Author: claimsbot

1. A closure for a hot-filled container comprising:
a base adapted to be coupled to the container, the base having a bottom side and a top side; and
a roof having an outer diameter, the roof being coupled to the top side of the base at said outer diameter, the roof having:
a plurality of substantially flat concentric panels elevated from said top side of said base, wherein each panel is elevated from the next outermost adjacent panel by a sidewall; and
a substantially flat center coupled to an inner diameter of an innermost substantially flat panel and elevated therefrom.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure is plastic.
3. The closure of claim 1, wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels are for contracting when the closure is attached to a container that has been hot-filled.
4. The closure of claim 3, wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels contracts such that said roof is substantially flat.
5. The closure of claim 3, wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels contracts such that said roof is concave.
6. The closure of claim 3, wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels are for contracting as a result of a vacuum being applied to the panels.
7. The closure of claim 3, wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels contracts when external pressure is applied to the closure.
8. The closure of claim 3, wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels are for contracting such that said roof contacts the contents of the container.
9. The closure of claim 3, wherein the closure is for changing color according to a temperature change in the contents of the container.
10. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure is substantially circular.
11. The closure of claim 1, wherein said base is threaded.
12. The closure of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the closure is between 48 millimeters and 120 millimeters.
13. The closure of claim 1, further comprising:
an over-cap substantially surrounding said base and covering a portion of an outermost substantially flat concentric panel.
14. The closure of claim 13, wherein said over-cap is metal.
15. The closure of claim 13, wherein said over-cap is plastic having a heat deflection temperature higher than a heat deflection temperature of said roof.
16. The closure of claim 13, wherein said over-cap is coupled to said base via a press-fit.
17. The closure of claim 13, wherein said base includes exterior threads, and where said over-cap is coupled to said base via said exterior threads.
18. A closure for a hot-filled container comprising:
a base adapted to be coupled to the container, the base having a bottom side and a top side; and
a roof having an outer diameter, the roof being coupled to the top side of the base at said outer diameter, the roof having:
at least one area of a first thickness; and
at least one area of a second thickness.
19. The closure of claim 18, wherein said areas of said first and second thicknesses are for contracting when the closure is attached to a container that has been hot-filled.
20. The closure of claim 18, wherein the diameter of the closure is between 48 millimeters and 120 millimeters.
21. The closure of claim 18, further comprising:
an over-cap substantially surrounding said base and covering an outermost portion of said roof.
22. The closure of claim 21, wherein said over-cap is metal.
23. The closure of claim 21, wherein said over-cap is plastic having a heat deflection temperature higher than a heat deflection temperature of said roof.
24. The closure of claim 21, wherein said over-cap is coupled to said base via a press-fit.
25. The closure of claim 21, wherein said base includes exterior threads, and where said over-cap is coupled to said base via said exterior threads.
26. A closure for a hot-filled container comprising:
a base adapted to be coupled to the container, the base having a bottom side and a top side; and
a roof having an outer diameter, the roof being coupled to the top side of the base at said outer diameter, the roof having:
at least one area comprised of a first material; and
at least one area comprised of a second material,

wherein said first and second materials have different deflection rates at a given temperature.
27. The closure of claim 26, wherein said areas of said first and second materials are for contracting when the closure is attached to a container that has been hot-filled.
28. The closure of claim 26, wherein the diameter of the closure is between 48 millimeters and 120 millimeters.
29. The closure of claim 26, further comprising:
an over-cap substantially surrounding said base and covering an outermost portion of said roof.
30. The closure of claim 26, wherein said over-cap is metal.
31. The closure of claim 26, wherein said over-cap is plastic having a heat deflection temperature higher than a heat deflection temperature of said roof.
