Abstract: The present invention is a pill dispenser and organizer to provide easy access and clear organization of various pills to be consumed daily. The dispenser can hold pills in 12 compartments (4 rows of 3 columns each) or 28 compartments (4 rows of 7 columns each). In operation, a user drops pills from the top of the dispenser into the columns of the topmost row. Various embodiments of a mechanism on the side of each row (except the bottommost row) allows the user to transfer the pills from a column in a higher row to a column in a lower row. A set of mechanisms allow the user to remove the pills from the bottommost row, one column at a time. The present invention can be rectangular (the compartments lined in rows and columns) or circular in shape (the compartments extending radially from the center).

Abstract: A coin-operated vending machine includes a magazine which stores small boxes or packages of items one on top of the next in columns or stacks arranged in a circumferential row thereof and a dispensing mechanism operable to effectively dispenses such small boxes or packages of items one at a time from a selected one of the stacks thereof. The vending machine also includes a one-way indexing mechanism operatively adapted to limit rotation movement of the magazine to only one rotational direction and a reciprocal locking mechanism capable of coacting with the dispensing mechanism to lock the magazine in a stationary position when a lowermost package is received in the dispensing mechanism from the selected one of the stacks.

Abstract: A pitcher for holding flexible bags filled with milk or other liquids. The pitcher comprises a substantially rigid housing having a bottom, sides and a generally open top forming a generally hollow interior capable of receiving therein a flexible bag filled with liquid. The housing is dimensioned so that at least a portion of the bag extends upwardly through the open top when the bag is received within the hollow interior. At least one bag clamping member is attached to the housing and is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When it is in its disengaged position the clamping member is generally adjacent to the sides of the housing. When it is in its engaged position the clamping member extends upwardly from the open top of the housing and is releasably securable to a portion of a bag received within the hollow interior of the housing to assist in maintaining the bag in an upright configuration.

Abstract: A mixing module for use in a dispenser system having a housing with a front end, a rear end and an interior opening between the front and rear end, and the housing having a cap covering at the front end. A rod and a mixing chamber are received within the interior opening in the housing and have a rod reception passageway which receives the rod. The mixing module has at least one chemical inlet opening into the rod reception passageway, and the rod is adjustably received within the rod reception passageway with a forward end of travel that places the rod at the front end of the housing. A solvent feed passageway extends in a rearward to forward direction entirely within a wall portion of the housing. There is also a cap covering the housing defining a solvent feed space (e.g., a double wall combination) at the front end with the solvent feed space extending radially inward for solvent feed to the rod upon rod positioning at the front end).

Abstract: A beverage cooler is provided having a container for holding a liquid beverage, a spigot extending from the container for dispensing the liquid beverage therefrom, preferably a telescopically extendable boom attached to a side of the container, a solar panel adjustably attached to an end of the telescopically extendable boom so that the solar panel may be repositioned about the end of the telescopically extendable boom so as to point the solar panel in a direction toward a source of solar energy, and one or more active elements in thermal contact with the container and the liquid beverage therein and electrically connected to the solar panel. Thermoelectric elements powered by the solar panel may be used to cool or heat the liquid beverage within the container.

Abstract: Detachable tube assemblies, such as those useful in remote spraying devices, are disclosed. The assemblies use a U-shaped coupling device having a base with a central aperture, flexible arms, and radial extensions. The radial extensions interfit with alignable radial holes on tubes to be coupled together. The central aperture guides and aligns an actuator rod. The rod can be used to remotely actuate a spray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for portioning flowable food products, consisting of: a first group of cylinders (1) comprising pistons (3) which communicate with a chamber (5) having an inlet (5a) and an outlet (5b); a second group of cylinders (2) comprising pistons (4) which communicate with a chamber (6) having an inlet (6a) and an outlet (6b), and dispensing means. Said dispensing means are controlled by synchronisation and control means in order to: alternately communicate a food product inlet (9) with said chamber (5) whereby the cylinders (1) open the inlet (5a) and close the outlet (5b) thereof; and simultaneously communicate an outlet (10) with said chamber (8) whereby the cylinders (2) close the inlet (56a) and open the outlet (6b) thereof and vice versa. Fluid dynamic cylinders (26) actuate each piston (3, 4) consecutively or actuate on sub-groups of pistons (3, 4) consecutively in order to empty the cylinders (1, 2).

