Abstract: A high energy, stable, electrically activated explosive replacement comprises at least a mixture of a metal, a highly-halogenated polymer moiety (HHPM) and a reduced (or non-) halogenated polymer moiety (RHPM). These replacements can also be used as detonators, initiators, or explosive devices alone or with other explosive systems and materials. The two polymer moieties, the HHPM and RHPM, may be provided in the following manners and generally in the following proportions. The halogen on the polymer preferably comprises chlorine or fluorine, preferably fluorine, and preferably at least 50% of halogen atoms in the polymer comprise fluorine. The fluorine is preferably provided on the polymer backbone (as in polymers formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomeric units such as tetrafluoroethylene, trifluoromonochloroethylene, difluorodichloroethylene, trichloromonofluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, and the like).

Abstract: A device for automatically calibrating for card size during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards, and has a collection surface on the platform. A motor moves the platform within the elevator. At least one sensor senses at least one of a) position of the platform, b) height of the platform, c) position of a card in the elevator, d) height of a card or cards in the elevator, e) pressure applied to a card in the elevator, e) presence of the platform at a predetermined height, f) presence of the platform at a predetermined position, g) presence of card(s) on the platform, and h) absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.

Abstract: Biofertilizers have been identified as an alternative to chemical fertilization to increase soil fertility and crop production using sustainable farming. Treatment is with at least a proprietary formulation of a nitrogen-fixing consortium and Azospirillum brasilense. The application of biofertilizers resulted in higher biomass compared to chemical fertilizer treatment. Chlorophyll and nitrogen levels in these grass plants are also likely to be improved.

Abstract: A method of mechanical, electromechanical or video slot play on networked gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises a base game, a progressive jackpot opportunity and a dual-usage point system. The point system feature allows the player the flexibility to choose to either redeem the points for benefits (i.e., cash, credits, casino player points, free spins, and the like) or save the points as entries into a progressive prize-related lottery.

Abstract: A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. An automatic card shuffler includes a microprocessor with memory. An automated calibration system is provided that calibrates the precise position of the card supporting platform on the elevator so that precise insertion of cards can be performed during card handling procedures.

Abstract: A process reduces the microbial content in land mass by providing molecular iodine in the land mass in a concentration in aqueous material in the land mass of at least 5 or 10 parts per million. The molecular iodine may be added in gaseous or liquid or solid state, and may be formed in situ using available water, added water and/or alcohol in the reaction.

Abstract: A playing card shuffling device has a visual display in information communication with the playing card shuffling device. At least one processor is programmed to provide displayable information to the visual display indicative of an amount of time remaining or time expired in a procedure performed by the shuffling device.

Abstract: A card shuffling device reads suit and value of individual cards that are moved through the card shuffler. Reading of the cards is effected after cards have been received into a card holding area and before cards have been delivered into a card collection area from which cards are removed from the device for use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a non-immunogenic cellular composition comprising: a cell having a cell surface and antigenic determinants on the cell surface; an optional linker molecule covalently attached to the cell surface; and a hydrophilic, biocompatible, non-immunogenicity providing compound or polymer (e.g., polyethylene glycol or a derivative thereof) covalently attached to the linker molecule or directly to the cell. In one embodiment, the linker molecule is covalently attached directly to the antigenic determinant on the cell surface. In an alternate embodiment, the linker molecule may be covalently attached to a non-antigenic site on the cell surface, but will camouflage the antigenic determinant on the cell surface.

Abstract: A tethering system is used with a bicycle and a pet. The system has: a flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end of the flexible tube having a plate connector having a bike attachment system and a removable connection with the flexible tube, the connector configured to attach to a position on a two-wheel bicycle within 15 cm of a rear axle on the two-wheel bicycle; and the distal end of the flexible tube having a connection system for a leash.

Abstract: An image support device has a support surface having a front face, a back surface, a bottom and a top. The support surface has secured thereto a visible light transmitting panel. The light transmitting panel preferably has a hinge towards the bottom of the support surface enabling a top of the light transmitting panel to be pulled away from the support surface in a non-destructive manner to create an opening behind the light transmitting panel. The opening behind the light transmitting panel is able to close and return to a closed position by elastic or spring tension to provide tension to an image placed behind the light transmitting panel. The top or the back of the support surface may have at least part of a wall connecting system attached thereto, or the opening may face away from a bottom of the device having a flat support base.

Abstract: A discard rack moves and reads suit and rank of individual cards. The cards are provided to a card in-feed area and moved to a card collection area. Both suit and rank of each card is read in the card in-feed area or between the card in-feed area and the card collection area. The discard rack comprises a) a card in-feed area with card moving elements that move only a bottom card from a set of cards in the card in-feed area, b) a card collection area that receives cards from the card moving area in the same sense as cards are received in the card in-feed area, c) an image capture device that captures data from a card while the card is between the card in-feed area and the card collection area, d) preferably a communication port to send out captured data to a processor, and e) an elevator that lowers to maintain a level at which cards are received in the card collection area.

Abstract: A security device comprises a portable magnetic stripe reader and computing functionality associated with the magnetic stripe reader, such as a credit card reader, drivers license reader, debit card reader, club card reader, or any other element that can be mechanically read. A single device may be needed for evaluation of each type of stripe carrying product, or a single device may have multiple functions and can be used (with or without switching to specific identification sequences) for evaluation of different magnetic stripe carrying products. It may be used as a law enforcement device, particularly to combat identity theft and financial fraud.

Abstract: The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of the face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. The operator of the machine would be able to recall through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised the individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before playing a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winnings hands.

Abstract: A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system is disclosed. The system includes a card input department with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes towards the front wall at an angle between 12 and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.

Abstract: A device captures and assists in the removal of a thrombus in arteries, even in small arteries. The device uses a soft coil mesh to engage the surface of a thrombus, and a guidewire is used to retract the soft coil mesh with the captured thrombus. The soft coil is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical element forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls.

Abstract: A method of playing a casino table wagering game of blackjack has the steps of: at least one player and preferably at least two players placing individual wagers on an underlying blackjack game; an initial 2-card common player hand is dealt; an initial 2-card dealer hand is dealt, with rank of one card of the initial 2-card dealer hand exposed to view; each player making independent decisions on the play of the player's hand to complete of the common hand for each individual player's hand using only community cards; completing the dealer's hand; and resolving all wagers. A series of player count identifying areas may be provided and individual player identifiers are placed in the areas. The player count areas comprise six areas separately representing player counts of a) 16 or less, b) 17; c) 18; d) 19; e) 20; and f) 21.

Abstract: A device capable of capturing and facilitating the removal of a thrombus in blood vessels (or stones in biliary or urinary ducts, or foreign bodies) uses a soft coil mesh with the aid of a pull wire or string to engage the surface of a thrombus, and remove the captured thrombus. The soft coil mesh is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical elements forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls. The use of multiple coil mesh elements, delivered through a single lumen or multiple lumens, preferably with separate control of at least one end of each coil, provides a firm grasp on a distal side of a thrombus, assisting in non-disruptive or minimally disrupted removal of the thrombus upon withdrawal of the device.

Abstract: A stationary exercise device includes a frame member having a transverse pivot axis. A first and a second foot tread member are operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the first end of each foot tread member to the a respective pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis, so that each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path about the pivot axis. Each foot tread member moves independently of the other foot tread member. Each foot tread member second end is operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the second end of each foot tread member to a support surface. The glide members direct each foot tread member second end along a reciprocating path of travel, as each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path.