Abstract:
An alkoxide glass former composition has silica-containing constituents present as solid particulates of a particle size of 0.1 to 0.7 micrometers in diameter in a liquid carrier phase substantially free of dissolved silica. The glass former slurry is resistant to coagulation and may contain other glass former metal constituents. The immobilization of nuclear waste employs the described glass former by heating the same to reduce the volume, mixing the same with the waste, and melting the resultant mixture to encapsulate the waste in the resultant glass.
Abstract:
A stationary exercise apparatus intended to simulate the action of pedaling a bicycle includes a base and a flywheel mounted on the base for rotation about a vertical axis. The flywheel is coupled in driven relationship to a pair of pedal cranks mounted on the base. The pedal cranks are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis as in a conventional bicycle. Preferably, the flywheel is mounted directly below the pedals on a shaft whose upper end is formed to be a worm, the worm being driven by a drive gear attached to the pedal cranks. The orientation and location of the flywheel add to the stability of the exercise device as well as aiding in the outward appearance of the device.
Abstract:
Cup selection apparatus in a vending machine of the "in-cup" type consisting of a plurality of cup-storage tubes, in each of which, in use, a stack of cups nested one in another is placed, a selectively-operable cup-dispensing device associated with each cup-storage tube to separate the bottom cup from a stack of nested cups in that cup-storage tube, at least one cup-delivery tube connected to the outlet end of each of at least two of the cup-storage tubes, a cup-guiding chute leading from the or each cup-delivery tube to a cup-filling station at which water is to be added to the dry ingredients in a cup, the cup-storage tubes, the cup-delivery tube or tubes and the cup-guiding chute being positioned so that a cup after release by the cup-dispensing device from a stack of nested cups in a cup-storage tube will travel by gravity to the cup-filling station.
Abstract:
A method of facilitating activation of a general-purpose reloadable (GPR) card includes reading an activation storage medium from a GPR card using a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, wherein the GPR card is linked to a GPR account stored on a database. The method further includes collecting identification information from a card applicant and forwarding the collected identification information to a financial processing network, submitting an initial monetary amount to be loaded to the GPR account to the financial processing network, and communicating initial activation of the GPR account to the card applicant at the POS terminal after receiving activation approval from the financial processing network. The initial activation of the GPR account is a first phase of activation in a multiple phase activation characterized by the GPR account being available for use toward a price of purchases and unavailable for loading an additional monetary amount to the GPR account.
Abstract:
Surgical clips and devices for ligating tissue, as well as methods related to the same, are generally provided. In one exemplary embodiment a surgical clip includes a pair of opposed first and second leg members and a knee portion formed between the leg members' proximal and distal ends. The leg members can include at least one tissue-grasping element formed on respective inner surfaces, and at least one raised area located on a portion of respective generally planer outer surfaces. The clip can also include an apex having opposed ends that join the proximal ends of the first and second leg members and at least one notch formed on an inner surface of the apex. The raised area of the leg members can be disposed distal to the apex and proximal to the knee portion. Other embodiments of clips and methods for ligating tissue are also provided.