Abstract: A gravity-oriented one-way valve container apparatus and method for separation of air from fluids providing an internal bladder, a one-way valve, and air vents allowing automatic opening of the container upon tilting and automatic closing of the container upon return to an upright position, thereby preventing the entry of contaminating air.

Abstract: A controlled-flexing trailer hitch system and method to facilitate vehicle-to-trailer attachment and maneuvering by providing a flexible state during attachment, detachment, and low-speed maneuvering of a trailer, and automatic change to a fixed in-line state upon the in-line pulling of the trailer, by providing disengageable spring-return stiffening members and a flexible segmented towing member, where the spring-return stiffening members can be disengaged to allow flexible movement of the flexible towing member, and where, upon commencement of the in-line pulling of the trailer, the spring-return stiffening members engage to place the controlled-flexing trailer hitch into a fixed in-line state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separation of air from fluids, whereby a contractable partition, a throat seal, and air vents are provided, which allow an inside portion behind the contractable partition to expand into or contract from an outside portion, increasing or decreasing the side of the inside portion to accommodate changing volumes of beverage, thereby preventing the entry of contaminating air and slowing the loss of carbonation of the remaining beverage.

Abstract: A volume-reducing overlapping-scale container system and method for reducing empty air space within the container as the contents are removed, providing a spiral-grooved overlapping-scale container body with a continuous downward spiraling groove along a cylindrical side surface having overlapping scales that provide added structure to the container while allowing easy cutting from an acute angle, and providing a cutting cap to seal the container body, and having mounted inside a reducing cutter to follow and cut through the continuous downward spiraling groove when the cutting cap is turned in a nominally clockwise direction, yielding a smaller container and a tail of removed material, a tail channel within the cutting cap to allow passage of the tail of removed material out of the cutting cap, and a tail-trimming cutter that moves away from the tail of removed material during clockwise rotation of the cutting cap, and moves into and cuts the tail of removed material when the cutting cap is rotated countercl

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid container apparatus and method to prevent spilling of a liquid, such as oil, while adding liquid to an engine or other component, without the use of a funnel and without inverting the container, and to make the liquid-adding operation easier and safer for a user, providing a smart cap with a smart-cap opening turnably mounted upon an opening protrusion on a container body such that the smart cap can be closed and opened without detaching the smart cap from the container body, the liquid can be dispensed without inverting the container, and the rate of liquid flow can be controlled by a user, providing a container able to be placed upon or near an engine for the required time, providing a container that dispenses liquid without being inverted, and providing a container that visually indicates the amount of liquid within, consequently simplifying the use of the container.

Abstract: A thermal-transfer container sleeve system and method for warming, cooling, or maintaining the temperature of a fluid inside a thermally-conductive container. The thermal-transfer container sleeve is portable, is non-electric and non-fuel-burning, and is not itself a fluid container, which might not be allowed in some places or circumstances. The thermal-transfer container sleeve is easily pre-heated or pre-cooled with standard kitchen equipment. The thermal-transfer container sleeve provides high-thermal-capacitance units attached to the inside of an insulation sleeve in a way that maximizes thermal contact with the thermally-conductive container, but provides additional surface area when not mounted upon a thermally-conductive container to increase the efficiency of pre-heating or pre-cooling.

Abstract: A controlled-flexing trailer hitch system and method to facilitate vehicle-to-trailer attachment and maneuvering by providing a flexible state during attachment, detachment, and low-speed maneuvering of a trailer, and automatic change to a fixed in-line state upon the in-line pulling of the trailer, by providing disengageable spring-return stiffening members and a flexible segmented towing member, where the spring-return stiffening members can be disengaged to allow flexible movement of the flexible towing member, and where, upon commencement of the in-line pulling of the trailer, the spring-return stiffening members engage to place the controlled-flexing trailer hitch into a fixed in-line state.

Abstract: A thermal-transfer container sleeve system and method for warming, cooling, or maintaining the temperature of a fluid inside a thermally-conductive container. The thermal-transfer container sleeve is portable, is non-electric and non-fuel-burning, and is not itself a fluid container, which might not be allowed in some places or circumstances. The thermal-transfer container sleeve is easily pre-heated or pre-cooled with standard kitchen equipment. The thermal-transfer container sleeve provides high-thermal-capacitance units attached to the inside of an insulation sleeve in a way that maximizes thermal contact with the thermally-conductive container, but provides additional surface area when not mounted upon a thermally-conductive container to increase the efficiency of pre-heating or pre-cooling.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid container apparatus and method to prevent spilling of a liquid, such as oil, while adding liquid to an engine or other component, without the use of a funnel and without inverting the container, and to make the liquid-adding operation easier and safer for a user, providing a smart cap with a smart-cap opening turnably mounted upon an opening protrusion on a container body such that the smart cap can be closed and opened without detaching the smart cap from the container body, the liquid can be dispensed without inverting the container, and the rate of liquid flow can be controlled by a user, providing a container able to be placed upon or near an engine for the required time, providing a container that dispenses liquid without being inverted, and providing a container that visually indicates the amount of liquid within, consequently simplifying the use of the container.

