Verizon Business Global LLC

Raytheon Company

Worldcom, Inc.

Amana Refrigeration, Inc.

Donald J Maurer

Joel Hanson

Mark O'Brien

Mike Kirchner

Tom Galvin

Tony Moey

Don Fergus

A system establishes a telephone call between a calling party and a called party. The system receives a telephone call connection request, including identification of the called party, from the calling party and determines, based on the identification information, if the called party is currently connected to a data network. If the called party is currently connected to the data network, the system establishes the telephone call between the calling party and an instant messaging client of the called party.

Systems and methods for receiving telephone calls via instant messaging

A structurally self supporting shipping package adapted for use with mechanical handling equipment. The package may be embodied as a base or as a unitary carton formed by bending a single sheet of material such as fiberboard. The package includes a horizontal panel elevated by adjacent upward facing rectangular channels. Flaps formed at the ends of the channels engage rails formed along the sides of the panel, to transfer shear stress away from the channels and towards the rails. The rails may be assisted by flaps formed adjacent their connection to the panel. The package may be further strengthened if certain portions are formed by placing multiple thicknesses of material adjacent each other. The structurally self-supporting package allows accommodation of a variety of oddly shaped items. Package assembly may be expedited if the rails are formed in sections.

Shipping package adapted for mechanical handling and stacking

A shipping base for elevating the bottom of a load to provide an entry slot for a mechanical lifting device. Cardboard is cut and folded to form a horizontal panel integrally connected to upward-facing rectangular channels along opposing panel edges. Polystyrene shipping pads are inserted in the channels for supporting the weight of an item to be shipped and partially encapsulating the item.

Shipping base having an entry slot for mechanical material handling

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Donald J Maurer