Abstract: A system, method and computer program application for finding relevant information from a plurality of sources including unstructured sources, mining the relevant information and generating output based upon the relevant information. The system, method and computer program application may be effectively utilized to more efficiently accomplish a variety of different business related tasks. A business that takes advantage of the system, method and computer program application receives a number of advantages, including (i) universal searching, (ii) efficient business event intelligence gathering; (iii) effective business event analyzing; and (iv) automated and streamlined up-to-date reporting.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking game of chance proceeds are provided. The invention includes a point of sale computer electronically communicating registered player purchase information to a sponsor computer. The invention further includes a sponsor computer calculating a registered player set aside based upon the registered player purchase information. The invention further includes the sponsor computer electronically communicating registered player set aside to an account manager with the account manager maintaining registered player account for the benefit of the registered player. The registered player accounts can be personal retirement accounts, medical savings accounts, real estate investment accounts, small business investment accounts and/or educational savings accounts. The invention further comprises methodologies and tools for facilitating game of chance proceed tracking.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking game of chance proceeds are provided. The invention includes a point of sale computer electronically communicating registered player purchase information to a sponsor computer. The invention further includes a sponsor computer calculating a registered player set aside based upon the registered player purchase information. The invention further includes the sponsor computer electronically communicating registered player set aside to an account manager with the account manager maintaining registered player account for the benefit of the registered player. The registered player accounts can be personal retirement accounts, medical savings accounts, real estate investment accounts, small business investment accounts and/or educational savings accounts. The invention further comprises methodologies and tools for facilitating game of chance proceed tracking.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking game of chance proceeds are provided. The invention includes a point of sale computer electronically communicating registered player purchase information to a sponsor computer. The invention further includes a sponsor computer calculating a registered player set aside based upon the registered player purchase information. The invention further includes the sponsor computer electronically communicating registered player set aside to an account manager with the account manager maintaining registered player account for the benefit of the registered player. The registered player accounts can be personal retirement accounts, medical savings accounts, real estate investment accounts, small business investment accounts and/or educational savings accounts. The invention further comprises methodologies and tools for facilitating game of chance proceed tracking.

Abstract: A system and method for airport security employing identity validation and/or verification is provided. The invention includes a first identification input component, a second identification input component, a security output component, and, optionally an identity transaction engine component. The system facilitates airport security by having a person attempting to engage in air travel present identification on at least two occasions via the first identification input component and the second identification input component. The first identification input component initiates identification validation utilizing an identity transaction engine component. The second identification input component facilitates identification of the person so that security information obtained via the identity transaction engine component can be provided to the security output component.

Abstract: An apparatus for pelletizing a feed material containing finely divided solids and water by compressing the feed material in the die cavities of a pellet mill and permitting excess water to escape from the material being compressed through at least one water escape opening in each die cavity.

Abstract: An improved process for removing mercury and other trace elements from coal containing pyrite by forming a slurry of finely divided coal in a liquid solvent capable of forming ions or radicals having a tendency to react with constituents of pyrite or to attack the bond between pyrite and coal and/or to react with mercury to form mercury vapors, and heating the slurry in a closed container to a temperature of at least about 50.degree. C. to produce vapors of the solvent and withdrawing vapors including solvent and mercury-containing vapors from the closed container, then separating mercury from the vapors withdrawn.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for pelletizing a feed material containing finely divided solids and water by compressing the feed material in the die cavities of a pellet mill and permitting excess water to escape from the material being compressed through at least one water escape opening in each die cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pelletized fuel composition comprising coal fines in an amount of from 60% to 80% by weight, paper making sludge in an amount of from 10% to 30% by weight, and a shredded polymeric material in an amount of from 0.5% to 15% by weight. Surprisingly and unexpectantly, a high percentage of correctly sized pellets having a desired degree of hardness and structural integrity result without the necessity of a binder, the use of very high pressures or drying the completed pellets by heating at elevated temperatures. A method of manufacturing the fuel composition involving pelletizing at a pressure of from about 1,000 psig to about 4,000 psig is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wet-laid nonwoven fabric comprises a blend of 1 to 50% by weight of fibres of a water-swellable water-insoluble superabsorbent polymer and 99 to 50% by weight of less absorbent fibres, for example fibres having an absorbency of less than 10 g/g measured by retention to centrifuging of a 0.9% by weight saline solution.

