Abstract: The invention relates to a container, in particular as a work room, with variable volume, having a basic container with a bottom wall and a roof wall, at least one expansion element, which can be moved out of the basic container and which exhibits a bottom wall, a side that is open in the direction of the basic container, as well as a front wall opposite the open side, and a device, with which the expansion element can be lowered and lifted. The basic container exhibits at least one hinged side wall and the expansion element is open at the top. In the moved-out state a roof wall of the expansion element is formed by the side wall that is opened up on hinges and belongs to the basic container.

Abstract: A reclosable lid 10 for a container holding a flowable substance has a first piece or cover 12, and a movable second piece or disk 50. The cover 10 has a top wall 14 , a side wall 16 and a mounting portion 22 for connecting the lid 10 on the container. The cover 12 has an opening 28 adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid 10. The cover 12 further includes a slot 30 located in the top wall 14. The disk 50 has at least one aperture 78, a post 54, and a projection 52. The aperture 78 and the projection 52 are each cooperatively dimensioned with the opening 28. The post 54 is adapted to be received by the slot 30 in the cover 12. The disk 50 is movable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the projection 52 is received in the opening 28 in the first position, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28 in the second position.

Abstract: A lid for a container holding a flowable substance has an annular top wall. A side wall depends from the top wall, and has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The top wall has an opening that is adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The top wall also has a retaining member. The lid further has a closure member positioned on the mounting portion. The closure member is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the closure member is received in the opening in the first position and at least a portion of the closure member is received in the retaining member in the second position. The opening and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the opening. The retaining member and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the retaining member.

Abstract: A fuel cap assembly for use with a fuel filler neck of a fuel tank is provided that includes a housing for removably securing and sealing the fuel cap assembly to the filler neck of the fuel tank, an exterior cover mounted to the housing, the housing being provided with a flange extending downwardly from the upper surface of the cover, and a retainer ring being rotatably coupled to an inner periphery of the flange of the exterior cover, a tether being connected to the retainer ring.

Abstract: An insert for a container having a rectangular inner cavity is detachably positioned inside the cavity to form an inscribed wall with rounded inner surface. The insert is a rectangular sheet of flexible resilient material that unrolls inside the cavity due to a spring action of the material to cover the straight corners of the cavity. A reinforcing plate secured to the sheet helps retain the flexible plastic sheet in an upright position inside the cavity.

Abstract: A refuse collection system includes a container shaped and dimensioned to permit a plastic trash bag to be, without the use of tools or fasteners, placed securely in the container such that the mouth of the bag forms an orthogonal opening and will slip loose when the bag is full.

Abstract: A relatively lightweight generator base tank for storing flammable and combustible liquids comprising an inner primary tank encased by foam and fire resistant material which is further encased by an outer secondary tank. The system results in a storage tank that is less likely to leak hazardous substances to the environment and is protected from fire and physical damage.

Abstract: A bottom of a basket or sheet metal container for receiving a plastic container of a combination pallet container for storing and transporting goods forms an upper part of a pallet having at least one transverse bar for supporting the bottom. The bottom has a rectangular bottom surface and an upwardly curved portion forming a rim area. The bottom surface has a depression in front of a center of a first rectangle side of the rectangular bottom surface. The bottom surface has a descending plane descending from a second rectangle side of the rectangular bottom surface positioned opposite the first rectangle side toward the depression and having a lower end adjoining the depression. The bottom surface has two ascending planes adjoining the descending plane on opposed sides of the depression and ascending toward corners of the rectangular bottom surface located on opposite ends of the first rectangle side ends.

Abstract: A steam pressure cooker includes a pot having an outwardly directed horizontal pouring rim and formed with a V-shaped circumferential depression which points inwardly to define a conical surface in an upper rim area. A lid can be placed upon the pot for closing and includes a circumferential groove. Positioned between pot and lid is a rubberized elastic sealing element which is held in the circumferential groove. The sealing element has a sealing body of substantially U-shaped configuration to define two sealing lips in coaxial parallel relationship to the vertical pot axis. One sealing lip bears against an inner wall of the pot and interacts with the conical surface of the pot, when the lid is placed upon the pot. A locking mechanism embraces and thereby clamps the lid and the pouring rim, when the steam pressure cooker is closed, and clears the pouring rim, when the steam pressure cooker is opened.