Abstract: This present invention provides a ceramic burner cover for gas stovetops. The ceramic burner cover is a solid ceramic cover that is able to removably rest above and cover a gas burner assembly on a stovetop. The ceramic burner cover has a planar ceramic plate and a support member for supporting the plate above the burner assembly. The support member can be formed as a perforated continuous peripheral flange or as a pair of protruding handles secured to outer peripheral edge of the ceramic plate. The burner cover is sized and shaped to cover one or more burner assemblies, while supporting cooking vessels. A metallic insert is incorporated in the burner cover to reduce weight and to more efficiently distribute heat from the burner assembly to a cooking vessel.

Abstract: A volume-reducing overlapping-scale container system and method for reducing empty air space within the container as the contents are removed, providing a spiral-grooved overlapping-scale container body with a continuous downward spiraling groove along a cylindrical side surface having overlapping scales that provide added structure to the container while allowing easy cutting from an acute angle, and providing a cutting cap to seal the container body, and having mounted inside a reducing cutter to follow and cut through the continuous downward spiraling groove when the cutting cap is turned in a nominally clockwise direction, yielding a smaller container and a tail of removed material, a tail channel within the cutting cap to allow passage of the tail of removed material out of the cutting cap, and a tail-trimming cutter that moves away from the tail of removed material during clockwise rotation of the cutting cap, and moves into and cuts the tail of removed material when the cutting cap is rotated countercl

Abstract: A volume-reducing container system and method for reducing empty air space within the container as the contents are removed, providing a spiral-grooved container body with a continuous downward spiraling groove along a cylindrical side surface, and providing a cutting cap to seal the container body, and having mounted inside a reducing cutter to follow and cut through the continuous downward spiraling groove when the cutting cap is turned in a nominally clockwise direction, yielding a smaller container and a tail of removed material, a tail channel within the cutting cap to allow passage of the tail of removed material out of the cutting cap, and a tail-trimming cutter which moves away from the tail of removed material during clockwise rotation of the cutting cap, and moves into and cuts the tail of removed material when the cutting cap is rotated counterclockwise.

Abstract: A volume-reducing container system and method for reducing empty air space within the container as the contents are removed, providing a spiral-grooved container body with a continuous downward spiraling groove along a cylindrical side surface, and providing a cutting cap to seal the container body, and having mounted inside a reducing cutter to follow and cut through the continuous downward spiraling groove when the cutting cap is turned in a nominally clockwise direction, yielding a smaller container and a tail of removed material, a tail channel within the cutting cap to allow passage of the tail of removed material out of the cutting cap, and a tail-trimming cutter which moves away from the tail of removed material during clockwise rotation of the cutting cap, and moves into and cuts the tail of removed material when the cutting cap is rotated counterclockwise.

Abstract: A controlled-flexing trailer hitch system and method to facilitate vehicle-to-trailer attachment and maneuvering by providing a flexible state during attachment, detachment, and low-speed maneuvering of a trailer, and automatic change to a fixed in-line state upon the in-line pulling of the trailer, by providing disengageable spring-return stiffening members and a flexible segmented towing member, where the spring-return stiffening members can be disengaged to allow flexible movement of the flexible towing member, and where, upon commencement of the in-line pulling of the trailer, the spring-return stiffening members engage to place the controlled-flexing trailer hitch into a fixed in-line state.

Abstract: A gravity-oriented one-way valve container apparatus and method for separation of air from fluids providing an internal bladder, a one-way valve, and air vents allowing automatic opening of the container upon tilting and automatic closing of the container upon return to an upright position, thereby preventing the entry of contaminating air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separation of air from fluids, whereby a contractable partition, a throat seal, and air vents are provided, which allow an inside portion behind the contractable partition to expand into or contract from an outside portion, increasing or decreasing the side of the inside portion to accommodate changing volumes of beverage, thereby preventing the entry of contaminating air and slowing the loss of carbonation of the remaining beverage.

Abstract: A balanced non-deflatable vehicle tire providing balanced operation even after partial puncture, adjustment of overall air pressure, use of standard rimmed wheels, and the option of being retrofit into existing tires, by providing alternating layers of puncture-resistant sheet material and pressurized-cell sheets, and an inner-tube to fill the remaining internal space and to adjust and apply balanced pressure internally.

Abstract: A thermal-transfer container sleeve system and method for warming, cooling, or maintaining the temperature of a fluid inside a thermally-conductive container. The thermal-transfer container sleeve is portable, is non-electric and non-fuel-burning, and is not itself a fluid container, which might not be allowed in some places or circumstances. The thermal-transfer container sleeve is easily pre-heated or pre-cooled with standard kitchen equipment. The thermal-transfer container sleeve provides high-thermal-capacitance units attached to the inside of an insulation sleeve in a way that maximizes thermal contact with the thermally-conductive container, but provides additional surface area when not mounted upon a thermally-conductive container to increase the efficiency of pre-heating or pre-cooling.