Abstract: A method of making cleaning or water-softening tablets involves making a premix of cleaning or water-softening particulates and a lubricant, for example a sucrose ester or sorbitan ester; feeding the premix into a feed port of an extruder; feeding a binder, for example polyethylene glycol, into the extruder at or downstream of the feed port, the binder being a solid at room temperature but being mixed with the cleaning or water-softening particles as a liquid or becoming a liquid inside the extruder; and extruding the resulting mixture into strands which are separated into tablets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a selected type of copolymer composition comprising copolymers having units derived from ethylene and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) co-monomers. Such copolymer compositions: a) have a DCPD-derived comonomer unit content of from about 25 mole % to about 45 mole %; b) have a Weight Average Molecular Weight, Mw, of greater than about 170,000; c) comprise amorphous material and have glass transition temperatures, Tg, of from about 8° C. to about 129° C., which also fit the equation Tg (in ° C.)?[(mole % DCPD×3.142)?4.67]; and d) comprise no significant amount of crystalline polyethylene homopolymer or crystallizable polyethylene segments within the ethylene-dicylopentadiene copolymers. Such copolymers can be readily derivatized by hydrogention and/or epoxidation to provide polymeric materials suitable for use as engineering thermoplastics. Also disclosed are processes for preparing and optionally further derivatizing ethylene/dicyclopentadiene copolymers having the characteristics hereinbefore described.

Abstract: An exhaust processor (12) comprises an isolated interior volume (16) that is defined in a housing (18) of the exhaust processor (12) so as to be isolated from exhaust gas in the housing (18). A motion converter (20) is positioned in the isolated interior volume (16) and is configured to convert in the isolated interior volume (16) linear movement of a linear valve actuator (22) into rotation of an exhaust valve (17). A cushioning pad (120, 122, 320, 420) can be used in a variety of exhaust processors (12, 212) to facilitate positioning of the exhaust valve (17). An associated method is disclosed.

Abstract: A latchbolt configured for use with a door lock assembly. The door lock assembly is configured for interaction with a strike coupled to a door frame, and operable to place the latchbolt in a locked configuration using the strike to generally prevent rotation of the door and an unlocked configuration to allow rotation of the door. The latchbolt includes a first member and a second member movably coupled to the first member. When the latchbolt is in the locked configuration the second member is movable relative to the first member from a first position to a second position in response to a predetermined force applied to the door.

Abstract: A hingedly collapsible batting practice device with a top v-shaped component hingedly connected to two side members and supportable in an approximate horizontal orientation. A rear member attaches to the top of each side member. A bottom v-shaped component hingedly connected to the two side members with a support member for supporting the two side members in an approximate vertical orientation. Each v-shaped component is also hinged at the front to permit each side of the component to pivot toward each other to facilitate collapsing the device. An elastic cord attached to the rear member extends frontward and downward from the top v-shaped component and supports a ball at its terminal end. A non-elastic cord is attached to the ball and each loose end of the non-elastic cord is attached to the bottom v-shaped component.

Abstract: A method and system for paying bills. A service provider receives, via a network, a request to pay a bill on behalf of a consumer. The consumer can request that any merchant be paid. The service provider searches a master database containing names of merchants to determine if the merchant the consumer has requested be paid is included in the database. If the merchant is not included in the database the service provider adds the merchant to the database. The request is processed to generate an instruction to pay the merchant.

Abstract: A hingedly collapsible batting practice device with a top v-shaped component hingedly connected to two side members and supportable in an approximate horizontal orientation. A rear member attaches to the top of each side member. A bottom v-shaped component hingedly connected to the two side members with a support member for supporting the two side members in an approximate vertical orientation. Each v-shaped component is also hinged at the front to permit each side of the component to pivot toward each other to facilitate collapsing the device. An elastic cord attached to the rear member extends frontward and downward from the top v-shaped component and supports a ball at its terminal end. A non-elastic cord is attached to the ball and each loose end of the non-elastic cord is attached to the bottom v-shaped component.

Abstract: A system and method for paying bills which uses bank routing numbers. A service provider receives a bank routing number from a consumer, the routing number belonging to the bank at which the consumer maintains a deposit account. The service provider verifies that this received routing number is correct. The verification includes comparing the received routing number to a database of routing numbers which the service provider has obtained from banks.

