Patents Issued in April 20, 2006
  • Publication number: 20060081652
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a fuel filter assembly that can be easily installed on a portable fuel container, such as a race fuel jug or utility jug. The assembly includes a fuel filter positioned in the fuel container to filter fuel that is being poured or otherwise discharged from the container. The fuel filter desirably is selected to filter dirt and other particulate matter that can clog the carburetor or cause damage to other engine parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Dan Press
  • Publication number: 20060081653
    Abstract: A system for dispensing a customised nutritional serving is made up of ingredients stored within a device incorporating the system. The device has a controller in whose memory is stored an inventory of the ingredients available in the device, their compositions and properties and customer profile data. The controller is programmed to formulate a serving which best matches the customised serving selected by the customer within constraints set by the programming taking into account the inventory of ingredients and the health profile of the customer. The customer is then presented with the selected serving and either accepts it or modifies it. The device is then programmed to prepare and dispense the final selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Boland, Steven Haylock, Peter Munro, David Alexander, Abby Thompson, Richard Archer
  • Publication number: 20060081654
    Abstract: A fastener element (10) for fastening a fluid dispenser member (20), such as a pump or a valve, on a fluid reservoir (1), said fastener element (10) including a deformable snap-fastener portion (15) for snap-fastening on the neck (2) of the reservoir (1), said fastener element being characterized in that said snap-fastener portion (15) includes stiffener means (20) for substantially preventing said snap-fastener portion (15) from deforming after snap-fastening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventor: Francois Le Maner
  • Publication number: 20060081655
    Abstract: A fastener device (1) for fastening a fluid dispenser member (2) on a reservoir neck (3) having an inner wall (31) and a top end-wall (32), said fastener device including receiver means (10) adapted to receive a dispenser member (2) in secure manner, and fastener means (14, 15) capable of becoming engaged with the reservoir neck (3), the fastener means including an adhesive-coated application zone (14) capable of coming into contact with the reservoir neck (3), said device being characterized in that the adhesive-coated application zone (14) is designed to come into contact with the top end-wall (32) of the neck (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Stephane Beranger, Eirmin Garcia
  • Publication number: 20060081656
    Abstract: An atomiser provided with a manually activated pump forming a stopper, which is mounted by force in the opening of the bottle. The bottle is made entirely from a plastic material, moulded as a single piece, and the opening of this bottle comprises on the inside an annular hooking rib and the plastic material used to make the bottle is harder and more rigid than the material used to make the pump body so that the said rib can encrust in the pump body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Bougamont
  • Publication number: 20060081657
    Abstract: This invention disclosed herein relates to a pump apparatus for use with a liquid container for transferring liquid from a liquid container. It comprises a pump means comprising a manually-operable pump for pumping liquid and formed with a pump chamber through which liquid can be pumped by the pump. It also has an inlet opening for receiving liquid into the pump chamber and an outlet opening for dispensing liquid out of the pump chamber when liquid is pumped through the chamber using the pump. There is a coupling means for mounting the pump means to the opening of a liquid container to permit the gravitational flow of liquid into the pump chamber through the inlet opening when the mounted pump means is placed on ground level and the pump pumped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Bonner
  • Publication number: 20060081658
    Abstract: A nozzle arrangement adapted to be fitted to a pressurized vessel and to permit fluid to be dispensed through it under pressure, is presented. The nozzle arrangement includes a body having an inlet, an outlet, an internal fluid flow passageway through which fluid can flow from the inlet to the outlet, and an actuator portion adapted, upon operation, to engage and open an outlet valve of the pressurized vessel. The nozzle arrangement further includes a resiliently deformable wall member that undergoes a resilient deformation from an initial resiliently-biased configuration to a distended configuration in response to the operation of the actuator portion, and to revert to the initial resiliently-biased configuration when the operation of the actuator portion has ceased and cause any fluid remaining in the passageway to be expelled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: INCRO LIMITED
    Inventors: Keith Laidler, Timothy Rodd
  • Publication number: 20060081659
