Abstract: A reclaimer system for removing solid material from a fluid-filled pit. The reclaimer system comprises a screen, a pump, and a conveyor. The screen is positioned within the pit such that the pit is divided into a first portion and a second portion. The screen includes a plurality of openings. The pump is positioned in the first portion of the pit and includes at least one intake port in fluid communication with the first portion of the pit. The conveyor is positioned in the second portion of the pit adjacent the screen. The conveyor includes a frame, a belt, a plurality of flight members mounted on the belt, and a conveyor deck. The flight members are mounted on the belt and move the solid material along the conveyor deck, carrying the solid material out of the pit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus or systems for providing security based on innate characteristics of devices are disclosed. A method of providing security associated with communications from a digital device includes observing an analog signal associated with communications from the digital device, characterizing the digital device at least partially based on the analog signal, and providing a security feature at least partially based on the step of characterizing.

Abstract: A food mixer device and method includes a container configured to receive food. A pair of interchangeable container bases are each separately and removably couplable to the container. At least one mixing assembly is rotatably disposed in the container. A faucet is operatively coupled to one of the interchangeable container bases.

Abstract: A beverage mixer and heater device includes a container disposable on a base. The container includes a heating element and a faucet. A cup indentation extends into the base underneath the faucet. The device also include means for aligning the faucet of the container with the cup indentation of the base, including a mating electrical plug disposed between the base and the container with one portion electrically coupled to the heating element of the container and another portion carried by the base. The base has a bottom with an inward and downward taper under the faucet to facilitate the base tipping from an upright configuration to a tipped configuration in a direction of the faucet. A method for making a hot beverage includes simultaneously turning the hot beverage with the mixing assembly and dispensing the hot beverage through a faucet coupled near a bottom of the container.

Abstract: A beverage mixer includes a container with a mixing assembly removably disposable on a base with a motor turning a drive mechanism engagable with the mixing assembly. A spout is operatively coupled to the container, and can include a valve operable to allow and restrict contents of the container and actuatable by an actuator. A cup indentation is positioned under the outlet opening of the spout when the container is disposed on the base. The cup indentation extends horizontally into the base and is formed by a perimeter of the base.

Abstract: A lubricating system is affixed to and rotates with a rotary drive shaft, and provides automatic lubrication of the rotating bearings of a universal joint or similar articulated juncture in the shaft while the shaft is rotating. The present system includes a series of conventional automatic lubricators which are affixed to the shaft by a novel bracket. The bracket components provide for installation from the sides of the shaft, in order to avoid any requirement to disconnect the shaft at one end to pass the bracket over the end of the shaft. Each component group securing each side of the bracket portions together is configured to closely balance the weight of one lubricator in a partially depleted state, in order to avoid any undue balance problems on the shaft.

Abstract: A beverage mixer includes a container with a mixing assembly removably disposable on a base with a motor turning a drive mechanism engagable with the mixing assembly. A spout is operatively coupled to the container, and can include a valve operable to allow and restrict contents of the container and actuatable by an actuator. A cup indentation is positioned under the outlet opening of the spout when the container is disposed on the base. The cup indentation extends horizontally into the base and is formed by a perimeter of the base. An air pump can be associated with the base, and an air line operatively coupled between the air pump and the container to assist dispensing contents of the container through the spout. An impeller associated with the mixing assembly in the container. The impeller forms an oblique angle oriented to drive contents of the container towards an opening in the container and out of the spout.

Abstract: A beverage mixer includes a container with a mixing assembly removably disposable on a base with a motor turning a drive mechanism engagable with the mixing assembly. A spout is operatively coupled to the container, and can include a valve operable to allow and restrict contents of the container and actuatable by an actuator. A cup indentation is positioned under the outlet opening of the spout when the container is disposed on the base. The cup indentation extends horizontally into the base and is formed by a perimeter of the base. An air pump can be associated with the base, and an air line operatively coupled between the air pump and the container to assist dispensing contents of the container through the spout. An impeller associated with the mixing assembly in the container. The impeller forms an oblique angle oriented to drive contents of the container towards an opening in the container and out of the spout.

Abstract: A beverage mixer, smoothie maker or the like includes a container with a mixing assembly disposable on a base with a motor. A lid is disposable on the container and pivotally carries a stir stick that extends through an opening in the lid. The stir stick includes a ball portion to be pivotally disposable over the opening of the lid and to cooperate with the lid to cover the opening and to allow the ball portion to pivot in the opening. A spout can be coupled to the container to dispense contents, and can align with an alignment indentation in the base. A wall with an angled upper surface can be disposed adjacent the alignment indentation to abut and guide the spout to the alignment indentation. A cup indentation can be formed in the base under the alignment indentation to receive a cup under the spout.

Abstract: A beverage mixer, smoothie maker or the like includes a container with a mixing assembly disposable on a base with a motor. A lid is disposable on the container and pivotally carries a stir stick that extends through an opening in the lid. The stir stick includes a ball portion to be pivotally disposable over the opening of the lid and to cooperate with the lid to cover the opening and to allow the ball portion to pivot in the opening. A spout can be coupled to the container to dispense contents, and can align with an alignment indentation in the base. A wall with an angled upper surface can be disposed adjacent the alignment indentation to abut and guide the spout to the alignment indentation. A cup indentation can be formed in the base under the alignment indentation to receive a cup under the spout.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a portable convertible tethering system which is centered around a retractable leash cartridge. The leash cartridge may be used along to restrain children or animals while moving about, or alternatively, the cartridge may be placed in the system's housing which is attached to an anchoring device thereby becoming an integral part of a stationary tethering device. The housing is sized and shaped specifically for securely holding a portable retractable leash cartridge inside, yet is designed for simple insertion and removal of the cartridge. The housing has a lockable door for holding the leash cartridge cartridge inside against force or agitation. The housing is pivotally mounted on the anchor device so that the end of the cartridge from which the leash cord extends may follow that which is tethered; this capability reduces the likelihood that whatever is tethered, particularly an animal such as a dog, will not likely tangle the leash cord around the base of the system's anchor.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for ice shaving apparatus of the type including (a) an ice receiving chamber having a cylindrical, upstanding sidewall and a substantially flat floor, (b) an elongate opening in the floor, (c) an elongate blade having a knife edge projecting through the opening into the chamber, (d) a removable cover for the chamber and (e) means for moving ice placed in the chamber against the knife edge to cut shavings from the ice. The improvements comprise an elongate, blunt, blade guard which is positioned adjacent to the blade and is movably mounted for movement from a recessed position in which a leading edge of the blade guard is recessed beneath the knife edge of the blade to an extending position in which the leading edge projects at least to the knife edge of the blade to provide a guard for the knife edge.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a portable convertible tethering system which is centered around a retractable leash cartridge. The leash cartridge may be used alone to restrain children or animals while moving about, or alternatively, the cartridge may be placed in the system's housing which is attached to an anchoring device thereby becoming an integral part of a stationary tethering device. The housing is sized and shaped specifically for securely holding a portable retractable leash cartridge inside, yet is designed for simple insertion and removal of the cartridge. The housing has a lockable door for holding the leash cartridge inside against force or agitation. The housing is pivotally mounted on the anchor device so that the end of the cartridge from which the leach cord extends may follow that which is tethered; this capability reduces the likelihood that whatever is tethered, particularly an animal such as a dog, will not likely tangle the leash cord around the base of the system's anchor.