Abstract: A support for a pipe clamp includes a first body adapted to be mounted to a vertical surface and a second body pivotally connected to the first body for pivotal movement between a substantially vertical stored position and a substantially horizontal operative position. A first end of each one pipe clamp is secured to the first body. A second end of each pipe clamp is secured to the second body, when the second body is in the operative position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beverage bottle comprising an outer bottle (2) and an inner container (4). The inner container holds a first liquid (such an alcoholic spirit or a flavoured concentrate) and the space between the outer container and the inner container holds a second liquid (such as a still or carbonated mixer). The inner container (4) is twisted along its length to resist the flow of the first liquid to ensure that if the contents are consumed directly from the beverage bottle, every mouthful contains substantially the same ratio of first and second liquids.

Abstract: A device for closing a container and a container equipped with such a device, wherein the device includes: a first portion forming a closure element; a second annular portion positioned around a neck; a third portion forming a tamper-evident tab linking the first portion to the second portion, and which is connected to the first and second portions by frangible means so that the tamper-evident tab must be removed upon first use so as to release the closure element; and storage means for allowing the insertion of the tamper-evident tab therein once the tamper-evident tab has been separated from the first and second portions.

Abstract: A freight container for air transport containing a floor element and a container structure, which is arranged on said floor element and which has lateral walls, a roof wall and a loading opening. The lateral walls and roof wall contain or are comprised of wall linings, which are composed of surface parts, in particular, of sheet metal elements. The loading opening is delimited up to the adjacent wall faces by terminating longitudinal edges. Two wall faces that abut against one another at an angle form a longitudinal edge. One or more longitudinal edges and/or terminating longitudinal edges of the container structure contain a reinforcing structure, whereby the reinforcing structure contains or is comprised of one or more surface parts, which can be reshaped once or a number of times and which are joined via joining zones in order to form the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A removable cap assembly employs a cap with a curved side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A top portion extends from the curved side wall. A boss extends perpendicularly from the top portion. The boss further has a bottom and a top with a circumferential rib extending perpendicularly from the top and at least one ridge on the inside surface of the boss below the top and above the bottom. A stopper is dimensioned to seal the opening. The stopper has a hole therein configured to allow a fluid to flow therethrough. The stopper is maintained in the cap by the boss and the at least one ridge. The stopper includes a disc shaped base and a cylindrical wall portion extending from the base having at least one cavity corresponding to the location of the at least one ridge on the boss. A first groove in the base surrounding the wall portion is dimensioned to receive the bottom of the boss.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a bag retention structure that is open and alterable such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.

Abstract: A seal mountable to the rim of an open mouth container the seal including a resiliently flexible central panel separately formed from and intimately bonded to a substantially rigid peripheral mounting ring adapted to snap-mount to the rim of the container with the central panel being selectively flexible both inward and outward relative to the interior of the container for the accommodation of both overfilled and underfilled conditions through a variation in the head space beneath the mounted seal.

Abstract: The present invention defines a system (100) for one-at-a-time paper clip dispensing. The system includes a housing (102), and a retrieval receptacle (114) disposed somewhere along the exterior of the housing. A storage component (104) is disposed along or within the housing, and is adapted to receive loose paper clips. A gate component (106) is operably coupled to the storage component, and a sorting component is incorporated within the storage or gate component(s). An actuating system (110) is disposed somewhere within or along the housing. A retrieval system (112) is disposed between the receptacle and the storage component. The retrieval system is adapted to retrieve a single paper clip from the gate component, and deliver the paper clip to the receptacle, responsive to activation of the actuating system.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing tip supply apparatus includes a tip storing box whose bottom has a tapered surface having a tip collecting position in a lowermost part thereof to collect a plurality of inserted dispensing tips in one spot, a tip individually-sending mechanism which lifts up the collected dispensing tips one by one, an outlet to discharge the lifted dispensing tips from the tip storing box, a door mechanism including a door which is turnably supported to close the tip storing box from outside and a tip holding section which is provided on the inside of the door to horizontally hold one of the lifted dispensing tips, and a tip carry-out mechanism including a carry-out conveyor to automatically carry the dispensing tips.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating fluid detects an actual fluid dispensing characteristic, such as dispensing speed, and automatically adjusts the dispensing characteristic to match an ideal dispensing characteristic. The adjustment is conducted by a controller that controls fluid dispensing based on a function that correlates dispensing speed, a dispensed volume, and a dispensing time. The function allows calibration to occur automatically by converging system operation to the ideal dispensing characteristic, without requiring a user to calibrate the system through manual iterative methods.