Abstract: A fluid dispenser member having a dispensing wall (623) defining an outside surface and inside surface, said wall being provided with a through dispensing orifice (625) connecting the inside surface to the outside surface, the inside surface forming a leaktight slide cylinder for a piston (632, 633) suitable for moving in leaktight contact inside said cylinder for selectively unmasking the dispensing orifice, said piston forming a wall element of a fluid chamber inside which fluid is selectively put under pressure, said fluid dispenser member being characterized in that the inside surface extends over two surface segments, namely a top segment (6232) and a bottom segment (6242), the top segment having an inside diameter that is smaller than the inside diameter of the bottom segment, the dispensing orifice being formed at the top segment, and the piston being provided with a sealing lip (633) in leaktight sliding contact with the bottom segment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing device that comprises a medium reservoir (S) and a pump device for dosing and dispensing a medium stored in said medium reservoir. The pump device is associated with a pump chamber, and with at least one inlet and one outlet valve. According to the invention, the inlet valve is configured as a sliding valve (10, 12) which, in its closed position, can be displaced by a dosing stroke that defines a dosing volume for the pump chamber (17). The invention further relates to the use of said dosing device for dispensing pharmaceutical active substances, especially for nasal administration.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system comprises a container defining a chamber for a product to be delivered, an outlet from the chamber through which product may in operation be delivered, a valve for controlling passage of product through the outlet and a pump for pressurising product to be delivered, wherein the pump comprises an expandable material which, in operation, may be expanded to provide the pressure for pressurising product to be delivered, the expandable material being an osmotically effective agent and/or a swellable hydrogel and being disposed on one side of a semi-permeable membrane through which, in operation, fluid may be absorbed by the expandable material to expand it and thereby generate an osmotic pressure.

Abstract: In a cartridge for a fluid, as well as a system for handling a fluid using such a cartridge, the cartridge has a tank shaped as a cylinder with an opening to admit and discharge the fluid, as well as a piston that can be moved forward and/or back in the tank in order to pump the fluid in or out through the opening. The piston has a connection element that can be connected with an actuator in order to move the piston forward and/or back. The connection element and the actuator are adapted to one another such that the connection is automatically closed in a first longitudinal section of the tank, given movement of the piston in the longitudinal direction and is automatically released again given movement in the opposite direction, and the connection remains closed in a second longitudinal section of the tank given movement of the piston into this second longitudinal section.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a liquid includes a dispenser body having a liquid passage and an air passage. A valve stem is mounted in the dispenser body and reciprocates between an open position allowing liquid flow and a closed position preventing liquid flow. A pre-assembled unitary seal assembly is threadably engaged with the dispenser body and includes a housing having a bore therethrough. The housing includes a first and second seal members positioned within the bore that each form a dynamic seal with the valve stem to prevent air and liquid from leaking out of the air and liquid passages. The housing further includes a static seal between the outside of the housing and the dispenser body. The valve stem may be moved to an open position by pressurized air acting on a piston and moved to the closed position by a spring-return mechanism to selectively dispense the liquid.

Abstract: A resealable closure system that includes a neck having a finish and a closure. The system includes mechanisms for sealing the container and maintaining the container in a closed position, which may be the same. The system can also include a means for preventing the closure from detaching from the container. The finish has an end that includes a post, an opening and a retaining ring, a recess defined by the retaining ring, and a shoulder. The closure slides onto the neck and has a sleeve that is about the same outside size as the neck. The sleeve has a stop on its interior surface. The top part of the closure has a receptacle to receive the post on the finish.

Abstract: A garment hanger that can hold articles as heavy as about 40 pounds yet is very thin so that it takes up minimal closet space. In addition, the shape of the holder reduces creases and dimples formed on the article of clothing and non-slip surfaces help prevent clothes from slipping off the hanger. Also, because of the dimensions of the hanger, the hanger according to the embodiments of the invention can hold a wide range of sizes of articles, from petites to extra large.

