Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor is composed of laterally spaced apart movable conveyor slats (10) and fix conveyor slats (12) laterally between the movable slats (10). The movable slats (10) are clamped to transverse drive beams (56) by clamp structure that includes an upper clamp member (62) and a lower clamp surface (70) carried by the transverse drive beam (56). Bottom flanges (66, 68) on channel members (60) are clamped between the clamp member (72) and the clamp surface (70). The channel member (60) is connected to a central portion (32) depending from the movable slat top wall (14, 16). Portions (30, 32) carry bottom members (34) having side portions (36, 38). The side portions (36, 38) are in contact with lower bearing surfaces (42, 44). The top wall members (14, 16) of the conveyor slats (10) rest on the upper portions of the bearings (28, 30). An apron (84) extends laterally across the rear end portion of the conveyor.

Abstract: A composition is prepared from a mixture of different vesicles, such as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and vaccines are based thereon. Another composition comprises in a single vesicle a combination of antigens and/or other vesicle components deriving from separate vesicles; again vaccines are prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A method of playing a casino table version of cribbage using at least one deck of conventional playing cards, having at least one player making a wager and a dealer that deals the cards. The method includes having at least one player making a wager to receive a plurality of cards. Next, the cards are dealt to each player and the dealer is dealt a plurality of cards, wherein four random cards are dealt to create the dealer hand. The players discard either one or two cards depending on the method chosen. The dealer then exposes his cards and discards two cards. Next, the starter card is exposed. Finally, the players' cards are exposed and values of the hands are computed and compared to the dealer's hand. The method includes determining whether the players win or lose their wager.

Abstract: A plurality of laterally spaced apart, longitudinally extending, V-shaped upper conveyor slats (10) are provided. Each upper conveyor slat (10) has a crown and opposite side portions that slope laterally outwardly and downwardly from the crown. The side portions have lower surfaces. A plurality of laterally spaced apart, longitudinally extending, V-shaped lower conveyor slats (12) are provided. These lower conveyor slats (12) are positioned between the upper conveyor slats (10). Each lower conveyor slats includes a valley and side portions that slope laterally outwardly and upwardly from the valley. The side portions have upper and lower surfaces. The side portions of the upper conveyor slats (10) overhang the side portions of the lower conveyor slats (12). A plurality of slide bearings (14) are positioned vertically between the upper and lower conveyor slats (10, 12) where the side portions of the upper conveyor slats (10) overhang side portions of the lower conveyor slats (12).

Abstract: A threaded nipple (26) at the closed end of a linear hydraulic motor (12) is received within a recess (82) in a frame member (78). Single clamp members, or individual clamp members (88), have recesses (92) that receive lower portions of the nipples (26). Bolts (94) extend through the clamp members (88) and screw into threaded openings in the frame member (78). This clamps the nipples (26) between the frame member (78) and the removable clamp members (88). End members (22) at the rod ends of the cylinders (12) include keys (66) that are received within recesses (80) formed in another frame member (76). Bolts (76) extend through the end member (22) and screw into threaded openings (84) in the member (76). A mounting frame has transverse mounting frame members (74, 102, 74′, 102′) that are used for mounting the drive assembly in an installation. The mounting frame members (74′, 102′) may have end portions (208, 210, 212, 214, 240, 242) that serve as cells in a trailer installation.

Abstract: A door closer having a pair of main driving springs, a fluid-filled damper arrangement and a pair of thrust springs is provided, the thrust springs coming into effect during the latter part of a door closing operation, so as to provide an augmented closing force at that point. The position at which the augmented closing force is applied is variable, with a cam mechanism being used to control application of the increased closing force.

Abstract: A method of playing a casino table version of cribbage using at least one deck of conventional playing cards, having at least one player making a wager and a dealer that deals the cards. The method comprising having at least one player making a wager to receive a plurality of cards. Next, the cards are dealt to each player and dealing the dealer a plurality of cards. The players discard either one or two cards depending on the method chosen. The dealer then exposes his cards and discards two cards. Next, the starter card is exposed. Finally, the players' cards are exposed and values of the hands are computed and compared to the dealer's hand. It is then determined whether the players win or lose their wager.