Abstract: A squeezable laminated discharge container of the delaminatable type in which the layers can be easily broken away from each other comprises a first check valve fitted to the neck and has an opening in a bottom plate. The base cup comprises a second check valve, and is fitted tightly around the container bottom cylinder. In this discharge container, it is sought to secure stable and strong fitting and to maintain tight contact stably, between the container and the base cup.

Abstract: A pour spout used in bottles containing liquid substances with different degrees of viscosity. The pour spout comprises a pouring opening, which is defined by at least a first and a second pouring orifice for the liquid substances, being the pouring area of the first orifice bigger than or equal to the area of the pouring area of the second orifice. The use of the pour spout allows to obtain different flows of the contained liquid, according to the user's choice. Each orifice presents its respective lids, which are proportional to the orifice the cover. Alternatively, each orifice defines air inlet paths.

Abstract: A metering device for flowable products, in particular, dairy products, is provided with a metering cylinder, a valve cylinder connected to the reservoir, a metering piston that is movable between an upper intake end position and a lower dispensing end position, and also has a mouthpiece closing the bottom of the metering chamber and having a coaxial cylindrical dispensing opening, and a central valve piston. The valve cylinder and the valve piston form a rotary control unit which, in a first rotary position, connects the metering chamber with a supply channel in the valve cylinder and, in a second rotary position, connects the metering chamber to an outlet channel.

Abstract: A thermally-insulated reservoir 9 for a dispenser in which liquid is supplied from a bottle to a discharge outlet via a reservoir, has an inner wall 23 and an outer wall 24 defining a sealed and evacuated heat-insulating cavity 30 at least partially surrounding a liquid space 22. In one application of the invention the reservoir takes the form of a cooling vessel with the thermal means provided by a cooling coil 26. The invention may also be applied to reservoirs which form a hot tank with the thermal means provided by an electrical heating element.

Abstract: A discharge device for manually producing a volume flow by a discharge stroke, having a medium reservoir for at least one medium, a discharge opening, a pumping device and a working area associated with the pumping device and which in the inoperative position has a detachable, positive connection to a holding area by means of a locking device is known. According to the invention the locking device in at least one plane orthogonal to a discharge stroke direction has an at least zonally or circumferentially corrugated and/or polygonal cross-section. Use for discharging a medium.

Abstract: A product-dispensing apparatus for manually dispensing a quantity of product, such as a herbicide with a foam consistency, includes a gripping member in the form of a handle and a cooperating container holder that is assembled with the gripping member and is constructed and arranged to receive a product-dispensing container. The container is preferably a foamer positioned in an inverted orientation utilizing a depressing plunger to dispense a foam-consistency product. The gripping member and container holder are assembled to a dispensing tip such that there is relative movement between the container holder and the dispensing tip for activation of the container plunger. A child-resistant locking ring is received by the container holder and cooperates with the dispensing tip for alternately configuring the product-dispensing apparatus in either a locked or unlocked condition. In the locked condition, foam product is not able to be dispensed from the container.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a foot activated dispenser and more particularly to a foot activated dispenser for dispensing a liquid product such as a skin care product (i.e. hand soap, hand sanitizer, surgical scrub, lotion, etc.). More specifically, the foot activated dispenser includes a bladder connected to tubing that is connected to a piston pump. The piston pump is located within a shroud that is removably attached to a wall bracket. The wall bracket includes a bottle retainer for holding a bottle having a pump.

