Abstract: A method and system for pricing, designing, and marketing, insurance policy contracts is disclosed. The policy contracts comprise a first period of coverage for a first benefit amount for which a premium is paid to an insurer on behalf of an insured person by a sponsoring organization and a second period of coverage for a second benefit amount for which a premium is paid to the insurer by the insured person, wherein prior to the first period of coverage, the insurer obtains authorization from the insured to have premiums for the second period paid automatically from an account, comprising the steps of charging the sponsoring organization a premium for the first period of coverage upon entering into a policy contract between the insurer and the insured, and automatically charging one or more premiums to the account of the insured at the end of the first period and during the second period of coverage.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus and method for isolating an wrist during aerobic exercise on an exercise machine such as a hand operated exercise bicycle or elliptical trainer, configured to be worn on the arm of a person having an wrist injury so that the person may operate the exercise machine with the arm having the wrist injury without pressure on the wrist, wherein weight and force are distributed from the exercise machine to the forearm and upper arm without implicating the wrist.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus and method for isolating an ankle during aerobic exercise on a bicycle configured to be worn on the leg of a person having an ankle injury so that the person may operate the bicycle with the leg having the ankle injury without pressure on the ankle, wherein weight and force are distributed from the pedal to the calf and thigh without implicating the ankle.

Abstract: Two component (2K) waterborne polyurethane coating compositions which when cured achieve excellent anti-graffiti properties at low VOC level (below 100 g/L) are disclosed. The composition comprises (A) a fluorinated polyol and optionally a non-fluorinated polyol; and (B), a blend of polyisocyanates comprising a hydrophilically modified trimer of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDT) and a hydrophilic ally modified trimer of isophorone diisocyanate (IPDT). The glass transition temperature of the ambient cured coatings, crosslinked network structure, and fluorine content at the surface enable excellent anti-graffiti properties. The waterborn coatings of the invention have excellent recoatability and exceptional chemical resistance.

Abstract: An article for holding currency and credit cards is disclosed which comprises (a) a first length of substantially non-stretchable material having a first end and a second end configured to form a closed flat loop when the first end is retained on or near the second end, a lumen in the first length, a flat length of bendable metal within the lumen in the first length which allows the closed flat loop to retain a desired shape, the closed flat loop having a length which is slightly longer than half the length of U.S. currency; (b) a second length of substantially non-stretchable material having a middle, a first end, a second end, and a lumen, the first end and the second end secured to the first length of substantially non-stretchable material, thereby forming a second flat loop slightly wider than the width of U.S.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention comprises a process for comparing income, principle and expenses of an existing trust and a proposed trust. The process comprises selecting a period for which the comparison is desired, selecting a constant rate of income and appreciation for an asset class of the existing trust. Further, the present invention comprises selecting a proposed trust, selecting each asset value, asset class and allocation of assets in the proposed trust, selecting a payer of the proposed trust's capital gains, and selecting a basis for comparison among possible outcomes of the steps involving the proposed trust to generate the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention relates a cover which changes the aesthetic appearance of a computer component by providing an area to display an image, graphic, logo or text. Attachment shall be of a simple, easily attachable/detachable type requiring little or no modification to the computer component.

Abstract: A composition comprising one or more radiation curable monomers and/or oligomers and one or heat stable composition comprising at least one radiation-curable alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated compound, at least one phenolic stabilizer, and at least one non-phenolic stabilizer selected from the group consisting of hydroperoxide decomposers and free radical traps. The compositions and methods are useful in applications such as radiation curable ink jet systems where viscosity is reduced by heating.

Abstract: A fin and tube assembly for use in a heat exchanger comprising a carbon steel tube, a carbon steel fin, and an external brazing compound comprising a material selected from the group consisting of nickel, chrome, copper, aluminum, zinc, and graphite brazed to the tube and fin is disclosed. A method for making the assembly and a power plant which includes the assembly are also disclosed. The brazing compound functions to prevent corrosion of the carbon steel and also functions to attach the tube and fin together.

