US08853516B2

In an audio analysis apparatus, a component acquirer acquires a component matrix composed of an array of component values, columns of the component matrix corresponding to the sequence of unit periods of an audio signal and rows of the component matrix corresponding to a series of unit bands of the audio signal arranged in a frequency-axis direction. A difference generator generates a plurality of shift matrices each obtained by shifting the columns of the component matrix in the time-axis direction with a different shift amount, and generates a plurality of difference matrices each composed of an array of element values in correspondence to the plurality of the shift matrices, the element value representing a difference between the corresponding component values of the shift matrix and the component matrix. A feature amount extractor generates a tonal feature amount including a plurality of series of feature values corresponding to the plurality of difference matrices, one series of feature values corresponding to the series of unit bands of the difference matrix, one feature value representing a sequence of element values arranged in the time-axis direction at the corresponding unit band of the difference matrix.
US08853513B2

The subject matter of the present invention is a vibrato device which can be used in most stringed musical instruments as an integral unit to effectively vary and return the instrument to pitch/in tune. The vibrato device can include a plurality of flush tension springs, a mounting plate and a pivoting element to change the tension of the strings and change tune accordingly. Additionally, the combination of the mounting plate and pivoting bridge element can allow for easy interchangeable parts when desired and for strings to stay in pitch in the event one or more strings break.
US08853506B2

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated LFX6244, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line LFX6244 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line LFX6244, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line LFX6244, and plants produced according to these methods.
US08853500B2

The disclosure relates to a cotton variety, designated P04X.3074, the plants and seeds of the cotton variety P04X.3074, methods for producing a cotton plant, either varietal or hybrid, produced by crossing the cotton variety P04X.3074 with itself or with another cotton plant, hybrid cotton seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety P04X.3074 with another cotton variety or plant, methods for producing a cotton plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes, and the transgenic cotton plants produced by that method. This disclosure also relates to cotton varieties derived from cotton variety P04X.3074, to methods for producing other cotton varieties derived from cotton variety P04X.3074, and to the varieties derived by the use of those methods.
US08853494B2

Disclosed herein are novel variant bacterial cold shock proteins and recombinant DNA for expressing such proteins to produce transgenic plants with enhanced stress tolerance and/or enhanced yield.
US08853491B2

Transgenic plants, and a method for making the same, wherein genes encoding the enzyme luciferase and its corresponding substrate luciferin are incorporated into a native plant genome. Once transformed into plant cells, these genes may be regulated such that under certain endogenous or exogenous conditions, their expression in the mature plant results in bioluminescence. Different luciferin/luciferase complexes and/or mechanisms of regulation may be utilized for these transgenic plants, depending on a variety of factors such as plant species and the circumstances under which a biolmuniescent reaction is desired. Phototransformation may be utilized to vary the wavelength of light emitted from the mature plant.
US08853490B2

Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for novel variants of antipathogenic polypeptides generated through DNA shuffling that exhibit improved antipathogenic activity. Polynucleotides that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the polynucleotides disclosed herein is further provided. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a microorganism comprising an antipathogenic polynucleotide of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided. Plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising an antipathogenic polynucleotide or polypeptide of the invention are also disclosed.
US08853489B2

The present invention relates to methods for controlling pest infestation using double stranded RNA molecules. The invention provides methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, as well as pesticidal agents and commodity products produced by the inventive plants. The invention also provides transgenic plants that are resistant to insect pest infestation.
US08853487B2

[Problems]To provide a disposable absorbent article that can generate a large temperature change on a surface thereof.[Means for Solving Problems]A disposable absorbent article comprising, at an area including a crotch portion, an absorbent portion which has a liquid pervious face sheet (30), a liquid impervious sheet (11) and an absorbent structure (50) that is interposed therebetween is configured that on a surface of an absorbent body (56) having a high absorbent polymer at least in a face side layer thereof, a temperature changing substance (40) for cooling or heating urine by contact with the urine is sprinkled and that the urine, which has been cooled or heated by the temperature changing substance (40), can be absorbed and retained in the face side layer of the absorbent body (56).
US08853482B2

