Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. Each of the pusher shoes includes a diverting portion extending above the conveying surface. The diverting portion includes a diverting surface and a stop surface. The diverting surface contacts an article and laterally displaces that article. A lifting force is applied by the diverting surface to a portion of the article being diverted. The stop surface limits movement of the article relative to the pusher shoe.

Abstract: Disclosed are conveyors and methods for making and using a conveyor. In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a modular conveyor belt that includes at least one mat-top chain having at least one cavity and at least one first roller disposed in the cavity of the mat-top chain. The conveyor further includes a longitudinal second roller that operatively couples to the first roller such that the longitudinal second roller and the first roller are rotating as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller. In another embodiment, the method for making a conveyor may comprise the steps of linking a plurality of mat-top chains together to form a modular conveyor belt; disposing a first roller into a cavity of the mat-top chain; and placing a longitudinal second roller underneath the conveyor belt such that as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller, the first roller operatively couples to the longitudinal second roller causing the second roller and the first roller to rotate.

Abstract: In a conveyor work-piece processing system, transport carriages move along a work path, each carriage carrying a plurality of work-piece articles. In the disclosed embodiment, the path is folded back upon itself forming two parallel paths, one above the other, with transport carriages moved vertically from the lower path to the upper path, so that the entrance to the track and the exit from the track are positioned in close proximity to each other. Each transport carriage has a long dimension and a relatively shorter dimension, and each carriage can be reoriented selectively so that the long dimension or the short dimension can be aligned parallel to the work path. Changing the alignment of the two dimensions relative to the direction of the path permits a work piece to remain for a longer time within a given process stage or area along the work path while achieving a system flow-rate of one carriage-in-one carriage-out.

Abstract: A conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate on oblique axes to urge articles toward a side guide. The conveyor includes an oblique-roller belt supported on a carryway for running in a direction of belt travel. Rollers extend above an outer conveying surface of the belt without contact with the carryway. Each roller rotates on an axis oblique to the direction of belt travel and intersects the side guide downstream of the roller's position. A retractable stop is movable to and from a blocking position along the carryway. In the blocking position, the stop blocks the conveyed articles from advancing in the direction of belt travel. The rollers underlying the blocked articles rotate as the belt runs by contact with the articles. The rotating rollers provide a component of force to the blocked articles directed toward the side guide to push the articles against the side guide or other articles as they accumulate under low pressure upstream of the stop.

Abstract: A device for continuously delivering bags includes at least one bag transferring device and at least one linear conveyor. The bag transferring device transfers the bags to the at least one linear conveyor. An objective of the invention is to provide a device for delivering bags, which ensures a continuous subsequent processing of the bags at a high rate and with a high degree of reliability. To this end, the device includes a continuously operating linear conveyor with bag holding fixtures. The width of the bag holding fixtures, in the direction of conveyance, is greater than the width of the bags to be held. This enables the linear conveyor to avoid having to be stopped during the delivery of the bags by the bag transferring device, and a continuous delivery of the bags to a next bag handling device can be ensured.

Abstract: A belt band conveyor having an endless transport belt that is guided over deflection rollers, to which a guide element that projects beyond the belt plane is attached. The guide element can be handled separately before it is attached to the transport belt and moves along as the transport belt moves. On its guide surfaces, which extend in the transport direction of the transport belt, running surfaces that are inclined relative to the belt plane roll off from rotating guide rollers as the transport belt moves. A plurality of separate clamping shoes are attached along the transport belt, each of which has an attachment profile attached to the transport belt, and a spring-elastic clamping element connected with such profile. An elastic/flexible guide strip that extends in the transport direction over the entire length of the transport belt is clamped in place relative to the attachment profile.

