Abstract: The present invention is a security system for preventing theft of hanging merchandise. The present invention includes a security package system for a product to be placed on a hanging display, the package comprising: (a) a product package of a relatively thin plastic material and having a top portion which has a front and rear, the top portion having an aperture adapted to receive a hang support; (b) a locking member of a relatively thick plastic material and having a front and rear portion so as to removeably fit over the top portion of the product package and having apertures in the front and rear portions that are positioned so as to align with the aperture of the top portion when in position over the top portion.

Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing consumer products can be used in place of conventional blister packs for packaging of pills, tablets or capsules, or as multi-cavity containers for organizing and storing mixed medication for subsequent dispensation according to a predefined dosage regimen. It has a tray (1) having a generally planar top surface (2) into which has been formed one or more discrete cavities (3) for receiving consumer products. A sheet (10) is adhered to the top surface (2) using a peelable adhesive to seal the one or more cavities (3). The sheet has pre-formed tear lines (13) defining a tear-off portion (12) per cavity to retain consumer product in that cavity until it is removed by tearing along its tear line. Each tear-off portion has low vapor transmission properties created by a patch (24) with high vapor barrier properties.

Abstract: A shipping container for shipping diagnostic specimens. An outer container includes inner foam panels that define an inner cavity enclosed by a closed cell polymeric foam for receiving items to be shipped. The inner cavity has an H-shaped transverse cross section for receiving specimen vials that can be packaged in a polymeric bag having several side-by-side compartments for receiving specimen vials. A freezable material is placed within the inner cavity and adjacent to the specimens to maintain the specimens packed within the container below a predetermined temperature during shipment. The foam defining the inner cavity provides insulation to aid in maintaining the temperature of the contents.

Abstract: A sanitary pack container is composed of a collapsible, coil spring-supported, fabric tube disposed inside a rectangular enclosure. The collapsible tube serves as a support for disposable plastic bags, a supply of which is stored in the container along with a supply of tissue papers and a supply of chemically treated sanitary wipes.

Abstract: A battery package comprising a rear member and a front member pivotally connected to the rear member. The battery package has a closed position and an open position allowing access to the interior space. The rear member includes support structure for supporting the batteries therein. The rear member including a foot and the front member and the rear member including aligned openings. Therefore, the battery package can alternatively be positioned on the horizontal surface using the foot and be hung on a rod by extending the rod through the aligned openings for display purposes. A first one of the front member and the rear member includes a latch and a second one of the front member and rear member includes a slot, with the latch being configured to be inserted into the slot for maintaining the battery package in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a packaging assembly for shipping and displaying a plurality of products. The packaging assembly includes a display stand and a plurality of display packs, each configured to hold one or more products. The display stand includes a base panel and left and right side panels projecting upward from the base panel's respective left and right edges. The left and right side panels each define a plurality of slots, with each slot of the left side panel cooperating with a slot of the right side panel to form a plurality of matched pairs of slots, each such matched pair of slots configured to receive at retain one of the display packs. Each slot includes a vertically non-linear section configured such that insertion of a display pack into each matched pair of slots causes the side walls to yieldably deform and thereby secure the display pack in its desired, upright orientation, despite repeated removal and replacement of the display packs by customers.

Abstract: The invention provides a flotation device including a series of flotation tanks (1) for processing a slurry incorporating valuable minerals for extraction. At least one of the tanks includes a side outlet (15) adapted for the withdrawal of targeted relatively fine coarse particles from the slurry. The tanks also include a bottom outlet (14) for the withdrawal of relatively dense or coarse components of the slurry. The incorporation of bottom and side outlets allows the slurry to be separated into two parallel streams, one configured for optimal recovery of the relatively coarse or dense slurry components and the other for optimal recovery of the relatively fine slurry components. In this way, outflow slurry from downstream tanks in the coarse particle stream has a higher proportion of coarser particles than was present in the inflow slurry from the upstream tanks.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for separating materials are provided. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating a first material from a second material. For example, the method can comprise mixing the first material and the second material in a slurry with a beneficiation composition. The beneficiation composition can comprise one or more fatty acid by-products derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process and one or more green collectors. Air bubbles can be provided in the slurry to form bubble-particle aggregates with the first material and the bubble-particle aggregates can be allowed to be separated from the second material.