Abstract: A pet identification tag with associated cavity holder for insertion of a miniaturized Radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) transponder capsule. The tag has an embedded cavity and mechanism to insert or remove an optional RFID transponder capsule. The tag with transponder capsule can then be attached to a pet's collar to wireless ID the pet without need to medically inject a RFID transponder capsule into a pet's body by surgical means.

Abstract: A thermal cracking chemical vapor deposition method for synthesizing a nano-carbon material is provided. The method includes steps of (a) providing a substrate, (b) spreading a catalyst on the substrate, (c) putting the substrate into a reactor, (d) introducing a carbon containing material, and (e) heating the carbon containing material, thereby the carbon containing material being cracked to provide a carbon source for forming the nano-carbon material on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for obtaining warranty registration of products, facilitating return of lost products, and expediting warranty service on defective products comprising providing a unique identifier on or within each product; providing a lost and found system comprising the steps of marking each product with return instructions and a reward offer to any person who finds said product after it has been lost; and offering to return each product to a registered owner in the event said product is lost and returned by said person who finds it if said owner provides data comprising owner identification and date said product was purchased at retail; providing said data to a manufacturer or other warrantor in order to register said warranty.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for supplying a gas-liquid vapor to a process tank for performing semiconductor manufacturing. In one aspect, the invention is a method of supplying a gas-liquid vapor to a process tank comprising: supplying a gas stream through at least one hydrophobic tube; exposing the outside surface of the hydrophobic tube to a liquid so that a vapor of the liquid permeates the hydrophobic tube and enters the gas stream, forming a gas-liquid vapor inside the tube; and transporting the gas-liquid vapor to the process tank. In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus for supplying a gas-liquid vapor to a process tank comprising: at least one hydrophobic tube adapted to carry a gas; and a housing forming a chamber that surrounds the tube, the chamber adapted to receive a liquid that can permeate the tube, forming a gas-liquid vapor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying substrates. The inventive apparatus comprises: an object support member for supporting at least one substrate in a process tank having one or more support sections comprising capillary material. The inventive method is a method of removing liquid from a wet substrate in a process tank comprising contacting the wet substrate with capillary material. In another aspect, the invention is a method of drying at least one substrate having a surface in a process tank comprising: submerging the substrate in a liquid having a liquid level; supporting the submerged substrates in the process tank; supplying a drying vapor above the liquid level; lowering the liquid level or raising the substrate so that the liquid level is below the substrate, thereby removing a major portion of liquid from the substrate surface; and removing remaining liquid from the substrate surface with capillary material.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wafer carrying system with a manual-opened cover. The wafer carrying system of the present invention includes a wafer cassette having an opening, a cover disposed on the wafer cassette for covering the opening of the wafer cassette, an opener disposed on the cover for opening the cover, a base for mounting the opener thereon, a separating device connected with the base and the opener, thereby the cover being movable from a shut position to a separated position, a first pivoting device connected to the separating device for pivoting the cover to a first specific position, and a second pivoting device connected to the first pivoting device for pivoting the cover to a second specific position.

Abstract: An apparatus, transfer cask, system, and method for defueling a nuclear reactor and transferring spent nuclear fuel from a spent nuclear fuel to a storage cask for long terms storage. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for use in transferring a canister of spent nuclear fuel from a transfer cask to a storage cask, the apparatus comprising a radiation absorbing shield surrounding a portion of a hole through which the canister can pass; means for securing the apparatus to the top surface of the storage cask; means for securing the bottom surface of the transfer cask to the apparatus; wherein the transfer cask securing means and the storage cask securing means are positioned on the apparatus so that when the apparatus is secured to both the transfer cask and the storage cask, the cavity of the transfer cask, the hole, and the cavity of the storage cask are substantially aligned; and means for moving the bottom lid in a horizontal direction once the bottom lid is unfastened from the bottom surface.