Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sacrificial limb for a deck plank provides a deck plank that is comprised of a wood replacement material. The deck plank has a tongue that is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent deck plank. A channel is cut in the tongue of the deck plank. The channel is adapted to induce the tongue to fracture when expansion of the wood replacement material causes sufficient pressure between the tongue and the groove of the adjacent deck plank. As a result, expansion and contraction of the deck plank material preferably does not cause the deck to buckle.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing easy coloring or writing on the surface of a fabric item. The present invention involves the installation of a reinforcing material, such as a fusible interfacing, to the underside of an outer surface of a fabric item to be marked upon, such that a stable coloring or writing surface is produced. The coloring or writing may be done with washable markers or crayons, such that the markings may be repeatedly washed out and the fabric item re-colored or re-written upon. Borders, images, scenes or other graphics may also be placed on the outer surface of the fabric item to help indicate the reinforced area and/or to add to the appearance of the coloring or writing. The fabric item may be an article of wearing apparel or virtually any other item constructed of suitable material.

Abstract: A vertically and or horizontally adjustable and reconfigurable dunnage rack capable of accommodating new dunnage sizes and shapes associated with annual model year changes, which preferably includes, among other elements, a base and a pair of upstanding adjustably spaced apart walls detachably connected to the base, wherein each wall includes a dunnage support assembly attached to inner surfaces and a fastening assembly for releasably securing the walls to the base after adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a container having a tear-away top. In general, the container comprises an outer substrate layer, an inner aseptic layer secured to the outer substrate layer, and a cut in the outer substrate layer. In order to preserve the product in the container, the cut is of a predetermined depth such that the cut does not puncture the inner aseptic layer. The cut, however, is sufficiently deep so that a predetermined portion of the top may be torn away from the container at the cut. The present invention also includes a method for manufacturing a container that has a tear-away top. The method generally includes the steps of providing an outer substrate layer, securing an inner aseptic layer to the outer substrate layer, making a cut of predetermined depth in the outer substrate layer such that the cut does not puncture the inner aseptic layer, and then forming a container.

Abstract: A holder for receiving a carton of flowable material, wherein a dispenser connector is preferably provided on the holder for the attachment of a pump or other dispensing means. The holder is especially useful for housing large aseptic cartons of flowable foodstuffs, whereby the contents of the carton may be dispensed without repeated handling of the carton. The holder may be configured in various shapes and size to conform to dissimilar cartons, and the dispenser connector may be provided in various locations to properly cooperate with the particular dispensing location of the carton to be held. After placement into the holder and connection of the dispensing device, the carton may be placed on a shelf, or counter for example, where it may remain until emptied. Multiple holders may be releasably joined in a row via connectors affixed to the holder sides.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and process for drying and extruding a cellulosic compound. The compound materials are provided to a mixer in a desired ratio. The compound materials are then mixed together. Thereafter, the compound materials can be stored in a non-controlled environment until needed. When it is time to extrude the compound materials, the compound materials are transferred to a dryer at a location remote from the mixer. The dryer has a surface area enabling the compound materials to be sufficiently spread out for drying. The compound materials are substantially uniformly dried to a desired level in the dryer. The compound materials are then transferred to an extruder to be formed into a final net shape.

Abstract: A system and method for building a trading partner profile for use with commercial translator software is disclosed. A list of file types, maps for translating data formats, and instructions for invoking commercial translator software determines what file types a business is willing to accept. Information from this list as well as information from an incoming file is used to create a trading partner profile that the commercial translator software relies on to perform a translation of data from one format (e.g., an EDI standard format) to another format (e.g., a format for a business applications). After determination of the incoming file type, information from the incoming file and the list of file type/map/instructions is extracted to build a trading partner profile that is stored in a trading partner profile database. The commercial translator software uses the trading partner profile to complete the translation of the incoming file to a format for use by business or other applications.

