Abstract: A cylindrical receptacle has an open space accessible from above, and an optional cover. An outer shell, an inner liner, and a pair of oppositely moving doors that slide about the circumference define the receptacle. The vertically extending side wall has an opening circumscribing substantially one half of the circumference formed in the side wall. The pair of doors are operative in a first position to fully enclose the opening and are operative in a second position to provide full access to the opening. Various alternative embodiments incorporate vertical reinforcing supports adjacent the opening, gussets circumscribing the opening for reinforcing the opening, a reinforcing spacer adjacent the receptacle top, a discontinuous spacer adjacent the receptacle bottom, a floor adjacent the base and sloped towards the opening, a feature locking the outer shell and inner liner together, and a taper so the receptacle may be stacked together with like receptacles.

Abstract: The present invention is a lid for a beverage container comprising; a top wall having a generally circular periphery, an annular side wall depending from the top wall about its circular periphery, a drinking opening in the top wall adjacent to the circular periphery, an enclosed fluid channel provided in the top wall the channel comprising a fluid path which prevents the direct flow of the beverage from the container through the drinking opening wherein the beverage moving along the fluid path does not rise above the level of the beverage in the container, and an annular mounting portion at the bottom of the side wall for sealingly engaging the lip of the beverage container the lid enabling mobility of the beverage container without spillage of the beverage.

Abstract: An insulating sleeve combination for a frusto-conical beverage cup having an outer peripheral surface is disclosed, as well as a method of use thereof. The combination includes an opaque frusto-conical inner sleeve and a frusto-conical outer sleeve. At least a portion of the outer sleeve is transparent or translucent, such that indicia on the inner sleeve is visible or at least partially visible therethrough. The outer surface of the outer sleeve may includes a textured gripping surface, facilitating the manual grasping of the combination by the user. As such, a customized inner sleeve may be marked to indicate a favorite drink of the user, for example, with the markings being visible through the outer sleeve. The combination of the present invention is designed for repeated use, rendering prior art disposable sleeves unnecessary.

Abstract: A reusable concentrate cartridge and associated cap and valve for combining a concentrated material and a diluent in a diluting and dispensing container. The concentrate cartridge is provided with a hollow cylindrical body and a hollow tube with a closure. The concentrate cartridge is caused to open by the rotating engagement of a valve member, which causes a depending sleeve to urge the hollow tube within the concentrate cartridge to disengage and release the concentrate material into the diluent container.

Abstract: A universal lid closure for underground landscape and other utility access boxes uses flexible tongues depending from the underside of the lid and adapted to engage the interior of the access box, which box may have any one of various constructions. In one embodiment, the tongues have a plurality of diametrically opposed pairs of locking detents, each pair defining a different vertical position, to engage an annular locking shoulder on the interior of the box to secure the lid in the closed position.

Abstract: A paper dispenser includes a casing for housing a roll of paper, the casing having a front face, with a dispensing nozzle through which the paper is dispensed, wherein the front face has a hatch for access to the inside of the casing, through which a free end of the roll can be extracted.

Abstract: By controlling the profile of a folded stack when placed into an oval dispenser, it is possible to reduce the compression of the folded stack by the dispenser's sidewall, thereby reducing or eliminating sheet tears when dispensing the sheet-material from the dispenser. In particular, by making the folded stack thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, as a result of providing a variable width flat stack prior to folding the flat stack, the folded stack will better fit into an oblong or circular dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for dispensing vertically configured wipes, which provides improved sequential dispensing of the contained wipes while permitting enhanced accessibility to the wipes within the container.

Abstract: A device for manually dispensing medications is realized, which allows the operator to perform preliminary manual medication dispensing in advance of several subsequent dispensing steps, while facilitating the operator's ability to recognize the region to which each medication is to be dispensed, there by allowing the operator to easily and precisely perform manual dispensing of various kinds of medications.

