Abstract: A method of redeeming cash from a stored-value instrument is disclosed. The method may, at a point-of-sale (“POS”) device associated with a money transfer network, receive an identifier associated with the stored-value instrument and transmit a request to redeem cash associated with the stored-value instrument to an instrument authority system. The instrument authority system may have a database of identifiers, values associated with the identifiers and merchants associated with the identifiers. The method may further receive a response at the POS device from the instrument authority system. Based at least in part on the response, the method may determine whether to dispense cash.

Abstract: With an auxiliary lock operated by a built-in battery, it is desired to prevent the door from being kept locked even if the battery dies. The auxiliary lock body is provided with first and second voltage detecting means for detecting that the voltage of the battery has lowered to predetermined voltages. If the first voltage detecting means detects that the voltage of the battery has dropped to a predetermined voltage, the fact is alarmed. Then, if the second voltage detecting means detects that the voltage of the battery has dropped further, the actuator is activated to open the lock by pushing down the bolt inside the lock surface before the battery dies, thereby preventing the door from being kept locked even if the battery dies.

Abstract: A security system and method by which customers may be readily identified prior to cashing of checks, other cash-out transactions, or other business transactions, wherein each customer is issued an individualized customer identification card having at least a personalized multidigit customer identification number encoded thereon and, optionally, also encoded with additional personal data identifying the customer. To cash a check or conduct another form of business transaction, whether at an attended customer service station or at an automated machine, the encoded data on the identification card is read and the customer is required to input the personalized identification number assigned to the card. The transaction is not approved unless the customer correctly inputs the assigned identification number. In contemplated embodiments, the encoded data along with data regarding the transaction requested by the customer, e.g.

Abstract: The momentary position, between open and closed, of a bottom door panel controlling release of fluid from an airborne container containing the fluid is governed by both the height of the fluid in the container and the instantaneous position of the door panel.

Abstract: A rock cutting assembly consists of a rock cutting roller, a shaft on which it is mounted, and a means for varying the mass of the assembly about the drive axis, to vary the balance of the assembly about that axis. Preferably two rollers are mounted on a common drive axis, the axes of the rollers being diametrally opposed and eccentrically displaced by the same distance from the drive axis. The mass-varying means may be a cavity or cavities in the hub or hubs, with means to introduce fluid into and extract it from the cavity or cavities. Alternatively the means may be a weight mounted to permit adjustment to vary the degree of imbalance.

Abstract: A subterranean excavation such as a mine working is cooled by a refrigeration plant having a heat rejection system at an upper station and a heat absorption system in the excavation, the refrigerant medium being ammonia. The system includes a surge drum at the upper station and maybe also at the excavation. Safety measures include the location of the vapor and liquid pipes in a borehole separate from the mine shaft or shafts.

Abstract: System for the electrical sequential initiation of explosions comprising a series of initiating modules connected to one another and connectable to a power supply, and a corresponding series of electrically actuable initiators. Each initiating module is connected to an initiator and embodies a non-latching switch for actuating the initiator associated with that initiating module. The non-latching switch comprises a solid state electronic device having an emitter, a gate and a collector, and comprises a short circuit between the gate and the emitter for holding the device in an "off" state to a voltage applied to the collector. The device also comprises an open circuit between the gate and the emitter for turning the device "on" to a voltage applied to the collector, while a diode integrated on the device blocks a reverse supply voltage. The non-latching switch of each initiating module save the first in the series is connected to the initiator associated with the preceding initiating module in the series.

Abstract: A method for the electrical sequential initiation of explosions in which a series of detonators (D1-D11) is located in association with a series of explosive charges spaced from one another and in which a shot initiator 12 is used sequentially to initiate firing of the detonators at selected intervals to detonate the explosive charges, characterized in that each detonator is fired without the provision of a delay between the initiation of firing of the detonator at the shot initiator and the actual commencement of firing of the detonator, further characterized in that the interval between the firing of successive detonators is selected from a range of 5 ms to 40 ms.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the invention described herein there is disclosed apparatus for loading particulate material into a train of coupled rail cars. The apparatus includes open topped rail cars which carry a continuous rail track of rails which are attached to the upper edges of the cars, a loading car which carries a ramp which leads from a low level to the track on the rail cars, a bucket loader and perhaps a conveyor for loading a self propelled load distribution vehicle which is adapted to run under its own power on the ramp and the track.

