US08835094B2
Fluoroalcohol compounds of formula (1) are useful in producing polymers which are used as the base resin to formulate radiation-sensitive resist compositions having transparency to radiation having a wavelength of up to 500 nm and improved development characteristics. R1 is hydrogen or a monovalent C1-C20 hydrocarbon group in which any constituent —CH2— moiety may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, Aa is a (k1+1)-valent C1-C20 hydrocarbon or fluorinated hydrocarbon group, and k1 is 1, 2 or 3.
US08835084B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate, a charge generation layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate, a hole transport layer located on the charge generation layer, and a hole transport protective layer located on the hole transport layer. The hole transport protective layer includes a three-dimensionally crosslinked material obtained by irradiating a composition including at least a radically polymerizable hole transport compound with ultraviolet rays or electron beams so that the radically polymerizable hole transport compound causes chain polymerization. In addition, the protective layer includes a specific cyano-containing styryl aromatic compound or a specific cyano-containing distyryl aromatic compound.
US08835081B2
The present invention provides a polymerizable composition including (A) a photoradical polymerization initiator represented by following Formula (1), the photoradical polymerization initiator having a molar absorption coefficient with respect to light at a wavelength of 365 nm in ethyl acetate of from 4,000 to less than 10,000; (B) a polymerizable compound; and (C) a colorant. In Formula (1), X represents CH2, S etc., R1 represents a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group etc., R2 represents an alkyl group, an aryl group etc., and R3 represents a hydrogen atom, —SRa (Ra is an alkyl group etc.) etc.
US08835077B2
The electrode material contains a complex oxide and at least one of ZrO2 and a compound comprising ZrO2. The complex oxide has a perovskite structure represented by a general formula ABO3. ZrO2 is contained in an amount of 0.3×10−2 wt % to 1 wt % relative to the entire electrode material.
US08835076B2
In a fuel cell 1 including a membrane electrode assembly 2 which includes a reinforcing-membrane-type electrolyte membrane 10A, a dry-up on the anode side is suppressed by actively forming a water content gradient in the electrolyte membrane to enhance water back-diffusion effect from the cathode side to the anode side. For that purpose, two sheets of expanded porous membranes 12a and 12b having different porosities are buried, as reinforcing membranes, in electrolyte resin 11 to obtain the reinforcing-membrane-type electrolyte membrane 10A. The reinforcing-membrane-type electrolyte membrane 10A is used to form the membrane electrode assembly 2, which is sandwiched by separators 20 and 30 such that the side of a reinforcing membrane 12b with a larger porosity becomes the cathode side, thus obtaining the fuel cell 1. When one sheet of the reinforcing membrane is buried, the reinforcing membrane is offset to the anode side to be buried in the electrolyte resin.
US08835073B2
Disclosed is a polymer membrane for a battery including a porous support including a fiber including a core including a high melting-point polymer; and a sheath including a low melting-point polymer surrounding the core, and a method of preparing the same. The polymer membrane for a battery may further include a proton conductive polymer.
US08835056B2
A method of forming an electrode of a lithium ion secondary battery includes combining a binder and active particles to form a mixture, coating a surface with the mixture to form a coated article, translating the article along a first plane, cutting a first plurality of carbon fibers, each having a first average length, to form a second plurality of carbon fibers, each having a longitudinal axis and a second average length that is shorter than the first average length, inserting the second plurality of fibers into the mixture layer so that the longitudinal axis of each of at least a portion of the second plurality of fibers is not parallel to the first plane to form a preform, wherein the second plurality of fibers forms a truss structure disposed in three dimensions within the mixture layer, and heating the preform to form the electrode. An electrode is also disclosed.
US08835053B2
Negative active materials and rechargeable lithium batteries including the negative active materials are provided. The negative active material includes an intermetallic compound of Si and a metal, and a metal matrix including Cu and Al. The negative active material may provide a rechargeable lithium battery having high capacity and excellent cycle-life and cell efficiency.
US08835049B2
A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a core including an active material being capable of performing reversible electrochemical oxidation and reduction, and a coating layer on the surface of the core. The coating layer includes a reticular structure including —O-M-O— wherein M is selected Si, Ti, Zr, Al, or combinations thereof and an organic functional group linked to the M as a side chain. The organic functional group is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and combinations thereof. The negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery according to the present invention can be applied along with an aqueous binder, and improve high capacity, good cycle-life, and particularly high capacity during charge and discharge at a high rate.
US08835045B2
A battery pack having a case where connection tabs can be accurately positioned within the case and where welding holes in the case are formed to provide access to a welding rod and to allow heat to escape. Connection tabs are fixed into a lower case, batteries are arranged in the case, and then a welding process is performed to attach electrode tabs of the battery to the connection tabs so that the batteries can be connected together, to an external terminal and to a protection circuit module.
US08835043B2
A battery pack having a cover frame configured to be tightly coupled to the four side surfaces of a bare cell. The cover frame includes a rectangular cell receiving part framed by four frame parts, wherein each of the four frame parts include a support section for supporting the lower case of the bare cell, and three of the frame parts include ribs supporting the upper case of the bare cell, wherein a fourth one of the frame parts includes tab receiving grooves supporting the electrode tabs extending from the bare cell. The cover frame further includes a protection circuit module receiving part adjacent to, and separated from the cell receiving part by the fourth one of the frame parts.
US08835028B2
A rechargeable battery, which can improve safety, control operating level of a short-circuiting member, prevent external moisture from being induced to a short-circuiting member to cause a short-circuit, and can efficiently utilize an internal space. In an embodiment, the rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly, a collector plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly, a case housing the electrode assembly and the collector plate, a cap plate sealing the case and having a short-circuiting groove formed at a lower portion thereof, and a short-circuiting member formed between the cap plate and the collector plate, wherein the short-circuiting member is coupled to the short-circuiting groove of the cap plate.
US08835024B2
A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.
US08835021B2
The invention relates to mononuclear, neutral copper (1) complexes having a bidentate ligand that binds via nitrogen, and two phosphane or arsane ligands, to the use thereof for producing electronic components, and to electronic devices comprising said complexes.
US08835001B2
A ferrite sintered magnet has a surface roughness Rz of 3.5 μm or less. A method for producing a ferrite sintered magnet includes: mixing magnetic powders with at least a binder resin to obtain a magnetic powder mixture; injection molding the magnetic powder mixture inside of a mold having a surface roughness of a surface in contact with the magnetic powder mixture of 2.0 μm or less with a magnetic field applied to the mold, to obtain a molded body; and sintering the molded body.
US08834989B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device with improved reliability and for which a defect due to an end portion of a semiconductor layer provided in an island-shape is prevented, and a manufacturing method thereof. A structure includes an island-shaped semiconductor layer provided over a substrate, an insulating layer provided over a top surface and a side surface of the island-shaped semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode provided over the island-shaped semiconductor layer with the insulating layer interposed therebetween. In the insulating layer provided to be in contact with the island-shaped semiconductor layer, a region that is in contact with the side surface of the island-shaped semiconductor layer is made to have a lower dielectric constant than a region over the top surface of the island-shaped semiconductor layer.
US08834985B2
A sandwich-type composite component having imprinted 3-D structures which provide at least one pattern at an outer surface of the component is provided. The component includes a first outer layer having an outer surface, a second outer layer and a core positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. The first outer layer comprises an integral, unitary structure including 3-D structures imprinted by the press molding. The 3-D structures are sized, shaped and arranged in one or more patterns at the outer surface. The one or more patterns may form a textural surface finish, a logo or indicia such as instructions at the outer surface. The component may be a vehicle interior component such as a vehicle load floor component.
US08834983B2
The present invention provides a base material for disk rolls which is a platy molded article for obtaining ring-shaped disks for use in a disk roll comprising a rotating shaft and ring-shaped disks fitted thereon by insertion, whereby the peripheral surface of the disks serves as a conveying surface, the base material comprising inorganic fibers having a crystallization temperature of 800-900° C., a filler, and a clay. Also disclosed is a disk roll which comprises disks cut out of the base material.
US08834981B2
[Problems] To provide a multilayered plastic container which exhibits excellent oxygen-barrier property of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer to a sufficient degree without the need of providing a special adhesive layer, and which, when a polyolefin resin is used to form the inner and outer layers, too, not only permits the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer to be effectively used but also makes it very easy to set the conditions for satisfying predetermined properties.[Means for Solution] A multilayered plastic container comprising an oxygen-barrier layer of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer that serves as a matrix and an adhesive intermediate layer of a blend of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and a maleic anhydride-modified olefin resin neighboring each other between an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein both the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer used for forming said oxygen-barrier layer and the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer used for forming said adhesive intermediate layer have an ethylene content of 20 to 60 mol %; and said adhesive intermediate layer contains said ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and the maleic anhydride-modified olefin resin at a weight ratio of 4:6 to 8:2, and contains, as said maleic anhydride-modified olefin resin, a high MFR component having an MFR at 190° C. of 100 to 500 g/10 min. and a low MFR component having an MFR at 190° C. of 2 to 90 g/10 min.
US08834974B1
The system (10) includes at least one elastomeric, vulcanizable ink (18) that defines a decorative decal image (20). The decal image (20) has perimeter edges (22) and a display area (24) extending between the perimeter edges (22). The vulcanizable ink is vulcanized upon a carrier sheet (12). A heat-activated adhesive layer (26) is applied to overlie the display area (24) of the decal image (20), and the heat-activated adhesive layer (26) is also partially activated upon the display area (24) of the decal image (20). The decorative decal image (20) having the partially activated adhesive layer (26) is then thermally transferable to a vulcanized rubber product (28) such as a side wall (30) of an automotive tire (32), after which the carrier sheet (12) is removed.
US08834965B2
Processes for producing organoamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles are disclosed. The processes comprise: (a) forming a solution comprising an organic solvent and a first amount of organoamine; (b) adding silver salt particles to the solution; (c) adding a second amount of organoamine to the solution; (d) adding an organohydrazine to the solution; and (e) reacting the solution to form organoamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles.
US08834955B2
A gas panel according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a constant flow rate of gases to a reaction chamber during a deposition process step. In one embodiment, the gas panel comprises a deposition sub-panel having a deposition injection line, a deposition vent line, and at least one deposition process gas line. The deposition injection line supplies a mass flow rate of a carrier gas to a reactor chamber. Each deposition process gas line may include a pair of switching valves that are configured to selectively direct a deposition process gas to the reactor chamber or a vent line. The deposition vent line also includes a switching valve configured to selectively direct a second mass flow rate of the carrier gas that is equal to the sum of the mass flow rate for all of the deposition process gases to the reactor chamber or a vent line. The gas panel is configured to substitute the mass flow rate of the deposition vent line with the mass flow rate of the deposition process lines, such that when the deposition vent line is directed to the reactor chamber the deposition process lines are directed to the vent line and when the deposition vent line is directed to the vent line the deposition process lines are directed to the reactor chamber. The substitution of the two mass flow rates maintains a constant mass flow rate of gases to the reactor chamber throughout the deposition process step.
US08834954B2
Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system and vessel inspection apparatus and methods are also disclosed.
US08834951B2
The present invention relates to formulations and methods for stabilizing and protecting of biologic materials during harsh storing and use conditions, wherein the formulations relate to embedded bioactive materials and biologics, including live bacteria, in a protective glassy matrix.
US08834950B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for inhibiting the deterioration of eating-quality characteristics of a food containing gelatinized starch and to keep their eating-quality characteristics as just prepared after a relatively prolonged storage under freezing, refrigerating, chilling or room temperature. The present invention achieves the above object by a method of permeating of maltose and/or α,α-trehalose or saccharides comprising the same and other oligosaccharides in a prescribed ratio into the above food containing gelatinized starch by admixing the saccharide to the food and holding them at relatively high temperature for a prescribed period.
US08834942B2
A composition for increasing the bioavailability of oregano essential oil in humans and animals comprising mixing a first emulsifier and a second emulsifier in a ratio ranging from about 1:1 to about 3:1 with a consumable oil wherein the first emulsifier is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and the second emulsifier is tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate. Adding to that a second mixture of oregano essential oil and the first emulsifier in a ratio of 1:1.
US08834940B2
A formulation for hair loss prevention comprising at least one hair loss preventive ingredient known to inhibit the hormonal mechanism underlying androgenetic hair loss and a mixture of water and at least one aprotic organic solvent capable of solubilizing sebum and allowing the hair loss preventive ingredient to reach the skin and/or hair follicle, and methods of using the same.
US08834934B2
A material encapsulation and release system having a first zone (1) containing a first amount of material (2) bound by a first capsule wall (3) and, if desired, a second zone (4) containing a second amount of material (5) bound by a second capsule wall (6), each capsule wall responsive to similar or dissimilar activation means (7) to release the first amount of material (2) in the first zone (1) and the second amount of material (5) in the second zone (4).
US08834930B2
A composition for pulmonary administration comprises a fluoroquinolone betaine, such as ciprofloxacin betaine, and an excipient. In one version, the particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter from about 1 μm to about 5 μm, and the fluoroquinolone has a half life in the lungs of at least 1.5 hours. The composition is useful in treating an endobronchial infection, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and is particularly useful in treating cystic fibrosis.
US08834925B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical dosage forms, for example to a tamper resistant dosage form including an opioid analgesic, and processes of manufacture, uses, and methods of treatment thereof.
US08834905B2
A wound dressing composition comprising a non-viable cell lysate or releasate derived from a hepatocyte cell or an inflammatory cell such as a macrophage. Also provided are wound dressings comprising such compositions, methods of making such compositions, and the use of such compositions for the treatment of wounds.
US08834895B2
A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a Th2-mediated disease or disorder includes live, killed or attentuated Franciscella tularensis or its components. The F. tularensis cells may be LVS cells. Administration of an effective amount may prevent or reduce bronchoconstriction or allergic airway inflammation through a T-helper cell (Th) 1-mediated suppression of an ongoing Th2 response mechanism.
US08834888B2
Factor H binding protein (fHBP) has been proposed for use in immunising against serogroup B meningococcus (‘MenB’). This antigen can be efficiently adsorbed to an aluminium hydroxyphosphate adjuvant by (i) ensuring that adsorption takes place at a pH which is equal to or below the adjuvant's point of zero charge (PZC), and/or (ii) selecting a fHBP and adjuvant with an isoelectric point/PZC within the range of 5.0 to 7, and/or (iii) selecting a fHBP with an isoelectric point above the adjuvant's PZC and using a buffer to bring the pH to within 1.2 pH units of the PZC. The adsorption is particularly useful for compositions which include multiple fHBP variants, and also in situations where an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant should be avoided. Buffered pharmaceutical compositions can include at least two different meningococcal fHBP antigens, both of which are at least 85% adsorbed to aluminium hydroxyphosphate adjuvant.
US08834883B2
Provided are monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies block VEGF binding to its receptors (e.g., VEGFR1 and/or VEGFR2) and prevent phosphorylation of VEGFR2 by VEGF. Also provided are methods of using the monoclonal anti-VEGF antibodies for treatment of disease, including cancer.
US08834882B2
The present invention relates to antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof which bind to the human CD70 protein with high affinity and display potent inhibition of tumor cell growth.
US08834881B2
Described are binding molecules, such as human monoclonal antibodies, that bind to hemagglutinin of influenza B viruses, and have a broad neutralizing activity against such influenza viruses. These binding molecules do not bind to hemagglutinin of influenza A viruses. Further provided are nucleic acid molecules encoding the binding molecules, and compositions comprising the binding molecules. The binding molecules can be used in the diagnosis of, prophylaxis against, and/or treatment of influenza B virus infections.
US08834869B2
A method of treating or preventing a disorder, or a complication of a disorder, of an eye of a subject comprising contacting a vitreous and/or aqueous humor with a composition comprising a truncated form of plasmin comprising a catalytic domain of plasmin (TPCD). TPCDs include, but are not limited to, miniplasmin, microplasmin and derivatives and variants thereof. The methods of the invention can be used to reduce the viscosity of the vitreous, liquefy the vitreous, induce posterior vitreous detachment, reduce hemorrhagic blood from the eye, clear or reduce materials toxic to the eye, clear or reduce intraocular foreign substances from the eye, increase diffusion of a composition administered to an eye, reduce extraretinal neovascularization and any combinations thereof. The method can be used in the absence of, or as an adjunct to, vitrectomy.
US08834867B2
Method for producing Yarrowia lipolytica acid-resistant recombinant lipase utilizing a culture medium without any products of animal origin or non-characterized mixtures such as tryptone, peptone or lactoserum, in addition to its uses. Recombinant strain of Yarrow lipolytica producing an excessive amount of lipase Lip2 referred to as YL-LIP2-6C and filed with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes (C.N.C.M.) under number I 3542, on Dec. 15, 2005 and its uses.
US08834851B2
The invention relates to a dental composition for detecting bacteria comprising a solvent, at least one electron acceptor component and at least one electron donor component, the composition being substantially free of components which enable or facilitate the electron transmission between the electron acceptor component and the electron donor component. The invention also relates to a kit of parts and the use of the dental composition for producing a means for the inter-oral detection of bacteria.
US08834847B2
Compositions, devices, systems and methods for reducing and/or preventing photo-induced damage of one or more reactants in an illuminated analytical reaction by addition of one or more photoprotective compounds to the reaction mixture and allowing the reaction to proceed for a period that is less than a photo-induced damage threshold period.
US08834841B2
The present invention provides novel amino acid compounds useful in detecting and evaluating brain and body tumors. These compounds have the advantageous properties of rapid uptake and prolonged retention in tumors and can be labeled with halogen isotopes such as fluorine-18, iodine-123, iodine-124, iodine-125, iodine-131, bromine-75, bromine-76, bromine-77, bromine-82, astatine-210, astatine-211, and other astatine isotopes. These compounds can also be labeled with technetium and rhenium isotopes using known chelation complexes. The compounds disclosed herein bind tumor tissues in vivo with high specificity and selectivity when administered to a subject. Preferred compounds show a target to non-target ratio of at least 2:1, are stable in vivo and substantially localized to target within 1 hour after administration. Preferred compounds include 1-amino-2-[18F]fluorocyclobutyl-1-carboxylic acid (2-[18F]FACBC) and 1-amino-2-[18]fluoromethylcyclobutyl-1-carboxylic acid (2-[18F]FMACBC). The labeled amino acid compounds of the invention are useful as imaging agents in detecting and/or monitoring tumors in a subject by PET or SPECT.
US08834835B2
A catalytic water gas shift process at temperatures above about 450° C. up to about 900° C. or so wherein the catalyst includes rhenium deposited on a support, preferably without a precious metal, wherein the support is prepared from a high surface area material, such as a mixed metal oxide, particularly a mixture of zirconia and ceria, to which may be added one or more of a high surface area transitional alumina, an alkali or alkaline earth metal dopant and/or an additional dopant selected from Ga, Nd, Pr, W, Ge, Fe, oxides thereof and mixtures thereof.
US08834829B2
The invention provides a method of making a battery anode in which a quantity of graphite powder is provided. The temperature of the graphite powder is raised from a starting temperature to a first temperature between 1000 and 2000° C. during a first heating period. The graphite powder is then cooled to a final temperature during a cool down period. The graphite powder is contacted with a forming gas during at least one of the first heating period and the cool down period. The forming gas includes H2 and an inert gas.
US08834827B2
An integrated method and apparatus to continuously produce purified Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) from a continuous supply of solid carbon powder fed to an induction plasma torch. The apparatus includes a reactor body disposed to maintain laminar flow of gases with the torch body and coupled to a quenching body where temperature and residence time is controlled. Conveniently, functionalization may take place in the quenching body. The torch is operated with an argon carrier gas, an argon stabilizing gas and a helium sheath gas. Solid carbon reactants are preferably mixed with at least two metal catalysts containing nickel and cobalt with additional metal oxides of yttrium and cerium being desirable.
US08834822B1
A method for the separation of carbon dioxide from ambient air and flue gases is provided wherein a phase separating moiety with a second moiety are simultaneously coupled and bonded onto an inert substrate to create a mixture which is subsequently contacted with flue gases or ambient air. The phase-separating moiety is an amine whereas the second moiety is an aminosilane, or a Group 4 propoxide such as titanium (IV) propoxide (tetrapropyl orthotitanate, C12H28O4Ti). The second moiety makes the phase-separating moiety insoluble in the pores of the inert substrate. The new sorbents have a high carbon dioxide loading capacity and considerable stability over hundreds of cycles. The synthesis method is readily scalable for commercial and industrial production.
US08834809B2
The invention includes an apparatus, system, waste treatment facility and method of autoclave loading and treatment that involves (a) receiving solid waste at a solid waste treatment facility; (b) compressing the waste into a plurality of compressed bales, the compressed bales bound by a binding material adapted to melt at a temperature at which an autoclave operates or otherwise break upon the operation of the autoclave; (c) loading the compressed bales into an autoclave; and (d) operating the autoclave so as to melt or break the binding material to allow the compressed bales of solid waste to be decompressed and treated in the autoclave.
US08834801B2
A vertical downflow type flue gas denitrification apparatus which has a plurality of catalyst blocks, each incorporating a catalyst unit provided therein, is provided with a first ash accumulation baffle plate and a second ash accumulation baffle plate which are slidable into a gap between catalyst blocks adjacent to each other, and processes an exhaust gas emitted from a combustor and turned to a vertical downflow. The denitrification apparatus has a simple configuration where the ash accumulation baffle plates prevent ash or the like from being accumulated in the gap between the catalyst blocks. The thermal expansion of the ash accumulation baffle plate can be absorbed even under the operating conditions which produce a change in temperature, and charging and replacing the catalyst in the catalyst blocks are possible without on-site welding of the ash accumulation baffle plates.
US08834797B2
A scanning detection system is provided in which emissions from locations in a flow cell are detected. In some embodiments, the system can include an excitation source, a photocleavage source, and modulating optics configured to cause an excitation beam generated by the excitation source to irradiate a first group of the fixed locations and to cause a photocleavage beam generated by the photocleavage source to irradiate a second group of the fixed locations, which is separate and apart from the first group of fixed locations. Methods of detecting sequencing reactions using such a system are also provided.
US08834793B2
An apparatus for dispensing one or more cells or particles confined in a free flying droplet has a droplet generating device configured to eject out of an orifice a free flying droplet of a suspension of cells or particles. The droplet generating device has a branch-less one-way channel having the orifice at one end thereof. A device for detecting information on cells or particles located in an observation volume of the suspension within the branch-less one-way channel is provided. An ejected droplet is directed to a first position or a second position depending on the detected information.
US08834788B2
A method for sanitizing/sterilizing a container/enclosure for use in the food industry or the beverage industry comprising the steps of: providing a container and/or enclosure; providing an electromagnetic radiation source; controllably exposing the container and/or enclosure to electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source for a period of time; and at least one of sanitizing and sterilizing at least a portion of the container and/or enclosure with the electromagnetic radiation.
US08834787B2
The present invention relates to complexed metal salts which comprise ligands and at least one complexing agent for chemically binding noxious substances and/or odor-forming substances, the ligands comprising a hydrophobic carbon skeleton with hydrophilic groups. The complexed metal salt formed with the complexing agent is water-soluble and surface-active. Preferred complexing agents are water-soluble acids or salts of at least bifunctional acids, or also ether carboxylic acids.
US08834781B2
A vacuum set-up to pressurize a component part during its production is provided. The set-up includes a base with a contact surface for component part, and a casing that is airtight to contact surface that can be sealed to cover component part to effect pressurization of component part by evacuating an internal space of casing. To also effect a defined pressurization of component part on at least one component part edge in lateral direction, on at least this component part edge together with component part, a pressure strip system that can be mounted in the interior space is provided that is formed by at least two pressure strips extending along the component part edge and over inclined planes, that work together in such a way that pressure exerted on pressure strip system by the evacuation of the interior space, generates pressure acting laterally on component part edge.
US08834774B2
An imprinting method forms a predetermined pattern in a resist surface of a substrate coated with a photo-curing type resist by using a mold having a pattern of projections and recesses formed in a transfer surface. The method includes an alignment step, a press step, a UV irradiation step, and a release step. The steps are performed in plural units selected from independent units, composite units, and combinations of independent units and composite units. The mold and the substrate are paired with each other and conveyed between the units. An imprinting apparatus includes plural units which perform the steps in the imprinting method and which are selected from independent units in each of which one step is executed, composite units in each of which plural of steps are executed, and combinations of independent units and composite units; and conveying devices which convey the mold and the substrate.
US08834771B2
The present invention relates to an appliance having a micro-pattern (190b) for displaying a pattern or a character, and a method for fabricating a structure having a micro-pattern (190b), and more particularly, to a method for displaying a pattern or a character more effectively. To achieve above object, the appliance of the present invention includes a body, a structure provided to an outside or an inside of the body, and a micro-pattern (190b) for changing a light incident thereon from an outside of the micro-pattern to a light of a predetermined color to display a predetermined character or a predetermined pattern on the structure.
US08834769B2
The present invention provides an imprint apparatus including a mold and a stage that holds a substrate, the imprint apparatus executing a curing process of curing a resin while the mold and the resin applied to the substrate contact and a demolding process of releasing the mold from the resin cured in the curing process, the imprint apparatus including a structure that holds the mold, a pillar that supports the structure mechanically independently from the stage through an anti-vibration mount that reduces propagation of vibration, and a force providing unit that provides, to the structure, force in an opposite direction from a direction of force generated in the structure by providing demolding force to the mold during the demolding process.
US08834767B1
A process for making a resin panel having a shaped edge includes applying a resin material to a surface of a flat mold to form a layer of resin, partially curing the layer of resin, shaping an edge portion of the layer of resin with a shaped mold, applying a matrix material to the partially cured, partially shaped layer of resin, and curing the layer of resin and the matrix material to form a panel. In some embodiments, a pattern, design or image may be applied to the resin panel. Methods for forming other shaped components, such as edge pieces, from resin, are also disclosed.
US08834759B2
Gravity-laid inorganic fiber webs and methods of making and using are disclosed. The gravity-laying process comprises mechanically separating inorganic fibers and collecting the fibers as a web, and may comprise blending of multiple types of inorganic fibers and/or blending of inorganic particulate additives with the fibers.
US08834757B2
The invention provides a method for producing bioinert biocompatible diamond particles/polymer composites or any other matrix (e.g. glass, metal, plastic, ceramic and more)/diamond particle composites, even if not biocompatible with outstanding mechanical, tribological, and biological properties, the method comprising selecting a polymer having a melting temperature below about 300 C; mixing diamond particles with the polymer to form a liquid mixture, poring the liquid diamond particle/polymer or any other diamond particle/matrix composite in liquid form into a mold and then causing the composite to sinter with the diamond particles densely and uniformly distributed through the bulk and surface of the composite, such that the diamond particles distributed on the surface can form a diamond layer covering the surface.
US08834753B2
The present invention provides to a preparation of a yarn with coffee residue. The present invention also provide to a novel yarn with coffee residue.
US08834752B2
A system and method for making a layered dental appliance. The system can include a first mold comprising a negative of a first layer of a layered dental appliance, a second mold comprising a negative of a second layer, and a dental core dimensioned to be at least partially received in the first mold and the second mold. The method can include positioning a first slurry in the first mold, and pressing the dental core into the first slurry to form a first article comprising the dental core and a first layer formed from the first slurry. The method can further include removing the first article from the first mold, positioning a second slurry in the second mold, and pressing the first article into the second slurry to form a second article comprising the dental core, the first layer, and a second layer formed from the second slurry.
US08834751B2
A system and method for sintering dental restorations. The system can include a monolithic sintering support comprising a surface, and at least one dental restoration positioned in direct contact with the surface of the monolithic sintering support. The method can include providing a monolithic sintering support comprising a surface, positioning a dental restoration in direct contact with the surface, and sintering the dental restoration while the dental restoration is in direct contact with the surface of the monolithic sintering support to form a sintered dental restoration.
US08834750B1
In one aspect, the invention is directed to fire retardant compositions comprising clay and starch and uses thereof to protect structures and objects from fire and/or excessive heat.
US08834749B2
Disclosed are a photosensitive resin composition including (A) a binder resin including a cardo-based resin including a repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, (B) a photopolymerizable monomer, (C) a photopolymerization initiator, (D) a colorant and (E) a solvent, and a light blocking layer using the same. In the above Chemical Formula 1, each substituent is the same as defined in the detailed description.
US08834743B2
Aliphatic dicarboxylate Gemini surfactants and lyotropic liquid crystal compositions formed thereby are disclosed. The Gemini surfactants are capable of robustly forming Q phase morphologies over broad ranges of temperature and concentration.
US08834741B2
The present invention has the object to provide a liquid crystal polyester resin composition capable of obtaining a molded body which is not easily fibrillated, and a camera module component by molding the same. The liquid crystal polyester resin composition of the present invention contains 5 to 40 parts by volume of barium sulfate (B) having a particle size of 1 μm or less and 0.01 to 10.0 parts by volume of carbon black (C) with respect to 100 parts by volume of a liquid crystal polyester (A).
US08834740B2
A polycrystalline cobalt-nickel-manganese ternary positive material is provided. The polycrystalline cobalt-nickel-manganese ternary positive material comprises more than two basic crystalline structures of Liz—CoO2, LizNiO2, LizMnO2, LizCo1-(x+y)NixMnyO2, LizNixMn1-xO2, LizCoxNi1-xO2 and Li2MnO3. Further, a method for preparing the positive material by high-temperature fusion is provided. The positive material has the compacted density of 3.9-4.3 g/cm3, the capacity of 145 mAh/g or more when the discharging rate is 0.5-1C and the capacity retention rate of more than 90% after 300 cycles. The positive material prepared by high-temperature fusion has high volume energy density, excellent electrochemical performance, and improved safety and is manufactured economically. Further, a lithium ion secondary battery comprising the positive material is provided.
US08834728B1
A method provides an EAMR transducer. The EAMR transducer is coupled with a laser and has an ABS configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The method includes providing an NFT using an NFT mask. The NFT resides proximate to the ABS and focuses the laser energy onto the media. A portion of the NFT mask is removed, forming a heat sink mask covering part of the NFT. Optical material(s) are deposited, covering the heat sink mask and the NFT. The heat sink mask is removed, providing an aperture in the optical material(s). A heat sink corresponding to the aperture is provided. The heat sink bottom is thermally coupled with the NFT. A write pole for writing to the media and coil(s) for energizing the write pole are provided. The write pole has a bottom surface thermally coupled with the top surface of the heat sink.
US08834725B2
A process for treating acid mine drainage containing heavy metals and soluble contaminants is provided. In one embodiment, at least a metal cation is added to the acid mine drainage at a pre-select pH to form insoluble heavy metal complexes. In one embodiment, the metal cation is a trivalent metal ion, e.g., ferric iron such as in ferric sulfate. In another embodiment, a divalent metal ion such as in ferrous sulfate is used. After the removal of the heavy metal complexes, the effluent water is treated with at least a phosphate additive to remove remaining soluble contaminants, thus producing a treated water stream with reduced levels of contaminants.
