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A straw assembly disposed within a beverage container and adapted for use with various positioning mechanisms is disclosed. The straw assembly includes a plurality of structural features formed therein for appropriately locating the positioning mechanism. Additionally, a positioning mechanism slidably locatable along the axial length of the straw is disclosed which appropriately positions the straw in an opening of the container. The straw assembly may be fabricated from a photo-degradable material which expedites the photodegradation of the straw assembly when exposed to sunlight.
1. The straw assembly for use in a beverage container, the straw assembly comprising:
a float having an aperture formed therethrough;
a straw member having a wall portion, a first distended segment unitarily with said wall portion and a second distended segment unitarily with said wall portion, said wall portion and said first and second distended segments defining a pocket, said aperture of said float receiving said straw member such that said float is removably secured in said pocket adjacent said first and second distended segments; and
a positioning member having an aperture formed therethrough for receiving said straw member.
2. The straw assembly of claim 1 wherein said first distended zone comprises a first pleat formed in said wall portion.
3. The straw assembly of claim 2 wherein said first pleat is a frustoconical ring section having a first base portion which abuts said float.
4. The straw assembly of claim 2 wherein said second distended zone comprises a second pleat formed in said wall portion.
5. The straw assembly of claim 4 wherein said second pleat is a frustoconical ring section having a second base portion which abuts said float.
6. The straw assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third distended segment formed in said wall portion to provide adjustment in the length thereof.
7. The straw assembly of claim 6 wherein said third distended zone comprises a plurality of pleats formed in said wall portion.
8. The straw assembly of claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of pleats is a frustoconical ring section.
9. The straw assembly of claim 7 further comprising a sleeve disposed over said third distended zone of said straw member, said sleeve conformed to said plurality of pleats to locally increase the rigidity of said straw member.
10. The straw assembly of claim 1 wherein said positioning member further comprises a wall portion having a barb projecting therefrom for impaling said float when said positioning member is brought into abutting relationship therewith.
11. The straw assembly of claim 1 wherein said straw member is fabricated from an extrudable, photo-degradable plastic material.
12. The straw assembly of claim 11 wherein said photo-degradable plastic material comprises a combination of polypropylene and ethylene carbon monoxide copolymer.
13. The straw assembly of claim 12 wherein said ethylene carbon monoxide copolymer contains approximately 0.2-5.0 percent carbonyl units.
14. The straw assembly of claim 12 wherein said photo-degradable plastic comprises two (2) to twenty (20) percent ethylene carbon monoxide copolymer.
15. The straw assembly of claim 1 wherein said straw member is fabricated from a cellular foam plastic.
16. The straw assembly of claim 15 wherein said extrudable cellular foam plastic is selected from the group of ethylinic olefins.
17. The straw assembly claim 16 wherein said extrudable cellular foam plastic comprises ultra-low density polyethylene.
18. The straw assembly of claim 1 wherein said straw member comprises:
an extruded cellular foam plastic portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; and
an extruded non-cellular plastic disposed on at least one of said inner surface and said outer surface.
19. The straw assembly of claim 18 wherein said straw member further comprises a non-cellular plastic disposed on said inner surface and said outer surface.
20. A straw assembly for use in a beverage container of the type having a body with a closed bottom end and a top end including a manually operable tab for opening an orifice in the top end to provide access to the straw assembly, the straw assembly comprising:
a float having an aperture formed therethrough;
a straw member having a wall portion, a first pleated segment formed in said wall portion, a second pleated segment formed in said wall portion and a third pleated segment, said wall portion and said first and second pleated segments defining a pocket, said aperture of said float receiving said straw member such that said float is secured in said pocket; and
a positioning member having an aperture formed therethrough for receiving said straw member and a wall portion having a barb extend therefrom such that said float is impaled on said barb when said positioning member abuts said float.
The present invention relates to beverage containers having a self-contained straw and, more particularly, to a straw and a method of making a straw having features particularly adapted for use within the aforementioned container. Various designs have been proposed in the past art for placing a straw within a beverage container can that becomes accessible to the user when the beverage container is opened. An exemplary approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,103 which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and which describes a beverage can containing a straw dispensing mechanism that relies upon user manipulation of the container and the forces of gravity to bring the straw into alignment with the opening in the lid. More particularly, the user merely tilts the container, preferably prior to opening, to cause the mechanism within the container to bring the straw substantially into alignment with the tab. Once the can is opened, further minor manipulation of the can may be necessary to complete the alignment of the straw within the orifice.
Another exemplary approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,247 which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and which describes a beverage container having a positioning mechanism disposed therein which supports a straw substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beverage can. The positioning mechanism is operable to rotate the straw into alignment with the orifice in the can and a float for elevating the straw through the orifice in the can when liquid is present within the can and when the closure tab is deflected into the interior of the can. Thus, when a user opens the can, the straw disposed within the can is rotated into the appropriate position and accessible therethrough.
While the straw designs disclosed in the above-referenced patents remain technologically and commercially viable, certain improvements to the straw assembly have been made thereto. In this regard, the present invention provides a straw assembly having a positioning mechanism operably associated with a straw member for providing access thereto when the beverage container is opened. The present invention also relates to various structure features of the straw assembly which may be integrally formed therein and the process for forming these integral features.
Several embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. A first embodiment is disclosed which utilizes a straw having three distended segments in which structural features are formed in the straw. The first and second distended segments form a pocket for receiving and securing a positioning disk and a float thereto. A positioning disk, or alternatively a camming disk, are operably coupled to the straw assembly. Thus, the buoyancy characteristics of the straw assembly maintains the proper angular position enabling the user to manipulate the container to bring the straw member into alignment with the opening in the container. The third distended segment provides a conventional pleat structure which permits extension and retraction of the use end of the straw, thereby increasing or decreasing the overall length thereof. Alternate embodiments of the first preferred embodiment are disclosed which provide improvements to the structure and operation for various components of the present invention including a self-propelled float and a stiffness enhanced straw member.
In a second embodiment, the straw includes three distended segments in which distinct features are formed therein. More particularly, first and second distended segments provide a pillow structure which acts as an integral float lifter and obviates the need for providing a separate float element, and also are configured to retain the positioning disk onto the straw member. These pillow structures may optionally contain float pockets which further enhance the buoyancy characteristics of the straw. The third distended segment is provided to form the conventional pleat structure operable to modify the length of the straw.
A third embodiment is disclosed which is directed to a telescoping straw assembly. More particularly, the straw assembly includes an inner straw portion disposed and movable within an outer straw portion to provide adjustment in the length of the straw assembly. In addition, an annular volume of formed between the inner and outer straw portions to provide an integral float, thereby reducing the size of or eliminating the need for a float. The inner straw member further includes a pleated portion for providing addition adjustment to the length and orientation of the straw assembly.
A fourth embodiment is disclosed which is directed to a straw assembly readily adaptable for placing a straw assembly in a bottle such as a stretch blow-molded PET bottle. The straw assembly includes a straw member and a positioning mechanism slidably movable along the longitudinal axis of the straw for engaging a portion of the bottle to align the straw with the opening of the bottle. Gaseous fluid from the head space in the bottle is utilized to buoy the positioning mechanism towards the tapered end wall of the bottle near the opening.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above-described embodiments of the present invention are readily adaptable for use in various beverage containers and provides improvements to straw assemblies utilized with a dispensing device in a beverage container.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage container with the improved straw assembly that is simple in design, utilizes a minimum of material, is inexpensive to manufacture, and requires relatively inexpensive equipment to assemble and insert into the containers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive straw assembly that is readily adaptable for use in a wide variety of beverage containers and which are configured to be utilized with containers currently in use by the industry.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means for attaching a float to the straw assembly in such a way as to improve operation of the float and to ensure improved performance, safety and ease of straw removal.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a straw assembly which includes an integrated float, thereby eliminating the need for a separate float component.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a straw assembly having a positioning mechanism which substantially aligns the straw within an opening formed in the bottle.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved materials for fabricating a drinking straw member including a photo-degradable straw member, a buoyant, cellular plastic straw member, and a buoyant straw member having a cellular plastic portion operably disposed between an inner and outer non-cellular plastic skin.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which make reference to the drawings of which:
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a beverage can containing a straw assembly having a straw member, a positioning disk and a float according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the straw assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the straw assembly shown in FIG. 2 in which the straw member is being removed from the positioning disk;
FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the straw member illustrated in FIG. 3 showing a substantially homogeneous non-cellular plastic composition;
FIG. 3b is an alternate configuration for the straw member illustrated in FIG. 3 having a substantially homogeneous cellular plastic composition;
FIG. 3c is yet another alternate embodiment of the straw member illustrated in FIG. 3 in which the straw member has a non-cellular plastic inner and outer skin and a cellular plastic filling therebetween;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a self-propelled float adaptable for use in place of the float of the straw assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the float illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a straw assembly similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 having a straw member, a camming disk and a float;
FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the straw assembly illustrated in FIG. 6 in which the straw member is being removed from the camming disk;
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a straw assembly in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a straw assembly in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the straw assembly illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the positioning mechanism is located in its moored position;
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the straw assembly illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the straw assembly is released from its moored position and in which the positioning mechanism is traversing toward its engaged position at the top of the bottle;
FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the straw assembly illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the positioning mechanism is engaged at the tapered end wall of the bottle in an aligned position with the opening thereof;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a telescoping straw assembly in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the straw assembly shown in FIG. 13 in an extended condition.