    Abstract: An improved aerosol spray dispenser that includes a nozzle extension that does not come detached from the aerosol actuator and become lost. This will allow the consumer a more convenient usage of aerosol sprays that require extensions to concentrate the spray and eliminate the likelihood that a nozzle extension will become misplaced between uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Johnny Walker
  • Publication number: 20060081660
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a main body (13,24) with a cavity (25) having an aperture (35a) formed through the main body and channels (26) formed radially in the cavity wall. A seal member (18) is shaped to fit within the cavity such that when the seal member moves away from the aperture flow is permitted in the channel toward and through the aperture. The valve is for incorporation with a tap device, particularly for use with a “mini-keg” of beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Diageo Ireland
    Inventors: Neal Harvey, Peter Viner, Roseanne Gilhooly, Daniel Donnelly
  • Publication number: 20060081661
    Abstract: A dispensing device which can be mounted on a container fitted with a dispensing element through which a product held in the container can emerge when this element is actuated. The device includes an element for mounting the device on the container, and a dispensing head. The dispensing head includes a dispensing orifice and a conduit to channel the product emerging from the dispensing element to the dispensing orifice. An actuating surface is movable relative to the mounting element, and actuates the dispensing element. In a preferred example, the actuating surface and the conduit are formed by molding as a single piece. A closure member is configured to cover the dispensing orifice in a stowed position. Movement of the closure element to the stowed position involves a force exerted by the closure element on the head, axially to the conduit, in the direction toward the dispensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: L'OREAL
    Inventors: Pierre-Andre Lasserre, Marcel Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20060081662
    Abstract: A spout (2) of a bottle (1) is provided on the inner side thereof with a partition (3) for dividing the space inside the spout into a liquid effluent part (5) and an air influent part (6). The partition is connected to and integrated with the spout. The space inside the spout divided by the partition is opened in the opening face of the spout toward the outer direction on both the liquid effluent part side and the air influent part side. The partition on the air influent part side is directed toward the interior of the bottle and continued to the inner wall of the spout and closed in the form of a bag. The partition is provided on the trailing part thereof with an air hole (4) connecting the air influent part and the interior of the bottle. When a person applies his lips to the liquid effluent part and tilts the bottle so as to lower the liquid effluent part, the drinking water in the bottle flows into his mouth through the liquid effluent part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Shuichi MIURA
    Inventor: Noboru Miura
  • Publication number: 20060081663
    Abstract: A backpack includes a body and a supporting frame. The body includes a plurality of straps, a plurality of pouches, and a compartment. The compartment is communicated with outside via an opening in a bottom thereof. A seat is connected via a connecting member to a side delimiting the compartment. The supporting frame includes a base frame and a back frame pivotally connected with the base frame. The back frame is inserted via the opening into the body and abuts against an inner wall delimiting the compartment, with two distal ends of the back frame protruding out of the body. The base frame includes two distal ends respectively pivotally connected to the distal ends of the back frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Ming-Hsin Chiang
  • Publication number: 20060081664
    Abstract: A towable bag comprises a body having at least one wheel, a tow bar comprising a plurality of articulated sections, one end of the tow bar being releasably attached to the body of the bag and the second end of the tow bar being adapted to releasably engage a coupling means being worn by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Ka Yeung
  • Publication number: 20060081665
    Abstract: A balloon keeper bracelet includes a bracelet and a means for securing a balloon tether. Either the bracelet, the means for securing the tether, or both are made to be releasable or frangible so as to separate from the child or other person upon the application of forces that ordinarily would be sufficient to injure or cause pain or significant discomfort to the child or other person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Hoa Nguyen, Tasha Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20060081666
    Abstract: Protective case with a removable clip for selectively securing a handheld electronic device to a belt or strap. The protective case is a form-rigid shell onto which the clip is easily and quickly assembled or removed by snapping a clip retainer into place or removing the clip retainer. The case, with the clip removed, provides no surfaces that catch inadvertently on or scratch other objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Bill Chee
  • Publication number: 20060081667
