Did You Know...
...that while attempting to develop a super strong glue, 3M employee Spencer Silver accidentally developed a glue that was so weak it would barely hold two pieces of paper together? However, his colleague Art Fry needed the glue. Fry sang with his church choir and marked the pages of his hymnal with small scraps of paper that often fell out. He used Silver's glue to hold the papers in place. Today we call this invention Post-it Notes.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7861890 | Dispensing apparatus and method for semi-solid product Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means for deforming the tube and co... | 01/04/2011 |
| 7325967 | Method and apparatus for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7320414 | Beverage dispense A beverage dispense system has a dispense nozzle with inlet sections for connection to beverage supplies that merge into an outlet section sized to match the flows such that a unit volume of beverage can be dispensed more quickly. The inlet sections are provided wit... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7296709 | Fluid dispensing system A fluid dispensing system for providing improved freestanding capabilities and improved automatic shutoff of the system upon returning a nozzle to a nozzle holster after use. The fluid dispensing system includes a portable stand and self-contained power source. The ... | 11/20/2007 |
| 7287555 | Dispenser assembly for a refrigerator door A dispenser assembly for a door of a refrigerator includes a tray of flap construction which is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the tray is received within a cavity of the dispenser assembly to present a support surface... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7278552 | Water supplier for a beverage dispensing apparatus of a refrigerator A carbonated and non-carbonated water supplier for a beverage dispensing apparatus for a residential refrigerator. The beverage dispensing apparatus includes a drink supplier including a drink supply canister holder for holding a plurality of drink supply canisters,... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7254463 | Fuel dispensing system with modular components A fuel dispenser containing electronic/electrical components controlled by a computer is disclosed. The computer and all electronic components, including a touch screen display, are mounted in a module or rack provided with a pair of slides. A recess in the fuel dis... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7240807 | Method and apparatus for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7243076 | Computer network system for shopping and method therefor A system and method for secure and private on-line shopping has an on-line shopping store having a plurality of computers for accessing on-line retailers. An on-line shopping store server is provided and is coupled to the plurality of computers. The on-line shopping... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7203661 | Computers making financial analysis output having property valuations A computer system, and methods for making and using it, for manipulating digital electrical signals to produce an illustration of a decomposition of property into separately valued components. The computer system includes a digital electrical computer controlled by ... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7178693 | Pack and method for dispensing toiletries A pack for carrying and dispensing toiletries includes a container having (a) a floor with at least one lower opening, and (b) at least one wall with a front, a back, a right and a left portion. A plurality of bottles with pumping heads that will fit in the containe... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7108513 | Method and system for displaying furniture A system and method for displaying furniture in a showroom environment. A plurality of furniture pieces are displayed in a room setting having a plurality of walls to create the impression of a partially enclosed space. Adjacent room settings can have a transparent ... | 09/19/2006 |
| 7059541 | Fluid mixing block A fluid mixing arrangement, referred to as a mixing block, for use in mixing two liquids like an acidic and a basic components of a cleaning solution, which is placed under pressure and sprayed through a conventional spray gun or nozzle at a reduced amount of pressu... | 06/13/2006 |
| 7052728 | Method and apparatus for dispensing a product from a rotary surface Apparatus for dispensing a product includes a surface with a rotary axis and a periphery for supporting a layer of material, a motor for rotating the surface, a vertical forming cylinder positioned adjacent to the periphery, the cylinder having a side window opposit... | 05/30/2006 |
| 7036175 | Washing machine with pay activated bulk detergent dispenser An approved washing machine and method of washing laundry is provided wherein a user can select an amount of an additive, such as detergent, to be automatically supplied from a bulk additive reservoir to the washing machine tub during the appropriate time in the was... | 05/02/2006 |
| 6988637 | Apparatus and methods for a customer to produce and dispense automobile appearance care products An apparatus may be used to dispense a plurality of automotive appearance care products. The apparatus may include a plurality of storage containers. Mixing systems may be coupled to the storage containers. The mixing systems may combine raw materials with a carrier... | 01/24/2006 |
| 6978911 | Apparatus and methods for producing and dispensing automobile appearance care products charged to a customer on a selected bases An apparatus may be used to dispense a plurality of automotive appearance care products. The apparatus may include a plurality of storage containers. Mixing systems may be coupled to the storage containers. The mixing systems may combine raw materials with a carrier... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6971541 | System and method for dispensing prescriptions An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled c... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6929179 | Automated fee collection and parking ticket dispensing machine An automated fee collection and ticket dispensing machine is disclosed that is capable of operating under a variety of operating modes. The machine permits users to purchase a variety of passes. The disclosed machine includes printers to produce receipts or passes f... | 08/16/2005 |
| 6923191 | Washing agents dispenser device for a domestic washing machine, namely a dishwasher Dispensing device of washing agents for a household washing machine, in particular a dishwasher, said dispenser having at least a tank for a liquid washing agent and an arrangement for dispensing a dose of said liquid washing agent, wherein this arrangement comprise... | 08/02/2005 |
