Abstract: Ethylene polymers having a) a Polydispersity Index of about 2 to about 4; b) a melt index, MI, and Relaxation Spectrum Index, RSI, such that (RSI)(MI.sup.0.6) is about 2.5 to about 6.5; c) a Crystallizable Chain Length Distribution Index, L.sub.w /L.sub.n, of about 1.0 to about 9; and d) a density, .rho., and a percent haze when fabricated into films such that the percent haze is less than 370.rho.-330, are provided. These ethylene polymers advantageously combine superior clarity and toughness with low extractables and enhanced processing ease.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing a port of a distribution head in a fuel dispensing system. A plug has a head, flange and threaded shank. The flange extends radially beneath the head and includes a seal engagement surface. A sealing member is positioned upon the seal engagement surface. The port has NPT threads formed therein for engaging with the threads of the plug. When the plug is fully engaged with respect to the port, so as to be bottomed out, a seal is formed between the plug and port while the threads of the plug and port do not achieve an interference fit, to allow for easy removal of the plug.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic article with at least one laser shock peened surface on at least a portion of the article and a plurality of volumetrically spaced apart laser shock peened protrusions extending into the article from said laser shock peened surface wherein the protrusions have deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening (LSP). The invention may be further characterized by spaced apart circular laser beam spots on the surface from which the laser shock peened protrusions extend into the article such that the spots do not overlap.

Abstract: Secure electronic transactions using a Trusted Intermediary. A system for, and method of, securely transmitting a package from a sender to a recipient, via an intermediary, are described, along with a novel data arrangement, stored in a computer-readable medium. A sender encrypts the message to form an encrypted inner envelope. A waybill is formed that among other things identifies the recipient as the destination and includes information indicating various levels of services desired, e.g., electronic notarization. The waybill and inner envelope are used to form an encrypted outer envelope that is addressed to a trusted intermediary. The intermediary receives the package and decrypts the outer envelope. It is unable to decrypt the inner envelope, due to the keys employed during encryption. The service information is processed, and the package is used to form a second package addressed to the recipient. The recipient decrypts the package and confirms receipt thereof, using a digest of the message.

Abstract: A method is described for buffering data transfers between components within a computer system. The method uses a buffer pool and translation table to translate virtual address pointers from calling computer components into physical address pointers within a line buffer array. The virtual address pointers are then held in a translation entry table that correlates the virtual and physical pointers.

Abstract: A hub seal for installation on the wheel end of a heavy duty trailer or truck is disclosed which includes an annular casing having a radially outer surface configured to sealingly engage an accommodating surface of a wheel hub mounted for rotation about a stationary spindle shaft, and an annular wear ring mounted coaxial with the annular casing and having a radially inner surface configured to sealingly engage an outer periphery of a stationary spindle shaft. The sealing surface of the annular wear ring includes structure for providing radial torque resistance between the annular wear ring and the stationary spindle shaft and for limiting installation loads associated with installing the annular wear ring on the stationary spindle shaft. Similarly, the sealing surface of the annular casing includes structure for providing radial torque resistance between the annular casing and the wheel hub and for limiting installation loads associated with installing the annular casing in the wheel hub.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for processing a lottery game ticket including an imaging subsystem, and a controller for capturing image data corresponding to substantially at least one entire surface of the game ticket. The apparatus determines if scratch-off material has been removed from the game ticket by analyzing the captured image data. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a brander for marking the game ticket with a mark indicating that the ticket has been received in the apparatus. The controller may determine whether the ticket has been previously played by analyzing image data captured prior to the ticket being branded. The controller may also authenticate a game ticket by analyzing image data captured subsequent to the ticket being branded.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for ventilating a patient in association with cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures. In one exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a ventilator to periodically supply respiratory gases to a patient's lungs. A sensor is provided to detect chest compressions by sensing changes in intrathoracic pressure. A controller is coupled to the sensor and controls actuation of the ventilator after a predetermined number of chest compressions have been detected by the sensor.

Abstract: Granules of plastics material have grains of an inert mineral such as sand coated thereon to provide a habitat for microorganisms effective in waste water treatment, the granules having a predetermined particle size range, and the grains having a predetermined particle size range and being disposed at a predetermined packing density range on the granules. The particles have an average density of approximately 1.0 g/cc such that a proportion tend to float and a proportion tend to sink in the waste water. The particles arc manufactured by contacting the granules of plastics material with a mixture of grains of the inert mineral and grains of a soluble substance such as salt, at an elevated temperature, to coat the granules with the mixture, and subsequently dissolving the soluble substance grains from the coating to provide the granules coated with the grains of inert mineral in the predetermined packing density range.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual damascene structure in a semiconductor device first etches a trench pattern into a hard mask layer, followed by the etching of a via pattern in the hard mask layer. The trench is widened to completely coincide with the via pattern if the via pattern does not fall completely within the trench pattern due to alignment errors. A dielectric material is then etched in accordance with the via pattern to a predetermined depth. The dielectric material is then further etched in accordance with the via pattern and the trench pattern that has been widened to completely overlap the via. Since the via has been etched into the dielectric material with its intended size, there is no increase in via resistance and good barrier metal step coverage and substantially void-free conductor filling are provided.

