Abstract: A pen having a 3-dimensional pattern has at least one flexible strip. The flexible strip is sandwiched between a pattern ring and a liner ring with the 3-dimensional pattern partially protruding out of the pattern ring from a corresponding through hole. The liner ring abuts a bottom end of a connecting ring. The connecting ring is formed with an annular flange on its outer surface. The pattern ring abuts the annular flange to enclose the liner ring. A top end of the connecting ring is clamped onto a barrel of the pen, and a bottom end of the liner ring is threadingly connected to a tip of the pen.

Abstract: A wood-encased pencil has raised structures formed of a synthetic material. The raised structures project above the surface at which the pencil is held and the structures form handling or gripping surfaces to increase the gripability of the pencil. The raised structures are formed by applying to the pencil an initially flowable plastic composition that later solidifies to form the raised structures. The plastic composition has, as a principal constituent, an aqueous polymer dispersion that hardens to become water-resistant.

Abstract: An electrostatic microactuator, known as a “Scratch Drive Actuator” or SDA, is based on a collective set of distributed elementary SDAs of small size that are associated with one another and that integrates a large number so as to allow the addition of the forces generated by each of the SDAs in the collective set. An external mechanical prestress, formed by a homogeneous external pressure in the form of a bias voltage applied at rest to the associated SDAs, is applied to the SDAs to allow a superposition of the forces generated by the associated SDAs. This is done while communicating to an external load the entire driving force emanating from the collective behavior of the SDAs. The electrostatic attraction forces established by the bias voltage are used to calibrate an individualized prestress for each actuator involved in the collective set.

Abstract: A pressurized flushing system for discharging liquid into a toilet bowl. The mechanism comprises a sealed container for storing a pre-determined volume of the liquid under pressure having an inlet for connection to a liquid supply source under pressure and an inlet valve to permit liquid flow through the inlet until the pre-determined volume in the sealed container is reached. There is an outlet for discharging liquid under pressure and an outlet valve movable between an open position to permit liquid discharge through the outlet and a closed position to seal the outlet. The outlet valve is urged by internal pressure within the sealed container toward an open position of the outlet when the pre-determined volume of liquid is in the sealed container, however, an actuator normally locks the outlet valve in the closed position against the internal pressure of the container. Operation of the actuator by a user unlocks the outlet valve to permit movement of the outlet valve to the open position.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a hollow body provided with at least one flat cleaning surface and at least one outlet and filling opening. The hollow body is filled with a cleaning agent or disinfectant. An absorbent cleaning material is detachably secured to the hollow body. The absorbent material includes a cleaning pad which can be separated in one piece from the hollow body.

Abstract: A pen includes an electronically controllable marking device, for marking a visible path onto a surface. The device includes a memory for storing sets of values of attributes of the path. The pen also has a selection mode, in which the pen is caused to cycle though the stored sets of attribute values by the user sequentially marking separate paths, with a different set of attribute values applied each path compared to the preceding path.

Abstract: An applicator kit, for dental purposes. has an application element with a grip area for handling, and also has a shaft, on a tip of which is disposed an application member, preferably in the form of a micro-brush that is provided with a reaction substance. A cup shaped sealing mechanism surrounds the shaft and the application member. The cup shaped sealing mechanism is slidably received within a housing which also receives a low velocity fluid initially spaced away from the cup-shaped sealing mechanism. The reaction substance on the application member is activated by pressing the sealing mechanism and application member into the fluid within the housing which causes the fluid to wet the application member.

Abstract: A cosmetics container for storing and applying a product has a bottle having a neck defining a neck opening to an interior product cavity, the neck having threads on the exterior thereof. A neck insert is mounted in the neck opening, the neck insert including a side wall substantially conforming to the neck opening and providing access to the product cavity. The neck insert includes a dispenser wall deployed between the neck opening and the product cavity and the dispenser wall has at least one supply opening. A cap has interior threads for removably securing the cap on the bottle in a closed position by interengaging the threads on the neck. The cap having a stem extending into the neck insert and an applicator pad mounted to the distal end of the stem. The threads of the neck and the threads of the cap configured to support the cap on the neck prior to threaded engagement of the threads with the applicator pad spaced from the dispenser wall to define a dosing space therebetween.

Abstract: A grip adapted for attachment to a writing implement includes a longitudinally extending tubular shell having an inner surface and an outer surface. The grip further includes a viscoelastic hand/finger surface formed about the outer surface of the tubular shell.

Abstract: A brush is provided for allowing a user to dispense liquid soap on the head of a brush member to aid in the cleaning of a surface. The soap brush includes a housing that has a head portion and a handle portion extending from the head portion. The housing is for holding a supply of the liquid soap. The head portion is structured to include a soap dispensing hole. The brush member is coupled to the head portion of the housing. A soap release assembly disposed in the head portion is movable between an open position and a closed position. The open position permits release of the liquid soap through the soap dispensing hole of the head portion.

Abstract: The mobile seat lifting apparatus pivots a seat member between a sitting position and a standing position and includes a frame assembly and a seat assembly pivotally connected thereto, an actuator connected to the seat assembly, and a driving mechanism connected to the actuator to pivot the seat assembly between the standing position and the sitting position. The frame assembly includes a floor brace that is able to securely support the remainder of the frame assembly and the attached seat assembly with a user sitting thereon. The frame assembly further includes a seat brace and a support arm, wherein the support arm connects the seat brace with the floor brace. The actuator is preferably connected between the floor brace and the seat brace such that the actuator additionally supports the seat brace in either the standing position or the sitting position.

