Abstract: A mash/lauter tun and method of converting grains to wort. The mash/lauter tun comprises a container with a double false bottom filter having two perforated plates disposed parallel with a space therebetween for receiving filtration media. The container further comprises thermometers extending to near the center of the tun and a rotating heat exchanger. In use, mash is loaded into the container and heated via the rotating heat exchanger by passing hot fluid through the rotating heat exchanger. The mash is then sparged by increasing pressure in the rotating heat exchanger above a threshold pressure via closure an outlet valve of the heat exchanger. The wort then passes through the double false bottom filter and is subsequently transferred to a brew kettle for boiling.

Abstract: A combination pipe cutter and can lid opener comprising a means for cutting and a means for opening a can having a lid. The combination pipe cutter and can lid opener comprises two handles, one having a holder to hold a pipe and the other having a blade, wherein the blade is utilized to cut the pipe in the holder. The insides of the handles comprise semicircular openings having gripping teeth for opening the lid of a container. To open the lid of the container, the semicircular cutouts of the first handle and second handle are positioned around the perimeter of the lid, wherein the gripping teeth cooperatively engage the lid thereby opening the container by turning the combination pipe cutter and can lid opener.

Abstract: An automated and scalable system for total real-time redundancy of a plurality of client-server systems, wherein, data is replicated through a network connection and operationally located on a virtual machine that substitutes for a failed client-server system, wherein the virtual machine is activated and installed on the cloud computing environment. Monitoring applications are installed on both the client-server systems and the cloud computing environment. System components are identified, a network connection is initiated, a heartbeat is established, data replication is automated, system failure is detected, failover is initiated, and subsequent client-server restoration is automated.

Abstract: A safety straw comprising a barrier for use with or incorporated as part of a straw, wherein the straw comprises a bendable segment, and wherein the barrier prevents the straw from being inserted too far into a person's mouth. The barrier comprises a mouthpiece that retains the conventional shape of a straw and is preferably molded as a unit with the straw. Alternatively, the barrier may be separately formed and installed on an existing straw. Further, the barrier may comprise a circular disk with a hole in the center thereof. To use, a user inserts the straw with the barrier into their mouth, wherein the barrier prevents the user from inserting the straw too far into their mouth.

Abstract: A bed covering apparatus that prevents bed bugs from intrusion to an enclosed sleeping area, wherein the bed covering apparatus has a net for exclusion of insects, and also contains at least one slippery section to which bed bugs cannot adhere, thereby causing the bed bugs to fall from the netted sleeping area before they have an opportunity to enter the sleeping enclosure.

Abstract: A plumb post apparatus for retaining a mason's line for laying a brick course, the apparatus comprising two vertical posts each having two legs of adjustable length that pivot outward to form stabilizers. The legs are secured to adjacent sides of the posts, thus extending at right angles to each other. The posts can be secured via spikes through base plates at the bottoms of the posts and the legs are secured in place via stakes that are pivotally secured to the ends of the legs and which can be driven into a ground surface. Levels on adjacent sides of the posts indicate when the apparatus is in level disposition.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.

Abstract: A self-locking universal trailer hitch comprising a hitch receiver, a bar and a second receiver, wherein the hitch receiver is secured to a towing vehicle, and wherein the bar is removably secured to the hitch receiver, and wherein the second receiver comprises a locking mechanism to removably secure the second receiver to the bar. The self-locking universal trailer hitch is utilized by securing a trailer to a towing vehicle by obtaining a towing vehicle with a first hitch receiver and a universal trailer hitch with a second hitch receiver, a bar and a second receiver having a locking mechanism, inserting the bar into the pivoting second hitch receiver, locking the bar to the second hitch receiver, inserting the bar into the second receiver and locking the bar to the second receiver via the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A canine protective suit comprising a face mask, a upper body protector and a lower body protector, wherein the face mask is removably secured to the upper body protector, and wherein the lower body protector is removably secured to the upper body protector. The upper body protector comprises elastic bands, wherein the elastic bands secure at least two front leg panels. Similarly, the lower body protector comprises elastic bands, wherein the elastic bands secure at least two back leg panels. To use, a canine's two front legs are placed into the two front leg panels as the upper body protector is placed on the canine. Similarly, the canine's rear legs are inserted into the back leg panels as the lower body protector is installed on the canine. The face mask is then disposed on the canine's face and secured to the upper body protector.

