Abstract: This invention is a manually operated beverage brewer that is powered by a user articulating or turning a lever a multiple of times. The lever forces a small piston into a cylinder, which in turn pressurizing a hot liquid poured into the machine. The pressurized liquid flows through a pack of coffee grounds and out of the machine after the user has generated a minimum pressure to overcome an under-pressure valve. The user continues to articulate or turn the lever until the desired amount of coffee exits the machine.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and methods for providing liquid to a plant or a seed that can germinate into a plant. The system includes: a liquid delivery device; an actuator; a vessel; and a vessel support; wherein the actuator is operable to cause the liquid delivery device to deliver the liquid to the plant or seed only when the vessel is brought into proximity with the vessel support.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for forming the image on a sheet, wherein the imaging apparatus includes a sheet-feeding path for conveying the sheet, a detecting section positioned along the sheet-feeding path, which detects a leading edge, a trailing edge and a side edge of the sheet while the sheet is being conveyed along the sheet-feeding path, a controller for registering dimensions, a memory for storing data of dimensions wherein when a auto-measurement mode is set in the controller, the controller controls the detecting section so as to detect the leading edge, the trailing edge and the side edge of the sheet while the sheet is being conveyed along the sheet-feeding path and obtains a length and a width of the sheet, and then the controller registers the length and the width of the sheet to be stored in the memory.

Abstract: This invention is a manually operated beverage brewer that is powered by a user articulating or turning a lever a multiple of times. The lever forces a small piston into a cylinder, which in turn pressurizing a hot liquid poured into the machine. The pressurized liquid flows through a pack of coffee grounds and out of the machine after the user has generated a minimum pressure to overcome an under-pressure valve. The user continues to articulate or turn the lever until the desired amount of coffee exits the machine.

Abstract: The present invention is a coffee brewer that uses a one time use, prepackaged, disposable gas propellant capsule to force hot water through ground coffee to create brewed coffee or espresso.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for forming the image on a sheet, wherein the imaging apparatus includes a sheet-feeding path for conveying the sheet, a detecting section positioned along the sheet-feeding path, which detects a leading edge, a trailing edge and a side edge of the sheet while the sheet is being conveyed along the sheet-feeding path, a controller for registering dimensions, a memory for storing data of dimensions wherein when a auto-measurement mode is set in the controller, the controller controls the detecting section so as to detect the leading edge, the trailing edge and the side edge of the sheet while the sheet is being conveyed along the sheet-feeding path and obtains a length and a width of the sheet, and then the controller registers the length and the width of the sheet to be stored in the memory.

Abstract: A soilless garden includes a chamber including a sealed lower portion for storing liquid nutrient solution, and an upper portion including a support structure; soilless growth medium supported by the support structure and adapted to support at least one plant having roots; a removable germination cap located above the soilless growth medium; a conduit having a first end located substantially adjacent to the soilless growth medium, and a second end opposite to the first end; and a pump in the chamber, including an input for receiving the liquid nutrient solution from the lower portion of the chamber, and an output to deliver liquid nutrient solution through the conduit into the soilless growth medium. The support structure includes an opening directed toward the lower portion of the chamber for the liquid nutrient solution to drip from the roots of the at least one plant into the lower portion of the chamber.

Abstract: This invention provides adaptive growth technology, hydroponic and aeroponic gardens with adaptive growth technology, and methods for growing a plant or germinating a seed in with adaptive growth technology. An apparatus of this invention includes a vessel, a growing surface, a light source, a liquid measurement device, a controller in communication with the measurement device and a time that calculate the rate of consumption of the liquid in the vessel by seeds or plants and that adjust the liquid delivery rate, the liquid quality, the nutrient delivery rate, the nutrient quality, the photoradiation delivery rate, and/or the photoradiation quality based on the calculated rate of liquid usage. In an embodiment, the steps are performed automatically without human intervention.

