v Material spreader utilizing vehicle power and having operational wireless control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A material spreader assembly for the broadcast spreading of particulate material from the trailer hitch of a vehicle. A hopper for storing the particulate material is supported by a frame having a trailer hitch coupler for connection to the vehicle. A spreader including a spinner driven by an electric motor receives and disperses the particulate material. A control circuit receives electric current from the vehicle via a plug interface and a wiring harness and controls the operation of the spreader. A remote communicates user commands to the control circuit. The control circuit includes a motor control processor that controls a motor power relay and a motor driver to gradually ramp up the current supplied to the spreader for start up the spreader while preventing a high transient current draw spike. Component feedback sensors enable the motor control processor to provide an emergency shut off feature and warning signals. Full Article
v Fluid delivery system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of controlling a fluid delivery machine configured to deliver fluid on a worksite is disclosed. In the method, operation of a power source of the fluid delivery machine is controlled with a control module. Fluid delivery on the worksite is also controlled by the control module. Full Article
v Turbofan engine with variable area fan nozzle and low spool generator for emergency power generation and method for providing emergency power By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turbofan engine (10) employs a flow control device (41) that changes an effective exit nozzle area (40) associated with a bypass flow path (B) of the turbofan engine. A spool (14) couples a fan (20) to a generator (52). The turbofan emergency power system includes a controller (50) that communicates with the flow control device (41). Upon sensing an emergency condition, the controller manipulates the flow control device to reduce the effective nozzle exit area (40) of the bypass flow path, which chokes the flow through the bypass flow path thereby increasing the rotational speed of the fan. In this manner, the generator is driven at a higher rotational speed than if the flow through the bypass flow path was not choked, which enables a smaller generator to be utilized. Full Article
v Systems and methods for electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion system is presented. The system includes a wind passage allowing wind flow. Further, the system includes a reservoir having an opening in communication with the wind passage and configured to hold a liquid. The system also includes an agitator coupled to the reservoir and configured to convert the liquid into droplets. Additionally, the system includes a charging system disposed substantially opposite the reservoir opening and configured to deposit an electrostatic charge on the droplets and draw the droplets into the wind passage. Moreover, the system includes a charge collector disposed at a distal end of the wind passage and configured to collect the electrostatic charge from the droplets. Full Article
v Spray containment device and methods of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A spray containment device comprising: a threaded adapter, a conical body having a threaded aperture wherein the threaded aperture is adapted to cooperate with said threaded adapter, and (c) at least one threaded nut adapted to thread onto the threaded adapter above the conical body so as to secure the conical body to the threaded adapter. Also included is a sprayer device comprising a liquid container and a spray wand to which the spray containment device may be attached. The threaded adapter and nut system could be utilized to attach threads to other types of pipes, rods or similarly shaped pieces. Full Article
v Fluid level indicator in an airless fluid sprayer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure generally relates to systems and devices for spraying fluid materials such as paints, stains, and the like, and more specifically, but not by limitation, to a fluid level indicator for an airless fluid sprayer. In one example, an airless fluid sprayer is provided and includes a fluid container, a controller, and a fluid level indication module implemented by the controller to generate an indication of a level of fluid material in the fluid container. Full Article
v Attachment to improve transfer efficiency for a spraying device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An attachment to be employed with any spray device is disclosed. The attachment includes four vanes which are radially attached to an air hub with a central aperture, the central aperture adapted to receive the front portion of the spray device therethrough which when activated dispenses an atomizable substance in a pattern toward a workpiece. At the distal end of each of the four vanes, the vane is angled forward such that it generally points toward the workpiece. At the terminal end of each vane is a plurality of compressed air exit apertures. A compressed air source is attached to the air hub which guides the air through air conduits interiorly disposed within each of the vanes, where the compressed air is forced to exit each of the compressed air exit apertures forming an a second pattern which surrounds the atomizable substance pattern, and further boosts or pushes the atomizable substance onto the workpiece. The second pattern reduces overspray, bounce-back, and errant particles, and improves the transfer efficiency. Full Article
v Plumbing spout device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plumbing spout device which has a jet regulating device is provided, which is situated on an outflow side from an upstream attachment screen in a direction of flow. The jet regulating device is provided in the form of a perforated plate having at least a perforated field in at least a partial area thereof. The spout device has a mounting sleeve that supports the jet regulating device on an outflow side sleeve end area thereof, and the mounting sleeve is joined to the water spout of the plumbing spout fitment via a screwed, clip, detent, adhesive or welded connection. The spout device has a comparatively low installation height that does not significantly limit design possibilities when designing associated spout fitments. The spout device also makes it possible to achieve a high jet quality and a good jet pattern. Full Article
