| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20090106115 | E-Coupon Settlement and Clearing Process - A system that automates the clearing and settlement of electronic coupons (E-Coupons) by leveraging existing technologies and enabling E-Coupon redemption at any merchant having electronic funds transfer (EFT) capabilities, such as credit/debit card acceptance. The system reduces opportunities for fraud, reduces or eliminates the need for manual clearinghouse counting and sorting of coupons, and provides an electronic audit trail for coupon redemption, tying a specific purchase to a specific coupon. After registering and selecting coupons, consumers then use an E-Coupon card or account access device at a merchant's point-of-sale (POS) terminal. E-Coupon values are deducted from the consumer's final amount due. Both consumer package goods manufacturers (CPGs) and merchants may be charged a fee. Expired coupons are automatically removed from the account and their value refunded to the CPGs. Reports on redeemed coupons and consumer profiles can be generated and provided to CPGs or merchants. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20110106570 | HEALTHCARE ELIGIBILITY TRANSACTIONS - Methods and systems permit registration of a service provider and permit eligibility information to be provided to the service provider. Registration information is received over a financial network from a point-of-sale terminal. The registration information has an identifier associated with the point-of-sale terminal and an identification of the service provider. The identifier is associated with information identifying a device disposed at a location of the service provider in a database, permitting a communication path to the device to be established. A confirmation of registration of the point-of-sale terminal is transmitted to the device over the communication path. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110173083 | Account Control Method and System that Allows Only Eligible and Authorized Items to be Purchased Using the Account - The present invention relates to a real time account control method and system that allows only eligible and authorized items to be purchased using the account. The present invention relates particularly to healthcare spending accounts such as flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements. The method can comprise the steps of: establishing at least one account, each account having an account holder; identifying at least one item eligible for purchase using one of the accounts; identifying at least one item authorized for purchase using one of the accounts; and, upon request to purchase an item using one of the accounts, authorizing the purchase for an amount not to exceed an available balance in that account only if the item is both an item identified as eligible for purchase and an item authorized for purchase. | 07-14-2011 |
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| 20100051116 | PILOTED FUEL TANK VAPOR ISOLATION VALVE - A vapor isolation valve includes a first chamber in fluid communication with a fuel tank and a second chamber disposed with respect to the first chamber. A diaphragm is disposed between the first and second chambers, has an orifice allowing fluid communication therebetween, and is moveable between a diaphragm open position and a diaphragm closed position. A third chamber is disposed adjacent the first chamber, relative to the diaphragm, and is in fluid communication with an exit passage. The diaphragm open position allows fluid communication between the first and third chambers, and the diaphragm closed position substantially restricts fluid communication therebetween. A pilot valve is disposed between the second and third chambers and is selectively moveable between a pilot open position configured to allow fluid communication between the second and third chambers and a pilot closed position configured to block fluid communication therebetween. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100065153 | OVERFILL PREVENTION CONTROL FOR FLUID STORAGE CONTAINER - An overfill prevention device is provided for preventing overflow of a fluid storage tank. The overfill prevention device includes a filler cup designed to fit within the fill opening of the tank body and attach thereto. A seal that is adapted for receiving and sealing to a fill nozzle is placed between upper and lower regions of the filler cup. A breather piece, which defines a vapor path with first and second openings, is integrated with the filler cup. The first opening of the breather piece is fluidly coupled to the lower cup region, whereas the second opening is positioned above the first opening, located at or below the full level of the storage tank. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20110005210 | TANK ASSEMBLY - A tank assembly ( | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110120591 | VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR A FUEL RECIRCULATION LINE - A fuel system includes a fuel tank, a fill head, a vapor canister, and a valve assembly. The fill head is in fluid communication with the fuel tank. Fluid flows from the fill head to the fuel tank. The vapor canister is configured for absorbing vapor therein. A recirculation line is configured to fluidly extend between the fuel tank and the fill head. A vapor line is configured to fluidly extend between the fuel tank and the vapor canister. The valve assembly is operatively disposed along the vapor line or the recirculation line. The valve assembly includes a filter having a membrane formed from a micro-porous element that is fluid impermeable and vapor permeable. Fluid is prevented from flowing through the membrane and into the vapor canister while allowing vapor to flow through the membrane and into the vapor canister. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110192844 | FILL HEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING MEMBRANE FOR PROTECTING RECIRCULATION LINE - A fill head assembly for a fuel storage system includes a check valve disposed within a central region of the fill head assembly. The check valve includes a membrane covering a vent outlet of the fill head assembly. The check valve prevents liquid flow from the central region into the vent outlet, while simultaneously allowing vapor flow from the central region into the vent outlet. The membrane includes a micro-porous material that is liquid impermeable, thereby preventing liquid flow through the membrane, and is vapor permeable, thereby allowing vapor flow through the membrane. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20120012583 | OVERFILL PREVENTION CONTROL FOR FLUID STORAGE CONTAINER - An overfill prevention device is provided for preventing overflow of a fluid storage tank. The overfill prevention device includes a filler cup designed to fit within the fill opening of the tank body and attach thereto. A seal that is adapted for receiving and sealing to a fill nozzle is placed between upper and lower regions of the filler cup. A breather piece, which defines a vapor path with first and second openings, is integrated with the filler cup. The first opening of the breather piece is fluidly coupled to the lower cup region, whereas the second opening is positioned above the first opening, located at or below the full level of the storage tank. | 01-19-2012 |
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| 20100236640 | LIQUID DISCRIMINATING FUEL VENT VALVE - A valve assembly for a fuel tank includes a housing. A membrane supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a vapor passage defined by the housing. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A flow control feature is supported by the housing to assist in controlling flow of a vapor through the membrane and the vapor passage. The flow control feature assists in controlling flow by one of shielding liquid from the membrane and providing variable flow through the vapor passage. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100294379 | PORTABLE FUEL CONTAINER EMISSIONS CONTROL - An emissions device for use with a portable fuel container assembly is provided. The emissions device includes an emissions housing configured to be mounted to the portable fuel container. The emissions housing defines at least one device opening. A membrane is supported by the emissions housing and allows the passage of the vapor and prevents the passage of a liquid. An emissions filter is also located within the emissions housing and is located such that vapor exiting through the device opening must pass the emissions filter. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100319789 | SMALL ENGINE EMISSIONS CONTROL VALVE - A valve assembly for a fuel tank for a small engine includes a housing. A membrane is supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a housing opening. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and into the housing cavity and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A pressure relief valve is supported by the housing to control flow of a vapor through the housing cavity. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110088662 | METHOD OF PACKAGING A MEMBRANE FOR USE IN A VENTING VALVE - A venting valve comprises a cover including a flow path in fluid communication with an evaporative emissions system and a liquid discriminating and vapor permeable membrane connected to the cover. At least a portion of the outer surface of the membrane comprises a plurality of alternating curved crests and valleys. In other embodiments, the membrane comprises a first and second layer defining a gap therebetween, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is spirally wound. In other embodiments, the venting valve includes at least one protrusion configured to support and shape the membrane, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is curved. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110168715 | FUEL CAP WITH EMISSIONS PROTECTION - A fuel tank cap for use with a fuel storage tank includes: a vapor storage receptacle; a purge path in fluid communication with the vapor storage receptacle; and a liquid discriminating membrane configured to be disposed at least in part between the vapor storage receptacle and fuel in the fuel storage tank. A fuel storage system includes: a fuel storage tank; a fill inlet connected to the fuel storage tank; and a fuel tank cap. The fuel tank cap includes: a vapor storage receptacle; a purge path in fluid communication with the vapor storage receptacle; and a liquid discriminating membrane configured to be disposed at least in part between the vapor storage receptacle and fuel in the fuel tank. | 07-14-2011 |
