Abstract: A container lid for a fluid container is formed of a flexible resilient material includes a body member having a drinking aperture and a valve. Upon application of a first force to an actuator region of the body member, the valve unseals the drinking aperture and upon removal of the first amount of pressure, the valve reseals the aperture. Upon the application of a second force to the actuator region that is greater than the first force, the valve engages a locking mechanism and the aperture remains unsealed upon removal of the applied second force. In a second embodiment first and second actuator regions are employed and the application of a force to the second actuator region secures the valve in an unsealed orientation.

Abstract: A lid for use with a fluid container includes a body member having an outer surface and a peripheral portion. The body member includes a drinking aperture extending therethrough. The valve member has a first end coupled to the peripheral portion via a hinge. The valve member extends from the hinge to a distal end. The valve member includes a sealing portion, is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the body member and configured to be slidably moveable between a first sealing orientation in which the sealing portion of the valve member substantially occludes the drinking aperture and a second drinking orientation in which the valve member does not occlude the drinking aperture so as to permit fluid flow therethrough. The body member, the hinge, and the valve member may be formed as a continuous one-piece member.

Abstract: A container lid for a fluid container is formed of a flexible resilient material includes a body member having a drinking aperture and a valve. Upon application of a first force to an actuator region of the body member, the valve unseals the drinking aperture and upon removal of the first amount of pressure, the valve reseals the aperture. Upon the application of a second force to the actuator region that is greater than the first force, the valve engages a locking mechanism and the aperture remains unsealed upon removal of the applied second force. In a second embodiment first and second actuator regions are employed and the application of a force to the second actuator region secures the valve in an unsealed orientation.

Abstract: A lid for use with a fluid container includes a body member and a valve. The body member defines an aperture and includes a central portion that extends to an outer periphery configured to couple to a rim of a fluid container. In one embodiment, the body member and the valve and connected by an interconnecting portion which are formed as an integral single piece structure. The valve has a first portion directly secured to the bottom surface of the body member and a second free end portion that extends from the first portion. The second free end portion includes a protuberance and is movable relative to the first portion between a free state in which the protuberance seals the aperture and a depressed state obtained in response to downward deflection of the central portion of the body member relative to the outer periphery in which the aperture is unsealed.

Abstract: A lid configured for use with a fluid container includes a body member and a valve. The body member includes a central body that extends to an outer periphery configured to couple to a rim of a fluid container. The body member defines an aperture therethrough and has top and bottom surfaces. The valve has a first portion directly secured to the bottom surface and a second portion that extends from the first portion. The second portion includes a protuberance and is movable relative to the first portion between free and depressed states in response to deflection of at least a portion of the central body relative to the outer periphery. The protuberance is configured for sealed engagement with the aperture while the second portion is in the free state and is spaced from the aperture while the second portion is in the depressed state.

Abstract: A lid for use with a fluid container includes a body member and a valve. The body member defines an aperture and includes a central portion that extends to an outer periphery configured to couple to a rim of a fluid container. In one embodiment, the body member and the valve and connected by an interconnecting portion which are formed as an integral single piece structure. The valve has a first portion directly secured to the bottom surface of the body member and a second free end portion that extends from the first portion. The second free end portion includes a protuberance and is movable relative to the first portion between a free state in which the protuberance seals the aperture and a depressed state obtained in response to downward deflection of the central portion of the body member relative to the outer periphery in which the aperture is unsealed.

Abstract: A method of fixing reflowable elements on electrical contacts. The method includes providing a strip having a number of electrical contacts, each contact including a contact body and a tail portion extending away from the contact body. The tail portions of the contacts are then disposed adjacent an elongate reflowable member. The elongate reflowable member is pushed onto the tail portions of the plurality of contacts. Subsequently, the elongate reflowable member is cut into a plurality of separate reflowable elements, each reflowable element corresponding to one of the tail portions. The electrical contacts with the reflowable element attached thereto are separated from the strip.

Abstract: A method of fixing reflowable elements on electrical contacts. The method includes providing a strip having a number of electrical contacts, each contact including a contact body and a tail portion extending away from the contact body. The tail portions of the contacts are then disposed adjacent an elongate reflowable member. The elongate reflowable member is pushed onto the tail portions of the plurality of contacts. Subsequently, the elongate reflowable member is cut into a plurality of separate reflowable elements, each reflowable element corresponding to one of the tail portions. The electrical contacts with the reflowable element attached thereto are separated from the strip.

Abstract: A method of fixing reflowable elements on electrical contacts. The method includes providing a strip having a number of electrical contacts, each contact including a contact body and a tail portion extending away from the contact body. The tail portions of the contacts are then disposed adjacent an elongate reflowable member. The elongate reflowable member is pushed onto the tail portions of the plurality of contacts. Subsequently, the elongate reflowable member is cut into a plurality of separate reflowable elements, each reflowable element corresponding to one of the tail portions. The electrical contacts with the reflowable element attached thereto are separated from the strip.