US08834724B1
In reviewing the oil industry for the past 30 years there has been a need for a low maintenance, low cost, space saving Induced Gas Flotation Cell. With this said, a method has been invented to do this by making several changes in the present design philosophy of induced Gas flotation. First by providing a cylindrical vessel we have made a stronger unit with better structural integrity, and minimizing the opportunity for accelerated corrosion, secondly by changing the vital operations of the unit, specifically the recirculation rate of the system, lowering the overall discharge flow and increasing the discharge pressure we have been able to increase retention time and increase bubble dispersion, part and parcel with this change is the addition of multiple Eductors in each cell providing greater gasification per cell. The combination of these changes provides a greater overall efficiency thus the overboard water quality is improved using a smaller vessel to accomplish the objective. As important, is the placement of the Eductor in the vessel creating a rolling effect to move separated oil to a spillover point for collection. Thus the collection point is improved by eliminating costly mechanical wipers and using multiple adjustable spillover weirs in each cell to recover the collected oil contaminant. during the process and will help preclude upset and or surge conditions from affecting the water quality at the effluent. The overall design and combined affect of these important features makes this an improvement over all conventional technology used today. The above features are a marked advancement, when taken in combination, to current induced gas flotation technology.
US08834723B1
The system and process of the present invention will consist of specific monitors in tandem with interface probes reading in multiple locations, divert valves which are operated by the readings of the interface probes and online ppm monitors. Such monitors would function in conjunction with these leading indicators through a software program and computerized logic controller used to manipulate the controls of this system.
US08834691B2
The objective of the invention is to enhance measurement accuracy in a device for measuring a biological sample. To attain this objective, the invention is provided with a main case (2) having a sensor insertion section (1), a measurement section (7) connected to the sensor insertion section (1), a controller (8) connected to the measurement section (7), and a display (3) connected to the controller (8). An acceleration sensor (5) is furnished for detecting a shock applied to the sensor insertion section (1).
US08834688B2
An alkaline production system comprising an electrochemical unit comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode, a cathode compartment comprising a cathode and a hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode, wherein the system configured to sequester carbon dioxide with the cathode electrolyte; and methods thereof. In another embodiment, a system comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode in communication with a cathode electrolyte comprising bicarbonate ion; and an hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode; and methods thereof.
US08834687B2
A layered construction for use in decontaminating a surface or enclosed space is described. The construction is an electrochemical cell which includes a cathode, an electrolyte layer, an anode and a protective surface layer. A precursor compound that can be electrically decomposed to release an oxidant, on demand and over an extended period of time, is included in the layered structure, preferably in the electrolyte layer. The oxidant compounds react with various different chemical or biological contaminants in contact the protective layer, thereby deactivating, destroying or devitalizing the contaminants. The layered construction is suitable for application to a device or substrate, or placement in an enclosed space, and can be used on sensitive surfaces such as electronic components and human skin.
US08834674B2
According to one embodiment, a plasma etching apparatus includes an electrode to which a high-frequency voltage is applied, having an upper surface along which a processing target substrate is to be placed, and having an inclined side, and an electrode cover provided along the side of the electrode.
US08834670B2
An optical adhesive composition includes a urethane (meth)acrylate resin having at least one hydroxyl group and at least one vinyl group, the urethane (meth)acrylate resin having a curing contraction ratio expressed by Equation 1 of about 0 to about 3%; and an adhesion of about 30 to about 80 kgf: Curing contraction ratio (%)=(A−B)/A×100, [Equation 1] where A is a specific gravity of the optical adhesive composition before curing, and B is a specific gravity of the solid optical adhesive composition after curing.
US08834662B2
A method of separating a wafer from a carrier includes placing a wafer assembly on a platform. The wafer assembly includes the wafer, the carrier, and a layer of wax between the wafer and the carrier. A wafer frame is mounted on the wafer of the wafer assembly. The layer of wax is softened. The wafer and the wafer frame mounted thereon are separated, by a first robot arm, from the carrier.
US08834660B1
The present disclosure relates to methods and a related systems and tools for dispensing an adhesive piece having damping qualities onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension. The adhesive piece can be commercially available layered strip sold as an adhesive layer having a first and a second liner adhered to each side. An exemplary method can cut an adhesive piece, separate the adhesive piece from a secondary liner, adhere the adhesive piece onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension, separate a primary liner from the adhesive piece, and dispose of the primary liner using a conventional gantry system. The method can be performed using a two-step operation of the gantry system.
US08834656B2
The instant disclosure relates to a manufacturing method of a porous composite film. The manufacturing method includes processing a first porous film and a second porous film and includes the following steps: providing a pressing unit, a film-shaping unit, and a cooling unit; intersecting the first and second porous films at an angle; stacking the first and second porous films in forming a half-finished porous composite film; pressing the half-finished porous composite film by the pressing unit at a temperature T1 and under a tension S1; relieving the pressing force against the half-finished porous composite film thermally by the film-shaping unit at a temperature T2; and maintaining the half-finished porous composite film at a pre-determined tension by the cooling unit at a temperature T3.
US08834652B2
Provided is a zinc base alloy having high strength, and being excellent in toughness and abrasion resistance. The zinc base alloy contains 3.5% by weight or more and 4.5% by weight or less of Al, 3.0% by weight or more and 4.0% by weight or less of Cu, 0.01% by weight or more and 0.08% by weight or less of Mg, 0.005% by weight or more and 0.1% by weight or less of Ca, and, as necessary, 0.005% by weight or more and 0.1% by weight or less of Sr, and balance of Zn and inevitable impurities. Also provided is a die-cast product made from the zinc base alloy.
US08834647B2
A removable multi-stage filter assembly for a dishwasher system is provided, comprising: a plurality of concentric filter stages having a varying degree of filter granularity; and a closed bottom that retains soils for manual collection by an end user, wherein the closed bottom has at least one drain opening. A dishwasher system is also provided that comprises a tub; a fluid circulation system for circulating water in the tub; and a removable multi-stage filter assembly, wherein the removable filter assembly comprises a closed bottom and at least one drain opening, and wherein the removable multi-stage filter assembly retains soils for manual collection by an end user.
US08834646B2
A turbidity sensor includes a housing having a first side along an exterior surface defining a channel for holding a liquid, the housing also having a second side along an interior surface; a first turbidity sensor having an emitter and a receiver adjacent the channel; and a second turbidity sensor having an emitter and a receiver substantially identical to that of the first turbidity sensor located on the second side of the housing spaced from the channel. The liquid is precluded from passing between the emitter and the receiver of the second turbidity sensor at any time. The first turbidity sensor outputs a signal combinable with the signal from the second turbidity sensor to determine the turbidity of the liquid while accounting for the temperature of the liquid without determining the temperature of the liquid. Related dishwasher designs include such sensors.
US08834643B2
A method for cleaning objects made of organic or inorganic materials, wherein the relevant material is brought into contact with a composition in the form of a fluid nanophase system, comprising a) at least one water-insoluble substance having a water solubility of less than 4 grams per liter, b) at least one amphiphilic substance (NP-MCA) which has no surfactant structure, is not structure-forming on its own, the solubility of which in water or oil ranges between 4 g and 1000 g per liter and which does not preferably accumulate at the oil-water interface, c) at least one anionic, cationic, amphoteric and/or non-ionic surfactant, d) at least one polar protic solvent, in particular having hydroxy functionality, e) if necessary one or more auxiliary substance.
US08834638B2
A method for cleaning and/or disinfecting an item to be cleaned is proposed. The item to be cleaned is exposed to at least one cleaning fluid, heat equivalents to which the item to be cleaned is exposed being recorded. The heat equivalents are added up, the heat equivalents additionally being weighted with a compensation function during the summation of the heat equivalents. The compensation function can be a function of the temperature at which the heat equivalents were recorded. The compensation function can be adapted to provide heat equivalents recorded in at least one exceptional temperature range with a lower weighting than heat equivalents recorded in other temperature ranges.
US08834632B2
In a method of manufacturing a carbon nanotube, a boat configured to receive substrates is positioned outside of a synthesis space where the carbon nanotube is synthesized. The substrates are loaded into the boat. The boat is then transferred to the synthesis space. A process for forming the carbon nanotube is performed on the substrates in the synthesis space to form the carbon nanotube. Thus, the carbon nanotube may be effectively manufactured.
US08834631B2
A processing apparatus includes a processing chamber configured to accommodate a target object to be processed, gas supply paths provided in a corresponding relationship with the kinds of process gases supplied into the processing chamber, and valves respectively arranged in the gas supply paths to open and close the gas supply paths. The processing apparatus further includes valve drive units configured to independently drive the valves, sensor units configured to independently monitor opening and closing operations of the valves, and a control unit configured to determine operation statuses of the valves based on valve opening and closing drive signals transmitted to the valve drive units and/or valve opening and closing detection signals transmitted from the sensor units.
US08834630B2
Bulk single crystal of aluminum nitride (AlN) having an areal planar defect density≦100 cm−2. Methods for growing single crystal aluminum nitride include melting an aluminum foil to uniformly wet a foundation with a layer of aluminum, the foundation forming a portion of an AlN seed holder, for an AlN seed to be used for the AlN growth. The holder may consist essentially of a substantially impervious backing plate.
US08834627B2
Silicon single crystals are grown by a method of remelting silicon granules, by crystallizing a conically extended section of the single crystal with the aid of an induction heating coil arranged below a rotating plate composed of silicon; feeding inductively melted silicon through a conical tube in the plate, the tube enclosing a central opening of the plate and extending below the plate, to a melt situated on the conically extended section of the single crystal in contact with a tube end of the conical tube, wherein by means of the induction heating coil below the plate, sufficient energy is provided to ensure that the external diameter of the tube end is not smaller than 15 mm as long as the conically extended section of the single crystal has a diameter of 15 to 30 mm.
US08834624B2
Light to ultra-light cement compositions with modified rheological properties. The cement composition includes cement, hydrophobic nano-silica, at least one additive and a sufficient amount of water to make a cement slurry with high compressive strength, low porosity, low free water, and low fluid loss with a quick thickening time.
US08834619B2
An ink composition containing at least two kinds of water-soluble long-wavelength dyes whose absorption spectrum in an aqueous solvent has a maximum wavelength of 550 nm to 700 nm, in which at least one kind of the water-soluble long-wavelength dyes is a first water-soluble long-wavelength dye of an azo compound represented by the following Formula (1), at least one kind of the water-soluble long-wavelength dyes is a second water-soluble long-wavelength dye that is different from the first water-soluble long-wavelength dye, and the second water-soluble long-wavelength dye is a compound having two to four azo groups conjugated with each other per molecule, an ink for inkjet recording using the ink composition, and an inkjet recording method using the ink for inkjet recording using the ink for inkjet recording. Formula (1):
US08834616B2
An air treatment system for a commercial vehicle has a housing, a drying agent cartridge which is or can be connected to the housing, and a covering housing for covering the drying agent cartridge. The covering housing is connected in a positively locking manner to the drying agent cartridge.
US08834614B2
A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
US08834609B2
A method for separating carbon dioxide from a flue gas of a fossil fuel-operated power plant is provided. In the method, a fossil fuel is initially burned in a combustion process, wherein a hot waste gas containing carbon dioxide is produced. In a next process step, waste gas containing carbon dioxide is brought into contact with an absorption medium in an absorption process, wherein carbon dioxide is absorbed by the absorption medium, thus forming a charged absorption medium. Next, gaseous carbon dioxide is thermally expelled from the charged absorption medium in a desorption process. For this purpose, a vapor is supplied to the desorption process, the vapor is injected into the charged absorption medium, wherein the condensation heat released by the condensation of the vapor is transferred to the charged absorption medium, and the partial pressure of the carbon dioxide is simultaneously reduced in the desorption unit.
US08834605B2
Method and apparatus for separating a target substance from a fluid or mixture. Capsules having a coating and stripping solvents encapsulated in the capsules are provided. The coating is permeable to the target substance. The capsules having a coating and stripping solvents encapsulated in the capsules are exposed to the fluid or mixture. The target substance migrates through the coating and is taken up by the stripping solvents. The target substance is separated from the fluid or mixture by driving off the target substance from the capsules.
US08834604B2
A membrane for use in a high temperature gas processing system and method for making the same. The membrane includes a dense, gas impermeable layer and a first and second porous layer, wherein each of the first and second porous layers is a ceramic oxide material having a non-symmetrical load bearing skeleton of a plurality of pores having a graded porosity. Each porous layer provides a reduction of an oxygen partial pressure gradient across the dense layer and reduces resultant stresses in the dense layer that are small compared to its strength thereby improving long term mechanical durability of the dense layer.
US08834601B2
A method for producing a titanium-aluminum alloy containing less than about 15 wt. % aluminum, comprising: a first step in which an amount of titanium subchlorides at or in excess of a stoichiometric amount required to produce the titanium-aluminum alloy are reduced by aluminum to form a reaction mixture comprising elemental titanium, and then a second step in which the reaction mixture comprising elemental titanium is heated to form the titanium-aluminum alloy, whereby reaction kinetics of the method are controlled such that reactions resulting in formation of titanium aluminides are minimized.
US08834595B2
An ultrasonic welding tool fabricated of powder metal material includes a body and a welding tip extending axially from the body to a working end. The powder metal material can be ferrous-based and admixed with additives, such as alumina, carbide, ferro-molybdenum, ferro-nickel, chrome or tribaloy. An exposed surface of the welding tip can comprise Fe3O4 oxides. The tool is compacted to the desired shape and sintered. The body can include a different second material compacted separately from the welding tip and then joined to the tip and sintered.
US08834588B2
The present invention relates to polycrystalline Al2O3 bodies based on melted aluminum oxide having a mean crystallite size of the primary crystals between 20 μm and 100 μm and a closed macroporosity between 10% by volume and 30% by volume. The polycrystalline Al2O3 bodies may be obtained by tapping out and quenching a liquid aluminum oxide melt and simultaneous seeding of the pouring stream with seed crystals and can be used advantageously for the production of abrasive materials and refractory products.
US08834577B2
The present invention relates to devices for the regeneration of bone by three-dimensional callus distraction. The invention further relates to the use of such devices and to methods for three-dimensional callus distraction.
US08834574B2
A system of prosthetic patellar components including first and second prosthetic patellar components having dissimilar perimeter shapes and which are interchangeably usable without altering the securement feature formed on the natural patella or the position of the apex of the articulating surface of the prosthetic patella is described. A keyed securement feature as well as a patellar implant having a single offset mounting post for facilitating the proper placement of a patellar prosthesis on a natural patella based on patella tracking are also described.
US08834567B2
A middle ear ossicle prosthesis in which the component for ossicular attachment comprises a surface bearing a plurality of discrete projections facing the ossicle to which it is attached which minimize total contact between the prosthesis and the ossicle. The prosthesis may comprise a loop forming a partial circle for encircling an ossicle, a piston for transmitting vibrations from the loop to the inner ear, and a rod solidly connecting the loop to the piston. The loop may have an upwardly turned end to facilitate placement of the loop over the ossicle. The projections may be provided in one row, two rows, or may be otherwise arrayed, and may be dissimilar from one another in configuration and dimensions.
US08834561B2
A device for the transvascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stunt is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (20) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).
US08834560B2
Among other things, a bio-erodible implantable endoprosthesis comprises a member that includes (a) a core having a surface, and (b) a bio-erodible metal on a least a portion of the surface of the core, wherein the bio-erodible metal erodes more slowly than the core and includes openings through which physiological fluids can access the core upon implantation.
US08834553B2
An implant includes a collapsible anchor to be deployed within a lumen and a protrusion coupled to the anchor. The protrusion, in a constrained state, extends a distance from an exterior surface of the anchor and, in an unconstrained state, extends further from the exterior surface of the anchor. Also included is a biodegradable constraint, such as a biodegradable tube or suture, configured to maintain the protrusion in the constrained state until the constraint releases. The implant may include additional biodegradable constraints, each constraint configured to maintain the protrusion in a different constrained state and to degrade over a different predetermined period after the implant has been deployed within the lumen. The protrusion may include a bi-directional barb or an open loop. The protrusion may be configured to penetrate a wall of the lumen and to allow tissue to grow about the protrusion. The implant may also include an unsupported, thin-walled sleeve coupled to the anchor and configured to extend into the lumen upon deployment of the collapsible anchor.
US08834542B2
A device and method for fixating soft tissue to hard tissue with the aid of a suture anchor and a suture or with the aid of a headed anchor, wherein the anchor is forced into the hard tissue and then anchored therein by in situ liquefaction of a material having thermoplastic properties. The device includes a vibration tool and the anchor and possibly a support element, wherein the anchor includes an anchor foot and a thermoplastic sleeve. The thermoplastic sleeve includes the material having thermoplastic properties. The anchor foot has a distal end suitable for being forced into hard tissue and it is connected to the distal end of the vibration tool and the thermoplastic sleeve sits on a proximal face of the anchor foot , the vibration tool and/or a proximal portion of the anchor foot extending into or through the thermoplastic sleeve.
US08834541B2
A bone fixation assembly comprises a tulip-shaped assembly and a bone fixation device such as a surgical or pedicle screw, comprising a head and a bone fixation portion. The tulip assembly comprises an upper portion to receive a rod and a lower portion that has a cavity in which the head of the bone fixation device rests. The cavity has an aperture below. The aperture has a length through which the tulip assembly may slide with respect to the bone fixation device, for movement of the tulip assembly when the bone fixation device is in place, while also maintaining the angular movement of the tulip assembly. The bone fixation device may comprise an aperture engaging part, which locks the bone fixation device position on the aperture length. A tulip assembly translation mechanism comprises a head, a cavity, an aperture to the cavity.
US08834540B2
A polyaxial screw body includes a side wall defining a lumen having a first end and a second end. An opening disposed at the first end of the lumen, includes an interior surface disposed in the side wall thereabout. The interior surface is adapted to accommodate a head portion of a pedicle screw. A transverse channel extends from a first aperture through the side wall to a second aperture and is adapted to accommodate a portion of a fixation rod therebetween. A lateral connector extending integrally from the side wall.
US08834534B2
A scapholunate stabilization graft is made up of an oblong plate, made of a material having a resilient deformation capability. The ends of the plate are provided with at least one hole enabling an attachment screw to pass therethrough, and the central portion of which has an opening defined by two opposite sides. A spring connects two remote points of said sides, said spring being placed along the diagonal within said opening.
US08834532B2
A plate is provided for the treatment of bone fractures, the plate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposed to the first surface and being adapted to face a bone surface. At least one of the first and second surfaces defines at least one generally linearly shaped portion of a boundary of at least one cross section of the plate.
US08834528B2
A fixation device expands the spinal canal through osteotomies of the dorsal spinal elements (e.g lamina). Fixation is established to the dorsal vertebral elements (e.g. spinous process or lamina), with connection to a fixation device on each side of respective osteotomies. A distracting mechanism dorsally translates the fixated dorsal vertebral elements to expand the spinal canal. The fixation device allows secure fixation of the vertebra in the expanded state to promote bony healing across the osteotomy site. The fixation device can include a dorsal vertebral device (e.g., a transosseous fixation member placed through the spinous process) connected to a vertebral fixation device (e.g., bone screw or rod) by a connecting device with distracting mechanism. The connecting device spans the respective osteotomy, includes the distracting mechanism, and translates (lifts) the dorsal vertebral device from the vertebral fixation device in a dorsal direction to promote spinal canal expansion.
US08834518B2
Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft may be coupled to the handle and may extend distally along a longitudinal axis. The end effector may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft and may comprise first and second jaw members and a reciprocating member. The first and second jaw members may define first and second longitudinal slots. One or both of the jaw members may be pivotable relative to the other about a pivot point. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the first and second longitudinal slots. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The instrument may comprise an overtube translatable distally to exert a force on a portions of the first and second jaw members tending to close the first and second jaw members.
US08834516B2
A vascular compression apparatus and method for applying pressure onto an area of a patient generally including a blood vessel and a wound site, such as a blood vessel puncture, after a cannulated procedure for the purpose of controlling bleeding and achieving hemostasis. The vascular compression apparatus includes a handle, a shaft and a pad. The shaft extends generally downward from the center of the bottom side of the handle. The pad is connected generally off-center of its top side to the bottom end of the shaft. The bottom side of the pad is convex to allow the vascular compression device to be rocked back and forth. In use, the pad is generally placed proximal to the catheter insertion site and over the blood vessel containing the catheter. The device is rocked proximally to control blood flow while removing the catheter. After the catheter is removed from the puncture site, the device is rocked distally to the puncture site, where pressure is applied until hemostasis is achieved.
US08834514B2
A medical device includes a one-piece resiliently biased band of base material having opposite first and second side surfaces and an adhesive material for temporarily adhesively securing the band to a user's skin. The band can include a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis that intersects the longitudinal axis. Moreover, the band can include first and second lateral portions disposed on opposite sides of the lateral axis. The lateral portions are mirror images of each other such that the band is symmetrical relative to the lateral axis. Each of the lateral portions include a central portion and first and second extending portions spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the band and extending away from the central portion. Each of the extending portions further include a perimeter edge defining a portion of an edge of the medical device.
US08834509B2
Methods and devices incorporating a guidewire entry port subassembly for use in rapid exchange catheters. The use of a subassembly allows for stronger quality control and simpler fabrication of a rapid exchange device. In several embodiments, methods of making a molded guidewire entry port using a mold, often in conjunction with one or more mandrels, are disclosed. Several device embodiments include a separate molded guidewire port as well as molded guidewire ports which are attached, during a molding step, to segments of a catheter.
US08834508B2
A cannula assembly for providing percutaneous access in minimally invasive spinal surgeries, includes an outer cannula, a nerve probe dilator and a multistage dilator system comprising a first dilator, a second dilator, a third dilator and a fourth dilator. The outer cannula and the dilators are slidable relative to each other and are arranged sequentially so that the fourth dilator surrounds the nerve probe dilator, the third dilator slides over a surface of the fourth dilator, the second dilator slides over a surface of the third dilator, the first dilator slides over a surface of the second dilator, and the outer cannula surrounds the first dilator.
US08834500B2
A vein removal device includes a housing, a blade element disposed at least partially within the housing, and a hook element disposed at least partially within the housing. A cutting edge of the blade element is selectively exposed for making an incision in a patient. The blade element is disposed at one end of the housing and the hook element may be disposed at an opposite end of the housing. The blade element may be selectively exposed via actuation of a first user input that imparts a movement of the blade element relative to the housing and towards an extended position where the cutting edge of the blade element is exposed. The blade element may be biased toward the extended position via a biasing element, which may urge the blade element toward the extended position responsive to actuation of the first user input.
US08834499B2
Percutaneous methods and apparatuses for forming a venous valve from autologous tissue. A catheter having a retractable dissecting system received therein is delivered to a target location where a new venous valve is to be created. A distal balloon or other radially-expandable component mounted on the catheter is expanded against the vein wall, and the dissecting system is proximally retracted to deploy one or more dissecting components that dissect a subintimal layer of the vein wall. Radial expansion of the dissecting component(s) within the vein wall creates one or more leaflets and corresponding pocket/sinuses in the vein that collectively act as a venous valve, and/or the radially-expandable component of the catheter is subsequently collapsed such that the dissecting component(s) each pull a flap of the dissected tissue towards the vein lumen to create one or more leaflet(s) and corresponding pocket/sinuses in the vein.
US08834497B2
An arthroscopic suture cutting device according to embodiments of the invention includes an outer tube; an inner rod including an outer surface and an aperture, a distalmost edge of a second distal opening located distally of a distalmost edge of a first distal opening, the inner rod can receive a suture extending through both distal openings; in a loading position, the inner rod extends distally of the outer tube to receive the suture; in an intermediate position, the distal openings are closer to the outer tube, such that the suture is permitted to slide through the aperture without release; and in a cut position, the distalmost edges of the distal openings are within the outer tube. Moving from intermediate position to cut position draws the suture between outer tube and inner rod, urging the inner rod radially toward the second distal opening, cutting the suture between the outer tube and the distalmost edge of the second distal opening.
US08834488B2
The present invention relates to magnetically coupleable robotic surgical devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to robotic surgical devices that can be inserted into a patient's body and can be positioned within the patient's body using an external magnet.
US08834486B2
Disclosed is a method of selecting a femoral prosthetic for implantation relative to a femur using a femoral sizing guide. An extension portion of the femoral sizing guide is placed adjacent to a posterior condyle surface of the femur. A stylus is located proximate to an interior condyle surface of the femur. A first actuator disposed between the extension portion and a base portion is moved to rotatably displace the extension portion with respect to the base portion until the stylus is centrally located on top of the interior condyle. A measurement of the femur is identified with the sizing guide based on a relative location of the stylus, the extension portion and the base portion. A femoral prosthesis is selected based on the measurement.
US08834484B2
An instrument assembly can include a handle and an instrument. The handle can include an inner member and an outer member. The inner member can include a rod and a first tip. The outer member can include a second tip and can define a cannulation. The instrument can define a pocket configured to receive the second tip of the outer member. The handle can be adjustable at a desired angle relative to the instrument when the second tip of the outer member is disposed in the pocket and the first tip of the inner member is positioned in the cannulation spaced apart from the second tip. The first tip can be configured to expand the second tip radially outward such that the second tip engages the pocket and locks the handle at the desired angle when the first tip is positioned in the cannulation in engagement with the second tip.
US08834473B2
Disclosed are lockable instrument assemblies for quick and easy configuration of surgical instrumentation. The assemblies are operable between a locked and unlocked position, and generally include an aperture having a shaped profile which receives an adjustment member therein. When the assemblies are placed in a locked assembly configuration, the adjustment member is prevented from rotating or translating within the aperture. When the assemblies are placed in an unlocked assembly configuration, the adjustment member is permitted to rotate or translate within the aperture. Also disclosed are methods of using and making lockable instrument assemblies.
US08834467B2
An external fixator system comprising at least two fixation plates which are arranged at a distance to each another, at least one adjustable length having a first end region and a second end region which are in connection with the fixation plates and at least one actuation unit to adjust the length of the strut in order to adjust the distance and/or orientation between the fixation plates. The actuation unit is in a fixed connection with at least one of the fixation plates as well as with at least one of the end regions of the respective strut in order to connect the strut with the fixation plate. The actuation unit comprises a feedback unit which provides the user with a feedback concerning the degree of the actuation.
US08834450B1
A mucous suction device, comprising in combination, a longitudinally elongated, generally tubular, one-piece plastic body, the body having an axially elongated tapered, first portion extending toward an inlet proximate one end of the body, the body having an axially elongated second portion extending toward an outlet proximate an opposite end of the body, radially outwardly extending annular retention rings on said body second portion, the rings having sharp annular peripheries and the rings being axially resiliently flexible and axially spaced apart, and there being body side porting between the body first and second portions, the side porting being manually controllable to control suction exertion, there being antimicrobial substance associated with body outwardly presented plastic surface extent at the first and second portions.
US08834449B2
A movable mixing disc is inserted into a regular syringe. The mixing disc has a small hole covered by a fine screen, allowing only saline solution to get behind the disc. When the plunger of the syringe is pressed, the saline solution emerges from the mixing disc hole as a high velocity jet, stirring up the settled particles. As the ejection continues, the mixing disc is pushed forward by the plunger in order to eliminate any unused volume.
US08834444B2
A system for mixing contents of a first container with contents of a second container. The system includes a first container, a second container, a device for establishing fluid communication between the first container and the second container, and a hanger for hanging the system, wherein the hanger is operable only when fluid communication between the first container and the second container has been established. The system can be used in a method for preventing medication delivery errors.
US08834439B2
The present invention relates to an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene includes a generally cylindrical absorbent pledget and a withdrawal element operatively connected to the generally cylindrical pledget proximate to the withdrawal end thereof. The absorbent pledget includes a mass of fibers compressed into a self sustaining shape and a sheet-like fluid-permeable cover substantially enclosing the mass of fibers. The absorbent pledget has formed thereon or therein at least one continuous groove form comprising a plurality of substantially longitudinal groove segments linked only to form a turn located alternatively proximate the insertion end and withdrawal end and wherein the continuous groove form extends around at least 180° about the circumference of the generally cylindrical absorbent pledget.
US08834438B2
The covering member includes an inner side surface being in contact with the absorber and an outer side surface to come into contact with a vaginal wall when in use. The covering member contains a hydrophobic fiber with a low affinity to water and a hydrophilic fiber with a high affinity to water. In the outer side surface, an abundance ratio of the hydrophobic fiber is higher than an abundance ratio of the hydrophilic fiber.
US08834436B2
An array of absorbent article packages for multiple baby stages of development displayed via a merchandise display system may comprise multiple packages. Each package may comprise articles having absorbent article configurations appropriate for the stage of development of an infant, newborn, or toddler. Each package may also comprise indicia representative of the appropriate stage of development of the infant, newborn, or toddler. And, absorbent article configurations may differ between packages having overlapping size ranges.
US08834434B2
A surgical tissue therapy device includes a sealant layer and a collection chamber. The sealant layer functions so as to create a sealed enclosure or space between it and the surface of a patient by forming, preferably, an airtight seal around a surgical area of skin trauma. The closed incision tissue therapy device also comprises a collection chamber, which may comprise an elongate tubular chamber with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings. The collection chamber may be configured to be in fluid communication with the sealant layer and the area of skin trauma and functions as to distribute the negative pressure applied to a surgically closed area of skin trauma. Preferably, the pressure under the sealant layer is reduced by expanding the volume of the enclosure space and thereby decreasing the density of air molecules under the sealant layer. The collection material may comprise a material and/or a configuration that permits length changes based upon the length of the corresponding surgical wound or incision.
US08834433B2
A device for nasal lavage is described. The device ejects a gentle flow of fluid under pressure. The fluid stream provides a high quantity of fluid at low pressure. The low pressure fluid stream is more comfortable for a user than a high pressure fluid stream that is delivered by some types of pressurized cans of solution.
US08834421B2
A syringe and needle assembly includes a needle that extends through the barrel of the syringe and is attached to a proximal portion of the syringe. The distal end of the needle extends through a sleeve attached to the distal end of the syringe. The proximal end of the needle includes a spring which biases the needle proximally, so that the distal tip of the needle is normally retracted within the sleeve. The assembly can be used for injections in portions of a patient's body including delicate tissues that could be damaged if contacted by the needle tip.
US08834420B2
Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may include an illumination instrument that provides the user with an opportunity to illuminate and inspect a targeted location. The illumination instrument can be useful in situations where the ambient lighting is insufficient for the user's inspection needs (e.g., during the night, during presentation or movie in which the lighting is low, or the like). In some embodiments, illumination instrument can be employed to visually inspect one or more components of the pump system, the infusion set, or a combination thereof.
