Abstract: A tensioned roller shade system for installation in an opening, such as a window or a skylight, comprises a frame, a roller tube rotatably mounted between side channels of the frame adjacent a first end of the frame, a conical, grooved spool mounted adjacent the roller tube, and a shade fabric is windingly received around the roller tube. A tensioning cord is operatively coupled between the spool and a fabric end of the shade fabric. The spool has a single groove, which wraps around the spool and windingly receives about the tensioning cord. A pulley is operatively coupled to the frame adjacent a second frame end and windingly receives the tensioning cord. The tensioning cord is adapted to bias the second fabric end toward the second frame end, such that the second fabric end of the shade fabric is adapted to move between the first and second frame ends as the roller tube is rotated.

Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a meal order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a meal order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the meal order assembly station.

Abstract: A self-contained tensioned roller shade system that can be easily installed in an opening, such as a window or a skylight. The roller shade system comprises a free-standing frame, a roller tube rotatably mounted between first and second side channels of the frame adjacent a first end of the frame, and a shade fabric is windingly received around the roller tube. A tensioning cord is operatively coupled between the roller tube and a second fabric end opposite the first fabric end, and is windingly received about the roller tube. A pulley is operatively coupled to the frame adjacent the second frame end and windingly receives the tensioning cord. The tensioning cord is adapted to bias the second fabric end toward the second frame end, the second fabric end of the shade fabric adapted to move between the first and second frame ends as the roller tube is rotated.

Abstract: A pleated roller shade system allows a thin flexible shade fabric, such as, for example, silk, to be wrapped around a roller tube. The system comprises a pleating hembar contained within a hembar pocket of the shade fabric. The hembar is characterized by a non-linear shape, such as a serpentine shape, for causing the shade fabric to hang with a plurality of pleats. The hembar may comprise a plurality of C-shaped hembar sections flexibly coupled to each other. The system may also comprise an elongated pleating assembly mounted parallel to the roller tube and having a fabric-receiving opening that defines a non-linear (e.g., serpentine) path. The shade fabric may be received through the fabric-receiving opening and folded by the pleating assembly, such that the shade fabric is wrapped around the roller tube in folds as the roller tube rotates.

Abstract: A pleated roller shade system allows a thin flexible shade fabric, such as, for example, silk, to be wrapped around a roller tube. The system comprises a pleating hembar contained within a hembar pocket of the shade fabric. The hembar is characterized by a non-linear shape, such as a serpentine shape, for causing the shade fabric to hang with a plurality of pleats. The hembar may comprise a plurality of C-shaped hembar sections flexibly coupled to each other. The system may also comprise an elongated pleating assembly mounted parallel to the roller tube and having a fabric-receiving opening that defines a non-linear (e.g., serpentine) path. The shade fabric may be received through the fabric-receiving opening and folded by the pleating assembly, such that the shade fabric is wrapped around the roller tube in folds as the roller tube rotates.

Abstract: A parking meter assembly (10) including a base (11) that is to be fixed to or embedded in a ground surface, typically adjacent the curb that which a car is to be parked. The assembly (10) also includes a parking meter (13) having a front face (17) that includes a coin slot (25) a card slot (20) and a control panel (21). The parking meter (13) further includes a rear face (27) having a window aperture (28) that provides for the transmission of light to a solar panel (29) behind the aperture (28).

Abstract: A parking meter assembly (10) including a base (11) that is to be fixed to or embedded in a ground surface, typically adjacent the curb that which a car is to be parked. The assembly (10) also includes a parking meter (13) having a front face (17) that includes a coin slot (25) a card slot (20) and a control panel (21). The parking meter (13) further includes a rear face (27) having a window aperture (28) that provides for the transmission of light to a solar panel (29) behind the aperture (28).

