Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining check information. According to one or more embodiments, a method may include accessing, by a computer including one or more processors, a video recording of a check. The method may also include determining, based at least in part on the video recording, a plurality of video frames associated with the check. Furthermore, the method may include generating respective optical character recognition (OCR) data associated with the plurality of video frames. Additionally, the method may include determining, based at least in part on the respective OCR data, respective scores associated with the plurality of video frames.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and computer-readable media related to employing adaptive multi-feature semantic location sensing methods to estimate the semantic location of a mobile device. An image of a transaction document may be captured. The captured image to a processing server for processing magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) information from the captured image of the transaction document may be transmitted. A processing result of processing the MICR information from the captured image of the transaction document may be received. The processing result of the MICR information with the captured image of the transaction document may be compared. In response to the comparison, the MICR information to a payment verification server may be submitted for verification.

Abstract: A method that includes reacting an epoxidized naturally-occurring oil or fat with a triacid to form a pressure sensitive adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive precursor is disclosed. The present invention also includes methods for preparing a triacid and for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive label or tape.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesives produced from naturally occurring fats and oils are described. Also described are methods of producing the pressure sensitive adhesives. Generally, one or more naturally occurring fats or oils are epoxidized, and then reacted with certain alcohols or amines to thereby obtain the noted pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: A rack having a mesh body, a length and a width or if not rectangular, a circumference. The mesh body, in cross section, is provided with a plurality of ridges and troughs creating v-shaped surfaces sized for receiving and retaining shellfish thereon during cooking. The shellfish is placed upon the rack over the troughs and between the ridges for maintaining the shellfish in a substantially horizontal orientation during cooking.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for better assessing risk associated with cashing second-party checks and other negotiable instruments. The systems and methods make use of information about authenticating marks, such as watermarks, bar codes, insignia, background patterns, and the like, from a check in order to better assess the legitimacy and cashability of the check. In various embodiments, information about an authenticating mark may be compared to stored information about an expected configuration for the authenticating mark. In various embodiments, a gradated risk score may be generated based at least in part on the comparison. In various embodiments, the risk score may be combined with risk scores that are descriptive of other aspects of a check cashing transaction to calculate a risk score for the transaction as a whole. In some embodiments, the transaction risk score may be used to generate an accept/decline recommendation for the transaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for building, maintaining, and using a repository of information about payors of second-party checks presented at a check-cashing entity for cashing. In various embodiments, the repository comprises stored information useful for determining the location of a payor of a second-party check. In one embodiment, information from the check that identifies an account on which the check is drawn, such as magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line information from a paycheck, is used to access a repository of employer location information. In one embodiment, the payor location information is used to determine a proximity between the payor location and the check cashing entity location. In one embodiment, when a check is presented for which stored payor location information is not available, identifying information about the payor and/or the payor location is requested and is added to the repository.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for better assessing risk associated with cashing second-party checks and other negotiable instruments by using biometric information obtained from an individual who presents a check or other negotiable instrument in a check-cashing transaction. In various embodiments, the obtained biometric information may be compared with stored biometric information in order to enhance confidence in the accurate identification of the check presenter. In various embodiments, a gradated biometric risk score, based at least in part on the comparison, may be generated for the check-cashing transaction. In various embodiments, the biometric risk score may be combined with risk scores that are descriptive of other aspects of the check-cashing transaction to calculate a risk score for the transaction as a whole. In some embodiments, the risk scores may be used to generate an accept/decline recommendation for the transaction as a whole.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for better assessing risk associated with cashing second-party checks and other negotiable instruments. The systems and methods make use of information about authenticating marks, such as watermarks, bar codes, insignia, background patterns, and the like, from a check in order to better assess the legitimacy and cashability of the check. In various embodiments, information about an authenticating mark may be compared to stored information about an expected configuration for the authenticating mark. In various embodiments, a gradated risk score may be generated, based at least in part on the comparison. In various embodiments, the risk score may be combined with risk scores that are descriptive of other aspects of a check cashing transaction to calculate a risk score for the transaction as a whole. In some embodiments, the transaction risk score may be used to generate an accept/decline recommendation for the transaction.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus (100) for determining the constituent composition of a produced fluid is disclosed. The apparatus (100) includes a vessel (106) having an interior chamber (108) that receives and contains a sample of the produced fluid. In the interior chamber (108), the sample of the produced fluid is allowed to separate into its constituents. A gauge (200) having an array of transmitter elements (E1-E17) and an array of corresponding receiver elements (R1-R17) disposed oppositely of one another on the vessel (106), is used to transmit and receive energy waves that propagate through the sample of the produced fluid. The receiver elements (R1-R17) detect changes in absorption or scattering of the energy waves transmitted from the corresponding transmitter element (E1-E17) caused by the constituent of the sample of the produced fluid through which that energy wave propagated.

Abstract: General purpose inherently tacky acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive polymers formed of alkyl acrylates, vinyl esters, diesters of dicarboxylic acid and saturated carbocylic acids, having improved properties, a lower residual monomer content and a reduced polymerization time are formed by a sequential polymerization process in which 50 to 95 percent, typically 90 percent, of the monomers are incrementally added to a reactor as a first charge containing substantially all of the vinyl esters, preferably all of the diesters of dicarboxylic acid, the balance of the monomers being fed in a second incremental charge.

