Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding wire from a source of wire to a weld includes one or more motors disposed adjacent the wire to drive the wire to the weld. A buffer is disposed between the source and an arc end of the torch. Another motor may be disposed near the wire source. A wire tension controller may be provided. The one or more motors advance and retract the wire, and wire is stored, or the path length altered, when the wire is retracted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a welding-type power supply includes providing a current wave form having an arc current portion and a short circuit current portion. An arc state is entered by retracting a welding wire, and a short circuit state is entered by advancing the wire. The current enters the arc current portion prior to the creation of the arc and the current enters the short circuit current portion prior to the creation of the short, by coordinating the wave form with the wire retraction. This may be preformed on a wire having a diameter of 2.4 mm or more to a weld and applying a welding current of less than 100 amps, or of less than 35 amps. One current waveform during the arc state includes at least three segments, and the last segment is entered into prior to the short circuit state being entered, and is the same current magnitude as the current magnitude at the start of the short circuit state.

Abstract: A laminate, e.g. a heatable windshield has a pair of glass sheets laminated together about a member responsive to electrical stimuli, e.g. changes transmission or is heated as current passes through the member. A pair of spaced bus bars is in surface contact with the conductive member, and a lead assembly associated with each of the bus bars has a lead in contact with its respective bus bar and extends beyond the periphery of the sheets. The lead assembly further includes first and second air barriers to prevent air from moving between the sheets after the edge sealing procedure and during autoclaving of the laminate subassembly. The first air barrier is an adhesive between surfaces of the lead and inner surfaces of an electric and mechanical protective sleeve positioned over portions of its respective lead.

Abstract: A transparency, e.g. a laminated heatable windshield has a pair of spaced bus bars on an electric conductive member e.g. a sputtered electric conductive coating. The perimeter of the coating is spaced from the peripheral edge of the sheet to provide a non-conductive strip. Electric conductive leads connected to the bus bars provide external electric access to the bus bars. End portions of each of the bus bar extend beyond the perimeter of the coating into the non-conductive strip to minimize, if not eliminate, hot spots at the end portions of the bus bars. Additional features to reduce hot spots includes the pair of bus bars having different lengths with one of the bus bar extending along the top side of the coating and one of the bus bars extending along the bottom side of the coating. The portions of the coating between the bus bars do not extend beyond the ends of the longer bus bar.

Abstract: A device for melting snow and/or ice on a surface is provided. The device includes a heat coil that is adapted to allow a fluid to pass therethrough, a pump and a solar power source. The heat coil has an upper portion positioned at first distance from surface, and a lower portion that is positioned at a second distance from surface and underneath the ground. The pump coupled between the solar power source and the heat coil. The solar power source provides energy to the pump to move the fluid between the lower and upper portions of the heat coil. The fluid gains heat from the ground as it moves through the lower portion of the heat coil and uses that heat to raise the temperature of the surface to melt snow and/or ice that comes into contact therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable adhesive dispensing appliance with adjustable duty cycle. Rather than applying power continuously to the heating element, the element power is intermittently switched over to a variable duty cycle. Savings are gained in three areas: extended life of the element; less heat lost to thermal radiation; and less adhesive waste due to dripping and overheating. The duty cycle may be adjusted manually or automatically based on the temperature of the heating element, or tip. Additionally, the voltage and/or current to the heating element may be adjusted, either manually or automatically, for more rapid recovery during high usage periods. Higher throughput is achieved by sensing the temperature, comparing the temperature to a desired temperature, and then increasing the duty cycle by either or both one of increasing the frequency of duty pulses and/or lengthening the duration of the duty pulses.

Abstract: A tweezer-type hand-held device for removing an electric or electronic component from a substrate. The device is provided with a pair of contact pieces to be brought into contact with the component to grasp and heat the component and melt solder which fixes the component on the substrate. The contacts are respectively held by a pair of legs which, in turn, are interconnected with each other such that one of the legs moves toward the other with the legs and contact pieces being kept in parallel with each other.

Abstract: A system for heating optical members includes a thermally-conductive inner housing defining an interior volume for receiving an optical member to be heated, a thermally-insulative outer housing at least partially containing the thermally-conductive inner housing, and a heating structure disposed outside the inner housing and configured to provide heat through the thermally-conductive inner housing and into the interior volume defined by the inner housing.