Abstract: A pleated roller shade system allows a thin flexible shade fabric, such as, for example, silk, to be wrapped around a roller tube. The system comprises a pleating bar mounted parallel to the roller tube and having a fabric-receiving opening that defines, for example, a serpentine path. The shade fabric is received through the fabric-receiving opening and is folded by the pleating bar, such that the shade fabric is wrapped around the roller tube in folds as the roller tube rotates. The shade fabric is neatly wrapped around the roller tube (i.e., bunching of the shade fabric is avoided) and is stored out-of-sight when rolled up.

Abstract: A shade system comprises a shade fabric, such as a roman shade fabric, a roller tube, at least one wide flexible lift band (i.e., a section of flexible material) windingly received around the roller tube and extending from the roller tube to a bottom end the of the shade fabric, and a plurality of coupling structures for holding the flexible material adjacent to a rear surface of the shade fabric. Each coupling structure is attached to the rear surface of the shade fabric at attachment points that are spaced apart, such that the coupling structures and the shade fabric form openings for slidingly receiving the lift band. The lift band is coupled to the bottom end of the shade fabric, such that bottom end of the shade fabric moves up and down as the roller tube is rotated in respective directions, so as to raise and lower the shade fabric.

Abstract: A roller shade mounting system provides a tube-in-tube arrangement for reducing sagging of a roller tube windingly supporting a shade fabric. The mounting system includes a mounting tube received within a roller tube, and first and second annular drive rings located on an outer surface of the mounting tube. The drive rings are secured to the mounting tube and the roller tube secured to the drive rings such that rotation of the mounting tube results in rotation of the roller tube. Each drive ring is located at a distance from an end of the roller tube for limiting sagging deflection of the roller tube. The tube-in-tube arrangement provided by the mounting system provides controlled deflection for the roller tube without necessitating undesirably large increase in the diameter of the roller tube, which could create an undesirable appearance in many roller shade installations.

Abstract: A pleated roller shade system allows a thin flexible shade fabric, such as, for example, silk, to be wrapped around a roller tube. The system comprises a pleating hembar contained within a hembar pocket of the shade fabric. The hembar is characterized by a non-linear shape, such as a serpentine shape, for causing the shade fabric to hang with a plurality of pleats. The hembar may comprise a plurality of C-shaped hembar sections flexibly coupled to each other. The system may also comprise an elongated pleating assembly mounted parallel to the roller tube and having a fabric-receiving opening that defines a non-linear (e.g., serpentine) path. The shade fabric may be received through the fabric-receiving opening and folded by the pleating assembly, such that the shade fabric is wrapped around the roller tube in folds as the roller tube rotates.

Abstract: A pleated roller shade system allows a thin flexible shade fabric, such as, for example, silk, to be wrapped around a roller tube. The system comprises a pleating bar mounted parallel to the roller tube and having a fabric-receiving opening that defines, for example, a serpentine path. The shade fabric is received through the fabric-receiving opening and is folded by the pleating bar, such that the shade fabric is wrapped around the roller tube in folds as the roller tube rotates. The shade fabric is neatly wrapped around the roller tube (i.e., bunching of the shade fabric is avoided) and is stored out-of-sight when rolled up.

Abstract: A locking device for a lid used with a transporting container that comprises a first half-shell, a second half-shell, and a pivoting bracket proximate the first half-shell and the second half-shell. The locking device further comprises a hinge-joint that includes a first hinge-joint portion at which the first half-shell is attached and a second hinge-joint portion at which the second half-shell is attached, where the second hinge-joint portion is retaining the pivoting bracket at the second half-shell. The locking device also comprises a locking spring that is arranged at the first hinge-joint portion and that co-operates with a first bracket arm of the pivoting bracket, the first bracket arm being arranged opposite to a second bracket arm retained by the second hinge-joint portion.

Abstract: A drapery system for moving a suspended drapery fabric allows the drapery fabric to be decoupled from a drive system, such that the drapery fabric may be manually moved. The drapery system comprises a master car comprising a driven portion and a non-driven portion. The driven portion is coupled to a drive belt of the drive system, while the non-driven portion is coupled to the drapery fabric. The master car comprises a spring having a snap adapted to be received in a snap-receiving structure, such that the driven portion is coupled to the non-driven portion. The non-driven portion is operable to move in response to movement of the drive belt to move the drapery fabric when the non-driven portion is coupled to the driven portion. The non-driven portion is operable to be decoupled from the driven portion, such that the position of the drapery fabric may be manually adjusted.

