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 |
| 8100544 | LED backlight for display systems An LED backlight method for display systems comprising receiving a plurality of light emitting diodes categorized into a plurality of bins, wherein each bin references a separate range of white point colors, and determining an optimal order for mounting the pluralit... | 01/24/2012 |
| 7140742 | Surface-mount semiconductor lighting apparatus A lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting o... | 11/28/2006 |
| 7018080 | Shaped neon light spark plug connectors Shaped neon light spark plug connectors which include a continuous length of neon tubing fitted with electrodes at each end and configured to extend between and connect to the spark plug and coil of a motorcycle engine. The spark plug connectors are each characteriz... | 03/28/2006 |
| 6239884 | Scanner and method of controlling lighting cold-cathode tube thereof A scanner according to the present invention includes a cold-cathode tube for radiating light on a manuscript reading position where an image on a manuscript is detected by an image sensor, a pre-heater for preheating before the lighting of the cold-catho... | 05/29/2001 |
| 6106124 | Self-contained photo studio lighting apparatus A self-contained photography studio apparatus for photographing at least one subject comprising means to support and spatially orient the subject to be photographed, means for illuminating said subject so as to provide uniform illumination and substantial... | 08/22/2000 |
| 6024461 | Lamphead having multi-positional base and removably mountable reflector flashtube assembly The present invention discloses a lamphead having a multi-positional base and removably mountable reflector flashtube assembly. The lamphead base is configured to detachably mount to a flashtube assembly such that the flashtube assembly may be interchange... | 02/15/2000 |
| 5691766 | Video camera with vented light A video camera (31) has a built-in video light (32) for photography in the dark. The built-in video light (32) has heat dissipation holes (32f1) capable of opening and closing, and a heat dissipation control for controlling opening and closing of the heat... | 11/25/1997 |
| 5620319 | Photoflash lamp with optical element undergoing heat generated change from substantially uniform thickness to being thicker in the center, during flash ignition, to enhance light output by converging light rays A photoflash lamp comprising a lamp housing, a combustible material burning inside the lamp housing to produce a flash illumination, and ignition means for igniting the combustible material, is characterized by optical element means on the lamp housing fo... | 04/15/1997 |
| 5353211 | Light modifier A light modifier for illuminating a subject using a combined modeling/strobe light source as the light source. This light assembly is attached to an adjustable focusing mechanism enabling the light to be projected either as a spot or a flood. The light is... | 10/04/1994 |
| 5321595 | Double bulb mercury vapor lamp apparatus A two bulb mercury vapor lamp apparatus includes a housing with a bottom whose cross-section forms a curved "M" shape. A pair of reflectors are attached to the bottom of the housing with each reflector positioned in one-half of the "m". The reflectors dir... | 06/14/1994 |
| 5255116 | Original scanning apparatus The present invention provides an original scanning apparatus comprising, an original support plate on which an original is rested, a fixed point light source having a width smaller than that of the original support plate, a shiftable reflection member fo... | 10/19/1993 |
| 4732560 | Humidity protected radiation-responsive switch A multilamp photoflash unit responsive to either a high pulse potential source or a low voltage source includes normally open (N/O) switches having a composition which includes an admixture of silver carbonate and/or silver oxide, titanium dioxide and a b... | 03/22/1988 |
| 4661058 | Stabilized silver compound switch A multilamp photoflash array responsive to either a relatively high or relatively low pulse potential includes normally open (N/O) switches formed from an admixture including silver carbonate and/or silver oxide, titanium dioxide, a blended binder and a s... | 04/28/1987 |
| 4659307 | Aluminum hydroxide stabilized switch A multilamp photoflash array responsive to either a relatively high or relatively low pulse potential includes normally open (N/O) switches formed from an admixture including sliver carbonate and/or silver oxide, titanium dioxide, a blender binder and alu... | 04/21/1987 |
| 4553928 | Switching device for photoflash unit An improved multiple flashlamp array is disclosed having a plurality of low voltage type lamps fired individually and in sequence by means of a plurality of static solid switching devices capable of reliable actuation by radiant energy generated during fl... | 11/19/1985 |
| 4487574 | Switching device for photoflash unit A multiple flashlamp array is disclosed having a plurality of lamps fired individually and in sequence by means of a plurality of static solid switching devices capable of reliable actuation by radiant energy generated during flashing of the lamps. Initia... | 12/11/1984 |
| 4478571 | Photoflash array humidity protected switches A moisture barrier for radiation-responsive switches which includes an admixture of particles and forms a part of a multilamp photoflash array comprises a thin, radiation-transparent and/or translucent coating which is absorbed into the switches and envel... | 10/23/1984 |
| 4473865 | Stationary light source electrophotographic copier A stationary light source electrophotographic copier wherein collimated light from the source is directed to a scanner having upper and lower document illuminating reflectors comprising thin members of negligible mass maintained under tension. The lower r... | 09/25/1984 |
| 4435156 | Subminiature array with normally closed and normally open switches A miniaturized multilamp photoflash array having a plurality of flashlamps affixed to a printed circuit on the inner surface of a circuit board with a continuous strip of switching material forming a plurality of normally closed (N/C) switches coupling th... | 03/06/1984 |
| 4427369 | Switch paste with silver-coated metal beads A photoflash unit in the form of a multilamp photoflash array has at least one normally open (N/O) radiation-responsive switch which includes an admixture containing silver-coated metal particles.... | 01/24/1984 |
