Abstract: The cigarette rack with inventory check comprises a package rack, a plurality of digital tape measures, and a control device. The package rack stores as individual packs each pack contained within the plurality of prepackaged smoking materials. The plurality of prepackaged smoking materials are organized into one or more stacks. Each of the plurality of digital tape measures measures the length of an outer dimension of a stack selected from the one or more stacks to determine the count of packs contained within the selected stack. The control system counts the number of packs contained within each of the one or more stacks. The control system displays: 1) the number of packs contained within each of the one or more stacks; and, 2) the price of an individual pack contained within the selected stack.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electronic cigarette and methods for controlling the power to the electronic cigarette which provides various modes of operation, including both regulated and no-regulated mode. The method is implemented m the form of an electronic power control program that controls the constituent parts of the electronic cigarette, including the battery, atomizer, heating element, smoke liquid or juice, and related circuitry.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes a shell and a mouthpiece. The external wall of the shell has an air inlet. An atomizer and a liquid-supply are in contact with each other. The air inlet, atomizer, an aerosol passage, and a mouthpiece are sequentially interconnected.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.

Abstract: A high powered electronic cigarette machine in which the atomizer vapor output feeds into a compression chamber via forced fan induction. The compression chamber operates via a motor driven piston and is also assisted via an electromagnet. The compressed vapor is released to the end user for inhalation via a switch operating a release valve downstream of the nozzle or mouthpiece and it's release settings are adjustable via a touchscreen control and display interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an atomizer for an electronic cigarette. The atomizer includes a housing, a mouthpiece, a liquid tank, an atomizing cup, an atomizing assembly, an air pipe. The atomizer further includes a movable element and an elastic element. When the mouthpiece is connected to the housing, the mouthpiece abuts against the air pipe, and drives the air pipe and the movable element to compress the elastic element axially, so that the at least one through hole is in communication with the at least one liquid inlet, and the atomizing assembly absorbs the tobacco liquid flowed from the at least one through hole. When the mouthpiece is detached from the housing, the air pipe and the movable element are driven by the elastic element to restore to an initial position where the at least one through hole is misaligned with the at least one liquid inlet.

Abstract: An atomizing assembly includes a tubing section having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end of the tubing section is connectable to a liquid storage portion, and the outlet end of the tubing section is in fluid communication with an atomizing nozzle. The tubing section is configured to deliver a flow of liquid aerosol-forming substrate through the atomizing nozzle. The atomizing nozzle includes an air channel configured to establish an air flow through the nozzle. The air flow is mixed with the flow of liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

Abstract: An electronic smoking device and a method for sensing an aerosol during a puff action to the electronic smoking device, the electronic smoking device has an aerosol sensing unit (100) containing a light intensity detector (11, 12) to detect light reflected by an aerosol moving though the aerosol sensing unit (100). A flow speed of the aerosol is derived based on the light intensity detected and a pressure condition within the aerosol sensing unit (100) detected by a pressure sensor.

Abstract: A wearable includes an article of clothing, an intelligent control and a plurality of sets of vibration motors operatively connected to the intelligent control and positioned on the article of clothing to provide tactile feedback wherein each of the sets of vibration motors is associated with a different frequency range of audio which may be communicated to the wearable via Bluetooth or otherwise.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: a toe sock having toe holes, which are formed by vertically backstitching between the toes of a sock and into which the toes are separately inserted; and a manufacturing method therefor and, more specifically, provided is a part, which has toe holes formed by vertically backstitching between the toes of a sock, formed into a flexible elastic part (20), wherein the elastic part (20) is manufactured by being woven with a flexible yarn and continuously forming wrinkles (22) flexible in the widthwise direction, thereby enabling the toes to be conveniently inserted and worn by the flexible movement of the elastic part (20) and providing an excellent appearance quality because of the low contraction deformation of the appearance of the sock.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a bra with multiple pockets positioned at different locations on the bra to provide a variety of storage options. The bra comprises one or more portions comprised of layers of material where the pocket spaces are formed between the layers of material. The layers of material of the different portions are joined along their perimeter edges except for one or more select areas that form openings in communication with the pocket spaces.

Abstract: Garments for a nursing woman, which garments may be configured to enable hands-free breast pumping using a breast pump, include a brassiere portion with a plurality of at least partially overlapping material layers, which may be defined, in whole or in part, by edges that are at least substantially straight. The funnel of the breast pump may be received under and behind edges of the layers, and the edges may provide support to the funnel while the breast pump is used for milk expression.

