Abstract: The invention relates to a tether tennis game apparatus which includes a hollow pole that has a helix formation extending externally therefrom along an operative top segment of the pole. The helix formation defines a helical guide path within which a loop formation, that is formed at one end of a flexible line which has a ball connected at its other end and that can be located around the pole, is displaceable. An indicator arrangement including an elongate indicator element, located for axial displacement within the pole, and a trigger arrangement is operable on the pole to indicate a winner of a game played with the apparatus and which occurs when the loop formation, at the end of a flexible line, reaches an end of the helical guide path.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle; receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle; processing the second signal to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled.

Abstract: A method is provided of forming a multi-pack container assembly having at least two containers joined together by a channel. The method includes the steps of providing sheet having a barrier layer thermoforming the sheet into a multi-pack container assembly having a plurality of containers wherein each container comprises a flange and the flanges of adjacent containers are connected by an engineered area of weakness or channel. Resultant containers can be used for low-moisture, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food products.

Abstract: A self-coiling dent guard for protecting vehicles and other objects from damage caused by unwanted collisions is disclosed. The guard is comprised of a main body adapted to absorb the impact of colliding objects. A bistable spring strip is integrated within the main body of the guard, thus giving the guard its self-coiling properties. When not in use, a user may cause the guard to coil so as to be easily stored. A magnetic strip is attached to the length of the main body such that the guard may be removably attached to a vehicle or other object. A layer of felt covering the bottom of the guard protects the vehicle from being scratched when the guard is applied or removed.

Abstract: A method and device for nasal irrigation and drug delivery wherein fluid held in a canister is atomized via a compressed air supply to create particles sized for penetration and retention in the nasal cavity under pressure that is able to stent open the soft tissues of the nose to deliver the resultant mist into the whole of the nasal passages without the need for the patient to create an airstream through inhalation. The device consists of a main canister with a reservoir to hold the fluid, two air outlets and an insert that is placed over the air outlets, the insert having at least one outlet that is larger than the holes in the air outlet and allows the fluid to be atomized and injected directly into the nasal cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the real time measurement of acrylamide in a food product. Wavelength emission data is collected from a food product. The same food product is tested off-line in an analytical laboratory for levels of acrylamide pre-cursors or acrylamide. The wavelength emission data is then correlated with the off-line laboratory data.

Abstract: A system for determining the shape of a cornea of an eye illuminates at least one of the interior surface, the posterior surface, and the interior region of the eye with infrared light of a wavelength that can generate fluorescent light from the portion of the cornea illuminated. The generated fluorescent light is then detected. A step of illuminating can comprise focusing the infrared light in a plurality of different planes substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the eye. From the detected light it is possible to create a map of at least a portion of the interior surface, at least a portion of the posterior surface, and/or portion of the interior region of the cornea. Clarity of vision can be determined by generating fluorescence from proteins in the pigment epithelial cells of the retina.

Abstract: A method of treating neoplasms of the nasal cavity. Fluid containing corticosteroids held in a canister is atomized via a compressed air supply to create particles sized for penetration and retention in the nasal cavity under pressure that is able to stent open the soft tissues of the nose to deliver the resultant mist into the whole of the nasal passages without the need for the patient to create an airstream through inhalation. The device consists of a main canister with a reservoir to hold the fluid, two air outlets and an insert that is placed over the air outlets, the insert having at least one outlet that is larger than the holes in the air outlet and allows the fluid to be atomized and injected directly into the nasal cavity.

Abstract: The method for state estimation based on the measured data of data-acquisition system in electric power system relates to the field of power system analysis technique, characterized in that the method comprises: distributing the said measured data into an operating power system to form a calculation model, defining the injection power of the link nodes as 0 and taking the maximum active power output, maximum reactive power output of the generator as the constraints, constructing a mathematic model for estimation, resolving the optimum solution of the voltage amplitude and voltage phase angle for every node, and calculating the estimated values of the voltage, the active power and the reactive power by using the optimum solution of the state variables, if the difference between the measured value and the estimated value was less than a parameter ? that is predetermined under different voltage levels, the estimated value is qualified.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the efficiency of a refrigerated air conditioning system utilizing a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. The improved system includes an accessory sub-cooling unit which is fluidly connected between the condensing coil and the expansion valve in a closed loop refrigeration system utilizing a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. The accessory sub-cooling unit comprises a serpentine heat exchange tube having one end fluidly connected downstream of the condensing coil prior to the expansion valve. The accessory sub-cooling unit further comprises a plurality of parallel planar heat transfer fins to assist the heat transfer from the heat exchange tube to the ambient air. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the accessory sub-cooling unit is mounted to a side of the condenser unit in order to utilize the existing air flow generated by the exhaust fan of the condenser unit.

Abstract: A continuous oil fryer used to fry food slices, such as potato chips, having an internal oil stripping capability. The fryer accumulates the steam produced by the frying process in a hood and utilizes such steam, after superheating the steam by passing it through a heat exchanger, to strip oil from product immediately upon removal from the hot oil bath by passing the superheated steam through a product bed while on an output conveyor. The superheated steam removes oil from the product on the output conveyor without increasing the moisture level of the product. The fryer therefore accomplishes the same function as a low-oil stripper without increasing the footprint of the frying unit and with less energy.