Abstract: A container closure includes a base with a valve mount portion formed from a first thermoplastic material and a valve formed from a second thermoplastic material. The valve is bonded to the valve mount portion. A lid is hingeably attached to the base and includes a sealing rim extending from a surface of the lid and designed to engage the valve at the location where the valve seals to the valve mount portion. The engagement of the sealing rim with the valve forming a seal between the two components.

Abstract: A dispenser, the dispenser having a dispenser head 2 and a container 1 containing spray material; the container having a containment portion and an attachment portion 5, the attachment portion having a threaded part 6 and a non-threaded part 7, the threaded part 6 having a greater diameter than the non-threaded part 7, and the threaded part 6 being between the non-threaded part 7 and the containment portion; the spray head being formed complimentary to the attachment portion such that a threaded part of the spray head engages the threaded part of the attachment portion and wherein the non-threaded part of the attachment portion is further inwards of the dispenser head than the threaded part of the attachment portion; the dispenser being formed such that when the container is fitted to the dispenser head the spray material can move through the attachment portion into the dispenser head, and can leave the dispenser to enter an atmosphere as a spray.

Abstract: A handheld extruder welding device is provided for welding thermoplastic synthetic materials by means of an extrusion screw with a feed zone and a conveying/plasticizing zone. In the area of the feed zone, a feed channel with a ridge running in longitudinal direction is located in a sleeve. This ridge prevents the inserted plastic welding wire from twisting and looping inside and especially outside the handheld extruder welding device.

Abstract: A lid is provided for a beverage container having a base, side walls and an upper rim. The lid comprises a body having an upper surface, a lower surface and an end wall. The end wall sealingly connects the wall of the lid to the upper rim of the beverage container. An aperture extends through the body from the upper surface to the lower surface thereof. A stopper is provided and is movable between first and second positions for selectively closing off and opening the aperture in the body member.

Abstract: A closure (10) is provided for a water bottle of the type used in conjunction with a water fountain. The closure (10) comprises a body (20) having an open feed cylinder (50) and a sealing cap (30) which is movable between a sealing position and an open position and is adapted to seal the feed cylinder when in a sealing position. The sealing cap is biased towards a sealing position by biasing means which preferably comprise a plastics spring (70) that anchors the sealing cap (30) to the body (20). The form of the spring (70) and the arrangement of the sealing cap (30) and the feed cylinder (50) are such as to minimize and compensate for creep in the plastics material of the spring (70) in use of the closure (10) to ensure resealing of the feed cylinder (50) if and when the water bottle is removed from the water fountain.

Abstract: An article hanger including a body having at least one clamp. The clamp has first and second jaw members with opposed first and second gripping pads, respectively. The first gripping pad includes a first gripping surface that has a relief structure formed by projections that have a depth between 0.01 mm and 0.5 mm (and most preferably between 0.01 mm and 0.25 mm). The second gripping pad includes a second gripping surface that is substantially smooth. The projections of the relief structure may have pointed ends or planar end surfaces, and may be part of a texture or pattern (e.g., a pattern of cross-hatched grooves) that is imparted to the first gripping surface. The gripping pads of the jaw members are integrally formed therewith preferably with the same thermoplastic material or other suitable material. In the preferred embodiment, the hanger body is integrally formed together with at least one jaw member of the clamp(s) and its gripping pad.

Abstract: A powered stapler includes a housing and a stapling engine within the housing. The stapling engine includes a staple driving assembly and a rotational drive train operable to actuate the staple driving assembly. A stack height compensation mechanism is integrated with the rotational drive train of the stapling engine and is distinct from any portion of the housing. The stack height compensation mechanism is operable to enable the stapling engine to compensate for varying stack heights of sheets to be stapled by the powered stapler.

Abstract: A magazine cover is integrally molded with a return-preventing claw part to be engaged with a fastener loaded into a guide part. The return-preventing claw part is so constructed as to include: a return preventing surface that abuts against the fastener to prevent the fastener from moving to a loading port; and a support portion that always makes the return preventing surface abut against the fastener, thereby being deformed, to support the return preventing surface such that the return preventing surface can be retracted to a position where the return preventing surface does not abut against the fastener.

