Abstract: A hopper for transferring granular materials has a unique composite shape which enables accommodation of the safety guard of an auger and access about a back of the hopper. A wedge-shaped base permits pivoting of the hopper to adjust to the angle of the auger used to remove the material, minimizing the angle of the auger and maximizing extraction of material from the hopper.

Abstract: A device and method for storing data is disclosed. A user record is divided up into a plurality of input packets (block 202). The plurality of input packets is encoded into a plurality of output packets (block 204). The output packets are distributed to one or more storage devices (block 206). The user record is reconstructed by retrieving the plurality of output packets from the storage devices (block 1002) and deconstructing output packets into one or more input packets (block 1004). The input packets are evaluated to determine which additional output packets are required to complete the user record (block 1006). The process of retrieving the output packets and deconstructing the output packets into one or more input packets is repeated until the user record is complete (block 1008).

Abstract: The present invention is for a carrier comprising an oil/water emulsion for delivery of active ingredient in a medium of cream or lotion for skin cosmetic and/or dermatological care.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing a new panel antenna array with enhanced environmental protection, increased reliability and simplified assembly through the incorporation of new array structures. In one embodiment, a panel antenna array system comprises one or more linear arrays having one or more radiating elements for providing antenna transmission and reception; and one or more protection modules to be aligned vertically with each other in a parallel fashion, with each protection module providing protection to one linear array. A mounting bracket further provides a mounting surface to the protection modules.

Abstract: A system for data mining and warehousing is provided. The system includes a client computer running a web browser. In conjunction with the web browser is an applet that helps to sort, decompress, compress, encrypt and unencrypt data. A remote server is coupled to the client computer and sends the web browser search forms after the web browser requests them and receives a search query from the web browser. A connect/detect database is coupled to the remote server that receives the search query at a database view. Data is then retrieved from a database table. The database tables contain data from one or more legacy databases. The data in the legacy databases are copied to the database tables using a migration engine coupled to a migration database. The database can be search to retrieve data related to a search term or retrieve the data related to a search term and additional data associated with the data related to the search term.

Abstract: A quick disconnect coupling including a first hub, a shaft fixedly connected to the first hub, the shaft being non-round in cross-section, and a second hub having a non-round recess extending therethrough, the non-round recess being sized to closely receive the shaft such that the second hub is capable of sliding along the shaft and is prevented from rotating about the shaft, wherein rotation of the first hub results in corresponding rotation of the second hub.

Abstract: A series of interconnected packing chip precursors that can be formed and transported economically to a packager as a flat sheet and then expanded at the site where they will be used into individual packing chips by folding and separation from the other chips. Preferably, the precursors are formed on a chipboard sheet by forming fold lines and lines of separation and by adding securing means, such as bonding media or connecting features to secure the sides of the expanded packing chip in its final shape. The fold lines and lines of separation can be configured to form jagged or serrated edges on the expand-on-site packing chip, and the chip may also include apertures; the jagged and serrated edges and the apertures cooperating with each other and other aspects of adjacent chips to interlock the chips when they are placed around an item in a package for shipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat sealer having a heated platen, a cylinder for reciprocating the platen, a die positioned to be engaged by the platen and a shuttle supporting the die to move the die from a platen-engaging position to a non-engaging position, and a control for controlling the temperature of the platen and the force applied to the platen against the die by the cylinder. The invention also includes a temperature sensor for sensing the surface temperature of the platen and a load sensor for sensing the force applied by the platen to the die. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor is an infrared temperature sensor that reads the surface temperature of the platen and the load sensor is a load cell positioned beneath the die and supporting the die so that the load sensors can measure the direct force applied by the platen against the die.

Abstract: A method of a house apportionment of a bonus value is used to pay during play of a bonus game. Entry of the bonus game is achieved during play of an underlying game of chance. The method of house apportionment includes steps of awarding the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adding the remainder of the bonus value to at least one escrow account available to reward the player or subsequent players. The awarding step is based on bonus games including the step of knowledge-based playing. The awarding step of the knowledge-based bonus game includes the step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing the appropriate responses to questions. The step of knowledge-based playing includes the step of selecting or guessing the appropriate answers to multiple choice questions. The step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing includes the step of challenging the player with questions having a common theme.

Abstract: This invention is a wireless communication device (100) including a first housing (220) with a housing support (250) and a second housing (120) positioned about the housing support, or a portion thereof, so that the second housing may rotate around the housing support. Also, the second housing (120) includes a circular portion (122) positioned about the housing support (250) and an extending portion (124) extending from the circular portion. When the device (100) is in a closed position (110), the circular and extending portions (122 & 124) of the second housing (120) are adjacent to the first housing (220). When the device (100) is in an opened position (210), the circular portion (122) is adjacent to the first housing (220) and the extending portion (124) is away from the first housing. In addition, the second housing (120) may have multiple position relative to the first housing (220) in which each position activates a particular function of the device (100).

Abstract: This invention is a wireless communication device (100) including a first housing (220) with a housing support (250) and a second housing (120) positioned about the housing support, or a portion thereof, so that the second housing may rotate around the housing support. Also, the second housing (120) includes a circular portion (122) positioned about the housing support (250) and an extending portion (124) extending from the circular portion. When the device (100) is in a closed position (110), the circular and extending portions (122 & 124) of the second housing (120) are adjacent to the first housing (220). When the device (100) is in an opened position (210), the circular portion (122) is adjacent to the first housing (220) and the extending portion (124) is away from the first housing. In addition, the second housing (120) may have multiple position relative to the first housing (220) in which each position activates a particular function of the device (100).

