...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8172148 | Cards and assemblies with user interfaces Laminated cards with user interfaces are provided. The user interfaces can have enhanced tactile feel. In one embodiment, a card may be constructed to have a dual-layer user interface. In another embodiment, a card may be constructed to include a support structure. ... | 05/08/2012 |
| 8152073 | Method and apparatus for the detection of counterfeiting A system is provided for counterfeiting countermeasures, the system comprising: a first authenticity indicator disposed in a print substrate coating; a second authenticity indicator disposed in a print generating matrix; a print pattern comprising the print generati... | 04/10/2012 |
| 8113434 | Passive electro-optical identification tags Embodiments for electro-optical identification are disclosed. ... | 02/14/2012 |
| 8066191 | Cards and assemblies with user interfaces Laminated cards with user interfaces are provided. The user interfaces can have enhanced tactile feel. In one embodiment, a card may be constructed to have a dual-layer user interface. In another embodiment, a card may be constructed to include a support structure. ... | 11/29/2011 |
| 8061618 | Multi-layer cards with aesthetic features and related methods of manufacturing Multi-layer cards with aesthetic and/or functional features, e.g. banking, access, or identification cards, having a bearing layer that includes an effects layer disposed directly between two core layers are disclosed herein. Among other potential benefits, the laye... | 11/22/2011 |
| 8056816 | Real time card printing systems and methods A method for personalizing a presentation instrument for an account holder while the account holder is present is described. The method includes transmitting to a server computer a request to personalize a presentation instrument for an account holder who has a fina... | 11/15/2011 |
| 8056815 | RFID transponder An RFID transponder comprises an electronic assembly and an antenna assembly. The electronic assembly is a multi-layer film body having one or more electrically conducting functional layers and one or more electrically semiconducting functional layers. The antenna a... | 11/15/2011 |
| 8002191 | Segmented microencapsulated display system A segmented microencapsulated display system that includes a substrate upon which an image is produced in a layer of microencapsulated electrophoric elements and a unit remote from the substrate that includes electronics circuitry that creates the image produced in ... | 08/23/2011 |
| 8002190 | Stability of covert pigments A covert material for printing onto a printing medium is provided, the covert material comprising a covert pigment and a binder encapsulating the covert pigment into a particle, where the binder comprises at least one of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), butyral vin... | 08/23/2011 |
| 7997496 | Laminated printable multi-layer card with entrapped security element A laminated multi-layer card that can be imprinted with personal information, the card containing an entrapped security element; the security element containing a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. ... | 08/16/2011 |
| 7931203 | Non-contact type IC card There is provided a non-contact type IC card that prevents electrostatic discharge failure of an IC chip embedded in an IC card. A non-contact type IC card includes at least a magnetic recording layer, a metal reflective layer, and a hologram layer, which are... | 04/26/2011 |
| 7819327 | Ink with cohesive failure and identification document including same The present invention provides identification documents with security features. For example, a document may include two or more inks that are designed to cohesively fail upon a de-lamination attack. A resulting failure pattern is preferably difficult to predict. The... | 10/26/2010 |
| 7806338 | Real time card printing systems and methods A method for personalizing a presentation instrument for an account holder while the account holder is present is described. The method includes transmitting to a server computer a request to personalize a presentation instrument for an account holder who has a fina... | 10/05/2010 |
| 7757957 | Textured transaction cards and methods of making the same Rigid polymeric transaction cards are provided having a plurality of layers forming a first surface and a second surface wherein at least one of said first and second surfaces comprises a textured pattern. In addition, a method of making a transaction card is provid... | 07/20/2010 |
| 7661599 | Label and method of making A method of providing an image on a media having a image-receiving layer and a protective overlayer, comprising the steps of providing an image on the image-receiving and providing machine-readable indicia on said protective overlayer by varying the temperature of a... | 02/16/2010 |
| 7658332 | Protective overlay for a transaction card An overlay is provided which can be adhered over the front and/or rear faces of a transaction card (e.g., a credit card) to protect it from wear, and also to lend it a personalized appearance. The overlay is preferably defined by transparent film having window porti... | 02/09/2010 |
| 7654465 | Method and apparatus for forming transaction cards and other sheet plastic products A method and apparatus for forming transaction cards. A smooth glossy outer surface may be provided on transaction cards without the use of an over-laminate film. A liquid coating material may be applied to a sheet substrate, which is subsequently subjected to heat ... | 02/02/2010 |
| 7617986 | Laminate security feature Laminates are provided which are to be laminated onto identification documents, for example cards or passports, to provide protection for the document. Each laminate is provided with a unique code. The codes on the laminates can be read and stored with cardholder da... | 11/17/2009 |
| 7591432 | Method and system for kitting smart cards with a shrink wrap license Smart Cards are kitted by preprinting a piece of film with a licensing agreement, wrapping the film around the Smart Card and sealing the package. The kitted Smart Card is much smaller and thus easier and cheaper to store and transport than standard #10 envelopes. T... | 09/22/2009 |
| 7503503 | Card laminate A card laminate is produced from a centrally disposed foil laminate (1) consisting of an interior layer (2) with a metal layer (3) and with two exterior transparent plastic layers (4a, 4b), and two exterior plastic fi... | 03/17/2009 |
