Abstract: A kit for use in turning plain food material into a stream of food material with sides having different colors. The kit may include: a cylindrical tube that serves as both a packaging container and filling stand; a pastry bag which fits within the tube during shipping and storage and which can be suspended within the tube at a crucial position during use for striping, frosting filling and closing purposes; an output nozzle that fits within the pastry bag and, once the pastry bag is striped, filled with frosting and closed, serves to achieve the desired frosting material output shape; a tube of coloring gel; a coloring gel spreading stick; a closure clip; graphic instructions printed on the outside of the tube explaining the steps for using the kit; and a QR code that lets the user play a video showing how the kit components are used.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating games and contests, utilizing a unique point system, whereby the excitement of participating in traditional games of chance, gambling style games and sport event outcome contests can be realistically emulated, without requiring participants to stake or risk anything of value, other than the personal efforts of the participants in playing the games or participating in the contests or in obtaining access to the Internet or in going to brick and mortar sites where participation in the games and contests is possible, inasmuch as the points that are used by participants are given to them by the sponsors of the games and contests free of charge and can be used for participation in the games or contests without risk of loss, i.e., all points that are given to participants are never, in reality, “lost” and are, at any and all times, redeemable for cash and/or prizes.

Abstract: An elongated packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD, together with other materials relating to such disc or otherwise in a stacked relationship. The packaging device comprises a first member having a first chamber and a first opening providing access thereto, said first chamber including means to receive and retain a disc-shaped media, and a second member for the storage of materials other than the disc-shaped media, said second member including a second chamber and a second opening providing access thereto. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.

Abstract: A packaging device is provided for retaining a disc-shaped media. In its preferred form the device comprises a lid for a container having an interior and an exterior surface, wherein the lid may be repeatedly attached to and removed from the container, preferably by means of a compression fit, and wherein the exterior surface of the lid includes a recess within which a disc-shaped media, such as a digital media disk, may be stored. In one embodiment, the disc-shaped media is first placed within a protective envelope, which envelope is then inserted into or applied to the recess and retained therein. Various means for retaining the envelope in or on the recess are contemplated, including adhesives such as fugitive glue or double-side tape, or sealing members. In an alternate embodiment, the protective envelope is not necessary, and the disc-shaped media is inserted in or applied to the recess and held therein by the same retaining means.

Abstract: A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. The packaging device includes a first member for the storage of disc-shaped media in a chamber or cavity, which container may be attached to storage devices of various shapes and sizes for the storage of materials other than the disc-shaped media. The chamber includes means for maintaining the disc-shaped media in a stable state within the chamber, such that the disc-shaped media is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc-shaped media both perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the media. The disc-shaped media may be sealed within the inner chamber by means of either a circular protective element or by means of a complementary cap or lid adapted to engage the first member. The first member is attached to the storage device by means of engagement of the first member with the top of or cover to the package or packages.

Abstract: A device for packaging at least one disc-shaped item together with other materials comprising a pair of complementary container elements attached by means of an interlocking mechanism such as a hinge, such that said complementary container elements are in a mating top and bottom configuration. The container has an open position in which the complementary container elements are separated, and a closed position in which the complementary container elements engaged each other and cooperate to form a cavity therebetween. The container elements include means for retaining the container in a closed position such that the chamber formed thereby is relatively insulated. A sealing member may also be provided to cover said opening, which sealing member must be removed to provide access to the opening. Alternatively, the sealing member may include a second opening and access is provided by rotating the sealing member so that the two openings are aligned.

Abstract: A device for packaging at least one disc-shaped item comprising a storage device for the storage of said disc-shaped media in a chamber or cavity, which storage device may be attached to an object having at least one rigid or semi-rigid planar surface hingedly or removably attached to the remainder of the object, such as a book, folder or box. The chamber includes means for maintaining the disc media in a stable state within the chamber while limiting its linear movement. The storage device is attached to the rigid or semi-rigid planar surface through a hole in said surface, which hole corresponds to the shape of the media-retaining portion of the storage device. The storage device may be retained within the hole by means of a skirt running around the perimeter thereof, which skirt is adapted to engage the back of the rigid or semi-rigid member.

Abstract: A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. The packaging device includes a first member for the storage of disc-shaped media in a chamber or cavity, which container may be attached to storage devices of various shapes and sizes for the storage of materials other than the disc-shaped media. The chamber includes means for maintaining the disc-shaped media in a stable state within the chamber, such that the disc-shaped media is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc-shaped media both perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the media. The disc-shaped media may be sealed within the inner chamber by means of either a circular protective element or by means of a complementary cap or lid adapted to engage the first member. The first member is attached to the storage device by means of engagement of the first member with the top of or cover to the package or packages.

Abstract: A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD. The packaging device includes a first member which is attached to a storage device used for the storage of materials other than the disc-shaped media. The chamber includes means for maintaining the disc media in a stable state within the chamber, including a structure defining support for the disc media such that the disc media is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc media both perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the media. Said structure may include at least one projection thereon, said projection being adapted to retain the disc-shaped media on the structure. An optional shoulder element may also be provided, said shoulder element extending from the inner surface of the first member and being adapted to separate the disc-shaped media from the inner surface.

Abstract: An elongated packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped media such as a CD-ROM or DVD, together with a cup-type beverage container of the kind typically having a cover with a central straw opening. The packaging device includes a cylindrical lid adapted to receive and retain a disc-shaped media, which cylindrical lid is then engaged to the beverage container. The lid includes a cylindrical support structure disposed on the upper surface thereof defining central support for the disc media by means of the annular opening at the center of the disc, such that the disc media is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc media. The cylindrical support structure includes an opening so as to allow the passage therethrough of a straw. The lid also includes an annular shelf around the perimeter thereof, the inside diameter of which is larger than the outside diameter of the disc media, and the peak of which is coplanar with the peak of the inner structure.

