Abstract: Disclosed is a package for containing a battery-powered device having both a power switch and a safety button, where both the power switch and the safety button must be actuated in order to turn the product on. The package has integral means to maintain the safety button in a depressed position, as well as means for a user to actuate the power switch while it is in the package in order to observe the operation of the device. Another embodiment package includes means to permit access to the safety button and a power switch of the device while the device is in the package in order to observe the operation of the device.

Abstract: A projector comprising a directional light source, a lens disposed opposite the light source, and an image medium support assembly disposed between the light source and the lens along a light path that extends from the light source through the lens; a housing enclosing the directional light source, the image medium support assembly, and the lens, wherein said housing is suitable for outdoor use; and a support member connected to the housing such that the angle of projection can be adjusted.

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 book with a USB connection is provided. The book also has a memory and optionally a processor. One or more documents are stored in the memory. When the book is connected to a personal computer, the documents can be displayed on the personal computer. The documents can be modified and stored on the memory in the book for later use by the book's owner. A server can also be connected to the personal computer and the progress of a plurality of students with books can be monitored. Educational systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pizza storage container is reconfigurable to form at least one smaller pizza container, such as by folding along prefabricated fold lines. A lid support device, which may be used in combination with the reconfigurable pizza storage container or with a different storage container, serves as a cutting implement for separating pizza stored in the container.

Abstract: A capless retractable sealed marking instrument has a sealed chamber incorporated in a marker casing. The sealed chamber includes a chamber, a wiper ring, and an annular rim and a seal portion with a cross-slit aperture defining surfaces or flaps which are moved out of contact by a linearly-advanced marker nib to open the seal for extension of the marker nib. The configuration of the disk provides positive sealing force between the lateral sealing surfaces of the seal flaps. Retraction of the marker nib draws the flaps back into the sealed chamber configuration to protect the marker nib and cartridge from atmospheric degradation.

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 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: An electric toothbrush comprises a body portion and a head including a motor, a moving portion, a handle, and a gear arrangement between the moving portion and the motor. The moving portion rotates, oscillates and/or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The moving portion can include stiff bristles and massaging tips and the static portion can include soft bristles and massaging tips. The body portion houses the motor. A switch is operatively connected to the motor to provide momentary or continuous operation of the toothbrush. In one embodiment the gear arrangement includes a shaft, a worm gear and a pair of step gears. In another embodiment the gear arrangement includes a plurality of gears and at least one swivel arm for drive the moving portion in a rotating, oscillating or reciprocating manner.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus is provided which includes a projector, image source and reflective element. The reflective element is capable of being rotated by a mechanism housed within the reflective element. Light projected from the projector and through the image source is directed to the relective element and reflective onto a surface for viewing. The rotation of the reflective element creates reflected images which move in a desired direction across the viewing surface.

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: 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.