In a process for dealkylating a poly-alkylated aromatic compound, a feed comprising at least one poly-alkylated aromatic compound selected from polypropylbenzene, polybutylbenzene, and polycyclohexylbenzene is introduced into a reaction zone. The feed is then contacted in the reaction zone with an acid catalyst under conditions effective to dealkylate at least a portion of the poly-alkylated aromatic compound and produce a first reaction product comprising at least one mono-alkylated aromatic compound.
US08853478B2

The present invention relates to an integrated method for producing cellulose and at least one low-molecular-weight reusable material, in which a starting material containing lignocellulose is provided and subjected to a decomposition with a processing medium. A fraction enriched with cellulose and a fraction depleted of cellulose is then isolated from the decomposition material, the depleted fraction of cellulose being subjected to a treatment during which at least one low-molecular-weight reusable material is obtained.
US08853468B2

Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an esterification product, such as ethyl acetate. The processes comprise esterifying, in the vapor phase, acetic acid and an alcohol such as ethanol to produce the esterification product. The esterification product is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising the alcohol, in particular ethanol, which may be separated from the crude reaction mixture.
US08853451B2

A method is disclosed for preparing hydrazides from hydrazine and an acyl chloride which comprises the steps of (a) preparing a stirred substantially uniform slurry comprising hydrazine and an inert solvent at low temperature; and (b) adding an acyl chloride continuously to said slurry. The method avoids or limits production of undesired bis-hydrazide by-products. The method is used to prepare 3-methyl-3-mercaptobutanoic acid hydrazide, a molecule used to link calicheamicin to a monoclonal antibody.
US08853449B2

Process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I)
US08853445B2

The present invention is directed to a novel process for the preparation of protected L-alanine derivatives, useful as intermediates in the synthesis of compounds useful as mu/delta opioid modulators.
US08853433B2

A process is provided for preparing C8-C22 acyl amido compounds via reaction in a polyol (molecular weight 76 to 400) of interesterifying a fatty acid ester with an amino compound or salt thereof. The resultant mass of material will have a Hunter Lab Color Scale value L ranging from 70 to 100.
US08853425B2

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of benzodithiophene compounds which comprises reacting a derivative of 3,3′-bithiophene with at least one internal alkyne. Said benzodithiophene compounds can be suitably functionalized and polymerized to give electron-donor compounds which can be used in photovoltaic devices such as, for example, photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic modules, solar cells, solar modules, on both rigid and flexible supports. Furthermore said benzodithiophene compounds can be advantageously used as spectrum converter in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). Said benzodithiophene compound can also be advantageously used as precursor of monomeric units in the preparation of semiconductor polymers.
US08853422B2

The present disclosure relates to a compound of the formula I or a tribologically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, or proadditive thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined herein. Such novel pyrrolidine, or succinimide, derivatives may be useful as friction modifiers in lubricant compositions. This disclosure also relates to a method of using such friction modifier compounds in lubricating fluid formulations to lubricate machine parts, including gear, axle, engine, and transmission parts, and to lubricant compositions containing such friction modifier compounds.
US08853421B2

The present invention relates to two novel crystalline forms of zofenopril calcium, to processes for their preparation and their use in pharmaceutical compositions.
US08853415B2

The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including CF Transmembrane Regulator (“CFTR”), compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08853414B2

Disclosed is a process for efficiently producing pyripyropene derivatives having acyloxy at the 1-position and 11-position and hydroxyl at the 7-position. The process comprises selectively acylating hydroxyl at the 1-position and 11-position of a compound represented by formula B1 through one to three steps with an acylating agent in the presence or absence of a base.
US08853404B2

Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonists and methods of using them are provided.
US08853394B2

A compound of formula A having improved non-specific binding characteristics and pharmacokinetic properties is provided: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or hydrate thereof.
US08853389B2

The present invention relates to a novel process for refining Cefmetazole sodium, comprising the steps of: 1) dissolving Cefmetazole sodium material in water, and extracting after adding a water-immiscible organic solvent(s), followed by separating the organic phase containing impurities, to provide an aqueous phase containing Cefmetazole sodium; 2) treating by adding an alkoxide of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal into the above aqueous phase, followed by filtrating the precipitate, to provide an aqueous filtrate; and 3) adding ethanol or acetone in the aqueous solution and recrystallizing, followed by centrifuging and washing the resultant crystals, to provide the refined and purified Cefmetazole sodium after drying. The purity of Cefmetazole sodium material can be greatly improved by the process of the present invention.
US08853383B2

