Abstract: A linerless closure mounted on a container, the closure comprising a closure top having a depending sidewall which terminates at a bottom end, the sidewall having an exterior face from which depends a circumferential skirt which extends outwardly from the sidewall having an interior skirt sidewall and an interior top surface which defines a junction space between the exterior face and the skirt, the junction space includes a tapered circumferential sidewall, wherein said closure excludes any flexible or elastomeric intermediate element which is not an integrally molded or formed as a part of the closure, said closure top mounted on a container, the container having a neck, the neck having an outer surface, a top surface and an edge defined by the intersection of the outer surface and the top surface, wherein the neck is in a direct, seal-tight contact with the tapered circumferential sidewall of the cap.

Abstract: Systems and methods to facilitate the thinking and problem solving abilities of groups and multiple individuals working collaboratively or collectively in arbitrary problems and inquiry based projects, in both formal and informal settings and situations.

Abstract: A process for producing a stable polymer such as poly(hydroxystyrene) which comprises the decarboxylation of a corresponding phenolic in the presence of a non-amine basic catalyst and a polar organic solvent, followed by the polymerization thereof.

Abstract: A system and methods for enhanced search are enabled by archetypes that improve the relevancy of the search arguments utilized, as well as the search results received, in response to a query. The system in preferred embodiments applies archetypes to several points within the total search process. The system receives and evaluates a query, and in response to that query may generate additional suggested areas for investigation, as embodied in additional queries, knowledge constructs, or other data items. The system generates additional search arguments, which may be multiple, and may relate the search arguments in a search structure. The system in some embodiments applies archetypes to improve filtering, ranking or otherwise prioritizing search results. The system in some embodiments applies archetypes to format search results. The system may be used in conjunction with a system to facilitate user thinking about an arbitrary problem.

Abstract: Leak detector systems for detecting leaks in sealed food packages are disclosed, as well as methods for detecting leaks in sealed food packages. The leak detector system includes advancing a food package to a seal testing station where a portion of the food package is deflected and a deflection characteristic is measured. If the deflection characteristic is greater than a predetermined deflection characteristic limit that a sealed package should undergo while being subjected to the predetermined force, indicating that the package contains leaks, the food package is rejected. Otherwise the food package is advanced from the seal testing station.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating multiple users or groups in thinking about and working collaboratively on an arbitrary problem, Embodiments of the system includes logic to facilitate multiple user or group specification of a problem specification, a conclusion specification, and a knowledge structure, related to the arbitrary problem. Some embodiments of the system further include logic to subdivide and link at least one of the problem specification, conclusion specification and knowledge specification, as for work by individuals or subteams. Some embodiments include automatic composition logic to combine at least one of the problem specification, knowledge specification and conclusion specification across multiple users or teams and other embodiments provide automatic suggestioning regarding the archetype group problem solving process.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problem, as well as providing capabilities to output to and interface with external or additional computer systems, resources, or devices, or any combination thereof. The system includes logic to facilitate user specification of a user model structure for the arbitrary problem, and may utilize an archetype structure or an archetype process or both. Some embodiments of the system and method include a presentation or other output creation engine in conjunction with the system and method for facilitating development of thinking about the arbitrary problem. The system includes output and interface logic to accomplish interfacing with and/or incorporation of a plurality of external or additional computer systems, information sources, resources, or devices.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problem, as well as providing capabilities to output to and interface with external or additional computer systems, resources, or devices, or any combination thereof. The system includes first logic to facilitate user specification of a problem structure, second logic to facilitate user specification of a conclusion structure, third logic to facilitate specification of a knowledge structure, related to the arbitrary problem. The system further includes output and interface logic to accomplish interfacing with a plurality of external or additional computer systems, information sources, resources, or devices.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating multiple users or teams or a group of users or individual users in the development of user thinking about an arbitrary problem in a customized or specialized manner. The system includes logic to facilitate user specification of a problem structure, or a conclusion, or both, and facilitation of specification of a knowledge structure, related to the arbitrary problem. Some embodiments of the systems and methods further provide for the sharing of user models regarding the arbitrary problem.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide computer implemented systems and methods of facilitating and evaluating user thinking about an arbitrary problem. The system includes first logic to specify at least one problem to populate at least one problem statement structure. It also includes second logic to populate at least one conclusion, to populate at least one conclusion structure. It also includes third logic to facilitate specification of knowledge, related to at least one of the problem or conclusions. Certain embodiments include control logic to persuade user interaction with the first, second, and third logic within a defined set of interaction sequences, wherein the defined set of interaction sequences define an archetype process for user thinking about the problem.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a computer-implemented system and method for facilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problem. The system includes first means to facilitate the user specification of the problem to populate a problem structure. It also includes second means to facilitate the user specification of a conclusion, related to the problem specification, to populate a conclusion structure. It also includes third means to facilitate the user specification of knowledge, related to at least one of the problem specification and the conclusion specification, to populate a knowledge structure. Certain embodiments include controlling means to persuade user interaction with the first, second and third means to a sequence of interactions within a predefined set of interaction sequences, wherein the predefined set of interaction sequences define an archetype process for thinking about the problem.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for customizing the facilitation of development of user thinking about an arbitrary problem. The system includes first logic to facilitate user specification of a problem structure, second logic to facilitate user specification of a conclusion structure, third logic to facilitate specification of a knowledge structure, related to the arbitrary problem. Some embodiments of the system further include customization logic to accomplish customized or specialized facilitation as in the provisioning of a customized or specialized process for the user. Other embodiments further include customization or specialization of the structure for the user and in some embodiments, customization of the system output.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer having opposing plates seatable against opposing vertebral bones, separated by at least one convex element, preferably a radially slotted convex element having a wide end rigidly fixed to an upper plate and a narrow end rotatably mounted to a lower plate. The lower plate includes a central post extending upwardly from the inner surface of the lower plate, the post including a head that is received in a central opening in the narrow end of the convex element so that the convex element is allowed to rotate with respect to the lower plate so that the plates can rotate relative to one another.

