Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a coin or other valuable object is authentic is presented. In one configuration a method for validating a valuable object includes attaching a validation device to the valuable object. The validation device is loaded with validation information associated with the valuable object. Later, when the when the object is to be sold or transferred to another person the validation device is wirelessly read to extract the validation information associated with the valuable object. This information used to verify if the valuable object is authentic or is not authentic, based, at least in part, the validation information associated with the valuable object.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying receipt of a postal mail item mailed by a sender of the postal mail item is presented. A method reads postal information from a postal mail item that identifies the postal mail item. The postal information is combined with identification information that identifies the recipient of the postal mail item. The postal information and the identification information are sent to the sender of the postal mail item.

Abstract: A cardboard box with four side panels, four bottom flaps and four top flaps. The box is made from a blank having a first height measured between the outermost edges of the top and bottom flaps. The flaps are rotated into abutting contact with the exterior surface of the panels thereby reducing the overall height of the box to the height of the panel. Adjacent pairs of top and bottom flaps are provided with living hinges that enable them to remain in this position when the box is collapsed. The collapsed box is shipped through the mail in this diminished size and then erected into a box of the same height as the panels.

Abstract: A business method includes listing a product for sale on an online auction site, ordering packaging via a link on the online auction site for shipping the product to a buyer with a winning bid, where the packaging is in the form of a collapsed box mailed to the seller at a non-flat rate of postage and then mailed by the seller to the buyer at a flat rate of postage. The box when in both the collapsed state and the filled state is of substantially the same height as one of the side panels and is able to fit inside a standard size mailbag of a mail carrier.

Abstract: A cardboard box with four side panels, four bottom flaps and four top flaps is provided. Adjacent bottom flaps and adjacent top flaps are provided with living hinges so that the flaps may be stored adjacent the body of the box. Additionally, during loading the top flaps are held adjacent the body of the box to move the flaps out of the way and make the box more convenient to load. The hinges may be broken apart to allow the flaps to be moved to the closed and sealed position.

Abstract: A cardboard box with four side panels, four bottom flaps and four top flaps is provided. Adjacent bottom flaps and adjacent top flaps are provided with living hinges so that the flaps may be stored adjacent the body of the box. Additionally, during loading the top flaps are held adjacent the body of the box to move the flaps out of the way and make the box more convenient to load. The hinges may be broken apart to allow the flaps to be moved to the closed and sealed position.

Abstract: A face mask for covering the nose and mouth of a healthcare professional. The mask is made from a material that is impregnated or coated with a pleasant smelling perfume. The mask may be impregnated with the perfume at the factory or, alternatively, may be sold with one or more perfume retaining dispensers which enable the professional to apply a desired quantity of perfume to the mask immediately prior to use. The mask of the present invention may also be provided with a child-appealing image thereon. The image may be applied at the factory by incorporating the same into the material from which the mask is made or by adhesively connecting the same thereto. Alternatively, the image may be in the form of an applique that is child-appealing in nature is adhesively or otherwise secured to the outer surface of the mask at the hospital or consulting room. The pleasant smelling perfume may also be applied to the applique.

Abstract: A packaging article for protectively storing perishable paper products that includes protective materials that protect the packaging article and its contents from any of a number of threats including water damage, fire damage, mold, insects, bacteria, fungi and theft. The packaging article comprises a bottom wall, side walls and a closure that surround and define an interior cavity in which the paper products are stored or transported. Each of the bottom wall, side walls and closure are made from a plurality of layers. Protective materials are applied to one or more of the bottom wall, side walls and closures by either impregnating a paper or cardboard with a suitable chemical, applying a film thereover, spraying a coating thereover or sandwiching the protective material between two adjacent layers.

Abstract: A cardboard box for protectively storing perishable paper products that includes protective materials that protect the box and its contents from any of a number of threats including water damage, fire damage, insects, mold and fungi. The box comprises a bottom wall, side walls and a lid that surround and define an interior cavity in which the paper products are stored. Each of the bottom wall, side walls and lid are made from cardboard. Protective materials are applied to one or more of the bottom wall, side walls and lids by either impregnating the cardboard with a suitable chemical, applying a film over the cardboard or spraying a coating thereover. Suitable chemicals that produce the desired properties include, but are not limited to wax, oil, plastic, polybrominated diphenyl ether, polybrominated biphenyl, brominated cyclohydrocarbons, boric acid and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A scented artificial firelog includes combustible particulate material, binder material, and a plurality of scented pellets. The scented pellets produce a desirable scent as the pellets are incrementally heated by the gradual combustion of the firelog. The scented pellets are kernels of granular material that are impregnated with a scented liquid. The granular material is a porous, cellulosic material, and is preferred to be bird seed. As each scented pellet is heated by the incremental burning of the firelog, the scented liquid retained therein is heated and causes the kernel of granular material to explode, thus resulting in a pop being heard by the user, with the scent being simultaneously released by the scented pellet.