Abstract: An improved inflatable cooler including one or more sidewalls formed from a flexible plastic membrane having inflatable air chambers formed therein. In addition, the inflatable cooler preferably includes an inflatable lid (formed from a flexible plastic membrane having inflatable air chambers therein) and bottom wall that are integral to one or more of the sidewalls, thereby forming a one-piece construction. Such one-piece construction prevents loss of the lid and bottom wall. The air chambers of the sidewall(s) and lid act as a thermal insulating barrier for the contents of the inflatable cooler (e.g., ice or ice packs or other cooling mechanism along with food and/or drink). In addition, the inflatable cooler includes a flexible plastic membrane that is removably disposed onto the exterior surface of one or more of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A portable icebox having on one of the longer sides of the icebox body, a telescopic or unfolding extendable handle made of a number of joined sections, housed inside vertical cavities in the body of the icebox. When folded, the handle is housed inside the cavities and held by a transverse fitting element on the base of the icebox, preventing it from being fully released, and with the crosspiece for use of the icebox still protruding when the handle is folded.

Abstract: A product dispenser which includes a main housing and a second housing. The main housing contains a pivot arm that closes an electrical switch via a tension spring for producing a desired sound. The pivot arm is operated by a push button which functions to raise a scissor jack which in turn raises a conveyor tube in which a product has been loaded from a product reservoir. The conveyor tube is provided with a slide door that prevents discharge of a product from the reservoir. The conveyor tube also includes a push rod that contacts a pivotable character when the conveyor tube is raised. The push rod pushes the character over so it appears that the character is pouring a product from a container. At the same time the product moves from the conveyor tube to an exit tube. Then the movements are reversed to a rest position from which they started.

Abstract: A candy racer designed so that a child or any other person can observe one or more pieces of candy racing along a track within a housing. A race track is provided within the housing so that the candy pieces pass from one part of the track to another part in succession until the candy piece or pieces reach a reservoir. Axially aligned housings joined to each other may be used for forming a longer race track. The candy racer could be used as a game by at least two players to see which racing piece reaches the bottom first. The race track may be reversed for racing back to the start receptacle.

Abstract: A mechanically operated product dispenser which has a push button that engages one end of a pivoted arm. The opposite end of the pivoted arm is pivotably connected to a slide gear that drives a drive gear. The drive gear drives a spindle on which a cam and a dispenser cog are secured. The cam has a sloping surface groove which receives an arm of a secondary housing in order to pivot the secondary housing as the cam is rotated. The dispenser cog is rotated by the spindle and forces a product in a product reservoir into a dispensing track in the secondary housing. Therefore, the device easily dispenses a product into a receptacle or into one's hand if desired.

Abstract: A towel dispensing device provides a device for warming towels prior to the towels being removed from the dispensing device. The dispensing device includes an electrically powered heating member, the degree of heat being controllable by the user, for warming the space of a warming chamber containing the towels to be dispensed. The towels to be dispensed can be pre-moistened by water or other fluids as required by the user. The dispensing device can also be presented as a serialized group of warming chambers; each individual chamber being able to contain towels pre-moistened with different fluids and warmed to different temperatures prior to being dispensed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for storing medicaments in bulk and individually dispensing solid medicaments, such as medicine in tablet or pill form, including a rotatable carousel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart upwardly opening storage compartments, each receiving a plurality of identical medicaments in bulk different than the medicaments in each other compartment. Disposed on the carousel between each alternate pair of compartments is a vertical discharge chute which is rotated into alignment with a dispensing station after one of the medicaments is removed from one of the compartments. A vacuum operated probe is pivotally mounted on the frame opposite the dispensing station for swinging movement between a lower position, in which a terminal end of the probe is inside the compartments in engagement with a medicament therein, and a raised position above the carousel, allowing the carousel to rotate to a position in which the adjacent discharge chute is aligned with the terminal probe end.

