Abstract: A method of dispensing display fluid into an array of cells loads an array of quills with the fluid. inserts the array of quills loaded with the fluid into the array of cells, such that each quill is inserted into a separate cell, contacts an inner surface of the cells to cause the fluid to transfer from the quills to the cells, and seals the cells. A dispensing system has a first substrate having an array of quills arranged on a first pitch, a first fixture to hold the first substrate, a second substrate having an array of cells, wherein the cells are arranged on a second pitch that is proportional to the first pitch, a second fixture to hold the second substrate, and an alignment system to align the first substrate to the second substrate such that each quill dispenses a display fluid into selected ones of the cells.

Abstract: In the method of optimizing the dosage-dispensing process of a dosage-dispensing device, an examination takes place prior to a first dosage delivery, whether at least one flow parameter relating to the dosage-dispensing process is stored in the memory module of the dosage-dispensing unit. If a stored flow parameter is found to be present, said flow parameter is called up from the memory module. If no store flow parameter is present, a flow parameter is requested by the user by entering a request, a flow parameter is called up from a central database, or at least one flow parameter is determined by means of the first run of the dosage-dispensing process based on a default setting of the dosage-dispensing program. With the at least one flow parameter, the dosage-dispensing program is directly adapted, at least one run of the dosage-dispensing process is performed with the adapted dosage-dispensing program, and/or the at least one flow parameter is stored in the memory module.

Abstract: A dose-indicator device for using with a dispenser device for dispensing fluid or powder, in particular a pharmaceutical, so as to indicate the number of doses that have been emitted or that remain to be emitted from the dispenser device, the indicator device comprising a first rotary disk (10) and a second rotary disk (20) that is preferably opaque, said first disk (10) including indicator numbers and/or symbols (11) that are disposed in peripheral manner about the axis of rotation (X) of said first rotary disk (10) around at least two concentric circles, and said second disk (20) including at least one viewing window (21).

Abstract: Devices designed to aid the cooling of liquids in a flexible fluid container such as a bag being dispensed over time, generally through use of a dispenser which penetrates the membrane of the bag with at least one spike. The devices are cooling packs, adapted and sized to allow interaction with the fluid in the bag, while generally inhibiting damage to the pack from the spike. The devices are designed especially to cool liquid beverages such as water, without need to include an electromechanical cooling system in the dispensing device.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a fluid dispenser (1, 2) comprising a fluid reservoir (1) and a closure member (2), the reservoir comprising at least one flexible sheet (11) provided with an opening (14) cut out in the sheet, the closure member (2) being mounted in said opening (14); and a flexible covering (3) wrapped around the dispenser, the covering including a window (34) through which the closure member (2) can be accessed.

Abstract: A beverage blending system with dispenser is disclosed. The system can include a hopper or tank to retain an ice and fluid mixture, a grinder to fragment the ice to a predetermined particle size, a pump to re-circulate the ground mixture back into the tank and a screen to strain the mixture such that the pump can re-circulate solid particles that are less than the predetermined particle size back to the top portion of the tank.

Abstract: Dispensing cartridge, particularly for dental impression materials, the dispensing cartridge comprising: at least one compartment; and a locking assembly for releasably locking a tip with at least one of the compartments; the locking assembly comprising: a first movable member comprising a first end; a second movable member comprising a first end and a second end, where the second end of the second movable member is adapted to releasably lock the tip.

Abstract: In the field of combination dispensers emitting condiments from the bottom of the containers operating automatically without moving parts, the use of rounded, half-rounded and steepled and half-rounded and obtunded components to shield and block the interior condiment outlet passages when shaking for the other condiment and funnel-shaped closures for scooping up errant, improperly emitted condiments.

Abstract: A liquid cosmetic product dispenser that can allow a person to quickly and unobtrusively apply liquid cosmetic product includes a palm sized dispenser and the liquid cosmetic product is disposed in the dispenser under pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. The dispenser includes a movable actuator button for controlling dispensing of the liquid cosmetic product from the dispenser and a locking mechanism for locking the actuator button.

Abstract: An aerosol fluid dispenser includes a movable actuator for controlling dispensing of the liquid or fluid product from the dispenser and a locking mechanism for locking the actuator.

Abstract: A carrier ring assembly is provided for use with a closure for a container. The carrier ring assembly includes a carrier ring and a valve. The carrier ring includes a retention bead and a retention space. The valve is located at least partially within the carrier ring and has a retention portion positioned within the retention space.