The present invention is concerned with means and methods for allowing tissue specific and, in particular, seed specific expression of genes. The present invention, accordingly, relates to a polynucleotide comprising an expression control sequence which allows seed specific expression of a nucleic acid of interest being operatively linked thereto. Moreover, the present invention contemplates vectors, host cells, non-human transgenic organisms comprising the aforementioned polynucleotide as well as methods and uses of such a polynucleotide.
US08853375B2

The invention relates to TLR9 antagonist compounds and their therapeutic or prophylactic use. The invention provides novel immune regulatory oligonucleotides and immunomers as antagonist of TLRs and methods of use thereof. These immune regulatory oligonucleotides have unique sequences that suppress, without completely ablating, TLR-mediated signaling in response to a TLR ligand or TLR signaling agonist. The methods may have use in the prevention and treatment of autoimmunity, inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, allergy, asthma, infection, sepsis, cancer and immunodeficiency.
US08853372B2

A novel saccharide siloxane copolymer has improved stability in the presence of water as compared to certain previously known saccharide siloxanes. The saccharide siloxane copolymer is useful in personal care compositions.
US08853359B2

The present invention provides peptides capable of sustaining antagonist activity against substance P for long periods of time. A peptide selected from (a) to (d) can sustain antagonist activity against substance P, analgesic activity, and anti-inflammation activity for a long period of time: (SEQ ID NO: 3) (a) Ala-Tyr-Gln-Leu-Glu-His-Thr-DTrp-Gln-Gly-Leu- Leu-NH2; (b) a peptide consisting of a partial sequence of (a), which consists of 6 to 11 consecutive amino acids comprising at least the C-terminal Thr-DTrp-Gln-Gly-Leu-Leu-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 18); (c) Ala-Tyr-Gln-Leu-Glu-His-Thr-Phe-Gln-DTrp-Leu-Leu-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 4); and (d) a peptide consisting of a partial sequence of (c), which consists of 6 to 11 consecutive amino acids comprising at least the C-terminal Thr-Phe-Gln-DTrp-Leu-Leu-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 8).
US08853358B2

The present invention provides peptides and peptide analogs that have tissue protective activities while having little or no potentially undesirable hematopoietic effects. The peptides and peptide analogs are useful in preventing and treating a variety of diseases and disorders associated with tissue damage.
US08853354B2

A polyion complex (PIC) or a PIC nanoparticle that may be easily prepared, and that is finally disappeared in vivo due to its suitable biodegradability while exhibiting high stability in vivo, an immunotherapy agent comprising the PIC nanoparticle to which various antigen proteins or peptides may be easily conjugated or incorporated and/or which may be easily mixed with the antigen proteins or peptides, as well as a process for preparing thereof are provided. Specifically, a polyion complex (PIC) comprising a hydrophobized poly(acidic amino acid) and a basic polypeptide, a nanoparticle thereof having a particle shape, an immunotherapy agent comprising the PIC nanoparticle, as well as a process for preparing the PIC, comprising steps of introducing a hydrophobic amino acid to a poly(acidic amino acid) to prepare a hydrophobized poly(acidic amino acid), and dissolving the hydrophobized poly(acidic amino acid) prepared to a buffer, and it is mixed with a basic polypeptide dissolved in a buffer.
US08853349B2

Conjugated polymers and small molecules including the nonplanar aromatic 1,6-methano[10]annulene ring structure along with aromatic subunits, such as diketopyrrolopyrrole, and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole, substituted with alkyl chains in a “Tail In,” “Tail Out,” or “No Tail” regiochemistry are disclosed.
US08853347B2

An organic semiconductor compound may include a structural unit represented by the aforementioned Chemical Formula 1 and an organic thin film and an electronic device may include the organic semiconductor compound.
US08853344B2

A film formed from a polymer composition containing one or more thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers is provided. The specific nature of the polymer or blend of polymers is selectively controlled so that the resulting polymer composition possesses both a low viscosity and high melt strength. The present inventor has discovered that this unique combination of thermal properties results in a composition that is both highly melt processible and stretchable, which allows the resulting film to be oriented to a degree greater than previously thought possible.
US08853339B2

