The ice cream cone was invented at the St. Louis Worlds Fair by Ernest Hamwi in 1904. His waffle booth was next to an ice cream vendor who ran short of dishes. Hamwi rolled a waffle to hold ice cream and the cone was born.
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7667591 | Interrogating RFID transponders during rotation of palletized items, systems and methods The invention involves reading RFID transponders affixed to items by rotating the items as they are exposed to an RFID reader as may be incorporated in a normal processing, manufacturing or shipping process such as wrapping items in a protective membrane using a sys... | 02/23/2010 |
| 7457693 | System, method, and apparatus for collecting telematics and sensor information in a delivery vehicle The invention is directed to a data collection and evaluation system that includes a telematics device for collecting, time-stamping, and storing vehicle sensor data. Examples of the type of data collected include door data, ignition data, speed data, global positio... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7454315 | System and method for automatic redirection of a product under transport using an environmental sensor Systems and methods disclosed herein use environmental sensor technology to enhance the tracking and transporting capabilities of a product delivery system. The systems and methods provide the capability to track and verify the environmental condition(s) to which a ... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7444298 | Order and payment visibility process The present invention discloses systems and methods for facilitating order entry, fulfillment, shipment and payment in a networked environment. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention describes a system for communicating order entries from a seller to a sup... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7444290 | Electronic shipping system for package pickup and anywhere to anywhere delivery The present invention is an improved shipping system that provides for third-party billing and shipment of a package from a first location to a second location where neither the first or second location is the location of the third-party. An embodiment is disclosed ... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7442269 | Method and application for applying labels on surfaces of selected surfaces of varying orientations A device and method of using same is provides which includes the use of an apparatus configured to apply labels to parcels moving along a conveyor belt. The apparatus of the present invention includes a support frame, a pair of turntable assemblies, a corresponding ... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7431245 | Rapid exchange system for testing wireless networks Various embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for removably mounting a signal testing unit to a suitable vehicle surface, and optionally providing for an electrical connector to a power source, GPS antenna, and cellular antennas such that moving a si... | 10/07/2008 |
| 7430527 | System and method for initiating returns over a network The present invention provides systems and methods for processing return transactions over a network. An embodiment of the invention discloses an online return application that generates an electronic return shipping label that can be delivered to a browser of a cus... | 09/30/2008 |
| 7428502 | Delivery systems and methods involving verification of a payment card from a handheld device The present invention relates generally to systems and methods that facilitate the prevention of fraud occurring in connection with credit cards, debit cards, smart cards and other payment cards that are used in transactions involving goods sold by a seller, deliver... | 09/23/2008 |
| 7426484 | Consolidated shipping and distribution of multiple orders with returns The present invention provides systems and methods of consolidating, shipping and distributing items comprising multiple orders to multiple customers. The orders are received by an inventory management service, filled and packaged at a centralized distribution cente... | 09/16/2008 |
| 7421311 | Method and system for performing a package pre-load operation in accordance with a dispatch plan The present invention provides systems and methods for electronically-capturing a destination address of a package and for using the destination address to automate a package pre-load operation. An embodiment of the invention includes a compression system for compre... | 09/02/2008 |
| 7405656 | Device and method for encapsulation and mounting of RFID devices This invention involves encapsulating an RFID device in an encapsulating material by known encapsulating processes to form a domed, encapsulated RFID tag. The encapsulating material may be translucent or opaque, flexible or hard, and has minimal effect on transmissi... | 07/29/2008 |
| 7395962 | Pick up notice and method of using same Generally described, the invention provides for an indicia that is associated with a pick up notice left at a pick up location. This indicia is “linked” to the parcel(s) that were intended for pick up at the location, which may be done by a handheld portable dat... | 07/08/2008 |
| 7385499 | Item-based monitoring systems and methods The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for monitoring whether an item is properly delivered to a designated delivery point. According to one aspect of the invention, location data and timestamp data is generated in association with the tr... | 06/10/2008 |
| 7379805 | Wirelessly enabled trailer locking/unlocking A method and system for providing improved handling of tractors and trailers (or any powered vehicle and storage devices towed thereby) with a staging area. One invention relates to the provision of automatic locking or unlocking of a trailer door when the trailer l... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7377429 | Item tracking and processing systems and methods Systems and methods are provided for processing one or more items. The systems involve a data acquisition device and a display device. At least one data acquisition device and the display device may be mounted on frames having a see-through display and an orientatio... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7363126 | Core area territory planning for optimizing driver familiarity and route flexibility Route planning methods for use by a package delivery service provider are disclosed that satisfy a stochastic daily demand while taking advantage of drivers' route familiarity over time. A model for estimating the value of driver familiarity is disclosed along with ... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7357317 | Systems and methods for package sortation and delivery using radio frequency identification technology A disclosed method comprises scanning a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on a package to generate scanned data, and generating a handling instruction for the package based on the scanned data. The handling instruction can be executed to route the package to... | 04/15/2008 |
| 7349854 | Method, apparatus and medium for obtaining shipping information The present invention enables users to access shipping information pertaining to the shipment of parcels by merely selecting an action from a tool bar or menu associated with a text string in a document or spreadsheet either recognized by a Microsoft Office smart ta... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7343953 | Method and application for applying labels on surfaces of selected surfaces of varying orientations A device and method of using same is provides which includes the use of an apparatus configured to apply labels to parcels moving along a conveyor belt. The apparatus of the present invention includes a support frame, a pair of turntable assemblies, a corresponding ... | 03/18/2008 |
