Abstract: The present invention relates generally to apparatuses used for the heating of water and relates more specifically to water heaters in which the volume of water heated and stored may be fluctuated in response to the changing demand for heated water. The household demand for hot water depends on a variety of factors, including the number of people living in the household. It is therefore desirable to have a water heater in which the amount of water heated and stored may be varied so as to compensate for the changing hot water demand. The present invention is a variable volume water heater that can be used to accomplish this goal of matching the supply and demand of heated water.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to apparatuses used for the heating of water and relates more specifically to water heaters in which the volume of water heated and stored may be fluctuated in response to the changing demand for heated water. The household demand for hot water depends on a variety of factors, including the number of people living in the household. It is therefore desirable to have a water heater in which the amount of water heated and stored may be varied so as to compensate for the changing hot water demand. The present invention is a variable volume water heater that can be used to accomplish this goal of matching the supply and demand of heated water.

Abstract: A device which functions as both a bottle opener and carabiner. The device being a triangular structure having a pivotable segment disposed on one side of the structure, and a lip extending inwardly disposed either of the two remaining sides. The pivotable segment can be manually moved from a closed position to an open position and is urged back into a closed position by a biasing means. A portion of the device is placed on top of the cap of a bottle with the lip positioned underneath the cap such that a user can urge the cap out of engagement with the bottle by applying a downward force to the device. The device can also be used to secure an auxiliary device therein by moving the pivotable segment to an open position and inserting a leg of the device through an opening in the auxiliary, and then closing the pivotable segment.

Abstract: An earpiece incorporating a small speaker for use with an electronic device that generates audio signals, such as a cell phone, digital recording player, tape player or the like, which is adapted to be inserted in or held over a wearer's ear by a head strap, includes a jewelry-like decorative attachment secured to the outer side of the earpiece, so as to give the appearance of an earring. The decorative accessory may be removably attached to the earpiece by a separable fastener such as a snap fastener clip, magnetic clamp, Velcro fastener or the like. The decorative accessory may incorporate one or more light sources in the form of LEDs or the like, powered by a battery secured in either the earpiece of the accessory itself or an inline on/off volume control switch housing assembly. The light source may be powered constantly or intermittently based on motion of the wearer, sounds or the like.

Abstract: A merchandising hanger has a planar surface adapted to receive printed indicia thereon and characterized by having a top and a base. The top of the planar surface is formed as a hook, cutout, or hole so as to allow the merchandising hanger to be suspended from a conventional merchandising rack. A tab extends from the base of the planar surface and includes a stud integral with the tab and a stud-receiving aperture in another portion of the tab. The aperture has a flange associated therewith. Intermediate between the stud and the aperture is a tab portion having a thickness less than the tab portion proximal to the planar surface. The relative thicknesses of tab portions and the interaction between the stud and complementary aperture afford a theft deterrent without compromising the merchandising function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery charger for cell phones which operates off the cigarette lighter receptacle of a vehicle. The battery charger includes a visual indication that is activated by electromagnetic induction from the ringing current that is generated when the cell phone receives an incoming call. An incoming call sensing circuit operates to receive the electromagnetic signal that includes the incoming call signal to the user's cell phone. The electromagnetic signal is filtered and rectified by a conditioning and activation circuit such that only an incoming call signal remains thereafter the incoming call signal is transmitted to a visual indicator circuit having at least one light source for causing the at least one light source to illuminate such that the user is alerted to the incoming call.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive merchandising packaging that includes at least one opening formed therein whereby a user can test the utility of the packaged product with items external to the packaging without removing the product from the packaging. The at least one opening is dimensioned such that only a portion of the product is accessible for interacting with an external object and removal of the product is prohibited without causing damage to the packaging.

Abstract: A merchandising hanger is described that has a planar surface adapted to receive printed indicia thereon and characterized by having a top and a base. The top of the planar surface is formed as a hook, cutout, or hole so as to allow the merchandising hanger to be suspended from a conventional merchandising rack. A tab extends from the base of the planar surface and includes a stud integral with the tab and a stud-receiving aperture in another portion of the tab. The aperture has a flange associated therewith. Intermediate between the stud and the aperture is a tab portion having a thickness less than the tab portion proximal to the planar surface. The relative thicknesses of tab portions and the interaction between the stud and complementary aperture afford a theft deterrent without compromising the merchandising function.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive merchandising packaging that includes at least one opening formed therein whereby a user can test the utility of the packaged product with items external to the packaging without removing the product from the packaging. The at least one opening is dimensioned such that only a portion of the product is accessible for interacting with an external object and removal of the product is prohibited without causing damage to the packaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery charger for cell phones which operates off the cigarette lighter receptacle of a vehicle. The battery charger includes a visual indication that is activated by electromagnetic induction from the ringing current that is generated when the cell phone receives an incoming call. An incoming call sensing circuit operates to receive the electromagnetic signal that includes the incoming call signal to the user's cell phone. The electromagnetic signal is filtered and rectified by a conditioning and activation circuit such that only an incoming call signal remains thereafter the incoming call signal is transmitted to a visual indicator circuit having at least one light source for causing the at least one light source to illuminate such that the user is alerted to the incoming call.