Abstract: Described are compositions, methods, systems, and kits related to related to synthetic phages with a customized host range. Customized host range of the synthetic phage is imparted on the synthetic phage by one or more recombinant tail-spike proteins. For example, a recombinant tail-spike protein may include a combination of the N-terminal region and the C-terminal region is engineered in a laboratory.

Abstract: A computer readable media, a method, and a system registering a third party application providing an available communication system between a local user and a remote user identity, storing information related to the available communication system in a first database, obtaining contact information for the remote user identity from the third party application, determining a communication type for the third party application, pairing the remote user identity with a contact, and updating a graphical representation of contact information.

Abstract: Provided are a storage device, system, and method for throttling host writes in a host buffer to a storage device. The storage device is coupled to a host system having a host buffer that includes reads and writes to pages of the storage device. Garbage collection consolidates valid data from pages in the storage device to fewer pages. A determination is made as to whether a processing measurement at the storage device satisfies a threshold. A timer value is set to a positive value in response to determining that the processing measurement satisfies the threshold. The timer is started to run for the timer value. Writes from the host buffer are blocked while the timer is running. Writes remain in the host buffer while the timer is running. A write is accepted from the host buffer to process in response to expiration of the timer.

Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for tracking the location of assets, such as capitalized fixed assets, for tax reporting and insurance value reporting purposes. In accordance with the invention, each time a transaction occurs with respect to an asset, a tax location finder routine is performed. The tax location finder routine runs through a hierarchical sequence of queries to attempt to classify the asset as one of a plurality of categories corresponding to a customized audit technique that is likely to be able to derive a location for said asset. If and when the asset is correlated to one of the customized audit techniques, that audit technique is applied to attempt to derive a tax location for the asset. If a location can be derived, the location is reported. If the asset cannot be correlated to one of the customized audit techniques or, if it can be correlated to a customized audit technique, but that audit technique cannot derive a location, an error is reported.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a constituent sensing system including a container for holding a flowable product. A moveable member is positioned within the container for moving the flowable product within the container in a manner which simulates a flow of the flowable product. A probe is positioned proximate to the moving flowable product for analyzing the moving flowable product.

Abstract: The present invention is a digital imaging system for a copier that comprises a full-frame, two-dimensional sensor array to capture a document's image and a full-frame output light valve with backlight to flash expose the image onto a photoreceptor belt. The document is flash exposed to illuminate the page and the full-page image is captured by the full-frame, two dimensional sensor array. The sensor array then reads out the digital image data in response to a driver. The data is then input into the full-frame digital output light valve. The driver provides for the synchronous control of the system. Optionally, an electronic subsystem may perform digital image processing according to user demand--before the data arrives at the output light valve. After image processing (if any), the digital data, supplied to the full-page output light valve, forms a pattern on the display according to the data. The patterned image is then flash exposed by a backlight, through the light valve, and onto a photoreceptor.

Abstract: A foldable clothes line comprises a series of arms (12) which radiate outwardly from a lower cross (13) fixed to a central standard (11), the arms (12) being guided by stays (14) pivotally connected at their outer ends to the arms (12) and at their inner ends to an upper cross (16) mounted at the upper end of the standard (11), wherein each of the arms (12) comprises relative rotatable inner and outer arms portions (18, 19) which are hingedly connected by a hinge mechanism (20) so as to permit relative pivotal movement of the arm portions about a transverse axis, releasable locking mechanism (28) being provided for preventing relative pivotal movement of the arm portions (18, 19) when the arm (12) is in a fully extended position, arranged so that each of the arms (12) is independently movable between a collapsed condition wherein its inner and outer arm portions (18, 19) lie alongside one another and extend approximately vertically adjacent the standard (11) and a fully extended in-use position wherein the ar

Abstract: A bilge pump bracket of generally an "L" shape allows the bilge pump and float switch to be mounted outside of the bilge area, usually in the workshop. The base of the bracket has a location thereon where the pump is to be mounted. In addition, the base also has a raised float switch platform which provides for assurances that the pump will shut off when bilge water is below a predetermined level. Further, the bracket, when made of plastic, can be molded to fit the hull of a vessel by slightly heating the bracket angle to conform to any angle of the vessel's transom area.

Abstract: A system for authenticating a hard copy of an original document. The system employs a special copying machine at the sender's end together with a special ID card (smart card) or other user identification for activating the special machine, and a special copying machine at the receiving end. At the sender's station, the original document and ID card are inserted into the machine. The latter digitizes the document text, to produce a digital signature which incorporates unique information from the sender's ID card. This machine then produces a hard copy of the document to which is added the digital signature. The sender retains the original, but forwards the copy to the recipient or receiver. The receiver then inserts the received copy into the machine at his location, which digitizes and processes the document text and signature and indicates whether the digital signature is valid.

