Abstract: A cassette system for disks to be manufactured into hard disks for computer memory storage includes a pair of end portions and a pair of side wall portions spanning between the end portions, defining a disk receiving region. The side wall portions together define a plurality of axially aligned slots for holding the disks. At least one of the end portions includes a test disk receiver, which may be a slot or pocket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for manufacturing food, in particular pet food, and in particular apparatus and methods involving extruders and cavity transfer mixers.

Abstract: An aircraft structure, for example wing (20), comprises a structural skeleton comprising structural elements (in this example spars (60) and ribs (70)) enclosed within a skin (200). A fastener (110a,b) is fastened to the skeleton and wholly within the skin (200). The fastener (110a,b) fastens to the structure (20) a bracket (120) for carrying stores (80). The fastener (110a,b) comprises a body (300) defining an internal bore (230). The body (300) includes an internal threaded region (330), within the internal bore (230), for fastening the bracket (120) to the aircraft structure (20).

Abstract: Within a multiple instruction pipeline data processing system which supports predication instructions, program instructions are initially decoded upon the assumption that they are predicated. A predication signal is generated within the instruction decoder stages when a predication instruction is detected. The presence or absence of this predication signal can then be used to correct any decoding which has been performed upon the basis of an assumption that the program instructions are predicated. The predication instruction can predicate a variable number of following instructions. The predication instruction can issue in parallel with an instruction which it predicates and yet the proper identification of the predication instruction need not be confirmed until at least some decoding has been performed upon the other program instruction.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating black liquor particularly derived from non-wood pulp, by heating with an alkaline earth metal oxide in a toroidal fluidised bed reactor at a temperature of above 650° C. The method may be used alone or as part of a method of converting graminaceous raw material to pulp for paper or board, said method comprising (a) digesting said raw material with a white liquor based on sodium hydroxide and further comprising calcium hydroxide in an amount effective to substantially convert silica of said raw material to calcium silicate; (b) recovering pulp and black liquor substantially free of uncombined silica; (c) heating the black liquor in a fluidized bed reactor containing calcium oxide for catalysing conversion of organic content of said black liquor to gas and for providing recovered solids including sodium values of said white liquor and calcium oxide; and regenerating said white liquor using said recovered solids.

Abstract: The actuator has a housing with a longitudinal passage between a first end and an opening at a second end. A spindle, supported and moveable in the passage, has oppositely handed, first and second threaded portions each nearer a respective end of the housing. A first nut fixed relative to the housing is engaged with the first threaded portion. The spindle is rotated and moved relative to the first nut by a handle at the housing first end. A second nut fixed against rotation relative to the housing and engaged with the second threaded portion moves relative to and in the same direction as the spindle as the spindle rotates. The second nut is connectable through the opening to a device, and the spindle is rotatable by the handle for adjusting the device by movement of the spindle and the second nut.

Abstract: A method and system for auctioning or sales of deliverable prepared food via the Internet permit customers to purchase or bid on prepared food items. A food preparation and delivery portion of the system includes a delivery vehicle, which may have a mobile kitchen for the preparation of food items en-route. The location of the delivery vehicle is determined from a global positioning system (GPS) receiver in the vehicle or via another location-finding mechanism. Food items with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) is displayed on a web page that provides an interface for purchase or bidding. Bidding may be made for the actual food item purchase or for a scheduled delivery time. Items may be re-auctioned, causing the delivery of a food item to be transferred to another bidder. Audio and/or visual communication with an ordering point and/or delivery vehicle may be provided in the user interface.

Abstract: A cassette system for disks to be manufactured into hard disks for computer memory storage includes a pair of end portions and a pair of side wall portions spanning between the end portions, defining a disk receiving region. The side wall portions together define a plurality of axially aligned slots for holding the disks. At least one of the end portions includes a test disk receiver, which may be a slot or pocket.

Abstract: An information handling system image builder server associated with a manufacturer supports remote access by customers through networked communications, such as the Internet, to create images for loading on information handling systems manufactured for the customers. An image creation engine of the server accesses an image library to build an image with image components selected in accordance with customer parameters. The image is built on hardware or virtual test information handling systems interfaced with the image creation engine. Customers may remotely upload custom image components to the library, such as custom applications and settings, and remotely test the operation of the image on the test information handling systems before promoting the built image to a manufacture environment for manufacture of information handling systems with the image.

Abstract: A bulk material analyser (10) and method of assembly for analysis of bulk material on a conveyor belt (11) passing through the analyser (10) between a radiation source (12) and a radiation detector (13). The analyser (10) includes a generally C-shaped housing (14) extending around an open-sided aperture (15) for passage of the belt (11). The housing (14) is substantially filled with radiation shielding material (17) to provide radiation shielding around the aperture (15). A removable block (18) of radiation shielding material closes the open side of the aperture (15) and provides surrounding radiation shielding of the aperture.

Abstract: An access device with an internet lock out feature for “always on” WAN to LAN connections is provided. The access device includes a high speed data port adapted to be connected to an internet and voice service connection. A data port logic transfer layer is connected between the high speed data port and at least one access device local port. A voice service layer is connected to the high speed data port. A user activated switch is provided having a first state in which the data port logic transfer layer is active, and a second state in which the data port logic transfer layer connection to the high speed data port is disabled and the voice service layer remains active.

Abstract: An events management system coordinates the exchange of device alert or alarm information between an asset management system and one or more business systems within a process control system or plant. The events management system receives device alerts from the asset management system and uses a rules-engine and one or more state machines to send notifications containing device alert information to one of more of the business systems.

Abstract: Color discrimination may be improved by fitting to a patient's eye a plastics contact lens having a tinted central circular section. The optimum tint is determined by testing the effects of a sequence of differently tinted lens on a patient.

Abstract: A process of forming a visible textural surface on a decorative acoustical panel having a fibrous body portion is disclosed herein. This process includes coating an exterior surface of the body with a film of hardening liquid, distributing individual granules of particulate material generally uniformly over a substantial portion of the exterior surface to provide a granular texture to the surface, and coating the granules with a film of hardening liquid, which film is insufficient to eliminate the granular texture but which adheres the granules to the exterior surface. Thereafter a part of the surface on which the liquid coated granules are located is indented. These indentations extend from the exterior surface and penetrate partway into the panel body to cause the displacement of part of the surface, thereby forming wall portions. These wall portions include some of the granules.