Abstract: A closure for the bottle having a cap-like closure part with an inward projection at its edge for clasping an outward projection on the neck of the bottle or the like. In the area of the face edge of the bottle neck the interior of the closure has a sealing surface for seating on the end face of a bottle neck. The sealing surface (5) has a sealing surface part (8) which is formed on the radial inner side of a projection directed away from the base of the closure part axially and clasping around the bottle neck and which is sloped radially toward the interior and axially counter to the screwing direction. The sloping sealing surface part (8) ensures the centering of the seal, improves the sealing effect, and contributes to the opening of the overpressure valve thereby formed, the opening pressure of which can be influenced through the selection of the degree of slope of the sealing surface part (8).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a surgical microscope in which, to determine the distance between the microscope (8, 13) and the object (22), the travel time of a beam of light (57c) emanating from the microscope and reflected by the object is determined. The travel time is determined by phase measurement or by interference matching. In the case of direct phase measurement, modulated light is used. In the case of interference matching, partly coherent light is used. In order to ensure high accuracy over wide measurement range, the two measurement methods are preferably used in combination.

Abstract: A pouring spout attachment adapted to being applied to a pourable-product-carrying container over a location where the container has one of a partial depth cut and an opening formed therein. The pouring spout attachment includes a body and may have a removable cap mounted thereon. The body includes an internal projection, an external mounting flange, and an internal end wall having a web segment cut therein so as to be movable about a pivot or hinge line, and a projection formed on the web segment, such that upon the web segment being pivoted inwardly, the projection is pivoted so as to snap past the internal projection to retain a fully open condition.

Abstract: A gable-top carton has at least half, if not all, of its spout-forming, folded-in, top sealing panels (33) projecting above an adjacent non-folded-in top sealing panel (32) to permit a user to grasp that projection and pull it forward to open the spout. To provide a flattened gable-top carton, the other non-folded-in top sealing panel (34) may be extended to be tacked down onto an opposite top obturating panel (22) and be formed with a tear strip to facilitate detachment of the turned-down sealing fin (32-35) from the tacked-down part of that other non-folded-in top sealing panel (34) and to cover a pouring edge zone of the adjacent half of the spout-forming, top sealing panel (33). The carton can be made from an appropriately shaped and scored blank.

Abstract: Air quality in a interior space is monitored by a sensor and, to determine air renewal demand, the sensor signal is compared with a normal or reference value. For demand controlled ventilation, a switching signal is triggered for changing the amount of outside air supplied when air renewal demand changes. A reference ventilation is performed daily, at a time of day when outside air quality is satisfactory, typically in the early morning hours. Measured quality of the air from the reference ventilation is used in setting or resetting the reference value, e.g. adaptively.

Abstract: A top closure arrangement for an oblong rectangular, gable top container, wherein selected score lines are formed on the wider top closure panels defining panel segments for inward folding during the sealing process. A pour spout fitment is thus mounted on one of the narrow, outer flat closure panels for more convenient handling of the container by the consumer during the pouring process.

Abstract: A flat-sitting bottom end closure for liquid filled, thermoplastic-coated paperboard containers, and mechanism for forming same. The mechanism includes an indexible rotor having a plurality of mandrels on which tubular container blanks are mounted, wherein each mandrel has an end cap defining a configuration which, in conjunction with a complementary pressure pad, produces four flat corner portions or pedestals on the container bottom end closure when confined between the pressure pad and each end cap.

Abstract: A skiving method comprises forming by milling, along an edge zone of a packaging blank comprised of a liquid-absorbent layer and at least two liquid-barrier layers thereon, a tongue, a recess inwardly of the tongue, a land inwardly of the recess, and a groove inwardly of the land, folding over the edge zone to insert the tongue into the groove, and sealing the edge zone to the remainder of the sheet material, preferably by mechanical pressure alone.

Abstract: A date-setting method for use in a postage meter having date wheels includes the steps of setting the date wheels, printing a date on a mail piece, requesting an input indicating whether the date printed on the mail piece is correct, receiving a response in the negative, receiving information indicative of the date printed on the mail piece, resetting the date wheels, logging a record indicative of the negative response and the resetting action, printing another date on a mail piece, requesting an input indicating whether the date printed on the mail piece is correct, receiving a response in the negative, receiving information indicative of the date printed on the mail piece, resetting the date wheels, logging another record indicative of the negative response and the resetting action; and annunciating the records indicative of negative responses.

Abstract: A postage meter has an improved means of monitoring the position of the cover providing access to the print rotor. A mechanical latch and associated mechanism is provided responsive to a cam on the print rotor and responsive to the movement of the cover, and the mechanism has an electrical sensor output to the processor of the postage meter. In the event that the cover is opened at a time when the rotor is away from its home position, for example at a time when the power to the meter has failed, the latch enters a latched state. Upon the restoration of power the meter determines if the rotor is away from its home position, and if it is, the meter inspects the sensor output to determine if the latch has been caused to enter its latched state. This condition is annunciated, for example by rendering the meter incapable of printing postage.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing overlapped edge portions of laminates folded onto a support member. The arrangement includes a pressure pad assembly and a drive member. An elastomeric disk is retained compressed between the drive member and the pressure pad assembly. A drive unit serves to extend the drive member to thereby urge the pressure pad via the elastomeric disk into pressure sealing engagement with the overlapped laminates on the support member.

