Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing a chewing gum with a modified release sweetener selected from the group of N-substituted derivatives of aspartame, particularly neotame, as well as the chewing gum so produced. The modified release neotame or other N-substituted derivative of aspartame sweetener is obtained by physically modifying the sweetener properties by coating and drying. Neotame or another N-substituted derivative of aspartame sweetener is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption or extrusion, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, absorption, or extrusion. The coated sweetener is then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified high-intensity sweetener. When incorporated into the chewing gum, these particles are adapted to enhance the shelf stability of the sweetener and/or produce a modified release when the gum is chewed.

Abstract: A friction assembly has a brake pad and a noise damping shim. The noise damping shim is engaged with a backing plate of the brake pad using a coupler. The coupler has a first coupler member formed on the backing plate and a second coupler member formed on the shim. In certain embodiments, the coupler may be a rivet coupler or a snap-in coupler.

Abstract: A flexible, reconfigurable processing system architecture allows for the implementation of a variety of processing system configurations to be implemented on a single device, which is preferably a PCI bus add-in extension board with an attached daughter card attached and electrically connected thereto through a PCI Mezzanine type connector, and which is plugged into a personal computer PCI expansion slot. The architecture uses the PCI bus, for example, as the local CPU bus for an embedded processor, which not only allows for flexibility in system configuration but also allows PCI devices to be hidden from the host CPU to allow for proper system startup. The architecture further permits an embedded processing CPU to be re-booted when the secondary PCI bus host bus bridge fails to respond without affecting host CPU or other secondary PCI bus peripheral devices.

Abstract: An oral composition for oral cleansing, breath freshening, and anti-microbial benefits includes Magnolia Bark Extract in combination with a surface active agent. The effectiveness of Magnolia Bark Extract in inhibiting biofilm formation in the oral cavity is increased by a synergistic combination of the Magnolia Bark Extract with a surface active agent in an oral cavity delivery agent, such as chewing gum, a confectionary, a lozenge, a compressed tablet, and an edible film.

Abstract: A lamp in a color management system provides light to a color wheel having color filter segments that transmit light having a secondary color, namely cyan, magenta, and yellow. A light integrator with a polarizing element, such as a polarization converter or polarizing filter, provides a beam of the secondary color. A primary color separator, such as second color wheel, transflective dichroic beamsplitter, or color-sensitive polarizing switch in combination with an input polarizing beamsplitter, separates the secondary color beam into a first polarized primary color beam and a second polarized primary color beam, which are directed to first and second imager panels. A beam combiner combines the first polarized primary color beam from the first imager and the second polarized primary color beam from the second imager to form a projection beam.

Abstract: Chewing gums and methods of making same that have improved flavor duration by stimulating a trigeminal nerve of a consumer of the chewing gum are provided. The chewing gums of the present invention includes a trigeminal stimulant. The trigeminal stimulant stimulates the trigeminal nerve of the consumer to provide longer lasting flavor duration.

Abstract: A system includes a data acquisition system, a data storage, and a data processing system. The data acquisition system is operable to acquire energy consumption data from a plurality of electricity meters. The storage device is operable to store at least some of the acquired energy consumption data. The data processing system is operably coupled to the storage device, and is operable to receive information corresponding to a provider of energy and at least one entity that receives the energy from the provider. The data processing system is further operable to form a tree comprised of a root node and at least one leaf node emanating from the root node, the root node corresponding to the provider and the at least one leaf node corresponding to the at least one entity.

Abstract: A confectionary product for weight control including a therapeutically-effective amount of an agent and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: A polarizing conversion system uses a polarizing beam splitter and reflector with a polarization conversion element to convert light from a lamp to a selected polarization state before providing the light to a light integrator, such as a light pipe or light tunnel. The light integrator provides homogenized polarized light to a light modulator. The polarization conversion system avoids increases efficiency compared to absorptive or simple reflective polarizers with fewer components than polarization conversion systems using patterned retarder plates and lenslet arrays. In one embodiment, the conversion elements are held to avoid adhesive or other bonds in the optical path. In other embodiments, high-temperature optical adhesive or optical contact bonding is used to assemble optical components for high-temperature operation. In a particular embodiment, a single-crystal quartz retarder plate is thermally matched to glass components in the polarization conversion system.

