Abstract: A nib for dispensing fluid comprising an elastomeric valve including a relatively rigid internal resistor. The nib is suitable for dispensing highly viscous fluids, such as paint, and for dispensing fluid containing particulate matter, such as glitter paint. Preferably, the nib includes a first sealing lip and a second sealing lip which meet to form a dispensing slit. Preferably, the nib has an exterior surface including first and second opposing faces, wherein each face includes an external resistor. The nib may also include one or more protrusions on the bottom of the nib. A instrument for dispensing fluid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A linear sheath valve having a valve platform and a conforming cover. The valve platform can have inlet and outlet channels to carry liquid into and out of the valve. An elastomeric membrane is held under tension between the cover and the valve platform so as to control the flow of liquid between channels. The cover includes an expansion area on the cover surface adjacent to the membrane and between the inlet and outlet. Liquid flows through the valve when it is drawn by a vacuum. The vacuum operates on both the flow path exit, but also above the membrane, lifting it to open the flow path. Discontinuance of the vacuum allows the membrane to seal the inlet and outlet, thus again preventing any flow between them.

Abstract: A linear sheath valve having a valve platform and a conforming cover. The valve platform can have inlet and outlet channels to carry liquid into and out of the valve. An elastomeric membrane is held under tension between the cover and the valve platform so as to control the flow of liquid between channels. The cover includes an expansion area on the cover surface adjacent to the membrane and between the inlet and outlet. Liquid can flow through the valve only when it is under sufficient pressure to press the membrane into the expansion area, creating a flow path from the inlet between the membrane and the valve platform and to the outlet. Discontinuance of the pressure on the liquid allows the membrane to seal the inlet and outlet, thus preventing any flow between them.

Abstract: A trash container having a base and sides, at least a portion of the sides being formed of resilient horizontal pleated material throughout the circumference thereof, and a plunger fitting within the trash container and having a horizontal cross-section conforming to the internal horizontal cross-section of the trash container, the plunger including lips extending about the periphery thereof and shaped and dimensioned to fit over the upper edges of the sides. Alternatively, the top of the container may be used as a plunger. Pressure on the plunger will cause the sides to compress the pleated material, permitting the plunger to be pressed downwardly on the trash and compacting it. In a modification, the sides are rigid and the resilient pleated material is in the top of the container. The pleated or other resilient material has a memory and, so, will return to its original shape after pressure is removed.

Abstract: An oral irrigator device is formed of an adapter mountable in interposed relation between a supply pipe of treatment liquid, generally water, and a shower head, a user-graspable handpiece, and a flexible liquid-communicating hose connecting the adapter and handpiece. A rotatable turbine within the adapter generates, from the continuous-flow stream of treatment liquid from the supply pipe, a pulsating stream of the liquid for delivery to the handpiece through a normalizing flow regulator and the flexible connecting hose. In the handpiece, the pulsating stream is separated into a primary stream for discharge through an appliance head carried on the handpiece and a secondary stream that is directed into an expansion chamber partially bounded by an elastic diaphragm which separates the chamber from a storage reservoir for a flowable medicament.

Abstract: A sealed multi-ply bag capable of being resealed including sides, a bottom, and front and back panels. A resealable closure is mounted across the top edges of the front and back panels as the secondary closure. The front and back panels are folded one or more times about the resealable closure to form a primary closure. A sealing flap runs across the folded area to maintain the bag in its sealed, folded configuration. The upper portion of the front panel may be step cut to provide a tighter primary closure.

Abstract: An improvement to hook and loop fastening systems of the type comprising one portion composed of backing material having a hooked surface thereon and another portion composed of backing material having a looped surface thereon. The improvement allows for releasably fastening two components together with the hook and loop materials in shear and is characterized by a planar member having one of the components attached to the end thereof and having outer faces each having one of the portions of the fastening system thereon; and, a U-shaped shear trap channel member having the other of the components attached to the closed end of the U and having inner faces on the sides of the U each having the other of the portions of the fastening system thereon.

Abstract: The invention is providing a flexibility stiff reinforcing member that will maintain the shape of a pad for absorption of human exudate, such as a feminine hygiene pad, during use. The flexibly stiff reinforcing member will return the pad to its desired shape, even after it has been deformed by movement of the wearer. In a particularly preferred form, the flexibly stiff reinforcing member is a flat strip of polyethylene that extends around the periphery of a feminine hygiene pad. In other embodiments, the resilient reinforcing member may only be present in the periphery of the center or crotch portion of the pad. The strength and flexibility required of the reinforcing member will vary depending on the pad stiffness prior to reinforcing of the pad and the use to which the pad is to be put. The reinforcing element is a flexibly stiff, resilient, substantially nonelastic material. The reinforcing element material may be deformed and then is springy and will return to its shape after deformation.