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hook device which can be firmly positioned on a nailer, wherein a fastener is used to insert in the rear plug by cooperating with a ring-like hook, so as to make the rear plug slightly bulge out to press against the ring-like hook, thus, the ring-like hook is firmly fixed to the rear plug. The hook device can be arbitrarily and rotatably positioned on the nailer, wherein a plurality of positioning grooves are formed on the step circular wall of the rear plug, and a ring-like hook is mounted on the rear plug. The ring-like hook is provided with a positioning unit which is to be engaged in the positioning grooves of the rear plug, so as to enable the ring-like hook to be rotatably positioned on rear plug. Thereby, the user can position the nailer arbitrarily according to real needs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Chun-Chin Lai, Jian-Rung Wu
  • Publication number: 20060081668
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting a golf bag onto a golf car in a secure position includes a first attachment member arranged on the golf bag. A second attachment member is arranged on the golf car. The first attachment member presents an engagement surface operable to matingly engage a complementary engagement surface on the second attachment member. One of the first and second attachment members defines a male insertion portion and the other attachment member defines a female receiving portion. The first and second attachment members cooperatively mate upon movement of the golf bag in a linear direction relative to the golf car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Haines, Donald Hanson
  • Publication number: 20060081669
    Abstract: An invention to provide temporary portable attachment for securing multimedia devices to a vehicle's interior between seats, front or rear storage compartment/console, arm rest, bench seats or passenger seat. The vehicle computer support assembly is laid onto the center console and temporarily attached by straps, buckles, and hooks. The multimedia devices are than placed and secured within the vehicular computer support assembly. The vehicle computer support assembly is now ready for use by the driver for directional assistance, a passenger's entertainment through DVDs, CDs, educational interaction software, or work related software programs. The rear extension provides entertainment or work related opportunities. The lap table extends the computer securing and stability to outside a vehicle's interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Lawrence Rissler
  • Publication number: 20060081670
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ski bag having a reinforcing element in at least one region. This reinforcing element prevents the steel edges of the skis from cutting open the ski bag in the event of a crash such that parts cannot be thrown into the passenger compartment through the ski bag or the skis cannot be thrown into the passenger compartment through this opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sitzler, Hartmut Bohlke
  • Publication number: 20060081671
    Abstract: A hip support for a shoulder-carried golf bag. A “U-shaped” member is affixed to a golf bag to contact the golfer's body adjacent the lumber and pelvic area of the golfer's back and hip. When the strap(s) of a golf bag are placed over the shoulder, the hip support member engages and is partially supported by the hip and transfers at least a portion of the weight of the golf bag from the shoulders to the wearer's pelvic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Grant
  • Publication number: 20060081672
    Abstract: A bag including a bag body having an inlet and defining a storage compartment, and a resiliently flexible strap attached to the bag body and biased to extend away from the bag body to facilitate insertion of an arm therethrough. A spring member, such as a strip of resiliently flexible material, extends substantially the length of the strap, such as in a sleeve or padding thereof. A fastener may be used to attach the strap adjacent to the bag body so as to substantially close an opening between the strap and the bag body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Erwin Cheldin
  • Publication number: 20060081673
    Abstract: The device for breaking a glass pane (90) comprises at least one first breaking body (71) that is displaceable along the front side (90a) of the glass pane, at least one second breaking body (72) that is displaceable along the back side (90b) of the glass pane, and a flexible support (49) that serves for supporting the glass pane and that is arranged between the two breaking bodies. According to the method for breaking a glass pane the two breaking bodies are displaced synchronously. The device and the method simplify the production of glass panes of any desired shape, particularly since a template corresponding to the shape is no longer required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Mark Schenk, Bernhard Manz
  • Publication number: 20060081674
