Abstract: The method includes defining at least one sizing parameter for a capacitor arrangement (11). Once the parameter or parameters are defined, the method includes applying at least one sizing parameter to select a particular capacitor arrangement (11) for a free area on the integrated circuit chip (12). The selected capacitor arrangement comprises the largest arrangement which is accommodated within the free area, subject to the sizing parameter or parameters employed. Sizing parameters may include a height dimension range between a maximum and minimum height dimension for the capacitor arrangement, and permissible width dimensions for the capacitor arrangement. Steps in the layout method may be performed on a computer system (51) under the control of operational program code.

Abstract: Heated and pressurized reactant material is caused to come into contact with oxidant in an initial contact zone (Z) within a contactor. vessel (11). This initial contact zone is removed from the walls of the vessel and the structure through which the reactant material is introduced into the vessel. Once in the contactor vessel (11), the temperature of the reactant material is elevated to critical temperature or near critical temperature in at least portions of the initial contact zone. Sulfates and similar ions liberated in the oxidation reaction form salts and precipitate from solution generally in. the initial contact. zone removed from the contactor vessel walls and then tend not to adhere to equipment at points downstream from the initial contact zone.

Abstract: Removably attachable container holder (10) includes a pressure dispersing conformable pad (12). Pressure dispersing conformable pad (12) includes multiple self-sizing container receivers (18) and a first free end (14) and a second free end (16). Connection straps (20) are connected, one each, to each free end (14) and (16). In a preferred embodiment, hook and loop material (24) is connected to straps (20). Pressure dispersing conformable pad (12) is one width and connection straps (20) and multiple self-sizing container receivers (18) are of another, smaller, a width.

Abstract: A particular node (24) in a tree structure (23) defined in a data processing system (10) may be selected for display as the root node in a tree structure display window (21). Once a particular node (24) is selected as the root node, only that portion of the tree structure branching from the selected node (24) is displayed. The portion of the tree structure (23) which does not branch from the selected node (24) is omitted from the display. In addition to the portion of the tree structure branching from the selected node (24), the system also displays a path map window (22) containing information about the portion of the tree structure omitted from the display. The path map window (22) may include a representation of the selected node (24) and a representation of each ancestor USA node for the selected node, all arranged in the order of the path from the actual root node to the selected node.

Abstract: A two-stage alarm (10) includes a clock generator (36). A memory device (28 and 30) for storing data is connected to the clock generator (36). A data display device (22) is connected to the memory device (28 and 30) for displaying stored data. An alarm is connected to the memory device (28 and 30) with a first stage and a second attenuated stage. An alarm control device (24) is connected to the alarm for controlling the alarm in the absence of an alarm event and for selecting the second attenuated stage during an alarm event. As a result, the user of the two-stage alarm (10) can acknowledge an alarm event only by selecting an attenuated, reduced, alarm stage for a period of time and then manipulate the alarm only in the absence of an alarm event.

Abstract: A master-slave flip-flop circuit (200, 200′) includes a master latch circuit (202) and slave latch circuit (203). A hold control component (220) included in the master latch circuit (202) is interposed between a master latch node (ML) and a slave input node (SI). The hold control component blocks the transfer of data from the master latch node (ML) to the slave input node (SI) in response to a hold input. In the preferred form of the invention of the hold control component (220) comprises a tri-state inverter having an input connected to the master latch node (ML) and an output connected to the slave input node (SI). The hold input, comprising a high level hold signal and its complementary or inverted signal, disables the tri-state inverter and thus prevent data from being transferred from the master latch node (ML) to the slave input node (SI).

Abstract: In a length of rigid material (12) with first and second unjoined edges (16 and 20), a reinforcing ridge (10) includes a short extension (14) connected to the first unjoined edge (16). A long extension (18) is connected to the second unjoined edge (20). When the unjoined edges (16 and 20) are brought together, the long extension (18) is bent over the short extension (14) forming a connection locking slot (22) and the reinforcing ridge (10). In a preferred embodiment, at least one reinforcing rib (26) is formed in a side opposite the reinforcing ridge (10) and at least one strength indent (28) is formed in a side adjacent to the reinforcing ridge (10). As formed, the rigid material is sufficiently strong to resist collapse when joined together by use of automatic joining devices.

Abstract: An initial comminuted meat product (21) is exposed to ammonia to produce an ammoniated meat product. The ammoniated meat product is further comminuted in a comminuting device (12) to produce a further comminuted meat product (22). The ammonia exposure to the original comminuted meat product (21) is controlled to result in a pH of at least around 6.0 in the further comminuted meat product (22).

Abstract: An exercise device (10) includes a base (11) comprising a rigid piece of material which may be placed flat on a floor. An isokinetic resistance unit (12) is pivotally connected at a lower end to the base, with a harness (13) connected to an upper end of the resistance unit. A user uses the device by attaching the harness (13) preferably around the waist and, while standing on the base (11), bending to a squatting position and then returning to an upright position. The resistance unit (12) comprises a cylinder (30) and piston (31) arrangement which provides resistance as the user moves from the squatting position to the upright position. The resistance is provided through a negative pressure developed in a working chamber (38) defined between the piston (31) and a first end of the cylinder (30).

Abstract: A resiliently attachable tool cleaner (10) having a support base (12) with a cleaning surface (14) attached thereto. A resilient, expandable and contractable, attachment (16) is connected to the support base (12) for securing the support base (12) in a desired location. In a preferred embodiment, the support base (12) includes a connection side (30) and a cleaning attachment side. The connection side (30) is connected to the resilient, expandable and contractable, attachment (16) and the cleaning attachment side has an angled attachment face (36) such that the cleaning surface (14) presents and outwardly facing downward angle aspect.

