Abstract: A system and method for using an alias to conduct financial transactions at a merchant is provided. The system and method allows a user to provide an alias identifying the user or a business in order to conduct transactions without needing to know or provide actual account numbers. Aliases are associated with users and businesses and can be linked to financial accounts of the user and business. When the method determines that the user is attempting to conduct a transaction using the alias, the method determines the account number associated with the alias and completes the transaction using the alias. The method may also evaluate the transaction to determine whether pre-determined rules are complied with and provide confirmation to the user that the transaction has completed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted. Typically, the fiber optic connector is mounted upon an optical field fiber by actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to an optical fiber stub. If subsequent testing indicates that the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, the cam mechanism can be deactuated, the optical field fiber can be repositioned and the cam mechanism can be reactuated without having to remove and replace the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: Methods are provided for validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted. Typically, the fiber optic connector is mounted upon an optical field fiber by actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to an optical fiber stub. If subsequent testing indicates that the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, the cam mechanism can be deactuated, the optical field fiber can be repositioned and the cam mechanism can be reactuated without having to remove and replace the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: Methods are provided for validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted. Typically, the fiber optic connector is mounted upon an optical field fiber by actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to an optical fiber stub. If subsequent testing indicates that the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, the cam mechanism can be deactuated, the optical field fiber can be repositioned and the cam mechanism can be reactuated without having to remove and replace the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described that permit simple correction of a fiber optic polarity reversal problem. An adapter is described having receptacles to receive a connector on a first end, or user end, and on a second end, or contractor end. Both the receptacles provide keying arrangements so that the connectors can be received only when correctly oriented with respect to the adapter. The keying arrangement on the contractor end, however, is reversable so that the connector may be inserted in one of two predetermined orientations, at the behest of the contractor or installer. Adapters are also described that receive connectors only in a physically reversed orientation to counteract a reverse polarity condition. In addition, a jumper is described that can be interposed between a connector and adapter to correct a reverse polarity condition.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described that permit simple correction of a fiber optic polarity reversal problem. An adapter is described having receptacles to receive a connector on a first end, or user end, and on a second end, or contractor end. Both the receptacles provide keying arrangements so that the connectors can be received only when correctly oriented with respect to the adapter. The keying arrangement on the contractor end, however, is reversable so that the connector may be inserted in one of two predetermined orientations, at the behest of the contractor or installer. Adapters are also described that receive connectors only in a physically reversed orientation to counteract a reverse polarity condition. In addition, a jumper is described that can be interposed between a connector and adapter to correct a reverse polarity condition.

Abstract: A system for recovering waste fiber and reusing it with a loose-fill blown-in-place insulation system includes a fiber collector device mounted above the feed hopper, which collector receives the waste (i.e. recovered) insulation for recycling into the blowing operation. The collector includes a unique set of angled baffles which serve to thoroughly redistribute the recovered waste fibers back into the feed hopper for more even and uniform mixing with the new, virgin fibers being added. To accomplish this distribution the baffles are located so as to increase in surface area as a function of increased distance from the inlet.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyer is provided in which rollers are utilized which have a drive mechanism with a driven load-engaging portion in permanent frictional engagement with a driving portion. The drive mechanism includes an adjustable bias means so that the driving force between a driving portion and a driven portion is adjustable according to the characteristics of the loads to be conveyed. A friction pad is positioned between a disc in the driving portion and a disc in the driven portion of the drive mechanism; the two discs are urged against the friction pad by a compression spring. When the weight of a load in contact with the driven portion is below a predetermined value, the friction between the friction pad and the two discs is sufficient to cause the two discs and the friction pad to rotate conjointly thereby coupling the driving portion to the driven portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ceramic knock-off apparatus for automatically removing the ceramic coating from investment casting molds having a plurality of arms. Prior to operation, a ceramic covered mold is loaded into a receptacle on a turntable and rotated to a starting position thereby placing one of the arms of the ceramic covered mold directly under the head of an air hammer. The apparatus automatically removes the ceramic coating from each arm of an investment casting mold by lowering the air hammer until it engages the first arm of the mold, operating the hammer thereby vibrating that arm of the mold and causing the ceramic coating to break and fall off, raising the hammer, automatically rotating the turntable until the next arm of the mold is aligned under the air hammer, and lowering the hammer to engage the next arm. This cycle is repeated until the ceramic coating has been removed from every arm of the mold.

Abstract: Methods are provided for validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted. Typically, the fiber optic connector is mounted upon an optical field fiber by actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to an optical fiber stub. If subsequent testing indicates that the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, the cam mechanism can be deactuated, the optical field fiber can be repositioned and the cam mechanism can be reactuated without having to remove and replace the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: Methods are provided for validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted. Typically, the fiber optic connector is mounted upon an optical field fiber by actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to an optical fiber stub. If subsequent testing indicates that the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, the cam mechanism can be deactuated, the optical field fiber can be repositioned and the cam mechanism can be reactuated without having to remove and replace the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: Methods are provided for validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted. Typically, the fiber optic connector is mounted upon an optical field fiber by actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to an optical fiber stub. If subsequent testing indicates that the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, the cam mechanism can be deactuated, the optical field fiber can be repositioned and the cam mechanism can be reactuated without having to remove and replace the fiber optic connector.