Abstract: A mobile turf sprayer operates to spray a product onto a turf site. In some embodiments the mobile turf sprayer identifies a plurality of regions of the turf site to be sprayed and automatically sprays product onto those regions as the mobile turf sprayer moves about the turf site.

Abstract: A mobile turf sprayer operates to spray a product onto a turf site. In some embodiments the mobile turf sprayer identifies a plurality of regions of the turf site to be sprayed and automatically sprays product onto those regions as the mobile turf sprayer moves about the turf site.

Abstract: A mobile turf sprayer operates to spray a product onto a turf site. In some embodiments the mobile turf sprayer identifies a plurality of regions of the turf site to be sprayed and automatically sprays product onto those regions as the mobile turf sprayer moves about the turf site.

Abstract: A system is provided for a metallic coin that may be scanned and implemented for stored value account transactions using traditional point-of-sale devices. The coin has two sides, a first surface portion of the second side having a less reflective matte finish relative to the first side and a second surface portion of the second side. A substantially transparent coat layer is upon the first surface portion of the second side, with an ink layer comprising machine readable indicia further thereupon. The machine readable indicia include a unique identifier with respect to the metallic coin. A hosted server is functionally linked to the traditional point-of-sale device via a communications network and configured upon receiving the identifier as scanned from the point-of-sale device to extract stored value information corresponding to an account associated with the identifier, and transmit said information to the point-of-sale device.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a stored value token which may take a coin shape. A first portion of a die is mechanically roughened, prior to striking each of a plurality of metallic substrates into a substantially planar three-dimensional form having a first side and a second side. The mechanically roughened portion of the die strikes at least the second side of the substrates, wherein a corresponding first surface portion of the second side of the stamped substrates has a less reflective matte finish. A substantially transparent coat layer such as a lacquer is applied to at least the first surface portion, and an ink layer is applied atop the first layer in the first surface portion, thereby bonding the ink layer and the first coat and generating machine readable indicia unique to each respective one of the plurality of stamped substrates.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted sprayer has a plurality of spray booms equipped with downwardly facing spray nozzles. A control console includes a rounded palm rest with the most often used operational spray controls placed directly ahead of the palm rest for easy actuation by the operator as the operator rests the palm of one hand on the palm rest. A pivotal hose reel for manual spraying has pivotal motion about a vertical axis into one of a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the sprayer to ease unwinding and rewinding of the hose from the hose reel. A hill assist system holds the sprayer on a hill for a predetermined time to give the operator enough time to place the sprayer into forward motion up the hill from a standing stop. The spray through the booms can be selectively added to flow in a tank agitation system to boost agitation effectiveness.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted sprayer has a plurality of spray booms equipped with downwardly facing spray nozzles. A control console includes a rounded palm rest with the most often used operational spray controls placed directly ahead of the palm rest for easy actuation by the operator as the operator rests the palm of one hand on the palm rest. A pivotal hose reel for manual spraying has pivotal motion about a vertical axis into one of a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the sprayer to ease unwinding and rewinding of the hose from the hose reel. A hill assist system holds the sprayer on a hill for a predetermined time to give the operator enough time to place the sprayer into forward motion up the hill from a standing stop. The spray through the booms can be selectively added to flow in a tank agitation system to boost agitation effectiveness.

Abstract: A sprayer has a tank for holding a spray solution that is applied to a ground or turf surface. The sprayer includes an agitation system having a plurality of agitation nozzles that extend into the tank that are accessible from outside the tank and can be removed and replaced without using tools. The sprayer may include a rinse system carried onboard the sprayer which is segregated from the spray and agitation systems to avoid contaminating the rinse liquid prior to the time the rinse liquid is sprayed into the tank through rinse nozzles. The rinse nozzles include upwardly and downwardly directed nozzle ports and a bottom spinner for thoroughly cleaning all interior surfaces of the tank. The sprayer may also include a chemical eductor mounted on the side of the tank, whose weight is counterbalanced by springs, and which easily pivots between lower and upper positions on the tank.

Abstract: A sprayer has a tank for holding a spray solution that is applied to a ground or turf surface. The sprayer includes an agitation system having a plurality of agitation nozzles that extend into the tank that are accessible from outside the tank and can be removed and replaced without using tools. The sprayer may include a rinse system carried onboard the sprayer which is segregated from the spray and agitation systems to avoid contaminating the rinse liquid prior to the time the rinse liquid is sprayed into the tank through rinse nozzles. The rinse nozzles include upwardly and downwardly directed nozzle ports and a bottom spinner for thoroughly cleaning all interior surfaces of the tank. The sprayer may also include a chemical eductor mounted on the side of the tank, whose weight is counterbalanced by springs, and which easily pivots between lower and upper positions on the tank.

