Abstract: With the onset of BSE or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Great Britain, and subsequent infections here in the U.S., there has been an increased push to monitor and track movements of animals on ranches and farms. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is in the process of implementing a National Animal Identification System or NAIS to track animal movements. Conventional systems that comply with the NAIS, though, have been very expensive and cumbersome for the average farmer who cannot afford the expense involved. However, now there is a system, which complies with the NAIS, that is easy to operate for the average farmer or rancher and is inexpensive. Thus, the present system allows the average farmer or rancher to remain in business and comply with national requirements.

Abstract: A method of extending the life of an extruder screw by affixing tiles of wear-resistant material along the crest of the extruder screw flighting threads, and optionally grinding the hardened material to remove any sharp edges. In another configuration of the present invention, plates of wear-resistant material are secured to the leading edges of the extruder screw threads to further prolong the life of the extruder screw.

Abstract: There are a number of applications today where the pumping of abrasive slurries is necessary. The pumping mechanisms, though, can be complex, employing multiple transfer cylinders and movable pipes. These designs have their problems, specifically wear between poorly sealing surfaces. To reduce this problem, seals are provided that have multiple wear surfaces which include harder tiles secured over a softer core to benefit from the relative hardness or flexibility of each of the respective materials.

Abstract: A post for supporting a roadway sign comprises a hollow, continuous sleeve formed of thermoplastic resin. The sleeve has an interior surface and a continuous core disposed within the sleeve and generally coextensive with the interior surface of the sleeve. The core is formed at least partially of recycled crumb rubber.

Abstract: An entertaining and informative method of displaying competitive product performance data is disclosed. The various embodiments include a method for displaying product performance data by use of animated contests between animated representatives of competing products. The contest results are relative to selected product test results. The relationship between the test results and the contest results is a mathematical approximation. Thus, a gross disparity in the displayed animated contest is indicative of a gross disparity in the performance of the products on the test. Likewise, a closely fought contest in the displayed animated contest is indicative of close performance of the products on the test.

Abstract: The present invention provides a faucet for tapping a liquid stored under pressure of a gas in a container that has less moving parts subject to wear or breakage, and has a housing made of multiple parts which can be disassembled so the faucet mechanism can be easily cleaned, repaired, or replaced. The faucet mechanism contains a piece of flexible tubing and an arrangement of a pinch roller valve mechanism that compresses the flexible tubing to shut off flow of liquid through the tubing. In one arrangement of the present invention, since the housing does not move and does not come in contact with the beverage being poured, the housing is made of a non-metallic material, such as a plastic or petroleum-based material, which is less expensive than the previous brass or stainless steel housing.

Abstract: Until recently, stirrups have not provided adequate support for a rider allowing for ease of balance when riding, and especially while racing. The super stirrup described herein provides a stable platform or base accompanied by a number of support bars that allow the rider to rest and reposition his or her weight easily. Thus, the super stirrup improves the performance of a rider in both leisure and sport riding.

Abstract: A pressure-recovery device for a supersonic, continuous wave gas laser is capable of recovering the pressure of the supersonic fluid in an efficient manner and in a relatively light and compact assembly. The supersonic diffuser has a substantially rectangular inlet and top and bottom walls that extend from the inlet in the direction of the flow of gas. The top and bottom walls are separated by a height (l1) at the inlet and are connected by two side walls. The side walls are separated by a width (h) at the inlet, wherein the ratio of height to width ranges at the inlet from about 0.001 to about 1. A compression region is formed by the top wall, bottom wall and side walls, wherein said top and bottom walls either are or are not symmetric about a central longitudinal axis of the compression region.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for trimming an irregular open end of a container body is disclosed. The improved trimmer cartridge includes a sealed gear housing, for retention of interior lubricant and to reduce contamination. An adjustment mechanism, accessible from the exterior of the housing, is provided to adjust a gap between two blades of the trimmer cartridge. The adjustment mechanism provides improved control over the gap width, which is between 8-25% of the can metal thickness. Additionally, a tang that is removably connected to a shaft for a first blade provides rotational power for the trimmer. The tang is replaceable without requiring the housing to be opened or requiring replacement of the blade shaft. Another blade shaft is provided for a second blade, with the two blade shafts having substantially equal mass. The trimmer also includes spur gears, which do not have the thrust load associated with prior art helical gears.