Abstract: A miniature spring-actuated stapler includes a tapered, flat power spring to store energy and eject staples. The power spring pivots at a rear of the stapler housing and includes three co-extensive arms terminating near the striker. As the L-shaped handle of the stapler is pressed, it acts on the center arm of the power spring to deflect it downward while the outer arms deflect upward. The arms are integral at a rear end and the outer arms are linked to the striker at the front. A tapered, flat reset spring disposed generally parallel to the power spring is used to reset the internal action. The housing includes open top and rear areas with the handle providing the enclosure thereof. A base assembly is slidably attached at a bottom of the stapler with an open position exposing a staple-loading chamber.

Abstract: An adjustable depth control device for a fastener driving tool has an attachment member which is used to couple the adjustable depth control device to the fastener driving tool. An adjustment member is coupled to the attachment member to adjust and control a driving depth of the fastener driving tool. A stopping head is formed on a rivet die of the fastener driving tool for keeping the rivet die in a chamber of the fastener driving tool and for limiting a distance the rivet die will travel.

Abstract: A nail driving apparatus for maintaining alignment of a nail with an object and driving the nail into the object includes an alignment tube being configured for slidably receiving the nail and maintaining a substantially perpendicular alignment of the nail with a surface of the object. A piston rod is slidably extendable into the alignment tube to strike the nail and drive the nail into the object. A chambering member is coupled to the alignment tube. The chambering member has a chamber in communication with the alignment tube. The chamber has a bottom wall angled toward the alignment tube. The chambering member has a top wall having an insert aperture extending therethrough. The insert aperture receives the nail and the chamber guides the nail into the alignment tube when the piston rod is positioned above the chamber.

Abstract: A combustion nailer includes a housing substantially enclosing a combustion engine having a cylinder head, a control unit associated with the housing for controlling operation of the tool, at least one printed circuit board electrically connected to the control unit for maintaining tool operation, and at least one temperature sensor mounted on the at least one printed circuit board for monitoring tool temperature and for signaling sensed temperature to the control unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems or apparatuses and methods for forming a junction between conductive fibers that are incorporated into a fabric. Briefly, one method includes the steps of removing insulation from two intersecting individually insulated conductive fibers to expose the individually conductive fibers, bringing the exposed individually conductive fibers into contact with each other at a junction point, and forming a molecular bond between the conductive fibers at the junction point. Also disclosed are systems for forming a junction between conductive fibers that are incorporated into a fabric.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for mounting and removing electronic components using solder bumps while constraining thermal stresses to a substrate. The method and apparatus for mounting and removing an electronic component (bear chip 32) to be soldered onto the substrate with solder bumps 114 is configured to move the electronic component to detect contact of the solder bumps with the substrate or contact of a tool (chuck unit 38) with the electronic component, to define the contact as an original point for raising a heating temperature of the electronic component and the substrate from the heating temperature to a maximum heating temperature HTm as well as move the electronic component in conformity with the temperature rising, and to move the electronic component from a position where the maximum heating temperature is achieved to a mounting height of the substrate.

Abstract: An initial ball forming method for wire bonding wire and wire bonding apparatus that uses: a capillary through which a wire is passed; a torch electrode made of a low-melting-point material that contains, for instance, tin; and a direct-current high voltage power supply. When the direct-current high voltage power supply is turned ON, a space discharge occurs between the tip end of the wire and the torch electrode, resulting in that the wire tip end melts and is formed into a ball and that the tin of the torch electrode is also heated to a high temperature and diffused into space, so that ionized plus tin ions are attracted to the tip end of the melted wire, thus causing tin to adhere to the surface of the ball-shaped tip end of the wire, and forming an initial ball that has a low-melting-point coating material adhered to its surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an innovative method for manufacturing plate stacks, particularly for manufacturing coolers or cooler elements or heat sinks at least one plate stack, with at least two plate-shaped elements made of metal, for example copper, and provided with passages or openings, wherein the stacked elements are joined with each other using bonding on joining surfaces formed by surface sides of said elements by heating to a process temperature to form the stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container, which comprises an inner part (3) for accommodating objects, in particular screws or the like, and an outer part (2) which surrounds the inner part (3) in the closed state of the accommodating container. In this case, the inner part (3) can be entirely accommodated by the outer part (2) and is connected via a closure tab (4), which is formed on the inner part (3), to the outer part (2) in such a manner that the closure tab (4) is fastened to the end of an outer side of the outer part (2), and the closure tab (4) can be severed by a tear-off strip (6), so that the inner part (3) can be released from the outer part.

