Abstract: A machine for dispensing an individual portion of a frozen dessert may include a cartridge cart having walls forming a cavity having a longitudinal central axis and configured to accommodate a cartridge. The cartridge may include a tube having first and second ends, a nozzle disposed at the first end, and a piston disposed between the nozzle and the second end and configured to slidably move along the tube. The individual portion of the frozen dessert may be contained within the tube between the nozzle and the piston. The machine may also include a plunger, a drive source operably coupled to the plunger and configured to drive the plunger along the central axis, and a support configured to support the first end of the cartridge such that actuating the drive source causes the individual portion of frozen dessert to dispense through the nozzle.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing an individual portion of a frozen dessert may include a cartridge cart having walls forming a cavity having a longitudinal central axis and configured to accommodate a cartridge. The cartridge may include a tube having first and second ends, a nozzle disposed at the first end, and a piston disposed between the nozzle and the second end and configured to slidably move along the tube. The individual portion of the frozen dessert may be contained within the tube between the nozzle and the piston. The machine may also include a plunger, a drive source operably coupled to the plunger and configured to drive the plunger along the central axis, and a support configured to support the first end of the cartridge such that actuating the drive source causes the individual portion of frozen dessert to dispense through the nozzle.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher is shown and described. The fire extinguisher may include a housing, a vessel positioned within the housing, the vessel retaining a fire suppression agent therein, and a discharge port positioned in the housing and operatively coupled with the vessel, where the fire suppression agent is capable of being expelled from the discharge port. The fire extinguisher may include an electrical connector positioned on the housing, the electrical connector capable of operatively securing to an electrical outlet, where the electrical connector is rotatable relative to the housing.

Abstract: A method of transferring a patient from a first resting surface to a second resting surface includes inserting a corrugated sheet into a channel formed between the patient and the first resting surface, extending a portion of the sheet between the patient and the first resting surface to under the patient's feet, extending a portion of the sheet between the patient and the first resting surface to under the patient's head, and pulling laterally on the sheet to slide the sheet from the first resting surface to the second resting surface thereby transferring the patient.

Abstract: A patient transfer system includes a patient transfer assembly and a patient transfer device. The assembly includes a sheet of corrugatable material, at least one stiffener that resists corrugation of the sheet in a first dimension when the patient transfer assembly including the sheet corrugated in a second dimension is inserted between the patient and a surface of a first resting device on which the patient rests. The sheet includes portions at which pulling in a direction along the second dimension decorrugates the sheet between the patient and the surface and fasteners. The device includes a sheet engaging assembly that pulls at least one of the fasteners in a direction along the first dimension to slide the decorrugated sheet relative to the surface thereby transferring the patient.

Abstract: A patient transfer device for transferring a patient resting on a sheet from a first resting device to a second resting device.

Abstract: A method of transferring a patient from a first resting surface to a second resting surface includes inserting a corrugated sheet into a channel formed between the patient and the first resting surface, extending a portion of the sheet between the patient and the first resting surface to under the patient's feet, extending a portion of the sheet between the patient and the first resting surface to under the patient's head, and pulling laterally on the sheet to slide the sheet from the first resting surface to the second resting surface thereby transferring the patient.

Abstract: A protective case for a mobile electronic device includes a shell defining a cavity for receiving a portion of the mobile electronic device within the cavity. The shell includes a membrane disposed adjacent a location corresponding to a screen of the mobile electronic device such that at least some of the screen of the mobile electronic device is viewable through the membrane. The shell also includes a gate disposed adjacent a location corresponding to a port of the mobile electronic device. The gate includes elastomeric flaps and is operable to at least two states including: a) a port covering state in which ends of the elastomeric flaps converge at at least one seam to close the gate protecting the port from environment outside of the protective case, and b) a port accessing state in which the elastomeric flaps separate and fold in to open the gate providing a passageway for a connector to be connected to the port of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A protective case for a mobile electronic device includes a shell defining a cavity for receiving the mobile electronic device within the cavity. The shelf has an opening at a first end. The protective case also includes a door hingedly connected to the shell at an edge near the first end such that the door rotates about the hinged connection approximately 270 degrees from a closed position substantially closing the opening and a fully open position. The shell includes a recess having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the door and configured to receive a substantial portion of the door and releasably secure the door when the door is in the fully open position.

