Did You Know...
...Chester Carlson was a patent agent who tired of having to make multiple copies of patent applications using the only duplication method available at the time: carbon paper. In 1959 he came up with a new copying system and took it to IBM for evaluation. The "experts" at IBM determined potential sales to be only 5,000 units because people wouldn't want to use a bulky machine when they had carbon paper. Carlson's invention was the xerography process, the company founded on the system is Xerox.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7980455 | Foldable urban waste container An urban waste container that has a foldable/collapsible body, similar to a caterpillar with a tubular form, that comprises a main body consisting of 3 areas called first module, second module and third module; a top lid; a supporting bracket; and a curved axis/shaf... | 07/19/2011 |
| 7140608 | Bill box for bill acceptor A bill box used in the bill receiver of a coin exchanger for accommodating banknotes received by the bill receiver is disclosed to have a gate installed in the first chamber thereof and a driving mechanism controllable to move the gate between two positions to close... | 11/28/2006 |
| 7121027 | Decorative trash receptacle system An apparatus for an indoor-outdoor decorative trash receptacle system that allows a user to decorate or personalize a trash receptacle 12 or the like with permanent or interchangeable graphic images 14 or insignia. The system decorates a receptacle ... | 10/17/2006 |
| 7033039 | Trash storage apparatus A trash storage apparatus includes a can, an illuminating element and a driver. The can is used for receiving garbage. The illuminating element is mounted on the can. The driver is used for driving the illuminating element to shine in the dark. The trash storage app... | 04/25/2006 |
| 6976919 | Gaming unit including currency container locking mechanism A gaming unit includes a currency container. The currency container includes a locking mechanism for selectively locking the container to a housing of the gaming unit. In one embodiment, a secondary locking mechanism is associated with the housing, the secondary loc... | 12/20/2005 |
| 6745933 | Method for providing a pre-security depository A method for providing a pre-security deposit for an article and a selection station to aid in the method. The method comprises utilizing a selection station having a secure depository bin located in it wherein the selection station contains in it the combination of... | 06/08/2004 |
| 6415552 | Appliance system with exterior access A building includes an exterior wall provided with a door which can be opened to expose a plurality of compartments for receiving a wide range of deliverable products. The compartments are defined as sections of one or more appliances. Preferably, the ext... | 07/09/2002 |
| 6250546 | Combined storage display and ordering merchandising unit A combined photofinishing storage, display, and ordering merchandising unit. The unit includes an order workstation having a front wall, and a writing surface extending from the wall. A dispenser for dispensing order envelopes, and a collection bin for re... | 06/26/2001 |
| 6059183 | Vacuum coin collection apparatus with a remote vacuum A coin collection apparatus for use with self-service car washing equipment includes a coin meter located in each of one or more car wash bays, a coin collection box located remote therefrom which is inaccessible to the public, and a vacuum providing devi... | 05/09/2000 |
| 5979750 | Computerized delivery acceptance system A computerized delivery-acceptance system has a delivery container (1) with a computer-control input door (4) and an outlet door (18). The input door has a lock (5) that can be unlocked by computer-controlled recognition of access authorization for placin... | 11/09/1999 |
| 5941454 | Vacuum coin collection apparatus with a remote vacuum A coin collection apparatus for use with self-service car washing equipment includes a coin meter located in each of one or more car wash bays, a coin collection box located remote therefrom which is inaccessible to the public, and a vacuum providing devi... | 08/24/1999 |
| 5700293 | Laundry sorting and storage device and method A method and device for storing and sorting laundry is disclosed comprising one or more elevated laundry bins each with a top end opening and a normally-closed drop bottom. The bins are elevated above a laundry work area so that laundry contained within e... | 12/23/1997 |
| 5664727 | Portable cartridge brass collector There is provided a free-standing portable cartridge brass collector which includes a container having two side walls, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and an open end. The top wall includes an overhang portion defining a firing space for a brass ej... | 09/09/1997 |
| 5651821 | Battery disposal and collection apparatus The battery disposal and collection apparatus includes a terminal connection having a terminal electrode pressed by a pressing structure on an upper cover, a battery guide case having a battery container to which the terminal electrode is inserted when th... | 07/29/1997 |
| 5624071 | Method and apparatus for receiving packages A method and apparatus for receiving packages in absentia using a receptacle which is temporarily attached to the door of an apartment or house. A second embodiment uses a bracket for securing a sack or chain to a door, which in combination with a lock ca... | 04/29/1997 |
| 4845484 | Retrofit, newspaper tracking audit system for newspaper rack machines A retrofit, automatic audit system for a door-access, coin-operated newspaper rack machine is disclosed. The system operates in conjunction with the standard door-lock mechanism and includes a retrofit purchase-mechanism mounted on the machine. The purcha... | 07/04/1989 |
| 4679700 | Self-closing container top A self-closing container top adapted to be used in conjunction with a container having an upper rim defining an opening. The invention includes two generally horizontal top panels supportively held for rotation about opposing coaxial mounting shafts each ... | 07/14/1987 |
| 4470356 | Word processor-controlled printer output bin lock box A lockbox is provided for a word processor printer output bin attached to a printer. The lockbox, which is insertable and removable from the output bin, is locked in the bin upon insertion, and can only be removed by disengagement of a first locking means... | 09/11/1984 |
| 4434931 | Cash box for paper currency A cash box for paper currency has an opening therein through which a bill can be introduced into that cash box to form part of a stack of paper currency within that cash box. A closure is movable away from that opening to an open position to permit a bill... | 03/06/1984 |
| 4356956 | Commercial multicompartment mail message unit A mail message unit of multi compartment type for commercial use; including an elongated case divided into a row of compartments by partitions therebetween, an individually locked, pivotable front door for each compartment, and an elongated, single top co... | 11/02/1982 |
| 4296565 | Apparatus for collecting ejected cartridges Apparatus for catching cartridges automatically ejected from a firearm without attaching or otherwise physically associating any structure with the firearms itself. A free-standing receptacle, comprising a resilient material having an open end supported i... | 10/27/1981 |
| 4283097 | Cassette for handling banknotes or the like A cassette for banknotes and like valuable articles is provided with a displaceable lid (6) and locking means (10) for latching the lid of the cassette when the cassette is located outside a housing (25) in which it is intended to be placed. An operating ... | 08/11/1981 |
| 4166572 | Combined trash receptacle for table use A combined trash receptacle is proposed to be used on dining tables in public restaurants, or at home for the ready disposal of paper and plastic items provided for sanitary reasons, which would otherwise tend to clutter the table top in an unsightly mann... | 09/04/1979 |
| 4156501 | Cylindrical money box assembly A cylindrical money box assembly that is received in a housing through a generally circular opening thereof and has a locking mechanism with a plate that is rotatable to position projecting portions in relation to a set of parts of the housing. In one pos... | 05/29/1979 |
| 4131318 | Vacuum coin collection apparatus A coin collection apparatus includes a collection chamber and a vacuum mechanism for applying a vacuum to the collection chamber. A plurality of inlet holes are formed through a top wall of the chamber and a conduit connects each of the inlet holes to a s... | 12/26/1978 |