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: An information entry and reporting system and method for tracking data associated with retail transactions at the point of sale. Transaction data is converted into a machine readable dataform pattern and printed onto a sales receipt provided to the purchaser. Subsequently, the purchaser uses a suitably configured scanning device to read the dataform pattern into his or her computer. Software algorithms decode the scanned dataform pattern, extract the transaction data and store it for subsequent analysis and reporting. The system includes a computer, software adapted to retrieve selected data, assemble the retrieved data in a format suitable for encoding and encode the data in a dataform pattern, a printer to print the encoded transaction data, a scanning device to capture the encoded data, software to decode the transaction data and software to display the data in human readable form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel interactive information system which can be used to make a traditional print medium such as a magazine, “interactive”. When the traditional print medium is placed on a print media receiving unit in a predetermined position, a user can interact with the traditional print medium. Printed matter elements on the printed medium can be made “selectable” by the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, for creating and using documents with machine-readable codes. A computer program receives user data provided for one or more fields in an electronic document, generates input data containing the user data and metadata that provides a self-contained description of the user data, encodes the input data into a machine-readable code, and generates a final representation of the electronic document with a display of the machine-readable code. Upon reading the machine-readable code, the metadata can be used to identify a set of fields in a target system to which to assign the user data. In some embodiments, the metadata and the user data can be transformed and sent to a target system. The use of metadata in this manner enables machine-readable codes to maintain a physical representation of data that facilitates transfer of the data back into an electronic environment.

Abstract: According to the present invention, individual two-dimensional barcodes 30, 91 and 173 are provided for individual chips 31 arrayed on a wafer 50, individual lead frames 93 to each of which chips 92 are bonded and individual packaged products 171 constituted of resin sealed semiconductor chips based upon chip ID information to enable information management to be implemented separately for individual chips 31, individual frames 93 and individual chip products 171. Thus, a higher degree of efficiency and a higher degree of accuracy in the information management for semiconductor devices are achieved in all processes of semiconductor production including the individual manufacturing processes, the physical distribution process, the shipping process and the claim handling process.

Abstract: A one-way permutation over financial transaction card data provides a merchant with a unique card identifier for each financial transaction card that is used by a customer to purchase goods from a merchant. This card identifier, which is not the actual financial transaction card data, may then be permissibly stored by the merchant and used to uniquely identify the customer's financial transaction card, and may also be used to determine the frequency with which that customer makes purchases using that card.

Abstract: A scanner system and method for improving capture rate of reading labels with add-ons without sacrificing throughput with respect to non-add-on labels, the scanner including a mode in which the scanner in conjunction with the host (point-of-sale terminal) “learns” over time which base label codes will have associated add-ons. As the scanner successfully reads both a base label and its add-on data, the base label data is stored in a list in the scanner's memory. The required number of reads of base label or the timeout timer value may be adjusted based upon whether add-ons are expected or not corresponding to future scans of a base label corresponding to that of one in the list store. Base label statistics on successful base label and associated add-on reads, as well as ordering and selective storage of base label information based on frequency of base label occurrence may also be provided.

