Abstract: A trash can assembly has a shell, a lid fitted over the top end of the shell, a pedal positioned adjacent the bottom end of the shell, a link assembly coupling the pedal and the lid, and a motion damper coupled to the link assembly for slowing the closing motion of the lid. The assembly also includes an inner liner that is retained inside the shell, with a support frame secured to the top end of the shell and having a ridge on which a peripheral lip of the inner liner rests.

Abstract: A label for an optical disc having a non-circular perimeter includes a sheet having a non-circular having a non-circular perimeter and a central aperture disposed in a sheet which has a perimeter for enabling registration of a label with an optical disc in order to provide for balanced rotation of the optical disc in order to provided for balanced rotation of the optical disc with the label fixed thereto. The sheet may be provided with an adhesive for fixing a sheet to the optical disc.

Abstract: A label applying apparatus and method for concentrically applying annular labels (having adhesive on one side) to compact discs. The apparatus has a similar size and shape as that of a conventional jewel case and has first and second platforms capable of hinging relative to each other between open and closed positions. When in the open position, a compact disc may be mounted on the first platform, and an annular label delicately retained on the second platform with the adhesive side up. Preferably, the annular label is retained on the second platform by means of several centrally located fingers which contact an inner circumference edge of the annular label. When the first and second platforms are hinged to the closed position, the annular label and the compact disc are concentrically aligned and joined together in a bonding relationship.

Abstract: A device for applying a non-circular adhesive label to a non-circular optical disc includes a disc support moveable between the first position supporting the disc in a spaced apart relationship with a label and a second position enabling contact between the label and the disc. An arm is provided and moveable with the disc support for compacting the disc and aligning the disc with a label as the disc is moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Compact disk holder which holds and protects a compact disk, and yet is very thin. The holder has a bottom tray with a disk resting area which is impervious to dust. A center hub is held by the tray. The center hub, when holding a compact disk, pulls the compact disk against the disk resting area of the bottom tray. Preferably, the bottom tray has an outer ring near the outer edge of the compact disk outside of the CD's information containing area. The typical compact disk has a circular ridge inside its information containing area, and the bottom tray is shaped so that this ridge is pulled against its surface so that no dust can get between the outer ridge on the tray and the inner ridge on the compact disk. The bottom tray is preferably free of a cover which further leads to its thin height. The holder can be about one-third the thickness of a conventional jewel case style of compact disk holder.

Abstract: An organizer for orientation of desk top items includes a frame, having a front, back and two sides, for receiving a plurality of modules, orienting the modules vertically within the frame between to two sides and enabling access to the modules from the frame front and a plurality of modules and a bracket for attaching one of the frame sides to a generally vertical surface. The bracket includes a body for engaging the frame, a bendable tab extending from a top of said body for attaching said body to a top of the computer monitor, and a rear tab, hingeably attached to a rear of said body, for attaching said body rear to a side of the computer monitor, the hingeable attachment enabling stabilization of the body rear at a spaced apart relationship with the computer monitor side. One of the modules may include interface connections for contact with a computer.

Abstract: A device for applying a non-circular adhesive label to a non-circular optical disc includes a base having an axial opening therein and a platform surrounding the opening for supporting the non-circular label. A plunger having a disc support element projects from the platform though the base axial opening and movable between a fist position supporting the disc above the platform and a second position enabling contact between the label and the disc. Arms are provided and attached to the plunger and movable therewith for contacting edges of the disc and aligning the disc with the label on the platform as the plunger is moved from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A device for applying a non-circular adhesive label to a non-circular optical disc includes a base having an axial opening therein and a platform surrounding the opening for supporting the non-circular label. A plunger having a disc support element projects from the platform though the base axial opening and movable between a fist position supporting the disc above the platform and a second position enabling contact between the label and the disc. Arms are provided and attached to the plunger and movable therewith for contacting edges of the disc and aligning the disc with the label on the platform as the plunger is moved from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag having first and second securement strips near the open top of the bag. A wire or other inelastically deformable member is extruded or otherwise placed adjacent the opening of the bag. Then when the bag is opened, the top can be bent into a desired shape so that the bag will stay open. This makes the filling, emptying or using of the contents much easier than the conventional plastic bag.