Abstract: An auxiliary garment hanger for adjustably displaying, transporting and storing multiple articles of clothing. The auxiliary garment hanger is a drop loop type garment hanger comprising two parts. A first part is an elongated vertical body having a loop at one end which can be suspended from the hook of a conventional hanger. A second part is a horizontal support having fasteners for attachment to clothing and an integrated latching mechanism which allows the horizontal support to be affixed to the elongated vertical body at varying heights relative to the conventional hanger. The latch can be easily disengaged to permit the horizontal support to be re-adjusted or removed from the elongated body and reattached to another.

Abstract: A roof rack system that is a platform for any roof mounted products. Examples of such products include bikes, skis, snow boards, kayaks, canoes, or storage compartments or baskets. This system will fit any vehicle, any make, any model, any year, with a single stock keeping unit (SKU). It is also an attractive rack, even if it does not carry any products.

Abstract: An automatic cutting device is described for cutting an assembly. The assembly includes a material having a weakened zone therein that defines a useful layer and being attached to a source substrate. The cutting device includes a cutting mechanism and a holding and positioning mechanism operatively associated with the cutting mechanism. The holding and positioning mechanism positions the material so that the cutting mechanism detaches the layer from the source substrate along the weakened zone. The cutting device also includes a control mechanism for adjusting at least two different portions of the assembly during detachment of the layer to facilitate a more precise detachment.

Abstract: A jogger is provided for aligning carton blanks die cut from a sheet supported on inner grid mounted to an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The jogger includes a plate member defining inner and outer faces. The plate member having a recess formed therein and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A jogger element is positioned within the recess and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A fastening element extends through the bore through the plate member and is receivable in a corresponding slot in the outer frame to interconnect the plate member to the outer frame.

Abstract: A nail driver includes a braking unit and a resilient element. The braking unit has a protrusion and is pushed by the resilient element. The braking unit is abutted to a nail pusher of the nail driver to push nails together with the nail pusher in a nail cartridge of the nail driver. When there is no more nail left, the braking unit is pushed to block in the moving path of a securing slide rod of the nail driver so that the nail drive cannot be actuated until the nails are reloaded.

Abstract: A combustion type power tool providing enhanced workability and improved material yieldability. A combustion chamber frame is slidably movably disposed in a housing. A push lever is slidably movably supported to a nose extending from a lower end portion of the housing, and is abuttable on a workpiece. The combustion chamber frame and the push lever are associated with each other by a connection unit including arm sections and a connector section. A compression coil spring for biasing the push lever downwardly is interposed between the connector section and a cylinder disposed in the housing. The housing covers the entire arm sections, the connector section and the spring, so that these components are not directly accessible from an outside.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for sheet staple comprises a reciprocating member (12) which is provided under a cartridge in which stacked sheet staples are contained and which is reciprocated forwardly and backwardly in response to up and down movements of a driver for driving the sheet staples, a feeding pawl (20) mounted rotatably by a predetermined angle in forward and backward directions on the reciprocating member (12) for rotating in a raised direction as the reciprocating member moves forwardly, and a spring (13) for biasing forwardly the reciprocating member (12). Each of the sheet staples is fed out forwardly by raising of the feeding pawl (20). One end of the spring (13) is engaged in a lower side than a center of rotation of the feeding pawl (20). The reciprocating member (12) is urged forwardly through the feeding pawl (20).

Abstract: A segmented introducer device is capable of fitting onto the center rods of circular stapling devices having different stapler head diameters. Multiple body segments are provided depending upon the needs for a given surgical stapler, and the body segments are selectively fit together to provide rod through apertures and a rod bore to receive the center rod of the surgical stapler. The introducer preferably includes blades to help spread tissue as the introducer device is advanced to the tissue site on the head of the stapler. A retraction wire is provided at the tip of the introducer device to aid in its retrieval from a tissue site.

