Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods that apply to a single particular billing method selected by each of a plurality of users, in response to each particular user's request, a set of billing method rules for each carrier of a plurality of carriers and determines whether or not each carrier of the plurality of carriers supports the shipper's specified preferred billing method, and if so, any special pricing considerations for each particular Carrier. Each user of the present invention accesses the present invention over a global communications network using a client computer device, each user client computer device having an individual electronic connection to the global communications network.

Abstract: There is disclosed and claimed a system for and a method of performing interactive data exchange, for example as part of a financial transaction, between a user base and a remote network. The system includes a request data input device 20. A telephone network 22 is connected to the device for transmitting the request data to the network 28. At the user base there is also provided a receiver for receiving response signals from the network and which signals include encoded response data. A signal decoder 14 is provided at the user base to decode the response data. A display 12 displays the response data interactively with the request data.

Abstract: A method for pricing a product by a wholesaler. The method comprises providing a master database of product information to a distributor, receiving a selection of products from the distributor, wherein the distributor chooses the selection from the master database and provides a variable margin amount for the products to the wholesaler. The wholesaler associates a customer category with the variable margin amounts, and then assigns the customer category to one of the products. Finally, the wholesaler calculates a variable price for the products, based on provided variable margin amount and transmits the calculated variable price for the products to the distributor.

Abstract: When merchandising magic tricks, a web site has a first information set with a motion picture of expert performance of each trick type and a second information set with graphical instructions for perfecting performance of each trick type. Tricks are supplied in a store, with either packaging or an adjacent advertising display for each different type of magic trick marked with first indicia including the web site address and a first key identifying the type of magic trick and visible to a customer prior to purchase so that the customer can access the web site for a demonstration of the trick prior to purchase. Second indicia for that type of trick and a second key, different from the first key, are concealed from the customer by the trick packaging so that a customer can access the instructions for perfecting performance only after purchasing the magic trick.

Abstract: A transferable online shopping basket is used in a business process and apparatus for online shopping at online stores. At least one online shopping basket is acquired by a buyer from an online store and is customized according to rules specified by the buyer. The buyer places zero or more items in the online shopping basket(s) before they are given to at least one shopper by the online store. The shopper(s) may further customize the online shopping basket(s) with rules that do not conflict with those specified by the buyer. The shopper(s) then place zero or more items in the online shopping basket(s) and return the basket(s) to the online store. An e-mail is sent to the buyer notifying the buyer the shopper(s) are finished shopping. Multiple online shopping baskets are merged into a single basket, and the buyer reviews the items in the merged online shopping basket and adds or removes items as necessary. The buyer then purchases the remaining items from the online store.

Abstract: The present invention is a central invoicing system. Payors and invoicers can use the central invoicing system by connecting to it by a network, such as the Internet, and using an interaction device, such as a personal computer with web browsing software. Payors can create, on the central invoicing system, a list of invoicers from whom they wish to receive invoices. The system sends invitations, including a user name and password, to the selected invoicers to enroll with the central invoicing system. The system provides invoicers with a facility to enroll with the central invoicing system over the Internet. Payors can also customize the format of the invoices they are to receive from the selected invoicers. The central invoicing system stores each payor's particular invoicing format on a server. The system allows an invoicer to connect to the system through the Internet to create invoices. The invoicer can then submit that invoice to the payor through the system.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a snowboard binding including a base having a toe end and a heel end, and a guide that is adapted to guide a snowboard boot back toward the heel end of the base when the snowboard boot is stepped into the binding. Another embodiment is directed to a snowboard; binding including a baseplate and a heel hoop hinged for rotation relative to the baseplate. A further embodiment is directed a snowboard binding to mount a snowboard boot to a snowboard, the snowboard boot including at least one pin extending from medial and lateral sides thereof. The snowboard binding comprises a base having medial and lateral sides; a pair of engagement cams each mounted to one of the medial and lateral sides for rotation between open and closed positions; at least one lever to move the pair of engagement cams from the closed position to the open position; and a cocking mechanism that is adapted to maintain the pair of engagement cams in the open position upon release of the at least one lever.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing excess capacity for restaurants and other industries during off-peak hours is provided. Customers or potential customers may bid on gift certificates redeemable at restaurants during a predetermined time. Users may register with the system and provide identification and demographic information which may be used by restaurants for targeted marketing strategies, promotions, and special offers. The system may include a registration module, an auction module, a restaurant guide module, a restaurant manager module, rewards and referral center module, restaurant reservation module, and advertisement displays.

Abstract: This invention relates to an in-mold label comprising a core layer with a first and second surface and a heat seal layer on the first surface of the core layer, wherein the heat seal layer comprises a polyolefin, having a peak melt temperature of less than about 110° C. and where less than about 25% of the polyolefin melts at a temperature of less than 50° C. as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The label may also contain a skin layer on the second surface of the core layer. The invention also relates to plastic substrates bonded to the label. In another aspect, the present invention also relates to a process for in-mold labeling and a process for preparing an in-mold label. The labels and processes provide reduced amounts of one or more of the following: blisters, both before and after bonding, shrinkage, bagginess and gage bands.