Abstract: An outer garment, in particular sports or beach wear, such as a rash guard, adapted for women is provided. More particularly, the garment is suitable for active wear as it has in-built bust support comprising underwiring. The outer garment comprises an outer fabric shell configured to substantially cover a wearer's shoulders and to which a bust-support structure is secured.

Abstract: A brassiere includes a first wing and a second wing, each wing including a first end and a second end; a closure; a pair of cups, each cup including an inner contour having a diameter size; each cup including an outer contour having an outer diameter having an outer diameter size, and an outer apex having a projection distance from the plane of the outer diameter; filling material provided between the inner contour and the outer contour; and a gore connected to each of the first cup and the second cup, between the first cup and the second cup, in which the cup diameter size and outer apex projection distance provide a brassiere with improved function and comfort.

Abstract: A suit wearable by a human user includes a torso section, two arm sections extending from an upper portion of the torso section, and two leg sections extending from a lower portion of the torso section. At least one of an arm section and a leg section includes at least one exterior surface region that is uneven and having at least one of a different surface friction property and a different surface roughness property in relation to at least one exterior surface region of the torso section.

Abstract: A motion-activated venting system for incorporation into an article of apparel is described herein. The motion-activated venting system may comprise a variety of pleats having one or more folded edges and a ventilation region having a plurality of apertures. In a first state, the one or more folded edges overlie the ventilation region such that the plurality of apertures is covered. In a second state, the one or more folded edges are remote from the ventilation region such that the plurality of apertures is exposed. Further, in an intermediate state, the motion-activated venting system is partially open, thereby exposing a portion of the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A cup-shaped filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that has a multi-layer filtering structure 16. The mask body 12 includes at least one dart 60 permanently bonded in the filtering structure 16, the dart 60 tapering from a center plane 32 of the mask body 12 to a side edge of the mask body. The dart 60 inhibits collapse of the cup-shaped form of the respirator 10.

Abstract: An ambidextrous or hand-specific glove including a wrist region, a palm region, and a digit region. The glove may be fabricated of nitrile rubber that is free of or essentially free of zinc, sulfur and accelerators to reduce allergic reactions in populations required to frequently wear protective gloves. A band region that partially or fully encircles a user's finger knuckles may be provided for easier finger bending. Texturing may be provided on glove surfaces that are used to grip articles. The tip regions on the front surface of the index and middle finger regions may be un-textured or smooth to enable a user to take a patient's pulse. These tip regions may be of reduced diameter and circumference so as to pull the glove material tightly around the tips of the user's finger so that even a faint pulse in a patient may be detected.

Abstract: A strap adjustable brassiere has straps that are slidably engaged with a band rail extending along the wing band and/or a cup rail extending along the cup. The wing band rail extends in an incline from a side position toward the center back position and this enables the straps to be slid from one position to another along the band rail without changing the length of the straps. Likewise, the cup rail extends at an incline from a side location toward the center front location to allow the strap to slide along the cup rail without changing the length of the strap. The rail may be a bulbous extension from the wing band and the strap slider may have a cavity that extends around the rail to provide a slidable engagement.

Abstract: An adjustable connector strap may include two interlocking bodies, wherein one body includes a plurality of teeth located along opposing edges, and the other body includes a plurality of notches located along opposing edges. The user may select the number of teeth that are mated with the notches to adjust the size of the strap. The use of interlocking teeth and notches along the opposed edges of the strap bodies may enhances the ability of the strap to maintain its interlocking strength during tension loads. The teeth and notch engagement may also allow a user to quickly engage or disengage the strap bodies, thereby enhancing the ease-of-use of the strap.

Abstract: Protective gear such as a helmet includes multiple shell layers connected through energy and impact transformer layers. The energy and impact transformer layers may include conical structures used to dissipate mechanical energy applied to an outer shell layer while allowing an outer shell layer the ability to rotate with respect to a middle or inner shell layer. The conical structures may be three dimensional pyramids, three dimensional parabolic structures, and may be outwardly or inwardly oriented.

