Abstract: A closure device for use in selectively opening and closing a receptacle. The closing device includes a pair of linear rods having proximal and distal ends and biasing means connected to the proximal ends of the linear rods for urging the distal ends for the linear rods away from one another. A closure loop is provided which is sized to pass along the linear rods wherein when the closure loop is proximate the proximal ends, the distal ends of the linear rods are spaced furthest from one another and as the closure loop moves toward the distal ends of the linear rods, the distal ends move closer to one another. Purses, storage pouches and wallets can employ such a closure device.

Abstract: A switching device for providing selective telephone access to multi-telephone line and data line sources. The device can be incorporated within a compatible device or configured as a stand-alone, self-contained device. In the later configuration, it includes a housing, an input port for receiving multiple telephone or data lines and an output port for connecting a compatible device, such as a computer modem, to one of the telephone lines. Switching means are provided for selectively connected the compatible device to one of the multi-telephone or data line sources and for selectively blocking access to the multi-telephone or data line sources. Indicator means are further provided for identifying which of the multi-telephone or data line sources are being connected to the compatible device and whether access is being blocked to the multi-telephone or data line sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting non-conforming cigarette packages during the actual fabrication process. A digital camera is placed in close proximity to the blank feeding and folding turret area of a cigarette packaging machine assembly. Prior to the cigarette package being completely formed, the camera captures a digital image of three sections of the pack blank, namely the dust flaps and the inside front face. The camera is used to visually inspect the pack blank for mis-folded or partially or completely missing dust flaps and a reversed pack blank. The captured image is transferred to a processor which compares the pixel value of the three sections of the pack blank to a predetermined pixel value.