Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush includes an elongate body having a handle portion, a head portion having a longitudinal axis, and an elongate intermediate portion disposed between the handle portion and the head portion. The head portion has a first end that is located at a position furthest from the handle portion and a second end opposite the first end that is disposed adjacent the elongate intermediate portion. The head portion has moving bristles that are disposed in a moving portion that oscillates and a static portion that extends from adjacent the moving portion to the second end of the head portion. The moving portion is disposed at the first end of the head portion and the static portion has a plurality of static bristles arranged in plurality of tufts. A motor is disposed in the handle portion and a shaft extends from the second end of the head portion to beyond the plurality of tufts of static bristles.

Abstract: A hand held cleaning tool is powered by commonly available batteries. Preferably a momentary switch selectively delivers power from the batteries to a motor. An output shaft of the tool includes an expandable coupling, such as, for example a set of swaging cams. Torque delivery arms radiate outward from the output shaft. For example, the torque delivery arms are carried by a hub. The hub is attached to the output shaft with a pin. The hub also acts to secure a power train including the motor and output shaft to a housing of the cleaning tool. The torque delivery arms are received in slots or interdental spaces associated with a cleaning head. Torque is delivered to the cleaning head with a reduced stress concentration.

Abstract: The key organizer has a housing with a first section and a second section which are pivotally connected. First and second drums are rotatably mounted on axles within a cavity of the housing. A first belt is engaged with the first and second drums and has a plurality of suspension points for hanging articles thereon. A drive mechanism is connected to one of the drums for rotating one of the drums to cause rotation of the belt. A switching device is connected to the drive mechanism for selectively continuously activating the drive mechanism. Third and fourth drums are mounted onto the axles in spaced relation to the first and second drums. A second belt engages these drums. The drive mechanism has a gear train with a drive gear and additional gears which matingly engage the drive gear. A locking mechanism locks the first and second sections together. A light can be mounted onto one of the first and second sections for illuminating the housing cavity.

Abstract: A projector having a polymeric housing containing an electrical light source, an image medium support assembly aligned in the light path of the light source, and a lens through which light emanating from the light source exits the housing after passing through an image medium disposed in the image support assembly. The projector is preferably adjustably mounted on a support member comprising a tubular section containing a transformer. The projector can be made with an electric motor inside the housing that causes a wheel comprising multiple fixed images to continuously or intermittently rotate the same or different images sequentially through the light path of the projector. A projector assembly is also disclosed in which a projector is mounted in a frame assembly in combination with a rotating mirror ball that simultaneously redirects the projected image in many different directions and continuously changes the image being projected onto a particular spot on surrounding viewing surfaces.

Abstract: A portable, handheld envelope opening device is disclosed. The envelope opening device has a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion includes a slot defined by a pair of opposing walls and a base plate. The walls being spaced so as to guide the passage of an envelope and preferably are slightly angled to provide a tapered insertion end. A pair of rotary discs disposed within the head portion adjacent the base plate intersects in partially overlapping fashion along a centerline of said slot. The discs are spaced and positioned adjacent the base plate. The first disc includes a cutting edge, and the second disc is adapted to urge the envelope into engagement with the first cutting disc to sever a marginal edge of the envelope to expose the contents. A motor is coupled through a gearbox to the rotary discs to drive the discs. A switch is used to couple the motor to a battery power supply.

Abstract: A portable, handheld sharpener having an elongated body with loop attachments, a battery-operated DC motor with speed reducing gears and a gear plate and a rotatable sharpening unit. A pouch-shaped waste shavings receptacle detachably attached to the body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension ergonomically contoured to fit within the grip of a hand while providing increased internal space for waste shavings storage. An actuator button is molded into the receptacle and is partially circumscribed to provide a hinge-like action to engage a leaf spring connecting the battery source to the motor and also provides a momentary operation of the sharpener while in the original retail packaging. The actuator button will not operate when the receptacle is detached from the sharpener and the internal sharpening unit is exposed, thus acting as a safety feature.

Abstract: A coin handling and sorting device includes a plurality of coin handling modules which are interconnectable by a user, as desired, to define a coin travel path. Each module is easily assembled by a user without use of tools. To facilitate assembly, bases, gears, retaining clips, and other components of different coin handling modules are interchangeable. The housing and other components of each module are assembled using a plurality of C-clips. Each module is typically manually operated to increase a user's interaction with the device. A clutch mechanism prevents accidental reverse operation of each module by a user. To facilitate interconnection of coin handling modules in any desired order, each has an inlet at a common height with other coin module inlets and an outlet at a common height with other coin module outlets. Each module also utilizes identical interchangeable modified spur/bevel gears that are shaped to accommodate co-planar engagement or angular displacement between engaged pairs.

Abstract: A device for sanitizing moisture containing cleaning implements is provided and includes a first and second heatable plate, a hinge for moving the first heatable plate relative to the second heatable plate, and heating elements positioned with respect to the first and second heatable plates to provide heat to the first and second heatable plates respectively. During operation of the device the heatable plates are heated and steam is generated by the cleaning implement which acts to sanitize the heating implement.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a changing image and an information display. A shaped base portion, having a length less than a height of the apparatus, supports the image and the information display in a substantially vertical orientation. The shaped base portion permits the image and the information display to oscillate upon external urging. Added weight in the top half of the apparatus assists in providing a desired oscillation rate.

Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus includes a coin receiving area, a coin sorting ramp, and a coin stripper. The coin stripper includes an inlet and a backing plate located adjacent said inlet to support a stack of associated unsorted coins received from the inlet with a face of a lowermost coin of the stack abutting the backing plate. The coin stripper further includes a pushing member located adjacent said backing plate and adapted for reciprocal sliding movement relative to said backing plate between an extended position and a retracted position. The pushing member, when moving from the retracted position to the extended position, engages the lowermost coin of the stack and moves the lowermost coin onto the coin sorting ramp.

Abstract: A tree stand for supporting a tree includes a base. The base includes a receptacle for receiving and supporting the trunk of the tree. A fluid reservoir for storing a fluid is detachably connected to the base. A first valve is attached to the reservoir and is operable between and open and closed position to allow fluid to flow outwardly of the reservoir in the open position and to prevent fluid from flowing outwardly of the reservoir in the closed position. A second valve is attached to the base and is in fluid communication with the receptacle. The second valve is operable in an open position to allow fluid to flow into the receptacle, and a closed position to prevent fluid from flowing outwardly of the receptacle.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a head having a moving portion, a handle, and shaft between the head and the handle. A body portion is hollow and further includes a motor operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A first switch, operatively connected to the motor provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, a second switch provides for continuous operation of the toothbrush. The first switch can be operated while the toothbrush is in a toothbrush package, such as, for example, a plastic blister pack. A consumer can momentarily observe the operation of the toothbrush before purchasing the toothbrush. The consumer cannot operate the second switch and is thereby prevented from leaving the toothbrush in a battery draining operational mode for extended periods of time.

Abstract: A sanitizer which utilizes hot air to destroy bacteria upon household products such as nursery, bathroom and kitchen items. The sanitizer includes a base, heating element, fan, and a sanitizing chamber with spacers which allow optimal placement of the products being sanitized. The sanitizer includes a vented cover which allows operation within a set temperature range and fast cool down when the sanitizing process is complete.