Abstract: The herein disclosed auction service stimulates competition between service providers to carry 800 Customers' traffic and facilitates the 800 Customer's ability to make economic choices between telecommunication carriers. In this method and system, telecommunication switches route toll-free calls (e.g., calls dialed using an NPA of 800 or 888 in the United States and, typically, paid for by the called party, the 800 Customer) in accordance with economic incentives (e.g., least cost routing) resulting from an auction process between participating telecommunication carriers ("Carriers"), administered by a bidding service provider through operation of a central processor, a computer referred to as a bidding moderator (the "Moderator"). The Moderator provides each Carrier with bid information from other Carriers for at least a portion of all point-to-point routes for which any Carrier has submitted a bid.

Abstract: A conveying device for sheet-like workpieces having low specific gravity (21), such as paper or cardboard, comprises two median conveying elements (11, 12) arranged side by side along the path of the workpieces (21), for changing the orientation of the sheets or plates about a perpendicular axis. Separate drive mechanisms with adjustable speed (18) are connected to each of the median conveying elements (11, 12). A plenum (22) provided with a fan (23) is used to apply a downward air pressure to the workpieces (21), pressing them against the median conveying elements (11, 12) in order to transmit different speeds to each of the surface parts of the workpieces (21) in contact with the respective conveying elements (11, 12).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing gapped ferrite toroids without the necessity of machining. This allows for the highly efficient production of tightly controlled energy storage magnetic components and stable inductors. Composite toroids of the invention have a wide range of applications, and could be used as substitutes for more costly and less operationally efficient magnetic components. This invention provides a method of producing composite toroids that include a nonmagnetic gap, by utilizing a layer-forming method, such as tape casting, and subsequently co-firing a monolithic composite magnetic and non-magnetic ceramic structure produced by stacking the layers. The toroids are punched from the stacked layers prior to final firing. This novel method provides a means for producing very well controlled gapped structures.

Abstract: The disclosed positioning and securing device for plate-shaped tools (3) for the hot pressure transfer of portions of metallic film webs onto a substrate, comprises a supporting and heating plate (1) for the tools (3), covered by a plurality of apertures (2) adapted to receive securement means for the tools (3). This device includes positioning means for the tools (3) comprising, on the one hand, a template (9) covering the supporting and heating plate (1), provided with first distinctive marks for position each of the tools (3) on said plate (1). The latter itself includes removable positioning and securement means for the template (9). On the other hand, the positioning means includes second markers (12), provided on the upper surface of each of the tools (3), the positions of which correspond to the positions of the respective first marks of said template (9). A method for producing said template (9) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system assembles and conveys a stream of plate-like workpieces from a production system, such as a specialty box folder-gluer, to a strapping or tying system, as counted stacks. The system can be converted from counter-ejector mode, automatically counting and assembling workpieces of approximately the same thickness at their leading and trailing edges into stacks as they emerge from the production system, to a standard conveyor system, delivering a shingled stream of workpieces that are thicker or thinner at the leading edge, to an assembly station for counting and stacking, either manually or automatically. The system is converted from one mode to the other to accommodate the particular characteristics of the workpieces being produced.

Abstract: A device for production of corrugated cardboard, comprising a first fluted roller (1) and a second fluted roller (2) together forming a corrugating gap (3), a pressure contact roller (4) forming a pressure contact gap (5) together with the second fluted roller (2), feeding means (18) to feed a corrugating strip (16) to the corrugating gap (3) in which the corrugating strip (16) is deformed to make the corrugated strip (20), feeding means (26, 28) to feed a smooth strip (24) to the pressure contact gap (5) in which the smooth strip (24) is pressed into contact with the corrugated strip (20) with an intermediate glue layer to produce a composite strip, and advancing means (36, 38, 40) to advance the composite strip (34) formed by bonding the corrugated strip (20) to the smooth strip (24). Each of the two fluted rollers (1, 2) has a fluted profile on its periphery with profile peaks (PS1, PS2) and profile valleys (PT1, PT2) cooperating in the corrugating process.