    Abstract: Lottery ticket dispensing housings are provided with a hinged, transparent rear and top cover, a hinged front wall, and a powered ticket drive and separator module. A relatively tall embodiment of the dispenser with a small footprint is fitted onto the countertop of a check-out counter of a retail store. The top of the housing is flat so as to provide a convenient place for customers to write checks with the tickets being displayed immediately below being highly visible to the customer. A display of relatively flat and short dispensers is provided wherein a rack or housing supports the dispensers one a top of the other in a vertical array. The dispensers are shifted laterally with respect to one another so as to give greater viewability of the contents of each of the dispensers to a customer. The length of each dispenser can be decreased with the increasing elevation of the dispenser so as to provide a vertical alignment of the front sides of the dispensers, the side through which tickets are dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Brian Roberts, David Petch
  • Publication number: 20060081675
    Abstract: A wire feeding mechanism for advancing a continuous length of wire along a pathway includes a housing having first and second roller supports each rotatable about a corresponding axis transverse to the pathway. A first and second roller supports are on opposite sides of the pathway and are driveably engaged with each other. A first drive roller is on the first roller support for rotation therewith and has a first roller axis coaxial with the axis of the first roller support. The first drive roller has a first drive roller outer surface extending circumferentially about the first axis. A second drive roller is on the second roller support for rotation therewith and has a second roller axis coaxial with the axis of the second roller support. The second drive roller has a second drive roller outer surface extending circumferentially about the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Edward Enyedy
  • Publication number: 20060081676
    Abstract: The fastener tool includes a nosepiece, a nosepiece cover pivotally attached to the nosepiece, a latch pivotally attached to the nosepiece cover, a latch wire pivotally attached to the latch for engaging at least one hook disposed on the nosepiece, wherein the latch wire has a portion extending between the latch and the hook, the portion having at least two bends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Craig Schell, Ashok Baskar, Keven Miller, Thomas Miller, Charles Frohlich, John Buck
  • Publication number: 20060081677
    Abstract: A contact member of a power-driven nailing machine is provided with a ring portion, a guide arm, and a guide portion. The ring portion is projected outwardly beyond a lower end of a nose portion and can keep a clearance from the lower end. The guide arm is extended upwardly from one end of the ring portion along a side surface of the nose portion. The guide portion is provided on an upper portion of the guide arm and can be slidably guided to the nose portion. The nose portion includes a projecting piece projected from the outer peripheral surface of the lower end toward an inner peripheral surface of the one end of the ring portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Minoru Yasuike, Tatsushi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20060081678
    Abstract: An improved surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a cartridge half-section and an anvil half-section with the cartridge and anvil half-sections being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position. The apparatus includes a replaceable staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples and a pivotably mounted safety lock-out. The safety lock-out is pivotable between an initial position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to the fully clamped position is permitted and a blocking position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to return them to their fully clamped position after the plurality of staples have been at least partially fired is prevented. The apparatus further includes a pivotably mounted firing lever for moving a pair of camming surfaces longitudinally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Karl Ehrenfels, David Ivanko, Randolph Lehn, Roberto Pedros, Csaba Rethy, Frank Viola
  • Publication number: 20060081679
    Abstract: There is provided a friction stir spot joining device in which a pin can be simply and surely caused to come in or come out from a tip end of the joining tool by driving a pin extraction motor when the pin extraction motor is used so as to cause the pin to come in or come out from the tip end of a joining tool. The friction stir spot joining device for softening and stirring works to be joined due to frictional heat generated by rotation of a pin so as to perform spot joining, and provided with a stirring motor for rotating a joining tool having a pin, and a pressure application motor for linearly driving the joining tool, said friction stir spot joining device further comprises a pin extraction motor which is disposed at the rear of a stirring motor on the same axis line as the stirring motor while integrated with the stirring motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Yoshio Sato, Kenta Aoki
  • Publication number: 20060081680
    Abstract: A desoldering wick having an inner metal coating such as a 0.1 ?m to 12 ?m layer of tin or tin-alloy and an outer noble metal coating such as a 0.5 nm to 10 ?m layer of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or rhodium for the removal of lead-free solder; a method of manufacturing the desoldering wick; and methods of using the wick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Kayoko Yoshimura, Takashi Uetani