v Fuel injection device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a fuel injection device, a pressing surface of a pressing member presses an opening wall surface to interrupt communication between an inflow port and a pressure control chamber when communication between an outflow port and a return channel is made by a pressure control valve, and the pressing surface of the pressing member is displaced and separated from the opening wall surface to open the inflow port of the opening wall surface to the pressure control chamber when the communication between the outflow port and the return channel is interrupted by the pressure control valve. One of the pressing surface of the pressing member and the opening wall surface of the control body is provided with an inflow depressed portion and an outflow depressed portion partitioned from each other, and a depressed dimension of the inflow depressed portion is larger than a depressed dimension of the outflow depressed portion. Full Article
v Method and device for coating components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for spraying a coating and a cold gas spray nozzle is disclosed. The method includes spraying a coating by the cold gas spray nozzle. A rinsing gas is fed to the cold gas spray nozzle during an interruption of the spraying or at an end of the spraying. Deposits in the cold gas spray nozzle are cooled and detached by the rinsing gas. Full Article
v System and method for wireless irrigation utilizing a centralized control server and field module matrix By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention is a centralized server-based system containing a database with relevant information regarding features, parameters, and characteristics of a particular irrigation system, which utilizes proprietary irrigation software to control a plurality of field modules, at one or more remote locations, via a network bridge adapter. An irrigation system may comprise a single server, or multiple servers that may be configured so that control of the entire system is centralized, and control of one or multiple irrigation locations may be accomplished remotely by wirelessly accessing, monitoring and controlling a location's field module matrix. Full Article
v Banknote processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A banknote processing device includes a differentiating section that differentiates banknotes, a temporary holding section that temporarily stores the differentiated banknotes, banknote storage containers that store the banknotes, and a conveyance route that connects the differentiating section, the temporary holding section, and the banknote storage containers. The processing device is constructed so that when the banknotes stored in the temporary holding section are sent out and stored in the banknote storage containers based on differentiation results of the banknotes by the differentiating section, the banknotes are conveyed from the temporary holding section via the differentiating section, and are stored in any one of the banknote storage containers, or the banknotes are conveyed from the temporary holding section, via a route that does not go through the differentiating section, and are stored in a specific one of the banknote storage containers. Full Article
v Drawer device and medium transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A banknote deposit and withdrawal machine uses an interlock switch to detect whether or not a lower unit has been pulled out from a safe housing, uses a lock sensor to detect at least two states among a locked state, a half-locked state, and a pulled-out state, and uses a banknote control unit to distinguish between the three states of the locked state, the half-locked state, and the pulled-out state on the basis of the result of detection by the interlock switch and the result of detection by the lock sensor. Full Article
v Bills and/or card validator and storage apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to apparatus for the provision of receipt, validation and collection of banknotes or tickets which are input by a user, typically as payment for a service which has or is to be provided. The apparatus allow for the accurate location of the banknote or ticket as it passes through the apparatus and the accurate validation of the same. In one embodiment a printer assembly is provided which allows the apparatus to print tickets and to pass the same in the reverse direction to input banknotes or tickets, to be provided to the user as, for example a credit which can be cashed subsequently by the user. Full Article
v Device for handling notes of value, comprising two intermediate storage units for the intermediate storage of notes of value By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising a sensor unit (300) for detection of at least one feature of each note of value, and a control unit (28) which classifies the notes of value into accepted notes of value and sheet-shaped media to be returned, dependent on the feature to be detected by the sensor unit (300). A sorting gate (400) is arranged downstream the sensor unit (300), wherein the control unit (28) controls the sorting gate (400) to supply notes of value classified as accepted notes of value to a first intermediate storage (32), and notes of value classified as sheet-shaped media to be returned to a second intermediate storage (500). Full Article
v Device for handling notes of value, comprising a stack merging unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising two intermediate storages (32, 500) for intermediate storage of notes of value and a stack combining unit (802). The stack combining unit (802) combines a first stack formed by notes of value intermediately stored in the first intermediate storage (32) and a second stack formed by notes of value intermediately stored in the second intermediate storage (500) to a single combined stack. Full Article
