contained therein. The information reel system (10) includes a substantially closed and transparent housing (24) within which there is mounted an upper and lower reel mechanism (42 and 44). The upper and lower reel mechanisms (42 and 44) have mounted thereon the sheet material (32) containing indicia information (12 and 12'). Rotational activation of upper and lower reel mechanisms (42 and 44) allows the viewer to see corresponding indicia information (12 and 12') in different sections of transparent housing (24). Upper and lower reel mechanisms (42 and 44) are coupled each to the other by means of coupling mechanisms (54 and 56) mounted within transparent housing (24) on opposing longitudinal ends thereof.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a cosmetic-container of the propel-repel variety wherein all parts are assembled and retained by interference fit and wherein metal-to-plastic interfaces characterize essentially all sliding engagements. The arrangement is such as to provide a luxury "feel" through controlled drag torque (resistance) to relative rotation of the parts. And provision is made to positively retain any retracted position of the pomade carrier, whatever the remaining useful extent of involved pomade.

Abstract: A ball-point pen has an elongate telescopic body which includes a front holder portion and a rear holder portion fitted on the front holder portion to be movable between a compressed position and a stretched position. A ball-point pen refill is disposed in the front holder portion and has a refill tip protruding from one end of the front holder portion. A concealing sleeve is disposed in one end of the front holder portion to be slidable along the ball-point pen refill. When the rear holder portion is moved to the compressed position, the sleeve is moved to conceal the refill tip, and when the rear holder portion is moved to the stretched position, the sleeve is moved to expose the refill tip. When the rear holder portion is moved to the compressed position, the rear holder portion is held in the position by a holding mechanism.

Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive applicator with a heating block features a flow maze for the hot-melt adhesive, arranged between heating block and applicator nozzle, which is formed, for one, by parts of the heating block, and, for another, by a detachable maze attachment, and causes the hot-melt adhesive to flow through thin ribbon or disk-shaped spaces in intimate contact with heated surfaces, with all essential adhesive channels being easily accessible for cleaning upon removal of the maze attachment.

Abstract: Described briefly, according to a typical embodiment of the invention, a roller has a core comprising plurality of relatively hard and rigid segments fastened together in a stack and rotatably mounted to a shaft. The roller core has internal baffled passageways established by grooves in abutting faces of segments, so that, when paint is supplied to a cavity in the center of the stack, it will depart through these passageways in the roller in a controlled manner. A replaceable sock-like cover is received on the roller stack and secured by end retainers. The roller can be easily and completely disassembled for cleaning.

Abstract: The flow of ink in a marking pen is metered by an internal flow restriction. The pen is of the type having a housing, including an ink reservoir, and a marking tip which draws ink from the ink reservoir by capillary action. The reservoir is vented to allow air to be drawn into the reservoir by the pressure drop created when ink is drawn out of the reservoir to the marking tip. A foam flow restrictor is positioned in the housing between the air vent and the ink reservoir to create a desired air flow rate into the reservoir and, in turn, a desired capillary action flow rate of the ink from the reservoir to the marking tip.

Abstract: An improved hose end sprayer is provided in which chemical concentrate from a reservoir circumscribing a tube secured to the end of the hose is gradually fed into a liquid stream passing through the tube. A back pressure baffle is fitted within the tube between a pair of holes spaced in the tube in the portion thereof circumscribed by the reservoir walls. A first of the holes permits gradually release of liquid concentrate within the reservoir when under pressure into the tube. This hole is positioned downstream of the baffle. A partition within the chamber is fitted over the tube, at least a portion thereof being movable under pressure from liquid within the tube passing through the second hole upstream of the baffle into the reservoir. This action causes sufficient pressure on the concentrate to cause its gradual release through the first hole into the tube.