Abstract:
A pinch valve for regulating fluid flow having a close mechanism using push-pull members and an open mechanism using open follower members in order to pinch a sleeve closed and to assist in opening it. In a particular embodiment, a four-bar linkage is employed.
Abstract:
The present invention is for a suspended furniture apparatus 10 for use as a table or a chair. The novel furniture apparatus 10 comprises a generally horizontal and substantially planar surface 12 having a front portion 18, a rear portion 20, a left side 24, a right side 22 and edges 26a-26d thereabout; and means 14 for suspending the planar surface 12 in a stationary position, wherein the suspending means 14 is secured to the planar surface 12. The suspending means 14 is fixed at a point 30 above and at least one point 32 below the planar surface 12. The planar surface 12 is suspended solely by suspending means 14 which are in tension.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method of transferring a value from a transferor to a transferee in a transaction executed through a public service telephone network. The method includes the step of exchanging essential information between the transferor and transferee through a connection established through the public service telephone network. A summary of the transaction is transferred from the transferor and from the transferee to a third party agent of the transferee through the public service telephone network. The summary received from the transferor with the summary received from the transferee and where a match is determined, transferring the value to the transferee.
Abstract:
A scent sampler and air freshener has a wafer of an absorbent resilient material infused with a liquid containing a scent. The wafer is encapsulated in a chamber formed between two panels of sheet material with edges sealed together to form an envelope. An opening in one of the panels enables scent from the liquid to be emitted to the ambient atmosphere. The rate of emission can be increased by squeezing the panels to compress the wafer. The interior surfaces of the panels can be coated with a barrier film to prevent leakage of the liquid from contaminating the sheet material.
Abstract:
A puzzle game wherein scrambled puzzle pieces are printed on a top layer of pressure-sensitive material which is die cut to create the shapes of the pieces. In a two-layer version of the puzzle, the pressure-sensitive material is laminated to a bottom layer formed from a silicone-coated liner. The bottom surface of the bottom layer is printed with instructions, e.g., a grid having rectangles with numbers which tell where to place the correspondingly numbered scrambled pressure-sensitive puzzle pieces. When the pressure-sensitive pieces are applied to the liner, rearranged as per the grid or other instructions, a picture and/or message is revealed. An intermediate layer may be hidden between the top and bottom layers for serving as a coupon, ticket or other device which be relinquished without parting with the completed puzzle.
Abstract:
This invention pertains to an article that emits infrared radiation for a period of about 15 minutes or more, depending on the size and shape, and to a process for preparing the article. The article includes, in a preferred embodiment, a combustible aerogel or other nanocellular substrate with iron metal impregnant formed by thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl deposited on and in the substrate in an amount of at least about 5% or at least about 20% of the weight of the substrate, depending on the substrate. The impregnant reacts exothermically on contact with air or an oxygen-containing gas and imparts sufficient energy to the substrate to cause it to burn for about 30 seconds to about 30 minutes depending on size and shape, thereby emitting infrared radiation. The process pertains to deposition of the impregnant on and in the substrate by flowing a carrier gas saturated with the impregnant precursor over and through the substrate. Liquid impregnant precursors can be transported to the substrate by bubbling a carrier gas through the precursor. Solid impregnant precursors can be thermally volatilized and similarly deposited on and in the substrate. Soluble impregnants, or their precursors, can be deposited on the internal and external surfaces of the substrate by diffusing the precursor solution into the pores and distilling off the solvent under inert atmosphere, leaving the pyrophoric impregnant in and on the substrate surfaces.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for marketing products. The method includes the steps of a first vendor contracting with a second vendor under a contract whereby the first vendor pays a commission to the second vendor in exchange for referrals of customers by the second vendor to the first vendor where the first vendor sells products that are complementary to products sold by the second vendor, the first vendor selling a product to a customer of the second vendor, a tracking program calculating a commission payable on the product and the first vendor paying the commission to the first vendor in accordance with the contract.
Abstract:
A pull-apart fragrance sampler laminate is constructed by dispersing microcapsules containing fragrance oil into a quick setting adhesive. The resulting dispersion is applied to a surface of a substrate and then covered with an overlayer. The substrate and overlayer adhere to the dispersion until they are pulled apart whereby the microcapsules are fractured, releasing the fragrance. The substrate may be a continuous web of two-layer stock having a silicone coated liner and a release layer on which the dispersion is coated for making fragrance samplers in the form of die cut labels. The dispersion may be applied to the substrate by a relief printing plate at a station of a printing press through which the substrate and cover layer are transported.
Abstract:
A web of removable carrier labels, each having a self-adhering removable piggyback label, has a top label layer, a bottom support layer and an intermediate liner layer. The label layer has a pressure-sensitive adhesive coated surface and is die cut at the perimeters of each carrier label and the piggyback label within it. The liner layer has a release surface facing the pressure-sensitive adhesive coated surface of the label layer and is die cut about a perimeter geometrically similar to, and in registration with, the piggyback label die cut. The support layer is thereafter permanently adhered to the liner layer except at the die cut portion of the liner. The carrier label, piggyback label and die cut portion of the liner can be removed from the support web as a unit and adhered to a product such as a subscription piece or other substrate. The piggyback label can, thereafter, be peeled away from the carrier label and the underlying die cut liner portion and adhered to another surface.
Abstract:
A 3D shelf talker in the form of a planar substrate has a profile and scored fold lines defining three advertising panels for displaying text and/or graphics identified with a product, and at least one fastener panel integral with one of the advertising panels and adherable to another of the panels for stabilizing the shelf talker once erected into a hollow rectangular parallelepiped. The fastener panel may be provided with a connector for mounting the shelf talker on a shelf fixture in an aisle of a store where one of the advertising panels is visible for indicating the location of the product to a customer along either end of the aisle or directly opposite the product.