Abstract: Digital signals from a group of three or more circuits (104, 105, 106) are used to create an encoded or combined signal on a common transmission line (108). The encoded signal is then decoded at each different circuit to produce or recreate the digital signal asserted by each different circuit in the group. The encoded signal comprises a signal included in a set of unique signal values, with each signal in the set corresponding to a different combination of digital signals asserted by the group of circuits. Decoding the encoded signal at each circuit (104, 105, 106) in the group involves comparing the encoded signal to a particular reference voltage from a set of reference voltages. A particular reference voltage used in this comparison may be selected using one or more digital signals already decoded from the encoded signal.

Abstract: At least one pool (22) of game play records (23) is stored at a central processing system (12). Each game play record includes a record index (24) selected from a set of unique index values, each associated with a different result type. A record index (24) associated with a particular game play record (23) is communicated from the central processing system (12) to the player terminal (14) in response to a game play request which a player has entered at the player terminal. The player terminal (14) responds to the received record index (24) by generating display commands using data at the player terminal to produce a graphic representation at the player terminal. This graphic representation is consistent with the result type associated with the index value comprising the particular record index (24) which has been communicated to the player terminal (14).

Abstract: A method of producing a pH enhanced foodstuff includes increasing the pH of an initial foodstuff, preferably by placing an initial foodstuff in contact with ammonia gas or aqueous ammonia (54) and applying mechanical action to the material (56). After the pH adjustment, the method includes reducing at least the surface temperature of the pH enhanced foodstuff to below the freezing temperature of the pH enhanced foodstuff (58). The method then includes placing the frozen or partially frozen pH enhanced foodstuff in contact with carbon dioxide gas while maintaining the surface temperature of the pH enhanced foodstuff below the freezing temperature of the material (60). The carbon dioxide treatment may be performed in a mixing vessel (24) fitted with agitators (25) and suitable connections for producing a carbon dioxide gas atmosphere in the vessel.

Abstract: A module housing is adapted to be inserted into an operating position in the trigger group receiving area of a firearm. The module housing includes at least one pin receiver defined by two openings formed in the module housing, one on each lateral side of the housing. A module or temporary pin is received in the pin receiver and at least one trigger group component is mounted or supported for rotation on the module pin. The pin receiver is located on the module housing so as to align with a pin receptacle of the firearm when the module housing is in the operating position. By locating the pin receiver in the module housing so as to align with a corresponding pin receptacle of the firearm when the module housing is in the operating position, the trigger group module and the trigger group components housed in the module housing may be readily supported by the OEM pin receptacle.

Abstract: A molten metal reactor (10) quickly entrains a feed material in the molten reactant metal (16) and provides the necessary contact between the molten reactant metal and the feed material to effect the desired chemical reduction of the feed material. The reactor (10) includes a unique feed structure (24) adapted to quickly entrain the feed material into the molten reactant metal (16) and then transfer the molten reactant metal, feed material, and initial reaction products into a treatment chamber (12). A majority of the desired reactions occur in the treatment chamber (12). Reaction products and unspent reactant metal are directed from the treatment chamber (12) to an output chamber (14) where reaction products are removed from the reactor. Unspent reactant metal (16) is then transferred to a heating chamber (15) where it is reheated for recycling through the system.

Abstract: A pH increasing material is placed in contact with the surface of an initial comminuted meat product. This contact with the pH increasing material increases the pH of the initial meat product to produce an intermediate meat product. The method also includes the step of removing the pH increasing material and applying mechanical action to the intermediate, pH increased meat product. The method may also include placing a pH lowering gas at a neutralizing pressure in contact with the surface of the intermediate meat product to decrease the pH of the meat product.

Abstract: In addition to the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83), a hydrothermal treatment system (60) includes an effluent stream splitting arrangement (86) for receiving hydrothermal reaction effluent and splitting this effluent to produce two separate effluent streams. These separated effluent streams are used to heat at least a water stream and first reactant material stream before these streams are injected into the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83). A first split effluent heat exchange arrangement (81) places one split effluent stream in a heat exchange relationship with the water input to the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83). A second split effluent heat exchange arrangement (79, 80) places the other split effluent stream in a heat exchange relationship with both the first reactant material and the water input to the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83).

Abstract: A pivot component (11) is inserted into a bottom component (12) positioned in a shipping container (43) and can be positioned in either a loading position or a support position. In the loading position, the pivot component (11) is tilted outwardly with respect to the bottom component (12), allowing a product (41) to be easily inserted in the container (43). When the product (41) is inserted into the container, contact between the product (41) and the pivot component (11) causes the pivot component (11) to automatically pivot into the support position. In the support position, the pivot component (11) is tilted inwardly with respect to the loading position, and is in position to support and protect the product (41) in the container (43). A top element (51) may be included over the product (41) in the received position so as to capture a top part of the pivot component (11) and thereby retain the pivot component in the support position.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of pH modified foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff. One preferred pH modifying arrangement includes a supply of NH3 gas (11) and a pump (9) for placing the comminuted foodstuffs to be processed and the NH3 gas together under an operating pressure for a period of time sufficient to increase the pH of the foodstuffs.

Abstract: A multiple data stream processing arrangement includes a receiver/signal processor (14) and a plurality of signal input paths (11, 12) which meet at a junction (36). A junction output from the junction (36) provides a single input to the receiver/signal processor (14). A switching arrangement (16) is associated with the plurality of signal input paths (11, 12). The switching arrangement (16) includes a switch (31, 32) connected in each signal input path (11, 12). Each switch (31, 32) responds to an enable signal to allow a data stream applied to the respective input path (11, 12) to pass on to the junction (36) and to the receiver/signal processor (14). Only one signal input path (11, 12) and respective switch (31, 32) is enabled at any given time.