Abstract: A filter made from a blend of a polymeric fibrous pulp having a length weighted average fiber length between 0.5 and 1.1 mm and a polymeric fibrous micropulp having a volume weighted average fiber length between 1.0-200.0 micrometers in which the ratio of average fiber length of the fibrous pulp to fibrous micropulp is greater than or equal to about 4:1.

Abstract: A rug clip for use in a rug display system includes a gripping member having first gripping elements, a biasing member having second gripping elements overlying at least a portion of the gripping member and a clamping member overlying at least a portion of the biasing member.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for header-style bags having a housing comprising a rear portion and a front cover connected to the rear portion, and a bag mount attached to the rear portion proximate the top edge thereof, the bag mount structured and arranged to engage the aperture in the packet of bags so as to hang the packet from the bag mount. The front cover is pivotally attached to the rear portion so as to be movable between a lowered, open position providing access to an interior of the housing so that a lower portion of a packet of bags hanging from the bag mount can be received in the interior of the housing, and a raised, closed position in which the housing substantially encloses the lower portion of the packet of bags while the mouth portion of the packet of bags projects above the housing to allow a bag to be grasped at an upper end thereof and removed from the packet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tie-back system for a crane comprising a rotatable base with a generally vertical support frame and a lifting arm which is with a lower end hingedly connected to the base in a hinge point, an upper part of the frame carrying a displacement member movable relative to the frame, the displacement member carrying a first cable guide means, a first cable extending from a first connection point on the arm along the first cable guide means to a first pulling device. The displacement member comprising a tie connection point for connection to a tie member, a second cable guide means attached to an upper part of the frame and a second cable extending from a second connection point on the arm along the second cable guide means to a second pulling device.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a hoist drum with a three different drum sections, two cylindrical and one tapered, upon which the different ends of a lifting cable simultaneously spool on and off of as a function of counterclockwise and clockwise cable spooling. This combination reduces the amount of shaft torque required to raise or lower a load while increasing the number of hoist drum rotations required to raise or lower that load. These two features are incorporated into the operation of a main crane cable length adjusting device since they offer precise and rapid adjustment capabilities to be made with smaller sized electric motors and clutches.

Abstract: A railroad car draft gear including a housing having an open end with a friction clutch assembly arranged in operable combination therewith. An elongated elastomeric spring assembly is disposed within the housing for storing energy during axial compression of the draft gear. A spring seat is arranged within the housing between the spring assembly and an end portion of each friction member forming part of the friction clutch assembly. The spring seat defines a surface, arranged in direct contacting relation with an end of the spring assembly, and defines at least one surface incongruity for limiting radial expansion with the elastomeric spring at the end of the spring assembly arranged in direct contacting relation with the spring seat along at least two axes when an axial load is applied to the draft gear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container arrangement having a frame (4) supporting a tank (2) and an equipment compartment (3), whereby the equipment compartment (3) is accessible by means of a closeable aperture (9) arranged in an exterior wall (5) of the equipment compartment and whereby the exterior wall (5) is connected with the container frame (12?, 12?, 13) in a demountable fashion. The frame (4) may be composed of frame modules (4?, 4?, 4??), which are solidly interconnected by means of detachable coupling elements (41).

Abstract: A hand held device has compartments and collapses for storage during periods of non-usage. The carrier has two trapezoidal shaped wings, hingedly connected upon the taller end. Hook and loop fasteners and a strap through handles temporarily secure the wings together. Each wing has two removable dividers forming compartments and collapses as its sides fold inwards. The present invention provides pockets, a detachable strap, and dividers. The carrier also has fabric covered panels with piping upon the edges, open mesh and elasticized pockets, and feet upon the bottom of the wings. The carrier transports beverages, tools, and parts among other things that may require compartments.

Abstract: Transport packaging, capable of being erected or folded, and when erected serving as a shipper for commercial packaging of goods. The packaging is defined by a structural framework [100] capable of carrying a sheath, film wrap or cover, or other materials of vessel-forming character to hold and protect products to be transported within the framework. The framework when erected provides contents-receptive configuration to protect the packing and its contents against the stresses of filling, storage, distribution, merchandising and use of the packaging. The framework has a plurality of horizontal and vertical members [102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111], wherein horizontal members define lengthwise structural elements and the vertical members define upright structural elements, together defining an exoskeleton having windowed open frame panels of the framework joined pivotally at lower and fixedly/securely at upper corners defined by the upright structural elements.

