Abstract: The invention relates to powder coating compositions suitable for low temperature powder coating crosslinking typically at curing temperature is between 75 and 140° C. which can be used for powder coating temperature-sensitive substrates like MDF, wood, plastic or temperature sensitive metal alloys.

Abstract: A cross-functional information system and method collect inputs from school systems, surveys, programs, service providers and other sources to provide a comprehensive set of indicators, red flags and milestones associated with students' heath, emotional-social well-being and academic performance to allow users to monitor students. When a student's status reflects a key indication, red flag or a milestone that is off track, the system creates a task list that allows a user to address each such student by enrolling the student in a program with a service provider to promptly address the issue. In this manner, the system and method provide a comprehensive approach to ensure students' well-being and ensure that they are on track toward a post-secondary school educational track.

Abstract: Many forms of Christmas tree stand, for use with real (i.e. cut) Christmas trees are known, such as those that may be filled with water to prolong the life of the tree. The present invention relates to a Christmas tree stand, and a method of maintaining a Christmas tree in a substantially upright position, and includes a reservoir 3 with retaining parts 9 at upper and lower ends thereof, and an outer container into which the reservoir is configured to be securable, the container configured to substantially conceal the reservoir and having a base larger than the reservoir. This prevents damage to floor surfaces (such as carpets and tiles) and prevents accidental contact by passers-by with difficult-to-see legs and/or arms.

Abstract: Many forms of Christmas tree stand, for use with real (i.e. cut) Christmas trees are known, such as those that may be filled with water to prolong the life of the tree. The present invention relates to a Christmas tree stand, and a method of maintaining a Christmas tree in a substantially upright position, and includes a reservoir 3 with retaining parts 9 at upper and lower ends thereof, and an outer container into which the reservoir is configured to be securable, the container configured to substantially conceal the reservoir and having a base larger than the reservoir. This prevents damage to floor surfaces (such as carpets and tiles) and prevents accidental contact by passers-by with difficult-to-see legs and/or arms.

Abstract: A multi-wave thermal process for treating a metal to improve structural characteristics is herein disclosed. The metal can be placed in a chamber. Each wave of the process can include: selecting a target temperature; selecting a temperature rate; and controlling the temperature rate while chilling the metal by introducing a cryogenic material into the chamber, while preventing over-stressing of the metal, to the target temperature at the temperature rate. While chilling the metal, the process can include inserting a hold time on the metal at an intermediate temperature for equalization of the temperature uniformly throughout the metal, thereby creating uniformity in a microcrystalline structure of the metal. The process can further include: stopping the introduction of the cryogenic material once the target temperature is reached and holding the metal at the target temperature. The process can result in a treated metal without fractures and with an organized microcrystalline structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accelerating the aging of distilled spirits are disclosed. The systems and methods may include increased reaction rates of ethanol with oxygen, acids, sugars, and/or other components within an ethanol mixture. The accelerated reactions may produce an aged alcohol in a matter of a few hours or days, whereas comparable alcohols aged conventionally would require many years. The accelerated aging of the ethanol may be performed to provide the end product with a desired flavor profile in a short period of time at a substantially reduced cost.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accelerating the aging of distilled spirits are disclosed. The systems and methods may include increased reaction rates of ethanol with oxygen, acids, sugars, and/or other components within an ethanol mixture. The accelerated reactions may produce an aged alcohol in a matter of a few hours or days, whereas comparable alcohols aged conventionally would require many years. The accelerated aging of the ethanol may be performed to provide the end product with a desired flavor profile in a short period of time at a substantially reduced cost.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accelerating the aging of distilled spirits are disclosed. The systems and methods may include increased reaction rates of ethanol with oxygen, acids, sugars, and/or other components within an ethanol mixture. The accelerated reactions may produce an aged alcohol in a matter of a few hours or days, whereas comparable alcohols aged conventionally would require many years. The accelerated aging of the ethanol may be performed to provide the end product with a desired flavor profile in a short period of time at a substantially reduced cost.

