Abstract: An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.

Abstract: A sash comprising a pressure sensitive material which reacts to the movements of an unborn baby and causes the illumination of corresponding areas of the sash on the mother's abdomen in response to the movement of the baby. The sash includes a strip of fabric or material of a selected size and shape to cover a selected portion of the abdomen of an expectant mother containing the baby. Means of fastening such as a hook and loop fastener are combined with an elastic belt secure the sash around the mother's abdomen. The touch sensitive fabric reacts to movements of the baby and causes lights over the active area to be illuminated. The result is a light show for viewers showing the unborn baby's activity.

Abstract: A sash comprising a pressure sensitive material which reacts to the movements of an unborn baby and causes the illumination of corresponding areas of the sash on the mother's abdomen in response to the movement of the baby. The sash includes a strip of fabric or material of a selected size and shape to cover a selected portion of the abdomen of an expectant mother containing the baby. Means of fastening such as a hook and loop fastener are combined with an elastic belt secure the sash around the mother's abdomen. The touch sensitive fabric reacts to movements of the baby and causes lights over the active area to be illuminated. The result is a light show for viewers showing the unborn baby's activity.

Abstract: A proximal release delivery system for expandable prostheses includes an elongate catheter, an actuating wire, and a splittable sheath. The actuating wire travels through the lumen of the elongate catheter to the catheter's distal end where it everts about the end of the catheter and travels between the expandable prosthesis and the splittable sheath. A splitter with a blade element is attached to the end of the actuating wire. As an operator pulls the proximal end of the actuating wire in the proximal direction, the splitter travels in the distal direction, splitting the sheath from the proximal to distal end and allowing the prosthesis to expand and deploy. The splittable sheath may also include a longitudinal hinge attached to the expandable prosthesis.

Abstract: A method and system for executing electronic funds transactions using a merchant-issued payment (MIP) card in a merchant-centric system having benefits which include reduced fees to acquiring merchants and optionally remitting a portion of the collected fees, or other incentive, to issuing merchants. The system also preferably provides information sharing on consumer transactions with merchants to facilitate consumer based incentive programs and the like. The system operates over conventional card processing infrastructure and utilizes the ACH network, or equivalent, to settle the transaction from a consumer checking account, or a merchant account in the case of a prepaid MIP card. Using the system, merchants may elect to qualify customers based on their own criterion. Embodiments are described for prepaid, fixed value, programmable, and refillable, forms of merchant-issued payment cards.

Abstract: The present invention provides an authentication system and methodology in which an authenticating agent is used as a product marker to help determine the source of products. The authenticating agent includes a substance that forms free radicals upon irradiation. The spectroscopic response of the agent when in the free radical state provides a characteristic “fingerprint” associated with genuine goods, but lacking in other goods. The goods incorporating the marker may be readily identified and/or distinguished from similar goods originating from another source. Furthermore, when not in the activated state, the authenticating agent typically is not detectable, thus providing the advantage of not being readily identifiable by counterfeiters.

Abstract: An apparatus for coloring gas flames in gas-burning fireplaces so as to give the appearance of a wood-burning fireplace comprises a ceramic tube having a coating which causes colorization of gas flames when the coated tube is placed in the secondary reaction zone of a gas flame. Principle coating ingredients include sodium carbonate, aluminum oxide, pulverized soda lime glass, and sodium silicate. The coating is baked onto the ceramic tube, and, when located in the secondary reaction zone of a flame, will provide nearly constant natural color to a gas flame for periods in excess of 1000 hours.

Abstract: Disclosed are rinse additive compositions containing an insoluble inorganic zinc salt useful for inhibition of glassware corrosion caused by automatic dishwashing detergents in the dishwasher. These compositions are particularly desirable because use of them in the dishwasher does not result in precipitation of zinc insolubles on the dishware or dishwasher parts.

Abstract: Improved recovery of platinum lost from the catalyst gauze in a nitric acid plant is obtained by using palladium containing recovery gauzes configured to enhance the mass transfer characteristics of the system.

Abstract: A dust suppressant composition is described which is comprised of at least about 0.001 percent of polyethylene oxide with a molecular weight of at least about 6500, with the balance being water. Also described is a method for suppressing the formation of dust particles by applying the aforementioned composition to a dust-producing material such that at least about 0.01 grams of polyethylene oxide is applied per 100 square inches of flat surface area of dust-producing material.

Abstract: An improved method for reducing the halogen content of a particulate polyolefin formed by catalytic polymerization of an olefin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst is taught which comprises the steps of causing the polyolefin in the dry state to flow into a gas phase fluidized bed, contacting the polyolefin in the fluidized bed with a gas comprising 0.05% to 0.2% alkylene oxide, 5% to 30% water, and the balance inert gas such that the alkylene oxide reacts with halogens present in the polyolefin to form an alkylene halohydrin, removing the alkylene halohydrin from the fluidized bed and thus reducing the halogen content of the polyolefin. The improvement comprises regenerating the alkylene oxide by contacting the inert gas containing alkylene halohydrin with a caustic solution in alcohol or water and recovering therefrom alkylene oxide formed by the reaction of the alkylene halohydrin and the caustic solution.