v Device for handling value documents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising an input unit (20) for input of at least one note of value, and a transport unit (24, 26, 248, 302, 304) for transport of the note of value into a transport direction (P1) along a transport path (218). A control unit (28) determines the note of value type of the note of value dependent on an image comprising a representation of the input note of value that is captured by means of an image detection unit (306), and dependent on the note of value type determined controls at least one processing unit (400, 600) for further processing the note of value that is located downstream the image detection unit (306). Full Article
v Method for handling valuable documents having an aligning unit for aligning banknotes and checks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A device for handling notes of value including a transport unit for transport of the notes of value in a transport direction along a transport path, and an aligning unit for alignment of the notes of value. The device further includes a sensor arranged upstream of the aligning unit for determining at least one feature of the notes of value, and a control unit that controls the aligning unit such that the aligning unit aligns each note of value depending on the determined expression of the feature of the note of value in a preset first target alignment or at least in a preset second target alignment that is different from the first target alignment. Full Article
v Media processing device, check processing device, and method of controlling a media processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A compact media processing device enables recording on a process medium and then processing the process medium based on the result of recording. The media processing device conveys a process medium and processes the conveyed process medium by a first process unit disposed to the conveyance path, and an operation selection unit then determines the content of the next operation based on the result of the first process. After the next operation is determined, the conveyance control unit conveys the process medium upstream to or upstream of the process position of a second process unit. A process control unit then applies the selected operation to the process medium by the second process unit that is disposed downstream from the first process unit on the conveyance path of the process medium. Full Article
v Media processing device for accepting insertable media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A media processing device enables reading second media that do not bend easily from the device front with the same ease of use as processing first media that bend easily. The media processing device has a media conveyance path that guides first media inserted from a media insertion opening toward the back and then again toward the front on the front-back axis to the media exit. A straight conveyance path that angles to the inside on the device width axis is formed at a part connected to the media exit, and a second media insertion path that extends straight to the front from the straight conveyance path is connected to the media exit. Full Article
v Financial device, method of controlling the same, and medium processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided is a financial device, which comprises a medium entrance, a medium processing apparatus, and a control unit. A medium is deposited or withdrawn through the medium entrance. The medium processing apparatus processes the medium. The control unit controls the medium processing apparatus. The medium processing apparatus comprises a front guider, a rear guider behind the front guider, a pushing member pushing a medium disposed in a medium processing space, and a supporting guider supporting the medium in the medium processing space. The control unit controls an operation of the medium processing apparatus such that states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to deposit the medium are the same as states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to withdraw or return the medium. Full Article
v Device for processing banknote and method for detecting the conveyance of banknote By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The disclosure provides a method for detecting the conveyance status of a banknote, comprising; detecting whether the banknote reaches a first position in a banknote passage within a first predetermined time; detecting whether the banknote reaches a second position in the banknote passage within a second predetermined time when it is determined that the banknote has reached the first position (S14); determining whether the status of the banknote at the first position is changed from Banknote Detected to Banknote Undetected when it is determined that the banknote is withdrawn when it is determined that the status of the banknote at the first position has changed from Banknote Detected to Banknote Undetected (S18). This application can increase the possibility of the banknote processing device in detecting whether the banknote is withdrawn. Meanwhile, the disclosure provides a device for processing a banknote. Full Article
v Bezel assembly comprising biometric authentication for use with an automated transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device. Full Article
v Bezel assembly comprising image recognition for use with an automated transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device. Full Article
v Apparatus, method, and system for loading currency bills into a currency processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for feeding a plurality of stacked currency bills into a currency handling device. The apparatus may comprise an input receptacle being configured to receive a plurality of stacked currency bills, the receptacle having a first side and a second opposing side, a front end, and an opposing back end. The apparatus further may comprise a first paddle rail disposed adjacent the first side and a first paddle assembly slidably coupled to the first paddle rail, the first paddle assembly having a portion configured to contact a stack of a plurality of bills residing in the input receptacle. The apparatus further may comprise a first resilient member coupled to the first paddle assembly, the first resilient member being configured to bias the first paddle assembly towards the front end of the receptacle, the first resilient member being configured to cause the first paddle assembly to move in a direction toward the front end of the input receptacle at a first average rate of speed when unrestrained and undamped. The apparatus further may comprise a first damping mechanism configured to slow the unrestrained, average rate of speed the first paddle assembly from the first average rate of speed to a second average rate of speed which is less the first average rate of speed. Full Article