Abstract: A curvy slide delivery chute for use in a machine for vending products includes an elongated body having a central hole formed therein, a pair of recessed channels formed in the body and provided in a wavy longitudinal configuration in the body on opposite sides of the central hole such that the channels are substantially mirror images of one another and protrude below a remainder of the body and extend from an upper end to an opposite lower end of the body such that a product can slide along either one of the channels in being transferred from the upper end to the lower end of the body, and a pair of side rails each formed on the body and protruding thereabove along one of opposite outer sides of the recessed channels.

Abstract: A device for maintaining material flow that can be mounted on either the inside or outside surface of a material dispensing bin. The device includes a material disrupting slide, attached to a reciprocating piston rod that is actuated by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. The reciprocating piston rod may be either circular or non-circular in cross-section, the design defining whether the rod be fixed or non-fixed with respect to longitudinal rotation. To maintain material flow, the device is mounted in a region in the bin where material blockage is likely to occur. The device may be operated in continuous, timed or flow-sensor mode.

Abstract: An automatic sunscreen application vending apparatus comprising in one aspect comprising means to accept payment from a user, means to store sunscreen lotion, and means to spray the user with the stored sunscreen lotion after acceptance of payment. In one embodiment, the machine comprises a door that provides access to the machine, the door comprising a locking controller coupled to the means to accept payment, the locking controller adapted to unlock the door upon the means to receive payment receiving payment from a user.

Abstract: A medicament disposing container includes a bottle having a large diameter for storage of a medicament and an initially sealed narrow nozzle. A cap is threadably engaged on the nozzle and includes a piercer for penetrating a nozzle upon rotation of a cap on the nozzle. The piercer as a tapered end and a lumen therethrough including communication with a port in a piercer circumference. Upon penetration of the nozzle, the port is disposed proximate an internal surface of the nozzle in order to provide a restricted passage for throttling medicament therepast in order to enable dropwise dispensing of the medicament through the piercer lumen.

Abstract: A system for providing portions of a substance, in particular a liquid or pasty substance, includes a bag filled with the substance which is to be dispensed, a storage chamber for holding a store of substance which is to be dispensed being delimited in the bag, which store includes a plurality of portions, preferably a large number of portions, of the substance which is to be dispensed, and a dispensing chamber which can be connected to the storage chamber via a connection in the bag also being delimited in the bag, and the bag being provided, at the dispensing chamber, with an outlet opening for dispensing the substance from the bag, a dispensing device which has a housing in which there is a space for accommodating the bag, which space includes a section for accommodating the storage chamber of the bag and a section for accommodating the dispensing chamber of the bag, the system being designed to supply in each case one or a few portions of the substance to the dispensing chamber from the storage chamber, t

Abstract: The present invention is a fluid product dispenser comprising a distribution orifice and a variable volume reservoir that varies by displacement of a mobile wall in order to reduce the volume of the reservoir. The dispenser is provided with actuation means to move the mobile wall of the reservoir. Advantageously, the actuation means are rotary and comprise a thread that is engaged with the reservoir.

Abstract: An inner bag for bag-in-box capable of increasing an easiness in handling and convenience when a filled inner bag (1) for bag-in-box is handled without an outer box, where reinforced heat sealed parts (5, 5′) formed by cutting out side films (4, 4′) and sealing a front film (6) with a rear film are provided continuously or closely to heat sealed parts (2, 3) on an upper side on/or a lower side of the inner bag, or a holding part is provided formed by sealing the front film (6) with the rear film through or without through the side films (4, 4′) so that a not sealed part (17) between the side films (4, 4′) is formed at or near at least one corner part between the films and the heat sealed parts (2, 3) and so that, when a hand is accessed to the outside of the inner bag (1) through the not sealed part (17).

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a pump dispenser transmitting precisely the trigger motion and enabling stable operation of a piston section. As a means to achieve this objective, a manual operative pump dispenser A mounted on a vessel wherein the liquid contained in the cylinder section is compressed with a piston section by the displacement of a trigger structure and is ejected through the nozzle orifice, including a base body fixed on the vessel orifice via a packing structure, a cylinder section and a vent cylinder section formed in adjacent to each other on the base body, and a trigger structure including a trigger section, a second valve casing section mounted on the base body, and a trigger guide section oscillating in the vent cylinder section is provided.

