Abstract: Method of emulsion polymerisation wherein a reactor comprising a closed reactor loop is continuously charged with fresh monomers and water phase at substantially the same rate as the rate of an overflow of reactor charge discharged into a secondary line section. The reactor charge is continuously recirculated within the reactor loop. The discharge rate and the circulation rate in the loop are balanced such as to result in a monomer content in the loop of less than 12 wt. %. The secondary line section has a volume of less than twice the volume of the reactor loop.

Abstract: Interactive, Internet-based, Trip Planning, Travel Resource, Travel Community, Virtual Travel, Travel-based Education, Travel-related Gaming and Virtual/Live Tour System, Methods, and Processes, emphasizing a user's ability to tailor complete travel, trip, route, and touring choices to unique, user-specified personal interests, preferences, and special requirements for self and companions throughout a particular trip or for gaming or virtual (including live, passive, interactive, individual, group, and scheduled, reserved or on-demand) tours, and including methods and processes related to scheduling games, tours, site visits and other travel-events, making related reservations and obtaining confirmations and e-tickets, and on-line banking services to process ticket, membership and merchandise payments and advertising, reservation and ticket and merchandise transactions for vendors.

Abstract: A wood chip soaking apparatus has a fluid holding base container having end walls suited for supporting at least one, and suitably two, or even more, wood chip baskets in the container for pre-soaking the wood chips to be added to a barbeque heat source. Wood chips are preferably supported in the base container on handles projecting from the wood chip baskets. The base container preferably is provided with elevated side walls for supporting the wood chip baskets in an elevated position after soaking for draining the fluid from the baskets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for production of fuel for an internal combustion engine are described herein. Systems may include a plasma reformer, a separation system and the internal combustion engine. The plasma reformer may produce a gas stream from the liquid feed. The gas stream may include molecular hydrogen and carbon oxides. The separation system may produce a hydrogen stream from the gas stream generated in the plasma reformer. At least a portion of the gas stream and at least a portion of the hydrogen stream may be provided to an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axis that can be skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle is located at the distal end of the second portion of the retractor, and may include two substantially parallel, spaced legs with the retractor shaped in a loop between and in a plane skewed relative to the axes of the legs, and with the loop directed away from the surgical tool. Thus, in operation, a surgeon locates a vessel and side branch of interest and extends the retractor to cradle the vessel in the dissection cradle. Once cradled, the retractor may be deflected to urge the vessel away from the axis of the cannula to isolate the side branch for exposure to the surgical tool.

Abstract: A skewer shield includes a shielding body adapted for placement on a cooking grill, and a skewer engaging portion extending upwardly from the shielding body. The skewer engaging portion has a top resting edge on which food-ladened skewers can be rested in such a manner that the shielding body of the skewer shield prevents the handle ends of the skewers from heating up.

Abstract: A modular docking station receives a variety of electronic modules, such as a tuner, effects processor, signal conditioner, signal distributor, and signal converter, for use with a musical instrument, such as a guitar. A base unit has a flat bottom portion and an angled top portion. A plurality of pushbutton switches are disposed in the angled top portion of the base unit. The electronic module is controlled by the pushbutton switches through the base unit. A plurality of electronic modules, each with a different electrical function, are interchangeable into the receptacle of the base unit. One electronic module is selected for inserting into the base unit to make mechanical and electrical contact. Each electronic module includes a display area and a plurality of indicators for the various electrical functions of the electronic module. The base unit has a connector for connecting to the musical instrument.

Abstract: A manned, mobile traffic enforcement platform with aimable violation detection and documentation devices, employing digital video and still images, incorporating contextual information as well as data input by the system operator and driver, with numerous commercial-off-the-shelf components and a physically integrated composite display. The mobile enforcement platform (MEP) is operated by trained system operators, typically sworn-officers, who apply pre-determined criteria, protocols, procedures and routines to generate conclusive, court-acceptable violation documentation. MEP supports detection, identification, and documentation of violations in any lane behind or in front of the moving MEP vehicle or from the roadside. MEP captures most types of moving violations, including aggressive driving, in readily retrievable documentation formatted for later mail citation and court use.

Abstract: A closed loop continuous emulsion polymerization apparatus at least comprising a circulation pump, a reactor tube which connects the outlet of the circulation pump to its inlet, at least one feed for supplying raw materials, an outlet, and means for cooling the tube, characterized in that the reactor further comprises an additional tube for by-passing a pig around the circulation pump, a pig receiving station which is in parallel connection with the circulation pump or the reactor tube, and optionally means for directing a pig into the pig receiving station. The invention allows simple removal of the pig from the reactor, afforts great freedom in selecting the type of circulation pump and material and shape of the pig, and enables total control over the launching of the pig substantially independent of the reaction medium flow.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing holding a circuit board. The circuit board has a top surface which includes a first region and a second region. Circuit traces are formed on the top surface and extend in the first and second regions. A first ground plane is disposed at a first depth in the circuit board below the circuit traces in the first region. The first depth is selected to provide a specific characteristic impedance of the circuit traces in the first region. A second ground plane is disposed at a second depth in the circuit board below the circuit traces in the second region. The second depth is selected to provide a specific characteristic impedance of the circuit traces in the second region.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing holding a circuit board. The circuit board has a top surface which includes a first region and a second region. Circuit traces are formed on the top surface and extend in the first and second regions. A first ground plane is disposed at a first depth in the circuit board below the circuit traces in the first region. The first depth is selected to provide a specific characteristic impedance of the circuit traces in the first region. A second ground plane is disposed at a second depth in the circuit board below the circuit traces in the second region. The second depth is selected to provide a specific characteristic impedance of the circuit traces in the second region.