Abstract: A convertible activity backpack can include a shoulder harness, at least one storage compartment for storing items, and an activity platform. The convertible activity backpack can be configured in an on-back state and in an activity state. When in the on-back state, the convertible activity backpack can be designed to be worn over at least one shoulder with the at least one storage compartment positioned on a back of a wearer and the activity platform is hidden. When configured in the activity state, the convertible activity backpack is designed to be supported and the activity platform exposed so that the activity platform is usable as a supporting surface that is approximately horizontal.

Abstract: A system (20) having the form of a garment (22), such as a jacket or pullover top, which can be transformed into one of a number of different fully closable containers (24), such as a rucksack, bag, or daypack, or vice-versa and a method for performing the transformation. Closure of the neck aperture (15) is operated by actuating a first closure means (1) extending from a common point (14) below the neck on the back of the body (R) of the garment, over the shoulders on either side of the neck aperture down the front (F) of said body.

Abstract: The lockdown soft roofrack provides a platform in particular a ‘roofrack’ that allows the carriage of sports boards on top of a variety of vehicle's roofs in a convenient and secure fashion. The invention contains three items, of which one item is a piece of webbing, the second item is a tightening mechanism and the third item is a detachable load hook. When the webbing is tightened via the single tightening mechanism it pulls through both ends of the detachable load hook thus tightening a loop of the webbing around the sports boards whilst simultaneously tightening the webbing around the vehicle's roof, thus pulling the sports boards securely down onto a vehicles roof.

Abstract: A storage compartment for trailers. The storage compartment is mounted on the tongue of the trailer with a bottom tray, cover support members and a flexible cover. The bottom tray includes raised ribs with a circular indentation for securing propane tanks. The tray is mounted to the trailer tongue by the use of C channel members and U bolts. The bottom tray is covered by a flexible cover that is easily removed and seals into a waterproof engagement with the bottom tray.

Abstract: An article holder for a wheelbarrow includes at least one holding member and at least one strap member. Each of the at least one holding member includes a body member, an attaching member, a plurality of hollow compartments and a support member. The body member may be removably attached to a sidewall of the container of the wheelbarrow via the attaching member. The plurality of hollow compartments is disposed on the body member for receiving articles therein. The support member is disposed on the body member for supporting to the body member on the container. Further, each of the at least one strap member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is capable of being attached to a holding member of the at least one holding member. The second end portion is capable of securing the holding member to the wheelbarrow.

Abstract: A removable carrier of a two-wheeled vehicle includes a supporting member, and a lock; the supporting member has several hooked hanging parts on each of two lateral sides of its upper end, and two lateral stopping parts; each of the hooked hanging parts has a tubular holding part joined on its outward end; the supporting member has a propping component on an upper portion, which is under the hooked hanging parts, and which has front and rear hanging parts protruding therefrom; the lock includes a lock body, and an U-shaped locking rod; in use, a bag is hung on the hooked hanging parts at its carry handles, and propped against the lateral supporting parts, and the lock is joined on the supporting member with the U-shaped locking rod being passed through the tubular holding parts and fixedly joined to the lock body, thus protecting the bag against theft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device for attaching an accessory, such as a cycling computer, navigation device, light, radio, music player, map holder or a luggage holding unit in the front region of a bicycle, to a holding section (70, 71, 72, 80), which is supported on the front part of the handlebars (1), for attachment of the accessory or the luggage holding unit. A compact construction having simple, stable installation is obtained in that the holding section (70, 71, 72, 80) is designed for tool-free attachment of the accessory or of the luggage holding unit and is integrated directly in the front part of the handlebars (1) or in the clamping clip (11) of the front part of the handlebars (1).

Abstract: A carrier for a bicycle includes first and second frame elements configured for coupling to a vehicle. The elements are configured such that one can slide past the other to allow adjustment for various vehicle sizes and shapes. A slide restriction mechanism allows reversible fixation of a relative positioning of the first and second frame elements. In some embodiments, the first and second frame elements are arcuate in shape, such that the overall bicycle carrier is roughly semicircular in profile view when configured for attachment to a vehicle.