Abstract: A system for dispensing beverages, in particular for dispensing mixed drinks can be configured to be implemented in conjunction with existing draft systems, for example, draft systems for dispensing beer and the like. Pumps used to dispense the beverages can be powered by the pressurized gas used with the existing draft system. A dual pump system may be used wherein one pump can circulate or mix the beverage within its storage container, while the other pump can pump the beverage for dispensing from a tap.

Abstract: A valve system for the discharge of a flowable substance from a pressure-tight container by a fluid propellant. The valve has a stem with a central bore for the discharge of the fluid. The stem has a second passage open to the free end of the stem and adapted to be brought into communication with a portion of the air-tight container. To this purpose the stem has a transverse bore which can be connected with the interior of the container through an opening of the housing if the stem is in the opened position. In the closed portion of the stem the transverse bore is closed by an annular seal, preferably by the seal between the dome portion of the valve cup and the valve housing. By this measure the fluid to be discharged can be discharged concurrently with gas or another propellant. This joint discharge can also be used for a mixing up of the fluids.

Abstract: An improved gasketed mounting cup for an aerosol container wherein the mounting cup has a curvilinear channel portion and the gasket is a folded-over sleeve gasket, simulating the gasket thickness of a cut gasket; wherein the outer segment of the folded-over gasket is longer than the other gasket segment but of a limited length that will allow the ultimate positioning of the gasket without the longer gasket segment contacting the surface of the mounting cup and being wedged between the bead of the container and the mounting cup during advancement of the gasket into the mounting cup.

Abstract: A valve for downwardly dispensing a precisely controlled flow of granular material from a material storage device has a discharge orifice proximate a lower extremity thereof and includes an axially reciprocable tubular member aligned with and slidable axially upwardly and downwardly within the orifice, having a lateral material intake port formed therein remote from vertical extremities of the member, a lower end member being open to define a discharge orifice for granular material dispensed therby, a chamber at least partially surrounding the tubular member, having an open lower end confronting and spaced above the orifice, the chamber open end affording flow of material from the storage device through the port and into the tubular member when the tubular member is at a first position below the open end, the port being spaced upwardly from the open end when the tubular member is at a second position and a pneumatic piston for moving the tubular member axially between the first and second positions.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method of deploying an air extractor to motivate a stream of air to entrain particles of confetti or snow like medium. An air extractor moves air by means of Bernoulli's principle. A venturi tube constricts a flow of air creating a localized low pressure area at the throat of the constriction.

Abstract: An improved garment finishing machine includes an exterior housing with an entrance and an exit. An interior garment processing chamber processes garments moving downstream from the entrance to the exit. A blower draws air through the processing chamber. An air intake is located between the blower and the processing chamber. The improvement is a continuous lint filtration system. The filtration system includes a filtration medium adapted for capturing lint entrained in air drawn through the garment processing chamber and into the intake. A roller assembly is provided for mechanically advancing the filtration medium across the intake, such that a lint-covered portion of the filtration medium is automatically replaced at the intake with a clean portion of the filtration medium.

Abstract: A bumper mounted spare tire carrier, suitable for very heavy tires, such as those used by off road vehicles and military vehicles.

Abstract: The paint can holder provides an attachment plate with hook, and an attachment device for attaching the paint can holder to a painter's body or fastening the paint can holder to a painter's clothing, for example a pair of openings through which a strap or belt is disposed. The hook may be provided with a movable retaining device that closes the hook to retain the handle of the paint can. The attachment plate is preferably contoured to the shape of the painter's body and may be provided with ridges that reinforce the plate and help to stabilize the paint can.

Abstract: A portable container in the form of a knapsack having a soft-sided wall structure, a bottom portion and an upwardly extending wall adjoining the bottom portion. The bottom portion and the upwardly extending wall co-operate to define a chamber therewithin. Strapping is mounted to the front portion to permit the knapsack to be carried on a person's back. A receptacle is mounted to the upwardly extending wall and extends at least partially inwardly of the upwardly extending wall relative to the chamber. The receptacle has an insulated wall member and an externally accessible closure member permitting access to objects in the receptacle.

