Abstract: Techniques are described for targeting customers with offers for pre-approved credit. The techniques can be employed while the customer is engaged in a business transaction at a merchant's point-of-sale by pre-screening for creditworthiness using basic customer information known to the merchant. The pre-screening can be performed on behalf of a single lender or in a cascading fashion on behalf of multiple lenders should the customer fail initial pre-screens. Additionally, techniques are described for using a cascading approach on customer-initiated credit applications, such that an applicant declined credit from one lender is automatically considered for credit from another lender via an arrangement between the lenders.

Abstract: A user customizable expert system for communications testing has an Editor program for creating a test package file by an expert for transferral to a measurement instrument, and a Player program for running the test package file on the measurement instrument according to a guide provided to a technician. The guide includes text and graphics to assist the technician in setting up and running a selected test measurement, as well as troubleshooting hints when measurement results indicate a problem. The Player program also generates test results source files that include test results as well as user comments regarding corrective actions taken with respect to problems on a per-test-run basis. The test results source files may be transmitted back to the expert for archival, analysis and use in modifying the test procedure as necessary.

Abstract: The sorting device is providing for sorting container components from a random orientation in about three axes of the container components to a sorted orientation which may be random about one axis of the container component. The apparatus includes a conveyor which extracts container components from a storage receptacle with the withdrawn components being oriented randomly about two axes. An ejector device is provided that will sense the orientation of the container components about one axis and eject those which are improperly oriented.

Abstract: Processes for isolating bitter compounds for use in food and beverage products entailing contacting a bitter compound composition with an adsorbent to adsorb bitter compounds from the bitter compound composition, desorbing the bitter compounds from the adsorbent to obtain a bitter compound isolate, and adding the bitter compound isolate to a food or beverage product to enhance the flavor thereof.

Abstract: Processes for isolating bitter quinides for use in food and beverage products entailing contacting a bitter quinide solution with an adsorbent to adsorb bitter quinides from the bitter quinide solution, desorbing the bitter quinides from the adsorbent to obtain a bitter quinide isolate, and adding the bitter quinide isolate to a food or beverage product to enhance the flavor thereof. A bitter quinide isolate made up of at least one of 3-O-caffeoyl-?-quinide, 4-O-caffeoyl-?-quinide, 5-O-caffeoyl-epi-?-quinide, 5-O-caffeoyl-muco-?-quinide, 3-O-feruloyl-?-quinide, 4-O-feruloyl-?-quinide, 3,4-O-dicaffeoyl-?-quinide, 4-O-caffeoyl-muco-?-quinide, 3,5-O-dicaffeoyl-epi-?-quinide, 4,5-O-dicaffeoyl-muco-?-quinide, 5-O-feruloyl-muco-?-quinide, 4-O-feruloyl-muco-?-quinide, 5-O-feruloyl-epi-?-quinide, quinide esterified with one or more of caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-courmaric acid, 2,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A warning device in one embodiment includes a housing which is portable, the housing containing preferably a microwave transceiver operating as a proximity-sensing device, a stroboscopic lamp and/or a horn disposed in the housing in electrical connection with the sensing device for emitting a series of flashes and/or honks in response to the sensing of an object within predetermined range of the sensing device, a battery in the housing for powering the sensing device and the lamp and/or horn, and a system for mounting the housing to a variety of supporting objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the engagement of a consumable in a printing device includes a consumable cartridge having a rotatable member carried by the cartridge, and a drive member configured to engage and rotate the rotatable member. A proximity sensor positioned adjacent an engagement interface between the rotatable member and the drive member generates an output signal variable with the distance between the rotatable member and the drive member. Data that is stored in memory provides at least one predetermined set of characteristic values of the proximity sensor output signal versus distance between the rotatable member and the drive member, where the at least one characteristic value of the proximity sensor output signal is indicative of engagement between the rotatable member and the drive member. Processing circuitry coupled to the proximity sensor and the memory determines when the rotatable member and drive member are engaged.

Abstract: A ready to drink coffee beverage comprising a coffee portion, said coffee portion comprising a principal coffee component and N relevant coffee components, where N is a number in the range of from about 1 to about 20, wherein the principal coffee component corresponds to a principal coffee component of a second coffee and the relevant coffee components correspond to relevant coffee components of the second coffee, and wherein the total concentration of the principal coffee component is in the range of from about 50% below to about 50% above the total concentration of the corresponding principal coffee component in the second coffee, and wherein the value of the total concentration of the principal coffee component divided by the total concentration of each of the relevant coffee components is within the range of from about 50% below to about 50% above the value of the total concentration of the corresponding principal coffee component in the second coffee divided by the total concentration of the correspondin

Abstract: A ready to drink coffee beverage comprising a coffee portion, said coffee portion comprising a principal coffee component and N relevant coffee components, where N is a number in the range of from about 1 to about 20, wherein the principal coffee component corresponds to a principal coffee component of a second coffee and the relevant coffee components correspond to relevant coffee components of the second coffee, and wherein the total concentration of the principal coffee component is in the range of from about 50% below to about 50% above the total concentration of the corresponding principal coffee component in the second coffee, and wherein the value of the total concentration of the principal coffee component divided by the total concentration of each of the relevant coffee components is within the range of from about 50% below to about 50% above the value of the total concentration of the corresponding principal coffee component in the second coffee divided by the total concentration of the correspondin

Abstract: Improved liquid coffee concentrates that have furfuryl acetate to 4-ethyl guaiacol ratio values that approach the furfuryl acetate to 4-ethyl guaiacol ratio values of fresh brewed coffees brewed with the same coffees used to produce said coffee concentrates are disclosed. Methods of evaluating and adjusting a liquid coffee concentrate's furfuryl acetate to 4-ethyl guaiacol ratio value are also disclosed.

Abstract: A warning device in one embodiment includes a housing which is portable, the housing containing preferably a microwave transceiver operating as a proximity-sensing device, a stroboscopic lamp and/or a horn disposed in the housing in electrical connection with the sensing device for emitting a series of flashes and/or honks in response to the sensing of an object within predetermined range of the sensing device, a battery in the housing for powering the sensing device and the lamp and/or horn, and a system for mounting the housing to a variety of supporting objects.

Abstract: Pulseless reciprocating pumps that include a control valve that rotationally engages a wear plate, such as the pumps disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,718,570 and 5,733,105. The pumps include stiction-inhibiting structures and compositions that adapt the reciprocating pumps for use in delivering liquid streams that contain at least a modest carbon-containing feedstock component, such as one or more alcohols or hydrocarbons. The present disclosure is also directed to embodiments of the above-referenced and incorporated pumps that are adapted to have improved durability and leak-inhibiting structure. Fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include at least one of the disclosed reciprocating pumps are also presented.

Abstract: The motorcycle trainer is a fixed location simulated motorcycle motion producing device. A frame and operating components are covered by a motorcycle trainer body having a seat and foot pads so the user may sit on the trainer as if on a motorcycle. Handlebars are attached to the frame in the normal manner for a motorcycle. The frame is mounted on a spring plate assembly using rotational joints and an eccentric lever attached to an eccentric motor also mounted on the spring plate assembly. The motion of the eccentric lever provides vertical motion on the front portion of the motorcycle trainer. The spring plate assembly is mounted on a base plate using rotational joints and a fluid pressure device is attached between the spring plate assembly and the base plate to provide vertical motion on the rear portion of the motorcycle trainer. The spring plate assemble has a universal joint to allow motion from side-to-side on the motorcycle trainer as well as vertically.