Abstract: RF energy provided by electrodes positioned between a product is used to heat a product that exhibits a variable impedance during the heating process. As the product's impedance changes during the heating process, RF heating system impedance can be maintained constant by adjusting the distance between the electrodes, adjusting the impedance of a variable impedance device connected between the RF power source and an electrode, or a combination of electrode distance adjustment and impedance adjustment of the variable impedance device. The system is particularly applicable to the heating or pasteurization of bulk food products with multiple heating zones.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to achieving a desired the process uniformity of a substrate by modifying the distribution of thermal coupling between the substrate and the heater which heats the substrate. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing a correlation between a uniformity parameter of the process to be performed on the substrate and a surface feature of a heater surface of the heater which is in substantially full contact with a bottom surface of the substrate. The method further comprises determining a desired surface feature of the heater surface of the heater in substantially full contact with the substrate, based on the correlation between the uniformity parameter of the process to be performed on the substrate and the surface feature of the heater surface of the heater, to achieve a preset process uniformity of the uniformity parameter.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a ceramic heater making it possible to heat an object to be heated, such as a silicon wafer, uniformly. The ceramic heater of the present invention is a ceramic heater wherein a heating element is formed on a surface of a ceramic plate or inside the ceramic plate, wherein: a bottomed hole is made, being directed from the opposite side to a heating surface for heating an object to be heated, toward the heating surface; the bottom of said bottomed hole is formed relatively nearer to the heating surface than the heating element; and a temperature-measuring element is set up in this bottomed hole.

Abstract: A user control generates a heat level input signal responsive to a user of a cooktop heating element. Logic generates an output signal having a duty cycle corresponding to the input signal. An electromechanical device connected to apply power from a source to the heating element in response to the output signal.

Abstract: A radiator system includes a high temperature body being a thermal source, a receiver with the high-temperature body boarded thereon, and a thermal buffer. The receiver receives heat from the high-temperature body. The thermal buffer is interposed at least between the high-temperature body and the receiver to buffer thermal transmission from the high-temperature body to the receiver, includes a high thermal conductor and a low expander disposed at a position facing the high-temperature body and buried in the high thermal conductor, and has a first bonding area with respect to the high-temperature body and a second bonding area with respect to the receiver. The second bonding area is enlarged greater than the first bonding area. The heat from the high-temperature body is radiated by the receiver or is radiated by way of the receiver. Thus, the thermal expansion difference can be minimized between the high-temperature body and receiver.

Abstract: While blowing out cooling air to a preform which is biaxially stretched and blow molded into a bottle shape, heat sources are made operative by a high power and the first heating process as quick heating is performed to the preform. Subsequently, the heated preform is left as it is and a temperature adjusting process to reduce a temperature difference between an outer surface temperature and an inner surface temperature of the preform to a predetermined value or less is executed. The second heating process to heat the preform until the outer surface temperature is equal to a temperature which is slightly lower than a crystallization temperature of the PET is executed to the preform obtained after completion of the temperature adjusting process while blowing out the cooling air to the preform. Thus, the quick heating of the preform is safely accomplished without causing an overheating state.

Abstract: A spatula heating apparatus with excellent usability which overcomes drawbacks inherent to conventional gas burner type and electro-thermal type apparatuses. A spatula heating apparatus for heating spatulas 9, 9a for wax molding includes a heating coil 8 for induction-heating of spatulas 9, 9a, a heating amount setting switch 5, and an inverter control circuit 21 for supplying high frequency current to the heating coil 8 to perform heating at a preset heating amount. When high frequency current is applied to the heating coil 8, the spatulas 9, 9a are heated at the preset heating amount through electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: Microwave oven including a main cabinet having a plurality of air inlet openings and a plurality of air outlet openings, for accommodating and protecting various components, an inner case provided in an upper space of the main cabinet to form a cooking chamber therein, the inner case having a plurality of inlet holes and outlet holes, an outfit chamber in a rear part of a lower space of the main cabinet for fitting electronic components therein, an inverter part in a front part of a lower space of the main cabinet, a magnetron part in a side space of the main cabinet, partition plates for separating a space for the inverter part, a space of the outfit chamber, and a space for the magnetron, respectively, and a single fan device in a part in contact with the spaces in common for circulating external air to the spaces in the main cabinet, thereby cooling the outfit chamber and the magnetron as well as preventing moisture in a cavity by using only one cooling fan and a fan motor.

