Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide plates for treating periarticular fractures or other non-full body weight bearing applications that combine polyaxial fixation with a low profile and enhanced contouring that more closely conforms to bone. Such plates can be designed to achieve buttressing effect and/or to be used in a reinforcement mode. Other features can be combined with these. Such plates can be created for use on bone sites such as on a tibia, fibula, metatarsal, calcaneous, other foot bone, humerus, radius, ulna, spinal, maxillofacial, as well as sites on other bones.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a mask, and in particular a mask configured as a respirator. The disclosed mask is relatively low cost and relatively easy to manufacture. Further, the disclosed mask is reusable and customizable.

Abstract: A method for distributing non-transactional workload in the form of online analytical processing (OLAP) load across multiple database servers comprises receiving, at a scheduler server, a plurality of asynchronous work requests, adding, by the scheduler server, each of the received asynchronous work requests to a work list queue as a work item, and determining, by a scheduler module of the scheduler server, a first work item from the work list queue to select for performance by the first thread of the application server. In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, the first work item is selected utilizing a methodology which determines a number of work items in the work list queue having a processing status that are assigned to a database server, and based thereon determines whether an additional work request can be assigned to that database server without exceeding a request threshold for that database server.

Abstract: A device for dispensing volatile liquids has a head and a body and can be formed of an absorbent material. A volatile liquid is applied to the body of the device so that the body absorbs the volatile liquid. To attach to or engage the volatile liquid dispensing device with a support structure, a tab, cut into the head of the device, is pulled out from the head along a spiral incision and engaged with a support structure. The recoil inherent in the spiral incision further secures the device to the support structure. As the liquid evaporates, the volatile liquid disperses into the atmosphere.

Abstract: The device of the present invention is a stand alone radio frequency identification (RFID) reader/writer device comprising a micro controller having non-volatile data memory, an RFID module, at least one input/output port, and a display. The device of the present invention is fully configurable and may serve as a multi-functional transaction sentry, i.e., a ticket taker, a money or point collector, a money or point dispenser, an access controller, a balance inquiry station, a transaction logger, etc. The method of the present invention comprises steps for configuring, operating and collecting data from the RFID reader/writer device of the present invention. The configuration, operation or data collection from the RFID device of the present invention may be performed by using either the RFID module or the at least one input/output port.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing small quantities of fiber or like material from a plurality of bales of the same arranged in rows. The apparatus comprises angularly arranged conduits, one end of which is maintained in sealing relation to another and mechanism for moving up and down one of the conduits for removing the fiber from the bales. Improved sealing means for the mechanism comprises generally flat strips of material spanning and sealing slots in the upper surfaces of the conduits together with means to run under the strip of material without losing the seal. One of such mechanisms seals the two conduits together and the other such mechanism carries the actual pickup mechanism and seals it to the conduit up and down which it reciprocates. All of the mechanisms are under control of an operator who walks up and down the aisles between the rows of bales.

Abstract: An outside-in tow cutter having a horizontal axis of rotation for its cutter reel assembly which includes an inner plate and an outer ring carrying radially disposed cutter blades, the outer ring having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the circle formed by the cutting edges of the blades. The outer ring also carries an annular lip which cooperates with a snug fitting discharge hooper so that a subatmospheric pressure may be induced within said reel and said discharge housing to facilitate the removal of cut tow therefrom and to provide for pneumatically drawing the uncut tow onto the cutter reel assembly via an inlet housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for feeding modules of seed cotton to disperser apparatus. The apparatus is capable of picking up, moving and delivering to the disperser the modules of cotton to be ginned, and further is constructed and arranged to load or discharge modules from either end of the apparatus and to run under a module or modules, thereby to reach one located more distantly from the disperser than the others. Also disclosed are various controls and safety devices for the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ginning system incorporating a roller gin and a feeder for the same. Means is provided for presenting the cotton to the roller gin substantially one lock at a time. Incorporated in the gin is means to move the ginning roller into and out of ginning relation to the ginning knife, and means is provided in the system to cause the ginning roller to move out of ginning relation to the knife whenever there is less than a predetermined amount of seed cotton in the feeder.

Abstract: An improved system for removing modules of seed cotton either from a pallet, a transport vehicle, or, with slight modifications, from the ground when incorporated as a part of a transport vehicle. The apparatus comprises a conveyor with a discharge end and a receiving end. At the receiving end there is provided a cotton module engaging and lifting mechanism comprising a plurality of driven, toothed, disc-like lifting members, a multiplicity of the same being mounted in a framework for vertical reciprocation so that upon engaging an oncoming mass of seed cotton the entire unit moves downwardly, thus to get under and lift the seed cotton onto the conveyor. The cotton is fed to a disperser unit which breaks it down into individual locks, or at least groups of locks small enough to be fed to a gin.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ginning system incorporating a roller gin and a feeder for the same. Means is provided for presenting the cotton to the roller gin substantially one lock at a time. Incorporated in the gin is means to move the ginning roller into and out of ginning relation to the ginning knife, and means is provided in the system to cause the ginning roller to move out of ginning relation to the knife whenever there is less than a predetermined amount of seed cotton in the feeder.