Abstract: A lottery ticket machine having function of preventing tickets from being illegally drawn out includes a machine base provided thereon with a driving device, two press rollers and a control device. One of the two press rollers is disposed with a shaft extending out of the machine base for assembling the control device, which consists of a rotary gear with engage holes, a bushing and a control wheel bored with a bushing hole to be fitted on the bushing and provided with engage teeth and projecting bars to be respectively engaged with the engage holes of the rotary gear. An outer cover covered on the control device is disposed inside with engage teeth to be correspondingly engaged with the engage teeth of the control wheel, and a spring has its opposite ends respectively pushing against the control wheel and the inner wall of a bushing cover.

Abstract: A toy gun is disclosed that may have a pressurized elastomeric supply bladder in fluid communication with an elastomeric pulse bladder via a trigger valve. The pulse bladder may also be in fluid communication with a pulse nozzle via a pulse valve that is operatively connected to the pulse bladder so that the pulse valve moves from a closed position to an open position when the pulse bladder expands. When the supply bladder is filled with pressurized liquid and the trigger valve is opened, pressurized liquid from the supply bladder is forced into the pulse bladder. As the pulse bladder expands, the expansion eventually causes the pulse valve to open and cause a burst of liquid to be discharged from the pulse bladder through the pulse nozzle.

Abstract: A device and method of clearing non-fluid caulk from a caulk dispensing tube includes drilling a bit member through a thread cleaning device and into the solid caulk blocking the dispensing tube; then removing the bit member from the dispensing tube and reversing the rotational direction of the bit member, allowing the thread cleaning device to clear caulk off of the bit member after it has been removed from the dispensing tube.

Abstract: Spray dispensers and body spray systems are provided. The spray dispensers are suitable for use with aerosol personal care compositions, e.g., body sprays, and are configured to allow removal and replacement of an aerosol spray canister. In some implementations, the spray dispensers include an actuator lock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump for a liquid product dispenser, which includes a reservoir and interacts with a manually actuatable element provided with an injection orifice. The pump includes a body embodied in the form of a single piece and including a seat which covers the reservoir and is provided with an intake orifice and a flap, which is mounted on the seat by a joint associated with an elastic bellows which enables the flap to be reversibly tilted towards the seat, by pressing on the actuating element, in such way that the injection orifice is opened and the intake orifice is simultaneously closed.

Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device for substances in powder- or paste form is equipped with a supply container and a dosage-dispensing head which is connected or connectable to the supply container and which has a housing with an outlet orifice of circular cross-section. The dosage-dispensing head further has a delivery- and closure element, wherein the outlet orifice and the delivery- and closure element are arranged on the central lengthwise axis of the dosage-dispensing head, and the delivery- and closure element is designed to be rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and to be capable of translatory displacement along the central lengthwise axis relative to the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device for substances in powder- or paste form is equipped with a supply container and a dosage-dispensing head which is connected or connectable to the supply container and has a housing with an outlet orifice of circular cross-section. The dosage-dispensing head further has a delivery- and closure element, wherein the outlet orifice and the delivery- and closure element are arranged on the central lengthwise axis of the dosage-dispensing head, and the delivery- and closure element is designed to be rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and to be capable of translatory displacement along the central lengthwise axis relative to the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A condiment packet is configured to be supported on a surface in a free-standing and upright position. The condiment packet is also configured to be easily opened and manipulated with one hand. The body of the condiment packet preferably has a generally pyramidal or conical shape and a generally flat base. The condiment packet may include a resilient band disposed on the condiment packet that flexes when the condiment packet is squeezed and springs back when pressured is released. Also, the condiment packet may be provided with a closure comprising a frangible bubble disposed in the opening of the condiment packet that can be ruptured by squeezing between the thumb and forefingers to open the condiment packet.

