A paper sheet processing apparatus includes: an insertion slot through which a paper sheet is inserted; a sensor which detects insertion of the paper sheet; a traveling route through which the paper sheet is conveyed; a light emitting part which irradiates the traveling route with light; a light receiving part which receives light from the traveling route; a black calibration part which sets a reference value for the lowest brightness in a state that the emission of the light emitting part is ineffective; and an authenticity judgment processing part which judges an authenticity. The black calibration part can set the reference value before the authenticity judgment processing part judges the authenticity after the sensor detects the insertion of the paper sheet at every time when the paper sheet is inserted.

An apparatus for feeding a plurality of stacked currency bills into a currency handling device. The apparatus may comprise an input receptacle being configured to receive a plurality of stacked currency bills, the receptacle having a first side and a second opposing side, a front end, and an opposing back end. The apparatus further may comprise a first paddle rail disposed adjacent the first side and a first paddle assembly slidably coupled to the first paddle rail, the first paddle assembly having a portion configured to contact a stack of a plurality of bills residing in the input receptacle. The apparatus further may comprise a first resilient member coupled to the first paddle assembly, the first resilient member being configured to bias the first paddle assembly towards the front end of the receptacle, the first resilient member being configured to cause the first paddle assembly to move in a direction toward the front end of the input receptacle at a first average rate of speed when unrestrained and undamped. The apparatus further may comprise a first damping mechanism configured to slow the unrestrained, average rate of speed the first paddle assembly from the first average rate of speed to a second average rate of speed which is less the first average rate of speed.

In a money handling apparatus 10, an inlet 21 receives money of a plurality of different currencies. A control unit 40 controls a transport unit 31 such that the money is sorted and delivered from the transport unit 31 to the outlets 23, 24 and 25 based on a money recognition result by a recognition unit 32. The control unit 40 judges whether the currency having been recognized by the recognition unit 32 is assigned to any of the outlet 23, 24 and 25. When this happens, the control unit 40 transports the money to the assigned outlet. When the currency of the money having been recognized by the recognition unit 32 is not assigned to any of the outlet 23, 24 and 25, if there is an outlet to which no currency is assigned, the control unit 40 assigns and transports the money to that outlet.

Disclosed are an apparatus for setting a price for a multi-vending machine and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a price setting unit for inputting a price setting function, selecting a price setting column and inputting price information about the selected column; a control unit for controlling a price display of the selected column when the column is selected and the price information is input through the price setting unit; and a price display unit for displaying prices of products exhibited in a column according to a price display control of the control unit.

The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device.

The invention relates to a device for sorting coins, the diameter and thickness of which are within predefined size ranges.

A banknote handling device includes a safe that protects banknotes (casing of a second unit), a first conveyance path externally provided to the safe, and a second conveyance path internally provided to the safe. The safe is provided with at least one opening portion through which the banknotes pass. A passing unit including a passing conveyance mechanism that passes a banknote between the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path and a left-behind sensor that detects a banknote that is left-behind, is detachably installed inside the opening portion of the safe.

There is provided a cash handling system capable of reliably storing sales proceeds and the like stored in a cash settlement apparatus into a cash accounting apparatus. A cash management system 1 includes a cash settlement apparatus 11, a cash accounting apparatus 21 and the cash transport cassette 30. The cash settlement apparatus 11 and the cash accounting apparatus 21 have reading units 157, 257, respectively, which are configured to read out cassette ID information from a memory unit 35 of the cash transport cassette 30. In addition, the cash management system 1 further includes: a management unit 26 having a depositing judgment unit 26A configured to judge whether cash in the cash settlement apparatus 11 to be received by the cash transport cassette 30 can be deposited into the cash accounting apparatus 21 or not; a guide apparatus configured to guide information from the management unit 26; and a comparison unit 27 configured to compare the cassette ID information read out by the reading unit 257 of the cash accounting apparatus 21 and the information from the management unit 26.

A cover for the gap in an automobile automatic gear shift assembly is presented. The gap cover is formed from a single molded housing with inward pointing fibrillations. These fibrillations act as fingers to cover the hole created when the multi position mechanism is moved from one position to another. The fibrillations are assisted back to their original position through (1) physical properties of the advanced polymeric substance used to mold the housing and (2) through the interactions of assisting tabs formed on the back side of the fibrillations, which act as springs.

