Abstract: An extendable and retractable mailbox tray, which is a sliding, guided tray that is mountable within into a standard, rural mailbox. The tray extends from the mailbox when the mailbox door is opened, and retracts back within the mailbox when the mailbox door is closed. The guided mailbox tray assembly includes a tray, which may be referred to as a “sled.” Preferably, the tray is cut out and bent into the form of a rectangular box from a single sheet of galvanized metal. The tray has a side panel and a runner slot cut within the side panel. A runner with a slot fastener end, and a bracket fastener end that is slidingly mountable into the runner slot. A bracket is mountable to the openable door of the mailbox. The bracket includes a runner fastener that is hingably attachable to the bracket fastener of the runner. The tray extends from the mailbox upon opening the door and the tray retracts back into the mailbox when the door is closed.

Abstract: A stringed instrument fingerboard with position markers for the improved recognition of notes, scales, chords, positions, intervals, and, fingering patterns. The array of position markers is an orderly arrangement of position markers on the fingerboard, in which each position marker of the array is located in one-to-one correspondence with a string for referencing notes. The array of position markers may correspond to a multiplicity of orderly arrangements of position markers on the fingerboard. The position markers of an array may have variations in user discernable characteristics, such as shape, size, color, or design. The position markers are permanently affixed to the fingerboard, providing permanent note-references for all notes, all, scales, and all chords. Improved note recognition is also achieved by the musician employing the array of position markers. An alternative embodiment includes a reference diagram, displaying the apparatus in diagram form.

Abstract: An integral electrical connection for use with a tap handle in a beverage dispenser. With the integral electrical connection, the tap handle can be internally suppled with low voltage power, with safety and reliability, by a quick connection circuit, housed within the tap handle. The tap handle is attachable to a standard tap valve or faucet, typically used in dispensing beverages, such as beer, to provide an efficient and standardized solution to the problem of managing power cords and wires to the tap handle, to power any element within the tap handle, typically for the purpose of internally lighting or illuminating the tap handle, typically a bulb or diode, such as a LED. The electrified tap includes a bushing receivable onto a locknut. A set of conductors ring the threaded tap. A lower pair of contacts are wired to a low voltage power source external to the tap. An upper pair of contacts within the handle touch the lower pair within the tap, when the handle is screwed onto the threaded tap stem.

Abstract: A system for minimizing platen drive shaft flex in a thermoforming press employed in a thermoforming process is provided. The thermoformer press molds plastic sheets into finished articles. The system minimizes rotational vibrations in a platen drive shaft that actuates the thermal press. Reenforcing plates, or doubler plates, are added as auxiliary frame members, to reduce flex in the platen drive shaft. The doubler plates support the drive shaft along the length of the shaft. The doubler plates include bearings positioned proximate to linkages. The linkages interconnect the drive shaft and the platens. The doubler plates are preferably positioned proximate to the linkages, on the drive shaft and opposite frame bearings. The system can include yoked pivots to support both sides of bearings in the linkages between the drive shaft and the platen. The yoked supports evenly transmit forces between the platen drive shaft to the platens.

Abstract: A belted applicator for applying a lotion substance, and more particularly a lotion applicator having a retractable belt in a handled configuration that lends to the easy use of the device. The belted applicator includes two handled housing bodies interconnected by a belt. The belted applicator may also include disposable belt cartridges, which include a lotion, or any other substance applied with the belted device. The lotion may be a liquid, a gel, or a powder in a medicinal, massage, moisturizer insect repellent or sunscreen formulation. The belted applicator has leak resistant features that also reduce dripping of lotion from the belt. The belt may feed in sequence, when depleted, with the depleted portion of the belt removed by the user. The belted applicator may also include two interlocked portions that serve to seal the belt within and communicate lotion between the two interlocked portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the processing of hop vines. An automated hop processor cuts bulk-harvested hop vines into manageable segments with a minimum of handling operations. The bulk of hop vines are off-loaded onto an infeed conveyor by positioning a transport on the infeed conveyor. After verifying proper position of the transport a fork can be inserted into the transport. The transport is moved off of the infeed conveyor and the fork removed from the bulk of hop vines. The Hop vines are then moved on the infeed conveyor to a cutter, after verifying the transport is clear of the infeed conveyor. The infeed conveyor is stopped when the hop vines are in position for cutting and the hops are cut with a cutting mechanism. The cut hop vines are then conveyed to a shredder for shredding and further processing into component hop cones and hop vine silage.