US08834414B2
This invention relates to a method that comprises the introduction of a catheter via left subclavian vein, advancing into the right atrium and then positioning it in the inferior vena cava, just at the cava-diaphragm junction, where it is anchored at its extreme; and thereafter an external inflation of a balloon positioned in said catheter takes place through a physiological solution to reach a diameter corresponding to half the diameter of the inferior vena cava, resulting in hemi-occlusion in the expiration phase (breath-out) and total occlusion for a short period during the inspiration phase (breath-in), regulating (normalizing) the venous return and decreasing the cardiac volume overload, as a treatment for heart failure. The invention also comprises hydromechanics devices to normalize the venous return in the circulatory system. Said venous return is increased in 90% of patients with heart failure. In particular, it refers to a combined catheter with an inflatable balloon, producing said balloon a cyclical occlusion of the inferior vena cava (IVC). The said balloon is adaptable to the area of its location in the inferior vena cava, proximal to the right atrium (RA), which comprises of means for its fixation within said vein, as well as the capacity of modifying the volume in response to the requirements of the patient. This device is implanted for an extended period of more than three months. The final objective is to treat and stop the progression of heart failure.
US08834411B2
A medical device for topical, intranasal or oral administration of dry powder medical compositions includes a unit dose blister form containing an internal piercing device that provides for agitation, dispersion and dispensation of the powder to a user.
US08834410B2
An ear medication delivery device for delivering a treatment fluid and retaining the treatment fluid within an ear canal of a patient. The ear medication delivery device can retain the treatment fluid in contact with the ear canal or an eardrum of the patient for a desired time period to provide a therapeutic benefit. In some embodiments, an earplug device can be provided in several sizes for an optimal sealing fit in the ear canal.
US08834409B2
A method for determining a volume of ablated tissue is provided. The method includes the steps of: supplying energy to tissue to create an ablation volume therein; excising one or more slices of the tissue having a portion of the ablation volume therein; and subjecting at least a portion of the slice to a first contrast agent for a predetermined period of time, wherein the contrast agent is configured to color dead cells within the ablation volume.
US08834406B2
A biocompatible glaucoma drainage device, comprising a non-porous element, a porous element, an anchoring assembly disposed around the non-porous element, wherein the anchoring assembly comprises a plurality of barbs extending outwardly therefrom.
US08834405B2
A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the duodenum and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for attaching the device to the duodenum and an unsupported flexible sleeve. The anchor can include a stent and/or a wave anchor and is collapsible for catheter-based delivery and removal.
US08834401B2
A process and apparatus are provided for managing and adjusting glucose levels in the blood of a patient during dialysis. The apparatus is a dialysis apparatus to treat patients with renal disease which includes a glucose scavenger to remove excess glucose from the blood before returning the blood to the patient and/or a device to increase blood glucose levels in the blood when the glucose level is below a threshold level. The glucose scavenger can include a glucose binding protein, boronic acid derivative, boronic ester derivative or mixture thereof bonded to the surface of a support such as a fiber bundle in a cartridge or the inner surface of tubing used in the apparatus.
US08834393B2
A combined heating, cooling, and compression therapy system is provided. The system is configured for automated use with a controller. The system can have a core with separate channels for providing cold and heat and compression therapy; a cover for receiving the core; and a skin sensitive temperature node attached to the core cover.
US08834391B2
Various methods, techniques or modules are provided to allow for the automated analysis of the 3-D representation of the upper front torso (i) to recognize 3-D anatomical features, (ii) to orient the subject with reference to their anatomy or a display, (iii) to determine dimensional analysis including direct point-to-point lines, 3-D surface lines, and volume values, (iv) to simulate the outcome with the addition of breast implants including breast and nipple positioning, (v) to assist in the selection of the breast implants, and/or (vi) to assist in the planning of breast surgery. The automated analysis is based on the analysis of changes in a 3-D contour map of the upper torso, orientation analysis of 3-D features and planes, color analysis of 3-D features, and/or dimensional analysis of 3-D features and positions of the upper torso.
US08834382B2
A method for determining a cardiac function, comprising (i) determining base anatomical characteristics associated with the subject, (ii) determining pulse delay to a first body site (PD01) and a second body site (PD02) as a function of the anatomical characteristics, wherein the distance via the arterial tree from the aortic valve to the first body site (PD01) is different than the arterial tree distance from the aortic valve to the second body site (PD02), (iii) determining pulse wave velocity between the first body site and the second body site (PWV12), (iv) determining pulse wave velocity between the aortic valve and the first body site (PWV01) as a function of PWV12, and the anatomical characteristics; and (v) determining the pre-ejection period (PEP) as a function of PD01 and PWV01.
US08834381B2
A pressure cuff is disclosed herein. The pressure cuff includes a sleeve and a cuff bladder. The cuff bladder defines a bladder length of 9.2+/−2.1 centimeters and a bladder width of 24.6+/−4.2 centimeters. The bladder length and bladder width dimensions provide precise non-invasive blood pressure measurements when the pressure cuff is applied to a forearm having a circumference in the range of 27 to 37 centimeters.
US08834380B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide a sphygmomanometer that is easy to use. The sphygmomanometer according to the present invention measures blood pressure in accordance with an oscillation in an artery wall, resulting from an arterial pulse correspondent with a change in cuff pressure. It comprises a cuff that is connected to the sphygmomanometer main body by a tube, a display unit for displaying the results of blood pressure measurements, and an air supply unit for supplying air to, and thus pressurizing, the cuff, which is detachable from the sphygmomanometer main body. The air supply unit is screwed into the sphygmomanometer main body with a screw assembly, and the screwed-in state is preserved by a caulking ring. The air supply unit also comprises a filter for keeping dust from entering the sphygmomanometer main body.
US08834372B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method for spatial compounding on an ultrasound platform to achieve optimized spatio-temporal sampling. This is accomplished by a system and method for mixing the order of steered and straight rays fired within a frame. In one embodiment this is accomplished by changing the firing sequence so that the target region is sampled in subsequent lines as opposed to subsequent frames. Using this approach it is possible to minimize the temporal image artifacts caused by the compounding process. This effectively changes the ray firing sequence to move the location of minimal temporal difference to the desired target point.
US08834371B2
In ultrasound diagnosis of, for example, the breasts, a microstructure extraction image in which a microstructure is actively extracted is generated by performing MIP processing together with CFAR processing of removing speckle patterns from a B mode image (tissue image). The generated microstructure extraction image is displayed in the dual display form or the triplex display form, together with, for example, a B mode image before CFAR processing or a B mode image after CFAR processing.
US08834368B2
Apparatus and methods for subjecting a patient to an slit lamp microscopy and/or Goldmann tonometry eye examination are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the patient is in a side-lying down position at a time of the examination. In some embodiments, it is possible to examine an upper and/or lower eye—for example, a lower eye slightly above a supporting surface. Related apparatus are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a bed and/or a headrest and/or a face immobilization assembly are disclosed herein.
US08834367B2
A blood glucose and lifestyle tracking apparatus is disclosed. The blood glucose and lifestyle tracking apparatus provides a method for recording both blood glucose values for fasting, postprandial, and preprandial time periods and lifestyle factors.
US08834365B2
A hair removal device utilizes a system for sensing the presence and color of skin. The system includes a skin color sensor assembly and a capacitive sensor assembly disposed in a housing. The skin color sensor assembly includes a light pipe communicating with a color sensor aperture of the housing and having one or more notches defining receiving and emitting light propagation regions, a color sensor and one or more light emitting diodes, and a holder having at least one standoff mated to the notches thereby directing light emitted by the light emitting diodes through the light pipe for reflection of an external surface and receipt by the sensor for detection of surface color. The capacitive sensor assembly includes a plurality of copper elements in proximity to a device aperture and contacting an interior surface of the housing and for detection of an object in contact with the copper elements.
US08834355B2
A device for delivering an apparatus or object to a targeted location within a human subject is disclosed. The device includes a body, a handle mounted to and movable relative to the body, a tube, a cable, and retention unit. The tube has a first end fixed to the body and a second end fixed to the retention unit. The cable has a first end fixed to the handle and a second end remote from the body. The cable extends substantially through the tube. The retention unit applies a retention force sufficient to retain the capsule during endoscopic delivery to the targeted release location. Manipulation of the handle in a direction relative to the retention unit generates a force on the apparatus greater than the retention force. A method of use is also disclosed.
US08834354B2
A steerable endoscope has an elongated body with a selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled proximal portion. The endoscope body is inserted into a patient and the selectively steerable distal portion is used to select a desired path within the patient's body. When the endoscope body is advanced, an electronic motion controller operates the automatically controlled proximal portion to assume the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. Another desired path is selected with the selectively steerable distal portion and the endoscope body is advanced again. As the endoscope body is further advanced, the selected curves propagate proximally along the endoscope body, and when the endoscope body is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves propagate distally along the endoscope body. This creates a serpentine motion in the endoscope body that allows it to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through, around, and between organs within the body.
US08834350B2
Described are pelvic implants (e.g., urinary incontinence sling, hammock, etc.) that provide treatment for pelvic floor disorders such as incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, prolapse (e.g., cystocele, enterocele, rectocele, vault prolapse), fecal incontinence, and the like, wherein the implant involves the ability to adjust dimensions of an implant before, during, or after implantation. In a preferred embodiment the implant (680) comprises a support portion piece (682) and an extension portion piece (688, 690) adjustably connected to the support portion piece through a frictional adjusting element (696) comprising an aperture through which a segment of extension portion extends.
US08834346B2
This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for generating a sleep therapy stimulus waveform for a patient. Stimulus sequence information can be selected from a sequence memory array, and stimulus sequence information can be received from the sequence memory array at a stimulus generator selector. A generator select signal can be provided to a stimulus generator of a closed loop neuromodulator using the stimulus sequence information and a stimulus duration signal, wherein the generator select signal can include stimulus type information related to stimulus pulses generated using the closed loop neuromodulator.
US08834344B2
A cannulation system for cardiac support uses an inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula. The outer cannula includes a fluid inlet for placement within the right atrium of a heart. The inner cannula includes a fluid inlet extending through the fluid inlet of the outer cannula and the atrial septum for placement within at least one of the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. The cannulation system also employs a pumping assembly coupled to the inner and outer cannulas to withdraw blood from the right atrium for delivery to the pulmonary artery to provide right heart support, or to withdraw blood from at least one of the left atrium and left ventricle for delivery into the aorta to provide left heart support, or both.
US08834337B2
One embodiment described herein is a sheet of material 200 formed into accurate and high value structures by implementing a plurality of elongated slots 202 that are obliquely placed along a fold line 204 which create one or more strips 206 consisting of a length w, a width s and an angle f to said fold line 204. The strips 206 are put into a state of plastic deformation through torsion which is controlled via the combination of said length w, width s, and angle f elements to create accurate, unique, complex and high value products or forms. The embodiments described allow for a greater degree of freedom of sheet material types, a greater degree of sheet material thicknesses, while simplifying implementation. This and other embodiments are also enclosed.
US08834334B2
A method and a system for controlling the relative position between a printed pattern and a non-printed pattern, such as for example a pattern of creasing lines or holes, on a running web-shaped material, involves providing the material web with at least one impressed indentation mark with a three-dimensional topographic configuration, at a pre-determined distance from a printed register mark and detecting the marks with a same sensor control system. The controlling method and system is used for the manufacturing of a laminated packaging material, having a printed décor and creased folding lines in register.
US08834333B2
A charging member is provided which has a low electrical resistance, has less non-uniformity or environmental dependence of the electrical resistance, may less undergo electrification deterioration even when used for a long period of time, and is free of any occurrence of faulty images such as horizontal lines attributable to charging. The charging member is formed of a support with a good electrical conductivity and an elastic layer consisting of at least one layer on the support, and the elastic layer is formed of a semiconductive vulcanized rubber in which carbon black has been dispersed as conductive particles in a binder polymer containing a polymer having a butadiene skeleton, having been modified at a molecular terminal thereof with a specific atomic group.
US08834331B1
A pronged band connector is adapted for securing a flat elastic exercise resistance band to an adjacent structure. The exercise band has a length, width, and thickness. The exemplary band connector comprises a base and a plurality of spaced-apart elongated rigid prongs. The prongs extend substantially perpendicular to the base, and are adapted for receiving a portion of the exercise band between adjacent prongs. A length of each prong may be greater than the width of the exercise band.
US08834327B1
A stationary exercise apparatus includes features for performing a variety of exercises including pull-ups, dips, push-ups, squats, crunches, and leg raises. The apparatus includes a frame, a horizontal bar, a plurality of handles, and a floor mat. The frame includes a pair of vertical uprights extending upward from a flat base and provides an attachment support to the horizontal bar at a top end. The frame also includes a plurality of pairs of handles which provide grasping members for the operator to use during various types of exercises. The apparatus includes an open area between the frames to receive the floor mat for performing floor-based exercises.
US08834321B2
An apparatus for controlling automatic stop/restart of an engine, includes: an automatic-stop/restart-control-unit which stops/restarts the engine; a brake-pressure-detection-unit which detects brake pressure in a brake system and controls the brake pressure to perform anti-skid control; a first-determination-unit which determines whether the brake pressure is not less than a first-threshold; a second-determination-unit which determines whether the brake pressure is not less than a second-threshold larger than the-first threshold; a stop-allowing-unit which allows the automatic-stop/restart-control-unit to stop the engine while the engine operates, when the first-determination-unit determines that the brake pressure is not less than the first-threshold and the second-determination-unit determines that the brake pressure is less than the second-threshold; and a stop-inhibiting-unit which inhibits the automatic-stop/restart-control-unit from stopping the engine while the engine operates, when the-first-determination-unit determines that the brake pressure is less than the first-threshold and the second-determination-unit determines that the brake pressure is not less than the second-threshold.
US08834319B2
A vehicle is provided with an engine, an electric machine connected to the engine by an upstream clutch, a transmission gearbox connected to the electric machine by a downstream clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) slip a downstream clutch, (ii) limit a torque output of an electric machine to a threshold value, (iii) engage an upstream clutch while the downstream clutch is slipping, and (iii) engage the downstream clutch. A method for controlling an electric machine in a vehicle during an upstream torque disturbance is provided. The downstream clutch is slipped and the torque output of an electric machine is limited to a threshold value. The upstream clutch is engaged while the downstream clutch is slipping. The downstream clutch is engaged.
US08834308B2
A transporting apparatus is disclosed. The transporting apparatus comprises a mounting plate; a assistant wheel assembly attached to the mounting plate, the assistant wheel assembly comprising an inner wheel, an outer wheel, and an elastic member; the elastic member is between the inner wheel and the outer wheel; a driving wheel movably attached to the mounting plate; a driving member secured to the driving wheel; and a belt connecting the outer wheel and the driving member; wherein the elastic member is generally deformed at a location where the belt warps on the outer wheel.
US08834307B2
A belt-type continuously variable transmission comprises a drive pulley assembly mounted to a drive shaft; a driven pulley assembly mounted to a driven shaft; a belt connecting the two; and a case assembly for accommodating these components. The drive pulley assembly has fins for generating a flow of air moving toward an outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly. When viewed in an axial direction of the drive shaft, an air blocking plate is positioned at a forward side in a rotational direction of the drive pulley assembly relative to an imaginary line segment connecting a center axis of the drive pulley assembly to a center axis of the driven pulley assembly, between the drive pulley assembly and the driven pulley assembly such that the air blocking plate surrounds the outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly over a predetermined range.
US08834306B2
A sports racquet with increased string vibration damping has grommets with elongated barrels. The barrels conform closely to the strings, are capable of absorbing vibration, and may be placed on the main strings, the cross strings, or both.
US08834301B2
A golf ball including a core and a cover disposed about the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; an outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; and a stiff intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers and having a hardness greater than the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is formed from a non-ionomeric composition including a non-ionomeric stiffening polymer and at least one E/Y copolymer or E/X/Y terpolymer, where E is an olefin, Y is a carboxylic acid, and X is a softening comonomer. The intermediate cover layer is formed from a stiff thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea composition and the cover outer cover layer is formed from a thermoset polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend.
US08834292B2
An iron golf club head includes: a head portion; and a badge portion adhered to the head portion. The head portion includes: a face surface; and a back surface located behind the face surface. The badge portion is adhered to at least one of a first largest amplitude region where an amplitude in a fourth-order vibration mode of the back surface is the largest and a second largest amplitude region where an amplitude in a fifth-order vibration mode of the back surface is the largest. As a result, there can be obtained an iron golf club head and an iron golf club, in which by suppressing decrease in resonant time of the hitting sound and reducing the sound pressure of the hitting sound, the hitting sound and the hitting feeling can be improved.
US08834290B2
A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, and is tuned to vibrate, immediately after impact, at a predetermined frequency.
US08834289B2
A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, and is tuned to vibrate, immediately after impact, at a predetermined frequency.
US08834287B1
The present invention is a golf swing training aid having a takeaway bar, a spine angle alignment guide, a position “A” bar, and a hands placement guide. The takeaway bar may be connected adjacent an end of the spine alignment guide. The apparatus is adjustable, and is suitable for practicing with every club in the bag, from the driver to the putter to improve distance and consistency. The apparatus may be used on the ground or a mat at a driving range.
US08834283B2
An example of a practice device includes a top portion, a bottom portion, a middle portion extending along a longitudinal axis between the top and bottom portions, a neck portion extending between the top and middle portions, and a plurality of weights. The top portion includes a first cross section and at least two through-holes extending between front and rear surfaces. The bottom portion and middle portions include second and third cross sections, respectively. The neck includes a fourth cross section smaller than the third cross section. The weights have center holes smaller than the third cross section but larger than the first and fourth cross sections are configured for placement around the neck portion. Example methods of practicing and warming up may use various practice devices.
US08834279B2
A shaft assembly includes a first shaft. The first shaft has a first annular crest and a second annular crest. The first annular crest and the second annular crest are separated by an inclined surface. The second annular crest includes an axially extending surface attached to an end of the inclined surface. A boot is secured to the shaft. The boot includes a channel and a diaphragm portion disposed adjacent an end of the channel. The channel includes an inlet portion, a partially helical portion, and an outlet portion formed in an inner surface of the boot. The diaphragm portion is provided over the inclined surface and includes a lip which contacts the second annular crest.
US08834277B2
Systems and methods for managing sharing of mini-games over a game cloud system are provided. One example method includes receiving a request to access games through a user account. A user interface with a plurality of games is presented for a user to view and play, upon successful access to the user account. A first game is played and a video is generated recording the game play. Selection of a portion of the recorded video is received from the first user and a mini-game is generated from the selected video portion. Mini-game generated includes the recorded video and an executable portion. The mini-game is posted to a website along with a challenge comment upon first user's request for sharing the mini-game. One or more game plays for the posted mini-game are received and mini-game play videos are generated. The mini-game play videos are provided to other users during sharing.
US08834267B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus that can display an avatar matched to any kind of game in which the avatar participates, without changing clothes or decorations worn by the avatar to new clothes or decorations. The game apparatus specifies display data of items based on attributes set to the items and includes a design table where a correspondence relationship between the attributes and the display data of the items is set. Display data of the player character is generated based on the specified display data of the items, and the player character is displayed on a display screen based on the generated display data of the player character.
US08834264B2
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing a payout to a player is disclosed. An ATM or ATM-like device is used to cash out of and cash into gaming devices with the player's fingerprint used to securely transfer the cash-in or cash-out data between the gaming device and the ATM. An embodiment is disclosed in which the information is passed between the ATM and the gaming device via a token.
US08834261B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing one or more incentives to delay termination of a gaming session. In general, for a player, the gaming system utilizes gaming session data collected from the player's previous gaming sessions to determine one or more termination causation events for the player. When a designated number of the termination causation events occur during a current gaming session of the player, the gaming system provides an incentive to the player, wherein the incentive is configured to cause the player to delay expected termination of the player's current gaming session. In certain embodiments, the gaming system optimizes an incentive available to be provided to a player based on the effectiveness of prior incentives provided to the player.
US08834260B2
A function of a common game which is capable of achieving high entertainability is provided. In a case where the number of times of base game executed at any of a plurality of game terminals reaches a predetermined number of trigger games, a craps game is executed at a game terminal meeting a game running condition with a predetermined timing.
US08834249B2
A gaming machine is provided, which awards loyalty points to players playing the game who have identified themselves to the machine. The machine is arranged to award loyalty points to the player and to play two game means wherein, the first or base game may be provided by the slot machine game as a stand alone function with no dependence upon a supporting communications network, the second game may be linked game in which a plurality of network connected machines participate with control of the game being provided by a central game controller, while the communications network is controlled by a network controller. A first game mode is available to all players and a second enhanced game mode is made available to players who have reached a predetermined threshold of loyalty points.
US08834245B2
An example video game includes a virtual game world including a video game character movable within the virtual game world and one or more targets. A first target in the virtual game world can be locked onto so that the first target remains substantially at the center of a field of view of the game character within the virtual game world. A reticle may be moved to target one or more second targets in the virtual game world while the first target remains locked onto.
US08834239B2
An air outlet, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes at least one air guide element in a flow duct for inducing a swirl in the airflow on introduction of air into the air outlet from an air duct and a flow body embodied along the longitudinal axis of the flow duct.
US08834226B2
An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
US08834225B2
A modular construction toy kit includes components to construct a modular construction toy. The toy kit includes at least three contoured body sections operable to be interconnected in series with one another to cooperatively form a continuous toy body. The body sections include at least one transition body section and a pair of end body sections. Each end body section is truncated to present a contoured outer end surface that is intersected by an end joining face. The end joining faces have different marginal shapes and/or sizes. The at least one transition section presents a contoured outer transition surface and opposite, endmost transition joining faces that intersect the outer transition surface. Each endmost transition joining face marginally matches a respective one of the end joining faces to define a connection interface.
US08834218B2
Disclosed herein is a floating structure with a fuel gas tank storing a gaseous fuel used as fuel in a dual fuel propulsion system disposed under a cargo space. According to the present invention, there is provided a floating structure with a fuel gas tank storing a gaseous fuel used as fuel and used while floating at sea, including: a fuel gas tank disposed in the hull of the floating structure; and a cargo space disposed on the top of the fuel gas tank on the upper deck of the floating structure.
US08834210B2
An electrical safety device for updating an existing electrical outlet into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)/Arc Fault protected receptacle. The electrical safety device is a surface mounted GFCI/Arc Fault receptacle for converting a grounded or ungrounded electrical receptacle with limited electrocution protection into semi-permanent GFCI/Arc Fault protected outlet that is not easily removed.
US08834208B2
An electrical device has a socket formed as a continuous integral portion of an outer case housing. Conductors connect an interior of the socket to circuits within the device, and may be integrally molded with the outer case housing. Separate case housings may be assembled together to form the socket. A resulting socket has a lower profile and a reduced impact to a height requirement within the case, and has a relatively greater strength attributable to the inherent robustness of the case.
US08834206B2
An electrical connector 100 includes an insulative housing 1, a plurality of contacts 2, a metal shell 3 and a grounding plate 4. The metal shell 3 includes a front shell 31 having a top wall 311 and an assembling portion 318 extending upwardly from the top wall 311 and having an accommodating slot 3181. The grounding plate 4 includes a base portion 41 inserted into the accommodating slot 3181 and a protruding portion 42 having an elastic mating portion 423 connected with a mating connector. The metal shell 3 further has a rear shell 32 having a vertical covering plate 321 having a resisting portion 3211 extending upwardly and a shielding plate 323 extending forwardly from a top of the covering plate 321. The resisting portion 3211 upwardly abuts against the top wall 311. The grounding plate 4 would be easily assembled to the metal shell 3.
US08834205B2
A pluggable module system includes an electrical connector assembly having a cage member with a plurality of walls defining a receptacle. The cage member has an opening in a front thereof providing access to the receptacle and a latch proximate to the opening. A receptacle connector is received in the cage member proximate to a rear thereof and is accessible in the receptacle. A pluggable module is received in the receptacle and is mated to the receptacle connector. The pluggable module has a conductive shell and a retention post that extends from the conductive shell. The retention post engages the latch to secure the pluggable module in the receptacle. The conductive shell has grounding tabs that extend from the shell. The grounding tabs circumferentially surround the conductive shell.
US08834197B2
A cable assembly comprises a metallic housing defining a receiving room and a number of protruding plates formed in the receiving room, and a printed circuit board received into the receiving room. The printed circuit board defines a front mating portion and a rear terminating portion defining a number of slits formed thereon for the protruding plates to pass through. And a cable comprises a plurality conductive wires electrically connected with the printed circuit board and spaced apart from each other by the protruding plates.
US08834183B2
A board-to-board connector includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector. The receptacle connector includes a plurality of beam parts having a metal plate and an insulating layer formed on the metal plate and a plurality of conductive patterns formed on the insulating layer of the plurality of beam parts. The plug connector includes a beam contact part having a metal plate and an insulating layer formed on the metal plate and a plurality of conductive patterns formed on the insulating layer of the beam contact part. A beam projection is formed between the adjacent conductive patterns of the plug connector, and the beam projection is inserted between the adjacent beam parts of the receptacle connector when the receptacle connector and the plug connector are mated.
US08834181B2
A straddle mount electrical connector with fusible elements is provided. The electrical connector can include a connector housing including a housing body that supports element support members that define a receptacle configured to receive a complementary electrical component therein. Each element support member can support a respective plurality of fusible elements, and each fusible element can be connected to a respective electrical contact supported by the connector housing. The pluralities of fusible elements can define a mounting interface of the electrical connector. The mounting interface can be configured to receive printed circuit boards of varying thicknesses.
US08834171B2
A simulation system for training in endoscopic operations includes an endoscope apparatus, including at least one input for inserting an endoscopic working instrument, a sensor arrangement to detect a movement of the endoscopic working instrument, a control device to generate a virtual image of an endoscopic operation scene depending on a movement of the endoscopic working instrument, transmission means to transmit measured values supplied by the sensor arrangement to the control device for use in generating the virtual image and a display device to display the virtual image, where the sensor arrangement includes at least one optic sensor that interacts with a surface of a shaft of the endoscopic working instrument to detect the movement of the endoscopic working instrument. A flexible endoscope, an endoscopic working instrument and a method for recording a movement of an endoscopic working instrument as well as a method for training in endoscopic operations.
US08834170B2
Devices and methods that combine an actual surgical instrument handle, for example the handle of an AutoSuture EndoStitch™ device, with a force feedback generator able to create resistance to motion similar to that encountered in a real operating environment. The devices and methods provide a means for repeatedly performing maneuvers that accurately simulate the actual instrument, but in a virtual environment. The devices have haptic capabilities and collision detection so that the virtual device, such as the needle driver of the EndoStitch™ device, is “aware” of instrument contact.
US08834169B2
A method and apparatus for upper limb rehabilitation training of coordinated arm/forearm, forearm/forearm and grasping movements of a motor impaired patient comprises a nonrobotic, passive support, an arm/forearm sensor, a gripping device, a grip sensor capable of measuring an impaired grasping force of a grasping of the patient, a computer to process measurements of coordinated and simultaneous impaired arm/forearm, forearm/forearm and grasping movements to control a graphical representation of the arm/forearm and grasping movements in interaction with a virtual environment, and to provide a visual feedback signal to the patient of simulated normal activities of daily living performed with enhanced motor ability relative to the actual impaired motor ability. A visual feedback signal of the simulated activities of daily living is provided to motivate the patient to perform the upper limb rehabilitation movement training despite limited motor ability.
US08834168B2
A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem configured to generate simulation data corresponding to elements of a welding environment in virtual reality space; a three-dimensional (3D) conversion unit operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured to convert at least a portion of the simulation data, representative of at least a portion of the virtual welding environment, to 3D data in a stereoscopic 3D transmission format; and a 3D display-facilitating device operatively connected to the 3D conversion unit and configured to receive the 3D data from the 3D conversion unit and facilitate displaying of a stereoscopic representation of the 3D data.
US08834164B2
Systems and methods for use in training crewmembers in the cargo compartment in detecting and identifying visual cues related to potential threats to aircraft and to ground based search and rescue circumstances. A visual display displays a scene generated by a visual scene generator apparatus. A vision limiting device, such as an actual door from an aircraft, equipped with a window is placed between the trainee and the visual display and the trainee can only see a limited amount of the visual display through the door's window. The limited view of the scene afforded the trainee will force the trainee to move around at various angles to see more of the scene and will also provide a frame of reference for making spatiotemporal judgments regarding the relationships between the trainee, the trainee's aircraft, and objects external to the aircraft.
US08834151B2
An apparatus for receiving a mold assembly having a first mold portion and a second mold portion operably connected with one another for forming parts. The apparatus includes a mold holding member and a pair of support members spaced from one another and extending from the mold holding member to a manufacturing floor. A carriage device is cooperable with the mold holding member for engaging and moving the mold assembly. A lifting mechanism of the apparatus is used for moving the carriage device relative the mold holding member to move the mold assembly to be engaged with mold holding member. The lifting mechanism and the carriage device apply forces to opposite surfaces of the mold holding member to prevent the mold holding member from deflection and distortion to eliminate offset between the first mold portion and the second mold portion thereby eliminating defective parts as said apparatus forms the parts.
US08834150B2
An injection molding arrangement including a mold top clamp plate having a means for receiving a plasticizer unit, a manifold retainer plate supporting a melt distribution manifold having a melt distribution channel into which melt from the plasticizer unit is received, a mold cavity plate provided such that the manifold retainer plate is positioned between the mold top clamp plate and the mold cavity plate; the mold cavity plate receiving an injection nozzle in fluid communication with the melt distribution channel for receiving melt to be injected into a mold, a valve gate stem extending into the injection nozzle and axially movable between an open position permitting melt flow and a closed position blocking melt flow, and an actuator for moving the valve gate stem between the open position and the closed position. The actuator includes a cylinder chamber receiving a piston therein, with the valve gate stem coupled to the piston. The piston has an elongate cylindrical sidewall. The cylinder chamber and the piston are sized and otherwise dimensioned to provide a microgap seal along the uninterrupted elongate cylindrical sidewall between an upper chamber of the cylinder chamber and a lower chamber of the cylinder chamber.
US08834145B2
Disclosed is a gypsum board forming device which provides improved slurry spread. The device includes a forming table with an arcuate or angled profile that promotes a uniform slurry spread. An arcuate or angled hinge plate can also be included to further promote the uniform distribution of slurry prior to an extrusion plate.
US08834136B2
An undulating diaphragm pump having a propulsion chamber for receiving said diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm has mechanical characteristics that vary from an inlet of the propulsion chamber towards an outlet of the propulsion chamber in such a manner that, when the diaphragm is actuated to deform with a traveling wave that propagates from the inlet towards the outlet of the propulsion chamber in order to propel the fluid, the propagation speed of the wave in the diaphragm in any cross-section relative to the movement of the fluid inside the propulsion chamber is equal to or greater than the mean travel speed of the fluid in said section.