Abstract: A solder coated lid for a package for an electronic device has a lead-free solder layer comprising a Sn—Sb based solder with a liquidus temperature of at least 220 degrees C. provided on at least a region of the lid where the lid is to be joined to a base of a package. The lid can be joined to a base of a package at a low temperature, thereby reducing vaporization of solder components and adhesion thereof to electronic devices within the package.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide solder compositions which include two different fluxing agents. One of the fluxing agents promotes melting of a metal of the solder at a first activation temperature and the other fluxing agent promotes melting of the metal at a second activation temperature that is higher than the first activation temperature. This dual-flux solder may be used in manufacturing microelectronic components and microelectronic component assemblies. In one specific application, the solder may be used to manufacture a flip chip or other microelectronic component which includes self-fluxing solder balls. This can obviate the need to apply another flux composition to the solder balls prior to a subsequent component attach reflow operation.

Abstract: A food container includes an upper portion having a generally frusto-conicle upwardly tapered food containing portion which is adapted to be superimposed on a cover of a beverage container with the cover serving as a base. The food container also includes an integral lower portion for encircling a beverage container below its cover and wherein the upper portion includes a cover engaging portion which extends over only a portion of the cover.

Abstract: A mail slot receiver for use with a door having a mail slot therein comprising an outer frame member pivotably attached to an inner frame member and a receptacle attached to the inner frame member, whereby the inner frame member can pivotably rotate between a mail receiving position and a mail retrieving position.

Abstract: A mailbox includes opposing side pieces, a bottom piece, a rear piece, and a door, all made from die-cast aluminum. The side pieces include abutting top flanges and the mailbox further includes a channel engaging the top flanges to hold the top flanges together. Screws extend through the channel into threaded engagement with the top flanges, and also extend through apertures into apertured bosses to secure all components together. Address signage (sand-cast) is provided for selective attachment to the sides, door or top of the mailbox. The door is pivotally mounted to the mailbox by a pivot pin that telescopingly extends into holes in the side pieces to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A mailbox which has a plate along which mail slides before it falls into a rear compartment, which is not easily accessible from the front of the mailbox. A rear door can optionally be locked in its closed position, and only by successfully opening this door can a person obtain mail deposited within the mailbox of the present invention. All of this is achieved while maintaining a relatively small mailbox size.

Abstract: A drop box for storing mail pieces includes an enclosure, and an articulated door which runs on tracks. The door is selectively positioned in a horizontal course. When the door is in the horizontal course, a mail piece may be inserted through an opening in the enclosure and placed on the door. The door is then withdrawn from the horizontal course to allow the mail piece to drop into a lower portion of the enclosure. When the door has been withdrawn from the horizontal course, it closes the opening in the enclosure.

Abstract: A region having coded data thereon, wherein at least some of the coded data includes data indicative of a functional attribute of a part of the region. A sensing device for use with such a region, the sensing device for sensing and reacting to data indicative of a functional attribute of a part of the region.

Abstract: The meal information supply system includes a small-sized portable terminal for reading a bar code of meal data indicative of the contents of an individual meal taken by a user to obtain the meal data and a meal information supply server for receiving, from the portable terminal of a user, a notification of meal data of the user in question through a communication network, analyzing the contents of the meal indicated by the meal data, totalizing, managing and analyzing information about intake including information of a calorie and a food group of a meal taken by each user with respect to each user, generating data of advice on management of eating habits of the user in question and notifying meal information of analysis results to the user through a communication network.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining data from a document at point of presentment. The document has a predetermined width, and the apparatus has a frame, a drive mechanism mounted on the frame, and sensors. The drive mechanism is adapted to move the document along a document path in the apparatus between a home position, at which the document is inserted into the apparatus, and an exit position, at which the document is removable from the apparatus. The drive mechanism includes a roller rotatable about a roller axis for engaging a contact portion of the document extending along the width thereof. The roller has a substantially smooth surface for supporting the contact portion. The sensors are for obtaining document data from the contact portion of the document.

