Abstract: A fish head cutting machine for decapitating a fish, comprising: a) a fish support for supporting a fish in an infeed loading zone with its belly side down and its backbone in a substantially horizontal orientation; b) a guide mechanism positioned adjacent the fish support to hold the fish via an anatomical body part, such as its gill plate, collar bone, pectoral fin or pelvic fin, so that only the body of the fish is supported by the fish support; c) a drive mechanism transporting the fish in a downward direction and at an acute angle to vertical from the infeed loading zone downstream to a head cutting zone while the fish is supported on the fish support and held by the guide mechanism; d) a head pusher located between the infeed loading zone and the head cutting zone that engages the head of the fish and tips the head of the fish upwardly and rearwardly as the fish moves downstream to the head cutting zone; and e) head cutting blades located downstream of the head pusher in the cutting zone that cut the he

Abstract: There is described herein a broom-style cleaning appliance with built in vacuum assembly that can be activated via an elongate nozzle member located adjacent a bundle of cleaning bristles to eliminate the need for a dustpan. Once the vacuum module is activated the debris is collected in a collection chamber housed above or adjacent to the cleaning bristles or elements.

Abstract: There is provided a lid member for a food storage device or container, as well as a food storage system having a lid that can mate with a concave base container, which is stackable or storable via one or more magnetic devices disposed on the lid member or on each of a plurality of lid members. In a related embodiment, a magnetic device is incorporated into a floor panel of the concave base or container for ease of pairing and size matching for storage.

Abstract: Described herein is a reusable microwave splatter cover member with improved ventilation that is storable in the microwave oven on an interior surface via one or more microwave-safe magnets disposed at a portion of the cover member. In related embodiments, the cover member includes one or more removable or overmolded silicone handles as well as protruding handles for improved handling immediately following use in a microwave oven.

Abstract: Described herein are various dryer accessory devices primarily forming a fabric dryer ball with an absorbent material interior, such as a sponge material interior, and a conductive or metal banding or metallic-based sleeve or cover for covering the sponge interior. In one example, an exterior of the dryer ball is made of wool with a cut-out on the bottom to allow water (or other liquids) to be added to the sponge interior. The water turns into steam from the heat of the hot dryer which lessens wrinkles in clothes. An aluminum band or another form of metal is located around the sponge interior which dissipates the static in clothes.

Abstract: A plunger or declogger assembly device is described that includes a collapsible frusto-conical container body and a valve-equipped lid for applying liquid, such as water, under pressure to clear drain clogs when the plunger device is placed over a drain opening. The frusto-conical container body is collapsible and the cover member or lid has a built-in lip for sealing purposes and the cover member is valve-equipped so as to release water only when downward pressure is applied to the top of the container, forcing the container to vertically and concentrically collapse and thereby force the liquid out and into the clogged drain.

Abstract: There is provided a lid member for a food storage device or container, as well as a food storage system having a lid that can mate with a concave base container, which is stackable or storable via one or more magnetic devices disposed on the lid member or on each of a plurality of lid members. In a related embodiment, a magnetic device is incorporated into a floor panel of the concave base or container for ease of pairing and size matching for storage.

Abstract: There is described herein a broom-style cleaning appliance with built in vacuum assembly that can be activated via an elongate nozzle member located adjacent a bundle of cleaning bristles to eliminate the need for a dustpan. Once the vacuum module is activated the debris is collected in a collection chamber housed above or adjacent to the cleaning bristles or elements.

Abstract: Described herein is a microwaveable egg cooking device which provides an easy to use mixing and cooking vessel that also can be a serving dish once an egg is prepared and cooked in a microwave. In a related embodiment, the cooking vessel includes a handle that protrudes out for holding the cooking vessel that may still be hot from cooking.

Abstract: Described herein is a reusable microwave splatter cover member with improved ventilation that is storable in the microwave oven on an interior surface via one or more microwave-safe magnets disposed at a portion of the cover member. In related embodiments, the cover member includes one or more removable or overmolded silicone handles as well as protruding handles for improved handling immediately following use in a microwave oven.