  • Publication number: 20060081681
    Abstract: A method of producing coated diamond particles includes the steps of providing a combination of a transition metal selected from zirconium, hafnium, niobium and tantalum, an activation metal and uncoated diamond particles, and heat treating the combination in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to cause the activation metal to bond to the diamond particles and the transition metal to form a carbide coating on the diamond particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Noel Pipkin
  • Publication number: 20060081682
    Abstract: A method of brazing an aluminum material, which contains: using an aluminum alloy brazing sheet, wherein an aluminum alloy containing 0.2 to 1 mass % of Mg is used for a core alloy; the brazing sheet, in which an Mg amount in a filler alloy is 0.05 mass % or less, is used; and the brazing is carried out by using a brazing furnace that has at least two chambers for brazing in an inert gas atmosphere under a heating condition of a temperature-rising time of within 12 minutes from a temperature exceeding 200° C., to 570° C.; a brazing furnace and an aluminum alloy brazing sheet, each of which is used in the method; and a heat exchanger, which is produced by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: FURUKAWA-SKY ALUMINUM CORP.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Doko, Yutaka Yanagawa
  • Publication number: 20060081683
    Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Scott Packer, Jonathan Babb, Russell Steel, Monte Russell
  • Publication number: 20060081684
    Abstract: A method of magnetically welding an end fitting to a metal tube includes assembling a driver ring over an end of the tube and inserting a length of the end fitting into a bore of the tube. An overlap region of the tube, the driver ring and the cylinder are encompassed by an inductor assembly of a magnetic pulse welding apparatus and the tube is welded to the end fitting using the magnetic welding apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: James Moore
  • Publication number: 20060081685
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a process for repairing metal workpieces, such as turbine engine components, is provided. The process comprises the steps of forming a braze paste containing a first nickel base alloy material containing boron and chromium and a second nickel base alloy material containing chromium and cobalt, applying the brazing paste to an area of the metal workpiece containing at least one crack, and subjecting the workpiece and the brazing paste to a brazing cycle by heating the brazing paste and the workpiece, preferably to a temperature in the range of from 2000 to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit. During the brazing cycle, the brazing paste flows into and fills the at least one crack and thus repairs the metal workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Monika Kinstler
  • Publication number: 20060081686
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a process for repairing metal workpieces, such as turbine engine components, is provided. The process comprises the steps of forming a braze paste containing a first nickel base alloy material containing boron and chromium and a second nickel base alloy material containing chromium and cobalt, applying the brazing paste to an area of the metal workpiece containing at least one crack, and subjecting the workpiece and the brazing paste to a brazing cycle by heating the brazing paste and the workpiece, preferably to a temperature in the range of from 2000 to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit. During the brazing cycle, the brazing paste flows into and fills the at least one crack and thus repairs the metal workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Monika Kinstler
  • Publication number: 20060081687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filler wire alloy composition including, in wt. %: Mg 6.0 to 9.5%, Mn 0.9 to 2.0%, Zn 0.2 to 0.9%, Zr?0.3%, preferably 0.05 to 0.25%, Cr?0.5%, Sc?2.8%, Cu?0.5%, preferably ?0.25%, Fe?0.5%, Si?0.5%, Ti?0.3%, the balance aluminium and incidental elements and impurities. The invention further relates to a welded structure welded together with the present filler alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Corus Aluminium Walzprodukte GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Mechsner, Huibrecht Wouters
  • Publication number: 20060081688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to composite paperboard containers and methods for making the same. Specifically, the present invention includes a curvilinear container comprising a tubular body formed convolutely or via spiral winding from a single paperboard ply or multiple plies as commonly known in the art. The tubular body includes opposing ends that can be sealed by paperboard, metallic, plastic, or membrane-type end closures so as to preserve the consumable products typically enclosed by the container. The curvilinear container includes a tubular body having a curvilinear portion wherein the diameter of the tubular body varies along the length of the curvilinear portion. A plurality of radially projecting ribs are distributed about the circumference of the curvilinear portion as collection areas for excess tube wall material and thereby accommodate reduction of the tube wall diameter within the curvilinear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Teddy Westphal, Richard Osman, H. Davis