Abstract: A multi-functional shoe storage box comprises a substantially transparent outer container defined by a bottom plate and first to fourth side plates, the first and second side plates facing each other, the third side plate facing the bottom plate, an opposing side of the fourth side plate being a side opening. A substantially transparent inner container defined by a bottom plate and first to fourth side plates, an opposing side of the inner container bottom plate being a top opening, the inner container first and second plates facing each other, the inner container third and fourth plates facing each other, whereby the inner container is slid through the side opening in and out of the outer container. A substantially transparent side tab extends from the outer container bottom plate and adjacent to the side opening, the side tab having a hole.

Abstract: A portable storage container that both stacks and nests with similar containers includes a plurality of walls extending upwardly from a floor. At least one bail member is moveable between a plurality of positions for supporting the similar containers at varying heights. The bail member is moveable between a low nest position and a high nest position. In the low nest position, minimal clearance between the floors of the stacked containers is provided, and the stacked containers have the lowest overall height. In the high nest position, a ledge protruding outwardly from an outer surface of a wall of the upper container is supported on a support portion of the bail arm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a packaging, storage and display system for articles, such as small tools, like drill bits and the like. An index for holding the articles is pivotably mounted in a case. A rack, which may be selected from a variety of rack structures, is mounted within the index, for holding articles having particular sizes and shapes. A frame structure is resistively pivotably mounted on the index, so that the frame structure may be pivoted to a particular position relative to the index, and will tend to remain in that position, until a force in excess of a particular amount is exerted on the frame structure. The index and/or the frame structures may be interchangeably mounted.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory separator includes a composite screen frame that has a rigid support section formed from a polymer material and a cushioned strain relief zone. The strain relief zone is located along the inner periphery of the rigid support section and provides support at the interface between the screen frame and the screen cloth. The strain relief zone may extend along an inner peripheral wall of the rigid support section. The rigid support section may include a flange and the strain relief zone may extend around the rigid support section to encapsulate the flange in addition to providing additional support to the screen cloth. The rigid support section and the strain relief zone may be co-formed in a molding process. Alternatively the rigid support section may be a molded member and the strain relief zone may be an extrusion to be assembled to the rigid support member. The screen cloth is affixed to the peripheral frame.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus has at least two sorter cells arranged substantially one above the other. Sorter cells are fitted to a driving unit for moving the sorter cells from a horizontal loading plane to a horizontal discharge plane, both of which are assigned to the sorter cells. A vertical distance between the sorter cells is equal to the vertical distance between two loading planes arranged one above the other and to the vertical distance between the upper and lower plane of at least a first and a second pair of discharge planes arranged one above the other.

Abstract: A self-standing shoe rack or other type of shoe rack such as a hanging shoe rack which can expand lengthwise due to telescoping shoe support bars. Opposite frame sides may have equal-size sockets that receive identical end tubes. The end tubes fit telescopically in center tubes to allow length adjustment.

Abstract: A shoe rack has two supports respectively and detachably mounted on top of the two elongated bases, a top tube detachably connected to free ends of the two supports via connectors and multiple shoe resting brackets sandwiched between the two supports. Each shoe resting bracket is adjustably connected to the two supports via a fixture which a first cutout, a second cutout, a first indentation defined in a side face defining the first cutout and a second indentation defined in a side face defining the second cutout. When the rods are received in the first cutout and the second cutout, the shoe resting bracket is tilted relative to a horizontal surface and when the two rods are received in the first indentation and the second indentation, the shoe resting bracket is parallel to the horizontal surface.

Abstract: A media shelving unit comprising a base for supporting a media storage case; a plurality of dividers extending upwardly from the base, the plurality of dividers defining at least two channels; wherein the channels are at different orientations with respect to each other.

Abstract: A clamping cartridge is provided which comprises a plurality of clamping mechanisms spaced apart on a frame or chassis. The clamping mechanisms are generally oriented perpendicular to their direction of spacing. The clamping mechanisms are of the type which comprise a pair of relatively movable jaws which are normally biased towards one another such that they resist opening and which return to a closed or substantially closed condition in the absence of external forces. An actuator operable in association with the clamping mechanisms serves to open and close the jaws of the clamping mechanisms in unison. The actuator includes a series of rotatable tapered cylindrical cam wheels disposed on a rotatable cam shaft to ultimately effect opening and closing of the clamps, which cam wheels are disposed generally within the clamps. By providing apertures or slots in the jaws of the clamps to accommodate the cam shaft, a considerable reduction in the height of the cartridge can be realized.

