Abstract: A document transporter apparatus for use on an envelope inserter comprises a first track, for moving a first type of document, mounted to the envelope inserter, a second track, for moving a second type of document, mounted above the first track, and a mechanism for independently adjusting the width of each of the tracks to accommodate various document sizes.

Abstract: A crease plow folder for folding a sheet or continuous web of sheets comprises a non-twisting, holding and transporting mechanism for holding and transporting the sheet or continuous web of sheets in a non-twisting fashion during folding of the sheet. The crease plow folder first creates, at a score line in the sheet or sheets, a rolling fold by directing the sheet or sheets between a centerline-twisted bar and a pressure bar. The rolling fold is then converted into a creased fold by moving the sheet or sheets between a crease roller and an idler roller, thereby generating a change in direction that results in the crease. A controller and associated sensors are included for monitoring the progress of the sheet through the plow folder and for detecting any skewing of an entering sheet.

Abstract: Sensitive methods using a variety of biomarkers in oral saliva of humans and animals to detect, measure, and quantify the presence of infectious and non-infectious agents and the functional status of living tissues in both (1) biomedical and (2) environmental applications. With the in vivo biomedical applications, saliva samples are taken from human or animal subjects and biomarkers, such as enzyme or antibody levels, are measured. The extent of exposure to an agent is measured by the presence of specific chemical or biological constituents, by the degree of the inhibition of enzymes, or by the changes in the amount of the biochemicals in saliva. With the in vitro environmental applications, enzymes or other biochemicals from animal or human saliva can be used to monitor the presence of toxic or reactive agents in tissue samples, urine, feces, milk, air, water, soil, or plants. The amount of toxicant in samples is estimated from a standard curve for that agent.

Abstract: Molecules containing a chiral 1,2-diol unit are synthesized from reactions between aldehydes and N-acyl selones. A chilled N-acyl selone is reacted with a Lewis acid such as TiCl4 and mixed with a tertiary amine such as diisopropylethylamine to generate an enolate solution. Upon further chilling of the enolate solution a desired aldehyde is added and after an acceptable reaction period a quencher is introduced and the product isolated.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for both spectroscopy and imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods in which hyperpolarized noble gases (e.g., Xe and He) are used to enhance and improve NMR and MRI. Additionally, the hyperpolarized gas solutions of the invention are useful both in vitro and in vivo to study the dynamics or structure of a system. When used with biological systems, either in vivo or in vitro, it is within the scope of the invention to target the hyperpolarized gas and deliver it to specific regions within the system.

Abstract: For use with a heat exchange system having a compressor, condenser, evaporator, refrigerant, and refrigerant carrying lines, an efficiency enhancing apparatus that includes a refrigerant cooling module positioned in the heat exchange system between the compressor and the condenser. The refrigerant cooling module comprises a secondary condenser that draws and cools a portion of the refrigerant from a main refrigerant carrying line exiting the compressor, thereby leaving a remaining portion of non-cooled refrigerant in the main refrigerant carrying line and a refrigerant siphoning and mixing vessel having inlet ports for receiving both the drawn and cooled portion of the refrigerant and the non-cooled portion of the refrigerant and a refrigerant exit port leading from the mixing vessel to the primary condenser for carrying mixed and cooled refrigerant.

Abstract: An energy saving apparatus for use with a heat exchange system having a cooled chamber, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an evaporator fan, and refrigerant within refrigerant carrying lines has an evaporator fan controller for monitoring operational status of the system (cooling or non-cooling) and setting an energy saving operational speed for the evaporator fan based on the operational status of the system (cooling or non-cooling) and a current sensor coupled to the evaporator fan controller for detecting the operational status of the system (cooling or non-cooling). If the system is detected as cooling, the evaporator fan controller directs the evaporator fan to operate at a high speed and if the system is detected as not cooling (non-cooling), the evaporator fan controller decreases the operational speed of the evaporator fan to a low speed, thereby decreasing evaporator fan produced heat, resulting in an overall decreased energy requirement for the heat exchange system.

Abstract: A timing device for tracking the length of time a user is absent from a particular location comprises a base member that includes a housing, a timer mounted to the housing, a display connected to the timer, and a timing-key receiver attached to the housing and in communication with the timer and utilized in starting and stopping the timer. Provided is a visually prominent timing-key releasably mountable to the timing-key receiver that comprises a key body and a coupler attached to the key body which releasably mates with the timing-key receiver. The device is commonly employed in tracking how long a student is temporarily absent from a classroom.

Abstract: A tomato promoter (LeExp-1 shown in SEQ ID NO: 1) was isolated which can direct a high level of fruit-specific expression. This promoter can be fused to any DNA sequence (including, but not limited to, plant, animal, fungal, algal, and bacterial genes that encode proteins as well as DNA sequences that produce biologically active RNAs following transcription, including antisense RNAs and ribozymes) to direct a high level of transcription in tomato fruit.