Abstract: The process of the present invention comprises a method for fabricating shaped monolithic ceramics and ceramic composites through displacive compensation of porosity, and ceramics and composites made thereby. The method of the present invention includes three basic steps: 1) Synthesis or other acquisition of a porous preform: A porous preform with an appropriate composition, pore fraction, and overall shape is prepared or obtained. The pore fraction of the preform is tailored so that the reaction-induced increase in solid volume can compensate partially or completely for such porosity. It will be understood that the porous preform need only be sufficiently dimensionally stable to resist the capillary action of the infiltrated liquid reactant; 2) Infiltration: The porous preform is infiltrated with a liquid reactant; and 3) Reaction: The liquid reactant is allowed to react partially or completely with the solid preform to produce a dense, shaped body containing desired ceramic phase(s).

Abstract: The present invention includes stereotactic vectors, no electronic calculations and imaging, diagnostic and treatment techniques. The invention also includes machines or instruments using those aspects of the invention. The present invention also includes methods and processes using the devices of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment of viral-induced tumors in mammals, more specifically, human warts. The method uses &agr;- and &bgr;-santalols, or mixtures or derivatives thereof, to prepare medicaments for the treatment of viral-induced tumors i.e., warts caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) in humans. The method of the invention comprises the topical administration of &agr;- and &bgr;-santalols, or mixtures or derivatives thereof, in a composition derived therefrom, to the human epidermis, as needed. The present invention is also concerned with a unique antiviral composition useful for topical application. The antiviral composition according to this invention is also effective against other DNA viruses such as the DNA pox virus that causes Molluscum contagiosum and may be effective against other DNA viruses such as AIDS virus and RNA viruses.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the dew point of a fuel gas for a combustion turbine. A flow of fuel gas is filtered of particulate matter and liquid droplets in an aerosol interception and removal system. The pressure of the filtered fuel gas may be reduced at a pressure reduction station. The flow of fuel gas is analyzed by a dew point monitoring device that sends a signal to the heating system. The heating system may then adjust the temperature of the fuel gas flow within the permissible range necessary for operation of the combustion turbine. The filtered flow of fuel gas is then directed to a heating system where the temperature of the fuel gas is regulated. The flow of the heated flow of fuel gas may then be regulated at a flow metering station. The heated flow of fuel gas is then sent to a combustion turbine's combustion chamber.

Abstract: The present invention includes capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems. The invention also includes machines or instruments using those aspects of the invention. The present invention additionally includes methods and procedures using those devices of the present invention. The present invention discloses a capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: A drainage system that is adapted to be installed between two supports. The supports may be the joists of an outdoor deck. The drainage system comprises a drainage panel and two clips. The drainage panel is comprised of a first end portion and a second end portion. A first clip is adapted to be secured to one of the supports. The first clip has a base and two flanges. The flanges extend from the base such that they converge and engage the first end portion of the drainage panel. The second clip is adapted to be secured to the other support. The second clip also has a base and two flanges. The flanges extend from the base and converge. The second end portion of the drainage panel is engaged by the flanges of the second clip.

Abstract: A modular material processing apparatus comprises a housing including a frame, the frame defining a pair of oppositely facing lateral ends and a pair of oppositely facing longitudinal sides; a pair of co-acting, substantially parallel, counter-rotating roller assemblies, each of the roller assemblies including a substantially cylindrical, material processing roller member mounted to a rotating shaft extending substantially parallel with the longitudinal sides; a first support assembly mounted to one of the lateral ends of the frame, the first support assembly including a fixed support and an adjustable support, each of the fixed and adjustable supports supporting a corresponding one of the roller assemblies; and a second support assembly mounted to the other one of the lateral ends of the frame, the second support assembly including a fixed support and an adjustable support, each of the fixed and adjustable supports supporting a corresponding one of the roller assemblies.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composite lumber product having at least one layer of a reinforcing laminate containing unidirectional fibers of glass, carbon or ceramics. The thermoplastic composite lumber of the present invention exhibits superior stiffness and strength compared to typical, non-reinforced plastic lumber.

Abstract: An arbitrary function generator produces one or more waveforms for arbitrary applications wherein a general-purpose waveform production capability is customized to meet the demands of specific applications. The arbitrary waveform generator supports arbitrary scaling of waveforms in amplitude and in time. The arbitrary function generator is a standalone system that may be integrated into a MRI control system. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a software system comprising a delivery component, a configuration component, a scaling component, and a triggering component provide the features and functions of the present invention. The various software components communicate in accordance with a shared memory database in which data structures comprising waveform descriptions and tuning parameters are made available to the various software components.