Abstract: The present invention is directed to a forming apparatus comprising (a) first and second forming rolls with forming pockets in corresponding alignment, wherein at least one roll has one or more continuous grooves extending around the circumference of the roll in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roll and which intersects the forming pockets in the plane, wherein the first and second forming rolls rotate in directions counter to one another, and (b) one or more forming pins positioned between the counter rotating rolls and within the continuous groove of the roll.

Abstract: There is provided a shopping cart adapted to receive elongated items. The shopping cart includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. A plurality of wheels are connected to the lower portion of the frame. The shopping cart includes an upper basket attached to the upper portion of the frame and a lower basket attached to the lower portion of the frame. The upper basket and lower basket are each open at the top and each is formed from a plurality of vertical and horizontal wire segments which form a plurality of windows. The upper basket has a front wall with a slot therein. The slot has a top portion and a bottom portion with the top portion being open so as to receive and retain an elongated item. The bottom portion of the slot extends down at least a portion of the front wall. The lower basket has a back wall with at least one major open for receiving an elongated item.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering goods ordered by a plurality of customers, in which a plurality of customers place orders for goods from a vendor, the vendor fulfills its orders by combining into a single shipping order the goods ordered by a plurality of customers who are geographically close to a single local pick-up point, and the vendor causes the single shipping order to be sent to a local pick-up point.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming, shaping or embossing chocolate confectionery with a chilled forming member and which does not use a mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving public key encryption and decryption schemes that employ a composite number formed from three or more distinct primes. The encryption or decryption tasks may be broken down into sub-tasks to obtain encrypted or decrypted sub-parts that are then combined using a form of the Chinese Remainder Theorem to obtain the encrypted or decrypted value. A parallel encryption/decryption architecture is disclosed to take advantage of the inventive method.

Abstract: A color coat is formed an a hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery by placing at least one hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery, preferably having an uncolored sugar surface, in functional association with an ink-jet head, applying at least a portion of a color coat to the hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery by ink-jet printing at least one edible ink onto the surface of the hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery, and drying the color coat. The hard-panned, sugar shelled, pellet-shaped confectionery may be transported and/or stored prior to the application of the color coat.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a decorated edible product comprising: a confectionery center, a non-chocolate edible surface, an edible color enhancement coating that is substantially gray colored disposed on at least a portion of the non-chocolate edible surface, and an edible image formed on at least a portion of the color enhancement coating, wherein the color enhancement coating substantially promotes the true colors of the edible image.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a decorated edible product comprising: an intermediate product having a surface, an edible image printed on the surface of the intermediate product, and an image enhancing border positioned within or adjacent to the edible image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grid of synthetic material with two groups of parallel, load-bearing strands, wherein the strands of the first group extend in the longitudinal direction of the grid and the strands of the second group extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the grid and the strands of both groups are joined together at their points of intersection. Alternating first and second portions are formed with strands extending in the direction of one of the two groups. The strand spacing of the first portions are larger than the strand spacing of the second portions. The second portions can be of an increased strength and can be used to fasten the grid without aids.

Abstract: A method for forming thin edible pieces uses two continuous belts that cooperate to form a fill cavity. An edible mass, such as chocolate, is flowed into the fill cavity where it forms an edible blank which is transported on a belt path with the two belts moving in tandem. After the edible blank is released from the first or second continuous belt, a three-dimensional shape may be imparted to the edible blank at a forming station using one or more stamping dies or a forming drum. Using the techniques and apparatus described herein, novel edible products, and particularly novel chocolate products, can be made having shape characteristics that cannot be obtained using known molding or forming techniques.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for continuously molding chocolate are disclosed, including a method and apparatus for removing flash from chocolate pieces and products (both molded and otherwise); and a manifold for continuously providing liquid chocolate to a continuous mold and directing excess liquid chocolate away.

Abstract: Ownership of a secure process is enabled with a cryptographic system. Methods initializing and operating the cryptographic system transfer control from the loading program to the loaded program and, in essence from the cryptographic system vendor to its end-user. As a result, ownership of the secure process can be relinquished to the end-user so that it alone can subsequently use the cryptographic system to control the secure process of loading and running its user-programs. The cryptographic system and methods allow for secure operations and protect against tampering with application software. The application program is retrieved from an encrypted file in external memory and authenticated by the cryptographic system before being executed.

Abstract: Modifying the surface of an edible with a high polarity water-based glaze or polishing gum improves the printing of images on the edibles with low viscosity inks typically used in ink-jet printing. The methods described herein are suited to printing high resolution ink-jet images on edible substrate, such as a hard panned sugar shell confectionery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a forming apparatus comprising (a) first and second forming rolls with forming pockets in corresponding alignment, wherein at least one roll has one or more continuous grooves extending around the circumference of the roll in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roll and which intersects the forming pockets in the plane, wherein the first and second forming rolls rotate in directions counter to one another, and (b) one or more forming pins positioned between the counter rotating rolls and within the continuous groove of the roll.

Abstract: An aqueous edible paint composition is disclosed which is useful for painting edible substrates, particularly fat-based edible substrates such as chocolate. Also described is a method of making the edible paint and a kit containing the edible paint and edible substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing an edible substrate such as a chocolate tablet having pellet shaped candy pieces arranged on the surface thereof in a predetermined defined pattern. Also disclosed is a novel chocolate confectionery prepared by the disclosed method and an apparatus for practising the method.

Abstract: The retractable table has a single, centrally disposed, vertical lift column formed of a relatively large number of relatively short sections. The relatively short sections permit the table to retract into a relatively shallow receptacle, thus obviating need for a deep well to house the column when retracted. Column actuation may be achieved by various principles of operation, including hydraulic cylinders and helically threaded sections which are rotated to extend and retract the tabletop. The table has an anti-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the tabletop relative to the underlying receptacle in which it stores. The retractable table may be provided as a “drop-in” installation, with the installer needing only to cut the required opening in the deck or floor of the vehicle in which the table is being installed, run appropriate wiring, and secure the table and its mechanism and receptacle in place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides cryptographic parameters for use in cryptographic applications in response to requests therefor. The method includes the steps of: pre-computing one or more different types of sets of cryptographic parameters, each the type of set being adapted for use by an associated type of cryptographic application; securely storing the pre-computed sets of cryptographic parameters in a memory storage unit; receiving a request for a set of cryptographic parameters having specified characteristics for use in a particular cryptographic application; determining one of the sets of cryptographic parameters stored in the memory storage unit that has specified characteristics; accessing the determined set of cryptographic parameters from the memory storage unit; and providing the determined set of cryptographic parameters with minimal latency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving public key encryption and decryption schemes that employ a composite number formed from three or more distinct primes. The encryption or decryption tasks may be broken down into sub-tasks to obtain encrypted or decrypted sub-parts that are then combined using a form of the Chinese Remainder Theorem to obtain the encrypted or decrypted value. A parallel encryption/decryption architecture is disclosed to take advantage of the inventive method. REEXAMINATION RESULTS The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/005,733, filed May 18, 2000 and reexamination request No. 90/005,776, filed on Jul. 28, 2000, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).