Abstract: A container for supporting a brassiere or a similar garment for cleaning and storage includes opposed flat plate members connected by a hinge, and opposed container cup members connected to the respective plate members at hinge connections for folding the container cup members over the plate members and for folding the plate members with respect to each other to form a closed container for supporting a brassiere. The plate members include hinged support members, each having an arcuate cross shape, for supporting brassiere cups between the plate members and the container cup members. Spaced apart clips secure the brassiere straps to the plate members. Spaced apart latches releasably secure the cup members to the plate members and the plate members to each other for placing the container in a compact folded position.

Abstract: In a combination of an intimate apparel hanger and an indicator for displaying garment-related information, the indicator is mounted to a lower neck region of the hanger where the hanger hook intersects the hanger body. The hanger has a flange, having a sloped surface and an undersurface. The indicator has a resilient tab disposed in a wall of the indicator body. The resilient tab is outwardly displaced by the sloped surface to expand the top opening of the indicator to allow the indicator to pass over the flange. The undersurface of the flange retains the indicator at the lower neck region after the indicator passes over the flange.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for a vehicle may structurally entail a base, a mounting flange extending from the base, a vertical support post extending from the base, a light support post attached to the vertical support post, a threaded stud that engages a front surface of the base to support a spare tire. A tether, which may be secured to the base with a fastener, may lie largely concealed within the base and have additional studs or bolts which may protrude through a front surface of the base and further support a spare tire. A plurality of strength ribs may join the mounting flange and the base, while the base, the first mounting flange, vertical support post extending from the base, and plurality of strength ribs may be a single cast magnesium part. The tether may be of another high strength material.

Abstract: An exemplary strap for a portable device includes a hollow ring portion, two elastic members, two connecting strings, two blocks, and a strap attachment coupled to the connecting strings. The ring portion includes at least one restraint with a through hole defined therein. The elastic members are fixed within the ring portion. The connecting strings are coupled to the elastic members respectively, pass through the through hole and stretch out of the ring portion. The blocks are positioned respectively at joints of the elastic members and the connecting strings, and restrained within the ring portion by the at least one restraint for preventing the elastic members from being excessively stretched.

Abstract: A handgun holster comprising a shaped holster body with a cavity for inserting and withdrawing the gun, which is furnished with a belt loop for attaching the holster to the belt, with a trigger guard and with a security system against removal of the gun from the holster consisting of a restraining strap to go around the gun and a release lever for that strap, mutually connected at a control point by a snap connection.

Abstract: A system and device therefor that provides a large vehicle the ability to house up to ten bicycles on the bumper of the vehicle wherein the device is retractable against the vehicle when not in use and that provides a fast and easy way to load and unload the bicycles. The device includes a main frame portion with two support arms on either side. Each support arm has variable height options. Attached to each support are one or more springed grips with one end of each springed grip having two crescent-shaped hooks for attachment around the handlebars of a bicycle and on the other end is a j-shaped hook for attachment around the seat post of a bicycle.

Abstract: A carrying strap arrangement for use in supporting stretchers in land vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. A carrying strap is attached to a vehicle ceiling and floor by fittings disposed at ends of the carrying strap. At least one support strap is disposed on the carrying strap and is formed into a strap loop to accommodate the carrying handle of the stretcher. The support strap is guided in a sliding manner through a pass-through fitting to form the strap loop. An end of the support strap is secured to the pass-through fitting such that under load the support strap is drawn through the fitting and the strap loop is constricted. A spring element is disposed in the strap loop and expands the strap loop when it is not loaded.

Abstract: A feeder for a surface mount placement system includes a feeder body comprising a shaft, a front cover, and a rear cover. The front cover has one end pivotally installed on the feeder body via the shaft, a free end, and a pair of sidewalls respectively extending from two sides of the free end towards the feeder body. The rear cover pivotally installed on the feeder body, including a blocking portion, and the free end of the front cover overlap. The blocking portion is wider than the distance between the sidewalls of the front cover.

