Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a mold assembly for manufacturing concrete blocks that is adapted for use in a concrete block machine. The mold assembly comprises a plurality of liner plates and a gear drive assembly. Each liner plate has a major surface and the liner plates are configured such that the major surfaces form a mold cavity, wherein at least one of the liner plates is moveable. The gear drive assembly is selectively coupled to the at least one moveable liner plate and is configured to move the at least one moveable liner plate in a first direction toward an interior of the mold cavity by applying a force in a second direction different from the first direction, and to move the liner plate in a direction away from the interior of the mold cavity by applying a force in a direction opposite the second direction.

Abstract: A drinking vessel is provided with an insulated wall structure including an inner wall, an outer wall, and a void between the inner and outer walls providing an insulative barrier for maintaining the temperature of the liquid contents within a desired range for extended periods of time, while also preventing the formation of condensation on the outside of the vessel. Luminescent elements, such as shapes, letters, numbers or designs, are applied to the insulated wall structure to enhance visibility of the drinking vessel and the level of liquid beverage contents when in dark or low light conditions. In an alternative embodiment, the luminescent material is incorporated into the composition of the wall structure during the molding process. A removable lid may be provided for covering the open top of the drinking vessel.

Abstract: A set of sheets includes an upper sheet with a top panel and a lower sheet with a bottom panel. In conjunction, the upper and lower sheets are sized, structured and configured to enclose a mattress. A waterproof panel is positioned between the upper sheet and the top of the mattress to protect the mattress from damaging exposure to moisture and liquids, including bodily fluids. In several embodiments, the upper sheet and waterproof panel are removable for washing and changing thereof while the lower sheet remains fitted to the mattress, thereby avoiding the need to lift or move the mattress when changing the sheets. The waterproof panel may be independently removable to selectively control air permeability of the sheets, and particularly the upper sheet.

Abstract: A set of bed sheets includes a lower sheet sized and configured to cover the bottom portion of a mattress and an upper sheet sized and configured to cover the top portion of the mattress. First and second separable fasteners about the respective continuous edges of the lower and upper sheets are removably attachable to secure the upper sheet to the lower sheet in a manner which encloses the mattress. The upper sheet includes a top surface which is formed of a material to define a third separable fastener. A collection of accessories include a crib rail bumper, a head support wedge, body position rolls, an insulated baby bottle/cup holder and a liquid impervious drool pad. Each of the accessories is provided with a fourth separable fastener adapted for releasable attachment to the third separable fastener on the top surface of the upper sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for venting several rooms having exhaust fans through existing roof openings made for existing ventilation systems, including turbine ventilators, roof ventilators, ridge ventilators and hip ventilators. The vent apparatus has two side panels, a bottom and two end panels. The apparatus is mounted under the roof ventilation system, using horizontal mounting elements disposed on the top edges of the end panels and side panels. When a ridge ventilator or hip ventilator is used, the end panels are formed with slots for fitting around the ridge rafter or hip rafter. The apparatus is mounted under the ridge ventilator, using mounting elements disposed along the slots on the end panels to attach the vent apparatus to the rafter. Each circular opening in the body had a stub extending downwardly for attachment of an end of the venting hose, which is connected to the bathroom exhaust vent fan. Removable covers can be placed into unused openings.

Abstract: An automated customer service system and method which maintains and uses a customer sensitivity profile to contact the customer in a manner, at a time and date, and at a location which are preferred by the customer. The automated customer service system also maintains and uses an agent qualification profile, in conjunction with the customer sensitivity profile, to automatically assign agents to the various campaigns. An agent qualification profile identifies any special skills or qualifications that an agent may possess, such as language skills, type of voice, efficiency, and type of call processing skills. The system administrator devises a strategy script based upon the customer sensitivity requirements and the agent qualifications. The strategy script determines which agents meet which requirements, and whether there are adequate agents to handle the requirements of concurrent campaigns.

Abstract: Automatically accepting applications, and testing, training, certifying, assigning, allocating, controlling, and scheduling remote agents. An applicant (100) transmits an application to a remote agent center (RAC) (130) via a Communications Network (120). The application contains the person's profile, training, and experience. The RAC validates the skills via testing or third party confirmation, accepts the person as a remote worker, certifies the person's skill levels, and places the person in the remote worker pool. The remote worker can also obtain remote training on new or additional topics. The RAC evaluates the business demands of an external party, identifies remote workers with the needed skills who are available, and transmits the work at the appropriate time to the remote workers. The work is transmitted via or through the RAC. The external parties thus do not have to recruit, train, or test persons, or be concerned with staffing issues.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing assembly structured to be permanently or removably mounted on a bicycle or variety of other types of vehicles comprising an array of “squirt guns” more specifically defined by selectively operable nozzle assemblies. A control assembly is structured to operate one or more of the aforementioned nozzle assemblies and includes hand operated activating and positioning devices, remotely disposed from the nozzle assemblies and structured to accomplish concurrent or independent activation of the one or more nozzle assemblies and the selective positioning of at least one of the nozzle assemblies, such that streams of water may be directed outwardly from the vehicle in a variety of different directions.