Abstract: A scented hanger assembly having a clothes hanger with a mounting ring attached to the clothes hanger. A scent cartridge has a base defining a cavity and a scented material is disposed within that cavity. The base also includes a recess complementary in shape to the mounting ring and the recess is dimensioned so that the base Frictionally engages the mounting ring when positioned within the recess to thereby detachably secure the scent cartridge to the clothes hanger.

Abstract: A clothes hanger having a shoulder bar with two spaced ends. An elongated pant bar having two ends is disposed between the shoulder bar so that one end of the pant bar is secured to one end of the shoulder bar, while the other end of the pant bar is secured to the other end of the shoulder bar. A hook is attached to the midpoint of the shoulder bar for mounting the hanger on a closet rod. The shoulder bar and pant bar each include at least one elongated airflow through slot which facilitates air circulation through the hanger.

Abstract: The medical sack is lightweight, simplified in design and construction, and able to store therein a variety of personal and medical items of a user during the work shift within a medical environment. The medical sack evenly distributes the weight of the items stored therein upon the back of the user permitting easy access for quick retrieval.

Abstract: A hands free camera carrier includes a shoulder harness, a camera platform with an upper platform rotatably attached to a lower platform, and a coupler that attaches the shoulder harness to the camera platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying concrete finishing tools comprised of: a front panel, a rear panel, first and second side panels, and a bottom in which the front panel, rear panel, side panels, and bottom form an inner compartment with having an opening to allow access to the inner compartment, a flap extending over the opening, a locking mechanism for temporarily securing the flap to the front panel, at least one shoulder strap to allow the user to carry the apparatus without using their hand(s), and a divider separating the inner compartment into first and second portions.

Abstract: The clip-mount operates with a button mount and includes a body defining a locking cavity for the button and a resilient locking tongue therein. The tongue biases the button into a locking position. The tongue includes at least one cam surface. A movable cam actuator on the body includes another cam surface which coacts with the first cam permitting the tongue to flex from a locking to an unlocking position. An enhancement includes one cam and cam follower, to flex the tongue from the locking to the unlocking position, and a second cam and cam follower to flex the tongue to a button locking position. The method includes biasing the button to a locking position, providing a sloped cam surface on the resilient locking tongue and moving a second cam surface over the tongue cam surface thereby flexing the tongue from a locked to a button release position.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises means for carrying a long article in a vehicle, such as a pickup truck which comprises restraining means for one end of a long article and a longitudinally adjustable strap attached or attachable to each side of the restraining means, the opposite ends of the traps having means for attachment or being attachable to the vehicle or pickup truck. The longitudinally adjustable straps may be tightened to secure the long article by abutment against a vertical face of the vehicle, such as the front wall of the bed of a pickup truck. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of using the above described means for carrying a long article in a vehicle and another embodiment of the invention comprises a long article secured in a vehicle using the above described means.

Abstract: A combination backpack and granular material dispenser that includes an upper compartment, a lower compartment extending downwardly from the upper compartment, at least one carrying strap, a valve assembly, and a valve assembly actuator. In use, the present invention enables a user to stow equipment and personal items in the upper compartment while stowing and dispensing a granular material from the lower compartment. The lower compartment is collapsible into and expansible from the upper compartment.

Abstract: A backpack or other wearable object is comprised of a body, shoulder straps attached in a conventional manner to the rear of the body, deployable/stowable appendages or wings, and deploy/stow mechanism. In operation, the wings may be deployed and stowed via the user operated deploy/stow mechanism.

Abstract: A method and a device are described to break thin glass sheets, especially compound and sandwich sheets (double sheets) in which the scratched glass is placed scratched side down on a glass cutting table that is provided with an elastic cover. The sheets are fixed to the glass cutting table by means of a vacuum, and they are broken by applying pressure to the unscratched side with a cutter. The elastic cover has a Shore A hardness of 60 to 100 and a rebound resilience according to DIN 53 512 of 35% to 70%.

Abstract: A hand-held drive-in tool for driving fastening elements in includes a drive-in ram (13) displaceably supported in the guide (12), a spring member (31) for displacing the drive-in ram (13), a device (70) for preloading the driving spring member (31) and a locking device (50) having a locking position (54) in which the locking device (50) retains the driving spring member (31) in its preloaded position (22) and includes an annular member (49) pivotally arranged on the locking device (50) and rollable off the locking stop (53) provided on the drive-in ram (13).