Abstract: The present invention includes a mechanical joint between a die and a substrate that is reflowed by microwave energy and a method of forming such a mechanical joint by printing a solder over a substrate, placing the solder in contact with a bump over a die, reflowing the solder with microwave energy, and forming a mechanical joint from the solder and the bump.

Abstract: A magnetron for use in, for example, microwave ovens, includes a positive polar cylinder, a plurality of vanes, and large-diameter and small-diameter strip rings. The vanes constitute a positive polar section, along with the positive polar cylinder. The large-diameter and small-diameter strip rings are disposed on an upper portion and a lower portion of the vanes, respectively, to alternatively and electrically connect the vanes to one another. The inside and outside diameters of the large-diameter strip ring are in a range of 17.1 mm to 18.01 mm and 18.6 mm to 19.6 mm, respectively. The inside and outside diameters of the small-diameter strip ring are in a range of 13.4 mm to 14.4 mm and 14.9 mm to 15.9 mm, respectively. The height of the large-diameter and small-diameter strip rings is in a range of 1.50 mm to 1.60 mm. The distance between the large-diameter strip ring and the small-diameter strip ring is maintained in an error range of 2.20 mm.

Abstract: A smoke guiding apparatus of a wall-mounted microwave oven. A driving circuit of the smoke guiding apparatus includes limit switches which are turned on or off according to a moving position of a guide plate of the smoke guiding apparatus, a relay coil which is supplied with power in response to an exhaust motor of the microwave oven being operated, and a plurality of relay switches which are turned on or off by the supply of power to the relay coil. The driving circuit is implemented without using a conventional microcomputer. Accordingly, the entire manufacturing cost of the microwave oven is reduced. The instant smoke guiding apparatus can be applied to mechanical microwave ovens which are not provided with microcomputers. Furthermore, the driving circuit can drive a smoke guiding apparatus having an AC feed motor, as well as a DC feed motor, thus enabling the AC feed motor to be applied to the smoke guiding apparatus.

Abstract: A hatch cover for deployment over a hatchway formed in a floating roof liquid storage tank permits rapid loading and unloading of inspection or maintenance equipment and minimizes vapor emissions from the tank. The portable hatch cover has two base plates movably connected at a hinge and each defining complementary recesses. A circular flange extends from the bottom surfaces of the base plates to seat the hatch cover in the hatchway. Two door panels are movably connected at hinges to the top surfaces of the base plates. When one or both of the door panels are opened, equipment may be loaded into the tank through the complementary recesses. When closed, the door panels cover the recesses in the base plates. Complementary notches in the door panels provide an opening through which equipment tubing or wiring may extend when the door panels are closed. A collar gasket optionally may be wrapped around the tubing or wiring as a further means to limit vapor emissions from the tank.

Abstract: A garbage storage device includes a base, a bin installed on the base, a pedal mounted on the bin, a lid mounted on the bin, a linkage arranged between the pedal and the lid and a buffer arranged between the base and the linkage. The buffer includes a spring connected between the base and the linkage. The buffer further includes a first cylinder including a closed end connected with the base and an open end through which the spring is inserted and a second cylinder including an open end through which the spring is inserted and a closed end connected with the linkage. One of the first and second cylinders is partially inserted in the other one of the first and second cylinders. The first cylinder is partially inserted in the second cylinder. The buffer includes a ring mounted on the first cylinder. The buffer includes a groove defined around one of the first cylinder for receiving the ring. The base includes two ears formed thereon.

Abstract: A combination molded plastic bucket and lid includes a series of outwardly extending ribs on the top edge of the bucket and inwardly extending flanges on a depending outer skirt of the lid which engage with the bucket ribs to provide a wedging action that holds the lid tightly in a sealing position on the top of the bucket. A zig-zag tear strip permits removal of a portion of the lower most lid flange. The top of the bucket includes a groove adapted to receive a projection or tongue seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resealable container with a twist opening end closure which is suitable for storing perishable solids and liquids, and in one embodiment an easy open tab feature to facilitate venting.

