Abstract: An apparatus for refilling a cylindrical wipes dispenser. The apparatus includes a plurality of rectangular wipes configured in a flat stack and having packaging that contains an opening mechanism. The opening mechanism is operable for opening the apparatus to allow common removal of the plurality of rectangular wipes. The plurality of rectangular wipes are interleaved and folded to form an indentation along a longitudinal axis of the plurality of rectangular wipes. The plurality of rectangular wipes is operable to be folded along the indentation to form a V shape for insertion into a cylindrical dispensing container. The width of the rectangular flat stack wipes is slightly larger than the diameter of the dispensing cylinder.

Abstract: A dispenser for applying small amounts of liquid to a substrate. The dispenser includes a dispenser body, an actuator in the dispenser body, and a dispensing element including a dispensing element body removably coupled to the dispenser body. A valve stem is mounted for reciprocating movement within the dispensing element body. Additional aspects include a deformable valve seat, a deformable and resilient valve stem tip and a method of applying liquid in discrete amounts to a substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a blow-molded, rigid collapsible container that can be suitable for storage and dispensing systems of practically any size. The rigid collapsible container may be a stand-alone container. The container may be blow-molded as a unitary piece that may include folds or pre-folds that allows the container to collapse into a relatively flat position. In an expanded state, the container may have a generally trapezoidal prism shape.

Abstract: A convenient single use multi-phase care system including multiple formulations can be packaged in one dispensing unit. The multi-phase care system is capable of separately dispensing one of the multiple formulations at a time in a sequential order to allow the consumer to dispense a daily care regimen one step at a time. In one embodiment, the daily care regimen is a multi-phase skin care system. In another embodiment, the daily care regimen is a multi-phase hair care system.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a nozzle body with a plurality of ingredient inlets and a water inlet disposed in the nozzle body. A diffuser is connected to the nozzle body and has floor with a plurality of holes therethrough. A nozzle cap is connected to the diffuser and has an outlet. A first mixing chamber is formed between the ingredient inlets and the diffuser floor, and a second mixing chamber is formed between the diffuser and the outlet, with the second mixing chamber being configured to receive fluid from the first mixing chamber via the holes in the diffuser floor. A first water flow path is situated between the water inlet and the first mixing chamber, and a second water flow path is situated between the water inlet and the second mixing chamber, wherein the second water flow path bypasses the first mixing chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mixing and applying a bead of material. For example, the bead of material can be used to seal gaps cracks and seams of a building. The apparatus includes a supply machine and an applicator. The supply machine provides each of the parts of the material to the applicator at a controlled rate. The applicator mixes the parts of the material at a nozzle. The applicator provides a bead (rather than spraying) of the mixed material through the nozzle. The bead of material may be applied in a precise manner to seal gaps, cracks and seams of an existing building and/or the bead may be provided during new construction of a building between components of the building.

Abstract: An electric soap dispenser is provided with a housing; a cover; a reservoir; a valve; a nozzle; an electric motor; a gear system; an arm having one end rotatably disposed in the gear system; a link having one end pivotably secured to an other end of the arm and loosely put on the nozzle; an electric control unit; a sensor; and a power source. The electric control unit actuates the electric motor upon receiving a signal from the sensor, the actuated electric motor rotates the gear system, one end of the arm rotates 180-degree to move the link upward to open the valve thereby flowing liquid soap from the reservoir to the nozzle, and one end of the arm rotates further 180-degree to move the link downward to close the valve thereby stopping the flowing and deactivating the electric motor. Power demand is greatly reduced when in use.

Abstract: An internal pouch held in a double-structured aerosol can, composed of first and second internal pouches for containing first and second agents, respectively, the aerosol can being capable of simultaneously ejecting the first and second agents. The first internal pouch has a layer constitution that includes a polyolefin inner layer, an adhesive resin layer on the inner layer side, an aluminum foil, an adhesive resin layer on the outer layer side and a thermoplastic resin outer layer; the second internal pouch has a layer constitution that includes a polyolefin inner layer, an adhesive resin layer on the inner layer side, an aluminum foil, an adhesive resin layer on the outer layer side and a thermoplastic resin outer layer; and the adhesive resin forming the adhesive resin layer on the inner layer side of the first internal pouch contains a polyether type urethane resin.

