Abstract: This invention is a collaborative funding system which allows many people to work together to fund a project or to purchase a product or service. A computer system offers services to users, typically over the internet. Users may enter a new product into the system, contribute to a fund for buying a particular product or quote a product to sell it to other buyers. Once a product is quoted, the system chooses the best quote and offers the product for sale to the users. Buyers' funds are held in trust until the product is furnished. The system also provides a mechanism for the seller to build the product in stages and be paid for each stage. The system allows a negotiation between buyers and seller to determine whether the product or stage is complete.

Abstract: The present invention is a single-use container useful for the storage and dispension of small quantities of liquids. The subject container is particularly useful for dispensing sterile, preservative-free formulations, such as those used in single dose eye drop applications.

Abstract: A flexible coupling of the type having hubs secured to aligned shafts and connected to one another through the use of a flexible belt surrounding the hubs is improved by forming axial and circumferential grooves on the exterior surface of the belt, each circumferential groove lying transverse to and opening into an axial groove. A cooperating metal retainer ring has respective pins formed on its interior surface for insertion into the axial grooves. After a test for gross misalignment has been satisfied, the respective pins are rotated into the circumferential grooves, thereby fixing the retainer ring in position with respect to the flexible belt and coupling.

Abstract: A flexible coupling of the type having hubs secured to aligned shafts and connected to one another through the use of a flexible belt surrounding the hubs is improved by forming axial and circumferential grooves on the exterior surface of the belt, each circumferential groove lying transverse to and opening into an axial groove. A cooperating metal retainer ring has respective pins formed on its interior surface for insertion into the axial grooves. After a test for gross misalignment has been satisfied, the respective pins are rotated into the circumferential grooves, thereby fixing the retainer ring in position with respect to the flexible belt and coupling. The belt further has nine wedge-shaped projections, each conformably fitting with a receptacle in a cooperating hub, each receptacle rotatable into a position where it lies vertically above the shaft on which the hub is mounted, each receptacle further providing inside diameter support to the belt through its mating relation ship therewith.

Abstract: A flexible coupling of the type having hubs secured to aligned shafts and connected to one another through the use of a flexible belt surrounding the hubs is improved by forming axial and circumferential grooves on the exterior surface of the belt, each circumferential groove lying transverse to and opening into an axial groove. A cooperating metal retainer ring has respective pins formed on its interior surface for insertion into the axial grooves. After a test for gross misalignment has been satisfied, the respective pins are rotated into the circumferential grooves, thereby fixing the retainer ring in position with respect to the flexible belt and coupling. The belt further has nine wedge-shaped projections, each conformably fitting with a receptacle in a cooperating hub, each receptacle rotatable into a position where it lies vertically above the shaft on which the hub is mounted, each receptacle further providing inside diameter support to the belt through its mating relationship therewith.

Abstract: A flexible coupling of the type having hubs secured to aligned shafts and connected to one another through the use of a flexible belt surrounding the hubs is improved by forming axial and circumferential grooves on the exterior surface of the belt, each circumferential groove lying transverse to and opening into an axial groove. A cooperating metal retainer ring has respective pins formed on its interior surface for insertion into the axial grooves. After a test for gross misalignment has been satisfied, the respective pins are rotated into the circumferential grooves, thereby fixing the retainer ring in position with respect to the flexible belt and coupling.

Abstract: A scent dispensing device comprising a scent impregnated pad of which the side edges are supportingly engaged by the inner side surfaces of a perforated hollow tubular body within which the pad is enclosed. The tubular body is expandable between: (1) a flat-folded, collapsed condition in which a pair of opposing tube wall panels with spaced apart apertures are joined together along their opposite side edges and (2) a dilated condition in which the opposing wall panels bow outwardly of each other creating a tubular body of lenticular cross section of lesser dimension between the wall panel joined side edges than in the flat-folded, collapsed condition. Convex contoured end closure flap members connected to extend across the width of each opposing wall panel at their ends are displaceable inwardly of the opposing wall panels to close the tubular body and establish the dilated condition. The width of the impregnated pad is substantially that of the lenticular lesser cross sectional dimension.

Abstract: An air freshener device is disclosed herein of multilayer construction which, when laminated or joined together, provides a strong reinforced unitary structure for holding a scented member between two snap-locked layers defining an internally closed cavity that provides a moisture barrier for at least a message or picture card forming a part of the unitary structure. The device includes a pair of thin members having preformed islands, receptacles and pins which, when aligned, may be snap-locked together. A scented member is held in the central cavity defined between the snap-locked members and a plurality of passageways interconnects the central cavity with peripheral vents to release the fragrance exteriorly of the device. Message, photographic or graphic representations are carried on display cards secured to the opposite sides of the snap-locked members which are isolated from the moisture of the scent carried on the scent carrier.

Abstract: An air-freshening device including an air-freshening fluid container having a removable cap with a wick support. A fluid-absorbent medium has an exposed surface on the cap and a wick extends through the cap to the fluid-absorbent medium. An outer closure support for the container has a pair of adjustable closure half-shells. Each half-shell has an internal locking arm for engaging the flange of the cap for controlling the air freshener flow out of the device.