Referring to FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Beverage can 10 comprises a conventional aluminum container having cylindrical body 12 with closed bottom 14 and lid 16 that is joined by a seaming operation to body 12 of can 10. Lid 16 includes lever ring 18 pivotally secured thereto and adapted to deflect closure tab 20 into the interior of can 10, thereby providing an orifice through lid 16 for gaining access to the contents contained within can 10. Closure tab 20 is formed by scoring lines in lid 16 which enable a control portion thereof to break free when lever ring 18 is actuated against closure tab 20. In addition, manipulation of ring 18 and closure tab 20 provides access to straw assembly 22 disposed within beverage can 10. While the present invention is illustrated and described in conjunction with an aluminum can, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that the present invention is equally adaptable for use with other types of beverage containers such as bottles or cartons.
Straw assembly 22 includes straw member 24 having a proximal or use end 26 and a distal end 28 opposite proximal end 26. Straw assembly 22 further includes float 30 attached near distal end 28 and weighted positioning disk 32 disposed over straw member 24 adjacent float 30. When initially disposed in can 10 prior to the filling and seaming processes, distal end 28 of straw member 24 is preferably temporarily adhered to a portion of beverage container 10, such as cylindrical body 12 adjacent bottom 14, with a small amount of soluble adhesive, such as glucose or thixotropic gel. Alternately, a small amount of concentrated syrup may be utilized for this purpose. After the filling and seaming processes are completed, adhesive bond 34 will dissolve, enabling straw member 24 to float freely within can 10. Due to the positioning of float 30 beneath positioning disk 32 on straw 24 member, the orientation of straw 24 within can 10 will remain substantially as shown in FIG. 1.
Straw member 24 further includes various structural features to position and retain float 30 and positioning disk 32 therewith. More specifically, straw member 24 includes a lower distended segment 36 and an intermediate distended segment 38 formed therein to position and retain float 30 in the appropriate axial location on straw member 24. Lower distended segment 36 includes a pair of downwardly aligned frustoconical rings which define a seating surface 40. Similarly, intermediate distended segment 38 includes a single upwardly aligned frustoconical ring. As such, straw member 24, lower distended segment 36 and distended segment 38 define a pocket 42 which captures and retains float 30 on straw member 24.
Positioning disk 32 is concentrically located over straw 24 and directly engages an upper surface 44 of float 30. More specifically, positioning disk 32 has a central aperture 46 formed therethrough. A plurality of barbs 48 are formed on a lower end wall of positioning disk 32 and extend downwardly to impale float 30, thereby securing positioning disk 32 with float 30. A plurality of inner barbs 50 are formed on the inner wall of positioning disk 32 formed by aperture 46. Inner barbs 50 function to retain float 30 with positioning disk 32 should straw member 24 be removed therefrom in a manner hereafter described. As presently preferred, positioning disk 32 is fabricated from a suitable rigid plastic such as PET, polystyrene and polyvinylchloride which are ideally of greater density than the liquid beverage in the container and which provides adequate stiffness to maintain the structural integrity of positioning disk 32.
Central aperture 52 formed in float 30 is approximately the same diameter as the outside diameter of straw member 24 and is positioned in pocket 42 by sliding float 30 axially along straw member 24. In contrast, central aperture 46 formed in positioning disk 32 has a conical cross section in which the larger diameter is approximately twice the diameter of the frustoconical rings associated with lower distended section 36, and in which the upper diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of lower distended segment 36.
As presently preferred, float 30 is constructed from a suitable cellular foam plastic, such as a foam of any suitable polyolefin or polyester and provides sufficient buoyancy force to cause straw assembly 22 to ascend through the orifice in lid 16 when liquid is present in can 10 and when closure tab 20 has been opened. Alternatively, float 30 may be molded from a suitable polypropylene, using chemical blowing agents or gas injection or a combination thereof, or a coralfoam process, all of which are known to produce formed structures having an integral skin components around the total surface of float 30. Moreover, float 30 may be round or oval, or any shape suitable to perform the functions described herein.
Alternatively, a self-propelled float such as that illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be incorporated into the present invention. More specifically, float 30' includes a plurality of voids 62 molded into the interior thereof. As presently preferred, voids 62 are conical or semi-conical in shape and may additionally have an orifice 64 through the bottom surface 66 of float 30'. The axis 68 of the conical void 62 may be tilted relative to the central longitudinal axis 70 of float 30' to provide desirable rotation of float 30', and thus concomitant rotation of the straw assembly associated therewith.
Once the straw assembly with float 30' is inserted, and the can is filled and closed, there will be an equilibrium of carbon dioxide (CO2) pressure in the head space and the liquid, such that the voids 62 in float 30' are filled with CO2 gas. Upon opening the container, the gas will escape through the micropores generated as float 30' is molded and the float counter-pressure released. Escaping gas will act as a jet, propelling the straw assembly associated with float riser 30' to the top of the container and out through an opening associated therewith. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that a single or plurality of voids 62 can be incorporated to directionally propel the straw assembly upwardly. The conical voids 62 having a tilted cone axis 68 can rotationally propel the straw assembly. This rotational propulsion can be designed to provide inertia sufficient to overcome any tendencies from the straw assembly to stall or miss the desired opening within the container. With reference now to FIGS. 1-3, straw member 24 is removable from can 10 without concern that float 30 will become dislodged from positioning disk 32, thereby interfering with the dispensing of beverage from can 10 when straw member 24 is removed. More specifically, as best seen in FIG. 3, as straw member 24 is removed from can 10, it is pulled axially through aperture 46 formed in positioning disk 32. Such relative axial movement pulls float 30 into central conical aperture 46 of positioning disk 32. Further relative axial movement of straw member 24 impales float 30 onto inner barbs 50 formed on positioning disk 32 to capture and hold float 30 with positioning disk 32. Once lower distended segment 36 clears inner barb 50 and disengages float 30, straw member 24 is free to be removed from beverage can 10. Notwithstanding the removal of straw member 24, float 30 remains impaled on inner barbs 50, thereby retaining float 30 with positioning disk 32 in a desirable manner.
Straw member 24 further includes an upper distended segment 52 formed adjacent the proximal end 26 of straw member 24. The upper distended segment 52 includes a plurality of frustoconical pleats formed in straw member 24 which permits adjustment of the length of straw 24 in a manner well known in the art. These pleats may be oriented upwardly or downwardly relative to the proximal end 26 of straw member 24.
As presently preferred, lower distended segment 36 includes a pair of frustoconical ring sections, intermediate distended segment 38 includes a single frustoconical ring section and upper distended segment 52 includes five frustoconical ring sections. However, one skilled in the art would readily recognize that the number and location of these segments can be modified without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
As presently preferred, straw member 24 is manufactured by utilizing three independently controlled heating zones, one associated with the lower, intermediate and upper distended segment, whereby a substantially straight straw is heated prior to reforming, and then passed into three independent mold zones, associated with each of the aforementioned segments to form the softened plastic. As shown in FIG. 3a, straw member 24 is preferably fabricated from a non-cellular, thermal responsive plastic such as polypropylene.
Alternately, straw member 24 may be fabricated from a photo-degradable composition such that exposure of the straw to a particular wave length of light will expedite its photodegradation. As presently preferred, a mixture of extrusion grade ethylene carbon monoxide copolymer (ECO) containing approximately 0.2 to 5 percent carbonyl units may be mixed with an extrusion grade polypropylene resin (PP) and extruded into a straw. A useful composition for this application is approximately between 2 and 20 percent ECO copolymer with the PP and other suitable adjuvants. It is been found that a straw fabricated from this composition is satisfactorily formable and will maintain the structural integrity during the necessary secondary operations, including flexing, pleat formation, device attachment and the like without any adverse effects. However, when exposed to sunlight, a straw manufactured from the above-described composition photodegraded within approximately 90-120 days.