Abstract: A powered tool constructed to drive a fastener into a workpiece includes a nosepiece assembly including a back plate and a front plate combining to define a path for a driver blade, the front plate being pivotally movable relative to the back plate between a closed position, in which the front plate and the back plate are in contact with each other, and an open position. The front plate is movable to an interim deflecting position between the closed position and the open position. A handle portion has an outer surface at least partially defining a grip, and an inner surface at least partially defining a chamber. The handle portion includes a substrate having at least one aperture, and an overmold configured for forming a gripping surface on the outer surface and for extending through the apertures into the chamber for forming a resilient mounting point.

Abstract: A tool mount for a pneumatic tool used in installing tongue and groove flooring or other strip material. The mount has a base with a vertically adjustable tool carrier and an adjustable spacer to position the tool vertically and laterally with respect to the flooring or other strip material.

Abstract: A die bonding apparatus includes a first member having a surface to be die bonded on which solder is disposed, a base portion for mounting the first member thereon in a predetermined position, a second member disposed in an inclined manner with respect to the first member and faces the solder, and an inclination attenuating member for inclining and holding the second member with respect to the first member to attenuate an angle of inclination &thgr;1 of the second member with respect to the first member in a state where the solder is melted. In a state where the first, second members, and the solder are heated and the solder is melted, die bonding is effected while the inclination attenuating member gradually attenuates the angle of inclination &thgr; 1, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bubbles in the solder.

Abstract: To provide increased yields of semiconductor devices to achieve efficient production there are provided a storage correlating and storing inspection data of each of a plurality of semiconductor chips formed in a wafer and the position of each of a plurality of triac chips as seen on the wafer, a wafer screening portion referring to the inspection data of the semiconductor chips in the storage to select a wafer from a plurality of wafers, and a die-bonding portion die-bonding a triac chip formed in the selected wafer to a lead frame of a high rank semiconductor device having a superior characteristic.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding method for welding two members to be welded which differ in physical properties and/or mechanical properties by abutting the two members to each other, inserting a pin portion of a rotary tool having the pin portion and a shoulder portion to the abutment surfaces of the two members, and moving the rotary tool along the abutment surfaces. The pin portion is inserted to only one of the members, the pin portion is not inserted to the other of the members but only the shoulder portion is set in contact with the other of the members, and, while this condition is maintained, the rotary tool is moved. With this method, only the member on the side where the pin is inserted can be made to undergo plastic flow attendant on a friction stir action. The metal in plastic flow is pressed against the opposite member at an elevated temperature and high pressure, whereby diffusion of atoms is caused in the vicinity of the abutment surfaces, and the members are welded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for soldering electrical components to soldering positions, which are provided with soldering material, on a plastic sheet provided with applied conductor tracks. The plastic sheet is heated, from the side which is remote from the components, to a below its damage temperature and after heating its side which is remote from the components is thermally insulated. Then, the side which faces the components is acted on by a heating-gas stream which is concentrated onto the locations which are to be soldered by a template which has windows.

Abstract: Fluid permeable graphite article in the form of a perforated flexible graphite sheet having increased electrical and thermal conductivity transverse to the surfaces of the sheet.

Abstract: There is provided a method for applying solder to an element on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises the steps of (a) placing a mold over the surface, where the mold includes a conduit that contains the solder, and (b) heating the solder to a molten state so that the solder flows from the conduit onto the element. The conduit enjoys two degrees of horizontal freedom with respect to the surface such that the conduit becomes substantially aligned with the element when the solder is in the molten state. There is also provided a system for applying solder to an element on a surface of a substrate.

