Abstract: A fastener assembly for coupling together two or more articles includes a plastic fastener and an anchoring member. The plastic fastener includes a pair of parallel cross-bars that are interconnected by a transverse filament. The anchoring member is constructed as a unitary, solid, plastic disc with opposing flattened surfaces. In use, the anchoring member is disposed against an outer surface of the articles to be coupled together. During the fastener dispensing process, the ejected cross-bar penetrates through the articles as well as the anchoring member. Upon completion, the ejected cross-bar lies directly upon the exposed surface of the anchoring member. As such, the stiffened anchoring member provides structural integrity to articles that are deformable in construction. In this manner, the anchoring member prevents intact removal of a dispensed fastener by either intentional or unintentional widening of the hole in the articles through which the fastener extends.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a molded plastic fastener shaped to define a filament, a paddle at one end of the filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of the filament. The fastener assembly additionally includes a printed label embedded in the paddle, the printed label including an electrically chargeable, stiffness enhancing laminate that is applied to a print receptive polymer substrate. An in-line system for manufacturing a continuously connected supply of the fastener assemblies includes a rotatable mold wheel, a feed mechanism for advancing a continuous, ionized, printed polymer web in a near tangential relationship relative to the mold wheel periphery, a cutting mechanism for transversely cutting through the web to form a plurality of rectangular printed labels that are magnetically drawn into corresponding cavities in the mold wheel, an extruder for applying molten plastic into the cavities and a knife for skiving excess hardened plastic from the mold wheel periphery.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for coupling together two or more articles includes a plastic fastener and an anchoring member. The plastic fastener includes a pair of parallel cross-bars that are interconnected by a transverse filament. The anchoring member is constructed as a unitary, solid, plastic disc with opposing flattened surfaces. In use, the anchoring member is disposed against an outer surface of the articles to be coupled together. During the fastener dispensing process, the ejected cross-bar penetrates through the articles as well as the anchoring member. Upon completion, the ejected cross-bar lies directly upon the exposed surface of the anchoring member. As such, the stiffened anchoring member provides structural integrity to articles that are deformable in construction. In this manner, the anchoring member prevents intact removal of a dispensed fastener by either intentional or unintentional widening of the hole in the articles through which the fastener extends.

Abstract: A plastic fastening device that includes a recycled material. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the fastening device includes a blend of two or more thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled material. The blend may include, for example, a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin. The fresh thermoplastic resin may include, for example, one or more of a polyethylene (PE), a polyamide (PA), or a polycarbonate (PC). The recycled thermoplastic resin may include, for example, a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). In a preferred embodiment, the blend of two or more thermoplastic resins includes a blend of (i) rPET and (ii) one of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a LDPE/LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) blend and LLDPE, (iii) wherein the rPET constitutes about 88% to 98% of the total material content and the LDPE, the LDPE/LLDPE blend, or the LLDPE constitutes the balance.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a molded plastic fastener shaped to define a filament, a paddle at one end of the filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of the filament. The fastener assembly additionally includes a printed label embedded in the paddle, the printed label including an electrically chargeable, stiffness enhancing laminate that is applied to a print receptive polymer substrate. An in-line system for manufacturing a continuously connected supply of the fastener assemblies includes a rotatable mold wheel, a feed mechanism for advancing a continuous, ionized, printed polymer web in a near tangential relationship relative to the mold wheel periphery, a cutting mechanism for transversely cutting through the web to form a plurality of rectangular printed labels that are magnetically drawn into corresponding cavities in the mold wheel, an extruder for applying molten plastic into the cavities and a knife for skiving excess hardened plastic from the mold wheel periphery.

Abstract: A massage base having a top surface contains at least one massage node base wherein the massage node base is motile in relation to the massage base. At least one massage node is mounted on each of the massage node bases and at least partially protrudes from the top surface. The massage node is mounted for rote movement in relation to the massage base. A motor, connected to the massage node base, engages the massage node in rote movement in relation to the massage base.

Abstract: A device and system for monitoring food is described. The food monitoring device has a temperature sensor and a temperature sensor base. The temperature sensor base has a transmitter and a microphone. The temperature sensor base is electrically coupled to the temperature sensor. A monitor having a speaker and a receiver communicates with the transmitter of the temperature sensor base. The transmitter of the temperature sensor base transmits a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and an audio signal produced by the microphone.

Abstract: The massage device has a housing, which includes a massage head integral with the housing. The massage head has a first massaging surface. A heating element, integral with the housing, is positioned sufficiently proximate to the first massaging surface to raise a temperature of the first massaging surface above ambient temperature. The massage device also includes a massage head cover formed to engage the massage head, said massage head cover comprising a second massaging surface and a freezable material.

Abstract: A portable lighting device comprising a power source, a first light source, a second light source, and a switch. A first circuit electrically couples the power source, a switch, and the first light source. A second circuit electrically couples the power source, the switch, and the second light source. The switch comprises a first surface portion, a second surface portion, and a third surface portion wherein pressing the first surface portion closes the first circuit, pressing the second surface portion closes the second circuit, and pressing the third surface portion closes both the first and the second circuit. The switch also has a forward position that closes the first circuit and a backward position that closes the second circuit.

Abstract: A pressure gauge for determining air pressure of an inflatable item and a method of doing the same are provided. Embodiments of the present invention provide a source of light capable of providing more than one color of light, where each color of light within the more than one color of light corresponds to a numerical relationship between a determined pressure of an inflatable item, determined by the pressure gauge, and a target air pressure. The pressure gauge also has a display panel for displaying the determined air pressure and at least one of the provided colors of light. In addition, the pressure gauge has a pressure sensor for determining the determined air pressure and a computer defining functions performed by the pressure gauge, wherein the computer causes the source of light to display the different colors of light in accordance with the numerical relationship between the determined air pressure and the target air pressure.

Abstract: A razor head comprising a support structure having side portions positioned outside the cutting path of the blade edges and which are formed of a resilient material, for example, a synthetic rubber-like compound. By positioning resilient material in skin-engaging contact on the sides of the razor head support structure outside the cutting path of the blades, a soothing sensation is advantageously imparted to the shaving process and a higher degree of control over the skin as the skin flows over the blades, is attainable.Another aspect of the present invention comprises, a resilient material utilized in the construction of the support structure at a pivotal connection between two relatively movable members in order to dampen vibrations. Other embodiments comprise a plurality of operatively connected blades.