Abstract: A card transaction settlement method in a point of sale (POS) system is described. More particularly, a payment by either the credit or debit card is made after an approval before the card transaction (ABCT) for a virtual transaction amount (VTA) is given, and in which when the transaction is completed, an approval after the card transaction (AACT) for the actual transaction amount (ATA) is requested for the transaction settlement. Settlement can be conveniently accomplished since conflict between the merchant and the consumer, caused by a difference between the transaction amount and the debited can be eliminated. The merchant has less of the financial risk for refund. A signature is not necessary on the signature form, resulting in that true non-cashier self-service sales can be introduced to the sales management system.

Abstract: A nosepiece adapter (10) for connecting a nosepiece (20) to a tool holder shank (30), wherein said nosepiece adapter (10) is comprised of a shaft (60) and an opposing nosepiece end (50) to receive said nosepiece (20), wherein a longitudinal cavity (70) extends through said nosepiece adapter (10) and opens at both ends of said nosepiece adapter (10); an escape valve cavity (80) extending from the outer surface of the nosepiece end (50) to said longitudinal cavity (70); wherein said shaft (60) includes a shaft attachment means for connecting said shaft (60) to said tool holder shank (30); and, wherein said nosepiece end (50) includes a nosepiece attachment means to connect said nosepiece (20) to said nosepiece end (50).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a container (45″), with an opening (53), whose opening axis (57) is at an angle to the container axis (23), whereby a blank (45) is introduced into a blowing mould (11, 13), a fixing region (47) of the blank (45) pressed against a stop zone (41) on the blowing mould and the blank pneumatically formed in the blowing mould. The fixing region (47) of the blank (45) is pressed against a stop zone (41) on the blowing mould, inclined at an angle other than 90°. The moulding thus occurs such that an opening region axis (58) of the blank (45, 45′) is at an angle to the container region axis (59) of the blank (45, 45′). The opening axis (57), of the blowing mould (11), forms an angle to a longitudinal axis (51) of a stretching drift (49), which may be extended along the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A waterborne, soft feeling coating composition and a substrate coated with the composition. The coating composition comprises an aqueous solvent, a resin, and an alcohol alkoxylate surfactant. The invention is also directed to a process of making the waterborne coating composition of the invention, and a process of coating a substrate with the waterborne coating composition.

Abstract: A dilatation device comprising a polymer tube having an essentially uniform outer diameter, with an expandable portion and a less expandable portion, said expandable portion having a wall thickness different than that of said less expandable portion. Said device is formed by providing a tube with an original outer diameter, length and wall thickness; heating the tube; applying pressure to the interior of the tube to expand a portion of said tube to form a balloon having a desired shape and size; releasing the interior pressure and collapsing said balloon; and, simultaneously allowing said portion in which the balloon was formed to radially shrink while longitudinally restraining said portion thereby manipulating the original diameter and length of said tube, said heated and shrunk portion thereby forming an expandable portion in said tube.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method forms an image of an object using signals reflected from the object after transmitting an ultrasound pulse to the object. In the method, at a first step, a predetermined first spread spectrum signal is converted to the ultrasound signal at one or more transducers and the ultrasound signal is transmitted to the object. At a second step, pulse compression is performed on a reflected signal of the ultrasound signal reflected from the object to form a pulse compressed signal. And the pulse compressed signal is processed to produce a receive-focused signal and the image of the object from the receive-focused signal is generated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation-crosslinkable thermoplastic polymer composition, a process for the preparation thereof, an angioplasty balloon made using such a composition, and a method of using the angioplasty balloon. The composition contains a reactive monomer cross-linker, that facilitates cross-linking of the reaction product upon contact of the cross-linker-containing composition with a particle beam from a radiation source.

Abstract: A method for producing increased resistance to biodegradability is provided for biomedical devices subject to in vivo implantation. Among the steps required to produce such resistance are the application of a thermoplastic polyurethane coating to the device to provide a coating, and the subsequent crosslinking of the thermoplastic polyurethane coating through the application of radiation of a sufficient intensity and duration to convert said thermoplastic polyurethane coating to a thermoset coating possessing the attribute of increased biostability.

Abstract: Ultrasound images are obtained using a set of Golay codes with orthogonal property as ultrasound receiving and transmitting signals. Ultrasound signals having a plurality of codes are transmitted simultaneously by using the orthogonal property of the Golay codes. A superior signal-to-noise rate (SNR) is realized using the Golay codes, without suffering a decrease in the frame rate.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method for measuring a blood flow velocity effectively select one of the positive frequency range and the negative frequency range to compute noise threshold, and determine a reliability of the computed noise threshold. A sample data generator samples a reflected signal of the ultrasound signal transmitted into a human body. A frequency distribution data generator processes the sample data, and generates a frequency distribution data including a number of frequency components. A first determiner selects one of a positive frequency range and a negative frequency range of the frequency distribution data. A second determiner determines a noise threshold by using a predetermined number of frequency components within the frequency range selected by the first determiner. A third determiner determines a peak frequency component having the highest frequency among the frequency components.