Abstract: A utensil holder for particular, but not exclusive, use in a kitchen environment in which a swivel block is formed with a series of utensil receiving slots. The utensil holder is readily mounted to both horizontally and vertically disposed surfaces by means of a swivel assembly which permits rotation of the utensil holder to a variety of orientations once so mounted.

Abstract: A storage system that is variously adjustably configured so as to provide for a variety of configurations and adaptations to be made based upon the necessities and desires of the user. The basic units of the device include at least two generally triangular shaped braces, a plurality of square shaped tubular rails, and a variety of attachment devices that allow for a variously adjustable tiered storage system with slideable suspension hooks that allow the device to be variously configured and modified without the use of tools.

Abstract: A hand-portable serving tray having a compartmented food carrier releasably engaged over a collector tray, the food carrier comprising a plurality of upstanding walls dividing a plurality of close-pack compartments. Within each compartment is at least one hole on a compartment bottom that drains food exudates to the collector tray below. Each compartment bottom is configured to direct fluid to its drain hole.

Abstract: A medicament dispenser for use with a medicament carrier having multiple distinct medicament doses carried thereby and an internal mechanism for dispensing the distinct medicament doses carried by the medicament carrier. The mechanism comprises receiving means for receiving the medicament carrier; release means for releasing a distinct medicament dose from the medicament carrier on receipt thereof by the receiving means; an outlet, positioned to be in communication with the medicament dose releasable by the release means; indexing means for individually indexing the distinct medicament doses of the medicament carrier; and counting means for counting each time a distinct medicament dose of the medicament carrier is indexed by the indexing means. The counting means is a distinct electronic counter unit that is reversibly receivable by the medicament dispenser.

Abstract: The system includes a bin hopper which temporarily stores a plurality of small elements, such as medications. The elements are moved out of the bin and singulated into a one-by-one sequence by a series of singulating conveyors. The resulting sequence of elements is moved onto a main system conveyor where the element is identified and then moved to a loading mechanism which arranges the item so it is ready to be gripped and stored. The system includes a mass storage apparatus comprising a series of four upstanding cylindrical drums, each having a plurality of individually accessible and addressable cell storage locations for the elements. A gripping apparatus removes the elements from the loading mechanism and transfers them to a selected location in a cylindrical drum. When an article is to be dispensed, the drum is rotated so that an ejection arm comes adjacent the desired location in the drum.

Abstract: A clip fastener (10) comprises a housing and a releasable cartridge (12) to hold a plurality of clips (20). There is a truck (14) having a pair of guide rails (50, 52) to receive the clips (20). There is a mechanism (76, 78) to vary the distance between the guide rails (50, 52). There is a ram (68) to )move a clip (20) along the track (14). There is a depressor (90) to slightly open the loops.

Abstract: A independent off bottle single use unit dosage dispensing closure includes a shell attached to a container, an axial movable cap attached to the shell, a sealing member coupled to the cap, and a removable retainer attached to the shell. The shell has an inner guide in communication with the container and the cap is moveable along the guide. The cap has a chamber adapted to dispense material into the container. The chamber is sealed with the sealing member extending across a lower open end thereof, wherein axial movement of the cap along the inner guide member will open the chamber and dispense the contents of the chamber into the container. The retainer prevents relative movement between the cap and the shell until the retainer has been removed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for removing the contents of a valve bag using suction. The invention further pertains to a method of removing the contents of a valve bag using the device.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly is provided for a container of fluent material. A hand-operable dispenser cartridge is adapted to be mounted to the container. An actuator, which may include a nozzle or spout, is mounted on the cartridge. A locking sleeve is mounted around the cartridge and has an upper abutment edge and a recess. The locking sleeve can be rotated between a first rotated position preventing actuation of the dispensing assembly and a second rotated position permitting actuation of the dispensing assembly.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser for germ-free fluid is described incorporating at least one material being capable of interacting via an oligodynamically active substance. The dispenser includes a metering pump and inlet and outlet valves. The fluid coming into contact with at least one oligodynamically active substance is present in the region of the outlet valve, of the inlet thereto and/or the outlet therefrom.

