Abstract: A method of manufacturing a die for shaping metal containers comprises providing an expansion die for manufacturing metal containers and peening at least a portion of the work surface of the expansion die. Another method of manufacturing a die for shaping metal containers comprises providing a die for narrowing a diameter of metal containers and peening at least a portion of the work surface of the die.

Abstract: A decorative illuminated trim system having at least one mountable base track. The base tracks include a recessed LED seat and two parallel attachment grooves. The trim system includes a cover with two rails. The cover is partially translucent and adjacent the base track such that the rails engage with the attachment grooves. The trim system has at least one LED string between the cover and the LED seat. The LED string includes LED bulbs that receive electric current from an electricity source and emit light. Some of the light emitted by the LED string passes through the cover.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expansion die for manufacturing containers including a work surface including a progressively expanding portion and a land portion; and an undercut portion positioned following the land portion of the work surface. The present invention further provides a process for manufacturing shaped containers including providing a container stock having a first diameter; expanding at least a portion of the container stock to a second diameter with at least one expansion die; and forming an end of the container stock to accept a container lid.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with particular embodiments, includes a shell comprising two substantially parallel surfaces. The apparatus further includes a plurality of connector housings mounted between the two substantially parallel surfaces. The apparatus also includes a plurality of connectors coupled to the plurality of connector housings. Each connector is configured to move along at least one axis within its respective connector housing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of cables. Each cable is configured to couple together at least two connectors. The plurality of cables are arranged between the two substantially parallel surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for use with a vending machine having a cabinet for containing product to be dispensed, and a door for closing the cabinet. The door has a vertical column with two sides and a front face, the front face having openings that permit customer interface devices to be accessed by a customer. A continuous integral panel is secured to the vertical column and extends across a width of the front face and side of the vertical column.

Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with particular embodiments, includes a shell comprising two substantially parallel surfaces. The apparatus further includes a plurality of connector housings mounted between the two substantially parallel surfaces. The apparatus also includes a plurality of connectors coupled to the plurality of connector housings. Each connector is configured to move along at least one axis within its respective connector housing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of cables. Each cable is configured to couple together at least two connectors. The plurality of cables are arranged between the two substantially parallel surfaces.

Abstract: A security system with a security container and an electronic lock circuit is used to securely store mechanical keys or other valuable items. Items to be protected are placed in a secured location in the security container. A detector of the security system detects whether the items are indeed in the secured location, such as by means of receiving signals from a transponder attached to the items. The security container is locked only if the items are detected to be in the secured location. Audit trail records for the locking and unlocking events of the security container may be transmitted to a device remote to the security container for analysis. A monitoring device with a location identification device, such as a GPS sensor, may be attached to items to be monitored for tracking locations and activities of the items.

Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of port cards arranged along a first orientation, the port cards operable to receive data from one or more nodes on a network. The system also comprises a plurality of switch-fabric cards arranged along a second orientation orthogonal to the first orientation, the switch-fabric cards operable to route data between the one or more port cards based on one or more rules. The system further comprises a plurality of bridge cards coupling the one or more port cards to the one or more switch-fabric cards, the bridge cards arranged physically between the port cards and switch-fabric cards.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal container comprises: narrowing a first top section of the container in at least one narrowing step, wherein after narrowing the first top section, the first top section has a first top section minimum outer diameter; and narrowing a second section of the metal container after narrowing the first top section, wherein after narrowing the second section, the second section has a second section minimum outer diameter; wherein the second section is below the first top section minimum outer diameter and wherein the second section minimum outer diameter is larger than the first top section minimum outer diameter. In some embodiments, the second section is below the first top section minimum outer diameter. In some embodiments, the second section of the metal container is necked with a necking die.

Abstract: The present invention provides a necking system including a plurality of necking dies each necking dies having an at least partially non-polished necking surface and a non-polished relief following the necking surface. The present invention further provides a method of necking a metal container including providing a metal blank; shaping the blank into a bottle stock; and necking the metal bottle stock, wherein necking includes at least one necking die having an at least partially non-polished necking surface.