Abstract: A method of a house apportionment of a bonus value during bonus casino game play, entry for which occurs during play of an underlying game of chance. A method of house apportionment awards the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adds the remainder of the bonus value to at least one account available to reward subsequent players such that the bonus value paid by the house is constant and the house advantage is fixed regardless of player proficiency in the bonus casino game. The bonus casino games include knowledge-based playing. The step of awarding in the bonus game is a function of the wager, the frequency that the bonus game occurs, the expected return in the game without the bonus and the expected bonus monitoring pay out value.

Abstract: A method playing a live casino game by including a jackpot as a required feature in which each player makes at least one mandatory jackpot wager to play the game and a player makes a separate wager to win a separate, additional payoff amount. Each player makes at least one mandatory jackpot wager as an ante wager before making a wager and participating in the underlying live casino game. The ante wager is separated into a casino portion and a jackpot-funding portion. The pay tables and rules of the game are set to return wagers for optimal play over time as payoffs to players on the basis of a zero or near zero negative house advantage. The pay tables for the jackpot feature and the live casino game are displayed to the player. The underlying game is played according to the rule of play for the game.

Abstract: A multiplexer output cell (FIG. 1, 15) controls the operation of multiplexer input cells (100, 105) in a multistage multiplexer according to the value of a signal select input (130), and a state control input (180). A signal driver (125) having a number of logical outputs comparable to the number of stages in the multiplexer is used in conjunction with the state control signal (170, 175, 180) to control the power ON/OFF state of each cell in the multiplexer. The multiplexer input and output cells (100, 105, 150) which are in the signal path are set to a power ON condition, while the multiplexer input and output cells (100, 105, 150) which are not in the signal path are set to a power OFF position. In this manner, only those cells which are in the signal path are powered ON, resulting in significant power savings.

Abstract: A method of a house apportionment of a bonus value is used to pay during play of a bonus game. Entry of the bonus game is achieved during play of an underlying game of chance. The method of house apportionment includes steps of awarding the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adding the remainder of the bonus value to at least one escrow account available to reward the player or subsequent players. The awarding step is based on bonus games including the step of knowledge-based playing. The awarding step of the knowledge-based bonus game includes the step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing the appropriate responses to questions. The step of knowledge-based playing includes the step of selecting or guessing the appropriate answers to multiple choice questions. The step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing includes the step of challenging the player with questions having a common theme.

Abstract: A method of house apportionment of a bonus value during bonus casino game play, entry for which occurs during play of an underlying game of chance. A method of house apportionment awards the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adds the remainder of the bonus value to at least one account available to reward subsequent players such that the bonus value paid by the house is constant and the house advantage is fixed regardless of player proficiency in the bonus casino game. The bonus casino games include knowledge-based playing. The step of awarding in the bonus game is a function of the wager, the frequency that the bonus game occurs, the expected return in the game without the bonus and the expected bonus monitoring pay out value.

Abstract: This invention is a wireless communication device (100) including a first housing (220) with a housing support (250) and a second housing (120) positioned about the housing support, or a portion thereof, so that the second housing may rotate around the housing support. Also, the second housing (120) includes a circular portion (122) positioned about the housing support (250) and an extending portion (124) extending from the circular portion. When the device (100) is in a closed position (110), the circular and extending portions (122 & 124) of the second housing (120) are adjacent to the first housing (220). When the device (100) is in an opened position (210), the circular portion (122) is adjacent to the first housing (220) and the extending portion (124) is away from the first housing. In addition, the second housing (120) may have multiple position relative to the first housing (220) in which each position activates a particular function of the device (100).

Abstract: A method of a house apportionment of a bonus value is used to pay during play of a bonus game. Entry of the bonus game is achieved during play of an underlying game of chance. The method of house apportionment includes steps of awarding the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adding the remainder of the bonus value to at least one escrow account available to reward the player or subsequent players. The awarding step is based on bonus games including the step of knowledge-based playing. The awarding step of the knowledge-based bonus game includes the step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing the appropriate responses to questions. The step of knowledge-based playing includes the step of selecting or guessing the appropriate answers to multiple choice questions. The step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing includes the step of challenging the player with questions having a common theme.

Abstract: A cellular telephone holster includes a holster section formed to accept a cellular telephone. A clip portion is rotatably attached to the holster section and formed to have a circular opening with at least one detent along an inner perimeter of the opening. A spring system is coupled to the holster section and includes a substantially incompressible piston and a compressible material separate from and coupled to the substantially incompressible piston. The circular opening is sized to fit around the spring system. The holster section is formed to have at least one protrusion, and the substantially incompressible piston and the compressible material are insertable against the protrusion, whereby the at least one protrusion contributes to holding the substantially incompressible piston and the compressible material in place relative to the holster section.

Abstract: A method of a house apportionment of a bonus value during bonus casino game play, entry for which occurs during play of an underlying game of chance. The method of house apportionment awards the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adds the remainder of the bonus value to at least one progressive account available to reward subsequent players, such that the bonus value paid by the house is constant and the house advantage is fixed regardless of player proficiency in the bonus casino game. The bonus casino games include knowledge-based playing. The knowledge-based bonus casino game includes a player answering, selecting, or guessing the proper responses to questions. The answering, selecting, or guessing has the step of challenging the player with questions having a common theme or varying difficulty. The knowledge-based playing has the step of asking the player questions the bonus value of which is measured against survey responses.