Abstract: The present invention comprises antimicrobial articles for use with a percutaneous device, comprising a matrix which may contact the percutaneous device in a three-dimensional mode and release antimicrobial agents (e.g., silver ions) to the percutaneous device access site. In addition, the antimicrobial article of the present invention may donate moisture to a dry dermal site (e.g., a dry wound bed) and/or absorb liquid or exudates of a dermal site. The present invention also comprises methods for treating and/or preventing an infection using the antimicrobial articles of the present invention.

Abstract: A consumer appliance with a soft open door mechanism includes a cabinet having top and a bottom and defining an opening along a front side. A door has a top and a bottom and is attached by a hinge to the front side of the cabinet. The hinge is at a bottom of the door so that the door is movable between an upright position closing the opening and a substantially horizontal position opening the opening. A spring is mounted in the cabinet so as to oppose movement of the door toward the horizontal position. A damping device is mounted within the cabinet activatable by an opening movement of the door toward the horizontal position to slow the door motion. The damping device is not active until the door has moved a distance from the upright position toward the horizontal position. Again, various options and modifications are possible.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for deicing turbine blades of a wind turbine, wherein rotational torque from a rotor hub on which the turbine blades are mounted is transmitted to a generator. The method and system include detecting conditions that are indicative of ice formation on a wind turbine blade. In response to detected icing conditions, generator torque is modulated so as to induce upstream vibrations in the turbine blades to shake loose ice that may have formed on the turbine blades.

Abstract: Disclosed are three-dimensional (3D) systems as may be utilized for ex vivo tissue or cell growth and development. A system generally includes a base material and at least one wicking fiber embedded therein through which a liquid can be spontaneously drawn by capillary action. Wicking fibers can define a plurality of colinear channels along the exterior surface of the axial length of the fiber. Wicking fibers can be present in disclosed systems as individual fibers or in bundles. Disclosed systems can be useful in various scientific studies, including, but not limited to, drug discovery, vaccine development, cell biology studies, and biomaterial development.

Abstract: In a gaming method, player symbol data indicative of a plurality of sets of player symbols associated with a player may be received. Each player symbol is selected from a plurality of possible symbols. An indication that the player submitted a wager associated with the plurality of sets of player symbols may be received. Winning symbol data indicative of a set of winning symbols from the plurality of possible symbols may be received. A value payout based on respective numbers of winning symbols in respective sets of player symbols may be determined, wherein for at least some value payouts the value payout is different than a sum of a plurality of individual value payouts, each individual payout based on the respective number of winning symbols in the corresponding set of player symbols. Player payout data indicative of the value payout may be transmitted.

Abstract: A planetary gear system is disclosed. The planetary gear system includes a carrier, a planet gear defining a central planet axis, and a pin coupling the planet gear to the carrier. The planetary gear system additionally includes a bearing disposed between the planet gear and the pin. The bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements. Each of the rolling elements is in contact with an inner race and an outer race. The planetary gear system further includes a resilient member. The resilient member is disposed between one of the inner race and the pin or the outer race and the planet gear.

Abstract: A technique for identifying a vein in a patient is disclosed. The technique involves the application of a thermochromic ink to a venous area on the skin of a patient (e.g., human or animal). The thermochromic ink comprises thermosensitive color-changing microcapsules that contain a proton-accepting chromogen and a desensitizer. The desensitizer possesses a melting point above which the chromogen is capable of becoming protonated, thereby resulting in a color change. Thereafter, the venous area is observed for the color change.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling the amplitude modulation of the noise generated by wind turbines is generally disclosed. The method may include determining a sound characteristic of a turbine sound wave generated by a wind turbine and generating an additive sound wave based on the sound characteristic such that a resultant sound wave is produced having a peak-to-peak amplitude that is smaller than a peak-to-peak amplitude of the turbine sound wave.

Abstract: A vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus has a first and second plurality of substantially vertically spaced shelf assemblies supported by support structure. Each of the shelf assemblies includes a shelf tray for receiving, storing, and discharging containers. Spring biasing structure is provided for urging the shelf to the receiving position. Dampening structure dampens the movement of the shelf between the upwardly tilted receiving position and the downwardly tilted discharge position. A transfer control and transfer control linkage are provided for retaining the shelf when a shelf of a next lower shelf assembly is not prepared to receive a container, and allowing the shelf to move to the discharge position under the weight of a container disposed on the shelf when the shelf of the next lower shelf assembly is prepared to receive a container. A method for storing and retrieving containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite that contains an elastic film laminated to a meltblown facing is provided. During lamination, apertures and discrete bond sites may be concurrently formed in the elastic film. The discrete bond sites may be located proximate (adjacent or near to) a perimeter defined by corresponding apertures formed by displacement of the film. The location of the bond sites adjacent to or near the apertures may enhance the durability of the meltblown facing by strengthening the area surrounding the apertures. Furthermore, the content of the elastic film and the temperature/pressure of lamination may be selected to that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing at regions other than those fused together by the bonding elements of the patterned roll. Such secondary bonding further stabilizes the meltblown facing and renders it suitable for printing. Further, the film is under tension in the machine direction during lamination.

