Abstract: A central reservation system (CRS) reserves an organization's rooms and remotely controls HVAC components that service the rooms to offset temperatures in the rooms on a programmed, variable offset temperature scale to optimize energy efficiency of the HVAC components according to energy management protocols. A CRS server operating a CRS application program manages reservations and a CRS server plugin remotely controls the HVAC components and offset temperatures. A wireless thermostat device/wireless adapter in each room is in wireless communication with the CRS server and the HVAC components. A user application program is downloaded to a user hand-held electronic device when a user checks in to a room to enable the user to communicate directly with the CRS server and, therefore, the thermostat device to control the HVAC components and temperature in the rooms.

Abstract: A technical adapter system operates to wirelessly, remotely control a conventional thermostat and/or components of an HVAC system, HVAC/R system or both, to which the conventional thermostat is connected, and optimizing energy efficiency of the HVAC system components. This effectively heats and/or cools a space or volume that the HVAC and/or HVAC/R system is configured to heat and/or cool. An adapter device includes a processor, a memory and an adapter application program component, the adapter device configured to connect to the conventional thermostat, the HVAC system or both. A hand-held electronic device including a smart device application program component that operates to enable a hand-held electronic device user to wirelessly connect to the adapter device, and remotely control and command the adapter device.

Abstract: A technical adapter system operates to wirelessly, remotely control a conventional thermostat and/or components of an HVAC system, HVAC/R system or both, to which the conventional thermostat is connected, and optimizing energy efficiency of the HVAC system components. This effectively heats and/or cools a space or volume that the HVAC and/or HVAC/R system is configured to heat and/or cool. An adapter device includes a processor, a memory and an adapter application program component, the adapter device configured to connect to the conventional thermostat, the HVAC system or both. A hand-held electronic device including a smart device application program component that operates to enable a hand-held electronic device user to wirelessly connect to the adapter device, and remotely control and command the adapter device.

Abstract: A technical adapter system operates to wirelessly, remotely control a conventional thermostat and/or components of an HVAC system, HVAC/R system or both, to which the conventional thermostat is connected, and optimizing energy efficiency of the HVAC system components. This effectively heats and/or cools a space or volume that the HVAC and/or HVAC/R system is configured to heat and/or cool. An adapter device includes a processor, a memory and an adapter application program component, the adapter device configured to connect to the conventional thermostat, the HVAC system or both. A hand-held electronic device including a smart device application program component that operates to enable a hand-held electronic device user to wirelessly connect to the adapter device, and remotely control and command the adapter device.

Abstract: Air is trapped in a container at an origin location associated with an event, and the container is sealed to hermetically confine the trapped air therein. The container is provided with a commemorative object or indicia identifying the event associated with the air that was trapped, typically by fixing the object on the container or on a support carrying the container. The container with the commemorative object are then moved to a destination location distant from the location at which the event took place, and the container holding the air and provided with the commemorative object is displayed there.

Abstract: A closed container having an interior at subatmospheric pressure is provided with an insert having top and bottom telescoped sleeves defining a closed chamber. The bottom sleeve has a bottom wall formed with a hole exposed at or through the container to ambient air at ambient pressure. The top sleeve is movable relative to the bottom sleeve between a raised position standing up from the bottom sleeve and a lowered position nested with the bottom sleeve. Latch elements connected between the sleeves are operable from outside the container between a latching position engaged together and preventing the top sleeve from moving into the raised position and a disengaged position permitting such movement. Thus, when the latch elements are moved out of the engaged position, the top sleeve moves into the raised position and air is aspirated through the hole into the chamber.

Abstract: Air is trapped in a container at an origin location associated with an event, and the container is sealed to hermetically confine the trapped air therein. The container is provided with a commemorative object or indicia identifying the event associated with the air that was trapped, typically by fixing the object on the container or on a support carrying the container. The container with the commemorative object are then moved to a destination location distant from the location at which the event took place, and the container holding the air and provided with the commemorative object is displayed there.

Abstract: According to the invention air is trapped at an origin location in a container, and the container is sealed to hermetically confine the trapped air therein. The container is then provided with literature identifying the origin location at which the air was trapped and giving other information regarding this origin location. Then the container with the literature is shipped to a destination location distant from the origin location. Finally the container is opened and the trapped air is consumed.