Abstract: The surgical needle holder has a support body formed of an electrically conducting material and constituted by an outer cylindrical tube and an inner core. The outer cylindrical tube and the exposed parts of the core are surrounded by an insulating jacket. At one end of the core extends a blind bore or passageway into which the shank of the surgical needle is inserted. The blind bore or passageway crosses a cylindrical cavity formed in the core. The cavity has a vertical face and an opposing inclined face. The cavity is accessible through a slot formed in the surface of the outer cylindrical tube. A releasable locking device is formed by an electrically conducting plate having an insulated tab portion. The plate is mounted for pivotal movement from an upright position to a maximum forward inclined position and occupies the cavity with the insulated tab portion extending outwardly through the slot to the exterior of the support body.

Abstract: The present invention features a device to facilitate female urination from a standing position. A collapsible structure is readily expanded by pressing on two opposing edges. Once expanded, the device is held in its open state by a unique locking mechanism. Because a user does not need to exert continuous pressure on the device to keep it in an open, operable state, it is easier to use than other similar devices. The device may be cleaned, collapsed and stored for re-use or may be supplied as a single use, disposable unit.

Abstract: A direct-feed type writing implement having two ends includes an ink tank and a pair of writing points, arranged at opposite ends of the ink tank. An ink collector is provided for each writing point. An air/liquid exchanger adjusts the internal pressure inside the ink tank by use of capillarity. An ink feeder is provided for each writing point. Each ink feeder includes a center core for feeding ink to the writing point. Air is inhibited from flowing into the ink tank through the ink collector air/liquid exchanger located at one end while the pen is being used for writing at the opposite end.

Abstract: The apparatus for heating a fluid, such as water, as well as the method for using the apparatus are used in taking a personal shower or in cleaning an object. The apparatus includes an elongated tube formed of polymeric material and having two ends, one of the ends having a fitting attached thereto. The fitting is adapted to secure the apparatus in a fluid-tight manner to a source of a fluid flow. The other end of the tube has an applicator which includes one or more holes for the discharge of fluid flowing through the tube. A valve is disposed intermediate the ends of the tube. A portion of the elongated tube is formed into a coil which is disposed within a vessel. The coil is immersed in the liquid contained in the vessel. The vessel is disposed on a heating grate to heat water flowing through the tube.

Abstract: A lacrimal cannula, which is used for the removal of plugs or obstructions from mammalian lacrimal canaliculi having a punctum, includes a body having a distal portion, a proximal portion, an external annulus disposed proximate the distal portion, and a hollow bore for fluid delivery from the distal portion. The external annulus has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the distal portion. The distal portion is inserted into the mammalian punctum without dilating the punctum and the external annulus has a generally spherical geometry which forms a seal with the external surface of the punctum without dilating the punctum and without the necessity of forcefully pressing the cannula against the punctal tissue to create a seal. The distal portion also has a relatively short length so that the distal portion is easily inserted into the canaliculus without contacting the plug or obstruction and thus interfering with the formation of the punctal seal.

Abstract: An above ground swimming pool is made up of a plurality of posts, wherein each post is a blow-molded unit having a base portion and a top portion with a coping seat. A plurality of coping members also blow-molded are each telescopically received one end to the other at the coping seat of the top of each post, and a one-piece fastener engages the overlapping telescopic ends of the coping members to the top of the post. A bracket is provided at the base of the post, the bracket having a rail for receiving track segments wherein an elongated flexible metal wall is inserted. The coping member retains the top of the flexible wall against the post.

Abstract: A back cleaning device having two shells, one inner and one outer with a soap solution bladder affixed between the respective shells. The bladder holds a liquefied soap solution that may be dispersed from an upper dispersal nozzle. The inner shell contains mounting brackets that allow it to be engaged to separate height locations on at least one separate rail that may be affixed to a wall in a shower or bath. The outer shell will include at least one scrub pad engaged to an outer surface. The person needing a back cleaning will lean her back against the scrub pad pushing the outer shell towards the inner shell compressing the bladder. The person will move their back up and down against the scrub pad. This bladder compression forces soap solution out of the upper dispersal nozzle. The soap solution runs over the scrub pad, soaping the scrub pad. The person needing the cleaning has their back cleaned due to the up and down movement against the soaped scrub pad.

Abstract: A writing instrument is attached to a cord that is itself retractable into a housing. The housing includes a spool connected to a spring. The retractable cord is connected to the spool, and the spool is adapted to wind the cord around it as a result of the spring being biased to turn the spool so the cord is wound around it. A mount connects the housing to a surface. The housing may have written indicia displaying on it. Further, the mount can be rotatably connected to the housing.

Abstract: A single writing instrument has multiple marking tips combined with a non-marking stylus tip. The single writing instrument is formed by two complimentary bodies which are joined together. The complimentary bodies are a front section and a rear section. The front section defines a chamber for holding ball point pen cartridges which are extendable one at a time through an opening in the front section writing tip disposed at one end of the front section. The opposite end or back of the front section is open and forms a sleeve for receiving the rear section. The rear section is bilaterally symmetric with a non-marking stylus at one end and one of a fountain pen tip, a rolling ball tip, a felt-tip marker tip, or a gel ink tip extending through a writing tip at the opposite end of the rear section. The rear section is adapted to fit into the open sleeve of the front section and be held by a frictional fit.