A top cover for use in a disk drive apparatus includes a plate made of a metal and a gasket fixed to the plate. The gasket is made of an elastomer. A surface of the plate includes a fixing region to which the gasket is closely adhered. The fixing region includes a plurality of ridges and in plan view a plurality of filamentous projections extending from each of the plurality of ridges. The plurality of ridges are arranged in the fixing region to increase a surface area of the fixing region. The plurality of ridges and the plurality of filamentous projections extending from each ridge are distributed over the fixing region.

An apparatus includes a rotatable shaft having a shaft surface and a first seal disposed in a sealing engagement with the shaft surface. At least a second seal is disposed in a first position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is not in sealing engagement with the shaft surface and is movable to a second position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is in sealing engagement with the shaft surface.

Apparatus and methods for temporarily sealing a pipe including apparatus and methods for creating a temporary airtight seal at the open end of a pipe in a plumbing or refrigeration system. One such apparatus includes a body, grommet, washer, and a nut. Multiple airtight seals are created including a first primary seal between an exterior of the pipe and the grommet and a secondary seal between the open end of the pipe and the washer. The grommet does not require teeth and the apparatus does not require adhesive, sealant, or any other type of similar materials. Use of the apparatus and methods greatly minimizes and/or eliminates the potential for marring or otherwise distorting the open end of the pipe, thereby facilitating reuse of same.

An actuatable wellbore isolation assembly comprising a housing generally defining an axial flowbore and comprising a mandrel portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, a radially expandable isolating member positioned circumferentially about a portion of the housing, a sliding sleeve circumferentially positioned about a portion of the mandrel of the cylindrical housing, the sliding sleeve being movable from, a first position in which the sliding sleeve retains the expandable isolating member in a narrower non-expanded conformation to a second position in which the sliding sleeve does not retain the expandable isolating member in the narrower non-expanded conformation, and an actuator assemblage configured to selectively allow movement of the sliding sleeve from the first position to the second position.

A seal assembly for a nozzle in a gas turbine engine includes a connector having a first hinge portion for attaching to the nozzle, a flat portion for sealing against a wall of the engine; and a first hinge for attaching the connector to the flat portion wherein the connector is adapted to rotate relative to the nozzle and the flat portion is adapted to rotate relative to the connector.

A spacer and gasket assembly is shown for receipt between a static structure having an outer and inner surface and fastener holes therethrough and a removable structure having a base with fastener holes and an upper surface and a lower surface. The static structure and removable structure are engaged through a multiplicity of fasteners having a shaft diameter. The fasteners are adapted to apply a compression on the gasket between the static structure and the removable structure. The static structure and the removable structure have opposed, typically flat, facing walls. The spacer and gasket assembly comprising a substantially non-compressible spacer adapted for receipt between the static structure and the removable structure having a spacer thickness. A gasket has a deformable, flowable, elastomeric body and a skeleton having a skeleton thickness, the skeleton substantially integral with the body. The gasket has an uncompressed gasket thickness. The spacer and the gasket are adapted to be placed substantially between the facing walls of the static structure and the removable structure and the removable structure will compress and deform the gasket when the fasteners are torqued down.

An apparatus, system and method for sealing an electrical submersible pump assembly are described. An electric submersible pump (ESP) system for pumping solid-laden fluid comprises a thrust chamber of an ESP seal section, the thrust chamber sealed from well fluid on a downstream side by a stationary sand barrier and on an upstream side by a mechanical seal, the thrust chamber further comprising, a rotatable shaft extending axially through the thrust chamber, a head tubularly encasing the thrust chamber and threadedly coupled to a centrifugal pump intake, and a diamond-coated hydrodynamic bearing set inside the thrust chamber, wherein well fluid enters and exits the chamber through cross-drilled apertures in the head of the chamber, and wherein the well fluid forms a hydrodynamic film between the bearing set.

A side seal for a linear guide apparatus including a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements includes seal members formed of different materials, a holder plate and covers. Both seal members have recesses formed in a first face of a base and fitted with a protrusion of the holder plate. Both seal members have respective lips directed in opposite directions separated from each other. A tip of the lip of the first seal member is formed to have a shape in plane contact with the face of the guide rail. A tip of the lip of the second seal member is formed to have a shape in line contact with the face of the guide rail.