Abstract: A payment apparatus according to the present invention comprises an input unit to enter transaction information containing a transaction amount, a storage device to store payment method information containing a usage restriction for each of the payment method, a payment method information extracting apparatus to extract payment method information from the storage device by using the transaction information received from the input unit and selects a payment method to execute the payment according to the payment method information extracted, and a payment execution module to execute, by using the transaction information received from the payment method information extracting apparatus, the payment according to the payment method selected

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) is provided. The automated banking machine may include a fascia (50) in operative connection with a frame (110). The machine may include a plurality of hardware devices which are accessible through the fascia. The hardware devices may include a cash dispenser (24), receipt printer (20), and a card reader (22). The fascia may include replaceable bezels (550,552) with apertures therein for providing access to hardware devices. The bezels may be operative to float with respect to the fascia and hardware devices to automatically align hardware devices with the bezels. In addition the hardware devices may include movable portions which are operative to automatically align with the bezels. The bezels may include ramps, ribs, or other angled surfaces which guide the hardware devices into alignment with the openings in the bezels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bill deposit and withdrawal apparatus comprising a shutter for opening and closing a bill-receiving space; a first plate for forming a front wall of the bill-receiving space and guiding transfer of a bill input into the bill-receiving space; a second plate spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the first plate to define the bill-receiving space; a third plate provided between the first and second plates to partition the bill-receiving space into two spaces; and a fourth plate provided below the bill-receiving space to transfer the bill stacked in the bill-receiving space toward a separator, whereby high reliability is achieved by avoiding jamming and the like that may occur when deposited bills are separated, bills to be withdrawn are stacked, bills rejected upon deposit of bills are stacked, or untaken bills are recovered.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically processing accounts receivable (AR) check transactions via a location-base device associated with a merchant. The location-base device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, can be configured to perform various functions that facilitate processing of AR checks. Such functions may include improved user interface, an ability to handle a repetitive input parameter, an ability to handle multiple merchant identifiers, an ability to generate multiple receipt types, an ability to edit check transactions, an ability to manage throughput of the device, and an ability to allow scanning of different types of checks so as to allow subsequent processing of the scanned checks to be different based on the type of the check. The location-base device configured in one or more of the foregoing manner facilitates a check authorization process performed by a check processing service.

Abstract: A computer readable universal authorization card system including a computer readable portion for conducting communications over a global network and a magnetic stripe for interfacing with debit card readers is disclosed. The system further includes an adapter having an impression for retaining the card for interfacing the card with a media reader.

Abstract: The present invention relates to capital equipment units, such as systems for providing medical treatment, that are associated with smart supplies. The smart supplies are tagged with data carriers which may encode such information as a unique ID for the supply or component, the identification of the supply or component, the identification of the source of the supply or component, the status of whether said supply or component has been previously used, the expiration date of the supply or component, and in the case where the supply or component contains drug, the purity levels of the drug and the concentration levels of the drug. The capital equipment units or their users then utilize the information to assure quality of any procedure run with the units, by way of improved pre-use checks, certification of the supplies for use, record keeping, inventory control, and charge capture.

Abstract: Data concerning post-consumption items is collected from RF tags. RF tags applied to goods and materials that have been consumed or used and/or discarded or stored for recycling are read by a reader. The reader collects data from the tag and stores the data and/or transmits the collected data to a computing device such as a building management or host computer. A computing device associated with the reader may also retrieve data associated with the RF tag from one or more datastores of information concerning the post-consumption item. Additional processing may be performed to determine the composition and other attributes of the item or material. Based upon the data retrieved from the RF tag, and optionally, data in the datastore(s), and/or processing occurring within the associated computing device, characteristics including the composition and nature of the post-consumption items, location of the items and other characteristics and associated information are determined.

Abstract: A wireless terminal (30) including a smart card application host (34), such as a contact smart card or the terminal MCU or a terminal security component, and including a terminal interface (32), and also including a smart card router (33) that enables RF communication with a contactless card reader (35) in for example a ticketing system (31), even though the smart card application host (34) does not contain a contactless interface. The smart card router (33) includes an RF antenna (33c), separate from and external to the smart card application host (34), and also a modulator/demodulator (33b), and also includes a card access module and router (33a) for routing communication traffic (Rin) arriving via the RF antenna (33c) to either the smart card application host (34) or to the terminal interface (32), based on information included in the arriving communication traffic (Rin).

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for printing and verifying postage indicia. The indicia includes data that indicates characteristics of ink used to print the indicia. To verify the indicia, the data is read and compared with data provided by detecting optical or related characteristics of the ink.