47results about How to "Additional operating advantage" patented technology

An electronic device case or system having a protective housing capable of aesthetic change. A plurality of back panels having different images thereon can be interchanged in a sidewall portion to alter the look of the case. The panel images may be colors, pictures, designs, logos, or even text.

An air fryer system is disclosed which comprises a base having a heating source and an air source located therein, both sources being supplied power for operation by an AC power cord. A cooking chamber is defined within the base and a cooking drawer fits securely within the cooking chamber to substantially seal the chamber against heat loss during use. A handled food basket which detachably secures to the cooking drawer is configured to facilitate even distribution of heated air within the cooking chamber. A digital, touch screen user interface attached to a surface of the base is electronically coupled to a controller for powering on the fryer system and setting cooking conditions. The preferred system also includes infrared heating, time and temperature controls, and an automatic safety shutoff mechanism.

A thermally insulated sandwich polyurethane (PUR) shipper for a temperature sensitive payload is provided. The sandwich PUR shipper comprises an outer corrugated box, an inner corrugated box, vacuum insulated panels (such as VIP panels) and PUR foam. The inner box is nested within the outer box and has a bottom, sides and a top. The inner box defines a payload compartment. The VIP panels are adhered to the outer facing surfaces of the inner box. Preferably the VIP panels are wedged against each other so that a side edge of one VIP panel abuts an adjacent VIP panel. The PUR foam fills the space between the VIP panels and the outer box. The PUR foam may cover the top edges of the VIP panels.

An electronic device holder having a retention member for retaining an electronic device, such as an MP3 player, preferably an Apple® IPod nano having a multi-touch color screen, and a strap or shank attached to the retention member to allow fastening to an object, such as a user's wrist or a chain, is disclosed. The device may be secured by friction fitting into a recessed area having two ridges to engage the device along two edges. The device may be inserted by sliding or snap fitting into the recessed area. An opening along the back of the recessed area allows the device to be pushed laterally or vertically from the retention member. Alternatively, the retention member may be a two-piece frame which partially encloses the device. The frame pieces affix to either a wristband strap or a carabiner clip shank as they are secured to one another.

A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.

An air fryer system is disclosed which comprises a base having a heating source and an air source located therein, both sources being supplied power for operation by an AC power cord. A cooking chamber is defined within the base and a cooking drawer fits securely within the cooking chamber to substantially seal the chamber against heat loss during use. A handled food basket which detachably secures to the cooking drawer is configured to facilitate even distribution of heated air within the cooking chamber. A digital, touch screen user interface attached to a surface of the base is electronically coupled to a controller for powering on the fryer system and setting cooking conditions. The preferred system also includes infrared heating, time and temperature controls, and an automatic safety shutoff mechanism.

There is disclosed herein an improved method for measuring the effectiveness of a sampling event, particularly correlating a product sampling event with the consumer's purchase of a corresponding purchasable product. Preferably, a product sample terminal is employed to identify a consumer, dispense a product sample to the consumer, store data pertaining to the product sampling event, and correlate the consumer's purchase of a corresponding or complimentary product for determining whether the product sampling event converted the event into the consumer's purchasing decisions. Additionally disclosed is a method for soliciting, aggregating, and processing consumer preferences pertaining to product attributes for informing investment decisions with regard to product development.

A container for storing personal items, such as toothbrushes, cotton swabs, make-up applicators, and the like, is disclosed. The container has a body made from at least two telescoping walls, and a lid for closing an open end of the body. The lid is connected to the telescoping walls in a manner which provides better access to the stored items when the lid is opened. The container may be embodied such that the innermost wall of the body is raised to expose the stored items, or such that the outermost wall of the body is retracted to expose the stored items.

A balance board which allows a user to move through a full range of motion without dismounting the board. Movement along a frontal plane as well as along a sagittal plane can be achieved using the disclosed board. Further, stops help stabilize the board and allow easier mounting and dismounting of the board. Finally, with hand openings the board can also be used in a prone position with the stops preventing impact by a user's hands/fingers with the ground surface during use.

