Abstract: A computer-printer Internet terminal adapted to produce under the control of its user a composite greeting and gift certificate card redeemable by the named recipient at a retail establishment linked to Internet which authorizes the issuance of the certificate. The terminal is provided with greeting card and gift certificate software which is selectively downloaded by the user of the terminal into the computer, making it possible for the user to compose and print out the composite card which carries a message of greeting addressed to the recipient and a gift certificate entitling the recipient to receive a gift from the retail establishment.

Abstract: A flotation device useable as a life-preserver and a water toy, the device including a casing formed of water-impermeable synthetic plastic film material shaped to define a pocket for receiving a conventional pillow having a compressible filler. The pocket is provided with a closable inlet which when closed, hermetically seals the pillow-stuffed casing to provide a compressible yet buoyant life-preserver. The casing may be die cut to assume the contours of a humanoid or animal-like figure whereby the floatation device then functions as a water toy.

Abstract: A squeeze canteen for producing, in situ, a soft drink and then dispensing this drink. The canteen includes a collapsible pouch molded to simulate a known character and provided with a female socket forming the mouth of the pouch. Inserted in the socket is a removable male nozzle plug incorporating a normally-closed valve. Deposited in the pouch is a charge of water-soluble flavor crystals. When cold water is poured into the pouch through its mouth, the crystals are then dissolved to produce a soda drink that is then sealed in the pouch by the plug inserted in the socket. To drink from the canteen, the valve is first opened and the pouch is then squeezed to pressurize the soda drink and discharge it from the nozzle plug.

Abstract: A button-actuated air freshener in which rotatable within a dome having a vented cylindrical shell is a turret having a central shaft aligned with the axis of the shell and an array of wings radiating from the shaft, each formed by a panel of porous material impregnated with a fragrance oil. Mounted on top of the dome is a spring-biased button operatively coupled to the shaft whereby when the button is depressed, this action causes the turret to spin to create within the shell an air vortex. This vortex acts to volatilize fragrance oil on the surface of the wings to produce an aromatic vapor that is discharged through vents in the shell into the atmosphere of the enclosure in which the air freshener is installed, the aromatic vapor serving to mask unpleasant odors permeating the atmosphere.

Abstract: A d-c power pack incorporated within the frame of a bicycle and adapted to supply operating power to a plurality of accessories such as head and tail lamps and a safety helmet worn by the bicyclist and provided with an electronic device. The bicycle frame includes front and rear tubes bridged by upper and lower tubes to define a trapezoidal structure. The power pack is formed by a cartridge received within a section of the lower tube of the frame, the cartridge containing a set of rechargeable battery cells serially connected to an output terminal linked by an internal line to a bank of parallel-connected outlets mounted along the upper tube of the frame. Each accessory is provided with a cable terminating in a plug insertable in a respective outlet whereby the accessory is powered through this outlet. To recharge the power pack, a recharger having a similar cable is plugged into one of the outlets.

Abstract: A baton useable by a drum major or by any other user capable of twirling the baton and in doing so varying its overall length the baton including an open-ended main tube that can be grasped by the user, the tube being divided by an internal transverse beam into opposing half sections. Telescoped into each half section through the open end thereof is a cylindrical rod having secured to its outer end a weighted ball. The inner end of each rod is connected by an elastic band to the beam whereby in the static state of the baton the balls are equidistant from the beam and the baton has a predetermined overall length. When a user twirls the baton, the resultant centrifugal forces acting on the balls causes the rods to advance outwardly to lengthen the baton to an extent that depends on the twirling velocity. A diminishing action causes the rods to retract into the half sections of the tube to shorten the baton.

Abstract: A mock battle game for children in which each player in the role of a shooter is provided with a toy water gun which projects when triggered, a beam of water in the direction in which the gun is aimed. Each player who acts as a target wears a T-shirt or a similar garment having an outer layer lined by an inner layer. The outer layer is formed of a normally opaque white fabric which when a portion thereof is made wet by the beam is then rendered translucent. The inner layer is formed by a red-colored fabric which when an overlying portion of the outer layer is rendered translucent then exhibits a blood-like effect to indicate a hit.

