Abstract: An amusement apparatus comprising a roulette wheel (102), a hi/lo betting area (112), wherein, in use, the roulette wheel (102) is arranged to be spun and a winning number generated thereby, the hi/lo betting area (112) being arranged to allow a player to place a bet on whether the winning number generated by a spin of the roulette wheel (102) will be higher or lower than the winning number of a preceding spin.

Abstract: A composite material is described. The composite material comprises semiconductor nanocrystals, and organic molecules that passivate the surfaces of the semiconductor nanocrystals. One or more properties of the organic molecules facilitate the transfer of charge between the semiconductor nanocrystals. A semiconductor material is described that comprises p-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of electrons in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of holes. A semiconductor material is described that comprises n-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of holes in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of electrons.

Abstract: A method of laparoscopic (or robotic) surgery, using a hand-port, comprising providing a trocar port operably disposed within a first abdominal incision opening of a patient, providing a hand-port operably disposed within a second abdominal incision opening, introducing an elongate positioner dimensioned to extend through the trocar, introducing a spatulate element through the hand port and joining the spatulate element to the positioner. The procedure further comprises removing an internal organ or other tissue from the operating area in order to make room and add visibility for the laparoscopic intervention, detaching the spatulate element from the positioner, and withdrawing the positioner through the trocar port and the spatulate through the hand port.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an elongate shaft with a longitudinal shaft axis, a proximal grip end, and a distal working end. The shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis by user manipulation of the proximal grip end. The instrument has an energy source coupled to the surgical instrument. A tissue retainer is positioned at the distal working end of the shaft and is rotatable with the shaft The retainer has a curved portion, a tissue holding space within the curved portion, and an entry opening into the holding space. The retainer and holding space define a retainer axis. The retainer is configured to be received over and at least partly circumvent a target structure of a surgical field received in the holding space via the entry opening. A surgical component is positioned on a. portion of the retainer laterally offset from both the retainer axis and the holding space and is rotatable with rotation of the shaft and retainer.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying food and water to animals having a feeding component with an upper reservoir for receiving food therein, a watering component with a lower reservoir for receiving water therein and a water control system having a fluid level regulator to maintain the level of water in the lower reservoir. The upper reservoir is removably supported above the lower reservoir by a support mechanism interconnecting the feeding and watering components. In one configuration, the support mechanism is a post attached to the bottom of the upper reservoir sized and configured to be received in a post connector at the bottom of the lower reservoir. The fluid level regulator can comprise a float level system having a fluid valve connected to float by an actuating arm. A hose can be connected to a connector at an inlet on one of the lower reservoir's sidewalls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a floating roof tank from the effects of a lightning strike are disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises an electrically conductive bonding strap in electrical communication with an inner tank wall and the floating roof located below liquid level, the bonding strap being of a length to minimize its self inductance, so as to provide a preferred electrically efficient path for conduction of lightning stroke current through an oxygen deficient environment.

Abstract: A receptacle having an end cap, a pliable sidewall, and a fastener, for receiving and retaining a fuel cell stack in its stacked configuration during fabrication of a multi-stack fuel cell assembly, is shown and described. Methods of fabricating the assembly include stacking the fuel cell in the receptacle, compressing the fuel cell, and engaging the fastener to retain the stack in its stacked configuration and, or to retain the stack under at least partial compression.

Abstract: During a process of downloading a large datafile from a database to a remote terminal using a data server system, the destination terminal displays additional amusing, edifying or interesting information such as details of useful website addresses, interesting “trivia”, news, advertising, quizzes, status information about the file or about progress in the downloading process, or other information which can make the downloading process more interesting for the user. The additional data may be retrieved from the same database as the requested information, but it may be retrieved from elsewhere, such as an internet gateway server. The data is displayed at the beginning of the download of the requested file, and may be changed or updated during the download procedure if a large file is to be transmitted. The requested data is divided into a number of segments, with the additional data transmitted between the segments.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a radiation curable composition for in-line printing containing magnetic pigments capable of being magnetized to possess permanent magnetic properties after the composition is cured. The composition is cured by an ionizing radiation source, preferably by UV light or electron beam radiation (UV/EB). The present invention is also directed to an in-line process for printing magnetic images on non-magnetic substrate, comprising: pattern applying the above mentioned radiation curable composition on the substrate opposite to a print side, pre-aligning the magnetic pigment particles (if necessary) of the applied composition, curing the composition by ionizing radiation source (UV/EB), magnetizing the cured composition, then finishing the final piece.

