Abstract: Modular conduit alignment and resultant conduit systems are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of modular sections, one of which connects to an terminal enclosure, each of the plurality of conduit assemblies having at least one coupler assembly having a first plurality of conduit interfaces extending from a first side of the at least one coupler assembly and a second plurality of conduit interfaces a second side of the at least one coupler assembly. The first plurality of conduit interfaces and the second plurality of conduit interfaces are aligned and form pathways that allow wiring to extend through the plurality of modular sections when the plurality of modular sections are arranged in series.

Abstract: Collapsible containers and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a collapsible container assembly that includes a foldable support member that has a length and a width. The support member has a concave cross-section that causes the support member to resist bending until a threshold force is exceeded. The support member has a folded position and an extended position where the support member is unfolded. The assembly further includes at least one surface member carried by the support member. The assembly has a deployed position where the support member is in the extended position and the at least one surface member forms an enclosure with an interior. The assembly also has a collapsed position where the support member is in the folded position. The container assembly has less exterior volume in the collapsed position than in the deployed position.

Abstract: Expandable bag assemblies and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward an expandable bag assembly that includes a flexible bag with closed and open ends and collapsible sidewalls disposed between the ends. The assembly beneficially includes an integrated support structure provided with stiffeners and a mechanism for attachment to help hold a mouth of the bag in an open position while filling the bag. The assembly can be compressed for easy packaging and storage and be expanded into a self-supported, open position without memory folds. The assembly is also configured to retract during closure of the open end of the bag.

Abstract: Collapsible containers and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a collapsible container assembly that includes a foldable support member that has a length and a width. The support member has a concave cross-section that causes the support member to resist bending until a threshold force is exceeded. The support member has a folded position and an extended position where the support member is unfolded. The assembly further includes at least one surface member carried by the support member. The assembly has a deployed position where the support member is in the extended position and the at least one surface member forms an enclosure with an interior. The assembly also has a collapsed position where the support member is in the folded position. The container assembly has less exterior volume in the collapsed position than in the deployed position.

Abstract: Collapsible containers and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a collapsible container assembly that includes a foldable support member that has a length and a width. The support member has a concave cross-section that causes the support member to resist bending until a threshold force is exceeded. The support member has a folded position and an extended position where the support member is unfolded. The assembly further includes at least one surface member carried by the support member. The assembly has a deployed position where the support member is in the extended position and the at least one surface member forms an enclosure with an interior. The assembly also has a collapsed position where the support member is in the folded position. The container assembly has less exterior volume in the collapsed position than in the deployed position.

Abstract: Expandable bag assemblies and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward an expandable bag assembly that includes a flexible bag with closed and open ends and collapsible sidewalls disposed between the ends. The assembly beneficially includes an integrated support structure provided with stiffeners and a mechanism for attachment to help hold a mouth of the bag in an open position while filling the bag. The assembly can be compressed for easy packaging and storage and be expanded into a self-supported, open position without memory folds. The assembly is also configured to retract during closure of the open end of the bag.

Abstract: Spill-resistant cups for consuming beverages with delivery systems for simultaneously dispensing one or more agents which can reduce the rate of beverage-induced tooth decay and/or enamel erosion are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the spill-resistant cup can include a hollow cup body defining a beverage holding chamber. The spill-resistant cup also includes a lid assembly with a drinking spout having one or more spaced-apart drinking holes. The drinking spout is configured to be engaged by a consumer's mouth. The lid assembly can positively engage the cup body to enclose the beverage holding chamber. The spill-resistant cup can also include an agent delivery system for controlled delivery of the active ingredient to the consumer's mouth. Further, the spill-resistant cup can include a flow control element configured to limit a flow rate of the beverage from the beverage holding chamber to the drinking holes disposed in the drinking spout.

Abstract: Expandable bag assemblies and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward an expandable bag assembly that includes a flexible bag with closed and open ends and collapsible sidewalls disposed between the ends. The assembly beneficially includes an integrated support structure provided with stiffeners and a mechanism for attachment to help hold a mouth of the bag in an open position while filling the bag. The assembly can be compressed for easy packaging and storage and be expanded into a self-supported, open position without memory folds. The assembly is also configured to retract during closure of the open end of the bag.

Abstract: A consumption-control feeding dish comprising a bowl structure having an interior wall that defines a concave interior area. The wall has an arcuate shape between an upper peripheral edge portion and a bottom surface. A protrusion is connected to the bottom surface of the interior wall and projects away from the bottom surface into the interior area. A plurality of dividers are positioned within the interior area and project radially relative to the interior wall toward the protrusion. The dividers in combination with the interior wall and the protrusion define a plurality of curvilinear feeding zones shaped to retain food for the animal and sized to prevent the animal from opening its mouth to open position and taking a full bite of the food, thereby requiring the animal to take a plurality of small bites of food to consume the same amount of food in a full bite.

Abstract: A consumption-control feeding dish comprising a bowl structure having an interior wall that defines a concave interior area. The wall has an arcuate shape between an upper peripheral edge portion and a bottom surface. A protrusion is connected to the bottom surface of the interior wall and projects away from the bottom surface into the interior area. The protrusion has a central portion and a plurality of lobes positioned within the interior area and project radially from the central portion toward the interior wall. The lobes, in combination with the interior wall and the protrusion, define a plurality of curvilinear feeding zones shaped to retain food for the animal and sized to prevent the animal from opening its mouth to open position and taking a full bite of the food, thereby requiring the animal to take a plurality of small bites of food to consume the same amount of food in a full bite.

