Abstract: A weighing device draft shield having at least one linearly displaceable wall (e.g., side wall) for allowing access into a weighing compartment of the weighing device. Each displaceable wall is provided with a top guide rail that passes through a roller assembly. Each displaceable wall is suspended in a substantially vertical position by engagement of its guide rail with a corresponding roller assembly. An adjustment element may be provided to alter the position of certain rollers of the roller assembly such that the orientation of the corresponding guide rail and attached displaceable wall may be adjusted to account for dimensional variations of the enclosure, etc. The use of a guide rail and roller assembly facilitates displaceable wall movement by substantially eliminating sliding friction.

Abstract: A battery compartment and a battery-powered device utilizing the battery compartment. When installed to a battery-powered device, the battery compartment cavity and housed battery are maintained completely separate from the electronics of the battery-powered device. Therefore, a battery-powered device may be powered using a battery compartment of the present invention without concern that leaked electrolyte or emitted gas will enter the electronics portion of the device. A battery compartment of the present invention may also allow any built up electrolyte and/or gas to safely exit the battery compartment while simultaneously preventing or significantly inhibiting infiltration of the battery compartment by external substances.

Abstract: A connector security cover for enclosing and sealing a connection between a signal line cable connector and a weighing terminal of a platform scale. An exemplary embodiment of the cover generally includes a body with first and second ends. The first end may have an opening with a first aperture defined surface adapted to engage a cable connector. The second end may have an opening with an aperture defined surface adapted to engage a corresponding element on the weighing terminal. The body may comprise hinged or non-hinged body halves that are secured closed by a fastening device. A tamper indicating device may be associated with the body and adapted to indicate if the body is opened after engagement. The cover may be placed around the cable connector and a corresponding element on the weighing terminal to restrict movement of the cable connector with respect to the weighing terminal.

Abstract: A connector security cover for enclosing and sealing a connection between a signal line cable connector and a weighing terminal of a platform scale. An exemplary embodiment of the cover generally includes a body with first and second ends. The first end may have an opening with a first aperture defined surface adapted to engage a cable connector. The second end may have an opening with an aperture defined surface adapted to engage a corresponding element on the weighing terminal. The body may comprise hinged or non-hinged body halves that are secured closed by a fastening device. A tamper indicating device may be associated with the body and adapted to indicate if the body is opened after engagement. The cover may be placed around the cable connector and a corresponding element on the weighing terminal to restrict movement of the cable connector with respect to the weighing terminal.

Abstract: A housing for a weighing indicator terminal, having a top cover and a base member attached to the top cover. The top cover and the base member have complimentary configurations whereby the top cover and the base member are attachable together in more than one configuration.

Abstract: A housing for a weighing indicator terminal, having a top cover and a base member attached to the top cover. The top cover and the base member have complimentary configurations whereby the top cover and the base member are attachable together in more than one configuration.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composite includes stabilized raw lignocellulosic materials dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix. A method for stabilizing the raw lignocellulosic materials in a matrix includes at least one of: a) pre-melting of a thermoplastic polymeric material prior to combining with the raw lignocellulosic materials; b) reducing the melt temperature of the polymeric material; c) increasing the surface compatibilization of the raw lignocellulosic materials; d) thermally stabilizing the lignocellulosic material; and, e) any combinations of a) through d).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system related to field and crop information gathering. In one aspect of the invention, data is obtained from a producer. One example would be yield map data from a yield monitor. Another is “as planted” data from precision farming planting equipment. The data includes information about seed or crop in a producer's field and an identification of the field. The data is combined with other information in a report. The information added could be, for example, soil type information overlaid on the field map. Another example is environmental classification information overlaid on the field map. The report is returned to the producer and used to discuss planning related to the field and the seed or crop.

Abstract: A moisture impermeable edge reinforced wood composite structural system includes a wood composite panel having opposing faces, at least one moisture impermeable reinforcement edge, and at least one moisture impermeable reinforcement perimeter zone. The perimeter zone is a coating of a moisture impermeable reinforcement/resin matrix material which provides the structural system with improved fastener performance and reduced panel edge swell as a result of moisture exposure.

Abstract: Methods for forming composite objects, wherein the methods comprise providing a plurality of material particles, applying a liquid adhesive to at least a portion of the plurality of material particles, wherein the adhesive is comprised of droplets, at least about 80% of the droplets having an average droplet diameter of about 50 to about 200 microns, to form a material/adhesive mixture, and forming the material/adhesive mixture into a composite object.

Abstract: An assessment system includes interim tests administered at predetermined intervals. Each assessment is designed to test specific concepts, and includes multiple-choice test items, each having an item stem, a correct answer, and several distractors. Preferably at least two of the distractors are directed to disparate cognitive levels. Any distractors selected are automatically correlated for each student, in order to determine a presence of a possible problem in a particular concept. Then an individual focus can be applied to correcting any problems. Any distractors selected by any of the students are automatically correlated for the teacher, to determine the presence of a possible problem for a number of students, for applying focus to improving the understanding of some or all of a class for any problem identified by the correlation. A benchmark assessment is also administered that has a format substantially identical to that of an upcoming high-stakes test.

Abstract: An elongated sheet piling panel has a length and width, and opposed side edges, and has elongated voids positioned within the interior of the panel. The voids are oriented in the direction of the length of the panel, and the edges of the panel are configured to be connected to the edges of additional similar panels.

Abstract: A display system for an appliance is disclosed. The display system includes at least one visible light source for expressing a representation of a variable selection or measured quantity associated with the appliance. The display system also includes a control circuit for controlling the appliance, the control circuit is operatively connected to each of the at least one visible light source. The control circuit is adapted for adjusting brightness associated with the at least one visible light source by adjusting a duty cycle for each of the at least one visible light source to provide the representation of the variable selection or measured quantity. In one embodiment the display system is used in a dryer and a related method for drying laundry.

Abstract: A software utility navigation aid for hierarchical structures such as file managers, taxonomies, or tables of contents that displays a dynamic menu when the mouse cursor is hovered over an activator used to swap the expanded/collapsed state of a node displayed in a hierarchical structure. The menu contains entries that identify in which display level of expansion the node resides based on the structure's fully collapsed condition (from the root node), the number of display levels to which this branch of the hierarchy can be expanded, and the number of nodes that will be exposed when this branch is expanded to each of those levels. Each displayed entry in this menu, positioned both below and above the identified node, can be clicked to cause the hierarchical structure to expand or collapse to that display level.