Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for imaging the vascular structure and vascular blood flow of an organ or tissue and, in particular, relates to a selective wavelength epi-illumination endoscopic imaging apparatus to image vascular tissues and real time capillary blood flow in vivo. The invention also relates to determining the blood oxygen content of the organ or tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is a foundational cistern. The present invention is an evolutionary panelized foundation system that uses known pre-casting technologies, functions structurally in similar ways to traditional systems, yet provides building designers with a multitude of new benefits in combination with the objectives of reduced construction time, energy, and water conservation. Stored rainwater in the cistern provides thermal mass for heating for a supported structure, and may be used for nonpotable uses. Given appropriate on-site water treatment, potable uses of stored rainwater may be contemplated as well. The foundational cistern of the present invention may be coupled to other foundational cisterns and structural elements of the supported structure. The present invention offers a multitude of advantages not currently known in the art of foundation products.

Abstract: An automated banking machine is provided. The automated banking machine may include a fascia in operative connection with a frame. The machine may include a plurality of hardware devices which are accessible through the fascia. The hardware devices may include a cash dispenser, receipt printer, and a card reader.

Abstract: A system and method of offering a redemption account that allows users to purchase or reserve and subsequently redeem, share, transfer, or resell redemption rights for items from one or more merchants that are affiliated with the system is disclosed. The present invention imparts a process by which users enrolled in a biometric redemption rights system can access redemption rights for advance purchased or reserved items by submitting their biometric data. Information stored in the user record can then be utilized to enable the sharing, transfer, resale or fulfillment of the redemption rights.

Abstract: A mattress and a method of manufacturing a mattress are disclosed. The mattress includes a mattress core, a side rail joined to the mattress core by a one or more adhesive patches, optionally a deck applied over an area of the mattress core and joined to the mattress core by adhesive patches, and an upholstery layer defining a sleep surface applied over the deck or the mattress core and joined to the deck by adhesive patches. The adhesive patches have a bonding strength sufficient to maintain a relative position between the various mattress components at least during assembly of the mattress. The upholstery layer is permanently secured to the side rail by, for example, sewing or stapling.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aryl fused polycyclic lactams which are useful intermediates in the synthesis of aryl fused azapolycyclic compounds as agents for the treatment of neurological and psychological disorders.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of its use, for slicing food products, particularly elongated food products, in which the apparatus has a housing enclosing a rotatable slicing blade, and a sleeve which is mounted in a housing sidewall. The sleeve provides a passageway through which a food product passes and receives a treatment along its outer surface. Other additional and/or alternative features for enhancing or sustaining the cleanliness within the slicing housing also are provided, which include use of overpressure within the housing interior, introduction of HEPA-filtered gas or air therein, delivery of an antimicrobial agent therein, and/or providing interior housing wall surfaces having a surface finish (RMS) not exceeding 32 microinches. The slicing apparatus, and its method of operation, provides reliable, accurate continuous slicing capability while requiring less cleaning.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) is provided. The automated banking machine may include a fascia (50) in operative connection with a frame (110). The machine may include a plurality of hardware devices which are accessible through the fascia. The hardware devices may include a cash dispenser (24), receipt printer (20), and a card reader (22). The fascia may include replaceable bezels (550,552) with apertures therein for providing access to hardware devices. The bezels may be operative to float with respect to the fascia and hardware devices to automatically align hardware devices with the bezels. In addition the hardware devices may include movable portions which are operative to automatically align with the bezels. The bezels may include ramps, ribs, or other angled surfaces which guide the hardware devices into alignment with the openings in the bezels.

Abstract: A method for preparing indan-1,3-dicarboxylic acid compounds which are useful intermediates in the syntheses of aryl fused azapolycyclic compounds as agents for the treatment of neurological and psychological disorders.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow meat logs to be manually loaded into a slicing station and thereafter be continuously automatically processed at the slicing station, a harping station, and an insertion station for automated packaging thereof without the need for handling of the meat stacks by workers. To this end, the slicing station is effective to form smaller sections or chubs from the meat logs and to do so such that the chubs are provided with substantially parallel flat end-faces to ensure that high quality meat slices are generated therefrom. The chubs are then transported to the harping station where each of the chubs undergoes a single cutting operation, thus simultaneously forming the meat slices therefrom and substantially maintaining the slices in the configuration of the chubs for generating well-formed stacks of the slices.