Abstract: A method for performing maintenance on a gas turbine engine assembly includes unplugging a first connector from a first socket, the first connector electrically coupled to the engine control unit, the first socket electrically coupled to the hydromechanical unit, plugging a second connector into the first socket, the second connector electrically coupled to a driver simulator, cranking the engine core to a low speed value, and operating the driver simulator to reposition at least one of the variable stator vane assembly and the variable bypass valve from a first operational position to a second operational position that is different than the first operational position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiplexed matrix alternating current electroluminescent display, comprising an array of matrix addressed capacitively switchable electroluminescent pixels, with each capacitively switchable electroluminescent pixel including an electroluminescent pixel and a circuit element connected in electrical series with the electroluminescent pixel. The circuit element is switchable between an electrically insulating capacitive state and an electrically conducting state depending upon a voltage applied across the capacitively switchable electroluminescent pixel. The matrix multiplexed electroluminescent (EL) display with the low capacitance switching device in electrical series with the electroluminescent pixels reduces column displacement currents, thereby reducing power consumption. Refresh times can also be reduced so that the size and resolution of passive matrix electroluminescent displays can be increased.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications methods to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions information and merchant information and arranges payment based on a financial risk analysis to the merchants according to the consumers instructions.

Abstract: A light modifier for creating an enhanced depth of lighting on a subject. The light modifier has a housing with a sidewall that defines a first and second end. The first and second ends are in opposed relationship. The first end is adapted to mount a light source in the housing. A panel is positioned on the second end of the housing. The panel has at least one layer of netting having an aperture. Light that passes through the netting has different characteristics than the light passing through the aperture whereby the light modifier creates enhanced depth of lighting on a subject.

Abstract: An exhaust system includes a flange assembly having multiple identical flange portions manufactured of a powdered metal. By assembling each flange assembly from identical flange portions, and utilizing powder metal, manufacturing expense is decreased.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dimming system for fluorescent lighting. The system includes a fluorescent tube, a ballast for the fluorescent tube and a dimmer for moving the level of light from the fluorescent tube between a bright state and a dimmer state in a stepped fashion. The dimmer includes two circuits that are electrically isolated from one another but joined through an optical coupler. Depending on the state of the control circuit, current through the fluorescent tube will pass along either a high impedance circuit or a parallel low impedance circuit. A change in the state of the control circuit moves the current flow through either the low impedance circuit or the high impedance circuit resulting in a stepped change in the amount of light generated by the fluorescent tube.

Abstract: An exhaust processor has an exhaust tube and a cover mounted for rotation at least partially around the exhaust tube to adjust the tuning frequency of the exhaust processor. A method of operating the exhaust processor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions' information and merchant information and arranges payment based on a financial risk analysis to the merchants according to the consumers' instructions.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions' information and merchant information and arranges payment based on a financial risk analysis to the merchants according to the consumers' instructions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiplexed matrix alternating current electroluminescent display, comprising an array of matrix addressed capacitively switchable electroluminescent pixels, with each capacitively switchable electroluminescent pixel including an electroluminescent pixel and a circuit element connected in electrical series with the electroluminescent pixel. The circuit element is switchable between an electrically insulating capacitive state and an electrically conducting state depending upon a voltage applied across the capacitively switchable electroluminescent pixel. The matrix multiplexed electroluminescent (EL) display with the low capacitance switching device in electrical series with the electroluminescent pixels reduces column displacement currents, thereby reducing power consumption. Refresh times can also be reduced so that the size and resolution of passive matrix electroluminescent displays can be increased.

Abstract: An RF roadway toll collection system uses an upstream reader to communicate with a vehicle borne transponder carrying a Smart Card to calculate the toll and debit the Smart Card balance in the amount of the toll payment required. A transaction manager is notified of the toll payment from the upstream reader and notifies a downstream reader of the vehicle identification and payment status. The downstream reader confirms the vehicle identification and payment status and signals if the toll has been paid.

Abstract: An exhaust processor has an exhaust tube and a cover mounted for rotation at least partially around the exhaust tube to adjust the tuning frequency of the exhaust processor. A method of operating the exhaust processor is also disclosed.