Abstract: Devices for making shaped clear ice that each include an insulated vessel and a multipart ice mold engageable into a vessel cavity of the insulated vessel. In some embodiments, the ice mold includes mold cavity having a high point. Such an ice mold also includes an upper end wall having a first hole that allows for fluid communication through the upper end wall to the high point of the mold cavity. The ice mold further includes a lower end wall that has a second hole and, when the ice mold is engaged with the vessel cavity, that is spaced from a bottom of the vessel cavity so as to define a hollow space in the vessel cavity. The second hole allows for fluid communication between the mold cavity and the hollow space when the ice mold is engaged with the vessel cavity.

Abstract: Devices for making shaped clear ice that each include an insulated vessel and a multipart ice mold engageable into a vessel cavity of the insulated vessel. In some embodiments, the ice mold includes mold cavity having a high point. Such an ice mold also includes an upper end wall having a first hole that allows for fluid communication through the upper end wall to the high point of the mold cavity. The ice mold further includes a lower end wall that has a second hole and, when the ice mold is engaged with the vessel cavity, that is spaced from a bottom of the vessel cavity so as to define a hollow space in the vessel cavity. The second hole allows for fluid communication between the mold cavity and the hollow space when the ice mold is engaged with the vessel cavity.

Abstract: A clear-ice-making device that includes an insulated vessel and an ice mold that is engageable with a cavity of the insulated vessel in a manner that allows a user to rotate the ice mold about a central rotational axis to aid in removing the ice mold from the insulated vessel. In one embodiment, the ice mold includes one or more mold cavities that, when the ice mold is engaged with the insulated vessel, each fluidly communicate with a void beneath the ice mold and with an overfill region above that mold cavity. A method of making clear-ice shapes using a device having an ice mold rotatable within an insulated vessel is also disclosed, as is a method of instructing a user on how to perform the method of making clear-ice shapes.

Abstract: A clear-ice-making device that includes an insulated vessel and an ice mold that is engageable with a cavity of the insulated vessel in a manner that allows a user to rotate the ice mold about a central rotational axis to aid in removing the ice mold from the insulated vessel. In one embodiment, the ice mold includes one or more mold cavities that, when the ice mold is engaged with the insulated vessel, each fluidly communicate with a void beneath the ice mold and with an overfill region above that mold cavity. A method of making clear-ice shapes using a device having an ice mold rotatable within an insulated vessel is also disclosed, as is a method of instructing a user on how to perform the method of making clear-ice shapes.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a device and method for making clear ice spheres employing a large half mold (11) releasably connected to a small half mold (30), and an insulated vessel (70). When the device is filled with liquid and submitted to freezing temperatures the liquid freezes from the top down leaving a clear ice sphere in the mold.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a device and method for making clear ice spheres employing a large half mold (11) releasably connected to a small half mold (30), and an insulated vessel (70). When the device is filled with liquid and submitted to freezing temperatures the liquid freezes from the top down leaving a clear ice sphere in the mold.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for supply chain order aids a manufacturer's production control departments in setting manufacturer production schedules and purchase schedules. A computerized production control system in communication with a computerized ordering system presents a consistent demand level to reduce changes to the purchase and delivery schedules. A next day production schedule is adjusted to keep total demand within the supply chain constant. At the end of a production day, actual production is compared to an original production plan to calculate an adjustment value. The adjustment value is applied to the next day's production schedule to revise the production schedule. If the actual number of units produced is lower than the planned number of units, units are added to the next day's purchase schedule to determine a revised purchase schedule. Other adjustments may be made if the actual number of units produced exceeds the planned number of units.