Abstract: A method for the application of durable press to textiles via the pre-treatment bleaching of a non-finished textile component followed by the application of a durable press finish is provided. The method comprises the steps of treating a non-finished textile component in an aqueous bleaching solution of hydrogen peroxide and a hydrophobic activator or hydrophobic peracid for a time sufficient to bleach the textile component followed by application of the durable press finish preferably via immersion in an aqueous solution of formaldehyde, a cross lining catalyst and a silicone elastomer forming material or a solution of alkylene urea and a crosslinking catalyst. Preferred bleach activators include the alkanoyloxybenzene sulfonates and in particular noanoyloxybenzene sulfonate. The method allows significant savings in both energy and time due to the lower bleaching temperatures possible via the present method as opposed to conventional peroxide processing.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a radiation curable composition for in-line printing containing magnetic pigments capable of being magnetized to possess permanent magnetic properties after the composition is cured. The composition is cured by an ionizing radiation source, preferably by UV light or electron beam radiation (UV/EB). The present invention is also directed to an in-line process for printing magnetic images on non-magnetic substrate, comprising: pattern applying the above mentioned radiation curable composition on the substrate opposite to a print side, pre-aligning the magnetic pigment particles (if necessary) of the applied composition, curing the composition by ionizing radiation source (UV/EB), magnetizing the cured composition, then finishing the final piece.

Abstract: A receptacle having an end cap, a pliable sidewall, and a fastener, for receiving and retaining a fuel cell stack in its stacked configuration during fabrication of a multi-stack fuel cell assembly, is shown and described. Methods of fabricating the assembly include stacking the fuel cell in the receptacle, compressing the fuel cell, and engaging the fastener to retain the stack in its stacked configuration and, or to retain the stack under at least partial compression.

Abstract: A method for the application of durable press to textiles via the pre-treatment bleaching of a non-finished textile component followed by the application of a durable press finish is provided. The method comprises the steps of treating a non-finished textile component in an aqueous bleaching solution of hydrogen peroxide and a hydrophobic activator or hydrophobic peracid for a time sufficient to bleach the textile component followed by application of the durable press finish preferably via immersion in an aqueous solution of formaldehyde, a cross lining catalyst and a silicone elastomer forming material or a solution of alkylene urea and a crosslinking catalyst. Preferred bleach activators include the alkanoyloxybenzene sulfonates and in particular noanoyloxybenzene sulfonate. The method allows significant savings in both energy and time due to the lower bleaching temperatures possible via the present method as opposed to conventional peroxide processing.

Abstract: A pump enable system includes a variable-displacement piston pump having a displacement control device. The displacement control device controls displacement of pistons in the pump based on a position thereof, and a position control system in the pump controls a position of the displacement control device based on a load on the pump. An over-ride system selectively over-rides the position control system such that the displacement control device assumes a position which reduces displacement of the pistons in the pump.

Abstract: A method for treating wood surfaces.

Abstract: There is disclosed an actuator for a rotary valve, such as a butterfly valve which rotates a quarter of a turn between open and closed positions. The actuator includes a drive mechanism releasably attachable to the stem of the valve for rotating it in response to operation of a reversible electric motor.

Abstract: There is disclosed an actuator for a rotary valve, such as a butterfly valve which rotates a quarter of a turn between open and closed positions. The actuator includes a drive mechanism releasably attachable to the stem of the valve for rotating it in response to operation of a reversible electric motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making digestible fat free corn chips. The process for preparing the fat-free corn chips comprises:a. preparing raw corn chip pieces from a dough comprising a mixture of corn masa and a fat free filler selected from the group consisting of starch, protein and nondigestible fiber, and mixtures thereof; and water; andb. cooking said raw corn chip pieces in nondigestible fat at 300.degree. F. to 450.degree. F. (148.9.degree. C. to 232.degree. C.).

Abstract: The present invention relates to fat free corn chips comprising corn masa and fat free filler selected from the group consisting of starch, protein and nondigestible fiber, and mixtures thereof; nondigestible fat substitute; and other essentially fat free ingredients selected from the group consisting of salt, emulsifiers and fat free seasonings and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for converting an implementation of a logic description describing a field programmable device into an implementation of the same logic in a factory-programmed device are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, an expert system synthesizes a logic circuit model based on the logic description. An automatic test pattern generator provides test vectors including expected response signals for the logic circuit model generated by the expert system. The automatically generated test vectors are provided to a tester which applies the test vectors as input stimuli to the field programmable device. The output signals of the field programmable device are verified against the expected response signals.