v Currency processing device, method and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is described. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills. Full Article
v Paper sheet handling device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a paper sheet handling device with which paper currency having an optimal property can be deposited and disbursed without reducing the number of denominations than can be handled, and without changing the higher-level system. This paper sheet handling device is equipped with: multiple cassettes provide respectively for each classification based on the value of a paper sheet, with each of the multiple cassettes having multiple housing units a storage unit that associates and stores a housing unit housing status, and a main control unit, which executes paper sheet deposit/disbursement processes on the basis of the housing unit housing status and the cassette housing status stored by the storage unit. Full Article
v Apparatus for setting price for multi-vending machine and method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are an apparatus for setting a price for a multi-vending machine and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a price setting unit for inputting a price setting function, selecting a price setting column and inputting price information about the selected column; a control unit for controlling a price display of the selected column when the column is selected and the price information is input through the price setting unit; and a price display unit for displaying prices of products exhibited in a column according to a price display control of the control unit. Full Article
v Bezel assembly for use with an automated transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device. Full Article
v Mobile communication device and method for identifying a counterfeit bill By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for identifying a counterfeit bill is provided. The apparatus includes a camera module configured to receive a captured IR image of a bill; a binary image generator configured to generate a binary image of the bill, based on the IR image; a distance value calculator configured to compare a predetermined area of the binary image with a predetermined area of a pre-stored real bill database corresponding to the predetermined area of the binary image; and a corrected image generator configured to generate a corrected image based on a result of the comparison. Full Article
v Voucher machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A voucher machine, particularly an automated teller machine, for the input and output of vouchers such as cash or checks, having a processing section (1) for transporting and processing vouchers to be input and output, is characterized in that the processing section (1) has two processing circuits (5, 6) for processing input vouchers which allows rapid output of vouchers identified as unsuitable for acceptance. Full Article
v Dual validator self-service kiosk By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods are provided for a dual validator self-service kiosk (“SSK”). The SSK may include a first validator. The first validator may examine a deposit inserted into the SSK. The SSK may include a second validator. The second validator may examine a tangible item before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The SSK may retract the tangible item if the tangible item in not collected by a customer. The second validator may examine the tangible item after being retracted by the SSK. The first validator may apply a first examination routine to the deposit. The second validator may apply a second examination routine before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The second validator may apply a third examination routine to a tangible item retracted by the SSK. Full Article
v Paper-type detection device and detection method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A paper-type detection device comprises a sensor unit, a storage unit and a control unit. The sensor unit is used for detecting a transmission state of a paper according to a fixed clock period, and carrying out binaryzation on detected signals to indicate the presence-absence state of the paper. The storage unit is used for acquiring the signals detected by the sensor unit, acquiring paper information in the signals, and storing the paper information in sequence. The control unit comprises a first state counter and a second state counter. The control unit controls the two state counters for carrying out zero clearing and starting operations for counting in conjunction with the sensor unit. Full Article
v Device for receiving coins By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Device for receiving coins improved in such a way that large amounts of coins can be received as well as separated reliably and quickly and such that the adverse influence of foreign matters introduced along with the coins on the coin separating function and/or on the performance of the coin separating unit may be reduced. The device includes an aperture for charging coins, a unit for separating coins and a feed unit for feeding coins which is provided with a guide face giving support to the coins during the feeding process and which is an active type feeder having a feed module (5) that is operable with the aid of an actuator means to feed coins toward the coin separating unit and that is designed such that the coins are transported toward the coin separating unit along said guide face. Full Article