Abstract: A freeze protection compound is provided for application to an agricultural crop. The compound is preferably performed by conventional sprayer techniques. The freeze protection compound includes a fermented biomass material as an active ingredient for the purpose of protecting the agricultural crop from freezing. The fermented biomass is mixed to form the freeze protection compound in a liquid solution The fermented biomass can specifically be a fermented corn product. The fermented corn product is preferably rendered substantially free of ethanol. The freeze protection compound can be applied to the blooms and foliage of the agricultural crop, such as a tree cultivar. Most preferably such a tree cultivar conventionally includes all varieties of orchard and grove cultivated products. An effective amount of the freeze protection compound is applied to the living and growing foliage and can also as preferred be applied to blossoms or bloom sets.

Abstract: A new and distinct Gala-type apple cultivar is disclosed. The new cultivar ‘Dalitoga’ arose as a whole tree mutation of ‘Imperial Gala.’ ‘Dalitoga’ is notable for its intense coloration and early maturity as compared to its parent and to other known Gala cultivars.

Abstract: A new hop plant (Humulus lupulus) is disclosed. The new variety is used for its aromatic properties. The new variety is moderately tolerant to powdery mildew, and produces a medium size moderately compact cone with good pickability and storageability. The cones mature relatively late, and produce an exceptional yield of approximately 2200 to 3000 pounds per acre (2466 to 3363 kg/ha).

Abstract: A new cultivar of sweet cherry (Prunus avium) named ‘PC7146-8’ is disclosed. The new cultivar is notable for its large, high quality dark red fruit of superior flavor, and for its early ripening time, a few days before ‘Bing.

Abstract: A new cultivar of sweet cherry tree named ‘PC-8011-3’ is disclosed. The new cultivar is notable for its large, firm attractive blushed yellow fruit of excellent quality and flavor.

Abstract: A new cultivar of sweet cherry (Prunus avium), named ‘PC7064-3’ is disclosed. The new cultivar is notable for its very large, high quality dark red fruit.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Fuji apple tree (Malus pumila) named ‘Fugachee Fuji’ is disclosed. The fruit of the new variety is characterized by its early maturity and attractive blush coloration.

Abstract: A new cultivar of nectarine tree (Prunus persica L. Batsch) named ‘S 6817’ is dislosed. The fruit of ‘S 6817’ is oblate, yellow fleshed, and semi-freestone.

Abstract: A new cultivar of nectarine tree (Prunus persica L. Batsch) named ‘S 6816’ is disclosed. The fruit of ‘S 6816’ is oblate, yellow fleshed, and freestone, and is notable for its early maturity and very sweet flavor.

Abstract: Apple tree ‘Ruby Pink’ (Malus domestica) is a limb sport mutation of ‘Cripps Pink’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7880). The fruit of ‘Ruby Pink’ is notable for its uniform ellipsoid shape, highly colored skin and firm flesh. ‘Ruby Pink’ is a late maturing variety, with harvest typically occurring after ‘Cripps Pink.

Abstract: A new apple tree named ‘Dalitron’ is disclosed. The fruit of the new variety is particularly notable for its eating quality and distinctive appearance. The fruit is firm, crunchy, juicy and fully flavored, and takes on a distinctive solid bright yellow coloration during storage. ‘Dalitron’ apples maintain favorable texture and firmness during and after long term storage.

Abstract: ‘X6114’ is a new and distinct crabapple tree (Malus Mill.) notable for its late flowering and relatively low vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of sweet cherry, Prunus avium L., denominated ‘Brown’, which is a late-ripening mutation of the well-known ‘Bing’ variety. This mutation ripens 22 to 24 days after ‘Bing’ and is distinct from it, not only in maturity but also in other characteristics.