Abstract: Lensless safety sunglasses formed of flexible synthetic plastic material die cut or otherwise contoured to define a soft frame having a pair of eye pieces and temple straps extending from opposite ends of the frame adapted to go around the head of the wearer to hold the frame, in the manner of a face mask, against the eyes of the wearer. The eye openings are created by tiny apertures forming a scrim which acts as a light-permeable screen to reduce the intensity of light passing through these openings, thereby preventing glare without however interfering with vision.

Abstract: A fabric-covered stuffed toy figure having a head hinged by a flexible neck to a torso to which are hinged arm and leg appendages. The fabric casing of the head is stuffed by an inflated balloon and the fabric casing of the torso is stuffed by another balloon, whereas the fabric sleeves of the appendages are stuffed by compressible padding. To facilitate packaging, storage and shipment, the figure can be collapsed by deflating the balloons, thereby flattening the head and torso, after which the hinged appendages may be folded over the flattened torso to reduce the space occupied by the figure.

Abstract: An audio-visual, virtual-reality system making it possible for a user to see, during successive time periods, a still image of a particular subject while listening to a program relating to that subject. The system consists of a standard record player coupled to a viewer unit, the record player being provided with a loud speaker and an output jack to both of which are fed the reproduced signals of the recording being played. The record carries a sound recording of a series of programs, each related to a different subject, each program being preceded by a supersonic cue signal. Inserted in the viewer unit is a film storage device containing a series of film frames, each having an image of a subject corresponding to a respective program of the recording. The unit includes a stepping motor to advance the frames so as to present them successively to the eyes of the user, and a control circuit for the motor responsive to cue signals yielded at the output jack of the player.

Abstract: A playing card game whose winner gains free phone calling time for a period that depends on the value of playing-phone cards he has won. The game uses two decks of playing cards, one being a standard deck of 52 cards divided into four suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades), each suit having king, queen and jack cards and ten numeric cards (Ace to 10). The other deck is a hybrid standard deck in which each of the cards is integrated with a prepaid phone card having a specified money value which depends on the rank of the card and fixes the free phone calling time accorded to its holder, whereby each hybrid card is a playing-phone card. The game is played with the standard deck, some of whose cards are replaced by corresponding playing-phone cards taken from the hybrid deck. After a game is played, the winner keeps the playing-phone cards included in his winning hand and is thereby rewarded for having won.

Abstract: A mirror and light box assembly installable in a crib or other enclosure occupied by an infant. The assembly which is interactive with the infant includes a light box on whose front face is mounted a semi-reflective mirror behind which is a film transparency having a photographic image of the infant's mother. When an electric light bulb in the box is energized to illuminate the transparency, the image of the mother becomes visible to the infant through the then effectively transparent mirror. Associated with the light box is a sound-activated switching device connected between the bulb and a power source. The switching device, when activated by crying sounds emanating from the infant, remains activated for a predetermined period to energize the bulb and illuminate the transparency. Also associated with the light box is a record playback unit having stored therein a voice message recorded by the mother addressed to her infant, the unit being rendered operative only when the bulb is energized.

Abstract: A computerized merchandising system useable by a corporation associated with a group of stores selling goods, the system acting not only to induce a consumer to purchase these goods, but also to induce this consumer to buy shares of stock issued by the corporation, for either choice is to his possible advantage. On the site of each store is a satellite computer which prints out and supplies a certificate to a buyer who pays its face value. The certificate is redeemable within a specified period, and when redeemed then entitles the buyer either to acquire from any one of the stores, goods whose total sales price is equal to the face value of the certificate, or to acquire shares of stock in the corporation whose market value at the time the certificate was purchased was then equal to its face value. If therefore the market value of the shares at the time of redemption has appreciated above the face value of the certificate, the buyer stands to gain by acquiring the shares.