Abstract: A container has at least one seam, the at least one seam having a joined portion and an unjoined portion. A seal seals the unjoined portion of the seam, the seal being operative to fail due to internal pressure before a remainder of the container. The container may be cylindrical, comprise metal and have at least one longitudinal seam. Generally, the joined portion comprises a weld. The seal may comprise one or more of a fluid adhesive, a gasket, a patch and an I-shaped gasket. A cover attached to the container with fasteners may at least partially cover the seal to protect it from damage.

Abstract: A cap for selective attachment with a threaded opening includes an outer cover and an inner portion, the inner portion lying at least partially within the outer cover and having threads engageable with the threaded opening and a set of circumferentially-spaced teeth arranged to selectively receive torque from manual rotation of the outer cover. A slider in constant driving engagement with the outer cover is selectively engageable with the teeth of the inner portion to transmit torque from the outer cover to the inner portion. An actuator is provided to actuate the slider into and out of engagement with the teeth of the inner portion. A lock is provided accessible from outside the outer cover and being coupled to the actuator. A locked state of the cap is one in which the slider is removed from engagement with the teeth of the inner portion by the lock and actuator and an unlocked state of the cap is one in which the slider is engaged with the teeth of the inner portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lid arrangement for a container with a hinged mating lid. The disclosed lid arrangement avoids inadvertently opening the lid, while at the same time allows easy opening when opening the lid is desired. The lid arrangement is configured to be used with a wide variety of different types of containers with hinged lids. In some embodiments, the lid arrangement is incorporated into a multiple compartment pill container.

Abstract: A plastic package for holding small articles of commerce has a clear blister portion and a rectangular card member for covering the blister portion, the blister having a bottom, front wall, rear wall, and opposing side walls, and the upper perimeter portion of the blister has a ledge extending therealong for engaging and supporting the periphery of the card, and hingedly attached along upper edges of each of the blister sides is an integral flip-up retainer member each having a “proud” point or convex surface, and when the card is positioned on the blister ledge the hinged retainer members can be rotated to a position which brings their proud points in engagement with the card. UV responsive adhesive on the proud points can be activated to bond the retainers to the card to seal the package.

Abstract: A sewage tank for use with a pump such as a grinder pump to convey sewage. The sewage tank includes a container having an upper portion and a lower tapering portion defining a chamber for containing the pump. The lower tapering portion has a reduced size compared to the upper portion. The upper portion and the lower portion may include a plurality of intersecting vertical ribs and horizontal ribs defining a plurality of recessed pockets. The lower portion of the sewage tank may also include an outwardly-extending flange sufficiently sized so that soil may be backfilled around the bottom of the tank to prevent the tank from floating upward out of the ground due to its buoyancy under high ground water conditions. A sewage tank having a stepped flange is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cookware handle includes a metal insert and a cured phenolic overmold molded over the insert. The metal insert may be shaped to prevent movement of the overmold with respect to the insert, and may include a screw boss for attaching the handle to a cookware vessel. The overmold is molded over the insert into the shape of a handle. The overmold may encapsulate the insert, and may define a hole aligned with the screw boss to receive a screw that extends through the screw boss and into the cookware vessel. The present invention also includes a method for manufacturing a cookware handle, including the steps of a) providing a metal insert having an attachment portion; b) overmolding a phenolic molding material over the insert, the overmold shaped in the form of a cookware handle; and c) attaching the overmold and insert to a cookware vessel with the attachment portion of the insert.

