Abstract: A motorized window treatment may be powered (e.g., entirely powered) from solar energy. The motorized window treatment may comprise a roller tube, a covering material extending from the roller tube to a bottom bar, and a motor drive unit configured to rotate the roller tube for adjusting a position of the covering material. The bottom bar may comprise at least one solar cell and an energy storage element electrically coupled to the solar cell. The motorized window treatment may comprise a dock, which may have a base portion electrically coupled the energy storage element of the motor drive unit. The bottom bar may be positioned adjacent to the base portion when the covering material is in a raised position, such that the energy storage element of the bottom bar may discharge through the base portion into an energy storage element of the motor drive unit.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a receptacle, means for opening a beverage dispenser, a thermoelectric cooler, an aeration component, and a discharge nozzle. The housing has a flow path. The receptacle is for receiving a beverage container that houses a beverage and for discharging wine into the flow path. The means for opening the beverage container is for releasing beverage from the beverage container. The thermoelectric cooler is positioned in the housing for one of chilling or warming the beverage along the flow path. The aeration component is for aerating wine in the flow path. The discharge nozzle is coupled to the flow path for dispensing the beverage from the housing.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a receptacle, means for opening a beverage dispenser, a thermoelectric cooler, an aeration component, and a discharge nozzle. The housing has a flow path. The receptacle is for receiving a beverage container that houses a beverage and for discharging wine into the flow path. The means for opening the beverage container is for releasing beverage from the beverage container. The thermoelectric cooler is positioned in the housing for one of chilling or warming the beverage along the flow path. The aeration component is for aerating wine in the flow path. The discharge nozzle is coupled to the flow path for dispensing the beverage from the housing.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device comprising a beverage reservoir, a receptacle that receives a beverage container including a beverage and discharges the beverage from the beverage container into the beverage reservoir, a cutting mechanism that opens the beverage container to release the beverage, a cooling system comprising one or more thermoelectric coolers including one or more plate-like surfaces along the flow path wherein the cooling system performs at least one of chilling or warming the beverage that flows over at least part of the plate-like surface. The beverage dispensing device further comprising a pump that transfers the beverage from the beverage reservoir to the cooling system, an aeration component that receives and aerates the beverage from the cooling system, and a discharge nozzle coupled to the aeration component that dispenses the beverage.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a receptacle, means for opening a beverage dispenser, a thermoelectric cooler, an aeration component, and a discharge nozzle. The housing has a flow path. The receptacle is for receiving a beverage container that houses a beverage and for discharging wine into the flow path. The means for opening the beverage container is for releasing beverage from the beverage container. The thermoelectric cooler is positioned in the housing for one of chilling or warming the beverage along the flow path. The aeration component is for aerating wine in the flow path. The discharge nozzle is coupled to the flow path for dispensing the beverage from the housing.

Abstract: A shaft holding device comprises a body that has a top and a bottom and a central axis extending between the top and the bottom. A length of the body measured along the central axis is larger than a largest dimension measured perpendicular to the central axis. A plurality of slots is formed by the body and each is configured to releasably secure a shaft therein. Each of the plurality of slots has an axis spaced from and generally parallel with the central axis. Each of the plurality of slots is open along a side of the body and, for each cross section along the length of the body taken about a plane perpendicular to the central axis, each inner circumferential width of an opening of each of the plurality of slots is smaller than a diameter of each of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: A shaft holding device comprises a body that has a top and a bottom and a central axis extending between the top and the bottom. A length of the body measured along the central axis is larger than a largest dimension measured perpendicular to the central axis. A plurality of slots is formed by the body and each is configured to releasably secure a shaft therein. Each of the plurality of slots has an axis spaced from and generally parallel with the central axis. Each of the plurality of slots is open along a side of the body and, for each cross section along the length of the body taken about a plane perpendicular to the central axis, each inner circumferential width of an opening of each of the plurality of slots is smaller than a diameter of each of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: A bead-forming apparatus and method for its use are described. The bead-forming apparatus includes a base with a pair of legs extending from a top surface. First ends of the legs couple to respective eccentric elements. The eccentric elements removeably and rotatably couple to a platen. Second ends of the legs are rotatably and slideably mated with a gear train disposed within the base. The legs are slideably translatable into the base and the gear train maintains a rotational orientation of the legs and the eccentric elements coupled thereto. The platen is thus moveable through a circular path defined by the rotation of the eccentric elements and legs. As such, a plug of moldable material placed between the base and the platen and in contact with the platen, is formed into a double-cone shape by movement of the platen through the circular path.