Abstract: A portable projection lock receiver (10) includes a shackle portion (12) adapted to fit through an opening (38) on the device to be secured. The shackle portion (12) of the projection lock receiver (10) has an open section (18) and a first opening (30) formed at one end. A closure member (14) associated with the shackle includes a second opening (28) which may be aligned with the first opening (30). In this aligned position, the closure member (14) closes the shackle open section (18) and the two aligned openings (28, 30) together form a projection lock receptacle. This projection lock receptacle is conformed to receive and retain a suitably sized projection portion of a projection lock.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of pH modified foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff . One preferred pH modifying arrangement includes a supply of NH3 gas (11) and a pump (9) for placing the comminuted foodstuffs to be processed and the NH3 gas together under an operating pressure for a period of time sufficient to increase the pH of the foodstuffs.

Abstract: Ammonia is first applied to a meat product to produce an ammoniated meat product. The ammoniated meat product is then contained in a treatment vessel in a treatment gas atmosphere substantially free of ammonia gas. Once the ammoniated meat product is contained in the appropriate atmosphere, the treatment method includes increasing the pressure in the treatment vessel to an operating pressure greater than the vapor pressure of ammonia at the temperature of the ammoniated meat product being treated. The operating pressure is held within the treatment vessel for an operating period effective to reduce the amount of ammonia gas which escapes from the meat product after the product is placed again under atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention concerns an endoscope, in particular a flexible endoscope, with a minimum of one valve which is positioned at the proximal end of an endoscope housing and which comprises a valve piston and a valve cylinder with a plurality of valve openings, with the minimum of one valve provided being designed as a valve module which is detachably connected to a complementary recess in the endoscope housing.

Abstract: A stream (A) of first foodstuff has a first pH and a stream (B) of second foodstuff has second pH. The first pH and second pH are oppositely related to a third or target pH for the foodstuff such that one pH level is above the target level while the other pH level is below the target level. The two streams (A) and (B) are combined in a proportion to produce a combined or third foodstuff at the target pH. The first pH and second pH are sensed or otherwise determined, preferably on a continuous basis, and then these pH values are used to determine the proportion at which the stream of first foodstuff and stream of second foodstuff are combined and mixed. Particularly, the pH modification can be loosely controlled to produce an over-modification in the first foodstuff and then the stream (B) of second foodstuff may be combined with the stream (A) first foodstuff to produce a stream (C) of material having the target pH.

Abstract: An EMI gasket (20) includes a plurality of serrations (34) along at least one edge (35, 36). The serrations (34) are arranged side-by-side so that each may be articulated individually. That is, one of the serrations (34) may be displaced significantly out of the plane of the gasket without affecting adjacent serrations. Thus, when the edge of the gasket (20) is compressed between two surfaces which include a discontinuity (40) such as a step or protuberance between them, the serration in contact with the discontinuity is displaced out of the plane of the gasket without displacing adjacent portions of the gasket. Allowing a portion of an EMI gasket (20) to be displaced out of the plane of the gasket without affecting adjacent portions of the gasket substantially reduces or eliminates gaps which occur due to the failure of the gasket to precisely follow the contour of a component.

Abstract: A shipping carton (10) is formed from a primary box (11) and an extension box (12) adapted to be joined together in a connected position. The primary box (11) may contain a base product while the extension box (12) provides room for optional items which may be purchased together with the base product. When joined together in the connected position, the combined boxes provide the unitary shipping carton (10) which accommodates both the base product and optional items. The extension box (12) includes at least two stabilizing tabs (16, 17). The stabilizing tabs (16, 17) extend from a connecting side (32) of the extension box (12) which is adapted to abut a side of the primary box (11) when the boxes are in the connected position. The stabilizing tabs (16, 17) function to stabilize the extension box (12) from lateral movement with respect to the primary box (11).

Abstract: Pools of game play records (25) used in lottery-type games are stored at each player terminal (14) in a network which includes at least one player terminal and least one central processing system (12). The central processing system (12) is responsible for receiving game play requests from the player terminals (14) and, in response to each game play request, providing game play record identifying information (32) to the player terminal from which the game play request originated. This game play record identifying information (32) allows the player terminal (14) to access the identified game play record (25) and use information from the game play record to communicate to the player the result of the game play.

Abstract: A packaging device (10) includes two separate container portions. A first container portion (11) contains general documentation, while a second container portion (15) contains system setup material (30) having setup indicia (31) such as a COA which is required for setting up or installing the subject equipment. The second container portion (15) includes a window (22) through which the setup indicia (31) is visible when the material (30) is properly received in a display position. A locking arrangement (38) may be included with the second container portion (15) for locking the setup material (30) in the proper display position. Also, the packaging device (10) may include identifying indicia (35) printed on an exterior surface adjacent to the window (22) for drawing the customer's attention to the important setup indicia (31) visible through the window.

Abstract: A waste treatment process includes containing a reactant metal alloy (210) in a reactant alloy container (202) substantially isolated from oxygen gas. The reactant metal alloy includes at least one chemically active alkaline metal and at least one radiation absorbing metal. After heating the reactant alloy (210) in the reactant alloy container (202) to a desired operating temperature, a waste material including radioactive isotopes to be alloyed is introduced into the molten alloy, preferably below the surface of the alloy. Non-radioactive compounds in the waste material react with metals in the reactant alloy (210) to produce useful halogen salts and other materials. The metal radioactive isotopes in the waste material are alloyed with the alkaline metal and radiation absorbing metals to create a storage product for long term storage.