Abstract: Chewing gum having extended flavor release and methods of manufacturing same are provided. Additionally, the chewing gum may have a modified release rate for other of the components. The chewing gum includes a water soluble portion and a water insoluble portion. The chewing gum includes a liquid preblend of a vinyl polymer and a flavor.

Abstract: An image display system uses a polarizing beam splitter to direct light from a lamp to multiple spatial light modulators. The spatial light modulators (“SLM”) each generate an image portion, which are stitched together on a display screen to obtain a high resolution image. In a particular embodiment, image portions from two conventional SLMs, each controlling about two million pixels, are stitched together to form an image having about four million pixels. In another embodiment, two lamps are used with four SLMs to produce a resultant image having about eight million pixels.

Abstract: A friction assembly has a brake pad and a noise damping shim. The noise damping shim is engaged with a backing plate of the brake pad using a coupler. The coupler has a first coupler member formed on the backing plate and a second coupler member formed on the shim. In certain embodiments, the coupler may be a rivet coupler or a snap-in coupler.

Abstract: Oral products containing salicylaldehyde for oral cleansing, breath freshening and anti-microbial benefits. The oral products of this invention are dentifrices, chewing gums, confections, mouthwashes, mouth sprays and edible thin film products. In effective amounts, salicylaldehyde is delivered in an oral product for convenient oral cleansing and breath freshening benefits.

Abstract: Oral products containing citral for oral cleansing, breath freshening and anti-microbial benefits. The oral products of this invention are dentifrices, chewing gums, confections, mouthwashes, mouth sprays and edible thin film products. In effective amounts, citral is delivered in an oral product for convenient oral cleansing and breath freshening benefits.

Abstract: Oral products containing geraniol for oral cleansing, breath freshening and anti-microbial benefits. The oral products of this invention are chewing gums, confections, mouthwashes, mouth sprays and edible thin film products. In effective amounts, geraniol is delivered in an oral product for convenient oral cleansing and breath freshening benefits.

Abstract: Oral products containing carvacrol for oral cleansing, breath freshening and anti-microbial benefits. The oral products of this invention are dentifrices, chewing gums, confections, mouth-washes, mouth sprays and edible thin film products. In effective amounts, carvacrol is delivered in an oral product for convenient oral cleansing and breath freshening benefits.

Abstract: Oral products containing cardamom oil for oral cleansing, breath freshening and anti-microbial benefits. The oral products of this invention are chewing gums, confections, mouthwashes, mouth sprays and edible thin film products. In effective amounts, cardamom oil is delivered in an oral product for convenient oral cleansing and breath freshening benefits.

Abstract: Oral products containing the combination of essential oils for oral cleansing, breath freshening and anti-microbial benefits. The combination of essential oils are such that a synergism is observed in anti-microbial activity. The oral products of this invention are chewing gums, confections, mouthwashes, mouth sprays and edible thin film products. In effective amounts, the combination of essential oils is delivered in an oral product for convenient oral cleansing and breath freshening benefits.

Abstract: An infant mobile includes three units: a kicking unit containing a first infrared transmitter and a receiver, a mobile unit, and a remote control unit including a second transmitter, enabling remote activation by a parent or activation by the infant.

Abstract: A toy includes a housing, a plurality of buttons arranged to initiate playback of a tune or other sounds, a transparent enclosure containing a plurality of balls, an agitator extending into the enclosure, a motor mounted within the housing for causing the agitator to oscillate and propel balls that encounter the agitator against the walls of the enclosure, a sound generator and speaker, and control circuitry for causing the sound generator to play selected sounds upon pressing of one of the buttons, and for intermittently activating the agitator during playback of the sounds. The housing of the toy may be arranged to resemble a piano, and the buttons may be configured to resemble keys of the piano.