Abstract: A self-cooling fluid container includes a fluid chamber for containing the fluid-to-be-cooled. A refrigerant chamber, containing a pressurized refrigerant, is affixed to the base of the fluid chamber and extends at least partially into the fluid chamber. The interior region of the refrigerant chamber is fluidicly isolated from and thermally coupled to the interior region of the fluid chamber. A refrigerant dispersal assembly defines a vented dispersal region including a portion adjacent to the refrigerant chamber and separated from the interior of that chamber by a perforatable wall. A cooling activator is adapted to selectively form a fluidic path from the interior of the refrigerant chamber to the dispersal region through the perforatable wall, permitting release and expansion of the pressurized refrigerant.

Abstract: A dispensing system adapted for dispensing a dose of a liquid dishwasher chemical agent inside a dishwasher when the dispensing system is mounted inside a dishwasher includes:i) a detergent dispensing system mounted inside the dishwasher;ii) a container for a dishwasher detergent liquid;iii) a dispensing device for dispensing from the container a dose of a dishwasher liquid to inside a dishwasher; andiv) the container being removable from the dispensing device to permit replacement of the container as required.

Abstract: A portable vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering fluids such as liquids and debris from floors or carpets that includes an elongated circuitous or convoluted passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end adapted for communication with a vacuum source and communicating with the recovery chamber through a top access opening in a region thereof intermediately between the inlet and outlet, the elongated passageway including a first section extending from the inlet to an elevated region thereof remote from the inlet and above the recovery chamber portion, an intermediate section in communication with the first section in the elevated region thereof and extending therefrom to overlie and communicate with the top opening of the recovery chamber portion, and a third section in communication with the intermediate section in the region thereof above the top opening and extending therefrom toward the outlet.

Abstract: In apparatus wherein a fluid flow path is defined within a housing and leads from an inlet in the housing to an outlet therefrom, a shell-like member having a first opening therein for establishing communication with a length of hose and a second opening remote from the first opening bounded by an edge formation, configured so as to surround the housing inlet when the second opening is brought into overlying registration with the inlet, and means carried by the housing and hose assembly respectively for releasably securing the shell-like member to the housing with the second shell opening presented in overlying registration to the housing inlet.

Abstract: A wiring system is provided for offices and similar environments, in which simplex outlet units may be plugged into outlet assemblies connected to several different supplies so as to provide combinations of outlets suited to the requirements of different work stations. The simplex outlet units are all identical, connections to different supplies being achieved by selecting the angular orientation of the units as they are plugged into the assembly. There are indicators to show which supply is being tapped by any outlet, and interlocks to prevent an outlet being removed for so long as equipment is plugged into it.

Abstract: There is provided a telescoping hand-held hair curler in which a heatable barrel slides longitudinally with respect to a hollow handle. The electrical wires carrying power to heat the barrel enter the rearward end of the handle and connect to a swivel coupling which reciprocates within the handle. The barrel extends forwardly from the swivel coupling and out through the other end of the handle. The construction avoids having loose wires running between a stationary swivel coupling and a moving barrel.

Abstract: A curling iron has a barrel and a hair-clamping arm pivotally mounted thereon for movement between an elevated position in which it projects angularly and forwardly relative to the barrel and a lowered hair-clamping position in which it is disposed alongside the barrel. A sleeve extends around the barrel and can be rotated and/or moved axially to cause movement of the hair-clamping arm into its elevated position against the action of a spring biassing that arm into its lowered position.