Abstract: A pallet rack and method for use of same are disclosed. Three panel frames interconnected by two parallel cross members define two lower pallet receiving areas and two upper pallet receiving areas. A catch tray is disposed beneath the two upper pallet receiving areas to catch and redirect fluid and debris to prevent cross-contamination between pallets. The catch tray includes a primary tray and a slidable dependent tray extendably coupled to the primary tray. The slidable dependent tray extends from a retracted position within the primary tray to an extended position having a general decline from the first panel frame to the second panel frame to furnish a slanted surface therebetween. Retraction of the dependent tray provides clearance for fork lift tines to access the rear upper pallet receiving area.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed. In one implementation, the engine includes a camwheel mounted to an output shaft. Eighteen cylinder-enclosed pistons are positioned in a circular plane about the camwheel such that the radius of the circular plane and the camwheel are coplanar. Lobes integrally formed on the camwheel define a guiderail including a continuously, substantially sinusoidal surface biased for rotation in the direction of the rotary motion of the output shaft. Drive bearings associated with each piston engage and maintain contact with the guiderail. The rotary motion is obtained by transferring the displacement of the plurality of pistons from respective top dead center positions and bottom dead center positions to the guiderail, thereby rotating the camwheel and output shaft.

Abstract: A fog or mist generating nozzle assembly produces a swirling fog pattern having a forward thrust component that permits an operator, stationed safely at a remote location relative to a fire source, to exercise directional control and positioning of a relatively large mist cloud on or about the fire source. The discharge nozzle includes a cylindrical bearing member and a cylindrical rotor member with multiple water discharge orifices that extend at a forward projection angle ? relative to the nozzle axis. A pair of fog producing nozzles are configured with counter-rotating rotors, producing counter-rotating clouds that merge along a common vortex. This generates a composite mist cloud having a magnified forward thrust component, enabling remote directional control of the mist cloud.

Abstract: A planar antenna array and articles of manufacture using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, close-packed antenna elements, disposed on a substrate, number N where N=3x and x is a positive integer. Each of the close-packed antenna elements includes a substantially continuous photonic transducer arranged as an outwardly expanding generally logarithmic spiral having six turns. Each of the outwardly expanding generally logarithmic spirals may be a golden spiral. As an article of manufacture, the planar antenna array may be incorporated into a chip, such as a cell phone, or an article of clothing, for example.

Abstract: A system and method for multicast transmission are disclosed. In one embodiment, a virtual exchange network including interconnected nodes is embedded within a network. A sender is disposed in communication with a root node and receivers are disposed in communication with a set of edge nodes. The sender publishes a packetized data stream to which the receivers subscribe. The packetized data stream is promulgated by implicit signaling through optimum virtual exchange network connections from the sender through the virtual exchange network to the receivers. The interconnected nodes, responsive to receiving the published packetized data stream, are adapted to multicast N instances of the published packetized data stream to N recipients selected from the group consisting of receivers and other of the interconnected nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a product dispensed from a handheld container having a nozzle for discharging the product from the container utilizes a discharge assembly having a discharge housing that defines a reservoir and is in fluid communication with the nozzle when the discharge assembly is coupled to the container. The reservoir receives the discharged product from the nozzle and collects the discharged product within the reservoir and allows the introduction of a warm liquid into the reservoir. A strainer allows the warm liquid introduced into the reservoir of the discharge housing to be separated from the discharged product by pouring the warm liquid from the discharge housing through the strainer. The strainer is configured to retain majority of the discharged product within the reservoir after pouring out the liquid. A product access port allows the discharged product to be removed from the reservoir of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nontobacco or herbal moist snuff composition comprising an herbal component comprising, or consisting essentially of, corn silk. The present invention also provides a method of producing a nontobacco moist snuff composition having an herbal component comprising, or consisting essentially of, corn silk. Corn silk has a light texture, smooth mouth feel, uniform appearance, and a smell and taste that is nonexistent or easily disguisable. When corn silk is combined with a suitable casing component, the resulting nontobacco moist snuff composition has a light, elastic, and moist texture, a soft and smooth mouth feel, a uniform color and particle size, and a long lasting and tobacco-like smell and taste with a characteristic tobacco-like “bite.

Abstract: A face and eye covering device includes a face cover configured for covering the nose and mouth of a wearer. The face cover is air permeable to allow the passage of air therethrough to facilitate breathing when worn over the wearer's nose or mouth. An eye shield is coupled to the face cover. The eye shield includes a lens and a lens protector releasably coupled to the lens. At least a portion of the lens and lens protector are transparent to allow visual perception therethrough.