Abstract: A hand-held drive-in tool for driving in fastening elements includes a drive-in ram (13) displaceably supported in a drive (30) for driving the drive-in ram (13) and having a driving spring member (31) for displacing the drive-in ram (13), a device (70) for preloading the driving spring member (31), a locking device (50) having a locking position (54) in which the locking device (50) retains the driving spring member (31) in its preloaded position and a release position (55) into which the locking device (50) is displaced upon actuation of an actuation switch (19) of the drive-in tool (10), and a mechanical blocking device (60) operating independently of the actuation switch (19) and having an active position (68) in which the blocking device (60) retains the locking device (50) in its locking position (54), and a passive position (69) in which the locking device (50) can be displaced in its release position. (55).

Abstract: A manual slap hammer having a staple magazine, a stapler body, a cap magazine, and a cap feeder. The cap feeder has a footplate mounted to the slap hammer, a cap pusher mounted for reciprocation with respect to the footplate, and a linkage operably connecting the cap pusher to a forward end of the stapler body. When the slap hammer strikes a workpiece, the forward end of the stapler body moves downwardly by inertia toward the forward end of the staple magazine, such that the linkage moves the cap pusher to a first position. As the forward end of the stapler body moves away from the staple magazine following stapling, the linkage moves the cap pusher to a second position, thereby causing the next cap to be moved into stapling position.

Abstract: A method for closing an arteriotomy includes providing a guiding system and a closure system. The guiding system is mounted over a dilator, and advanced along a guidewire through the arteriotomy and into the blood vessel lumen. The guiding system includes two stabilization wire guides. A retention foot is disposed at a distal portion of each stabilization wire guide, the foot being deployable into contact against an inner surface of the vessel wall. The guidewire and dilator are withdrawn from the patient, leaving the stabilization wire guides in place. The closure system carries a stapler and is advanced along the stabilization wire guides to an extraluminal position. The stapler is then activated to close the arteriotomy. The retention feet are undeployed and the guiding and closure systems are withdrawn from the body, leaving a staple to hold the arteriotomy closed.

Abstract: A closure device for an arteriotomy includes an elongate tube having a distal opening, a staple disposed within the tube, and a frangible cap mounted across the distal opening to guard the staple tips against contact with the tissue track. The frangible cap is pierced, fractured or torn when the staple is advanced through the distal opening. A portion of the torn frangible cap may be implanted with the staple as a pledget. The staple may be carried within the elongate tube by a stapler comprising an elongate hollow shaft and an elongate driver slidably disposed therein. A pair of opposing actuation tips is disposed at a distal end of the hollow shaft to define an open-sided staple chamber there between. An anvil is fixedly disposed within the staple chamber, which holds at least a proximal portion of the staple.

Abstract: A closure device for an arteriotomy includes an elongate tube having a distal opening. The elongate tube has least two opposing longitudinal slots and a pair of opposing corners defined where each slot meets the distal opening. A staple is disposed within the tube, the staple having at least two opposing legs aligned with the at least two slots. Each slot is pinched together adjacent the distal opening such that the opposing corners of each slot converge to cover the tip of the respective staple leg to guard the staple tips against contact with the tissue track. The corners of each slot are separable to permit the respective staple leg to pass there between.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system is provided for creating an ultrasonically welded seam in a plurality of layers of a material, for example a foil bag having a plurality of foil layers. The system preferably includes a sonotrode and an anvil constructed and arranged to apply a welding force at an angle of less than 90° with respect to the downward force of gravity. Accordingly, a vertical welding force can be provided on the foil layers to weld the foil layers together from the bottom upward.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus capable of stably applying a pressure force without enlarging the apparatus, and a robot having thereof are provided. A rotating tool is provided with a rotational shaft and a hollow surrounding shaft is provided to surround the rotational shaft. The rotational shaft is movable along an axis-of-rotation and is rotated by a rotation drive motor about the axis-of-rotation. The surrounding shaft is rotatably supported by a main frame and an outer threaded portion is formed around the outer peripheral thereof to be threadedly engaged with a nut member. The rotating tool is rotatably supported by a header, and the header and the nut member are coupled together through a bracket. Therefore, when the surrounding shaft is rotated about the axis-of-rotation by the linear movement motor, the rotating tool is linearly moved through the nut member, the bracket and the header, and can apply a pressure force against work pieces.

