Abstract: A container centering device is provided including an entry plate having an opening and a container positioning means, wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a container in the entry plate opening. In addition, the container positioning means is capable of positioning a first container and at least a second container in the entry plate opening, wherein the first and second containers have different brim diameters.

Abstract: A container positioning device is provided including an lower plate having an opening and a container positioning means, wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a container in the lower plate opening. In addition, the container positioning means is capable of positioning a first container and at least a second container in the lower plate opening, wherein the first and second containers have different brim diameters.

Abstract: A system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container is provided, including at least one reflective cup having a reflective interior surface, and at least one radiant energy source. The reflective cup and the radiant energy source may be rotationally mounted. The interior surface of the reflective cup has as least an elliptical portion and a parabolic portion.

Abstract: A web cutter is provided comprising an at least one wheel assembly. The wheel assembly includes a wheel housing and at least two wheel members. A cutting member is disposed between the wheel members, wherein the wheel assembly has a first position wherein the cutting member does not extend below the wheel members and a second position wherein the cutting member extends below the wheel members. The web cutter may include an upper plate having a receiving hole, and the wheel assembly may include a post that is in slideable communication with the upper plate receiving hole. The cutting member may be in fixed communication with the upper plate.

Abstract: A web brake and tension controller is provided comprising a substantially U-shaped mechanical arm having a first end and a second end, where the second end forms a cross bar. The web brake and tension controller may also have a force applying means. The force applying means may be a weight, or other biasing means, such as a spring. The cross bar may at least slightly V-shaped. A guide bar may be attached to the cross bar.

Abstract: A film cutter comprising an entry plate and a guard plate capable of receiving a film therebetween, wherein the guard plate is in communication with a housing plate having a lower surface and an upper surface, and wherein the housing plate lower surface has a retaining groove capable of retaining a cutting belt. The housing plate upper surface has pushing member grooves capable of receiving pushing members, the pushing member grooves having ramps. The film cutter further includes a cutting belt having cutting members, wherein the cutting belt is retained in the retaining groove, and wherein the cutting members do not extend past the guard plate when the film cutter is in a non-activated state.

Abstract: A reflective hood system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container includes a reflective hood having a reflective surface, a radiant energy source, and a reflective shield, wherein the reflective shield is located at or near an opening in the reflective hood, and wherein the reflective shield has at least one optical aperture, an optical aperture including an optical surface having areas of higher and lower reflective capability. The reflective hood assembly may further include a reflective shield having two or more optical apertures.

Abstract: A reflective hood system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container includes a radiant energy source located above the mouth of the container, and a reflective hood which serves to concentrate the energy from the a radiant energy source located above the mouth of the container and redirect energy radially inwardly onto the area of the film which is to be shrunk. A reflective hood system may also include a reflective shield located at or near an opening in the reflective hood above the mouth of the container.

Abstract: A liquid coating applicator includes a support of a pad coupled to the support. The pad has a front side, a rear side and a lower arcuate convex surface between the front side and the rear side to spread coatings. Preferably, the support has at least one pad engaging surface configured to engage the pad and to support the pad in the arcuate convex cross-sectional shape. Preferably, the pad includes a backing configured for being removably coupled to the support, a substrate having a front arcuate side, a rear arcuate side and a lower surface between the front and rear sides and a flocking material coupled to the substrate. The backing and the substrate have the arcuate convex shape upon being coupled to the support.

Abstract: A cord connector device for releasably connecting a plurality of operating cords in a window covering. The cord connector device comprises two elongate side members interconnected for relative movement about a pivot axis adjacent their lower ends such that the upper ends of the side members are movable relative to each other in a path of movement from a closed condition to an open condition. Cord retaining jaws extend inwardly of the side members at a location spaced below the upper ends of the side members and the jaws having jaw edges disposed in opposed relation when the side members are in the closed condition to retain the lower ends of the lift cords. A top wall on the upper end of one of the side members configured to form spaced sides and one end of an elongate cord abutment loop and an upper projection on the other side member is arranged to form the other end of the elongate loop when the side members are in the closed condition.