Abstract: A thermal process for treating a metal to improve at least one structural characteristic of the metal comprising: placing a metal with a metal temperature within a thermal control apparatus, introducing a cryogenic material to decrease the metal temperature, while preventing over-stressing of the metal, to a first target temperature ranging from ?120 degrees Fahrenheit to ?380 degrees Fahrenheit at a first temperature rate, ranging from degrees Fahrenheit per minute to 20 degrees Fahrenheit per minute, stopping the introduction of cryogenic material once the first target temperature is reached, and increasing the chamber temperature to a second target temperature ranging from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to 1400, and increasing the metal temperature to the second target temperature at a second temperature rate ranging from 0.25 degrees Fahrenheit per minute to 20 degrees Fahrenheit per minute, resulting in a treated metal without fractures.

Abstract: A method of creating an aged, ethanol-containing beverage using pressure for distinct periods of time of less than 3 months and at least one wood piece to create a wood flavored alcoholic beverage similar to beverages aged 10 to 30 years without losing any volume of product during the method.

Abstract: A method of creating an aged, collectable ethanol-containing beverage comprising the steps of: selecting at least one wood piece useful in imparting at least one flavor component to an ethanol-containing beverage; inserting the at least one wood piece in a container holding the ethanol-containing beverage; permitting the ethanol-containing beverage to age in the container with the at least one wood piece; and retaining the at least one wood piece in the container with the ethanol-containing beverage, forming a continuously aging, collectable ethanol-containing beverage with improved flavor.

Abstract: A thermal process for treating a metal to improve at least one structural characteristic of the metal comprising: placing a metal with a metal temperature within a thermal control apparatus, introducing a cryogenic material to decrease the metal temperature, while preventing over-stressing of the metal, to a first target temperature ranging from ?120 degrees Fahrenheit to ?380 degrees Fahrenheit at a first temperature rate, ranging from degrees Fahrenheit per minute to 20 degrees Fahrenheit per minute, stopping the introduction of cryogenic material once the first target temperature is reached, and increasing the chamber temperature to a second target temperature ranging from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to 1400, and increasing the metal temperature to the second target temperature at a second temperature rate ranging from 0.25 degrees Fahrenheit per minute to 20 degrees Fahrenheit per minute, resulting in a treated metal without fractures.

Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode whilst maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the control feature comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.

Abstract: A can end having a countersink bead, an inclined chuck wall and a strong seam, resists distortion from its circular profile when subjected to thermal processing or when packaging carbonated beverages. This high hoop strength affects the manner in which the can end ultimately fails when placed under extreme abuse conditions, even if buckle pressure performance is within industry specified standards. The can end of the invention has control features introduced which control the failure mode whilst maintaining specified buckle pressure performance. In one embodiment, the can end has a two part wall and a control feature that comprises expansion of the countersink bead to act as a trigger for local peaking, together with a groove in the chuck wall which prevents the peaking force from being concentrated at a single point which could result in leaking by the production of a pin hole.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and system are disclosed for transferring data. Data packages are transmitted from a plurality of data sources to a first gateway. The data packages are transmitted from the first gateway to a second gateway. The data packages are transmitted from the second gateway to a plurality of data destinations. Acknowledgement messages are transmitted from the data destinations to the second gateway. Pause messages are generated at the second gateway based at least in part on the reception of the acknowledgement messages by the second gateway. The pause messages are transmitted from the second gateway to the first gateway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating and instantiating custom applications in a multi-application smart card system are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an indication that a mobile device is present, where the mobile device includes a first set of one or more mobile device applications, and where each mobile device application is associated with one or more of a second set of framework applications. The method also includes selecting a mobile device application from the first set. The method also includes selecting a framework application from the second set, wherein the mobile device application is associated with the framework application. The method further includes activating the framework application, wherein activating includes successfully authenticating device; and after activating the framework application, receiving transaction data from the mobile device application.