Abstract: A portable ball batting practice apparatus for attachment to a pre-existing support includes an elongated member having two ends. The elongated member is attached at one of its ends, via a rotational hub assembly, to one end of a two-ended rotatable arm. The other end of the rotatable arm is secured to a ball. By employing opposing stops within the rotational hub assembly, the rotational hub assembly allows both right and left handed hitters to utilize the apparatus and produces a directed “pitch” for a user to hit. Incorporated into the elongated member is a releasable anchoring system for attaching the elongated member to the support.

Abstract: A billing statement system comprising a billing statement having a plurality of sheets or pages of multiple lengths or which are otherwise of multiple sizes and/or shapes. The billing statement preferably comprises a plurality of sheets wherein at least one sheet is of different, generally larger, size than the other sheets, and in which the larger sheet has a first region with a consumer's mailing address on one side and a provider's mailing address on the reverse side, and a second region which contains detail or summary information on the charges due. The billing statement system includes a collator apparatus for collating billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths, and a folder apparatus for folding collated billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a card game between a house and one or more players in which each player wagers three bets on the five card hand they will receive from the house. The house randomizes the cards and distributes the randomized cards into eight hands. The throw of a die establishes the house or dealer and each player in the game. Each player arranges their five cards into a high blackjack hand and a low blackjack hand, as does the house. Additionally, each hand is used to create a poker hand. by comparing each player's hand with each player's hand and with the house's or dealer's hand to determine winning poker hands, winning high blackjack hands, and winning low blackjack hands are compared to the house's or dealer's hand. Winnings are allocated from is each of the bets based on the comparison. An optional poker jackpot bet may be included.

Abstract: A method for fluorinating a carbon compound or cationic carbon compound utilizes a fluorination agent selected from thermodynamically unstable nickel fluorides and salts thereof in liquid anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The desired carbon compound or cationic organic compound to undergo fluorination is selected and reacted with the fluorination agent by contacting the selected organic or cationic organic compound and the chosen fluorination agent in a reaction vessel for a desired reaction time period at room temperature or less.

Abstract: A machine vise has incorporated into it a pair of collet jaws that allows for the machining of top surfaces and ends of a held part. The collet jaws are secured to each of the clamping blocks on the machine vise. The collet jaws include at least one collet pocket shaped into the inside surface of each collet jaw. The collet pockets are designed to receive collet pads which are shaped to hold a generally cylindrical part with varying diameters. By having more than one collet pocket within each collet jaw, several different sizes of collet pads can be utilized at the same time and a part with varying diameters can be held securely in place within the machine vise.

Abstract: A method of increasing the length of time a tool maintains sharp cutting edges utilizes the steps of manufacturing the tool with the cutting edges ground sharp and then partially dulling, to a lighter or heavier extent, those previously ground sharp cutting edges. Often the partial dulling is accomplished by means of applying a brush wheel to the selected cutting edges.

Abstract: A counter top water filter unit intended for domestic use to be placed adjacent to a sink and having an inlet at its lower end which is coupled to the sink faucet. The filter unit includes a cylindrical-shaped carbon particle filter cartridge which has a longitudinal passage extending from one end to the other, and a removable pre-filter screen coaxial with the cartridge and surrounding the cartridge, both elements being removably mounted within a cylindrical filter housing, the housing being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end. A replaceable electronic display monitor unit is mounted in an outlet housing fitted to the top of the cylindrical filter housing. The state of the life-span of the filter cartridge is shown on the display monitor in terms of colored indicator lights which denote whether the filter cartridge is within, nearing an end to, and outside its expected life-span.

Abstract: A versatile lighting decoration has a display sheet fabricated from a transparent and resilient film. An outline of a predetermined shape is marked on the film and a plurality of apertures placed through and along the outline. A string of lights having multiple bulbs, each bulb fitted within a socket adapted for gripping the display sheet, is releasably secured in the apertures to generate a lighted image of the predetermined shape that may be highlighted by one or more additional strings of lights.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for folding a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths such as mail statements, which includes a plurality of folder rollers, one or more folder gates, and a kicking plate associated with one of the folder gates. An input transport system provides statements to the folder rollers, and an exit transport system receives folded statements therefrom. A system controller monitors movement of statements through the folder rollers and folder gates of the apparatus by a plurality of sensors, and directs operation of the kicker gate at the appropriate time to push or eject the folded statements from the folder rollers. The action of the kicker plate prevents undesirable folding of the tips of shorter sheets in the statement while folding the longer sheet or sheets of the statement.

Abstract: A microfabricated thermopile optimized as a differential temperature sensor provides differential temperature sensing between opposite edges of the device. A plurality of the thermopile sensors are stacked to increase the number of couples possible with an attendant increase in sensitivity.

Abstract: For use with an envelope inserting apparatus having a motor and timing shaft or other suitable rotating member, a system and method for producing an actual stopping rotational position for the timing shaft or other suitable rotating member that corresponds to a desired or strategic stopping rotational position for the timing shaft or other suitable rotating member has a shaft encoder for establishing a rotational position of the timing shaft or other suitable rotating member. Additionally, included is a controlling computer that is interfaced with the shaft encoder and initiates the stopping of the timing shaft or other suitable rotating member at a desired rotational position by applying a stop command at a rotational position determined by an iterative analysis based on a previous stopping point for the timing shaft or other suitable rotating member.