Abstract: A compact beverage dispensing unit includes a cooling system and a housing. A dispensing channel is defined in the housing.

Abstract: A slide animation projector for the yard comprises a solenoid that forces a translating rod to reciprocate in a spiked motion. An elongated slot in the translating rod seats a slide cartridge having at least two stationary, adjacent images. The slide reciprocates in repeated succession, wherein the adjacent images give an impression of movement.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device includes a handle and a cleaning head supported on one end of the handle. A vibratory source is supported on the handle and is operative to generate vibratory output. A mounting element is disposed between the handle and the vibratory source. A connecting member extends between the vibratory source and the cleaning head, and is adapted to generate motion at the cleaning head in response to the vibratory output generated at the vibratory source.

Abstract: A semi-collapsible container has a hollow body with support and collapsible portions, and can be maintained in a collapsed or an expanded condition. The container is useful for storing liquid, and is especially adapted in its collapsed condition for storing substantially small volumes of concentrated liquid, powders or the like, and in its expanded condition for containing larger volumes of liquid. Filling the container with a liquid causes the collapsible portion to move from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for brewing a brew substance with a liquid comprises: a container for storing the liquid, the container including at least one aperture for dispensing liquid therefrom; a sealed packet of filter paper containing the brew substance; and a layer of heat sensitive film encapsulating the sealed packet, the encapsulated packet disposed within the container at a position covering the at least one aperture, the container configured to sit on top of a drinking container to permit liquid to drain into the drinking container from the at least one aperture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable household food cooker capable of receiving a food mixture and producing food items in a continuous fashion. The continuous food cooker generally includes a housing and a hopper. The hopper is disposed above the housing for receiving the food mixture and for dispensing the food mixture into the cooker. The continuous food cooker also includes a hot roller assembly for forming and cooking the food mixture, a hot roller drive assembly operatively attached to at least one roller, and a cutter for cutting the produced food item at a desired length. The hot roller assembly includes at least one rotatable roller and at least one heating element for heating the at least one roller. The at least one roller and the at least one heating element are disposed internally to the housing.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator having an actuator near its top which can be easily used with one hand having an elastomeric top seal is described. The cosmetic applicator is provided with a seal opening sleeve which protects the body of cosmetic from the elastomeric seal during opening operations and closing operations.

Abstract: A kitchen blender provides improved efficiency of mixing and cleaning by positioning the motor and electrical components in an enclosed top component which mounts snuggly into a pitcher with a smooth, easily cleaned interior surface and an enlarged base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic stirring system that is selectively mounted to a cooking vessel. The cooking vessel includes a handle, an opening for receiving food items, and a lid. The automatic stirring system includes a housing mounted to the handle, a ring gear rotatably mounted to the cooking vessel, a drive assembly for rotating the ring gear, and at least one stirring vane attached to the ring gear. In various other embodiments, the automatic stirring system includes at least one forward swept stirring vane, at least one aperture in the stirring vane, a variable speed control unit, and a component orientation that provides substantially unimpeded access to the opening of the cooking vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable sprayer for applying a diluted product to a surface to be treated. The sprayer includes a housing including an inlet for supplying pressurized water to the sprayer, a first water only outlet, and a second diluted product only outlet. A mixing chamber is located within the housing. The mixing chamber is dimensioned to securely hold the product and is in fluid communication with the second outlet. A first flow passage extends through the housing. The first flow passage is in selective fluid communication with the inlet and the first outlet. A second flow passage extends through the housing. The second flow passage is in selective fluid communication with the first flow passage and the mixing chamber. A wall of the second flow passage is configured to direct the pressurized water flowing through the second flow passage into the mixing chamber to evenly dissolve the product and provide a generally consistent product to water ratio.

Abstract: A powered edging assembly for providing a voltage source at an edge of a garden or lawn having an edging extrusion configured for in-ground placement at the edge and including an above-ground upper portion having contained wires extending along a length of the extrusion; the wires being insulated by penetrable sheaths. An electrically powered device is selectively positionable and fastenable on the extrusion, whereby contacts for the device penetrate the sheaths for communicating electrical power from the wires to the device.