Abstract: A method for measuring and reducing the cost of complexity in producing products or providing a service by comparing selected non-value added steps in the manufacturing or service process with the number of different products or services provided, so as to provide the non-value added cost of the product or service for various selected complexities. The number of products required to be processed or held in inventory for a particular demand, or the number of different specific services required for a particular demand of the service is determined by comparing the number of different product part numbers, or service categories offered, with selected non-value added steps in the respective processes. Mathematical analyses are derived from equations of motion of process improvement including the first derivative of process velocity.

Abstract: An alert transceiver in commuter vehicles in a line-of-site warning area receive line of sight (LOS) alert signals from another vehicle, such as an emergency vehicle. Upon detecting the LOS alert signal, the alert transceiver can relay the alert signals to other alert transceivers in commuter vehicles within a warning zone that are outside of LOS zone, thereby creating mobile tracking network (MTN). The alert signals can include any relevant information, such as information regarding a hazard that includes the type of hazard (emergency vehicle, fire, ambulance, etc.), the time stamped location, direction of travel, speed and planned route for the emergency vehicle; and/or the coordinates of warning zone as determined by alert transceivers.

Abstract: A rain gutter system comprising: a gutter having a trough for receiving water formed by a front wall, a bottom wall and back wall, and a shield, said shield having an exterior edge, a top portion and an interior section integrally formed with the rear wall, said shield covering at least a portion of the trough to prevent debris from entering the trough, and said shield terminating at said exterior edge in a downwardly and rearwardly curved fashion, wherein a gap is provided between a lower end of said downwardly and rearwardly curved section of said shield and the front wall; wherein said shield has at least one step down portion positioned at point or points on said top portion of said shield; and at least one connecting means for connecting said gutter, said at least one connecting means passing through said at least one step down portion and through said rear wall into the structure to which it is attached.

Abstract: The present process relates to forming of precooked egg patties for future heating within a microwave oven for consumption as a portion of a food article. The process involves the initial step of acquisition of liquid whole eggs, liquid egg whites and/or liquid egg yolks mixed with leavening ingredients (a mix of an acid and a base) to create an egg patty with improved texture and appearance for use within a breakfast sandwich following initial cooking. The following ingredients may be added to further improve the product: non-fat dry milk, modified food starch, gums, and emulsifiers. The process in summary involves adding to liquid eggs leavening ingredients or agents and then cooking of the mixed eggs and leavening ingredients prior to the dissipation of the leavening ingredients to form an egg patty having improved appearance and a light and airy texture.

Abstract: A firearm barrel includes an elongate metal insert member and a rigid sleeve surrounding the insert member along a majority of the length of the insert member. A casing is formed around at least a portion of the sleeve, preferably by injection molding. Breech and muzzle portions of the barrel may be fitted against the sleeve and are preferably tightly connected by the casing.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: receiving via internet a time, a date and a telephone number for a reminder telephone call (such as a wakeup call); storing in a database the time, date and telephone number of the reminder telephone call; and delivering to the subscriber via telephone the reminder telephone call at the specified time, date and telephone number. In one embodiment, the reminder call comprises a marketing message. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving via the internet demographic information corresponding to the subscriber; matching the marketing message to the demographic information; and delivering the matched marketing message to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call. In other embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of receiving via the internet a personal reminder message or a selection for information, and delivering the personal reminder message or selected information to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call.

Abstract: A firearm barrel includes an elongate metal insert member and a rigid sleeve surrounding the insert member along a majority of the length of the insert member. A casing is formed around at least a portion of the sleeve, preferably by injection molding. Breech and muzzle portions of the barrel may be fitted against the sleeve and are preferably tightly connected by the casing.

Abstract: A method of encouraging timely period payments that are associated with a computer system includes the step of storing passwords in the computer system wherein each password is associated with a separate payment period. Another step of the method includes determining based upon the passwords stored in the computer system whether a supplied password corresponds to a current payment period. The method also includes enabling use of the computer system based upon determining that the supplied password corresponds to the current payment period. The method may further include the step of disabling use of the computer system based upon determining that the supplied password does not correspond to the current payment period.

Abstract: A device for controlling power to electrically powered equipment. The device includes one or more receptacles for engaging a first power line providing power to the electrically powered equipment. The device includes a second power line for receiving AC power from an AC power source. The device includes one or more switches for selectively interconnecting one of the receptacles to the fist power line. A control circuit controls operation of each of the one or more switches in an allowance mode, non-allowance mode, and in a timed-on mode. In the allowance mode, the control circuit controls the one or more switches so that the electrically powered equipment can only be energized between specified times. . In an non-allowance mode, the control circuit controls the one or more switches so that the electrically powered equipment cannot be energized between specified times.

Abstract: A computer-based 3D modeling system for constructing a virtual 3D representation from a plurality of data images of 2D cross sections having a mutual spatial relationship. The plurality of data images and the associated orientation and positioning information are extractable from a data source module. A frame creation module constructs a rectangular frame for each image slice. A texture-mapping module maps the image slice onto the associated frame as a texture. A rotation transform module rotates each frame appropriately about one or more axes based upon the orientation information associated with each data image to achieve the correct orientation in 3D space. A translation transform module translates each frame based upon the positioning information associated with each data image to achieve the correct position in 3D space.

Abstract: A system for facilitating simulations and modelling of market sales volume is provided including a server, an input device, at least one web pages, and software for projecting penetration of merchandise at a predetermined number of weeks, W, since a launch of a product, based on weekly data of initial purchases from a launch of a product. The software can also be operable for generating a curve from weekly sales data. The software can also be operable for retrieving a component of the curve (B) representing a degree of belly of the curve, retrieving a component from the curve representing a slope term (S) and performing a calculation to produce a predicted or continued value for components of market sales volume using the B component and the slope component (S) in a formula, wherein the formula is: Predicted=Exp(S)×W(B).

Abstract: A molding machine for machining workpieces of wood or plastic material has a transport path for transporting workpieces in a transport direction and adjustable spindles arranged sequentially in the transport direction on the transport path. Tools are fixedly connected on the spindles. Adjusting elements are drivingly connected to the spindles. First indicator devices are coupled to the adjusting elements and indicate a position of the spindles relative to a reference point of the machine, respectively. At least one data storage device is connected to the indicator devices and configured to save position data of the spindles and to allow retrieval of the position data of the spindles.

Abstract: A holster securement system for securing a holster to a belt comprises a body having at one end a loop for receiving the belt. The securement system also has a holster mount capable of being rigidly connected to the holster. An engagement member selectively detachably interconnects the body and the holster mount. The engagement member rigidly connects the holster mount to the body when engaged, and the engagement member enables the body and the holster mount to be selectively movable with respect to each other when disengaged.

Abstract: Luggage, including a central part formed two mechanically strong, mutually linked half-frames that support two trays defining the central space of the luggage. A connecting frame (40) is mounted between each half-frame and an associated tray and is fitted with a channel (41) within which the tray is affixed by appropriate fasteners. Using the same central parts and connecting frames, a plurality of diverse suitcases or briefcases may be implemented using other trays such as soft trays and.as a result manufacturing costs may be lowered.

Abstract: An arrangement for manufacturing a paper can includes processing stations arranged one behind the other along two star-shaped wheels. Packaging material from supply stores is fed to each star-shaped wheel. The two star-shaped wheels and the processing stations arranged thereto are disposed on the same machine frame. The packaging material for both star-shaped wheels are fed from a joint material supply station. Thereby, a compact construction and reduced operational procedure are achieved.