Abstract: General purpose inherently tacky acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive polymers formed of alkyl acrylates, vinyl esters, and saturated carboxylic acids, having improved properties, a lower residual monomer content are formed by a sequential emulsion polymerization process in which 40 to 70 percent, typically 45 percent, of the monomers are incrementally added to a reactor as a first charge containing substantially all of the vinyl esters, the balance of the monomers being fed in a second incremental charge.

Abstract: A removable injection valve insert assembly is disclosed for deploying in production tubing of a well casing. The production tubing includes a landing nipple with an inlet and a sliding side-door which covers and seals the inlet when in a closed position and uncovers the inlet when in an open position. The insert assembly controls the flow of flushing fluid that is injected into the inlet from an annular source between the casing and the production tubing. The valve directs the controlled flushing fluid to an injection line, which in turn injects the flushing fluid into the production stream of the well. Preferably, the injected flushing fluid is injected below the casing perforations. The insert assembly comprises a body having upper and lower ends, a first passage formed in the body for receiving the fluid from the inlet and a second passage in communication with the first passage for housing a flow control valve. The body also includes a by-pass passageway which allows production flow across the insert.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus having a continuously moving conveyor belt which brings a vessel rim down to a spraying station, arrests movement of the vessel and aligns it with a vacuum gripping head, grips the vessel bottom and lifts and presents the vessel to a sprayer, rotates the vacuum gripped vessel rapidly to apply a plurality of thin layers of coating, and returns the coated vessel to the conveyor and releases the grip on the vessel so that the continuously moving conveyor can discharge the coated vessel from the spraying station.

Abstract: A fishing rod handle having an upper elongate segment, a lower elongate segment, and an arcuate connecting segment joining the upper and lower segments so that the handle has generally a U-shape. The upper and lower segments include upper and lower portions shaped to be grasped by a human hand, and the lower segment includes a reel seat positioned forwardly of the lower portion. The handle may be grasped comfortably by both hands while casting such that the hands are positioned in different planes. In a preferred embodiment, the handle is weighted so that the center of gravity of a combination of the handle and an associate rod shaft lies along the upper segment directly across from the reel seat.

Abstract: A valve having a tubular body with a valve seat and valve member controlled by a valve operator with provisions for latching the valve operator with the valve member in partially open position utilizing a snap ring which is propped out into a groove in the body and provides a stop maintaining the valve partially open against a spring and in which the valve operator has a receiving groove which receives the snap ring and maintains it in an out-of-the-way position upon movement of the valve operator toward full valve-open position.

Abstract: A cooperating landing nipple and subsurface safety valve in which the closure springs for the subsurface safety valves are carried by the landing nipple and the actuator and the pressure responsive member for effecting opening and closing of the valve are carried by the subsurface safety valve.

Abstract: A well system for injection into a selected formation in each tubing string in a multiple formation dual string well completed for through flow line/pumpdown operation, utilizing a string of tools which may be pumped down tubing to open selected tubing sleeve valves between packers. Each tool string includes a pressure openable injection valve which seals across the open sleeve valve and is opened for formation injection flow at preselected pressures by application of tubing pressure at the surface. One type of injection valve closes to flow through when pressure opened for injection flow. The other injection valve is closed to injection flow on insertion of a closing prong having a through flow passage. Both injection valves and their respective tool strings may be individually retrieved closing sleeve valves in each tubing and the formations to injection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition and method for sizing textiles which employs as the sizing agent a mixed salt comprising the reaction product of an interpolymer with a fixed alkali base and a fugitive alkali base; the latter subsequently being volatilized away during processing of the sized textile. The interpolymer comprises (a) 1.0 molar proportion of a maleic or fumaric acid or anhydride or partial ester, (b) from 0.1 to 3.0 molar proportion of a monovinylidene aromatic monomer and (c) from zero to a finite molar proportion of an alpha-olefin, a vinyl ester, alpha-beta-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile, an acrylic or methacrylic ester or a vinyl alkyl ether. From 10 to 70% of the free carboxyl groups of the interpolymer are combined with fixed base, i.e., non-valatile amine or alkali metal base, and from 5 to 90% of said free carboxyl groups are combined with fugitive base, i.e., ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or volatile amine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition and method for sizing textiles which employs as the sizing agent a mixed salt comprising the reaction product of an interpolymer with a fixed alkali base and a fugitive alkali base; the latter subsequently being volatilized away during processing of the sized textile. The interpolymer comprises (a) 1.0 molar proportion of a maleic or fumaric acid or anhydride or partial ester, (b) from 0.1 to 3.0 molar proportion of a monovinylidene aromatic monomer and (c) from zero to a finite molar proportion of an alpha-olefin, a vinyl ester alpha-beta-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile, an acrylic or methacrylic ester or a vinyl alkyl ether. From 10 to 70% of the free carboxyl groups of the interpolymer are combined with fixed base, i.e., non-volatile amine or alkali metal base, and from 5 to 90% of said free carboxyl groups are combined with fugitive base, i.e., ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or volatile amine.