Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating recyclable corrugated paper from a stream of commingled waste. Commingled waste is loaded onto a conveyor with two alternating sets of jogger beams. A motor drives the jogger beams out of phase with respect to one another causing the waste to fall between the jogger beams, while corrugated paper remains above and moves along the jogger beams, thereby separating the two components. Optionally, a second stage of jogger beams can be positioned forward of the conveyor to create a drop therebetween to further separate the commingled waste. The jogger beams are cantilevered beyond the motor so that waste falls clear of the motor.

Abstract: A virtual matrix comprised of a plurality of grid elements is provided, on which a hidden pattern, comprised of a plurality of matrix entries, is randomly placed. A player views a gaming matrix having a plurality of visible positions, each visible position corresponding to one of the grid elements. The player chooses at least one of the plurality of visible positions on the gaming matrix, after which the game displays the corresponding grid element of the virtual matrix on the gaming matrix. Based on the correct number of guesses matching the pattern location, the player is awarded and a media presentation signals the player's success. If the player guesses incorrectly, a second media presentation signals the incorrect guess.

Abstract: A method is set forth for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary slot machine. The primary slot machine issues a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of a bonus game when a bonus qualifying event occurs. The reels of the bonus game include value symbols, null symbols, and end game symbols which may be of two basic types: a lose game symbol and a stop game symbol. After the random spin, the values of any value symbols displayed on the payline of the secondary slot machine are accumulated into an accumulated winning value. The value symbols could include positive integer values, negative integer values, and multiples. The random spinning, determination of values of any-value symbol and the accumulation of a winning value is repeatedly continued until an end of the bonus game occurs.

Abstract: Steels having a pearlitic structure and containing 0.60 to 1.0 weight percent carbon, 1.1 to 3.0 weight percent silicon, 0.45 to 0.85 weight percent manganese, less than 0.050 weight percent sulfur and less than 0.050 weight percent phosphorus, with the remainder of said steel being iron and incidental impurities, can be used to make railway, wheels that are resistant to martensite transformations and, hence, spalling. The addition of 0.50 to 1.0 weight percent chromium to such steels further improves their resistance to spalling.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a vehicle in real-time to transport freight and passengers. A host receives transportation requests (e.g., to deliver freight, transport passengers, reschedule, cancel, etc.) over a network from a freight terminal and/or a passenger terminal. A route is created at the host with destinations based on the received transportation requests. The host predicts an arrival time and a departure time for each destination along the route and generates a route schedule. As the vehicle travels to each destination, the host receives actual arrival and departure times and uses these actual times to update the route schedule. The route schedule is also updated when new destinations are added or a scheduled destination is cancelled. In another embodiment, the predicted arrival and departure times are updated based on vehicle positioning data received from a global positioning system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intubation of a patient's airway uses an endotracheal tube having a beveled distal end with a tip on the posterior wall of the endotracheal tube, and a visual indicator extending along the endotracheal tube. For example, the visual indicator can be a radio-opaque stripe extending the length of the anterior and/or posterior wall of the endotracheal tube. To use the apparatus with the patient in a supine position, the healthcare provider first takes a position above the patient's head. The distal end of the endotracheal tube is then inserted into the patient's mouth so that the visual indicator remains visible to the healthcare provider when viewed from above. The healthcare provider advances the endotracheal tube into the patient's airway while monitoring the position of the visual indicator to ensure that the tip at the distal end of the endotracheal tube passes through the midline of the wider posterior portion of the opening in the patient's larynx.

Abstract: A method measures the angle of attack for the leading and trailing sets of wheels in trucks of rail vehicles traveling over track in a wayside system. At a first point on the outside rail of a track vertical force is measured with a first vertical strain gage, lateral force is measured with a first lateral strain gage and an outside angle of attack timing signal is measured with a first angle of attack strain gage. This process is repeated on the inside track so that a raw angle of attack for each set of wheels can be determined based upon speed and time difference. Ratios between the lateral force and the vertical force for the wheels of each are used to select raw angle of attack values for properly steering trucks that are averaged together to obtain an average angular offset value related to any misalignment of the strain gages.

Abstract: Contrast agents developed specifically for x-ray diagnostics provide dose-enhanced radiotherapy and radiosurgery. The presence of heavy elements from these contrast agents, even small quantities, leads to a major dose increase in target tissue. When combined with in vivo calibration of the amount of contrast agent, the procedure is quick, accurate, and safe. The technique can also be used in combination with other techniques, such as focused x-rays, to achieve further enhancement of therapeutic ratio. Through optimization of the equipment it is possible to achieve very large ratios of dose in target to dose in healthy tissue, up to 10:1.

