Abstract: A one-piece, flat, stainless steel kitchen utensil formed with offset working portions for use in handling fried or baked food products and for scraping pots and baking pans. The utensil is composed of a unitary sheet of stainless steel divided into two working portions. One working portion is of rectangular shape and extends in a first direction. The other working portion is of trapezoidal shape and extends in a second direction opposite the first direction. The working portions are connected integrally by an intermediate portion extending transversely between the working portions to space them in separate planes.

Abstract: A one-piece, flat, stainless steel kitchen utensil formed with offset working portions for use in handling fried or baked food products and for scraping pots and baking pans. The utensil is composed of a unitary sheet of stainless steel divided into two working portions. One working portion is of rectangular shape and extends in a first direction. The other working portion is of trapezoidal shape and extends in a second direction opposite the first direction. The working portions are connected integrally by an intermediate portion extending transversely between the working portions to space them in separate planes.

Abstract: A method for processing a split payment transaction funded by a plurality of transaction accounts includes: storing a primary account number, funding rules, and a plurality of funding account numbers; receiving a primary transaction including the primary account number and a primary transaction amount; calculating a secondary transaction amount for each account based on the primary transaction amount and funding rules; generating a transaction message for a secondary transaction for each funding account number including the associated secondary transaction amount; transmitting the transaction message for each secondary transaction; receiving a response message for each secondary transaction including a response code; generating a response message for the primary transaction including a response code that (i) indicates approval of the primary transaction if each secondary transaction was approved, or (ii) indicates denial of the primary transaction if at least one secondary transaction was denied; and transmit

Abstract: A merchandise dispenser is provided and has a product display tray with a bottom portion for supporting and guiding a rank of product items. The merchandise dispenser also has a spring assembly for advancing the product items forward on the bottom portion. The spring assembly includes a pre-stressed spiral tape having a top surface extending from a mounting end portion thereof and a plurality of light emitting diodes carried in spaced relation on a predetermined length of the top surface of the tape for upwardly illuminating product items when disposed in the product display tray.

Abstract: A spring tape suitable for use in spring motor applications where reactive torque varies with rotational deflection. An elongate elastic element is advanced lengthwise and is laser cut into longitudinally complementary shapes which are separated and subsequently pre-stressed into rolls which are cut to length for assembly into a spring motor.

Abstract: A merchandise dispenser is provided and has a product display tray with a bottom portion for supporting and guiding a rank of product items. The merchandise dispenser also has a spring assembly for advancing the product items forward on the bottom portion. The spring assembly includes a pre-stressed spiral tape having a top surface extending from a mounting end portion thereof and a plurality of light emitting diodes carried in spaced relation on a predetermined length of the top surface of the tape for upwardly illuminating product items when disposed in the product display tray.

Abstract: Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Abstract: Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Abstract: Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Abstract: A spring-driven pusher assembly of a merchandise dispenser in which the spring is carried entirely on the pusher assembly behind the articles being dispensed to thereby eliminate any interference problems with RF signals or the like used for purposes of determining inventories and the like. Preferably, the spring is a spiral spring that rotates a drive wheel when the spring uncoils. The drive wheel cooperatively engages a guide track on the base of the dispenser, and the rotation of the drive wheel causes the pusher assembly to advance along the guide track toward the dispensing end of the dispenser.

Abstract: A retractor has a housing with a rotatable reel captured therein and a cable wound on the reel. A terminal end of the cable extends exteriorly of the housing and is extendable from the housing. The cable is retractable onto the reel by the force of a spring located in the housing. A rotary damper is connected to the reel for restricting the speed of rotation of the reel as the cable is retracted via the force of the spring. A product display utilizing the retractor and a method of tethering lightweight objects to displays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of soluble proteins of high molecular weight with little or no damage to the structural integrity of the proteins. The process is economically and environmentally acceptable by virtue of the cost of reagents that are used, and the recycling of some of those reagents, and is suitable for the production of soluble proteins on a large scale. The process includes a first stage using oxidative sulfitolysis followed by a second stage using mild conditions to extract the soluble protein. In the case of wool as the protein source the process leads to the production of soluble keratin proteins fractionated into the classes S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament proteins and S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur proteins.

