Abstract: Delivery apparatus and assemblies are shown and described. In one embodiment, a delivery apparatus includes a container adapted to support the concealed article, a central tube, and a release mechanism. The release mechanism may release the container from the central tube and protrude through the exposed end. The result is an improved hidden display and assembly for enhancing efficient, effective delivery of a hidden item inside a food item(s) or the like.

Abstract: The innovation relates to a pool covering system that is usable as a flooring surface. The pool covering system includes brackets that support beams spanning the pool opening. The beams provide structural support to cross members and flooring placed on top of the beams. The pool covering system does not require significant drainage of the pool or damage the pool structure during installation and use.

Abstract: A cooking and draining system includes: a vessel including a bottom and an upstanding side wall forming an interior region of the vessel and an opening opposite the bottom of the vessel, the vessel further including: a heating element located in one of the bottom and the side wall; a valve located in one of the bottom and the side wall, the valve selectively controlling outflow of fluid from the interior region of the vessel; a lid selectively sealing the opening opposite the bottom of the vessel; and a base selectively coupled to the vessel and selectively causing the heating element to heat the interior region of the vessel.

Abstract: Scent infused nasal cannulas, scent infused nasal cannula assemblies, methods of providing scents to subjects, and methods of fabricating scent infused nasal cannulas. The scent infused nasal cannulas and scent infused nasal cannula assemblies include a tubular body, a pair of narine projections, and fluid supply tubes. The tubular body and the pair of narine projections are formed from a scent infused polymer. The methods of providing scents to subjects include attaching a scent infused nasal cannula to a subject and delivering a fluid from a fluid source to the subject during the emission period of the scent infused polymer such that the scent is detectable therefrom. The methods of fabricating scent infused nasal cannulas include providing a scent infused nose piece and attaching fluid supply tubes to the nose piece and to a fluid source.

Abstract: A storage container apparatus is provided for storing air sensitive materials under a vacuum. The apparatus includes having a cylindrical container body opened at its upper end and a cap apparatus with an integral air pump to evacuate air from the container body to create a vacuum. The cap apparatus comprises an inner cap with a one-way air valve and an outer cap. The outer cap is slidably nested over the inner cap and confines a central air chamber which fills with air from the container body through the one-way air valve when pulled upwardly in a reciprocating motion. In the down stroke the air is evacuated from the air chamber through vents. The outer cap may include locking mechanism and vacuum level indicator. The outer cap may include an activated carbon cloth insert that suppresses odors from the material stored in the container.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide A system includes a game device. A first game including a transition point is conducted on the game device. When a transition point is reached, a second game outcome is selected. The second game outcome is generated by a second game that is logically independent of the first game. The second game outcome generated by the second game is independent of the first game.

Abstract: A tote has a hollow main body, a plurality of wheels, and an axle. The hollow main body has a plurality of side walls and a base wall. The base wall defines an open top and a cavity. The open top is circumscribed by a rim. The open top is configured to be covered by a lid. The base wall is bounded by the plurality of side walls. The base wall also includes a pair of outer wheel wells and a central wheel well. The central wheel well is disposed between the outer wheel wells and separated from the outer wheel wells by axle supports. Each of the plurality of wheels is disposed in one of the outer wheel wells and the central wheel well. The axle is connected to each of the wheels. The axle is rotatably supported by the axle supports of the hollow main body.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided that attaches sheet pieces. The mechanism includes a sheet of material and various self-locking shapes that are cut therefrom, where this cutting forms an aperture in the sheet. Some of the self-locking shapes are releasably affixable to the aperture by removing them from the sheet, rotating them, and inserting the rotated shapes back into the aperture, where this releasable affixment results from a plurality of sides of the rotated shapes making contact with and laterally pushing against the aperture. One of the self-locking shapes is an ellipse which is releasably affixable to the aperture by rotating the ellipse while it is within and in planar alignment with the aperture until radially opposing sides of the ellipse make contact with and push against the aperture. A peripheral edge of another one of the self-locking shapes forms an ellipse and includes one or more flexible fingers.

Abstract: Detachable and reversible mattress ticking assembly may be constructed so as to provide consumers the ability self-modify the orientation of the reversible mattress ticking so as to enjoy dissimilar performance attributes that the reversible ticking assembly or to merely extend the useful service life of the mattress ticking assembly when one side or the other becomes worn or aesthetically diminished.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing comfort of a seat with a hip/thigh support and a back support. The method includes providing a seating pad assembly with a foam cushion made at least partly of a viscoelastic foam and having a cover formed from a dimensionally stable non-stretch material. An upper area of the seating pad assembly is attached to an upper area of the seat back. Pelvic and upper back areas of a person sitting on the seat deform the viscoelastic foam sufficiently to provide a comfortable support and to define anchors for the seating pad assembly. The non-stretch cover extends between those anchors for effectively supporting and cradling the lumbar back area of the person in the seat above and forward of the corner between the seat back and the hip/thigh support.

