Abstract: An air duct assembly attachable to a receiving port includes an air duct with an inner surface and an exterior surface connected to one another at a coupling fixture. A seal is connected and bonded to the coupling fixture. The seal extends axially from the coupling fixture and has a tip with an inner diameter smaller than the coupling fixture's inner diameter. A shell is connected to the coupling fixture and the seal. The shell extends axially from the seal and is connectable to the receiving port.

Abstract: A clean air duct and retaining clip assembly for installation on a receiving port includes a tubular body, and a cuff, which extends from the tubular body, that includes a collar, a retention groove adjacent the collar, and a sealing section adjacent the retention groove. A retaining clip is received around the cuff and has at least one inwardly extending cuff strut received therein to hold the cuff on the receiving port and isolate the sealing section, which is also received on the receiving port, from forces applied to the tubular body. The retaining clip includes an arcuate clip body with an external surface opposite an internal surface connected by opposed edges. At least one pair of struts extends inwardly from the internal surface, where one of the struts is proximal one of the edges and the other is proximal the opposite edge.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an air duct includes providing a tubular body having at least one open end which is inserted into an internal cuff mold to form an internal cuff that is secured to and axially extends from the tubular body. The tubular body and the internal cuff are removed from the internal cuff mold and then inserted into an external cuff mold to form an external cuff that is secured to and radially extends from at least the internal cuff. The tubular body with the internal cuff and the external cuff is then removed from the external cuff mold.

Abstract: An air duct system for transferring air or the like from one component to another includes a tubular body with an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an end which connects the exterior surface to the interior surface. The end has a diameter no larger than the exterior surface. The internal cuff connects to the exterior surface and extends axially from the end of the tubular body. The external cuff connects to the internal cuff and the exterior surface, and extends axially and radially from the internal cuff and the exterior surface. The external cuff is made from a material relatively harder than a material used for the internal cuff.

Abstract: An air duct assembly attachable to a receiving port includes an air duct with an inner surface and an exterior surface connected to one another at a coupling fixture. A seal is connected and bonded to the coupling fixture. The seal extends axially from the coupling fixture and has a tip with an inner diameter smaller than the coupling fixture's inner diameter. A shell is connected to the coupling fixture and the seal. The shell extends axially from the seal and is connectable to the receiving port.

Abstract: A clean air duct and retaining clip assembly for installation on a receiving port includes a tubular body, and a cuff, which extends from the tubular body, that includes a collar, a retention groove adjacent the collar, and a sealing section adjacent the retention groove. A retaining clip is received around the cuff and has at least one inwardly extending cuff strut received therein to hold the cuff on the receiving port and isolate the sealing section, which is also received on the receiving port, from forces applied to the tubular body. The retaining clip includes an arcuate clip body with an external surface opposite an internal surface connected by opposed edges. At least one pair of struts extends inwardly from the internal surface, where one of the struts is proximal one of the edges and the other is proximal the opposite edge.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an air duct includes providing a tubular body having at least one open end which is inserted into an internal cuff mold to form an internal cuff that is secured to and axially extends from the tubular body. The tubular body and the internal cuff are removed from the internal cuff mold and then inserted into an external cuff mold to form an external cuff that is secured to and radially extends from at least the internal cuff. The tubular body with the internal cuff and the external cuff is then removed from the external cuff mold.

Abstract: An air duct system for transferring air or the like from one component to another includes a tubular body with an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an end which connects the exterior surface to the interior surface. The end has a diameter no larger than the exterior surface. The internal cuff connects to the exterior surface and extends axially from the end of the tubular body. The external cuff connects to the internal cuff and the exterior surface, and extends axially and radially from the internal cuff and the exterior surface. The external cuff is made from a material relatively harder than a material used for the internal cuff.

Abstract: A clean air duct and retaining clip assembly for installation on a receiving port includes an assembly with a tubular body and a cuff extending from the tubular body. The cuff has a cuff groove, at least the cuff receivable on a receiving port, and a retaining clip only partially received in the cuff groove so as to secure the cuff and the tubular body to the receiving port. A clean air duct assembled to a receiving port is also disclosed. And a related method of assembling a clean air duct to a receiving port with a retaining clip is disclosed.

Abstract: An air duct for transferring air or the like includes a tubular body, an internal cuff that is secured to and extends axially from the tubular body, and an external cuff that is secured to and extends radially from at least the internal cuff. A method for manufacturing an air duct includes providing a tubular body having at least one open end which is inserted into an internal cuff mold to form an internal cuff that is secured to and axially extends from the tubular body. The tubular body and the internal cuff are removed from the internal cuff mold and then inserted into an external cuff mold to form an external cuff that is secured to and radially extends from at least the internal cuff. The tubular body with the internal cuff and the external cuff is then removed from the external cuff mold.

Abstract: An air duct for transferring air or the like includes a tubular body, an internal cuff that is secured to and extends axially from the tubular body, and an external cuff that is secured to and extends radially from at least the internal cuff. A method for manufacturing an air duct includes providing a tubular body having at least one open end which is inserted into an internal cuff mold to form an internal cuff that is secured to and axially extends from the tubular body. The tubular body and the internal cuff are removed from the internal cuff mold and then inserted into an external cuff mold to form an external cuff that is secured to and radially extends from at least the internal cuff. The tubular body with the internal cuff and the external cuff is then removed from the external cuff mold.