Abstract: A device for impacting a fastener in one embodiment includes a trigger. A trigger disabling mechanism changeable between a first condition wherein operation of the trigger is not disabled and a second condition wherein operation of the trigger is disabled is also included. The device includes a nose piece configured to change the trigger disabling mechanism from the second condition to the first condition. The nose piece includes including a first nose portion removably coupled to a second nose portion. The first nose portion and the second nose portion define a channel therebetween through which a fastener is driven.

Abstract: The housing is intended to receive a source introduced by means of its head and pushed into a position ensuring good transmission of energy. The housing includes a mechanism for converting a transverse movement towards the interior of the housing imparted by a pusher element of the mechanism accessible from the exterior of the housing into an orthogonal movement for ejection of the source.

Abstract: A stapler 1 is provided with a cutter unit 12 for cutting a leading end portion of a staple leg projected to a back face side of sheets. A staple cartridge 20 containing a number of staples is formed with a chip containing portion 23 for containing a chip of the staple leg. The chip of the staple leg cut by the cutter unit 12 is guided into the chip containing portion 23 of the staple cartridge 20 by a chute 22 formed on the cutter unit 12. The chip of the staple leg is collected in the staple cartridge 20.

Abstract: Embodiments include a stapler with a built-in staple remover, the staple remover movable between a non-operational position where it is retracted in a stapler body of the stapler and locked by a locking device and an operational position where it is partly extended from the stapler body, the staple remover being acted upon by a first elastic unit which is tensioned when the staple remover is in the non-operational position and which pushes the staple remover to the operational position when the locking device is released in the non-operational position.

Abstract: A nail gun includes a body, a handle, a nail ejection member, a magazine member connected pivotally to the nail ejection member, and a connecting rod having an upper end connected pivotally to an end of the handle. One of the connecting rod and the magazine member is connectable with a selected one of first and second positioning portions of the other of the connecting rod and the magazine member to allow the magazine member to change between horizontal and inclined positions. In the horizontal position, a free end of the magazine member is spaced apart from the end of the handle. In the inclined position, the free end of the magazine member is adjacent to the end of the handle, and the connecting rod abuts against the magazine member along a full length thereof.

Abstract: A hand-held drive-in power tool for driving-in fastening elements includes a drive-in ram (13) displaceably arranged in a guide (12), a drive (30) for driving the drive-in ram (13) and having at least one driving spring member (31) for displacing the drive-in ram (13) and formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic material, and a device (70) for preloading the driving spring member (31).

Abstract: A staple leg cutting mechanism 5 is composed of a fixed cutter 6 interposed between staple legs S1 penetrated through binding sheets and a pair of movable cutters 7 disposed movable from the outside of the staple legs S1 to the inside thereof, and a clincher mechanism 10 is composed of a pair of movable clinchers 11 respectively disposed on the lower surface side of their associated movable cutters 7, whereby the staple legs S1 penetrated through the binding sheets are formed in an inwardly curved manner by the movable clinchers 11 and are then guided into and between the movable cutters 7 and fixed cutter 6, the movable cutters 7 are moved from the outside of the staple legs S1 to the inside thereof to thereby cut the leading end portions of the staple legs S1, and the staple legs S1 are bent along the binding sheets by the movable clinchers 11.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, with an automatically articulatable end effector. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector, a shaft, and an articulatable joint assembly connected between the end effector and the shaft. The joint assembly comprises at least one motor for articulating the end effector relative to the shaft. The joint assembly comprises at least one articulation sensor for sensing articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft. The instrument further comprises a control unit in communication with the articulation sensor and the motor. The control unit comprises at least one memory unit for storing articulation data from the at least one articulation sensor. When activated, the control unit sends control signals to the motor of the joint assembly to articulate automatically the end effector to a desired position based on the articulation data from the articulation sensor that is stored in the memory unit of the control unit.