Abstract: A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as a recording media together with other materials in a stacked relationship. The packaging device comprises a first member having a center column for its upper portion and a means for receiving and retaining the other materials as its lower portion, which first member is slidably inserted through the opening of and into the chamber of an elongated second member. A cover is provided to close the opening of the second member, thereby sealing the contents of both members. A central support structure for the disc media acts in combination with the annular opening at the center of the disc media so as to allow the disc media to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc media. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.

Abstract: A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD. The packaging device includes a first member for the storage of disc-shaped media in a chamber or cavity, which packaging device may be attached to any container used for the storage of materials other than the disc-shaped media. The first member includes means for maintaining the disc media in a stable state within the chamber, said means comprising a fugitive glue or other temporary adhesive applied to the non-media surface of the disc-media, allowing the disc-media to be removably attached to the interior surface of the chamber. The disc-shaped media may be sealed within the inner chamber by means of shrink-wrapped plastic, a foil seal or a paperboard seal.

Abstract: A baseball is provided for repeated use with a pitching machine. The baseball has a smooth surface upon which a plurality of dimples or indentations are provided, said indentations being spaced in a regular pattern. These indentations serve to induce turbulent airflow over the surface of the baseball, thereby reducing the drag on the ball and serving to stabilize the flight of the ball. The ball further includes a plurality of slot-shaped depressions formed in a pattern similar to the stitch pattern of an actual baseball and wherein the inner surfaces of said slot-shaped depressions are colored with a dye or paint such that the rotational velocity of the baseball may be observed when the ball is in flight.

Abstract: An elongated packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD, together with other materials relating to such disc or otherwise in a stacked relationship. The packaging device includes a first member provided with a first chamber and a first opening, and a second member provided with a second chamber and a second opening for the storage of other materials in such second chamber. The first member may include an inner structure defining central support for the disc media by means of interaction of such inner structure with the annular opening at the center of the disc media, such that the disc media is allowed to rotate, while limiting the linear movement of the disc media both perpendicular to and parallel to the plane of the media.

Abstract: An elongated packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD, together with other materials relating to such disc or otherwise in a stacked relationship. The packaging device includes a first member or wafer having an annular first chamber and a first opening for access into such first chamber and an annular protective element for closing such first opening and sealing the first chamber, and a second member or container having a second chamber and a second opening for access into such second container for the storage of a beverage in such second chamber, which second chamber is closed by a cover having an opening at the center thereof for the insertion of a straw. The first member has a cylindrical inner structure defining central support for the disc media and defining a device for penetrating the cover opening.

Abstract: A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD, together with other materials relating to such disc or otherwise in a stacked relationship. The packaging device includes a container with an opening at one end thereof and a removable cover that is adapted to nestingly seat within and close the opening in the container. The cover has a surface for seated mounting of the disc-shaped media thereon and the container has at least one internal lower chamber for receiving the other materials. When the cover is seated within the opening in the container, the disc-shaped media is disposed within the container. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.

Abstract: A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD, together with other materials relating to such disc or otherwise in a stacked relationship. The packaging device includes a base with an opening at one end thereof and a removable cover that is adapted to nestingly seat within and close the opening in the base. The cover has at least one internal upper chamber and the base has at least one internal lower chamber for respectively receiving the disc-shaped item and the other materials. When the cover is seated within the opening in the base, the upper chamber of the cover is disposed within the base. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.

Abstract: Packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as a recording media disc together with other materials in a stacked relationship. The packaging device includes a first member having a first chamber and a first opening for providing access thereto and a second member having a second chamber and a second opening for providing access thereto, wherein the first member is adapted to be removably attached to the second member about the second opening to thereby cover this second opening. These complementary compartments are adapted to be attached to each other at the edges thereof by means of an interlocking structure such as a common hinge, such that the first member resembles a clam-shell configuration. The compartments include means for retaining the first member in a closed position. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.

Abstract: A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as a CD-ROM, together with a beverage container having a cover with a central straw opening. The packaging device includes a cylindrical lid adapted to receive and retain a disc-shaped media in a water-tight compartment, which lid loaded with the disc-shaped media is then sealingly engaged to a beverage container. The lid includes a cylindrical inner structure extending from the inner surface defining central support for the media such that the media is allowed to rotate, while limiting its linear movement. The cylindrical inner structure includes an opening so as to allow the passage therethrough of a straw. A sealing member is sealed to the lid after the disc is inserted so as to seal the disc within a dry, water-tight chamber. The cylindrical lid is attached to the beverage container by means of a compression fit.

Abstract: A ball-throwing machine is provided which may be used for throwing baseballs, softballs and the like. The machine includes a power head having at least two and preferably three coacting wheels for propelling a ball toward a batter to simulate a pitch. Three AC motors and companion motor drives are provided for causing the wheels to rotate at predetermined speeds. The motor drives include dynamic braking circuits to permit rapid deceleration of the wheels. A pair of linear actuators is provided to permit the power head to be moved to predetermined horizontal and vertical positions. A programmable controller is included for individually controlling the rotational speed of each individual wheel, the horizontal position of the power head and the vertical position of the power head. A smart card reader may be employed for programming of the controller and the machine is adapted to be used in conjunction with a video display to simulate the actual pitching of a baseball by a pitcher.