Abstract: A turf sprayer has a truss shaped center boom and a pair of pivotal truss shaped wing booms within which spaced spray nozzles are supported. A drift shroud system comprises three integral and one-piece drift shrouds comprising a center shroud for the center boom and a pair of side shrouds for the wing booms. Each shroud is attached to an underside of the corresponding boom in a manner such that the shrouds project below the booms and not substantially above the booms to leave the truss-shapes of the booms open and unobscured to provide access to the spray nozzles within the booms. The shrouds each have openings in a top wall thereof for receiving the spray exiting from the nozzles with the spray passing downwardly between spaced front and rear walls of the shrouds.

Abstract: A method is provided for packaging and activating open loop stored value cards. A retailer is provided an open loop card and a closed loop card in an integrated package, the open loop card associated with a first account number and configured for activation by an open loop account processor, and the closed loop card associated with a second account number. An electronically readable card component contains data corresponding to a control account including the first and second account numbers. Upon receiving an activation request from a point of sale which contains the data corresponding to the control account, the control account and the account numbers are identified, and the closed loop card is activated. An activation request is transmitted electronically to the open loop account processor, wherein activating of the closed and open loop cards may be substantially simultaneous with respect to the point of sale.

Abstract: A sprayer has a tank for holding a spray solution that is applied to a ground or turf surface. The sprayer includes an agitation system having a plurality of agitation nozzles that extend into the tank that are accessible from outside the tank and can be removed and replaced without using tools. The sprayer may include a rinse system carried onboard the sprayer which is segregated from the spray and agitation systems to avoid contaminating the rinse liquid prior to the time the rinse liquid is sprayed into the tank through rinse nozzles. The rinse nozzles include upwardly and downwardly directed nozzle ports and a bottom spinner for thoroughly cleaning all interior surfaces of the tank. The sprayer may also include a chemical eductor mounted on the side of the tank, whose weight is counterbalanced by springs, and which easily pivots between lower and upper positions on the tank.

Abstract: A web-based system and method are provided for electronic coupon fraud prevention. The system receives electronic coupon parameters from a coupon provider via a host website. Access is selectively providing to electronic coupons by members based on the parameters and member access criteria. The member selects coupons via the website which are then stored in a member account. Transaction data is received from a merchant point of sale, and the system determines which coupons may be available for use in the transaction based on the coupon parameters and the transaction data. A first set of coupon data is provided to the point of sale associated with electronic coupons which have been determined to be available, and a second set of electronic coupon data is received from the point of sale associated with electronic coupons which have been redeemed by the merchant in association with the financial transaction.

Abstract: A turf sprayer has a truss shaped center boom and a pair of pivotal truss shaped wing booms within which spaced spray nozzles are supported. A drift shroud system comprises three integral and one-piece drift shrouds comprising a center shroud for the center boom and a pair of side shrouds for the wing booms. Each shroud is attached to an underside of the corresponding boom in a manner such that the shrouds project below the booms and not substantially above the booms to leave the truss-shapes of the booms open and unobscured to provide access to the spray nozzles within the booms. The shrouds each have openings in a top wall thereof for receiving the spray exiting from the nozzles with the spray passing downwardly between spaced front and rear walls of the shrouds.

Abstract: A self-propelled and self-contained shrouded walking boom unit including a small tank and pump mounted on the unit. The unit also has a small transmission and DC drive which makes the unit self-propelled. The configuration is such that the operator walks in front of the spray applicator system with the spray being applied behind the operator. The operator steers the applicator and controls the spray from a handle attached to a single front steering wheel.

Abstract: A self-propelled and self-contained shrouded walking boom unit including a small tank and pump mounted on the unit. The unit also has a small transmission and DC drive which makes the unit self-propelled. The configuration is such that the operator walks in front of the spray applicator system with the spray being applied behind the operator. The operator steers the applicator and controls the spray from a handle attached to a single front steering wheel.

Abstract: Methods for providing color to animate objects, i.e., living things, as well as compositions, such as personal care compositions and agrochemical compositions, suitable for application to such animate objects. The compositions include colorants that include a radiation diffraction material comprising an ordered periodic array of particles held in a matrix, and/or a dispersion of polymer-enclosed nanoparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed are powder coating compositions suitable for producing a decorative and durable coating having a homogeneous hue, articles comprising a decorative and durable coating having a homogeneous hue deposited thereon, methods for preparing a decorative and durable coating having a homogeneous hue, kits capable of producing a decorative and durable coating having a homogeneous hue, and methods for color matching using powder coating compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are tinted, abrasion resistant coating compositions comprising polymer-enclosed color-imparting particles. Also disclosed are methods for making such a composition and substrates at least partially coated with a hard coat deposited from such a composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous dispersions of polymer-enclosed particles, such as nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods for making an aqueous dispersion of polymer-enclosed particles, polymerizable polymers useful in such a method, powder coating compositions formed from such an aqueous dispersion, substrates at least partially coated with such a composition, and reflective surfaces comprising a non-hiding coating layer deposited from such a composition.