32. The closure of claim 26, wherein said over-cap is coupled to said base via a press-fit.
33. The closure of claim 26, wherein said base includes exterior threads, and where said over-cap is coupled to said base via said exterior threads.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A gaming machine comprising:
means adapted for displaying a game that has random outcomes, wherein the random outcomes include predetermined winning outcomes;
means adapted for accepting a bet on the occurrence of at least one winning outcome;
means adapted for paying winnings on the occurrence of any of the winning outcomes carrying a bet; and
means adapted for displaying a feature that operates irrespective of the outcomes in the game, wherein the operation of the feature is random and wherein the outcome of the game is adjusted in response to a predetermined trigger event during the operation of the feature.
2. A gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein the means adapted for displaying the game includes a video screen on which an array of randomly selected symbols is displayed, wherein the winning outcomes are predetermined winning combinations of symbols, and wherein the outcome of the game is adjusted by substituting a wild card symbol for at least one of the symbols in the array.
3. A gaming machine according to claim 2 wherein the adjustment is a single oversized wildcard symbol that substitutes for at least two adjacent symbols in the array.
4. A gaming machine according to claim 3 wherein the oversized wildcard symbol occupies an entire column of the array.
5. A gaming machine according to claim 4 wherein the oversized wildcard symbol increases the winnings normally paid for any winning combinations.
6. A gaming machine according to claim 5 wherein the oversized wildcard symbol doubles the winnings normally paid for a winning combination.
7. A gaming machine according to claim 5 wherein the oversized wildcard symbol triples the winnings normally paid for a winning combination.
8. A gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein the feature comprises an animation that takes a random path across the display and wherein the trigger event occurs when the animation crosses at least one predetermined area in the display.
9. A gaming machine according to claim 8 wherein the animation is a simulated race between a set of competitors whereby the player selects a competitor to win the race and wherein the trigger event occurs if the selected competitor wins the race.
10. A gaming machine according to claim 8 wherein the animation is a lion that runs through the display screen in a random fashion and wherein the trigger event occurs when the lion jumps through a flaming hoop positioned at a predetermined location on the screen.
11. A gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein the animation is a character which flies around the display screen.
12. A gaming machine according to claim 8 wherein the animation appears at the conclusion of each single operational cycle of the game.
13. A gaming machine according to claim 8 wherein the animation is present on the screen whenever the game is operating.
14. A method for operating a gaming machine comprising:
displaying a game that has random outcomes, wherein the random outcomes include predetermined winning outcomes;
accepting a bet on the occurrence of at least one winning outcome;
paying winnings on the occurrence of any of the winning outcomes carrying a bet; and
displaying a feature that operates irrespective of the outcomes in the game, wherein the operation of the feature is random and wherein the outcome of the game is adjusted in response to a predetermined trigger event during the operation of the feature.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the game comprises displaying an array of randomly selected symbols on a video screen, wherein the winning outcomes are predetermined winning combinations of symbols, and wherein the outcome of the game is adjusted by substituting a wild card symbol for at least one of the symbols in the array.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the adjustment is a single oversized wildcard symbol that substitutes for at least two adjacent symbols in the array.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the oversized wildcard symbol occupies an entire column of the array.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the oversized wildcard symbol increases the winnings normally paid for any winning combinations.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the oversized wildcard symbol doubles the winnings normally paid for a winning combination.
20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the oversized wildcard symbol triples the winnings normally paid for a winning combination.
21. A method according to claim 14 wherein the feature comprises an animation that takes a random path across the display and wherein the trigger event occurs when the animation crosses at least one predetermined area in the display.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the animation is a simulated race between a set of competitors whereby the player selects a competitor to win the race and wherein the trigger event occurs if the selected competitor wins the race.
23. A method according to claim 21 wherein the animation is a lion that runs through the display screen in a random fashion and wherein the trigger event occurs when the lion jumps through a flaming hoop positioned at a predetermined location on the screen.
24. A method according to claim 21 wherein the animation is a character which flies around the display screen.
25. A method according to claim 21 wherein the animation appears at the conclusion of each single operational cycle of the game.