Abstract: A gaming system and method of providing a virtual drawing or drawing promotion including a central server, one or more location servers, and a plurality of gaming devices. A player is provided with a drawing account voucher, which is associated with a drawing account. Based on game play, the drawing account is credited with drawing entries or virtual tickets for a drawing promotion. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides a number of drawing entries when a wager placed by a player meets at least a wager threshold amount, wherein the number of drawing entries provided is based on a ticket award amount. The gaming system, upon expiration of a drawing period, selects a winner of the drawing promotion by selecting a drawing entry. In one embodiment, the gaming system progressively increases the drawing prize based on the number of drawing entries provided or wagers placed by the players.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for supply chain order aids a manufacturer's production control departments in setting manufacturer production schedules and purchase schedules. A computerized production control system in communication with a computerized ordering system presents a consistent demand level to reduce changes to the purchase and delivery schedules. A next day production schedule is adjusted to keep total demand within the supply chain constant. At the end of a production day, actual production is compared to an original production plan to calculate an adjustment value. The adjustment value is applied to the next day's production schedule to revise the production schedule. If the actual number of units produced is lower than the planned number of units, units are added to the next day's purchase schedule to determine a revised purchase schedule. Other adjustments may be made if the actual number of units produced exceeds the planned number of units.

Abstract: A gaming system and method of providing a virtual drawing or drawing promotion including a central server, one or more location servers, and a plurality of gaming devices. A player is provided with a drawing account voucher, which is associated with a drawing account. Based on game play, the drawing account is credited with drawing entries or virtual tickets for a drawing promotion. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides a number of drawing entries when a wager placed by a player meets at least a wager threshold amount, wherein the number of drawing entries provided is based on a ticket award amount. The gaming system, upon expiration of a drawing period, selects a winner of the drawing promotion by selecting a drawing entry. In one embodiment, the gaming system progressively increases the drawing prize based on the number of drawing entries provided or wagers placed by the players.

Abstract: A gaming system and method of providing a virtual drawing or drawing promotion including a central server, one or more location servers, and a plurality of gaming devices. A player is provided with a drawing account voucher, which is associated with a drawing account. Based on game play, the drawing account is credited with drawing entries or virtual tickets for a drawing promotion. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides a number of drawing entries when a wager placed by a player meets at least a wager threshold amount, wherein the number of drawing entries provided is based on a ticket award amount. The gaming system, upon expiration of a drawing period, selects a winner of the drawing promotion by selecting a drawing entry. In one embodiment, the gaming system progressively increases the drawing prize based on the number of drawing entries provided or wagers placed by the players.

Abstract: Ticket drawings having escalating discrete prize levels within a gaming environment are provided. A gaming system having an automated random ticket drawing game module provides ticket drawing bonus games in conjunction with primary wager based games. Ticket drawings can include base, intermediate and ultimate prize levels, with each level corresponding to a specific prize and range of ticket entries. The prize level escalates as more ticket entries are granted. Ticket entries can be awarded for various events, such as a 3-of-a-kind at a primary wager based game. Drawings include a time period for the acceptance of ticket entries, including a predefined start and end. Award and drawing mechanisms and multiple display devices facilitate each drawing. Multiple drawings can occur simultaneously, such as an hourly and daily drawing. Drawings may also be part of an ongoing series of continuous ticket drawings, such as 24 hourly drawings in a given day.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) dryer for separating water and carbon dioxide from a gas stream includes two compound adsorbent columns [32, 42]. Each column comprises a primary adsorption material for adsorbing water and a secondary adsorbent that adsorbs carbon dioxide. The secondary adsorbent comprises a solid amine. The secondary adsorbent may be, for example, a highly porous polystyrene matrix with amine groups bonded to the porous resin structure. Preferably, a mixture of the primary and secondary adsorbent materials forms an intermediate layer [38, 48] sandwiched between a top layer [34, 44] and bottom layer [36, 46] of pure water adsorbent material in each of the columns [32, 42].

Abstract: A gaming system and method of providing a virtual drawing or drawing promotion including a central server, one or more location servers, and a plurality of gaming devices. A player is provided with a drawing account voucher, which is associated with a drawing account. Based on game play, the drawing account is credited with drawing entries or virtual tickets for a drawing promotion. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides a number of drawing entries when a wager placed by a player meets at least a wager threshold amount, wherein the number of drawing entries provided is based on a ticket award amount. The gaming system, upon expiration of a drawing period, selects a winner of the drawing promotion by selecting a drawing entry. In one embodiment, the gaming system progressively increases the drawing prize based on the number of drawing entries provided or wagers placed by the players.