v Currency bill processing device and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A currency bill processing system includes a transport mechanism that is configured to transport bills from an input receptacle along a transport path that extends generally horizontally past at least one detector. The transport path transitions generally-vertically upward between a first and a second output receptacle. The transport mechanism is configured to deliver some of the bills toward a first end of the system into the first output receptacle and some of the bills toward a second end of the system into the second output receptacle. The system provides access openings in a front side of the system that are proximate the first and the second output receptacles thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side. Full Article
v Medium storing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A temporary storage in a medium storing device carries out ON/OFF monitoring of a jam sensor between a winding start position of a drum and a clamp point of a delivering roller. Accordingly, when bills are rewound in the reset operation, even when a relationship between a pulse count and a bill position becomes different from actual one, it is possible to detect, without using a pulse count, a jam between the winding start position and the clamp point. It is possible to more securely detect the abnormality in bill storing in comparison with the prior art. Full Article
v Sensor device in a bank note processing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sensor device in a banknote processing machine comprising a transport device by means of which banknotes to be processed are transported past the sensor device, a cleaning device that cleans the sensor device or a transparent region of the sensor device, and a control device that controls the components of the banknote processing machine. The sensor device includes means for enlarging the spacing between the transport device and the sensor device. The control device controls the means and the cleaning device in such a way that the spacing between the transport device and the sensor device is enlarged by the means while the cleaning device cleans the sensor device. Full Article
v Medium storage and feeding device and medium processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A medium storage and feeding device and a medium processing device that may prevent occurrences of faults more reliably than the related art. A drum (21) is provided that winds up a banknote BL nipped by pairs of tapes (28L, 28R, 30L and 30R) together with the pairs of tapes. Torque limiters (25L, 25R, 27L and 27R) are separately provided at each of tape reels (24L, 24R, 26L and 26R). The torque limiters control torques between the tape reels and reel rotation axle shafts (22 and 23), such that tensions applied to the tapes between the tape reels (24L, 24R, 26L and 26R) and the drum (21) are constant. Thus, tensions on the tapes between the respective tape reels and the drum may be kept constant, banknote nipping stability may be improved, and occurrences of faults may be prevented more reliably than in the related art. Full Article
v Banknote handling device and passing unit used therein By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A banknote handling device includes a safe that protects banknotes (casing of a second unit), a first conveyance path externally provided to the safe, and a second conveyance path internally provided to the safe. The safe is provided with at least one opening portion through which the banknotes pass. A passing unit including a passing conveyance mechanism that passes a banknote between the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path and a left-behind sensor that detects a banknote that is left-behind, is detachably installed inside the opening portion of the safe. Full Article
v Banknote processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A currency note processing device has a deposit opening. A currency note recognition section recognizes unique information of a deposited currency. A currency note storage section accumulates the deposited currency notes. A transportation control section controls the transportation of the deposited currency note such that the currency note is transported directly to the currency note storage section, and when a return instruction for the deposited currency note is detected, controls the transportation of the deposited currency note from the currency note storage section to the currency note recognition section. A comparison section compares the unique information recognized at the time of the first transportation, from the deposit opening to the currency note recognition section, is compared to unique information recognized at the time of the second transportation, from the currency note storage section to the currency note recognition section. Full Article
v Self-service kiosk validator bridge By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods for a self-service kiosk (“SSK”) validator bridge are provided. The SSK may include a bridge linking a dispenser and a validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a tangible item from the validator to the dispenser. The validator may examine the tangible item prior to a dispensing of the tangible item to a SSK customer. The tangible item may be retracted by the dispenser. The bridge may transfer the tangible item from the dispenser to the validator. The SSK may include an acceptor. The bridge may link the acceptor to the validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a deposit from the acceptor to the validator. The validator may examine the deposit. Full Article
v Banknote processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A banknote processing device that stacks banknotes in a banknote storage section even when a jam occurs. The device has an insertion aperture, a verification section, the storage section and a controller. The aperture separates and feeds inserted banknotes. The verification section verifies the banknotes fed from the aperture. The banknotes are stacked in the storage section. The controller controls conveyance of the banknotes conveyed from the aperture to the verification section such that, depending on verification results, the banknotes are conveyed directly to the storage section. When a jam occurs during conveyance of the banknotes, the controller stops the separation and feeding of the banknotes from the aperture, and controls conveyance such that banknotes for which the storage section has been set as a conveyance destination by the verification section are conveyed directly to the storage section and banknotes for which no conveyance destination has been set are ejected. Full Article