| 7341186 | Proof of presence and confirmation of parcel delivery systems and methods The present invention involves systems and methods of linking a unique identifier with a package identifier to provide confirmation of the delivery of the package to a certain location or individual. The unique identifier may be associated with a location or an indi... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7336167 | Interrogating RFID transponders during rotation of palletized items, systems and methods The invention involves reading RFID transponders affixed to items by rotating the items as they are exposed to an RFID reader as may be incorporated in a normal processing, manufacturing or shipping process such as wrapping items in a protective membrane using a sys... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7322849 | Relay retrofit apparatus including an electrically-activated relay switch for retrofitting an electrical system The invented apparatus is designed for use within a vehicle's electrical system. The apparatus electrically couples a plug having a first electrical contact configuration with a relay having a different electrical contact configuration. The apparatus provides an eas... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7306147 | Systems and methods for package sortation and delivery using radio frequency identification technology A disclosed method comprises scanning a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on a package to generate scanned data, and generating a handling instruction for the package based on the scanned data. The handling instruction can be executed to route the package to... | 12/11/2007 |
| 7305404 | Data structure and management system for a superset of relational databases A data structure, database management system, and methods of validating data are disclosed. A data structure is described that includes a superset of interconnected relational databases containing multiple tables having a common data structure. The tables may be sto... | 12/04/2007 |
| D555468 | Combination mounting bracket and support tray | 11/20/2007 |
| 7293707 | Inventory management system for reducing overall warehouse and pipeline inventory A computer system for use in reducing overall pipeline inventory within a distribution network that includes a central warehouse that is: (1) adjacent a transportation hub; and (2) configured to store sufficient component parts to provide a regular stream of parts t... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7273172 | Methods and systems for automating inventory and dispatch procedures at a staging area Methods and systems are provided to automate inventory and dispatch procedures at a staging area by automatically detecting the arrival or departure of delivery vehicles, container devices and other such items. Detection of these items is facilitated by the use of a... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7266513 | System and method for initiating returns over a network The present invention provides systems and methods for processing return transactions over a network. An embodiment of the invention discloses an online return application that generates an electronic return shipping label that can be delivered to a browser of a cus... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7257396 | Telematic programming logic control unit and methods of use The present invention is directed to an apparatus, system and method for collecting, storing and time-stamping telematics data. A programmable logic control unit is described that is connected to one or more sensors mounted on a vehicle to capture, time-stamp and st... | 08/14/2007 |
| 7254624 | System for generating a session configuration file for a computing system having attributes that are specific to a user and/or computing system by using a plurality of aspect configuration files applied in a predetermined sequence to update a base configuration file The systems and methods of the present invention provide for efficiently configuring computing systems based upon the aspects of the computing system that are present for an operating session of a specific computing system by updating the configuration attributes in... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7249069 | International cash-on-delivery system and method An international cash-on-delivery (I-COD) system for completing a transaction between a seller in a first country and purchaser in a second country, wherein the seller has agreed to exchange packaged goods for a payment from the purchaser. The international delivery... | 07/24/2007 |
| 7243080 | Systems and associated methods for wireless services for package tracking during delivery The present invention provides systems and methods that allow a user to track packages throughout the course of delivery without requiring the user to completely reenter tracking information such as an 18 character tracking number and also allow the user to use a wi... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7233907 | Parcel or service delivery with partially scheduled time windows A delivery scheduling system that is configured for scheduling the delivery of an item or service from a sender to an intended recipient. After receiving a signal indicating that, for example, a particular package is to be delivered to an intended recipient, the sys... | 06/19/2007 |
| 7234160 | Method and apparatus for authorizing the transfer of information The present invention includes the use of at least three separate parties, a First Party, a Second Party, and a Third Party, with the First Party holding First Party Information, and the Third Party having an interest in Third Party Information held by the Second Pa... | 06/19/2007 |
| 7221276 | Systems and methods for using radio frequency identification tags to communicating sorting information The present invention provides novel systems and methods for identifying a location. Generally described radio frequency identification tags equipped with LED's are used to provide a visual indication of a location. ... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7210894 | Method and apparatus for palletizing packages of random size and weight A method and apparatus for palletizing rectangular packages received in random size and weight. A “corner”-based modeling system is used to assist in evaluating possible placements of packages accumulated on a line conveyor, and a placement evaluation process is... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7201316 | Item tracking and processing systems and methods Systems and methods are provided for processing one or more items. The systems involve a data acquisition device and a display device. At least one data acquisition device and the display device may be mounted on frames having a see-through display and an orientatio... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7194331 | Pre-load data capture and handling instruction generator for parcel sorting The present invention provides systems and methods for electronically-capturing a destination address of a package and for using the destination address to automate a package pre-load operation. An embodiment of the invention includes a compression system for compre... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7184973 | Method and apparatus for communicating order entries in a network environment The order entry and visibility system according to the present invention is a combination of network technologies that make it possible for a first user, typically a purchaser, to enter product orders electronically, communicate such to a second user, typically a su... | 02/27/2007 |