Abstract: A system for assessing the quality of air and/or drinking water, the system comprising a plurality of sample traps, wherein each of the sample traps is configured to test for a different environmental contaminant; a base unit having a pump for drawing air, a mount for connecting a sample trap to the pump so as to draw air through that sample trap when the pump is operated, a central processing unit (CPU) pre-programmed to operate the pump in a plurality of modes of operation, and a plurality of buttons communicating with the CPU; and a marking scheme comprising a plurality of unique markings, wherein each of the buttons is marked with a different unique marking, and further wherein each of the sample traps is marked with the same unique marking as the button which causes the pump to operate in a particular mode of operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for using 3D printing means to construct surprise-related objects. In one embodiment, at least one construction configuration for a three-dimensional object is intended to prevent premature access, by a consumer, to hidden content, with the hidden content intended, at least in part, to surprise the consumer following construction of at least part of the three-dimensional object. Various embodiments demonstrate preventing premature access to hidden content by constructing locked container objects, breakable container objects, sealable container objects, expandable objects, deliberately disorganized build patterns, visual barrier layers, and/or visual barrier object portions. Several embodiments include creating at least one object to at least partly render inaccessible at least a portion of at least one other object. Select objects constructed include gift objects, financial transaction products, edible products, and/or other objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for constructing 3D printed objects with temporarily-viewable content. Select temporarily-viewable content is constructed using at least one additive manufacturing material, displayed on at least one visible layer of the unfinished object, viewable at least in part to entertain and/or instruct the user during at least one object construction phase, and concealed by at least one covering layer. Various embodiments include temporarily-viewable content configured as advertisements, text communications, graphical imagery, product representations, indicia, and/or other designs. Several embodiments include displaying successively-changing temporarily-viewable content to create dynamic presentations, replacing temporarily-viewable content with permanently-viewable content, and/or constructing temporarily-viewable sculptures and/or other three-dimensional representations as at least part of unfinished object builds.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for constructing media-synchronized objects through additive manufacturing means. At least one construction configuration for at least one object is at least partly synchronized with at least one segment of at least one associated instructional media presentation viewed by a user through at least one media presentation device. Various embodiments demonstrate successive object portions synchronized with successive media presentation segments, at least partly automated object construction synchronized with one or more media presentation segments, and/or user assembly of multiple object portions configured to modify media presentation aspects. In select embodiments, object design modifications by the user are configured to change media presentation aspects. Certain embodiments permit accelerated and/or decelerated object construction being configured to accelerate, decelerate, lengthen, and/or truncate associated media presentations.

Abstract: A system for assessing the quality of air and/or drinking water, the system comprising: a plurality of sample traps, wherein each of the sample traps is configured to test for a different environmental contaminant, and further wherein at least some of the sample traps require air to be drawn through that sample trap at a particular rate, and for a particular time duration, in order to properly test for a particular environmental contaminant; a base unit, the base unit comprising: a pump for drawing air; a mount for connecting a sample trap to the pump so as to draw air through that sample trap when the pump is operated; a central processing unit (CPU) pre-programmed to operate the pump in a plurality of modes of operation, wherein each mode of operation causes the pump to draw air at a particular pump rate, and for a particular pump time duration; and a plurality of buttons communicating with the CPU, wherein activating a particular button causes the CPU to operate the pump in a particular mode of operation;

Abstract: Filter caps, filter assemblies, and filtration systems and methods.

Abstract: Some of the present containers include a bottle defining a mouth in fluid communication with an interior volume, a cap configured to at least partially cover the mouth and defining an outlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, and a filter assembly configured to filter liquid communicated between the interior volume and the outlet, the filter assembly having a first end, a second end, and a housing extending between the first and second ends to define an interior passageway configured to contain a filter having an upper end cap defining an opening, a lower end cap, and a filter media extending between the upper and lower end caps. In some containers, the filter assembly is configured to be coupled to the cap with the opening in fluid communication with the outlet. Some containers include a straw configured to be coupled in fluid communication between the outlet and the opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and closing a door of a beverage forming machine, e.g., for accessing a beverage forming station. The door may be opened by retracting the door into an interior space of the housing, e.g., by moving the door rearwardly. When at the closed position, at least one edge of the door may be flush with an adjacent outer housing portion.