Other materials could also be utilized for fabricating straw member 24. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3b and 3c, straw member 24' and 24" could be fabricated from a homogenous cellular foam material 266 with or without a co-extruded outer and/or inner skin 26c, 26a, respectively, of non-cellular material, thereby providing additional buoyancy characteristics to straw assembly 22. In this alternate embodiment, a presently preferred extrudable cellular material selected from the group of ethylenic polyolefins including ethlane olefin, and most preferably ultra low density polyethlane olefin could be utilized and is readily adaptable for co-extrusion with a non-cellular material selected from the group of olefins including polyethylene, and most preferably low density polyethylene.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a partial cross-sectional view of a straw assembly similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is shown with cam disk 332 substituted for positioning disk 32. FIG. 6 illustrates beverage can 310 and straw assembly 322 after lever ring 318 has pushed closure tab 320 into the interior of beverage can 310 to provide an opening therein. Straw assembly 322 includes straw member 324, float 330 and camming disk 332. Camming disk 332 is manufactured from a material which will float within the liquid contained inside beverage container 310 and thus will position itself at the top thereof. Camming disk 332 is designed such that it rotates to appropriately position straw assembly 322 when beverage container 310 is opened. A presently preferred embodiment of camming disk 332 is illustrated and disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/856,838 entitled "Beverage Container With Self-Contained Drinking Straw", which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention and the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
Camming disk 332 further includes a plurality of barbs 334, 336 formed on a portion of outer wall portion 338, 340 respectively. Barbs 334, 336 extend downwardly to impale float 330 as straw member 324 is extracted from camming disk 332, thereby securing camming disk 332 with float 330.
With continued reference to FIG. 6, for a standard 12-ounce beverage can, straw member 324 should have a length of approximately 6.1 inches to provide an ergonomically pleasing delivery system for beverage therefrom. Straw assembly 322 used in conjunction with camming disk 332 is preferably approximately 3.7 inches long. The length difference of approximately 2.4 inches is provided by flexible pleats 352. Thus, approximately 48-56 pleats are required to provide this extension. Pleats 352, when collapsed properly, form a compact structure of some rigidity. However, due to the large number of pleats required, the rigidity may be less than the original straw and may be less than is required for proper functioning of straw assembly 324. Thus, it is desirable to provide enhanced structural rigidity to the straw assembly 322 to ensure the proper functioning of the positioning device.
In this regard, pleated portion 352 is surrounded by sleeve 354 which is a very thin shrink wrap of a low density, linear low density, or ultra low density polyethylene. Sleeve 354 is shrunk around the body of straw member 324 above and below pleated portion 352, but most especially towards at the end adjacent float 330. As presently preferred, sleeve 354 will hold snugly to the body of straw member 324, above and below pleated portion 352, and conform to pleated structure 352. Thus, sleeve 354 will add inherent rigidity to straw member 324. Moreover, sleeve 354 will provide a smooth surface to interact with the aperture formed through camming disk 332 thereby allowing smooth passage of straw assembly 322 through cam disk 332 during operation. Once straw assembly 322 is appropriately positioned for consumption of a beverage included in container 310, sleeve 354 can be removed such that straw member 324 can be further extended to its final length.
Straw member 324, by virtue of the pleating, has a volume 356 between each pleat, which if not covered by sleeve 354 will be in contact with the liquid. Thus, the inclusion of sleeve 354 creates volume 356 between sleeve 352 and pleated portion 352 which can be occupied by a gaseous substance. The volumetric considerations are such that the specific gravity of straw member 324 is lowered due to the entrapped gas space, enhancing the buoyancy of the straw member 324 and minimizing the size of or eliminating the need for float 330.
Additionally, if the liquid within beverage container 310 is a carbonated soft drink or a similar beverage enhanced by the addition of a gaseous substance, the gas in the beverage will permeate through sleeve 354 into the gas space between pleated portion 352 and sleeve 354 and achieve gaseous pressure equilibrium with its surrounding. When beverage container 310 is open, the head space gas pressure is relieved and the gas in the pleated area will expand to achieve equilibrium pressure with the head space. This volume expansion will cause sleeve 354 to increase to a size to accommodate the pressure equilibrium, thereby providing additional buoyancy and further reducing the specific gravity of straw assembly 322. Moreover, the dilated sleeve will limit the travel of straw 324 through camming disk 332 to prevent premature ejection of straw member 324.
When straw member 324 is extended, pleated portion 352 will cooperate to increase the length and locally decrease the diameter of straw member 324 such that sleeve 354 is locally oversized, thus permitting straw member 324 to be drawn through the aperture formed in camming disk 332. As further extension of straw member 324 proceeds, sleeve 354 will bunch around the base thereof and provide both a float device and a means for retaining the straw within the container until removal is desired.
When no longer needed, straw member 324 is withdrawn completely through camming disk 332 and removed. Removal of straw member 324 causes float 330 to be impaled onto barbs 336, 338. In addition, sleeve 354 is trapped between camming disk 332 and float 330 such that both components remain with camming disk 332 and are not released within beverage container 310.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in which certain structural features are integrated into the straw assembly, thereby eliminating the need for separate components. More specifically, straw member 424 includes a proximal end 426 and a distal end 428, as well as lower distended segment 436, intermediate distended segment 438 and upper distended segment 452 formed therein. As presently preferred, lower distended segment 436 includes a bulbous conical volume formed in the side wall of straw member 424. Similarly, intermediate distended segment 438 includes a plurality of bulbous spherical volumes formed in the side wall and axially arranged along straw member 424. One skilled in the art should readily recognize that while these geometric configurations are presently preferred, other geometric configurations such as bulbous elliptical volumes could be utilized without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
Straw member 424 differs from straw member 24 associated with the first preferred embodiment in that lower and intermediate distended segments 436, 438 functionally replace float 30 associated with the first preferred embodiment. More specifically, pocket 442 is formed between lower distended segment 436 and intermediate distended segment 438 which is adapted to receive positioning disk 432. More specifically, lower distended segment 436 is adapted to engage the inner wall formed by central aperture 446 of positioning disk 432. Intermediate distended segment 438 functions to hold positioning disk 432 in its appropriate axial position.
Similarly, lower distended segment 436 and intermediate distended segment 438 are configured to act as floats and will enhance the buoyancy of the straw assembly 422. Optionally, intermediate distended segment 438 may include float pockets 464 formed therebetween by the compressive forces on the straw after molding to initiate float pocket 464. In this manner, the material utilized to form float pockets 464 are heated to a temperature higher than the temperature associated with the other zones for lower distended section 436 and upper distended section 452.
With reference now to FIGS. 9-12, a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Beverage container 110 comprises a conventional stretch blow-molded PET bottle having a generally cylindrical side wall 112 with a closed bottom 114 and a tapered end wall portion 116 terminating at opening 118. In this regard, container 110 is similar to that conventionally used for distribution of carbonated beverages and the like with a slight modification to the bottom portion thereof. More specifically, bottom portion 114 has indentation 120 formed in a center thereof. Indentation 120 is expeditiously made by a stretch rod used during the blowing process of bottle 110. As presently preferred, mooring stud 122 is disposed within indentation 120 and provides an attachment location for self-dispensing straw assembly 124 in a manner hereafter described. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that straw assembly 124 may be directly inserted into indentation 120 for attachment with bottle 110.
Straw assembly 124 includes straw member 126 and positioning mechanism 128 slidably positionable along the longitudinal axis of straw member 126 to appropriately position straw assembly 124 relative to opening 118 of bottle 110. Positioning mechanism 128 includes lower collar 130 having a plurality of legs 132 extending radially outwardly therefrom, and upper collar 134 having a plurality of connecting members 136 extending radially outwardly therefrom. Each connecting member 136 is operably connected to an associated leg 132. Lower and upper collars 130, 134 are concentrically disposed over straw member 126 and freely reciprocate along its longitudinal axis.
Each of the plurality of legs 132 extending from lower collar 130 includes an inner portion 138 and an outer portion 144. Inner portion 138 is secured to lower collar 130 at inner hinge point 140 and extends radially outwardly therefrom to terminate at mid hinge point 142. Outer portion 144 is operably coupled to inner portion 138 at mid hinge point 142. Connecting member 136 is secured at upper hinge point 146 to upper collar 134 and is operably coupled to inner portion 138 at lower hinge point 148. As presently preferred, legs 132 and connecting member 136 are fabricated from a suitable plastic, such as polypropylene, and hinge points 140, 142, 146 and 148 are living hinges defined between the respective components of positioning mechanism 128.
Positioning mechanism 128 defines a kinematic linkage, the geometry of which is defined by the position of lower collar 130 relative to upper collar 134. As presently preferred, positioning mechanism 128 includes a plurality of legs radially extending therefrom. As presently illustrated in the figures, positioning mechanism 128 includes four leg assemblies 132. However, the number of legs should properly be determined by the size of the straw assembly 124 and the volume of the contents within bottle 110. It is presently believed that positioning mechanism 128 must contain at least three legs to provide the proper support for parachute device 152. Similarly, it is believed that the maximum number of legs is determined by providing parachute device 152 with sufficient surface area to enhance the buoyancy of positioning mechanism 128. As presently preferred, the number of legs associated with positioning mechanism 128 is between approximately three and eight depending on the size and contents of bottle 110.
Membrane 154 is attached between each of the plurality of legs 132 extending from lower collar 130 and define a parachute-type device which will capture gaseous fluid trapped within bottle 110, thereby providing additional buoyancy to urge positioning mechanism 128 upwardly therein in a manner hereafter described.
Straw assembly 124 further includes mooring collar 152 disposed on the distal end 150 of straw member 126. Mooring collar 152 cooperates with mooring stud 122 for temporarily securing straw assembly 124 in the bottom of bottle 110. As presently preferred, mooring collar 152 is a micro-foamed component which maintains engagement with mooring stud 122 when dry. However, once the foam component is saturated with liquid, it expands and properly disengages mooring stud 122 for operably freeing straw assembly 124 from bottle 110.