Abstract: A spray nozzle assembly composed of a support member defining a product flow path for conducting a flowable product which is to exit the nozzle assembly in the form of a spray; a spray nozzle member providing a spray opening communicating with the flow path, the spray nozzle member being operative for emitting the flowable product from the spray opening in a form determined by the size and shape of the spray opening; and a holding member for holding the spray nozzle member in position relative to the support member, wherein the spray nozzle member is made of an elastic material which is deformable in a manner to vary the size of the spray opening, and the holding member is movable relative to the support member for deforming the elastic material of the spray nozzle member to vary the size of the spray opening.

Abstract: A tool hanging device having two parts. One part is attached to a tool. The second part is a slotted member which is attached to a support surface such as a person's belt. One of the parts such as the part attached to the tool has a button held to the end of an oblong stud. The slotted member which is attached to the person's belt has a front plate with a V-shaped opening and at the bottom of the V-shaped opening is a throat into which the oblong stud will only fit lengthwise. Below the throat is an enlarged stud holding area. The button holds the stud and thus, the tool, in the slotted member and the tool is permitted to hang freely supported by the slotted member. The tool is removed by rotating the tool 90.degree. from a free-hanging position to orient the oblong stud so that it will pass upwardly through the throat.

Abstract: A packaging system for the transportation and storage of materials, including radioactive and other hazardous materials. The system comprises a primary container removably received within a secondary container, and the secondary container being removably received within a tertiary container. The primary container can be centrifuged to minimize unrecoverable material, and in especially radioactive materials, the primary container is the only component that must be considered as radioactive waste.

Abstract: An assembly for dispensing a constant flow of liquid from a bottle independent of the level of liquid in the bottle. The assembly has a two-part cap with an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion is affixed to the bottle and has a generally cylindrical air chamber which extends into the liquid in the bottle. This inner cap member has an opening in the bottom. An outer cap member has a mating air chamber and a mating opening in the bottom. When the outer cap member is turned with respect to the inner cap member to a closed position, no liquid can pass through the misaligned openings. There are also a set of alignable air openings in the air chambers of the inner and outer cap members which permit air to exit from the air chamber into the liquid when the liquid outlet openings are aligned. The result is a constant flow rate out of the bottle no matter what the height of liquid in the bottle may be until the bottle is essentially empty.

Abstract: A hands-free bar code scanner unit is mounted on the back of the hand or wrist of an operator to free the hands and arms of the operator to perform normal manual tasks. The bar code scanner is selectively actuated by the operator by positionally moving one or more fingers, preferably by pointing an index finger. The bar code scanner unit comprises a housing secured to the back of the hand or wrist of an operator. The housing mounts therein an active or passive photosensor for detecting a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers by the operator. The housing also mounts therein a bar code scanner which scans in the direction in which the scanner is aimed, as in the direction of a pointing finger, and is responsive to the photosensor detecting a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers to actuate the bar code scanner. In a preferred embodiment, a first photosensor detects the position of the index finger, and a second photosensor detects the position of the middle finger.

Abstract: A hand-mounted scanning system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, including a housing having a window and an actuatable electro-optical scanner in the housing for projecting a light beam through the window to indicia to be read, for scanning the indicia. The system further detects light of variable intensity that is reflected off the indicia to generate an electrical signal representative of the indicia. The housing is mounted on a glove worn on an operator's hand and the scanner initiates reading of the indicia upon movement of the operator's hand, or automatically by object recognition.

Abstract: A hands-free scanning system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, including a housing having a window and an actuatable electro-optical scanner in the housing for projecting a light beam through the window to indicia to be read, for scanning the indicia. The system further detects light of variable intensity that is reflected off the indicia to generate an electrical signal representative of the indicia. The housing is mounted on an arm of an operator and the scanner initiates reading of the indicia upon movement of the operator's hand relative to the arm by means of an actuator switch.