Abstract: An on-line marketplace enables negotiation and formation of a contract between a buyer and seller. Through a requisition check, buyers are able to check the price and/or availability of goods with one or more sellers. After knowing price and availability, the buyers send orders for desired goods to the sellers through the marketplace and enter into a legally binding contract upon acceptance. The terms and conditions of the contract are determined from any prior agreement, from country-specific terms on the marketplace for the supplier, from technical disclaimers for data on the goods, and from any agreed upon modifications. The marketplace permits automation and expedition in the ordering process by automatically submitting orders upon confirmation of the requisition check and by automatically accepting orders. The marketplace offers full integration with customers' ERP systems and also offers a simpler integration involving data transfer from the customer's system, such as file transfer called UltraLite.

Abstract: A document indexing system, comprising:

Abstract: A polymeric wave guide comprises a first layer of a polymer having a first refractive index, and the first layer contains retaining features or groves which will accept a second polymer. A second polymer is curable and is used to fill the retaining features has a refractive index which is greater than the polymer used to produce the first layer. The retaining features of the first polymeric layer are filled with the second polymer by pressing the second polymer into the retaining features by applying an advancing force to a flexible dispensing layer; this results in filling the retaining features and producing a thin over layer having a thickness of less than 1.5 .mu.m of the second polymer over the surface of the first layer. The method further comprises a step in which the second polymer is cured.

Abstract: A method, system, and product for communicating data text messages, such as E-Mail, between computers connected to a network while providing selectable degrees of security for each message. The methodology comprises the procedure of creating in the originating computer a data message having a header which specifies, in addition to the address of the intended recipient computer, one or more security parameters which control the processing of the data message in the recipient computer. The security parameters include instructions for erasure of the data message following its storage in the recipient computer. The security parameters also include instructions as to whether or not copying, archiving, forwarding and printing of the data message is permitted. The recipient computer processes the data message in accord with the instructions. The erasure is of such a nature as to render the data message irretrievable following erasure.

Abstract: A feeding device for stock comprises a bin (10) having a lid or door (12), a slot (14) for the withdrawal of forage as it is consumed, a fan (16) for drawing air in through the slot (14) and out of the bin (10), and a duct (18) for discharging the air at a remote location.

Abstract: An air cleaner (10) comprises a partition (12) mounting a number of filter elements (20) between a dirty air inlet (14) and a clean air outlet (16). The partition (12) is provided with means for supplying clean air to the mountings of the filter elements (20) at a pressure greater than that of dirty air to be filtered so as to prevent the escape of dirty air.Such an air cleaner is suitable for extracting dust from the atmosphere in factories, or silos to which material such as milk powder or cement is fed in a fluidized state from a tanker.

Abstract: An air cleaner suitable for vehicles, ships, mines and tunnels has a tank for cleaning liquid, an extensible or flexible feed tube for air, and means for maintaining the outlet of the feed tube at the level of the cleaning liquid. The outlet is preferably floated on the cleaning liquid, rounded or circular in plan view, divided into chambers and provided with a depending skirt with an indented edge to help in maintaining the outlet upright by allowing the escape of gas and its exchange between compartments. More than one air feed tube may be provided.