With continued reference to FIGS. 10-12, the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Prior to filling of bottle 110, straw assembly 124 is inserted into bottle 110 using standard high-speed insertion techniques known to one skilled in the art. The foldable nature of positioning mechanism 128 enables it to be folded up into a compact nature and inserted into bottle 110 through opening 118. Once a straw assembly 124 is inserted into bottle 110, mooring collar 152 is urged onto mooring stud 122 for temporarily securing straw assembly 124 onto bottom 114. Such insertion now makes it possible for bottle 110 to be filled with the appropriate product using standard filling practices, since straw assembly 124 is well below opening 118.
During the filling operation, fluid agitation will loosen and extend legs 132 of positioning mechanism 128 so that they extend past the diameter of opening 118. Furthermore, during the filling operation, a certain amount of the liquid is absorbed by mooring collar 152 causing it to expand and release straw assembly 124 from mooring stud 122 at the bottom of bottle 110. The rate of absorption of mooring collar 152 is designed such that it requires a longer time period to release from mooring stud 122 than the time required for filling and capping of bottle 110.
After straw assembly 124 has been released from mooring stud 122, positioning mechanism 128 begins to float within the liquid contained in bottle 110 due to the fact that it has a lighter specific gravity than the fluid contained therein. At this point, outer portions 144 are in proximity of cylindrical side wall 112 and straw assembly 124 is in an approximately neutrally buoyant condition.
Bottle 110 is subsequently inverted during subsequent handling procedures causing the gas associated with head space in bottle 110 to migrate past positioning mechanism 128 toward bottom 114 thus inflating membrane 154. More specifically, when bottle 110 is returned to its upright position, membrane 154 is filled with head space gas (and re-pressurized from dissolved gas if the beverage is carbonated). As such, membrane 154 provides additional buoyancy to positioning mechanism 128 causing it to move upwardly as best illustrated in FIG. 11 until it engages tapered end wall 116 of bottle 110 as best shown in FIG. 12. In this position, outer portions 144 engage tapered end wall 116 and appropriately position straw member 126 within opening 118 of bottle 110. The head space gas trapped by membrane 154 maintains positioning mechanism 128 in the appropriate position. In addition, outer portions 144 may be fabricated from a sufficiently flexible material such that they act like suction cups adhering and maintaining positioning mechanism 128 in its proper position for ultimate use.
Referring now to FIG. 13 and 14, a straw assembly having an extendable length straw member for use in an aluminum can or other suitable container which includes telescoping portion and a flexible pleated portion therein. In addition, the straw assembly provides an intermediate volume between an inner and outer straw portion which acts as an integral float when the straw assembly is collapsed and disposed within a filled container, and especially when the beverage is a carbonated soft drink. Thus, the straw assembly is readily adaptable for use with a wide variety of devices for dispensing a straw assembly from within a beverage container such as those disclosed herein, as well as those referenced and expressly incorporated herein.
Straw assembly 200 includes outer straw portion 202 and inner straw portion 204 partially disposed within outer straw portion 202. More specifically, outer straw portion 202 is generally cylindrical having an inner wall 206 formed thereon. A seal member 208 is circumferentially disposed about an end of outer portion 202 closest to the proximal end 210 of straw assembly 200. Outer portion 202 terminates at distal end 212.
Inner portion 204 includes a pleated portion 214 which enables the length of inner portion 204 to be adjusted, as well as permitting the distal end 210 of straw assembly 200 to be angularly positioned in a manner well known in the art. Inner portion 204 further includes a flared portion 216 formed on an end opposite distal end 210. As best seen in FIG. 13, flared portion 216 engages distal portion 212 of outer portion 202 to sealingly engage with inner wall 206. Annular volume 218 is formed between inner wall 206 of outer portion 202 and outer wall 220 of inner portion 204 when straw assembly 200 is in a collapsed state. Flared portion 216 of inner portion 204 sealingly engages the distal end 212 of straw assembly 200. Similarly, seal 208 of outer portion 202 engages outer wall 220 and pleated portion 214 of inner portion 204. In this manner, annular volume 218 is sealed so as to act as an integral float when straw assembly 200 is disposed within the beverage, especially when the beverage is a carbonated soft drink. More specifically, annular volume 218 may be pressurized with carbon dioxide gas from the beverage as part of the head space pressurization equilibrium.
With reference now to FIG. 14, straw assembly 200 may be extended to provide a straw member of desirable length. More specifically, inner portion 204 is longitudinally positioned relative to outer portion 202 such that flared portion 216 is positioned directly adjacent seal 208 formed on outer portion 202, thereby providing a fluid tight drinking conduit. In addition, pleated portion 214 may be extended to adjust the length of straw assembly 200 to a desired length.
As presently preferred, straw assembly 200 has an overall length of approximately 3.7 inches when collapsed and an overall length of approximately 6.125 inches when extended. Furthermore, the outer diameter of pleated portion 214 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of outer portion 202 such that it can be readily accommodated into various known dispensing devices such as those previously described herein.
While the present invention has been described and illustrated above with particular reference to the presently preferred embodiments, one skilled in the art should readily recognize that the invention is subject to additional variations and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Moreover, each of the preferred embodiments includes various structures and/or functional features alone and in combination. One skilled in the art should recognize that these structures and functions can be utilized alone or in combination as deemed necessary for a given application.
Patent Citations
Referenced by
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SSC Exam Routine Time Schedule of 2015 Chittagong Board
The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Chittagong (BISE) started its activity in 1995. It is an autonomous organization and self-regulation in the field of administration and management of education in Bangladesh. Given the increasing demand for qualitative and quantitative education in the country, the BISE is trying to develop a center of excellence in management education. The board is accountable for the organization, regulation, supervision, run and development of Intermediate, Secondary and Junior level public examinations and educational institutions of Chittagong, Cox'sBazar, Rangamati, Khagrachari & Bandarban district.
Every year they conduct SSC examination. Normally it held in the month February. There are 3 groups in SSC exam. They are science arts and commerce group. Exam time table are also available in their official website.
Download SSC Routine Chittagong Board 2015
Information of Exam Secondary School certificate time Schedule for Chittagong.
Related Links :
Lavels : Bangladesh | Education | Newspaper | Admission Forms | Dental Colleges

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- Federal Issues - State Issues - Courts - Firm News - Mortgages - Banking - Consumer Finance - E-Commerce - Credit Cards
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CFPB Seeks Additional Private Student Loan Complaints. On June 13
the CFPB issued a Notice of Request for Information seeking information on existing private student loan complaints collected by state agencies, institutions of higher education, consumer and legal advocates, and lenders. In addition to its general solicitation, the CFPB specifically invited the participation of state attorneys general, schools, and advocacy groups. The responses received by the CFPB will be incorporated into the student loan ombudsman's report it provides to Congress pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act. In conjunction with its general solicitation, the CFPB also published the nearly 2,000 comments it received in response to a Notice and Request for Information on private student loans that it issued on November 17, 2011. The CFPB identified the following common themes from the data collected to date in connection with its earlier solicitation: (i) many borrowers report relying on school financial aid offices for information and guidance on which loan products to use, (ii) many borrowers struggling in today's economy are finding their private student loan debt to be unmanageable, and (iii) many borrowers report finding it difficult to navigate the repayment process.
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The goal is concrete, reliable evidence. Sightings reported by hikers are as useless as the running tracks. Only when Kluth and Reinhardt have obtained hard evidence, such as clear photos from the camera traps, can they record statistics on new pups or sometimes even entirely new packs.
But counting wolves is more than just science. It has also become a profoundly political act. It can safely be assumed that there are few biologists in Germany whose research is as controversial as that being undertaken by Reinhardt and Kluth.
Reinhardt thinks about her nine years with the wolves, about the discussions and the night watches over threatened herds of sheep, and she talks about the time Kluth was attacked by the tabloid Bild, which accused her of wasting taxpayer money on her work. She also mentions the letters calling for the wolves to be shot. A local hunter, the spokesman for a small group of wolf haters, has been stirring up public opinion for some time with his scaremongering tactics, saying things like: "Only when we find the first child's school backpack at a bus stop, without the child, will people finally wake up."
"I'm tired of it," says Reinhardt. "Hey, I'm a biologist. I just want to do my job." She closes the barrier to the military training area behind her, marking the end of another workday. On this day, at least, she managed to find pup tracks in a pack's territory.
Heinz Baacke characterizes the monitoring of Canis lupus as "balderdash." Why should it be left solely up to the wildlife biologists, asks Baacke, who represents the state hunters' association in Saxony. After all, he says, hunters have eyes, too. "When I'm sitting on a tree stand," he says, "I don't exactly shut my eyes when the wolf walks by!"
