Abstract: Processes and configurations for subterranean resource extraction are provided. The processes include installing borehole strings, such as by drilling a plurality of boreholes, for example, first and second boreholes, that extend from a surface region into a resource deposit. The first and second boreholes are situated adjacent to each other. Portions of the first and second boreholes laterally extend in a penannularly fashion and connect terminally at a nodal space situated within the resource deposit. Carrier fluid is injected from the surface along fluid paths defined by the boreholes to in situ leach resource materials from the resource deposit into the carrier fluid, and carrier fluid containing the resource materials is brought back to surface for resource extraction.

Abstract: An electronically-facilitated event-based sports pool with decreased house liability. Pool tickets are sold in respect of each scoring interval in the subject sports competition to purchasors, each corresponding to a potential subject sports competition outcome and wager amount. Following a scoring interval if no successful wagers/pool tickets were sold, the pot is reserved for the next scoring interval. If there are no paying wagers identified in the last chronological scoring interval in the subject sports competition, the total wager pool including any retained player proceeds portion from the chronologically preceding scoring interval are retained by the operator of the pool. The system and method can be integrated with pre-existing results tracking and account funding systems, for easy integration into existing gaming outlets.

Abstract: An apparatus has a bed with bedding; an air mover; and an air outlet defined by the air mover to direct air into a sleep zone of the bed. A method includes operating an air mover to direct air into a sleep zone defined between a bed and bedding.

Abstract: A harvest header apparatus for harvesting a first crop in a field while preventing damage to a second later crop planted in the same field. A header table with a knife mounted along a lower front edge thereof has a plurality of crop shields attacked to and spaced along the header table at a selected shield spacing, each crop shield extending forward from a rear portion thereof located under the knife to a forward end thereof located forward of the knife. A forward portion of each crop shield slopes upward such that crop plants contacted by the forward portion of each crop shield are pushed downward and pass under the knife without contacting the knife. The shield spacing is selected so the crop shields move along rows of second crop and push the second crop plants down and under the table such that same are not contacted by the knife.

Abstract: A plant pushing apparatus for mounting on a reel of a combine where the reel comprises a center shaft rotatably mounted at each end thereof to the combine header, a plurality of contact members mounted to the center shaft in a horizontal orientation radially spaced from the center shaft, and a drive operative to rotate the center shaft such that the contact members below the center shaft move in a rearward direction toward the combine header. For each contact member, a projecting shield member is adapted at an inner portion thereof for attachment to the contact member such that an outer edge of the projecting shield member is substantially horizontal and rearward of the contact member, and such that the outer edge of the projecting shield member contacts plant stalks, particularly sunflower plant stalks, and pushes the plant stalks toward the combine header ahead of the following attached contact member.

Abstract: Methods for identifying and addressing inefficiencies in agricultural production activities caused by physical obstacles in the target field. A method and system is disclosed for determining an optimized travel path for an agricultural implement, specifically in the presence of an obstacle or obstruction such as an access road, oil well or public utility infrastructure. The method may further comprise means for determining the impact of such obstacle or obstruction on production from the agricultural land, as well as means for determining an optimized implement type and configuration. One or more travel path plans may be generated for selection of one by an agricultural producer. The method may also comprise means for determining an optimized location or position within a plot of land for an obstacle or obstruction that has not yet been constructed, as a way to reduce or alleviate the negative impact of such obstacle or obstruction on production from the plot of land.

Abstract: A modular electric vehicle system, allowing for the assembly of many different vehicle configurations using a plurality of interchangeable vehicle assembly modules, including at least two powered vehicle assembly modules in an assembled vehicle each of which has self-contained drive and power systems and controls which can be connected together by a central network bus on the vehicle. At least one of the powered vehicle assembly modules will be a steering module, with the necessary additional controls and components to steer the axle thereon and in turn steer the assembled vehicle. The connection of the network bus and the modules would be done in an interchangeable way so that different modules could be interchangeably placed in the assembled vehicle. Various steering systems, control methodologies and vehicle attachments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of gaming between multiple participants, each of whom has a locationally aware smart phone or similar user device with a microphone and at least one speaker, capable of a triggering interaction with other such devices using a sound-based trigger. A gaming session is triggered by the playing of an acoustic gaming session request tone by a first device. Software on other user devices within acoustic listening range which “hear” the trigger tone can cause the listening devices to join a gaming session with the first user device through contact with a centrally administered gaming application on a server. Based on the geographic location of the gaming session, or other applicable user parameters, at least one game or contest from the server is made available and can then be selected and played between the connected user devices, served by the central system.

Abstract: An automated food processing machine receives a whole fruit or vegetable and presses it through a blade set to form slices or wedges. The machine includes a controller coupled to various components including linear motion actuators, a user interface, and sensors. One motion actuator coupled to a slitting blade. Another motion actuator is coupled to a ram. In response to an input the controller activates the motion actuators in a sequence including (1) linear motion of the slitting blade to form a slit in the whole fruit or vegetable and (2) linear motion of the ram to press the whole fruit or vegetable through a blade set to form the slices or wedges.