Abstract: A pressurized container usable for a pressurizable contain, such as an aerosol dispenser, an aerosol dispenser made therewith and preform therefor. The preform/container/dispenser has a neck at the top. The neck has upper and lower portions. The lower portion transitions into a shoulder, which flares outwardly. The shoulder, in turn, transitions into a sidewall. The lower neck portion/shoulder and/or upper part of the sidewall are cystallized. The invention also comprises a preform for making such a pressurizable container and an aerosol dispenser made therewith.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle or cart based beverage dispenser for providing mixed beverages is provided. The vehicle beverage dispenser has a vehicle that includes a housing containing a plurality of first liquids, a plurality of second liquids, and a water supply, wherein the first liquids comprise liquors, and wherein the second liquids comprise mixer syrup. The vehicle beverage dispenser also has an interface, a dispensing spout and a controller. The interface allows to input variable data and receive variable instructions. The controller electrically operates valves to control the flow of first liquids, second liquids and water to the beverage dispenser spout based on instructions entered at the interface and a pouring schema stored in memory.

Abstract: An improved frozen beverage dispenser including one or more freezing/dispensing units and a refrigeration unit. The freezing/dispensing unit may include a freezing chamber, an integral accumulator, refrigeration valves and one or more dispensing nozzle. The refrigeration unit may include a refrigeration apparatus and a controller that includes integrated microprocessors running custom algorithms controlling the overall operation of the system.

Abstract: A container includes a container body for receiving a liquid, a locking connector, a pump unit and a depressible head assembly. The locking connector includes a locking ring threadedly disposed on a top portion of the container body, a dosage guide ring protruding upwardly from the locking ring, and at least one dosage guide unit. The pump unit extends downwardly into the container body and is drivenable to move in a top-bottom direction so as to draw the liquid in the container body. The depressible head assembly includes a depressible head for driving the pump unit to move in the top-bottom direction, and a biasing member abutting against the depressible head and the locking connector.

Abstract: A spray system for dispensing a homogenous mixture of a liquid formulation and propellant as an atomized aerosol where a disposable container containing a liquid base is used alone or secured within a rigid container and is charged through a fitting in fluid communication with the interior of the disposable container using a detachable pressurized charge can containing a propellant compatible with the liquid base. Preferably the liquid formulation is a paint base that can be tinted at the point of sale before charging with the charge can.

Abstract: Embodiments of sequenced foam pumps, refill units and dispensers are disclosed herein. One exemplary refill unit includes a container for holding a foamable liquid and a sequenced pump. The sequenced pump has a housing with a chamber located within the housing. There is an air inlet and a liquid inlet into the chamber. A hollow valve stem is movable within the chamber. A sealing member forms a seal between the valve stem and the chamber. When the valve stem is in a first position liquid flows into the chamber and air in the chamber flows into the container; and when the valve stem is in a second position, the sealing member seals off the liquid inlet, and air travels through the air inlet and mixes with the liquid in the chamber. The air and liquid mixture travels through the center of the valve stem and out of an outlet.

Abstract: A dispensing container that dispenses a liquid contained therein in foam includes: a container body storing therein a liquid; and a base cap mounted to a mouth of the container body. The container body is flexible so that a squeeze operation may be performed on the container body. The base cap is provided, on a top wall, with a nozzle forming a tubular passage communicating with a front end orifice. The nozzle is provided with a foaming mechanism for the liquid at an upstream end portion and with a through-hole in a predetermined position on a circumferential wall of the nozzle that is downstream of the foaming mechanism. The through-hole is provided with a check valve, and the front end orifice communicates with an inside of the container body through the through-hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material through a refillable cartridge, comprising a container having a receptacle for receiving a refill cartridge, the container having a lid cooperating with the container to enclose the refill cartridge, the container further comprising an exit port and a channel for communicating material from the refill cartridge to the exit port, and a valve for controlling the flow of material out of the refill cartridge; and a reusable, refill cartridge sized to be received in the receptacle, the refill cartridge including compressed gas and material separated by a bi-conical thruster, the refill cartridge further comprising a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold, and a second end having a compressed gas inlet. The system's performance can be improved by applying a surface treatment to the wetted surfaces of the system to change the physical properties at the fluid/vessel interface.