Abstract: A computing device with an embedded microprocessor or micro-controller, including a software stack which comprises a content manager, and a runtime environment positioned in the stack above or together with a hardware abstraction layer. The content manager is not specific to any one design of runtime environment or hardware abstraction layer, so that several different designs of runtime environment and/or hardware abstraction layer can each operate with the same content manager. This de-couples the content manager from the runtime environment and/or hardware abstraction layer (e.g. a Java Virtual machine; elements of the operating system). The core advantage is that a single content manager can be used across multiple runtime environments and/or hardware abstraction layers; runtime environments and OSs can therefore be swapped without needing to re-write the content manager.

Abstract: A method of setting validity period of IC card, includes preparing IC card including change unit whose state changes with lapse of time starting from initial state without external power, measuring unit configured to measure state of change unit so as to generate information indicating whether or not validity period has elapsed, and operation unit configured to be operable if information indicates that validity period fails to have yet elapsed, and to be inoperable if information indicates that validity period has elapsed, preparing IC card case capable to house IC card by user, IC card case including identification unit configured to determine whether or not user is legitimate, performing user identification utilizing identification unit, when IC card is housed in IC card case, and transmitting signal to change unit in IC card depending on result of user identification, signal initializing change unit to initial state.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring funds are disclosed that utilize a transfer card issued to a sender that enables the sender to transfer funds at independent host locations. The transfer card may be encoded with information about the sender and the intended receiver so that transfer forms are not required for each transaction. The receiver obtains the funds via a distribution center, wherein the personal identity of the receiver is verified before the funds are distributed.

Abstract: A system and method that includes the use of a bank checking account that can be connected to insurance coverage. In particular, a banking consumer can purchase insurance coverage for unexpected events that may affect the historical deposits and withdrawals relating to the checking accounts. Additionally, insurance coverage other than that of the checking account itself can be included, such as life insurance, so long as the account remains active. Accordingly, the present invention can integrate the negative insurance sell into a positive banking experience.

Abstract: A virtual card service system and method are disclosed that include a mobile communication terminal for transmitting an amount of withdrawal money and a withdrawal term for a virtual cash card to the virtual card service system, a virtual cash card system for receiving the amount of withdrawal money and the withdrawal term from the mobile communication terminal, verifying whether the withdrawal money is deposited in a parent account corresponding to the virtual cash card, storing information on the amount of withdrawal money and withdrawing term if the withdrawal money is deposited in the parent account, and informing the mobile communication terminal of authentication, and an ATM for receiving a virtual cash card identifying information, verifying whether the information is within the withdrawal term stored in the virtual cash card system, and withdrawing the amount of withdrawal money from the parent account.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that determine a threshold value for an authorization check, such as an age verification, that is performed at a point of sale or other point of access control where access to a product, service, location, event, or the like, is restricted to individuals who meet an authorization threshold. In embodiments associated with purchases that comprise a variety of items for purchase and a variety of associated age-related authorization thresholds, systems and methods are described for determining an age-related authorization threshold for the purchase as a whole that will authorize the purchase of the items. In embodiments in which a purchaser's authorization is checked with respect to a determined threshold value, a record of the authorization check can be stored and can subsequently be retrieved to verify that an authorization check for the encounter was carried out using the determined threshold value.

Abstract: A medication-dispensing unit is provided for tracking medical products having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag uniquely associated therewith. The dispensing unit includes compartments for receiving medical products therein, and readers for reading the RFID tags associated with the medical products in the compartments. A processor is coupled to the readers for receiving and processing readings of the RFID tags in the compartment to identify the medical products in the compartments. The processor may identify a medical product removed from a compartment by determining a difference between readings of the RFID tags in the compartment taken before and after the medical product is removed from the compartment. The processor may verify that the medical product removed from the compartment is authorized to be removed or confirm that an identified patient is intended to receive the medical product being removed from the compartment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a product distribution management system includes a product management center. The product management center includes a management device to receive product security data on a product from a distribution site and a product management database to store the data received from the distribution site for use in a product authentication process. The data includes product identification information and security information used to authenticate the product.