Abstract: A pill-dispensing apparatus for automatically dispensing solid pills includes a plurality of storage units and a pill dispensing module. The storage units store pills in bulk and each include a hopper and an auger movably positioned with respect to the hopper. An inlet of the auger is positioned to receive pills from the hopper. The pill-dispensing module includes: a dock for receiving and holding a selected one of the storage units, a drive unit for rotating the auger to motivate the pills along the auger, a pill counter for counting pills dispensed from an auger outlet, and a lift for tilting the hopper to control flow and to assist in motivating pills to fall from the hopper and move along the auger.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a tower head disposed atop a tower, and at least one beverage syrup flow path having at least one control module disposed within the tower to regulate the flow of a beverage syrup through the flow path, thereby reducing the size requirements for the tower head. The beverage dispenser may further include additional flow paths to add variable products. The beverage dispenser further includes a control board including at least one input and output device disposed on a top of the beverage dispenser, such that an operator may easily interact with the control board to configure the beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser may be utilized in a master/slave arrangement, wherein a slave beverage dispenser without a control panel is disposed adjacent to and in communication with the control board of the master beverage dispenser, such that the master beverage dispenser conducts all global and configuration operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for supplying liquids comprising heating elements (3) heating up said liquids and an electric drive pumping group (101). The characteristic is that the pumping group (101) comprises an intake (102) and at least a first and second intake duct (8a-8b, 8c-8d, 8e-8f), and is further equipped with an impeller (11a, . . . , 11c), said first and second intake duct (8a-8b, 8c-8d, 8e-8f) being selectively activated according to the direction of rotation of said impeller (11a, . . . , 11c) of the pumping group (4a, . . . , 4c).

Abstract: An airless dispensing pump for liquid products including a push button with a spray nozzle which communicates with a network of channels that is provided locally on the wall of an internal truncated-cone-shaped bore, and a housing. An upper part of the housing includes a dosing cell having an elastically-deformable wall, which is equipped with an intake valve and topped with a rigid collar for fixing same inside the bore of the aforementioned button. Moreover, the outer periphery of the collar has an inclined face which defines a swirl chamber opposite the above-mentioned network, while the inner periphery thereof is quipped with a passage to the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for delivering or dispensing substances. The delivery apparatus comprises a housing, a cartridge for containing the fluid or liquid to be delivered, a conduit system, a nozzle, a pump and an actuating mechanism for actuating a stream of fluid or liquid. The delivery apparatus may include a motor and power source adapted to power the pump. The cartridge containing the fluid or liquid is typically an off-the-shelf container that may be purchased in stores, such as insecticides or household cleaners. The conduit system has an intake opening in fluid communication with the fluid inside the container and another portion in fluid communication with the intake of the nozzle. The conduit system further includes a structure for causing the stream of fluid or liquid to be generally laminar.

Abstract: An extendable pour cap includes a base adapted for attaching to a neck of a container. A flexible spout extends from the base, and is adapted for communicating with an open mouth of the container. The flexible spout has integrally-formed bellows designed for converting the spout between a compressed condition and an extended condition. A first closure element is designed for removably securing a first closure cap over the flexible spout when compressed. A second closure element is designed for removably securing a second closure cap over the flexible spout when compressed.

Abstract: A multi-tiered hanger for holding multiple undergarments or lingerie. The hanger comprises at least two frames connected together to form a three-dimensional structure, and a hook about which the three-dimensional structure is supported. Each of the at least two frames comprises a means for receiving multiple lingerie.

Abstract: A retainer for securing a hand-held electronic or optical device is made of a soft, pliable elastomeric material so that inserting and removing the device is accomplished without significant sound so as not to startle wildlife which may be in the vicinity. The retainer has a pair of flexible retention fingers on either side of a slot that receives a retention post affixed to the hand-held device to secure it in the retainer. The retainer has a toothed grip clip which can swivel between a teeth up and a teeth down position and has a toggle mechanism which ensures engagement of the teeth with an article of the user's clothing.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a frame, and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section with each staple being configured and adapted to attach the mesh to the body tissue. An elongated pusher system formed of several assembled components and extending from the frame to the endoscopic section is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally for positioning adjacent the surgical mesh and the body tissue. The pusher system also includes a trigger system to actuate the pusher.

Abstract: A wire bonding machine including a bondhead assembly having a transducer and a bonding tool is provided. The bondhead assembly is configured for substantially vertical movement with respect to a bonding surface of the wire bonding machine during a wire bonding operation. The wire bonding machine further includes a camera configured to receive images of a portion of the bondhead assembly, the images being used to determine a position where a length of the transducer is substantially parallel to the bonding surface.