Abstract: A trash bag removal system is disclosed. The system includes one or more flexible liners arranged within a trash can. An overfilled trash bag may force the liner against one or more of the internal walls of the trash can such that the liner will slide upwardly along the internal wall as the trash bag is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container assembly and method for maintaining container contents in a desired ambient temperature. The device comprises an outer bowl member, an inner vessel member and a lid member, all of which are constructed with porous materials. Critically-select portions of the outer bowl member, the inner vessel member and the lid member are glazed with a vapor-impervious coating while the remaining portions of the container assembly are left unglazed. The glazed portions thus provide an avenue for vapor or liquid media, emanating from temperature-maintaining matter, to permeate through the interstitial pores of the material by entering and exiting through the unglazed portions of the container assemblage. Container contents, housed in the lidded inner vessel member, are thus more efficiently maintained in a desired ambient temperature.

Abstract: A container assembly includes a container having a wall with a rim at a first, open end and a base at a second, closed end opposite the first end, and a lid having an inwardly-facing surface defining a recess. In a first, storage state, the lid is releasably secured to the container at the first end with the rim disposed in the recess. In a second, display state, the lid is secured to the container at the second end with the base disposed in the recess.

Abstract: A base for a food container includes a pattern of rib units in a side wall of the container. The rib units are formed at multiple angles and depths to provide strength to the side wall. The base also includes a bottom with ribs of alternating heights and angles that provide strength to the bottom.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing pills packaged in a pack comprising a base and a top rotatably mounted on the base and defining a housing for the pill pack, a plunger mounted in the housing operable between inner and outer limit positions and having means for discharging one of the pills in the pack during cycling of the plunger between limit positions, means for rotating the pack only one pill increment at a time and child resistant means normally preventing cycling of the plunger between limit positions.

Abstract: This is a surface treating device and method of treating surfaces in which a supply of surface treating material is carried in a first package by a handle and a surface treating backing device with means to gradually advance the surface treating material from the first package over the backing device in increments or continuously in such manner that clean, or relatively clean, surface treating material is always being used with soiled or contaminated surface treating material being accumulated and stored within a second package in such manner that the two packages can be removed and replaced simultaneously in order to assure that relatively clean surface treating material will always be used during surface treatment.

Abstract: A control system for regulating a dispenser that includes a feeder bowl and a plurality of dispensing paths is disclosed. The control system includes a control unit for controlling a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths, a feeder bowl vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl, and at least one dispensing path vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths, such that the feeder bowl receives a plurality of items and supply the items uniformly to each of the dispensing paths, and the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: A probe cover dispenser comprises a main body, an elastic component, and a separation board. The main body has a receiving groove therein. A groove is disposed at the top end of the main body. The elastic component is disposed in the receiving groove. One end of the elastic component is fixed at the bottom of the receiving groove, and the other end thereof is connected with a separation sheet. A plurality of probe covers are stacked in the receiving grooves above the separation sheet. The separation board is disposed in the groove at the top end of the main body. One end of the separation board is pivotally connected with the top end of the main body so that the separation board can be screwed into the groove at the top end of the main body to separate the first probe cover from the second probe cover.

Abstract: A powder dispenser includes: a dispenser housing having including a hopper for holding a powder; an outlet tube; a slider slidably mounted with respect to the dispenser housing between a feed position and a dispense position, the slider including a holding member for receiving powder supplied through a dispensing opening of the hopper in the feed position, the holding member having pores which permit gas passage therethrough but which prevent powder passage therethrough, and a vacuum passage for removing gas trapped by the powder in the holding member, through the holding member wall; an angled bore for supplying a pressurized gas at an angle to the hopper to provide a swirling effect; and a gas supply bore in the dispenser housing for supplying a pressurized gas to the receptacle portion in the dispense position to force the powder from the receptacle portion to the outlet tube.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for dispensing hyperpolarized gas include or operate a plurality of spaced apart individually operable valves positioned in fluid communication with and located along a gas flow path. The gas flow path that is intermediate the spaced apart valves defines at least one meted holding space with an associated volume that can be selectively isolated from the remainder of the gas flow path. The system and methods include a pressure sensor operably associated with the gas flow path and a control module operably associated with the plurality of spaced apart valves and the pressure sensor, the control module being configured to direct the operational sequence of the opening and closing of the valves, wherein, in operation, the control module directs a plurality of capture and release cycles, the cycles being successively carried out so to temporally isolate a predetermined portion of the gas flow path to capture and then release discrete amounts of gas therein.

