Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held melon peeler for peeling the rind from melons such as cantaloupe, and to methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making decorative candles include a peg mounted to a mold. A tube with an expanded midsection between an open end and a closed end is mounted onto the peg to form a sealed connection. Candle matter, such as liquid wax, is poured into the mold. After the candle hardens sufficiently, the candle with the tube mounted therein is removed from the mold. A handle is inserted into the tube and forms an expansion seal with the midsection. The handle is attached to a rack wherein the user rotates the candle about its longitudinal axis and/or rotates the rack about its horizontal axis. Candle shaping tools may be attached to the rack and/or held by a carver, and are used to shape the candle. The handle is removed from the tube and a wick and fuel are inserted into the tube. The fuel burns while the candle remains intact.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making decorative candles include a peg mounted to a mold. A tube with an expanded midsection between an open end and a closed end is mounted onto the peg to form a sealed connection. Candle matter, such as liquid wax, is poured into the mold. After the candle hardens sufficiently, the candle with the tube mounted therein is removed from the mold. A handle is inserted into the tube and forms an expansion seal with the midsection. The handle is attached to a rack wherein the user rotates the candle about its longitudinal axis and/or rotates the rack about its horizontal axis. Candle shaping tools may be attached to the rack and/or held by a carver, and are used to shape the candle. The handle is removed from the tube and a wick and fuel are inserted into the tube. The fuel burns while the candle remains intact.

Abstract: An overhead lighting fixture is hung from an overhead structure (11) using a combination including a hanger (12) secured to the overhead structure, a chain (31) having a plurality of links with the top link (32) connected to the hanger, and a lighting device (17) connected to at least one of the links, usually the bottom link (33) of the chain. An electrical supply cord is made inconspicuous or hidden. This is done as it extends down from the hanger (12) through the center of the chain (31) throughout the length of the chain and entirely within an unobstructed space within the chain to supply the lighting device (17) connected to the bottom link of the chain. Another approach is a sleeve (57) encompassing the chain (51, 52, 53, 54) and cord (56) combination. The chain is such that, when hanging from the hanger, it is flexible in primarily two vertical planes perpendicular to each other but at least moderately flexible in all vertical planes.

Abstract: An overhead lighting fixture is hung from an overhead structure (11) using a combination including a hanger (12) secured to the overhead structure, a chain (31) having a plurality of links with the top link (32) connected to the hanger, and a lighting device (17) connected to at least one of the links, usually the bottom link (33) of the chain. An electrical supply cord is made inconspicuous or hidden. This is done as it extends down from the hanger (12) through the center of the chain (31) throughout the length of the chain and entirely within an unobstructed space within the chain to supply the lighting device (17) connected to the bottom link of the chain. Another approach is a sleeve (57) encompassing the chain (51, 52, 53, 54) and cord (56) combination. The chain is such that, when hanging from the hanger, it is flexible in primarily two vertical planes perpendicular to each other but at least moderately flexible in all vertical planes.

Abstract: A decorative container is made by dipping into baths of molten wax, different colors of wax being provided in different baths for successive dipping to provide a multi-colored laminated wax coating on the container. Decorative designs at various locations on the container are formed by carving the wax and turning the laminae outward various degrees, and entirely in use instances, inverting the layers to provide various colors of design.

Abstract: A flexible screen closing an interior wall opening in a building, has a series of hanging columns made of adjacent tubes of flexible material, each tube having discrete pieces of solid filler material arranged in series along the length of the tube, and each tube having rings around the exterior thereof at spaced locations along the length of the tube, to constrict the tube at those locations so that the tube is sufficiently flexible to permit movement of people through the screen for passage from one room to another.

Abstract: A screen is made of hanging strands of beads of relatively large size and light weight. The beads are arranged to provide sound and thermal insulation to the extent desired between the spaces in a building on opposite sides of the screen. Two types of strand mountings are disclosed, with mechanism suitable to shift the strands laterally to increase or decrease the amount of occlusion provided between the spaces by the screen.