Abstract: A predictive dialing system having a computer connected to a telephone switch stores a group of call records in its internal storage. Each call record contains a group of input parameters, including the date, the time, and one or more workload factors. Workload factors can indicate the number of pending calls, the number of available operators, the average idle time, the connection delay, the completion rate, and the nuisance call rate, among other things. In the preferred embodiment, each call record also contains a dial action, which indicates whether a call was initiated or not. These call records are analyzed by a neutral network to determine a relationship between the input parameters and the dial action stored in each call record. This analysis is done as part of the training process for the neutral network.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter is provided with a fluted balloon defining at least three wings. When the balloon collapses, it tends to assume the fluted configuration which defines a lower profile better adapted to pass through narrow channels, such as in endoscopes and guide catheters. The balloon is formed from a polymeric material in a method that involves the steps of tensioning the balloon to cause it to form flutes while maintaining its interior under vacuum and subjecting the balloon, while so held, to heat and, thereafter, cooling the balloon while maintaining it in its tensioned, fluted configuration.

Abstract: A method of automatically placing ordered paper stock (covers or inserts) from sets of paper stock, the sets of paper stock comprised of an arbitrary number of covers or inserts, into finished copy sets. In a reproduction job run, and with the method of automatic recovery from a machine paper jam in which the copy sheets or paper stock in process has become misoriented comprising the steps of selecting an automatic paper stock ordering option at the operator interface, programming the required order of the paper stock in a finished set of reproduced documents, determining the repetitive frequency of the insert sheets, and automatically selectively inserting or discarding insert sheets in order to provide sets of copy sheets with uniformly placed paper stock. Also, a method for automatically recovering after an operator jam clearance by selectively purging paper stock to maintain the continuity of the ordered paper stock in the completed copy sets.

Abstract: An apparatus which delivers to an operator offset batches of sheets reproduced from at least one set of documents. The operator selects the number of sheets or sets of sheets successive batches to be offset from one another. In this way, the number of copy sheets in the batch may range from a partial set of copy sheets to multiple sets of copy sheet. Also, the operator may select no offset within a job providing a straight stack with no distinction between batches or sets.

Abstract: A dual mode apparatus in which set of sheets are delivered to an operator. The operating mode of the apparatus is selected, and sets of sheets are received and supported at a loading station. In response to the selected mode of operation, sets of sheets are advanced from the loading station to the unloading station for delivery to the operator. In one mode of operation, the sets of sheets are advanced from the loading station to the unloading station after the completion of each job. In another mode of operation, the sets of sheets are advanced from the loading station to the unloading station after the maximum number of sets of sheets have been stacked at the loading station independent of the number of jobs.

Abstract: In a copying system utilizing a recirculating document handler (RDH) presenting documents to the platen of a copier for copying, with an RDH document stacking tray and an additional document input directly to the platen, and a three zone distributed drives feeding system for first feeding the documents from the stacking tray to the platen, secondly feeding the documents over the platen for copying, and thirdly feeding the documents from the platen back to the stacking tray after they have been copied, to normally form a complete document recirculation path, and sensors for sensing document jams and the position of jammed documents in the document paths connecting with a control system controlling the RDH, including stopping the RDH in response to sensing a jam and determining which documents have been copied before a jam and providing instructional displays to the operator for operator jam clearance (document removal) and job recovery; an improved jam clearance and job recovery system determining whether a do

Abstract: Providing plural precollated sets of copies by plurally recirculating a set of documents and normally making two consecutive identical copies per document per circulation, at one-half the copying rate of the copier, feeding these pairs of identical copy sheets separately into two of only 3 (or 4) movable compiler bins, sequentially accumulating and stacking these copy sheets into completed, compiled, collated copy sheet sets in each of the two compiler bins, and then removing the sets one at a time for finishing, from the opposite side of the bins, and sequentially changing, for subsequent circulations of the sets of documents, which 2 of the 3 compiler bins are being fed pairs of copy sheets, and which compiler bin is not, so that a compiled set of copy sheets may be removed from its bin or left in awaiting finishing of a prior set without having any copy sheets fed into that bin, in coordination with and without interfering with said feeding and directing of other copy sheets into other compiler bins.

Abstract: A fishing lure which includes a body having a head portion and a hook extending rearwardly therefrom, and a plurality of thin, elongate strips of chamois attached to the body rearwardly of the head portion and extending outwardly therefrom. The porous chamois material absorbs water to swell in size and become flexible when the lure is immersed in water, giving the lure a life-like appearance. The chamois material is sufficiently porous to absorb fish scent attractants. A preferred attractant is a mixture of propylene glycol and ground live bait, such as shad or crayfish.

Abstract: A process and method and composition for coating coal particles including mixing at least two molar equivalents of a fatty acid or fatty ester and at least one molar equivalent of alkali reactive with the fatty acid allowing the alkali to saponify a portion of the fatty material to form a soap mixture diluting the soap mixture to a selected viscosity, applying the resulting solution to the coal particles, and allowing the solution to dry on the coal to form a coating on the coal particles.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a plurality of sheets are attached to one another to form a booklet thereof. The sheets are compiled to form a set which is then advanced to a stapling apparatus and/or a binding apparatus. The set of sheets may be secured to one another by either stapling, binding, or a combination of both.

Abstract: In a system for recirculative precollation copying of a set of simplex document sheets in reverse serial order on a copier providing a choice of precollated simplex or duplex (two-sided) copy sheet copying, more efficient duplex copying without an initial document counting circulation is provided by assuming that the copy sheets selected for duplex copying are non-orientation sensitive copy sheets such as plain paper (rather than special orientation restricted copy sheets requiring consistent inversion for proper output or binding edge orientation, such as sheets prepunched with binder holes, certain preprinted sheets, etc.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle for transporting one or more riders upon a body of water with power supplied by the rider(s) to both a pair of front and a pair of rear wheels which have sufficient buoyancy to support the vehicle and rider(s), preferably with all non-rotating above the surface of the water. One or more gear members, disclosed in several embodiments, are mounted on the vehicle frame for rotation by the rider(s) about an axis parallel to and intermediate of the front and rear axles. A device is provided for transmitting rotation of the gear member(s) to the axles and wheels in one or both directions. In alternate versions, the left and right wheels on one or both axles may be rotated independently for steering.

Abstract: A plurality of related systems for converting potential energy present by virtue of gravitational and buoyant forces associated with a body of water into kinetic energy and useful power. A pair of parallel, flexible belts are joined by rigid links or rungs affixed at their ends to each belt and passing over one or more rotatable gears having radial teeth with a pitch equal to the spacing of the links. The belts are turned by mechanism attached thereto which is exposed to either the kinetic force of flowing or falling water, or the buoyant force of a body of water upon elements attached directly to the belt and/or links.

Abstract: A device for receiving motive power from a source supported thereon and transmitting the power to the underlying surface thereby imparting motion across such surface to the device and power source supported thereon. The device is particularly adapted for transport over water, but is also suited to move over land, including snow, mud, marshy areas, etc. A continuous belt surrounds a pair of rotatable, buoyant cylinders and receives rotational power from a contacting, second continuous belt surrounding a second pair of cylinders. The power source may comprise one or more individuals, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, etc., supported by and transmitting power directly to the second belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting small particles in a capillary tube is provided. The method and apparatus detect changes in the intensity of the direct beam passing perpendicularly through the capillary tube to count such small particles.