Abstract: A chemical release system. Implementations may utilize implementations of a first cartridge that include a body coupled with a cartridge head at a first end and coupled with an end plug at a second end where the cartridge head includes a through hole configured to engage with an annular flange in a main head. The body may have an internal cross section. The first cartridge may also include a flow restrictor plate disposed within the body between the first end and the second end where the flow restrictor plate is oriented substantially parallel to the cartridge head within the body, includes only one opening therethrough, and substantially conforms with the internal cross section of the body. The body may include one or more through holes in a side of the body located between the flow restrictor plate and the cartridge head.

Abstract: A unit for storing a fluid includes a body, a piston, and a closure. The body has a through-channel in which the fluid is arranged. The body is impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents thereof and is configured to connect in a fluid-tight manner to a receiving device of a biochemical analysis unit. The through-channel extends from a first end to a second end. The piston is mounted to be axially movable in the through-channel and is configured to provide a fluid-tight seal relative to the body. The piston is impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents thereof and is accessible from the first end. The closure is arranged on the second end and is impermeable to the fluid and constituents thereof. The closure is connected to the body in a fluid-tight manner and is configured to burst when a pressure in the fluid exceeds a bursting pressure.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a container having a housing with a fluid passage, a retaining ring attached to an inner surface of a wall of the housing and having a sloping centering flange, and a valve positioned in the housing and sealing the fluid passage.

Abstract: A flexible, resilient, slit valve (10) including a flexible, resilient head (12) centered on a central axis (27) and extending laterally therefrom, an annular, peripheral attachment portion (19) centered on the central axis, and an annular, flexible, resilient, intermediate portion (20). The head has a convex interior surface (16) and a concave exterior surface (14). The intermediate portion (20) has an interior surface (26) an exterior surface (24). The exterior surfaces (14, 24) intersect at a circular line of intersection (32) having a diameter D1. The exterior surface (24) and the peripheral attachment portion (19) intersect at a circular line of intersection (34) having a diameter D2. The lines of intersection (32, 34) lie in parallel planes extending transverse to the central axis (27) and spaced from each other along the central axis by a distance L1. The ratio of D1/D2 is in the range of 0.600 to 0.900 and the ratio of D2/L1 is in the range of 14.000 to 19.

Abstract: A holster having a cavity and an axis defined along a side wall of the holster; a lever having a finger button portion and an engagement portion, wherein the lever is pivotally attached atop the side wall of the holster, along the axis, approximately between the finger button portion and the engagement portion, such that the finger button portion extends from the axis and is positioned above the frame/slide portion of the cavity and the engagement portion extends from the axis and is positioned above the trigger guard portion of the cavity; a hollow formed within a portion of the side wall; and a lockout lever rotatably secured within at least a portion of the hollow, and wherein a locking portion of the lockout lever is positioned beneath the finger button portion of the lever when the lockout lever is in a locked position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bulk item backpack composed of an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion that pivot with respect to one another and are adapted to carry a wide array of bulk cargo, including coolers. The backpack has a strap or plurality of straps to secure the backpack to the user, including a waist strap, shoulder straps, or both types of straps. Optionally the backpack may also include cargo straps for securing additional items, such as folding chairs or a storage box adapted for carrying loose items therein. The backpack of the present invention provides a frame that is ideally suited for simultaneously carrying bulky items and loose items that are difficult to carry at once and would normally require several trips.