26. A method according to claim 21 wherein the animation is present on the screen whenever the game is operating.

1. A method for inhibiting the activity of BAFF-R in a cell comprising the step of contacting the cell with:
(a) an isolated soluble polypeptide that binds to BAFF and comprises:
(1) an amino acid sequence that binds to BAFF and is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:13, or
(2) a fragment of (1) that binds to BAFF; or

(b) an isolated antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:10.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide of (a)(1) comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:13.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide of (a)(1) comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:13.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide of (a)(1) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 modified by one or more conservative amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide of (a)(2) comprises amino acids 19-35 of SEQ ID NO:10.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide of (a)(1) consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:13.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide of (a)(1) comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, and SEQ ID NO:32.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide of (a)(1) comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, and SEQ ID NO:27.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide of (a)(1) comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:13, except that at least one amino acid residue in the region from C19 to L27 is altered to diminish protein aggregation.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the altered residue(s) comprise(s) one or more residues selected from V20, P21, A22, and L27.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the altered residue(s) include one or more residues selected from V20N, P21Q, A22T, and L27P.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the altered residue(s) isare selected from:
(a) V20N, P21Q, A22T, and L27P;
(b) L27P and V20N;
(c) P21Q and L27P;
(d) L27P;
(e) V20N and L27A; and
(f) V20N and L27S.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) specifically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) specifically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) is chimeric.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) is humanized.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) is monoclonal.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) is polyclonal.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment is a single chain antibody.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) is a Fab fragment.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) is a F(ab\u2032)2 fragment.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) blocks binding of B Cell Activating Factor of the TNF family (BAFF) to its receptor.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) is produced by hybridoma clone #2.1, deposited under ATCC No. PTA-3689 or binds to the same epitope as the antibody produced by hybridoma clone #2.1.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of (b) is produced by hybridoma clone #9.1 deposited under ATCC No. PTA-3688 or binds to the same epitope as the antibody produced by hybridoma clone #9.1.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A wall assembly, comprising:
a first panel and a second panel;
the first panel is configured to reside within an internal cavity of the second panel;
the first panel is configured to extend beyond the second panel such that the first panel and second panel collectively form at least part of a wall;
a cable connecting the first panel to an overhead structure;
the overhead structure comprising a storage space; and
the cable is configured to pull the first panel into the storage space of the overhead structure;
wherein the storage space of the overhead structure comprises a storage height greater than a collective height of the panels when the first panel resides substantially within the second panel.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the internal cavity of the second panel comprises dimensions capable of enclosing the first panel.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second panel further comprises an overhang formed proximate a top end of the second panel, wherein the overhang is configured to hang off a lower surface of the storage space.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first panel comprises a flange configured to engage the second panel when the first panel is raised.
5. An assembly incorporating claim 4, wherein the flange also is configured to substantially seal off an opening that the panels pass through in the overhead structure, when the panels are fully retracted.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the first panel comprises magnets that may laterally lock the first panel to a floor.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the panels slide against adjoining walls along adjoining edges, wherein the adjoining edges comprise a planar bearing surface to facilitate the movement of the wall assembly along any adjoining surface.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the adjoining edges are biased towards the adjoining walls.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cable is at least partially wound about a spool attached to an upper surface of the overhead structure.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the cable connects the spool to the first panel through the internal cavity of second panel.
11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the spool is driven by a motor.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first panel comprises another internal cavity that comprises an expandable element configured to adjust the thickness of the first panel.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first panel is configured to reduce its thickness by compressing the expandable element as the first panel is pulled into the other internal cavity of the second panel.
14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises a third panel that is substantially co-planar with the first and second panel.
15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are supported by the cable.
16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly forms at least part of an internal wall of a structure.
17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a locking mechanism supports the panels while retracted into the storage space.
18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is incorporated into an exterior wall of a structural.
19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the panels are made of materials that are collectively light enough for a person to lift manually.