Abstract: A bag expander is preliminarily inserted into a bag when the bag is in a compressed condition, such as for shipping and/or storage. The expander is expanded within the bag when the bag is to be expanded such as for purposes of display for sale. The expander includes side walls which are positionable against the bag interior and coupling members articularly connected together and to the side walls. One or more rubber bands or other spring mechanisms are coupled to the members to urge them apart when the expansion is desired. The members are folded when the bag is compressed and expanded by the rubber band or the like to expand the bag to its expanded displayable condition. Sliding mechanisms are connected either (a) on and within the interior of the members or (b) between the members and the side walls to provide a selected sliding movement (a) amongst the members themselves or (b) between the members and the side walls to enable the expander to be placed in its collapsed or extended position.

Abstract: The expander includes side walls positionable against a bag interior, members articularly connected together and to the side walls, and an arcuate enabling diamond shaped mechanism connected between the members and the side walls to provide a selected expanding and contracting amongst the members and the side walls. The members are in a folded condition when the bag is compressed and, with the aid of an expansion motivator such as a rubber band, spring and the like, the bag is expanded to its deployed condition.

Abstract: The expander includes side walls positionable against a bag interior, members articularly connected together and to the side walls, and an arcuate enabling diamond shaped mechanism connected between the members and the side walls to provide a selected expanding and contracting amongst the members and the side walls. The members are in a folded condition when the bag is compressed and, with the aid of an expansion motivator such as a rubber band, spring and the like, the bag is expanded to its deployed condition.

Abstract: A bag expander is preliminarily inserted into a bag when the bag is in a compressed condition, such as for shipping and/or storage. The expander is expanded within the bag when the bag is to be expanded such as for purposes of display for sale. The expander includes side walls which are positionable against the bag interior and coupling members articularly connected together and to the side walls. One or more rubber bands or other spring mechanisms are coupled to the members to urge them apart when the expansion is desired. The members are folded when the bag is compressed and expanded by the rubber band or the like to expand the bag to its expanded displayable condition. Sliding mechanisms are connected either (a) on and within the interior of the members or (b) between the members and the side walls to provide a selected sliding movement (a) amongst the members themselves or (b) between the members and the side walls to enable the expander to be placed in its collapsed or extended position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying objects, particularly luggage. In various embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one label that, when affixed to a main body portion of an object to be identified, creates a distinctive, identifying feature.

Abstract: A luggage tag which has a main body portion, an attachment mechanism for coupling the main body portion to a piece of luggage, and a time zone converter coupled to the main body portion. The time zone converter has a base, a first set of markings disposed on the base, an indicator slidably coupled to the base, and a second set of markings disposed on the indicator. In various embodiments, the first set of markings can represent geographic locations such as cites, and the second set of markings can represent time divisions in hours and/or minutes or vice versa. In addition, the time divisions can be based on either a 12-hour or a 24-hour scale.

Abstract: A device for reversing and modifying air flow created by a suction device. The device has a housing, two fans, two pairs of inlet holes and a dividing wall. The fans are connected by a shaft, so that when the first fan rotates, the second fan rotates in the same direction. The fans are alike but have opposite blade orientations, so that though the fans rotate in the same direction, they output air flow in opposing directions. The fans and air regions they manipulate are separated by the dividing wall. The first pair of air inlet holes provides air to the first fan and then to the suction device. The second pair of air inlet holes provide air to the second fan, which expels that air through a nozzle. The nozzle restricts and directs the expelled air for a specific use such as an air pump or blower. The device for modifying air flow can be fitted with a cowl that collects and directs air particles, disturbed by the nozzle expelled air, through the first pair of inlet holes and to the suction device.

Abstract: A combination of a writing instrument and a note pad or calendar wherein the writing instrument can be easily attached to and removed from the note pad or calendar, A through-hole in the note pad or calendar is adapted to receive a pocket clip typically found on many conventional pens. Preferably, the clip has an upwardly curved end to facilitate insertion of the clip into the hole, especially where the note pad or calendar includes a number of sheets of paper requiring that the hole pass through each of the sheets. In a preferred embodiment, the through-hole is located near an edge of the note pad or calendar. Thus, a pen or other writing instrument can be secured to the note pad or calendar by inserting the clip through the hole.

