Abstract: A user submits a set of personal and lifestyle questions to an electronic reward system, which calculates from the answers an estimated lifetime value based on the user's life expectancy and lifestyle, such as an estimated lifetime spend. The system selects a set of offers, provided by sponsors, to the user based on the answers provided. The user may select any one of the offers and is then transferred to another system provided by the corresponding sponsor in order to complete a transaction involving the offer. Some or all of the information provided by the user to the reward system may, with the user's consent, be copied to the sponsor's system. In another aspect, the estimated lifetime value is used in a game involving guessing the value. In another aspect, users provide information about themselves to a database, and in return an equity share in a company that administers the database is provided to a party nominated by the user. The company then licenses the database in return for revenue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching sliders and bottom stops to a slide fastener chain having longitudinally spaced gaps free of fastener elements, in which the chain is conveyed forwardly until a gap is detected. The chain is stopped and the gap area widened. A rotor movable beneath the chain is adapted to carry a slider and is also formed with a die plate portion. The rotor rotates to deliver the slider to the gap, thread the slider onto the fastener elements of the chain, and place the die plate beneath the gap across from bottom stop punch and chain cutter means which then fix a bottom stop to the chain and separate adjacent fastener element ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching sliders and bottom stops to a slide fastener chain having longitudinally spaced gaps free of fastener elements, in which the chain is conveyed forwardly until a gap is detected. The chain is stopped and the gap area widened. A rotor movable beneath the chain is adapted to carry a slider and is also formed with a die plate portion. The rotor rotates to deliver the slider to the gap, thread the slider onto the fastener elements of the chain, and place the die plate beneath the gap across from bottom stop punch and chain cutter means which then fix a bottom stop to the chain and separate adjacent fastener element ends.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing gaps in zipper chain is especially adapted for chain having plastic elements of U-shape joined by imbedded connector threads and stitched to tape. Apparatus includes slitting means which slice into and demolish fastener elements in the gap as the zipper is drawn along, and lancer elements which are periodically activated to cut the connecting threads at the beginning and end of the gap. Stitches and tape in gap are left intact.

Abstract: Phosphorus-containing compounds of the formula ##STR1## WHEREIN R is phenyl or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, m and p are each integers from 2 to 6, n and q are each integers from 1 to 10, y is an integer of at least 2, and flame retardant polymers containing such phosphorus-containing compounds.

Abstract: The reaction product of a polyalkoxylated triglyceride with an ester of oxalic or malonic acid in the ratio of at least 2 molecules of the latter to 1 molecule of the former, also synthetic polymers containing a minor proportion of the reaction product.