Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a game ball and methods for stitching a thread with a high coefficient of friction upon a stripe member present on the game ball. At least one stitching is thus formed upon the stripe member. The stitching formed from the thread enhances the grip and/or spin characteristics of the resulting game ball, improving handling and playability.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a fibrous layer within a tubular support, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing the tubular support; (b) providing forming mesh over the curved surface of the support and closing its ends against escape of fluid; and (c) introducing fibrous slurry (e.g. an aqueous slurry of borosilicate glass microfibers and water dispersible heat curable acrylic resin at a pH of about 3) from a pressurized source into an annular molding space between a rotary molding torpedo and an inner surface of the support, the torpedo having at least one channel for slurry opening along a curved surface thereof, fibers in the slurry collecting within the forming mesh to form the layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a micro speaker capable of having a high-pitched sound speaker unit and a low-pitched sound speaker unit and allowing the respective speaker units to clearly reproduce an inherent sound without interference. The micro speaker for converting an electrical signal into an acoustic signal includes: a high-pitched sound speaker unit disposed in an outer case; and a low-pitched sound speaker unit disposed in the outer case together with the high-pitched sound speaker unit, wherein the high-pitched sound speaker unit and the low-pitched sound speaker unit are disposed in the outer case so that a high-pitched sound vibrating plate of the high-pitched sound speaker unit and a low-pitched sound vibrating plate of the low-pitched sound speaker unit have directions opposite to each other.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieving a plurality of indicia are described. The method includes receiving, by a computer system associated with a postage provider a request from a user, the request including a number of the plurality of indicia, and a monetary value of each of the plurality of indicia; and authenticating the request. The method further includes verifying whether sufficient funds exist in an account of the user for the number and monetary value of the plurality of requested indicia. If the request is found authentic and the computer system determines that sufficient funds exist in the account of the user for the number and monetary value of the requested indicia, extracting the plurality of indicia. The method further includes assembling in a return message the plurality of indicia as at least one binary data message; and transmitting the message to a computer associated with the user.

Abstract: A scrubbing cap for sterilizing a tubular medical line port wherein the cap is molded of a pliable plastic and is provided with an open annular cavity therein which is dimensioned and contoured to receive through its mouth a tubular medical line port with a friction fit for scrubbing surfaces of the port with sterilizing liquid contained in the cavity. Flexible scrubber protrusions coaxially extend into the cavity from the floor of the cavity for scrubbing interior portions of the medical line port. The floor is flexibly displaceable whereby the floor will displace or bulge outwardly when the scrubber protrusions engage a valve within the port for thereby scrubbing the exposed surfaces of the valve while preventing inadvertent opening of the valve.

Abstract: The system and method described herein may securely disseminate and manage postal rate information, including discount or custom postal rates established in contractual agreements negotiated between a postal service and certain mailers, among other postal rate types. For example, the postal service may upload postal rates to a server associated with a postage vendor and optionally associate the postal rates with particular mailers. The postal service and/or postage vendor may then validate whether the postal rates were correctly uploaded, and the postage vendor may then enable applicable mailers to utilize the postal rates in response to validating that the postal rates were correctly uploaded. Additionally, the postage vendor may maintain records relating to postage transactions, which a mailer can use to support a request to negotiate the custom postal rates with the postal service and subsequently prove compliance with any terms and conditions associated therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed is a subminiature LED element and a manufacturing method thereof. The subminiature LED element includes a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a semiconductor light emission element of a micrometer or nanometer size including a second conductive semiconductor layer formed on the active layer, wherein the outer circumference of the semiconductor light emission element is coated with an insulation film.

Abstract: A docking station for maintaining sterilization of temporarily disconnected male medical line connectors. The docking station has a plurality of docking bays, each of which retain an ampule therein containing a sterilization fluid and has an access mouth exteriorly exposed when the ampule is secured in its respective bay. The mouth of the ampule is provided with a female medical line connection for temporarily receiving and securing one of the male medical line connector temporarily disconnected from a patient. A tubular tip and a concentric connection collar of the one of the male medical line connector is thereby immersed in the sterilization fluid for sterilization while docked. Each of the ampules is secured against rotation in a clockwise direction in their respective docking bay to facilitate threadable connection of one of the male medical line connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Scalable Heat Dissipating Microelectronic Integration Platform (SHDMIP) LED package having excellent heat dissipation and protection to the LED, thus extending the lifespan of the LED. Each of the SHDMIP LED package comprises a dual lead frame assembly comprising bottom and top lead frame, protection and driver circuit electrically connected to the top or bottom lead frame and a LED electrically connected to the top lead frame. The bottom lead frame comprises heat sink pad for heat dissipation purpose. Plurality of SHDMIP LED packages of the present invention can be configured in a matrix or row, forming a SHDMIP LED array for various lighting solutions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a game ball and methods for creating a textured graphic or stripe on the game ball, specifically on a panel of natural full-grain leather. Briefly, the full-grain leather panel is stamped with a textured plate to form a textured area. A graphic or stripe is then applied on the textured area. The resulting game ball has textured graphics or stripes with improved wear and good grip and handling characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Scalable Heat Dissipating Microelectronic Integration Platform (SHDMIP) LED Package having excellent heat dissipation and protection to LED, thus extending the lifespan of the LED. The SHDMIP LED package comprises a dual lead frame assembly comprising bottom and top lead frame, protection and driver circuits conductively attached to the bottom lead frame and a LED conductively attached to the top lead frame. The bottom lead frame comprises heat sink pad for heat dissipation purpose. Plurality of SHDMIP LED packages of the present invention can be configured in a matrix or row, forming a SHDMIP LED array for various lighting solutions. A method to manufacture the SHDMIP LED array of the present invention is provided herein.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate generally to the integration of a shipping label with a customs form to provide a single label having postage, addressing, customs and other information for international shipping. In one embodiment, a method for generating an international shipping a package comprises the steps of providing shipping information associated with the package, the information comprising address information of the origin, address information of the destination, postage information including a postage amount due to a post service and a customs form number unique within the post service; processing a shipping label having the shipping information displayed thereon; and affixing the shipping label to the package.

