Abstract: An outcome determination device includes a controller a random generator configured to determine an outcome from a predetermined number of outcomes. The device includes a display device, which may in the form of a wheel, having a plurality of sectors. A plurality of illumination devices are associated with each of the sectors. The sectors correspond to the predetermined number of outcomes. The random number generator and controller determine an outcome for a game, with the outcome corresponding to one of the sectors. The controller illuminates the illumination device corresponding to the sector that corresponds to the determined outcome. The illumination devices may be illuminated before, during, and/or after determination of the outcome, and may be illuminated in sequence to produce a rotating effect or may be illuminated randomly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tethered stopper affixed to a bottle neck finish. The stopper includes a closure shell, a tamper band, and a strip connecting the closure shell to the tamper band at the perimeter of both the closure shell and the tamper band. The bottle neck finish includes a transport ring having a retaining feature configured to receive and retain the strip of the stopper when the closure shell is removed from the bottle neck finish. Also discloses is a method for securing the tethered stopper within the tamper band.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tethered plastic stopper having a closure shell, a tamper band, and an annular ring. The annular ring is formed between a bottom weakness line separably linked through bottom bridges to the top edge of the tamper band and to the bottom edge of the annular ring and a top weakness line separably linked through top bridges to the top edge of the annular ring and to the bottom edge of the closure shell. At least one of the bottom bridges is configured to prevent disconnection of the annular ring from the tamper band and at least one of the top bridges is configured to prevent disconnection of the annular ring from the closure shell. The remaining bottom bridge and the remaining top bridge having a section exceeding at least 30% relative to the section of the bottom bridges and top bridges, respectively.

Abstract: A cap for closing a neck of a bottle is disclosed. The cap includes a lid for closing off the neck and a skirt for fixing to the neck. The skirt is provided with a bulge line for interfering by wedging with the neck, a weakened line to be ruptured by propagation of a tear, and a stop means for preventing the tearing propagating in the rectilinear extension of a first part of the weakened line that runs along the bulge line while being situated on the side of the latter opposite to the lid. The weakened line also includes second and third substantially rectilinear parts which, on the periphery of a skirt, follow on respectively from the first part to the second part of the weakened line. The second part of the weakened line avoids the stop means and extends on either side of the bulge line, while being inclined both with respect to the bulge line and with respect to the direction of the axis of the skirt.

Abstract: A stopper for a container neck, comprising: a skirt having a generally tubular shape and being centered on an axis, the skirt being adapted to surround a neck of a container, and being provided internally with a snap-on member adapted to fasten the skirt to the neck in a removable manner by jamming the snap-on member with an external projecting boss of the neck of the container; and an opening strip having a generally annular shape and including a peripheral portion that is permanently connected to a peripheral portion of the skirt, the strip being movable relative to the skirt between: a first position, in which the strip surrounds an external lateral surface of the skirt, by providing an annular space radially between the external lateral surface of the skirt and an inner surface of the strip; and a second position, in which the inside of the strip is substantially detached from the skirt in order to enable the strip to be manually grasped so that the skirt is unsnapped from the neck.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method for a plug for a container neck. In one implementation, a skirt of the plug is molded and provided with an attachment device adapted to removably attach to the container neck and with a permanent retention strip around the container neck. The retention strip is adapted to pass, by folding, from a molding configuration to an operating configuration. A peripheral break line is then cut out in the skirt, adapted so as to be broken during the first opening of the plug. In some implementations, the retention strip may be prefolded and thereby pass from a molding configuration to an intermediate prefolded configuration. The retention strip is then folded until it passes into an operating configuration. In some implementations, the folding of the retention strip may pass the retention strip from an intermediate prefolded configuration to an operating configuration.

Abstract: A shuffling machine for use with a game of chance having a plurality of possible outcomes includes a base structure and a wheel portion in communication with the base structure. The wheel portion includes a plurality of discrete areas corresponding in number to the plurality of possible outcomes for the game of chance. Each of the plurality of areas includes a plurality of displays configured to show an indicia corresponding to one of the plurality of possible outcomes. The machine includes a selector for identifying one of the plurality of areas and the indicia associated with the identified one of the plurality of areas. Wherein the plurality of indicia are not fixed such that they are not permanently assigned to one of the plurality of areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing tamper-proof identification elements, and to tamper-proof identification elements produced according to said method and consisting respectively of at least one layer (2) reflecting electromagnetic waves (3), a spacer layer, and a layer consisting of metallic clusters (4). According to said method, a partial or all-over layer reflecting electromagnetic waves is applied to a carrier substrate (1), followed by at least one partial and/or all-over polymer layer having a defined thickness (3), and a layer consisting of metallic clusters which is produced by means of a method using vacuum technology or from systems based on solvents is then applied to said spacer layer(s).

