| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080238683 | ANTENNA FOR RFID DEVICE READER, AND METHOD OF USE - An antenna for use with an RFID device reader includes a metallic plate and multiple antenna elements attached to the metallic plate. The antenna elements may consist of two prongs each, with the prongs of each element arrayed in a diagonal configuration, and with the two prongs forming an X-shape. Each of the prongs may include a pair of L-shape prong parts that are coupled together by an electrical element connecting the corners of the L-shape prong parts. The distal ends of all of the prong parts of the antenna elements may together form a substantially square shape. Each of the antenna elements may be coupled to a single conductor, for connection to an RFID reader. The connection may be through a suitable standard coupling, such as a coaxial cable with a suitable connector. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20090153334 | Radio Frequency Sealing Apparatus for a Container - An RF security apparatus includes a covering membrane for overlying at least a portion of an opening in the container. The covering membrane has a sealing portion configured to be bonded to a mouth of the opening. An RF security device is coupled to the covering membrane. The RF security device is configured to emit a predetermined RF signal in response to an RF interrogation signal. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20100025309 | DELIVERY POINT SEQUENCING MAIL SORTING SYSTEM WITH FLAT MAIL CAPABILITY - A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The system or method automatically sorts and conveys trays containing sorted articles from a discharge of at least one sorting assembly to an induct of the at least one sorting assembly. The conveying assembly may have a generally continuous conveying track and is operable to automatically provide the trays to the induct of the at least one sorting assembly in a sequenced manner. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20110253715 | CONTAINER SEAL WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAG, AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A container closure assembly includes a closure, an inner seal, and a radio frequency identification tag. The inner seal includes a first surface for engaging a container sealing surface, and a second, opposed surface for engaging one of a backing liner, a facing liner, an induction seal liner, and a glued-in closure liner. The radio frequency identification tag includes a microprocessor electrically coupleable with an antenna for receiving, storing, and transmitting digitized information. The inner seal can minimize migration of fluids between a container interior volume and an exterior of a container when the inner seal is engaged with a container sealing surface. The radio frequency identification tag can be included in the closure assembly within a container interior volume or external to a container, or can be incorporated into the inner seal, without the closure assembly electromagnetically interfering with the receiving, storing, or transmitting of the digitized information. | 10-20-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20120125139 | STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPE LOCK - A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of column teeth operably connected to the steering column and an adjustment lever operably connected to the steering column to allow user adjustment of a position of the steering column. A locking bolt extends from the adjustment lever, and a cam is located at the locking bolt and rotatable thereon. The cam includes one or more tab features interactive with the locking bolt such that rotation of the locking bolt engages the tab features with the locking bolt to drive rotation of the cam between a locked and unlocked position. The tab further includes a plurality of cam teeth meshable with the plurality of column teeth when the cam is in a locked position. A spring is operably connected to the cam to maintain the cam position in the locked and/or unlocked position when the cam is rotated thereto. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125140 | TELESCOPE POSITIVE LOCK FOR STEERING COLUMN - A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of strap teeth located at an upper jacket of the steering column, each strap tooth of the plurality of strap teeth having a strap tooth peak. A plurality of lock teeth are located at a lower jacket of the steering column. The plurality of locking teeth are rotatably secured at the lower jacket, such that when the plurality of locking teeth are rotated into an engaged position with the plurality of strap teeth, a plurality of lock teeth peaks are substantially non-parallel to the strap tooth peaks of the plurality of strap teeth. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120126521 | INTEGRATED TOOTH RAKE LOCK FOR STEERING COLUMN - A steering column assembly includes a rake bracket, a steering column pivotably attached to the rake bracket and a rake lock mechanism. The rake lock mechanism includes a plurality of rake teeth located at the rake bracket and a plurality of jacket teeth engageable with the plurality of rake teeth and located at the steering column at a teeth distance from the plurality of rake teeth. A retainer is insertable through the rake bracket and into the steering column to maintain the teeth distance. When a predetermined force is applied to the steering column, a portion of the retainer is detached to allow the plurality of jacket teeth to approach the plurality of rake teeth and engage therewith. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120126522 | STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPE ADJUSTMENT STOP - A steering column assembly includes a rake bracket and a lower jacket secured to the rake bracket. An upper jacket is slidably disposed in the lower jacket and a locking bolt is rotatably located at the lower jacket configured to allow the upper jacket allow the translate along a steering column axis relative to the lower jacket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position. A bolt driver is located at the locking bolt and is configured to interrupt a load path through a column retainer between the lower jacket and the rake bracket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position. | 05-24-2012 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20100055394 | RECONFIGURABLE MICROACTUATOR AND METHOD OF CONFIGURING SAME - A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100258211 | MODULAR MICROFLUIDIC ASSEMBLY BLOCK AND SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A modular microfluidic system comprising a base substrate, a plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks, and an adhesive component is provided. Each individual microfluidic assembly block defines a channel and has a sidewall defining an aperture into the channel. When the plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks are arranged on the base substrate, the aperture into the channel of one microfluidic assembly block aligns with the aperture of another microfluidic assembly block with the channels thereof connected along a plane parallel to the base substrate thereby forming a channel network defined by the plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks. The subject invention also provides a method of assembling a microfluidic device. The method comprising the steps of providing the base substrate, providing the plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks, and arranging the plurality of microfluidic assembly blocks on the base substrate. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20110277848 | Acoustical Fluid Control Mechanism - An acoustical fluid control mechanism and a method of controlling fluid flow of a working fluid with the acoustical fluid control mechanism are provided. The mechanism comprises a resonance chamber that defines a cavity. The resonance chamber has a port. The cavity is sealed from the ambient but for the port for enabling oscillatory flow of a working fluid into and out of the cavity upon exposure of the resonance chamber to an acoustic signal containing a tone at a frequency that is substantially similar to a particular resonance frequency of the resonance chamber. The mechanism further includes a rectifier for introducing directional bias to the oscillatory flow of the working fluid through the port. The rectifier has an inlet connected to the port and an outlet for transmitting the directional flow of the working fluid away from the cavity. The outlet is in fluid communication with the port of the resonance chamber at least during transmission of the directional flow of the working fluid therethrough. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20120077231 | Thermal Microvalves - The movement and mixing of microdroplets through microchannels is described employing silicon-based microscale devices, comprising microdroplet transport channels, reaction regions, electrophoresis modules, and radiation detectors. The discrete droplets are differentially heated and propelled through etched channels. Electronic components are fabricated on the same substrate material, allowing sensors and controlling circuitry to be incorporated in the same device. | 03-29-2012 |