Abstract: A clean air duct and retaining clip assembly for installation on a receiving port includes an assembly with a tubular body and a cuff extending from the tubular body. The cuff has a cuff groove, at least the cuff receivable on a receiving port, and a retaining clip only partially received in the cuff groove so as to secure the cuff and the tubular body to the receiving port. A clean air duct assembled to a receiving port is also disclosed. And a related method of assembling a clean air duct to a receiving port with a retaining clip is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system of appraising a life insurance or annuity product includes receiving a request for a life insurance or annuity product and information about a party requesting the life insurance or annuity product; preparing a bid solicitation for the life insurance or annuity product based on the request and information and transmitting the bid solicitation to a plurality of product carriers; a plurality of product carriers submitting initial proposals for providing the life insurance or annuity product; generating ratings for the initial proposals, respectively; and generating appraisals for the initial proposals; and informing the product carriers of the decision.

Abstract: A method and system of appraising a life insurance or annuity product includes receiving a request for a life insurance or annuity product and information about a party requesting the life insurance or annuity product; preparing a bid solicitation for the life insurance or annuity product based on the request and information and transmitting the bid solicitation to a plurality of product carriers; a plurality of product carriers submitting initial proposals for providing the life insurance or annuity product; generating ratings for the initial proposals, respectively; and generating appraisals for the initial proposals; and informing the product carriers of the decision.

Abstract: A method and system of appraising a life insurance or annuity product includes receiving a request for a life insurance or annuity product and information about a party requesting the life insurance or annuity product; preparing a bid solicitation for the life insurance or annuity product based on the request and information and transmitting the bid solicitation to a plurality of product carriers; a plurality of product carriers submitting initial proposals for providing the life insurance or annuity product; generating ratings for the initial proposals, respectively; and generating appraisals for the initial proposals; and informing the product carriers of the decision.

Abstract: A method and system of appraising a life insurance or annuity product includes receiving a request for a life insurance or annuity product and information about a party requesting the life insurance or annuity product; preparing a bid solicitation for the life insurance or annuity product based on the request and information and transmitting the bid solicitation to a plurality of product carriers; a plurality of product carriers submitting initial proposals for providing the life insurance or annuity product; generating ratings for the initial proposals, respectively; and generating appraisals for the initial proposals; and informing the product carriers of the decision.

Abstract: A method for providing an edible scorpion in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of catching the scorpion and submerging the scorpion in a vat containing an alcoholic solution for a predetermined amount of the time. Next, the scorpion internal organs and last ball of the scorpion tail (which contains the venom reservoir and stinger) are removed. This leaves the scorpion exoshell. The scorpion exoshell is then boiled in an alcoholic beverage for a predetermined time, rinsed in an alcohol bath and then allowed to cool to room temperature. The scorpion exoshell is placed in a bottle and rinsed by filling the bottle, again with the alcoholic beverage. If the alcoholic beverage remains clear and free and grime and/or discoloration, the process is complete. If not, the scorpion exoshell is removed, placed in another bottle and the rinse step is repeated until the alcoholic beverage remains clear.

Abstract: The production of ultra-hard particles composed substantially of carbon as the dominant element is taught. The ultra-hard particle comprises a covalently bonded lattice structure produced by reacting a carbide selected from the group consisting of acetylide carbides, interstitial carbides and metal carbides with a polyhalide selected from the group consisting of CH.sub.n X.sub.A Y.sub.(4-n)-A, C.sub.2 H.sub.n' X.sub.A' Y.sub.(6-n')-A', C.sub.2 H.sub.n" X.sub.A" Y.sub.(4-n")-A", BX.sub.3, C.sub.6 X.sub.6, C.sub.5 X.sub.5 N, SX.sub.2 and X.sub.2 wherein X and Y are different halogens selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine, and wherein A is an integer from 0 to 4, A' is an integer from 0 to 6, and A" is an integer from 0 to 4, and wherein n is an integer from 0 to 4, n' is an integer from 0 to 6, and n" is an integer from 0 to 4, wherein A, A', A", n, n' or n" is the same integer in any particular member selected and wherein n+A=4, n'+A'=6 and n"+A"=4.

Abstract: The production of an ultra-hard particle composed substantially of carbon as the dominant element is taught. The ultra-hard particle is the product of the reaction of a metal carbide selected from the group consisting of Al.sub.4 C.sub.3 and Be.sub.2 C with a member selected from the group consisting of CH.sub.n X.sub.A Y.sub.(4-n)-A' C.sub.2 H.sub.n' X.sub.A' Y.sub.(6-n')-A', C.sub.2 H.sub.n" X.sub.A" Y.sub.(4-n")-A" and X.sub.2 wherein X and Y are different halogens selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine, and wherein A is an integer from 0 to 4, A' is an integer from 0 to 6 and A" is an integer from 0 to 4, and wherein n is an integer from 0 to 4, n' is an integer from 0 to 6 and n" is an integer from 0 to 4, wherein A, A', A", n, n' or n" is the same integer in any particular member selected and wherein n+A=4, n'+A'= 6 and n"+A"=4.