Baacke already suspects that Kluth, Reinhardt and their assistants are deliberately undercounting the wolf population. For him, it's obvious that they have an interest in keeping the official numbers low. "All I can say is this: The fewer wolves there are, the more they need protection," the bearded hunter says. He likes to wear the appropriate outfit, which includes a felt hat and a green loden coat, when he goes deerstalking with his wirehaired dachshund Belina.
Conservationists, on the other hand, worry that hunters would count each wolf they see several times. In the Lausitz region, a pack covers a territory of about 250 square kilometers (97 square miles), which is more than four times the size of Manhattan. Given their range, the animals are likely to run past several tree stands in a single night. Biologists claim, for example, that sloppy monitoring was to blame for no one noticing that the Iberian lynx was becoming a critically endangered species in Spain and Portugal.
Baacke admits that hunters haven't exactly been eager to report sightings or kills. He is quick to attribute this to "psychological reasons," saying that hunters have felt sidelined. "Of course, they felt terribly offended."
This will change as soon as the wolf is placed under the protection of game laws, says Baacke, because then hunters will feel obligated to report kills and collect feces. "After all, they're the group that's most affected by the wolves," he says, because hunters must share their prey with the animals.
Then Baacke ventures into the world of metaphors. Hunters, he says, are like bulls. And conservationists are like oxen -- namely impotent.


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Sort of following a precedent set by Tesla, Ford today said it's opening its portfolio of patents to hasten the proliferation of electrified vehicle technologies. However, unlike Tesla, they are not free. "The patents would be available for a fee," said Ford in a statement without divulging how much this fee would be. But, Ford […]+ Read More
Hyundai has become the first automaker to offer Google's Android Auto in-car infotainment system in their 2015 Sonata sedan. The South Korean automaker raced to implement Android Auto in a bid to beat rival companies to market. This system, which provides a sleek, colorful interface has debuted before Apple's competing system, CarPlay. Once consumers get […]+ Read More
Yesterday the Renault-Nissan Alliance announced it would supply 200 all-electric vehicles as passenger transporters for the United Nation's COP21 climate conference in Paris Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. Cars being provided for this summit with broad climate-remedying aims include the Renault ZOE and Kangoo Z.E, Nissan Leaf and e-NV200. The Paris summit's goals are to […]+ Read More
Lexus has filed a trademark in Europe, hinting at a new LS model. What the significance is will remain to be seen, but there is not Lexus "LS500″ in the Japanese automaker's line but the "h" would be nomenclature for a hybrid variant. This isn't the first time Lexus has used the 500h designation for […]+ Read More
Audi said that a new, all-electric SUV will be one of the key vehicles to help Audi grow, along with integrating more self-driving features into its vehicles. Rupert Stadler, CEO of Audi, discussed the carmaker's strategy for the SUV segment at the company's annual general meeting in Germany last week. "We intend to continue growing […]+ Read More
The current generation Chevrolet Volt is going through a serious sales slump, selling 2,779 units during the first four months the year and leaving 6,000 unsold cars sitting at dealer lots. That represents a massive 46 percent drop compared to last years first quarter sales numbers. That leaves an outstanding number of unsold cars just […]+ Read More
Federal investigators have identified criminal wrongdoing in General Motors' ignition switch recall. Justice Department investigators are negotiating what will likely become a record penalty to the American automaker after identifying criminal wrongdoing in General Motors' failure to disclose a defect that resulted in at least 104 deaths. The settlement could be reached as early as […]+ Read More
Toyota is rumored to have something unexpected planned for this year's Tokyo Motor Show. The Japanese automaker is reportedly working on an open-wheel, three-seater sports car inspired by the Lotus Seven to debut in October and sources say if the press and public approve, the company will seriously considering taking it to production. If the […]+ Read More
With experts in both the automotive and the technology industries debating whether Apple is building a production-level vehicle or just creating a mock-up for research, new information suggests that the company is indeed creating a car-sized battery. A portion of this evidence emerged following a recently settled lawsuit between Apple and A123 Systems, a lithium-ion […]+ Read More
A twin set of bills that would have allowed Tesla Motors to sell vehicles in Texas have expired. Two years ago, a pro-Tesla bill was sent to Texas legislators that would permit the electric carmaker to sell directly to consumers. But the bill never received committee approval and expired at the end of the legislative […]+ Read More


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I've uploaded the slides for my talk from Day 2 of @Media Ajax, which was a refreshingly focused and high-quality conference. The single-track format combined with some really excellent speakers made me really regret missing any part of it. Huge congrats to Patrick and the Vivabit for putting on such a great couple of days.
What's All This Then?
I'm Alex Russell, a web developer working on Chrome, Blink, and the Web Platform Team at Google in San Francisco. I'm guilty of many JavaScript transgressions.
I serve on ECMA TC39 (the standards body for JavaScript) and the W3C Technical Architecture Group. I design and avocate for an extensible, layered web platform.
My professional aim is to make the web a better platform and to the extent that I can keep politics and economics from creeping in, that's what this blog is about.
Other facets available upon HTTP request: twitter, facebook, flickr, linkedin, lanyrd, and quora. Expect less self-restraint there.
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Recycled art by hot auction favourite Ronald Ventura
Published on Nov 20, 2012 1:08 PM
While the art world obsessed over the record breaking auction of a painting by Ronald Ventura last April, the Filipino artist was focused instead on making new work at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute.
The result of his five-week-long art residency here is his latest exhibition, Recyclables, at the print- and paper-making institute in Robertson Quay.
On display are more than 40 works such as lithographs, cast paper sculptures and paper relief on canvas. They feature an eclectic melange of images; including skulls, animal anatomy and macabre cartoon characters.
The visual vocabulary and medium of the works are not unfamiliar to his oeuvre but they are tackled anew through the notion of recycling.
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stryker1121 wrote:
I found it exactly the same, it takes a while for the timing to come back and it really punishes you for messing up. Health takes a long time to recharge, you really need to do it in one go, with the check pointing system, it really raises the tension but when you nail it and finish that last one off, oh yeah! . Thankfully reload times are fine, but the dying a lot disrupts the flow somewhat, but that's my fault for choosing the difficulty.
PSN: Ballszilla


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37 year old man | Sarasota, FL, USA | Seeking women 25-38 within 30 miles
Hello everyone!!!
I first have to say that I have moved around a couple of times the last few years but I have found home for the next few years and maybe longer than that if I find a reason to stay. I ready to look for that girl that is looking for something with a little more substance to it and who is looking for and willing to be a great partner and friend. What am I looking for in a girl.? Well, without sounding like every other profile that uses a bunch of adjectives to describe what they are looking for such as Cute, Smart, Fun, Adventurous and don't get me wrong I am looking for those qualities too but I am also looking for a girl that is ready to my best friend. She needs to be passionate about the water and travel. I am a a very chill and laid back person and I would love to meet someone that loves to get dressed up and hit the town sometime but is also able to throw on something laid back and hit the water or the beach or some hole in the wall restaurant and have a drink. I would love to meet someone that is into their career and is established but knows there is more to it then just a job and would like to find that missing part. Now me. I am very passionate about both the water and travel. I love to go out on the water and explore. There are a lot of different places I want to travel close and far, many from boat and some not. I love for my weekends to include some travel. Maybe it is a short ride over to the beach or a day trip somewhere else I love to get away and do as much as I can. I have always been a very independent person and have established myself and my career. I have moved a few times over the last few years and it has made it a little hard to meet someone close where I could make the logistics of the relationship work. I am going to be in the area for awhile and I am ready to meet that special girl that I can have that spark with. I just want to find someone that could turn into something special. I have always been a very loyal and great friend I am looking for that fun active girl that is in a good spot in life and looking for someone to complete her life and build a family with. If that sounds like you or something you would enjoy please send me a message. Submitted from mobile
Camping , Business networking , Dining out , Fishing/Hunting , Movies/Videos , Music and concerts , Exploring new areas , Nightclubs/Dancing , Performing arts , Playing sports , Political interests , Shopping/Antiques , Travel/Sightseeing , Watching sports
Golf, Running, Soccer, Weights / Machines
I exercise 1-2 times per week.
I like Dogs
I currently live in an apartment and I can't bring myself to crate a dog all day but I would love to have a bulldog or a lab.
Middle of the Road
I love the Sarasota area and all the Beaches. I love to hit some of the hang outs on the bay in the boat. This time of year there is a lot of tailgates in Gainesville for the Gator home games. I love to travel so I am always looking to hit the road.
Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, FL
A long weekend, The Gators, My Droid Razr, The Boat, A great night out with friends, Vacation Time. The excitement before a great trip. That's a few but I would love to add a few more with the right girl.
A late afternoon boat ride, Tailgates for the Gator games,
I try to keep up on the best sellers. Any good suggestions??