Abstract: A process for constructing the plasmids pDR416 and pDR420 which contain arsenic resistance genes and which are able to replicate in both T. ferroxidans and E. coli comprises preparing a recombinant of pBR325 or the like and a T. ferrooxidans plasmid, forming a deletion plasmid and inserting arsenic resistance genes e.g. from R46 by EcoR1 excision and ligation.

Abstract: A rock cutting assembly which includes a rock cutting roller with the roller being composed of a central hub portion and an annular cutting element which is rotatably mounted on the hub and carries rock cutting formations, means for driving the hub portion of the roller about an axis which is eccentrically displaced from the hub axis, means engaged with the annular cutting element to limit its direction of rotation relatively to that of its hub to one direction only and means for balancing the roller against its eccentricity as the hub is rotated about its drive axis. Preferably the assembly includes a plurality of rock cutting rollers which are rotatable about a common drive axis with the axes of each roller hub being eccentrically displaced by a common distance and in such a direction from the drive axis so that the rollers balance each other as the rollers are rotated about their drive axis.

Abstract: The plasmids pDR401 and pDR412 are disclosed which contain a selectable chloramphenicol resistance gene and which are able to replicate in both T. ferrooxidans and E. coli. A process for constructing the plasmids is also described.

Abstract: An electronic component packaging system provides individual structural elements of modules that provide both the strength and the internal structure to mount electrical components such as circuit boards without the use of subracks. The resulting structure provides up to 15 percent more usable space for circuit boards. The modules are constructed as to be easily fixed to one another to form a multiple element modular packaging system.

Abstract: In the logging of a grade characteristic of a borehole core, the core is placed in a trough which is caused to move, in step fashion, through an annular detector. For each step the detector measures a characteristic of a notional segment of the core. The measures are corrected to compensate for contributions due to adjacent notional segments. The correction factor is derived by passing a core segment of known characteristics through the detector under controlled conditions.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting a characteristic in particulate material wherein a stream of the material is caused to move past a plurality of detectors, each of which is responsive to the characteristic, the detectors being so arranged in relation to the material stream that the combined response of the detectors for a given particle possessing the characteristic is substantially independent of the position of the particle relative to the detectors as it passes the detectors.

Abstract: A load distribution vehicle which is adapted to run on a rail track on or over a train of open topped cars for the purpose of loading the cars with particulate material such as mineral ore, broken rock, sand, granular food stuff or the like. The vehicle consists of a bottom discharge hopper which includes a self contained power source for driving the vehicle on its rail track and opening and closing its load discharge doors. The wheels of the vehicle are rotatable on vertical axes and are dish shaped to provide the vehicle with an abnormal transverse movement capacity on its track to enable it to negotiate sharp kinks in its track.

Abstract: A pressure regulating and relief valve assembly, such as an assembly positionable in a lower portion of a well casing. The valve assembly has a main relief valve assembly or back pressure regulator that is designed to open when the steam pressure exceeds a first predetermined value. A secondary relief valve assembly is provided to vent excess pressure to a space exterior of the valve assembly when the pressure exceeds a second predetermined value, the second value being higher than the first value. The valve assembly is positionable within a well casing at the bottom of a bore hole between a steam generator and a probe utilizing the steam generator. When the assembly is so positioned, excess pressure is vented to a space between the valve assembly and the inner surface of the encompassing well casing.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus for releasably attaching a structure, such as a wheel assembly, to a standardized ISO container is disclosed. The ISO container includes standardized holes or openings situated in each corner of the container. The structure to be attached includes holes or openings that are substantially alignable with the ISO openings along the bottom edge of the container well. A locking lug is provided which is carried in the structure openings and releasably engageable with the ISO container openings. The locking lug comprises a shaft having an enlarged end portion which fits through the container openings. When inserted, the shaft is rotatable to a locking position. The locking lug is then tensioned to provide a secure and tight coupling between the structure and the container. The structure to be attached to the container is a wheel assembly having an interface assembly for interfacing with the container wall.

Abstract: A method of eliminating errors in the radiation count of a scintillation detector in radiometric sorting caused by one or more adjacent particles. The spacing between the adjacent particles are determined, and statistically determined calibration factors are applied to the count to compensate for the adjacent particles. The calibration factors are dependent upon the spacings, the counts associated with the adjacent particles, and optionally on the shape, volume, mass and height of the adjacent particles.