Abstract: An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access a plurality of service providers including an integrated business computer network for at least one rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner and also those other service providers who may or may not have the same integrated business computer system and software.

Abstract: The packaging system includes a first food product sealed within an inner wrapper, a second food product positioned within a tray and spacing the first food product from the tray, and an outer wrapper sealing the first food product, sealed within the inner wrapper, the second food product and the tray therein. A shield is disposed on the tray and is in contact with more than one surface of the second food product. Prior to microwave heating, the inner and outer wrapper are removed.

Abstract: An Internet-enabled rental vehicle reservation management method and system are disclosed. Via the system and method, authorization limits can be assigned to the users who create and manage replacement rental vehicle reservations through the system, where these authorization limits impose financial commitment monetary limits that the users can make on replacement rental vehicle reservations over a specified period of time. In an exemplary embodiment, these authorization limits are customized on a per user basis.

Abstract: A suspension system for mounting a touch surface of a pressure sensitive touch display or panel. The suspension system comprises a frame and a flexible suspension membrane connected to the touch surface and the frame, the membrane allowing frictionless movement of the touch surface along the z-axis and resisting movement of the touch surface within the x-y plane. At least one force sensor is connected beneath the touch surface, whereby the touch surface is pre-loaded against the at least one force sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for processing an audio sound source to create four-dimensional spatialized sound. A virtual sound source may be moved along a path in three-dimensional space over a specified time period to achieve four-dimensional sound localization. The various embodiments described herein provide methods and systems for converting existing mono, 2-channel and/or multi-channel audio signals into spatialized audio signals have two or more audio channels. The incoming audio signals may be down-mixed, up-mixed or otherwise translated into fewer, greater or the same number of audio channels. The various embodiments also describe methods, systems and apparatus for generating low frequency effect and center channel signals from incoming audio signals having one or more channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical product comprising an allergen extract or an allergoid thereof for the treatment and/or prevention of allergy and allergic asthma caused by house dust mites, which extract comprises at least one extract of mite bodies selected from the following groups a)-b): a) An extract of Der p mite bodies, and b) An extract of Der f mite bodies, and at least one extract of mite cultures selected from the following groups c)-g): c) An extract of Der p faecal particles, d) An extract of Der f faecal particles, e) An extract of Der f whole mite culture, f) An extract of an Der p whole mite culture, and g) a combination of extracts c) to f).

Abstract: The packaging system includes a first food product sealed within an inner wrapper, a second food product positioned within a tray and spacing the first food product from the tray, and an outer wrapper sealing the first food product, sealed within the inner wrapper, the second food product and the tray therein. A shield is disposed on the tray and is in contact with more than one surface of the second food product. Prior to microwave heating, the inner and outer wrapper are removed.

Abstract: A projectile launcher for launching a projectile is provided. The projectile launcher is arranged to be connected to a trampoline having a frame and a jumping mat, the jumping mat connected to the frame by resilient members, the projectile launcher including a propulsion element adapted to provide a motive force to propel a projectile and an energy extraction element arranged to be connected to a trampoline and to extract energy from the action of a user bouncing on the trampoline to provide power to the propulsion element.

Abstract: A set of multiple prepaid calling cards that are associated with a single account is disclosed. A predetermined amount of minutes is associated with the set of cards. Cards within the set can be used simultaneously and extract minutes from the account in predetermined increments. Each card can use the same Personal Identification Number (PIN) or each card can have its own unique PIN. In some instances, any card in the set can recharge the account, (i.e., add more minutes to the account), or in some embodiments, only a control card can add minutes to the account.

Abstract: An assembly for maintaining tension in a drive belt features a housing mounted on a base. The housing contains a biasing element that exerts torque on the housing to bias the housing in a radial direction. A lever arm is connected to the housing and rotates with the housing in response to the bias of the biasing element. A pulley is connected to the lever arm and engages a drive belt in response to the bias force of the biasing element on the lever arm. The pulley deflects the shape of the belt to provide tension in the belt. In one embodiment, the apparatus allows the user to switch the position of the biasing element and alter the direction of torque on the lever arm. In another embodiment, the lever arm and pulley are removable from the housing and replaceable with other arms and pulleys having different configurations.