Abstract: An electrically conductive strap is connected to an electrically conductive first connector at one end and connected to an electrically conductive second connector at the other end. Both connectors are mounted on the substrate so that the connected strap extends over a portion of the mechanical component, or otherwise cooperates with the mechanical component, to secure the mechanical component in the desired position. Also, the connection between the strap and the first connector electrically couples the strap to the first connector while the connection between the strap and the second connector electrically couples the strap to the second connector. At least one of the connectors, the first connector for example, is also electrically coupled to a first reference voltage preferably available on the substrate. The electrical condition of the second connector may then be used to indicate whether the strap and therefore the mechanical component is in place on the substrate.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus (10) includes a liquid reactant metal containment vessel (11) for containing a first liquid reactant metal and isolating the reactant metal from the atmosphere. A release chamber (14) is adapted to receive the first liquid reactant metal from the containment vessel (11) and a submerging arrangement (21) is adapted to dunk or submerge a container (46) of feed material into the liquid reactant metal and move the container to a release location within the release chamber (14). Relatively light materials rising from the submerged container (46), including unreacted feed material, intermediate reaction products, and perhaps final reaction products collect in a collection area (60) having an upper surface defined by an upper surface of the release chamber (14).

Abstract: A riding stirrup (10) includes a hanger rod (11) for connecting the stirrup to a saddle, and a stirrup loop (12) connected to the hanger rod. The stirrup loop (12) defines a stirrup opening (14) through which a rider may extend their foot when the rider is sitting in the saddle. The stirrup loop (12) also includes an elongated base support tread (17) positioned generally at the bottom of the loop. The base support tread (17) extends at a slant with respect to a stirrup centerline (CL) which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hanger rod (11), through a midpoint of the rod, and through the base support tread. This slant places the distance between an outer tread section (21) and the hanger rod (11) greater than the distance between an inner tread section (20) and the hanger rod.

Abstract: An expandable accessory box (10) may be configured in either a retracted configuration or an expanded configuration. In the retracted configuration, the expandable accessory box (10) may be used in connection with a first primary box (51) to accommodate both the base piece of equipment or base component, such as a portable computer for example, and a first volume (A) of accessories to be shipped together with the base component. The first primary box (51) snugly receives both the base component and the accessory box (10) in the retracted configuration. However, the accessory box (10) may be placed in the expanded configuration and used with a second, larger primary box (61) to contain both the base component, the first volume (A) of accessories, and an additional volume (E) of accessories. The second primary box (61) is sized to snugly receive the base component and the accessory box (10) in its expanded configuration.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method is provided for transistor level calculation of the precharge time of a domino logic circuit. In one version of the invention, the domino logic circuit has a plurality of cascaded stages, at least one stage having an unclocked evaluation path. In this version, the method includes the steps of determining a reset time for at least one stage of the domino circuit, determining a total reset time for the stages upstream of the at least one stage, and summing the reset time of the at least one stage with the total reset time of the cascaded stages upstream of the at least one stage to determine the precharge time. In another version, the method includes the step of performing a circuit analysis of the channel connected transistors in the at least one stage having an unclocked evaluation path.

Abstract: An un-coated valve (11) is connected between a first and a second pipe component (12, 12a). Each pipe component (12, 12a) includes a length of a pipe (21, 21a) with a flange (22, 22a) that is secured at one end. The valve (11) is positioned between the two pipe components (12, 12a), forming a first and a second sealing connection between the valve (11) and the pipe components (12, 12a). Each sealing connection is made between a valve sealing surface (25, 25a) and the flange (22, 22a) on the respective pipe component (12, 12a).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for splicing webs, in particular, paper webs for manufacturing corrugated cardboard, with a splicing unit (9) for preparing and splicing the rear end of a nearly empty active roll (5akt) to the front end of a web (5spl) to be spliced, and with the splicing unit (9) containing one respective intake (11) for the active web (5akt) and for the web (5spl) to be spliced. The device also contains a web unrolling device (13) that serves for accommodating several web rolls (21), with the web unrolling device (13) being constructed in such a way that it is able to accommodate at least three web rolls (21) such that a first web of the three webs delivered from the web rolls (21) can serve as the active web (5akt), a second web of the three webs (21) can serve as the web (5spl) to be spliced to the active web and the third web roll (21) can be simultaneously exchanged and/or the web in question can be prepared for the next splicing process.

Abstract: A method according to the invention includes determining a pattern probability for each of a number of target patterns achievable in a bingo-type game. Each pattern probability comprises a probability of achieving the respective target pattern in the bingo-type game. The method next includes associating or mapping different pattern sets to each different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The target patterns and their respective pattern probabilities are assigned or mapped to the different pattern sets so that the individual pattern probabilities included in each pattern set add up to the desired probability of the prize level with which the pattern set is associated.

Abstract: A stream (A) of first foodstuff has a first pH and a stream (B) of second foodstuff has second pH. The first pH and second pH are oppositely related to a third or target pH for the foodstuff such that one pH level is above the target level while the other pH level is below the target level. The two streams (A) and (B) are combined in a proportion to produce a combined or third foodstuff at the target pH. One or both of the first pH and second pH are sensed or otherwise determined, preferably on a continuous basis, and then these pH values are used to determine the proportion at which the stream of first foodstuff and stream of second foodstuff are combined and mixed. Particularly, the pH modification can be loosely controlled to produce an over-modification in the first foodstuff and then the stream (B) of second foodstuff may be combined with the stream (A) first foodstuff to produce a stream (C) of material having the target pH.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain at least partially in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff. The treatment process may include physically manipulating the foodstuff in multiple cycles to enhance microbe kill.