Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120248150 | SOAP DISPENSING UNITS WITH ANTI-DRIP VALVE - A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, and nozzle. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a bypass passage, which can facilitate priming of the pump. In certain embodiments, the dispenser is configured to inhibit or avoid the formation of an air bubble that could obstruct the liquid soap from entering the pump. In some embodiments, the pump includes engaging gears, which can include a plurality of teeth with substantially pointed tips. In certain embodiments, the nozzle comprises a one-way valve, such as a duckbill valve. Some embodiments of the one-way valve are shaped or otherwise configured to provide certain biases to the valve, which can, for example, facilitate rapid opening and closing of the valve. | 10-04-2012 |
20130200097 | LIQUID DISPENSING UNITS - A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid. | 08-08-2013 |
20130233857 | TRASH CAN WITH CLUTCHING AND LINER RETENTION FEATURES - Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recycleable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235607 | VANITY MIRROR - A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror. Certain embodiments of the mirror include an algorithm to adjust light based on the position of a user relative to the mirror, the level of ambient light, and/or the activation of different light modes. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235610 | VANITY MIRROR - A minor assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror. Certain embodiments of the minor include an algorithm to adjust light based on the position of a user relative to the mirror, the level of ambient light, and/or the activation of different light modes. | 09-12-2013 |
20140246434 | TRASH CAN - A trash can with a lid can include a lock for the lid. The lock can include a latch that cooperates with the trash container body to lock the lid over the opening of the body. The latch can be configured to slide with respect to the edge of the opening of the body from an unlocked position to a locked position. This latch can be integrated into, built into or self contained in the lid. The trash can can also include a pedal actuator for opening the lid. The trash can can also include a damping mechanism mounted to the body of the trash can with a mounting plate. The mounting plate can be made from a material that is harder than the material used for the body of the trash can. Additionally, the trash can can have wheels. | 09-04-2014 |
20140263394 | ELECTRONIC ARTICLE DISPENSER - An automatic sensing article/toothpick dispenser with sanitizing capability. The dispenser is configured to store a plurality of toothpicks in a hygienic storage compartment specifically designed to prevent contaminants from entering the storage compartment. The dispenser is further configured to automatically dispense the toothpicks individually in an unwrapped, ready-to-use configuration, wherein the dispenser is configured and adapted to mitigate contact between the user and the dispenser so as to reduce the likelihood that contaminants may be transferred from the user to the dispenser. | 09-18-2014 |
20150060431 | ANTI-FOGGING MIRRORS AND METHODS - A mirror assembly can include a mirror secured to a housing portion. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly can include a heating element disposed between the housing portion and the mirror. The heating element can heat a surface of the mirror to a pre-determined temperature, preferably above the dew point. | 03-05-2015 |
20150238053 | LIQUID DISPENSING UNITS - A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid. | 08-27-2015 |
20150257533 | SHELVING SYSTEM - Various embodiments of shelving systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, the shelving system can include an elongated support member and a plurality of shelves. In certain embodiments, the one or more of the shelves has an accessory. In various embodiments, the accessory has a deployable divider and/or an expandable bottom. Certain embodiments of the shelving system include an attachment mechanism configured to couple a lower portion of the support member to a stationary objection, such as a wall. | 09-17-2015 |
20150257534 | SHELVING SYSTEM WITH OBSCURABLE SHELVING - Various shelving systems, such as shower caddies, are disclosed. In some embodiments, a shower caddy includes an elongate support member and a plurality of shelves, each of which can be supported by a clamping mechanism. The support member can have a telescoping configuration so that upper and lower ends of the support member can be pressed against upper and lower stationary objects. The shelving system can include a shroud configured to conceal, block, or surround a portion of a shelf in a closed position and allow access to the portion of the shelf in the open position. | 09-17-2015 |
20150259139 | TRASH CAN ASSEMBLY - Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly can include a lid, and a multicomponent trim ring. The lid assembly can be rotatably connected with the body via a hinge unit. In certain embodiments, a flange of the trim ring is guided into and/or received into the hinge unit. A translating pin of the hinge unit can engage into the flange, thereby providing a rotatable connection between the trim ring and the body. In various embodiments, the translating pin is coupled with a handle to facilitate movement of the pin by a user during engagement of the trim ring and the hinge unit. A positioner can help to position the trash can against or adjacent to a wall or other structure. The movement of both the trim ring and the lid can be dampened. | 09-17-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090043653 | INTEGRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CREDIT MECHANISMS INTO MUNICIPAL DEBT - Computer-implemented methods of facilitating the reduction of environmental pollutants are described. The methods include selling a debt instrument to a purchaser, investing proceeds from the sale of the debt instrument in activities that generate tradable environmental or energy credits, and repaying the purchaser in whole or in part with funds produced by sale of the environmental or energy credits. Methods of enhancing the viability of debt instruments in financing environmental improvements are also described. The methods include issuing a debt instrument to a purchaser, investing proceeds from the sale of the debt instrument in activities that generate tradable environmental or energy credits, providing a guarantee that the purchaser will be repaid, and repaying the purchaser. | 02-12-2009 |
20090083176 | METHODS FOR ALLOCATING RISKS OF FUTURE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS - Computer-implemented methods for allocating risks from major developments are described. The methods include identifying one or more future major developments with economic impact; identifying a parameter to indicate that each of the developments has or has not occurred; creating a contractual instrument that is based on the occurrence or non-occurrence of the one or more major developments; and trading the instrument. A contractual instrument based upon on an occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more major developments in electronic form and tradable in the methods is also described. | 03-26-2009 |