Abstract: An anchoring system for securing a strap to an in-molded helmet can include a strap anchor that includes an anchor housing and an in-molding flange coupled to the anchor housing. The anchoring system can include a bar tack clip sized to fit partially within the anchor housing, the bar tack clip including a cross beam, an opening adjacent the cross beam, and at least one clip coupled to the cross beam and sized to mateably couple with the anchor housing. The anchoring system can also include a strap disposed through the opening in the bar tack clip and looped around the cross beam, the strap being coupled to itself with a bar tack. The at least one clip of the bar tack clip can be disposed at an in-bound side of the bar tack clip or can include two side clips.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a helmet having magnetic coupling is provided. In a particular embodiment, the helmet includes at least one protective layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user's head and a pad coupled to a back plate, a back plate coupled to a protective layer, a back plate comprising a magnet.

Abstract: A bicycle helmet system comprising a helmet and a chin bar is disclosed. The chin bar is removably coupled to the helmet and wrapped circumferentially around a portion of the helmet. The chin bar may include a rear buckle configured to tighten the chin bar around the helmet. The chin bar may also include two side buckles that engage with side recesses on the helmet when the chin bar is removably coupled to the helmet. The chin bar may also include two alignment protrusions positioned to engage with alignment recesses on the helmet when the chin bar is removably coupled to the helmet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a force measuring article of athletic equipment and method of monitoring caloric output during a physical exercise. Force transducers are positioned within the palm region of a lifting glove or sole portion of an athletic shoe for measuring force versus time data and storing the data for later retrieval and analysis. The force output for a given exercise is analyzed such that the user is able to monitor and gauge energy output during an activity without the use of a heart rate monitor or larger, external equipment. The data can be used to determine caloric output, from which the user can directly measure the energy required for a specific exercise and the necessary calories required to complete the exercise. The method involves gather this information and using it as means to further understand caloric output, and thus meter caloric intake and maintain a proper daily caloric balance.

Abstract: A flexible insert for a sports shoe for kicking a ball which self activates upon the strike of a ball to deform in a manner that conforms to the struck curvature surface of the ball to assist in conforming the shoe surface material to the same struck area of the ball and increase the wearers' control and accuracy of the kicked ball. Following the strike the flexible insert reforms to its original shape and structure for the next strike.

Abstract: An improved article of footwear of the invention includes an upper, an adjustable closure system affixed to the upper, the closure system having a guide member having a first groove portion and a second groove portion, a fastening member positioned opposite the guide member and having at least two tensioning members, and removable cable assembly connecting the guide member and the fastening member, wherein the cable assembly extends sequentially through the first groove portion of the guide member, a first tensioning member of the fastening member, the second groove portion of the guide member, and a second tensioning member of the fastening member, a bottom secured to the upper, a stabilizing member positioned between the upper and the bottom, wherein the stabilizing member has a base portion and at least one of a lateral support portion and a medial support portion extending upwardly from opposing sides of the base portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole with a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion. The sole has a ground-facing side and a foot-facing side opposite the ground-facing side. The article of footwear includes a support system that has one or more rods spaced from the sole and extending longitudinally from the forefoot portion to the heel portion on the foot-facing side. The rod is operatively connected to the sole at the forefoot portion and at the heel portion. A sling is suspended from the rod over the midfoot portion. The rod bends when the sole is flexed to thereby lift the sling away from the sole.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole, an upper, and a welt. The sole and upper define a seam. The welt overlies the seam. The sole includes flex grooves. The upper includes perforations. The welt includes flex slits.

Abstract: The invention relates to sole elements for articles of footwear, and systems and methods for manufacturing same. One embodiment of the invention includes a method of manufacturing a sole element for an article of footwear including the steps of forming a sole element preform, inserting the sole element preform into a press mold cavity, and press-forming the sole element preform within the press mold cavity to form a unitary finished sole element comprising a first region having a first density and hardness and a second region having a second density and hardness different from the first density and hardness.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a base component and a wedge component. The base component has a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, and includes a forward base portion and a rearward base portion. The forward base portion of the base component includes a forward lateral flange and a forward medial flange. The wedge component extends from the midfoot region to the heel region and includes a forward portion having a rearward medial flange and a rearward lateral flange. The forward lateral flange of the base component abuts the rearward lateral flange of the wedge component. The forward medial flange of the base component abuts the rearward medial flange of the wedge component.