  • Publication number: 20060081689
    Abstract: The invention relates to items which are used to protect documents, such as folders, ring binders, clip binders or similar. The inventive items are provided with flaps or pockets on one or both of the inner faces thereof. Moreover, said items comprise a securing device or element which protects the documents contained therein and holds same in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Pablo Sierra
  • Publication number: 20060081690
    Abstract: A blank for forming a carton of the end loading type for containing a plurality of beverage cans, the capacity of the carton can be increased to accommodate the insertion of ice-cubes into the carton for cooling the beverage cans contained therein, the blank for forming the carton, including a series of main panels including at least one top panel, one of the top panels having a tear strip and thereby being separable into two parts, the blank further including end extension panels, wherein upon constructing the blank into the set up carton, separating the top panel, by deploying the tear strip, allows each end extension panel and each of the separated parts of the top panel to be raised above the tops of the beverage cans to increase the capacity of the carton to accommodate the insertion of ice cubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Aaron Bates, Michael Scrimger, Jean-Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20060081691
    Abstract: A fully enclosed paperboard carton having a top, a base, a pair of oppositely disposed sides and a pair of oppositely disposed end panels. Each end panel being substantially planar and perpendicular to the base and top. Each side having a lower portion that is substantially planar and perpendicular to the base and an upper portion that is substantially planar and tapers inwardly towards its edge connection with the top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Brian Smalley
  • Publication number: 20060081692
    Abstract: A carton for containing a number of articles with each article having an article diameter. The carton includes a front wall, a hinged flap positioned on the front wall, and an access flap positioned on the front wall adjacent to the hinged flap. The access flap has a height less than the article diameter such that the articles are retained within the carton by the hinged flap when the access flap is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: Noel Stewart, James Wang
  • Publication number: 20060081693
    Abstract: A light-weight mailing product is provided, including first and second walls parallel to each other, each wall having first, second, third and fourth edges, and a third wall attached along the first edges of the first and second walls connecting the first wall to the second wall. The product also includes first and second wall flaps, the first wall flap attached along the second edge of the first wall and the second wall flap attached along the second edge of the second wall, the first wall flap substantially overlapping the second wall flap with the first and second wall flaps parallel to the third wall, and the first and second wall flaps attached together with an adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Mangerson
  • Publication number: 20060081694
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rural mailbox apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a lower housing and an upper, pivotally mounted upper shell. The lower housing has an opening for passing mail into and out of the housing. The upper shell is pivotally connected to the lower housing with the upper shell being vertically and rotatably moveable between a lowered, closed position and an upper, open position. In the lowered, closed position, the shell sufficiently covers the housing opening to protect contained mail from normal environmental conditions. When the shell is in the upper, open position, access is provided for a user to deposit mail into or extract mail out of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Roger Campbell
  • Publication number: 20060081695
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems that provide enhanced user assistance. A method includes receiving a query related to an electronic device through a first interface associated with the electronic device, and providing an assistance corresponding to the query through a second interface associated with the electronic device. A system includes an electronic device including a first interface and a second interface. The system further includes instructions which when implemented in the electronic device cause the electronic device to receive a query related to the electronic device through a first interface associated with the electronic device, and provide an assistance corresponding to the query through a second interface associated with the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Edward Jung, Royce Levien, Mark Malamud, John Rinaldo
  • Publication number: 20060081696