This invention relates to a method for producing a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and an unconjugated olefin other than the conjugated diene compound having a high cis-1,4 bond content of a conjugated diene compound portion, and more particularly to a method for producing a copolymer characterized by comprising a step of polymerizing a conjugated diene compound and an unconjugated olefin other than the conjugated diene compound in the presence of a polymerization catalyst composition including at least one complex selected from a metallocene complex represented by the following general formula (I): (wherein M is a lanthanoid element, scandium or yttrium, and CpR is independently a non-substituted or substituted indenyl, and Ra-Rf are independently an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1-3 or a hydrogen atom, and L is a neutral Lewis base, and w is an integer of 0-3) and so on.
US08853337B2

A water- and oil-repellent agent composition having a lower environmental impact to obtain articles having higher water-repellent friction durability and improved texture. The invention also provides an article treated on the surface with the water- and oil-repellent agent composition. The water- and oil-repellent agent composition includes a first fluoropolymer having structural units based on a first monomer and structural units based on a second monomer; a second fluoropolymer (excluding the first fluoropolymer) having structural units based on a third monomer; and an aqueous medium. The first monomer: compound represented by (Z—Y)nX, where Z is a C1-6 polyfluoroalkyl group or the like, Y is a bivalent organic group or the like, n is 1 or 2, and X is a polymerizable unsaturated group. The second monomer: (meth)acrylate having a C18-30 alkyl group but not a polyfluoroalkyl group. The third monomer: a fluoroolefin.
US08853331B2

Hyperbranched polycarbonates having stabilizing groups, prepared by reaction of (a) at least one compound having at least three alcoholic hydroxyl groups per molecule with (b) at least one reagent of the general formula I (c) and at least one reagent of the general formula X3-(A1)m-X4, where the variables are defined as follows: X1, X2 are identical or different and are selected from among halogen, C1-C10-alkoxy, C6-C10-aryloxy and O—C(═O)-halogen, X3 is a functional group selected from among OH, SH, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, iso-cyanate, epoxy, COOH, COOR12, C(═O)—O—C(═O), C(═O)—Cl, R12 is C1-C4-alkyl or C6-C10-aryl, A1 is a spacer or a single bond, m is zero or one. X4 is a group selected from among phenol groups, benzophenones, aromatic amines and nitrogen-comprising heterocycles, in each case substituted or unsubstituted.
US08853328B2

The present invention relates to a sheet composition containing at least one of either a polystyrene-based copolymer or an ethylene vinyl acetate-based copolymer, to a sheet produced from the same, to a laminated sheet containing the sheet, and to a composite sheet containing the laminated sheet. The sheet according to the present invention is provided with a high functional stability including wear resistance, oil resistance, and aging resistance, and superior embossing retention characteristics.
US08853315B2

A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is made from an adhesive composition containing a carboxyl group-containing polymer having a carboxyl group, a plasticizer, and a metal oxide-containing component containing a metal oxide and/or a metal carbonate, and is obtained by allowing the adhesive composition to moisture-cure.
US08853308B2

A composition comprising: at least one (poly)isocyanate and at least one surfactant comprising an acid or a mixture of acids and an optionally heterocyclic amine or polyamine or a mixture of such amines, the amine or polyamine or at least one amine of said mixture carrying at least one alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide, functional group.
US08853307B2

The present invention relates to a flame-retardant composition that comprises a synergistic flame-retardant mixture, and a method for flame-retarding a polymer by adding the flame-retardant composition. The invention further relates to polymers that contain said flame-retardant composition.
US08853304B2

A thermoplastic polyester composition comprises polyalkylene terephthalate, a block copolymer comprising a semi-crystalline polyolefin block and at least one of a vinyl aromatic polymer block and an elastomeric polyolefin block, and reinforcing filler. The composition is capable of providing insert-molded articles, comprising a metal part, with high durability and resistance to cracking when subjected to a rigorous thermal cycle.
US08853299B2