Abstract: A valve mechanism adapted for a fluid-discharging port of a tube-type fluid container, comprising: a valve seat portion 40 having an opening 41 through which a fluid flows; a valve portion 20 comprising a valve body 21 having a shape corresponding to the opening 41, and a shaft 22 connected to the valve body 21 and extending downward from the valve body 22; and a valve support portion 30 comprising: (i) a bottom plate 39 to which a tip of the shaft 22 is connected; (ii) an annular support 35 fixedly connected to the valve seat portion 40; and (iii) multiple connectors 32 connecting the bottom plate 39 and the annular support 31, the connectors 32 elastically urging the bottom plate 39 downward to close the opening 41 with the valve body 21 and being bendable as the bottom plate 39 moves upward and pushes the valve portion 20 to open the opening 41.

Abstract: A battery-powered grease gun is provided for enhancing the pressure applied to a blocked grease fitting. The grease comprises a circuit interconnecting the battery and an electric motor. The circuit includes a switch operable by a user and a thermal protector for breaking the circuit at a predetermined temperature. When applying grease to a blocked grease fitting, actuating the switch until the thermal protector reaches the predetermined temperature breaks the circuit until the motor cools and the thermal protector resets for completing the circuit and again energizing the motor. Continuing to maintain the switch in the actuated position until the thermal protector resets causes the pressure in the grease gun to increase with each cycle of the thermal protector.

Abstract: A pneumatic, liquid-dispensing gun includes: a central body (1); a pneumatic body (2); a needle (10) having a guide (6) and a conical tip; a nozzle (3) fixed in place with a nut (4); a sealing bellows (5) concentric to the needle (10); a pneumatic rod (9); a flow regulator (8) having a graduated scale, serving as a vernier scale; a retainer joint (16); a safety spring (17); an element (7) into which the flow regulator (8) is screwed, which at the same time is locked in by a flange (12); four screws (11) which connect the central body (1), the pneumatic body (2) and the flange (12); O-rings (13) and (14) inserted between the central body (1) and the pneumatic body (2); and a dovetail (18) disposed in the central body (1) and which is used to install and adjust the gun in machines and other devices.

Abstract: An easily and inexpensively manufactured garment hanger of increased strength and durability. The garment hanger comprises a suspension hook secured to a support rib provided at a central hook region of the hanger. Incorporating the support rib through the central hook region of the hanger minimizes twist and other distortions of the hanger, even when under heavy garment loads.

Abstract: A clamp style garment hanger includes a cross-bar, a hook extending up from the center of the cross-bar, a pair of clamp assemblies in spaced apart relationship depending from the cross-bar, and a pair of gripping pads, one for each clamp assembly. The clamp assemblies each include first and second clamping members coupled to and biased towards each other. According to one embodiment, a clamping member has a recess surrounding a throughbore. The gripping pad has a hollow extension and is dimensioned to fit snugly in the recess with its hollow extension extending into the throughbore. An interlocking plug is inserted through the rear of the throughbore into the hollow extension. According to another embodiment, the gripping pad has a stepped recess on one side and the clamping member has an integral interlocking plug that engages the recess.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparel apparatus that is especially useful for hanging narrow or small necked shirts and sweaters. It is a collapsible garment hanger, or clothing hanger, that has moving parts. There are two hanger arms that rotate about pins on a hanger body, and there is a fulcrum about which a quick-release lever and release tabs pivot so that a locking mechanism can be manipulated. All of the parts used with the apparatus are inexpensive plastic parts that can be injection molded, and the apparatus can be quickly assembled by snapping parts together.