Abstract: A water-absorbent water-insoluble fibre or film is produced by extruding an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer into a gaseous medium to form fibre or film. The extruded fibre or film is collected at a moisture content of 8 to 25% based on the dry weight of the fibre or film and is further dried at a temperature no greater than 100.degree. C. before crosslinking the fibre or film at a temperature in the range 125.degree. to 250.degree. C. to a degree sufficient that the crosslinked fibre or film is water-insoluble. The fibre or film entering the crosslinking step has a moisture content which is reduced, preferably by at least 5%, and which is in the range 0 to 10%. Heat-crosslinked fibre is preferably treated with moist air after crosslinking to raise the moisture content of the fibre to at least 10%, particularly if the fibre is for textile processing. Water-absorbent water-insoluble coatings can be produced by a similar process.

Abstract: Fiber or film of water-absorbent water-insoluble fibrous material has a matrix of a crosslinked copolymer formed from 50 to 95% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic monomer and 5 to 50% by weight of copolymerisable ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The matrix contains regions of a dispersed polymeric material, the matrix copolymer and the dispersed polymeric material being mutually immiscible and chemically substantially nonreactive under ambient conditions. The fiber or film can be produced by extruding a solution or dispersion of the polymeric material in a solution of the matrix copolymer in its non-crosslinked state into a gaseous environment.

Abstract: Fibres and filaments of water-absorbent water-insoluble fibrous material have a matrix of a crosslinked copolymer formed from 50 to 95% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic monomer and 5 to 50% by weight of copolymerisable ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The matrix contains dispersed solid water-insoluble particles of a material which is chemically substantially non-reactive with the matrix copolymer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the flow of bulk material in a bulk materials handling system is disclosed. A critical stage in the system is identified in which variations in flowability of the material might result in the entire system flow being impeded. Upstream from that critical stage, flow conditions in the critical stage are simulated so that the flow can be interrupted if unsatisfactory flowability conditions exist. A pivotable chute may be positioned at an angle to simulate the flow of particular materials at critical downstream points in a material handling system. If material conditions such as excess moisture impede the rate of flow of the material to a degree which would cause blockages in critical downstream points, the chute will pivot to a secondary position which will temporarily interrupt the material flow.

Abstract: A control circuit for a circuit interrupting switch having a non-stored energy operator reduces the time period between a switch command and a change of the switch contacts. The time period is reduced by prearming the mechanical operating linkage after each switch operation. By prearming the mechanical operating linkage, the linkage has less distance to travel and hence the time period between a switch command and a change in the switch contacts is greatly reduced.

Abstract: An SF.sub.6 puffer interrupter switch includes one or more viewing windows located on the housing. The viewing windows are strategically located on a sidewall of the housing to allow all of the puffer interrupter assemblies within the housing to be viewed from one viewing window. The puffer interrupter assemblies that house the interrupting contacts are provided with clear puffer tubes to allow the operator to verify the position of the interrupting contacts within the puffer tubes from the viewing window located on the housing. The SF.sub.6 interrupter switch housing is pressurized. By assembling the viewing window assemblies from the inside of the housing, the positive pressure within the housing assists in sealing the viewing window assemblies to minimize the leakage of the SF.sub.6 gas. Additional viewing windows may be used to allow light inside the housing.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a stable blend of two aqueous latices of particles having a polymeric core formed by emulsion polymerization of one or more olefinically unsaturated monomers and a polymeric shell formed on the core by emulsion polymerization of one or more olefinically unsaturated monomers in the presence of the core. The polymeric shell of the particles of the first latex contains functional groups capable of reacting with functional groups in the polymeric shell of the particles of the second latex to cause crosslinking between the particles of the two latices.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a vial into the delivery tube of an intravenous administration set, the set including a container of fluid connected to one end of a delivery tube with the other end of the delivery tube adapted for insertion into the patient. The apparatus includes a penetrating spike penetrating an end of the vial which provides two pathways into the interior of the vial with two sections of the delivery tube connected to the two pathways of the penetrating spike. The apparatus also includes a frame for maintaining the two sections of the delivery tube adjacent to each other and clamp for releasably closing the adjacent sections of the delivery tube to temporarily prevent flow of fluid through the penetrating spike.

Abstract: Valved adaptors are disclosed permitting the introduction of a drug-containing vial in the delivery tube of an I.V. administration set. The adaptors have a three position operation characterized by a bypass mode, a dilution mode, and a delivery mode, the adaptors being manually changed from mode to mode. The disclosed adaptors include gravity operated valves, reciprocating spool valves, and rotating spool valves, each including a spike to penetrate the stopper of a vial and a vent to permit air to escape the vial as liquid is introduced to dilute the vial contents.