Abstract: Rectangular switchgrass bales having bale densities of between 14.6 and 20.5 lb/ft3.

Abstract: Process of baling a switchgrass biomass material at between about 22 and about 32 psi into a rectangular switchgrass bale having a bale density of between 14.6 and 20.5 lb/ft3. A 3×4×8 ft switchgrass bale so produced weighs between 1,402 and 1,968 pounds.

Abstract: Rectangular switchgrass bales optimized for highway transport on semi-trailer trucks, produced by a process of compacting a switchgrass biomass material at between about 22 and about 32 psi into a rectangular switchgrass bale having a bale density of between 14.6 and 20.5 lb/ft3.

Abstract: An industrial feedstock of plant biomass particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein the particles are individually characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L, wherein the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the particles in the feedstock are collectively characterized by having a bimodal or multimodal size distribution.

Abstract: An article of manufacture, a quick cap device for use with a tire valve stem, which may be a pushed-to-put-on/squeezed-to-remove tire valve stem cap. Optional interior female threads and grooves may also be used with versions of the invention.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine. The machine includes at least one rocking drive mechanism which includes: a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder and is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. Also, the drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected to the piston and the distal end is connected to the rocking beam by an end pivot. The linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam. Also, a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly is included. A crankshaft coupled to the rocking beam by way of a connecting rod is also included. The rotary motion of the rocking beam is transferred to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A three dimensional picture frame comprising a first and a second vertical frame member, a bottom horizontal frame member, a top horizontal frame member, a front transparent sheet configured to engage with at least one of the frame members, a rear transparent sheet configured to engage with at least one of the frame members such that at least a portion of the frame members and transparent sheets forms a vessel, a backing sheet configured to engage with at least one of the frame members and located outward from the rear transparent sheet, and a plunger configured to slide into the vessel such that when a material is located in a portion of the vessel on a first side of the plunger, the material is prevented from entering a portion of the vessel on a second side of the plunger opposite the first side of the plunger.

Abstract: A mattress, mattress foundation, upholstered furniture article and/or filled furnishing article for use in residential and institutional occupancies includes outer removable cover that incorporates a mechanism to visually communicate that the outer removable cover has been opened and the internal components of the mattress, mattress foundation, upholstered furniture article or filling furnishing article has been potentially tampered with. Also disclosed are covers having resealable closing system and a tamper evident seal, and methods for providing an outer removable cover assembly for an article of furniture.

Abstract: An obstacle traversing wheel assembly can include at least one primary wheel member mounted with a primary axis of rotation and capable of rolling engagement with a supporting surface, and at least one secondary wheel member mounted with a secondary axis of rotation. The secondary wheel member can have a plurality of surface engaging protrusions which enable the wheel assembly to traverse an obstacle by imparting climbing movement to the primary wheel member in response to engagement with the obstacle. The surface engaging protrusions can be defined by rolling wheel members. The obstacle traversing wheel assembly can be incorporated on a wide variety of wheel-bearing devices, such as wheelchairs, personal transportation devices, and intravenous fluid support racks.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating delivery of a fully-integrated physical item providing access to content is presented. The system includes a local system and a gift key facilitating access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, product information, marketing materials, donation, promotion, or credit after linkage between the local system and the gift key. The method includes enabling access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, product information, marketing materials, donation, promotion, or credit from a remote system after a gift key is linked to a local system. The gift key includes a cover with optional bar code, an integrated circuit, and a physical or wireless interface. The local system could be a personal, laptop or handheld computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a Smart TV. The gift key could be directly attached to a box, bag, ribbon, envelope, or gift wrapping or configured as a sticker with an adhesive backing.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating delivery of a fully-integrated physical item providing access to non-physical content is presented. The method includes enabling access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, promotion, and/or store credit from a remote system after a gift key is linked to a local system. The system includes a local system and a gift key facilitating access to an electronic greeting card, exclusive content, promotion, and/or store credit after linkage between the local system and the gift key. The gift key includes a decorative cover with bar code, an integrated circuit, and an antenna or physical connector. The local system is a personal, laptop or handheld computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a Smart TV.

