Abstract: An article of jewelry including a housing that permits passage of a near field communication signal, the housing characterized as having a lower layer joined to an upper layer; a near field communication (NFC) chip housed within the housing; a gemstone covering the upper layer of the housing; and a bezel substantially surrounding the outer perimeter of the housing and on a same plane as the NFC chip, wherein the bezel is formed from a highly electrically conductive material, further wherein the bezel permits near field communication with the NFC chip.

Abstract: Jewelry incorporating gemstones embedded with near field communication (NFC) chips. Methods of sharing electronic messages using NFC gems by using an NFC enabled device to wirelessly upload an electronic file to a remote computer system over the Internet, wirelessly writing information to an NFC chip embedded in a gemstone, the information including mapping information for accessing the uploaded electronic file and executable instructions to launch and direct a web browser to the electronic file; providing the NFC gem in close proximity to a same or different NFC device to establish near field communication; transferring the information from the NFC chip to the same or different NFC device; and executing the instructions to wirelessly access the electronic file over the Internet.

Abstract: Methods of selectively distributing virtual cards between mobile devices, comprising providing a plurality of mobile devices assigned to a plurality of users, wherein a software program manages a user account comprising a collection virtual cards, wherein the virtual cards include different profiles of a same user, wherein the account further comprises a user appearance generated from at least one virtual card for transmission to surrounding mobile devices; selectively displaying the user appearance on a surrounding device only if the original sending device and surrounding device are within a predetermined range; and sending a virtual card to a user associated with a user appearance.

Abstract: Switch plate adapters comprising a body, at least one aperture and at least one hook for permanent or temporary attachment to existing switch plate covers are provided.

Abstract: A display box for displaying an image of an article, the display box including a lower box portion including a mounting surface for placing the article for display; an upper box portion that reversibly closes with the lower box portion, the upper box portion including a parabolic chamber having a reflective convex surface positioned above a reflective concave surface and a transparent port at each of two opposing apexes, the parabolic chamber configured to display an image of the article through the transparent port at the apex of the convex surface; and a structure for holding the article in place and preventing the entirety of the article from entering the parabolic chamber during display.

Abstract: Switch plate adapters comprising a body, at least one aperture and at least one hook for permanent or temporary attachment to existing switch plate covers are provided.

Abstract: Footwear is provided including an upper, a porous insole, a midsole, and a solid outsole. The insole has pores that permit sand to fall through the insole. The midsole includes a top surface with a plurality of grooves extending lengthwise between openings on the rear surface of the midsole and openings on the front surface of the midsole.

Abstract: A poppet valve assembly includes a body and first and second check valves. The body includes opposing first and second axial end portions. The first end portion has a first circumferential surface, a first end surface, and a tapered surface, which seals with a main valve seat. The second axial end portion defines at least one metering slot. The body defines first and second internal passages. The first internal passage includes an opening in the first end surface, is in fluid communication with one of the metering slots, and has a first check valve seat. The second internal passage includes an opening in the first circumferential surface, is in fluid communication with one of the metering slot, and has a second check valve seat. The first and second check valves are disposed in the respective internal passages and are adapted for sealing engagement with the respective check valve seats.

Abstract: A beverage pourer/saver having a unique ball stopper mechanism is provided. A ball stopper lifting mechanism is incorporated into the spout of the pourer and is configured so as to allow a ball stopper to operate to both seal the container when not in used, and provide a smooth pouring action during use. The ball stopper lifting mechanism lifts the ball stopper during a pouring action such that the poured liquid can pass under the ball stopper, while simultaneously allowing air to pass over the ball stopper.

Abstract: An article of jewelry including a pliable strand; and a plurality of precious or semiprecious objects movably positioned along the pliable strand. Each of the plurality of objects including a magnetic insert extending between opposing surfaces, which itself is formed from two magnets separated by a magnetic stabilizer and aligned such that the opposing ends of the magnetic insert have the same polarity thereby creating repulsive forces between each of the plurality of objects along the strand.

Abstract: An article of jewelry including a pliable strand; and a plurality of precious or semiprecious objects movably positioned along the pliable strand. Each of the plurality of objects including a magnetic insert extending between opposing surfaces, which itself is formed from two magnets separated by a magnetic stabilizer and aligned such that the opposing ends of the magnetic insert have the same polarity thereby creating repulsive forces between each of the plurality of objects along the strand.

Abstract: A beverage pourer/saver having a unique ball stopper mechanism is provided. A ball stopper lifting mechanism is incorporated into the spout of the pourer and is configured so as to allow a ball stopper to operate to both seal the container when not in used, and provide a smooth pouring action during use. The ball stopper lifting mechanism lifts the ball stopper during a pouring action such that the poured liquid can pass under the ball stopper, while simultaneously allowing air to pass over the ball stopper.

Abstract: An article of jewelry and method of manufacture, including a pliable strand; and a plurality of precious or semiprecious objects movably positioned along the pliable strand. Each of the plurality of objects including a magnetic insert extending between opposing surfaces, which itself is formed from two magnets separated by a magnetic stabilizer and aligned such that the opposing ends of the magnetic insert have the same polarity thereby creating repulsive forces between each of the plurality of objects along the strand.

Abstract: A shoe is provided including a sole, an upper with a transverse aperture, and a cover piece, wherein the cover piece covers the transverse aperture and is affixed to the shoe at medial and lateral ends of the cover piece, and wherein the transverse aperture compresses without compression of the cover piece when the sole bends along a hinged metatarsophalangeal portion when transitioning from a stance phase to a swing phase.

Abstract: A jewelry item including a gemstone mounted to a gemstone setting having a plurality of reflective surfaces that selectively display colors from a region hidden beneath the gemstone while preventing viewing of the colored region through the gemstone itself.

Abstract: A poppet valve assembly includes a body and first and second check valves. The body includes opposing first and second axial end portions. The first end portion has a first circumferential surface, a first end surface, and a tapered surface, which seals with a main valve seat. The second axial end portion defines at least one metering slot. The body defines first and second internal passages. The first internal passage includes an opening in the first end surface, is in fluid communication with one of the metering slots, and has a first check valve seat. The second internal passage includes an opening in the first circumferential surface, is in fluid communication with one of the metering slot, and has a second check valve seat. The first and second check valves are disposed in the respective internal passages and are adapted for sealing engagement with the respective check valve seats.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing gemstone settings including a primary gem capable of displaying a plurality of images corresponding to one or more objects placed within in a focal region outside of the primary gem. The plurality of images is displayed by flattening the bottom of the primary gem and faceting the crown to specifications that allow light to pass through the gem and not substantially reflect against a faceted pavilion.