Abstract: A launch system comprises a nose section comprising a nose coupling surface, a tail section comprising a tail coupling surface facing the nose coupling surface and a mast coupling the nose and tail sections. The mast is configured to expand and retract to displace the nose and tail sections within a range of distances from one another. In a retracted state, the nose and tail sections are either structurally coupled to one another at the nose and tail coupling surfaces or structurally coupled to at least one integrated module located between the nose and the tail sections.

Abstract: A cover for a pie pan or similar type of pan or plate has a ring and a lid pivotally attached to the ring by a flex joint. A pan is placed into the ring with a lip of the pan resting on top of the ring. The cover is folded over and pressed down onto the ring. Interlocking elements on tabs on the ring and lid engage each other and hold the lid down onto the ring, with the lip of the pan between them. The lid may include inwardly projecting teeth spaced apart on an inside surface of the lid, with the teeth adapted to hold the lip of a pan between the ring and the lid.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a partly-biodegradable system, which comprises a non-biodegradable portion and a biodegradable portion wherein the non-biodegradable portion is easily separated from the biodegradable portion for disposal of the system. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a cover layer of non-biodegradable film which adheres to the first non-biodegradable portion to form a sealed compartment for food or drink reservation.

Abstract: A mixing container including an outer vessel, one or more inner vessels, and a lid. The outer vessel has a bottom, an open mouth and a peripheral sidewall between the open mouth and the bottom. The one or more inner vessels each have an end, an open mouth and a peripheral sidewall between the end and the open mouth. The lid is configured to be removably coupled to the open mouth of the outer vessel and the lid is characterized as having an outer surface and an inner surface coupled to the ends of the one or more inner vessels. A seal is formed between the open mouth of each one of the one or more inner vessels and the bottom of the outer vessel when the lid is coupled to the open mouth of the outer vessel.

Abstract: A launch system comprises a nose section comprising a nose coupling surface, a tail section comprising a tail coupling surface facing the nose coupling surface and a mast coupling the nose and tail sections. The mast is configured to expand and retract to displace the nose and tail sections within a range of distances from one another. In a retracted state, the nose and tail sections are either structurally coupled to one another at the nose and tail coupling surfaces or structurally coupled to at least one integrated module located between the nose and the tail sections.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading a cargo assembly onto and from an aircraft. The system comprises an aircraft and a moveable platform. The aircraft comprises a forward fairing, an aft fairing, a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing and a plurality of mounts coupled to the spine and configured to structurally engage the cargo container onto the spine. The aft fairing is movable between a fixed position for flight and an open position for at least loading and unloading of the cargo assembly. The aircraft is configured such that an unobstructed passageway is provided in an area underneath the spine during loading or unloading of the cargo assembly. An aft access is provided when the aft fairing is moved to the open position. The moveable platform is used to maneuver the cargo assembly for loading and unloading onto and from the spine, respectively.

Abstract: A drone cargo helicopter having an elongated body. The elongated body has a low profile and has a front portion, a rear portion, an upper surface, a lower surface and a pair of opposing sides extending between the front and the rear portions. At least a first blade set is coupled to the upper surface and rotating in a first direction. Two or more struts are pivotally coupled to opposing sides or lower surface of the elongated body, the struts being coupled via a joint at a top end of the strut. The lower surface of the elongated body comprises a substantially planar surface between the front and rear portions, the substantially planar surface having one or more attachments to provide a rigid engagement with a container. The struts are pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the struts support the elongated body a distance from a ground surface that is greater than a height of the container.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention generally relate to a moisture barrier coating that is biodegradable and compostable. Some embodiments also relate to a coating that is dual ovenable. Such coatings may be used to increase moisture resistance and provide non-stick or release characteristics when applied to biodegradable and compostable disposable food packaging and food service items. In some embodiments, a plasticizer or an amide wax are added to a cellulose-ester, shellac, and rosin based coating to increase moisture resistance and reduce brittleness. In other embodiments, phospholipids or medium-chain triglycerides or increased levels of amide wax may be added to the either of the embodiments above to provide enhanced release characteristics.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading a cargo assembly onto and from an aircraft. The system comprises an aircraft and a movable platform. The aircraft comprises a forward fairing, an aft fairing, a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing and a plurality of mounts coupled to the spine and configured to structurally engage the cargo container onto the spine. The aft fairing is movable between a fixed position for flight and an open position for at least loading and unloading of the cargo assembly. The aircraft is configured such that an unobstructed passageway is provided in an area underneath the spine during loading or unloading of the cargo assembly. An aft access is provided when the aft fairing is moved to the open position. The movable platform is used to maneuver the cargo assembly for loading and unloading onto and from the spine, respectively.