Abstract: Described herein are endoscopic staplers used to apply one or more fasteners to body tissue. In one embodiment, a fastener-applying device, which is preferably a stapler, is passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed staplers allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver staples for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a first endoscopic portion, a motor, and a first end effector is disclosed. The first endoscopic portion is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The first endoscopic portion includes a housing adjacent its proximal portion and includes an actuation member. The motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing of the first endoscopic portion and is operatively connected to the actuation member for moving the actuation member substantially along the longitudinal axis. The first end effector is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the first endoscopic portion and is configured to perform a first stapling function.

Abstract: Embodiments include a surgical device and a method. An embodiment of the surgical fastening device includes at least one grasping jaw, the at least one grasping jaw being adapted to deliver surgical fasteners by a force generated from a force generator mechanism that is contained within the at least one grasping jaw or is in a proximity to the at least one grasping jaw. Another embodiment includes at least one grasping jaw, at least one actuation mechanism adapted to deliver surgical fasteners, the actuation mechanism being located in a proximity to or contained within the at least one grasping jaw, the surgical fasteners containing at least one shape-transforming material, at least one sensor, at least one chemical tissue sealant and at least one cutter. A method includes: grasping a body tissue with at least one grasping jaw, adjusting a configuration of the grasping in response to a signal or a datum or an image, and releasing a surgical staple/fastener in response to the signal, datum or image.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a part for an article of equipment includes a fluid conducting first region including a corrosion resistant first material, and a fluid conducting second region including a second material. The first region and the second region are either directly or indirectly joined by solid state welding to form a unitary fluid conducting part. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for replacing at least one fluid conducting part of an article of equipment is disclosed wherein a replacement part is provided that includes a fluid conducting first region including a corrosion resistant first material, and a fluid conducting second region including a second material. The second material is substantially identical to the material of a region of the equipment on which the replacement part is mounted. The first and second regions are either directly or indirectly joined by solid state welding to form a unitary fluid conducting replacement part.

Abstract: The process that is the subject of this invention is a method of making a rotary sputtering target having the steps of providing a cylinder of sputtering target material having an adhesion-wetting layer on its inside surface; providing a stainless steel sputtering target backing tube having an outside diameter smaller than the sputtering target material inside diameter, the backing tube having an adhesion-wetting layer on its outside surface; welding an upper and lower stainless steel retaining ring to the backing tube adjacent to the sputtering target material so that the target material is in compression and the backing tube in tension; and introducing molten bonding material into the annulus between the backing tube and the sputtering target material.

Abstract: A tailor weld blank assembly and method for making the blank assembly include providing a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet having at least one different characteristic from the first sheet. Complementary interlocking structures are provided on adjoining edges of the first and second sheets and the sheets are mechanically interlocked together by making a weld along the adjoining interlocked edges. Thereafter the permanently affixed together sheets are formed to make a formed sheet metal product. The provision of both a mechanical interlock and a weld provide a blank assembly that is strong for forming into a stamped product, and a metal product that is strong for its intended use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermite welding process for joining sections of a railway line in situ, the process including the preliminary step of mounting a suitable welding mould about the aligned sections of railway line to be welded together and sealing the mould to prevent run out; mounting a vibration means on the railway line at a suitable distance from the mould and operating it at a suitable frequency; heating the sections of railway line to a desired temperature; igniting an ignitor means and allowing it to drop into the mould to react with molten steel in the mould and fill a weld area about and between the sections of railway line in the mould; and when solidified, to vibrate the railway line for a further period of time until stress relieving of the cast weld area has occurred.

Abstract: A container having interior columns on its end walls which are between the sides of the end walls. Each column is formed by a first column panel attached to an inner end panel, a second column panel attached to the first column panel and an attachment panel fastened to the inner end panel. A blank for the container.