Abstract: A process for producing a stable polymer such as poly(hydroxystyrene) which comprises the decarboxylation of a corresponding phenolic in the presence of a non-amine basic catalyst and a polar organic solvent, followed by the polymerization thereof.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc having a pair of opposing plate members for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a ball joint coupling. One plate member has a centrally located ball-shaped protrusion that is rotatably coupled in a central socket in a cone-shaped protrusion on the other plate member. Thereby, the plate members are angulatable with respect to one another. Further, the disc assembly will not come apart under tension loads applied to the plate members, and the location of the ball joint coupling provides the disc assembly with a stationary centroid of motion that is centrally located between the vertebral bone surfaces, both causing the disc assembly to behave similarly in these respects to a healthy natural intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A process for producing a stable polymer such as poly(hydroxystyrene) which comprises the decarboxylation of a corresponding phenolic in the presence of a non-amine basic catalyst and a polar organic solvent, followed by the polymerization thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to semi-batch type copolymerization processes. More specifically, the processes of the present invention are directed to the production of compositionally uniform copolymers, including the production of such copolymers from dissimilar monomers, e.g., from monomers with significantly different reactivity ratios.

Abstract: Vaccinium corymbosum Linnaeus ‘Beaufort’ is a new and distinct variety of blueberry plant that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Late midseason ripening, extending the harvest season for fresh market mechanical harvest adapted varieties. 2. Consistent high yields of small to medium size fruit. 3. Very good fruit color, firmness and quality, and a good picking scar. 4. Adaptation to mechanical harvesting for fresh fruit market outlets.

Abstract: Vaccinium corymbosum Linnaeus ‘Carteret’ is a new and distinct variety of blueberry plant that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Early-midseason ripening to follow ‘Reveille’. 2. Consistent very high yields of small to medium size fruit. 3. Very good picking scar, fruit color and quality. 4. Good fruit firmness and post harvest shelf-life. 5. Adaptation to mechanical harvesting for fresh fruit market outlets.

Abstract: ‘New Hanover’ is a new and distinct variety of blueberry plant that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Early-midseason ripening when prices remain high. 2. Consistent high yields of large size fruit. 3. Very good fruit color, excellent fruit firmness, and very good fruit quality. 4. Fruit with excellent post harvest shelf-life.