Abstract: A placemat and tether system may include a mat body, a plurality of anchors and an elongated tether. The mat body may be characterized by a front side and a back side. Each anchor in the plurality of anchors may include an anchor block on the front side and a suction cup that extends from the back side, opposite the anchor block. The elongated tether may have an anchor end and a retention end, where the anchor end is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors via a compression fit. The elongated tether may have three distinct segments—a first segment with a circular cross section; a second segment that is removably coupleable, via a compression fit, to the retention end to thereby form a loop; and a third segment with an elastic winding section configured to facilitate stretching along a length of the elongated tether.

Abstract: A drying appliance may include a drying rack and a rapidly drying absorptive drain tray assembly. Some embodiments may include adaptable and interchangeable accessories for selectable placement and scaling of the size, amount and placement of features for managing the capacity and location of the drying accessories. The drain tray may include an absorptive base. The absorptive base may wick, absorb, and evaporate water away from the drying kitchenware to lower relative humidity and to prevent mold and bacteria from growing thereon. The drying rack may include a built-in cutting board holder that provides extra space for pots, pans, and bowls. The legs of the drying rack can support the absorptive drain tray above the surface of a counter allowing for 360-degree evaporation.

Abstract: In some implementations, a kit includes a bib having a protective surface and a bib-coupling point; at least one eating utensil having a working end and a retention end, where the retention end includes a utensil-coupling point; and a tether having a first anchor end having a first coupling point that is configured to releasably couple to the bib-coupling point and a second anchor end having a second coupling point that is configured to releasably couple to the utensil-coupling point.

Abstract: An activity system may include a mat with a work surface. In some implementations, the activity system includes a stand that can support an electronic device (e.g., a tablet, smartphone, electronic reader, etc.). A tether may also be provided, which, on one end, couples to an anchor on the mat, and at the other end retains a marker or other writing or art instrument. The activity system may facilitate combination of teaching media (e.g., electronic or pre-printed paper-based media) with physical media, such as pens, markers and other writing or marking instruments.

Abstract: A magnetic toy figure includes a torso extending along a torso axis. The torso includes a first torso side, a second torso side opposite the first torso side, a base torso side extending between the first and second torso sides, and a head torso side extending between the first and second torso sides and spaced from the base torso side. The magnetic toy figure also includes a first arm coupled to the first torso side, a second arm coupled to said second torso side, a leg coupled to and extending away from the base torso side, and a head coupled to and extending away from the head torso side along the torso axis. The magnetic toy figure further includes a first magnet coupled to the first arm, a second magnet coupled to the second arm, a leg magnet coupled to the leg, and a head magnet coupled to said head.

Abstract: A method for occupying a toddler may include providing a flexible mat; affixing the flexible mat to a vertical surface; providing an elongated tether; affixing the elongated tether to at least one of the vertical surface and the flexible mat; coupling an object to the elongated tether. In some embodiments, the elongated tether has an anchor end and a retention end. The retention end may have one or more retention apertures, each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter being greater than the retention-aperture diameter. Coupling an object to the elongated tether may include disposing the retention end around or through the object and disposing the retention terminus through one of the one or more retention apertures to form a compression fit.

Abstract: A memory puzzle is provided that may include one or more levels of rotatable level housing, a number of puzzle spaces disposed on the rotatable level housings, and a piston for indicating that a portion of the puzzle has been solved, wherein the piston raises to a high level as levels of the puzzle are solved, wherein the puzzle is solved when a code is achieved by rotating the rotatable level housings in a specific pattern.

Abstract: A method for occupying a toddler may include providing a flexible mat; affixing the flexible mat to a vertical surface; providing an elongated tether; affixing the elongated tether to at least one of the vertical surface and the flexible mat; coupling an object to the elongated tether. In some embodiments, the elongated tether has an anchor end and a retention end. The retention end may have one or more retention apertures, each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter being greater than the retention-aperture diameter. Coupling an object to the elongated tether may include disposing the retention end around or through the object and disposing the retention terminus through one of the one or more retention apertures to form a compression fit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system comprises a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter, a suction cup having a sealing surface and an outer surface, and a stem that is coaxial with the suction cup and connects the suction cup to the anchor block. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The system may further comprise an elongated tether that is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors, and the elongated tether may comprise an anchor end having a generally spherical anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter.

Abstract: A teething spoon may include a feeding end with a concave, textured surface configured to retain soft food and stimulate a tongue, mouth, or gums of a teething toddler; a base having a base diameter at its greatest extent and at least one aperture capable of receiving a removable tether; a handle coupling the feeding end to the base; and a safety guard adjacent the feeding end that extends perpendicularly. The safety guard may have a perpendicular reach of about 50 mm and may include a first loop and second loop opposite and in plane with the first loop. The first and second loops may allow a cylinder of about 10 mm or about 13 mm to pass through unobstructed. The base may comprise a generally hemispherical structure that enables the teething spoon to be disposed vertically. A slot in the base may be configured to accommodate a removable tether.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an elongated tether may comprise an anchor end, a retention end, and a stretchable elastic section configured to allow stretching along a length of an elongated tether. The retention end may comprise a plurality of retention apertures each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter that is greater than the retention-aperture diameter. The retention end may be configured to enable the retention terminus to be compressed and manipulated through a first or second retention aperture to form a compression fit and a loop of a first size and a loop of a second, larger size. The stretchable elastic section may be configured such that an overall length of the elongated tether does not exceed a maximum length when subjected to a given amount of stretching force.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an elongated tether may comprise an anchor end, a retention end, and a stretchable elastic section configured to allow stretching along a length of an elongated tether. The retention end may comprise a plurality of retention apertures each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter that is greater than the retention-aperture diameter. The retention end may be configured to enable the retention terminus to be compressed and manipulated through a first or second retention aperture to form a compression fit and a loop of a first size and a loop of a second, larger size. The stretchable elastic section may be configured such that an overall length of the elongated tether does not exceed a maximum length when subjected to a given amount of stretching force.