Abstract: A robotic ocean farm includes a plant support means such as a grid, with a submersible towing system incorporating means for navigation of the support grid in the open ocean, and means for positioning of the support grid in a first surfaced position for sunlight exposure of the plants and a second submerged position for nutrient gathering by the plants. The submersible towing system incorporates one or more tow boats connected to a forward periphery of the grid, each of the tow boats incorporating a propulsion system for navigation of the grid and maintaining lateral tension in the forward periphery of the grid. Additionally, one or more reaction boats are connected to an aft periphery of the grid. Each of the reaction boats incorporates a propulsion system for maintaining lateral tension in the aft periphery of the grid and reacting in concert with the tow boats to maintain longitudinal tension in the grid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forgery-proof labeling of items, such as credit cards, bank notes and the like, comprising the following steps: (a) applying, to a first layer (1) that reflects electromagnetic waves, an inert second layer (3) that is permeable to electromagnetic waves, said second layer having a predetermined thickness, (b) applying, to said second layer (3), a third layer (4) that is formed by metal clusters, and (c) linking the first layer (1) of the label so produced with the item.

Abstract: The invention relates to forgery-proof marking for objects, such as check cards, banknotes, labels, and the like, comprising a plastic transparent film (1) having a first and second surface, whereby a series of layers is applied to the second surface. When viewed from the first surface, the color of this series of layers changes according to the viewing angle, and the series of layers is formed from an absorber layer provided on the second surface, from a spacer layer (3) overlying the absorber layer, and from a mirror layer (2) overlying the spacer layer (3). In order to improve the machine identification of the authenticity of the marking, the invention provides that the absorber layer is comprised of metallic clusters (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for indirectly determining the blood-clotting status.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a disposable container comprising a cylindcr (1) containing a plunger (2, 24) that is displaceably guided in said cylinder and a connection (3) that is provided on a first end (E1) of the cylinder (1) lying opposite the plunger (2, 24), said container being designed to create a difference in pressure in a microfluidic device (13) to hold (6) an agent (F, P) for processing molecules and/or to act as a reaction vessel.

Abstract: A device for the electrochemical detection of at least one biochemical molecule contained in a liquid from a group of predetermined biochemical molecules includes a holder (1) for taking up the liquid, with at least one reference electrode (RE) and at least one counterelectrode (GE) and a multiplicity of working electrodes (AE1, AE2, AE3). At least one working electrode is provided for the detection of each biochemical molecule, and is coated with a molecule that is complementary to the respective biochemical molecule, so that the biochemical molecules can be detected simultaneously. The device includes a potentiostat (P) for generating a predetermined voltage profile between the working electrodes and the reference electrode, a current/voltage converter (S1, S2, S3) connected downstream of each of the working electrodes for holding all of the working electrodes at the same potential, and a measurement device (Ad) for measuring the currents flowing through the working electrodes.

Abstract: A method of acquiring, storing and distributing information about one or more client specified voters is disclosed. The method includes: (1) storing publicly available information about each of the plurality of client specified voters in a central facility; (2) electronically transmitting a portion of the publicly available information stored in the central facility to a first remote terminal, (3) electronically transmitting from the remote terminal to the central facility, an identity of each one of the plurality of client specified voters that arrives at a polling location as soon as the identity of each one of the plurality of voters is identified to the remote terminal, whereupon client confidential information stored in the central facility is automatically updated with the voter's identity; and (4) providing access to a portion of the confidential information in the central facility, including the updated information, to an authorized user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying a first polymer (4, 7) which is bonded to a first phase (5) that reflects electromagnetic waves. Said method comprises the following steps: (a) bringing the first polymer (4, 7) into contact with a second polymer (3, 8), which is bonded to a solid second phase (1) by metallic clusters (2), said second phase being permeable to electromagnetic waves; (b) irradiating the second phase (1) with electromagnetic waves; and (c) determining the change in the properties of the reflected electromagnetic waves.