Abstract: In a first step, a roof panel and a front header are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at a front-end frictional joint area, and the roof panel and a rear header are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at a rear-end frictional joint area. The roof panel and a side roof rail are joined at plural frictional spot joint portions at left-side and right-side frictional joint areas. Subsequently, in a second step, the members are joined at the plural rivet joint portions at a border area of the above-described joint areas, and the members are joined at plural rivet joints at a bounder area of the above-described joint areas. Accordingly, there can be provided a joining method and structure of metal members that can properly reduce deformation due to a thermal strain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the correction of defective solder bump arrays arranged in a plurality of cavities in a mold. In the method, a faulty solder bump is searched, identified and located (i.e., its position is determined) in an arrangement of solder bumps disposed in cavities of a mold and the faulty solder bump is subsequently replaced by a prefabricated solder bump. The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a mold holder, a scanning and locating device for finding and locating faulty solder bumps and a repair device for replacing the faulty solder bump by a prefabricated solder bump.

Abstract: Certain examples disclosed herein are directed to materials that are designed for use in interconnects of electrical devices such as, for example, printed circuit boards and solar cells. In certain examples, a two-step solder may be used to reduce stresses on the materials used in the production of the electrical devices.

Abstract: A method for the attachment of solder powder includes the steps of treating an exposed metallic surface of an electronic circuit board with a tackifier compound, thereby imparting tackiness thereto to form a tackified part, attaching solder powder by a dry or wet process to the tackified part, and then removing excessively adhering solder powder in a liquid that is water, deoxidized water or deoxidized water added with an antirust.

Abstract: A volatile soldering aid for solder bonding surfaces. A thermally decomposable solid that is suspended in a carrier or dissolved in a solvent is incorporated in a solder assembly having two surfaces separated by a solder preform. The solvent or carrier is subsequently evaporated, and the assembly is heated to decompose the solid and produce a reducing gas. The assembly is then further heated to melt the solder preform. A vacuum may be introduced to remove the gas prior to melting of the solder preform. The solder preform in the assembly may be a monolithic preform or it may be a powder. The solder preform may be provided as a thin film deposited on one or both of the surfaces to be joined. Upon heating, the volatile soldering aid is converted to vapor without forming a liquid phase at the melting point of the solder.

Abstract: A chromium-free welding consumable and a method of welding stainless steel to reduce the presence of chromium emissions. The consumable is made from an alloy that reduces the emission of chromium during a welding process, and include predominantly nickel, with between approximately five and ten weight percent copper, up to approximately two percent by weight of ruthenium and up to five percent non-copper alloying ingredients. Welding consumables made from the alloy are particularly well-suited for welding austenitic stainless steels, such as type 304 stainless steel. The method involves using chromium-free weld filler material with a stainless steel base material.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic card and/or envelope that can be removeably attached to a package. The present invention also includes methods for making the magnetic card and envelope and a gift wrapping kit comprising the magnetic card or envelope along with a package.

Abstract: A container comprises a knockdown carton made from a flat blank of corrugated material, and a knockdown lid. The carton comprises a center panel, foldable end panels, foldable side panels, and foldable corner panels. A pair of diametrically opposed corner panels are folded inwardly into contact with opposed end panels. The end panels comprise rectangular cutout holes surrounding foldable flaps. The lid has a central panel that is divided from integral end panels and integral side panels. A lid side panel extending vertically downwardly is coupled to the carton. Lid end panels have elliptical orifices that register with carton cutout regions and adjoining slots that align with handle anchor orifices. An alternative lid has flaps comprising major and minor segments separated by a diagonal fold line. The minor segment has an apex that releasably biases the flap in engagement with the end panel, yieldably locking the lid.

Abstract: A container for shipping and/or storing a stack of paper is disclosed. The container, according to a disclosed embodiment, comprises a bottom wall and first and second upright, opposing side walls extending from respective edges of the bottom wall. First and second shell portions are connected in a pivotal manner to respective edges of the bottom wall. The shell portions are pivotable toward and away from each to close and open the container, respectively. When the container is closed, the stack is securely contained between the shell portions and the side walls for shipping or storing. When the container is opened, at least two opposing sides of the stack are exposed to facilitate removal of paper from the container. A handle for carrying or lifting the container may be coupled to one of the shell portions.

Abstract: An improved concentrate/extract cartridge is provided for dispensing a liquid in an accurate and repeatable manner. The cartridge includes an electromagnetically actuated piston connected to a valve. The piston includes an exterior ring supported by a hollow interior web that is configured to permit a flow of fluid into the dispensing tube when the valve body is in contact with the valve seat. A membrane is located below the web and is in sealing contact with the internal ring when the piston is activated. This allows a precise and repeatable amount of the liquid to be dispensed with each stroke. Dispensers for dispensing the liquid from the cartridge for a number of applications are also provided. The dispensers each include an actuating coil into which the dispensing tube is inserted. A controller is connected to the coil for controlling the actuation of the piston/valve assembly for dispensing the fluid in the cartridge as required for the particular application.