Abstract: A scented artificial firelog includes combustible particulate material, binder material, and a plurality of scented pellets. The scented pellets produce an insect repellent scent as the pellets are incrementally heated by the gradual combustion of the firelog. The scented pellets are kernels of granular material that are impregnated with a scented liquid such as citronella oil. The granular material is a porous, cellulosic material, and is preferred to be bird seed. As each scented pellet is heated by the incremental burning of the firelog, the scented liquid retained therein is heated and causes the kernel of granular material to explode, thus resulting in a pop being heard by the user, with the scent being simultaneously released by the scented pellet.

Abstract: A scented artificial firelog includes combustible particulate material, binder material, and a plurality of scented pellets. The scented pellets produce a desirable scent as the pellets are incrementally heated by the gradual combustion of the firelog. The scented pellets are kernels of granular material that are impregnated with a scented liquid. The granular material is a porous, cellulosic material, and is preferred to be bird seed. As each scented pellet is heated by the incremental burning of the firelog, the scented liquid retained therein is heated and causes the kernel of granular material to explode, thus resulting in a pop being heard by the user, with the scent being simultaneously released by the scented pellet.

Abstract: A scented artificial firelog includes combustible particulate material, binder material, and a plurality of scented pellets. The scented pellets produce an insect repellent scent as the pellets are incrementally heated by the gradual combustion of the firelog. The scented pellets are kernels of granular material that are impregnated with a scented liquid such as citronella oil. The granular material is a porous, cellulosic material, and is preferred to be bird seed. As each scented pellet is heated by the incremental burning of the firelog, the scented liquid retained therein is heated and causes the kernel of granular material to explode, thus resulting in a pop being heard by the user, with the scent being simultaneously released by the scented pellet.

Abstract: A scented artificial firelog includes combustible particulate material, binder material, and a plurality of scented pellets. The scented pellets produce a desirable scent as the pellets are incrementally heated by the gradual combustion of the firelog. The scented pellets are kernels of granular material that are impregnated with a scented liquid. The granular material is a porous, cellulosic material, and is preferred to be bird seed. As each scented pellet is heated by the incremental burning of the firelog, the scented liquid retained therein is heated and causes the kernel of granular material to explode, thus resulting in a pop being heard by the user, with the scent being simultaneously released by the scented pellet.

Abstract: A wrapper for an artificial firelog includes a sheet terminating at a longitudinal juncture and a pair of end junctures to form a cavity therein. The firelog is disposed inside the cavity. The longitudinal juncture is disposed along the top rear region of the firelog, thus increasing the likelihood that the front of the firelog will be properly and reliably ignited by the burning of the wrapper. Moreover, positioning the longitudinal juncture at the top rear region of the firelog causes only the front of the firelog to burn, thus resulting in a longer, more attractive fire at a relatively lower heat. Additionally, the positioning of the longitudinal juncture along substantially the top rear region of the firelog allows the manufacturer to imprint eye catching graphics on the wrapper along the front and top of the firelog without a seam, thus increasing the attractiveness and appeal of the firelog to potential purchasers.

Abstract: A fire log formed with a groove in a bottom rear corner thereof. The groove is formed at a right angle and provides a protruding edge or lipped surface onto which the flame can latch and ignite the fire log. A generally V-shaped channel is formed in a front surface of the fire log by an arcuate upper section and a curved lower section. The outer wrapper forms a flap or wick which is used to ignite the fire log. The fire log is lit at the protruding edge formed by the groove and initially burns at opposed ends thereof. Flame gradually creeps inward along the rear and top surface, then gradually creeps down the front surface resulting in complete ignition of the fire log.

Abstract: In combination, a molded bottle and a stick dispenser wherein the bottle comprises front and rear faces and side edges. One of the side edges has a cavity for nesting the stick dispenser. The stick dispenser has end surfaces and the cavity has end surfaces. Each of the end surfaces of the stick dispenser has a recess and each of the ends of the cavity has a domed surface. The domed surfaces are sized and spaced to receive each of the recesses of the stick dispenser in a snap fit.