Abstract: The disclosed squaring device utilizes an upper squaring carriage with compression belts and pneumatically actuated squaring fingers. In one embodiment, the upper squaring carriage includes at least three compression belts. At least one of the compression belts, central to the other belts, is positioned to apply direct pressure to the glued seam after the upper panels and lower panels are aligned. As a folded box reaches the end of the folding section and enters the squaring section, the moveable belt is raised so as not to apply pressure directly to the glued seam. The drive belts on either side of the seam maintain the box in compression. As the box approaches the squaring fingers, it passes a sensor that sends a signal to a programmable logic controller. At a selected time, depending on the conveyor belt speed, the controller actuates a pneumatic piston that drives a rack and pinion mechanism to rotate the squaring fingers into position to intercept the box travel.

Abstract: The disclosed sorting device, within a conveyor of plate-like workpieces, comprises a first lower rear conveyor (40) ending in a front wheel or roller (42) driven in rotation. It also comprises a second lower front conveyor (50) located behind the first and beginning with a rear wheel or roller (52) driven in rotation. It is also provided with compression device (30, 35) for pressing the plate-like workpieces against the lower conveyors, and a sorter (60) interposed between the front roller (42) of the first conveyor (40) and the rear roller (52) of the second conveyor (50), the sorter (60) having, in cross section, a corner facing the upstream or feed end of the conveyor, with a first side parallel to the normal path of the conveyors, and a second slanted side along an ejection path passing between the first and second lower conveyors. The device also comprises deflection means (26, 32) situated slightly above the front half of the front wheel or roller (42) of the first conveyor (40).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for straightening a stack (P) of sheet material that has been deformed after conveyance on a roller conveyor (4), the rollers of which are mounted around parallel axes of rotation (5) extending transverse to the direction of conveyance of the stack (P), consists of putting the stack (P) in engagement with a stop surface (32) and driving the axes (5) of the rollers on which the stack (P) rests in a movement of translation in the direction of conveyance of the stack (P), allowing the rollers to rotate freely around their respective axes of rotation (5).

Abstract: An auction service is provided that stimulates competition between energy suppliers (i.e., electric power or natural gas). A bidding moderator (Moderator) receives bids from the competing suppliers of the rate each is willing to charge to particular end users for estimated quantities of electric power or gas supply (separate auctions). Each supplier receives competing bids from the Moderator and has the opportunity to adjust its own bids down or up, depending on whether it wants to encourage or discourage additional energy delivery commitments in a particular geographic area or to a particular customer group. Each supplier's bids can also be changed to reflect each supplier's capacity utilization. Appropriate billing arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes an indexing feeder for feeding the elongated food articles, a first slicing station and a second slicing station disposed along the indexing feeder for slicing the food articles into slabs, and a container conveyor system for delivering containers to receive the slabs. The articles are placed individually into winged troughs ("flights") carried by the indexing feeder and the feeder is advanced by two flight spacings in each slicing cycle. The second slicing station is displaced from the first slicing station by an odd number of flights. Each slicing station further includes an indexing turret with a number of self-centering chucks disposed around the periphery of the turret. The turret is rotated in such a way so as to allow a food article to be inserted into each chuck as the chuck rotates past the indexing feeder.

Abstract: Telecommunication switches (e.g., PBX's or local exchange carrier's Centrex-enabled switches) route calls in accordance with economic incentives (e.g., least cost routing) resulting from a bidding process between participating telecommunication Carriers (Carriers) by operation of a central processor, a computer referred to as a bidding moderator (Moderator). Each of the Carriers bidding for traffic over a route informs the Moderator of the rate it is willing to charge for (or other economic incentive it is willing to offer) service between two specific points in a telecommunication network, for example, from one NPA-NXX to another NPA-NXX, at some particular time. This "bid" rate may be lower than that Carrier's established rate for any of several reasons (e.g., the Carrier has excess capacity on that route at that time). The Carrier may change its bids as often as it likes during the day as traffic patterns change.

Abstract: A modular message center consisting of at least two multifunctional modules can be assembled with the modules in at least two different relative positions. The modules incorporate a plurality of messaging and informational functions, such as cork board, dry-erase, adhesive notes, calendar, and magnetic message board. The main module is, preferably, square so that the supplemental modules can be attached to either side, top or bottom, with equal facility. The modules can be arrayed in horizontal, vertical, extended horizontal or extended vertical formats. The message center may be, for example, hung on a wall or magnetically affixed to a metallic surface, such as a refrigerator. The frame around one or more of the modules can be fitted to permit storage of felt tip markers or other writing implements along the length of frame member.