Abstract: A solid phos-copper base brazing alloy component for forming a brazed joint with a raised shoulder and little to no black oxide. The brazing alloys of the present invention are visually distinguishable from copper and copper alloy parts and may provide a good color match for silver and silver alloys, including sterling silver. The solid brazing components of the present invention may be used in forming brazed joints at low brazing temperatures and result in a joint that is ductile, smooth and corrosion resistant. The solid brazing components are provided in the form of wire, strip, foil or a preform, and thus are advantageously used in a wide variety of brazing applications including copper tubing and intricate jewelry. The brazing components of the present invention are made of an alloy having a liquidus temperature above 840° F. and consist essentially of about 4-10% phosphorus, about 0.1-8% tin, up to about 4% antimony, about 0.

Abstract: There is provided a container useful to hold a document such as a photograph for transport such as mailing. The container comprises a first panel, a second panel and securing means. The first panel has a peripheral edge and includes a document securing face. The second panel is hingedly secured to the peripheral edge of said first panel. The first and second panels are moveable between an open position wherein the document securing face is spaced apart from said second panel such that in operation a document secured thereto would be visible, and a closed position wherein the document securing face is substantially covered by said second panel such that in operation a document secured thereto would not be visible and would be secured between said panels. The securing means is adapted to releasably secure said first and second panels in the closed position.

Abstract: A container assembly for bulk materials and a kit for assembling same are disclosed. A forming member having a plurality of sidewalls defines an internal cavity for receiving bulk materials. The sidewalls are arranged relative to one another and are locked into position so as to define a geometric volume of predetermined shape, by means of a locking assembly. The locking assembly can be integrally attached to or can be separable from the sidewalls, and can form a bottom of the container assembly. A tubular sleeve of continuous material is sized to snugly engage and overlie substantially the entire outer surface area of the sidewalls. The sleeve provides the containment strength, while the forming member provides structural shape and stability to the container assembly. Additional layers of corrugated material or woven polypropylene material or their combination may be used as inserts engaging the inner peripheral sidewall areas of the forming member to provide additional strength to the container assembly.

Abstract: A delivery receptacle has a divider wall between the upper and lower compartments, a divider wall opening selectively sealed by two inner pivotable panels, outer side edges of the inner pivotable panels being connected by spring-loaded hinges to a side edges of the divider wall opening for movement about the hinges between normally closed and forcibly-opened positions, and the outer side edges of the inner pivotable panels and the side edges of the divider wall opening being perpendicular to the upper compartment opening.

Abstract: A delivery receptacle has a partial divider wall between the upper and lower compartments, and the divider wall being fixed within the receptacle.

Abstract: A wheel chart having at least one rigid disk formed by a compact disk which, in addition to having a mirrored or reflective layer capable of carrying reproducible information, has legible matter on an obverse side which cooperates with a member such as a transparent rigid disk which can also bear indicia to enable calculations to be made by relative rotation of a disk and a member juxtaposed therewith.

Abstract: A system and method capable of reading machine-readable labels from physical objects, reading coordinate labels of geographical locations, reading timestamp labels from an internal clock, accepting digital text string labels as input obtained directly from a keyboard type input device, or indirectly using a speech-to-text engine transforming any other label type information encoding into digital data by some transduction means, and treating these different labels uniformly as object identifiers for performing various indexing operations such as content authoring, playback, annotation and feedback. The system further allows for the aggregating of object identifiers and their associated content into a single addressable unit called a tour. The system can function in an authoring and a playback mode. The authoring mode permits new audio/text/graphics/video messages to be recorded and bound to an object identifier. The playback mode triggers playback of the recorded messages when the object identifier accessed.

Abstract: A system controller reads first identification information from a semiconductor storage medium. The system controller causes an audio block to operate when a portion of the first identification coincides with the whole or portion of second identification information stored in a non-volatile memory. The system controller stores another portion of the first identification information as a portion of the second identification information in the non-volatile memory. Even if a user adds the first identification information to the semiconductor storage medium, an onboard audio apparatus reads and stores an additional portion of the first identification information in the non-volatile memory. The first identification information added by the user is used for a next operation enable/disable determination for the audio block.

Abstract: An electronic key and reader apparatus for a lock are described comprising a key (400) incorporating a display (402) on which is rendered an image representing a keycode (410), the keycode being adapted in relation to the operation of the key. A reader scans the keycode using a sensor array (408) and may interact with the key by exchanging message data (406) using communication port (404).