Abstract: A sterilizing method includes subjecting material, for example packaging board, to laser UV alone, or substantially simultaneously with laser IR and/or hydrogen peroxide to obtain a synergistic effect between the UV and IR and/or hydrogen peroxide, to render micro-organisms present at said material non-viable.

Abstract: A postage meter has a secure housing, an accounting register within the secure housing, and a print rotor the rotation of which defines a paper path. The rotor axle is formed of two halves, and within the two haves is a lengthwise cavity along which setting racks are capable of axial movement. The racks engage with print wheels at one end and are accessible to the main body of the postage meter at the other end. Each rack engages with its value wheel in a rack-and-pinion engagement. The axle halves are made of plastic and they snap together. The racks slide within grooves, and are held in place with pins. The axle has journal bearings and a thrust bearing defining its movement relative to the secure housing. A worm gear in the housing engages a worm wheel in the rotor to bring about rotation of the rotor for the printing of postage.

Abstract: A method for securing a pour spout fitment to a thermoplastic-coated container, wherein at least a surface of a pour spout fitment is heated remotely by a suitable heating mechanism, to a predetermined temperature. When the heated fitment surface is applied to a selected surface of an erected, thermoplastic-coated container, the heat energy is transferred to the latter surface to an extent capable of activating the thermoplastic coating thereon. Upon cooling, the fitment and the container surface are bonded together, without the need for a back-up or support mechanism, such as a mandrel or anvil.

Abstract: In a communications system, a host computer in a data center communicates with a multiplicity of electronic postage meters via telephone dial-up lines to conduct telemeter setting (TMS) transactions. Through the communications, the host computer may collect statistical data from each meter, and may impose a cumulative postage amount limit, a time limit and/or a piece limit on the meter. To ensure security and data integrity, the communicated data between the meters and the host computer is selectively encrypted and/or authenticated.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print rotor rotated by a motor and the motor is capable of being started and stopped under processor control. State variables are established within a nonvolatile memory. The rotor begins in its home position. When a mail piece such as a letter is detected by a letter sensor, the processor sets a state variable. At some point (either before loss of power, or after restoration of power) the postage value to be printed is booked into the accounting register. The rotor motor is started. At some point (either before loss of power, or after restoration of power) the rotor reaches its home position again. A state variable is cleared. In this way, it is possible, even after the loss and restoration of power, to distinguish between a rotor that is in its home position because it has not yet printed postage (but needs to do so) and a rotor that is in its home position because the printing of postage has been completed.

Abstract: A postage meter has the print rotor and platen within a single secure housing, with a letter detection lever along the paper path downstream from the rotor. The letter detection lever is in a spring-loaded coupling relationship with the trigger that triggers franking. If a letter remains in the meter due to a paper jam, the detection lever continues to be actuated and the spring-loaded coupling keeps the trigger in the triggered position. The meter further comprises a platen carrier moving the platen toward and away from the rotor; when the rotor is in its home position a radial cam on the rotor and cam follower keep the carrier away from the rotor. When franking of a letter begins and the rotor begins to rotate, the rotor cam releases the cam follower, permitting the carrier to move up in spring-loaded relation toward the rotor. A letter stopper is in the paper path downstream from the rotor and helps to align the letter so that the postage imprint is optimally oriented on the letter.

Abstract: A postage meter has a secure housing and a printing means and accounting register within the secure housing. Formed in the secure housing is postal lock. In the postal lock, a door is movable between first and second positions relative to a cavity. When the door is closed (in its first position) it renders the cavity inaccessible, and when the door is open (in its second position) it renders the cavity accessible. The door has a latch. The latch is spring-loaded so that it engages a latch feature in the cavity and holds the door closed. Pushing the latch the other way (against the spring) causes the latch to engage a pawl in the cavity, and the pawl tends to push the door open. A protruberance on the rear of the door engages a locking gear in the cavity. The locking gear allows separation of two halves of the meter housing, or holds the two halves together. If the locking gear is in the position that permits separating the halves, then the door cannot be closed because the gear abuts with the protruberance.

Abstract: A computer system for protecting memory comprising a processor having address outputs and executing a stored program, a memory having a control input, an address-decoder for providing a control signal to the control input of the memory in response to associated address outputs from the processor, and a window circuit. The window circuit comprises a range detector responsive to the address outputs for generating a range-detection signal indicative of an address from the processor being within a protected range, the protected range non-identical to the entirety of the space of addresses within the memory. Access to memory locations within the protected range is permitted only if a request signal is received from the processor. If the request signal is asserted for an unexpectedly long time an error condition is annunciated, for example the processor is reset.

Abstract: A self-contained postage meter does not have a base separable from a main body. The single secure housing contains everything that would be in the main body of a prior art postage meter and everything that would be in a prior art meter base. Despite containing all these things, the single secure housing is small enough and light enough in weight to permit the entire meter to be readily transported to the post office for inspection or resetting. Within the single secure housing are the print rotor with value wheels, all the mechanisms for setting the print wheels, the descending and/or ascending register and associated microprocessor, and all the mechanisms for transport of the mail piece through the meter. Only a handful of controlled elements are required, chiefly a single inexpensive DC motor for franking and value wheel setting and a few electromagnets.