A storage rack for retaining items to be dried, which can be used in conjunction with a drain basin, such as a sink, or as a stand alone system is disclosed. The rack includes a rack component having a first and second ends, first and second sides, and a plurality of foot members, a drain mat supported by the foot members, and a detachable basin attached to a side or end of the rack component. The drain mat includes two sets of positioning members of two distinct lengths on a lower surface. By engaging longer positioning members on one side of the mat and shorter positioning members on the opposite side of the mat, the mat is held in a sloped configuration. The slope may be either toward the integral spout, thereby draining water from the mat, or opposite the integral spout, thereby retaining a substantial amount of water on the mat. The latter configuration permitting the storage rack to be used as a stand alone system.

A nozzle system for mixing contents in a tank and scouring surfaces of debris and sediment is disclosed. The system is capable of use either below or above a tank's liquid content surface as well as being adaptable to flow channels and other surfaces which may become impeded with sediment and debris. The nozzle system includes at least one nozzle receiving fluid from a pump, and a splash plate positioned to deflect a discharged stream from the nozzle in a spread and downward direction. The number and positioning of additional nozzles in the system can be determined by mapping the discharge of each splash plate equipped nozzle and arranging for the desired area of coverage.

A container lid which seals about a peripheral lip contacting a corresponding container is disclosed. A flexible material, such as a silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like, is attached to at least a peripheral lip formed in a flexible substrate, such as a flexible metal or plastic material, having a first and second surface. The peripheral lip includes notches or slots to create individual sections in the lip to allow inward and outward flexing of the sections. When fitted to a container, the coated flexible substrate forms a seal between the container and the container lid. Preferably, the flexible substrate is formed in such a way that it is bi-stable, thus capable of existing in either a convex or concave state. In one embodiment of the container lid the flexible substrate includes a plurality of grasping teeth (i.e., specialized flexing sections) distributed about the periphery of the flexible substrate.

A trash can is disclosed having an exterior shell, a liner seated within the shell, a latch pivotably attached to the liner for securing a flexible bag to the liner, and a handle to facilitate placing and removing of the liner from the shell. An optional aspect of the invention is to affix the handle of the liner to the latch. The liner of the trash can, in a featured embodiment, utilizes a latch having a body portion into which surplus of the flexible bag may be gathered and held. The trash can may further include a lid connected to the exterior shell. The lid connects to the shell using a front hinge and a back hinge and is actuated by a foot pedal. The actuating foot pedal is preferably seated at a base of the exterior shell and connects to the lever arm of the front hinge such that depressing the foot pedal exerts a downward force on the lever arm to open the lid. In this configuration, the lid is lifted via a downward pull on the first hinge rather than a direct upward force on the lid.

A food grater having a housing, a food hopper, a reversible grating barrel removably carried by the housing and disposed at an open end of the hopper for grating food, such as cheese, contained therein, and a detachable end cap covering an open end of the grating barrel for allowing controlled dispensing of the grated food, is disclosed. A press plate configured to fit within the hopper at an open end opposite the grating barrel engages food disposed therein and moves the same into contact with the grating barrel. The detachable end cap includes concentric first and second parts, the first part including a passage defined thereon through which grated food may pass and the second part including at least two distinct areas each having an opening defined thereon, at least one of the first and second parts being movable relative to the other such that the two distinct areas of the second part may be aligned with the passage on the first part.

A restraint device and method for securing an ammonia storage tank holder to a frame is disclosed. The restraint device includes first and second supports which sandwich about the holder in a parallel fashion. A connecting support attaches to and holds the first and second supports in a substantially parallel relationship about the storage tank holder, and is adjustable such that the second support is selectively movable to expand the perimeter of the holding space. The disclosed method includes the steps of affixing a first support having first and second ends to a frame of a vehicle, placing a storage tank holder into contact with at least one surface of the first support, placing a second support having first and second ends substantially parallel to the first support in contact with a surface of the storage tank holder opposite the first support, and securing the first and second supports.

A flexible sink strainer having a cupped body completely comprised of a flexible material including a plurality of apertures to allow fluid to pass therethrough, wherein the body is capable of attaining first and second configurations, the first configuration being suitable for capturing material entrained within fluid as it passes through the apertures and the second configuration being suitable for removing material captured on the body as fluid passes through the apertures, is disclosed.

A colored acrylic polymer coated metal article includes a ferrous metal substrate, and an abraded metallic coating on the substrate, wherein the abraded metallic coating has a substantially uniform patterned appearance which simulates the surface appearance of polished stainless steel. The acrylic polymer is added as a top coating, which may be relatively thick to overlie the abraded metallic coating on an obverse side of the substrate. The metallic coating may be a Zinc Nickel alloy and a pre-treatment coating may be applied beneath the top coating.

