Abstract: A shopping system and method for assisting consumers with budgeting and taking advantage of time-sensitive pricing offers. The system comprises a handheld wireless device capable of capturing images of quick response (QR) codes and scanning linear image indicia; a remote pricing information provider; and a personal computer. Pricing information about specific products or a category of products is downloaded from a pricing information provider either directly to the wireless device or to a personal computer and then transferred to the wireless device. The consumer then scans a QR code associated with a time-sensitive offer to update the pricing information stored in the wireless device. When the consumer goes shopping, he scans the barcodes of products for purchase and the associated pricing information is accessed by the device to create a summed total of scanned products. Consumers can use the system to maintain their budget and take advantage of store discounts.

Abstract: A shopping system and method for assisting consumers with budgeting and taking advantage of time-sensitive pricing offers. The system comprises a handheld wireless device capable of capturing images of quick response (QR) codes and scanning linear image indicia; a remote pricing information provider; and a personal computer. Pricing information about specific products or a category of products is downloaded from a pricing information provider either directly to the wireless device or to a personal computer and then transferred to the wireless device. The consumer then scans a QR code associated with a time-sensitive offer to update the pricing information stored in the wireless device. When the consumer goes shopping, he scans the barcodes of products for purchase and the associated pricing information is accessed by the device to create a summed total of scanned products. Consumers can use the system to maintain their budget and take advantage of store discounts.

Abstract: A purchase monitoring device, used by a shopper having items with barcodes that identifies the item and the store price. The device includes a portable handset having a barcode scanner that enables pricing and identification data of the selected items to display on an LED or other display of the handset. The device further includes an alphanumeric keypad allowing the shopper to input budget information. The device further includes a memory means and a data transfer means allowing the store pricing and item information transfer from the internet via the user's home computer or a computer made available at the location of the store. The handset device is usable as a keychain and further includes a speaker and audio communications mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for use with a patient under anesthesia and associated methods. Various embodiments of the present invention include a device for establishing and maintaining a patient's head and/or jaw in a particular position, including the sniffing position. Embodiments also include a method for positioning a patient comprising the use of a device of the present invention, wherein the device may substantially maintain a patient in a desired position.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for use with a patient under anesthesia and associated methods. Various embodiments of the present invention include a device for establishing and maintaining a patient's head and/or jaw in a particular position, including the sniffing position. Embodiments also include a method for positioning a patient comprising the use of a device of the present invention, wherein the device may substantially maintain a patient in a desired position.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for use with a patient under anesthesia and associated methods. Various embodiments of the present invention include a device for establishing and maintaining a patient's head and/or jaw in a particular position, including the sniffing position.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for use with a patient under anesthesia and associated methods. Various embodiments of the present invention include a device for establishing and maintaining a patient's head and/or jaw in a particular position, including the sniffing position. Embodiments also include a method for positioning a patient comprising the use of a device of the present invention, wherein the device may substantially maintain a patient in a desired position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ball limiting metallurgy stack for an electrical device that contains a tin diffusion barrier and thermo-mechanical buffer layer disposed upon a refractory metal first layer. The multi-diffusion barrier layer stack resists tin migration toward the upper metallization of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ball limiting metallurgy stack for an electrical device that contains a tin diffusion barrier and thermo-mechanical buffer layer disposed upon a refractory metal first layer. The multi-diffusion barrier layer stack resists tin migration toward the upper metallization of the device.

Abstract: A beverage is prepared employing a package containing at least one beverage ingredient, e.g. roast and ground coffee. The package (10;200) is located at a brewing station, the package is pierced by a tool (49;248) to form an outlet opening (38;202) in the package, an aqueous medium, e.g. hot water, is introduced into the package, the aqueous medium is allowed to commingle with the beverage ingredient, and the beverage so formed is collected through the outlet formed in the package. The piercing tool is employed both to form the outlet opening, and to fold the material (117;204) surrounding the opening out of the path of the beverage which subsequently emerges through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A beverage is prepared employing a package (10) having a compartment (111) containing at least one beverage ingredient, e.g. roast and ground coffee. The package is located at a brewing station, an aqueous medium, e.g. hot water, is introduced into the package, the aqueous medium is allowed to commingle with the beverage ingredient, and the beverage so formed is collected through an outlet (38) formed in the package. The compartment of the package is sealed by a covering material (119) which determines one dimension of at least one opening (115) acting to filter the beverage passing out of the compartment to the outlet of the package. The package is also clamped at the brewing station prior to the introduction of the aqueous medium in a manner which maintains said one dimension during the subsequent formation and collection of the beverage.

Abstract: A beverage is prepared employing a package (10) having a compartment (111) containing at least one beverage ingredient, e.g. roast and ground coffee. The package is located at a brewing station, an aqueous medium, e.g. hot water, is introduced into the package, the aqueous medium is allowed to commingle with the beverage ingredient, and the beverage so formed is collected through an outlet (38) formed in the package. The compartment of the package is sealed by a covering material (119) which determines one dimension of at least one opening (115) acting to filter the beverage passing out of the compartment to the outlet of the package. The package is also clamped at the brewing station prior to the introduction of the aqueous medium in a manner which maintains said one dimension during the subsequent formation and collection of the beverage.

Abstract: A beverage is prepared employing a package containing at least one beverage ingredient, e.g. roast and ground coffee. The package (10;200) is located at a brewing station, the package is pierced by a tool (49;248) to form an outlet opening (38;202) in the package, an aqueous medium, e.g. hot water, is introduced into the package, the aqueous medium is allowed to commingle with the beverage ingredient, and the beverage so formed is collected through the outlet formed in the package. The piercing tool is employed both to form the outlet opening, and to fold the material (117;204) surrounding the opening out of the path of the beverage which subsequently emerges through the outlet opening.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a machine for preparing a beverage employing a package (10;200) containing at least one beverage ingredient, e.g. roast and ground coffee. The machine has a point of entry (16;209) for the package into the machine, a brewing station within the machine at which the package is supplied with an aqueous medium to produce the required beverage, and drive means (24;217, 221, 222) which engage the package at the point of entry and convey the package to the brewing station. The drive means includes a coupling between a drive part (243;226) and a part (30;252) associated with the package, the coupling enabling the drive to the package to be engaged and disengaged and allowing the part associated with the package to move independently of the drive part.

Abstract: A sealed beverage package containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the said package comprising a body portion having a compartment containing the beverage ingredients and a beverage outlet channel formed therein, the beverage outlet channel and the compartment of the body portion containing the beverage ingredients communicating in such a manner that, in use, the said compartment and the outlet channel co-operate to act as a filter during the preparation of a beverage from the package.