Abstract: At least one of pre-planting information, planting information, growing information, harvesting information, chemical information, weather information, adjacent crop information, processing information, manufacturing information and retail information is stored in data storage. The stored information is arranged to provide a data profile associated with a particular crop for a defined geographic area. A storage identifier is associated with the arranged data profile for the particular crop. The storage identifier identifies at least one of a container and segregated storage bin for holding a particular crop for a tracked (e.g., an assigned) time duration.

Abstract: A method and system for tracing the identity of an agricultural product comprises holding an agricultural product in a container having a tag. A container identifier of the tag is determined by reading the tag. Ancillary data is generated and is associated with a container location and the reading time. The ancillary data may include a status indicator (e.g., transaction descriptor) for the product, a custodian identifier or both. The container identifier and the ancillary data is transmitted for storage in a data storage system. A product-flow description (e.g., chain of custody) is established for the agricultural product for transport of the product from the origination location to the destination location.

Abstract: A machine for fabricating ornamental bows feeds slit sheet material from a roll, and cuts trapezoidal or truncated-triangle portions from the roll. The cut sheets are translated by a rotatable transfer head to a roll-up station, where a folding apparatus or harp receives the sheets. The folding harp has smaller dimensions than the separated sheets, so there is an overlap. The harp folds, to juxtapose border portions of the sheets. A hold-down bar presses the protruding borders onto a row of needles on the upper surface of a roll-up bar. An element guard bar is lowered, to press loops of the bow onto a front surface of the roll-up bar. A collet is introduced and grasps the sheets, and is raised and rotated to roll up one edge of the sheets against the upper surface of the roll-up bar. When rolling is finished, fingers grasp the hub of the bow, and the collet is retracted. The fingers carry the bow to a glue operation for finishing.

Abstract: A method and system of tracing an agricultural product relates to recording of at least one of planting information, growing information, harvesting information, chemical information, and weather information (e.g., electronically recorded) concerning a crop to form a data profile for a corresponding crop. Once harvested, the crop is segregated from intermixing with other harvested crops by placing the crop in one or more containers, each having a corresponding identifier. The data profile is associated with the container profile for later referencing of the data profile.

Abstract: In a cryptographic device (140) storing a number of templates (310), a system and method for supporting authentication services is provided. The cryptographic device (140) receives inputs representing a request for authentication services. The cryptographic device (140) then compares the syntax of the input to the syntactic constraints defined in one of the templates (310), where each template (310) includes syntactic constraints associated with at least one authority. When the cryptographic device (140) determines that the syntax of the input is consistent with the template (310), the cryptographic device (140) validates the input.

Abstract: At least one of pre-planting information, planting information, growing information, harvesting information, chemical information, weather information, adjacent crop information, processing information, manufacturing information and retail information is stored in data storage. The stored information is arranged to provide a data profile associated with a particular crop for a defined geographic area. A storage identifier is associated with the arranged data profile for the particular crop. The storage identifier identifies at least one of a container and segregated storage bin for holding a particular crop for a tracked (e.g., an assigned) time duration.

Abstract: Crop information related to a particular crop is collected and stored in data storage during the performance of an agricultural operation. A harvested particular crop is segregated from all other genetically distinct crops by storing the particular harvested crops in one or more segregated storage volumes for storing the particular crop. Each segregated storage volume has a corresponding storage identifier. An electronically accessible data profile, associated with the particular crop, is provided or made available to a user. The data profile includes the collected crop information.

Abstract: A method and system of tracing an agricultural product relates to recording of at least one of planting information, growing information, harvesting information, chemical information, and weather information (e.g., electronically recorded) concerning a crop to form a data profile for a corresponding crop. Once harvested, the crop is segregated from intermixing with other harvested crops by placing the crop in one or more containers, each having a corresponding identifier. The data profile is associated with the container profile for later referencing of the data profile.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method incorporate an extensible modular communication executive for use integrating one or more electronic devices with one another with reduced customization overhead. A modular architecture is used to facilitate message-based communications in such a manner that queuing strategies, business rules and the like may be accommodated within a message-based environment in a reliable and efficient manner. Through the use of a modular architecture, application-specific software components can be assembled together to readily adapt a generic message-based system for use in a specific application. Moreover, intelligent pre-validation of messages may be implemented in such a modular architecture to permit a business rule-independent messaging infrastructure to be readily adapted to support specific business rule requirements for a particular application.

Abstract: A method of reducing humping of a laminated roofing shingle when the shingle is stacked with others of the shingle involves shingles that include a longitudinal central area having an overlay laminated with an underlay. The method involves providing a depression in the shingle that extends through at least a portion of the central area. In another embodiment, the invention is a method of reducing humping of a laminated roofing shingle including an overlay, an underlay, and an adhesive between the overlay and the underlay in an area of the shingle. The method involves providing a depression in the shingle that extends through at least a portion of the adhesive area. In a further embodiment, the invention is a method of reducing humping of a roofing shingle having a sealant in an area of the shingle. The method involves providing a depression in the shingle that extends through at least a portion of the sealant area.

Abstract: A multi-station machine for filling storage batteries has an unloading station, a loading station and a filling station. At the unloading station, a filled battery case is removed from a pivotally mounted cradle assembly including an acid container. At the loading station, adjacent the unloading station, the battery case is loaded in the cradle assembly in a vertical orientation and then tilted to and latched in an angular orientation. At the filling station, the battery case and acid container are further tilted to a horizontal orientation, the container is filled with acid and then returned to the tilted and latched orientation. When all of the cradle assemblies are filled with battery cases and acid container are filled with acid, the cradle assemblies, are spun at a speed sufficient to rotate the assemblies to a more tilted orientation to cause centrifugally induced flow of the acid into the battery case while simultaneously unlatching the cradle assemblies.

Abstract: An electronic production system and method are capable of handling dynamic process production data. The electronic production system includes a memory; an input/output interface for receiving production data from a plurality of sensors detecting operation of a plurality of processes of a facility; and a processor. The processor includes a plurality of dynamically operating software modules, each responsive to the production data of a respective process for storing and dynamically updating the production data in the memory; an event log generator, responsive to the production data stored in the memory, for generating event logs and for transmitting the event logs to a management system connected to the input/output interface; and a graphic user interface, responsive to the dynamically operating software modules updating the production data, for displaying the production data graphically and dynamically as the production data changes.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for pivotable mounting of a binding to a snowboard is provided. The adapter assembly includes a first part which is adapted to be one of mounted to a snowboard and connected to a binding. A second part is rotatably connected to the first part for rotation about an axis. The second part is adapted to be the other of mounted to the snowboard and connected to the binding. The first part includes an index member having a plurality of index stops spaced at least partially around the axis. A locating member is connected to the second part which is movable from a first position, where the locating member is engaged in an index stop of the index member such that the second part is held in a rotatably fixed position relative to the first part, to a second position, where the locating member is disengaged from the index stops of the index member such that the second part is rotatable relative to the first part.

Abstract: An aluminum electrolytic capacitor having improved axial heat dissipation resulting from a smaller ratio between the width of the anode foil and the diameter of the capacitor foil roll.