Abstract: A gardening system includes a modular seed cartridge including a rigid, cup-shaped receptacle including an upper portion having an outer rim, a soilless growth medium located in the rigid, cup-shaped receptacle, and at least one seed in contact with the soilless growth medium. The gardening system also includes an aeroponic or hydroponic garden including a chamber including a lower portion for storing a liquid nutrient solution, a cover located above the chamber, the cover including a plant opening adapted to removably support the modular seed cartridge by the outer rim, and a pump located in the chamber and adapted to circulate the liquid nutrient solution from the lower portion of the chamber to the modular seed cartridge supported by the plant opening.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and methods for providing liquid to a plant or a seed that can germinate into a plant, said system including: a liquid delivery device; an actuator; a vessel; and a vessel support; wherein said actuator is operable to cause said liquid delivery device to deliver said liquid to said plant or seed only when said vessel is brought into proximity with said vessel support.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed towards an automated mechanism for collapsing exercise equipment. The invention discloses electromechanical means for processing an input signal and manipulating physical aspects of the exercise equipment such that the equipment collapses for easier storage or movement. The invention is adaptable to a wide range of electronic exercise equipment such as complete exercise systems, treadmills, exercise bicycles, sit-up devices, rowing machines, and other such devices.

Abstract: This invention provides smart garden devices for hydroponics growing systems, wherein the devices include a means for delivering electricity to the smart garden device; at least one timer; and means for determining, receiving, sending, or processing data regarding the status of a component or characteristic of the hydroponics device. This invention also provides smart garden kits and methods for using smart garden devices for growing plants.

Abstract: This invention provides Adaptive Growth Technology, smart garden devices for gardening systems, including hydroponics systems, and methods for modifying plant growth regimes based on the liquid usage rate and/or the nutrient usage rate of the plant. Characteristics of the plant growth regimes that are modified include: liquid delivery rate and/or quality, nutrient delivery rate and/or quality, add nutrient rate and/or quality, display or display rate of add nutrient quality and/or quantity, and/or photoradiation delivery rate and/or quality. This invention provides methods for making the devices of this invention and provides methods for using the devices of this invention. In an embodiment, the hydroponics system includes the smart garden device or the smart garden device fits in a chamber of the hydroponics device. In an embodiment, the steps are performed automatically without human intervention.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, devices, and kits for growing a plant or germinating a seed into a plant; methods and devices for delivering oxygen to a plant or a seed which will germinate into a plant; methods and devices for delivering liquid to a plant; methods and devices for increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in a liquid to be delivered to a plant; methods and devices for increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in a liquid within a hydroponics device; terraced oxygenators; aspirators, downdraft venturis, net baskets; germination caps, sets of germination caps; methods for increasing the likelihood of germination of a seed; seed-bearing support media; methods for germinating a seed; and smart garden devices for hydroponics growing systems.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, devices, and kits for growing a plant or germinating a seed into a plant; methods and devices for delivering oxygen to a plant or a seed which will germinate into a plant; methods and devices for delivering liquid to a plant; methods and devices for increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in a liquid to be delivered to a plant; methods and devices for increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in a liquid within a hydroponics device; terraced oxygenators; aspirators, downdraft venturis, net baskets; germination caps, sets of germination caps; methods for increasing the likelihood of germination of a seed; seed-bearing support media; methods for germinating a seed; and smart garden devices for hydroponics growing systems.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, devices, and kits for growing a plant or germinating a seed into a plant; methods and devices for delivering oxygen to a plant or a seed which will germinate into a plant; methods and devices for delivering liquid to a plant; methods and devices for increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in a liquid to be delivered to a plant; methods and devices for increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in a liquid within a hydroponics device; terraced oxygenators; aspirators, downdraft venturis, net baskets; germination caps, sets of germination caps; methods for increasing the likelihood of germination of a seed; seed-bearing support media; methods for germinating a seed; and smart garden devices for hydroponics growing systems.

Abstract: Exercise/therapy apparatus that allows a user to change one or more workout parameters without dismounting from the apparatus and without interrupting the workout. Several embodiments for inclined surface apparatus are disclosed, using vertical, tiltable and curvilinear surface support structures.