Abstract: A method and system of providing postage indicia to a user. The method includes receiving an account number of the user at a computer server associated with a postage provider and receiving a request to print one or more postage indicia from the user at the computer server. The method further includes selectively prompting the user to enter an activation code associated with a plurality of postage labels by the computer server, wherein the prompting is waived if a predetermined parameter is satisfied; and sending, by the computer server, an authorization to print one or more postage indicia on at least one of the plurality of postage labels to the user if the activation code is valid.

Abstract: A method and system for comparing cost of shipping options are provided. The method includes determining, with a computer system, based on shipping data input into the computer system, a first shipping cost for shipping the package using a first mail carrier; determining, with the computer system, based on the shipping data, a second shipping cost for shipping the package using a second mail carrier; calculating, with the computer system, a cost difference between the first shipping cost and the second shipping cost; outputting by the computer system the cost difference; and periodically sending the cost difference for shipping the package or a plurality of packages to an individual or organization monitoring shipping costs.

Abstract: A method and system for using a tracking ID to facilitate the refunding of unused postage is provided. Information for a postage transaction, along with the tracking ID and an associated delivery status, is stored. This delivery status is updated when the mail piece carrying the tracking ID is delivered. Unused postage can be confirmed by retrieving the stored postage transaction information and determining from that whether there are duplicative postage transactions. The delivery statuses for the duplicative postage transactions can then be reviewed to determine whether the mail pieces associated with these postage transactions have been delivered. If not, one of the postage transactions may be refunded.

Abstract: A phosphor-converted single-color LED is provided. The phosphor-converted single-color LED includes a long-wavelength pass filter having a special construction. The phosphor-converted single-color LED has high color purity and efficiency despite the use of a phosphor in the form of a nano/micro powder.

Abstract: The system and method described herein may securely disseminate and manage postal rate information, including discount or custom postal rates established in contractual agreements negotiated between a postal service and certain mailers, among other postal rate types. For example, the postal service may upload postal rates to a server associated with a postage vendor and optionally associate the postal rates with particular mailers. The postal service and/or postage vendor may then validate whether the postal rates were correctly uploaded, and the postage vendor may then enable applicable mailers to utilize the postal rates in response to validating that the postal rates were correctly uploaded. Additionally, the postage vendor may maintain records relating to postage transactions, which a mailer can use to support a request to negotiate the custom postal rates with the postal service and subsequently prove compliance with any terms and conditions associated therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a tubular medical line port, having a cap with an open distal end and a cavity therein which is dimensioned to receive an outer scrubbing member and the medical line port. Outer disinfected-impregnated scrubbing member is coaxially received in the cavity and has a socket therein dimensioned for engaging exterior side surfaces of the tubular medical line port when inserted into the socket for thereby scrubbing exterior surfaces of the port with the scrubbing member by rotating the cap. The outer scrubbing member is axially displacable downwardly in the cavity by insertion of the medical line port therein from an upper position prior to use to a lower position where it is retained to thereby indicate that the apparatus has been used and should not therefore be reused. A reuse prevention insert is also provided in the cavity of the cap and is displacable with the outer scrubbing member from the upper position prior to use to the lower position during and after use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power semiconductor package. The power semiconductor package comprises a dual lead frame assembly comprising a bottom lead frame having a first heat sink pad at its bottom surface and a top lead frame having a second heat sink pad at its bottom surface. The top lead frame is coupled to the bottom lead frame by an isolation layer, wherein the isolation layer is a thermal conductive, but electrical isolative, material. The power semiconductor package further comprises a power semiconductor device coupled to the top lead frame of the dual lead frame assembly and an encapsulation member encapsulating the dual lead frame assembly and the power semiconductor device, while exposing the first heat sink pad at the bottom surface of the bottom lead frame.

Abstract: A docking station for maintaining sterilization of temporarily disconnected male medical line connectors. The docking station has a plurality of docking bays, each of which retains an ampule therein containing sterilization fluid and has an access mouth exteriorly exposed when the ampule is secured in its respective bay. The mouth of the ampule is provided with a female medical line connection for temporarily receiving and securing one of the male line connector temporarily disconnected from a patient. A tubular tip and the concentric connection collar of the one of the male medical line connectors is thereby immersed in the sterilization fluid for sterilization while docked.