Abstract: Described herein is a cooking device for foodstuffs that are wrapped in bacon, dough or other food items. The device includes a tray that holds a number of silicone holders that hold bacon-wrapped food items while they cook in an oven or toaster oven, microwave or grill (where made of metal). The cooking holders or assemblies hold bacon wrapped food items upright and in place during the cooking process. The entire cooking holder is made of silicone so the food item slides easily off the cooking apparatus when cooking is complete. The cooking tray is designed to allow grease to flow away from the food into a reservoir located around the edges of the tray.

Abstract: Described herein is a cooking device primarily for making poached eggs. The invention is a floating cup member with a finned structure and slot openings located on the underside of the cup to create a rotation in boiling water while an egg is being cooked by the boiling water flowing over and around the egg. The cup member's rotation promotes hot water circulation within the cup to properly poach an egg, while the structure of the cup keeps the egg white intact and prevents it from seeping into the cooking water.

Abstract: Described herein is a cooking device for foodstuffs that are wrapped in bacon, dough or other food items. The device includes a tray that holds a number of silicone holders that hold bacon-wrapped food items while they cook in an oven or toaster oven, microwave or grill (where made of metal). The cooking holders or assemblies hold bacon wrapped food items upright and in place during the cooking process. The entire cooking holder is made of silicone so the food item slides easily off the cooking apparatus when cooking is complete. The cooking tray is designed to allow grease to flow away from the food into a reservoir located around the edges of the tray.

Abstract: A hair retention device for forming a bun or curls in a person's hair is provided that is comprised of a cylindrical roll made of a mesh material. The cylindrical roll contains one or more strips of a material that are placed around the circumference of the roll and that grip a person's hair. The strips of material can be made of any material that can grip a person's hair and hold in place without causing serious discomfort to the user. Examples of the material include Velcro plastic, rubber, metal, silicone and the like. The ends of the cylindrical roll contain an attachment device that allows the ends of the cylindrical roll to attach together to form a circle or ring-like structure. The hair retention device can also include an elastic cord that can run internally in the hair retention device and the length of the cylindrical roll. The elastic cord can be used to synch the ring-like structure to a desired tightness, thus creating a bun with a desired circumference.

Abstract: A system is provided for inserting selected commercials from a remote source via satellite into pre-cued cable network commercial breaks at targeted regional groupings of local cable headend operators without storage of the commercials at each headend. By sequencing the avails used for insertion among the groupings of headends, by creating plural levels of simultaneity, and by using compression/decompression techniques, a highly efficient use of the satellite per each transponder channel is achieved despite overlap in breaks as between networks; while, at the same time, allowing sufficient time during each break for the local headend operator to insert his own local ads if desired, and to use as well, if desired, the decompression capabilities of the system without the need for the headend to invest in its own.

Abstract: A downlink dish receives television signals from a remote location transmitted by satellite. Satellite receivers demodulate these received signals and normally transmit them through a switch to modulators which modulate respective carrier signals to retransmit the remote program video signals over a cable to subscribers. The switch also transmits the demodulated signals to tone monitors that detect a tone indicating the beginning of a spot message interval. A computer control responds to these detected signals to enable one or more video tape machines to deliver recorded spot messages to a time base corrector that also receives portions of the program video signal adjacent the spot message interval from the switch. The time base corrector delivers the time-base-corrected video signals through the switch to the modulators for modulating a selected carrier signal with program video signals and spot message signals without flicker.

Abstract: A cable television system includes a minicomputer that responds to signals from viewers desiring to see particular television program material to provide a schedule video signal that is broadcast over a program schedule channel carrying a video signal representative of television programs to be broadcast, the time of broadcast and the channel where broadcast. The computer also provides selecting control signals that causes a particular television signal source, such as on a video tape cassette, disc or film, to provide a video signal that is coupled by a video switch controlled by switching control signals from the computer for modulating a television transmitter associated with a channel selected for broadcasting the selected television program material. A television signal combiner combines the signals from the different television transmitters for broadcast over a cable to the remote receiving locations.