| 6915925 | Refrigerator having a gas supply apparatus for pressurizing drink supply canisters A beverage dispensing apparatus for a residential refrigerator. The beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention includes a drink supplier including a drink supply canister holder for holding a plurality of drink supply canisters, a plurality of valve actu... | 07/12/2005 |
| 6910509 | Windshield washer fluid dispenser A windshield washer fluid dispenser apparatus is described for selectively filling a vehicle windshield washer fluid reservoir. In another aspect, a process for refilling a windshield washer fluid dispenser apparatus is also described. As a third aspect, a process f... | 06/28/2005 |
| 6640997 | Fluid dispensing system A fluid dispensing system includes a housing surrounding a tank holding a vehicle fluid. A control assembly is housed in the housing and operationally coupled to a pump assembly for permitting dispensing of the vehicle fluid upon insertion of a pre-determ... | 11/04/2003 |
| 6516468 | Cash transaction having antitheft mechanism A cash transaction machine having an antitheft mechanism capable of preventing the cash from being seized from a cash storage unit inside a housing through an opening formed in the housing is disclosed. The cash transaction machine having the antitheft me... | 02/04/2003 |
| 6321939 | High stress blast aerator with dampended piston Quick acting blast aerators having rigid accumulation tanks with internal valve assemblies comprising a tubular body, an end cap teat receives air through an inlet controlled by solenoids, and an internal piston that contacts a valve seat during filling, ... | 11/27/2001 |
| 6293427 | Beverage dispensing machine A beverage dispenser has a coin dispenser mounted between a base and an insulated liquid storage container. The dispenser is not connected to an electrical power source. The coin mechanism increases the overall height by approximately 1/32 inches and prev... | 09/25/2001 |
| 6138869 | Water dispensing system A water dispenser comprising a plurality of water filling stations located side by side in a single sink. Each station includes an intermediate shelf. A filling station is coupled to each of the stations and selectively provides one of a plurality of pred... | 10/31/2000 |
| 6123226 | Beverage dispensing apparatus The invention is directed to a beverage dispensing apparatus which has a housing including a beverage container storage section. At least one beverage container from which measured amounts of beverage will be dispensed is supported in the storage section.... | 09/26/2000 |
| 6055521 | Unattended automated system for selling and dispensing fluids, with change-dispensing capability A system for selling and dispensing of fluids, with change-making capability permits and the unattended sale and dispensing of motor fuels. The system may be incorporated either directly into a motor fuel pump or it may be incorporated into a module that ... | 04/25/2000 |
| 6003727 | Coin operated fragrance dispensing device A coin operated fragrance dispensing device comprises a casing having a plurality of actuation assemblies for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a user selected fragrance from a plurality of fragrance canisters therein. A lockable front door of the ca... | 12/21/1999 |
| 5996888 | Tamper-resistant cash acceptor for securely storing paper currency in a dispenser apparatus A tamper-resistant cash acceptor for paper currency is provided for use with dispensing apparatus, and more particularly fuel dispensing apparatus. The tamper-resistant cash acceptor comprises a cash acceptor with forwardly removable cash cassette, a moun... | 12/07/1999 |
| 5967366 | Coin-operated fluid vending machine A windshield cleaning fluid dispenser 10 that is coin-operated. The windshield cleaning fluid dispenser 10 of the present includes a primary reservoir 15 in which the windshield cleaning fluid 18 is stored pending dispensing. A measuring reservoir 20 is i... | 10/19/1999 |
| 5957329 | Metered windshield washer fluid dispensing system A coin and credit card activated windshield washer solution dispensing system for use at car washes, convenience stores, and gas stations by the public through which an operator can neatly transfer a metered amount of windshield washer solution directly i... | 09/28/1999 |
| 5947330 | Raw material sensing apparatus for vending machine and method of sensing raw material A raw material sensing apparatus for a vending machine having a coin mechanism, an article selection panel, raw material receptacles, a hot water supply part, a mixing part for mixing raw materials with hot water, a dispensing part for providing a user wi... | 09/07/1999 |
| 5913454 | Drink dispensing machine A controlled self-service drink dispensing machine including a refrigerated piping network for transporting beverages, such as wine and beer, from a central location to a plurality of remote dispensing consoles. A centrally located bartender terminal is e... | 06/22/1999 |
| 5881913 | Contamination proof purified water dispenser A coin-operated purified water dispensing machine has an exterior housing shaped like a kiosk for a mall. A state of the art water purification system is housed in the kiosk. A unique combination of an RO filter and a bladder type storage tank minimizes t... | 03/16/1999 |
| 5782380 | Water dispensing system A water dispenser comprising a plurality of water filling stations located side by side in a single sink. Each station includes an intermediate shelf. A filling station is coupled to each of the stations and selectively provides one of a plurality of pred... | 07/21/1998 |
| 5769271 | Apparatus and methods for monitoring a beverage dispenser, in particular a counter system In a drink-dispensing installation, an authorized individual is required to identify himself by entering a code into a code-registering station. The drinks-dispensing installation includes an automatic valve and a manually-actuable hand-dispensing valve c... | 06/23/1998 |
| 5704517 | Enclosure for housing and displaying a public telephone and foodstuff vending machine An enclosure is provided having a first recessed portion for housing a public telephone, and a second recessed portion for housing at least one foodstuff vending machine that is receivable therein. A door-like protective wall is hingedly connected to a si... | 01/06/1998 |
| 5685435 | Method and apparatus for automatic bulk vending An automatic bulk vending machine is described including specific details as to various aspects of accurate volumetric dispensing, the separation of small broken pieces or fines from the dispensed product, and the easy and sanitary loading of such a machi... | 11/11/1997 |