Abstract: Cassette based systems and methods of hydrogen storage, distribution, and recovery are disclosed. A cassette contains a hydrogen storing material from which hydrogen may be recovered in a hydrogen recovery system. Several different types of materials are disclosed, including those that may be removed from the cassette for hydrogen recovery, and those that may be heated within the cassette for hydrogen recovery. The hydrogen recovery system recovers hydrogen from the cassette and may provide the hydrogen to a fuel cell, a hydrogen powered vehicle, or another hydrogen utilization system. The cassette may be distributed through a common carrier as a non-hazardous material. A hydrogen network may be used to obtain information associated with hydrogen storage, recovery, and utilization from various components of the network, and may be used to implement various business methods, such as distribution of cassettes based on network information, and distribution of cassettes through common carriers.

Abstract: A tote bin liner has a transfer spigot (2) through which product may be introduced into or emptied from the liner. The transfer spigot has a membrane (6) which seals the interior of the liner. The membrane is sealed to the spigot on an outer face (11) of the spigot which is configured so that the membrane will be clamped in position during piercing of the membrane by a cutter. The invention extends to a cutter assembly for use with a tote bin liner. The cutter assembly (40) may be adapted to be moved past a valve closure member (22) for the valve (20), the assembly furthermore including an arrangement (78) for sterilising the interior of the valve and the outer face of the membrane, and an actuator (43) for moving the cutter in order to pierce the membrane.

Abstract: An aperture forming structure, which when attached to or integrally formed in dispenser packages for flowable substances allows reclosure and single or multiple uses. The aperture forming structure includes a break away tip member of thermoformable plastic. The break away tip includes a hollow protrusion from a surface. The intersection of the hollow protrusion and the surface is a fault line. Rupturing of the fault line creates an aperture from which the contents of the dispenser package may exit. A cap may be integrally formed with the aperture forming structure and detached for protecting the hollow protrusion or for closing the aperture created when the fault line is ruptured. The aperture forming structure can be made by heating a relatively stiff substantially flat thermoformable sheet of and then stretching the sheet to create a first and a second hollow protrusion in a tiered configuration. A rupture line is placed at the intersection of the first and the second protrusions.

Abstract: A flavor dispensing device having a multiple of flavor stations, each of which provides a customer to select and receive on or more of several flavors for enhancing the flavor of drinks and/or confections, including ice confections. This invention is specifically adapted to be easily transportable and to address the problem of collection of waste fluids.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser (11) for delivering fluids from at least two separate reservoirs has a dispensing arrangement comprising a reservoir outlet (17, 18) from each of the reservoirs. Each reservoir outlet (17, 18) directs the flow of fluid from their respective reservoir towards a baffle (22) located between the outlets (17, 18). The fluid is dispensed in a single stream from a discharge aperture (19).

Abstract: A medicine dispensing system for providing immediate oral dispensing of medicine in the event of an emergency. The medicine dispensing system includes a lanyard and a container having a volume of medicine in a liquid or gel state within. The container is constructed of a casing defining an interior reservoir. The casing is constructed of a waterproof material that is capable of being ruptured between the teeth of the user thereby dispensing the medicine from within the casing.

Abstract: An improved structure of a soap dispenser head to deliver a fixed amount of soap liquid and to prevent any leakage of soap liquid, essentially comprised of a graded trough on either side of a soap delivery head of a soap dispenser; a soap liquid inlet being provided on either side of the graded trough; a soap liquid outlet being provided at the bottom of the graded trough; a piston penetrating the graded trough, a cap being provided on the top of the graded trough, a ring seat being provided at the bottom of the piston ring of the piston; a coil being inserted on to the bottom of the ring seat, a stop being provided at the lower end of the piston; a retaining hole is provided at the lower end of the piston, a hole being provided on the stop for the retaining to penetrate through the stop and inserted into the retaining hole in the piston thus to position the stop in the lower end of the piston so that when the soap dispenser is depressed for the piston in the soap delivery head to move downward, the ring seat

Abstract: A cap for curable material dispensing containers prevents the material from curing after opening the dispensing nozzle. Thus, when mounted on a partially-dispensed container, the nozzle cap preserves flowable materials such as air-cured glues, sealants, caulks, etc. In particular, a deformable sealant in the cap remains pliant, conforming in and/or around the nozzle tip to create a seal. A retention member frictionally grips the nozzle to prevent inadvertent release of the cap, yet accommodates nozzle tips cut to varying lengths.