Abstract: A carton (130) for packaging cylindrical articles, the carton (130) including a plurality of primary panels (120, 122, 124, 125) for forming the walls of the carton (130), end flaps (118a, 118b, 126a, 126b, 128a, 128b, 119a, 119b) for forming end closure structures (132, 134) of the carton (130), and handle panels (160, 162) and handle end flaps (182a, 182b, 183a, 183b) for forming a handle structure (160/162). The handle structure (160/162) and a panel (125) define a pocket that can be engaged by a user's hand (H1) to carry the carton (130). The carton (130) further including features that facilitate flexing of the handle structure (160/162) including fold lines (178) and cut lines (C2, C3).

Abstract: A container and method of manufacture are provided. The container includes a cup with a permanently attached sleeve overlying an exterior portion of the cup sidewall. The sleeve includes a plurality of inwardly directed protuberances providing a gap between a substantial portion of the cup sidewall and the sleeve.

Abstract: A self-service checkout system which continues operation when cash transaction options are not available. The self-service checkout system includes a cash dispenser, a display for displaying payment options, an input device for recording selection of payment options, including cash and non-cash transaction options, and a processor for disabling the cash transaction options when an amount of cash in the cash dispenser falls below a predetermined limit, but for otherwise continuing operation by allowing the non-cash transaction options.

Abstract: A container label printing method and apparatus, the method comprising the steps of providing a label having first section and a second section spaced apart from the first section and oppositely facing front and back surfaces, providing a container with an external surface, securing the first section of the label to a portion of the external surface of the container with the second section of the label extends from the first surface, providing a printer, using the printer to print indicia on the a the front surface of the second section of the label and securing the second section of the label to the external surface.

Abstract: A system and method for matching lids to cartons includes a carton feed conveyor having a plurality of cartons carried at individual flight positions defined along the conveyor, with each of the cartons having a mark applied thereto indicating a type of lid to be applied to the respective carton. A reader is operatively disposed relative to the carton feed conveyor to read the marks. A lid feed conveyor has a plurality of individual flight positions defined thereon, with each flight position on the carton feed conveyor having an assigned flight position on the lid feed conveyor. A lid placer station is supplied with different types of lids from respective separate lid magazines and is disposed along the lid feed conveyor.

Abstract: A sensing device for use with a security document is disclosed. The security document has disposed thereon or therein coded data including a plurality of coded data portions. Each coded data portion is indicative of an identity of the security document and a signature part. The signature part is a part of a digital signature of at least the identity. The sensing device has a sensor for sensing coded data portions and a processor. The processor determines, using sensed coded data portions, a sensed identity, a plurality of signature parts, and an identifier for each signature part, generates a sensed signature from the plurality of signature parts by arranging signature parts according to respective identifiers, determines a generated identity from the sensed signature, and authenticates the security document by comparing the sensed identity and the generated identity.

Abstract: An automated banking machine controlled responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards including identifying data and to authorize operation of an automated banking machine responsive to the identifying data. The automated banking machine includes a deposit accepting device. The deposit accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack through operation of a picker. Each sheet is aligned with the sheet path and analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager and/or a validation device. Sheets determined not to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are returned to a user of the machine. Sheets determined to have at least one property of genuine sheets are processed and stored in the machine.

Abstract: A payment instrument in the form of a cell phone is loaded with account information and activated as a payment instrument by reading account information from a nearby RFID device, and entering a user PIN or password. In one embodiment, the account information is read from an RFID tag provided to the user, and the password is entered on the phone keypad. In a second embodiment, the account information is read from an RFID device at an ATM or kiosk after the user inserts a card into a card reader at the ATM or kiosk and enters the password at the ATM or kiosk keypad.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine is operatively controlled from a front consumer user station (12) and a rear maintenance user station (14). The machine is operative to output a consumer user interface (28) through a front display device (16, 80). The consumer user interface includes interactive options for performing transactions with the machine including dispensing cash with a cash dispenser (32). The machine is further operative to output a maintenance user interface (30), through a rear display device (18, 82). The maintenance user interface includes options for configuring, troubleshooting, servicing and maintaining the machine.