Abstract: A three-layered shoe construction having an outsole with a first flexible area and a second flexible area located in the vicinity of both the forefoot area and the hind foot area, the second flexible area being more flexible than the first flexible area, and further including a cavity housing a plurality of protrusions therewithin; a dual density midsole having a first density in the forefoot area and a second density in the hind foot area, the second density being greater than the first density; and an insole having a top face which includes a plurality of raised projections forming a geometric pattern that starts in the vicinity of the midfoot area and spirals outwardly towards both the toe area and the heel area, the plurality of raised projections increasing in size as they approach the toe and heel areas. The specific construction associated with the outsole, midsole and insole enhance flexibility, cushioning, comfort and breathability.

Abstract: An article includes a cushioning assembly which has a first bladder element forming a first fluid chamber, and a second bladder element within the first bladder element and forming a second fluid chamber sealed from and within the first fluid chamber. The first bladder element includes an inner surface having a first feature. The second bladder element includes an outer surface having a second feature. The first feature interfits with the second feature such that a first area of the inner surface of the first bladder element is aligned with a first area of the outer surface of the second bladder element at a bonded interface. The second bladder element is exposed to the first fluid chamber away from the bonded interface. A method of manufacturing the article includes interfitting the first feature with the second feature and bonding at the bonded interface.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a braiding machine and method of forming a braided upper for an article of footwear. The braiding machine includes a support structure that includes a track defining a plane with a plurality of rotor metals arranged along the track. The method of forming an article of footwear includes extending a plurality of threads through a ring located along a plane at a braiding point of the braiding machine, and braiding over a forming mandrel that passes from a first side of the braiding point to a second side of the braiding point. The braiding machine being capable of forming intricate braided structures.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes include an upper and a mesh material. The mesh material may be incorporated into the upper. The mesh material may include high tensile strength strands and non-high tensile strength strands. The high tensile strength strands and non-high tensile strength strands may interlock so that the high tensile strength strands are substantially held in place. The mesh material may be provided as a woven material or a knitted material. The mesh material can have a stylish design, which can be a plaid pattern, herringbone pattern, seersucker pattern, or other pattern.

Abstract: An expandable support member for an article of footwear includes a plurality of expansion components that are joined together. The support member can be expandable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The plurality of expansion components are configured to expand along a non-linear path when the support member moves between the contracted position and the expanded position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe, and in order to provide a shoe excellent in convenience, easy to put on and take off, inexpensive, light-weight, comfortable to wear, promoting health and exhibiting excellent extensibility, the easily wearable shoe according to the present invention is characterized by the shapes of an outer layer and inner sacs corresponding to various body organs, additionally including a shoe outer layer, sacs of a stretchable material joined mainly inside the outer layer, and an intake inlet/outlet that is formed of a valve that takes in and discharges an air-like gas into/from the sacs, facilitating the insertion of a foot by injecting the gas from the intake inlet/outlet into the sacs and causing the sacs and the shoe outer layer to be flexible, discharging the gas from the intake outlet so as to cause the shoe outer cover and the sacs to contract and come into close contact with the foot, being capable of freely setting an effect from the shoe on a body organ due to the shapes

Abstract: A position sensing assembly for a tensioning system designed to provide tension to a lace, cord, or other type of strand is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a reel member configured to rotate about a central axis and the position sensing assembly. The position sensing assembly includes a shaft, an indicator tab, and an optical sensing unit. The position sensing assembly assists in controlling the degree to which the strand is tightened and loosened. The position sensing assembly prevents tightening of the strand when the strand is meant to be loosened.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.

Abstract: A cufflink device is provided having a cufflink base, a cufflink cap, and an elastic cord extending therefrom. The cufflink base has an upper end, a lower end, and a midsection. The elastic cord forms a closed loop that extends from the lower end of the cufflink base and is adapted to secure around the midsection of the cufflink base when securing a shirt cuff together. The cufflink cap is supported by the upper end of the cufflink base and can have a variety of ornamental appearances so that the cufflink device can be manufactured in any number of styles. The elastic cord allows the cufflink assembly to expand when a user pulls his or her shirt cuff upwards along his or her arm. The elastic cord may either terminate within the interior of the cufflink base or be secured to the base of the cufflink cap.

Abstract: A belt includes an inside belt surface, a belt coating layer provided on the inside belt surface and a plurality of belt teeth in the belt coating layer. A belt adjustment system and a belt fabrication method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of locking two devices to each other through a receiver base, a pair of pivoting locking tabs, each having first and second arms extending out from a pivot point, and an insert that is partially engaged within a cavity formed by the receiver base and locking tabs. The receiver base is configured to be engageable with a first device. The insert is configured to be engageable with a second device. An optional push button assembly that has a retractable lip is engageable with the receiver base to block rotational movement of the locking tabs unless the lip of the push button is retracted. The apparatus may also include magnetic actuators and corresponding electronic switches that provide two stage locking and, optionally, provide contact state signaling to an external controller and computer to verify locked/unlocked status of the insert relative to the receiver base cavity and locking tabs.

