Abstract: The stand-up fluid dispensing device (10, 100) includes a container (42) with an outer surface, opening, interior fluid storage region (44) therein and an exterior outer region. A support structure (60) is affixed to the container (42) to maintain the container (42) in an upright condition at all times. Throughout the life of the product and regardless of amount of media (12) in the device (10, 100), it will remain standing upright to better display the package at all times. The support structure (60) is preferably a jacket filled with a gas, such as air. The jacket (60) can include a plurality of pockets (62), such as tubes filled with air. The stand-up fluid dispensing device (10, 100) may also include a metering pump (64) that can include a leakage control mechanism to control the dispensing of media (12) from the device (10, 100).

Abstract: An inflatable device for people to sit, lie or sleep on is provided, which device allows water vapor produced by the person's perspiration or condensation to escape from the vicinity of his/her body, which device can be readily manufactured without undue amounts of human labor, which device is suitable for disposable use, and which device is of such a construction that in the event that there is a rupture or loss of pressure the entire device will not collapse.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable bladder, and method for making same, having an interior sheet and an exterior sheet extending from a left direction toward a right direction and where the exterior sheet has an inner side and an outer side. The interior sheet is coupled to the inner side of the exterior sheet where the outer side is facing upwardly and the inner side is facing downwardly. The exterior sheet has at least one fold where, upon being subjected to bending, the at least one fold unfolds to provide additional material so that exterior sheet maintains a distance from the interior sheet.

Abstract: A heat sealing/severing device for heat sealing thermoplastic films together. The device includes front and rear opposing jaws that are moveable between an open position and a closed position. The open position defines a zone for inserting the thermoplastic films between the front and rear jaws. In the closed position, the front and rear jaws are proximate each other to compress the thermoplastic films together. The rear jaw includes a resilient portion facing the front jaw. The heating element of the device may have a cross-sectional thickness no less than 0.55 times the cross-sectional thickness of the resilient portion. A front jaw release sheet (e.g., an unreinforced fluoroplastic) may be positioned between the insertion zone and the heating element. The front jaw release sheet may engage the heating element when the front and rear jaws are in the closed position and disengage from the heating element when the front and rear jaws are in the open position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable bladder, and method for making same, having an interior sheet and an exterior sheet extending from a left direction toward a right direction and where the exterior sheet has an inner side and an outer side. The interior sheet is coupled to the inner side of the exterior sheet where the outer side is facing upwardly and the inner side is facing downwardly. The exterior sheet has at least one fold where, upon being subjected to bending, the at least one fold unfolds to provide additional material so that exterior sheet maintains a distance from the interior sheet.

Abstract: The throwing toy of the present invention can generally be described as a two part toy having a forward portion and a trailing portion, where the forward portion utilizes a substantially rigid, ring-like structure in which the center of gravity of the toy is located and the trailing portion is made of a collapsible cylindrical tail which extends from the forward portion and has a length of at least about two times the axial length of the forward portion.

Abstract: A kite bridle is provided for attaching a flying line to a kite. The bridle may include a link, cut from between branches of the bridle, for attaching a second kite to the flying line. Both the bridle and the link may be formed from a sheet of polymeric material with a continuous cut according to an interlocking pattern.

Abstract: A kite strut is presented. More particularly, a kite strut comprising an elongate rod having two end portions and further having at least one shrink fit stop ring disposed thereabout, said stop ring comprising an annular segment of heat shrinkable material which is shrunk into a shrink fit relationship with the elongate rod, is presented. Also presented is a method of making such kite struts.

Abstract: A device for interconnecting one or more structural braces of a kite and for attaching a means for securing a flying line is provided comprising:an elongate body having in one end thereof a chamber for receiving an end portion of said structural brace, said chamber having a length and having a cross section sized to secure said brace therein, said body including a notch located intermediate said one end of said body and said chamber length, said notch extending inwardly from one side of said body, said notch having a floor having a depth sufficient to provide an opening between a brace assembled in said chamber and said notch floor, said opening receiving said means for securing said flying line, said notch limiting lateral travel of said securement means inside said notch. A kite assembly is also provided using this interconnecting device.