A fluidic processor includes a first sealing member having a first sealing face, a first compressive face and at least one first sealing member fluid conduit; a second sealing member having a second sealing face, a second compressive face and at least one second sealing member fluid conduit; the second sealing face of the second sealing member being sealingly and slidingly engaged in a substantially fluid tight manner with the first sealing face of the first sealing member; and at least one actuator mechanically engaging at least one of the first sealing member and the second sealing member, or an XY stage, or mechanism that provides motion in two axes on one sealing member only.

An adjustable blocking arrangement for electronic hardware or computer racks, for preventing the undesired leakage of air through rack spaces not filled with hardware. An airflow control device is provided comprising a flexible web and a magazine adapted to receive the part of the flexible web that is not deployed. The device is adapted such that a length of the web may be deployed to sealingly block a space in the rack that is not filled with hardware modules, to prevent the flow of air through the space. The device may comprising a detection system adapted to detect the space in the rack that is not filled with hardware modules, and a processing system adapted to receive a signal from the detection system, and as a function of the signal to automatically deploy or retract the flexible web so as to sealingly block the space.

A speaker diaphragm of the present invention is formed by mixing polylactic acid as a plant-derived resin, bamboo fibers and a natural binder. It is thereby possible to realize a speaker diaphragm capable of obtaining sufficient sound velocity, while having low environmental load and high sound quality.

An aircraft nacelle including a pipe (32), a peripheral wall (34), a lip (36), and a front frame (38) connecting the peripheral wall (34) and the pipe (32) and forming with the lip (36) a space (50) in which the hot air that is provided for frost treatment can circulate, with the pipe (32) including a coating (44) for the composite material acoustic treatment, is characterized in that the nacelle includes at least one element (52) made of a heat-conducting material inserted between the lip (36) and the pipe (32) ensuring the continuity of the aerodynamic surfaces of the lip (36) and the pipe (32) and the propagation of heat from the space (50) toward the rear of the nacelle, whereby the at least one element (52) includes a coating (54) for acoustic treatment that is made of a heat-resistant material.

A honeycomb structure dial includes cells in which septums are located to provide acoustic dampening. The cells are formed by at least our walls wherein at least two of the walls are substantially parallel to each other. The septums include warp fibers and weft fibers that are substantially perpendicular to each other. The septums are oriented in the honeycomb cells such that the weft fibers and/or warp fibers are substantially perpendicular to the parallel walls.

Measurement data is received from first and second seismic sensors, where the first and second seismic sensors are oriented in opposite directions. Each of the first and second seismic sensors has a sensing element responsive to pressure and particle motion. The signals can be combined to remove the particle motion component of the measurement data and obtain pressure-only data. Alternatively, the signals can be combined to deghost the received measurement data.

A bone conduction hearing aid device comprising a vibrator configured to vibrate in response to sound signals received by the device. The device further comprises a housing mass forming a housing for one or more operational components of the device, wherein the housing mass is attached to the vibrator so as to move in response to the vibration. The device also comprises a coupling configured to attach the device to a recipient so as to deliver the generated mechanical to the recipient's skull.

A directable sound-absorbing panel comprising a sound-absorbing panel, a fixing member which can be fixed to said sound-absorbing panel, an arm and an articulated joint between said fixing member and said arm, is described. An assembly of directable sound-absorbing panels is also described, said assembly comprising a plurality of sound-absorbing panels, a corresponding plurality of fixing members, a corresponding plurality of arms, a corresponding plurality of articulated joints between each arm and each fixing member, and a fixing bar to which at least a part of said plurality of arms is fixed.

An image forming apparatus includes a drive source configured to drive a member for forming an image on a recording material, a frame of the image forming apparatus including a planar portion on which the drive source is mounted, wherein a plurality of through holes is formed on the entire planar portion of the frame, and a sheet member configured to cover at least a portion of the plurality of through holes.