US08834125B2
A Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes a CMC root section which extends to form a CMC airfoil section, the CMC root section defines a bore along a non-linear axis.
US08834121B2
A blade front edge of a turbo fan has, between a main-plate-side blade front edge and a shroud-side blade front edge, a projecting blade front edge which distances away from a blade rear edge (located in a rotation direction A) as it furthers away from a main plate, which curves to a position away from a rotation center, and, in a range close to the main plate, a main-plate-side front-edge skirt portion which distances away from the blade rear edge and inclines away from the rotation center as it becomes closer to the main plate. On the other hand, a main-plate-side blade rear edge, which is a range close to the main plate of the blade rear edge, is substantially perpendicular to the main plate and a shroud-side blade rear edge, which is a range close to a shroud, is inclined so as to gradually distance away from the blade front edge (behind in the rotation direction A) as it furthers away from the main plate.
US08834117B2
A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine includes a rotor blade having a pressure side member, a suction side member, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. An electrically conductive band extends longitudinally on either or both of the pressure side member and suction side member along the trailing edge. A plurality of electrically conductive noise reduction features extend from the trailing edge and are configured as individual lightning strike receptors. The noise reduction features are configured in conductive communication with the conductive band.
US08834109B2
A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first vane and a second vane. The first vane and the second vane include an inner platform, an outer platform and an airfoil that extends between the inner platform and the outer platform. The first vane and the second vane are attached at least at one of their inner platforms or their outer platforms with a first attachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism.
US08834106B2
A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a seal body and a biasing support member. The seal body includes a generally annular shape that defines an outer diameter surface. The biasing support member is circumferentially disposed about the outer diameter surface of the ceramic matrix composite seal body and includes an array of spring fingers that circumferentially overlap about the biasing support member. The array of spring fingers contacts the seal body and centers the seal body relative to the centerline axis of the gas turbine engine.
US08834093B2
A system, apparatus, and method for collecting and concentrating an airstream for converting into mechanical or electrical energy, includes an elongated housing structure, including an airstream inlet chamber, a central chamber, and an airstream outlet chamber, and an ancillary airstream injector sub-system.
US08834091B2
A system and method for transferring component panes from a component pane storage station to a vacuum table assembly are disclosed. The system includes a number of component pane handlers, for instance two handlers, and a pick and place mechanism or arm. The handler transfers the component panes from the station to the mechanism. The system includes an alignment module configured to facilitate spatial alignment of the component pane while the component pane is coupled to the handler. The module can be carried by the mechanism. Spatial alignment of the component pane can be substantially completed before transfer of the component pane from the handler to the mechanism. The mechanism includes a set of vacuum elements or pads that enables pick up of the component pane from the handler as well as release and pick up of the component pane at the vacuum table assembly.
US08834086B2
The threaded engagement device includes a female thread portion and a male thread portion, which are engaged to each other through a plurality of threads formed along the axis direction. Each thread of the female thread portion and the male thread portion of the threaded engagement device includes a crest, a root, a stab flank and a load flank. The root of the female thread portion has a straight portion extending along the axis direction and a concave rounded portion. The root of the male thread portion has a concave rounded portion, wherein the radius of curvature of the rounded portion formed in the root of the male thread portion is larger than the radius of curvature of the rounded portion formed in the root of the female thread portion.
US08834085B2
An injection molded part accommodates a threaded fastener and includes a metal insert. The insert defines a longitudinal axis and has an end face and an outer peripheral surface. A cutout extends from the end face and through the insert to permit the threaded fastener to extend therethrough. A plastic body surrounds the outer peripheral surface and has a threaded fastener contact face. The threaded fastener contact face of the plastic, body is recessed at a recessed distance below the end face of the insert which has a spring constant with respect to the longitudinal axis. The recessed distance and the spring constant are selected to deform the insert in response to a stress force applied to the end face thereof by the threaded fastener to cause a pregiven component of the stress force to be introduced into the threaded fastener contact face of the plastic body.
US08834078B2
A nozzle removes by suction dust and chips from a drilling machine in an industrial plant. The nozzle has a first tubular portion for connection to a suction tube communicating with an opposite second tubular portion with an intake opening. An outer flange extends transversely from an intermediate position between the first and second tubular portions. The intake opening is directed in a lateral direction, parallel to the transverse direction of the flange. A magnetic element is incorporated in the flange. The nozzle can be applied to a drilling template having cylindrical through-openings in which respective bushings made of ferromagnetic material are fixed. When the second tubular portion is inserted through a cylindrical bushing, the magnetic element acts on the bushing, opposing axial and rotational movements of the nozzle.
US08834073B2
A transport apparatus includes a bearing assembly for transporting an article. The bearing assembly includes a support structure for receiving the article, and a plenum housing for receiving the support structure. The plenum housing and the support structure define a plenum cavity, the plenum cavity being configured to receive and direct a flowing gas for floatingly supporting the article above the support structure. The bearing assembly further includes at least one sensor assembly, which includes a sensor for transmitting and receiving energy emissions for determining a location of the article relative to the support structure. The sensor assembly may determine the location of the article relative to the support structure substantially through at least one aperture located on the bearing assembly. The article location determined by the sensor assembly may be communicated to a display panel or a control unit for adjusting the location if necessary.
US08834072B1
A suspended slab (14) is spaced apart from a surface of the ground (18) by a void space (20). Structural supports (16) are provided to extend upward from the ground (18). Removable supports (22) are placed on top of the ground (18) and extend upward to a desired height. The suspended slab (14) is poured on top of the removable support (22), suspended at least in part by the plurality of structural supports (16). The removable material (22) is removed after the material of the suspended slab (14) sets, leaving the suspended slab (14) suspended by the structural supports (16) with a void space (20) of the desired height extending between the bottom of the slab (14) and a top side of the ground (18). An enclosure skirt (26) is placed around a perimeter of the suspended slab (14) to enclosed the void space (20).
US08834062B1
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for automatically guiding a machine that picks up and places roadway barrier segments using satellite global positioning and ultrasonic sensors. The machine is guided by both GPS signals and signals based on ultrasonic measurement of distance from the existing barrier segments.
US08834061B2
Making a water permeable traffic bearing system includes preparing a compound water permeable base in contact with a native substrate, and installing a drainage system having a plurality of elongate drainage joints over the prepared water permeable base. Each of the drainage joints defines a plurality of vertical drainage conduits opening at upper and lower sides and in fluid communication with a storage volume defined by the water permeable base. Making the water permeable traffic bearing system further includes forming a segmental mat having a plurality of water impermeable surface pads abutting the plurality of drainage joints, at least in part by filling voids extending horizontally between the drainage joints with a curable paving material, and curing the paving material within the voids, in contact with each of the water permeable base and the drainage joints. Installing the drainage system further includes tuning precipitation handling of the traffic bearing system, at least in part by setting a spacing and a number of the drainage joints responsive to, a water throughput factor of the traffic bearing system and a structural factor of the segmental mat. The drainage joints may have upwardly and downwardly oriented legs joined via a bridge in an H-configuration.
US08834058B2
An installation element of an installed packing for material and/or heat exchange between gases and liquids, having pegs and recesses for engaging with at least one further installation element. In order to make the engagement easier the recesses each are associated with ring gap segments.
US08834056B2
A thermal coupling includes a first structure having a first coefficient of thermal expansion; a second structure having a second coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion; a plurality of thermal expansion fingers provided in the first structure; a plurality of thermal expansion flanges extending from the plurality of thermal expansion fingers, respectively; and a flange extending from the second structure and attached to the plurality of thermal expansion flanges.
US08834055B2
A device for cleaning debris from a target surface. The device has a sole plate with permanent bristles and a removable/replaceable pad. The device also has a replaceable, on-board supply of cleanser. The pad/cleanser may be replaced when depleted and replaced with a new pad/cleanser or may simply be replaced with a new pad/cleanser when that pad/cleanser is more suitable for a particular cleaning task.
US08834034B2
An outer ring 6a for a shell-type radial needle bearing having a cylindrical shape with a bottom is achieved for which fatigue life of the bottom plate section 9a and the continuous section between the bottom plate section 9a and the cylindrical section 8a is improved, as well as the anti-corrosion characteristic of the outer ring 6a is improved and the outer ring 6a can be prevented from coming out of the bearing without an increase in cost. After obtaining an intermediate raw material 35 having a cylindrical section and a bottom plate section from a metal raw material, shot peening is performed on the intermediate material 35 to create residual compressive stress in the surface and surface layer section on the outer surface side of the cylindrical section 8a and the bottom plate section 9a such that the residual compressive stress in the surface layer section on the outer surface side is greater than the in the surface layer section on the inner surface side, and from the surface to a depth of 0.03 mm is 700 MPa to 1600 MPa.
US08834025B2
In a linear motion guide device suitably applicable to applications under high-temperature and vacuum environments where no plastic end cap is applicable, and having an end cap formed by injection molding using metal powders as a raw material, the degree of adhesion of the metal powders is improved at a thin and keen portion like the scooping portion of the end cap, thereby suppressing an abrasion and a deformation. The end cap (7) is formed by injection molding (MIM: Metal Injection Molding) using metal powders of equal to or less than 20 μm as a raw material, and has a scooping portion (9) having undergone an HIP (Hot-Isostatic-Pressing) process and a thermal process.
US08834024B2
A self-standing bag (1) including a barrel portion (10) having a front surface portion (11) and a back surface portion (12); and a bottom portion (20) formed by a bottom member folded in half, wherein each side edge of the bottom member is folded back at edges (14, 15) of the barrel portion (10), each side edge area of the bottom member is attached on an inner surface of the back surface portion (12) of the barrel portion (10), the entire circumference of a lower end of barrel portion (10) is adhered to a lower end (10c) of the barrel portion (10), and the attachment of the side edges of the bottom member to the inner surface of the barrel portion (10) is performed by adhesive members (41, 42) so as to cover the edges of the bottom member. Also, Disclosed are a production method of the self-standing bag (1) and a self-standing bag having content in the self-standing bag (1).
US08834018B1
This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that can quickly and reliably determine a stationary or non-stationary change in temperature. During a simulated test of, for example, the heater system of an automated and/or high-speed composite material placement machine may be evaluated at any single location along a course whether a lay down material is heated below, at, or beyond its particular temperature requirements. Temperature measurements can be of a heat source that is moving at a rate from zero to over 3000 inches/minute. Temperature measurements of a moving heat source are reliable within a variance of approximately plus or minus 3° F. In addition, temperature measurements of a moving heat source on a laminated material may be had with a plurality of sensors along at least one direction and to various depths.
US08834017B2
A corrector (1) for a function indicator (20) for a movement (100) including: a first control mechanism (30) for a first function, in a let down (31) or wound (32) position, a second control mechanism (40) for a second function, in a let down position (41) or release control position (42) followed by a return to the preceding position, and a display indicator (20) for a third function. First mobile part (50) driven by the first control mechanism (30) occupies a letting down (51)/winding (52) position, when the mechanism occupies the let down (31)/wound (32) position. Second mobile part (60) actuating the indicator (20) is driven by the second control mechanism (40) changing into the control position (42) when the first mobile part (50) is in a winding position (52) and cooperates with this latter in the letting down position (51), under the action of return mechanism (70).
US08834015B2
A blender comprises a jug and a cutting assembly having an upwardly inclined main blade portion. The jug has an interior portion, and the lower portion has a profile that includes an upwardly reaching portion conforms to the blade shape of the cutting assembly to reduce food accumulation below the main blades.
US08834014B2
A system and method for custom coloring sealant is generally provided with one or more dispensing cartridges, containing a quantity of low viscosity sealant base solution, which in some embodiments is as fluid, or more-so, as common latex paint. One or more such dispensing cartridges are secured within a cartridge case. A coloring agent is added to the dispensing cartridge. The system may then be agitated by hand or in a mechanical agitator, such as a commercial paint shaker, until a desired color is attained. The sealant thickener may then be added and mixed by similar agitation of the system to obtain a non-sag, high viscosity sealant. Embodiments of the cartridge case are provided for use with various mechanical agitators and dispensing cartridges.
US08834011B2
A device for pneumatic treatment of powder materials in a recipient chamber (22), with introduction of two material streams into the above through two inlet tubes (40, 40a), optionally in a counter-current and/or approximately tangential sense and swirled in the recipient chamber (22). The material streams are for introduction at roughly the same level in the container and the tracks thereof are interleaved. The material streams are also introduced at an inclination angle (w) to a radial plane (E) of the recipient chamber (22) which is inclined downwards.
US08834007B2
A display module includes an outer frame, a light emitting unit, a panel device, and a light guide plate having a light entrance surface and a connecting side. A first recessed portion is formed on the connecting side. The outer frame is disposed on the light guide plate and has a second recessed portion formed thereon corresponding to the first recessed portion. The second recessed portion is complementarily connected to the first recessed portion. The light emitting unit is disposed in the outer frame corresponding to the light entrance surface for emitting light into the light guide plate via the light entrance surface. The panel device is disposed on the light guide plate and contained in the outer frame for receiving the light emitted from the light guide plate. The ratio of the length of the first recessed portion to the length of the connecting side is greater than 0.2.
US08834003B2
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a light guide plate, point light sources, a passivation layer and a first light adjusting layer. The light guide plate is disposed above the display panel and has an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a light incident surface, a first and a second light guiding blocks. The display panel is disposed corresponding to the first light guiding block, and the second light guiding block extends outside the display panel. A portion of the upper surface located on the first light guiding block is an even surface. The first light guiding block is located between the passivation layer and the display panel. The first light adjusting layer is disposed on the second light guiding block and located on the upper surface or the lower surface. There is a first rough interface between the first light adjusting layer and the light guide plate.
US08833999B2
An electronic device includes a base having two opposite sidewalls, two carriers connected pivotally and respectively to the sidewalls, and two light guide plates respectively disposed on the carriers. The carriers are rotatable relative to the base between a first position, where the carriers cooperatively define a carrier surface, and a second position, where the carriers are parallel to each other. A flexible screen is superposed on the light guide plates, is expanded to a planar state when move along with the carriers to the first position, and is folded when move along with the carriers to the second position.
US08833992B2
An automotive headlamp is provided with: a light-emitting module; a control circuit unit configured to control the lighting of the light-emitting module; a support substrate configured to support both the light-emitting module and the control circuit unit; and a reflector configured to reflect, through an inner surface of the reflector, light emitted by the light-emitting module and collect the reflected light. The support substrate is arranged in a manner such that the control circuit unit is positioned in a region outside the reflector.
US08833984B2
An assembly (1) uncommonly capable of having low bulk and particular ergonomy, comprises a light source (2) having means for generating and emitting at least one light beam (3); a support (4) for said means for generating and emitting a light beam (3) suitable for connecting to a structure of a motorcycle; in which said assembly also comprises: a tank (5) suitable for containing a fluid for a brake or clutch system (6), able to be connected to a pump (7) to activate a braking or clutch device of said system, and in which said support (4) is connected to said tank (5).
US08833972B2
A straight middle LED module having a certain length and positioned at a middle portion; side LED modules which are provided at both sides of the middle LED module at a regular interval along a longitudinal direction; a middle connection portion at which the side LED modules and the middle LED module are connected and integrally formed in order for the side LED modules to be bent; and a horizontal connection portion to which a lower side of the middle LED module is connected at a regular interval along a horizontal direction, and the middle connection portion has grooves alternately formed at both sides and has a width narrower than the width of the side LED module.
US08833967B2
An illumination assembly for a scanner comprising a light source, a primary reflector and a secondary reflector. The primary reflector comprises a lower member and upper member spaced away from the lower member. The upper member has a heatsink for dissipating the heat of the light source. The light source is positioned between the lower and upper members and is attached to the upper member allowing for decreased vertical height for the illumination assembly.
US08833964B2
The invention relates to an elongated luminous element (1) having a plurality of approximately point-shaped light sources (2) disposed along a line and having light diffusion means (3) deflecting at least one part of the light rays (12) sent out by the light sources (2) in a desired direction. The light diffusion means (3) are disposed lateral to the main emitting direction of the light sources. The elongated luminous element (1) is particularly suitable for installation in a light box (13) for advertising or demonstration purposes. The light box has a transparent or partially transparent front side (7) and a reflective back side (8). The elongated luminous element (1) or a plurality thereof is or are applied to at least one of the side areas (11, 14), such that the light rays (12) emitted by the light sources (2) and deflected by the light diffusing means (3) are aimed between or on the back side (8) and/or the front side (7) of the light box (13).
US08833963B2
The present invention relates to a flashlight with a cylindrical housing and a battery cartridge housed therein so that at least one battery can be removably retained. In order to provide a flashlight in which a faulty slide switch can be fitted or replaced simply and without any extra cost, according to the invention a slide switch is proposed with a slide mounted movably on the housing and a switch lever arranged on the battery cartridge.
US08833960B2
The present invention relates to a flashlight having a housing, a battery cartridge which is mounted therein and has a pressure switch at the end, and an end cap having a pushbutton which is operatively connected to the pressure switch. In order to create a watertight and simultaneously robust flashlight, it is proposed according to the invention that a sealing element be arranged between the pushbutton and the pressure switch.
US08833959B2
A display arrangement includes a decoration layer, a light source underneath the decoration layer, and a lens layer arranged between the decoration layer and the light source. The decoration layer includes at least one void formed in the shape of a character when viewed from above. The lens layer is at least semi-transparent to permit transmission of light from the light source through the void. An optical structure is arranged in alignment with the void and is adapted to reduce intensity of the light in a peripheral region of the void so as to reduce a halo effect. The decoration layer may be formed as an external layer of a key or a button of a portable electronic device, or an outer casing of a portable electronic device.
US08833956B2
A lighting device includes a light source, a chassis housing the light source, and a reflection sheet provided in the chassis. The reflection sheet includes a bottom portion and a sloped portion. The bottom portion extends along a surface of the bottom plate and the sloped portion extends from a peripheral edge of the bottom portion. The sheet sloped portion is inclined with respect to the sheet bottom portion toward a light exit side of the lighting device. The reflection sheet includes a border portion and an adjacent portion. The border portion includes a borderline between the bottom portion and the sloped portion and an area along the borderline, and the adjacent portion is provided close to the border portion and on a side far away from the borderline. Light reflectance is higher in the border portion than in the adjacent portion on the surface of the reflection sheet.
US08833952B2
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a light source, a polarizer, and a transparent reflective element. The display panel includes a color filter including a first portion and a second portion in a pixel area. The first portion has a first light transmittance. The second portion has a second light transmittance higher than the first light transmittance. The light source provides a light to the display panel. The polarizer is disposed between the light source and the display. The polarizer polarizes the light. The transparent reflective element is spaced apart from the display panel. The transparent reflective element reflects an image provided from the display panel.
US08833951B1
An assemble-free fast deployable light modifier with a back side light source mount is an umbrella shaped light modifier providing an extremely soft diffusive light; with attached light diffusers, it uniquely easily and quickly opens from the vertex of its hemisphere to the inside of it, and folds in hands promptly; having optical fibers increases a number of light source sensor triggering. Any assembling or disassembling operations are not required. With the features mentioned above it is the fastest deployable light modifier.
US08833950B2
Certain example embodiments relate to an improved secondary reflector panel with a heat-treatable coating. Certain example embodiments related to method of making a secondary reflector panel where a reflective coating is disposed onto a glass substrate. A portion of the reflective coating is removed and a frit material is disposed over the reflective coating. An elevated temperature is applied to the glass substrate, the coating, and the frit material where the frit is cured and the glass substrate is formed as desired.
US08833949B2
Suppressing liquid from seeping into an adjusting section through a discharge hole. In a vehicle door mirror device an opening hole in a holder portion of a mirror-surface adjustment-device is in communication with opening outlet of a mirror holder outer through an opening outlet in the mirror holder outer and a gap between the mirror and the mirror holder outer. Accordingly, even suppose water seeps into the mirror-surface adjustment-device through the opening hole in the holder portion, the water would be externally discharged outside the mirror holder outer through the opening hole, the opening outlet, the gap and the opening outlet. Furthermore, even suppose water at high pressure from outside the mirror holder outer is to reach the opening outlet, the water can be suppressed from seeping into the mirror-surface adjustment-device through the opening outlet and the opening hole due to the water pressure being reduced in the gap.
US08833948B2
It is a task to provide a mobile electronic device with high operability and high safety. The mobile electronic device includes an image projector that projects an image, a detector that detects a specific change in an irradiation area of light irradiated from the image projector or in a predetermined area including the irradiation area, and a control unit that controls the operation of the image projector. The task is solved in such a manner that when the detector detects the specific change, the control unit causes the image projector to stop emission of light therefrom, or to reduce an amount of light emitted therefrom.
US08833944B2
A red image is displayed on liquid crystal panel (111) by lighting red light source (101) for a predetermined period. A green image is displayed on liquid crystal panel (112) by lighting green light source (102) for the predetermined period. A green image is displayed on liquid crystal panel (113) by lighting green light source (103) for the first of first and second periods provided by dividing the predetermined period with a predetermined ratio. A blue image is displayed on liquid crystal panel (113) by lighting blue light source (104) for the second period.
US08833942B2
There is provided a method of monitoring retinopathy in a subject. The method involves measuring autofluorescence of a retina of the subject in response to high intensity blue light over a total time period to obtain an autofluorescence intensity profile. The autofluorescence intensity profile is processed to assess the retinopathy status of the retina.
US08833936B2
A progressive ophthalmic lens element is disclosed. The progressive ophthalmic lens element includes an upper viewing zone, a lower viewing zone, a corridor, and a peripheral region disposed on each side of the lower viewing zone. The upper viewing zone includes a distance reference point (DRP) and a fitting cross, and provides a first refractive power for distance vision. The lower viewing zone, which is for near vision, provides an addition power relative to the first refractive power. The corridor connects the upper and lower zones and provides a refractive power varying from that of the upper viewing zone to that of the lower viewing zone. Each peripheral region includes a zone of positive power relative to the addition power which provides therein a positive refractive power relative to the refractive power of the lower viewing zone. The zones of relative positive power are disposed immediately adjacent to the lower viewing zone such that the lower viewing zone interposes the zones of relative positive power.
US08833933B1
A pair of eyeglasses includes a foldable structure and a pair of lens assemblies aligned with each other in a row. The foldable structure includes a first body member having a receiving chamber; a second body member aligned with the first body member and configured to rotate relative thereto; the first and second body members being secured onto adjacent sides of the pair of lens assemblies; one end of a bendable linear member including a stopping portion received within the receiving chamber and another end thereof penetrating through the second body member and attached thereto; and an elastic unit mounted onto the bendable linear member and clamped axially and elastically between inner wall of the receiving chamber and the stopping portion. Accordingly, the eyeglasses can be advantageously folded with a significantly reduced size for facilitated portability and storage.
US08833927B2
An inkjet offset printer includes an imaging drum and a transfix roller skewed with respect to and defining a continuously applied or an uninterrupted nip with the imaging drum to reduce torque disturbances and media wrinkling issues. Acoustic and physical disturbances resulting from a sheet of recording media entering and leaving the nip are reduced or eliminated.
US08833923B2
There is provided a method for forming a conductor, including a first printing step of printing a contour part of the conductor with a first printing ink, a drying step of drying the printed contour part, and a second printing step of printing a remaining part of the conductor with a second printing ink, wherein the second printing ink contains a conductive material and has a surface tension lower than or equal to a surface tension of the first printing ink.
US08833917B2
A solid ink composition comprising an amorphous component, a crystalline material, and optionally, a colorant, which are suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates. In embodiments, the solid ink formulation comprises a blend of amorphous and crystalline components which provides a solid ink with excellent rheological properties and robustness when forming images or printing on coated paper substrates.
US08833915B2
An ink/air separator for an ink jet printer has one or more plates 77, 79, 81, 83 over which an ink/air mixture can spread. Preferably there is more than one plate, and the mixture overflows from one plate to the next. Preferably adjacent plates are spaced so that as the mixture passes between two plates it contacts the surface above it as well as the surface below it. The plates may be separated by a gap of 10 mm or less, e.g. a gap of 2 mm to 5 mm, where they overlap Preferably some or all of the plate surfaces contacted by the mixture are roughened. Interaction between the ink/air mixture and the plate surface tends to slow the flow of very small air bubbles and encourage them to accumulate and/or merge, so that they separate from the ink more quickly than individual small bubbles. The ink/air separator may be connected in the path of unused ink returned from the gutter 27 of a continuous ink jet printer to an ink tank 39, or may be placed inside the ink tank 39.
US08833907B2
A liquid discharge head includes a pressure generation part generating pressure to discharge a liquid droplet; and a flexible wiring member connected with the pressure generation part. The flexible wiring member includes a first flexible cable and a second flexible cable which are joined. One end part of the first flexible cable is connected with the pressure generation part, and the other end part of the first flexible cable is joined with one end part of the second flexible cable. The second flexible cable is folded to have a plane part perpendicular to a joint area between the first flexible cable and the second flexible cable and extending in a direction away from the first flexible cable, and the plane part is deformed in response to force applied from a part on which the other end part of the second flexible cable is mounted.
US08833906B2
An image forming apparatus includes a carriage reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction in the image forming apparatus; a recording head mounted on the carriage to eject droplets; a carriage circuit board mounted on the carriage and equipped with a circuit; a control circuit board provided in the image forming apparatus and equipped with a control circuit; a board mount provided in the carriage on which the carriage circuit board is horizontally disposed; and a flexible flat cable connecting the control circuit board and the carriage circuit board and movable in the main scanning direction below the board mount. The flexible flat cable is extended below the carriage circuit board, bent back toward the carriage circuit board, and connected to the carriage circuit board from the main scanning direction.
US08833897B2
An inkjet recording device includes an inkjet head that is equipped with a nozzle to discharge ink, an ink flow path connected to this inkjet head, an adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure in the ink flow path, and a maintenance unit that wipes the nozzle of the inkjet head, and a control unit that executes a maintenance mode of the inkjet head by controlling the adjustment unit and the maintenance unit. The control unit controls the maintenance unit to wipe the nozzle after the adjustment unit adjusts the pressure inside the ink flow path to a first positive pressure, and then again, after the adjustment unit adjusts the pressure in the ink flow path to a first negative pressure. The control unit further controls the adjustment unit to adjust the pressure in the flow path to a second negative pressure that is smaller than the first negative pressure.
US08833893B2
A reference mark is formed for cutting a sheet in a region between a first image printed on the sheet being conveyed and a second image, and the sheet is cut based on the detected reference mark. The second image is printed such that the length of the region in a conveying direction in which the sheet is conveyed corresponds to the length of the first image in the direction.
US08833891B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a recording head having a first nozzle row and a second nozzle row. One nozzles of the nozzles in a k-th nozzle group (1≦k≦p−1; p is the number of types of droplets) in the conveying direction and of the first nozzle row and second nozzle row ejects the specific type of droplets, and the other nozzles in a k-th nozzle group ejects droplets other than the specific types of droplets. The control unit controls to eject, in one of directions of the reciprocal movement, droplets other than the specific types of droplets from nozzle groups that do not eject the specific type of droplets and the specific type of droplets from the first and second nozzle groups that eject the specific type of droplets and in other one of the directions of the reciprocal movement, droplets other than the specific types of droplets from nozzle groups that do not eject the specific type of droplets.
US08833886B2
A pretreatment method for a printing material is performed prior to ink jet textile printing on the printing material and includes the steps of imparting a tension force to at least a printing area of the printing material on which ink jet textile printing is performed so as to put the printing area in a tensioned state, and applying a pretreatment agent having an ink permeation inhibiting property on the printing area in the tensioned state.
US08833884B2
Brushless motor driving apparatus and printing apparatus including brushless motor driving apparatus
The operation accuracy of a printing unit is improved in a printing apparatus. To accomplish this, a motor driving apparatus includes a brushless motor having coils of a plurality of phases, and a plurality of detection units that output voltages in accordance with rotation of a rotor, a driving unit that drives the brushless motor by switching a current supply destination between the coils of the plurality of phases based on a control signal, and a generation unit that generates the control signal based on addition results of detection signals output from the plurality of detection units, and correction signals based on differences between a predetermined voltage corresponding to a rotation angle of the rotor and voltages corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotor that are obtained from the plurality of detection units.
US08833883B2
A liquid discharge head includes a signal processing circuit which operates with a first voltage, and generates a discharge control signal, a liquid driving circuit including an electrothermal transducer, a driving element which drives the electrothermal transducer, and a control circuit which receives the discharge control signal and outputs, to the driving element, a driving signal having a second voltage higher than the first voltage, and a monitoring circuit which monitors the first voltage and outputs a stop signal upon a drop of the first voltage. The control circuit stops driving the electrothermal transducer by the driving element in accordance with the stop signal. The monitoring circuit includes a transistor including a drain connected to power supply voltage node through a step-down circuit, a source connected to ground side, and a gate receiving the first voltage.
US08833881B2
A parts storage drawer system is described having part bin dividers that are easily adjusted by sliding the divider along a rail or divider enables changing of divider location without removal of the divider from the drawer. A parts identification card may be coupled to a divider, such as by insertion into a slot within a divider. Furthermore, a parts identification card may be inserted into and removed from a divider without removing or repositioning the divider. A parts storage drawer system may be an insert tray that may comprise one or more molded parts. The parts storage drawer system provides an organizational method for the storage, separation, identification and availability of a variety of parts through the utilization of mechanical means, including dividers having clips that extend over partitions or rails for coupling thereto. Partitions and/or rails may include a plurality of locking segments for detachably attaching dividers.
US08833875B2
A wine presenter is provided for presenting one or more bottles of wine. The wine presenter has a base portion configured to support the wine presenter, a foot portion operatively coupled to a bottom side of the base portion and configured to rest the wine presenter on a surface, and an elongated portion having a bottom end, a top end, a front side, and a back side. The elongated portion is operatively coupled to the base portion at the bottom end and extends in an orthogonal direction from the base portion and the elongated portion has one or more grooves configured to hold at least a portion of a wine bottle. The wine presenter is configured to hold one or more wine bottles on both the front side and the back side of the elongated portion of the wine presenter.
US08833874B2
An endless rubber elastic body 1; a plurality of cores 2 arranged at predetermined pitches and extending in a width direction of the rubber elastic body; a steel cord reinforcing layer surrounding the cores; and a lug 4 formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 1 at predetermined intervals. Thicknesses of respective end portions of each core 2 are gradually decreased or made constant toward respective end edges. A covering thickness t1, t2 of rubber elastic body 1 is thicker at a portion between lugs on each of an inner and outer peripheral surface side than covering thickness T1, T2 of the rubber elastic body. Covering surfaces on both inner and outer peripheral surface sides are flat.