Z{{Cta}} {{#if HasMoreInfo}} ?{{CtaSecondary}} {{/if}}
|What he is looking for
|6'0" (182cms)
|5'0" (152cms) to 6'0" (182cms)
|Body type:
|About average
|Slender, About average, Athletic and toned, A few extra pounds
|No preference
|Auburn / Red, Light brown, Dark brown, Blonde, Dark blonde
|No Way
|No Way, Occasionally
|Social Drinker
|Social Drinker, Regularly, Moderately
|I'll tell you later
|No preference
|I'll tell you later
|$35,001 to $50,000, $50,001 to $75,000, $75,001 to $100,000, $100,001 to $150,000, $150,001+
|Never Married
|Never Married, Widow / Widower, Currently Separated, Divorced
|Have kids:
|Yes, and they sometimes live at home, No, Yes, and they live away from home, Yes, and they live at home
|Wants kids:
|Definitely, Someday, Not sure
|White / Caucasian
|White / Caucasian
|I'll tell you later
|No preference
|Bachelors degree
|Some college, Associates degree, Bachelors degree, Graduate degree, PhD / Post Doctoral


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By Christian Viveros-Fauné
Bridget Everett Whacks Rock Bottom at Joe's Pub
By Miriam Felton-Dansky
The Valley of Astonishment Will Leave You...Astonished
By Tom Sellar
By Tom Sellar
By Jessica Dawson
In September, Site-Specific Theater Rules the Day
By Tom Sellar
How Chuck Jones Defined America Through Cartoons
By R. C. Baker
Between Riverside and Crazy Bares Its Wounds
By Tom Sellar
If Lavery's subject is of perennial interest, the theatrical lens she employs makes everything seem overly familiar. No new ground is struck in this sometimes metaphorically labored excavation of "the Arctic frozen sea that is the criminal brain." But obviously we've come for drama, not eureka moments of psychopathology. Unfortunately, Lavery structures her piece undramaticallycharacters introduce their plights via long monologues and are allowed to interact only after their perspectives have been determined. Early on, Frozen tips its hand: Evil is both banal and enigmatic, and the ensuing talk (action would be an imprecise term for it) merely closes the deal.
Doug Hughes's solidly acted production, however, goes a long way toward masking the play's weakness. Swoosie Kurtz offers a stunning portrait of a mother whose grief slow-boils over decades, never totally evaporating even when she's urged by her family to confront and absolve her daughter's killer. Brian F. O'Byrne chillingly incarnates the convicted felon, rendering him at once psychotically twisted and tragically recognizable. As the academic scientist with a guilty secret of her own, Laila Robins acquits herselfif not her character's tendentiously sympathetic theorywith conviction.
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Viral ads grab more Internet eyeballs
Dan Bobkoff
Dec 13, 2012 Advertising Age's top 10 viral ads show that many ad campaigns now originate on the Internet rather than as TV commercials.
Small company SodaStream bets big on Super Bowl ad
Jeff Tyler
Dec 10, 2012 Do-it-yourself soft-drink company SodaStream is spending 10 percent of its net earnings on a Super Bowl commercial.
Other businesses pile on to Black Friday, the event
Eve Troeh
Nov 19, 2012 Businesses from insurance to over-the-counter medicine see the crowds attracted by Black Friday shopping and figure out ways to cash in.
Post-election ad space deals won't last
Josh Rogers
Nov 8, 2012 For months, political advertising glutted the airwaves in election swing states like Ohio, Florida and New Hampshire. Now that the election is over, there are cheap openings for regular advertisers. But they won't last long.
'MAD' men: 60 years of spoofing the advertising industry
Sarah Gardner
Interview by
Oct 29, 2012 MAD Magazine editor-in-chief John Ficarra reflects on 60 years of parodying advertising.
For some businesses, words can't express what they do
Doug Tribou
Oct 24, 2012 From "Assurance" to "Esurance" to "preventistry," companies and marketers are increasingly creating new words to describe their businesses and what they offer.
Red Bull sponsors record skydive attempt
Stacey Vanek Smith
Oct 8, 2012 Red Bull, the energy drink, sponsors Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking skydive attempt. And the risks are real for everyone.
African-American youth seeing more alcohol ads
Bob Moon
Sep 27, 2012 A new study finds African-Americans aged 12-20 are exposed to more alcohol advertising than American young people in general
Village Voice to cut ties to sex ad business
Mark Garrison
Sep 24, 2012 The decision is a hit to revenue. But other alternative weeklies are surviving without adult classifieds.
Priceline resurrects Shatner for new ads
Mark Garrison
Aug 15, 2012 Pitchman William Shatner appeared to have perished in a Priceline ad in January. So why is he back on air as the Priceline "Negotiator?"


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Post all Rumors, News, Minor Signings, Minor Trades etc in this thread. Major stuff can be made into its own thread.
Post all Rumors, News, Minor Signings, Minor Trades etc in this thread. Major stuff can be made into its own thread.
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Blackhawks make a minor signing. Staying with their Swedish guys.
Hawks love their Swedes. Sounds like a Q type player, solid defensively.
He's also 6'3, 201, so potential for great size there.
I think we trade Oduya and Klas Dahlbeck replaces him in the line-up. One thing to consider if we trade Leddy is that Clendening is a RHD. Stephen Johns is also a RHD. So we'd either need to sign someone to play with Hammer or sign a bottom pairing guy and use either Dahlbeck or Clendening with Hammer.
I wonder if a Leddy for Brayden Schenn framework makes sense for both teams. According to Jaeckel, we're out on Kesler. Having said that, we'll probably get him haha.
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After watching this series, I'd love to sign Boyle from the Rangers. He'd be a solid get.
Also, I'd look long and hard at signing Rick Nash if he gets bought out. He's coming off a down season and is exactly the type of forward we could use in our top-6. Imagine a top line of Nash-Toews-Hossa. That's probably the best two-way line in all of hockey. I wonder what kind of price tag he'd have. If he'd sign for $5 or $6 million (or possibly less than that) on a 1-year deal, I think I'd jump at that. He's not a hitter in the regular season, but he had over a hit per game in the playoffs while playing good defense. He's never played with a playmaker like Toews, so I'd love to see what he could do here.
I really want Alex Tuch in the draft. Here's an excerpt from one of his scouting reports:
He plays C/W. Kind of reminds me of a David Backes type player, in that he's big, physical, can play both wing and center effectively, and plays a two-way game.Originally Posted by MyNHLDraft.com Alex Tuch Profile
I also really like Anthony DeAngelo, who could very well be there by our pick. He's probably the top offensive-defenseman in the draft, but falls due to having some character concerns. Here's an article that explains it well: http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/2014/0...hony-deangelo/
Last edited by CubbieKid17; 06-14-2014 at 03:36 AM.
13 more days until the draft! I expect the trade rumors to begin heating up in the next 4 or 5 days.
Eklund has us being one of the main teams interested in Mike Richards if he gets traded or bought out.
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Cake pops, a gastropub and a Scottish whisky bar are among the new food-related arrivals in Park Slope.
The Supply House, 1647 Second Ave. at East 85th Street, will offer a coffee-crusted burger.
The new eatery on Ditmars Boulevard specializes in grilled meat skewers and hot broth noodles.
Marcus Samuelsson's new "American Table" will replace At65 at Alice Tully Hall.