Abstract: A slat conveyor includes both lifting slats (10) and conveying slats (12). Longitudinal movement of drive members (34) move lifting blocks (32) up lifting ramps (30). The tops of the lifting slats (10) rest on the lifting blocks (32) and the lifting slats (10) move upwardly with the lifting blocks (32). When the lifting slats (10) are in a “down” position, their upper surfaces are below the upper surfaces of the conveying slats (12). Advancing movement of the conveying slats (12) advance a load (L) that is on the conveying slats (12). At the end of a forward movement of the conveying slats (12), the lifting slats (10) are raised into an “up” position, lifting the load (L) above the upper surfaces of the conveying slats (12). Then, the conveying slats (12) are retracted while the load (L) is held by the lifting slats (10).

Abstract: A method of playing Blackjack is disclosed wherein the player can wager that his hand will be broken by placing a side bet which is referred to as “Hit Insurance”. Two aspects of the invention are disclosed. The first aspect allows the player to place the side bet after he has seen his initial hand. If the player has 12 through 16 and the dealer has seven through ace as the upcard, the player is given the option of placing the side bet that he will be broken when he receives the hit card. In a first variation, the player places a side bet against a single hit and can renew the bet if he loses on the hit. In a second variation, the player places a side bet against multiple hits. In a second aspect of the invention, the player places a side bet before he is dealt any cards. In a first variation, the side bet loses if the dealer has 2 through 6 as the face card. In a second variation, the side bet pushes if the dealer has 2 through 6 as the up card.

Abstract: Bolt fasteners extend through a bottom wall (38) in longitudinal guide beams (14), to secure the guide beams (14) to transverse frame members (70, 72). The guide beams (14) include sidewalls (40, 42) which extend upwardly from the bottom wall (30) to laterally outwardly extending top flanges (44, 46). The bolts may be installed from above by use of a tool that is inserted into the space between the sidewalls (40, 42). After the guide beams (14) are secured to the frame members (70, 72), bearing/seal members (48) are friction-fitted onto the tops of the support beams (14). Conveyor slats are installed in the spaces between the support beams (14). The conveyor slats (10) include side portions (20, 22) which extend laterally outwardly into positions above the bearing/seal members (48). The side members (20, 22) include downwardly extending beads B which contact the upper surfaces (62) of the bearing/seal members (48).

Abstract: Conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members (52, 54). The upper clamp member (52) is within the conveyor slat (70) and its side portions are above the conveyor slat flanges (78, 80). The lower clamp member (54) is welded or otherwise secured to a transverse drive beam (56). Its side portions are below the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80). Bolts (164) project upwardly through openings in the transverse drive beam (56) and the lower clamp member (54) and thread into threaded openings (160) in the upper clamp member (52). Or, bolts (170) extend downwardly from the upper clamp part (52) through openings in the lower clamp part (54) and openings in the drive beam (56), to nuts (170) that are below the drive beam (56). Tightening of the bolts (170) causes the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) to be clamped between the two clamp members (52, 54).

Abstract: A method of playing Blackjack is disclosed wherein the player can wager that his hand will be broken by placing a side bet which is referred to as “Hit Insurance”. Two aspects of the invention are disclosed. The first aspect allows the player to place the side bet after he has seen his initial hand. If the player has 12 through 16 and the dealer has seven through ace as the upcard, the player is given the option of placing the side bet that he will be broken when he receives the hit card. In a first variation, the player places a side bet against a single hit and can renew the bet if he loses on the hit. In a second variation, the player places a side bet against multiple hits. In a second aspect of the invention, the player places a side bet before he is dealt any cards. In a first variation, the side bet loses if the dealer has 2 through 6 as the face card. In a second variation, the side bet pushes if the dealer has 2 through 6 as the up card.

Abstract: A plurality of cotton boll modules are received by a cotton ginning plant from a plurality of cotton field locations. A sample of cotton modules is removed from each field lot. The sample and the field lot are identified and identification data associating the sample with its field lot is generated. Each field lot sample is separately processed to produce cotton lint. The cotton lint is assayed to determine a relative quality of the lint or the sample. The assay information from the several samples is used to establish a formula for blending cotton from a plurality of field locations to form a blend of a desired intermediate quality. The identification data is used for locating modules to be blended from the various field lots. The located modules are delivered to dispersers and the dispersers are used to disperse cotton boll clumps from the modules in amounts necessary to form the desired amount of the desired blend of cotton boll clumps. The cotton boll clumps are blended.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor (10) including a support frame (12), and a conveyor floor (14), which is comprised of a plurality of laterally spaced-apart conveyor slats (16), a plurality of laterally spaced-apart holding slats (18), and a series of divider planks (20). Divider planks (20) are fixedly secured to the upper portion of support framework (12). Conveyor slats (16) are mounted on support frame (12) for longitudinal reciprocation between “start” and “advanced” positions. Holding slats (18) are mounted on support frame (12) for vertical movement between and “up” position in which the holding slats (18) are above the conveyor slats (16), and a “down” position, in which the holding slats (18) are below the conveyor slats (16).