Abstract: A theater-ticket concierge system in which individual kiosks are in wireless communication with a central station so that, based upon programming from the central station, the individual events of interest can be selected by a patron who can view an excerpt or scene and, upon indicating interest, can then view available seating on a seating plan or the like. By selecting an available seat from the seating plan, the patron can be provided with a display of the stage or performance from that seat and, once seat selection is confirmed, the kiosk can, by communication with the central station, charge the patron's credit card and issue an information carrier in the form of a ticket to the event or a coupon which can be redeemed for such ticket.

Abstract: A central office correlates charitable contributions made at vending stations in food service establishments which issue information carriers in return for charitable contributions which are receipts for the contribution and entitle the donor to a beverage dispensed from a machine responding to the information carrier.

Abstract: A multiplicity of charitable collection stations are provided with selectors for choosing the charity to which a contribution is destined, a change maker for issuing change if desired, a display for displaying information with respect to premiums available and contributions made, and a modem or other telecommunicator for two-way communications with a central station. The central station communicates with the individual charitable institutions to provide information as to monies collected and signals the machines as to premiums available like food-service items, travel awards and the like.

Abstract: A central office correlates charitable contributions made at vending stations in food service establishments which issue information carriers in return for charitable contributions which are receipts for the contribution and entitle the donor to a beverage dispensed from a machine responding to the information carrier.

Abstract: A plurality of carafes on a coffee machine primarily for restaurant and institution use can be filled selectively with decaffeinated or normal coffee via a distributor between a brewing chamber and the outlets to the carafes. The microprocessor controller operates the device selecting the coffee for delivery to the brewing chamber in response to signals received from the carafes if they are placed at respective stations on the machine so that a decaffeinated carafe at any station will receive only decaf and a normal carafe will receive only normal coffee regardless of the station at which it is placed.

Abstract: A plurality of carafes on a coffee machine primarily for restaurant and institution use can be filled selectively with decaffeinated or normal coffee via a distributor between a brewing chamber and the outlets to the carafes. The microprocessor controller operates the device selecting the coffee for delivery to the brewing chamber in response to signals received from the carafes if they are placed at respective stations on the machine so that a decaffeinated carafe at any station will receive only decaf and a normal carafe will receive only normal coffee regardless of the station at which it is placed.

Abstract: A plurality of carafes on a coffee machine primarily for restaurant and institution use can be filled selectively with decaffeinated or normal coffee via a distributor between a brewing chamber and the outlets to the carafes. The microprocessor controller operates the device selecting the coffee or delivery to the brewing chamber in response to signals received from the carafes if they are placed at respective stations on the machine so that a decaffeinated carafe at any station will receive only decaf and a normal carafe will receive only normal coffee regardless of the station at which it is placed.

Abstract: A coffee brewing machine utilizes a microprocessor controller and, preferably, preformed coffee filter packs in which the filter packs form a rectangular array. The microprocessor controller regulates the temperature of the prepared coffee in the reservoir at the base of the machine, the operation of the water distributor in the swingable lid or cover of the machine and of other operating conditions thereof.

Abstract: A coffee brewing machine utilizes a microprocessor controller and, preferably, preformed coffee filter packs in which the filter packs form a rectangular array. The microprocessor controller regulates the temperature of the prepared coffee in the reservoir at the base of the machine, the operation of the water distributor in the swingable lid or cover of the machine and of other operating conditions thereof.

Abstract: A coffee brewing machine utilizes a microprocessor controller and, preferably, preformed coffee filter packs in which the filter packs form a rectangular array. The microprocessor controller regulates the temperature of the prepared coffee in the reservoir at the base of the machine, the operation of the water distributor in the swingable lid or cover of the machine and of other operating conditions thereof.

Abstract: A hair brush or comb with apertures between its bristles or teeth is connected by a hose to an outlet of a blower which includes a heater for the generated airflow. The heater and the blower motor can be adjusted, independently or jointly, to provide different flow rates at a desired air temperature.

Abstract: A multi-shot handgun includes a handgun body, a cylinder mounted on the handgun body for indexing, and a hammer mounted on the handgun for pivoting displacement between a retracted and a firing position. An electric motor is energized from a battery upon actuation of a switch and has an output shaft on which two pinions are mounted for shared rotation, one meshing with a gear which indexes the cylinder, and the other meshing with a gear wheel segment which is a part of the hammer. The other pinion is circumferentially incomplete and has a flat portion which permits unimpeded displacement of the gear wheel segment and thus of the hammer toward its firing position toward which it is biased by a spring.