US08833868B2
A pneumatically-operated vehicle brake system has a first compressed air line in which compressed air at a controllable service brake pressure can be provided. Membrane parts of brake cylinders can be ventilated by the service brake pressure for a service brake function. A parking brake device includes a second compressed air line in which compressed air can be provided at a parking brake pressure electro-pneumatically. Brake cylinder spring brake parts can be ventilated by compressed air at the service brake pressure to provide a parking brake function. The parking brake device also has a ventilation inlet by which the second compressed air line can be ventilated to increase the parking brake pressure, and a first ventilation outlet by which the second compressed air line can be ventilated to reduce the parking brake pressure. The second compressed air line can be pneumatically connected to the first via the first ventilation outlet.
US08833858B2
Disclosed is a reclining mechanism comprising: a first plate fixed to a seat back; a second plate fixed to a seat cushion; a plurality of planetary gears in meshing engagement with internal gears of the first and second plates; a sun gear in meshing engagement with the planetary gears; and a holding member rotatably holding the planetary gears. An inclined wall portion of the holding member, and an inner peripheral wall of a concave portion of the second plate, define therebetween a wedge-shaped space in which a restriction member is displaceably disposed. The inclined wall portion of the holding member is formed such that a width of the wedge-shaped space is gradually narrowed toward a counter direction opposite to a specific direction along which the first plate is urged to be rotated according to a force applied to the seat back in a rearward tilting direction.
US08833853B2
A seat for a vehicle constructed so that a side seat is provided on an opposite side of a center seat may include a first hinge shaft to which a center seat back of the center seat may be rotatably coupled for folding the center seat back forwards, a second hinge shaft to which a side seat back of the side seat may be rotatably coupled for folding the side seat back forwards, and a folding actuator assembly selectively engaging the side seat back with the center seat back, wherein the folding actuator assembly locks the center seat back to the side seat back when the side seat back may be folded, and releases the center seat back from the side seat back to fold only the center seat back when the center seat back may be folded.
US08833852B2
A vehicle seat assembly having a seat pad, a trim cover, an air bag module, and a pad shield. The air bag module has an air bag, an inflator, and a housing that receives the air bag when the air bag is in a stored condition. The pad shield extends at least partially around the housing. Inflation of the air bag forces the pad shield against the seat pad to inhibit the air bag from contacting at least a portion of the seat pad.
US08833845B2
A reclining seating unit includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat; a generally upright backrest positioned rearwardly of the seat; a footrest unit; and a reclining mechanism that interconnects and controls the relative movement of the frame, the seat and the backrest between an upright position and a reclined position. In the upright position, the backrest is generally upright and positioned above the frame, and the seat has a first rearward position relative to the frame. In the reclined position, the backrest is reclined relative to the underlying surface as compared to its disposition in the upright position and the seat has a second forward position relative to the frame that is forward of the first rearward position. The footrest unit comprises at least one footrest and a footrest mechanism that interconnects the footrest with the seat. The footrest mechanism is configured to move the ottoman between a retracted position, in which the footrest is positioned beneath the seat, and an extended position, in which the footrest is generally horizontally disposed in front of the seat. When the backrest moves between the upright and reclined positions, the footrest unit moves in concert with the seat.
US08833837B2
A utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a chassis, one or more seat rows arranged on the chassis, a cargo bed arranged behind the seat row(s), the cargo bed turnably supported at a pivot of the chassis so as to be changeable between a normal position in which a front portion of the cargo bed is not raised and a dumping position in which the front portion of the cargo bed is raised, and cargo bed locking mechanisms capable of locking the cargo bed in the normal position to the chassis, the cargo bed locking mechanisms each having a grip of a locking operating lever arranged at a front of the cargo bed.
US08833832B2
A node is configured for connecting body portions of a vehicle. The node includes a first portion configured for attachment to a first vehicle body portion, and a second portion configured for attachment to a second vehicle body portion.
US08833829B2
A method of applying stitching to an interior component is provided herein. The method including the steps of: a) penetrating an outer skin layer, a substrate layer and an intermediary layer of the interior component with an awl to form a piercing therethrough; b) retracting the awl from the outer skin layer, the substrate layer and the intermediary layer; c) inserting a needle through the piercing through the substrate layer, the intermediary layer and the outer skin layer to grasp a thread positioned on the outer skin layer; d) pulling the thread through the outer skin layer, the intermediary layer and the substrate layer; e) looping the thread with a previous stitch passed through the outer skin layer, the intermediary layer and the substrate layer; f) advancing the interior component to another position; and g) repeating steps a-f until a predetermined amount of stitches are applied to the interior component.
US08833818B2
A handy compact multifunctional tool used primarily by tree stand hunters, to help make every day hunting from an elevated position more enjoyable as well as to help get you out of the inevitable pinches that hunting throws your way. Having a series of rotatable grapples used for various purposes, including: retrieval of dropped or left behind items, grappling of tree limbs to be removed from the hunter's line of sight, a place to hang weapons or accessories while not in use. A handy dry storage compartment for storage of whatever the user sees fit is conveniently located in side of unit. Magnets are located on the sides and bottom for retrieval of dropped magnetically retrievable items. The grapples are attached to a shank or main body that will later be described which is attached to a rope used for lowering tool and retrieving items etc. When not in use the main body is designed to accommodate the winding and unwinding of attached rope which doubles as a tree stand hunters hoist rope.
US08833815B2
A bumper integrated forward radar mounting system for use with a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a radar module, a bumper attachment bracket and a bumper extension. The radar module is attached to the bumper attachment bracket. The radar module may comprise one or both of a medium range radar component and a long range radar component. The bumper attachment bracket may be composed of a metal or of a polymerized material selected from one of several plastics, fiberglass or nylon. The bumper extension fitted over the radar module extends from the existing bumper. Radio waves emitted from and received by the radar module must be able to readily pass through the bumper extension without being altered. To be suitable for covering the radar module the bumper extension must be of a uniform thickness, fairly flat and non-metallic with no metal or chrome to interfere with its beam patch.
US08833807B2
A detachable combining device for covering an electronic module is disclosed in the present invention. The detachable combining device includes a first casing having an engaging portion, a second casing, a buckling component pivotably disposed on the second casing, and a latch slidably disposed on the second casing. The buckling component buckles the engaging portion of the first casing, so as to constrain movement between the first casing and the second casing. The latch is for sliding relative to the second casing along a first direction to move the buckling component, so that the buckling component pivots relative to the second casing for disassembling from the engaging portion.
US08833805B2
A portable electronic device comprises a lower housing including a battery compartment. An upper housing is coupled to the lower housing and is slidable relative thereto in a first linear direction between a closed position and an open position. A battery cover is configured to engage the lower housing and move generally in the first linear direction relative to the lower housing from an unlatched position to a latched position in which the battery cover interlocks with the lower housing and encloses the battery compartment. The battery cover may comprise at least one of a post element or a beam element and the lower housing may comprise at least one of the other of the post element or the beam element. The post and beam elements are configured to interlock with one another when the battery cover is in the latched position.
US08833802B2
A misalignment ball joint fitting includes first and second body portion coupled together and having spherical inner surfaces. A ball secured inside the body portions has a passage therein. The passage has a funnel shaped portion in a first end portion of the ball. The ball is allowed to at least partially rotate when secured inside the first and second body portions. A guide sleeve is coupled to the first body portion. The guide sleeve is coaxial with the ball passage. A recess is in an inner surface of the ball near a center of the ball. An end of the guide sleeve extends into at least a portion of the recess when the ball is in a neutral position with walls of the passage in the ball parallel to walls of the guide sleeve.
US08833801B2
A compensator for connecting a first pipe connection piece to a second pipe connection piece that is arranged at a distance from the first pipe connection piece and that can be moved toward the first pipe connection piece includes an inlet pipe, which is fastened coaxially to the outlet opening of the first pipe connection piece, an outlet pipe, which is arranged approximately coaxially to the inlet pipe, is arranged at a distance from the inlet pipe and is fastened coaxially to the inlet opening of the second pipe connection piece, and a woven-fabric compensator, which connects the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe to each other, wherein gas laden with dust can flow through all aforementioned pipes, said gas being directed from the first pipe connection piece to the second pipe connection piece, and wherein a hollow cylindrical inlet guide plate is fastened to the inlet pipe near the first pipe connection piece, the radius of said inlet guide plate corresponding approximately to the inner radius of the first pipe connection piece.
US08833786B2
An apparatus including an upper post, a main post, a control tube, a tension spring, and a hydraulic reset. The upper post can include a compression spring. The main post can be configured to telescopically mate with the upper post. The control tube can be rotably coupled to the main post. The tension spring can be configured to pull the upper post to the main post. The hydraulic reset can be configured to compress the compression spring. The upper post and the control tube can be configured to selectively lock the upper post to the control tube at at least two positions. In a first position of the control tube, the control tube can be configured to engage the compression spring. In a second position of the control tube, the control tube can be configured to disengage the compression spring.
US08833785B2
A clamping system for a vehicle fork with a suspension system features a lower triple clamp (24) and an upper support (25), the lower triple clamp (24) having a lower plate (242) and a fork shaft (240) to be mounted in a way that enables it to pivot on the vehicle frame (23), the lower plate (242) having two lower housings (241a, 241b) to receive two shock absorbers (21a, 21b) set parallel to one another and in front of the fork shaft (240). The clamping system (2) includes fitting devices to assemble the upper support (25) on the fork shaft (240) and stiffening devices (26a, 26b) set apart from the fork shaft (240) to maintain the relative orientations of the lower triple clamp (24) and the upper support (25).
US08833782B2
A drop-down running board assembly includes at least one linkage assembly connected to a vehicle having at least one door, and a sensor having a first part and a second part, one part of the sensor is mounted to a door, the other part of the sensor mounted to the vehicle. A step portion is connected to the linkage assembly. There is also an actuator connected to the linkage assembly such that the actuator moves the linkage assembly and the step portion to a deployed position when the door is opened and the first part of the sensor is moved away from the second part of the sensor, and a retracted position when the door is closed and the first part of the sensor is positioned substantially adjacent the second part of the sensor.
US08833781B2
Rocker guards with automatic step are disclosed that provide robust protection from damage due to rock obstacles to rocker panels and also provide an automatic step to facilitate easy entry and exit from a lifted vehicle. Some embodiments of a rocker guard with automatic step for a vehicle (rocker) can include a body formed to protect rocker panels of a vehicle without damaging the rocker or a step located within the body when the step is in a retracted position, mounts attached to the body for attaching to a vehicle, and an actuator coupled to the step and the body, the actuator being configured to automatically lower the step out of the body to an extended position and retract the step to the retracted position.
US08833776B2
A carriage configured to transport an aircraft engine module from a preparation station to an assembly station includes, on a dolly, a reinforcement structure configured to be made horizontally mobile by sliding on balls, two vertically mobile brackets, and moving fingers to slide under the module's supports. The module is then supported by the carriage in a safe manner, can be raised and transported, and can also be temporarily overturned to check that its interior is empty.
US08833761B2
A method for monitoring transport of bank notes in a transport system, using sensors arranged along the transport system for sensing transported bank notes, and a control device for monitoring and controlling the transport system using signals from the sensors, from which the control device derives a presence or absence of a bank note at the location of the respective sensor. The signals from all sensors are stored in a memory, and the signals from all sensors are assigned an explicit time statement or clock statement. All transported bank notes are assigned an explicit object code by the control device, and the object code is linked to the explicit time statement or clock statement. Stored signals from the sensors derive the occurrence and type of errors during the transport of the bank notes, and the signals are linked to the bank notes denoted by the object codes.
US08833747B2
A tool for spacing and holding a first framing member relative to a second framing member has a first bar and a second bar that are slidably interconnected. A first stop and a second stop are connected to the first bar and a first and second counter-stop are connected to the second bar. The first stop and first counter-stop form a first jaw and the second stop and the second counter-stop form a second jaw. A mechanism is provided for moving the second bar relative to the first bar. Movement of the handle from an open position to a closed position moves the first and second jaws from the open position to the closed position.
US08833746B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus for constraining an object includes a first clamping surface configured to apply a first holding force to a first surface of the object; a second clamping surface configured to apply a second holding force to a second surface of the object; and an actuator configured to selectively move the second clamping surface relative to the first clamping surface.
US08833741B2
A sheet for use in a heat exchange apparatus. The sheet includes a first vertical rib that extends generally parallel to the vertical axis of the heat exchange apparatus. The sheet also includes a second vertical rib that extends, substantially all the way between the first and second edges of the sheet generally parallel to the first vertical rib. The sheet further includes a first horizontal rib that extends substantially all the way between the third and fourth edges of the sheet. The sheet additionally includes a second horizontal rib that extends substantially all the way between the third and fourth edges of the sheet generally parallel to the first horizontal rib.
US08833736B2
A powered pallet truck is provided having a frame assembly that includes a base support portion and a load lift portion. The powered pallet truck has a lift cylinder device connected to the load lift portion and to the base support portion.
US08833735B2
A fuel injection valve (100) for internal combustion engines, having a housing (10) in which a nozzle body (11) is at least indirectly axially clamped against a holding body (15) by means of a clamping nut (18), wherein the clamping nut (18) radially surrounds the nozzle body (11), and wherein a threaded connection (20) between the holding body (15) and the clamping nut (18) is formed between the clamping nut (18) and the holding body (15) in a region which is axially spaced apart from the nozzle body (11). The threaded connection (20) comprises at least two toothing regions (21, 22) which have different threaded dimensions and are arranged axially one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the housing (10).
US08833731B2
A solenoid valve includes at least one armature that is axially displaceable in a valve housing and a valve element that is operatively connected to the armature. The valve element can be arranged by means of the armature to open up or close off at least one valve seat of the solenoid valve. A non-return valve is provided between a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection of the solenoid valve. In so doing, the non-return valve is arranged at least in regions in the armature.
US08833729B2
A proportional throttle valve includes a valve piston (2) functioning as a variable orifice and displaceably guided in the longitudinal direction in a valve housing (3) having a fluid inlet (4) and a fluid outlet (5). Since a leading edge (6) of the valve piston (2) is formed by a control piston (7) of a flow regulator (8) for the fluid connection of the fluid inlet (4) and the fluid outlet (5), the flow control valve and the proportional throttle valve are functionally combined in one valve unit.
US08833728B2
Disclosed is a solenoid valve for a brake system which improves an assembly structure of components configuring the valve to enhance durability and control performance of the valve.The solenoid valve for a brake system includes a seat housing installed at a bore of a modulator block and provided with a through hole formed therethrough, a valve seat installed at the through hole of the seat housing and provided with an orifice, a sleeve provided with a hollow and connected to the seat housing, a magnetic core, an armature installed at the sleeve, and a return spring installed in the sleeve, wherein the armature includes an upper armature formed of a magnetic material, and a lower armature formed of a non-magnetic material, wherein the through hole of the seat housing is provided with a guide region having a diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the lower armature.
US08833719B2
The present invention relates to a clamp for fastening a sprinkler to a support mounted on a ceiling. The clamp is formed by bending an iron piece into a square box shape, wherein the left and right sides of the square box are open such that the support is pushed and inserted into the space formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the square box. The clamp comprises: coupling openings formed through the upper and lower surfaces of the clamp such that the sprinkler is inserted into the coupling openings; an inlet/outlet opening formed by cutting out one of said left and right sides such that the sprinkler can be inserted into the coupling openings; reinforcement ribs formed around the coupling openings formed through the upper and lower surfaces of the clamp; a bolt hole formed through the front surface of the clamp, in front of the coupling openings, such that a bolt can be fastened into the bolt hole; said bolt which fastened into the bolt hole; and a tight contact piece interposed between the bolt and the sprinkler inserted into the coupling openings.
US08833714B2
A mounting bracket (220) for a trapezoidal rib (204) is disclosed. The mounting bracket (220) includes an upper wall (224) in the form of a flat surface for supporting various types of attachments. An attachment may be secured relative to the mounting bracket (220) using a mounting hole (226) on the bracket upper wall (224). The bracket upper wall (224) is disposed above the trapezoidal rib (204) by a pair of rib offsetting members (246a/b) that are disposed within a hollow interior (248) of the mounting bracket (220), and that are seated on the upper wall (206) of the trapezoidal rib (204). A threaded fastener (114), engaged with the mounting hole (226) on the bracket upper wall (224) to secure an attachment relative to the mounting bracket (220), terminates within the hollow interior (248) of the mounting bracket (220).
US08833707B2
A urology drainage bag system has disposable clamps and/or bands that are disposed of along with the disposable urology drape. The drape, clamps, and band may comprise an integrated system for disposal as a unit. In some embodiments, the drape, clamps, and band are assembled together at the time of manufacture and sold as an integrated unit such that assembly of the drape onto the band by the end users at the point of use is not needed. Several plastic molded clamp embodiments are disclosed. Alternative methods and devices for supporting a flexible band and drainage bag relative to an OR table are also disclosed.
US08833700B2
The present invention provides a cover plate for covering at least portions of a door gap formed between a door covering and a fuselage cell of an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising: a fastening portion by which the cover plate can be mounted on an outer surface of the door covering; a contact portion which rests in a contacting manner against an outer skin of the fuselage cell when the door covering is closed; at least one corner portion associated with a corner of the door covering; and a side portion associated with a side of the door covering, the at least one corner portion and the side portion being configured to press the contact portion with a constant contact pressure against the outer skin of the fuselage cell when the door covering is closed. The present invention further provides a door covering for an access opening in a fuselage cell of an aircraft or spacecraft having a cover plate of this type as well as an aircraft or spacecraft having a cover plate of this type and/or having a door covering of this type.
US08833697B2
A component for connecting structures to intersection regions of said component is disclosed, particularly for an aircraft or spacecraft, including a coupling element, including a first fiber which wraps around the coupling element so that the first fiber extends in a first plane in front of the coupling element and in a second plane behind the coupling element, the first and second planes intersecting, and including a second fiber which wraps around the coupling element so that the second fiber extends in a third plane in front of the coupling element and in a fourth plane behind the coupling element, the third and fourth planes intersecting, and with the first fiber portions of the first and second fibers crossing over in a first region and the second fiber portions of the first and second fibers crossing over in a second region.
US08833695B2
An aircraft hydraulic air bleed valve system having an air vent valve connected to an electronic controller where the opening of the air vent valve is permitted only when the aircraft is in a pre-determined flight mode where the aircraft flight mode is determined by a gyroscope connected to the controller.
US08833691B1
An electronic sheet product dispenser includes a support for a roll of sheet product having a reference indication, a sensor, a battery, a feed mechanism, and a processor. The sensor is responsive to detect the reference indication on the roll, wherein the reference indication is associated with authorized use of the sheet product in the dispenser. The processor is responsive to executable instructions when executed on the processor for performing the method of: determining whether an unauthorized sheet product is disposed in the dispenser, and enabling an unauthorized roll procedure in response to presence of an unauthorized sheet product being detected; and, in response to receiving a low battery warning of the battery, and conditional on an unauthorized roll procedure being enabled, disabling the unauthorized roll procedure and proceeding with responding to a product dispense request to dispense the sheet product out of the dispenser on command.
US08833681B2
The current invention is directed to a method and apparatus for defibrillating cellulose fibers achieved through single or multiple passes of raw or pre-processed cellulose fiber slurry with a preferred solid material consistency range of 35% to 55% through twin-screw fiber processing machines. During this processing operation fiber slurries are optionally further enhanced with additional fiber and mineral additives to optimize performance of the material for specific end purposes. The hyper defibrillated fiber slurry produced can be defined as one reaching a Schopper-Riegler (SR) level between 75 SR and 85 SR and/or producing a pressed, dried board with a density of preferably at least 850 kg/m3.
US08833675B1
An orbital cleaning assembly, including: an axis of rotation; a housing; a drive assembly at least partly disposed within a space formed by the housing; a tube assembly at least partly disposed within the space and including a tube including: a first end arranged to connect to a source of fluid and a flexible portion including a second end of the tube. The second end is arranged to receive a nozzle. The drive assembly is arranged to position the second end at a radial distance from the axis of rotation and flex the tube assembly such that the second end traverses a path about the axis.
US08833672B2
An irrigation sprinkler is provided having a nozzle and a flow control device for reducing fluid flow through the sprinkler when the nozzle is removed, such as might occur due to vandalism. The flow control device is coupled to the nozzle and is moveable between a first irrigating position and a second signaling position. In the first position, the sprinkler discharges fluid for irrigation. In the second position, the sprinkler discharges a reduced amount of fluid and signals that the nozzle has been removed and should be replaced. The flow control device also allows sufficient fluid flow for flushing debris out of the sprinkler when a flush cap is mounted to the sprinkler, instead of the nozzle.
US08833669B1
RFID transmission circuitry including a transmission module producing a pulsed output, a first threshold circuit providing a pulsed output including only pulses whose amplitude exceeds a first threshold level, a second threshold circuit providing a pulsed output including only pulses whose amplitude exceeds a second threshold level, which is less than the first threshold level, a gate circuit operative to provide a logic output in response to each clock input, the logic output being responsive to the presence or absence of a signal input pulse thereat, a power amplifier receiving the pulsed output of the transmission module and the logic output from the gate circuit as a gain control input and providing an amplified output responsive to the gain control input and an antenna which is driven by an input derived from the amplified output.
US08833660B1
An apparatus and method read a target by capturing return light from the target with a solid-state monochrome imager operative for generating an output data stream in a monochrome format having a plurality of slots containing pixel data indicative of an image of the target, and with a color controller for receiving the output data stream in a color format different from the monochrome format. A converter circuit converts the monochrome format into the color format and includes an input formatter for formatting the output data stream to have additional slots, a buffer for receiving auxiliary pixel data related to the image of the target, and an output formatter for inserting the auxiliary pixel data from the buffer into the additional slots and for processing both the pixel data and the auxiliary pixel data to enhance the reading of the target.
US08833637B2
A device using the live welding method for aluminum electrolytic cell overhauling under series full current consists of short-circuit buses at the bottom of the cell (1), pillar buses (2), an anode bus (3), a balance bus (4), a inter-cell standby bus (5), a door-shaped pillar clamp (6), an arcuate clamp (7) of anode buses, a current conversion switch (8, a mechanical switching device (9) for the short-circuit port, a voltage sensor and wires thereof (10), a temperature sensor and wires thereof (11), a system (12) for data acquiring, displaying, analyzing and alarming, an A-side welding area (13), a B-side welding area (14) and compression-joint points (15) on pillar soft belts of overhauling cells; and the live welding method comprises the following steps: when welding is required to be performed in some zone, the currents of short-circuit buses at the bottom of the cell (1) and pillar buses (2) which influence the welding area most are cut off, the serial currents are shunted to other pillar buses (2), other buses at the bottom of the cell (1) and the inter-cell standby buses (5) such that the magnetic field intensity at the welding area can be lowered to the extent that welding can be performed so as to perform welding, and such a device and method can achieve live welding of aluminum electrolytic cells overhauling under series full current.
US08833634B2
An object of the invention is to provide an electronic component mounting system which can execute component mounting work on a plurality of boards simultaneously, concurrently and efficiently so that high productivity and responsiveness to production of many items can be achieved consistently. Provided is an electronic component mounting system formed so that a screen printing module M2 is connected to an upstream side of a component mounting portion having board delivery mechanisms, wherein: the screen printing module M2 has a first individual printing mechanism 8A and a second individual printing mechanism 8B which are controlled individually so that printing operations can be performed independently and setup change work due to change in print target board type can be executed individually; and a board distributing module M3 which is attached to the screen printing module M2 and which distributes the boards printed and conveyed out of the individual printing mechanisms to the board delivery mechanisms 12A and 12B on the downstream side in accordance with any board distributing pattern.
US08833633B2
There is provided a tool for friction stir welding having excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance. The tool for friction stir welding according to the present invention is a tool for friction stir welding used in friction stir welding processing, wherein the tool for friction stir welding includes a base material, the base material includes a first hard phase and a binder phase, and has a thermal conductivity of 45 W/m·K or less, the first hard phase is formed by WC particles, and the binder phase is formed by an iron group metal and is included in the base material at a volume ratio of 8% by volume or more and 28% by volume or less.
US08833630B2
A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a safety mechanism, an elongated body portion and a head portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a stationary handle, an approximation mechanism, and a firing trigger. A lever of the safety mechanism is movable between a first position where the firing trigger is prevented from being actuated, and a second position where the firing trigger is able to be actuated. A first jaw member of the head portion is movable in relation to a second jaw member of the head portion between spaced and approximated positions. Movement of the first jaw member in relation to the second jaw member from the approximated position towards the spaced position causes the lever of the safety mechanism to move from its second position to its first position.
US08833620B2
A retractable finger handle assembly, the finger handle assembly comprising a housing, a retractable finger holder assembly coupled to the housing, the retractable finger holder assembly comprising, a belt, a first end of the belt coupled to the housing, and a finger slide coupled to a second end of the belt and slidably coupled to the housing. A resizable finger handle assembly for holding an object, comprising a retractable finger holder assembly, the retractable finger holder assembly comprising a belt coupled at a first end to a surface of the object, and a finger slide coupled to a second end of the belt and slidably coupled to the object.
US08833619B2
The invention relates to a backpack including a main rear pocket adapted to receive a load and carrying straps configured to position and maintain the main rear pocket on the user's shoulders, whereby the main rear pocket is formed by the juncture of a first base panel, made of flexible material, adapted to be in contact with the body of the user, and of a second external panel, also made of flexible material, the first base panel being extended at the ends of the main rear pocket to form two closed side loops for passage of the user's arms, forming the carrying straps.
US08833612B2
A container body (11) is provided with a squeeze operating portion (13a) between a shoulder portion (15) and a bottom portion (14), the squeeze operating portion including a squeeze face portion (16) opposed to a squeeze direction X, a pair of lateral support wall portions (17) arranged along the squeeze direction X at both side sections of the squeeze face portion (16), and inclined linking face portions (18) arranged as being inclined therebetween. When the squeeze face portion (16) is compressed to the squeeze direction x, the inclined linking face portions (18) expand distance between the pair of lateral support wall portions (17) at both sides as deforming along the squeeze face portion (16) from an inclined state against the squeeze face portion (16). The inclined linking face portions (18) are restricted so as not to be flipped in the squeeze direction (x) side after deformation completes as expansion force vanishes, so that constant quantity of content liquid is discharged.
US08833611B2
This invention relates to a drip guard which is securable to a container and which functions to inhibit or absorb condensation and/or liquid droplets formed on an outer surface of a liquid container. The drip guard has a flexible body which is securable to a liquid container and, in one embodiment, the body functions to inhibit the formation of liquid droplets when the liquid is poured from the container or restrain already formed liquid droplets. In another embodiment the body absorbs condensation or droplets forming on the liquid container in which case the body may be absorbent or it may include an absorbent layer. The body may bear indicia such as, for example, advertising material.
US08833610B2
A device is provided for successively melting a solid working material, such as a hot melt adhesive, packed in a packaging bag, and for pressing the molten working material out of the packaging bag. The device includes a cylindrical receiving chamber provided with at least one outlet opening at the end for receiving the packaging bag filled with the working material and having a front end and a back end. At least one heating element (30) is positioned in the region of the at least one outlet opening for melting the working material at the front-end of the packaging bag, which has a discharge opening for the molten working material. A pressing device with a pressing plunger can be displaced within the receiving chamber and acts on the back end of the packaging bag. The device is protected from contaminations by molten working material when used with undersized packaging bags that are extremely filled in that the receiving chamber at the outlet end thereof facing the at least one outlet opening includes a ring-like constriction with a peripherally sealing contact surface for the packaging bag at least at an edge zone thereof surrounding the discharge opening.
US08833602B1
A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. The feed chute has an outlet and controllable aperture. A vibrating plate is disposed proximate the outlet. A drive mechanism is connected to the vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto. The drive mechanism has a mechanism for abruptly stopping the vibration of the vibrating plate. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the feed chute, and the drive mechanism.
US08833598B2
Provided herein are protective spout covers adapted to couple to the universal dispensing spout of a food pouch, such as a baby food pouch. The protective spout covers may be formed from a flexible elastomer and may grip the spout securely via one or more gripping lips adapted to engage a corresponding groove on the universal spout. When so coupled, the protective spout cover may cushion the spout to protect the user's mouth and lips from injury. The protective spout cover also may include a food regulating valve that may control the flow of food from the pouch. The protective spout cover also may include a cap member to keep the protective spout cover clean when not in use, a gripping ring to facilitate use of the cap, and may have a size and durometer hardness sufficient to prevent the device from being a choking hazard.
US08833590B2
A metallic container closure including a shell of a thin metal sheet having a circular top panel wall (7) and a skirt wall (9), and a synthetic resin liner arranged in the shell, the skirt wall (9) having a thread-forming region and an annular groove (17) positioned at an upper end portion of the thread-forming region, wherein an internal pressure release line A extending in the circumferential direction is arranged in the skirt wall (9) at a portion over the annular groove (17), and annular bead (30) is arranged so as to pass through between the internal pressure release line A and the annular groove (17).
US08833584B2
The disclosed aspects relate to a dispensing closure that comprises a utensil retention mechanism. The utensil retention mechanism can comprise at least two outward extending tabs that can be located on a lid portion of the dispensing closure. The at least two outward extending tabs can be positioned on the lid portion such that a section of a utensil can be securely engaged and retained by the at least two outward extending tabs. The dispensing closure can comprise a stay open mechanism, in an aspect. In another aspect, the dispensing closure can comprise a sift-resistance feature. In a further aspect, the dispensing closure can comprise a flex-lock.
US08833572B1
A shelf upright extension kit with an elongated bottom extension rail with a transversely extending keyway and first and second extension panels. The extension panels each define a plane having first and second major surfaces, a pair of opposed ends and a pair of opposed edges. Each extension panel is fitted with a key configured and arranged for cooperatively engaging the keyway in the extension rail. The key extends within the plane of the extension panel proximate and parallel with a same edge. Included in the extension panel is a notch in a corner opposed to the key within the plane of the extension panel to allow the top end to fit flush with a bottom end of a side panel and the rear edge of the extension panel to fit flush with a wall.
US08833564B1
A method of removing dust from granular polysilicon includes introducing a stream of granular polysilicon, dispersing the longitudinal stream of granular polysilicon by redirecting the stream into a radially outward flow having a circular pattern, and introducing a counter flow of gas in an opposite direction to that of the longitudinal stream of granular polysilicon to contact the radially outward flow to separate the dust from the granular polysilicon.
US08833556B2
A cleaning and storage holster or insert for a body cavity aspirator instrument includes a substantially longitudinal body defining an interior for receiving the instrument. The body includes a distal region having a closed end portion and a proximal region having an opening for receiving the instrument. An instrument support is included in the distal region for supporting the instrument in a position above the closed end portion.