Abstract: A system and a method generate a 3-D image by fast computing the distance between adjacent 2-D images. The method comprises the steps of: producing a first main frame, a second main frame parallel to the first main frame, and a supplementary frame inclined at an angle with respect to the first main frame; creating a virtual frame by using the first main frame and the supplementary frame; calculating a first correlation coefficient between the first main frame and the virtual frame; computing a second correlation coefficient between the first and second main frames; and estimating a distance between the first and second main frames. The system comprises a probe for generating pairs of image frames; a distance calculating unit for calculating distances between main frames of the pairs; and a screen for displaying a 3-D image of the target produced by using the distances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-spherical and/or non-platelet pyrithione particles. Also disclosed is a method for producing non-spherical and/or non-platelet particles of pyrithione salts, comprising reacting pyrithione acid or a water-soluble salt of pyrithione and a water-soluble polyvalent metal salt in the presence of an ionic surfactant composition at temperature from about 20° C. to about 60° C. and at a pH from 4-9 to produce non-spherical and/or non-platelet particles of pyrithione salts. The present invention further relates to particles made by the above methods and products, such as shampoos, soaps, and skin-care medicaments made using these particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-spherical and/or non-platelet pyrithione particles. Also disclosed is a method for producing non-spherical and/or non-platelet particles of pyrithione salts, comprising reacting pyrithione or a water-soluble salt of pyrithione and a water-soluble polyvalent metal salt in the presence of a dispersant at a temperature from about 20.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C. to produce non-spherical and/or non-platelet particles of pyrithione salts. The present invention further relates to particles made by the above methods and products, such as shampoos, soaps, and skin-care medicaments made using these particles.

Abstract: A cylinder for transporting hazardous material such as hypergole material which is fabricated from stainless steel and includes a containment system for containing any spillage in the event of malfunction during loading and unloading. The cylinder also includes a bottom skirt, attached to the lower head of the pressure vessel, and which contains a pocket assembly for the reception of fork lift and pallet lift equipment. A locking system is provided for the valves which will prevent accidental opening or closing of the valve.

Abstract: A method and analyzer for monitoring the progress of a chemical process in which a fixed volume sample of the reactive mixture of the chemical process is periodically gathered and injected into a fluid stream of a liquid carrier. The sample in the liquid carrier is passed through an infrared detector which detects the amount present in the sample of a species of the reaction mixture which is indicative of the progress of the chemical process.

Abstract: A method and a kit for separating double-stranded nucleic acid molecules from a mixture containing both single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acid molecules. The method is particularly suitable for separating hybridized from unhybridized probe nucleic acid.

Abstract: A promotional pallet which can be varied in both length and width, and which will have places for signs and pennants in any of its configurations. Its length is changed by using two sections each formed by a pair of base members with interengaging fingers and in which the extent of interengagement can be varied. The fingers slidingly interengage in a "cantilever" manner so as to provide structural strength regardless of length. The width of the pallet is changed by using two sets of sections of equal width hinged together with hinges which can accommodate change in length, while at the same time permitting flush overlapping of two sets of sections, so the weight being carried is distributed uniformly over a common surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a flexible polyurethane foam by reacting, at a reaction temperature within a temperature range of between about 70.degree. F. and about 150.degree. F., a reaction mixture comprised of a polyol, an organic isocyanate, water, an encapsulated blowing agent, and a reaction catalyst, wherein the encapsulated blowing agent comprises a shell and a core, said shell comprising a polymer having a melting point above the initial reaction temperature, and said core comprising a gaseous blowing agent or blowing agent precursor for blowing said reaction mixture at said reaction temperature. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a process for cooling a hot polyurethane foam utilizing encapsulated water contained in the foam forming reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol composition represented by the formula:R.sub.1 O[CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.x (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.y [CH.sub.2 CH(OH)R.sub.2 ]wherein R.sub.1 is a linear, aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms including mixtures thereof; and R.sub.2 is a linear, aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from about 2 to about 26 carbon atoms including mixtures thereof; x is an integer having a value from 1 to about 3; y is an integer having a value from 5 to about 30. Also disclosed is an automatic dishwasher composition comprising the above-described epoxy-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol and at least one component selected from the group consisting of detergent builder, bleach, anti-wear agent, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed is a cleaning composition for cleaning hard surfaces comprising an aqueous or organic solvent and the above-described epoxy-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol as a surfactant.

Abstract: A remote-controlled motor-driven drum is provided to wind and unwind a cord which holds a self-balancing sign carrier. The sign carrier, which has telescoping rails, is adjustable in width. Its center rail includes two sheaves to receive the cord and lead it from the drum back to an end secured to the ceiling. Thus, rotation of the drum serves to raise and lower the sign carrier and a sign carried by it. The sheaves on the carrier not only allow it to be raised and lowered, but also serve to make the unit self-balancing The user attaches a sign to the carrier when it is in its lowered position and then raises the sign and carrier to the ceiling. The motor, which is reversible, is remotely controlled either by wires leading between the motor and a switch or by radio control (with a control similar to that used on a garage door).