Abstract: Disclosed therein is a filler metal (90) used as a bonding material in bonding technology by brazing and soldering and an apparatus for manufacturing the same. A flux cored alloy filler metal 200 according to a prior art has a problem in that a flux is leaked through a joint 93 during the brazing work or carriage of the filler metal. However, a sealed flux laminated alloy filler metal (100) according to the present invention is a laminated W-shaped filler metal (92) bent several times and having a compact W-shaped section and a flux (51) is filled between overlapped surfaces of the W-shaped filler metal (92), so that the powdered flux (51) is not leaked during the brazing work or carriage of the filler metal. Moreover, an apparatus for manufacturing the filler metal is automated to improve productivity.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonic brazing metal matrix composite, which forms a reinforced composite bond without filling welding wire with reinforcement or adding alloy element to generate ceramic phase, includes the steps of setting a filler metal; introducing ultrasonic vibration to braze in air; dissolving the base materials, and introducing ultrasonic wave again. The method performs the aluminum brazing at low temperature. The periodic time of brazing is shorter and the cost is lower than the conventional brazing methods. The strength, service temperature and dimensional stability of the joint are close to the base article.

Abstract: A linear friction welding head apparatus for dual axis forging, the apparatus including three sets of orthogonal actuators for providing X-, Y-, and Z-planes of apparatus movement for providing Y-axis oscillation, a first forge load along a first forge axis, and a second forge load along a second forge axis. A method for dual axis forging for welding including providing a welding head for applying first and second forge loads along X- and Z-forge axes to weld at more than one interface. The forge loads may be applied at right angles to each other and have magnitudes corresponding to weld interface length.

Abstract: Welding wire feeders are disclosed for providing welding wire and electrical power to a welding torch in a welding system, in which an input is provided including an input connector integrated into a switching device of the wire feeder or coupled thereto directly or through a short cable. The input connector includes a cavity to receive wire from a power source cable with a clamping device being provided for selectively clamping the cable wire to the connector or releasing the wire therefrom using only simple tools.

Abstract: A welded component includes at least one high temperature segment of a high alloy Cr steel with high creep strength and a low temperature segment of a low alloy steel with high toughness and/or a high yield strength which are connected materially to one another via a weld joint. In one such component a gradual transition of chemical, physical and mechanical properties in the joining area is achieved in that between the weld joint and the high temperature segment there are at least two successive clad layers of at least two lower alloy weld metals with a total content of elements which increase the creep strength, such as for example Cr, Mo, W and V, which total content decreases toward the weld joint, and/or an increasing total content of elements which increase the toughness and/or yield strength, such as for example Ni and Mn, which total content increases toward the weld joint.

Abstract: Embodiments in the present invention provide a system and method of joining structural members. This method involves aligning the first structural member to a metallic substrate when the first structural member has at least one tapered hole or cavity. A metallic or other like material suitable to cold spraying technology is deposited into the tapered cavity to form a shaped or tapered fastener bonded to the metallic substrate. The shape of the fastener secures the first structural member to the metallic substrate. Additionally, a protective insert may be placed within the shaped or tapered cavity to protect the first structural member during hoe cold spraying deposition when the first structural member is a composite material or other like material susceptible to erosion during the cold spraying technique.

Abstract: An insulating container to replace expanded polystyrene includes a freestanding, cellulose-based substrate encapsulated with a polymeric film. The encapsulated cellulose-based substrate may be provided with an insulating value to match that of expanded polystyrene. Additionally, the encapsulated cellulose-based substrate may be recycled in the OCC recycle stream.

Abstract: A three-piece container comprises top and bottom walls, apposite end walls, opposite side walls, and reinforced corners. First and second end pieces are configured to form first and second container end walls. The end pieces are each folded to define an inner end wall panel and an overlying outer end wall panel. First partial side wall panels extend perpendicularly from opposite sides of the outer wall panel. Second partial side wall panels are joined to the inner end wall panel by a diagonal web that forms a reinforcing corner post in each corner of the container. A wrapper is configured to be joined to the first and second end pieces and is folded to define the top wall, the bottom wall, and the opposite side walls. The wrapper overlies the partial side wall panels to define a triple wall side wall construction.