    Abstract: An information managing apparatus for managing an information display medium is disclosed that includes a reversible display unit that is configured to reversibly display information in visible form and a reversible display storage unit that is configured to store display content data corresponding to the information displayed at the reversible display unit. The apparatus further includes a scanner unit that is configured to read a display of the reversible display unit and acquire display read data of the read display; a reader unit that is configured to acquire first display content data stored in the reversible display storage unit; and a control unit that is configured to compare the display read data acquired by the scanner unit and the first display content data acquired by the reader unit, extract a difference between the display read data and the first display content data based on the comparison, and output the extracted difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Hideo Sakurai, Atsushi Kutami, Tetsuo Noji, Yoshihiro Sugiyama, Junpei Sakae, Yoshiaki Nishizaki
  • Publication number: 20060081697
    Abstract: During an inspection discrete checkpoints provide data to a portable reader, enabling a record to be generated identifying each checkpoint visited during an inspection. At least one checkpoint associated with the inspection will convey ancillary data to the portable device, either in lieu of, or in addition to, a checkpoint ID uniquely identifying a location or component inspected. The ID is not ancillary data, because the only function of the ID is to verify that an inspector was present at a particular location or component. In contrast, ancillary data are data that have an additional utility. For example, a sensor may be disposed in proximity of the component or location to be inspected. Data collected by such a sensor represents ancillary data, because such data does more than uniquely identify a particular location or component that was visited during an inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Zonar Compliance Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Brinton, Charles McQuade
  • Publication number: 20060081698
    Abstract: An electronic settlement system includes a plurality of reader-writers, a controller, and a wireless communication circuit to connect the reader-writers to the controller. The controller includes an authentication module to authenticate an IC chip brought into a read area of any one of the reader-writers. The system has no need to providing each of the reader-writers with an IC chip authentication module. Also not needed are wires to connect the reader-writers to the controller. Accordingly, the electronic settlement system is realizable at low cost even if the system involves a plurality of reader-writers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Nihon Unica Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20060081699
    Abstract: A method for recharging chip cards, the recharging being made from a terminal which is connectable to a service center for recharging the chip card. During the process either data are filled in a filling-in coupon or the data are gained by reading a bar code in combination with a manual input. The data contain at least the identification number of the chip card to be recharged and a sum by which the chip card should be credited. Then the correctness of the filed data is executed either directly in the terminal or the terminal is connected to a datacenter where the checking of the meaningfulness of the filed data is executed. If the checking has a positive result, the value corresponding with the desired sum is transferred to the chip card or an account associated by means of the identification number with the card is increased by the mentioned value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Jiri Hosnedl, Jiri Meixner
  • Publication number: 20060081700
    Abstract: A secure credit card having daily changing security number is disclosed. The upper half portion of the secure credit card has a magnet strip and its thickness is same as a normal credit card, so it can be read by a credit-card reader. The bottom half portion of the secure credit card contains a processor, key or keypad, battery, display window and a program download port. The processor is loaded with a predetermined program so that the processor can generate date and a daily renewed security number that can be shown on the display window. The security number is the function of the date and their relationship is defined by the predetermined program. Giving a date, a corresponding security number can be generated by this predetermined program. The computer of the credit card company keeps this predetermined program and can compute the security number of the date by this predetermined program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Gongling Li
  • Publication number: 20060081701
    Abstract: An instrumentation system including a plurality of sensors attached to a test piece, each of the sensors provided with an electrical signal generating device and an electrical signal measurement device. Each sensor is located remotely from its electrical signal measurement device, and connected thereto by connectors. A method of testing connectivity of the instrumentation system including: inducing an electrical signal in a first sensor; and checking that the electric signal is received in the corresponding signal measurement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Stephen Pang, Patrick Best, Alan March, Christopher Morgan, David Chaboty