Abstract: A balloon catheter that may include a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft having a core having an outer surface, the core extending to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the catheter shaft having a tubular member disposed about the core, the tubular member having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an inflation lumen between the tubular member inner surface and the tubular member outer surface, and an inflatable member having a proximal cone, a distal cone and a central section therebetween, the central section having proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal cones defining an inflation cavity, the inflatable member further comprising a proximal waist affixing the proximal cone to the outer surface of the tubular member and a distal waist affixing the distal cone to the outer surface of the core, wherein the inflatable member is configured such that the distance along the longitudinal axis between the distal end of the central section and the distal wais

Abstract: A cryogenic gas is liquefied using a refrigeration system [101] thermally coupled at an evaporator [125] to a cold end of a gas supply system [103] within a dewar [116]. The refrigerator has a minimum temperature at an evaporator [125] above the boiling point of the gas at atmospheric pressure but below the boiling point of the gas at a high pressure. Thus, the gas is compressed [128] to high pressure so it condenses when cooled by the evaporator [125]. As it expands at a flow restrictor [148], a portion evaporates and cools a fraction to the temperature of the boiling point of the gas at atmospheric pressure, producing liquefied gas. Opening a purge valve [142] sends warm gas upward through heat exchange section [146] and out through a three-way valve [138] for defrosting. To reduce clogging, the gas supply valve [138] is controlled by a gas purity sensor [158].

Abstract: Ticket drawings having escalating discrete prize levels within a gaming environment are provided. A gaming system having an automated random ticket drawing game module provides ticket drawing bonus games in conjunction with primary wager based games. Ticket drawings can include base, intermediate and ultimate prize levels, with each level corresponding to a specific prize and range of ticket entries. The prize level escalates as more ticket entries are granted. Ticket entries can be awarded for various events, such as a 3-of-a-kind at a primary wager based game. Drawings include a time period for the acceptance of ticket entries, including a predefined start and end. Award and drawing mechanisms and multiple display devices facilitate each drawing. Multiple drawings can occur simultaneously, such as an hourly and daily drawing. Drawings may also be part of an ongoing series of continuous ticket drawings, such as 24 hourly drawings in a given day.

Abstract: A cryogenic gas is liquefied using a refrigeration system [101] thermally coupled at an evaporator [125] to a cold end of a gas supply system [103] within a dewar [116]. The refrigerator has a minimum temperature at an evaporator [125] above the boiling point of the gas at atmospheric pressure but below the boiling point of the gas at a high pressure. Thus, the gas is compressed [128] to high pressure so it condenses when cooled by the evaporator [125]. As it expands at a flow restrictor [148], a portion evaporates and cools a fraction to the temperature of the boiling point of the gas at atmospheric pressure, producing liquefied gas. Opening a purge valve [142] sends warm gas upward through heat exchange section [146] and out through a three-way valve [138] for defrosting. To reduce clogging, the gas supply valve [138] is controlled by a gas purity sensor [158].

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) dryer for separating water and carbon dioxide from a gas stream includes two compound adsorbent columns [32, 42]. Each column comprises a primary adsorption material for adsorbing water and a secondary adsorbent that adsorbs carbon dioxide. The secondary adsorbent comprises a solid amine. The secondary adsorbent may be, for example, a highly porous polystyrene matrix with amine groups bonded to the porous resin structure. Preferably, a mixture of the primary and secondary adsorbent materials forms an intermediate layer [38, 48] sandwiched between a top layer [34, 44] and bottom layer [36, 46] of pure water adsorbent material in each of the columns [32, 42].

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking play of a game is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving a first set of game outcomes from play of a game associated with a first enterprise, storing the first set of game data in a database, receiving a second set of game outcomes from play of a second game associated with a second enterprise independent from the first enterprise, and storing the second set of game outcomes in the database. The apparatus comprises hardware and software modules and other means for performing the above operations.