US08833551B2
A hinged-lid pack (1) for smoking articles is disclosed. The pack (1) comprises a body (2) and a lid (9) hingedly connected to the body along a rear wall of the pack so as to define a line of closure between the lid (9) and the body (2) that extends from the rear wall across opposing side walls and a front wall of the pack. The line of closure (8) has a first portion (30) that extends away from the rear wall across each side wall at a first angle (‘A’, ‘C’) relative to the rear wall. The line of closure (8) also has a second portion (31) that extends from the first portion towards the front wall of the pack, the second portion (31) is at a second angle (‘B’,‘D’) relative to the rear wall.
US08833550B2
A spray package including: a container defining a cavity, the cavity having first and second compartments; a spray projection having an orifice in fluid communication with the first compartment; the container having an outlet in communication with the second compartment; a therapeutic liquid disposed in the first compartment and being discharged through the orifice upon application of a force to the container; and one or more tissues disposed in the second compartment, the one or more tissues being removable from the second compartment through the outlet.
US08833543B2
The invention relates to a star wheel having a drive, for installation in bottle filling system or the like, in particular in the wet area for empty PET bottles, having as hygienic a design as possible and having the corresponding machine components being used here. The aim is achieved in that the star (1) comprises a centric, cone-shaped, plate (4) attached by means of a screw (5).
US08833542B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method of applying a fluid pressure to a portion of a transfer member of a transfer assembly. The transfer member rotates about a first rotation axis and comprises leading and trailing portions. The portion of the transfer member is rotatable about a second rotation axis between a first position and a second position. The method comprises providing a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the leading or trailing portion of the portion of the transfer member when the portion of the transfer member is in the first position, rotating the portion of transfer member between the first position and the second position, and maintaining the fluid conduit in fluid communication with the same of the leading or trailing portion of the portion of the transfer member after the portion of the transfer member is moved into the second position.
US08833522B2
An embodiment of the invention is directed to a system having a pulley attached to a building. A length of cable is installed around the pulley. The cable is of sufficient length so as to reach, when deployed outside of the building, below the pulley to where emergency personnel gather in an area next to a base of the building (when responding to a disaster situation in the building). A winch around which the cable is to be operatively installed is located in the area next to the base.
US08833510B2
A methodology for designing structured metamaterials that can reflect, absorb and focus the propagation of both scalar acoustic and vector elastic waves is described. Three exemplary representative inventions based on the disclosed invention are described, illustrating i) compact ultra-wide broadband isolation, ii) sub-wavelength gaps and negative index propagation utilizing a single material platform, and iii) a fundamentally new method of producing multiple high frequency spectral gaps. Such metamaterial designs possess a wide range of potential applications, ranging from but not limited to, isolating an entity from external mechanical or acoustical vibrations, compact focusing lenses as well as cascaded high frequency filters for wave shaping and nonlinear wave propagation control.
US08833499B2
An improved integration system for a battery pack mounted between the passenger cabin floor panel of an electric vehicle and the driving surface is provided, the system utilizing at least one insulating layer interposed between the battery pack enclosure and the passenger cabin floor panel, where the insulating layer provides noise isolation, thermal isolation and vibration damping, and where the insulating layer is compressed when the battery pack enclosure is mounted to the vehicle.
US08833490B2
A drilling system comprising a drive shaft having a fluid flow conduit extending therethrough; a drill bit mounted for rotation by the drive shaft and having a bit face which, in use, contacts a formation to be drilled, and including a fluid flow passage with an outlet near the center of the bit face; a first fluid flow line extending from the outside of the drive shaft to the flow passage in the drill bit; and a second fluid flow line extending from the outside of the drive shaft to the flow conduit. A method of drilling a well using such a system comprise positioning the system in a borehole; rotating the drive shaft to rotate the bit; urging the bit against the formation to be drilled; and pumping drilling fluid down the borehole so as to pass though the first flow line and to exit the fluid flow passage in the drill bit via the outlet, flow over the bit face and pass into the fluid low conduit via the second fluid flow line.
US08833483B2
A berm building disc is designed to reduce the amount of soil that builds up on the inner surface of the disc as the disc pushes soil for berm formation. The disc has a disc body having an outer radial edge, and defining an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface. Features are formed on the inner concave surface to reduce the surface area or soil adhesion properties of the inner concave surface.
US08833481B2
System for controlling wing tool bars of an agricultural implement are provided. One implement includes a tool bar assembly having a central tool bar and a first wing tool bar rotatably coupled to an end of the central tool bar. The implement also includes a first actuator coupled to the first wing tool bar and to the central tool bar, and configured to raise and lower the first wing tool bar. The implement includes a solenoid controlled valve fluidly coupled to the first actuator. The implement also includes a switch electrically coupled to the valve. The switch measures an angle of the first wing tool bar relative to the central tool bar and is configured to transition the valve between a first and a second position based on an angle of the first wing tool bar relative to the central tool bar.
US08833478B2
A fire stop system with a pass through device is installed in a structural opening. The fire stop system includes a split pipe, a foam wall gasket and an annulus plate. The split pipe includes a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end have an intumescent material installed thereon to seal the split pipe when the split pipe is exposed to elevated temperatures. The foam wall gasket is installed around the split pipe adjacent the structural opening. The foam wall gasket forms a contour to the structural opening blocking air flow between the split pipe and the opening. The annulus plate covers the foam wall gasket and is installed around the split pipe at the structural opening.
US08833474B2
A method and apparatus for sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and natural gas (CH4) to be desorbed, released and recovered. A special pressure cycling process is used to enable the pressure within the formation to be increased and decreased, including allowing the liquid CO2 to change phase to a gaseous CO2, and injecting the liquid CO2 under pressure repeatedly, which causes greater expansion of the proliferation zone within the formation, and more efficiently releases CH4.
US08833470B2
The present invention generally relates to a pipe handling system for use with a tubular joining system. In one aspect, a method of forming a string of pipe using a joining assembly at a wellbore is provided. The joining assembly includes an internal joining tool and an external joining tool. The method includes the step of picking up the pipe joint using an elevator. The method further includes the step of positioning a lower end of the pipe joint adjacent an end of a string of pipe disposed in the external joining tool. The method also includes the step of moving the internal joining tool from a first position to a second position relative to the elevator, wherein the second position is between the pipe joint and the string of pipe. The method further includes the step of forming a connection between the pipe joint and the string of pipe.
US08833468B2
A method of controlling flow between a flow passage of a tubular string and an annulus includes: constructing a valve having an opening for flow between the passage and annulus; permitting flow through the opening; then preventing flow through the opening in response to applying pressure to the valve; and then mechanically displacing a closure device, thereby allowing flow through the opening. Another method includes applying a pressure differential across a piston of a valve, thereby displacing a closure device; and then displacing the closure device relative to the piston, thereby allowing flow between the passage and the annulus. A valve includes an opening for flow between an interior and exterior of the valve, a closure device for permitting and preventing flow through the opening, and a piston which biases the closure device to displace, the closure device being mechanically displaceable relative to the piston.
US08833457B2
The allosteric effectors, sulfate and phosphate, can be used with mannanohydrolase enzymes to better control the break of gelled fracturing fluids in wellbore operations. The fracturing fluid contains a hydratable polymer of guar, a guar derivative, a cellulose derivative, a water soluble biopolymer or a combination thereof and a crosslinking agent. The mannanohydrolase enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of β-(1,4) mannosidic linkages to break the polymeric backbone.
US08833455B2
A well treatment tool, comprising: a tool body; a clamping system for locating the tool body in a well; a positioning system for orienting the tool body in the well axially and azimuthally; a reservoir system comprising at least one fluid reservoir in the tool body; and a pumping system for pumping fluid from the reservoir to a region of the well to be treated. The treatment tool can also re-established the isolation performance of the casing, when modified (by drilling) for the treatment. The treatment tool is normally conveyed and controlled via the mean of an electrical wireline cable.
US08833447B2
The invention relates to a separating device for tubular flow-through devices (22) which serve for the extraction of liquids or gases from wells drilled in rock or deep wells, the separating device being suitable for the removal of sand and rock particles and comprising an annular stack (20) of brittle-hard annular disks, the disks (30) being stacked and braced in such a way that a separating gap (37) for the removal of sand and rock particles is present in each case between the individual disks (30), a coupling-on element (18, 19) at one or both ends of the annular stack (20), a clamping device at one or both ends of the annular stack (20), making it possible on the one hand to flexibly brace the brittle-hard disks (30) and on the other hand to variably fasten the annular stack (20) on the tubular flow-through device (22).
US08833445B2
Assemblies, systems, and methods to facilitate gravel packing of a wellbore having a flow restricting device are described. The assemblies, systems, and methods can include a flow restricting device and an alternative-path gravel packing system to provide a gravel pack about the flow restricting device. The assemblies, systems, and methods can allow uniform and complete annular sand control pack placement together with reduced flow of unwanted fluids.
US08833440B1
Apparatus and methodology for self-generating high-temperature water and superheated steam for recovering embedded heavy-viscosity hydrocarbons from subterranean rock, shale, bitumen, sand formations and enabling continuous flow of released heavy-viscosity hydrocarbons using four successive spiral trough-like flowpaths, and optionally comprising an internal elongated pump member. Another embodiment promotes continuous flow of heavy-viscosity hydrocarbons through surface pipelines to tanks, railway tankcars, ships, refineries. A plurality of high-temperature, sheathed insertion heaters sustains constant high temperature to assure continuous flow of such hydrocarbons.
US08833437B2
An apparatus for generating steam within a heat exchanger. In one aspect, the invention can be a heat exchanger comprising: a shell having an inner surface forming a cavity, the shell comprising an inlet for introducing the shell-side liquid into the cavity and an outlet for allowing the vapor to exit the cavity; a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes for carrying a tube-side fluid located in the cavity and having a longitudinal axis; a shroud circumferentially surrounding the tube bundle and positioned between the tube bundle and the inner surface of the shell so that an annular space exists between the shroud and the inner surface; an opening in a bottom portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle; and an opening in a top portion of the shroud that forms a passageway between the annular space and the tube bundle.
US08833430B2
A method of forming a nanostructured surface, including providing an original nanostructured surface having an array of high aspect ratio structures formed on a planar substrate; forming a negative replica mold of the original nanostructured surface, where the negative replica mold includes a flexible material; deforming the negative replica mold; and using the deformed negative replica mold to form a deformed replica of the original nanostructured surface, where the deforming step is performed at least one of before, during, or after introducing a material for forming the deformed replica into the negative replica mold.
US08833429B2
Included are a windup device, a screen mounted to the windup device so as to be drawn therefrom and housed therein, a stay mounted to a drawing-side edge of the screen, and a pair of arms each including a distal end portion connected to the stay so as to rotate relative thereto and a proximal end portion supported by the windup device so as to rotate relative thereto about a rotation axis, the pair of arms being configured to change a position between a folded position and an extended position through a rotary movement about the rotation axis. The pair of arms are configured such that in the extended position, one-end-side portion of a pivot base extends toward a vertical frame of a window from the rotation axis and the other-end-side portion of the pivot base and an arm part extend along the vertical frame in a manner of being bent from the distal end portion of the one-end-side portion of the pivot base, and that the arm part and the pivot base are connected so as to rotate relative thereto.
US08833420B2
Rubber-cord complex 9 having improved wet heat adhesive property between rubber and cord. The rubber-cord complex includes cord 10 comprising drawn plated wire 17 prepared by providing brass plated layer 16E on surface of element wire 15 and drawing the resulting plated wire and rubber 12 vulcanized and bonded to cord 10. The rubber-cord complex 9 has adhesion reaction layer 25 (formed by cross-linking sulfur and copper) between rubber 12 and brass plated layer 16E. Adhesion reaction layer 25 has average thickness of 50-1,000 nm. Interface S between adhesion reaction layer 25 and the rubber has a fractal dimension of 1.001-1.300 in a wet heat deterioration state after being subjected to vulcanization to bond rubber 12 thereto and being held at a temperature of 50-100° C. and a humidity of 60-100% for one hour to 20 days.
US08833419B2
A rubber-cord complex having an improved wet heat adhesive property between a rubber and a cord comprising a drawn plated wire, and including a metal cord comprising a drawn plated wire prepared by providing a brass plated layer on the surface of an element wire and drawing the resulting plated wire, and a rubber vulcanized and bonded to the cord, wherein in a wet heat deterioration state of the drawn plated wire after being subjected to the vulcanization to bond the rubber thereto and further held under an atmosphere having a temperature of 50 to 100° C. and a humidity of 60 to 100% for one hour to 20 days, the average grain size of crystal grains present in the brass plated layer is not more than 50 nm, and the grain boundary of the crystal grains has a fractal dimension of 1.001 to 1.500.
US08833417B2
Rubber composition, especially for a tire, based on at least one diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler, a crosslinking system and an antioxidant system, wherein said antioxidant system comprises at least two antioxidants “A” and “B”:A. an N-alkyl-N′-phenyl-para-phenylenediamine corresponding to the formula (I): B. a 4,4′,4″-tris(alkylamino)triphenylamine corresponding to the formula (II): in which formulae, R1, R2, R3 and R4, which are identical or different, each represent a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms, the A/B weight ratio being between 0.1 and 5.0.
US08833415B2
A pneumatic tire with a built-in self-sealing layer is described. The tire includes an outer rubbery tread, a carcass reinforcement, a gastight layer located at an inside position relative to the carcass reinforcement, a protective layer positioned innermost, and a self-sealing layer adjacent to the protective layer and located at an inside position relative to the gastight layer. The protective layer is a chlorinated thermoplastic polymer film.
US08833414B2
Provided is a steel cord for reinforcing a rubber article, which has an improved durability against so-called cuts, such as notches and perforations, which are generated in the case of treading on an obtusely or sharply pointed projection, without decreasing the strength in the axial direction of the cord, and without increasing the thickness in the radial direction, namely without increasing the weight of a tire, as well as a tire using the steel cord for reinforcing a rubber article as a reinforcing material, especially a construction vehicle tire. Also provided is a steel cord for reinforcing rubber articles with a multi-twisted structure formed by twisting a plurality of sheath strands formed by twisting a plurality of wires around a core strand formed by twisting a plurality of wires, and the core strand being constituted of an at least three-layer-twisted structure formed by twisting core filaments and sheath filaments. The lowest tensile breaking strength of filament bs and the tensile breaking strength of steel cord Bc satisfy the relationship represented by the following formula: bs/Bc×100≧0.65.
US08833412B2
A sipe extending in a tire width direction is provided in a land part (block) of a tread shoulder region. An inner region on the tire equator side in a length direction of the sipe is formed in a straight sipe portion over the whole of a sipe depth direction. A region on the tread ground contact end side relative to the inner region is divided and provided in the straight sipe portion on the sipe opening side and a waveform sipe portion on the sipe bottom part side in the sipe depth direction.
US08833409B2
A pneumatic tire includes a tire body having a crown portion and a pair of sidewalls. At least one reinforcing belt is disposed in the crown portion of the tire. A tag is carried by the reinforcing belt. In one embodiment, the tag is disposed in the location of one of the reinforcing cords that is disposed in the reinforcing belt. In another embodiment, the tag is disposed at the splice of the reinforcing belt. An alternative version of the tire has the tag carried in a depression formed in the outer surface of the tire sidewall. The tag may be encapsulated with an encapsulation material that is also disposed in the depression.
US08833404B2
The present invention relates to a steel net reinforcement structure which is used for a conveyer belt or a shutter screen. The steel net reinforcement structure comprises: a steel net including hooks projecting from both sides thereof; a reinforcement including a slit cut open along a diagonal direction on both sides thereof; and a steel core which can lock the hooks which are inserted on both inner sides of the reinforcement. The steel net reinforcement structure can be wound conveniently and flexibly while reinforcing strength of the steel net.
US08833398B2
An environmentally-friendly hose plug may include an insertion section having a size selected for plugging a hose. The insertion section may be attached to a knob at a distal end of the hose plug through a gripping section. The gripping section provides a number of ridges to improve a technician's ability to handle the hose plug. The insertion section reduces the exertion of force by fluids in the hose against the hose plug. Thus, the hose plug is less likely to be forced from the hose by fluids in the hose. The insertion section may include one or more sealing rings for further reducing the leakage of fluids from the hose.
US08833397B2
A flow pattern transition pipe for use in a pneumatic conveyance system is provided. The flow pattern transition pipe comprises a first expansion pipe section gradually increasing in inner diameter in an axial direction, a second shrink pipe section following the first section from a maximum inner diameter end of the first section and gradually reducing in inner diameter in an axial direction away from the first section, and a third pipe section following the second section from a minimum inner diameter end of the second section, with a substantially identical inner diameter smaller than a minimum inner diameter of the first section. An axial length of the first section is from about three to about five times of the axial length of the second section.
US08833387B2
A floor drain having a drainage gutter and a detachable cover that is firmly attached to the floor drain and configured to hold a tile that complements or accents the tile in the shower, the surrounding floor, or the floor plane.
US08833386B2
A coaxial valve (10) has a valve housing (11) with an inlet port (12) and an outlet port (14) for a medium (15) flowing through the coaxial valve. A control tube is movable in its longitudinal direction in the valve housing (11) and interacts with the inlet port (12) and the outlet port (14) such that with the valve (10) opened medium (15) flows through the control tube. A valve seat within said valve housing has a valve seat face, the control tube interacting with the valve seat face in one of its axial end positions for closing the coaxial valve (10). The valve seat face is formed on a replaceable sealing element (22) which is arranged in an opening (19) of the valve housing (11), said opening (19), running essentially transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction.
US08833380B2
A device for treating a disc-like article with a fluid, including elements for dispensing a fluid onto the article and a chuck for holding and rotating the article around an axis perpendicular thereto, the chuck including a base body, a drive ring, and gripping members for contacting the article at its edge. The gripping members are eccentrically movable with respect to the center of the article and driven by a drive ring rotatably mounted to the base body so that the drive ring is rotatable against the base body around the axis. The relative rotational movement of the drive ring against the base body is carried out by either holding the base body and rotating the drive ring or by holding the drive ring and rotating the base body, whereby the to-be-held-part (drive ring or base body) is held without touching the respective to-be-held-part by magnetic force.
US08833375B2
A method of separating tobacco from cigarette waste using an apparatus comprising a revolving screen, in which the cigarette waste is fed onto the screen in order to be screened by gravity. The method includes relocating the cigarette waste over the surface of the screen, the relocation being aided by a scraper unit cooperating with the screen and the angular position of the screen in the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane being adjustable. An apparatus is also provided for separating tobacco from cigarette waste comprising a revolving screen which is adjustably mounted in such a way that the angular position of the screen in the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane is adjustable, provided with a scraper unit for aiding relocation of the cigarette waste on the surface of the screen during its rotational movement.
US08833372B2
An integrated nasal mask is adapted for delivering gas to a patient and comprises a mask body and a pair of elongate nostril-engaging stems. The mask body is generally triangularly shaped and includes a nasal opening sized and configured to substantially envelope a patient's nose. The nasal opening opens to a nasal cavity. The nostril-engaging stems extend outwardly from the nasal cavity. Each one of the stems defines a fluid passageway for delivering gas to the patient's nose and for allowing discharge of exhalation gasses during the exhalation phase of the breathing cycle.
US08833353B2
An air gun firing operating system that uses compressed air to eject bullets by a purely mechanical device, and enables single firing or high-speed continuous firing. During the firing operation, the system uses a sliding shuttle tube that is able to slide back and forth in a linear displacement on a central axis between a bullet chamber and a cylinder. The sliding shuttle tube uses differential pressure variation in a pressure buffer chamber to achieve a stroke state that can be continuously changed, thereby achieving high-speed back and forth motion and continuous firing of bullets. The relevant driving position of a trigger device is provided with a sliding retainer, which is able to effect transient retaining of the sliding shuttle tube, thereby restricting the system for single firing, or discontinuing the retention to enable the system to be in a continuous firing operation state.
US08833349B2
The present invention relates to archery, and more specifically relates to a compound bow of reduced size and weight comprising short limbs (Li), small pulleys and small cams while maintaining the performance of the prior art by linking a differential motion cam and a differential motion pulley of a novel design. The present invention has devised a method for dispensing with large cams and decreasing the scale of compound bows by using three different stratagems. The compound bow is decreased in scale through 1. the use of an idler pulley (IP) and a differential motion cam which rotates by a large extent as shown in FIG. 3, 2. the use of both a Y-cam (YC) which rotates by a large extent and a differential motion cam as shown in FIG. 11, and 3. the use of a combination of Y-cams (YC) which rotate by a large extent as shown in FIG. 16; and this compound bow can be used, by way of example, for hunting and sports and for shooting ropes for life saving purposes.
US08833347B2
This invention relates to an automatically regulated gaseous mixer for small universal gas engine comprising a mixer body, a choker, an air inlet port, a main gas passage, a main metering jet, a mixture outlet port, a throttle valve, a gas connecting passage and an auxiliary gas passage, which is characterized in that an auxiliary gas passage is set parallel to the main gas passage and connected through a vertical gas passage. Its top end is linked to the main gas passage and the lower end is connected with the auxiliary gas passage, one end of the auxiliary passage is connected with the mixture outlet port. The shaft of throttle valve is in line with auxiliary gas passage and is extended into the auxiliary gas passage to form an automatically regulated valve. The advantages of this invention are simple and compact; practical and reliable.
US08833343B2
A system and method for operating a fuel system that supplies fuel to a plurality of injectors in an internal combustion engine via a first pump and a second pump with a bypass circuit returning fuel from between the first and second pumps to a fuel tank, the pumps connected in series, is provided. The bypass circuit increases its restriction to increase injection pressure during selected conditions.
US08833342B2
A method for regulating a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel injection system includes a high-pressure pump which is associated with a quantity control valve having a solenoid valve electromagnetically operable by a coil for supplying fuel, the quantity control valve regulating the fuel quantity pumped by the high pressure pump and the coil of the solenoid valve being energized according to a setpoint current value in order to close the valve for supplying fuel to the high-pressure pump; when the solenoid valve closes, the setpoint current value is reduced from a first current setpoint value to a second current setpoint value so that an emission of audible noise generated when the solenoid valve closes during operation of the internal combustion engine is at least partially reduced.
US08833339B2
The disclosure relates to reciprocating piston engines having four cylinders with a circular cross section, cylinder axes which are parallel to one another, and an output shaft. The cylinder axes, as viewed in axial section, lie at the corner points of a rectangle that is a square, with the output shaft, which extends parallel to the cylinder axes, in the center of the square. Each pair of cylinders which lie diagonally opposite one another are arranged in the same direction, as viewed axially, and in opposite directions, as viewed axially, with respect to the other pair of cylinders. The force or moment from each cylinder is transmitted to the output shaft via a dedicated rotating crank and a toothing system.
US08833335B2
A control device has a mechanical oil pump driven by an engine and an electric oil pump supplying oil via a check valve in an oil passage connecting the mechanical oil pump and the electric oil pump, the check valve allowing a flow of the oil from the electric oil pump side to the mechanical oil pump side while blocking a flow in an opposite direction, regardless of the pressure of the electric oil pump. When the check valve is closed under an oil pressure condition in which the electric oil pump outputs a maximum output oil pressure while the mechanical oil pump is driven by the engine at idle, the control device is configured to drive the electric oil pump during stop of the mechanical oil pump, and to stop the electric oil pump based on a load increase after start of the mechanical oil pump.
US08833334B2
An oil pump apparatus in which an electrical pump can be easily disposed is provided. A mechanical pump including: an inner gear which is configured to be driven by an engine; and an outer gear which is configured to mesh with the inner gear, and an electrical pump including: an outer gear which is configured to be driven by a motor section; and an inner gear which is configured to mesh with the outer gear are installed adjacent to each other in the axial direction in a pump installation space of a pump housing having suction ports and ejection ports. A blocking plate which is configured to block communications between the suction ports and the ejection ports is disposed between the mechanical pump and the electrical pump.
US08833331B2
A block for an internal combustion engine having at least one coated cylinder bore, which has a chamfer at a sealing surface with respect to a cylinder head, wherein the chamfer is a curved chamfer.
US08833326B2
A bottom inner wall of an air cleaner case is provided with a first and second bulging parts and roughly U-shaped in section which have projected surfaces on the inside of the air cleaner case and recessed surfaces on the outside of the air cleaner case. First and second resonators are formed by a structure wherein first and second compartments continuously surrounded by the first and second bulging parts as well as a pair of side inner walls, the bottom inner wall and a partition wall of the air cleaner case are closed with first and second lids provided with communication holes.
US08833314B2
A cooling system for a combustion engine (1) includes a pilot line (12) which has an inlet (12a) to receive coolant from a line (3) of the cooling system and a thermostat (6) a sensing element (6b) for monitoring the temperature of the coolant in the pilot line (12) and a valve (6a). A thermal device (13, 26, 31) in contact with the coolant in the pilot line (12) at a location upstream of the sensing element (6b). A control unit (15) estimates when it is appropriate to alter the coolant's operating temperature in the cooling system and, at such times, activates the thermal device (13, 26, 31) so that it warms or cools the coolant in the pilot line (12).
US08833311B2
A head covering that protects a dog or other animal against the intrusion of harmful things or elements such as insects, foreign matter, and weed seeds, which can enter the animal's ears, eyes, or nose and cause discomfort or damage.
US08833305B2
A cat feeder assembly and method of providing a cat feeder assembly having at least three walls defining a food placement zone with a food container, with each wall having a top end and a bottom end, and a protective awning coupled to the housing structure and having a selectively adjustable height. The protective awning having a leading edge defining a primary height barrier and at least one secondary height barrier, with the secondary height barrier being located between the primary height barrier and the at least two walls. Both height barriers projecting a first and second imaginary plane substantially parallel to each other and defining a keep-out zone directly under the awning and substantially adjacent to the food container. The method further includes selectively adjusting the protective awning to the shoulder area of a cat the user desires to feed from the food placement zone.
US08833303B1
A pellet dispersing blade assembly includes an assembly coupling; a pellet broadcasting blade drivingly engaged for rotation by the assembly coupling, the pellet broadcasting blade having a plurality of blade projections; and a pellet dispersing shall drivingly engaged for rotation by the assembly coupling. The pellet dispersing shaft may include a main shaft segment carried by the assembly coupling, a terminal shaft segment extending from the main shaft segment, the terminal shaft segment oriented at an angle relative to the main shaft segment and forming a terminal end of the pellet dispersing shaft and a single shaft bend between the main shaft segment and the terminal shaft segment.
US08833302B2
Implementations described and claimed herein provide apparatuses and methods for providing different perch positions for feeding birds. In one implementation, a bird feeder includes a reservoir and a perch. The reservoir has an interior configured to hold bird food and an opening in a wall to provide access to the interior of the reservoir. The perch is connected to the wall such that the perch may be moved to a plurality of positions around the opening in the wall.
US08833298B2
A film forming apparatus includes a substrate holding unit holding substrates at intervals; a reaction chamber accommodating the substrate holding unit; a raw material gas supply pipe supplying a raw material gas of a thin film to the substrate; a support unit supporting the reaction chamber; a heating unit being disposed outside the reaction chamber and heating the substrates; a protection pipe including one end portion fixed to the support unit, being extended along an arrangement direction of the substrates between the substrate holding unit and the reaction chamber, and including a temperature measuring unit inserted therein; and a protrusion portion being provided on at least one of an outer surface of the protection pipe and an inner surface of the reaction chamber, and providing a gap between the outer surface of the protection pipe and the inner surface of the reaction chamber.
US08833297B2
The invention relates to a high-pressure device for the application of an expandable reaction mixture on a surface, to a method for producing expandable foams, to a device for producing sandwich composite elements, and to a method for producing expanded sandwich composite elements. The high-pressure device includes a mixing head, a distributor head fluidically connected downstream of the mixing head, at feast three outlet lines attached to the distributor head, a high-pressure feed line of a component to the mixing head, a high pressure feed line of a component B to the mixing head, at least one static mixer for mixing an inert gas to the component A, the component B or a mixture of components A and B, at least one high-pressure feed line for the inert gas, which is under increased pressure, and at least one measurement and control unit for the desired pressure of the components on the mixing head.
US08833290B2
The invention comprises a segmented platform (1) for watercraft which, which serves as a stair lift, swimplatform or gangway and can be lowered by an active or passive cylinder (4) and a parallelogram (3). The platform (1) consists of plates (2) and optional lateral lifting bodies (8), as well as of a locker (11,12) whereby the whole unit can be tilted up by the bearing (6) attached to the side plates (7) and in addition a down stroke (H1,H2,H3) is created by a second parallelogram (28) or pivot mean (29), therefor the watercraft takes up less space when not in use. The plates (2) can have a cover (21) in the form of a strap (18) and when lifting the plates (2) a higher safety for people is made possible.
US08833280B2
In methods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure for interplanting a primary crop and an energy crop, the present disclosure includes methods for preparing a plantation site for planting the energy crop. Plantation sites according to the disclosure may include a primary crop planted in a first row and in a second row, the first row being separated by an intermediate row. The intermediate row is divided into a center portion and two side portions (a first side portion and a second side portion). Methods according to embodiments of the disclosure include the steps of lifting a soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area, redepositing a soil component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily into the center portion, and redepositing a plantation debris component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily into at least one of the two side portions.
US08833278B2
In a method for processing ash, fly ash is separated from a product gas flow obtained from gasification of fuel, which fly ash is burned in fluidized bed combustion to reduce the carbon content of the ash. After this, the flue gases from the combustion are processed. In a first step, the ash is burned in fluidized bed combustion (fluidized bed reactor 1) at a temperature of not higher than 800° C. to reduce the carbon content, and in a second step, the flue gases a burned in an independent combustion process (combustion chamber 7), the combustion conditions reaching the temperature of at least 850° C.
US08833277B2
The present invention relates to a cooling system for dry extraction of heavy bottom ash output from furnaces for solid fuel during storing step at hopper, characterized by suitable air intakes (2), placed on the sidewalls of the hopper (1) at the hopper bottom, through which a controlled amount of cooling air passes sucked up in the combustion chamber (12) by the depression value therein, capable to achieve an uniform and balanced distribution system for such air during storing step at hopper (1) which optimizes the cooling of the falling ash, leaving the total amount of the air entering the furnace unchanged. The distribution header of the intakes (2) is connected to the extractor environment (6) by the lid (7) through a suitable conduit (3) provided with automated valve (8) being open during the storing step allowing the cooling air through to pass said intakes (2) placed on the sidewalls of the hopper (1). A more efficient cooling may be obtained by any addition of water input by nozzles (14) suitably placed within the hopper (1). The water amount may be adjusted such that the ash cooling improvement function is actuated without humidifying it.
US08833275B2
A process for at least one of a chemical and a physical treatment of fluidizable substances in a reactor. The process includes introducing a hot gas into an interior of the reactor through a gas supply tube and cooling at least one of the hot gas and the gas supply tube with a coolant. The cooling is performed by contacting the hot gas with the coolant so as to provide a temperature of a wall of the gas supply tube at least 50° C. lower than a temperature of the gas at an inlet of the gas supply tube facing away from the interior of the reactor.