Abstract: A storage unit/workstation is described which allows efficient storage and use of several rolls of package wrapping material in conjunction with the tools needed to perform such wrapping. The storage unit/workstation includes a cabinet wherein the rolls of wrapping material are mounted to allow the wrapping material to be dispensed by unspooling it from the rolls. A working platform is situated below the cabinet so that the user may place a package on the platform and wrap it with wrapping material pulled from the cabinet. The platform may be stowed when not in use.

Abstract: An automated power actuated gun which drives a fastener assembly having a plate frictionally engaging a nail or stud into a hard substrate or surface such as concrete that has attached thereto a fastener feeding assembly. The fastener feeding assembly is formed with a spring-biased holder that holds the fastener assembly to be driven until the barrel is in position for driving the fastener assembly. The fastener feeding assembly is attached directly to the barrel of the power actuated gun. The fastener feeding assembly is formed with a window at the point where the fastener assembly to be driven is received by the barrel of the power actuated gun allowing the fastener feeding track to be used with fastener assemblies having legs that can bend inwardly when the fastener assembly is driven.

Abstract: A bonding tool for bonding a wire to a substrate. The bonding tool has a cylindrical body portion formed from a first material and a conical tip portion separately formed from a second material. The conical tip portion is coupled to one end of the body portion.

Abstract: Foldout tabs for assisting with the removal of contents from a carton. When extended, the foldout tabs provide a leverage point on which a user may place one or both feet so that while pulling the contents from within the carton, the carton does not exhibit its normal tendency to follow the contents.

Abstract: A mailbox multi-position support system for efficiently providing easy and safe access to mailboxes. The mailbox multi-position support system generally includes a first support member attached to a mailbox post, a rotating member rotatably attached to a first upper horizontal surface of the first support member and a second support member attached to a second upper horizontal surface of the rotating member, wherein a third upper horizontal surface of the second support member attaches to a mailbox, wherein the mailbox rotates about the first support member via the rotating member.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a secure mailbox having at least a main compartment with a plurality of sides forming the enclosed main compartment, a front mailbox door hingedly coupled to the remainder of the main compartment, a locking and unlocking mechanism being adapted to lock the front mailbox door to the main compartment and an unlocking activation mechanism coupled to the locking and unlocking mechanism comprised of either a card key system, a FOB system or an RFID system.

Abstract: To provide a system for transmitting the counter information based on a counter value to be updated and an offset value to be entered in accordance with a communication from a device in order to perform the setting for easily collecting the correct accumulated counted number of prints, in which the counter value is reset when setting the offset value.

Abstract: A bill depositing/dispensing apparatus convenient to use and capable of readily adapting itself to operations to handle many denominations and/or a large number of bills or operations to sort and handle a small number of bills is to be provided. Storing boxes differing in the purpose of use including a deposit box, a first acceptance box with multi-compartments, a second acceptance box with multi-compartments, recycle boxes and a loading/recovering box are configured to have a common external shape, inlet/outlet and driving unit, and a storing box selected according to the purpose of use is fitted to the bill depositing/dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A household management system having a user interface, a media content data store, a purchase history data store, a media content manager in communication with the user interface and the media content data store, and a purchase history module in communication with the user interface and the purchase history data store. A method of selectively displaying media content to a consumer, and a computer-implemented method of populating a shopping list comprising a list of a plurality of products for later purchase by a user are also provided.

Abstract: The register (1) for papers of value (4), such as bank notes and vouchers, comprises a reading unit (2) for reading out the memories of the integrated circuits (40) of the papers of value (4), and is further provided with a clock and a memory. The total value present in the register (1) can be determined by reading out all papers of value that are present at a moment, and by repeating this if desired. The register (1) may be portable, such as a wallet. The paper of value (4) with an integrated circuit (40) and antenna may also be a sales slip.