Abstract: A piston for a pressurized container (i.e., “aerosol can”), the piston including a body having circumferential fins, with the fins being of uniform thickness, decreasing thickness radially away from the body, or varying thickness circumferentially. Further disclosed are container precursors and containers incorporating such a piston, and methods of filling and dispensing from such containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in shaping casual turn-down collars has a flexible sheet substrate with a profile that fits underneath a casual turn-down collar. There is an adhesive coating on each side of the substrate. The substrate fits without showing and with a portion of the substrate near a tip of the collar. The coating is self-releasing and pressure sensitive. There is a cover film on each side of the substrate over the adhesive coating. The substrate has a removal tab section with no adhesive coating on each side of the substrate. There is a pull-tab on each cover film that extends beyond the adhesive coating on the substrate. The pull-tab extends over the removal tab section. The collar is manually shaped and the apparatus is placed between the shirt body and the collar to fix the collar in place.

Abstract: An adjustable garment hanger comprises a hanger body having legs extending in a hanger widthwise direction. First and second leg extensions are each adjustably engaged to a leg of the hanger body to determine an overall width along the widthwise direction of the garment hanger. A collar support extends upwardly from the hanger body. The collar support comprises first and second posts, each extending at an angle to a respective one of the legs. The first and second posts are spaced apart by a distance approximating the widthwise dimension of a garment collar. A spacer extends on opposite sides of the hook-shaped member in a horizontal, profile direction that is perpendicular to the widthwise direction. The spacer has a thickness along the horizontal, profile direction approximately equal to an overall thickness of the leg extensions taken along the horizontal, profile direction.

Abstract: A child or pet carrier characterized by an over-the-shoulder sling of sufficient width and strength to support the weight of an infant, young child, or small pet which connects to an increased width of fabric or joined panels of fabric designed and constructed to form a holding portion that allows the child to rest in a sitting or reclined posture when held against the side, hip, or torso area of a carrying adult and that is further enhanced by an integrated drawstring, adjustable strap, or rubberized compression cord that runs along one transverse side of the holding portion that can be adjusted in such a manner as to create a more stable back and/or side support for the child or pet held therein.

Abstract: The flow/constraint device is a device for towing of a golfpull cart, and for the towing of a pull cart to transport goods and people, as in a rickshaw. The elastic attachment means is to smooth out the gaited stride by absorbing some of the forward force and dampening the end force of the stride. The flow/constraint device ameliorates the uneven gaited stride when towing a vehicle.

Abstract: A monitor supporting device includes a board for attaching to the vehicle seat, a plate pivotally secured to the board with a pivot axle, and a monitor attached to the plate. The plate may be adjusted relative to the board at any selected angular positions such that the monitor may be adjusted to any suitable or selected angular position relative to the vehicle seat or the users, for allowing the users to easily and comfortably viewing the monitor. A bag may be used for receiving a processor device, and has a box for receiving the monitor.

Abstract: In order to be able to initiate in a simple way the power adjustment of retaining arms of a device for holding containers, it is proposed to trigger control of an actuating drive initially by displacement of at least a bottom part of the holder, and subsequently by rotation of a container inside the holder. This permits unambiguous and intentional switch-on of the actuating drive inside the holder.

Abstract: A convenience container (e.g., bag, tote, or case), mounted on a person (e.g., via a belt or belt loop), work bench, or work area, simplifies access and organization of tie wraps or cable ties in the work environment. The can be made of a heavy canvas cloth and includes a cut-out in the front that allows a user to reach in with his/her fingers, grasp a tie in the tote, and pull it out for use while preventing the other ties from spilling out at the same time. An access flap at the top, bottom, or side (optionally closed with Velcro, snap, or zipper) allows loading and unloading of ties into and from the tote. A belt loop on the back allows easy attachment to a utility or regular belt on the side, back, or front of one's person. Alternatively, a belt is included with the tote. Optionally, for larger versions of the tote, an additional (removable) thigh strap is included which allows the tote to be more securely fastened to the leg and prevents it from swinging free.

Abstract: The purpose of “Everyday Pockets” is to provide an accessory that serves the same purpose as a purse or clothing pockets, but provides more adequate accessibility, space, comfort, and convenience while maintaining an attractive appearance. This is achieved by constructing two pockets of appropriate size for storage of items normally carried in an average sized purse, connected by a strap that is draped around the wearer's neck so that the pockets are suspended at the length of average pants or jacket pockets. The pockets and strap could be made of any variety of available materials and might include fasteners and/or decoration.