A regulator assembly for a paintball marker includes a body having an inlet orifice for connecting to the compressed fluid source, an outlet orifice for connecting to the marker, and a cavity formed therein having a first chamber proximate the outlet orifice, a second chamber proximate the inlet orifice and providing a fluid pathway between the inlet and outlet orifices, a poppet valve functionally positioned within the outlet orifice, and a pneumatic valve actuator positioned within the cavity of the body and supportively coupled to the poppet valve. The pneumatic valve actuator comprises a piston, a spring pack and an adjustment strut. The spring pack is modular to allow interchanging and includes a plurality of Belleville springs properly oriented and secured in place by a washer and O-ring to create a predefined pressure threshold.

A portable medical sharps disposal device and methods are disclosed including a container having an opening for receiving items including medical sharps for disposal. A reversible cap or lid covers the opening of the container in two different orientations, and locks with the container for disposal. The cap or lid may be provided as having a one side for use in an unlocked orientation, with the cap or lid having another side for use in a locked or sealed orientation. Various embodiments are disclosed in which the cover may be flipped over, rotated, or slid with respect to the opening of the container to facilitate the respective unlocked or locked orientations. The device may alternatively be provided with an indicator for showing when the cover is in the unlocked orientation or when the cover is in the locked.

A fluid-containing cleaning device has a housing with a generally cylindrical wall open at one end and closed at the other end by a base carrying a cleaning medium. The housing defines a fluid reservoir and the base has a central opening therein closed by a valve member for dispensing liquid to the cleaning medium. The valve is activated by pressure increase in the reservoir caused by deflection of a button. The button includes a bias member to return the button to a rest position.

A slow juicer is disclosed including a base having a motor for turning a shaft, a chamber for detachably mounting to the base, a strainer positioned within the chamber, an auger positioned within the strainer and coupled to the shaft, a detachable cover for the chamber, the cover having a hopper positioned atop a feed tube extending from the cover, and a pusher configured to fit within the feed tube, wherein the hopper is sloped toward the feed tube.

An induction cooking system suitable for use with a round-bottom wok is disclosed. The system includes a cooking vessel made from an induction suitable material, a base unit having an upper surface, and an induction coil and electric generator housed therein, and a control interface positioned on the base and electronically coupled to the electric generator. The upper surface of the base unit made from a ceramic and is concave to allow seating of the round-bottom wok cooking vessel on the surface. The upper surface of the base unit may include a rim at a top-most edge made of a non-magnetic material to create a gap between the upper surface and the round-bottom wok cooking vessel when seated. Preferably, the gap is greater at the center of the upper surface than at the rim of the upper surface.

An above or below surface-mounted beverage cooler and cooling system having at least one beverage holder wrapped in a cooling coil and insulated by a jacket (or any other suitable insulating product) for keeping or cooling a beverage. The cooling coil connects by piping to a condensing unit, which when operated is capable of bringing the insulated beverage holder to a desired temperature. A beverage container, such as a glass, mug, bottle or can, seated within the beverage holder is thereby cooled or at least maintained at a desired temperature. Possible installations range from small systems for home and private use to large systems for public facilities, such as restaurants, bars, banquet halls, etc. The cooling systems can be customized, pre-fabricated, provided as a DIY kit, or designed as a portable stand-alone system with multiple possible configurations.

An LED headlamp for attachment directly or indirectly to a user. Generally speaking, the disclosed headlamp includes an adjustable strap for securing to a user (e.g., head, arm, jacket, backpack, etc.), an LED array detachably securable to the adjustable strap, and a battery pack coupled to the LED array via an input power port. Preferably, the battery pack is rechargeable and is hardwired to the LED array. Optionally, the array may include a connection port that can accept any of several different power sources for powering the LED array of the headlamp, including a DC battery pack (e.g., AAA, AA batteries), a portable charger, an AC connection, to a wall outlet, and a computer USB charging connection. Further, the LED array may include a range of from 4 to 30 LEDs; more preferably, the number of LEDs is in the range of from 8 to 20. The LEDs should be spaced to provide a broadband of illumination, as opposed to a focused beam. The resulting illumination arc is at least 120 degrees, preferably at least 180 degrees, and most preferably about 210 degrees.

