Abstract: A container for transporting a plurality of curved glass sheets lined up side by side. The container includes a bottom structure, such as a pallet, a back wall extending upward from the bottom structure, a first side wall connected to a first end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure, and a second side wall connected to a second end of the back wall and extending upward from the bottom structure. The container includes a cradle portion proximate the back wall extending into an interior portion of the container. The cradle portion including a glass sheet supporting surface for contacting a backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The supporting surface has a radius of curvature to correspond with the curvature of the backmost one of the plurality of glass sheets. The container can have two or more cradle portions. The container also includes two back corner support structures, each configured to support a portion of the respective side walls and a portion of the back wall.

Abstract: A method for facilitating and enabling a retailer having original manufacture surplus inventory of a product to sell the inventory to another retailer or to the general consuming public. The method comprises use of a Web site having a first level or portion exclusively for sales between subscribers to the site, such as retailers, and a second level or portion for sales between a retailer and the general consumer. The method includes receiving information regarding the surplus inventory product and an invoice from the vendor or original manufacturer of the product. An entity associated with the Web site verifies the authenticity of the product and facilitates the sale of the products with another retailer at a first price, or with the general consumer at a second price. In certain instances, a vendor can be a subscriber for selling to other subscribers.

Abstract: In a method of forming a beverage can end wherein a beverage can end shell has a curl defining a perimeter of the can end, a chuckwall extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the curl, a generally U-shaped countersink joining the chuckwall to an outer peripheral edge of a center panel, a method of forming an arcuate chuckwall in the beverage can end shell is described. The method of forming the arcuate chuckwall comprises the steps of providing a partially formed can end, providing an upper tooling having an annular, generally arcuate segment, and providing a lower tooling having a circumferential, generally arcuate, outwardly convex segment in at least partial alignment with the annular, generally arcuate segment of the upper tooling. The annular, generally arcuate segment of the upper tooling and the circumferential, generally arcuate, outwardly convex segment of the lower tooling are brought into engagement with a public side and a product side of the partially formed can end, respectively.

Abstract: A laminated assembly (10) comprising a substrate (100) with an image (103) thereon, has a first film (20) with a brush stroke texture embossed therein (21), a second film (40) with a canvas texture embossed therein (41) to create a final product having the appearance of a piece of fine art.

Abstract: A container having a compactor and bin for waste is disclosed permitting on-premises and remote monitoring of the system and collection is disclosed. The system can also detect non-complaint materials placed therein and act thereon. Methods are further disclosed for inventorying identification tags for tracking packages, merchandise and tags disposed of.

Abstract: A method of approximating the inner or outer boundary of an iris comprises generating an approximate boundary representation (20) comprising a least squares approximation by a Fourier Series of a function of the angle (?) about a fixed point (A) of the distance of measured points (10) on the boundary from the fixed point (A). More broadly, the method may be used to approximate the shape of any two-dimensional curve or figure.

Abstract: A beverage can end is described. The beverage can end has a curl defining a perimeter of the can end, a chuckwall extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the curl, and a transition wall joining the chuckwall to an outer peripheral edge of a center panel. The transition wall is formed in compression such that a portion of the transition wall exhibits a compressed segment having a thickness which is 1% to 20% thicker than a thickness of the center panel.

Abstract: A fluid sensor comprises a sensor housing, a sensor package, an actuator and a switch. The sensor package is disposed within the sensor housing and includes first and second screens and at least one sensing membrane. The sensing membrane is disposed between the first and second screens and is adapted to expand when exposed to a predetermined quantity of a first predetermined fluid. The actuator is disposed proximate the sensor package within the sensor housing and moveable between a first position and a second position through an intermediate position. The switch is disposed proximate the actuator and is operable between closed and open positions. When the actuator is in the second position at least a portion of the actuator depresses the switch to control an electrical circuit connected therewith.

Abstract: A basket for shipping and displaying of baked products, wherein the basket comprises several features that substantially inhibit or reduce lateral motion, as well frontward and rearwards motion. Similar baskets can be stacked in a 0°, 90° or 180° configuration, and in the 0° and 180°, an upper basket can pivot and slide about a lower basket. Preferably, three window flaps are provided in one or more merchandising windows of the basket to allow consumers to retrieve baked product from an interior portion of the basket. The window flaps can moved from an open position to provide customers access to the tray, to a closed position to substantially inhibit or prevent product spillage when being transported or stored.

Abstract: A method of approximating the inner or outer boundary of an iris comprises generating an approximate boundary representation (20) comprising a least squares approximation by a cosine transform series of a function of the angle (?) about a fixed point (A) of the distance of measured points (10) on the boundary from the fixed point (A). More broadly, the method may be used to approximate the shape of any two-dimensional curve or figure.

Abstract: The invention discloses a reloadable debit card which may be overdrawn by authorized merchants thus allowing future and recurring payments to be made via ACH transactions against this debit card. In addition, the cardholder may repay indebtedness simply by depositing funds onto the reloadable debit card.

Abstract: A recycling bin has a left and right sidewall, a base, and front wall; the front wall is lower than the other three walls, and when two bins are stacked in a 0° stacking configuration, the lower front wall of the lower bin and a sloped surface on the lower portion of the upper bin create a recyclable receiving chute that accepts recyclable materials freely. When in the stacked configuration, the upper bin is substantially securely held to the lower bin by a combination of a channel on the lower rear portion of the base that fits over a handle that rests upon on upper portion of the rear wall. Furthermore, a lower lip on the lower portion of the rear wall aligns with the handle and substantially prevents front-wards and backwards motion of the upper bin.

Abstract: A metal container is described. The metal container has a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion has an enclosed bottom and a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly from the enclosed bottom portion. The cylindrical sidewall has a diameter and is centered about a longitudinal axis. The upper portion has a circumferential shoulder portion, a circumferential neck and an open end. The shoulder is integral with an uppermost portion of the cylindrical side wall and is smoothly tapered radially inwardly. The circumferential neck extends upwardly and radially inwardly from an uppermost portion of the circumferential shoulder. The open end is connected to the circumferential neck and has threads for threadable attachment to a closure member.