Methods and devices are disclosed for a gaseous liquid to audibly deform the shape of a closed container. One embodiment includes pushing inward to depress a plurality of deformations integral with an exterior of the plastic container having a bottom, a top, the exterior, and an interior, wherein the top is at least partially opened. Further, the method includes sealing, subsequent to the depressing, the top to close the plastic container. Further still, the method includes pushing outward, subsequent to the sealing, by carbonation from a carbonated liquid contained within the interior, on the plurality of deformations. Yet further, the method includes deforming, by the pushing outward, at least two of the plurality of deformations to displaced positions. The method also includes creating two or more sounds and/or movement by the deforming.

An enhanced, lightweight acoustic absorber is provided. The acoustic absorber is bounded by the at least one scrim layer without need for additional layers, such as melt-blown or nonwoven layers. The at least one scrim layer includes at least one non-planar, folded scrim layer bonded to itself or another scrim layer to form a plurality of air spaces between folded portions of the at least one scrim layer. The at least one scrim layer establishes a thickness of the acoustic absorber extending across opposite exposed sides of the acoustic absorber.

An acoustic sensor is configured to provide accurate and robust measurement of bodily sounds under a variety of conditions, such as in noisy environments or in situations in which stress, strain, or movement may be imparted onto a sensor with respect to a patient. Embodiments of the sensor provide a conformable electrical shielding, as well as improved acoustic and mechanical coupling between the sensor and the measurement site.

The invention relates to a loudspeaker mounting and adjustment system and method for installing and operating a professional audio system used in a stadium, concert hall or the like. The system comprises a vertical array of loudspeaker cabinets that can be suspended from a ceiling and that enables the horizontal and vertical angle of the sound dispersion field to be adjusted remotely and/or automatically while the system is suspended. Each loudspeaker cabinet is connected to a vertically adjacent loudspeaker cabinet via a pair of levers located on either side of the cabinet that control the angle between adjacent loudspeaker cabinets. A linear actuator is connected to each lever for controlling the lever position. Each loudspeaker cabinet also comprises a waveguide with at least one actuator for modifying the waveguide angle and thus the horizontal angle of the sound dispersion field.

An acoustic attenuator assembly for an acoustic tool for performing acoustic investigation of a subterranean formation is disclosed. The acoustic attenuator assembly includes a first end portion (205) and a second end portion (210) having a bore therethough to enable passage of an electrical line. The acoustic attenuator assembly further includes a fiber portion (230) disposed between the first and second end portion so that the fiber portion attenuates at least a portion of acoustic energy when the acoustic energy is received by one or both of the first (205) and second (210) end portions. The fiber portion (230) includes a continuous flexible portion that allows relative deflection of the first (205) and second (210) end portions.

An acoustic protective cover assembly comprising a porous membrane and an acoustic gasket is disclosed. The porous membrane is bonded to the acoustic gasket at a peripheral region, the membrane is left unhanded at a central region. The acoustic gasket comprises a composite of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer matrix of polymeric nodes interconnected by fibrils, resilient expandable microspheres embedded within the matrix.

Embodiments of thermal-acoustic sections for an aircraft for reducing noise along an acoustic path produced from an acoustic source are provided herein. The thermal-acoustic section comprises a first porous layer having a first characteristic acoustic impedance. A second porous layer is disposed adjacent to the first porous layer and has a second characteristic acoustic impedance that is greater than the first characteristic acoustic impedance. The thermal-acoustic section is configured to be positioned along the acoustic path such that at least a portion of the noise from the acoustic source is directed through the first porous layer to the second porous layer to promote absorption of the noise.

A rat guard and method utilizing a flexible shield affixed to a plastic sheath positioned on a mooring line to prevent entry onto or exit from the ship by vermin. An electric grid is positioned on an insulated pad on the sheath which is electrically connected to the shield for receiving power from an acoustical generator also connected to the shield and spaced therefrom. The acoustical generator directs ultrasonic acoustic signals in a variable frequency range toward the shield to frighten rats or other vermin therefrom. Should the acoustical signals not deter the vermin, the electric grid will shock any vermin making contact therewith to cause harm and frighten. The shield provides another obstacle to prevent advancement and is affixed to the sheath on the mooring line. The shield is flexible and remains in place during high winds and other adverse weather conditions.

A brush having a tubular housing and a comb rotationally mounted within a nozzle inlet of the housing, the comb having a plurality of channels there through with bristles secured to the comb between pairs of the channels, and a pivotal lever engaged with the comb for rotation between obverse and inverse positions.