Abstract: Anaerobic digestion of a biomass system can be made more effective by intermittently introducing propane from an external source into said biomass system. The propane is preferably introduced into the biomass for about 20% to about 80% of any given time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and instruments for focusing and imaging x-rays using grazing incidence optics and medical and microscopic uses thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and supporting a foundation of a structure under tension and compression relative to a pier anchored into the ground. The apparatus comprises a support member connected to the foundation by a plate and a V-shaped brace. A rod passes through the support member and is connected to the pier. Two fasteners threadably engage the rod above and below the support member, respectively, so that the central support member remains slidable along the rod between the first and second fasteners. A lift bracket is removably connected to the support member and a jack is inserted between the rod and the lift bracket. The jack is operated to exert a force between the rod and the lift bracket so that the support member slides along the rod between the first and second anchors as the foundation is lifted. The first and second anchors are then tightened against the support member so that it is held firmly in place relative to the rod to support the foundation under tension and compression.

Abstract: Frozen dairy products are provided that have an overrun of about 200% and that are soft and scoopable at about 0° F. to about 5° F. The frozen dairy products comprise from about 10% to about 13% of milk solids non-fat, from about 4% to about 16% of milk fat, from about 5% to about 10% of sucrose, from about 2% to about 8% of corn syrup having a DE of about 36, from about 4% to about 12% of dextrose, from about 0% to about 1.5% of starch, and from about 0.2% to about 1.0% of stabilizer, with the balance being water. The method of production for the frozen dairy products comprises the steps of heating water to a temperature from about 120° F. to about 130° F.

Abstract: A piering device employs a threaded shaft and a helical bearing plate with a threaded passageway that allows the helical plate to be advanced to any desired location along the shaft. The helical plate can also be readily replaced with one or more helical plates of different sizes. The threaded shaft has a key way extending along its length. The threaded passageway of the helical plate can also be equipped with a key way extending its length. A key is removably inserted into the shaft key way and helical plate keyway after these key ways have been rotated into alignment to secure the helical plate at the desired location along the shaft.

Abstract: A modular dethatcher and seeder includes a housing having a rear opening, a removable rear cover substantially closing the rear opening, and a plurality of tines driven by a motor to rotate about a shaft within the housing. When the device is to be used as a seeder, a seeder attachment is inserted into the rear opening of the housing in place of the rear cover. The seeder attachment can be driven by the rear wheels of the device. Alternatively, when the device is to be used as a dethatcher, a chute can be removably attached to the rear opening and a collection bag is then attached to the chute to hold debris thrown by the tines.

Abstract: A multi-dose infusion pump employs a piston sliding within the internal chamber of a pump housing to dispense liquid from a port. The peripheral surface of the piston has a sequence of steps in a radial pattern spaced at intervals along the longitudinal axis of the chamber. A cap is rotatably mounted to the pump housing and includes a stop that limits forward movement of the piston by engaging a selected one of the steps on the piston at each rotational position of the cap. This causes a series of predetermined quantities of liquid to be dispensed as the cap is rotated to align the stop with each step in sequence. A spring between the cap and piston urges the piston forward in the chamber to dispense liquid from the port.

Abstract: A game table system, adapted for multiple sites under a central control, for providing a progressive jackpot in a live card game played at each gaming table between a dealer and a player. Each gaming table has an ante bet region, a dealer card region, and a player card region. The game table system of the present invention includes a sensor located at each bet region for detecting the value of the ante placed by the player at that location, a reader identifying each card dealt during the play of the game to the player and to the dealer, a computer connected to the sensor and the reader and the progressive jackpot for adding a predetermined percentage of the value of the ante to the progressive jackpot when a predetermined game event (such as the dealer going bust during the game of blackjack) occurs while preserving the value of the ante during the conventional play of the game.

Abstract: A Pachinko bonus game system for an underlying game machine. The Pachinko bonus game has a playing field with a plurality of rows of pegs. A ball is launched onto the playing field by a launch mechanism when an initiate condition occurs during play of the underlying game. A row of lanes are provided on the playing field. The ball, after traversing among the pegs on the playing field, eventually travels through one of the lanes. At each lane is randomly displayed a bonus payoff value. The lane the ball travels through senses the presence of the ball and the value displayed for that lane is added to the credit meter in the underlying game. The bonus payoff values are randomly changed from game to game which eliminates any mechanical bias present in the Pachinko game. A stand-alone Pachinko game as well as using a Pachinko game as a coin dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: An endoscope has a removable suction tube to facilitate cleaning and reduce the risk of patient infection. The endoscope includes an elongated flexible probe with a slot extending along its length and an opening on the distal end of the probe. The housing at the proximal end of the probe is used to control the direction and operation of the probe, and for viewing images from the distal end of the probe. The suction tube can be removably inserted into the slot on the probe. Optionally, the distal tip of the probe can be equipped with a connector within the slot that removably secures the distal opening of the suction tube in communication with a suction opening on the distal tip of the probe. A suction tube connector at the proximal end of the suction tube allows the suction tube to be removably secured to the housing and also provides a connector for removable attachment to an external suction line.