Abstract: Wood particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein: the wood particles are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L; the L×H dimensions define two side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers; the W×H dimensions define two cross-grain end surfaces characterized individually as aligned either normal to the grain or oblique to the grain; the L×W dimensions define two substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces; and, a majority of the W×H surfaces in the mixture of wood particles have end checking.

Abstract: A process of comminution of wood chips (C) having a grain direction to produce a mixture of wood particles (P), wherein the wood chips are characterized by an average length dimension (LC) as measured substantially parallel to the grain, an average width dimension (WC) as measured normal to LC and aligned cross grain, and an average height dimension (HC) as measured normal to WC and LC, and wherein the comminution process comprises the step of feeding the wood chips in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (TD), and wherein at least one of LC, WC, and HC is greater than TD.

Abstract: A biomass baler having a baling chamber adapted to receive tall grass biomass material, a compression system adapted to compact the material into a rectangular bale in the chamber, and an ejection system adapted to move the bale from the chamber, wherein the baling chamber has a front wall consisting of a reciprocating compression platen corresponding in dimensions to the width W and height H of the bale, opposing upper and lower walls corresponding in dimensions to the length L and either of the W and H of the bale, and opposing sidewalls corresponding in dimensions to the L and the other of the W and H of the bale, wherein each chamber wall selected from among the upper wall, the lower wall, and the sidewalls can withstand a minimum distributed force perpendicular to the selected wall of at least (0.22×Pp×Aw) pounds, wherein Pp is the maximum pressure that the compression platen can apply to the material and Aw is the area of the selected wall expressed in square inches.

Abstract: A portable electronic device carrier supports and protects a portable electronic device while providing power to the device. The carrier is configured to house various portable electronic devices such as smart phones, cell phones, PDAs, tablets or the like. The carrier may comprise a foldable structure comprising two flaps or panels. One or more solar panels, batteries or both may provide power to a portable electronic device via a charging port that engages an interface of the portable electronic device. The carrier may include one or more retractable legs which support its panels relative to one another such that the portable electronic device may be held at various positions or angles which are well suited for different tasks. The carrier may include memory devices and various other ports to enhance the capabilities of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Wood particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein: the wood particles are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L; the L×H dimensions define two side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers; the W×H dimensions define two cross-grain end surfaces characterized individually as aligned either normal to the grain or oblique to the grain; the L×W dimensions define two substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces; and, a majority of the W×H surfaces in the mixture of wood particles have end checking

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing sets of sheets. The apparatus includes a frame, a hopper for moving a stack of sheets, a pre-singulator for separating a portion of a sheet from the stack, a sheet peeler for peeling part of a pre-singulated sheet from the stack, a sheet picker for gathering peeled sheets into a set, and a sheet discharger for clearing the set of sheets. The sheet peeler may include at least one rotating drum. The sheet picker may include one or more augers.

Abstract: An intramedullary fixation device having a distal section; a proximal section; a connecting member for adjustably securing the distal and proximal sections end to end along a longitudinal axis; means for securing the proximal section to a first bone; and means for securing the distal section to a least one different bone. The connecting member is rotated to provide compression across a bone arthrodesis site to be stabilized and fused. Also described is a method of utilizing the intramedullary fixation device with an outrigger assembly.

Abstract: A pre-debriding composition comprises a chaotropic agent, preferably urea, and, preferably, exfoliating and analgesic agents. The pre-debriding composition reduces the collagen denaturation temperature, Tm, at the site of a wound. Use of the composition along with a supply of heat increases the effectiveness of a subsequent enzymatic debriding treatment. A dressing and heating system is also provided for use with the pre-debriding composition. An “instant activated” debriding composition and package is provided comprising a gel composition and a powdered debriding zymogen composition, wherein mixing of the two compositions results in an activated enzymatic debriding composition. 22290368.

Abstract: Methods for producing silver-bonded antimicrobial moist wound dressings include adding a silver-containing compound to a 0.1-30% aqueous solution of an alkaline solvent to dissociate silver ions from the silver-containing compound; dissolving CMC in water or an organic solvent to obtain a CMC solution; mixing the silver ion-containing solution with the CMC solution so that the hydrogen ions (H+) of the hydroxyl groups of the CMC are replaced by the silver ions to prepare a silver-CMC compound; dispersing and absorbing the silver-CMC compound in a medium; and drying the medium.