Abstract: An adjustment strap with quick crimp nibs for a multitude of binding embodiments (such as backpacks, seatbelt fasteners, waist belts, hats etc.) is disclosed. The invention being comprised of two, rigid but slightly flexible, interlocking tabs made of, but not limited to, plastic, silicone compounds and the like. Said interlocking tabs being considered male and female components. Notches along the perimeter of said female tab having a triangular shape with a protruding ridge configured to receive proximally-facing teeth on the male tab. An object of the invention is to enhance the ability of a strap to maintain its interlocking strength during tension loads.

Abstract: Woven and knit substrates having juxtaposed notches with finished edges are disclosed. Such substrates can be used as opposed fastener tapes and fastener elements can be formed, woven, or otherwise added to the opposed fastener tapes in a known fashion. The notched fastener tapes permit the resulting slide fastener to be curved in-plane without buckling either of the opposed the fastener tapes out-of-plane. The finished edges maintain structural integrity of the woven or knit substrates, in stark context to prior art substrates having cut notches. Also disclosed are panelized substrates having curved apertures and incorporating disclosed slide fasteners.

Abstract: A fastener stringer includes a row of elements on which cured coating film is formed at sites where it is difficult to be coated by a roll coating method, preferably over the entire exposed surface, without incorporating any conductive wire in a fastener tape. A fastener stringer includes a row of elements and a fastener tape, at least one side edge of the fastener tape having insulation properties, the row of the elements being attached to the one side edge of the fastener tape, wherein each element includes a pair of leg portions and a head portion, the head portion having an engaging region for engaging with an opposing element when constructing a fastener chain, and wherein cured coating film is formed at least at a center portion in a front and back direction of the fastener tape on an end surface of the head portions.

Abstract: A wearable smart band and comprises a fixing band provided so as to be wearable on a joint of a user including a human, an animal, a machine, etc; a receptacle member formed on the fixing band so that a tool, a machine part, a device, and an information device is located, and having an upper part covered by a cover; a flexible band provided on one side of the fixing band, whereof the shape of the fixing band is transformed according to movement of the user's joint; and an inserting and drawing assembly having one end connected to the flexible band and the other end connected to the information device or the cover, wherein the information device or cover is drawn or inserted from or into the receptacle member by the transformation of the flexible band according to the movement of the user's joint.

Abstract: A wearing band including plural first zigzag springs and plural second zigzag springs. The plural first zigzag springs have axial directions in a length direction of a band body that is formed in a belt shape or a ring shape. The plural first zigzag springs are arrayed in the length direction and a width direction of the band body so as to form a section stretching and contracting in the length direction of the band body. The plural second zigzag springs have axial directions in the width direction of the band body and are arrayed in the length direction and the width direction of the band body so as to form a section stretching and contracting in the width direction of the band body. The plural second zigzag springs have a spring constant different to a spring constant of the plural first zigzag springs.

Abstract: A mounting holds a grooved gemstone invisibly to a setting. One end of the mounting has arms or extensions to receive the gemstone and protrusions extending inwardly from the arms to fit in the grooves of the gemstone, the mounting further comprising a holding configuration for holding the mounting to the setting. Insertion of the mounting into the setting may in one version distort the holding configuration and levers the arms to press harder into the groove.

Abstract: An umbrella with environmental control systems uses an environmental control system, an electrical control system (ECS), and a fluid delivery system to modify the local environment beneath the umbrella's canopy. The environmental control system has multiple spray nozzles, multiple fans, and multiple heating elements. The spray nozzles mist water onto the user, the fans blow air onto the user, and the heating elements heat up the air beneath the umbrella's canopy. To accomplish this, all of the components of the environmental control system are arranged advantageously beneath the umbrella's canopy. The umbrella has a handle, a support rod, multiple rib members, and a canopy. The support rod acts as a rigid connection channel through which the hoses that connect the spray nozzles to the fluid delivery system run. The ECS is the system that enables the user to selectively activate the various electrical components of the environmental control system.