A multi-function pet leash system generally comprises a substantially rigid handle and a substantially rigid tether/carrier engaged with the handle. The tether/carrier may have one or more means for removable tethering and carrying of accessories, whereby with a pet attached to a leash engaged with the tether/carrier, a user may grasp the handle coupled to the leash through the tether/carrier and walk the pet while conveniently carrying one or more accessories. The handle may be disengaged from the tether/carrier and so serve a separate function, alone or in combination with one or more of the accessories.

A multi-reel, line-handling apparatus can include a housing, a shaft located within the housing, the shaft defining a shaft axis, a first reel located within the housing, the first reel rotatably mounted to the shaft about a first reel axis angled with respect to the shaft axis, and a second reel located within the housing, the second reel rotatably mounted to the shaft about a second reel axis angled with respect to the shaft axis. The first reel and the second reel can be rotatable with respect to the housing about the shaft axis.

The present invention relates to an aquarium cleaning apparatus, systems and methods for removing debris from the aquarium, and in particular, a self-contained cleaning apparatus that utilizes a siphon effect created by pouring water in an aquarium tank and/or pulling water out of an aquarium tank, such as via a vacuum. In a preferred embodiment, the siphon operation occurs because of the difference between the water level of the aquarium tank and the vertical height of a spout attached to the top of a vertical tube. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to immerse their hands in the aquarium water to operate the cleaning device.

A windowed muzzle has left and right side sections, a lower section, an upper section and a rear section. A left window is in the left side section and a similarly configured right window is in the right side section. A left flap is configured and sized to cover the left window and a similarly configured right flap is configured and sided to cover the right window. A securement assembly selectively retains each flap in a raised orientation above the window or in a lowered orientation covering the window. A brushing assembly has a flexible strap coupled to the lower section. The brushing assembly includes a toothbrush removably coupled to the flexible strap.

An elongate rectangular cultivation box having an open top, is configured so as to allow an outer tank, which serves as a cultivating water storage part, and an inner tank, which serves as a receptacle for bivalves (benthic organisms) S that are to be cultivated, to be both combined and separated. A gap that serves as a water supply opening and a gap that serves as a space in which sediments can accumulate on the bottom of the outer tank are defined when the inner tank is accommodated in the outer tank. Water passage holes are provided in the bottom of the shellfish receptacle (inner tank) and a mesh filter such as netting is stretched across the top face of the bottom. The cultivation boxes are arranged in a vertically stacked manner, with the front portions and rear portions thereof staggered so that cultivation water W that overflows over a front ledge of a shellfish receptacle flows downward into the supply water storage part of a lower cultivation box.

The present invention provides treatment apparatus, a fluid application device and methods of removing and applying fluid and relates particularly but not exclusively to an apparatus and method suitable for applying fluid to an elongate object such as a bovine teat or the like and to removing excess fluid. The device includes a holder (28) having a first end (58) and a second end (62) and an interior edge (54) defining a first opening, the first end having a second opening (56); a lower portion (70); and a cassette (30) for insertion into the second opening (56) and including a wiping device (32) having a wiping material (82, 84, 86) extending radially inwardly and extending at least partially across the first opening.

An advancement system for an in ovo injection apparatus is provided. Such an advancement system is configured to advance an egg carrier carrying a plurality of avian eggs to an injection assembly. The advancement system includes a guide assembly configured to receive the egg carrier and provide support thereto during advancement of the egg carrier. A manual advancement device slidingly engages the guide assembly such that the manual advancement device is movable along the guide assembly. The manual advancement device is capable of interacting with a trailing end of the egg carrier to advance the egg carrier to an injection position. At least one stop is positioned to interact with the manual advancement device during advancement of the egg carrier so as to prevent progression of the manual advancement device beneath the injection assembly, thereby locating the egg carrier at the injection position. An associated method is also provided.

A hanger system with hooks attached to and suspended from a hanging or stationary frame, and from one to a multiplicity of rods capable of holding garments or other items, which rest in the hooks. The hooks are designed to allow the rods to rest in vertical relation to one another within the hooks although, depending on the hanging orientation of the hanger system, the rods may hang adjacent to or diagonal from one another. The frame may be hung from a closet rod or similar support, or may be attached to a surface such as a wall or a shelf, either directly or with spacers between the frame and the surface.