Abstract: A buoyant pool chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or sitting position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame for supporting buoyant cushions. The buoyant cushions include layers of flexible cushion material secured together in overlapping relation, with the frame members being sandwiched between the overlapping layers. A layer of adhesive material bonds the overlapping cushion layers together and forms a water-tight seal around the frame members. A flexible layer of a water-resistant coating material is bonded to external surface portions of the buoyant cushions to provide a further protective layer and water-tight seal.

Abstract: A composite armor panel and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of ceramic spheres are positioned in contact with an armor substrate. A polyurea layer is interposed between the plurality of ceramic spheres such that the polyurea layer partially encapsulates the plurality of ceramic spheres and bonds the plurality of ceramic spheres to the armor substrate. The plurality of ceramic spheres are partially exposed and oriented in a direction of anticipated impact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recommending content and updating user proprofile. The method adds a step of content alarm processing before recommending to user on a basis of the current content recommending method, so that the recommendation, which can be offered directly to a user in a previous time must be processed correspondingly in a manner of the content alarm before being sent to the user. Alternatively, after receiving an user's feedback information, the method and the system processes the feedback information correspondingly in a manner of the content alarm and updates the user profile according to the feedback information processed in the manner of the content alarm. The invention can recommend contents more carefully and accurately, making the recommendation conforming further to the user's requirement so as to avoid as far as possible the recommendation of unwished program to users.

Abstract: A handheld pattern creating device and method of use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rotational member is rotatably positioned within a housing under the power of a first drive mechanism to angularly traverse an x-y plane. A rail track is disposed on the surface of the rotational member in order to provide a radial path for a carriage that houses a tool tip. A guide track disposed on a surface of the rotational member includes a curved portion that provides a non-linear path. A second drive mechanism drives the carriage transversely along the radial path of the rail track such that a flexible rack gear travels the non-linear path of the guide track.

Abstract: A force multiplying handle mechanism for a hand-operated bar clamp having a fixed handle and a movable handle is provided. The mechanism can comprise a pivotal attachment disposed on the end of the fixed handle, a handle having a pivot plate disposed on one end of the handle extending therefrom thereby substantially forming an L-shaped member, the pivot plate pivotally attached to the pivotal attachment and a pin extending substantially perpendicularly from the pivot plate, the pin configured to contact the movable handle. When force is applied to the handle to cause the pivot plate to pivot about the pivot attachment, the pin squeezes the movable handle towards the fixed handle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for vibrating a downhole drill string operable to have a drilling fluid pumped therethrough. The apparatus comprises a tubular body securable to the drill string and having a central bore therethrough, a valve in the tubular body for venting the drilling fluid out of the drill string and a valve actuator for cyclically opening and closing the valve. The method comprises pumping a drilling fluid down the drill string and cyclically venting the drilling fluid through the valve so as to cyclically reduce the pressure of the drilling fluid in the drill string. The valve may comprise a tubular body port and a corresponding rotor port selectably alignable with the tubular body port as the rotor rotates within the central bore. The valve actuator may comprise at least one vane on the rotor for rotating the rotor as the drilling fluid flows therepast.

Abstract: A lamp cover assembly for a recessed light fixture assembly is provided. The light fixture has a socket for receiving an electrical light bulb and a canister housing for housing the bulb of the light fixture assembly. The canister housing has an opening for allowing the passage of light through the opening. The lamp cover assembly includes a lens body that is substantially translucent to allow the passage of light through the body and is configured to cover the opening so that the light bulb of the light fixture assembly is generally concealed from view through the opening. A light fixture engagement portion for engagement with the light fixture assembly is provided with the lamp cover assembly so that the lamp cover may be selectively engaged and disengaged from the light fixture assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which can be used in a gaming environment, typically to allow the user to place bets on specific games which are represented on the display screen of the device. The device is wireless which allows the user to be free to move around an area rather than be confined to a specific location to play the game. The device connects with a server via which bets can be placed and results notified to the device. The results data can be generated from a selected source such as a live game result or data generated by the server.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed. In one implementation, the engine includes a camwheel mounted to an output shaft. Eighteen cylinder-enclosed pistons are positioned in a circular plane about the camwheel such that the radius of the circular plane and the camwheel are coplanar. Lobes integrally formed on the camwheel define a guiderail including a continuously, substantially sinusoidal surface biased for rotation in the direction of the rotary motion of the output shaft. Drive bearings associated with each piston engage and maintain contact with the guiderail. The rotary motion is obtained by transferring the displacement of the plurality of pistons from respective top dead center positions and bottom dead center positions to the guiderail, thereby rotating the camwheel and output shaft.

Abstract: A vehicular traffic surveillance Doppler radar system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a modulation circuit portion for generating modulated FM signals. An antenna circuit portion transmits the modulated FM signals to a target and receives the reflected modulated FM signals therefrom. A ranging circuit portion performs a quadrature demodulation on the reflected modulated FM signals and determines a range measurement based upon phase angle measurements derived therefrom.