Abstract: A process for the minimization of phosphonium ion ligand degradation products formed during reaction of a polyunsaturated olefin or an unconjugated functionalized olefin in the presence of a transition metal-triorganophosphine ligand complex catalyst to form as a product, by-product, or intermediate product a conjugated functionalized olefin having a carbon-carbon double bond conjugated to an ?-electron-withdrawing group, such as, an ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde, ketone, ester, acid, or nitrile. The minimization process involves conducting the reaction under selected conditions of conversion, temperature, pressure, or a combination thereof; and/or by selecting a triorganophosphine ligand with a specified steric and/or electronic property.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one process element and a first transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one process element. The apparatus also includes a second transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with the first transceiver and to communicate with a process control system. The process control system may transmit data to the at least one process element via the first transceiver and the second transceiver. The process control system may also receive data from the at least one process element via the first transceiver and the second transceiver.

Abstract: The water wave-based energy generator is a system for extracting usable mechanical energy from a body of water, such as an ocean. A support frame is provided having a central portion, which is suspended over the body of water, and a plurality of legs, extending downwardly therefrom. A pivotal frame is pivotally joined to the central portion of the support frame and has a planar sheet mounted on a lower end thereof. The planar sheet is at least partially suspended in the body of water, such that waves in the body of water cause rotation of the planar sheet and the pivotal frame with respect to the support frame. An elongated rod is pivotally joined at a proximal end thereof to the pivotal frame, such that rotation of the pivotal frame generates lateral movement in the elongated rod. The lateral movement of the distal end of the elongated rod may be used to drive an external mechanically driven system.

Abstract: A process for the minimization of phosphonium ion ligand degradation products formed during reaction of a polyunsaturated olefin or an unconjugated functionalized olefin in the presence of a transition metal-triorganophosphine ligand complex catalyst to form as a product, by-product, or intermediate product a conjugated functionalized olefin having a carbon-carbon double bond conjugated to an ?electronwithdrawing group, such as, an ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde, ketone, ester, acid, or nitrile. The minimization process involves conducting the reaction under selected conditions of conversion, temperature, pressure, or a combination thereof; and/or by selecting a triorganophosphine ligand with a specified steric and/or electronic property.

Abstract: There is disclosed method of shipment verification and/or tamper detection, wherein a purchaser generates an ordering document such as a purchase order RFID-encoded with data identifying items on the order. The supplier gathers the items into a package or packages for the shipment and RFID encodes the shipment with both data relating to the items ordered and to the shipping package weight. When the shipment arrives at the customer's location, the customer decodes the RFID package transponder and compares the items ordered with the items received and/or compares the decoded shipping package weight with the actual weight of the shipment and if there is an unallowable discrepancy in either or both, the customer is on notice that the shipment may be erroneous.

Abstract: A hand-held portable printer includes a number of input devices mounted in or on a printer housing including a barcode scanner, keypad, communication interface in a receive mode and an RFID read/writer in a read mode. The hand-held portable printer also includes a number of output devices including a printing system, the communication interface in a transmit mode and the RFID read/writer in a write mode for writing to an external RFID chip. A processor selects received data from one or more of the input devices manipulates the data and/or combines it with other data for an output device wherein the data selected for one output device may be different then the data selected for another output device. The hand-held portable printer may utilize both an internal antenna and external antenna. Applying different energy levels to the antennas may determine whether the hand-held portable printer reads from and/or writes to a single RFID chip or a plurality of RFID chips.

Abstract: An aldehyde composition derived by hydroformylation of a transesterified seed oil and containing a mixture of formyl-substituted fatty acids or fatty acid esters having the following composition by weight: greater than about 10 to less than about 95 percent monoformyl, greater than about 1 to less than about 65 percent diformyl, and greater than about 0.1 to less than about 10 percent triformyl-substituted fatty acids or fatty acid esters, and having a diformyl to triformyl weight ratio of greater than about 5/1; preferably, greater than about 3 to less than about 20 percent saturates; and preferably, greater than about 1 to less than about 20 percent unsaturates.

Abstract: The boiler nose or arch of a furnace projects into the upwardly flowing flue gas to form a restricted passage. Overfire air is introduced into the cavity or plenum of the boiler nose and flows to injection ports along the inclined surface of the boiler nose to provide overfire air for penetration into and mixing with the flue gases in the restricted flue gas passage.

Abstract: An olefin metathesis process involving contacting an unsaturated fatty acid ester or unsaturated fatty acid, such as methyloleate or oleic acid, with a lower olefin, preferably ethylene, in the presence of a metathesis catalyst so as to prepare a first product olefin, preferably, a reduced chain ?-olefin, such as methyl-9-decenoate or 9-decenoic acid, respectively. The metathesis catalyst contains ruthenium or osmium and a chelating ligand, preferably, a chelating ligand containing a carbene moiety and a second donor moiety of a Group 15 or 16 element Optionally, the catalyst can be supported on a catalyst support, such as, a cross-linked polymeric resin.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a refrigeration compartment, an oven compartment, structure for transferring a food product from the refrigeration compartment to the oven compartment, and structure for transferring the food product from the oven compartment to a user of the vending machine. The vending machine provides automated handling and cooking of packaged food products that enables a hot cooked food to be delivered to a customer in a cool package sleeve. The vending machine also includes a system for inventory control that enables vertical storage of packaged food products while minimizing crushing of packaged food products at the bottom of a stack. A magazine empty indicator automatically indicates when an inventory magazine is empty. An oven door latch mechanism eliminates the possibility that the oven can be operated while the oven door is open.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a refrigeration compartment, an oven compartment, structure for transferring a food product from the refrigeration compartment to the oven compartment, and structure for transferring the food product from the oven compartment to a user of the vending machine. The vending machine provides automated handling and cooking of packaged food products that enables a hot cooked food to be delivered to a customer in a cool package sleeve. The vending machine also includes a system for inventory control that enables vertical storage of packaged food products while minimizing crushing of packaged food products at the bottom of a stack. A magazine empty indicator automatically indicates when an inventory magazine is empty. An oven door latch mechanism eliminates the possibility that the oven can be operated while the oven door is open.

Abstract: A method of improving the visibility of indicia marked into an optically clear surface is disclosed comprising marking a pattern of varying depths within the boundaries of the indicia.

Abstract: A material for use in agricultural belting. The material includes a center ply fabric with a relative resistance to stretching, and two outer fabric plies in spaced relation to the center ply, these outer fabric plies offering less resistance to stretching, but a greater flex fatigue life, than the fabric of the center ply. The outer fabric plies include fill yarns including extruded monofilament yarns which impart relative transverse stiffness to the material.

Abstract: Three-ply belting having improved dimensional stability, flexing characteristics, and elongation characteristics is disclosed. The center ply of the belt comprises a first synthetic fabric, while each outer ply comprises a second synthetic fabric. The modulus and flex fatique life of the second synthetic fabric are respectively greater than the modulus and flex fatique life of the first synthetic fabric. Belting in accordance with the present invention is useful in agricultural applications.

Abstract: An improved method of splicing multi-ply belting material to form an endless belt. The upstream portion of the splice on each side of the belt has at least two plies of the material which have not been split, while each side of the belt on the downstream portion of the splice presents an overlying flap to a roller.