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COASTAL STATES' AND TERRITORIES' NEEDS FOR SEABED INFORMATION DESCRIPTION OF QUESTIONNAIRE The Committee on Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Information Needs sent a questionnaire on "EEZ Seabed Uses and Information Needs" to 72 offices in 23 coastal states and 5 U.S. territories (see Appendixes A and B), including state geologists, coastal zone management offices, and other agencies with jurisdiction over the state's or territory's offshore areas. The purpose of the questionnaire was to identify the needs of coastal states and territories for scientific information about the seafloor of the EEZ in relation to their environmental concerns and potential economic development activities in their offshore areas. In addition to filling out a table ranking information needs by categories of expected uses, the respondents were asked to indicate the most crucial locations for present or future interest in the seabed and the reason for interest in that area. A total of 52 responses were received from all 23 states and 3 out of 5 territories (the Marianas Islands and American Samoa did not respond). The responses have been tabulated and aggregated by region in order to summarize plans for present and future uses and preferences for information in a manner useful for planning mapping and research activities. Regions were defined in accordance with the NOAA State Coastal Zone Management Program, except that Alaska and the Pacific Islands are treated as separate regions. The regions are: North Atlantic: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York. Rhode Island South Atlantic: Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia Gulf/Islands: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Texas, Virgin Islands Pacific: California, Oregon, Washington Pacific Islands: Guam, Hawaii, Northern Marianas, American Samoa Alaska: Alaska The structure of the questionnaire allowed incomplete, subjective, and impressionistic responses and therefore is not susceptible to rigorous statistical analysis. However, the responses indicate clear trends and the relative importance of uses and information needs. Additional information was provided by many respondents in cover letters and these were also reviewed by committee members. 7
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8 ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES 1 1 ~ 1 Figures 1 through 6 present the information from the questionnaires in tabulated form (Figures 1, 2, and 4A-F) and then in bar graphs (Figures 3A-B and SA-F). Figures 6A-B summarize information from the questions on page 2 of the questionnaire: "What specific offshore geographic arrears) are the most crucial locales for your state's/territory's present or future interest in the seabed and why? and comments made in cover letters accompanying the returned questionnaires. Following is a description and explanation of each figure: ~ . . . . ~ ~ . � Figure 1 shows a tabulation of all responses in all categories of use by information need. Almost all respondents ignored the distinction between reconnaissance and site-specific tasks. The left number indicates the number of "1~ ratings ("essential"~; the right number indicates the number of "2" ratings ("usefuln). The "3t rating has been eliminated, because it seemed to cover a vague range of meanings from "background" to Useless." � Figure 2 shows a weighted score in each box. This was obtained by doubling the number of "1" ratings and adding them to the number of "2" ratings. The score indicates the relative strength of response for each use/information category. The last column of the table is a "total score" for all information needs in each use category, and gives some indication of the relative importance the respondents place on each use category. The "total score" at the bottom of the table gives an indication of the relative importance the respondents place on each information need category. � Figures 3A and 3B display the total scores for uses and information needs from Figure 2. � Figures 4A-F show weighted responses for uses and information needs by region, with total scores for uses. Regions were defined in accordance with the NOAA State Coastal Zone Management Program, except that Alaska and the Pacific Islands are treated as separate regions for our purposes. A list of the states/territories in each region is given on the bottom of each figure, with the number of responses in parentheses. � Figures SA-F display the total scores for uses for each region from Figures 4A-F. � Figures 6A and 6B summarize information from sources other than the table. These include responses to the question on page 2 of the questionnaire: "What specific offshore geographic greats) are the most crucial locales for your state's territory's present or future interest in the seabed and why?" and comments in cover letters. Similar responses by more than one agency in a state, or identification of more than one location within a state was counted only once in the bottom line totals of Figure 6A and in the regional subtotals Figure 6B. Figure 6B summarizes the responses by region designed to identify the level of common interest in a region as well as to highlight differences between regions. c~ C~ ~ ~ � The survey identified five principal concerns. All respondents specified concerns about management of biological resources, particularly fisheries; mineral resources, including placers, aggregates, and phosphates; environmental assessment, including placement and monitoring of waste; shoreline management; and strong but more regionally focused interest in oil and gas development activities. Requirements for data related to pipelines, cables, ocean energy development, geohazards, cultural and recreational interests, and military uses were of much less general concern, although occasionally of regional importance. All states gave high priority to acquisition of seabed information for research. No supporting explanation was provided for this category. It is presumed by the committee that this category includes needs identified in other use categories. Future investigations will seek better definition of this area, which was left open-ended and undefined in the questionnaire. Research is an essential foundation of every use of the ocean and its resources. A different approach will be necessary for determining the priorities for research needs. The states stressed the need for more information collected on the continental shelf, rather than information from the slope and deep ocean. Generalizing from the lumped results (Figure 3B), bathymetry and distribution and characterization of the bottom sediments were the highest priority information desired. Seafloor
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9 imagery, high-resolution seismic profiles and geophysical data, especially deep seismic profiles, follow in order of importance for the principal applications listed. An elaboration of these classes of seabed data follows: � Bathymetry, in general, has more stringent requirements for horizontal and vertical resolution near shore, less stringent in greater water depths. Exceptions are where a high level of sea bottom activity extends into deep water, such as in the Gulf of Mexico, where pipelines and oil and gas production structures will soon be placed in water depths of 3,000 feet, 130 miles from shore. . Sediment characterization, including chemical and physical properties as well as thickness and lateral extent, has particular significance for placer and aggregate mining, waste disposal, and oil and gas development, including pipeline placement. Along with bathymetry, sediment characterization by sampling and high-resolution seismic profiling are fundamental components of the EEZ seabed data base for which systematic data acquisition are needed. They provide the necessary ground truth calibration required to fully exploit the information contained in seafloor imagery. � Seafloor imagery, with potential for concurrent generation of bathymetric data, is of high priority, especially in the interpretation of the dynamic processes leading to current seabed morphology, e.g., sediment slumping, active faults, tectonism, diapirism. Following completion of the deepwater GLORIA surveys (side-looking or side-scan sonars that provide acoustic images of the seafloor Geologic Longrange Inclined ASDIC developed in the United Kingdom and currently used by the USGS in their EEZ mapping program), local and more detailed surveys would be required to serve the applications identified. � Deep seismic profiling has direct applications for geohazard analysis in areas with active faulting and in the regional understanding of the structure and evolution of sedimentary basins. Its use is justifiable for regional tectonic framework analysis and on a project case-by-case basis where there are site-specific needs. It is not economically practical as a general high-density survey tool, unrelated to economic development activity and is therefore lower priority data in the context of general EEZ information needs.
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text:
i don't know if anyone saw the news about a Grandmother and Grandson that drowned the other day, they just named them and I went to school with the daughter/Mum. How tragic
:( terrible isn't it, it really is a small world
If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together.......
there is something you must always remember.
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is, even if we're apart...... I'll always be with you.
Winne the Pooh - A A Milne
A friend is a hand that is always holding yours,
no matter how close or far apart you may be.
A friend is someone who is always there and will always, always care.
A friend is a feeling of forever in the heart.
I didn't hear about it here, but what a terrible tragedy. :(
That's so sad, Brit. Thinking of them.
Next trip - Bali! (March 2015)


text:
Marines have used the system for everything from daily briefings to calling in more lumber for construction projects. In addition, it has provided a clearing house of civil information in the areas the III MEF has been dispersed throughout Thailand.
"I found the MARCIMS device and associated wiki page to be an excellent command-and-control tool," said Maj. Jared C. Voneida, deputy commander of the Combined Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force, a military unit responsible for carrying out civil-military operations and the primary user of MARCIMS at Cobra Gold. "A substantial amount of man-hours were saved daily by not having to spend time manually inputting raw data from the field into a database."
ONR and MCSC will continue to evaluate feedback from the exercise and further refine MARCIMS for future tests and acquisition.
|Contact: Peter Vietti
Office of Naval Research


text:
Top 25 Capsules
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — No. 2 Syracuse held Miami without a basket for 7½ minutes down the stretch Saturday and made eight consecutive free throws in the final minute to remain unbeaten with a 64-52 victory over the Hurricanes.
Miami led 47-46 with less than 7 minutes to go but made only one field goal the rest of the way.
Syracuse (19-0, 6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) needs one more victory to tie the school record for most wins to start a season, set two years ago. The ACC newcomers beat defending league champion Miami (10-9, 2-5) for the second time in three weeks.
Jerami Grant scored 16 points to lead the Orange, who had a 39-24 rebounding advantage.
Davon Reed scored 16 points for the Hurricanes, who kept it close by shooting 9 of 17 from 3-point range.
No. 21 MICHIGAN 80, No. 3 MICHIGAN STATE 75
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Nik Stauskas made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:12 left and finished with 19 points and freshman Derrick Walton Jr. scored a season-high 19, lifting Michigan to a win over Michigan State to remain the only Big Ten team without a conference loss.
The Wolverines (15-4, 7-0 Big Ten) went on a 10-0 run late in the game to take control and held on to win for just the second time in 15 games at the Breslin Center.
The Spartans (18-2, 7-1) had won 11 straight since losing to North Carolina at home.
Michigan State's Gary Harris scored a career-high 27 points and didn't get much help offensively from his team that was without two of its best players.
No. 4 VILLANOVA 94, MARQUETTE 85, OT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ryan Arcidiacono had 20 points and 11 assists, and coolly guided Villanova in overtime following a frenzied finish to regulation.
Arcidiacono had six points and two assists in the extra period. He hustled for a loose ball with 37.7 seconds left that allowed Villanova coach Jay Wright to call a timeout and avoid a turnover.
James Bell, who finished with 30 points, followed with two free throws to make it a three-possession game for the Wildcats (17-2, 6-1 Big East).
Todd Mayo had 18 points, including the last 10 in regulation, for Marquette (11-9, 3-4) to help force overtime at 77-77.
A layup by Villanova's Tony Chennault with 1 second left in regulation was waved off by the officials after Steve Taylor, Jr., drew a charging foul.
Villanova snapped Marquette's 20-game winning streak in home conference games.
No. 5 WICHITA STATE 78, DRAKE 61
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Cleanthony Early scored 19 points, Ron Baker added 14 and Wichita State stayed perfect with a win over Drake.
Nick Wiggins had 11 points for the visiting Shockers (21-0, 8-0 Missouri Valley Conference). Wichita State outscored Drake 28-15 to open the second half, turning a relatively close game into a rout.
The Shockers have won four straight by at least 15 points after an overtime scare at Missouri State two weeks ago.


