Abstract: A first trust sells a credit derivative to a second trust, and in this way provides for funding of the second trust and thus provides bankruptcy protection to the second trust. The first trust sells notes linked to the credit of a sponsor. With the proceeds the first trust purchases bonds with very little risk, such as US treasury bonds. At the end of a specified period, such as five years, and in the absence of a bankruptcy of the sponsor, the first trust liquidates the bonds and redeems the notes. In the event of a bankruptcy of the sponsor, the bonds are liquidated and a predetermined portion, such as two-thirds, of the proceeds arc used to redeem the notes, while the remainder of the proceeds are transferred to a second trust pursuant to the credit derivative. The second trust funds indemnification and defense-like protection for the directors and officers of the sponsor. In the event that proceeds remain after claims are processed, the remainder is donated to a charity.

Abstract: A business entity creates a real estate investment trust. The trust issues shares of preferred stock, each of which is associated with either a forward purchase contract obligating the holder to purchase common stock of business entity at a predetermined future time, or a warrant to purchase common stock. The preferred stock of the trust may be exchangeable for capital stock of the business entity upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. In this way the entity is able to insert capital with significant equity characteristics into its capital structure, and in the case of a financial institution, can provide favorable regulatory treatment of the capital that is raised.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (152) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes a vehicle occupant protection device (14) deployable away from the vehicle roof (18) into engagement with the occupant's head (150) positioned against the side structure (16) to move the occupant's head laterally away from the side structure.

Abstract: A first trust sells a credit derivative to a second trust, and in this way provides for funding of the second trust and thus provides bankruptcy protection to the second trust. The first trust sells notes linked to the credit of a sponsor. With the proceeds the first trust purchases bonds with very little risk, such as US treasury bonds. At the end of a specified period, such as five years, and in the absence of a bankruptcy of the sponsor, the first trust liquidates the bonds and redeems the notes. In the event of a bankruptcy of the sponsor, the bonds are liquidated and a pre-determined portion, such as two-thirds, of the proceeds are used to redeem the notes, while the remainder of the proceeds are transferred to a second trust pursuant to the credit derivative. The second trust funds indemnification and defense-like protection for the directors and officers of the sponsor. In the event that proceeds remain after claims are processed, the remainder is donated to a charity.

Abstract: A fruit ripening system wherein a continuous inflow of fresh air and ethylene gas is provided into a fruit ripening chamber in correct proportions to form a fruit ripening gas mixture that will predictably ripen fruit in a very short period of time, regardless of the previous state of ripening of the fruit. At the same time, the ripening chamber is continuously purged of carbon dioxide that is a byproduct of the ripening process so that during the ripening process a concentration of carbon dioxide sufficient to materially impede the ripening process is never allowed to build up. Critical parameters are defined for ripening temperature, the minimum ethylene gas concentration, time of exposure to the ethylene gas, and purging of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of distributing food ripening information to a user comprising the steps of 1.

Abstract: A contingent convertible debt instrument contains a provision permitting conversion only if any of certain economically substantial contingencies is satisfied. For example there may be a provision that conversion is permitted only if the issuer's stock price reaches some price, defined as some predetermined price substantially higher than the conversion price, is reached. This contingent conversion trigger price may be 110% or 120% more of the conversion price. The debt instrument may be a negotiable long-term zero-coupon note, and a provision may be included that the number of underlying instruments issuable or deliverable at conversion or exchange is adjusted under certain circumstances (e.g., merger, acquisition, or formulae amounts). Corresponding methods and systems are employed for offering and servicing such financial instruments.

Abstract: A convertible financial instrument provides incentives to holders to keep the instruments outstanding so that issuers maintain flexibility and control over the maturity date of the instrument and the manner in which it is settled. The instrument may provide issuers with the ability to deduct an amount for tax purposes that approximates the true economic cost of the financial instrument. The instrument may contain a provision calling for contingent payments (which may include, for example, contingent interest, preferred distributions, contingent principal, dividends, and other pay-outs) to the holder in some circumstances, which may be based on formulae calculations. For example, this may occur when the trading value of the convertible instrument exceeds a predetermined value such as, for example, a certain percentage of the accreted value of the convertible instrument, or, for example, another circumstance that may trigger a contingent payment may be when the price of another financial instrument (e.g.

Abstract: Systems and methods for offering and servicing financial instruments (101) creates a way for issuers to offer financial instruments (101) that are accretive to earnings regardless of the Price/Earnings ratio. Specifically, the present invention provides systems and methods for offering and servicing convertible or exchangeable contingent conversion financial instruments.