Abstract: A removable in-floor storage device for a vehicle floorpan well, including a lid assembly have a frame mounted on a floorpan surface about the periphery of the floorpan well so as to define a frame opening, and a lid pivotally mounted on the frame to move from a closed position to an open position allowing access to the frame opening. The storage device further includes a removable storage bin adapted to be received within the frame opening and supported within the frame opening by the frame, to thereby define a storage chamber within the vehicle generally beneath the floorpan surface.

Abstract: A backpack includes a body having a closure portion which defines an opening through which an interior region of the body can be accessed selectively. In the opened position, end portions of the closure portion are extended away from one another, permitting access to the interior region. In the closed position, end portions are moved toward one another, inhibiting access to the interior region. A cord coupled to the strap assembly and to the end portions of the closure portion has a first configuration which permits movement of the closure portion to the open position, and a second configuration which inhibits extension of the end portions of the closure portion away from one another. A method for securing a backpack in a closed position includes positioning the cord in the second configuration, which permits drawing of the closure portion to a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaving an optical fiber. The method includes supporting a connector in a fixed axial position along an axis of an optical fiber extending from an end of the connector, and placing an axial tension along the axis of the optical fiber. A fiber engaging member is moved along an arcuate path such that a sharpened blade tip of the fiber engaging member cuts across a cut location of the optical fiber. The axial tension induces crack propagation through the thickness of the optical fiber at the cut location.

Abstract: In a braking mechanism for a nail gun, the nail gun includes a nail driving track, a magazine and an inner trigger for controlling a shooting action of the nail gun. The braking mechanism includes a safety rod, a sliding member, a swing stem, and a guide plate. The sliding member is slidably received in the magazine. The sliding member is configured for pushing nails received in the magazine into the nail driving track. The swing stem is resiliently and pivotally mounted on the sliding member. The swing stem includes a braking portion. A straight path is defined between the safety rod and the barking portion. A protrusion is formed on the braking portion. The guide plate is disposed at an end of the straight path. The guide plate is configured for guiding the protrusion such that the braking portion moves away from the straight path.

Abstract: A tool for driving a floor staple including an outer tubular body and a rod insertable into the tubular body. The tubular body has an end tip having angled surfaces and an inner bore. The rod is biased with the inner bore. The inner bore has a staple slot allowing an exposed end a staple to fit within the outer tubular body. The rod has a hammering head, which when struck, drives staple into a flooring plank.

Abstract: A plank top set tool for driving hardwood staples including a body having an underside base surface which contacts a base top and an angled stop surface fitting over the vertical surface leading to the tongue base. Extending at a 45 degree angle through the block is a staple slot bore having a staple slot width. A rod is insertable into the bore and has a first end acting as a hammering head to receive an impact force and a second end configured to receive a staple head and transfer the force.

Abstract: A gas can mounting structure includes a holder frame formed of a part of a gas-operated nail gun and defining an accommodation chamber for accommodating a gas can, a cover pivoted to the holder frame and turnable relative to the holder frame to close/open the accommodation chamber, and a control switch mounted in the holder frame and movable between a first position where a stop block of the button of the control switch is stopped at a stop block at the cover to lock the cover in the close position and a second position where the stop block of the button is released from the stop block of the cover for allowing the cover to be biased from the close position to the open position for easy loading/unloading of a gas can

Abstract: An anvil assembly for a circular stapling device includes an anvil head configured to support an anvil plate thereon, a shaft extending from the anvil head and configured to selectively engage a rod member of the circular stapling device, an anvil plate operatively connected to the anvil head, wherein the anvil plate includes an inner diametral edge, and wherein the anvil plate defines a plurality of staple forming pockets therein at a location radially outward of the inner diametral edge, a recess formed in the anvil head, wherein the recess is defined by the inner diametral edge of the anvil plate and a rear surface of the anvil head, and a wound treatment material disposed substantially within the recess.

