Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the creation of personalized products is disclosed, wherein a user on a user computer can access a host merchant computer via a communication network, such as the Internet. The host merchant computer communicates with a products database containing information on products available for personalization and further contains manufacturing capabilities for the products.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying information about a personalized product are disclosed. A web server processes product personalization information for a vendor. The web server accepts the personalization that a customer has provided and performed on a product. The web server further accepts a submission from the customer for an order for the production of that personalized product. The web server determines the vendors capable of producing the personalized product and may accept either customer selection of a vendor or automatic selection of a vendor to produce the personalized item. The web server can describe the personalized product in a manner consistent with a data specification or a production request format as defined by the vendor.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling for carrying fluid under pressure includes a latch mechanism requiring two independent movements in two different directions for releasing same. The coupling includes improved seals at various locations along with a slide bearing, and improved support fins for internal valves. The coupling is keyed in a plurality of different mating pairs of body and stem assemblies so that the stem assemblies having different keys cannot be mated together.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling for carrying fluid under pressure includes a latch mechanism requiring two independent movements in two different directions for releasing same. The coupling includes improved seals at various locations along with a slide bearing, and improved support fins for internal valves. The coupling is keyed in a plurality of different mating pairs of body and stem assemblies so that the stem assemblies having different keys cannot be mated together.

Abstract: An improved quick connect tube coupling which allows one design for the male coupling portion to be used in either single or double end shut-off applications. A new opening means for the valve located in the female coupling portion is provided for single end shut-off applications and a new valving arrangement located in the male coupling portion is provided for double end shut-off applications. An improved valve seat construction disposed in the female coupling portion is also advantageously provided.

Abstract: A thread protecting device particularly adaptable for use in protecting pipe threads and the threads on various machine parts to prevent them from being damaged during shipping and handling. The protector itself comprises a generally cup-shaped body having a continuous side wall which tapers outwardly for at least a portion of its axial length from a closed bottom end wall toward an open upper end. The side wall has a generally polygonal cross section adjacent the bottom end wall which gradually converges into a generally circular cross section adjacent the open upper end. The thread protector itself is preferably molded from plastic material.