Abstract: A stapler movable between a rest position and a stapling position and having a front end and a rear end. The stapler includes a base, a staple magazine coupled to the base and configured to hold staples, and a driver blade operable to drive staples out of the staple magazine during stapling operations. The stapler further includes an elastic member coupled to the driver blade and operable to move the driver blade during stapling operations. The elastic member utilizes potential energy to move the driver blade during stapling operations. The driver blade is positioned above the staple magazine when the stapler is in the rest position and the magazine is extendable from the front end of the stapler to allow a user to load staples in the magazine. The stapler is configured such that only the potential energy of the elastic member can operate the driver blade during stapling operations.

Abstract: A pleated roller shade system allows a thin flexible shade fabric, such as, for example, silk, to be wrapped around a roller tube. The pleated roller shade system comprises a drive system, such as a motor or manual drive system, for controlling of the rotation of the roller tube. The roller shade system may comprise a pleating hembar that is contained within a hembar pocket of the shade fabric and has a non-linear shape for causing the shade fabric to hang with a plurality of pleats. The roller shade system may also comprise an elongated pleating assembly mounted parallel to the roller tube and having a fabric-receiving opening that defines a non-linear path. The shade fabric may be received through the fabric-receiving opening and folded by the pleating assembly, such that the shade fabric is wrapped around the roller tube in folds as the roller tube rotates.

Abstract: A pleated roller shade system allows a thin flexible shade fabric, such as, for example, silk, to be wrapped around a roller tube. The system comprises a pleating bar mounted parallel to the roller tube and having a fabric-receiving opening that defines, for example, a serpentine path. The shade fabric is received through the fabric-receiving opening and is folded by the pleating bar, such that the shade fabric is wrapped around the roller tube in folds as the roller tube rotates. The shade fabric is neatly wrapped around the roller tube (i.e., bunching of the shade fabric is avoided) and is stored out-of-sight when rolled up.

Abstract: Import/export transactions whereby an item is to be transported from one country to another are automated. An invoice containing a list of one or more part numbers is entered in at a web site and loaded to a server containing a database. A database is of part numbers and their corresponding tariff classification numbers. The uploaded invoice will be compared to the database to output a data record whereby the one or more part numbers uploaded in the invoice now have tariff classification numbers and daily calculation associated therewith This data record can then be accessed over the Internet at another web site by a customs broker for use in transmitting a report to a customs entity.

Abstract: A drapery system for moving a suspended drapery fabric allows the drapery fabric to be decoupled from a drive system, such that the drapery fabric may be manually moved. The drapery system comprises a master car comprising a driven portion and a non-driven portion. The driven portion is coupled to a drive belt of the drive system, while the non-driven portion is coupled to the drapery fabric. The master car comprises a spring having a snap adapted to be received in a snap-receiving structure, such that the driven portion is coupled to the non-driven portion. The non-driven portion is operable to move in response to movement of the drive belt to move the drapery fabric when the non-driven portion is coupled to the driven portion. The non-driven portion is operable to be decoupled from the driven portion, such that the position of the drapery fabric may be manually adjusted.

Abstract: Calibration of a motorized roller shade is accomplished by calculating a radius of a roller tube and thickness of a shade fabric rotatably supported by the roller tube. First, a lower edge of the shade fabric is moved to a first position at a first linear distance from a predetermined position. Second, a first number of revolutions of the roller tube between the first position and the predetermined position is determined. Next, the lower edge of the shade fabric is moved to a second position at a second linear distance from the predetermined position and a second number of revolutions between the second position and the predetermined position is determined. Finally, the tube radius and the fabric thickness are calculated from the first and second linear distances and the first and second numbers of revolutions. The tube radius and the fabric thickness are used to control the linear speed of the lower edge of the shade fabric.