Abstract: An adapter for a vehicle mount having a base portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having a high friction element, the high friction element reducing a lateral movement of the base portion when positioned on an exterior surface of vehicle, and a receiver disposed on the base portion, the receiver configured to receive a portion of a vehicle mount, wherein a load of the vehicle mount is distributed across the surface area of the base portion is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A holding arrangement for a mobile device in a cabin of a vehicle has a cabin equipment component, a support device arranged on the cabin equipment component, a holding device for holding a mobile device and a covering pane. The support device is designed to receive the holding device and further has an access opening arranged on a side opposite the cabin equipment component. Furthermore, the support device is designed to slidably hold the covering pane for opening and closing the access opening arranged on the side opposite the cabin equipment component in such a manner that the covering pane is movable to a closed position and to an open position, wherein in its open position the covering pane extends beyond the support device. Hereby, an improved holding function and temporary theft prevention may be accomplished.

Abstract: An interchangeable holder system or apparatus that can be modified quickly, without tools, that provides a user with a plurality of safe and convenient means of holding an object, such as a cigar or a flashlight or a large object.

Abstract: A bracket is used to mount an accessory bag to a curved vehicle windshield, providing a planar bag mounting surface to prevent distortion of the bag. Angularly arranged planar surfaces of the bracket allow for mounting to windshields of varying curvatures. A mounting assembly including the bracket enables the bag to be secured to the windshield in a variety of configurations and locations on the windshield.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing bags and the resulting bag are disclosed. The bags may be continuously and detachably connected, and continuously and detachably connected bags may be wound onto a roll. In addition, a dispenser is disclosed for storing and dispensing bags. Also disclosed is an apparatus for use in dispensing plastic bags. A dispensing system is disclosed for continuously and detachably connected series of bags and in which the removal of a bag results in the subsequent bag in the series being at least partially opened.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. During the process of making the elastomeric laminate, elastic material may be advanced and stretched in a machine direction and may be joined with one or more substrates advancing the machine direction. The methods and apparatuses according to the present disclosure may be configured to automatically isolate elastic materials that may break during the assembly process. The apparatuses may include a base member and one or more one-way snares projecting from the outer surface of the base member. The one-way snares are adapted to permit advancement of continuous elastic strands in a first direction, and are also adapted to prevent an end portion a broken elastic strand from retracting in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet supplied from a holding unit, a sensor configured to detect an edge of the sheet in a width direction, and a control unit configured to detect, with the sensor, a displacement of the edge of the sheet in the width direction during movement of the sheet by a predetermined distance, and to cancel a subsequent skew detection operation if the displacement is larger than an allowable amount.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a movable belt and a recording mechanism. The movable belt is configured and arranged to convey a recording medium. The recording mechanism is configured and arranged to record onto the recording medium. The movable belt has a mark serving as a reference for when the recording medium is being set thereon.

Abstract: A sensor controller for web handling applications is described. The sensor controller is provided with a first port, a second port, a computer readable medium, and a processor. The first port receives a sequence of data frames capturing an area of a material web having a width to height ratio between 0.10 and 100. The computer readable medium stores logic indicative of identifying properties of a first group of data points of a feature of the material web extending in a web direction of travel. The processor scans the sequence of data frames to locate a transition between a property of the first group of data points and a property of a second group of data points in the data frames and generates a series of location signals indicative of lateral locations of the transition within the data frames. The second port outputs the location signals.

Abstract: A nail gun structure includes a main body, a seat, an actuating button and a driving cable. The main body has a trigger member for shooting a nail. One end of the seat is assembled at a rear end of the main body. The actuating button is assembled at another end of the seat. One end of the driving cable is assembled to the trigger member of the main body, and another end of the driving cable is assembled to the actuating button. Under this arrangement, when a user holds the seat and presses down the actuating button, the actuating button drives the driving cable to trigger the trigger member so as to shoot the nail.