Abstract: A device for selectively storing and mixing two liquids. The device comprises a first interior portion for storing a first liquid, a second interior portion for storing a second liquid, and a valve intermediate to the first and second interior portions. The valve moves between at least two positions, a first position preventing the first and second liquids from mixing, and a second position allowing the first and second liquids to mix. The valve includes a first member protruding from a first side and a second member protruding from a second side.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a retractor for use in repairing vaginal tears following birth. The retractor is formed as a sheet of soft rubber, plastic or silicone and is rolled or folded for vaginal insertion; the retractor is resilient so as to provide a spring force which urges the vaginal canal open to a degree that facilities visualization and obstetric repair while avoiding unnecessary strain on the tissues being repaired. An optional flange structure can be provided so as to provide a structure for the surgeon/OB to reposition the retractor in-situ, and also to serve as a stop or retainer to hold the retractor in place. The disclosed retractor is self-retaining, such that both of a surgeon's hands can be freed for other tasks.

Abstract: A pulling cart with four wheels can be folded into a folded configuration. The wheels are mounted on wheel assemblies which can be in an open or a folded position. The cart has a front panel hinged to a rear panel. The front panel has a front carrier for mounting two wheel assemblies and a pair of slide rails extendable to the second panel. A rear carrier having two wheel assemblies is fixedly mounted to the end portion of the slide rails to move between the front and rear panels. When the cart is used for pulling, all wheel assemblies are in the open position. Each carrier has two arm-receiving holes. Each wheel assembly has a pair of arcuate arms which can rest on the carrier to support the wheel in the open position or move through the arm-receiving hole into the folded position for folding the cart.

Abstract: A method of checking belt tension of a belt extending between two or more pulleys includes providing a reference indicator defining a reference position relative to the upper surface of the belt in an undeflected state. A force/probe assembly is provided and has measurement markings. The distal end of the force/probe assembly is positioned on the upper surface of the belt at a midpoint of the span. A force is applied generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the belt using the force/probe assembly. The belt may be deflected a predetermined distance, as determined by using the measurement markings, and the force applied is measured, or a force is applied to the belt until the force is equal to a predetermined force, and the deflection of the belt is measured using the measurement markings. The belt tension is determined based on the force and distance during the deflecting step.

Abstract: A collar device and method of use is provided comprising a tubular structure having a longitudinal axis, the tubular structure comprising a pneumatic bottom portion configured for contouring with human shoulders; a pneumatic top portion having a first section, and a second section extending from the first section; and a plurality of pneumatic pillars each generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tubular structure, the plurality of pneumatic pillars each having a proximal end in proximity to the bottom portion and each having a distal end in proximity to either one of the first section or the second section of the top portion.

Abstract: An example composite waterproof fire starting puck includes a base of paraffin wax, a quantity of dried waterproof or hydrophobic moss embedded in, and surrounding, the paraffin wax, and a quantity of combustible material(s) embedded in, and projecting out of, the paraffin wax. An example composite waterproof fire starting puck may also include a wax cover. An example composite waterproof fire starting puck may also include flammable organic herbs or fragrant material(s) to provide a desirable smell during burning. When a spark or small flame is applied to the moss, the moss ignites, and after the moss ignites, the moss releases sufficient heat to ignite the quantity of combustible material(s) to melt and ignite the paraffin.

Abstract: A watercraft and a waterproof electronics container are provided. The watercraft includes a flotation portion. A strut is removably affixed to a portion of the watercraft. A first connector portion is mounted to the upper end of the strut. A waterproof electronics container includes a second connector portion is disposed such that the second connector forms at least one electrically conductive pathway with the first connector portion when both are affixed to the watercraft. The waterproof electronics container is removably affixed to the said watercraft. In one aspect, the waterproof electronics container houses a power source capable of powering an electric motor that propels the watercraft.

Abstract: A modular, weight-shift controlled watercraft device is disclosed which includes: a modular board removably attachable to a power system. The power system includes a modular power supply system, and a modular propulsion system. The power supply system includes a housing including a battery. The propulsion system includes a modular strut, a modular propulsion pod, and a modular hydrofoil. In one embodiment, the power supply system is removably and mechanically attachable directly to the propulsion system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method including forming a first user information database stored on a first server by retrieving, from a browser session, a first piece of user information including at least local user identification data and storing the first piece of user information in a user profile of the first user information database. The method further includes querying the first user information database for a second piece of user information. Responsive to not identifying the second piece of user information in the first user information database, the method further includes querying a second user information database stored on a second server for the second piece of user information associated with the first piece of user information. The method further includes retrieving the second piece of user information from the second database and saving the second piece of user information to the user profile of the first user information database.