Abstract: A method for operating a surgical end effector, including providing a control shaft having a longitudinal axis with a distal end effector assembly at least partially actuated by a displacement of an actuating part along the longitudinal axis and providing the control shaft with a proximal handle connector having a rotating link operable to connect the control shaft to a control handle rotatably about the longitudinal axis. An end effector two-function control device is fixed rotationally to at least part of the control shaft to couple rotation of the two-function control device, the control shaft, and the end effector assembly about the longitudinal axis and is fixed longitudinally to the actuating part to couple longitudinal movement of the two-function control device and the actuating part with respect to the control shaft.

Abstract: A medical agent dispensing system can be provided that may be structured for use with a surgical severing/stapling instrument that is designed for severing and stapling tissue. The dispensing system may include at least one storage reservoir structured for storing at least a component of a medical agent; a gear pump casing in communication with the storage reservoir; a screw pump auger positioned within the gear pump casing capable of rotational manipulation to move the medical agent through the gear pump casing; and, at least one agent tube in communication with the gear pump casing. The agent tube may be structured for communication with a least one agent port formed in a staple cartridge of the surgical instrument for dispensing the medical agent therethrough.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions is disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention include a cartridge body that movably supports first and second staple drivers. The staple drivers each support a staple thereon and serve to drive the staples into forming contact with the anvil upon actuation by the actuator. The various embodiments of the present invention enable the final formed heights of the staples to be varied without the need to use different sizes of staples.

Abstract: A staple drive assembly includes an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher. The staple drive assembly is adapted to fit within a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and a corresponding number of retention slots. The at least one staple pusher includes at least one pusher plate for releasably engaging a backspan of a staple. The staple pusher may include a plurality of pusher plates that may be laterally and longitudinally spaced apart. An actuation member has at least one angled camming surface for engaging a complimentary angled surface of the at least one staple pusher. Camming engagement between the actuation member and the at least one staple pusher causes vertical movement of the at least one staple pusher. Lateral and longitudinal offset of the actuation member camming surfaces and the corresponding staple pusher following surfaces improves stability and control of the staple pusher during firing.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve a yield of electronic devices in a ball mounting process by preventing a micro-bonding and change in color of the solder balls, and to improve a bonding reliability of the solder balls by reducing an oxide film on a surface of the solder ball. The solder ball has a surface thereof coated with an organic compound containing a cyclic structure and an aliphatic hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus for bonding a length of wire comprises a first module which is drivable along a linear axis towards and away from a bonding point and a second module slidably mounted to the first module. A wire cutter is mounted to the first module and a bonding tool is mounted to the second module. A coupling mechanism is operative to lock the second module in fixed relative position to the first module, and to unlock the second module from its fixed relative position to the first module so that the second module is slidable relative to the first module in directions parallel to the linear axis.

Abstract: A method of forming packages containing SiC or other semiconductor devices bonded to other components or conductive surfaces utilizing transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding to create high temperature melting point bonds using in situ formed ternary or quaternary mixtures of conductive metals and the devices created using TLP bonds of ternary or quaternary materials. The compositions meet the conflicting requirements of an interconnect or joint that can be exposed to high temperature, and is thermally and electrically conductive, void and creep resistant, corrosion resistant, and reliable upon temperature and power cycling.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting a formation of palladium-nickel-tin (Pd—Ni—Sn) intermetallic in solder joints is described as follows. Firstly, a solder alloy is provided. Then, at least one of a trace of copper and a trace of zinc is doped into the solder alloy. Afterward, the solder alloy is disposed on the Pd-bearing surface finish, such as a Pd/Ni bi-layer or a Au/Pd/Ni tri-layer. Next, the solder alloy is soldered with the surface finish as solder joints. During the soldering, the Cu and Zn will incorporate into the soldering reaction, forming copper-palladium-nickel-tin intermetallic and zinc-palladium-nickel-tin intermetallic, replacing the Pd—Ni—Sn respectively. Consequently, the addition of Cu and/or Zn into solders will inhibit the undesirable Pd—Ni—Sn intermetallic to form in the solder joints.

