Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing gamblers playing either live casino table game or electronic video device versions of card games allow the players the options of (1) making wagers in both the underlying card game and a progressive jackpot component, (2) making wagers only in the underlying card game, and (3) making a wager only in the progressive jackpot component. In the live table version, a player may activate an indicator light or place a special token in the bet box for the underlying game to signal that the player opts to participate only in the progressive jackpot component. In the electronic video device version, a player activates one or more push buttons to select one of the three operational modes. The underlying card game preferably comprises Twenty-One or a five-card stud poker variant known as Caribbean Stud.TM. poker, but may also comprise other card games such as five card stud, seven card stud, Jacks or better, etc.

Abstract: A gaming table is provided with a coin head having a coin-in slot at each of a plurality of player locations. Each coin slot is connected by means of a coin chute to the coin bin formed as part of the chip rack. Each coin that is dropped into the coin slot rolls or slides along the coin chute and into the coin bin during the play of the game. The dealer can reach into the coin bin at any time it is necessary to refill the chip rack with coins for use during the play of the game. The coin chute is preferably configured in a C-shape so that access is available to the coin chute in the event a coin jams in the coin chute.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves a Twenty-One game, in which, in addition to his normal wager, a player will have the option of making an additional wager that becomes part of, and makes the player eligible to win, the progressive jackpot. If the player's Twenty-One hand comprises a particular, predetermined arrangement of cards, the player will win all, or part of, the amount showing on the progressive jackpot. In a Twenty-One game using any number of decks of cards, the predetermined winning arrangements of cards preferred in the present invention are an Ace, Two, Three, Four and Five suited; a Two, Three, Four and Five suited; a Four, Five and Six suited; a Four, Five and Six unsuited; an Ace-Jack suited; and optionally any Blackjack suited and any Blackjack unsuited.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for including a progressive jackpot component in a live casino table game. In addition to playing a live casino table game, each player makes an additional wager at the beginning of each hand that makes that player eligible to win all or part of a jackpot. If during the play of the hand a player is dealt a predetermined arrangement of cards, the player wins a preselected percentage of the jackpot amount. The jackpot is progressive in that unwon amounts of the jackpot carry over to the next hand. Apparatus is provided to receive each gaming token wagered for the jackpot component, to increment the jackpot meter whcih displays the jackpot amount, to decrement the jackpot meter whenever a winning hand is paid and to reset the apparatus for the next hand.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves a Twenty-One game, in which, in addition to his normal wager, a player will have the option of making an additional wager that becomes part of, and makes the player eligible to win, the progressive jackpot. If the player's Twenty-One hand comprises a particular, predetermined arrangement of cards, the player will win all, or part of, the amount showing on the progressive jackpot. In a Twenty-One game using any number of decks of cards, the predetermined winning arrangements of cards preferred in the present invention are an Ace, Two, Three, Four and Five suited; a Two, Three, Four and Five suited; a Four, Five and Six suited; a Four, Five and Six unsuited and an Ace-Jack suited; and optionally additionally any Blackjack Suited and any Blackjack unsuited.

Abstract: A web scoring and/or perforating apparatus for signature folding machines or the like including first and second rollers. Each roller has a scoring or perforating blade portion and a resilient roller portion. The rollers are mounted, preferably, on existing, rotatably driven nip roller shafts, upstream of web folding stages in web handling systems. The blade portion of one roller is arranged to interact with the resilient portion of the other roller. Arc lengths of the scoring or perforating roller blade portions and the resilient roller portions are substantially equal to each other and to the fold line of a signature. The rollers, between which the web is advanced, are positioned and oriented to score or perforate portions of the web in alternating directions which correspond to the direction of folding of each layer of the web.

Abstract: An extremely white water absorbent fiber having a high percentage of total dietary fiber and hemicellulose and a low concentration of lignin and silica is disclosed. The dietary fiber is formed by subjecting ground oat hulls to an alkaline digestion at elevated temperatures and pressures. The digested oat hulls are then filtered, neutralized and bleached to form the desired end product. The formed fibers are comparable or better than fibers formed by digestion of wood products. These fibers can be added in high concentrations to bakery products, particularly bread, without imparting a gritty feel to the bread or causing significant discoloration of the bread.

Abstract: A point of junction of tubular metallic structures, notably for derrick platforms, includes a tubular element on which are welded the tubes which form the point of junction. At least one steel stiffening element, formed of a cylindrical main portion coaxial with the tubular element and provided with annular ribs, is ferruled inside the tubular element with a ferruling rate sufficient for preventing it from being disunited from the tubular element.

Abstract: A reusable air filter assembly for use in forced air heating and cooling systems includes an inlet stage filter medium consisting of a single layer of fabric woven in an egg-crate pattern and of relatively coarse polypropylene yarn, an outlet stage filter medium consisting of two layers of fabric woven in an egg-crate pattern of relatively fine polypropylene yarn and a precipitation chamber between said inlet stage and said outlet stage defined by a corrugated aluminum wire screen, with the precipitation chamber having a thickness, in the direction of air flow through the assembly, which is at least equal to the combined thickness of the inlet stage filter medium and the outlet stage filter medium. The filter assembly is supported in a corrosion resistant frame by opposing grid covers of expanded metal having a low friction coating thereon.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a portable juvenile walker which may also function as a rocker. The walker has a seat portion. A tray may be associated with the seat portion. The seat portion is connected to a base frame which is substantially rectangular. The base frame is further hollow and as a cross section which is generally U shaped. A plurality of U shaped support bars are pivotally connected to the base frame and are of such a size that they can nest inside the bottom side of the base frame. Each of the U shaped support bars incorporates a plurality of wheels or casters. The terminal ends of the U shaped support bars are pivotally connected to the base frame. Each of the U shaped support bars is associated with a latch means whereby, the U shaped support bars can be locked into a plurality of positions. The bottom edges of the base frame may be planar or arcuate such that the composite device can function as a seat, or a rocker when the base frame engages the floor.