US08833271B2
A modular furniture system, in which one or more triangular frames are assembled with a leg support system in any of numerous configurations. Cushions or flat surfaces can be supported by the triangular frames to form chairs, beds, sofas, tables, and many other pieces of furniture. Triangle frames are assembled with the leg support system using frame hinges, which can include ring portions that slide over the tops of the leg support system and flanges that attach to the triangular frames.
US08833270B2
The plastic pallet structure includes a supporting base and loading plates. The supporting base includes first bases and second bases. Each first base includes a first base body, first opening clamping portions and first arch bridge portions. The first opening clamping portions and the first arch bridge portions are respectively disposed on two first long side edges of the first base body. Each second base includes a second base body, second opening clamping portions and second arch bridge portions. The second opening clamping portions and the second arch bridge portions are disposed on a second long side edge of the second base body. When the loading plates load goods, forks of a forklift are inserted in to the second bases, so that the forks of the forklift are abutted against the second arch bridge portions without contacting with the loading plates to lift the goods up.
US08833269B2
A superstructure for a railcar comprising at least a first side assembly, a roof extending from the first side assembly and being comprised of at least a first top chord extending inwardly and upwardly from the first side assembly and a first top chord stiffener comprised of at least a first leg and a second leg. The first and second legs are disposed at a right angle to each other, and the first top chord stiffener is attached to the first top chord and the first side assembly.
US08833259B2
A method for producing a pattern, in particular a wood pattern, on the face of a woodbased-material board. The pattern is preset with the aid of a digital data set and applied to the woodbased-material board via an intaglio printing process. The pattern is covered with at least one synthetic resin layer and pressed with the woodbased-material board. The digital data set is used to produce a sample print by use of an inkjet printing process, which print is used to compare with the pattern print on the woodbased-material board in terms of optical appearance. The materials and/or printing conditions used in the pattern printing and the sample printing are coordinated with one another.
US08833251B2
Prior to a mark imaging process executed for the purpose of detecting a position of recognition marks for positioning the substrate and the mask, an optical axis calibration processing process of detecting a horizontal relative position between imaging optical axes, and a surface correction data creation processing process of detecting a local positional deviation of the imaging optical axes, which is caused by the travel of the imaging unit, are executed. Before starting production, a production pre-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision is executed by using a verification substrate and a verification mask, and after starting the production, a production post-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision after starting the production is executed by using a commercial production substrate and a commercial production mask.
US08833250B2
A gravure printing system is disclosed. The gravure printing system has a central roll with a plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. A first of the plurality of discrete cells are capable of receiving at least one fluid and a second of the plurality of discrete cells are capable of receiving at least two fluids. Each of the fluids is fluidically displaced into the first and second cells from a position internal to the central roll.
US08833248B2
A support assembly includes a lid, a plug body, and a conduit. The lid engages a target object having an exterior surface on which an image is to be printed. The plug body is disposed in an interior volume of the target object when the lid is engaged with the target object. The plug body engages an interior surface of the target object to form a sealed chamber inside the target object. The conduit extends through the lid to an orifice disposed between the lid and the plug body. The conduit delivers a pressurizing fluid into the sealed chamber in order to increase a pressure inside the sealed chamber in the target object. The pressure inside the sealed chamber provides a resistive force that prevents the exterior surface of the target object from changing shape when the image is printed on the exterior surface of the target object.
US08833247B2
A round baler includes a bale-forming compartment having a bale forming system, the bale forming system configured to form a round bale. The round baler also has a compression system, and a bale-compressing compartment with a moveable wall operably coupled to the compression system. The compression system is configured to cause the moveable wall to compress a round bale that was formed in the bale-forming compartment. A gate is located between the bale-forming compartment and the bale-compressing compartment, the gate being moveable between an open position and a closed position.
US08833242B2
Device for controlling toasting and baking having means for sensing toasting, such that the degree of toasting is detected as a function of the shade thereof, means for processing the signal emanating from the sensing means, logic processing and control means, logic storage means, and a plurality of toasting means, wherein all the components are connected to the logic processing and control means, thereby enabling a method for controlling toasting or baking, based on the change in shade of the product to be toasted or baked, to be implemented.
US08833237B2
A coffee machine (1) having a coffee grinding device (9), a brewing device (5), a brewing water source (7) and a flowmeter (8), which for the user offers a particularly simple setting of the extract content of a coffee beverage. A display device (16) is provided for displaying the flow rate acquired on the flowmeter (8).
US08833231B1
An unmanned range-programmable airburst weapon system provides automated tracking and prosecution of soft targets such as UAVs at close ranges. A range-programmable gun that fires airburst rounds and a seeker that images the target within a FOV are mounted on a gimbaled turret. A tracking controller is responsive to a target cue to point the seeker to acquire the target and to subsequent tracking commands from the seeker to maintain the target in the seeker's FOV. A fire controller is responsive to tracking commands and range-to-target measurements to compute a ballistic firing solution to range program an airburst round and to point and fire the gun so that the round explodes in mid-air at a predicted target position.
US08833228B2
RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapon System or Station) of the deck-penetrator type and a method for protected reloading of a weapon system that is fed by belt of rounds from an ammunition container that is positioned in the RCWS, wherein the RWCS includes a system for protected reloading of the weapons system, that comprises—a bracket, that on it the ammunition container is mounted, and the bracket is amenable to be propelled via an opening in the deck of the vehicle upon which the RCWS is positioned, unto an inner space of the carrier vehicle and back from this space to the RCWS; and means for movably positioning the bracket, in at least two states—a first state wherein the bracket is positioned inside the inner space of the carrier vehicle and for reloading anew the weapons system; and a second state wherein the bracket is a least substantially embedded in the RCWS for feeding the weapons system by a belt of rounds from inside of the ammunition container that is positioned on the bracket.
US08833222B2
A bread slicing apparatus includes a plurality of drums disposed spaced apart from each other and adapted to be wound with an endless blade, a plurality of rotation shafts on which the plurality of drums are coaxially mounted, respectively, a shaft support frame member including one end portion and another end portion, and extending outside a cylindrical space surrounded by an outer circumference surface of the plurality of drums and by a plane extended parallel with and from the outer circumference surface of the plurality of drums, a shaft support member including one end portion pivotably mounted on the shaft support frame member and another end portion removably mounted on the shaft support frame member, and the shaft support member being arranged to support at least one end portion of the plurality of rotation shafts, and a drum placement mechanism provided with a guide member.
US08833216B2
A tool for perforating a polymeric film is disclosed having a support substrate and at least one projection extending from the substrate. The projection is multi-sided with side walls that have straight sides that are tapered upwardly and inwardly from the support substrate at an angle theta (θ) that is at least 5°. The angle is measured in relation to imaginary lines extending perpendicularly to the substrate at the locations at which the side walls contact the substrate.
US08833197B2
A steerable multi-linked device may include a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first multi-linked mechanism and the second multi-linked mechanism may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links and a reinforcing member. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link, and the reinforcing member may extend from a first end of a third one of the intermediate links toward a second end of the third one of the intermediate links.
US08833194B2
A shift device with an over-shift lock for a multi-speed transmission of a motor vehicle, in which individual gears are shifted incrementally, is provided. The shift device has a pivotable shifting element which is composed of an activation element and a driver element displaceably held thereon. Both elements have mutually aligned oblong holes which are penetrated by a shifting shaft leading to the transmission. A shifting process is limited by the striking of the shifting shaft against the end sides of the oblong holes. In this position, the alternating influencing of the shifting shaft and the contours of the oblong holes prevents a further rotation of the shifting shaft and thereby an over-shifting of the transmission.
US08833193B2
A gear unit, an oil scraping device being provided on the front of a rotatably supported gear wheel, in particular on a plane area of the front of a gear wheel.
US08833191B2
In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission having multiple speeds constituted by four sets and speed selecting mechanisms corresponding to the four sets, assuming the speeds as seven among eight speeds of A to H in order of gear ratio, the four sets are constituted by a first set of A having a largest gear ratio and C that is next but one; a second set including at least H having a smallest gear ratio; a third set of B and D between two of the first set; and a fourth set including two of E, F and G between the second and third sets, and one of first and second pressure regulators selectively supplies hydraulic pressure to two of the mechanisms corresponding to the first and second sets, while the other thereof selectively supplies hydraulic pressure to two of the mechanisms corresponding to the third and fourth sets.
US08833190B2
A relative-rotation synchronous movement-aid device, which has a simple structure and is easy to assemble. The synchronous movement-aid device includes a linking arm and a rotational wheel assembled with the linking arm. The linking arm has a pivoted end and a free end mounted on the rotational wheel. The pivoted end is mounted on a rail. When an external force is applied to the linking arm, the pivoted end can freely move along the rail. The free end serves to make the rotational wheel relatively rotate along with the movement of the linking arm to achieve better synchronous movement effect than the conventional slide mechanism.
US08833186B2
Conventional conveying lines have required building according to the particular shapes of test tube racks and test tube holders. For this reason, at least two types of dedicated lines, one for test tube racks and one for test tube holders, have been needed in one system, so there has been a tendency for systems to be complex in structure and disadvantageous in cost. To solve these problems, this invention provides a sample conveying system designed so that test tube racks and test tube holders can move on the same line, and high in both cost-effectiveness and reliability.
US08833185B2
Control panel including a cover mounted on a support that is provided with a tactile pressing detection zone in which a force sensor that includes a pressure-sensitive zone is arranged behind a detection zone between the cover and the support so as to produce an electrical control signal when a user applies a determined tactile pressing force to the detection zone. The tactile pressing force is transmitted axially (X1) towards the sensitive zone via a spacer made of elastically compressible material interposed between the sensor and the cover. The spacer includes at least one compressible portion that defines a transversal top surface that bears against the cover and a transversal bottom surface that bears against the sensitive zone of the sensor. The top surface has an area smaller than the area of the bottom surface.
US08833184B2
The present invention aims at providing a pressure-sensitive sensor capable of layering a pressure-sensitive layer and electrodes with high productivity, facilitating control of contact between the pressure-sensitive layer and the electrodes by loading, achieving good reproducibility of a resistance value generated by loading between the pressure-sensitive ink layer and the electrodes, and measuring pressure with high accuracy. The pressure-sensitive sensor comprises a pair of electrodes 16a and 16b formed on a substrate film 31, and a pressure-sensitive ink layer 30 juxtaposed to the electrodes on the substrate, the pressure-sensitive ink layer being variable in electrical properties in response to an applied pressing force, wherein a portion of the substrate film 31 having the pressure-sensitive ink layer 30 formed thereon is bent inward to allow the pressure-sensitive ink layer 30 to come into contact with the pair of electrodes 16a and 16b.
US08833182B2
A bicycle crank arm apparatus comprises a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion. A circuit-mounting structure is disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion, wherein the circuit-mounting structure is configured to detachably mount a measurement board. When a measurement board is mounted to the circuit-mounting structure, the resulting combination forms a bicycle input force processing apparatus.
US08833173B2
The present invention defines a strain sensor for measuring strains induced on a component surface (34). The strain sensor comprises a strain gauge (31) and a support member (32), whereby the support member is attached to the component surface only at first and second attachment places. The support member comprises a beam portion (39) that is adapted to bend in response to a relative displacement of the first and second attachment places, and the strain gauge is integrated on a surface (33) of this beam portion. To ensure a strong and stable bending response of the beam portion, the attached support member comprises at least one flexure hinge (45).
US08833171B2
As may be consistent with one or more embodiments discussed herein, an integrated circuit apparatus includes a membrane suspended over a cavity, with the membrane and cavity defining a chamber. The membrane has a plurality of openings therein that pass gas into and out of the chamber. As the membrane is actuated, the volume of the chamber changes to generate a gas pressure inside the chamber that is different than a pressure outside the chamber. A sensor detects a frequency-based characteristic of the membrane responsive to the change in volume, and therein provides an indication of the gas pressure outside the chamber.
US08833169B2
This disclosure describes embodiments of a robotic inspection system that uses a pair of multi-axis robotic devices to perform an ultrasonic scan of a part. Each of the multi-axis robotic devices can comprise an end effector that can transmit and/or receive an ultrasonic signal to perform the ultrasonic scan. In one embodiment, the robotic inspection system includes a linear slide assembly that can translate the multi-axis robotic devices independently from one another on either side of the part.
US08833168B2
An ultrasonic inspection device allows position adjustment of three-dimensional inspection data and shape data to be easily performed on a display screen and allows a defect echo and a shape echo to be quickly identified. A calculator generates the three-dimensional inspection data from waveforms stored in a data storage unit. A three-dimensional display unit displays the three-dimensional inspection data generated by the calculator and the three-dimensional shape data on an object to be inspected. The calculator corrects the relative displayed positions of the three-dimensional inspection data and the three-dimensional shape data on the basis of a coordinate system defined by points and a surface that constitute a part of the three-dimensional shape data displayed by the three-dimensional display unit, and causes the three-dimensional display unit to display the three-dimensional inspection data and the three-dimensional shape data while the three-dimensional inspection data and the three-dimensional shape data overlap each other.
US08833157B2
An ultrasonic liquid sensor for detecting liquid in a tube having sidewalls includes a first intermediate mounting plate held in physical communication with a first sidewall of the tube, a second intermediate mounting plate held in physical communication with the second sidewall of the tube. The plates are configured to allow the ultrasonic signal to pass therethrough. The sensor also includes a first and a second transducer element. The first and second transducer elements are mounted to the intermediate mounting plates and are configured to receive the ultrasonic signal passing through the sidewalls of the tube as well as the intermediate mounting plates to determine the presence or absence of liquid in the tube. The sensor can be enclosed in a self-contained unit and a support assembly can be used and formed of metal material or non-metal material to interface with the sensor and a secondary circuit.
US08833156B2
Method for determining the thickness of an upper layer of a fluid mass comprising at least this upper layer and a lower layer lying thereunder, such as a waterway with a navigable upper layer and a viscous mud layer located thereunder, wherein the viscosity of the fluid of the lower layer is greater than the viscosity of the fluid of the upper layer, wherein a body freely movable in the fluid mass is moved through the fluid mass at a velocity such that the body enters a state of equilibrium substantially at the interface between the lower and upper layer; the depth position of the body is determined at successive points in order to know the thickness of the upper layer at these points; and the resistivity of the fluid in the vicinity of the body is measured at successive points.
US08833152B2
An apparatus for measuring the pressure of a tire on a moving vehicle, comprising measuring device (14, 18, 24) which is provided on or inside a floor or ground so as to interact with the tire and which generates an electronically analyzable measurement signal in reaction to the tire driving over the measuring device, and analysis unit (22, 40) which output a tire pressure signal corresponding to the tire pressure in reaction to the measurement signal. The measuring device includes an optical unit (18) for acquiring a tire width as the width of a tire footprint forming when the tire drives over the floor/ground. The analysis unit is designed to determine a footprint length from a series of tire width data generated by the optical unit and/or from a pattern of a pressure measurement signal generated by the measuring device and to determine the tire pressure from a footprint area calculated as a function of the length and width of the footprint and from a force applied to the footprint area by the tire.
US08833149B2
A piston fuel injector detecting device, comprising a base (1), a perspective platform (2), an observation cover (3), a sliding groove (4), an adjusting handle (5), a conducting wire column (6), a supporting plate (7), a tact switch (8), a limit plate (9), an infrared-ray emitting tube (10), an illuminating device (11) and a positioning pin (12), wherein the base (1) is connected with the perspective platform (2) and the positioning pin (12); the perspective platform (2) is connected with the observation cover (3) which is provided with the sliding groove (4); the adjusting handle (5) is connected with the observation cover (3); the conducting wire column (6) is vertically connected with the base (1) and is connected with the supporting plate (7) which is provided with the tact switch (8); the conducting wire column (6) is connected with the limit plate (9) which is connected with the infrared-ray emitting tube (10) and the illuminating device (11). The device can detect a is fuel injector without a trial injection by the fuel injector, and has advantages of no environmental pollution and low cost.
US08833147B2
Based on a detection signal of a fuel pressure sensor provided in a first fuel injector, an ECU determines whether a fuel pressure in a first fuel injector is increased over a specified amount when a second fuel injector provided with no fuel pressure sensor terminates a fuel injection. When the ECU determines that the fuel pressure in the first fuel injector is increased over a specified amount, it is diagnosed that the second fuel injector does not have a malfunction of continuous injection.
US08833146B2
A corrosion sensor may include a sensor body, a chloride probe held in the sensor body, a pH probe held in the sensor body, a reference electrode for the chloride probe and the pH probe held in the sensor body, a multiple array sensor held in the sensor body and a resistivity probe held in the sensor body. A method of measuring corrosion in a reinforced concrete structure may include inserting a corrosion sensor into a reinforced concrete structure and monitoring chloride ions with the chloride probe, pH with the pH probe, localized concrete resistivity with the resistivity probe and corrosion current density with the multiple array sensor.
US08833143B2
A system including a hydraulic accumulator, a pressure sensor, a fluid source and a data processor to detect a pre-charge pressure is provided. The hydraulic accumulator includes first and second fluid chambers and a separator therebetween. The hydraulic accumulator has an associated pre-charge pressure. The pressure sensor is connected to the first fluid chamber. The data processor is connected to the pressure sensor. The data processor is configured to determine a first and second rate of pressure changes, and a transition pressure between the first and second rates. The approximate pre-charge pressure is determined based on the transition pressure.
US08833139B2
An immersion probe for analysis of gases in molten metal is provided. The immersion probe generally comprises a gas sampler, a gas injection tube and a porous ceramic filter. The porous ceramic filter has a groove that associates it to the gas sampler, the groove comprising an outer portion and an inner portion with respect to the gas sampler, the inner portion of the porous ceramic filter having an increase in body for better association of the porous ceramic filter to the gas sampler. An adhesive material provides mechanical support of the porous ceramic filter, the adhesive material being located in both the inner portion and the outer portion of the gas sampler.
US08833138B2
In a method and apparatus for determining the level of dynamic force required to cause damage to an electronic device, the electronic device may be placed beneath a ram assembly of a dynamic impact testing device. Thereafter, the ram assembly may be used to impact the electronic device to determine a threshold level of dynamic force that will cause damage to the electronic device. The ram assembly may then be used to impact a load cell with the threshold level of dynamic force so that the load cell generates a data output.
US08833135B2
A sensor system having a substrate and a mass which is movably suspended relative to the substrate is described, the sensor system including detection arrangement for detecting a deflection of the seismic mass relative to the substrate along a deflection direction, the detection arrangement including a first measuring electrode affixed to the substrate and a second measuring electrode affixed to the substrate, and a first overlap, which is perpendicular to the deflection direction, between the first measuring electrode and the seismic mass along the deflection direction is greater than a second overlap, which is perpendicular to the deflection direction, between the second measuring electrode and the seismic mass.
US08833132B2
A pipe expanding tool includes levers rotatably connected to each other through a rotary shaft, grips disposed on ends of the levers, jaws disposed on other ends of the levers, and mandrels disposed on the jaws. An adjustment screw for adjusting an angle of rotation of the levers, a lock nut for fixing the adjustment screw, and a stopper that restricts rotation of the levers are further provided.
US08833120B2
A locking mechanism for a door includes an outside actuator, an inside actuator, and a housing removably fixed to the door. A locking bar is selectively engageable with the housing. A first cam member is operable to move the locking bar from an unlocked position wherein the locking bar is released from the housing and a locked position wherein the locking bar is fixedly coupled to the housing. A spindle is rotatably coupled to the inside actuator and selectively coupled to the outside actuator. A second cam member is coupled to the first cam member and to the spindle and operable to move the locking bar from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to rotation of the inside actuator from a neutral position to one of a first clockwise position and a second counterclockwise position.
US08833115B2
An antitheft device having a product display case with a double locking mechanism and an unlocking device for unlocking the locking mechanism. A product display case having a locking mechanism, and an unlocking device are provided. An attachment portion for a security tag is provided on the inside of the product display case, and a first case component and a second case component are openably fitted together in an X direction. The locking mechanism has a first lock device and a second lock device that latch together in a Y direction which intersects the X direction. The first lock device locks by latching in a Y1 direction, and unlocks upon being pressed in a Y2 direction by a projection of the unlocking device. The second lock device locks by latching in the Y2 direction, and unlocks upon being pulled in the Y 1 direction by a magnet in the unlocking device.
US08833109B2
A home appliance that has increased accuracy and sensing speed of a cord-off compared to a voltage detecting method using a RMS value of commercial AC and thus may quickly perform subsequent operations for user's safety and convenience is provided.
US08833105B2
A method for making a vacuum insulated glass window assembly is provided in which an exposed end of a pump-out tube of a vacuum insulated glass window assembly is sealed using a laser that is applied to the end of the pump out tube in controlled sequential manner as opposed to a short duration, high-powered application of a laser. In particular, a method is disclosed in which a multiphase sequential variable power application of laser energy to an exposed end of a pump-out tube for controlled exposure times and decreasing laser trace diameters produces a more controlled melting of the tube glass to reduce or eliminate undesirable outgassing that may occur during a high-power short duration exposure of laser energy to the end of the pump-out tube to seal the tube.
US08833103B2
Earring having a body, a pin provided at one end of the body and formed with a locking groove, an accessory body provided at the other end to be locked with the locking groove, a handle and a spring. The spring is to be mounted in the lower portion of the accessory body, and the handle is configured to be fitted within the accessory body such that the spring presses at a first end against the inside of the handle and at a second end against the inside of the accessory body. The accessory body maintains an opening for receiving the pin and is formed with an insert groove within the opening into which the pin is inserted, which is elastically locked with the locking groove of the pin by a spring. When the handle is pressed the upper portion of the accessory body opens and the pin is released.
US08833101B2
Apparatus for use as a heat pump includes compression chamber means, inlet means for allowing gas to enter the compression chamber means, compression means for compressing gas contained in the compression chamber means, heat exchanger means for receiving thermal energy from gas compressed by the compression means, expansion chamber means for receiving gas after exposure to the heat exchange means, expansion means for expanding gas received in the expansion chamber means, and exhaust means for venting gas from the expansion chamber means after expansion thereof.
US08833084B2
A tile is provided for lining the hot side of a wall of a combustor. The tile has a tile body with one or more bosses protruding from the cold side thereof. The or each boss extends, in use, through the wall of the combustor and has a threaded recess formed therein for threadingly connecting with a bolt which is inserted into the recess from the cold side of the combustor wall. The bolt fastens the tile to the combustor wall.
US08833082B2
A system for condensing steam includes a steam supply duct, a supply riser, a supply manifold, a pair of condensing panels, a return manifold, and a condensate return. The steam supply duct is configured to convey steam from a steam generator. The supply riser is configured to convey steam from the steam supply duct. The supply manifold is configured to convey steam from the supply riser. The pair of condensing panels is configured to receive steam from the supply manifold. The supply manifold bifurcates with each bifurcation being configured to supply a respective condensing panel of the pair of condensing panels. The return manifold is configured to receive condensate from the pair of condensing panels. The condensate return duct is configured to convey condensate from the return manifold to the steam generator.
US08833080B2
An arrangement including at least one steam turbine and one condenser is provided. Further, a method to operate such an arrangement is provided. A regenerative deheater is arranged in the steam flow between the steam turbine and the condenser, by which the steam, superheated exhaust steam, exiting the steam turbine is cooled down before entering the condenser and by which a feed-water stream is heated up.
US08833076B2
A thermal storage system includes a first tank and a second tank thermally interfaced with the first tank. A pump is connected between the first tank and the second tank to move a fluid from the first tank to the second tank. A first heat exchanger includes a heat-exchanging portion that is located within the first tank. A second heat exchanger includes another heat-exchanging portion that is located within the second tank.
US08833065B2
A control device for a hybrid construction machine includes a discharge pressure introduction passage that leads a discharge pressure from a variable volume pump to a regulator, and a load pressure introduction passage that leads one of a maximum load pressure of respective actuators and a load pressure of a hydraulic motor to the regulator. A controller, having determined that the actuators are in an inoperative condition on the basis of a detection result from an operating condition detector, excites a solenoid of a solenoid pilot control valve such that a discharge oil from the variable volume pump is led to the hydraulic motor, and controls the regulator such that a differential pressure between the discharge pressure of the variable volume pump and the load pressure of the hydraulic motor is kept constant.
US08833063B2
A method of detecting ash in an exhaust particulate filter system for an internal combustion engine includes transmitting electromagnetic energy through an exhaust particulate filter containing soot and ash, and sensing a strength of the transmitted electromagnetic energy after having been attenuated in response to the soot. The method further includes electronically storing a filter monitoring history responsive to a difference between the transmitted strength and the sensed strength of the electromagnetic energy, and detecting an amount of the ash based at least in part upon a pattern of electromagnetic energy attenuation defined by the stored filter monitoring history. An exhaust particulate filter system for implementing related methodology includes a microprocessor configured to determine a value indicative of an amount of ash contained within an exhaust particulate filter responsive to a pattern of electromagnetic energy attenuation defined by a stored filter monitoring history.
US08833061B2
A method and device for regenerating an exhaust gas aftertreatment component for filtering soot particles in an engine having a first cylinder group, exhaust gases being guided through an exhaust gas channel and whose fuel/air mixture ratio is set via a fuel metering system, activated via a control unit, by a control loop for setting a lambda value using a signal of a first exhaust gas sensor, in the exhaust gas flow direction upstream from a catalytic converter, having at least another cylinder group, exhaust gases being guided through another exhaust gas channel and whose fuel/air mixture ratio is set via another fuel metering system by another control loop for setting another lambda value based on the signal of another exhaust gas sensor, in the exhaust gas flow direction upstream from a catalytic converter, the separate channels joined together downstream to form a shared channel, having a shared catalytic converter.
US08833056B2
In an internal combustion engine, inside an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and an exhaust purification catalyst (13) are arranged. A first hydrocarbon feed method which injections hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve (15) by predetermined feed intervals (ΔT) so that the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas falls to the demanded minimum air-fuel ratio (X) to thereby remove the NOx contained in the exhaust gas and a second hydrocarbon feed method which lowers the feed amount of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and feeds fuel to the combustion chambers (2) during a second half of the expansion stroke or the exhaust stroke are selectively used.
US08833054B2
The present invention provides a plasma arc torch that can be used for lean combustion. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, a linear actuator connected to the first electrode to adjust a position of the first electrode, a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that the center line of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and wherein the tangential inlet and the tangential outlet create a vortex within the cylindrical vessel, and the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle create a plasma that discharges through the hollow electrode nozzle.
US08833050B2
A double rustproof PC strand has superior durability and semi-permanent rustproof performance. A core wire and surrounding wires are formed of wires subjected to a wire drawing treatment and a plating treatment to be formed with a plated layer. A rustproof treatment is applied by forming a synthetic resin coat on an outer peripheral surface thereof. In order to uniformize and regulate the twisting pitch, the core wire and the surrounding wires are adjusted under the conditions of: (A) Diameter of CORE: 4.42±0.05 mm, Diameter of Surrounding wire: 4.25±0.05 mm, (B) Diameter of CORE: 5.22±0.05 mm, Diameter of Surrounding wire: 5.06±0.05 mm, or (C) Diameter of CORE: 5.40±0.05 mm, Diameter of Surrounding wire: 5.25±0.05 mm, and then twisted, and the tensile strength is 1850 N/mm2 or higher.
US08833046B2
A crop harvesting header, the top conditioning roll is set back from a conventional position slightly leading the bottom roller so as to instead reside directly over or slightly rearward of the bottom roller, whereby rejection of crop material back into the cutting zone by the top roller is reduced. A rear deflector compensates for a resulting lack of upward trajectory of crop material from the nip, acting to impart a lifting action to same as it exits the rear of the header. Concentrated streams of crop material from pairs of counter-rotating disks may be broken up by a rotational action of the deflector. A front deflector may be included to further prevent crop rejection by the top roller by directing lifted crop material downwardly toward the nip to avoid contact with an upper front quadrant of the top roller.
US08833038B2
A casing system for covering the edges of structural frameworks and the like. The system includes a first casing piece and a second casing piece shaped to fit together. The first casing piece has a decorative profile milled into at least one side or end edge. The second casing piece has a reverse image of the decorative profile milled into a side or end edge. The pieces fit together by abutting edges or sides having a decorative profile and the reverse image of the decorative profile.
US08833036B2
A sill is aligned in the vertical direction on a laser line. The alignment of the sill in the horizontal direction is undertaken with a line set of an assembly jig. The line set includes at least two lines, for example a first line and a second line. The first line runs by a first run from the first part of the assembly jig to a third marking of the first line and from there by a second run to the second part of the assembly jig. If the lines are tightened and the marking is at one corner of the sill and the free end of the second line at the other corner of the sill, the sill is aligned in horizontal direction.
US08833029B2
A floor panel is bounded in a horizontal plane by a top side, which is provided with a decorative layer, and an underside, which is provided for bearing on an underlying surface. The floor panel is provided with connecting structure for the releasable connection of at least two panels. The connecting structure is formed on at least one first side edge such that locking takes place in the transverse direction and vertical direction. A form-fitting element for locking in the vertical direction with a further panel is formed on a second side edge, which runs at an angle to the first side edge. A tongue is formed on the first side edge, the tongue extending in the longitudinal direction of the side edge, and a recess, corresponding to the tongue, is formed on an opposite side edge.
US08833028B2
Surface coverings, such as floor coverings, with an interlocking design are described. Methods of making the surface coverings are further described.
US08833027B2
A building panel having a hollow elongate structure with a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile. The elongate structure has first and second outer skins joined by parallel first and second side walls. A connection device of first and second ribs is on each side wall to connect to adjacent panels to form a segment of a wall or roof. The elongate structure includes two inner web skins extending between the first and second side walls to divide the interior of the elongate structure into three chambers. The triple chamber profile provides the panel with additional structural strength and rigidity, as well as improved thermal and sound insulation properties. The lower chamber may be fitted with a polycarbonate sheet to increase thermal and acoustic performance. The panel is polycarbonate.
US08833009B2
The invention provides a rail mounting system for attachment to elevated rib structure of a metal panel roof whereby the rib structure underlies and supports the rail mounting system at side rails and correspondingly the rib structure underlies and supports any load being supported by the side rails. First and second side rails can be attached to first and second rib structures, thereby supporting the load from the first and second rib structures. End closures can extend across the space between such first and second side rails at opposing ends of the side rails, thereby closing off the openings between the ends of the side rails and providing a closed support structure extending about the encompassed space and closing off laterally-directed access to the enclosed space.
US08833007B2
A modular floor tile comprising a substrate having a first land with a support surface and first and second perimeter portions each defining a second land with a surface recessed relative to the support surface, the first and second perimeter portions each defining spaced-apart T-lugs and alternating T-recesses, whereby two tiles join together by the T-recesses of a first tile receiving respective T-lugs of a second tile, and the support surface supporting footwear remote from the second land to avoid scuffing against the joined T-lugs and T-recesses which resist separation of adjacent tiles during use.