Abstract: An elongate laminar blank for forming a hinge-lid container has a box-defining portion and a lid-defining portion connected along a transverse hinge line. The lid-defining portion of the blank comprises: a lid rear wall panel extending from the transverse hinge line; a lid top wall panel connected to the lid rear wall panel along a first transverse fold line; a lid front wall panel connected to the lid top wall panel along a second transverse fold line and having an opposed outer transverse edge; a pair of opposed trapezoidal lid inner side wall panels connected to the lid rear wall panel on either side thereof along a first pair of longitudinal fold lines; and a pair of opposed trapezoidal lid outer side wall panels connected to the lid front wall panel on either side thereof along a second pair of longitudinal fold lines, each trapezoidal lid outer side wall panel having an angled outer edge.

Abstract: A low cost fare collection system includes a removable farebox having an integral collection box. The farebox can be installed in a temporary installation at a fare collection location for the collection of fares and can be removed to a secure location for emptying and reconciliation. The farebox can include an integral collection box for receiving fares deposited in the farebox. The farebox can be configured such that the collected fares can be emptied only when the farebox is removed from the temporary installation to reduce tampering and theft. A fare validator can be used to verify the amount and value of a fare deposited in the farebox to eliminate human validation of fares. Electronic monitors can collect data relating to fares deposited, total revenue collected, time of fare collection, and other data items that can be retrieved when the farebox is removed and emptied.

Abstract: A recycling center receivable on a supporting surface is provided. The recycling center includes first and second sidewalls. Each sidewall has a forward edge, a rearward edge, an upper edge and an inner surface such that the inner surfaces of the sidewalls define a recycle receiving chamber. A lid extends between the upper edges of the first and second sidewalls. The lid has an aperture therethrough. A door is pivotably connected to the forward edge of the first sidewall. The door is movable between a first closed position and a second open position allowing access to the recycle receiving chamber. The door includes a transparent portion to allow an individual to view the recycle receiving chamber therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed of employing an information device (20) to transfer one or more data items from a remote holding area (32) to a local device (46) in dependence upon an access identifier representing the location of the one or more data items. The method comprises the steps of presenting an audio/visual representation of the access identifier at the information device (20), capturing the audio/visual representation at the local device (46), determining the location of the one or more data items from the captured audio/visual representation, and transferring the one or more data items to the local device (46) from the determined location. In a preferred embodiment, the information device (20) is a mobile device such as a mobile telephone, the audio/visual representation comprises a graphical representation such as a bar code that is displayed on a display (25) of the information device (20), and the bar code representation is captured at the local device (46) using a bar code scanner (49).

Abstract: A system for managing token image replacement is provided. The system includes a remote server, a personal computer (PC) connected to the remote server, a smartcard that can be read by the PC, and a card image server. Using application logic and rules, the remote server is able to read the card image on the smartcard and determine if the card image on the smartcard needs to be updated. If an indicator on the smartcard is set to “update”, the remote server then retrieves a backup card image that corresponds to the card from the card image server. The remote server forwards the backup card image to the PC which, in turn, writes the backup card image including transaction information to the smartcard. Once the backup card image is written onto the smartcard, the indicator in the smartcard is then reset to ensure that subsequent interactions with the system would not initiate an update.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing discreet messaging are provided. Based on an identification of a customer and/or a product to be purchased, a message is selectively produced and provided in a discreet manner to the customer. The message can be visible and/or audible. The customer can be identified using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. The product to be purchased can be identified using scanned bar code information and/or RFID tags.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes an ATM (322) which is operative to conduct transactions including cash dispensing for users responsive to communication with a transaction host (336). The ATM is also operative to provide output signals which drive external displays (328, 330) which are separate from the ATM. The processor in the ATM is also operative to cause the ATM to receive visual and/or audio content from one or more content sources (342, 343) and to store data corresponding to such content in the ATM. Such content is then output through the external displays. The ATM is also operative to receive and store a plurality of advertising messages. The advertising messages are output in a targeted manner to users of the ATM.

Abstract: Described is a system and method in which the account settings for managing (e.g., sending and receiving) data are maintained in association with the managed data, such that the account settings and data remain unified yet are independent of any computing device. In one electronic mail application implementation, the mail message data and the account settings are maintained in a common store of a same storage volume that is independent of the device, such as on a removable memory card. When a user connects the volume such as by inserting the card, the device automatically reads the email account settings, which are then used to properly receive or send any corresponding messages. Because the account settings are maintained in the same store with any related content (e.g., message) data, the settings and related data thus travel with the user/card when moved to another device.