Abstract: A ball hopper comprising a frame, a divider, a plurality of elastic members and a seat, wherein the frame further comprises a lower, middle and upper portion and at least one rigid connector joining the lower, middle and upper portion, and wherein the divider separates the frame into a lower compartment and an upper compartment, and wherein the plurality of elastic members are removably secured to the lower portion of the frame. The ball hopper provides a method for collecting, distributing (while a user is standing or sitting) and transporting balls by pressing the ball hopper over an object, such that at least one of the plurality of elastic members allows the object to enter the lower compartment. Further, the ball hopper may be utilized as a seat, such that the divider forces collected balls towards the top of the ball hopper for easy removal from the lower compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system allowing a customer in a retail location to interact with the inventory of said retail location, as well as a method of using said system. The system allows for searching, sorting, and viewing the inventory information through a user device, as well as requesting, purchasing, and reserving products for sale by said retail location.

Abstract: A drive arrangement comprising a drive shaft, a clutch arrangement operable, upon axial movement of the drive shaft occurring, to interrupt drive to the drive shaft, an axially movable interrupt shaft, a gear arrangement whereby the interrupt shaft is driven for rotation by the drive shaft at a speed slower than the rotary speed of the drive shaft, a disconnect device operable to cause axial movement of the interrupt shaft, and a transmission device for transmitting axial movement of the interrupt shaft to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A method of converting particulate lignocellulosic material to produce volatile organic compounds and char, comprising, forming a mixture of the particulate lignocellulosic material with a catalyst composition containing polar organic liquid and an acid in the presence or absence of added water, heating the mixture to a temperature sufficiently high and for a period sufficiently long as to convert a major portion of any remaining solid phase of the mixture to char whilst agitating the mixture, and separating volatile organic compounds and the catalyst composition as a gaseous phase from the solid phase.

Abstract: A drive disconnect device for releasably connecting an electrical generator to a drive shaft, the drive disconnect device comprising an output shaft and at least one drive transfer element movable from a first position where it drivingly connects the drive shaft and the output shaft to a second position where the driving connection is removed, wherein operation of the disconnect device causes the electrical generator to become electrically isolated or excitation for the generator to be inhibited.

Abstract: An attachment stud for a variable vane assembly is disclosed. The attachment stud may generally include a bottom segment, a middle segment, a top segment and a shoulder segment. The bottom segment may generally have a shape and configuration adapted to be secured to a synchronizing ring of the variable vane assembly. The middle segment may generally have a shape and configuration adapted to receive a rotational attachment device of the variable vane assembly. The shoulder segment may be disposed between the bottom segment and the middle segment. The top segment may generally have a shape and configuration adapted to receive a retaining device configured to rigidly attach the rotational attachment device to the attachment stud.

Abstract: A method for dispersing nanomaterial comprising an electrochemical process, a solution of dispersed nanomaterial, comprising individual charged nanomaterial at a concentration of about O.1 mgm?1 or more and a solvent and an electrochemical cell are described.

Abstract: A method for dispersing nanotubes, comprising contacting the nanotubes with an electronic liquid comprising a metal and an amine solvent, a solution of dispersed nanotuhes, comprising individual nanotuhes at a concentration of greater than about 0.01 mgml?1 and a solvent and a nanotube crystal comprising a close packed array of nanotubes, wherein the crystal has a thickness of 100 nm or more are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for production of pure terephthalic acid comprising: a) removing a mother liquor from a terephthalic acid through a filter with a gas, wherein the gas comprises steam at a concentration of least about 50% by volume; b) purifying the gas; and c) recycling the gas purified in step (b) back to step (a).

Abstract: A ball hopper comprising a frame, a divider, a plurality of elastic members and a seat, wherein the frame further comprises a lower, middle and upper portion and at least one rigid connector joining the lower, middle and upper portion, and wherein the divider separates the frame into a lower compartment and an upper compartment, and wherein the plurality of elastic members are removably secured to the lower potion of the frame. The ball hopper provides a method for collecting, distributing (while a user is standing or sitting) and transporting balls by pressing the ball hopper over an object, such that at least one of the plurality of elastic members allows the object to enter the lower compartment. Further, the ball hopper may be utilized as a seat, such that the divider forces collected balls towards the top of the ball hopper for easy removal from the lower compartment.