Abstract: A conductive ball mounting apparatus for mounting conductive balls by providing an array mask having through holes, into which conductive balls are to enter, above a mounting target placed on a stage, by arranging a ball reservoir having an opening for reserving a plurality of conductive balls, in the bottom, by moving the ball reservoir along the array mask, by dropping the conductive balls into the individual through holes of the array mask, adopts the following means. Firstly, the conductive ball mounting apparatus comprises moving means for moving the array mask and the stage relative to each other in horizontal directions. Secondly, the positions of the conductive balls in the through holes are arranged by finely moving at least one of the array mask and the stage relative to each other in the horizontal directions after the balls were dropped.

Abstract: The periphery of a mask (3) is formed higher than a region where a ball holding hole (3a) is formed, a work (1) is arranged at a lower section of the ball holding hole (3a) of the mask (3), and the ball holding hole (3a) and an electrode of the work (1) are aligned with each other. A ball (B) is applied on the mask (3), and in such state, vibration is applied to the mask (3) to move the solder ball (B) on the surface of the mask (3) and drop the solder ball (B) into the ball holding hole (3a). The periphery of the mask (3) is permitted to be lower than the ball holding hole (3a), and an excessive portion of the solder ball (B) is recovered from over the mask (3).

Abstract: Methods and articles for receiving times and temperatures for stages of a profile including solder heating stages to rework a populated printed circuit board (PCB), the rework including removing a first integrated circuit (IC) from the PCB, focusing heat on the first integrated circuit using an oven element during rework of the PCB, collecting actual temperature information from a plurality of temperature sensing elements to detect actual temperature information associated with the first integrated circuit, and generating a suggested modification for an operator to modify the time and/or the temperature of at least one of the stages in the profile in response to a fail status indicating that the collected actual temperature information did not meet temperatures for a variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to packaging (1) for mailing a chocolate bar, the packaging being designed directly as a postal greeting. The corresponding packaging (1) has a front surface (2) and a bottom surface (5), on top of which a flap (13) rests, so that in principle the chocolate packaging is doubled in the bottom region and thereby reinforcement of the packaging is achieved. The flap (13) is detachably connected to the bottom surface (5) and thus has a closable letter region. On the outer surface of said flap (13), a sender field (20) and a field for declaratory information (17) can be provided.

Abstract: A reusable flexible sheet for wrapping an object is presented. The flexible sheet includes a center portion having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the first side being parallel to the third side and the second side being parallel to the fourth side. Flaps are connected to the first side and the third side, and bow portions are connected to the second side and the fourth side. The bow portions tie together to form a decorative bow.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gift wrapping combination comprising a sleeve of flexible material having a closed end and an open end, the sleeve having a size and dimensions that substantially conform to those of a gift box. The present invention is also directed to methods of wrapping a gift.

Abstract: A container for receiving a food product is formed from a shaped blank of paper, paperboard, cardboard or a similar material. A hinge arrangement comprising at least two and preferably three parts is provided between one of the side walls and one of the end walls to allow the partially formed container to be moved easily between a flat configuration suitable for transportation or storage and an erect configuration for receiving a food product. In the erect configuration one part of the hinge arrangement is sandwiched between another part of hinge arrangement and the end wail. In the flat configuration these two parts of the hinge arrangement lie in substantially the same plane. An integral lid may be provided.

Abstract: A gift wrap package and packaging assembly is configured to receive and enclose a gift in a decorative enclosure and which has the appearance of a conventionally wrapped box gift package. The gift package is made of a folded sheet material that is decorated on one side, and which has sufficient material strength to serve as both a box and a decorative package which has a comparable appearance to a box wrapped with decorative paper. The gift package is preformed and packaged in a folded box configuration with a protective retail display header for hanging display. One end of the gift package is configured to be opened to receive gift contents and additional packaging such as tissue, and then securely closed to complete the gift package.

