Abstract: Disclosed is a battery-powered grass and weed trimming device including a housing portion with a handle portion and a shield portion. A first switch is disposed on a top side of the housing and a second switch is disposed on the bottom side of the housing. The second switch acts as a safety interlock to avoid accidental actuation of the device. A hub is disposed adjacent to the shield and retentively maintains a filament. A motor forcefully rotates the filament for cutting grass and weeds. The trimming device is packaged for sale in a sealed package having a feature that permits a prospective purchaser to momentarily operate the tirmmer while it is still in the package. The trimmer includes an optional wheeled extension handle to which the trimmer can be mounted to allow a user to use the trimmer while standing.

Abstract: An electric grass shear has a safety button linked to a power switch for the shear, such that the safety button must be pressed before the power switch can be actuated to allow electric current to flow to a motor. In one embodiment, the grass shear is packaged for sale in a sealed package having a feature that permits a prospective purchaser to momentarily operate the shear while it is still in the package. In another embodiment, the grass shear is provided with a wheeled extension handle to which the shear can be mounted to allow a user to use the shear while standing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric-powered, shoe care apparatus adapted for one-handed operation by a user. The shoe care apparatus is adapted to receive two removable and replaceable heads; a first head is for low-speed application of polish or cleaning material, and a second head is for high-speed polishing or buffing. In some embodiments of the invention, the two heads are driven simultaneously at these two different respective speeds. In alternate embodiments, the two heads are driven separately at these two different respective speeds.

Abstract: A playset (10) comprising a plurality of panels (11-16), attached structures (41-47), unattached structures (61-68), and a storybook (80) telling a certain story theme. The attached structures (41-47) comprise scenery structures corresponding to scenes in the story theme, and the unattached structures (61-68) comprise figurines corresponding to characters in the story theme. The panels (11-16) are hingedly interconnected for conversion between a ready-to-play condition and a storage condition.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a scent dispenser is provided that includes a fan and a scent cartridge, the scent dispenser dispensing scent when a flow of air is directed over a fragrant or aromatic substance in the scent cartridge.

Abstract: A plastic container and lid assembly for storing liquid coating materials including a container and a lid. The container has a body with a bottom wall, at least four sidewalls and a neck. The neck defines a wide mouth opening and including threads for receiving mating threads on the lid. The lid also has a plurality of lugs, preferably two lugs, extending radially from the lid and terminating at or before the lugs extend beyond the container sidewalls when the lid is in sealed engagement with the container. The body also has an integral handle for lifting the container and the container neck supports a bail-type handle also for lifting said container. The integral handle and bail-type handles do not extend beyond the container sidewall. The container and lid assembly having an effective packing footprint and an effective packing volume which substantially conforms to the effective packing footprint and the effective packing volume of a conventional metal paint can.

Abstract: A plastic container and lid assembly for storing liquid coating materials including a container and a lid. The container has a body with a bottom wall, at least four sidewalls and a neck. The neck defines a wide mouth opening and including threads for receiving mating threads on the lid. The lid also has a plurality of lugs, preferably two lugs, extending radially from the lid and terminating at or before the lugs extend beyond the container sidewalls when the lid is in sealed engagement with the container. The body also has an integral handle for lifting the container and the container neck supports a bail-type handle also for lifting said container. The integral handle and bail-type handles do not extend beyond the container sidewall. The container and lid assembly having an effective packing footprint and an effective packing volume which substantially conforms to the effective packing footprint and the effective packing volume of a conventional metal paint can.

Abstract: A support tool for holding disposable pads and method of exfoliating or cleansing facial skin. The support tool includes a handle for supporting the pads during use, and a pad gripper system. A user of the cleansing system utilizes the pad gripper to either attach a disposable pad to the pad housing or to release a previously attached disposable pad. A method of exfoliating or cleansing facial skin includes attaching a disposable pad to a pad housing attached to a handle of a cleansing system by utilizing a grabbing/releasing means, moving the attached disposable pad over the facial skin with moderate pressure, and releasing the attached disposable pad from the pad housing by utilizing a grabbing/releasing means. A cleansing system package includes a cleansing device and a plurality of disposable pads.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electric knife is provided that includes a blade that is adapted to cut the pulp and shell of pumpkins and other fruits and vegetables but not readily cut the skin and flesh of humans. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electric knife also includes a shield that that is adapted to prevent fruit or vegetable matter from entering the housing of the electric knife.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush may comprise a handle at a first end of the toothbrush and having a motor disposed therein. The electric toothbrush may also comprise a head at a second end of the toothbrush. The head may comprise a first bristle group, a second bristle group, and a third bristle group. The head may further comprise at least one elastomeric element. Further, the head may comprise a moveable bristle holder which oscillates. The moveable bristle holder may comprise at least one elastomeric element in the shape of a prophy cup.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape dispenser including a housing configured to support a roll of tape, such that the tape is dispensable from the roll. A tape cutter is engageable with the tape. The tape cutter includes a heating element. A power source, such as batteries, is in electrical communication with the heating element. When a flow of electricity passes from the power source to the heating element, a temperature of the heating element increases to sever the tape. Buttons and/or switches are preferably included and designed as a safety feature. The buttons and switches are to be operated in a certain manner in order to prevent unwanted heating of the heating element.

