Abstract: A securing device for securing trash bags within a trash receptacle includes a belt member for securing a trash bag within a trash receptacle; and at least one resilient member coupled to the belt member at a first end of the at least one resilient member and operably configured to couple to an inner wall of the trash receptacle at a second end of the at least one resilient member, the at least one resilient member further operably configured to apply a biasing force against the inner wall of the trash receptacle to clamp the trash bag, without any other external forces, against the inner wall between the belt member and the inner wall.

Abstract: A wearable assembly is disclosed including a decorative ornament having a coupling surface substantially opposite a decorative surface thereof; and a coupling member coupled to the coupling surface. The coupling member is adapted to selectively, removably couple to a wearable item such that the decorative surface is visible in an assembled configuration of the wearable assembly.

Abstract: A securing device for securing trash bags within a trash receptacle includes a belt member for securing a trash bag within a trash receptacle; and at least one resilient member coupled to the belt member at a first end of the at least one resilient member and operably configured to couple to an inner wall of the trash receptacle at a second end of the at least one resilient member, the at least one resilient member further operably configured to apply a biasing force against the inner wall of the trash receptacle to clamp the trash bag, without any other external forces, against the inner wall between the belt member and the inner wall.

Abstract: A wearable assembly is disclosed including a decorative ornament having a coupling surface substantially opposite a decorative surface thereof; and a coupling member coupled to the coupling surface. The coupling member is adapted to selectively, removably couple to a wearable item such that the decorative surface is visible in an assembled configuration of the wearable assembly.

Abstract: A wearable assembly is disclosed including a decorative ornament having a coupling surface substantially opposite a decorative surface thereof; and a coupling member coupled to the coupling surface. The coupling member is adapted to selectively, removeably couple to a wearable item such that the decorative surface is visible in an assembled configuration of the wearable assembly.

Abstract: A self-ventilating shoe is disclosed having an insole, an outsole, and a permeable middle layer disposed between the insole and the outsole. The shoe further includes a ventilation system having a plurality of apertures defined by the insole and operably configured to allow air to flow in one direction from a foot-receiving cavity of the shoe toward the outsole; at least one one-way valve defined by the outsole; at least one collecting chamber disposed within the outsole; and the permeable middle layer operably configured such that exertion of a downward force from a user's foot as the user steps forces the air from the foot-receiving cavity to the at least one collecting chamber within the outsole and from the at least one collecting chamber to an outside environment through the at least one one-way valve.

Abstract: A toy-shaped communication device for facilitating communication between a child and a remote caretaker over a long range communication network is disclosed having a body resembling a child's toy. The body at least partially encapsulates at least one network connection operably configured to communicate over a long range communication network; and a processor operable to execute computer instructions for receiving, over the long range communication network, a communication from a caretaker's remote electronic mobile device. The communication includes at least one of an audio and a visual communication recorded by the caretaker's remote electronic mobile device. The toy-shaped communication device also has an output terminal operable to output the audio and visual communication recorded by the caretaker's remote electronic mobile device to a child disposed proximate the body.

Abstract: A wearable assembly is disclosed including a decorative ornament having a coupling surface substantially opposite a decorative surface thereof; and a coupling member coupled to the coupling surface. The coupling member is adapted to selectively, removeably couple to a wearable item such that the decorative surface is visible in an assembled configuration of the wearable assembly.