Abstract: An improved solution mining method for a soluble target layer comprising a target material such as potash, wherein an elongate sump is developed within a salt layer underlying the target layer, with generally horizontal wells extending through the target layer to empty into the elongate sump, the sump capable of storing at least a portion of the salt liberated from the target layer so that an optimized proportion of target material is produced.

Abstract: An improved solution mining method for a soluble target layer comprising a target material such as potash, wherein an elongate sump is developed within a salt layer underlying the target layer, with generally horizontal wells extending through the target layer to empty into the elongate sump, the sump capable of storing at least a portion of the salt liberated from the target layer so that an optimized proportion of target material is produced.

Abstract: An improved solution mining method for a soluble target Layer such as potash, comprising injecting spent crystallizer brine unsaturated with salt generally horizontally into the top of the target layer to enable immediate target layer dissolution with waste salt accumulating in the sump while the dissolved target material is produced.

Abstract: A method of advertising comprising the use of adhesive stickers for releasable adhesive attachment to the face of a user. The sticker is in the shape of a facial hair growth. Different types of promotional or advertising messages could be printed on the sticker. An advertising method, using printed stickers in the general format of facial hair such as moustaches or the like, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of gaming between multiple participants, each of whom has a locationally aware smart phone or similar user device with a microphone and at least one speaker, capable of a triggering interaction with other such devices using a sound-based trigger. A gaming session is triggered by the playing of an acoustic gaming session request tone by a first device. Software on other user devices within acoustic listening range which “hear” the trigger tone can cause the listening devices to join a gaming session with the first user device through contact with a centrally administered gaming application on a server. Based on the geographic location of the gaming session, or other applicable user parameters, at least one game or contest from the server is made available and can then be selected and played between the connected user devices, served by the central system.

Abstract: In solution mining, holes are drilled parallel to the ground in the ore body to form a series of zigzag channels. These holes are connected to respective holes from the surface to provide a feed and delivery path and a solvent is circulated through the system so as to dissolve the ore and carry the ore to the surface. The flow of the solvent through the holes forms circular caverns at the intersection of the horizontal hole as well as meanders by eroding the holes so as to gradually extract the ore on each side of the hole. At the surface the ore is extracted in a series of crystallizers each formed by a vessel with an exterior cooling system and an internal wiping system providing shear inside the vessel. The solvent is topped up, reheated and returned to the paths to continue the process.

Abstract: The invention seeks to provide a system of modular component clusters for use with vehicles such as electric utility vehicles, allowing for rapid and straightforward field repair. Vehicle components are arranged within cluster modules, the modules being releasably and operably connectable to the vehicle and adapted to provide for easy diagnosis of component failures. The cluster modules are designed to be independently exchanged in and out of the vehicle should any single component in a cluster fail, without the need for onsite service. Removal and replacement of a cluster module requires only minimal mechanical skill and the faulty module can then be out-shopped for repair. The system provides for more simplified maintenance of vehicles where moving the entire vehicle to a service location might be impractical.

Abstract: The invention seeks to provide a system of modular component clusters for use with vehicles such as electric utility vehicles, allowing for rapid and straightforward field repair. Vehicle components are arranged within cluster modules, the modules being releasably and operably connectable to the vehicle and adapted to provide for easy diagnosis of component failures. The cluster modules are designed to be independently exchanged in and out of the vehicle should any single component in a cluster fail, without the need for onsite service. Removal and replacement of a cluster module requires only minimal mechanical skill and the faulty module can then be out-shopped for repair. The system provides for more simplified maintenance of vehicles where moving the entire vehicle to a service location might be impractical.

Abstract: In solution mining, holes are drilled parallel to the ground in the ore body to form a series of zigzag channels. These holes are connected to respective holes from the surface to provide a feed and delivery path and a solvent is circulated through the system so as to dissolve the ore and carry the ore to the surface. The flow of the solvent through the holes forms circular caverns at the intersection of the horizontal hole as well as meanders by eroding the holes so as to gradually extract the ore on each side of the hole. At the surface the ore is extracted in a series of crystallizers each formed by a vessel with an exterior cooling system and an internal wiping system providing shear inside the vessel. The solvent is topped up, reheated and returned to the paths to continue the process.

Abstract: The invention seeks to provide a system of modular component clusters for use with vehicles such as electric utility vehicles, allowing for rapid and straightforward field repair. Vehicle components are arranged within cluster modules, the modules being releasably and operably connectable to the vehicle and adapted to provide for easy diagnosis of component failures. The cluster modules are designed to be independently exchanged in and out of the vehicle should any single component in a cluster fail, without the need for onsite service. Removal and replacement of a cluster module requires only minimal mechanical skill and the faulty module can then be out-shopped for repair. The system provides for more simplified maintenance of vehicles where moving the entire vehicle to a service location might be impractical.

Abstract: A collapsible bench and canopy has a seat frame made up of a plurality of crossing pairs of seat tubes pivotally connected to each other supporting a fabric seat. A fabric back rest is supported by back tubes attached to the seat frame and a canopy is supported by the back tubes to provide shelter to occupants of the collapsible bench. The bench and canopy can be collapsed in one piece by pivoting down the canopy and ten moving the crossing pairs of seat tubes so that each pair is substantially aligned.