US08833006B2
Sheet metal plate for creating flooring, particularly of industrial vehicles, over which trucks are to run, having a plurality of patterns, the maximum height of said reliefs ranging between 0.2 and 1.5 mm, said reliefs having a friction surface which has a mean width of at least 1 mm, in which said reliefs are arranged in a plurality of aligned groups of reliefs all of the same shape, the same orientation, and with their centers of gravity substantially aligned in one and the same given direction (D), the minimum distance, measured in said direction (D), between two adjacent reliefs of one and the same aligned group being less than 6 mm. The direction (D) in which the aligned groups are aligned advantageously coincides with the direction (De) in which the trucks run.
US08833005B1
Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) assemblies and methods of installation thereof on building structures. The BIP assembly includes a base sheet or a sheath, which may be a plywood board or an oriented strand (OSB) board, and multiple electrically interconnected photovoltaic inserts, which are attached to and supported by the base sheet. The base sheet is configured to be positioned directly the building structures, such as roof rafters. Various electrical components may be positioned within cavities of the base sheet and/or at the back side of that sheet. Such components are configured to align in between the roof rafters during installation. The spacing between the rafters provides access to the components and allows the components to extend away from the base sheet and into the spacing. Various electrical components may be installed and removed from the BIP assembly during its fabrication and/or installation.
US08832992B2
A yarn object which, even though made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, can be satisfactorily prevented from color fading caused by contact with other objects or the like, can be produced easily at low cast, and can maintain high strength. The yarn object is colored with a colorant. The yarn object includes a core yarn 2 colored with a predetermined colorant and an outer-layer yarn 3 disposed on the periphery of the core yarn. The outer-layer yarn 3 is disposed in such a manner that the core yarn 2 is prevented from contacting with other objects. The outer-layer yarn 3 includes a transparent filament and a space 4 is formed between the outer-layer yarns 3. The color applied to the core yarn 2 is externally visible through the transparent outer-layer yarn 3 and the space therebetween 4.
US08832976B1
An apparatus for suspending or attaching a pinned badge that may identify a position, rank, and employer of an individual which may be attached to a belt, a ballistic bullet resistant vest, a helmet, a hat, a shirt, a jacket, or other articles of clothing, or suspended from a lanyard or necklace chain or other device.
US08832975B2
A bucket tooth for a construction vehicle includes a through-hole formed in a side wall part and passing through to a cavity. The through-hole has on a cavity side a rotating body hole having a shape of a truncated and rotated cone that remains after removing a large diameter side portion obtained by cutting diagonally to a rotational axis of the truncated and rotated cone with a large diameter side of the truncated and rotated cone being disposed on the cavity side, and with the rotational axis of the truncated and rotated cone being inclined outwardly toward the distal end portion of the bucket tooth from the cavity along a width direction of the bucket tooth.
US08832958B2
A removable and attachable tool for attachment to a measuring tape. The tool may have a body defining a cavity which is configured to receive the measuring tape. A cap may be hingedly attached to the body to secure the measuring tape in the cavity. The tool may have a mount, such as a tacky outer surface, for example, for temporarily affixing the tool to a workpiece. The tool may have a cavity for receiving a rigid member. The tool permits unassisted measuring using a measuring tape.
US08832956B2
A position adjusting device includes a support frame, two adjusting assemblies, and two distance detecting mechanisms. The support frame has a first assembly portion and a second assembly portion substantially parallel to the first assembly portion. The adjusting assemblies are slidably positioned on the second assembly portion. The distance detecting mechanisms are slidably positioned on the first assembly portion, and each of the two distance detecting mechanisms is connected to one adjusting assembly.
US08832947B2
A top-handle portable working machine includes a grip configuration that makes it easy for a worker to manipulate the implement as intended in order to adapt to tasks in which accuracy, fineness, or an attractive finish is needed. The direction of an axis in which the top grip extends and the direction of a working axis of the implement are inclined relative to each other in a vertical direction so as to intersect at a point to the rear of the housing at angle between 15 and 25°. A detachable grip-position restricting member is attachable to a concave part of the top grip.
US08832945B2
Tin snips includes two cutting blades intersecting each other for cutting and two handles for activating the cutting of the two cutting blades. A safety device is disposed in the tin snips for preventing the two cutting blades from opening. The safety device includes a protrusion extending from an edge of one of the handles, a recess provided in an edge of the handle having the protrusion, and a buckling element connected to the other of the handles. The buckling element includes two movable portions rotatable to cover a position where the two handles are drawn to a closed position, an engaging portion disposed between the two movable portions to cross the protrusion to engage into the recess when the movable portions rotate, and a restricting portion connected between the two movable portions and the engaging portion.
US08832938B2
Embodiments of the present inventions are directed to systems, devices for use with systems, and method of mounting and retaining solar panels. A solar module mounting system may include: a support mechanism including a support post pivotably attached to a support base, and an attachment module for attaching a solar panel to the support mechanism.
US08832931B2
An electronic module with an integrated electromagnetic shield using surface mount shield wall components has been disclosed. Each surface mount shield wall component provides side shielding of the circuitry within the overmolded electronic module and provides an exposed conductive shield wall section to which a top conductive shield can be applied. By including the shield structure as part of the overmolded electronic module, the need for a separate shield and separate process steps for installing the separate shield can be eliminated. Each surface mount shield wall component comprises a non-conductive portion that provides stability during a reflow soldering process, but at least a sacrificial portion of the non-conductive portion can be removed to reduce the amount of area occupied by the overmoldable shield structure.
US08832925B2
An apparatus and a method for manufacturing a stator is disclosed. The stator includes a stator core having slots formed along an axial direction at a plurality of locations in a circumferential direction, and a coil formed by combining a plurality of rectangular wires that have a plurality of straight portions being disposed in the slots and arranged side by side in the circumferential direction and in a radial direction. A restriction jig having a number of restriction pieces is disposed on a first-end side of the coil in the axial direction. The coil is inserted into the stator core from the first-end side in the axial direction to dispose the straight portions in the slots. Circumferential positions of the straight portions are restricted along the axial direction through contact with the restriction pieces by relatively moving the restriction jig and the coil in the axial direction.
US08832920B2
A standoff adaptor for a threaded hollow wall anchor for mounting an item to a wall. A threaded member has a washer mounted thereon with a recess to receive and contact the head of a mounting anchor. The distal end of the threaded member is received into a standoff having at its opposite end a bolt threadedly mounted thereto for holding an item between the bolt and standoff.
US08832914B2
A system for the automated coiling of a jelly roll electrode assembly for controlled assembly and tensioning of jelly roll assembly is provided. The system includes: a shuttle, and a mandrel to which electrodes are welded; a base, mateable with the shuttle and on which the battery head assembly is mounted for welding to the mandrel; and a coiling device. The coiling device has an upper spool, a lower spool, holding a separator strip and a platform between the two holding the base. The separator strip is threaded through a passage in the mandrel separating positive and negative portions. Rotating the mandrel coils the positive electrode, the separator strip and the negative electrode to coil around the mandrel. The coiling device may include a feedback loop braking one or both spools and allowing the coiling tension to be programmed to a desired level.
US08832909B2
A slide fastener for preventing core strings from being caught in a gap between upper and lower flanges, securing the flexibility of the slide fastener when engaged, and improving the designability of the slide fastener. The gap dimension between the upper and lower flanges of a slider in the up-down direction is smaller than the core string dimension in the front-rear direction when the core strings are pressed with the pressure of 5 kgf. Fastener elements are independently disposed in the up-down direction of a tape member when engaged. The fastener element has a design portion disposed at a front side of the tape member, and an engaging portion disposed at a rear side of the tape member so as to engage with adjacent fastener element, and the design portion is disposed distant from the adjacent design portion when engaged and having a hemispherical shape with a curved shape.
US08832908B2
A reclosable zipper is disclosed which includes a first profile containing a first interlocking element and a first product side flange. A second profile is provided which contains a second product side flange and a second interlocking element for reclosably interlocking with the first interlocking element. A sachet is provided on a flange either on the product or consumer side or extending between the first and second flanges.
US08832900B2
There is provided a windshield washer system. The windshield washer system includes: washer nozzles for injecting washer fluid onto a top portion of a windshield, in which an imaging area is included in a field of view of an imaging device that is located in a vehicle cabin; and a washer fluid supplier for supplying the washer fluid to the washer nozzles by pressurizing the washer fluid. The washer nozzles include a first nozzle having a spray pattern covering an area other than the imaging area and a second nozzle having a spray pattern covering the imaging area. The spray pattern of the second nozzle is narrower than the spray pattern of the first nozzle.
US08832899B2
The present invention provides a used oil wiping brush for a toothed rack, which includes a handle and a wiper mounted on the handle. The wiper includes a coupling section and a wiping section projecting outward from the coupling section. The wiping section has a free end forming a plurality of teeth. The plurality of teeth has an outside configuration complementary to the tooth shape of the rack to be wiped. The used oil wiping brush for a toothed rack according to the present invention, which includes the teeth formed on the wiper to be complementary to tooth configuration of the toothed rack for effectively removing used oil from the toothed rack and thus improving the result of cleaning and maintenance of the toothed rack and enhancing efficiency of maintenance.
US08832897B2
An improved dual paint roller frame has a pliers-like construction to allow for roller covers to be moved closer together or farther apart depending upon the surface to be painted. Dual-roller covers are disposed on pivotable roller arms such that the relative angle of one roller cover to the other roller cover can be adjusted depending upon the surface to be painted. The pivot point of the pliers-like construction is switchable such that the pliers selectively apply complementary or opposite movement to the roller covers. A roller cover lock allows the paint roller to function with different sizes of roller covers. An end cap may include an adjustable length roller guide to bias the roller arms away from walls, window sills and the like.
US08832888B2
A mattress assembly includes an inner core comprising a base core layer comprising planar top and bottom surfaces, and at least one comfort layer comprising planar top and bottom surfaces disposed on the top surface of the base core layer; a side rail assembly disposed about a perimeter of the inner core; and a plurality of air channels extending from a central region of the inner core to the side rail assembly configured to permit the flow of fluid from and to the inner core.
US08832885B2
A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress having at least one bladder forming at least part of a patient support surface, a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress, and a control system. The control system including at least one sensor, which includes an emitter and a receiver, with the emitter directing light into the bladder. The receiver receives a reflection from the light directed into the bladder, and the control system detects the immersion of a patient into the mattress based on the reflection received by the receiver.
US08832880B2
An improved baby blanket designed to enhance interactions between infants and caregivers to improve social development, reaching developmental milestones, provide a soothing environment, mitigate Colic and reduce gastric reflux by placing an infant facing the caregiver between the caregiver's upper legs with knees bent and the caregiver in a seated position on a flat surface. This improved baby blanket is comprised of a generally rectangular shaped fabric blanket which is of sufficient length to cover a caregiver's legs and torso, which is further comprised of foot warmer pockets, side panels with reinforced stitching attaching said side panels to said blanket and a removable swaddle attachment, said swaddle attachment being further comprised of a generally rectangular fabric swaddle blanket comprised of side flaps and a bottom flap which are folded and removably attached to each other by attachment means to wrap an infant in said swaddle blanket which swaddle blanket is removably attached to said baby blanket.
US08832879B2
The female cushion/pillow support devices described herein may provide comfort and/or support to a woman's breasts while lying in a prone position, e.g., on their stomach. For example, the support devices herein may enhance comfort for women after an operation and/or experiencing other medical issues, women with breast augmentation, and the like, to facilitate them lying in the prone position. In addition, the support devices may protect the breasts when flattened by the woman's weight. The support device may have a thickness sufficient to raise the user's body away from the support surface to reduce or substantially eliminate pressure on the breasts received within the openings.
US08832878B2
Disclosed herein are apparatuses for supporting a person in an upright position while sleeping or resting in a bed such that the person can avoid sliding down into a horizontal position as a result of natural forces of gravity and normal movement during sleep. According to an aspect, an apparatus includes a harness configured to hold a person, an anchor to secure the harness to a bed, and a tether having one end connected to the harness and another end connected to the anchor. The anchor can include a support member and an insert extending from the support member such that the upper surface of the insert comes into contact with a mattress and the lower surface of the insert comes into contact with a bed-base. The apparatus can hold the person in the same position on the bed allowing them to remain upright while sleeping or resting.
US08832877B2
Disclosed is a composite disposable bed linen package that combines the individual bed linen elements of fitted bottom sheet, top sheet and pillow case into a single element so assembled and attached to meet the specific needs of healthcare applications. The composite disposable bed linen package is designed for, but not limited to, single occupancy institutional beds.
US08832876B1
A collapsible mattress support for a box spring includes hinges on opposite sides of a middle cross bar. First and second side bars are pivotally attached to one hinge, and third and fourth side bars are pivotally attached to the other hinge. Each of the bars rotates about parallel axes that are orthogonal to the hinges. The four side bars each has a common width. A first distance between the axes about which the first and second bars rotate equals twice the common width of the bars plus a second distance between the axes about which the third and fourth bars rotate. In one embodiment, the cross bars are extendable. The components of the mattress support for Queen, California King and Eastern King sized mattresses fit in a packing box whose length is no greater than 45 inches and whose width and height are each no more than 7 inches.
US08832875B2
A transfer assist apparatus includes: an arm portion that has a first joint and a second joint; a holder portion linked to the arm portion; a manipulation handle for manipulating the position and the posture of the holder portion; a first drive mechanism that drives the first joint; a second drive mechanism that drives the second joint; and a control portion that controls the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism so that the posture of the holder portion is maintained in a predetermined acceptable range, based on information that is input from the manipulation handle, and angle information regarding the first joint and the second joint.
US08832870B2
An adjustable hockey helmet includes a front shell that is longitudinally movable relative to a rear shell to adjust the length of the helmet. One or more substantially rigid straps or similar elements are attached to the front shell and extend to the interior of the rear shell. A cam mechanism or similar device is included on the rear shell for securing the straps directly or indirectly against the interior of the rear shell to prevent longitudinal movement of the front shell relative to the rear shell once the helmet is adjusted to a desired length. Alternatively, the one or more straps may be attached to the rear shell and the cam mechanism may be included on the front shell.
US08832866B2
Suspenders particularly for wearing under outer garments and for connecting a wearer's shirt to his/her socks. The straps of the suspenders are preferably positioned in a “Y”-type shape with three ends. Each of the ends has a fastener for attachment to a shirt or a sock.
US08832865B2
An insulating garment includes an inner fabric having a knitted laminar structure adapted to absorb perspiration of a user. The inner fabric utilizes polymer fibers and a mixture of polyamide and polyester multifilaments present in an amount of between 30-50% and have a thickness between 0.3-3 dtex. An outer fabric has a knitted laminar structure and an inner surface including a moisture repellent finish adapted to repel perspiration of a user. The outer fabric utilizes polyester-brushed cotton threads in an amount of between 40-60% of the fabric. The end portions of the inner and outer fabrics are stitched together to form an air chamber there between. In use, perspiration from a user is absorbed by the inner fabric into the air chamber, where it can evaporate.
US08839459B2
A system is provided for inside-to-outside or outside-to-inside cryptographic coding that facilitates product authentication along a distribution channel. An association of authenticated, secured codes is generated between inner items (e.g., pharmaceutical doses such as pills, capsules, tablets) and outer items (e.g., packaging containing inner items). For instance, an inner code associated with a first item is used to generate (at least partially) an outer code associated with a second item that contains one or more first items. This process may be repeated multiple times with codes for outer items being a function of codes for inner items. The sequence of items may be authenticated by the dependent relationship between their codes.
US08839446B2
An archive of an object set may include various security features that enable a detection of alterations of the contents of the objects. However, the security measures of an archive may fail to detect an inadvertent or intentional alteration of the structure of the object set, including the addition of new objects, changes to the metadata (e.g., the name, position within the object set, and location and size within the archive) of respective objects of the object set, and the deletion of directory entries for the objects. Therefore, an archive may be generated with verifiers (e.g., hashcodes) calculated not only for the contents of objects, but for the directory of the archive, and may be included in the signature of the archive. This verification may extend the detecting of alteration of the archive to include the structure of the archive as well as the contents of the objects contained therein.
US08839442B2
The system and method for enabling remote registry service security audits described herein may include scanning a network to construct a model or topology of the network. In particular, the model or topology of the network may include characteristics describing various devices in the network, which may be analyzed to determine whether a remote registry service has been enabled on the devices. For example, the security audits may include performing one or more credentialed policy scans to enable the remote registry service for certain devices that have disabled the remote registry service, auditing the devices in response to enabling the remote registry service, and then disabling the remote registry service on the devices. Thus, the system and method described herein may enable remotely scanning information contained in device registries during a security audit without exposing the device registries to malicious activity.
US08839441B2
A method and system for adaptive vulnerability scanning (AVS) of an application is provided. The adaptive vulnerability scanning of an application assists in identifying new vulnerabilities dynamically. The endpoints of an application are scanned using a predefined set of rules. Subsequently, one or more possible vulnerabilities are presented. The vulnerabilities are analyzed and predefined rules are modified. The steps of scanning the application and modification of rules are iteratively repeated till the adaptive vulnerability scanning capability is achieved. A neural network is used for training the adaptive vulnerability scanner. This neural network is made to learn some rules based on predefined set of rules while undergoing the training phase. At least one weight in neural networks is altered while imparting the self learning capability.
US08839429B2
Methods, devices, and systems for detecting return-oriented programming (ROP) exploits are disclosed. A system includes a processor, a main memory, and a cache memory. A cache monitor develops an instruction loading profile by monitoring accesses to cached instructions found in the cache memory and misses to instructions not currently in the cache memory. A remedial action unit terminates execution of one or more of the valid code sequences if the instruction loading profile is indicative of execution of an ROP exploit involving one or more valid code sequences. The instruction loading profile may be a hit/miss ratio derived from monitoring cache hits relative to cache misses. The ROP exploits may include code snippets that each include an executable instruction and a return instruction from valid code sequences.
US08839426B1
A server system receives messages from client computing devices. Each of the messages corresponds to a transaction. The server system assigns each respective transaction to a respective fresh virtual machine. Furthermore, the server system performs, as part of a respective virtual machine processing a respective transaction, a modification associated with the respective transaction to a shared database. The shared database is persisted independently of the plurality of virtual machines. In response to determining that processing of the respective transaction is complete, the server system discards the respective virtual machine. In response to determining that the respective transaction is associated with a cyber-attack, the server system uses checkpoint data associated with the respective transaction to roll back the modifications associated with the respective transaction to the shared database.
US08839413B2
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving at a computing device that is in a locked state, one or more user inputs to unlock the device and to execute at least one command that is different from a command for unlocking the device. The method further includes executing in response to the user inputs to unlock the device an unlocking operation by the device to convert the device from a locked state to an unlocked state. The method further includes executing the at least one command in response to receiving the user inputs to execute the at least one command. The at least one command executes so that results of executing the at least one command are first displayed on the device to a user automatically after the device changes from the locked state to the unlocked state.
US08839411B2
A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: determining which of a plurality of users detected in proximate vicinity of a computing device has primary control of the computing device; and providing a particular level of access, via the computing device, to one or more items, the particular level of access to be provided to the one or more items being in response, at least in part, to said determining. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08839399B2
Tenant driven security in a storage cloud is provided. A method includes determining whether a tenant places a physical key into a slot associated with a hard disk provided by a service provider. The method further includes allowing the tenant to have access to the hard disk after determining that the tenant has placed the physical key into the slot.
US08839397B2
A server device is configured to receive, from a proxy server, a request by a user device to access a network; obtain information associated with the user device that includes an identifier associated with the user device and context information associated with the user device; determine a level of trust associated with the user device based on the identifier and the context information, where the level of trust is a measure of security risk associated with the user device; generate an access token based on the level of trust, where the access token identifies a level at which the user device is authorized to access the network; and send, to the user device via the proxy server, the access token that enables the proxy server to authorize the user device to access the network at the level identified by the access token.
US08839395B2
A single sign-on (SSO) system uses simple one-to-one trust relationships between individual applications and an SSO service to extend log in services from one application to another. Each application retains its own login policies and can separately make a decision whether to trust the SSO request or challenge the user for login credentials. By structuring the SSO system to use simple identity mapping, there is no requirement for consolidating user identity records from multiple applications into a single database with its attendant overhead and dependency risks.
US08839391B2
A method that includes storing multiple, separate data sets where each data set is related to an access code that is based on a combination of data related to the user and data related to a service provider is described herein.
US08839380B2
The invention relates to a method for the temporary personalization of a communication device (1). After producing a communication connection (4) between the communication device (1) and an authentication device (2), an authentication request (6) is transmitted from the authentication device (2) to the communication device (1). A unique feature (7) of the user is then acquired and transmitted to the authentication device (2) by acquisition means of the communication device (1), where it is compared to a stored reference feature (30). Upon correspondence, a user identification (10) is transmitted to the communication device (1). The invention further relates to a communication device and an authentication device which are implemented to carry out the method.
US08839353B2
A trusted platform module stores information in a protected object having an associated policy. A program requesting access to the information is allowed to access the information if the policy is satisfied, and is denied access to the information if the policy is not satisfied. The trusted platform module uses one or more monotonic counters associated with the protected object to track attempts to access the information. If a threshold number of unsuccessful requests to access the information are received, then the trusted platform module locks the information to prevent the program from accessing the information for an indefinite amount of time.
US08839348B2
An authorization algorithm of a software component can be selected. A static code analysis can be performed to determine a conditional statement within an algorithm of the software component. The outcome of the conditional statement can be established based on an input and a criteria using dynamic code analysis. The input can be a value associated with a claim set of a claims-based authentication policy. The criteria can be an authentication criteria specified within the algorithm. Responsive to the outcome, an execution path associated with the outcome can be determined and a code coverage criterion can be met for the conditional statement.
US08839347B2
An approach is provided for providing privacy in cognitive radio information sharing. A cognitive radio privacy platform receives a request, from a device, for performing one or more operations on cognitive radio information stored in at least one information space. The cognitive radio privacy platform also determines one or more privacy policies associated with the device, the one or more operations, the cognitive radio information, the at least one information space, or a combination thereof. The cognitive radio privacy platform further processes and/or facilitates a processing of the one or more privacy policies to determine an availability, a restriction, or a combination thereof of the cognitive radio information. The cognitive radio privacy platform also causes, at least in part, the performing of the one or more operations based, at least in part, on the availability, the restriction, or a combination thereof of the cognitive radio information.
US08839345B2
Techniques for mapping at least one physical system and at least one virtual system into at least two separate execution environments are provided. The techniques include discovering an implicitly enforced security policy in an environment comprising at least one physical system and at least one virtual system, using the discovered policy to create an enforceable isolation policy, and using the isolation policy to map the at least one physical system and at least one virtual system into at least two separate execution environments. Techniques are also provided for generating a database of one or more isolation policies.
US08839343B2
Systems, devices, and methods for live event augmentation are provided. A central server computer system detects intelligent beverage containers at an event. The beverage containers include an integrated electronic display. Extrinsic data is received during the course of the event that is used to generate a message. The message is transmitted to the beverage containers at the event to update the electronic display. The extrinsic data may be related to the event or to an activity occurring separate from the event. The electronic display of the beverage containers may be changed periodically during the event. The beverage containers may be divided into one or more groups based on information stored in a user account associated with each beverage container. Different messages can be sent to the different groups to display different information on the beverage containers of each group.
US08839335B2
A method of processing a multi-mode service (MMS) broadcast signal in a digital television receiver facilitates the selection of logical channels of a received MMS broadcast according to user preference. The method includes steps of receiving a transport stream corresponding to a selected channel; extracting side information from the received transport stream; determining, based on the extracted side information, whether the selected channel is an MMS broadcast channel broadcasting a primary broadcast program, the MMS broadcast channel including a single physical channel accompanied by a plurality of logical channels configured with the single physical channel, each logical channel transmitting a different programming attribute of the primary broadcast program; and displaying information on the plurality of logical channels, if it is determined that the selected channel is an MMS broadcast channel.
US08839332B2
A system for delivering content to users from a content provider including a transmission system for transmitting content in a series of segments and a plurality of receivers, each of the receivers comprising a memory, a processor, and an output driver. The memory may have stored therein instructions that, when executed, will cause the processor to perform the following steps: (1) comparing each of the received segments to any previously stored segments to determine whether each received segment has been previously stored; (2) for a particular received segment that has not been previously stored, storing the segment in the memory; (3) for a particular received segment that has been previously stored, determining whether the received segment is missing data and, if it is, retrieving the missing data, if available, from the corresponding previously stored segment; and (4) providing each of the received segments to the output driver along with any missing data retrieved from the memory. In preferred embodiments, the system is useful for enabling the smooth provision of content to a user as any missing data contained in a received data stream can be obtained, if available, in the memory.
US08839328B2
In an IP multimedia gateway, locations corresponding to communicatively coupled communication devices are determined and transmitted to a service provider device (SPD) that provides services to the communication devices. Communication devices receive location based service profiles from the (SPD) based on the determined locations. Services content from the (SPD) is communicated with the communication devices and/or with the (SPD), based on the profiles. The determined locations are received from communication devices which may be local or remote. A device location map is generated to be displayed by communication devices. The gateway may be integrated in an STB/DTV that displays the determined locations. Content is communicated to communication devices based on their location. The (SPD) may provide content and/or control information for communication device services. Locations are associated with client devices for detecting cloned client devices where determined locations are different than associated locations and/or for restricting services based on location.
US08839327B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect one or more temporal actions initiated by each of a plurality of users while presenting a media program to said plurality of users, generate one or more symbolic overlays according to the one or more temporal actions collected for each user, and combine the presentation of the media program with a presentation of the one or more symbolic overlays. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08839318B2
Media content quick speed presentation systems and methods are operable to present selected portions of a media content stream at a quick speed presentation rate. An exemplary embodiment receives the media content stream; identifies a normal speed scene in the received media content, wherein the normal speed scene is presented at a normal speed presentation rate; and identifies a quick speed scene in the received media content, wherein the quick speed scene is presented at a quick speed presentation rate.
US08839315B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a media device operating externally to the communication device actively engaged in presenting media content, detect an incoming communication session initiated by another communication device, present a notice identifying the media device and the media content being presented by the media device, detect a directive to modify an operation of the media device to mitigate interrupting a communication session with the other communication device, and instruct the media device to modify its operation according to the directive. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08839314B2
A method at a first set top box includes transmitting to a second set top box a request to use a television tuner associated with the second set top box. The method further includes receiving a return recording option from the second set top box. The method also includes generating an indication of a rejection of the request from the second set top box based on the received return recording option. The indication includes a graphical message specifying the rejection of the request.
US08839312B1
Multiple systems for delivering satellite signals are described. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention comprises a receive antenna, including at least one low noise block amplifier (LNB), and a module, coupled to and proximate the receive antenna, the module comprising a multiswitch, coupled to the LNB, for directing the satellite signals received by the LNB to a plurality of outputs of the multiswitch, a plurality of tuners, respectively coupled to the outputs of the multiswitch, for tuning to a plurality of specific portions of the satellite signals in a respective fashion, the specific portions of the satellite signals selected based on commands received from a plurality of receivers, and an interface for delivering the specific portions of the satellite signals to the plurality of receivers, wherein the specific portions of the satellite signals are combined into a single combined signal and delivered to the plurality of receivers on a single output of the interface.
US08839310B2
Data for one, or more, services is encoded using a scalable channel code and divided for transmission over N transmitters such that reception by a receiver of at least M of the transmitted signals, where M
US08839308B2
A method includes transmitting media content to a set-top box. The media content includes an advertisement having a selectable reminder indicator related to an event. The method further includes receiving an input selection related to the selectable reminder indicator from the set-top box, sending a first menu to the set-top box including at least one option to schedule a reminder associated with the event, and sending a second menu to the set-top box in response to receiving a selection of the at least one option. The second menu includes a device menu including an option to specify a device order in which to send the reminder to a plurality of devices.
US08839303B2
A computer implemented method for using search queries related to television programs. A server receives a user's search query from an electronic device. The server then determines, in accordance with the search query and television program related information for television programs available at a location associated with the electronic device during a specific time window, a television program currently being displayed in proximity to the electronic device, wherein the television program related information includes program descriptions for a plurality of television programs being broadcast for the associated location.
US08839302B2
An apparatus for receiving a broadcast stream, and a method for use of the apparatus, are disclosed. The apparatus includes an application portal for launching a predefined application. The apparatus receives application information including identification ID information which identifies an application and protocol information which indicates a protocol to be used to launch the identified application, and launches the predefined application from the application portal in response to the ID information identifying the predefined application and the protocol information indicating the application portal. The apparatus may be arranged to only launch the identified application from the portal in response to the predefined application has at least the minimum version number. The application information can be received as an Application Information Table (AIT), and the ID information can be provided as organization_id and application_id fields in the AIT.
US08839296B2
A program guide generation apparatus includes: a program-related information acquisition unit that acquires program-related information including information related to a start time of a broadcast program, information related to a broadcast duration length being the length of the duration of the broadcast of the broadcast program; a program display frame size calculation unit that calculates a time-base size obtained from the broadcast duration length and calculates an inside content size; a program guide generation unit that generates layout data of the program display frame in accordance with the time-base size calculated by the program display frame size calculation unit; and a display update unit that, upon a program display frame being selected by an operation input inputted via an input device, changes a size of the selected program display frame to the inside content size.
US08839291B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for estimating demographic compositions of television audiences from audience similarities. In an aspect, pairwise cosine similarities of segment of viewers of rated and unrated television programs are determined, demographic information of rated programs is attributed to the unrated programs from the cosine similarity measures and demographic information for the rated programs.
US08839285B2
A method includes receiving video content via an access network of a video distribution network at a set-top box device associated with a subscriber. One or more communication devices are associated with the subscriber. The method includes sending the video content to a display device coupled to the set-top box device. The method includes receiving a notification of a message directed to a particular communication device of the one or more communication devices at the set-top box via the access network. The method includes selecting a message indicator based on configuration settings associated with the subscriber. The method also includes sending the message indicator to the display device to overlay a portion of the video content.
US08839282B2
A system for monitoring the quality of DRM-protected multimedia data streams, the system comprising at least one computer having a network connection to receive at least one said DRM-protected multimedia data stream, program memory, working memory, and a processor coupled to said program memory, working memory, and wherein said program memory stores processor control code for a media player for said multimedia data stream and code to control said processor to: play said DRM-protected multimedia data stream to provide at least a decrypted video data output stream for display on a monitor; capture still image data from a succession of still images from said video data output stream; process said still image data to detect greater than a threshold difference between at least two of said still images; and output fault data identifying a potential video quality fault responsive to absence of detection of said greater than a threshold difference.