Abstract: A nail gun structure includes a gun body, a clamp set and a pneumatic driving set. The gun body has a trigger for shooting a nail. The clamp set is assembled with the gun body. The clamp set has a driven base and a clamp base. The clamp base pivots relative to the driven base. A stacked board is positioned on the clamp base. The pneumatic driving set is disposed between the gun body and the clamp set. The pneumatic driving set communicates with an air pressure source. The trigger moves along with the pneumatic driving set. Under this arrangement, when a user pulls the trigger, the pneumatic driving set drives the clamp base to pivot, so that the stacked boards are clamped between the clamp base and the driven base; thereafter, the nail is shot and nailed on the stacked board.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, a surgical buttress, and a low molecular weight bioabsorbable adhesive. The cartridge assembly includes a plurality of staples and a tissue contacting surface defining staple retaining slots. The anvil assembly includes a tissue contacting surface defining staple pockets for forming staples expelled from the staple retaining slots of the cartridge assembly. The surgical buttress is disposed on at least one of the tissue contacting surfaces of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly. The low molecular weight bioabsorbable adhesive releasably retains the surgical buttress on the at least one of the tissue contacting surfaces of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A shipping wedge for use with a surgical instrument includes a base configured to be detachably secured with a body portion of the surgical instrument, a blocking member depending from the base and engageable with a movable operative member of the surgical instrument, and a locking member depending from the base and engageable with a lockout mechanism of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering bioabsorbable fasteners of the type having two cannulated legs to secure the two sides of an incision in tissue comprises a housing containing a magazine with one or more fasteners positioned on a reciprocally movable fastener support. Needle guide tubes and the legs of the front-most fastener are in slidable contact with at least one alignment surface configured to axially align them. An actuator is operated by a user to move two needles within the needle guide tubes to insert each needle into a cannulated leg. A timing lever acts on the fastener support in concert with the actuator movement to remove support of the front-most fastener after the needles are inserted. The needle guide tubes transfer force to the fastener, to push it out of the magazine and along a path through the center of a bifurcated foot, to insert it into the tissue.

Abstract: Automatic welding equipment includes a wave soldering machine including a tank, a plurality of first nozzles, a first pump, and a first guide plate. The tank has an opening. The first nozzles and melted solder are disposed in the tank. The first pump is disposed in the tank for jetting the solder via the first nozzles. The first guide plate is located at the opening and includes a first plate portion and a second plate portion. The first plate portion is located over the first nozzles and has a plurality of first holes for passed through by the solder jetted from the first nozzles. The second plate portion, connected to the first plate portion, guides the solder to flow out of the first holes. The solder guided by the second plate portion passes through second holes of the second plate portion and returns into the tank.

Abstract: A reflow oven includes a chamber housing including surfaces that are in contact with heated air mixed with contaminants, including flux, and a water-soluble layer selectively applied to the surfaces of the chamber housing. Embodiments of the reflow oven include an acrylic-based layer, such as an acrylic paint. In one embodiment, the acrylic paint includes a water-soluble polymer, a polymer emulsion, and water. The water-soluble polymer includes butyl benzyl phthalate. In some embodiments, the acrylic paint includes 1-10% by weight butyl benzyl phthalate, 30-55% by weight acrylic polymer emulsion, and balance water. In a certain embodiment, the acrylic paint includes 1-5% by weight butyl benzyl phthalate, 35-50% by weight acrylic poly emulsion, and balance water. Methods of treating surfaces of the reflow oven are further disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wire bonder comprising: a processor; a bond head coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to control motion of the bond head; a bonding tool mounted to the bond head, the bonding tool being drivable by the bond head to form an electrical interconnection between a semiconductor die and a substrate to which the semiconductor die is mounted using a bonding wire; and a measuring device coupled to the bond head, the measuring device being operable to measure a deformation of a bonding portion of the bonding wire as the bonding tool is driven by the bond head to connect the bonding wire to the semiconductor die via the bonding portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device includes a positioning step of positioning a first member supporting a laser diode with respect to a second member having a waveguide, a bonding step of bonding the first member and the second member together, and a checking step of checking the accuracy of positioning of the first member with respect to the second member. In the positioning step, the laser diode is energized to allow laser light to be emitted, and the laser light is allowed to be incident on the incidence end of the waveguide. In the bonding step, a bonding material is melted by irradiating the first member with heating light while the laser diode is not energized. In the checking step, the laser diode is energized again.

