Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping hair with a cord is provided and includes a housing; a main spindle operatively coupled to the housing and defining a main spindle bore for receiving cord and hair; a rotatable spool carrier and at least one spool. The spool carrier has a platform and a drive spindle operatively coupled to the main spindle so that rotation of the main spindle is translated into rotation of the platform. The drive spindle has guides for receiving cord and permitting the cord to be disposed through a bore extending through the drive spindle. The rotation of the main spindle causes cord to be dispensed through the one guide and the drive spindle bore and the main spindle bore, hair is disposed through the drive spindle bore and the main spindle bore, and the main spindle is rotated to wrap the hair with cord.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping hair with a cord is provided and according to one embodiment includes a housing; a main spindle operatively coupled to the housing and one or more cartridges with one cartridge being operatively coupled to the main spindle and the other cartridges being operatively coupled to one another. Each cartridge contains a cord that is dispensed and wrapped around hair as a result of the rotation of the main spindle.

Abstract: A base for warming massage nodes of a hand-held therapeutic device includes a housing, terminals connectable to a power supply, a seat for seating the massage nodes, and a heating circuit positioned to provide heat proximate to the massage nodes when the massage nodes are seated in the seat. The massage nodes can comprise an outer layer of stainless steel or iron and a core of material other than or in addition to air. The core absorbs or retains heat for a preferably gradual release over time. A method for warming such massage nodes includes selectively disposing the massage nodes in the housing adjacent to a heater, energizing the heater, permitting the heater to warm the massage nodes, and separating the massage nodes from the heater. The massage nodes can be separated from the heater by a magnetic extraction using the hand-held therapeutic device.

Abstract: A vending machine that can dispense an item at multiple price points is described. The vending machine dispenses one or more items, each ordinarily having a predetermined price. The vending machine receives a proof-of-purchase (POP) identifier, and has a processor configured to permit at least one of the items in the machine to be dispensed for less than the predetermined price if the POP identifier was received. A method for enticing a further sale at one or more vending machines is also described in which a random customer is provided with a POP identifier in response to a purchase from a first vending machine. The POP identifier is thereafter received at a second vending machine that ordinarily vends each of its items at respective predetermined prices. A particular item is vended from the second vending machine for less than its predetermined price in response to at least one predetermined criterion such as the receipt of the POP identifier.

Abstract: A method for conducting a promotional game or lottery in which the awards are access to one or more predetermined internet-based services or sites. Validation codes are distributed to customers on game cards or purchase receipts. The validation code is entered into a computer which is communicatively connected to the internet, and a number of e-points are awarded if the input validation code matches one of a plurality of validation codes stored at a remote site. The e-points are a measure of an amount of a benefit which is spent like money or elapses like time in response to usage of a designated internet service or site. The greater the number of e-points, the greater the benefit conferred upon the player. The e-points are exchangeable for limited access to the designated sites or services on the internet. The magnitude of the e-point reward may be based upon purchase transactions made in a retail store.

Abstract: An exchange accessory useful with monorail and other types of catheters has a hollow, elongated sleeve for insertion into a Tuohy-Borst connector or the like, and an enlarged head at its proximal end to restrain the sleeve from advancing with the catheter into the connector. The sleeve is slidably mounted on the catheter shaft so that it may be interposed between a sealing member within the connector and the catheter. The internal diameter of the sleeve is greater than and complementary with the external diameter of the catheter shaft to define a space about the catheter shaft sufficient to allow backbleed of blood therethrough in a controlled manner.In one embodiment, the sleeve has a slotted head to accommodate a guidewire which may extend in parallel to the catheter shaft, for example, when used with a monorail type catheter. The slot permits the guidewire to extend proximal to the connector without bending or kinking.

Abstract: A drinking bowl for household pets having an agitator is disclosed to prevent the water in the drinking bowl from remaining stagnant when a household pet is not drinking therefrom. The agitator may be an aerating device such as an air pump, a rotating impeller, or an acoustic or mechanical driver. The agitation may induce a circulation in the water so that debris floating therein can be collected. A backflow preventing device may also be included.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a selection of items at a computer terminal from an electronic catalog is described. One or more customers access the terminal and identify themselves, and each such customer's past item selections are made available to the system in the form of an electronic signal. A subset of catalog items is created which excludes the prior selections of each identified customer. Thus, if only one customer has identified himself or herself, then only that customer's prior selections are excluded from the catalog of items. And, if two or more customers have identified themselves, then the subset created will exclude the items of those customers' prior selections. The customer is enabled to select items at the terminal from at least the items in the subset. The subset may be distinguished from the remainder of the catalog items in a number of ways. The subset formed may optionally be directed to items of a specific category or type from within the catalog.