Abstract:
A method of making a hotel reservation includes receiving a reservation request from a booking source, wherein the reservation request is based on an allocation to the booking source from a hotel and wherein the reservation request is price-blind; transmitting the reservation request to the hotel; receiving a confirmation from the hotel; and transmitting the confirmation to the booking source. The booking source can be a consolidator, a travel agent, a tour operator, a Global Distribution System or a wholesaler. The method also includes connecting to the hotel using a web service to transmit the reservation to the hotel. If the reservation request exceeds the allocation, the hotel has an option of accepting the reservation request or declining the reservation request. The method also includes receiving polling inquiries from the booking source prior to transmitting the hotel's confirmation to the booking source. The confirmation from the hotel can be received using a web service. The confirmation can be transmitted to the booking source using a web service. The reservation request can include a “special request.” The method can also include translating parameters of the reservation request from a format of the booking source to a format of the hotel.
Abstract:
A medical device can be used to drain fluids from the body during a medical procedure that requires the insertion of a medical instrument into an anatomical lumen or cavity. The device generally allows the simultaneous introduction of the medical instrument into the body and drainage of fluid out of the body during a medical procedure.
Abstract:
A handle for attachment to a beverage receptacle defining an axis along its length, the handle being essentially a closed loop of thin material about one loop axis, said handle comprising an attachment means which enables attachment of said handle to said receptacle so as to orient the axis of the loop of said handle essentially perpendicular to the axis of the beverage container, the loop further having a width significantly larger than its thickness, and a circumferential length great enough to accommodate insertion of one or more human fingers, wherein upon insertion said handle fits firmly around the finger or fingers, thus securing the beverage container against rotation about the fingers when the beverage container exerts a moment about the fingers caused by movements of the user of the invention or by the force of gravity.
Abstract:
An article holder for a barrel cooler has a lip for fitting on the top end of the barrel sidewall and a tray attached to the lip for holding containers which indicate the contents of the barrel.
Abstract:
A system and related methods for maintaining the patentcy of the ureter comprising a pusher tube having a pusher tube lumen and an inflate lumen disposed within a wall of the pusher tube and a urinary stent having a proximal and distal portions with an elongated body portion therebetween configured to fit the ureter of the patient and defining a lumen. The system further includes an end-effector that may comprise an inflatable balloon positioned at the proximal portion of the urinary stent for retaining the proximal portion in the urinary bladder. At the distal portion, a retention end-piece is positioned for retaining the distal portion of the stent in the renal pelvis. The end-effector and the retention end-piece of the stent maintain the elongated body portion in situ. The end-effector may also include an inflatable balloon and may contain pharmaceutical or biologic agents for controlled release into the bladder.
Abstract:
A merchandising display track device is adapted to merchandise pies so that pies can be dispensed one at a time with the oldest pie dispensed first. The preferred embodiment of the device comprises a base member having a front end portion, first and second upstanding sidewalls connected to the base member forming a U-shaped structure having a front end portion, a rail connected to the base member between the sidewalls, and a pusher mechanism adapted to ride on the rail and push the articles toward the front end portion of the tubular housing. The front end portion of the base member extends forward more than the front end portion of the U-shaped structure to hold an article for dispensing articles one at a time.
Abstract:
A stackable case has a base wall, a pair of opposed side walls and a back wall which are molded together to form a unitary crate structure with an open top and an open front. The open top and open front are designed to provide access to the articles to be accommodated in the crate structure. The base wall is arranged so that its upper surface provides a low friction, article-carrying floor inclined downwardly toward the open front. Partitions are provided to divide the floor area into two or more parallel tracks for receiving articles in rows. The tracks extend forward from the back wall so that the articles in each track are carried by the floor and are allowed to gravity feed toward the open front. A front stopper is provided at the open front for engagement with the leading article in each track to prevent the leading article from falling out of the crate structure. The lower edges of the side walls are arranged to cooperate with a lower adjacent like case so that the cases are permitted to be stacked one on the other.