Abstract: A method for bonding a heat-conducting substrate and a metal layer is provided. A heat-conducting substrate, a first metal layer and a preformed layer are provided. The preformed layer is between the heat-conducting substrate and the first metal layer. The preformed layer is a second metal layer or a metal oxide layer. A heating process is performed to the preformed layer in an oxygen-free atmosphere to convert the preformed layer to a bonding layer for bonding the heat-conducting substrate and the first metal layer. The temperature of the heating process is less than or equal to 300° C.

Abstract: A method for packaging a semiconductor device includes attaching a first array of solder material to a first surface of an interposer; bringing the first array of solder material into physical contact with a laminate; and initially bonding the interposer to the laminate by applying a first temperature and pressure gradient to the first array of solder material such that a melting temperature of the first array of solder material is not exceeded.

Abstract: A corrugated box may include a plurality of sidewall portions separated by a fold line and a plurality of flaps extending from the sidewall portions and isolated from one another by a slot arranged in alignment with the fold line when the flaps are unfolded and the slot may include a fold line end comprising a stress relieving termination and a handle may be provided that may include a cutout line with a return portion foaming a stress relieving end and a series of tabs may be provided for securing a seam of the box.

Abstract: A partition set for reinforcing a container's handles, the partition set including at least one interlocking subcomponent without hand holes and at least one interlocking subcomponent with two end panels with hand holes; the hand holes alignable with the container's hand holes; thereby providing reinforcement to the container's handles. Also, a container with hand hole reinforcement provided by the partition set.

Abstract: A mailbox protection system that deflects debris away from striking a mailbox that is attached to a bottom area of a mailbox post to reduce a moment of force on the post. A deflection assembly is held in place utilizing a cantilevered structural mounting assembly. The deflection assembly is physically separated from a proximate mailbox that the deflection assembly is configured to protect. The mailbox protection system minimizes or reduces the moment of a force causes by debris striking the deflection assembly.

Abstract: A counter mechanism includes: a counter housing including a shaft and a hole; a first set of cam teeth located in the hole; a striker located in the hole and configured to move axially with respect to the hole having a second set of cam teeth; a counter wheel hub having a third set of cam teeth configured to communicate with both the first and second set of cam teeth, the counter wheel hub also having an actuator; and a counter wheel having an actuation feature configured to communicate with the actuator to cause the counter wheel to rotate when the counter wheel hub rotates. A method for counting dispensed items may also be described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for transferring maps to a mobile device without network connectivity using matrix bar codes or other passive data media are presented. In some embodiments, such a method may include receiving data from an image scanner configured to scan a bar code, the data comprising a complete encoded map; processing the data to generate a decoded map; and displaying the decoded map to a user.

Abstract: A payment-enabled mobile device receives, during a first tap of the mobile device on a proximity reader component of a point of sale (POS) terminal, first transaction context data for a current transaction, and receives during a second tap of the mobile device on the proximity reader component, second transaction context data for the current transaction. When the mobile device determines that the second tap is for the same transaction as the first tap, and that one of a customer verification method (CVM) status or a user acknowledgment status flag has been set, then it transmits a payment card account number to the POS terminal to consummate the transaction.

Abstract: A method includes bringing a mobile device into proximity with an indicium, the indicium adjacent a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC), the RFID IC coupled to an antenna. The method further includes the mobile device reading a message from the RFID IC, where the message is transmitted by the RFID IC via the antenna. The method further includes the mobile device responding to the message by opening an electronic wallet function in the mobile device.

Abstract: Access level management techniques which require less manual intervention. In one example, a registration system registers an individual for an access level and receives a mobile device identifier from the individual. The registration system generates an electronic pass, which may include a mobile barcode, granting the individual access at the requested access level, and provides the electronic pass to a mobile communication device of the individual using the mobile device identifier. In one application, an individual with a mobile barcode associated with priority access level privileges may be allowed to bypass a queue by using a priority lane.