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: 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: 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 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: An improved shower sprayer is provided which includes an oscillating head to provide improved water coverage for a shower user. The valve may include a base, at least one oscillating sprayer head supported by the base and a turbine system driven by a current of water fro a water source. The turbine system actuates the oscillating sprayer head.

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.

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 improved shower sprayer is provided which includes an oscillating head to provide improved water coverage for a shower user. The valve may include a base, at least one oscillating sprayer head supported by the base and a turbine system driven by a current of water fro a water source. The turbine system actuates the oscillating sprayer head.