Abstract: Two dispersers tunnels (20, 22) are provided at a disperser station. Each disperser tunnel (20, 22) houses two dispersers (24, 26 and 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26 and 38, 30) are spaced apart and confront each other, with a mixing zone (42, 54) being defined between them. A separate conveyor (32, 34, 36, 38) is provided for feeding textile fiber modules, e.g. cotton boll modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″), to the dispersers (24, 26, 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26) removes fiber clumps from the leading ends of the modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″) and dispenses them into the mixing zone (42, 54) in admixture with the fiber clumps from the other disperser (24, 26, 28, 30) of the pair. The blend or mixture of fiber clumps is collected in the upper run (50) of a conveyor (52) that serves to carry the fiber clumps away from the disperser station.

Abstract: A plurality of cotton boll modules are received by a cotton ginning plant from a plurality of cotton field locations. A sample of cotton modules is removed from each field lot. The sample and the field lot are identified and identification data associating the sample with its field lot is generated. Each field lot sample is separately processed to produce cotton lint. The cotton lint is assayed to determine a relative quality of the lint or the sample. The assay information from the several samples is used to establish a formula for blending cotton from a plurality of field locations to form a blend of a desired intermediate quality. The identification data is used for locating modules to be blended from the various field lots. The located modules are delivered to dispersers and the dispersers are used to disperse cotton boll clumps from the modules in amounts necessary to form the desired amount of the desired blend of cotton boll clumps. The cotton boll clumps are blended.

Abstract: Conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members (52, 54). The upper clamp member (52) is within the conveyor slat (70) and its side portions are above the conveyor slat flanges (78, 80). The lower clamp member (54) is welded or otherwise secured to a transverse drive beam (56). Its side portions are below the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80). Bolts (164) project upwardly through openings in the transverse drive beam (56) and the lower clamp member (54) and thread into threaded openings (160) in the upper clamp member (52). Or, bolts (170) extend downwardly from the upper clamp part (52) through openings in the lower clamp part (54) and openings in the drive beam (56), to nuts (170) that are below the drive beam (56). Tightening of the bolts (170) causes the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) to be clamped between the two clamp members (52, 54).

Abstract: Two dispersers tunnels (20, 22) are provided at a disperser station. Each disperser tunnel (20, 22) houses two dispersers (24, 26 and 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26 and 38, 30) are spaced apart and confront each other, with a mixing zone (42, 54) being defined between them. A separate conveyor (32, 34, 36, 38) is provided for feeding textile fiber modules, e.g. cotton boll modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″), to the dispersers (24, 26, 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26) removes fiber clumps from the leading ends of the modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″) and dispenses them into the mixing zone (42, 54) in admixture with the fiber clumps from the other disperser (24, 26, 28, 30) of the pair. The blend or mixture of fiber clumps is collected in the upper run (50) of a conveyor (52) that serves to carry the fiber clumps away from the disperser station.

Abstract: Conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members (52, 54). The upper clamp member (52) is within the conveyor slat (70) and its side portions are above the conveyor slat flanges (78, 80). The lower clamp member (54) is welded or otherwise secured to a transverse drive beam (56). Its side portions are below the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80). Bolts (164) project upwardly through openings in the transverse drive beam (56) and the lower clamp member (54) and thread into threaded openings (160) in the upper clamp member (52). Or, bolts (170) extend downwardly from the upper clamp part (52) through openings in the lower clamp part (54) and openings in the drive beam (56), to nuts (170) that are below the drive beam (56). Tightening of the bolts (170) causes the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) to be clamped between the two clamp members (52, 54).

Abstract: Two dispersers tunnels (20, 22) are provided at a disperser station. Each disperser tunnel (20, 22) houses two dispersers (24, 26 and 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26 and 38, 30) are spaced apart and confront each other, with a mixing zone (42, 54) being defined between them. A separate conveyor (32, 34, 36, 38) is provided for feeding textile fiber modules, e.g. cotton boll modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″), to the dispersers (24, 26, 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26) removes fiber clumps from the leading ends of the modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″) and dispenses them into the mixing zone (42, 54) in admixture with the fiber clumps from the other disperser (24, 26, 28, 30) of the pair. The blend or mixture of fiber clumps is collected in the upper run (50) of a conveyor (52) that serves to carry the fiber clumps away from the disperser station.