| 4424020 | Miniature photoflash unit using subminiature flash lamps An electrically-activated, miniature photoflash unit which includes a plurality (e.g., ten) of subminiature high voltage flash lamps arranged in a planar array. A singular mounting tab protrudes from the unit's housing and serves to connect the entire arr... | 01/03/1984 |
| 4382774 | Spark gap switch A flashlamp unit for individual and sequential firing of flashlamps includes a pair of flashlamps connected in an electrical circuit with a radiation-responsive N/O arc gap switch in series connection with one of said pair of flashlamps and including an a... | 05/10/1983 |
| 4379690 | Photoflash switching array and fabrication utilizing silver-oxide coated solids A sequentially operable multilamp photoflash array includes a plurality of radiation-responsive normally open (N/O) connect type switches which are prepared from a composition which includes a filler material, a binder, silver coated particulate solids an... | 04/12/1983 |
| 4336570 | Radiation switch for photoflash unit A photoflash unit having a plurality of flashlamps mounted on a printed circuit board containing circuitry for sequentially igniting the flashlamps in response to successive firing pulses applied thereto. The circuitry includes a plurality of solid-state ... | 06/22/1982 |
| 4334856 | Photoflash array with selective pairing of lamps A photoflash lamp array having a plurality of 2n flashlamps, a common terminal connected to one lead-in wire of each of the lamps, and a plurality of n selective terminal means, each associated with a respective pair of the lamps and directly connected to... | 06/15/1982 |
| 4324543 | Photoflash array with selective pairing of lamps and switching of common circuit A photoflash lamp array having a plurality of 2n flashlamps, a plurality of n selective terminal means, each associated with a respective pair of the lamps and connected to one lead-in wire of each of the lamps of the associated pair, and a common termina... | 04/13/1982 |
| 4281363 | Multilamp photoflash unit with reflective-protective circuit board element A photoflash unit comprising a linear array of photoflash lamps mounted on a printed circuit board disposed within the longitudinal channel of an elongated housing member having an enclosing cover panel of light-transmitting material. The housing channel ... | 07/28/1981 |
| 4257764 | Flash lamp array with improved switch mounting A flash lamp array is disclosed having a plurality of flash lamps connected to sequencing circuitry on a circuit board. A plurality of solid-state thermally activated switches, having predetermined composition and physical characteristics and predetermine... | 03/24/1981 |
| 4183075 | Illumination system for photographic enlargers Illumination system for photographic enlargers having a chamber mounted between the lamp and the negative aperture and consisting of heat-insulating, non-staining material of high light reflective and scattering power. In addition to the light entry and e... | 01/08/1980 |
| 4182607 | Photoflash lamp unit utilizing radiation and voltage responsive switch devices A photoflash lamp unit is described having a plurality of flash lamps fired individually and in sequence to include a plurality of switching devices each connected in the electrical circuit so as to interrupt the circuit path to a lamp that is flashed in ... | 01/08/1980 |
| 4158493 | Flash lamp assembly having heat-responsive indexing members An elongated flash lamp assembly which is sequentially advanced through a camera to permit each of the lamps within the assembly to become aligned with the camera's fixed reflector. Several heat-responsive (e.g. fusible) covers are located on the assembly... | 06/19/1979 |
| 4148093 | Flash array A flash array has at least two combustion flash lamps and an indicator which indicates whether a lamp has or has not flashed. The indicator consists mainly of a melting strip which is constructed as a radiation-sensitive switch contact and which is part o... | 04/03/1979 |
| 4143964 | Scanning light source A curved reflector is disposed behind an elongated lamp for reflecting light from the lamp onto a document carrier in the form of a narrow elongated beam. The carrier is movable perpendicular to the beam for scanning a document placed on the carrier. One ... | 03/13/1979 |
| 4135227 | Leadless electric flash lamp assembly A flash lamp assembly for use with a camera and the power source associated therewith. The assembly includes several leadless, capacitively-ignited flash lamps retained within a longitudinal, light-transmitting housing and activated by the passage of elec... | 01/16/1979 |
| 4133631 | Photoflash lamp array circuit board having radiation sensitive fuse elements Fuse elements are used with a circuit board to provide more reliable sequential firing in a flash lamp array. The circuit board includes the lamp firing circuitry along with radiation switches connected in said circuitry and the fuse elements cooperate wi... | 01/09/1979 |
| 4133630 | Combustion flashlight lamp Combustion flashlight lamps for high-voltage ignition, in which two current conductors in the lamp envelope debouch on the surface of an insulating member, have an ignition mass which is provided on the surface of the insulating member and connects the cu... | 01/09/1979 |
| 4118758 | Photoflash lamp array having high voltage shorting type flash lamps and radiation sensitive switching elements Radiation sensitive switches which undergo thermal decomposition to physically interrupt the circuit path when activated are operatively associated with a plurality of high voltage flash lamps utilizing a shorting primer material to provide an electrical ... | 10/03/1978 |
| 4104705 | Photoflash lamp array having shielded switching circuit A flash lamp array having a plurality of flash lamps positioned over a side of a circuit board having thereon circuitry for sequentially flashing the lamps. A metal shield, in the form of a sheet of metal foil or foil-covered paper, is positioned adjacent... | 08/01/1978 |
| 4098552 | Copying machine A copying apparatus with a reciprocating platen is disclosed having an improved illumination system. The system includes a regulator that maintains an illumination source at an optimum value by turning the illumination source on during forward scan of the... | 07/04/1978 |
| 4087233 | Radiation switch for photoflash unit A photoflash unit having a plurality of high voltage type flashlamps mounted in a planar array on a printed circuit board containing circuitry for sequentially igniting the flash lamps in response to successive high voltage firing pulses applied thereto. ... | 05/02/1978 |
