Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preparing Group III-nitride films of controlled polarity and substrates coated with such controlled polarity films. In particular, the invention provides substrate preparation steps that optimize the substrate surface for facilitating growth of a Group III-polar film, an N-polar film, or a selectively patterned film with both a Group III-polar portion and an N-polar portion in precise positioning. The methods of the invention are particularly suited for use in CVD methods.

Abstract: A combination product/napkin package is provided. A package includes a product wrapper and a finger wiping patch. The product wrapper comprises a sheet of flexible film that is foldable around the product and has edges sealable around a periphery to enclose and seal the product therein. The finger wiping patch is a textured surface of foaming ink absorbent resin, tacky resin, or a textured material applied to the wrapper at a position outside the sealed product.

Abstract: A vertebral implant for replacing a biological disk includes a top and bottom plate. The implant further includes flexible coupling that couples together the plates while allowing the same degree of freedom in all axes of motion as the original biological disk.

Abstract: A pad for a brassiere has a first layer; a second layer; and an intermediate layer between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer, the second layer and the intermediate layer are connected at predetermined locations to form a first plurality of depressions on the first layer and a second plurality of depressions on the second layer. The brassiere has a pair of back panels, a pair of shoulder straps, and a pair of breast receiving cups. Each of the pair of breast receiving cups has a first layer; a second layer; and an intermediate layer between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer, the second layer and the intermediate layer are connected to form a first plurality of depressions on said first layer and a second plurality of depressions on said second layer.

Abstract: A brassiere cup, and brassiere formed therefrom, is provided, having an outer layer, an inner layer, a moldable foam layer positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer, and a concealing layer positioned between the inner layer and the moldable foam layer. The outer layer, inner layer, moldable foam layer, and concealing layer are molded to form a cup having an apex, with the concealing layer disposed over the apex. When molded, a raised embossed area is formed on the inner surface of the inner layer over the concealing layer.

Abstract: A process for the direct conversion of lipid biomass fuel stock to combustible fuels include the steps of hydrolyzing a lipid biomass to form free fatty acids, catalytically deoxygenating the free fatty acids to from n-alkanes, and reforming at least a portion of the n-alkanes into a mixture of compounds having the correct chain length, conformations and ratio to be useful as transportation fuels. The process exhibits an overall energy efficiency of at least about 75%, wherein energy efficiency is calculated as the lower heating value of the produced transportation fuel over the sum of the lower heating value of the process reactants and the total energy input into the process.

Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of the product is provided, the tobacco product including a water-permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation including a tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, the plurality of microcapsules including an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload. The internal payload may include an additive such as water, flavorants, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, buffering agents, fillers, disintegration aids, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, additives derived from herbal or botanical sources, and mixtures thereof. Microencapsulated flavorants include tobacco-containing flavorants, such as tobacco extracts or a particulate tobacco material, sweeteners (e.g., sweeteners containing neotame), and vanillin (optionally in a complexed form).

Abstract: Provided herein is a new form of 3-fluoro-7-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenoxathin 10,10-dioxide, which demonstrates higher stability relative to other forms of 3-fluoro-7-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenoxathiin-10,10-dioxide. In particular, this new form affords less dosage critical administration of 3-fluoro-7-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenoxathin 10,10-dioxide relative to other forms. The new solid form of 3-fluoro-7-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenoxathiin-10,10-dioxide has been determined and is provided herein. This new solid form of 3-fluoro-7-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenoxathiin-10,10-dioxide can be characterized by any of a number of its properties, including, but not limited to, melting point, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopic spectrum or portions thereof, solubility, methods and conditions under which this form is prepared, and/or precipitated from solution, and, when in crystalline form, the crystalline form can be characterized according to the diffraction pattern or portions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for receiving and distributing currency. In particular, the present invention provides a novel apparatus for the inflow and outflow of a variety of currency. The systems of the present invention are capable of recycling a variety of currency from multiple countries and multiple denominations. The systems of the present invention have the added advantage of compact size.

Abstract: A handle stem for a bicycle, having a body and a lid, which can be fixed to the body, the body and the lid forming together a handle bar receptacle for receiving the handle bar of the bicycle, has a clamping ring being formed separate from the body and being inserted into a ring receptacle of the body for receiving the forked shaft of a fork of the bicycle.

Abstract: A building block that can be assembled into structures without requiring special end or corner pieces. The block has top and bottom surfaces that contain a cooperating projection and slot for stacking the blocks. Two end surfaces and two side surfaces complete an enclosed volume. One side and one end surface has at least one interlocking male portion. The other side end surface has at least one cooperating slot portion into which the male portion fits to interlock the blocks.

Abstract: An assembly for packaging a product includes a blank of sheet material having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface. The blank forms a carton having a top, a bottom and a plurality of side panels. Each side panel extends between the top and the bottom. A first side panel is movable between a first position and a second position. The first movable side panel is initially biased in the first position. A heat-shrink patch is applied to the interior surface and connected to at least a portion of the first movable side panel. The heat-shrink patch is shrinkable to urge the first movable side panel to the second position.

Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton has a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. End flaps are respectively foldably attached to panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. A dispenser has a tear line and at least one dispenser section foldably attached to the carton for at least partially defining an opening in the carton for accessing the containers. A gusset connects the end flaps, wherein the gusset can be unfolded to allow relative movement between the end flaps and to allow the dispenser section to pivot outwardly to enlarge the opening.

Abstract: A thermally insulative label is provided. The label includes a first layer of material including an insulative coating, and a second layer of shrink material coupled to the first layer wherein the second layer includes graphics.

Abstract: A packaging system utilizes two sides of a loading carousel, which reduces both the height and footprint of the packaging system. Mass and inertia are also reduced, allowing higher operational speeds. The loading carousel receives opened cartons on a first side and lowers them over product groups on a second side.

Abstract: A storm panel of high strength fabric is constructed, reinforced, and installed in such a way as to comply with the building codes as a large missile impact system. The panel includes a zippered opening for access through the panel when in use. When not in use, the fabric can be rolled and stored and placed in an attractive cover without disassembly.

Abstract: Herbicide-resistant sunflower plants, isolated polynucleotides that encode herbicide resistant and wild type acetohydroxyacid synthase large subunit (AHASL) polypeptides, and the amino acid sequences of these polypeptides, are described. Expression cassettes and transformation vectors comprising the polynucleotides of the invention, as well as plants and host cells transformed with the polynucleotides, are described. Methods of using the polynucleotides to enhance the resistance of plants to herbicides, and methods for controlling weeds in the vicinity of herbicide-resistant plants are also described.

Abstract: A method for applying a heat-shrink patch to a carton for forming a shape of the carton. The carton includes a top panel, a bottom panel, at least one side panel extending between the top panel and the bottom panel and a movable section that is movable between a first position and a second position. The method includes providing a heat-shrink patch in a pre-shrunk configuration. The heat-shrink patch is coupled in the pre-shrunk configuration to at least a portion of an interior surface of a blank of sheet material including at least a portion of the movable section. The carton is formed from the blank of sheet material. The movable section is moved from the first position to the second position to form the shape of the carton by heating the heat-shrink patch to shrink the heat-shrink patch to a shrunk configuration.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing natural organic fouling levels in contaminated ion exchange resins by contacting the resins with an oxidizing agent solution.