Abstract: A misting fan includes a rotatable fan blade collar, a plurality of fan blades mounted around the rotatable fan blade collar, a mist-generating assembly, a drive mechanism and a motor. The mist-generating assembly includes a mist nozzle disposed inside the fan blade collar and a hose with one end being coupled to the nozzle. The motor includes a motor shaft for rotating the fan blade collar through the drive mechanism. An axis of rotation of the motor shaft is offset from an axis of rotation of the fan blade collar.

Abstract: A de-shedding tool includes first and second thin plates, and first and second rows of spaced apart teeth formed along first and second longitudinal edges of the first and second plates respectively. The first and second plates are superimposed and longitudinally offset such that the offset first and second rows of equally spaced apart teeth together form a plurality of continuous serrated teeth. The teeth have surfaces with a roughness sufficient to engage and pull away loose hair when the teeth slide through the hair of an animal. A method of manufacturing the de-shedding tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A misting fan includes a rotatable fan blade collar, a plurality of fan blades mounted around the rotatable fan blade collar, a mist-generating assembly, a drive mechanism and a motor. The mist-generating assembly includes a mist nozzle disposed inside the fan blade collar and a hose with one end being coupled to the nozzle. The motor includes a motor shaft for rotating the fan blade collar through the drive mechanism. An axis of rotation of the motor shaft is offset from an axis of rotation of the fan blade collar.

Abstract: A system for evacuating containers. The system includes a base housing defining a recess having a vacuum inlet port in communication with a vacuum source. An inner door is hinged to the base housing and is sized to cover the recess when in a closed position, and an outer door having a sealing member is hinged to close over the inner door. A vacuum nozzle extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess. The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle so that the nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for evacuating containers. The system includes a base housing defining a recess having a vacuum inlet port in communication with a vacuum source. An inner door is hinged to the base housing and is sized to cover the recess when in a closed position, and an outer door having a sealing member is hinged to close over the inner door. A vacuum nozzle extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess. The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle so that the nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for evacuating containers. The system includes a base housing defining a recess having a vacuum inlet port in communication with a vacuum source. An inner door is hinged to the base housing and is sized to cover the recess when in a closed position, and an outer door having a sealing member is hinged to close over the inner door. A vacuum nozzle extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess. The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle so that the nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle.

Abstract: Container or bags for sealing food or other objects are made from a composite material. The material has an outer oxygen-impermeable layer and an inner heat-sealable layer. The two layers are joined by an intermediate adhesive layer that is stiffer than either the inner or outer layer. Other embodiments may be made of a single layer of heat-sealable material that resists the flow or air or oxygen inside the container. Channels on the sides of the container or bag form an interconnecting network and allow a flow of air and oxygen for evacuation of the bag. The material may be laminated in a continuous fashion as a tube wherein bags are made by cutting and sealing the material at desired intervals.

Abstract: Container or bags for sealing food or other objects are made from a composite material. The material has an outer oxygen-impermeable layer and an inner heat-sealable layer. The two layers are joined by an intermediate adhesive layer that is stiffer than either the inner or outer layer. Other embodiments may be made of a single layer of heat-sealable material that resists the flow or air or oxygen inside the container. Channels on the sides of the container or bag form an interconnecting network and allow a flow of air and oxygen for evacuation of the bag. The material may be laminated in a continuous fashion as a tube wherein bags are made by cutting and sealing the material at desired intervals.

Abstract: Container or bags for sealing food or other objects are made from a composite material. The material has an outer oxygen-impermeable layer and an inner heat-sealable layer. The two layers are joined by an intermediate adhesive layer that is stiffer than either the inner or outer layer. Other embodiments may be made of a single layer of heat-sealable material that resists the flow or air or oxygen inside the container. Channels on the sides of the container or bag form an interconnecting network and allow a flow of air and oxygen for evacuation of the bag. The material may be laminated in a continuous fashion as a tube wherein bags are made by cutting and sealing the material at desired intervals.

Abstract: A system for evacuating containers. The system includes a base housing defining a recess having a vacuum inlet port in communication with a vacuum source. An inner door is hinged to the base housing and is sized to cover the recess when in a closed position, and an outer door having a sealing member is hinged to close over the inner door. A vacuum nozzle extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess. The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle so that the nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle.