Patents Issued in July 24, 2007
  • Patent number: 7246714
    Abstract: A single point hinge and a method of thermoforming a plastic container including a single point hinge include a lid, a tray, a single point hinge connecting the lid and the tray. The single point hinge includes an angle formed by a lid chamfer and a tray chamfer. The single point hinge further includes a lid well adjacent to the lid chamfer and a tray well adjacent to the tray chamfer, and the lid connects to the lid well and the tray connects to the tray well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Anchor Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Satya Garg, Brent Riales, David Smith, Tim Cimmerer
  • Patent number: 7246715
    Abstract: A reclosable lid 310 for a container holding a flowable substance has a cover 312 and a rotatable element 50 rotatably supported by the cover 312. The cover 312 has an opening 28 and a slot 30 located in a top wall 14 of the cover 312. The cover 312 also has a tab 323 extending outward from a portion of the cover 312. The rotatable element 50 has at least one aperture 78 and an actuator 54 that is accessible through the slot 30. The element 50 is moveable by manipulation of the actuator 54 between a first position wherein the aperture 78 is misaligned with the opening 28, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28. The cover 312 has at least one support member 102 extending radially inward from an inner surface 100 of the cover 312, wherein the support member 102 rotatably supports the element 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone, Heath A. Doty, Richard Michael Sandusky
  • Patent number: 7246716
    Abstract: A disposable cup lid for placement onto the rim of a drinking cup has a cover portion having a drinking access port and a condiment opening, a rim portion, a reclosable and tearable fold-back condiment tab, a hinge, a post and a recess. The cup lid is structured in such a manner that when the condiment opening is not in use, the condiment opening is reclosable by the condiment tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Amhil Enterprises
    Inventor: Terry Durdon
  • Patent number: 7246717
    Abstract: An above-ground, double-walled, tank for holding combustible material and supporting a generator has an outer tank and an inner tank with structural baffles, all made from type 316 stainless steel. An interstitial space formed by the outer tank and inner tank is filled with a fire resistant solution consisting of a fire block gel and water. An internal support system, including structural baffles in the inner tank, provide a structure to support a generator and other equipment on the top of the tank without the use of tank wall stiffeners or external beams. A level detector in the interstitial space detects changes in the level of the fire resistant solution. A water detector in the inner tank detects the presence of water. The fire resistant solution may be removed from the interstitial space for tank inspection and repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Power Generation & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry W. Rodgers, Scott E. Buske
  • Patent number: 7246718
    Abstract: A container includes a base having a bottom wall and side walls defining an interior storage compartment. At least one of the side walls has a locking element. A cover is movably mounted to the base for movement between an open position in which access to the interior storage compartment is permitted and a closed position in which access to the interior storage compartment is prevented. A handle includes a handle portion and a cover locking mechanism. The handle is movably mounted to the cover so that the handle is movable to move the cover locking mechanism thereof into interlocking engagement with the locking element provided on the base to lock the cover in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Zag Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Yehuda Einav, Amir Katz, Ronny Levy
  • Patent number: 7246719
    Abstract: A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Automated Merchandising Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Mason, II, David A. Sprankle
  • Patent number: 7246720
    Abstract: A condom dispensing device (10) including an outer hollow sleeve member (20) that slidably receives a feed unit (12) that includes a three sided feeder body member (30) having a spring biased elevator element (34) supporting a stack of condoms that are delivered to a dispensing unit (13) including a cap member (43) provided with a rack gear (44) that is pivotally connected to the feeder body member (30) and engageable with a pusher plate member (40) that delivers condoms through a feeder aperture (35) wherein, the cap member (43) and the outer hollow sleeve member (20) have a complementary appearance that disguises the purpose and the function of the condom dispensing device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Gregory F. Montoya, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7246721
    Abstract: Flexible packages for holding and selectively dispensing a liquid therefrom and methods of making those packages. Each package is formed of a flexible material and includes a tap fitment having a generally boat shaped base section sealed between contiguous portions of the package. The fitment includes a valve to enable liquid within the package to be dispensed. The flexible package is arranged to be located within an outer carton, with a portion of the fitment extending out of the carton. The packages can be made on an automated form, fill and seal machine or can be made of precursor packages on an automated fill and seal machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Fres-co Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Pritchard
  • Patent number: 7246722
    Abstract: A bottom dispensing aerosol device is disclosed comprising an aerosol container with an aerosol valve located at a bottom portion of the aerosol container. A coupling mounts an undercap to the aerosol container with a top portion of the undercap being adjacent to a bottom portion of the aerosol container. A bottom portion of the undercap supports the aerosol container on a supporting surface in an inverted position. An actuator is provided for opening the aerosol valve for discharging the aerosol product from the aerosol container when the bottom portion of the undercap is supporting the aerosol container in the inverted position on a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Seaquist Perfect Dispensing Foreign
    Inventors: Peter J. Walters, Jason A. Ksiazk, Sean H. Cho
  • Patent number: 7246723
    Abstract: A pump for delivery of gas-liquid mixtures adapted to be connected to a container for a liquid comprising: suction means adapted to be reciprocated between a first rest position and a second position so as to collect the liquid from the container; a mixing chamber in communication with the suction means so that when the suction means are moved from a first position to a second position, the liquid is collected from the container and conveyed into a mixing chamber; elastic means adapted to displace the suction means back in the first position after that the suction means are moved from a first position to a second position. The elastic means define a variable volume gas chamber in communication with the mixing chamber so that, when the suction means are moved from a first position to a second position, the gas is conveyed into the mixing chamber and a gas-liquid mixture is formed in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Taplast SpA
    Inventor: Stefano Santagiuliana
  • Patent number: 7246724
    Abstract: A dispenser having a socket (42) for receiving a cartridge (40) of material to be dispensed. The dispenser has a plurality of pins (44) which engage in apertures (36) in the cartridge to enable dispensing of the material. The pins are retractable, upon insertion of the cartridge into the socket, from a retracted position generally adjacent to the wall of the socket to a deployed position in which they engage with the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: GW Pharma Limited
    Inventor: Rajiv Bobby Dave
  • Patent number: 7246725
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressurized package and a method for manufacturing and filling a pressurized package. The pressurized package has an outer container (10) and an inner container (20) situated within the outer container (10). In the outer container (10) a chamber (11) for material (12) to be dispensed is arranged and in the inner container (20) a propellant chamber (21) for propellant (20) is arranged, which are separated from each other in a manner that is impermeable to liquid and gas. The outer container (10) is closed by a cover part (15) on which a valve part (16) is arranged for dispensing the material (12) from the chamber (11) outwards. To improve pressurized packages of this type, a pressurized cartridge (30) containing a propellant (22) is arranged in the inner container (20), and the pressurized cartridge is associated with an opening mechanism (31) for at least one-time opening of the pressurized cartridge (30) to the propellant chamber (21) of the inner container (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Schiestl, Ulrich Rosenbaum, Hans Gschwend, Iwan Wolf
  • Patent number: 7246726
    Abstract: A method and a device for accurate delivery, dripping and ejection in the form of flying droplets are provided. A liquid material is pressurized by a plunger sliding in a liquid feed passageway. A sliding surface of the plunger section sliding while closely contacting the inner wall surface of the liquid feed passageway divides the space into a nozzle-side liquid material part and a storage container-side liquid material part. The liquid material in the nozzle-side liquid material part is delivered by the plunger section advancing in the liquid feed passageway. A liquid material delivering device has a liquid material storage section, a nozzle section for delivering the liquid material, a liquid feed passageway for establishing communication between the storage section and the nozzle section, a plunger section, and plunger moving means for advancing and retracting the plunger section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Musashi Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 7246727
    Abstract: A container (1) for drink is provided with a top (2) and with an outlet (4) that is located at the top and is connected to a flexible dispensing line (5), the container having a chamber (32) at the top in which the dispensing line (5) is accommodated. The dispensing line (5) is provided at its outlet end (6) with a grip element (30) that is located in or close to a cut-out (35) in the peripheral wall. By positioning the flexible tube in the chamber this tube can be hygienically protected from the environment during storage and transport of the container and mechanical damage thereto is prevented, whilst easy handling remains possible. The chamber (32) can be closed by a lid (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Heineken Technical Services B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Peter Magermans, Piet Hein Willem Timp
  • Patent number: 7246728
    Abstract: An assembly for facilitating the use of paint applicator accessories in connection with a plastic container is provided. The assembly includes a nozzle device housed within a container lid and having a suction line, which extends into the paint container. The assembly also includes one or more vent holes. The assembly can be used to supply paint to a paint applicator device by attaching an intake conduit of the paint applicator to the nozzle device. As paint is siphoned out of the container by the applicator device, the vent holes allow air to flow into the container to replace the volume of withdrawn paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk, Dale A. Panasewicz, Robert Iredell, Nick E. Stanca
  • Patent number: 7246729
    Abstract: A collapsible garment hanger including a hook element attached to a fixed arm, a sliding arm with a longitudinally oriented slot, a crosspiece extending through the slot, attaching the sliding arm slidably to the fixed arm. When the distal end of the fixed arm tilts upward, gravity will cause the sliding arm to slide away from the distal end of the fixed arm. Whenever the distal end of the fixed arm tilts downward, gravity will cause the sliding arm to slide towards the distal end of the fixed arm. The collapsible garment hanger can also manually slide away from or towards the distal end of the fixed arm. An offset spacing between the outer tip of the sliding arm when it is in the collapsed position and the opposing offset portion of the hanger determines the size of neck of garment through which the hanger will fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin A. Harvey, Robin J. Harvey
  • Patent number: 7246730
    Abstract: A moisture resistant rustproof smart hanger system provides a set of plastic spindles or thumb wheels permanently attached to a hanger. The spindles are designed to record, for a particular garment, the last cleaned date, the number of times worn, and the last worn date. A user sets the “Last Cleaned” date when a garment or apparel is first placed on the smart hanger; the “Times Worn” indicator is set to 01. The user updates the dates on the “Times Worn” and “Last Worn” record indicators each time the garment or apparel is worn. Each of the thumb wheels is locked by friction or a spring loaded bar that engages teeth on the thumb wheels to prevent accidental rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Sylvester Russo
  • Patent number: 7246731
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transport rack for use in securing cargo in a transport vehicle. The transport rack preferably comprises a frame assembly mounted to a support surface at a lower end of a pair of telescoping legs, and to opposing sidewalls at the distal end of a pair of telescoping arms. The transport rack further comprises a clamping assembly mounted to the frame assembly, wherein the clamping assembly has a rotatable shaft, at least two hook members mounted to the shaft for rotation between an open position and a clamped position, and a fixed arm member mounted subjacent each of the at least two hook members. The present invention further comprises means for selectively changing the height of the clamping assembly above the support surface, and means for selectively varying the distance between the hook members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Bernard A. Matherne, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7246732
    Abstract: A model display stand system includes a platform portion that is designed to be coupled to the dashboard of the vehicle. The platform portion is designed for receiving the model such that the platform portion is designed for supporting the model above the dashboard of the vehicle. A frame assembly is pivotally coupled to the platform portion. The frame assembly is designed for selectively engaging the rear wheels of the model such that the frame assembly is designed for permitting the model to pivot with respect to the platform portion when the vehicle is turning. A steering assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame assembly. The steering assembly is designed to be coupled to the front wheels of the model. The steering assembly is designed for pivoting the front wheels of the model to correspond to the front wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Simon Ha
  • Patent number: 7246733
    Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims an apparatus for attaching to a vehicle for carrying cargo. The apparatus includes a base and at least one wing having retracted and extended positions. The apparatus occupies a smaller volume when the wing is retracted than when the wing is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Everthere Carriers, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Threet, Jack T. Mason, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7246734
    Abstract: A surgical instrument (e.g., endocutter, grasper, cutter, staplers, clip applier, access device, drug/gene therapy delivery device, and energy device using ultrasound, RF, laser, etc.) may benefit from having a plurality of hydraulically actuated subsystems (e.g., severing, stapling, articulation, locking/unlocking, lockout enabling/disabling, grasping, etc.) supplied with hydraulic power from a trigger actuated rotary pump (e.g., lobe pump, rotary gear pump, internal rotating gear pump, flexible vane rotor pump, rotary vane pump). Thereby, an available amount of mechanical advantage available at a firing trigger may be optimally distributed to various end effector components, perhaps sequenced by an electroactive polymer or piezoelelectrically actuated function switch block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 7246735
    Abstract: A wire clamping plate is provided for a wire clamp that is adapted to contact a length of metallic wire when the wire clamp is applying a clamping force on the wire. The wire clamping plate comprises doped silicon carbide, which makes it electrically conductive and exhibit a high level of wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd.
    Inventors: Deming Liu, Ran Fu
  • Patent number: 7246736
    Abstract: A flexible articulate tubular device has a shank, a plurality of pivot rings, and a terminus with heat sensors and a fiber optic device. The flexible articulate tubular device is initially positioned, either manually or automatically, near a target weld path with the aid of the fiber optic device. The flexible articulate tubular device is then more precisely articulated to direct the terminus along the target weld path, with the aid of the heat sensors. As such, the flexible articulate tubular device operates in a heat seeking manner to follow the weld bead. Ultimately, a gaseous flux is supplied along the flexible articulate tubular device and toward the target weld path, so as to blast the weld bead with an anti-oxidation shield gas and thereby protect the weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Toshinori Sakai
  • Patent number: 7246737
    Abstract: The box, which can be made from a single sheet or from five separate pieces which are fastened to one another to form the box, is such that at the front ends, extensions project with transverse folding lines to form corner reinforcements. The extensions that form these reinforcements present four folding lines that define the sectors, which form an initial sector which is attached to the inner face of the side, a second sector with a diagonal disposition, a third sector which is attached on the inside of the front, a fourth sector which lies at right angles to the diagonal sector, and a last sector which is attached to one of the two halves of the inner face of the diagonal sector. At their upper edge the sectors present flanges which form projections perpendicular to one another, for positioning in matched opposing notches when the boxes are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Videcart, S.A.
    Inventor: Pedro Teixidor Casanovas
  • Patent number: 7246738
    Abstract: A package receptacle system including a container having an interior storage compartment, a lower floor within the container for supporting a package placed in the compartment, and sidewalls extending upward from the floor to define an access to the compartment. An upper lid is pivotally attached to the container for closing the access when in a closed position. A feature hangs from the lid for inhibiting rain from entering the compartment when the lid is in a non-closed position. Raised features are present on the floor of the container for supporting a package placed within the compartment above any moisture that might be present on the floor. A feature is included for indicating a recipient's address, and/or a package within the compartment ready for pickup, and/or receipt of a package within the compartment from a delivery service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Wiliam Phillip Jonas
  • Patent number: 7246739
    Abstract: In a settlement transaction system or settlement transaction method using the system, the system includes a content providing server conducting a digital broadcast, for example, for a CS broadcast, a BS broadcast, a CATV, or a broadcast using ground waves; a settlement server to execute settlement transaction or settlement transaction, an order placement managing server to execute order placement processing, and an order managing server which receives an order of a request from a user to purchase articles and which sends an associated indication to the settlement server and the order placement managing server according to information of the order. The user operates a terminal in which an IC card communication application to communicate with an IC card is only installed. It then becomes possible to reduce a load imposed onto the system in association with a change to an existing digital broadcast system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Hashimoto, Yutaka Takami, Makoto Aikawa
  • Patent number: 7246740
    Abstract: Most financial transactions involving check deposits and cashing at automatic teller machines are often associated with high risk. Although conventional security measures for many automatic teller machines record financial transactions, the recorded events are typically viewed after suspicious or criminal activity has already occurred. Therefore, a financial institution may not know in advance whether requested financial transactions are of suspicious or fraudulent intent. The present teachings relate to a method of scoring customers prior to authorization in a manner so as to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. The method also relates to marking suspicious individuals by storing related transaction information, such as biometric data, in a database for purposes of verifying identification information and scoring the validity of future financial transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Amy Swift, Mark Wallin, Lance Pate
  • Patent number: 7246741
    Abstract: Convenient, efficient, and cost-effective processing of a financial transaction. Banking customers can drop-off financial transaction requests at any of a plurality of geographically dispersed collection sites that operate on behalf of an expedited mail delivery service. Each collection site can aggregate received transaction requests into a package to be delivered to a transaction processing center via expedited mail delivery. Each transaction request can be contained within an envelope. Utilizing unique identifying insignias on each envelope and package, the location of each envelope and package can be tracked during the expedited mail delivery. Upon receipt, the transaction processing center can process each transaction request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: NetBank
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Cable, William Malcolm Ross
  • Patent number: 7246742
    Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide a system for providing, to a terminal device of an investor, data indicating delay of distribution of financial data, which data is used for the investor to make decisions on investment transactions in a simple and reliable way. To achieve the above aim, after entity 20 carries out specific processing of financial data received from financial data broadcasting device 10 to generate new financial data derived from the received financial data, entity 20 adds time data and an entity identifier for identifying entity 20 to the derived financial data and transmits the data to another entity 20 located at a downstream position or to financial data searching device 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Estijl Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Minaguchi, Yuichi Sato, Kazuki Kurose, Shusuke Shitara
  • Patent number: 7246743
    Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check. The ATMs dispense cash responsive to communications with a transaction host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas A. VanKirk, Jon E. Washington, Brian Jones, William D. Beskitt, Harry Thomas Graef, David A. Peters, Damon J. Blackford, Dale H. Blackson, Edward L. Laskowski, Songtao Ma, Tim Crews, Kenneth Turocy, Douglas T. Dominick, Jason J. Smolk, Brian E. Lucas, Bradley Lightner
  • Patent number: 7246744
    Abstract: A validation phase is performed at an RFID reader, in order to ascertain which of a plurality of potential candidates for authentication, are actual candidates for authentication. Once a candidate has been successfully validated, an authentication phase is initiated with a host computer, to determine whether the information presented by the candidate matches expected information about the candidate. If the authentication is considered successful, a final authorization procedure may be performed, or the authenticated candidate may be granted certain predetermined permissions. By performing the validation phase locally at the reader, the need for accessing a host computer is reduced and unnecessary queries to the host computer are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: BCE Inc.
    Inventors: William G O'Brien, Tet Hin Yeap
  • Patent number: 7246745
    Abstract: Methods and computer readable media for recognizing and identifying items located on the belt of a counter and/or in a shopping cart of a store environment for the purpose of reducing/preventing bottom-of-the-basket loss, checking out the items automatically, reducing the checkout time, preventing consumer fraud, increasing revenue and replacing a conventional UPC scanning system to enhance the checking out speed. The images of the items taken by visual sensors may be analyzed to extract features using the scale-invariant feature-transformation (SIFT) method. Then, the extracted features are compared to those of trained images stored in a database to find a set of matches. Based on the set of matches, the items are recognized and associated with one or more instructions, commands or actions without the need for personnel to visually see the items, such as by having to come out from behind a check out counter or peering over a check out counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Evolution Robotics Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Alec Hudnut, Alex Simonini, Michael Cremean, Howard Morgan
  • Patent number: 7246746
    Abstract: An enterprise network 100 for tracking objects is provided. The network 100 includes: (a) a plurality of subscriber communication devices 134 and 138; (b) a plurality of readers 160, each of the communication devices being in communication with a corresponding reader, wherein each reader is operable to read a set of object identifiers, each object identifier in the set corresponding to an Identification device 168 positioned on a respective object 164; and (c) a location agent 324 operable to determine, from at least one of the sets of object identifiers, a physical location of each object 164 having an object identifier in the at least one of the sets of object identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Paul Thomas McNamara, Muneyb Minhazuddin, Christopher Alexander Fegan, Rohan Lenard, Ralph Warta
  • Patent number: 7246747
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selectively reading a barcode, symbol, or other indicia by either scanning the barcode with a flying-spot scanner, or by imaging the barcode, thereby improving reading performance by tailoring the reading method to the particular item that is being read. Both a flying-spot laser scanning front end and an imaging front end are incorporated in a single device. Data obtained by the selected reading method is decoded and output. A common decoder or separate decoders may be used to decode the data from the two front ends. A single image sensor may be shared between the flying-spot front end and the imaging front-end, with a limited readout area utilized for laser scanning. The size of the readout area may be adjusted based on detected target proximity. Selection of the reading mode may be based on criteria including manual input, the range of the target, or previous failed attempts to read the barcode using either reading method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Datalogic Scanning, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Bremer, Alexander M. McQueen, Craig D. Cherry, Brad R. Reddersen, Steven A. McMahon
  • Patent number: 7246748
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, for enabling the use of machine-readable codes. A computer program receives data generated by reading a machine-readable code and detects the presence of formatting information indicating whether the data's payload is in a first or second format. The program uses a first or second procedure to decode the payload depending on whether the formatting information is detected and what it specifies. In some embodiments, the formatting information can include information about how to decode the payload. The machine-readable code can have been produced according to an encoding instruction associated with an electronic document. The first and second formats can be open and closed formats, respectively. The use of multiple formats can enable multiple, co-existing business models in a document workflow, whereby different parties in the workflow can be charged or required to obtain authorization for the use of machine-readable codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Feuerman, Daniel Baum
  • Patent number: 7246749
    Abstract: A thin plastic sheet has material displaced into braille characters protruding from the front face to provide information for the blind. The plastic sheet can be a clear plastic material having information for the sighted printed on the rear side for viewing from the front. The information containing area of the plastic sheet can be formed into a decal for application inter alia to an ATM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Rumble
  • Patent number: 7246750
    Abstract: A chip card receives and processes what-ever combination of contact data and contact-less data is available to allow multiple functionalities for the chip card. A micro-computer of the chip card is adapted to simultaneously receive and process contact data from a contact interface and contact-less data from a contact-less interface. In addition, the chip card includes a power voltage selector for selecting a contact bias to supply power to the micro-computer when-ever the contact bias voltage is available since the contact bias voltage is more stable than a contact-less bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zang-Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 7246751
    Abstract: An RFID tag that receives a calibration instruction from a reader can determine the basic backscatter period of the symbols to be backscattered. According to some embodiments, when the instruction includes a calibration feature that is to be divided by a divide ratio, the tag measures the duration of the feature in terms of numbers of internal pulses, resulting in a binary L-number. Then at least two versions of the L-number (PR1-number, PR2-number) are combined, so as to yield the effective result of the division alternately, even when the divide ratio is a non-integer. The backscatter period can then be determined from the BP-number and the period of the internal pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Diorio, Todd E. Humes, Scott Anthony Cooper
  • Patent number: 7246752
    Abstract: A magnetic stripe card includes a magnetic stripe, a plurality of magnetic write heads, and data circuitry. The magnetic stripe stores magnetic fields indicative of a dynamic number. The plurality of magnetic write heads located under the magnetic stripe generates the magnetic fields to write bits of the dynamic number onto the magnetic stripe. The data circuitry generates the dynamic number and sequentially provides the bits of the dynamic number to the plurality of the magnetic write heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Kerry Dennis Brown
  • Patent number: 7246753
    Abstract: The present invention applies a slope predictive control method to a Variable Temperature Control (VTC) system, measuring the slope of the discharge temperature as a function of flow regulation device position, and using this slope to predict the position of the flow regulation device needed to achieve the desired discharge temperature. The present invention also monitors the response of the VTC over time and utilizes a self-learning algorithm to predict the response time of the system in order to determine when further control adjustments need to be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Automated Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Gerry Glancy Hull, Steven Treece Tom, Raynold Lee Saar
  • Patent number: 7246754
    Abstract: A secure document comprises a pliable fabric comprising human-readable information. The secure document further comprises a memory attached to the pliable fabric in which machine-readable information about the secure document is stored. The secure document further comprises an interface attached to the pliable fabric and coupled to the memory that, when a reader device reads the secure document, transmits at least a portion of the machine-readable information stored in the memory to the reader device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ray Siuta, Martin Marx, Dan Rengert, Corbin Champion, Cyrille DeBrebisson
  • Patent number: 7246755
    Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Marcellus Rambo Benson, James Augustus Keefe, III, Joseph Lee McGowan
  • Patent number: 7246756
    Abstract: A water sprinkler for irrigating lawn and garden areas has two axes of movement, one transverse to the other. A barrel moves or oscillates on one horizontal axis to direct water spray from nozzles carried on the barrel across the length of the area, and the nozzle outlets also simultaneously move or oscillate on axes transverse to the barrel axis to spray water across the width of the area. As the nozzle outlets move or oscillate in the two transverse directions, the ground area is irrigated uniformly over time by application of water in a criss-cross pattern. The area sprayed can be surprisingly large compared with single-axis oscillators, or the area may be limited to a single row or a narrow rectangular area, by adjustment of the barrel and outlet movement and/or the water pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 7246757
    Abstract: An air brush includes a brush member with a head portion at an end and a nozzle on the head portion. A nozzle cover is detachably bonded to the nozzle. The nozzle cover has a first attracting portion, and the nozzle has a second attracting portion associated with the first attracting portion. The first attracting portion and the second attracting portion are attracted together by a magnetic force to bond the nozzle cover to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Victor Air Tools Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Tsuen Juo
  • Patent number: 7246758
    Abstract: A metal atomizing device includes a casing with an inlet tube for providing liquid metal into the casing and an outlet is defined through the casing. The inlet tube and the outlet share a common axis. A polygonal impact member is located at an outlet of the inlet tube and a plurality of gas inlets are connected to the casing so as to provide noble gas into the casing and mixed with the liquid metal that impacts on the impact member. A collection member is located at the outlet of the casing and a pipe communicates with the collection member and the inlet tube so as to send the larger particles into the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Muh-Rong Wang
  • Patent number: 7246759
    Abstract: Modular spray gun apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a handle module and a head module that is removeably coupled to the handle module. The head module includes a first housing having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, a flow passage extending between the inlet and an outlet, and a first coupling member proximate the outlet. Similarly, the head module includes a second housing having a second coupling member removeably coupled to the first coupling member of the first housing, a nozzle fluidly communicating with a spray outlet, and a needle assembly operatively associated with the nozzle to control a flow of liquid material and pressurized gas emanating from a mixing passage through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Trade Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford W. Turnbull
  • Patent number: 7246760
    Abstract: A swivel mount for a spray head configured to be at least partially recessed within a mounting surface of a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Garry Marty, Gerald McNerney, Russell D. Hester, Keith Berning
  • Patent number: 7246761
    Abstract: In a process reactor and a method for the electro-dynamic fragmentation of lumpy mineral materials by pulsed high voltage discharges, including a reaction chamber with a funnel-like bottom having a central outlet, an axially movable high-voltage electrode extending from the top into the reaction chamber and having a front end disposed opposite the central outlet where another electrode which is at an electric reference potential is disposed, the outlet converges into a tailback tube below which a transport unit for the controlled removal of the processed fragmented material sinking down through the tailback tube is disposed, a material supply arrangement extends to an opening in the wall of the reaction chamber and a material flow blocking structure is disposed in the reaction in front of the material inlet opening for controlling the material admission to, and the fill level in, the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe
    Inventors: Peter Hoppe, Josef Singer, Harald Giese, Peter Stemmermann, Uwe Schweike, Wolfram Edinger
  • Patent number: 7246762
    Abstract: A process for milling corn comprises mixing water and corn kernels to provide a tempering mixture; holding the tempering mixture for a time and temperature effective for lifting hull off from the endosperm of the corn kernels, but a time and temperature which is not effective for moisture to substantially penetrate into the endosperm of the corn kernels; and abrasively removing germ and bran from the moistened tempered corn of the corn kernels. In one embodiment, whole corn kernels are separated into large kernel and small corn components and the large and small corn components are milled separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael VanHouten, Curtis Miller, Fritz L. Piel
  • Patent number: 7246763
    Abstract: A comminution apparatus for reducing a particle size of a material includes a cutting chamber defining an interior volume, wherein the cutting chamber includes first and second member forming an angle therebetween. Each of the first and second members include a plurality of slots therethrough providing access to the interior volume. The apparatus further includes a rotatable arbor disposed outside the interior volume of the cutting chamber and supporting a plurality of toothed blades thereon. During rotation of the arbor a portion of each of the blades enters an interior volume of the cutting chamber through the slots in the first member and exits the interior volume of the cutting chamber through the slots in the second member. The comminution apparatus may be used to process various feed materials to desired sizes, and is particularly useful for reducing the size of materials otherwise difficult to cut to small size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Roberts