Abstract: The food dehydrator device is made of a top member, a bottom member, and a plurality of trays disposed there between. Each one of the trays comprise a support, upper and lower skirts disposed about a periphery of the support, and first and second opposing sides. The upper and lower skirts of adjacent support trays cooperate to form an enclosed side wall. First and second sets of posts are disposed along each one of the first and second opposing sides and in first and second arrangements, respectively. Adjacent trays may be actuated between first and second configurations by rotation of adjacent trays 90 degrees relative to one other. In the first configuration the first and second pairs of opposing sides of adjacent trays are aligned and in the second configuration, the first and second pairs of opposing sides of adjacent trays are offset by 90 degrees.

Abstract: Rotisserie ovens comprise upper and lower enclosure members forming a cooking chamber therebetween and having a heating assembly therein. The upper member is movable and removably attached to the lower member. The cooking chamber is configured to accommodate a spit assembly that is rotated by an electric motor in the lower member. The lower member includes one or more support members operable to orient the oven in a cooking or a storage position, wherein the height profile of the oven in the storage position is about 50 percent or less then in a cooking position. The upper member is configured for storage placement within the lower member cooking chamber when removed therefrom and inverted, and the spit assembly when disassembled resides within a space between the inverted upper member and lower member to provide a compact low-profile self-contained package for placement and storage within a kitchen drawer or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting food items includes a base having an opening and being configured to support one or more blade inserts in the opening. At least one guide is coupled to the base and is configured to accommodate first and second telescoping members, the first telescoping member being nested within the guide, the second telescoping member being nested within the first telescoping member and the first and second telescoping member being slidably movable in a reciprocating manner along an axis relative to the base. A compression member is coupled to the first telescoping member and movable to a first maximum distance from the top portion of the base. A striking member has a weight sufficient to impart a concussive force on the compression member and is coupled to the second telescoping member and movable to a second maximum distance from the compression member.

Abstract: Adjustable-length exercise bars that can be non-destructively mounted between two upright members and resist forces oriented at any angle through the axis defined by the length of the bar.

Abstract: A media storage apparatus includes a frame, a shaft, and a plurality of retainers for retaining a plurality of portable planar storage media. The plurality of retainers is supported by the shaft and rotatable about the shaft from a selectable position to a selected position. The apparatus further includes a retainer selection mechanism, coupled to the frame, that traverses the frame to cause selected ones of the plurality of retainers traversed by the retainer selection mechanism to rotate in sequence from the selectable position to the selected position.

Abstract: A water bottle cap with an integrated indicator is disclosed. A combination bottle cap and indicator includes a threaded base adapted to engage the neck of a bottle and a fluid aperture within the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator includes a top hingably mounted to the threaded base for sealing the fluid aperture while overlying the threaded base and for permitting access to the fluid aperture while rotated away from the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator also includes multiple indicia and a rotatable bezel mounted to the top for positionally indicating one of the multiple indicia.

Abstract: A magnetically mounted motivation device with an integrated indicator is disclosed. A generally circular planar case includes a partially flexible upper surface and a lower surface that includes an acoustically transparent area. An audio storage element mounted within the generally circular planar case stores multiple spoken motivational messages. An audio output device coupled to the audio storage element is mounted within the generally circular planar case overlying the acoustically transparent area. If a switch mounted within the generally circular planar case and underlying the partially flexible upper surface is activated, the audio output device outputs one or more spoken motivational messages. A magnetic base mounted to an outer portion of the lower surface of the case surrounds the acoustically transparent area such that audio output is not impeded. A rotatable bezel mounted to the case includes multiple indicia that are indicated by a rotational position of the rotatable bezel.

Abstract: A media storage apparatus includes a frame, a shaft, and a plurality of retainers for retaining a plurality of portable planar storage media. The plurality of retainers is supported by the shaft and rotatable about the shaft from a selectable position to a selected position. The apparatus further includes a retainer selection mechanism, coupled to the frame, that traverses the frame to cause selected ones of the plurality of retainers traversed by the retainer selection mechanism to rotate in sequence from the selectable position to the selected position.

Abstract: A method of encouraging weight loss via a talking electronic scale. The talking electronic scale determines the weight of a particular person in response to a specific user input. The talking electronic scale utilizes a data storage unit to store and conceal an initial weight for the particular person. The talking electronic scale compares a subsequent weight of the particular person to the concealed initial weight in response to a specific user input and utilizes a speech synthesis unit to announce a difference between the concealed initial weight and the subsequent weight for the particular person without ever displaying or announcing the numerical value of the initial weight.

Abstract: A toy animal formed of molded plastic provides simulated respiration. An aperture in the upper section of the molded plastic animal is covered with a flexible simulated animal pelt. A battery-powered electric motor within the toy animal provides a rotating output which is coupled to the underside of the flexible simulated animal pelt within the aperture utilizing a flexible shaft. This manner rotation of the motor output alternately extends and depresses the flexible simulated animal pelt, thereby simulating respiration.

Abstract: An accordion pleated media storage unit is provided which is constructed of a continuous elongate web of flexible material, such as a non-woven polyester spun material. A continuous zigzag fold of the elongate web creates multiple overlying planes, each of which has at least one edge which is integral with an adjacent plane. A bond is then formed along each edge of a pair of adjacent planes, extending from a common edge to a point just short of the mid-line of each plane, such that multiple adjacent pockets are formed which, when the unit is extended, are separated by a specified distance and wherein the pocket dimensions are not altered, greatly enhancing insertion and retrieval of a storage media element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alignment assembly for accurately aligning separate sets of documents being inserted into the assembly from transversely oriented feed paths, the alignment assembly including a pivotally mounted document gate which provides not only guide passageways for documents entering the assembly, but also an alignment edge for accurately positioning and aligning documents within the assembly in document clamps adapted to transport the documents from the alignment assembly to a print station and thereafter to an exit transport assembly. The movement of documents inserted in the alignment assembly is effected by a document aligner assembly comprising cooperating vibratory document transporters and pivotally mounted back-up rollers for simultaneously urging the documents into the clamps and against the alignment edge of the document gate.

Abstract: A modular design disc receiving apparatus that is utilized as a cartridge holder or output hopper. When utilized as a cartridge holder, push to latch, push to unlatch means position the cartridge for proper disc insertion, thereby readying the apparatus for its function as a cartridge holder. The apparatus comprises means for counting and giving visual indication of the number of discs ejected into the cartridge, and means for sensing a cartridge full situation, thereby enabling associated feeding systems, and, accordingly, preventing jamming of the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus is utilized as a disc output hopper, in the situation where a cartridge is not being used. When used, as aforementioned, the capacity of the apparatus is approximately doubled. Discs ejected into the apparatus are neatly stacked so that they protrude from the front of the apparatus where they can be seen and easily removed.