text: Shapeways: Bring your creativity to life in 3D http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php Shapeways: Bring your creativity to life in 3D UPS FEES http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=25854&th=4958#msg_25854 read a forum note and it said that they paid $58 on an order that was only $55 that is very stiff and makes ordering hard if the fees come out to $3.00 to every $ 1 . Or do I just miss understand this?]]> Ayewondery 2011-04-09T16:34:34-00:00 Re: UPS FEES http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=25861&th=4958#msg_25861 ]]> stop4stuff 2011-04-09T19:27:28-00:00 Re: UPS FEES http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=25869&th=4958#msg_25869 Getting things shipped from state to state in the USA is different than shipping back and forth to other country like where 'Shapeways' is located. want to try and cover all the bases and avoid any surprises using this service. ]]> Ayewondery 2011-04-10T15:38:40-00:00 Re: UPS FEES http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=25871&th=4958#msg_25871 import duties and handling fees to the US should be small compared to your order. Unfortunately the countries most affected at the moment are Brasil and Switzerland. best regards, Pete]]> pete 2011-04-10T18:16:07-00:00 Re: UPS FEES http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=25973&th=4958#msg_25973 Thanks for the answer. Wanted to know ahead of time if the 'UPS Driver ' asked for payment their is a reason for it not some kind of off the cuff scam like the others running through here at the moment. Just to be clear about this 1) Shapeways charge [ handeling the model] 2) material charge [wsf,sandstone,steel,etc] 3) printing 4) shipping other fees by UPS Did i miss anything? ]]> Ayewondery 2011-04-12T16:06:30-00:00 Re: UPS FEES http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=25988&th=4958#msg_25988 1-4 are one item paid to Shapeways. 5 could be import duties - depends on whether they inspect your package - assume they do. Should be around 10-20%]]> pete 2011-04-12T21:17:17-00:00 Re: UPS FEES http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=25989&th=4958#msg_25989 ]]> stop4stuff 2011-04-12T21:18:55-00:00


text:
- 800.878.7323
New Mass Market
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Other titles in the Star Wars series:
Outbound Flight (Star Wars)by Timothy Zahn
The light freighter Bargain Hunter moved through space, silver-gray against the blackness, the light of the distant stars reflecting from its hull. Its running lights were muted, its navigational beacons quiet, its viewports for the most part as dark as the space around it.
Its drive gunning for all it was worth.
?Hang on!? Dubrak Qennto barked over the straining roar of the engines. ?Here he comes again!?
Clenching his teeth firmly together to keep them from chattering, Jorj Car?das got a grip on his seat?s armrest with one hand as he finished punching coordinates into the nav computer with the other. Just in time; the Bargain Hunter jinked hard to the left as a pair of brilliant green blaster bolts burned past the bridge canopy. ?Car?das?? Qennto called. ?Snap it up, kid.?
?I?m snapping, I?m snapping,? Car?das called back, resisting the urge to point out that the outmoded nav equipment was Qennto?s property, not his. As was the lack of diplomacy and common sense that had gotten them into this mess in the first place. ?Can?t we just talk to them??
?Terrific idea,? Qennto bit out. ?Be sure to compliment Progga on his fairness and sound business sense. That always works on Hutts.?
The last word was punctuated by another cluster of blaster shots, this group closer than the last. ?Rak, the engines can?t hold this speed forever,? Maris Ferasi warned from the copilot?s seat, her dark hair flashing with green highlights every time a shot went past.
?Doesn?t have to be forever,? Qennto said with a grunt. ?Just till we have some numbers. Car?das??
On Car?das?s board a light winked on. ?Ready,? he called, punching the numbers over to the pilot?s station. ?It?s not a very long jump, though??
He was cut off by a screech from somewhere aft, and the flashing blaster bolts were replaced by flashing starlines as the Bargain Hunter shot into hyperspace.
Car?das took a deep breath, let it out silently. ?This is not what I signed up for,? he muttered to himself. Barely six standard months after signing on with Qennto and Maris, this was already the second time they?d had to run for their lives from someone.
And this time it was a Hutt they?d frizzled. Qennto, he thought darkly, had a genuine talent for picking his fights.
?You okay, Jorj??
Car?das looked up, blinking away a drop of sweat that had somehow found its way into his eye. Maris was swiveled around in her chair, looking back at him with concern. ?I?m fine,? he said, wincing at the quavering in his voice.
?Of course he is,? Qennto assured Maris as he also turned around to look at their junior crewer. ?Those shots never even got close.?
Car?das braced himself. ?You know, Qennto, it may not be my place to say this??
?It isn?t; and don?t,? Qennto said gruffly, turning back to his board.
?Progga the Hutt is not the sort of person you want mad at you,? Car?das said anyway. ?I mean, first there was that Rodian??
?A word about shipboard etiquette, kid,? Qennto cut in, turning just far enough to send a single eye?s worth of glower at Car?das. ?You don?t argue with your captain. Not ever. Not unless you want this to be your first and last tour with us.?
?I?d settle for it not being the last tour of my life,? Car?das muttered.
?What was that??
Car?das grimaced. ?Nothing.?
?Don?t let Progga worry you,? Maris soothed. ?He has a rotten temper, but he?ll cool off.?
?Before or after he racks the three of us and takes all the furs?? Car?das countered, eyeing the hyperdrive readings uneasily. That mauvine nullifier instability was definitely getting worse.
?Oh, Progga wouldn?t have racked us,? Qennto scoffed. ?He?d have left that to Drixo when we had to tell her he?d snatched her cargo. You do have that next jump ready, right??
?Working on it,? Car?das said, checking the computer. ?But the hyperdrive??
?Heads up,? Qennto interrupted. ?We?re coming out.?
The starlines collapsed back into stars, and Car?das keyed for a full sensor scan.
And jerked as a salvo of blaster shots sizzled past the canopy.
Qennto barked a short expletive. ?What the frizz??
?He followed us,? Maris said, sounding stunned.
?And he?s got the range,? Qennto snarled as he threw the Bargain Hunter into another series of stomach-twisting evasive maneuvers. ?Car?das, get us out of here!?
?Trying,? Car?das called back, fighting to read the computer displays as they bounced and wobbled in front of his eyes. There was no way it was going to calculate the next jump before even Qennto?s luck ran out and the fuming Hutt back there finally connected.
But if Car?das couldn?t find a place for them to go, maybe he could find all the places for them not to go . . .
The sky directly ahead was full of stars, but there was plenty of empty black between them. Picking the biggest of the gaps, he punched the vector into the computer. ?Try this one,? he called, keying it to Qennto.
?What do you mean try?? Maris asked.
The freighter rocked as a pair of shots caught it squarely on the aft deflector. ?Never mind,? Qennto said before Car?das could answer. He punched the board, and once again the starlines lanced out and faded into the blotchy hyperspace sky.
Maris exhaled in a huff. ?That was too close.?
?Okay, so maybe he is mad at us,? Qennto conceded. ?Now. Like Maris said, kid, what do you mean, try this one??
?I didn?t have time to calculate a proper jump,? Car?das explained. ?So I just aimed us into an empty spot with no stars.?
Qennto swiveled around. ?You mean an empty spot with no visible stars?? he asked ominously. ?An empty spot with no collapsed stars, or pre-star dark masses, or something hidden behind dust clouds? That kind of empty spot?? He waved a hand toward the canopy. ?And out toward the Unknown Regions on top of it??
?We don?t have enough data in that direction for him to have done a proper calculation anyway,? Maris said, coming unex- pectedly to Car?das?s defense.
?That?s not the point,? Qennto insisted.
?No, the point is that he got us away from Progga,? Maris said. ?I think that deserves at least a thank-you.?
Qennto rolled his eyes. ?Thank you,? he said. ?Such thanks to be rescinded if and when we run through a star you didn?t see, of course.?
?I think it?s more likely the hyperdrive will blow up first,? Car?das warned. ?Remember that nullifier problem I told you about? I think it?s getting??
He was cut off by a wailing sound from beneath them, and with a lurch the Bargain Hunter leapt forward like a giffa on a scent.
?Running hot!? Qennto shouted, spinning back to his board. ?Maris, shut ?er down!?
?Trying,? Maris called back over the wailing as her fingers danced across her board. ?Control lines are looping?can?t get a signal through.?
With a curse, Qennto popped his straps and heaved his bulk out of his seat. He sprinted down the narrow aisle, his elbow barely missing the back of Car?das?s head as he passed. Poking uselessly at his own controls, Car?das popped his own strap release and started to follow.
?Car?das, get up here,? Maris called, gesturing him forward.
?He might need me,? Car?das said as he nevertheless reversed direction and headed forward.
?Sit,? she ordered, nodding sideways at Qennto?s vacated pilot?s seat. ?Help me watch the tracker?if we veer off this vector before Rak figures out how to pull the plug, I need to know about it.?
?But Qennto??
?Word of advice, friend,? she interrupted, her eyes still on her displays. ?This is Rak?s ship. If there are any tricky repairs to be made, he?s the one who?ll make them.?
?Even if I happen to know more about a particular system than he does??
?Especially if you happen to know more about it than he does,? she said drily. ?But in this case, you don?t. Trust me.?
?Fine,? Car?das said with a sigh. ?Such trust to be rescinded if and when we blow up, of course.?
?You?re learning,? she said approvingly. ?Now run a systems check on the scanners and see if the instability?s bled over into them. Then do the same for the nav computer. Once we get through this, I want to make sure we can find our way home again.?
Copyright © 2006 by Timothy Zahn
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