Abstract: An ectoparasite diagnostic apparatus comprising a vacuum motor, a microscope, a display, a non-flexible pivoting door and a containment chamber, wherein the microscope is in electrical communication with the display. The ectoparasite diagnostic apparatus provides a method of capturing live ectoparasites for observation removing live ectoparasites from a subject animal, disposing the live ectoparasites in the containment chamber, opening the non-flexible pivoting door and inserting a flea control compound, closing the non-flexible pivoting door and observing the effects of the flea control compound on the live ectoparasites via the microscope and the display.

Abstract: An automated ice vending apparatus and method including an ice generating machine capable of producing enough ice to sufficiently keep full a receptacle positioned beneath the ice generating machine, a first ice moving device with cutting members positioned within the receptacle to move ice from the receptacle to a second ice moving device, wherein the ice is subsequently transferred to a removable container.

Abstract: An automated ice vending apparatus and method including an ice generating machine capable of producing enough ice to sufficiently keep full a first receptacle positioned beneath the ice generating machine, a plurality of augers positioned at least partially within channels on the lower portion of the receptacle to move ice from the first receptacle to a second receptacle with a second ice moving mechanism, which in turn moves the ice to a third, substantially inclined, ice moving mechanism, wherein the ice is subsequently transferred to a removable container.

Abstract: A boat running light and emergency light apparatus and method comprising a plurality of radially projecting lights, at least one axially upward projecting light and at least one photometer, wherein the at least one photometer senses the amount of illumination from the plurality of radially projecting lights. Upon a reduction or cessation of illumination caused by failure of one or more of the plurality of radially projecting lights, the plurality of radially projecting lights are turned off and the axially upward projecting lights are illuminated to notify boaters of a faulty light while still providing redundant lighting. Additionally, the boat light is capable of flashing SOS in Morse code during an emergency situation. The lights are preferably high intensity directional light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing cured concrete floors using a riding trowel to which large diameter pans are rotationally secured, the pans having abraders releasably secured to their undersides. The individual abraders are preferably individually removably secured to the pans by hook-and-loop fasteners, wherein the fasteners are selectively disposed on the flat bottom surfaces of the pans or within shallow depressions in the bottom surfaces of the pans. The riding trowel further comprises a vacuum system in fluid communication with a contained space formed by a shroud having a rigid upper portion and a flexible lower portion where it contacts the finished cured concrete floor surface.

Abstract: A collecting apparatus having a seat, and method of use thereof, wherein the collecting apparatus comprises a plurality of selectively positionable elastic members secured to a plurality of securing points on a lower portion of a frame or a removable base section connected to the frame. The elastic members are secured to user-selected securing points so that the distance between the elastic members can accommodate objects of different sizes. The collecting apparatus is pressed on top of a ball or similar object, causing the elastic members to separate and allow the ball or similar object to enter and be retained within the frame. Upon entering of the object within the frame, the elastic members retract to their original position, therein preventing the object from falling back out. Objects can be retrieved by lifting the seat or reaching through an aperture formed by a seat opening and a frame front opening.

Abstract: A topical deodorant composition comprising unrefined Shea butter, sodium bicarbonate, cornstarch, cocoa butter, coconut oil, lavender oil, Clary sage oil, benzoin gum tincture and vitamin E. The topical deodorant composition controls body odor and improves the moisture, texture and appearance of the skin. To prepare the topical deodorant composition, unrefined Shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and vitamin E are mixed over hot water at 100° F.-120° F. Cornstarch and sodium bicarbonate are added over hot water at 100° F.-120° F. Subsequently, lavender oil, Clary sage oil and benzoin gum tincture are added. The mixture is removed from heat, cooled to 75° F. and distributed via a glass jar, solid stick or squeezable tube.

Abstract: A filter system and method of filtering a feed liquid utilizing a combined plurality of filter assemblies. Each filter assembly includes a filter housing, a filter cartridge and a spiral passageway for imparting secondary flow currents, particularly Dean-Flow currents, to fluid flowing within the spiral passageways to prevent particulate build-up on filter surfaces so as to extend filter life and duration between replacement. The filter system can be operated within positive or negative pressure filtration processes. A dual-stage filtration process utilizing a cap filter and a cylindrical depth filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multidirectional auxiliary sun visor having a main panel and a folding panel, wherein the folding panel may pivot in three directions. The auxiliary sun visor may be removably secured to an existing vehicular sun visor by utilizing hook-and-loop fasteners, or alternatively, elastic straps. An auxiliary sun visor may have pivot clips on the peripheral edges of a main panel dimensioned to receive a U-shaped frame that extends around a portion of the periphery of a folding panel. A set of pivot clips may be selected and unclipped allowing the folding panel to pivot in a direction determined by the remaining pivot clip. This provides the user with the ability to easily select an area in which to position an auxiliary sun visor to prevent sun glare in compliment to an existing vehicular sun visor.