Described herein, in the preferred embodiment, is a leonardite-based polyurethane resin binder that may be used, among other applications, as a binder in combination with foundry aggregate, e.g., sand, for molding or casting metal parts. The binders described herein comprise a humic substance, preferably leonardite, combined with a polymerizable polyol, an isocyanate, and a polymerization catalyst to make a polyurethane resin binder in situ in a foundry aggregate, such as sand. The lignite is mixed with the polymerizable polyol, thickening and dispersing agents as additives to improve the suspension quality and binder performance of the lignite-containing part of the binder components.
US08853293B2

A radiation curable solid ink composition comprising at least one curable wax that is curable by free radical polymerization; at least one monomer, oligomer, or prepolymer; at least one non-curable wax; at least one free-radical photoinitiator or photoinitiating moiety; and a colorant; wherein the components form a curable ink composition that is a solid at a first temperature of from about 20 to about 25° C.; and wherein the components form a liquid composition at a second temperature of greater than about 40° C.
US08853277B2

The invention provides therapeutic methods that include administering a stable nitroxide to a subject that has, is suspected to have, or is at risk for having a condition associated with reduced VHL or elevated HIF-2α.
US08853268B2

The present invention relates to an ophthalmic solution comprising a prostaglandin compound and viscosity-increasing compound. The ophthalmic solution of the invention is excellent in stability and can provide long lasting and increased effect when administrated topically to the eyes of a patient.
US08853265B2

An oral spray composition for preventing and/or reducing the symptoms of the common cold including a zinc formulation containing both zinc acetate and zinc gluconate to ensure sustained availability of increased amounts of ionizable zinc.
US08853256B2

Disclosed is a composition which is useful for preventing the occurrence of a cardiovascular event, particularly a composition which is expected to show a prophylactic effect on a cardiovascular event occurring in a hypercholesterolemia patient despite providing the patient with a treatment with HMG-CoA RI or a cardiovascular event occurring in a multiple risk patient.
US08853255B2

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I: where R1-6 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of formula I are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08853243B2

The present invention provides compounds of the formula I: its enantiomers, diastereomers, racemic mixtures thereof, prodrugs, crystalline forms, non-crystalline forms, amorphous forms thereof, solvates thereof, metabolites thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein the ring A substituent groups are fully defined in the following disclosure. The compounds of formula I are inhibitors of metalloproteases such as matrix metalloproteases and sheddases, and are useful in treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, neoplastic diseases, allergies and all those diseases wherein inhibition of MMPs is desirable.
US08853233B2

A subclass of camptothecin derivatives is disclosed to be useful for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a cancer or tumor pathology selected from the group consisting of head and neck carcinoma, pancreas carcinoma, melanoma, bladder carcinoma, mesothelioma and epidermoid skin carcinoma.
US08853232B2

The present invention provides a compound of formula I: wherein R1, R2, R2′ and X− are as defined and described herein, methods of manufacture thereof and compositions thereof, useful for example as peripheral mu opioid receptor antagonists in treatment of side effects of opioid administration.
US08853222B2

Anti-herpetic material such as 2-aminopurine derivatives, e.g., the aminocyclopropylcarboxylate derivatives of acyclovir, penciclovir, and ganciclovir, are described to prevent or treat autoimmune disease or a disease originating from an abnormal functioning of the sympathetic chain in a human subject. Prolonged use of the anti-herpetic compounds reduces prodrome, vesicle formation and viral shedding. The anti-herpetic compounds may be administered alone or in combination with a compound that reduces the rate of renal excretion of the anti-herpetic compound. The anti-herpetic compounds are particularly useful when administered at a level equivalent in activity to at—least about 150 mg/kg famciclovir per day.
US08853217B2

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating of various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors.The compounds of this invention have formula I: wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US08853214B2

The present invention relates to pyridazine compounds of formulae I or II and the salts and N-oxides thereof, wherein the substituents have the meanings as defined in the description, a method for controlling invertebrate pests, to a method for protecting plant propagation material and/or the plants which grow therefrom, to plant propagation material, comprising at least one compound according to the present invention, to a method for treating or protecting an animal from infestation or infection by parasites and to an agricultural composition containing at least one compound according to the present invention.
US08853212B2

The present invention is directed to novel substituted aminotetrahydrothiopyrans and derivatives thereof of structural formula (I) which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved.
US08853211B2

Compounds of the formula (I) in which D, R1, R2, R3, R4 have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular of Met kinase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumors.
US08853209B2