Abstract: A multi-component mixing device comprising an outer container and an inner vessel. The outer container comprises a closed end, a mouth and a peripheral wall between said closed end and said mouth. The inner vessel is disposed within said outer container and the inner vessel comprises a top portion, a bottom portion and a peripheral side wall between said top portion and bottom portion. The peripheral side wall of the inner vessel is defined by first and second sections, which are slidably engaged to one another between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the inner vessel defines an enclosed cavity and in the second position, the inner vessel comprises a first opening corresponding to the enclosed cavity.

Abstract: One embodiment is a composition comprising water; starch; natural fibrous materials; one or more additives to improve certain properties such as heat transfer, microbial resistance, scavenging activity or shelf life; a mold release agent; flavoring agents; coloring agents; and/or wax emulsions, proteins, or other natural polymeric compounds to adjust the product properties for particular applications.

Abstract: An aircraft for transporting a plurality of cargo containers comprising a forward fairing, an empennage and a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the empennage. The spine is made of a lightweight structure such that the aircraft has insufficient rigidity to withstand bending and tortional loads in flight. A cargo assembly comprising a plurality of modular cargo units is structurally and detachably mounted onto the spine to provide the additional structure to the aircraft required for it to fully withstand the bending and tortional loads of the aircraft in flight. Mounts may be provided to detachably engage the cargo assembly to the spine of the aircraft.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention a mold system and method of use are provided such that aqueous starch-based compositions and baked goods articles that use the conversion of water to steam may be produced using an extruder that allows the venting of such gases and/or steam. The extruder is vented in such a way as to allow steam to escape, but retain the composition until the exit end.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention generally relate to a moisture barrier coating that is biodegradable and compostable. Some embodiments also relate to a coating that is dual ovenable. Such coatings may be used to increase moisture resistance and provide non-stick or release characteristics when applied to biodegradable and compostable disposable food packaging and food service items. In some embodiments, a plasticizer, an amide wax and optionally a rosin are added to a cellulose-ester-based coating to increase moisture resistance. In other embodiments, a biodegradable polymer, an amide wax, optionally a plasticizer, and optionally a rosin are added to a cellulose-ester-based coating to drastically increase moisture resistance. In still other embodiments, phospholipids or medium-chain triglycerides or increased levels of amide wax may be added to the either of the embodiments above to provide enhanced release characteristics.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a partly-biodegradable system, which comprises a non-biodegradable portion and a biodegradable portion wherein the non-biodegradable portion is easily separated from the biodegradable portion for disposal of the system. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a cover layer of non-biodegradable film which adheres to the first non-biodegradable portion to form a sealed compartment for food or drink reservation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing baked goods and a mold apparatus having a cavity in a desired shape for use in said method, the mold apparatus comprising a gap that allows for venting of vapor produced during heating or baking of a mixture in the mold apparatus but does not allow any significant amount of the mixture to escape from the cavity of the mold apparatus via the gaps.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a composition for use in making edible biodegradable containers comprising water, pregelatinized and native starch, a first protein or natural polymeric compound, natural fibers, a wax emulsion, a mold release agent, a flavoring agent, and a coloring agent, wherein the composing consisting essentially of food grade materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing baked goods and a mold apparatus having a cavity in a desired shape for use in said method, the mold apparatus comprising a gap that allows for venting of vapor produced during heating or baking of a mixture in the mold apparatus but does not allow any significant amount of the mixture to escape from the cavity of the mold apparatus via the gaps.

Abstract: A cover for a pie pan or similar type of pan or plate has a ring and a lid pivotally attached to the ring by a flex joint. A pan is placed into the ring with a lip of the pan resting on top of the ring. The cover is folded over and pressed down onto the ring. Interlocking elements on tabs on the ring and lid engage each other and hold the lid down onto the ring, with the lip of the pan between them. The lid may include inwardly projecting teeth spaced apart on an inside surface of the lid, with the teeth adapted to hold the lip of a pan between the ring and the lid.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a partly-biodegradable system, which comprises a non-biodegradable portion and a biodegradable portion wherein the non-biodegradable portion is easily separated from the biodegradable portion for disposal of the system. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a cover layer of non-biodegradable film which adheres to the first non-biodegradable portion to form a sealed compartment for food or drink reservation.