v Top cover having a patterned gasket fixing region, disk drive apparatus, and method of manufacturing top cover By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A top cover for use in a disk drive apparatus includes a plate made of a metal and a gasket fixed to the plate. The gasket is made of an elastomer. A surface of the plate includes a fixing region to which the gasket is closely adhered. The fixing region includes a plurality of ridges and in plan view a plurality of filamentous projections extending from each of the plurality of ridges. The plurality of ridges are arranged in the fixing region to increase a surface area of the fixing region. The plurality of ridges and the plurality of filamentous projections extending from each ridge are distributed over the fixing region. Full Article
v Reductant delivery unit for automotive selective catalytic reduction with gasket anti-deposit shielding structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reductant delivery unit (10) includes a fluid injector (12) and a flange (20) coupled with the fluid injector. An exhaust boss (28) has a surface (39) defining a through-hole (40) that communicates with a vehicle's exhaust flow path. The flange is coupled to a mounting surface such that the outlet of the fluid injector communicates with the exhaust flow path so as to control injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. A gasket (32) is sandwiched between the flange and the mounting surface. The gasket has a surface (37) defining a through-hole (38) therein that communicates with the through-hole in the exhaust boss to permit the urea solution to pass from the fluid outlet to the exhaust flow path. Gasket shielding structure (44) covers the surface defining the through-hole in the gasket to prevent the urea solution from contacting the gasket. Full Article
v Seal assembly for a pressure plate in a blowout preventer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A seal assembly for sealing a pressure plate against an opening in a blowout preventer body has a seal groove formed in the pressure plate and a seal in the seal groove. The seal groove has a first groove portion adjacent to a sealing face of the blowout preventer, and a second groove portion extending past the sealing face into the opening of the blowout preventer body. The seal has a first seal portion in the first groove portion and a second seal portion in the second groove portion. Full Article
v Valve vented redundant stem seal system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A valve includes a stem seal assembly that prevent fluid flow in a first direction and vents in a second direction opposite the first direction. The assembly includes a packing assembly positioned within a valve stem opening of a valve body of the valve to seal a valve stem to the valve body. The packing assembly includes a first seal and a second seal preventing passage of fluid from a body cavity of the valve body to an exterior of the valve body along the valve stem while venting fluid from an exterior of the valve body to the body cavity along the valve stem. The packing assembly isolates the first seal and the second seal so that a load applied to the first seal ring is not transferred to the second seal ring. Full Article
v Low-friction seal ring with inexpensive diamond coating By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention refers to a seal ring for a mechanical seal, comprising: a base body (2) with a diamond layer (3) which is applied to the base body (2) and configured as a sliding surface, wherein the diamond layer (3) has a thickness (D) which is less than or equal to 4 μm, particularly less than or equal to 3 μm, particularly less than or equal to 2 μm, particularly preferably about 1 μm, and wherein the base body (2) is without fissures or only comprises fissures that have a maximum longitudinal extension (L) on a surface of the base body (2) or in the base body (2) that is less than or equal to 5 μm. Full Article
v Gasket and automotive component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gasket for use around a thread neck of an automotive component, the gasket dimensioned to prevent the gasket from falling off of the thread neck and to prevent a male screw portion from biting into the gasket. Full Article
v Apparatus and method for providing wellbore isolation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An actuatable wellbore isolation assembly comprising a housing generally defining an axial flowbore and comprising a mandrel portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, a radially expandable isolating member positioned circumferentially about a portion of the housing, a sliding sleeve circumferentially positioned about a portion of the mandrel of the cylindrical housing, the sliding sleeve being movable from, a first position in which the sliding sleeve retains the expandable isolating member in a narrower non-expanded conformation to a second position in which the sliding sleeve does not retain the expandable isolating member in the narrower non-expanded conformation, and an actuator assemblage configured to selectively allow movement of the sliding sleeve from the first position to the second position. Full Article
v Fiber reinforced elastomer anisotropic annular blowout preventer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A packer unit for an annular blowout preventer including an annular elastomer body including an elastomer having a unidirectional grain and a quantity of fiber longitudinally aligned with the grain of the elastomer. A method of forming a packing unit for a blowout preventer including forming a fiber reinforced elastomer by aligning fibers with a grain of an elastomer; cutting a portion from the fiber reinforced elastomer in the direction of the grain; loading the cut portion in a packing unit mold such that the grain of the fiber reinforced elastomer of the cut portion is parallel to a packing unit axis; and heating the loaded packing unit mold. Full Article