Abstract: A system and method for removing contaminant from sulfur (or sulphur) to a level that allows re-processed sulfur to reenter a supply chain. The system and method melt contaminated sulfur, filters the molten sulfur, and then dispenses the less contaminated sulfur after filtering it. More specifically, solid contaminated sulfur enters a settling tank, while heated molten sulfur circulates through the system and the settling tank. The circulation of the molten sulfur assists in the melting process of the solid sulfur, allowing the solid sulfur to melt efficiently. In preferred embodiments of the system, the system uses steam jacked sulfur lines and steam tracing to maintain temperatures for melting the solid sulfur and maintaining the molten state of the sulfur circulating through the system. Furthermore, the system comprises a programmable logic controller, which controls motors, pumps, valves, and environment monitoring instruments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing reservations, e.g., reservations for units in lodging facilities such as cabins on cruise ships and rooms or suites in hotels, using the Internet. A person wishing to make a reservation can easily access information regarding the availability of units (e.g., cabins or rooms) during a particular time period by visiting a website that includes plans showing various areas of a place of accommodation (e.g., a deck of a ship or floor of a hotel).

Abstract: An artificial curling surface comprised of a rectangular-shaped sheet of plastic is disclosed. The sheet of plastic has a target zone and a hack at each end thereof. The sheet of plastic has a pebbled surface adapted to emulate ice pebbles on a sheet of ice of a curling rink. A curling rock having a replaceable gliding face can be used with the artificial curling surface. The replaceable gliding face of the curling rock is made of low-friction plastic having a density lower than the density of the plastic sheet.

Abstract: The transition interconnects microstrip transmission lines whose finite-width conductors are formed on the upper surface and whose ground planes are formed on the under surface of a ceramic substrate. A patternable metallizable multilayer thick film dielectric is applied to the under surface of the ceramic substrate. The transition comprises first and second vias which penetrate the ceramic substrate inside and outside a hermetic enclosure. The upper ends of the vias are connected to the finite-width transmission line conductors, and the lower ends of the vias are interconnected by a finite-width conductor formed on the under surface of the substrate. The lower conductor then forms a transmission line of either a microstrip or coplanar nature with a ground plane available on the underside of the assembly. The thick film dielectric facilitates sealing, and attachment of a metal base plate. All steps are performed using thick film processing.

Abstract: A plug door assembly for use in closing an opening in a wall. The assembly includes a door and rail means adapted to be mounted on the wall for use in longitudinally moving the door between an open position alongside the opening and an intermediate position opposite the opening. Mounting means movably mount the door on the rail means. The mounting means include means for laterally moving the door between the intermediate position and a closed position within the opening, and means for locking the door in the closed position with cooperating locking means on the wall.