Abstract: A divided container system comprising a master tray having an interior portion and a peripheral top edge, at least one insertable sub-tray positionable within the interior portion of the master tray, wherein each sub-tray includes a peripheral top edge and an interior portion, and a lid for sealing both the master tray and the at least one insertable sub-tray. The lid comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a plurality of sealing surfaces extending from the lower surface of the lid, wherein the sealing surfaces are arranged to abut with the peripheral top edge of the at least one insertable sub-tray to thereby seal the interior portion of the at least one insertable sub-tray from the interior portion of the master tray, and a peripheral sealing surface for sealable contact with the peripheral top edge of the master tray.

Abstract: A water heater unit is described for providing convective water flow through a water circulatory system. In one embodiment, the water heater unit has an outer housing, a water tank disposed within the housing, and a first cold water inlet coupled to the tank and connectable to a cold water supply line. A hot water outlet is coupled to the tank and connectable to a hot water supply line. A connection chamber adjacent to the tank has a second cold water inlet connectable to the cold water line, and a chamber outlet connected to the first cold water inlet of the tank. The connection chamber has at least one return inlet connectable to the hot water return line at a position to allow a substantially continuous flow of return hot water driven by convection forces without the benefit of a recirculation pump.

Abstract: An insulated equipment cover combined with a glove-like extension for use with various types of equipment enables use in cold temperatures and adverse weather elements. The equipment cover generally conforms to the shape of the equipment and is made of flexible insulated material. The equipment cover provides sufficient room for an operator's hand to operate the equipment within the interior of the equipment cover. The equipment cover also extends down to the operator's wrist and a portion of the forearm, providing insulation and protection from adverse weather elements. The equipment cover is formed from a custom sewn sheet of insulated material with one or more elastic or cinching openings to allow access to, or for parts of the equipment to extend out of, the equipment cover. Various equipment specific openings allow the operator to view and access equipment controls and displays. Interior pockets may hold chemical heat packs.

Abstract: Collapsible containers and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a collapsible container assembly that includes a foldable support member that has a length and a width. The support member has a concave cross-section that causes the support member to resist bending until a threshold force is exceeded. The support member has a folded position and an extended position where the support member is unfolded. The assembly further includes at least one surface member carried by the support member. The assembly has a deployed position where the support member is in the extended position and the at least one surface member forms an enclosure with an interior. The assembly also has a collapsed position where the support member is in the folded position. The container assembly has less exterior volume in the collapsed position than in the deployed position.

Abstract: An alarm clock assembly of an embodiment of the present invention is provided that also turns off a non-integrated, connected lamp or other electrical device based on pushing a button on the clock. The alarm clock assembly also has input means for setting a timer to turn off the connected device and can also be programmed to turn on the connected, non-integrated device at a specified time or after a specific time period has elapsed. The alarm clock assembly can also regulate the electrical current in such a manner to dim or flash a connected device, such as a lamp.

Abstract: A telescoping pivot hinge for a notebook computer or similar device provides an apparatus for the angle of inclination, the vertical elevation, and the horizontal distance of the visual display 38 to be adjusted relative to the input device 28. A first embodiment provides apparatus for adjusting the angle of inclination and the vertical elevation of the visual display 38 relative to the input device 28. A second embodiment provides apparatus for adjusting the angle of inclination, the vertical elevation and the horizontal distance of the visual display 38 relative to the input device 28. Input male member rod sections 54 telescopically engage input female member tunnels 62 on the input housing lower side 23 to provide apparatus for adjusting the horizontal distance between the display housing 31 and the input housing 21.

Abstract: A viewing mirror device to assist a vehicle driver when connecting the vehicle to a trailer. The mirror device comprises a viewing mirror, an attachment tube or channel for attaching the device to the vehicle hitch, and a mast that connects the viewing mirror to the attachment tube or channel. The position of the viewing mirror can be adjusted so that the vehicle driver can see both the vehicle hitch connection point and the trailer tongue connection point in the mirror.

Abstract: A system for creating the perception of visual depth in scenery comprising lateral movements. A polarizing projection filter 21 controls the plane of polarization of projected light. The plane of polarization is changed by changing the orientation of the polarizing projection filter. An observer wears special viewing glasses 22 with polarizing filters when viewing scenery illuminated by the polarizing projection filter. The plane of polarization of the polarizing viewing filter for the right eye 23 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise from horizontal. The plane of polarization of the polarizing viewing filter for the left eye 24 is rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise from horizontal. When the polarizing projection filter is rotated clockwise from horizontal the scenery appears brighter to an observer's right eye than to the observer's left eye. Objects moving laterally 42 from right to left from the observer's perspective appear closer to the observer 43.

Abstract: The current invention discloses methods for using laterally moving objects and laterally moving backgrounds in colored live scenes to create the perception of depth when scenes are viewed with viewer glasses having lens or filters of two different colors. The invention also discloses methods for using laterally moving objects and laterally moving backgrounds in colored imagery to create the perception of depth when the imagery is viewed with viewer glasses having lens or filters of two different colors. In a further aspect, the invention discloses colored imagery comprising laterally moving objects and laterally moving backgrounds to create the perception of depth when the imagery is viewed with viewer glasses having lens or filters of two different colors.