Abstract: A fluid sprayer includes a rigid fluid conduit extending along a conduit axis between longitudinally opposed open conduit first and second ends. A spray nozzle having a fluid-expulsion bore is connected to the conduit second end such that the nozzle can pivot about a nozzle-pivot axis that extends orthogonally to the conduit axis and fluid introduced into the conduit first end is expelled through the fluid-expulsion bore. An attachment-mounting arm is connected to the fluid conduit for pivotal movement about an arm-pivot axis having a component of spatial extension orthogonal to the conduit axis and being longitudinally non-displaceable relative to the rigid fluid conduit. Moreover, the attachment-mounting arm is selectively lockable into a plurality of discrete angular positions relative to the conduit and configured to removably retain a surface-engaging attachment designed for engaging a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: Embodiments describe constructing game-related objects through additive manufacturing systems. At least one construction configuration for building a game-related object is advanced at least partly due to at least one game task result being attained by a user and/or due to when an object is constructed and/or arranged to be built. Several embodiments demonstrate select game task results leading to determined construction configurations instead of alternative construction configurations, causing, for instance, a differing design, complexity, function, and/or number of constructed object portions. Game task results in certain embodiments lead to multiple distinct portions of one or more objects being constructed concurrently and/or successively, at one or more locations.

Abstract: A fluid sprayer includes a rigid fluid conduit extending along a conduit axis between longitudinally opposed open conduit first and second ends. A spray nozzle having a fluid-expulsion bore is connected to the conduit second end such that the is nozzle can pivot about a nozzle-pivot axis that extends orthogonally to the conduit axis and fluid introduced into the conduit first end is expelled through the fluid-expulsion bore. An attachment-mounting arm is connected to the fluid conduit for pivotal movement about an arm-pivot axis having a component of spatial extension orthogonal to the conduit axis and being longitudinally non-displaceable relative to the rigid fluid conduit. Moreover, the attachment-mounting arm is selectively lockable into a plurality of discrete angular positions relative to the conduit and configured to removably retain a surface-engaging attachment designed for engaging a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and closing a door of a beverage forming machine, e.g., for accessing a beverage forming station. The door may be opened by retracting the door into an interior space of the housing, e.g., by moving the door rearwardly. When at the closed position, at least one edge of the door may be flush with an adjacent outer housing portion.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer program products wherein a user's reviewing of select text in a synchronized news story, article, or electronic book generates a changed presentation of associated multimedia content, including photographs, videos, and computerized graphics. User's reviewing of select text is detected automatically or managed manually, with select embodiments integrating touch-screen controls. This process of changing multimedia continues with the user's reviewing of additional select text segments. Select multimedia is modified instead of completely replaced as the user advances to an additional select text segment, leading to uniquely flowing presentations. Multimedia is visually modified through zooming, panning, resizing, highlighting, and/or other approaches. Select embodiments include similarly modified holographic imagery, advertisements, securities charts, and shifted text. In select embodiments, the user's reading speed adjusts visual modifications.

Abstract: An amplifying cover for an audio device that enhances the audio output of the device, such as voice or music, louder and clearer, without adding to the bulk of the device. The cover redirects the audio output of the device to a different location that enhances the ergonomics of the device. The amplifying cover can redirect the sound (while also amplifying it) to the top of the device, closer to the user's ear, or to the side of the device. The amplifying cover can redirect the sound to a plurality of different directions, making it easier to make conference calls. The cover is a protective case for an electronic device that also amplifies the sound produced by the electronic device. The cover provides a portable and compact acoustic amplifier for an electronic device that can be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the electronic device.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer program products wherein a user's reviewing of select text in a synchronized news story, article, or electronic book generates a changed presentation of associated multimedia content, including photographs, videos, and computerized graphics. User's reviewing of select text is detected automatically or managed manually, with select embodiments integrating touch-screen controls. This process of changing multimedia continues with the user's reviewing of additional select text segments. Select multimedia is modified instead of completely replaced as the user advances to an additional select text segment, leading to uniquely flowing presentations. Multimedia is visually modified through zooming, panning, resizing, highlighting, and/or other approaches. Select embodiments include similarly modified holographic imagery, advertisements, securities charts, and shifted text. In select embodiments, the user's reading speed adjusts visual modifications.