Abstract: A carpet refurbishing kit includes a liquid dispensing bottle having a rotatable cleaning brush at its lower end and an adjustable spray assembly at its upper end. When rotated in a first direction, the cleaning brush actuates a dispensing nozzle allowing liquid from the container to be delivered therethrough. The spray assembly at the upper end may be adjusted to deliver liquid having a desired spray pattern. The bottle is prepackaged within a container having a plurality of varying configured perforated panels that may be removed to form a template for assisting a user in applying liquid from the bottle to a predetermined area of the carpet.

Abstract: A fishing lure having a substantially flat, elongated body portion having a generally rectangular outline and having a dorsal side and an underside and a front end and a tail end and being formed of highly flexible fabric material such as to be wiggly deformable by small water currents generated when pulled thru water. A head portion is provided on the front end and has a forwardly facing insect-like bulbous nose section integral with a rearwardly directed shank section. A forwardly facing hook is affixed to the head portion and depends outwardly and downwardly from the underside. Several pairs of fine, insect-like, semi-rigid, resilient legs are mounted on the body portion and protrude outwardly therefrom. A throat-like segment of fibrous fuzzy material is affixed to the underside of the shank section, and a line eye is mounted on the underside of the nose section.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of stimulating fluid production from an unconsolidated formation penetrated by a well bore while reducing or preventing the migration of formation sands with fluids produced from the formation. The methods basically comprise the steps of placing an explosive in the well bore adjacent to the zone, creating at least one fracture extending from the well bore into the zone, depositing a hardenable resin composition coated proppant in the fracture with some of the resin composition coated proppant also being deposited in the well bore, causing the resin composition to harden and then detonating the explosive to thereby break up and cause the removal of at least a portion of the consolidated proppant in the well bore.

Abstract: A laminated panel-type structure particularly suited for vehicle interior applications such as headliners and door panels has a multiple denier polyester fiber core and randomly oriented structural reinforcing fibers. The laminated structure has superior sound attenuation properties resulting from a core of intertwined polyester fibers of differing deniers, with preferably relatively larger denier fibers on exterior areas of the core and some bicomponent fibers, short non-woven reinforcing fiber strands which are randomly attached and intertwined with the core on opposing major sides of the core, an impervious polymer film with a low melt layer which retains the reinforcing fibers against one side of the core and is attached to a scrim layer, and a polymer web on an opposite side of the core which retains the reinforcing fiber strands on the opposing major side of the core and to which a cover stock is applied.

Abstract: A magnetic support plate for cladded steel and steel-backed polymer stamping/blocking and embossing graphic arts dies is provided in which a non-ferrous, rectangular support member (14, 114, 214) made up of a plate (26, 126, 226) has a die mounting surface (24) for complementally receiving the graphic arts die assembly (12). The plate (26, 126, 226) has a series of elongated recesses or cavities (28, 128, 228) in one face thereof, with each of the cavities being provided with two rectangular magnets that are located in spaced relationship one from another. The two magnets within each cavity are disposed in positions with the magnetic north and south poles thereof opposite one another. A ferro-magnetic component (36) in the form of a steel plate or strip is provided within each cavity in bridging, contacting relationship to both of the magnets within each cavity.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided having a scraper blade arranged transversely on the lower run of the belt. The scraper blade can have at least one blade or a plurality of blades pivotally connected together. A shaping element having a non-linear configuration adjusts the profile of the scraper blade to match the configuration of the shaping bar. A biasing element connected with the vertical controller biases the scraper blade towards the belt maintaining the scraper blade in contact with the belt. A vertical controller raises and lowers the position of the scraper blade to provide for angular adjustment of the scraper blade relative to the belt.

Abstract: A method and system for the use of waste coal fines to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions from a coal-fired cyclone boiler. A coal water slurry including waste coal fines is injected as a co-firing fuel into a cyclone barrel of the cyclone boiler to partially oxidize the coal water slurry in a central portion of the cyclone barrel where injected. This produces a reducing zone having reducing gas species that convert nitrogen oxides to diatomic nitrogen. The coal water slurry can alternatively be injected into the cyclone barrel from a secondary combustion air conduit. The evaporation of the water from the coal water slurry reduces the overall combustion temperature in the cyclone barrel, further reducing the production of nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: The method provides a decorative array of spaced apart multiple light bulbs mounted on spaced apart rows of two intertwined insulated electrical conductors electrically connected to each light bulb. Wire or tubing is strung between the intertwined insulated electrical conductors at a connection to a light bulb in a designated pattern. A top row of two intertwined insulated electrical conductors is attached to a structure and other rows of intertwined insulated electrical conductors depend from the top row.

Abstract: Connectors are provided for making connections between tubular conduits in medical procedures such as those involving treatment of a patient's circulatory system. The connectors are variously configured for making end-to-side or end-to-end connections of tubular conduits. One of the tubular conduits may be a graft conduit, which can be artificial conduit, natural conduit, or a combination of both. The connectors for making end-to-side connections can be generally T-shaped or L-shaped. Various portions of the connectors can attach to the inside or outside of the associated conduit, depending on the connector configuration that is selected.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an N-acyl amino carboxylic acid by means of a carboxymethylation reaction. In this reaction, a reaction mixture is formed which contains a base pair, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and an aldehyde with the base pair comprising a carbamoyl compound and a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor. In a preferred embodiment, the carbamoyl compound and aldehyde are selected to yield an N-acyl amino carboxylic acid which is readily converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or a salt or ester thereof.