| 7461791 | Method and apparatus for forming ISO-compliant transaction cards including PLA A method and apparatus for forming transaction cards. A smooth glossy outer surface may be provided on transaction cards without the use of an over-laminate film. A liquid coating material may be applied to a sheet substrate, which is subsequently subjected to heat ... | 12/09/2008 |
| 7434735 | Stored-value card with sound and light A stored-value card includes an electrical assembly and a housing. The electrical assembly is configured to store an audio file and includes a light and a speaker. The housing encloses the electrical assembly and includes an account identifier signifying an account ... | 10/14/2008 |
| 7434727 | Process and apparatus for providing markings security papers A composite identity marking comprising first and second identity markings is provided on a substrate (1) of a security document. The first identity marking is provided by a first marking station (5, 5′, 5″, 5′″) by bringing a first side of sai... | 10/14/2008 |
| 7429036 | Method and system for efficiently printing and sorting multiple orders of transaction cards A system and method for printing and sorting non-identical transaction cards concurrently includes a printer which is configured to print onto multiple sheets (i) each of a plurality of non-identical transaction cards onto a separate print receiving space on a sheet... | 09/30/2008 |
| 7416111 | Cash dispensing automated banking machine and method An ATM (10) includes a housing (12). Circuit card assemblies (256) used in the operation of the ATM are attached to a mounting plate (254). The mounting plate (254) can be releasably engaged to the housing (12). The mounting... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7413130 | Paper tag identified by using radiofrequency and method of manufacturing the same A RFID tag including: a paper-like structure inlaying a RFID thread between a first paper layer and a second paper layer, the RFID thread being connected to a RFID chip through bumps to an antenna arranged onto a base member and being formed with a protecting materi... | 08/19/2008 |
| 7411284 | Accessible electronic storage apparatus A storage apparatus 10 is disclosed, that comprises a wiring substrate 11 having a first surface and a second surface, a flat type external connection terminal 12a disposed on the first surface of the wiring substrate 11, a semicon... | 08/12/2008 |
| 7398917 | Payment V.I.P. card This invention relates to a universal financial product and enables to use it for managing money resources, e.g., sums being on a personal account. The housing of the pay card may be made of a precious or rare metal, bone, finewood; the elements of the features of a... | 07/15/2008 |
| 7398931 | Foldable transaction card A transaction card having one or more folds therein to provide a compact and easily stored transaction card is provided. Moreover, a foldable transaction card having one or more holes or apertures therein for holding a keychain, or other device for attaching the tra... | 07/15/2008 |
| 7397672 | Flip chip mounting substrate The present invention provides a flip chip mounting substrate which comprises an electronic circuit composed of a circuit line and plural mounting pads connected to both ends of the circuit line formed on one surface of a base sheet, wherein the plural mounting pads... | 07/08/2008 |
| 7384003 | Apparatus and methods for preventing engagement of stacked embossed cards An apparatus and methods for preventing engagement of stacked embossed cards is disclosed. The methods include the steps of embossing a sheet of cards in at least two unique embossment patterns, separating the cards from the sheet, and collating the cards using at l... | 06/10/2008 |
| 7383999 | ID document structure with pattern coating providing variable security features A security feature for an identification document and method for making it provide layers of security, including, for example, tamper evidence, optically variable effects, and personalized information that links the security information to the document and its beare... | 06/10/2008 |
| 7384000 | Durable plastic mini card and method for testing its durability A mini card has a size smaller than a card that conforms to established standards, and includes a hole for attachment to a key ring or other external device. Increased durability is provided by means of a substrate that includes a core made of PVC material, sandwich... | 06/10/2008 |
| 7385491 | Tamper monitor circuit A tamper monitor circuit detects voltage, temperature, and/or clock variations that may be associated with a circuit tampering technique, and triggers an appropriate tamper response. The tamper monitor circuit includes a reference oscillator, a detection oscillator,... | 06/10/2008 |
| 7377446 | IC card To provide an IC card, which secures satisfied flatness of the card surface to achieve good printing properties on the card surface. An IC card has a core layer which includes a plurality of sheet materials wherein inner core sheets adjacent to an IC module have thr... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7377443 | Transaction card The present invention relates to a process for producing an opaque, transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, ... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7370807 | Identity card and travel document An identity card that can be used, for example, in a travel document or as a separate card, includes at least two core layers, preferably of polycarbonate material, that are fused to one another. In each of the core layers there is a recess, each of a different size... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7370808 | Method and system for manufacturing radio frequency identification tag antennas A method and system for manufacturing radio frequency identification (RFID) tag antennas is described. A casting surface is provided having at least one raised antenna pattern extending therefrom. The casting surface is coated at least in an area other than the at l... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7371453 | Decorative sheet, molded article, and motor vehicle provided with the same A decorative sheet includes a base member, made of a resin material and having a first and a second principal surfaces opposite to each other, a decoration layer provided on the first principal surface of the base member and having a pattern area representing a pred... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7368033 | Security tag and system for fabricating a tag including an integrated surface processing system A method of fabricating a tag includes the steps of applying a first patterned adhesive to the surface of the substrate and applying a first electrically conductive foil to the first patterned adhesive. A portion of the first electrically conductive foil not adhered... | 05/06/2008 |