Abstract: An expanding device for a collapsible article, comprising engaging portions disposed, in use, at respective opposite locations adjacent or at joins of at least one wall of the article and resilient elements which, on release of forces holding the article in a collapsed state, acts on the engaging portions to cause the engaging portions to act on the joins or portions of the article adjacent thereto so as to expand the article for display purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a travel document folder, such as an airline ticket folder, U-rail pass folder, passport holder, card case, luggage tag, key chain or the like, having a time zone conversion chart rotatably mounted to one leaf of the folder or to the card case or luggage tag. In the preferred embodiment, the time zone conversion chart is made from mounting an inner dial to an outer dial such that the two dials share a common spindle and are arranged concentrically. A time scale in units of hours is provided on the outer dial, while geographic location divisions are provided on the inner dial. Cities around the world that are located in a common time zone are then grouped and assigned to the geographic location divisions. By rotating a local city on the inner dial into alignment with a time on the outer dial, a local reference time is established.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a travel document folder, such as an airline ticket folder, U-rail pass folder, passport holder, or the like, having a time zone conversion chart rotatably mounted to one leaf of the folder. In the preferred embodiment, the time zone conversion chart is made from mounting an inner dial to an outer dial such that the two dials share a common spindle and are arranged concentrically. A time scale in units of hours is provided on the outer dial, while geographic location divisions are provided on the inner dial. Cities around the world that are located in a common time zone are then grouped and assigned to the geographic location divisions. By rotating a local city on the inner dial into alignment with a time on the outer dial, a local reference time is established. Then by moving around the inner dial to find the desired city, it is possible to look up the local time there by reading off the outer dial the particular hour that is aligned with the desired city.

Abstract: A folder and writing instrument in combination, wherein the writing instrument is hooked to a front cover or back cover of the folder via a through-hole located on one of said covers. Preferably, the through-hole is located on the back cover and the front cover does not completely overlie the back cover thereby exposing the edge opposite to the spine of the folder. A writing instrument attached to the through-hole in this exposed area can be freely accessed and does not interfere with opening or closing of the front cover.

Abstract: A folder and a drawing implement, the implement including interlocking portion and the folder including holes for receiving the interlocking portion such that after receiving the interlocking portion front and back covers of the folder are locked together by the interlocking portion so as to close the folder, and the drawing implement is thereby attached to the folder.

Abstract: A collapsible bag and an expandable insert located therein said insert comprising a pair of generally parallel plate members and a tongue, the tongue being rotatably mounted between the plate members for rotation between a first position wherein the tongue lies generally parallel to the plate members and a second position wherein the tongue is transverse to the plate members, and a pull member accessible from the exterior of the bag which is operable to cause movement of the tongue from its first to its second position thereby causing the tongue to separate said plate members and expand the bag.

Abstract: An expandable bag having a closure and insert in said bag, said insert comprising a pair of parallel sheet members, a first means biasing said parallel sheet members apart, and restraining means external to the bag and operable maintain the sheet members relatively closely spaced and the bag in a collapsed state whereupon, on removal of the restraining means, the biasing means cause the sheet members to move apart, whereby the bag is expanded.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for permitting the shipment of flexible sided bags such as cosmetic bags, purses, soft-sided luggage and handbags in a flattened condition with means provided within the bag by which the bag may be expanded to present an attractive appearance at the point of sale. In shipping of merchandise, freight payments are made, not only with respect to weight, but also with respect to volume. By providing a device which may be inserted in the bag at the point of manufacture, and may be expanded at the point of display by merely pulling a string, the bag may be shipped flat and erected for a suitable attractive appearance at the point of sale. Thus, a pair of parallel members such as cards are provided which are compressed toward each other and are biased apart by a spring. A pin which passes through a locking eyelet in an extension from one side of the interior of one of the cards through to the outer side of the other card locks the cards together.