Abstract: An improved bracket support means for pivotally supporting the upper end of a swinging arm used in playground swing equipment, wherein the bracket comprises a pair of spaced apart flanges between which is pivotally supported the upper end of the swinging arm, the upper end of the arm being received in a socket formed in an infill block located between the flanges so that the block and the arm rotate simultaneously, the block being shaped and dimesioned so that there are no gaps or spaces between the flanges into which a child's finger or fingers may enter when the arm is in motion.

Abstract: An improved interconnecting toy which, through its various uses, provides various educational experiences to the user and which comprises a game piece (1) with joined tubular members comprised of connective ends; and which comprises a game piece (2) with joined tubular member comprised of connective ends. The connective ends may be of the male or female type (7 and 6 respectively). The tubular members may be circumferentially configured in any geometric shape, and may consist of any variety of colors; and the tubular members may be imprinted or decalled with numeric, alphabetic, or logo-type designations, all of which enhance the educational experience that results from use of the invention.

Abstract: A line lock for a rotary clothes dryer includes a locking block having a socket which is positioned over an end of, and engages, an arm of a rotary clothes dryer, a plurality of apertures extending through the block, at least one of the clothes lines extending through an aperture, and a flexible line tie extending through another of the apertures, and being tied to the clothes line thereby locking the clothes line to the locking block.

Abstract: A frame supports a cross-bar conveyor for advancement over a hamburger patty feeding plate and between upper and lower heated platens. The upper platen is raised by actuators and falls by gravity against adjustable stops in time with advancement of the conveyor. At the discharge end of the conveyor a guide assists in directing a discharging hamburger patty onto a receiving grate.

Abstract: A broiler especially for hamburger patties has an endless conveyor arranged on a frame with the horizontal upper run of the conveyor subjected to the usual supply of heat from above. A stack of initially frozen hamburger patties is arranged above the initial or entry portion of the conveyor upper run, all but the lower patty being confined. Extra heat is supplied from below to the spaced-apart metal rods of the conveyor upper run and to the lower patty lower surface so that the rods burn into the lower portion of the patty. Sufficient interengagement results so that the conveyor readily withdraws the lower patty from the stack.

Abstract: A substantially enclosed and insulated frame has a chain conveyor for carrying patties from one end of the frame to the other. A motor on the frame operates the chain conveyor. A heating element on the frame is effective to increase the temperature within the enclosure and is in position to heat a patty on the conveyor. A thermostat on the frame within the enclosure is subject to such temperature and is effective through a controller to vary the speed of the conveyor in relation to the temperature of the thermostat. Preferably, the speed of advance of the conveyor is increased as the enclosure temperature increases and vice versa. A manual controller permits variation in the ratio of the sensed temperature and the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: Some commercial broilers have a conveyor extending through the broiler from an entrance opening to an exit opening and have a plurality of burner housings, including end burner housings, arranged above the conveyor and spaced apart with respect to each other and particularly with respect to the entrance opening and the exit opening to leave gaps. To conserve heat, the passageway through the broiler above the conveyor is herein restricted by baffles including an entrance shield of heat-reflecting material formed as a channel frictionally fitting over the entrance burner housing and having a baffle sheet extending from the entrance burner housing through most of the gap toward the entrance opening. Also included is an exit shield of similar material formed as a similar channel fitting over the exit burner housing and having a baffle sheet extending from the exit burner housing through most of the gap toward the exit opening.

Abstract: A patty broiler has a frame on which an openwork patty conveyor is arranged around pulleys to have an upper run and a lower run. Heaters are arranged on the frame above and below the upper run, and multiple reflectors are arranged on the frame above and below the conveyor. A doctor assists in dislodging patties from the far end of the upper run of the conveyor to fall onto a patty slide on the frame leading the patties by gravity toward the feed end of the frame. A bun conveyor is arranged on the frame beneath the patty conveyor. A bun heater transmits heat to buns on that conveyor and to the patty slide. The warmed bun halves are returned toward the feed end of the machine by a bun slide. An enclosing and vented jacket assists in retaining and diverting the heat and fumes and protects the machinery.

Abstract: A frozen patty feeder for a group of individual patties and especially for use with a broiler having a horizontal conveyor run advancing in a predetermined direction includes a first upstanding wall extending transversely of the direction of conveyor advance with the lower margin of the first wall spaced above the conveyor run an amount only slightly more than the thickness of an individual frozen patty. The feeder also includes a second wall extending transversely of the direction of conveyor advance and disposed between a level about even with that of the conveyor and a somewhat higher level, the second wall being inclined in the direction of conveyor advance when considered from the top of the wall downwardly, the first and second walls being spaced apart far enough in the direction of advance to admit of patties of a predetermined diameter when the patties are superimposed upon each other in a staggered, shingled or offset fashion.