Abstract: A protective package in an album format for a compact disc having a recording on one side thereof, the other side being unrecorded. The album is defined by interhinged rectangular front and rear cover panels of cardboard or other flexible material. Secured to the inner surface of the rear panel is a face panel having a circular opening die cut therein which is backed by the rear panel to create a well in which the compact disc is nested, with its recorded side lying against the rear panel, the unrecorded side being flush with the exposed surface of the face panel. When the front cover panel is folded over to close the album, the compact disc is then surrounded by the face panel and is sandwiched between the front and rear cover panel and is thereby fully protected. To remove the compact disc from the album, the front cover panel is unfolded and the rear cover panel is flexed to pop out the disc.

Abstract: A display panel and compact disc assembly whose panel is contour cut to define the silhouette of an image of a subject such as a well-known baseball player or a fanciful character. The compact disc is nested within a circular well recessed in the front face of the panel, the side of the disc which carries a recording relating to the subject then lying adjacent the base of the well. The exposed side of the disc which lies flush with the front face of the panel has a printable surface thereon. Printed on the front face of the panel is the image of the subject whose outline forms the silhouette, a significant portion of this image appearing on the printable surface on the exposed side of the disc. The same portion of the image is printed on the base of the well. Hence when the image of the subject is viewed with the disc in place, the viewer sees the entire image, and when the disc is removed from the panel, one still sees the entire image.

Abstract: A hybrid electronic and acoustic musical instrument whose main section has an animal-like form, such as that of a cat or dog. Extending from the rear of the main section is a hollow tail section terminating in a mouthpiece and provided with a series of finger holes whereby the tail section functions as a recorder instrument. A series of push-button switches mounted on the animal-like body of the main section is connected to a Read-Only-Memory (ROM) housed in this body. Digitally stored in the ROM is a series of different recorded sounds similar to those which the animal represented by the main section is capable of producing, such as barks or meows but in quasi-musical form. When a particular push-button switch is depressed, the related digitally-stored sounds are read out of the ROM and converted to an analog signal which is amplified and reproduced.

Abstract: A self-contained observatory making it possible for a child or other observer to view in an enlarged scale a farm of tiny insects confined within a transparent cartridge. The housing of the observatory includes an inlet to receive the cartridge which is illuminated by a light source mounted within the housing. Also mounted within the housing is a concave mirror and a lens adapted to project a real image of the illuminated farm onto the contoured surface of the mirror. The placement of the concave mirror and its radius of curvature are such as to project onto a free space in advance of the contoured surface an upright and magnified three-dimensional virtual image of the farm of living insects whereby the observer is then better able to see the physical form of each insect and to observe its activities.

Abstract: A collapsible canteen formed by a collapsible carton having nested therein a collapsible pouch whose open mouth is in alignment with a neck projecting from the carton. The collapsible canteen which has a charge of powder deposited in the pouch is adapted to produce, in situ, a beverage when a hot or cold liquid is poured through the neck of the canteen into the pouch to dissolve the powder the nature of which determines that of the beverage.

Abstract: A craft kit for children having minimal craft skills, making it possible for a child to create a toy figure, such as a miniature dinosaur, and to decorate this figure. Included in the kit is a collapsible cloth casing which when erected then assumes the shape of the desired figure, and a rubber balloon which is inserted in a deflated state into the casing through an opening therein. The cloth casing is impregnated with a curable resin and the balloon inflated to erect the casing so that it assumes the shape of the figure whereby when the resin cures, the casing is then rigidified to create the toy figure. The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn from the figure which may then be painted or otherwise decorated by the child.

Abstract: A water-pistol and animal figure assembly in which a pistol whose operating mechanism is concealed in the figure causes water to spit out of the mouth of the figure when the pistol is operated. The pistol includes a stock from which depends a hand grip provided with a trigger, a water reservoir in the form of a cylindrical tank mounted above the stock and an internal pump which draws water from the tank and pumps it into the barrel of the pistol from whose nozzle the water is ejected when the trigger is pulled. The animal figure includes a head having an open mouth and a body having an internal cavity which communicates with the head, and is open at its rear end. The pistol is received within the cavity with its barrel socketed in the head of the figure and its nozzle aligned with the open mouth, the water tank being exposed outside of the body.