Abstract: A rope tensioning device includes an elongated base having a first hooked end and a second hooked end, an anchor for anchoring the rope on the device, and a clamp. The clamp is adapted to grip the rope inserted into the device allowing it to be pulled in a tightening direction to tension the rope. The clamp is adapted to prevent the rope pulling in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A drive arrangement comprising a drive shaft, a clutch arrangement operable, upon axial movement of the drive shaft occurring, to interrupt drive to the drive shaft, an axially movable interrupt shaft, a gear arrangement whereby the interrupt shaft is driven for rotation by the drive shaft at a speed slower than the rotary speed of the drive shaft, disconnect means operable to cause axial movement of the interrupt shaft, and transmission means for transmitting axial movement of the interrupt shaft to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A rotor for a dynamo electric machine comprises a rotor body 12 defining a plurality of poles in the form of limbs 16 around which windings 18 are provided, and a wedge arrangement 20 spanning the space 42 between adjacent limbs 16 and serving to secure the windings 18 in position, and a discharge passage 44 for delivering coolant to the said space.

Abstract: A drive disconnect device for releasably connecting an electrical generator to a drive shaft, the drive disconnect device comprising an output shaft and at least one drive transfer element movable from a first position where it drivingly connects the drive shaft and the output shaft to a second position where the driving connection is removed, wherein operation of the disconnect device causes the electrical generator to become electrically isolated or excitation for the generator to be inhibited.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for treating articular diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, or articular dysfunction in mammals. Also disclosed are self-complimentary AAV vectors useful in gene therapy and delivery of therapeutic constructs to mammalian cells, and in particular, articular joints, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and surrounding tissues.

Abstract: The configurable adapter uses a relatively few components which allow it to be configured to have different heights to fit different switchboard cases. It includes a bracket designed to hold a particular type of meter or power monitor, with different brackets available to be assembled as a component of the configurable adapter. A new class of electricity revenue meters called a narrow base socket meter is described, and shown. The narrow base socket meter is adapted from a conventional socket meter which has a sufficiently narrow body by trimming its sides, top, and/or bottom, as necessary, to fit within the switchboard adapter, using a bracket which places the meter within the switchboard adapter so that its face can be flush with (or barely stick out from) the face of the switchboard. The adapter can also be used with standard socket base meters, which will stick out of the front of the switchboard panel, as well as with power monitoring devices by using suitable brackets, as described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that automatically converts a universal resource locator that specifies a location for a publication into a standard publication identifier that identifies the publication uses a plurality of parser rules, each parser rule being adapted to extract data fields for a particular form of universal resource locator. One of the parser rules is selected based on a domain in the universal resource locator and used to parse the universal resource locator to generate data field values. A plurality of translation rules are used, each translation rule accepting one of more data fields as inputs. When the generated data field values match the inputs of a translation rule, that translation rule is used to create a standard publication identifier.

Abstract: Methods of use of Chaperonin 10 (Cpn10) are provided for regulating Toll-like receptor signaling and/or Toll-like receptor inducible immunomodulator secretion. Cpn10 negatively regulates Toll-like receptor agonist-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion, examples being IL-6 and RANTES, respectively. Cpn10 positively regulates Toll-like receptor agonist-induced anti-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion, an example being IL-10. These immunoregulatory activities of Cpn10 may be useful in the treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions resulting from excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion. This invention also relates to producing, designing and/or screening Cpn10 agonists and antagonists according to their ability to regulate Toll-like receptor signaling and/or Toll-like receptor inducible immunomodulator secretion.

Abstract: A disconnect mechanism is provided which, upon a suitable trigger event, such as excess temperature causes a camming element 40 having a tapered head 52 to move under the urging of a compression spring 60 such that the tapered head 52 becomes trapped between a rotating element 32 and a support 42. This gives rise to frictional inter-engagement which prevents further rotation of the rotating element 32 and thereby locks the rotating machine against further rotation. This is turn causes the shear region to fail thereby drivingly disconnecting the machine from its prime mover.

Abstract: A limited-use browser and related security system control access to content stored on a server computer linked to a network. The security system secures the content on the server and only permits it to be downloaded to a client computer running the limited-user browser or a general purpose browser executing an add-in security module providing the same functions as the limited-user browser. The limited-use browser or module secures the downloaded content on the client computer and displays it in a “view-only” mode. While the secured content is being displayed, menu selections, key combination, or pointing device commands initiated on the client computer that would modify the content or create a copy of another medium are either disabled as a default or monitored to determine if the action is permitted.