...that the Eveready Battery began as an invention called the "electric flowerpot," which was a tube with a battery and light bulb inside? The idea was to fasten this gizmo to the side of a flowerpot so it would illuminate the flowers from the bottom. The idea died on the vine and the businessman who licensed the flower pot, Conrad Huber, was left with a pile of useless tubes -- until he found a way to market them as batteries to light the world!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8179294 | Apparatus and method for the calibration of delta-sigma modulators The application relates to a calibration apparatus and calibration method for a tuneable resonator of a delta-sigma modulator of the continuous time, band pass type. The calibration apparatus comprises: a resonator driver capable of causing an oscillating behavior i... | 05/15/2012 |
| 8157254 | Method and apparatus for processing mail to obtain image data of contents A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input bin having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. The feeder serially feeds the envelopes by engaging the lead envelope in the stack of mail and displacing the lead enve... | 04/17/2012 |
| 8140007 | Radio system and method for relaying radio signals with a power calibration of transmit radio signals The present invention provides a radio system and a method for relaying radio signals, providing a power calibration of transmit radio signals. With the radio system and the method no dedicated calibration signal generator is required for providing the power calibra... | 03/20/2012 |
| 8108111 | Hydrostatic regenerative drive system A variable transmission comprises a first fluid working machine (1) for connection to a prime mover (2), a second fluid working machine (5) for connection to a mechanical load (6) and a fluid system linking the first and second working ma... | 01/31/2012 |
| 8104601 | Method and apparatus for delivering items to destination areas A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to the sort ... | 01/31/2012 |
| 8102084 | Bus bar power distribution for an antenna embedded radio system A power distribution for an array of active electronic circuits in an antenna of a mobile communications base-station is disclosed. The power distribution comprises a first conductor connectable to a first terminal of a power supply unit, and a second conductor conn... | 01/24/2012 |
| 8083274 | Electro-magnetic release mechanism An electro-magnetic mechanism comprises a spring-operated rod (1) having a recess (1a) and a latching member (2) engageable in the recess to block motion of the rod. A release member (4) retains the latching member engaged in the r... | 12/27/2011 |
| 8057274 | Doll and flotation device-combination for demonstrating water safety A combination of doll and flotation device for demonstrating water safety employs a doll of human-like form sufficiently heavy to sink in water. A removable flotation device which fits the doll, such as a life jacket is designed to be placed on the doll and secured ... | 11/15/2011 |
| 8036606 | Method and apparatus for interference cancellation An interference canceller between a transmit chain and a receive chain of a transceiver is proposed to complement the action of a diplexer, or duplex filter, that is part of the transceiver. The interference canceller comprises a transmit chain tap, a receive chain ... | 10/11/2011 |
| 8029342 | Method and apparatus for euthanizing animals A system for safely and humanely anesthetizing and/or euthanizing animals is provided. The system provides both manual and automated operation and may be scaled up to accommodate a large number of animals during a single procedure. The system includes a chamber 2... | 10/04/2011 |
| 8009095 | Antenna array and a method for calibration thereof An antenna array (10) for the transmission of signals (20) is disclosed. The antenna array (10) comprises: a plurality of transmission paths (30-1, 30-2, 30-K) for transmitting a plurality of wanted signals (25) and a... | 08/30/2011 |
| 7992853 | Method and apparatus for processing mail to obtain image data of contents A method and apparatus for processing documents is provided. Documents having a selected characteristic are placed into a first area, whereas documents not having the selected characteristic are placed into a second area. A sensor in the first area detects the prese... | 08/09/2011 |
| 7951501 | Fuel cell system and method for controlling current A fuel cell is provided, which includes a first plenum around an anode for receiving fuel, and a second plenum around a cathode for receiving oxygen. A fluid controller controls the supply of fuel to the first plenum or oxygen to the second plenum. A sensor detects ... | 05/31/2011 |
| 7950213 | Reinforced belt having reduced electrical resistivity and method for producing same A link belt for use as a conveyor belt or power transmission belt is provided. The belt is formed of a plurality of links forming a series in successive overlapping relation. The upper surface of each belt link includes an electrically conductive layer. Additionally... | 05/31/2011 |
| 7916892 | Method and apparatus for processing mail to obtain image data of contents A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input bin having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. the feeder serially feeds the envelopes by engaging the lead envelope in the stack of mail and displacing the lead enve... | 03/29/2011 |
| 7891833 | Rechargeable flashlight and battery assembly for single-handed intermittent and continuous operation A rechargeable flashlight is also provided. The flashlight includes a housing having a battery compartment and a light source adjacent a first end of the housing. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides power for the flashlight. A controller circuit serially con... | 02/22/2011 |
| 7883436 | Bi-directional tensioner An assembly for maintaining tension in a drive belt features a housing mounted on a base. The housing contains a biasing element that exerts torque on the housing to bias the housing in a radial direction. A lever arm is connected to the housing and rotates with the... | 02/08/2011 |
| 7861844 | Method and apparatus for sorting items A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to the sort ... | 01/04/2011 |
| 7861684 | Compression ignition engine and method for controlling same An engine having improved combustion characteristics is provided. The engine includes a fuel injection system that is variable between two operational states. In the first operating state, the fuel injectors provide a fuel spray having first spray pattern characteri... | 01/04/2011 |
