Abstract: A plant support structure for accommodating plants is described. The plant support structure includes a framework in a vertically extending arrangement forming a plurality of geometric blocks and vertically extending channels formed at a periphery of the geometric blocks. The channels are configured to receive therein a porous material for carrying water from a top end of the plant support structure down the channels for irrigating plants in the channels. A system for accommodating and maintaining plants includes the plant support structure.

Abstract: There is provided an infusion septum for a beverage container and more specifically, an infusion septum that is integrated within a beverage can end or a container cap and a method of infusion.

Abstract: There is provided an infusion port for a beverage can and more specifically, an infusion port that is integrated within a beverage can end and a method of infusion.

Abstract: A concrete saw configured to cut an underlying surface at an angle including a concrete saw having a saw frame, a saw blade, a motor to drive the saw blade and a platform structure to support the saw frame and allow movement of the concrete saw on an underlying surface, the platform structure including an angled support structure for supporting the saw frame relative to the platform structure at a platform angle, and a method of using the concrete saw to reduce falling concrete slabs or debris.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for providing a fluid seal of an annulus between two conforming surfaces such as a stem and a bore. The seal arrangement may include a pair of packing support rings. Preferably, two pairs of the packing support rings are used in order to provide double ended or two sided axial support for the packing. The first and second support rings support a load on the packing during normal or rated temperature use, with preferably an interference fit with the stem to resist extrusion of the packing along the stem. The support rings may be nested together and comprises different materials. For example, one support ring may comprise metal and the other support ring comprise a softer material such as a polymer or elastomer. An example of a packing material is a fire resistant material. The metal support ring may be used to maintain load on the fire resistant packing in the event that the other support ring has been destroyed by fire or other cataclysmic event.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for providing a fluid seal of an annulus between two conforming surfaces such as a stem and a bore. The seal arrangement may include a pair of packing support rings. Preferably, two pairs of the packing support rings are used in order to provide double ended or two sided axial support for the packing. The first and second support rings support a load on the packing during normal or rated temperature use, with preferably an interference fit with the stem to resist extrusion of the packing along the stem. The support rings may be nested together and comprises different materials. For example, one support ring may comprise metal and the other support ring comprise a softer material such as a polymer or elastomer. An example of a packing material is a fire resistant material. The metal support ring may be used to maintain load on the fire resistant packing in the event that the other support ring has been destroyed by fire or other cataclysmic event.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle is provided. The door assembly includes a guide track attached to a door, a slider positioned within the guide track, and a connecting member connecting the slider to the vehicle door frame. The connecting member has a vehicle end and a slider end and is arranged to be attached to the vehicle at the vehicle end and to the slider at the slider end. The connecting member and the slider are arranged to enable the door to translate relative to the vehicle along the guide track.

Abstract: A system comprising a clock control module, a first functional unit, and a second functional unit is provided. The clock control module is configured to provide a first clock signal having a first frequency to the first functional unit in response to receiving a start signal. The clock control module is configured to provide the first clock signal to the second functional unit in response to receiving a first control signal from the first functional unit, and the clock control module is configured to stop providing the first clock signal to the first functional unit in response to receiving the first control signal from the first functional unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use with smartcards or other like shared computing resources. One or more root certificates are stored on a smartcard. The root certificates can be selectively copied to a certificate store or other like mechanism of an operatively coupled computing or like device and available to support certificate and other trust related processes of the device. When the smartcard is no longer operatively available to the device, the root certificates are no longer available to support such certificate and other trust related processes of the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use with smartcards or other like shared computing resources. By selectively granting exclusive use to a requesting entity for a period of time, performance is improved by reducing unnecessary redundant overhead data, communication, storage and/or processing for an applicable series of transactions associated with a granted access request operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use with smartcards or other like shared computing resources. A global smartcard cache is maintained on one or more computers to reduce the burden on the smartcard. The global smartcard cache data is associated with a freshness indicator that is compared to the current freshness indicator from the smartcard to verify that the cached item data is current.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention includes an integrated insurance system for automating information processing and computerizes different combinations of the quoting, enrollment, billing, monitoring and maintenance functions of the process.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention includes an integrated insurance system for automating information processing and computerizes different combinations of the quoting, enrollment, billing, monitoring and maintenance functions of the process.