Abstract: An ergonomic mouse accessory that allows the user to easily manipulate the control buttons of the mouse with a variety of hand positions and varying movements, thereby reducing or eliminating repetitive strain injuries and increasing accessibility to those unable to operate a standard mouse. In one embodiment a sleeve is positioned over the front of the mouse and a click stick is secured to the sleeve so that the lower end of the stick contacts the mouse button while the majority of the stick protrudes above the sleeve. Striking the stick produces a lever and fulcrum action, wherein the connection of the stick at the point of contact with the sleeve acts as a pivot point and causes the lower end of the stick to depress the mouse button. A spring means can be used to return the stick to the fully vertical position.

Abstract: A tool that assists in installing lap siding. The tool includes a body having a handle and a pair of vertically spaced-apart seat assemblies that define a seat distance therebetween. The lower seat assembly is adapted to engage the lower portion of a previously installed siding piece, and the upper seat assembly is adapted to support the lower portion of a siding piece to be installed at the determined reveal distance relative to the previously installed siding piece. The reveal distance is at least substantially defined by the seat distance. In some embodiments, the tool enables two or more installers to with one hand properly hold and provide for level alignment of the piece of lap siding to be installed, while at the same time enabling the installers to mechanically fasten the same with the other hand. In some embodiments, the tool is adjustable to accommodate a range of reveal sizes.

Abstract: A pan for cooking pancakes or eggs that allows for cooking and removal of the finished, cooked food product without the need for a hand-held spatula. The cooking pan includes a first cooking container having three circular cooking wells for cooking three pancakes simultaneously that is joined by a hinge to a flat cooking body having parallel handles that allow the device to be rotated 180 degrees. during the cooking process. A movable spacer can hold the lid partially open to allow steam to escape during cooking.

Abstract: A pan for cooking pancakes or eggs that allows for cooking and removal of the finished, cooked food product without the need for a hand-held spatula. The cooking pan includes a first cooking container having three circular cooking wells for cooking three pancakes simultaneously that is joined by a hinge to a flat cooking body having parallel handles that allow the device to be rotated 180 degrees during the cooking process. A movable spacer can hold the lid partially open to allow steam to escape during cooking.

Abstract: A baby bottle has a main body with an upper portion and a lower portion, and a neck provided with threads for removably attaching a standard nipple and collar thereto. An insulated structure of the main body includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and an air space between the walls for maintaining the liquid contents hotter or cooler for extended periods of time, while also preventing the formation of condensation on the outside of the bottle. Luminescent elements, such as shapes, letters or numbers, are applied to the outer surface of the inner wall to enhance visibility of the bottle and the level of the liquid contents in dark or low light conditions. In an alternative embodiment, the luminescent material is incorporated into the composition of the wall structure during the molding process. The lower portion of the main body is shaped for easy grasping by infants and toddlers.

Abstract: A pan for cooking pancakes or eggs that allows for cooking and removal of the finished, cooked food product without the need for a hand-held spatula. The cooking pan includes a first cooking container having three circular cooking wells for cooking three pancakes simultaneously that is joined by a hinge to a flat cooking body having parallel handles that allow the device to be rotated 180 degrees during the cooking process.

Abstract: A pan for cooking pancakes or omelets that allows for cooking and removal of the finished, cooked food product without the need for a hand-held spatula. The cooking pan includes a first concave cooking container that is joined by a hinge to a flat cooking body having parallel handles that allow the device to be rotated 180 degrees during the cooking process. The final cooked food product can slide by gravity from the flat cooking body without a spatula.

Abstract: A business has a main office (13) which has a controller (225), a plurality of telephones, a plurality of computers, a PBX and/or an ACD (216), and a plurality of corporate resources (220) such as servers, hosts, applications, databases, routers, gateways, switches, a voicemail system, an e-mail system, and facsimile servers. A user at the main office (13) has access to the various corporate resources and also has a portable communications device (10), such as a laptop computer, with which to place a call to the controller via a communications link (11) such as the Internet, to send user commands to and receive the resultant status, information, or operation, from, the controller, to access any of the corporate resources and data, and to make calls to and receive communications from outside parties (12). In addition, the user may create a personal profile which causes the controller to forward selected communications to him, via the Internet, wherever the user may be.

Abstract: A customer is transferred from a first Internet chat session on a first server to a second Internet chat session on a second server without the customer having to take any action whatsoever. The second server may be the same server as the first server or may be different from the first server and may be physically located in another city, state, country, or continent. When the need arises to transfer a customer chat to another agent (who may be on another server) the agent requests a transfer and a list of available chat sessions is provided (300) to the agent. If the agent requests a transfer of the customer to one of those available chat sessions then a determination (310) is made as to whether the proposed transfer is permitted. If the transfer is permitted and initiated by the agent, the agent's computer sends all the transfer information as well as a transfer command to the customers browser.