| 7837582 | Bi-directional belt tensioner An assembly for maintaining tension in a drive belt features a housing mounted on a base. The housing contains a biasing element that exerts torque on the housing to bias the housing in a radial direction. A lever arm is connected to the housing and rotates with the... | 11/23/2010 |
| 7825842 | Digital sigma-delta modulators A digital sigma-delta modulator (100) for modulating a digital input signal (x) is described. The digital sigma-delta modulator (100) comprises a quantizer (115) for quantizing an input signal (s) and producing a quantized output signal (y) at a... | 11/02/2010 |
| 7770882 | Apparatus and method for processing sheets A method and apparatus are provided for processing sets of sheets. The apparatus includes a frame, a hopper for moving a stack of sheets, a pre-singulator for separating a portion of a sheet from the stack, a sheet peeler for peeling part of a pre-singulated sheet f... | 08/10/2010 |
| 7767925 | System and method for automated document processing A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. A stack of mail is placed in an input bin in a feeder module. A feeder serially feeds the envelopes into a transport path. The envelopes are then examined to determine if the contents are qualified for extracti... | 08/03/2010 |
| 7731020 | Conveyor with attachments A conveyor assembly is provided, which includes a link belt formed of a plurality of overlapping belt links. A plurality of engagement elements are attached to the link belt to form an upper surface. In one embodiment, the link belt includes a plurality of apertures... | 06/08/2010 |
| 7706914 | Method and apparatus for processing mail to obtain image data of contents A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input bin having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. The feeder serially feeds the envelopes by engaging the lead envelope in the stack of mail and displacing the lead enve... | 04/27/2010 |
| 7621114 | Reinforced belt having reduced electrical resistivity and method for producing same A link belt for use as a conveyor belt or power transmission belt is provided. The belt is formed of a plurality of links forming a series in successive overlapping relation. The upper surface of each belt link includes an electrically conductive layer. Additionally... | 11/24/2009 |
| 7544209 | Patello-femoral prosthesis A patello-femoral prosthesis is provided for replacing the engagement surfaces between the patella and the femur. The prosthesis is configured to cover the trochlear groove and extend into the intercondylar notch without extending onto the articulating surfaces of t... | 06/09/2009 |
| 7537203 | Method and apparatus for processing mail obtain image data of contents A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input bin having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. The feeder serially feeds the envelopes by engaging the lead envelope in the stack of mail and displacing the lead enve... | 05/26/2009 |
| 7481551 | Flashlight having back light elements A battery powered flashlight is provided having a primary lamp assembly providing a high powered light source in a forward direction, and a back light providing a lower powered light source in a rearward facing direction. Preferably, the flashlight includes a hollow... | 01/27/2009 |
| 7449079 | Link belt assembly and method for producing same A belt for power transmission and for conveying elements is provided wherein the belt comprises a top layer attached to the top surface of the belt. The top layer provides a generally smooth top surface for the belt. The belt preferably is a link belt and the top su... | 11/11/2008 |
| 7439467 | Method and apparatus for processing outgoing bulk mail A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. The mail is serially fed from a stack of mail into a system transport. The system transport conveys the mail to an imaging station, which scans the mail to obtain image data corresponding to at least a portion ... | 10/21/2008 |
| D578236 | Flashlight | 10/07/2008 |
| D574881 | Document processing device | 08/12/2008 |
| 7340919 | Method and apparatus for enhancing heat pump and refrigeration equipment A vapor compression apparatus and a method for operating a vapor compression system are provided. A working fluid is conveyed through a vapor compression system having a fluid line. A charging element is connected to the fluid line to direct an electric charge into ... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7318414 | Constant-speed multi-pressure fuel injection system for improved dynamic range in internal combustion engine A fuel injection system operates under a substantially constant pump speed and creates multi-pressure levels by diverting the fuel flow. Fuel pressure can be switched from one steady pressure level to another level on-demand instantly. This superimposes and overlaps... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7314286 | Flashlight with rotatable lamp head A flashlight with a rotatable lamp head is provided. The lamp head pivots about two cylindrical coaxial electrical connectors. The lamp head also includes reflector having a major parabolic reflective surface and a minor reflective parabolic surface. The reflector i... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7241354 | Non-slip conveyor and method for producing same A belt for conveying elements in provided wherein the belt comprises a compressible layer attached to the top surface of the belt. Preferably the compressible layer is resiliently deformable to cushion the impact of items on the belt or to provide a gripping surface... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7220013 | Rechargeable flashlight and battery assembly for single-handed intermittent and continuous operation A flashlight has a head assembly with a charging member extending laterally to an external charging contact and a barrel slidably housing a battery assembly. A tail assembly having a slidable actuating member is positioned in abutment with the battery assembly. A co... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7097633 | Fluid collection device with captured retractable needle A retractable needle fluid transfer device is provided. The device includes a manually operable actuator for affecting retraction. Upon depressing the actuator, a spring displaces the needle rearwardly so that the contaminated needle is enclosed, thereby preventing ... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7093954 | Flashlight having LED assembly and method for producing same A flashlight is provided having a housing, a reflector and a light source, such as an LED. Preferably, an alignment structure is provided for aligning the LED with the focal axis of the reflector. For instance, the LED may be fixed to a circuit board, and the flashl... | 08/22/2006 |