Abstract: An automotive powertrain includes a hydraulic drive circuit including at least one of: (1) a hydraulic pump/motor having a shaft fixed to for rotation with the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and (2) a pair of pump/motors coaxially arranged to share a common shaft on which is mounted a gear of a gear set for transmitting output to the vehicle drive wheels. Hydraulic control logics are provided for control of the various pump/motors of the hybrid powertrain.

Abstract: A method for reducing the migration of aldehyde compounds present in packaging material the interior of a package formed by said packaging material, said method comprising: (a) selecting an initial packaging sheet stock used for forming a package having an interior in which an aldehyde sensitive product can be contained, wherein said initial packaging sheet stock has a first surface that forms the interior wall of said formed package, wherein said initial packaging sheet stock has a second surface that forms the exterior wall of said formed package, and wherein said initial packaging sheet stock contains one or more aldehyde compounds that are capable of migrating from said initial packaging sheet stock to said package interior or exterior; (b) preparing an amine-containing composition comprising an amine that chemically reacts with said aldehyde compounds to form a substantially non-migrating compound; and (c) applying said amine-containing composition onto said first surface of said initial packaging sheet

Abstract: The present invention relates to membranes including an urethane including a polyester polyol, wherein the membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas wherein the membrane has an average thickness of approximately 20.0 mils. Under certain embodiments, the membranes include blends of one or more polyester polyol based thermoplastic urethanes and one or more barrier materials. The membranes can be employed in a variety of applications and can be used as either monolayers or multi-layered laminates.

Abstract: A molded plastic component having enhanced surface finish is molded within a mold having at least one metal base, a mold cavity, and at least one self-lubricating surface layer which defines the plastic component within the mold cavity. The self-lubricating surface layer includes a porous metallic skin integrally connected to and extending from an interior surface of the at least one metal base and lubricating particles disposed on the skin and in pores of the skin. The lubricating particles are bonded together to form a sealed surface of the at least one self-lubricating surface layer such that the molded plastic component has the enhanced surface finish. The metallic skin includes a plurality of spaced, sinusoidally-shaped projections of autocatalytic nickel alloy. The lubricating particles are preferably submicron-sized particles of low friction fluoropolymers. The mold may be an injection mold, a compression mold, a blow mold or a vacuum mold.

Abstract: A flexible thermoplastic container liner, wherein the liner has at least one edge, wherein the liner is produced by a process having the steps of: molding the liner in a mold wherein the at least one edge is inverted; removing the liner from the mold; and reconfiguring the at least one edge to be noninverted. A process for producing a flexible thermoplastic container liner, wherein the liner has at least one edge, the process having the steps of: molding the liner in a mold wherein the at least one edge is inverted; removing the liner from the mold; and reconfiguring the at least one edge to be noninverted.

Abstract: Fluid-forming compositions in a container attached to enclosed adjacent sheets are heated to relatively high temperatures to generate fluids (gases) that effect inflation of the sheets. Fluid rates to the enclosed space between the sheets can be regulated by the canal from the container. Inflated articles can be produced by a continuous, rather than batch-type, process.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic container comprises a layer of a polypropylene and a layer of EVOH directly adjacent the layer of polypropylene wherein at least one of the polypropylene and EVOH layers comprises an adhesive such as maleic anhydride concentrate mixed therein to adhere the layer of polypropylene to the layer of EVOH.

Abstract: The invention relates a gas barrier multi-layer hollow container having a multi-layer wall structure that a thermoplastic resin layer is laminated on at least one side of a layer formed from polyglycolic acid containing at least 60 wt. % of a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): wherein the container has excellent oxygen gas barrier property and/or carbon dioxide gas barrier property, and a production process thereof.

Abstract: A method for processing tires and providing a product made form the tire material, by cutting each tire by a sequence of cuts to form two side walls and several tire rings of the running tread, separating the two side walls from the tire rings of running tread, combining the tire rings together to form the product by looping a first tire rings directly to a second tire rings, the second tire rings is looped directly to the third tire rings until the n−1 tire rings is looped to the last tire rings to form an interwoven mesh product, which may be formed to provide a flat product or a hollow product.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container press-formed of paperboard having a top surface disposed for contact with material to be contained and an opposed bottom surface, the container comprising a first functional coating material such as a latex dispersed in the paperboard without forming a barrier to moisture. The invention also encompasses a method of manufacturing the press-formed paperboard container comprising before the container is press-formed the step of applying to the bottom surface of the paperboard a moistening solution comprising latex solids in an amount selected to avoid forming a moisture barrier and to avoid blistering on the bottom surface during press forming.

Abstract: A heat-insulating container is used for an instant dried food and is excellent in heat-insulating property, design and economy. The container comprises a paper cup body with a bottom, which has an inner surface coated with a polyolefin resin and is provided with an outward curled portion formed at an upper opening end of the cup body and at least one horizontal rib formed on a side wall of the cup body so as to project outward therefrom; and an inverse-frustoconical paper sleeve provided with an inward curled portion formed at a lower end of the sleeve. The cup body and the sleeve are integrally combined with each other so that an upper end of the sleeve is joined to an outer periphery of the side wall of the cup body, which is adjacent to the outward curled portion of the cup body, and an inner surface of the inward curled portion of the sleeve is joined to an outer periphery of a lower portion of the side wall of the cup body.