Abstract: Ammonia caramel color is formed in a fast cook method under elevated pressure and temperature by reacting ammonia catalyst with a carbohydrate syrup wherein the amount of water in the ammonia carbohydrate syrup mixture is controlled. The water content is maintained at preferably less than 40% of the mixture during a substantial portion of the caramelization reaction. Preferably the ammonia caramel is formed by reacting a carbohydrate syrup having a solids content of at least 75-80% with an anhydrous ammonia catalyst and reacting this at elevated temperature and super-atmospheric pressure over a period of 1-2 hours. Although the caramelization reaction generates water, the water content will not exceed 40%. This facilitates the rapid formation of caramel color without increasing the 4MeI or THI content, and without hazing of the caramel color. Further this produces a remarkably salt stable product.

Abstract: A boom assembly has an upright stand with a vertical hollow post and on top of which is mounted an elongated hollow boom adjustable in orientation in both vertical and horizontal directions. A linear extention member for the boom is also in the form of a hollow tube. The stand includes a plurality of legs each in the form of a hollow tube and there are a plurality of foot elements such as casters. The different parts of the assembly are secured together by couplings that preferably are the same in each case. Such couplings include a hollow body with an exterior surface of a size and shape to be inserted within an adjacent hollow tube. A pair of laterally-opposite slots continue longitudinally inward from one end of the body. A lateral spreader is of a size and shape to be located within that one end of the body. A lever has one end portion inserted within the spreader to effect spreading thereof upon lateral deflection of the other end of the lever.

Abstract: Ammonia caramel coloring is formed continuously by pumping a heated stream of corn syrup through a reaction zone under pressure. 4MeI content and THI content are maintained at a low level by preheating the ammonia catalyst prior to injection into the reaction zone. Preferably ammonia catalyst is added to the reaction zone at a plurality of injection ports. This permits rapid formation of ammonia caramel coloring without increasing the 4MeI of THI content, and without hazing of the caramel color.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible off shore platform comprising a base fi to the sea bed by means of a foundation and supporting a flexible column extending over almost the whole height of the platform and at the top of which is located a stabilizer connected by a short column to the deck of the platform; the flexibility of the column allows a basic natural bending period greater than that of the largest waves and always greater than 25 seconds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for perforating a well casing (14) with a large pressure differential toward the well casing (14) from the surrounding oil and gas-bearing strata using a casing gun attached on a wireline below the tubing is disclosed. A perforator (12) is attached to a casing gun adapter (10), the casing gun adapter (10) is releasably attached to production tubing (16) and inserted into the well casing (14). After the production tubing (16) is installed, a collar locator (26) and a firing mechanism (44) are run on a wireline and attached to the casing gun adapter (10). The casing gun adapter (10) and the perforator (12) are released from the tubing and lowered to a predetermined stratum using a collar locator where the perforator (12) is detonated. After detonation, the perforator (12) and casing gun adapter (10) are raised and secured in the production tubing (16). The collar locator (26) and the firing mechanism (44) are detached from the casing gun adapter (10).

Abstract: A bottle contents transfer device having a base arranged for resting on a support surface and supporting in an elevated position a retaining rack arranged for holding a bottle or bottles to be drained. Disposed between the retaining rack and the base of the device is a shelf provided with a hole in which a funnel is removably received for directing a substance being drained into a container supported by the base. An adapter permits a funnel to be mounted on the retaining rack so as to allow containers to be drained which are unsuited for support by the retaining rack. Control of fluid flow through the funnels is realized by use of a valve element manually placeable in and removable from the drain portion of the funnel or funnels employed with the device.

Abstract: A device for supplying coolant to a cryostat has a container containing liquified gas. An insulated first tube supplies coolant gas from the container to the cryostat. An end part of this tube is located inside the container and is bent into a U-shape so that the bend is immersed in the liquified gas, but the mouth of the tube at the free end thereof inside the container, opens above the level of the liquified gas so that the coolant gas can enter the first tube. After leaving the cryostat, the coolant is conveyed to a suction inlet of a pump which propels the coolant along a second tube which opens into the container below the liquid level. A heat exchanger to give a cooling effect is disposed adjacent this U-bend.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting perforation of a well casing with a casing gun while maintaining pressure in the well bore at a lower level than the pressure in the surrounding reservoir at the point of perforation. Before production tubing is run into the well, the casing gun is deposited in the bore below the desired production level. After the tubing is installed, borehole pressure is reduced to the desired level by swabbing the tubing and an automatic coupling and decoupling pickup tool is lowered on a wireline through the tubing and attached, mechanically and electrically, to the casing gun. The casing gun is then raised to the production level, as measured by locating the casing collars. Whe the gun is properly located, it is activated through an electrical cable carried along with the wireline. The casing gun perforates the well casing and surrounding formation, and is then decoupled from the wireline to be left in the well.