Abstract: An article organizer having article-holding components releasably attached to a central base member by hook and loop fastening material operating in shear. The organizer has a central base member adapted to sit on a desk, table, or the like. A vertical mounting member is carried by the base member for pivotal motion about a vertical axis. A first portion of a hook and loop fastening system is carried by the vertical mounting member on a plurality of attachment fins. A plurality of article-holding components are provided for mounting on the attachment fins. The component each including hook and loop mounting means for interacting with the first portion to releasably attach the components to the first portion in shear.

Abstract: An improved fastening system for use with partitioning systems of the type wherein repositionable walls are fastened together to define office spaces, and the like. Hook and loop fastening materials are employed "in shear" to provide a strong holding force but are contained within a shear trap channel to provide for ease of release when required. In its basic form, the fastening system comprises a first U-shaped member adapted to fit over and attach to an edge of a wall partition to be joined to another partitioning component and having parallel outer faces each having one of the portions of the fastening system thereon; and, a second U-shaped member adapted to be carried by the other partitioning component and having parallel inner faces on the sides of the U each having the other of the portions of the fastening system thereon.

Abstract: A reinforcing member is disclosed that will maintain the shape of a product for absorption of human exudate, such as a feminine hygiene pad, diaper or incontinent garment during use. The flexibly stiff reinforcing member will return the pad to its desired shape, even after it has been deformed by movement of the wearer. In one form, the reinforcing member is a flat strip of polyethylene that extends around the periphery of the product. In other embodiments, the resilient reinforcing member may be present only in the periphery of the center or crotch portion of the product. The strength and flexibility required of the reinforcing member will vary depending upon the product stiffness prior to being reinforced and the use for which the product is designed. The reinforcing element is a flexibly stiff, resilient, substantially nonelastic material.

Abstract: A wall hanging system of the shear trap channel hook and loop fastening system type having a hooked surface portion and a looped surface portion adapted for releasably fastening shelves and other like components to a wall or the like in shear by means of a trap channel member having parallel inner faces each having one of the portions thereon and adapted to releasably receive a planar member with the other portion on its outer surfaces between the trap channel member's inner faces with the respective portions in engagement. The wall hanging system is characterized by mounting means carrying the trap channel member and adapted for mounting to a wall or the like; and, attachment means carried by the component to be releasably mounted to the wall including a planar member extending therefrom for engagement with the trap channel member.

Abstract: A set of hanging nesting storage containers. Each of the containers comprises a square box having a planar base with top and bottom surfaces and four sides extending upward perpendicular to the top surface. A rectangular fastening lip extends outward from the base perpendicular to one of the sides. One component of hook and loop fastening material is disposed on opposed surfaces of the lip and a strip of the other component of hook and loop fastening material is disposed on the bottom surface of the base beneath the side adjacent the side from which the lip extends outward whereby the containers can be releasably hung by the lip from a shear trap channel containing the other component of hook and loop fastening material therein and four of the containers can be nested with the lip of each disposed under and in engagement with the strip of material on a next adjacent container.

Abstract: A stacking, pivoting, wall storage unit with removable storage containers, shelves, and the like comprising a vertical mounting member adapted for mounting to a wall or the like. A vertical connecting member is hingedly carried by the mounting member for pivoting about a vertical axis through at least 90.degree.. The connecting member includes a plurality of vertically disposed shear trap channels each having a pair of opposed planar members with the hook portion of hook and loop fastening material on inward facing surfaces. The planar members are adapted to releasably receive the loop portion of hook and loop fastening material therebetween and maintain it in shear. A plurality of stacking members each having a vertical fin member extending therefrom and having the loop portion of hook and loop fastening material on parallel outward facing surfaces of the outer edge thereof are provided for releasable attachment to the vertical connecting member by fastening the fins in the shear trap channels.

Abstract: A lightweight, disposable face mask for covering the entire face of the wearer, which mask comprises a unitary shell of transparent plastic material having upper and lower portions joined at a ridge which traces the facial respiratory line. A band of flexible material is disposed along the ridge and creates an aerodynamic seal between the upper and lower portions of the mask when worn. A strip of soft, flexible material is secured to the mask along the periphery creating a soft, comfortable seal between the mask and the face of the wearer.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for vaporizable materials such as deodorants and insecticides. The dispenser is adapted to create accentuated air flow over the materials either in the presence of ambient air flow or when the dispenser is moved through the air, for example, by being mounted on the back of a door. It dispenses far smaller quantities in the absence of air movement.The dispenser includes one or more material containers open at one end and mounted within a vented housing. The vents on the housing are positioned over a portion of the open end of the contained material, and are recessed in a concave area of the housing. The housing is spaced from the material container and has exit ports along its periphery. The containers preferably have a dividing partition passing part way down the material container to provide paths for the air to flow down one side and up on the other for better contact with the vaporizable material.