Abstract: An assembly for facilitating the use of paint applicator accessories in connection with a plastic container is provided. The assembly includes a nozzle device housed within a container lid and having a suction line, which extends into the paint container. The assembly also includes one or more vent holes. The assembly can be used to supply paint to a paint applicator device by attaching an intake conduit of the paint applicator to the nozzle device. As paint is siphoned out of the container by the applicator device, the vent holes allow air to flow into the container to replace the volume of withdrawn paint.

Abstract: A razor and trimmer combination assembly includes an elongated handle, a razor blade, a trimmer and a motor. The razor blade is disposed at or adjacent a first end of the handle. The trimmer mounts on the handle and includes a moving blade. The motor drives the moving blade.

Abstract: A package is disclosed having integral means to seal an opening in a packaged product, such as a capless writing instrument, in order to protect material within the packaged product, such as ink, from excessive exposure to air while stored in the package. The package may be of any type used to contain articles of merchandise, including, without limitation, a blister package, a clamshell package, a closed tube, or a box. A plug portion attached to or molded into the interior of the package is sized and positioned so that it fits sealingly in an opening of a product contained within said package in order to prevent or minimize passage of air through said opening. Also disclosed is a package insert for holding an article of merchandise securely within a package while sealing an opening in the merchandise.

Abstract: A hand-held, battery-operated air blower is disclosed having a housing with a handle portion, a discharge end, an air inlet, and a discharge aperture. A battery compartment is provided in the handle portion of the housing to contain one or more batteries. The battery compartment is electrically connected to a motor disposed within the housing between the battery compartment and the discharge aperture, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A centrifugal fan is mounted on the motor and positioned within the housing adjacent the air inlet in such a manner that operation of the fan draws air in through the air inlet and forces it out from the fan toward the discharge aperture then out through the discharge aperture. An actuator is provided for switching the flow of electricity from the batteries to turn the motor on and off.

Abstract: A hand-held device for shredding paper comprising a pair of rotary cutting wheels disposed within a housing between an inlet slot and an outlet slot. A motor is positioned in the handle to drive the cutting wheels through a gear assembly. One wheel serves as a drive wheel, which is coupled directly to the gear assembly, and the other wheel serves as an idler, driven from a spur gear attached to the drive wheel at the end opposite a gear case. Paper sheets are fed into the inlet slot and pulled between the wheels. Wheels are comprised of a stack of alternating discs of a large and small radius, and staggered so as to allow the two wheels to be interleaved while rotating in opposite (clockwise and counterclockwise) directions and maintain clearance. Large discs have a frictional edge to grab and feed the paper into the intersection of the wheels, tearing the paper into strips and forcing the strips into the outlet slot. A battery compartment in the handle contains the batteries for energizing the motor.

Abstract: A high-speed low cost dry shaver includes a cutting assembly driven by a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a motor and an associated drive shaft for operating the cutting reciprocations greater than eight thousand cycles per minute for the high-speed shearing operation. A replaceable battery supply is disposed within the shaver and operatively connected to the drive assembly as a sole supply of power to the drive assembly. Alternative rechargeable energy supplies are not included. A cam assembly is interposed between the motor and the cutting assembly for translating motor revolutions to cutting reciprocations. The cam assembly directly translates motor revolutions to the cutting reciprocations without reducing or enhancing operating cutting speeds.

Abstract: A tape dispensing device is comprised of a means for rotatably supporting a roll of tape. A means for adhering to the tape and pulling the tape forwardly is positioned forwardly of the supporting means. The adhering means and pulling means is rotatably supported. A motor means is provided for imparting rotation to said adhering and pulling means. Means for cutting the tape means is positioned forwardly of said adhering and pulling means. A switch means is provided for actuating the motor continuously while said actuating means is engaged. Also a shaping means is positioned above the path of travel of the tape to urge the tape against the adhering and pulling means, the adhering and pulling means including a set of feed rollers. The shaping means is positioned between a pair of adjacent feed rollers, the lowermost edge of the shaping means being positioned below the uppermost edge of said pair of adjacent feed rollers forming a structural indentation in said tape.

Abstract: A portable hand-held power stapler with an outer housing contoured to fit comfortably within the grip of a hand, said stapler having an improved actuation system comprising a manually operated power switch that will actuate the stapling mechanism when a paper-sensing arm positioned in a document insertion slot is brought into contact with the inserted edge of a document, thereby completing the electric circuit to the power source of the electric motor driving the stapling mechanism, said actuation system further having a manually actuated reverse switch to engage a reverse function of the stapling mechanism to clear a paper or staple jam.

Abstract: Apparatus for brewing a brew substance with a liquid comprises: a container for storing the liquid, the container including at least one aperture for dispensing liquid therefrom; a sealed packet of filter paper containing the brew substance; and a layer of heat sensitive film encapsulating the sealed packet, the encapsulated packet disposed within the container at a position covering the at least one aperture, the container configured to sit on top of a drinking container to permit liquid to drain into the drinking container from the at least one aperture thereof.