Abstract: A sliding mechanism includes two members, one of which is slidable with respect to the other along an axis. One of the members slides back and forth with respect to the other between a first position and a second position. A leaf spring is used as a positioning element to hold one of the members in either the first position or the second position. The leaf spring is attached to one of the two members and the other of the two members includes a projection. The leaf spring abuts the projection holding the slidable member in either the first position or the second position. When a user pushes one of the members from one position to another, the projection pushes the leaf spring out of the way until it passes an apex of the leaf spring and is held in the other position.

Abstract: A solder construction carrier device for connecting electrical components including a carrier with a plurality of compartments and a solder construction disposed in each of the plurality of compartments. Each solder construction includes a conductive wire and a solder component disposed adjacent to the conductive wire.

Abstract: A method of fixing reflowable elements on electrical contacts. The method includes providing a strip having a number of electrical contacts, each contact including a contact body and a tail portion extending away from the contact body. The tail portions of the contacts are then disposed adjacent an elongate reflowable member. The elongate reflowable member is pushed onto the tail portions of the plurality of contacts. Subsequently, the elongate reflowable member is cut into a plurality of separate reflowable elements, each reflowable element corresponding to one of the tail portions. The electrical contacts with the reflowable element attached thereto are separated from the strip.

Abstract: A solder construction carrier device for connecting electrical components including a carrier with a plurality of compartments and a solder construction disposed in each of the plurality of compartments. Each solder construction includes a conductive wire and a solder component disposed adjacent to the conductive wire.

Abstract: In one aspect, a surface mount contact is provided for attachment to a circuit board or the like. The contact includes an elongated electrically conductive pin that has a first end and an opposing second end. A pre-formed heat re-flowable material is attached to one end of the pin and a conductive locator member surrounds the pin at a location between the first and second ends thereof and adjacent the conductive locator member. In one embodiment, the locator member is in the form of a cylindrical collar that extends around the pin.

Abstract: In one aspect, a surface mount contact is provided for attachment to a circuit board or the like. The contact includes an elongated electrically conductive pin that has a first end and an opposing second end. A pre-formed heat re-flowable material is attached to one end of the pin and a conductive locator member surrounds the pin at a location between the first and second ends thereof and adjacent the conductive locator member. In one embodiment, the locator member is in the form of a cylindrical collar that extends around the pin.

Abstract: In one aspect, a surface mount contact is provided for attachment to a circuit board or the like. The contact includes an elongated electrically conductive pin that has a first end and an opposing second end. A pre-formed heat re-flowable material is attached to one end of the pin and a conductive locator member surrounds the pin at a location between the first and second ends thereof and adjacent the conductive locator member. In one embodiment, the locator member is in the form of a cylindrical collar that extends around the pin.

Abstract: A sliding mechanism includes two members, one of which is slidable with respect to the other along an axis. One of the members slides back and forth with respect to the other between a first position and a second position. A leaf spring is used as a positioning element to hold one of the members in either the first position or the second position. The leaf spring is attached to one of the two members and the other of the two members includes a projection. The leaf spring abuts the projection holding the slidable member in either the first position or the second position. When a user pushes one of the members from one position to another, the projection pushes the leaf spring out of the way until it passes an apex of the leaf spring and is held in the other position.

Abstract: A method of retaining a solder mass to a solder-bearing article is provided and includes the steps of: (a) forming a plurality of openings in the solder-bearing article; (b) disposing a length of solder mass over at least some of the plurality of openings; and forming a plurality of solder rivets along the length of the solder mass. The solder rivets serve to retain the length of solder mass to the solder-bearing article. The solder-bearing article includes any number of different types of components where a solder mass is held thereby, e.g., leads, terminals, connectors, electromagnetic shields, etc.

Abstract: An easily openable one-piece RF interference shield and method of manufacturing the same that is cost efficient and easily adapted for use with existing electrical devices. The RF shield having a plurality of interconnected sidewalls, a substantially open bottom region, and a hingeably connected top cover portion, having a top cover latch and disposed along the top edge of one of the sidewalls. The top cover portion of the shield is adapted to hinge toward another one of the sidewalls such that the top cover latch engages a hole disposed on the other sidewall being engaged and completing a protective enclosure about electrical components and preventing those components from causing electromagnetic interferences. The RF shield of the present invention allows for easy opening of the top cover portion to provide access to the enclosure for rework or repair of the electrical components covered by the shield, without having to unsolder the unit from a substrate containing the electrical components.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of reflowing a metal plated target area of a conductive contact is provided and includes the steps of: (1) providing a localized heat source, such as a laser; (2) positioning the contact relative to the localized heat source such that energy emitted by the localized heat source is focused on the plated target area of the conductive contact; and (3) operating the localized heat source and focusing the concentrated energy on the target area such that the metal plating in the target area is heated to a reflow temperature which is greater than a melting temperature of the metal plating so as to cause reflow of the metal plating. The use of the localized heat source (e.g., a laser) permits the reflow to be confined to the target area, while one or more adjacent areas are shielded from being heated to the reflow temperature.