Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A metal tube for guardrail comprises a C section-shaped metal tube having two lengthwise bent ends each having a fastening member, and an inner abutment mechanism each having a lengthwise abutment member and a mating fastening member at either end engaged with the fastening member of the metal tube when the inner abutment mechanism is inserted into the metal tube for securing each metal tube and the corresponding inner abutment mechanism together to form a complete assemblying metal tube for guardrail.
2. The guardrail of claim 1, wherein the fastening member further comprises a lengthwise inner section and a lengthwise groove of each bent end of the outer metal tube by bending and the mating fastening member further comprises a groove at each of bent end of the inner abutment mechanism.
3. The guardrail of claim 1, wherein the fastening member further comprises a horizontal inner section perpendicular to a flat end of each bent end of the outer metal tube by bending and the mating fastening member further comprises a groove at each of bent end of the inner abutment mechanism
4. A guardrail comprising:
a pair of parallel metal tubes each having a section of C, a lengthwise gap, and two first bent ends along the gap, each first bent end having a lengthwise inner section and a lengthwise first groove;
a pair of inner abutment mechanisms each having a section of U, a horizontal abutment member, a trough defined by two vertical sections and the abutment member, and a pair of second bent ends along the trough, each second bent end having two lengthwise outer sections and two lengthwise second grooves wherein the second bent end is put on the inner section with the outer section inserted into the first groove and the inner section inserted into the second groove for securing each metal tube and the corresponding abutment mechanism together; and
a protective board having either end urged against the abutment member and the first bent ends, thereby securing the protective board between the abutment mechanisms.
5. The guardrail of claim 4, wherein either vertical section is bent to cause the vertical section and the first bent end to be at the same flat surface urged against the protective board.
6. A guardrail comprising:
a pair of parallel metal tubes each having a section of C, a lengthwise gap, and two vertical ends along the gap, each vertical end having a lengthwise horizontal inner section;
a pair of inner abutment mechanisms each including a horizontal abutment member having two lengthwise bent ends and two lengthwise grooves in the bent ends wherein the bent end is put on the inner section with the inner section inserted into the groove for securing each metal tube and the corresponding abutment mechanism together; and
a protective board having either end urged against the abutment member and the vertical ends, thereby securing the protective board between the abutment mechanisms.
7. The guardrail of claim 6, wherein either abutment member is bent to have a section of U so that the protective board is urged by the vertical ends and either abutment member.
8. A metal tube structure for guardrail comprising:
an outer metal tube having a section of C, a lengthwise gap, and two first bent ends along the gap, each first bent end being bent to form a lengthwise first groove; and
an inner abutment mechanisms having a section of U, a horizontal abutment member, a trough defined by two vertical sections and the abutment member, a pair of second bent ends along the trough, each second bent end being bent to form a lengthwise second groove;
wherein each of the second groove of the second bent end of the inner abutment mechanisms is inserted into each corresponding first groove of the first bent end of the outer metal tube for securing the outer metal tube and the inner abutment mechanism together to form a complete assemblying metal tube for guardrail.
9. A metal tube structure for guardrail comprising:
an outer metal tube having a section of C, a lengthwise gap formed between two flat ends, a horizontal inner section formed perpendicular to each of the flat end; and
an inner abutment mechanism having a horizontal abutment member which has two bent ends each with a groove formed therein;
wherein each of the horizontal inner section of the outer metal tube is inserted into each of corresponding groove of the inner abutment mechanism together to form a complete assemblying metal tube for guardrail.
10. The guardrail of claim 9, wherein the inner abutment mechanism is further shaped to have a section of U, and the inner abutment mechanism has two bent ends, each extended from a vertical section and a horizontal abutment member of the section U, and each of the Inner sections of the metal tube is inserted into each of the corresponding bent end of the inner abutment mechanism together to form a complete assemblying metal tube for guardrail.

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. In a cellular wireless communication system supporting a broadcast service, a method comprising:
transmitting broadcast overhead information corresponding to a broadcast session on an overhead transmission channel from a first device, wherein the broadcast overhead information includes a protocol stack, options in the protocol stack, and information to set up and synchronize a broadcast service;
scanning for broadcast overhead information corresponding to the broadcast session on the overhead transmission channel using a second device;
receiving the broadcast overhead information on the second device;
tuning the second device using the received broadcast overhead information;
receiving the broadcast session on a broadcast transmission channel on the second device.
2. The method as in claim 1, wherein:
the broadcast service is transmitted by a content server;
the broadcast service has a corresponding protocol stack having an application layer and a transport layer; and
the content server independently controls the application layer and the transport layer protocols.
3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the broadcast service is transmitted as Internet Protocol data packets.
4. The method as in claim 1, further comprising:
during broadcast transmission updating a portion of the broadcast overhead information; an
transmitting the broadcast overhead information with the updated portion.
5. The method as in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a packetized data service network, the method further comprising:
the packetized data service network updating header compression information; and
the packetized data service network transmitting the updated header compression information on an overhead transmission channel.
