Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to share policy information. The policy information may be associated with a smart contract. Accordingly, the policy information may be encrypted using a public key for the smart contract and compiled into a block of the blockchain. In response to a request to provide access to the information to a particular node, the private key for the smart contract may be encrypted using the public key for the particular node and compiled into a block of the blockchain.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a blockchain comprising a plurality of immutable sales records corresponding to sales made by agents of an entity are provided. According to certain aspects, a transaction request indicating a sale made by an agent of the entity may be received at a first node. A block including a sales record indicating the sale made by the agent may be added to a blockchain and transmitted to another node for validation. The first node may add the block to a copy of the blockchain, where the block may be identified by a hash value that references a previous block in the blockchain that includes at least one additional sales record.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.

Abstract: A conveyor slide plate for movably supporting a support element along a track or rail of a material handling system includes a body portion configured to be received at the track or rail and to move along the track or rail when driven by a chain of the material handling system. The body portion of the slide plate includes at least one reservoir formed in an upper surface of the body portion. The reservoir is configured to receive lubricating fluid therein, and is configured to direct the flow of the lubricating fluid toward a sliding interface between the body portion of the slide plate and the track or rail, such as to at least one perimeter region of the body portion of the slide plate.

Abstract: A conveyor slide plate for movably supporting a support element along a track or rail of a material handling system includes a body portion configured to be received at the track or rail and to move along the track or rail when driven by a chain of the material handling system. The body portion of the slide plate includes at least one reservoir formed in an upper surface of the body portion. The reservoir is configured to receive lubricating fluid therein, and is configured to direct the flow of the lubricating fluid toward a sliding interface between the body portion of the slide plate and the track or rail, such as to at least one perimeter region of the body portion of the slide plate.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a ceramic material comprises the steps of preparing a melt of the ceramic materials, cooling the melt slowly through the freezing point of the material to initiate solidification, holding the melt at a temperature below the freezing point of the material whilst solidification progresses and characterised in that during solidification an ultrasonic field is applied to the melt. The melt composition may be selected to include an excess of one or more ceramic materials so as to produce a second phase dispersed in the solidified product during solidification. Also claimed is a ceramic material produced by the method described. The ceramic material may be a superconductor.

Abstract: A master-slave network control system and method of operation wherein the master node element has substantially absolute invasive control over functions and capabilities of slave node elements which are logged onto the network and wherein the master node element can exercise latent control over slave node elements when not logged on to the network by controlling reacceptance onto the network in order to promote selected pedagogical and like functions facilitated through networked communication between the master node elements and the slave node elements.

Abstract: A suction control valve comprising a valve housing defining a cavity and including an inlet port for being connected to a suction tube, an outlet port for being connected to a suction source, and a suction control port for creating a suction across the cavity from the inlet port to the outlet port when the suction control port is closed. The valve preferably includes a bacteria filter secured in the cavity for preventing exposure of the suction control port to bacteria entering the inlet port. A splash guard extends along the cavity for preventing liquid from contacting the bacteria filter or from reaching the suction control port. A suction control port guard is selectively movable to prevent accidental closure of the suction control port.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved automatic processing system and process for handling delicate objects in a controlled, low particulate atmosphere, and an improved method for constructing such apparatus. This system is particularly useful in the wet processing of semiconductor wafers, integrated circuits and similar delicate electronic devices. This invention also relates to semiconductor wafers, integrated circuits and similar delicate electronic devices produced by the above processing system and process.

Abstract: A high temperature battery which has a cathode comprising either sulphur or a metal sulphide, an anode comprising either an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or an alloy of either and, disposed between them, an electrolyte comprising an alkali metal halide. The materials in the cathode composition are electrochemically in excess to the materials in the anode composition. Potassium chloride, potassium iodide or, preferably, potassium bromide is added to the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte. When potassium bromide is added, ideally, it is added to the electrolyte in excess to the alkali metal halides present in the electrolyte. In one particular example, the cathode comprises iron sulphide, the anode comprises a lithium aluminum alloy, the electrolyte comprises a ternary metal halide and potassium bromide is added to all three. Magnesia can be further added to the anode, cathode and electrode.

Abstract: A device is disclosed allowing easy application of tape in a corner of a room. The device includes two plates which are angularly adjustable with respect to each other, with each plate carrying a plurality of rollers. The position of each roller may be adjusted with respect to its plate, as well. An elongated handle having a universal joint is also included.

Abstract: Used products, which would otherwise be disposed of as waste, are subjected to low temperature lowering the temperature of the product to approximately the temperature of crystallization of the components thereof. The product at this lowered temperature is then crushed sufficiently to cause the components thereof to release sufficiently to be subsequently separated according to material. The separation steps can include subjecting the crushed material to magnetic or electrostatic fields, air flows caused by either pressurized air or vacuums, and mechanical separation with vibratory screens and rakes. The materials of the original product are sufficiently separated to enable them to be recycled into usable product. The particular example cited relates to vehicle tires with the materials recovered including rubber, fiber and metal bands.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for repairing plastic materials, and more specifically, automobile dashboards and the like. The method enables one to provide the repaired item with a texturized finish such that cracks, cuts, and other imperfections in the surface are completely covered in such a manner that the repaired item appears to take on the appearance of being new. The method comprises the steps of filling in cracks and other indentations with a hardenable filler such that a smooth surface is formed. A base coat of an acrylic resin is then applied over the surface followed by a texturized acrylic resin coating which forms a texturized finish on the surface. Depending on the original color of the item to be repaired, a thin colored coating may be applied over the texturized finish so as to form a continuous colored texturized finish over the entire surface of the now-repaired item completely masking the cracks and other imperfections in the surface thereof.