Abstract: An Internet-enabled rental vehicle reservation management method and system are disclosed. Via the system and method, authorization limits can be assigned to the users who create and manage replacement rental vehicle reservations through the system, where these authorization limits impose financial commitment monetary limits that the users can make on replacement rental vehicle reservations over a specified period of time. In an exemplary embodiment, these authorization limits are customized on a per user basis.

Abstract: An Internet-enabled rental vehicle reservation management method and system are disclosed. Via the system and method, authorized purchasers can select a rental vehicle service provider from a among a plurality of competitive rental vehicle service providers via at least one graphical user interface (GUI) menu, and the authorized purchasers can further interact with the system and method to (1) automatically book a rental vehicle reservation with a selected competitive rental vehicle service provider without human intervention on the part of personnel of the selected competitive rental vehicle service provider operating the computer system and (2) manage the booked rental vehicle reservation. In an exemplary embodiment, the reservations created and managed through the system and method are replacement rental vehicles and the authorized purchasers are insurance company personnel.

Abstract: A closure for a container having a container opening is provided herein. The closure includes an annular top having an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top and having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top. An annular bottom extends radially inward from the inner skirt, and the annular bottom has defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container. A sealing member is formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture. The outer skirt optionally includes a hingedly flexible flap having one or more gussets dimensioned to cooperate with the anti-rotation structure of a neck finish.

Abstract: A suspension system for mounting a touch surface of a pressure sensitive touch display or panel. The suspension system comprises a frame and a flexible suspension membrane connected to the touch surface and the frame, the membrane allowing frictionless movement of the touch surface along the z-axis and resisting movement of the touch surface within the x-y plane. At least one force sensor is connected beneath the touch surface, whereby the touch surface is pre-loaded against the at least one force sensor.

Abstract: An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access a plurality of service providers including an integrated business computer network for at least one rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner and also those other service providers who may or may not have the same integrated business computer system and software.

Abstract: A closure for a container having a container opening is provided herein. The closure includes an annular top having an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top and having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top. An annular bottom extends radially inward from the inner skirt, and the annular bottom has defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container. A sealing member is formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture. The outer skirt optionally includes a hingedly flexible flap having one or more gussets dimensioned to cooperate with the anti-rotation structure of a neck finish.

Abstract: An assembly for maintaining tension in a drive belt features a housing mounted on a base. The housing contains a biasing element that exerts torque on the housing to bias the housing in a radial direction. A lever arm is connected to the housing and rotates with the housing in response to the bias of the biasing element. A pulley is connected to the lever arm and engages a drive belt in response to the bias force of the biasing element on the lever arm. The pulley deflects the shape of the belt to provide tension in the belt. In one embodiment, the apparatus allows the user to switch the position of the biasing element and alter the direction of torque on the lever arm. In another embodiment, the lever arm and pulley are removable from the housing and replaceable with other arms and pulleys having different configurations.

Abstract: A closure for a container having a container opening is provided herein. The closure includes an annular top having an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top and having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top. An annular bottom extends radially inward from the inner skirt, and the annular bottom has defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container. A sealing member is formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture. The outer skirt optionally includes a hingedly flexible flap having one or more gussets dimensioned to cooperate with the anti-rotation structure of a neck finish.

Abstract: An airbag inflator that includes a pyrotechnic material capable of producing a quantity of gas during deployment. The inflator also includes a filter. The filter may be an expanded metal filter that is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material. When this filter is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material, the filter forms a plurality of layers having holes that are a different size. This filter also includes a first set of barriers and a second set of barriers that are positioned exterior of the first set of barriers, the second set of barriers being offset from the first set of barriers. Gas passing through the filter will encounter the first set of barriers, be re-directed, encounter the second set of barriers, be re-directed, and then flow out of the filter.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for improving sound localization of the human ear. In some embodiments, the method may include creating virtual movement of a plurality of localized sources by applying a periodic function to one or more location parameters of a head related transfer function (HRTF).