Abstract: A spring-driven pusher assembly of a merchandise dispenser in which the spring is carried entirely on the pusher assembly behind the articles being dispensed to thereby eliminate any interference problems with RF signals or the like used for purposes of determining inventories and the like. Preferably, the spring is a spiral spring that rotates a drive wheel when the spring uncoils. The drive wheel cooperatively engages a guide track on the base of the dispenser, and the rotation of the drive wheel causes the pusher assembly to advance along the guide track toward the dispensing end of the dispenser. A method of dispensing merchandise is also provided.

Abstract: A wool or the like fiber scour including at least one of the following, (a) scouring process wherein the fiber is subjected to an acid extraction process to remove absorbed iron, and by to greatly improve the brightness (Y tristimulus value) of the wool; (b) a scouring process wherein a bleaching process is carried out part way through the wet process following by dying, rewriting and chemical reduction, therefore stabilising the bleached color to prevent subsequent reversion in the dyebath; or (c) a scouring process wherein scoured clean fiber is dried and dusted, and then reimmersed in liquors containing detergents and dispersants, thereby effectively removing extra amounts of residual dirt. The scour produces an improved quality of fibres.

Abstract: A spring-driven pusher device for a forward, side, top, or up feeding merchandise dispenser having an adjustment mechanism for setting a desired pushing force. The adjustment mechanism is utilized to increase and/or reduce the tension of the windings of the coiled end of a spring or strip of coiled metal carried on the pusher device. The tension in the windings is increased if greater pushing force is desired, or decreased, if less pushing force is desired. Since the desired pushing force can be set, the same spring-driven pusher device can be utilized to feed various different products, regardless of size, shape, weight or surface texture.

Abstract: A retractor having a retractable tether and a spring biased reel providing a retracting force throughout the full extension of the tether to take up any slack in the tether and to return the tether to its normal wound storage position on the reel. The retractor having a housing and a swivel attachment component extending from the housing which enables the housing of the retractor to pivot relative to the surface to which the retractor is connected. The general structure of the swivel attachment component permits ready assembly of any one of various configured swivel attachment components to the retractor housing.

Abstract: A retractor having a retractable tether and a spring biased reel providing a retracting force throughout the full extension of the tether to take up any slack in the tether and to return the tether to its normal wound storage position on the reel. The retractor having a housing and a swivel attachment component extending from the housing which enables the housing of the retractor to pivot relative to the surface to which the retractor is connected. The general structure of the swivel attachment component permits ready assembly of any one of various configured swivel attachment components to the retractor housing.

Abstract: A spring to operate a merchandise dispenser used for storing and dispensing a plurality of like items of merchandise. The dispenser utilizes a metal spring having indicia imprinted or engraved thereon to provide both a biasing force to the merchandise and inventory information. A method is provided for producing a metal spring having indicia printed in ink or paint.

Abstract: A spring to operate a merchandise dispenser used for storing and dispensing a plurality of like items of merchandise. The dispenser utilizes a metal spring having indicia imprinted or engraved thereon to provide both a biasing force to the merchandise and inventory information. A method is provided for producing a metal spring having indicia printed in ink or paint.

Abstract: A security device for deterring theft of articles of merchandise displayed for customer handling and demonstration. A cable is attached to an article and is extendable under tension from a storage reel attached to a store fixture. A switch adjacent to the reel is held in one of two operative positions by the cable stretching across an actuator arm of the switch. If the cable is severed or cut, as by a thief intending to steal the article, the storage reel retracts the cable past the actuator arm causing the switch to change to the other position and actuate an alarm.