Abstract: An Enhanced Reflective Optical Encoder (“EROE”) having an emitter module for transmitting emitted optical radiation to an encoded media and a detector module for receiving reflected optical radiation from the encoded media. The EROE may include a transmissive layer covering both the emitter module and the detector module, and an optical isolation element located within the transmissive layer and located between the emitter module and the detector module. The optical isolation element reduces undesired optical radiation transmitted from the emitter module to the detector module, where the undesired optical radiation is a portion of the emitted optical radiation.

Abstract: Bar code information is printed on a printable surface associated with a product, such as a label or container of the product, or the product itself, during a production run under the control of a printer computer. The bar code information may include two components of a composite bar code symbol, where the first component is either pre-printed or printed during a production run, and the second component is printed during the production run. The first component may identify a product that is carried in the containers, while the second component identifies a lot, batch, expiration date or commodity number. In another aspect, check data is used to confirm the accuracy of information that is used by a printer computer to control a printer. In another aspect, first and second bar code symbols portions are read to recover information, and a database is accessed to determine if the recovered information is consistent.

Abstract: Different aiming light patterns are generated to enable an imaging reader to be pointed directly at a target by employing non-interferometric optical components that are fabricated by molding and machining techniques.

Abstract: Present invention is a voice recording and playback apparatus with random and sequential addressing, comprising: a processor for all information operation of the apparatus; a record/playback unit for receiving outside sounds and replaying the sounds; a storage unit for storing the outside sound data received by the record/playback unit; an output unit for assigning the outside sound data with a serial number (S/N) and outputting into an S/N bar code; a sensor for sensing the S/N bar code or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and picking up the sound data for the S/N or RFID and replaying the sound data by the record/playback unit; and a power supplier for the apparatus. Accordingly, after the sensor senses the S/N bar code or the RFID, the sound data for the S/N or RFID can be found in a random addressing style to rapidly find the sound data stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A light scanning arrangement includes a frame directly moved by an inertial drive in order to oscillate a scan element supported by a hinge on the frame at high scan rates and with minimal electrical power consumption.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining light beam position in an electro-optical reader, image projector and like devices includes a drive for moving a scanning light beam at a scan frequency across a target as a scan line, and an electro-optical feedback assembly operatively connected to the drive, for optically detecting scan line position during beam movement, and for generating a feedback signal at the scan frequency, the feedback signal being indicative of the scan line position. A feedback coil in the drive is eliminated to avoid electromagnetic coupling between multiple coils in the drive.

Abstract: A method of setting validity period of IC card, includes preparing IC card including change unit whose state changes with lapse of time starting from initial state without external power, measuring unit configured to measure state of change unit so as to generate information indicating whether or not validity period has elapsed, and operation unit configured to be operable if information indicates that validity period fails to have yet elapsed, and to be inoperable if information indicates that validity period has elapsed, preparing IC card case capable to house IC card by user, IC card case including identification unit configured to determine whether or not user is legitimate, performing user identification utilizing identification unit, when IC card is housed in IC card case, and transmitting signal to change unit in IC card depending on result of user identification, signal initializing change unit to initial state.

Abstract: A method includes the step of transmitting by a server to a printer, recorded information image data generated from the recorded information or the information to be recorded on a recording medium; the step of receiving, from the printer which receives and stores the original image, an ID of a contactless IC chip, the ID read by the printer from the recording medium; the step of linking the ID to the recorded information image data and recording them in a database; the step of receiving, from a reader terminal, an ID as a confirmation information read by the reader terminal from a recording medium to be checked; and the step of making a search, according to the confirmation information, through the database for recorded information image data corresponding to the ID and transmitting the recorded information image data to an output terminal.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a small-sized noncontact IC card reader/writer that can enhance the efficiency of an amplifier at a low cost.

Abstract: A generic data package template is described that allows data to be encoded and printed in any arbitrary shape using an arbitrary encoding scheme. The template comprises an arbitrary shaped constant background pattern that is read to locate and orient a data area. The data are contains a plurality of dots that are decoded to extract the stored information.