20100023442 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND MEDIA FOR TRADING OF EVENT-LINKED DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - A derivative financial instrument is created which facilitates the reallocation of a risk caused by the occurrence of an event or condition. For example, a system, method, and media are directed to allocating risks of water shortages. A computer-readable financial instrument is established based on a water availability score that is calculated from one or more types of hydrological factors, a settlement value function, and a settlement date. The financial instrument is configured to transfer, on the settlement date, a cash or physical commodity amount to a buyer or seller of the instrument as determined by the contract specification if the score is zero, or a positive or negative number or within a specified range of positive or negative values. | 01-28-2010 |
20100250311 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING ACCURATE AMOUNT OF TOTAL EMISSIONS - A computer-implemented method for determining an accurate amount of total emissions or other attributes of an internal entity within a regulated jurisdiction for a specified time period that includes calculating an amount of emissions or other attributes produced by the internal entity for the specified time period; calculating an amount of emissions or other attributes associated with purchases from other entities for the specified time period; and combining the calculated amounts of emissions or other attributes to yield an amount of total emissions or attributes of the internal entity for the specified time period. | 09-30-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100010926 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND INSTRUMENT FOR MANAGING MARGIN REQUIREMENTS - A method, media and system are directed to allocating a market risk for a trading participant. A computer-readable financial instrument is established based on a tradable commodity that is subject to an external risk or based on an event trigger for an anticipated environmental event that may cause harm to a geographic region; a health care risk for a geographic region, or a risk of enactment of a public policy that causes an economic impact to a geographic region. The instrument is traded between trading participants and a margin requirement for an account of at least one of the trading participants is determined based on an risk score for the instrument. Periodically, a change in the risk score is determined and the margin requirement is adjusted based on the change in the risk score. | 01-14-2010 |
20100332275 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND MEDIA FOR TRADING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY - A method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting more efficient energy use, by establishing a measure of efficiency, defined as a ratio of a measure of energy use to a measure of production; establishing a reduction schedule that sets limits on the energy efficiency ratio, with the schedule covering a series of compliance time periods and requiring efficient energy use during those time periods; establishing a transferable credit representing an amount of energy and establishing a tradable financial instrument representing a number of energy efficiency credits; issuing a plurality of energy efficiency credits to the entities; establishing a trading system to facilitate the sale and purchase of the financial instruments; and requiring entities to comply with the reduction schedule by making operational improvements or acquiring and surrendering credits to thus increase the efficiency of energy use in turn reducing greenhouse gas emissions. | 12-30-2010 |
20120271746 | AUTOMATE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING TRADEABLE HEDGE FUND INDICIES - An automated method and system for creating tradable hedge fund indices. One or more sets of hedge fund trading information is obtained on a application on a target device. The application creates one or more sets of tradable indices representing hedge fund performance from the received one or more sets of hedge fund trading information. The application displays the created one or more sets of tradable hedge fund indices in one more windows on a multi-windowed graphical user interface (GUI) The one or more sets of tradable hedge fund indices include, but are not limited to, equal weighted, asset weighted and/or aggregated hybrid tradable indices. | 10-25-2012 |
20120303511 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING MARKET ESTIMATES WITH MARKET BASED MEASURES - A method and system for determining market estimates with market based measures. Market estimates for a set of time periods are received from plural qualified institutions that have agreed to a pre-determined set of regulations to participate in establishing, conducting business and processing transactions based on calculated market term estimates. A set of market term estimates (e.g., LIBOR, interest rates, etc.) is calculated in real-time for each time period in the set of time periods. The calculated set of market term estimates is sent to qualified institutions. The qualified institutions are required to conduct business and make transactions based on the calculated set of market term estimates. The calculated set of market term estimates is created and used on both cloud communication networks and non-cloud communications networks. | 11-29-2012 |
20130132304 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE INSTRUMENTS (SPI) - A method and system for designing and providing sustainable performance instruments. A new type of financial instruments called Sustainable Performance Instruments (SPI) provides investors with returns tied to the actual performance outcomes or impacts from a sustainable social or environments program or other policy interventions. The SPI incentivize investors with higher returns and/or borrowers with lower rates based on a scale on social and/or environmental and/or other objectives. The SPI are a new way to fund innovative projects in public and private sectors that may not be able to find financing or funding using conventional mechanisms. The SPI hold executors of the project or program accountable by directly tying financial returns and other benefits to actual measurable performance benchmarks or observable impacts. | 05-23-2013 |
20130173350 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND MEDIA FOR TRADING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY - A method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting more efficient energy use, by establishing a measure of efficiency, defined as a ratio of a measure of energy use to a measure of production; establishing a reduction schedule that sets limits on the energy efficiency ratio, with the schedule covering a series of compliance time periods and requiring efficient energy use during those time periods; establishing a transferable credit representing an amount of energy and establishing a tradable financial instrument representing a number of energy efficiency credits; issuing a plurality of energy efficiency credits to the entities; establishing a trading system to facilitate the sale and purchase of the financial instruments; and requiring entities to comply with the reduction schedule by making operational improvements or acquiring and surrendering credits to thus increase the efficiency of energy use in turn reducing greenhouse gas emissions. | 07-04-2013 |