6. In a cellular wireless communication system supporting a broadcast service, a method comprising:
transmitting broadcast overhead information from a first device;
receiving the broadcast overhead information on a second device, the broadcast overhead information corresponding to the broadcast session on an overhead transmission channel, wherein the broadcast overhead information includes a protocol stack, options in the protocol stack, and information to set up and synchronize a broadcast service;
accessing the broadcast session on a broadcast transmission channel; and
the broadcast overhead information to receive broadcast content of the broadcast session.
7. The method as in claim 6, wherein:
the broadcast service is transmitted by a content server;
the broadcast service has a corresponding protocol stack having an application layer and a transport layer; and
the content server independently controls the application layer and the transport layer protocols.
8. The method as in claim 6, wherein the broadcast service is transmitted as Internet Protocol data packets.
9. The method as in claim 6, further comprising:
during a broadcast transmission receiving updated broadcast overhead information on an overhead transmission channel; and
processing broadcast content received on the broadcast transmission channel using the updated broadcast overhead information.
10. The method as in claim 6, wherein the system further comprises a packetized data service network, the method further comprising:
receiving updated header compression information from the packetized data service network on an verhead transmission channel; and
using the updated header compression information to receive the broadcast content.
11. A wireless apparatus for usage in a cellular wireless communication system, comprising:
means for receiving broadcast overhead information corresponding to the broadcast session on an overhead transmission channel of the cellular wireless communication system, wherein the broadcast overhead information includes a protocol stack, options the protocol stack, and information to set up and synchronize a broadcast service;
means for accessing the broadcast session on a broadcast transmission channel of the cellular wireless communication system; and
means for the broadcast overhead information to receive broadcast content of the broadcast session.
12. The apparatus as in claim 11, wherein:
the broadcast service is transmitted by a content server;
the broadcast service has a corresponding protocol stack having an application layer and a transport layer; and
the content server independently controls the application layer and the transport layer protocols.
13. The apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the broadcast service is transmitted as Internet Protocol data packets.
14. The apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the system further comprises a packetized data service network, the method further comprising:
means for receiving updated header compression information from the packetized data service network on an overhead transmission channel; and
means for using the updated header compression information to receive the broadcast content.
15. In a wireless communication system supporting a broadcast service, the wireless communication system having a plurality of cells, each cell having a base station for communication with multiple mobile stations, a packetized data service network being coupled to at least one of the base stations, the method comprising:
transmitting a broadcast session on a broadcast transmission channel from the at least one of the base stations to the mobile stations;
transmitting broadcast overhead information corresponding to the broadcast session on an overhead transmission channel from the at least one of the base stations to the mobile stations, wherein the broadcast overhead information includes a protocol stack, options in the protocol stack, and information to set up and synchronize a broadcast service;
the packetized data service network updating header compression information; and
the packetized data service network transmitting the updated header compression information on the overhead transmission channel.
16. In a cellular wireless communication system supporting a broadcast service, a method comprising:
requesting broadcast overhead information corresponding to the broadcast session, wherein the broadcast overhead information includes a protocol stack, options in the protocol stack, and information to set up and synchronize a broadcast service;
receiving the broadcast overhead information on an overhead transmission channel;
accessing the broadcast session on a broadcast transmission channel; and
processing the broadcast overhead information to receive broadcast content of the broadcast session.
17. A wireless communications apparatus comprising:
a memo storage device adapted for storing computer-readable instructions; and
a processor adapted for processing the computer-readable instructions to:
request broadcast overhead information corresponding to the broadcast session, wherein the broadcast overhead information includes a protocol stack, options in the protocol stack, and information to set up and synchronize a broadcast service;
receive the broadcast overhead information on an overhead transmission channel;
access the broadcast session on a broadcast transmission channel; and
process the broadcast overhead information to receive broadcast content of the broadcast session.

1. An explosion-proof housing for containing an electrical meter having a visual display comprising:
a first housing portion having a first sidewall with an inner face defining a first chamber having an open end, a closed top having a transparent window, and a first threaded portion about the open end of the first sidewall;
a second housing portion having:
a second sidewall with an inner face defining a second chamber having an open end and a closed bottom portion, the bottom portion having a mounting surface and at least one mounting flange integral therewith and operative to attach the housing to a mounting structure;
at least one port integral with the second sidewall and communicating with the second chamber and to which an electrical conduit can be attached;
a second threaded portion about the open end of the second sidewall that is matable with the first threaded portion to provide an air andor water-tight seal between the first and second housing portions; and
a plurality of elongated ribs that are spaced apart about the periphery of the inner face of the second sidewall;
wherein each of the spaced apart ribs is integral with or fixedly attached to the inner face of the second sidewall and extends laterally from the inner face of the second sidewall into the second chamber and longitudinally from the open end of the chamber to the bottom of the second chamber, each end of the respective ribs facing the open end of the second chamber defining a mounting surface; and

an inner mounting assembly for supporting the electrical meter in the second housing portion, and having a first peripheral wall including a plurality of recesses about the periphery thereof configured to be slidably fitted around and cooperative with the plurality of ribs to orient the inner mounting assembly and the electrical meter supported thereon in the second housing portion in different rotational positions in the second chamber, at least some of the recesses having a mounting end attachable to the mounting surface of respective ones of the ribs to secure the inner mounting assembly to the second housing portion in an intended rotational position such that the electrical meter supported in the housing is in a readable orientation irrespective of the orientation of the housing mounted to a mounting structure.
2. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein the first housing portion includes a locking device for fixedly attaching the second housing portion to the first housing portion.
3. The housing as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bosses comprises four bosses.
4. The housing as recited in claim 1 wherein the ribs are integral with the inner face of the second sidewall and each includes a threaded opening in the end facing the open end of the second chamber.
5. The housing as recited in claim 1 wherein the inner mounting assembly includes a second peripheral portion outward of the first peripheral wall and having one or more openings to accommodate the electrical meter on the second peripheral portion.

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 method for supply of a starter culture with a consistent quality comprising the steps of:
(i) supply of a stock inoculum material comprising a concentrate of starter culture organism cells;
(ii) use of, for subsequent production of starter cultures, a subset of said stock inoculum material for direct inoculatiion of a cultivation medium with said starter culture organism;
(iii) propagation of the cells of the starter culture organism for a period of time adjusted sufficiently in size to produce a desired amount of said cells; and
(iv) harvest of the propagated cells to provide a starter culture.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the stock inoculum material provided in step (i) is in quantities sufficient to inoculate at least 50,000 liters of cultivation medium.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the concentrate provided in step (i) contains at least 108 CFU per g.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the subset of the stock inoculum material in step (ii) is directly inoculated in the cultivation medium at a rate of maximum 0.1%.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the subset of the stock inoculum material for direct inoculation of the cultivation medium in step (ii) provides a ratio of the CFU per g of cultivation medium, immediately after inoculation, relative to the CFU per g of the subset of the stock inoculum material to be inoculated, said ratio being in the range from 1:100 to 1:100,000.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cultivation medium immediately after the inoculation in step (ii) contains a number of CFU per g of cultivation medium which is at least 105.
7. A method according to any of the claims of 1 to 6, wherein the cultivation medium in step (ii) does not substantially or entirely consist of whole milk, but at least partially of skimmed milk or cream.
8. A method according to any of the claims of 1 to 7, wherein the stock inoculum material andor the subset of the stock inoculum material is in a state selected from the group consisting of a liquid, frozen and dried state.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the frozen subset of the stock inoculum material is thawed before the addition to the cultivation medium in step (ii).
10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the subset of the stock inoculum material is combined with an aqueous medium to obtain a suspension of the cells before adding it to the cultivation medium in step (ii).
11. A method according to any of the claims of 1 to 10, wherein the subset of the stock inoculum material in step (ii) is added under aseptical conditions or under substantially aseptical conditions to the cultivation medium.
12. A method according to any of the claims of 1 to 11, wherein the stock inoculum material is provided in sealed enclosures.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the sealed enclosures are made of a flexible material selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, a substituted olefin, a copolymer of ethylene, a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a polyester, a polycarbonate, a polyamide, an acrylonitrile and a cellulose derivative.
14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the sealed enclosures are made of a flexible material comprising a metal foil.
15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the sealed enclosures have a cubic content of at least 0.01 liter.
16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the sealed enclosures are provided with outlet means for connection of the enclosure to the container comprising the liquid cultivation medium, said outlet means permitting the concentrate of cells to be introduced substantically aseptically into the container to inoculate the liquid cultivation medium with said concentrate.
17. A method according to any of the claims of 1 to 16, wherein the starter culture organism in step (i) originates from a species selected from the group consisting of a lactic acid bacterial species, a Bifidobacterium species, a Propionibacterium species, a Staphylococcus species, a Micrococcus species, a Bacillus species, an Enterobacteriaceae species including E. coli an Actinomycetes species, a Corynebacterium species, a Brevibacterium species, a Pediococcus species, a Pseudomonas species, a Sphingomonas species, a Mycobacterium species, a Rhodococcus species, a fungal species and a yeast species.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the lactic acid bacterial species is selected from the group consisting of Lactococcus spp., Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Pediococcus spp., Oenococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp.
19. A method according to any of the claims of 1 to 18, wherein the stock inoculum material in step (i) comprises at least two starter culture strains.
20. A method according to any of the claims of 1 to 19, wherein the starter culture is selected from industries from the group consisting of the food, feed and pharmaceutical industry.
21. A method according to any of the claims of 1 to 20, wherein the starter culture is used for inoculation of milk which is further processed to obtain a dairy product, which is selected from the group consisting of cheese, yoghurt, butter, inoculated sweet milk and a liquid fermented milk product.
22. A method according to any of the claims of 1 to 21, wherein the cells being propagated in the cultivation medium express a desired gene product or produce a desired product.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the desired gene product is selected from the group consisting of enzymes, pharmaceutically active substances, polysaccharides and amino acids.
24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the desired product is selected from the group consisting of pigments, flavouring compounds, emulsifiers, vitamins, growth-stimulating compounds, food additives and feed additives.