Abstract: Edge rails for a mattress core are combined with an upholstery layer to provide a pre-assembled work piece that provides a perimeter about a mattress core. The edge rails, which may be foam, may be attached to the upholstery layer with hinges that permit each edge rail to rotate relative to the upholstery layer between an unassembled, flat position and an assembled, upright position. In the unassembled position, the work piece may present a relatively flat profile for more convenient bulk storage. In the assembled position, the edge rails are positioned to closely surround a mattress core of suitable size.

Abstract: A mattress and a method of manufacturing a mattress are disclosed. The mattress includes a mattress core, a side rail joined to the mattress core by a one or more adhesive patches, optionally a deck applied over an area of the mattress core and joined to the mattress core by adhesive patches, and an upholstery layer defining a sleep surface applied over the deck or the mattress core and joined to the deck by adhesive patches. The adhesive patches have a bonding strength sufficient to maintain a relative position between the various mattress components at least during assembly of the mattress. The upholstery layer is permanently secured to the side rail by, for example, sewing or stapling.

Abstract: Co-extrusion apparatus for manufacturing a laminated plastic film or sheet comprises a plug-type layer sequencer including a plurality of channels for conducting a plurality of polymer flows; a transitional aspect ratio block for inducing the plurality of polymer flows to converge; and a flow velocity profiler cartridge for combining the plurality of polymer flows to form the film. In accordance with one embodiment, the layer sequencer includes a tapered selector pin which minimizes mechanical damage when the selector pin is removed. In accordance with another embodiment, the flow velocity profiler cartridge includes inserts fitting within cavities for controlling the polymer flows which form the layers of the film or sheet manufactured by the apparatus. At least one such insert defines lanes within an associated cavity so as to promote the formation of lanes of differing polymer composition within at least one layer of the laminated sheet or film.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of 1,3 substituted indenes which are useful intermediates in the synthesis of aryl fused azapolycyclic compounds as agents for the treatment of neurological and psychological disorders.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) is provided. The automated banking machine may include a fascia (50) in operative connection with a frame (110). The machine may include a plurality of hardware devices which are accessible through the fascia. The hardware devices may include a cash dispenser (24), receipt printer (20), and a card reader (22). The fascia may include replaceable bezels (550,552) with apertures therein for providing access to hardware devices. The bezels may be operative to float with respect to the fascia and hardware devices to automatically align hardware devices with the bezels. In addition the hardware devices may include movable portions which are operative to automatically align with the bezels. The bezels may include ramps, ribs, or other angled surfaces which guide the hardware devices into alignment with the openings in the bezels.

Abstract: A recipe recorder for automated chemistry comprises an automated chemistry system that is capable of automatically recording every step taken by a chemist during a particular experiment and automatically replaying the steps to reproduce the experiment. The apparatus comprises a controller connected to a plurality of laboratory devices and an input/output device connected to the controller. A graphical user desktop is accessible through the input/output device for controlling the actions of the laboratory devices. In addition, the graphical user desktop includes a record option that allows the user to automatically record the actions of each laboratory device during an experiment and automatically stores the actions of each laboratory device in a computer program. The graphical user desktop also provides a playback option for executing the computer program to automatically replay the recorded actions of the laboratory devices and thereby reproduce the experimental results in a subsequent experiment.

Abstract: Apparatus device and method improved slicing of large food sticks, loaves and the like are provided. A slicing blade which may have a top flat surface or top flat land width along its cutting edge provides generally longitudinal forces on the food product being sliced, which forces are in a direction generally opposite to the direction through which the food products are fed through a slicing apparatus. The slicing blade includes a bottom primary bevel surface and typically steep primary angle for imparting angularly directed forces on the food products being sliced so as to throw the slices at a generally corresponding deposit angle. The invention is particularly important in improving handling of large luncheon meat sticks including non-frozen, high water content and reduced fat content luncheon meat sticks.

Abstract: An electrorheological fluid e.g. for selectively coupling clutch members consists of silicone oil containing 30 volume % of dispersed polyaniline. The polyaniline is acidically oxidised aniline subsequently treated with base.