Abstract: A method of about using icons and labels on window operation platform to express status of the memory card in a card reader having multiple slots is disclosed. The AP (application software) timely sends an inquiring packet to the reader. The card reader inspects the card status and then in response to the host with a responsive packet to the host. The AP then updates the icon and label in accordance with the responsive pocket, wherein the inquiring packet and responsive packet are through SCSI Pass through mode.

Abstract: A plurality of remotely readable sensor apparatus and reader systems for collecting data frames from all apparatus within the reader field of view. Each sensor apparatus converts one or more environmental observable into information signals, converts the information signals into digital data and appends other discriminating digital data as desired to form a digital data frame. The state of a diode, connected to an antenna with the digital data frame, is modulated and a timing apparatus controls the digital-data-frame start times. The modulated states of the diode connected to a sensor-apparatus antenna are chosen so the angle of the antenna reflection coefficient is modulated between two values separated by approximately 180 degrees, so a carrier signal received by the antenna effects a bi-phase modulated signal containing the digital data frame that is reflected by the sensor-apparatus antenna toward the reader receiver antenna.

Abstract: A method for operating a tattoo studio includes identifying a customer selection of a tattoo design and a bin designator for a stencil for the tattoo design; locating a storage bin containing a stencil for the tattoo design; and scanning a bar code assigned to the stencil. The method can also include scanning at least a second barcode associated with a tattoo enhancement including a non-standard paint, an additional paint color, or a mixture of paint colors. Inventory control is verified using a match code and pre-packaged sets of numbered stencils.

Abstract: A first character string is displayed in the vicinity of a first bar code in a state that the first character string can be readily recognized as a character string represented by the first bar code, and all or a part of the second character string is displayed in a state that it cannot be readily recognized as all or a part of a character string represented by the second bar code. When an article on which two or more bar codes and two or more character strings corresponding thereto are displayed is viewed, a character string to be manually entered can be correctly recognized.

Abstract: A bar-code reader includes a housing, a window affixed to the housing and separating an internal environment from an external environment, and an anti-fog coating on the window within an optical path of the bar-code reader. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-fog coating is a hydrophilic layer; in another embodiment, it is a hydrophobic layer. The anti-fog coating may be used internally, externally, or both, and may be applied to any number of components within the optical path.

Abstract: A key ring card wallet for holding key ring cards such as club membership cards, shopping club cards, and small credit cards is made of a front sheet, a back sheet, and the sheets are connected by a folding line, a seam or a hinge. Each of the sheets has means for fastening itself to the other. Upon being folded along the fold line, the two sheets form a jacket for holding the cards inside and also provide a common hole through which a key ring passes. In such a key ring card and wallet assembly, each of the key ring cards is allowed to rotate around the loop of the key ring so that the key ring cards can get out of or retract into the jacket. Key ring cards can be added or removed from the assembly without removing the wallet from the key ring.

Abstract: A product is on a surface provided with a first position code which codes coordinates for a plurality of first points. In at least one partial area on the surface, the product is further provided with a second position code which codes coordinates for a plurality of second points. The partial area further comprises a field which is associated with a predetermined function to be performed in consequence of a user unit being placed in the field. Methods and devices for coding and for recording of information from a surface are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for validating the authenticity of a signature on a document by providing a document from an account, the document including an actual signature and a machine-readable identifier, wherein the machine-readable identifier contains a string of data representing the integral characteristics of all valid account signatures and a person-specific confidence threshold. When the document is presented at a point of presentment, the document is scanned into a document-processing machine and the actual signature is compared against all valid account signatures.

Abstract: A cooling system for an electronic system having at least one heat-generating component includes at least one fan and an operation level setting mechanism. The at least one fan is configured to blow air through the electronic system to thereby dissipate heat generated by the heat-generating component. The operation level setting mechanism is configured to set maximum operation level of the at least one fan, wherein the maximum operation level is based on one or more characteristics of the at least one heat-generating component.