A pair of locking kitchen tongs for use in handling food items and the like is disclosed. The tongs have a pair of rigid steel arms each having a workpiece engaging or grasping end, a body portion and a pivot end from which the arms are pivotally connected together. The grasping ends are preferably scalloped along one edge, for handling relatively large items, and serrated (i.e., fine-toothed) along another edge, for handling of smaller or fine items. A bulbous, tear-shaped body made from a rigid, non-metal material encapsulates the pivot ends of the two arms as they are pivotally connected together to permit movement between an open position and a closed position. Also within and coupled to the encapsulating body is a sliding locking plate. The locking plate has a body defining a slot which allows the locking plate to slide between a locked position, maintaining the arms in their closed position, and an unlocked position, allowing them free pivoting movement.

A kettle is provided which includes a body defining a storage unit and including a spout coupled to the body and defining an opening. The kettle also includes a handle having first and second ends and coupled to the body for rotation about a second axis disposed between the first and second ends and engageably coupled to the spout lid, wherein the rotation of the handle in a first direction causes movement of the lid to its open position and rotation of the handle in a second direction causes movement of the lid to its closed position.

An electrical appliance for cooking food by two different methods is disclosed. Generally speaking, the appliance comprises a base and two interchangeable cooking lids. The base has an outer surface, an inner cooking chamber open at an upper end, a first heating source coupled to the cooking chamber, an electronic controller for controlling the heating source, and a user interface having a plurality of buttons for inputting cooking parameters to the electronic controller. The first interchangeable lid is securable to the base to cover the open end of the cooking chamber and is movable on the base from a closed and locked position to a closed and unlocked position. Similarly, the second interchangeable lid is positionable atop the base to cover the open end of the cooking chamber and includes a second heating source, an air circulating device and a power connector configured to receive power through a corresponding power connector positioned on the base.

An asset monitoring device and system may be used to determine and report location and operational status of an asset within a local area network.

An ear device having a bubble for placement approximate a user's ear canal and capable of inflation and deflation is disclosed. An inflation tube for delivering inflating air to the bubble during inflation of the bubble and an inflation source, such as a diaphonic valve, cause the bubble to extend automatically into the user's ear canal during inflation and retract from the user's ear canal during deflation. The bubble is substantially cylindrical and is comprised of a plurality of adjacently adjoined inflatable chambers. The bubble may also comprise at least one non-inflatable section interspersed therein. Where the ear device is used to convey sound to the user's ear, the device includes a sound tube positioned within the cylindrical bubble. At least one resilient member attached to a portion of the bubble, which may be a non-inflatable section of the bubble, is used to retract the bubble automatically. The ear device, equipped with a cerumen removing mechanism, may be used to clean a user's ear canal as well.

A system and method for automatically maximizing the quantity of a fluid which can be placed within a tank car having a maximum product weight based on the lesser of either an industry maximum product weight limit and a maximum calculated product weight at 2% outage is disclosed. The system includes a magnetostrictive probe having a movable float and a temperature gauge thereon and mounted within a tank car, such that the float is capable of being buoyed by a fluid. The system further includes a fluid pump capable of activation to transfer fluid from a bulk source to a tank car, and a controller coupled wirelessly to the magnetostrictive probe and an input device, and wired to one of either a fluid pump or shutoff valve, such that the maximum product weight is entered to the controller by the input device and the controller activates the pump or shutoff valve to begin addition of fluid to the tank car. A system monitor is coupled to the controller and wirelessly coupled to the magnetostrictive probe as well. In use, the system monitor obtains an outage value of the tank car based on a float line of the float in the fluid and the temperature of the fluid and the monitor calculates a float line correction for the given fluid at the determined temperature and then calculates a full point tank volume prior to complete filling of the tank car based upon the formula: $\frac{\mathrm{determined}\mathrm{actual}\mathrm{maximum}\mathrm{product}\mathrm{weight}}{\left(\mathrm{specific}\mathrm{gravity}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{fluid}\mathrm{at}\mathrm{fluid}\mathrm{temp}\times 8.33\mathrm{lbs}\text{/}\mathrm{gallons}\right)}$

wherein the calculated full point tank volume is directed to the controller and a level point (outage) corresponding to the full point tank volume is calculated by the controller which then deactivates the pump or shutoff valve when the calculated outage value equals the level point (outage).