Abstract: An Internet-based shipping, tracking, and delivery network supporting the capture of shipping document images and recognition-processing thereof initiated from a point of shipment pickup and completed while shipments are transported to its first scanning point in said network so as to significantly increase velocity of shipping information through the network, as well as reduce delivery time over the network.

Abstract: A vending machine handles a purchase transaction by receiving a payment, receiving a product selection from the customer, and dispensing the product indicated by the product selection. As part of the same transaction, the vending machine offers an information item such as an audio recording or a video recording. The vending machine also receives from the customer a destination address, which may be an e-mail address. The vending machine or a system of which it is part transmits the information item to the received destination address.

Abstract: A method for facilitating biometric security in a smartcard-reader transaction system is provided. The method includes determining if a transaction violates an established rule, such as a preset spending limit. The method also includes notifying a user to proffer a biometric sample in order to verify the identity of said user, and detecting a proffered biometric at a sensor to obtain a proffered biometric sample. The method additionally comprises verifying the proffered biometric sample and authorizing a transaction to continue upon verification of the proffered biometric sample.

Abstract: A first code is read from a user carried device useable in an access control system. The first code is an encoded form of at least an ID of a user carrying the device and at least one privilege. The privilege defines the user's access to a resource. The first code is compared to a second code, and access is permitted only if the first code compares favorably to the second code. A reader of the access control system computes the second code based on the user ID and the privilege. The first and second codes may be also based on a secret key applicable only to the user.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing module for use with an Internet-based shipping, tracking and delivery network. The module includes a housing having a light transmission aperture with an optically transparent imaging window mounted thereover. A digital camera board supports an area-type color image sensing array, sensing array control electronics, and image capture and buffering electronics. An imaging lens assembly supported within said housing and having image forming optics with a field of view (FOV) on the area-type color image sensing array. A plurality of broad-band LEDs are supported within said housing for producing a field of broad-band illumination. A light focusing reflector is operably mounted for focusing the field of broad-band illumination. A digital image-processing subsystem supports image capture, processing and display functions, as well as digital image file transmission functions within the module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a status condition of a medicament container having a memory contained therein for storing medicament effect data, such as, for example, drug interaction, side effect, and other information for determining the status condition of the container.

Abstract: A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of product unit specific indicators, each operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedence of at least one threshold by at least one product quality determining parameter, an indicator reader operative to read the product unit specific indicators and to provide output indications and a product type specific indication interpreter operative to receive the output indications and to provide human sensible, product unit specific, product quality status outputs.

Abstract: An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag includes a cabinet having at least one locking front door. An RFID detector is used for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and is located within the interior of the cabinet. A computer is coupled to the RFID cabinet and controls opening and closing of the front door and is configured to receive an input that identifies the user. In this way, the computer is configured to periodically record data read from the RFID tags by the RFID detector.

Abstract: Each respective mail item in a received batch of items is read to acquire information, which enables a plurality of verifications with regard to authenticity of the respective mail item. In a vote-by-mail example, one or more features are validated for authenticity in relation to the election, and one or more features are validated for authenticity in relation to a voter. The verifications in relation to a voter may involve detection of a signature and verification of the authenticity of the signature. The items are sorted according to the verification results and may be sorted based on other criteria. The methods, systems and software disclosed herein enable such verifications and sorting, in a single pass through a sorting system.

Abstract: A system and method for electronic voting. The method includes providing an ATM network that includes ATM machines capable of establishing communication with a voting center, receiving by the one of the ATM machines an electronic ballot, displaying to the voter on the one of the ATM machines the electronic ballot, entering by the voter at least one voting choice into the electronic ballot displayed on the one of the ATM machines, and transmitting by the one the ATM machines the electronic ballot to the voting center.

Abstract: The radio-tag data containing the merchandise management data about an item of merchandise from the radio tag attached to the item of merchandise. It is determined whether a prescribed one of the bytes constituting the radio-tag data is identification data that specifies the merchandise management data. If the prescribed byte is determined to be identification data, a prescribed number of bytes following the prescribed byte are extracted from the radio-tag data. The bytes thus extracted are output as merchandise management data.