A sizer for a hanger lacking a hook boss includes a pair of longitudinal walls spaced apart from each other by a pair of end sections. The sizer may include a pair of protrusion, wherein a first is disposed on a first wall of the pair of longitudinal walls and directed toward a second wall of the pair of longitudinal walls. A first jaw is disposed on one of the pair of end section. The pair of longitudinal walls flexes apart when the jaw passes over a flange of the hanger. The first jaw includes a lower portion having a curved edge. The first jaw further includes an upper portion. The lower portion and upper portion meet at an abrupt jaw point.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring a glove (100) from a conveyor (200) characterized by: a camera (10); a pick-up assembly (20) comprising a pair of inner grippers (21) and two pairs of outer grippers (22); a pair of sensors (30); a robotic arm (40) mounted with the pick-up assembly (20); a processor. The present invention also relates to a method for transferring a glove (100) from a conveyor (200), characterized by the steps of: locating a cuff (101) of the glove (100) on the conveyor (200) by capturing an image on the conveyor with a camera (10) and analyzing the image with a processor; using a robotic arm (40) to move a pick-up assembly (20) to the located cuff (101); gripping the cuff (101) with a pair of inner grippers (21) of the pick-up assembly (20) and lifting the glove (100) by retracting the pair of inner grippers (21); detecting the glove (100) position by using a pair of sensors (30); opening the glove (100) by grabbing and sliding apart the two pairs of outer grippers (22); shifting the glove (100) towards a workstation (300) by using the robotic arm (40); transferring the glove (100) to the workstation (300) by engaging the glove (100) to the workstation (300).

A hanger may be used for supporting a garment. The hanger may include a hook, a medium connected to the hook, a first branch, a second branch, a third branch, and a fourth branch. The first branch may be connected through the medium to the hook and oriented according to a first direction. The second branch may be connected through the medium to the hook and oriented according to a second direction. The third branch may be coplanar with both the first branch and the hook, disposed between the first branch and the hook, connected to the medium, and oriented according to a third direction different from the first direction. The fourth branch may be connected to the medium and oriented according to a fourth direction different from the second direction, wherein the medium may be disposed between the third branch and the fourth branch.

A frame for facilitating storage, transport, stacking and organizing garments includes four panels linearly aligned and connected by folds or creases. The rear panel has two flaps extending transversely. The frame is integrated with a shirt when folding such that the front panel positions the front of the shirt on the front of the folded frame. The flaps extend across the front of the shirt and detachably engage to secure the shirt in a semi-rigid state having a cuboid shape. The cuboid shape is maintained by the frame and facilitates stacking, organizing, transport and storage.

A long handled sock donning tool includes a handle portion adapted to be gripped by a user and an opposing sock engaging portion. The sock engagement portion includes first and second flanges spaced from an elongated support by first and second spacers. Each of the flanges include a sock engagement arm for retaining a sock thereon, and an opposing stabilizing arm for supporting the tool during the mounting of the sock onto the tool. First and second rubber sock gripping portions help retain the sock on the tool. Once an upper portion of a sock is folded over the sock gripping portions, a user's foot can be inserted into the sock comfortably without being forced into contact with a hard plastic wall of the tool. Additionally, the tool can be used as a shoe horn by fitting one of the first and second flanges into the heel of a shoe.

A device to aid in conditioning a baseball glove, namely in the formation and/or maintenance of a baseball pocket, typically includes one or more balls, two or more looped straps, and a means for coupling the two or more looped straps to the one or more balls. The one or more balls are placed in a baseball glove proximate a desired location for the baseball pocket, and the two or more looped straps are fed through a slot of the glove interposing an interior of the glove and an exterior of the glove and wrapped around the exterior of the glove to force the ball deeper into the desired location for the baseball pocket and secure the glove around the ball.

An apparatus used to store and/or display garments, such as brassieres, is provided. The device includes a first semispherical cup, a second semispherical cup, and a connecting member. The connecting member is used to interconnect the first and second cups. The connecting member allows for the spacing between the first and second cups to be adjusted. Also provided are methods of using the apparatus to store and/or display garments.