Abstract: A set of foldable containers fitting into compartments of a catering trolley. Each foldable container comprises a casing; a foldable closure; and a bottom insert. The foldable closure is arranged to have a closed state and an open state, and may be funnel shaped. The bottom insert may serve to collect and hold fluids. In operation, food rests and tableware are deposited into the foldable container via the foldable closure in its open state. The containers may be sealed by wrapping with a covering sheet. Several containers may be packed together in a spread configuration such as to be applicable to all trolleys in an aircraft, train, bus, or ship.

Abstract: A carton for dispensing flowable material. The carton has a plurality of panels and end flaps for closing respective ends of the carton. An access opening in one of the panels is for providing access to the interior of the carton. The carton further can include a flexible bag that is positioned in the interior of the carton, and a spigot that is operatively connected to the bag for selectively dispensing the flowable material from the interior of the bag by way of the spigot. The carton is shaped to enhance flow of the flowable material through the spigot.

Abstract: An article carrier comprises a primary panel and a first side panel connected together along a first fold line. The primary panel has at least one article receiving aperture for receiving a tapered article. The at least one receiving aperture is in a tangential contacting relationship with the first fold line.

Abstract: A water permeable sealed container for preservation of produce such as fruit, vegetables and flowers made out of three layer laminate corrugated to form, further three to five layer construct. The layers also include a layer of Kraft paper fluting and layer of polymer which is enclosed between two layers of Kraft paper. The container has a lid, which absorbs water vapor and transmits water vapor from the interior of the container to the exterior through micro perforations. The container can also regulate relative humidity within a range of 75% to 85% for some foods by removing moisture from the food generated from respiration and suppressing product decay due to microorganisms. The laminate may be die cut to be formed into a range of box designs for vertical profiles that provide ventilation spaces between containers in a vertical stack and to provide airflow channels within a stack.

Abstract: A folding box made of synthetic resin which a worker can surely grip and stably carry without a slip by gripping whichever edge parts of a hexahedron of a box with both hands is provided. The folding box includes a rectangular-tube shaped side wall configuration member 3 comprised of four side panels 1 made of hard synthetic resin, adjacent side ends of the four side panels 1 being foldably connected to each other through side panel connecting hinge parts 2, a bottom plate configuration member 6 comprised of connecting bottom pieces 4 made of hard synthetic resin which are foldably connected to bottom ends of the plurality of side panels 1 through bottom piece connecting hinge parts 5, and a lid configuration member 7 comprised of lid pieces 15 made of hard synthetic resin which are foldably connected to upper ends of the plurality of side panels 1 through lid piece connecting hinge parts 10.

Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a gable top comprising two top panels at a top of the carton. The gable top comprises at least one gusset foldably connected to a side flap and one of the top panels. The first and second top flaps angle inwardly from a respective front panel and back panel of the carton.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a strip of an adhesive tape for reinforcing cardboard packaging particularly in the region of die-cuts and simultaneously as a tear strip for said cardboard packaging, characterized in that a polyolefin film oriented monoaxially in the lengthwise direction of the strip is used as carrier material for the adhesive tape, the film comprising a mixture of an olefinic and a polar non-olefinic polymer.

Abstract: A theft-resistant mailbox for parcels and method of construction thereof are presented. An inner door is pivotably affixed to a top inner surface of a housing and is rotatably moveable on a top edge around a sphere of rotation. An outer door is pivotably affixed to a front surface of the housing and is rotatably moveable on a bottom edge. At least one connecting member is rotatably attached on one end to a side edge of the inner door and on the other end to a common side edge of the outer door. An inner panel is fixedly attached to the bottom edge of the outer door and is rotatably moveable on a proximal edge in the same direction as the outer and inner door. The inner panel is comprised of a distal edge defining a sphere rotatably distinct from the sphere of rotation for the inner door.