Abstract: An odor control substrate that is applied with an activated carbon ink is provided. The activated carbon ink is applied in a pattern that covers from about 25% to about 95% of the surface area of the substrate. Although not covering the entire surface, the present inventors have discovered that the activated carbon ink is still capable of providing good odor reduction qualities to the substrate. To further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the odor control substrate to a consumer, one or more colored inks may also be applied the substrate in a pattern that may or may not overlap with the activated carbon ink pattern. The colored ink(s) may contrast well with the activated carbon ink to provide an overall design that is more aesthetically than otherwise would be provided by a uniform coating of activated carbon ink.

Abstract: A lottery sales method and related system utilizes a computing device interfaced to a printer. The device is configured to track inventory of activated instant tickets and access sales reporting data, the sales reporting data indicating total sales of at least one lottery product of interest. For each lottery product of interest, a machine-readable indicator is generated corresponding to the total sales of the lottery product of interest. A report is printed that includes each generated machine-readable indicator.

Abstract: A voltage control arrangement for a system of multiple windfarms with transmission lines. Voltage is regulated at a point of regulation on the system, such as a high voltage substation or other system bus. Regulation is achieved at the point of regulation by sensing the voltage, comparing to a reference voltage, and adjusting the reactive power output of the wind turbines and other equipment in the system. The regulation point may be shifted to another point if needed to respect voltage limits at that points of the system after attempting to shift reactive load to restore voltage within limits at the other points in the system. The reference voltage may be adjusted to minimize losses for the system of multiple windfarms and transmission lines. A loss optimizing algorithm is applied to the combined multiple windfarm and transmission line to shift reactive load among local windfarms to minimize losses and to shift reactive load among individual wind turbines within an individual windfarm.

Abstract: A lottery game system and methodology incorporates a terminal-based game component and a subsequent interactive-based game component. A player is provided access and is entitled to participation in the interactive-based game component as a function of a winning outcome in the terminal-based game component. The interactive-based game component may incorporate a wagering function.

Abstract: A disk includes a disk lug and a wear element. The disk lug includes an outer surface, an inner surface radially inward of the outer surface, and a plurality of lateral surfaces between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the outer surface is wider than the inner surface. The wear element is disposed on at least one of the plurality of lateral surfaces, and the wear element creates a raised surface on at least one of the plurality of lateral surfaces. A method for installing a wear element to a disk lug includes machining a slot into the disk lug and inserting the wear element at least partially into the slot so that the wear element creates a raised surface on the disk lug.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a terminal with account funding is described. In one exemplary aspect of the invention, a system is provided having an interface whereby a player can interact with the gaming system. The interface allows the player to request a transfer of funds from the player's bank account to a wagering account. The system prompts the player to provide for reading the player's bank card such as by swiping the card. The system receives the player's entry of a personal identification code and sends information concerning the player's request for a transfer to a bank. The system then reports the bank's response to the player's request and, if allowed, credits that player's wagering account with the requested transfer of funds.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that reliably determines the transmissivity of a substrate. By determining the transmissivity of a calibration substrate, for instance, a temperature measuring device can be calibrated. The method and system are particularly well suited for use in thermal processing chambers that process semiconductor wafers used for forming integrated circuit chips.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters relating to an antenna configured for mounting under the glass in a utility meter. The antenna is configured as a patch antenna where a radiating element is mounted on one side of a plastic substrate while a conductive ground plane element is mounted on the other side of the substrate. The ground plane element faces the meter electronics and thereby provides protection to the electronics from the electromagnetic field of the antenna. Both the radiating element and ground plane element may be provided by hot stamping conductive material directly on to the front and rear surfaces of the substrate. The antenna may be feed by a microstrip feedline mounted on the printed circuit board supporting other meter components.

Abstract: An injection molding material that includes a renewable resin containing a combination of renewable polymers (e.g., starch and plant protein) and a plasticizer is provided. Although such compounds are normally difficult to process into thermoplastics, the present inventors have discovered that injection molding materials may nevertheless be formed by melt blending the renewable resin with a synthetic resin (e.g., polyolefin) while selectively controlling the nature of the resins and their relative concentrations. In this manner, a morphology may be achieved in which the renewable resin is present as a discontinuous phase that is dispersed within a continuous phase of the synthetic resin (e.g., “island-in-the-sea” morphology). The discontinuous and continuous phases may each constitute from about 30 vol. % to about 70 vol. %, and in some embodiments, from about 40 vol. % to about 60 vol. %.