Abstract: Disclosed are carpet products comprising at least one flexible substrate and at least one coating and/or adhesive layer associated with the at least one flexible substrate. The coating and/or adhesive layer is formed from an aqueous composition comprising: A) an emulsifier-stabilized vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) emulsion copolymer dispersion and B) at least one particulate filler material selected from particulate inorganic compounds and particulate plastic material. The vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer in the copolymer dispersion has a selected ethylene content or glass transition temperature. It is also preferably substantially free of cross-linkable co-monomer moieties which generate formaldehyde upon curing and preferably has a particle size, dw, ranging from about 50 to about 500 nm. The carpet product is substantially free of polyvinyl chloride and bitumen and exhibits a Class B1 flame-retardancy in accordance with DIN 4102-14, corresponding to a critical heat flux of ?about 4.5 kW/m2.

Abstract: Shelters for protecting and enhancing the growth of plants reinforced by receiving a retaining structure are provided. The shelters include an outer longitudinal tubular structure having a first-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end and a second-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end diametrically opposed to the first-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end; an inner longitudinal tubular structure positioned within the outer longitudinal tubular structure and having an inner wall, a first-inner-longitudinal-tubular-structure end, and a second-inner-longitudinal-tubular-structure end diametrically opposed to the first-inner-longitudinal-tubular-structure end; and a segmented annular portion positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall. The segmented annular portion may comprise a plurality of segmented annular divider walls defining a plurality of through channels extending from the first-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end to the second-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wood preservative formulation comprising an isothiazolone, an organic fungicidal timber decay preservative and an unsaturated carboxylic or sulphonic acid, salt or anhydride thereof. The formulations of the invention are surprisingly effective at protecting wood and other cellulosic substrates, in particular at providing prolonged protection against in-service surface staining. The invention also provides methods for treating wood and other cellulosic substrates with said formulations.

Abstract: Collapsible shelters for trees, shrubs and vines are provided. The collapsible shelters may be configured to be collapsible in the axial or the longitudinal direction. The collapsible shelters can be transported to a site of use in a collapsed configuration and expanded into an uncollapsed configuration at the site of use.

Abstract: A system for conducting over the counter trades, the system comprising a first initiating party's computer system; a second responding party's computer system; and a Central Communication Hub in contact with the first and second parties' computer systems. The first system enables a user to input a trading interest in a financial instrument, and send information indicative of the trading interest to the Central Communication Hub. The Central Communication Hub makes a hidden request for information to the second system indicative of the second party's ability to fulfil the trading interest. The second system responds to the hidden request for information with summary information indicative of the second party's ability to fulfil the trading interest. The Central Communication Hub forwards some or all of the summary information response to the first party's system.

Abstract: Methods for producing dissolving grade pulp and microcrystalline cellulose from tobacco are provided. The methods include chemical pulping a tobacco input to form a tobacco pulp. Chemical pulping the tobacco input includes combining the tobacco input with a strong base defining a weight from about 5% to about 50% of the tobacco input, and heating the tobacco input and the strong base with an H-factor from about 500 to about 3,300. Further, the methods include bleaching the tobacco pulp to produce a dissolving grade pulp. Bleaching the tobacco pulp may include chlorination of the tobacco pulp with a chlorine dioxide solution, and caustic extraction of the tobacco pulp with a second strong base. A related tobacco-derived microcrystalline cellulose product is also provided, which can be used as a binder, a filler, and/or a texturizer in a tobacco product, such as a smokeless tobacco product.

Abstract: An internal fixed bone plates provided for load bearing and non-load bearing fixation for a rotational or translational osteotomy procedure for hallux valgus correction in the first metatarsal bone of the foot. The example include a set design plate having screw holes for attachment of the fixed bone plate to the first metatarsal bone of the foot. Screw holes are located on the plate, including screw holes on top or sides of the plate and screw holes at the ends of the plate. A temporary small holding wire hole may be located in the plate to hold the plate to the bone temporarily. This plate allows both angled screw fixation of various movable, rotational and translational osteotomy and locking screw hole capability to ensure stability when fixating the preferred rotational and translational osteotomy procedure.

Abstract: A pouched product adapted for release of a releasable component therefrom is provided herein. The pouched product can include a water-permeable fabric pouch formed so as to define a cavity therein, a composition contained within the cavity of the water-permeable fabric pouch, the composition comprising one or more releasable components that are released from the composition under mouth conditions and that are capable of movement through the water-permeable fabric pouch, and a release modifying agent adapted to react with at least one of the one or more releasable components in the composition and thereby modify the release thereof from the water-permeable fabric pouch.

Abstract: Methods for producing dissolving grade pulp and microcrystalline cellulose from tobacco are provided. The methods include chemical pulping a tobacco input to form a tobacco pulp. Chemical pulping the tobacco input includes combining the tobacco input with a strong base defining a weight from about 5% to about 50% of the tobacco input, and heating the tobacco input and the strong base with an H-factor from about 500 to about 3,300. Further, the methods include bleaching the tobacco pulp to produce a dissolving grade pulp. Bleaching the tobacco pulp may include chlorination of the tobacco pulp with a chlorine dioxide solution, and caustic extraction of the tobacco pulp with a second strong base. A related tobacco-derived microcrystalline cellulose product is also provided, which can be used as a binder, a filler, and/or a texturizer in a tobacco product, such as a smokeless tobacco product.

Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses a smokable rod and a filter element. The smokable rod is secured to the filter element using tipping material. The cigarette possesses more than one layer of tipping material. An outer layer of tipping material can overlie at least a portion of an underlying inner layer of tipping material, and during use by the smoker, the outer layer can be removed from the cigarette. Thus, it is possible for a cigarette manufacturer to provide a cigarette that can be used as such by the smoker, or that can be adapted by the smoker to provide a different sensory experience (e.g., the visual, organoleptic, trigeminal, aromatic, and tactile characteristics of the cigarette can be altered by removal of the outer tipping material). Alternatively, the use of the outer layer of tipping material can be used to improve the physical integrity of the cigarette.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a smoking article rod is provided. A forming device is configured to engage a continuous stream of a smokable filler material with a first surface of a longitudinally-continuous web of a wrapping material, the web having first and second edge portions extending along the web, and a second surface opposing the first surface. A wrapping device is configured to longitudinally overlap the first and second edge portions such that the first surface about the first edge portion extends over the second surface about the second edge portion, to contain the smokable filler material within the web. An adhesive applicator device is configured to apply an adhesive material to the second surface about and longitudinally along the second edge portion, between the overlapped edge portions, prior to the wrapping device engaging the overlapped edge portions, with the adhesive material therebetween, to form a sealed seam.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having wrapping paper having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can include a starch and/or a polymer, are applied to a continuous paper web either online or offline the cigarette making apparatus. The formulation can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing a series of rollers. In particular, a wrapping paper for a smokable rod can include a pattern of bands having a water-insoluble material comprising a starch ester, a starch-coated inorganic filler, and/or a thermoplastic polymer in an amount such that the material is sufficiently deformable so as to (a) reduce an amount of pressure to apply the bands, (b) decrease paper diffusivity, and (c) maintain paper opacity at a level acceptable for commercial production of the smokable rods.

Abstract: The invention relates to FSH receptor antagonist according to general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and to a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. The compounds can be used for the treatment and prevention of endometriosis, for the treatment and prevention of pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal hormone-dependent breast cancer, for contraception, and for the treatment of uterine fibroids and other menstrual-related disorders.

Abstract: A needle-free injector device comprising a latch having a safe position which disables the triggering of the device, and a ready position which restrains movement of a dispensing member but enables triggering and a triggered position which permits movement of the dispensing member is disclosed. An additional safety mechanism blocks the triggering of the device until removed. A cap is provided to maintain the sterility and stability of the drug formulation and is configured such that the cap removal is required prior to placing the device in a ready to trigger state.

Abstract: The invention relates to FSH receptor antagonist according to general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and to a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. The compounds can be used for the treatment and prevention of endometriosis, for the treatment and prevention of pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal hormone-dependent breast cancer, for contraception, and for the treatment of uterine fibroids and other menstrual-related disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to FSH receptor antagonist according to general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and to a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. The compounds can be used for the treatment and prevention of endometriosis, for the treatment and prevention of pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal hormone-dependent breast cancer, for contraception, and for the treatment of uterine fibroids and other menstrual-related disorders.

Abstract: An improved mist generating apparatus is provided, the apparatus having a longitudinal axis (L), and first and second opposing nozzle surfaces (100,102) which define a nozzle between them. A first process fluid passage (28) has an inlet connectable to a supply of process fluid, and a process fluid outlet (110) on one or the first and second nozzle surfaces (100,102) such that the process fluid owlet (110) opens into the nozzle. The nozzle has a nozzle inlet (104) connectable to a supply of driving fluid, a nozzle outlet (108), and a throat portion (106) intermediate the nozzle inlet (104) and nozzle outlet (108). The nozzle throat (106) has a cross sectional area which is less than that of both the nozzle inlet (104) and the nozzle outlet (108). The nozzle extends radially away from the longitudinal axis (L) such that the nozzle defines a rotational angle about the longitudinal axis (L).

Abstract: A filtered smoking article is provided, which includes a tobacco-containing rod surrounded by a wrapping material; a filter element surrounded by a plug wrap adjacent to the tobacco-containing rod; and a tipping material securing the tobacco-containing rod to the filter element, the tipping material overlying the plug wrap of the filter element and a portion of the wrapping material of the tobacco-containing rod, wherein at least one of the plug wrap, the tipping material, and the wrapping material surrounding the tobacco-containing rod are secured by an adhesive composition comprising a thermoplastic starch polymer. The adhesive composition can include a blend of the thermoplastic starch polymer with a second biodegradable polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol, aliphatic polyesters, aliphatic polyurethanes, cis-polyisoprene, cis-polybutadiene, polyhydroxy alkanoates, polyanhydrides, and copolymers and blends thereof.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing electric vehicle charging information. In one embodiment, the process receives charging process data. The charging process data may be stored in a data repository and associated with a user to form historical user data. The process then generates a notification in response to detecting a condition for triggering the generation of the notification. The notification comprises a set of recommendations for achieving a set of optimization objectives. In addition, the set of recommendations are derived from at least one of the historical user data and a remote data source. Thereafter, the process presents the notification to a user using a set of notification preferences.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for brokering a charging process of an electric vehicle. In one embodiment, a process extracts event data associated with the charging process from a charge notification in response to receiving the charge notification indicating that the charging process of the electric vehicle is complete. The event data may include, but is not limited to, duration of the charging process, quantity of electricity transferred, or rate at which electricity was transferred during the charging process. The process then identifies, from an energy transaction plan, a set of payees participating in the charging process. Thereafter, the process disburses a payment owed to the set of payees. An amount of the payment is calculated using payment terms in profiles of the set of payees. The payment includes funds from at least one of a payer fund and an incentive fund.