Abstract: A voting server receives votes from a multimedia processing resource (MPR) and executes instructions for determining whether a user location is an approved voting location and determining whether an MPR communication path is an approved path. If the user location is an approved voting location and the MPR communication path is an approved path, ballot data is accessed, a ballot based on the ballot data is presented to a user, and user input is accepted to select an element from the ballot.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for efficiently authenticating a document (e.g. a credit card) having a magnetic stripe are provided. The magnetic field at different points of the magnetic stripe are measured, e.g., by a checkout scanner to create a magnetic signature. Digital samples of the measurements may be transformed into coefficients of continuous basis functions, e.g., a Fourier transform. These coefficients are then compared to reference values (e.g. corresponding coefficients) to produce a measure of the authenticity of the document. The number of coefficients used can advantageously be smaller than the number of digital samples without compromising accuracy, thus using less bandwidth between a scanner and an authentication entity.

Abstract: A cooking system is provided. The cooking system includes: a radio frequency tag; a cooking appliance provided with a radio frequency reader to receive food related data from the radio frequency tag, the cooking appliance comprising at least a heating element; and a server receiving at least the food related data from the cooking appliance, the server transmitting food cooking data for cooking a food suitable for the cooking appliance using the food related data, wherein the cooking appliance operates using the food cooking data.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to track patient specimens throughout the collection and analysis of patient specimens. A series of RFID tags may be used to track the specimens starting with the collection of a patient's tissue specimen at a surgery or examination room, through the process of preparing the specimens at a laboratory, to a specialist's office where the specimens are analyzed, and eventually into storage where the left-over specimen materials may be archived. A database may be used to capture unique identifiers for the RFID tags and other information throughout the process.

Abstract: An image-forming system includes: a data-reading unit, an image-forming unit, and a restricting unit. The data-reading unit reads first additional data from a first storing member of a sheet member. The image-forming unit fowls a first image based on the read first additional data by the data-reading unit. The restricting unit gives a restriction to the first additional data stored in the first storing member after the first additional data is read, in order to restrict the first image from being formed based on the first additional data stored in the first storing member subsequently.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of performing financial business transactions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a Point-of-Service (POS) terminal for providing Automated Teller Machine (ATM) functions; a motorized card terminal for providing KIOSK functions; and at least one biometric device for authenticating the KIOSK functions. The apparatus can further include a LCD touch screen for providing both digital advertising for vendors and instructional information for the ATM functions. The LDC screen also allows a user to complete the KIOSK functions. The at least one biometric device is a palm vein scanner and a fingerprint scanner.

Abstract: A currency handling system, for example, a currency recycler or depository machine, may be configured to process currency transactions, including receiving one or more currency deposits. The currency recycler may attempt to accept and validate the currency received in the deposits, organizing and storing some validated currency while designating one or more other units of currency as temporarily unreconcilable. The currency recycler may also generate and transmit reconcilement reports summarizing a set of currency transactions, including data corresponding to the validated currency and temporarily unreconcilable currency. Reconcilement reports may be output to users or transmitted to corporate offices for business purposes, or may be transmitted to financial institutions for crediting bank accounts, and currency that could not be validated may be stored securely to allow a business to receive provisional credit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for verifying the identity of a cardholder are provided. A digital representation of a magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe of the card is stored on a portable electronic device of the cardholder. During a transaction, the digital signature is then transmitted so that it can be compared with a reference signature. The identity may be verified, and a response sent to a party requesting the verification, e.g., during a transaction between the requesting party and the verified party.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for efficiently authenticating a document (e.g. a credit card) having a magnetic stripe are provided. The magnetic field at different points of the magnetic stripe are measured, e.g., by a checkout scanner to create a magnetic signature. Digital samples of the measurements may be transformed into coefficients of continuous basis functions, e.g., a Fourier transform. These coefficients are then compared to reference values (e.g. corresponding coefficients) to produce a measure of the authenticity of the document. The number of coefficients used can advantageously be smaller than the number of digital samples without compromising accuracy, thus using less bandwidth between a scanner and an authentication entity.

Abstract: An information card for attaching to a blister holding an item such as a pharmaceutical dose comprises a rim area around an opening in the information card for attaching the information card to the blister, the opening allowing the information card to be positioned around the item. This allows additional information to be added to the blister while leaving the protective blister intact.