Abstract: A venetian type window blind having a wand which is rotatable to control tilting of slats and lift cord operating mechanism on the wand for raising and lowering the blind and locking the blind in adjusted positions. The venetian blind lift cords extend into a lengthwise cord passage inside the wand and the lift cord operating mechanism includes a lift member mounted for movement along an outer side of the wand and lift cord, an engaging member in the cord passage for moving the lift cords to raise and lower the blind in response to movement of the lift member along the wand. The operating means includes lock means for locking the lift cord engaging member at selected positions along the wand.

Abstract: A window blind of the type having a headrail, bottom rail and an expandable and contractable shade between the headrail and bottom rail. An elongated wand has an upper end mounted on the headrail and a flexible operating cord is formed into an endless cord operating loop and guided by loop guides in a closed loop path extending through the headrail and the wand passage. Lift cords are attached to the bottom rail and extend from the bottom rail into the headrail and the lift cords are connected to the endless operating loop. A cord lift handle member is mounted for movement along an outer side of the wand and has cord grip mechanism for gripping a portion of the endless cord operating loop to move the operating loop in a direction to raise the bottom rail when the handle member is moved in one direction along the wand. A cord lock is provided for releasably retaining the bottom rail in selected raised positions.

Abstract: A vertical louver suspension system for louvers of the type in which the center of gravity of the cross-sectional contour of the louver is offset from one side of the louver and which enables such louvers to hang vertically. An adapter body is attached to each louver adjacent the upper end and provides a hanger engaging member adjacent the center of gravity of the louver cross-sectional contour for suspending the louver from the hanger substantially at the center of gravity of the louver cross-sectional contour.

Abstract: A plastic spool is rotatably mounted between the two plastic halves of a housing. A spring motor is mounted to the housing and engages with a gear train connected to the housing such that a spring will suffice to retract a length of line ten times as long connected to the spool and windable thereon. The housing has an opening which allows the entrance of water. The line is connected to a floating surface bouy and is automatically extended as a scuba diver descends to lower aquatic depths. Vanes extend radially from the spool and cooperate with the water to resist too rapid rewinding of the line onto the spool as a diver ascends. The housing has a hook-shaped handle for restraining of the reel and also has a clip which retains a writing instrument which may be used for underwater communication between divers by writing on a planar surface of the housing.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for adjustably supporting a headrail of a window covering. The bracket assembly includes a wall bracket having a generally horizontal bracket arm and a unitary slide body slidably mounted on the arm and having an upper portion that overlies the bracket arm and at least one lower cross portion that underlies the arm. A headrail support clip device has an intermediate portion that overlies the lower cross portion of the slide body for support thereon and front and rear leg portions that extend downwardly from the intermediate portion for supportably engaging a headrail below the lower cross portion of the slide body. The slide body is adjustable along the arm to positions in which the arm closely overlies and retains the clip device on the lower cross portion of the slide body. Mechanism is provided on the slide body engageable with the arm for releasably retaining the slide body in different adjusted positions along the arm.

Abstract: A vertical blind apparatus of the type having a plurality of panel support carriages mounted for movement along a track and a lazy-tong linkage extending lengthwise of the track and connected to the carriages to control spacing between adjacent carriages when the blind is extended along the track to a closed position. The maximum spacing between adjacent carriages is further controlled by rail engaging fingers on the outer pivots of the lazy-tong linkage, and a rail having lateral guide faces arranged to engage the fingers to limit movement of the outer pivots to a preselected minimum distance.

Abstract: A portable toilet having a battery operated flushing assembly that is powered by batteries carried in the toilet. The batteries provide for a "pulsed" flushing action of the flush water and this is achieved by the use of an axial flow pump which is operable to lift small amounts of water small distances to the bowl in a repeatable fashion. This facilitates flushing of the toilet, makes it easier for the user to flush the toilet, and provides for efficient and complete flushing. A selectively operable closure plate prevents leakage of water from the toilet bowl during transport of the toilet.

Abstract: A portable toilet having a battery operated flushing assembly that is powered by batteries carried in the toilet. The batteries provide for a "pulsed" flushing action of the flush water and this is achieved by the use of an axial flow pump which is operable to lift small amounts of water small distances to the bowl in a repeatable fashion. This facilitates flushing of the toilet, makes it easier for the user to flush the toilet, and provides for efficient and complete flushing. A selectively operable closure plate prevents leakage of water from the toilet bowl during transport of the toilet.