Abstract: Today, luggage has become an element of fashion. As a result, a number of designer articles of luggage can be purchased. The cost of these articles of luggage can range from less than one hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. However, adequate protection for these articles of luggage, which preserves the aesthetic features of the articles of luggage, has not been previously available. Now, a simple, cheap, easily manufacturable, and easily used cover is available for articles of luggage that both protects and preserves the aesthetic features. This cover also allows easy access to handles and works well with conventional wheeled luggage.

Abstract: Today, luggage has become an element of fashion. As a result, a number of designer articles of luggage can be purchased. These articles of luggage can range from less than one hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. However, adequate protection for these articles of luggage, which preserves the aesthetic features of the articles of luggage, has not been previously available. Now, a simple, cheap, easily manufacturable, and easily used cover is available for articles of luggage that both protects and preserves the aesthetic features. This cover also allow easy access to handles and works well with conventional wheeled luggage.

Abstract: A mailbox bracket comprises a laminar plate that is generally coextensive with a lower surface of the mailbox and has a pair of flanges for securing the mailbox to the plate. A generally cylindrical sleeve is secured to the plate and extends downwardly therefrom. The sleeve is adapted to receive a generally cylindrical post and includes an aperture for use with a bolt or pin to secure the post within the sleeve. According to one embodiment of the invention, the bracket is formed of steel. According to another embodiment of the invention, the bracket is integrally formed of nylon polymer and includes a plurality of strengthening ribs extending radially outward from the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention includes a novel profile for a container bottom. The bottom structure includes a domed central panel attached at its outside edge to a downwardly projecting substantially cylindrical inner leg portion the inner leg portion is attached to a generally semi-circular nose portion. The outside of the nose portion is attached to an upwardly and outwardly inclined outer leg portion. The outer leg portion is attached to an outwardly inclined peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is attached to the lower end of the generally cylindrical sidewall portion. The improvement primarily involves the larger stand diameter, and altered dome circle radius and dome depth, which produces a container bottom profile yielding more consistent results in drop tests to determine resistance to bulging and reversals (single can and consumer package flat and angled drop tests) than prior art can bottoms.

Abstract: An improved singlet delta oxygen generator (SOG) and method of its use are disclosed. The improved SOG is compact and scalable, capable of operating in a zero-gravity or low gravity environment, requires no gaseous diluent or buffer gas, and is capable of operating at pressures as high as one atmosphere. The improved SOG also efficiently utilizes the reactants and produces a O2(1?) stream that is largely free of chlorine and water vapor contamination and therefore does not require a BHP regeneration system or a water vapor trap. When used as part of a COIL system, the SOG may be part of a plenum that directly feeds the laser's nozzle. The close proximity of the SOG to the laser cavity allows operation of the SOG at higher pressures without significant depletion of available O2(1?) through collisional deactivation.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate portion extending radially outward from the annular countersink, a step portion extending radially upward and outward from the arcuate portion, a first transitional portion extending radially outward from the step portion, a second transitional portion extending radially outward and upward from the first transitional portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the second transitional portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating scanned documents using computer aided design (CAD) commands includes a link program which receives the CAD commands and displays all or selected portions of a raster-based image, which is created by scanning a hard copy document. The link program will display the portion of the raster image which fits within a predetermined CAD window and will scale the raster image up or down as necessary to fit within the display window. The raster image is displayed on a computer screen and provides a useful reference for an operator to create a CAD image which is a duplicate of the raster image by tracing directly over the raster image or, alternatively, to implement desired changes in the raster image using CAD commands. An edit program merges the CAD image and the original raster image to create a new, updated raster image, which includes all CAD-generated changes made by the operator. The updated raster image can be reproduced in hard copy form by a raster plotter.