Abstract: A Combined Greeting Card and Candy Holder of foldable construction having a relatively flat, compact candy-receiving and containing compartment defined by front and back panels and opposed side panels. A message panel is hingedly connected to one of the front or back panels of the candy compartment so as to be folded over the candy compartment in a greeting card type of arrangement. An openable closure is provided on the candy compartment so as to permit quick and convenient access to its interior for inserting and removing a piece of candy as a gift to be included with the greeting card.

Abstract: A spring shoe device for aiding the user in such activities as jogging or walking, comprising a heel socket for retaining the heel and sole of the user's foot pivotally mounted to a shin brace for bracing the user's shin within the spring shoe device and a spring strap connected therebetween for storing and releasing energy as a result of the user's activity. A toe pad, hingedly connected to the heel socket, provides support for the ball of the user's foot. The user's foot is inserted in the spring shoe device, the heel user's fitting into the heel socket and the lower portion of the user's shin being strapped into the shin brace. As the user does such activities as walking or jogging, the spring strap absorbs energy caused by the impact of the foot with the ground and releases that energy as the foot is extended at the end of each stride.

Abstract: A cleaner environment is promoted by halting the use of one-time disposable packaging materials which are destined to end up in municipal landfills already strained to capacity and by substituting reusable or recyclable materials in their stead. The present invention provides a reusable carrier bag for dry cleaning, which is convertible between a first orientation of use wherein it serves as a duffel bag like carrier for collecting and carrying dirty clothing to the dry cleaners. After the clothing is cleaned and pressed and hung on a hanger, the reusable dry cleaner bag in a second orientation of use serves as a protective covering for the cleaned items for the return trip from the cleaners to the home. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the reusable dry cleaner bags, once assigned to a customer, are themselves dry cleaned with each customer load. The preferred dry cleaner bags also include hanger holding means for accumulating and managing empty hangers to be returned to the dry cleaner for re-use.

Abstract: A book-like storage container includes a receptacle for removably receiving a videocassette or the like therein and includes top, bottom, left, right, and rear walls, each of which has surface dimensions. The receptacle includes a front opening. A panel assembly includes a first panel foldably connected to the bottom wall by a first hinge, a second panel foldably connected to the first panel by a second hinge, and a third panel foldably connected to the second panel by a third hinge. Each of the first, second and third panels has a first open position and a second closed position, and includes inside surface dimensions. The inside surface dimension of the first panel is substantially equal to the front opening. The inside surface dimension of the second panel is substantially equal to the surface dimension of the top wall, and the inside surface dimension of the third panel is substantially equal to the surface dimension of the rear wall.

Abstract: The adjustable closure device includes a tensioning means, such as a lever, for actuating a cable adapted to tighten the front and rear quarters of the ski boot; the front quarter has a stop element for engaging the front quarter with the shell when the skier extends his/her leg; a release means is provided for releasing the stop element disengaging the front quarter from the shell and thus obtaining a walking position.

Abstract: Novel footwear upon the upper front portion of which an animated face with movable eyes is located. The footwear comprises an inner sole, an outer sole, and an upper shoe surface affixed together in a wearable relationship, with an arch-shaped support member located in a forward interior portion of the footwear. The upper portion of the arch is in contact with the interior of the upper shoe surface, and its opposite lower edges are affixed to edge portions of the outer sole. The inner sole is interrupted at a forward location generally corresponding to the location of the arch, and an upwardly biased treadle member is operatively disposed at such interrupted location. Upon the forward part of the foot of the user, on occasion, entering such arch member and extending therethrough, the ball of the foot normally rests on the treadle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary closure for a sports shoe, especially a ski shoe, in which at least one traction element co-operating with the closure element of the shoe can be wound onto or off of a pulley which can be rotated by an actuating shaft. A manually releasable locking arrangement fixes the actuating shaft in the chosen position of the closure. In the transmission connection between the actuating shaft and the pulley a releasable coupling is provided which facilitates release of the closure without it being necessary to bend down in order to actuate the locking arrangement.

Abstract: An automated appliance for dehydrating and pelletizing household or other garbage into a sanitized free-flowing form. The apparatus and method provide for compaction and folding of garbage feed material in three directions, to produce a pellet which is held under heat and pressure until computer-programmed temperature, moisture and pressure and points are reached, and the pellet is ejected.