Compounds of Formula I wherein A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, F1 and L1 are as defined herein, which inhibit the activity of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 protein, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treating diseases involving overexpressed or unregulated Mdl-1 protein, such as leukemia and lymphoma, are disclosed.
US08853208B2

The invention relates to amino alcohol-substituted arylthienopyrimidinones having a formula I and their derivatives, and their physiologically tolerated salts and physiologically functional derivatives, their preparation, medicaments comprising at least one amino alcohol-substituted arylthienopyrimidinone of the invention or its derivative, and the use of the amino alcohol-substituted arylthienopyrimidinones of the invention and their derivatives as MCH antagonists.
US08853202B2

Compounds having formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates or N-oxides thereof are provided and are useful for binding to CXCR7, and treating diseases that are dependent, at least in part, on CXCR7 activity. Accordingly, the present invention provides in further aspects, compositions containing one or more of the above-noted compounds in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
US08853197B1

Compounds of Formula (I), their preparation and use in preventing or treating bacterial infection is disclosed.
US08853187B2

The present invention relates to a composition for prevention and/or treatment of metabolic diseases of bones comprising at least one bisphosphonate; viscosity agents comprising carboxymethylcellulose and xanthan gum; at least one flavoring agent; and purified water; a process for preparing a composition according to the present invention; and use of such a composition for prevention, treatment and/or diagnosis of metabolic diseases of bones, especially for children.
US08853182B2

An object is to provide a cell growth inhibitor also effective for androgen-independent prostate cancer. The present invention provides a cell growth inhibitor having, as an active ingredient, an expression inhibitor or function inhibitor of PSF.
US08853181B2

Methods of treating a wound in a subject are provided comprising administering to the subject an amount of an inhibitor of Fidgetin-like 2. Compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an amount of an inhibitor of Fidgetin-like 2 are also provided. Methods are also provided for identifying an inhibitor of Fidgetin-like 2.
US08853174B2

An agent for preventing or ameliorating skin aging, which exhibits a more excellent effect on the suppression of formation, or the amelioration, of wrinkles on the skin or sagging skin. An agent for preventing or ameliorating skin aging, containing triterpenoid saponins represented by the following formula (1) as an active ingredient, wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a tigloyl group and the other represents a tigloyl group or an angeloyl group; R3 represents a methyl group or a hydroxymethyl group; and R4 represents Glc, Xyl or Gal.
US08853171B2

Provided are pyrrolo[1,2-f][1,2,4]triazinyl, imidazo[1,5-f][1,2,4]triazinyl, imidazo[1,2-f][1,2,4]triazinyl, and [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-f][1,2,4]triazinyl nucleosides, nucleoside phosphates and prodrugs thereof, wherein the 1′ position of the nucleoside sugar is substituted. The compounds, compositions, and methods provided are useful for the treatment of Flaviviridae virus infections, particularly hepatitis C infections.
US08853170B2

The present invention provides compositions comprising sugar, cysteine, and/or sugar-cysteine products.
US08853167B2

The present invention provides a cationic polyamino acid suitable for a carrier that can form a stable complex with a nucleic acid under a physiological condition and release the nucleic acid in cells suitably. The cationic polyamino acid can associate with a nucleic acid and includes a cationic amino acid residue having a cationic group in a side chain and a hydrophobic amino acid residue having a hydrophobic group in a side chain. The cationic polyamino acid includes 1 to 20 units of the cationic amino acid residue and is represented by the following formula (1). The meaning of each symbol in the formula is as shown in the description.
US08853165B2

The present invention relates to a peptide having bone tissue regeneration capacity and binding to a surface of apatite. More particularly, a peptide is provided having bone tissue regeneration capacity and specifically binding to a surface of apatite mineral, capable of being stably immobilized to the surface of apatite mineral to retain effective activity and exhibit bone regeneration effects for a long time, by linking an amino acid sequence having bone tissue regeneration capacity and an amino acid sequence having apatite-binding capacity to each other to thereby provide a peptide having both bone-forming effects and binding capacity to the surface of apatite mineral. A composition for bone tissue regeneration containing the peptide is further provided.
US08853164B2

The present disclosure relates to oligopeptides applicable to a dental implant, which are selected from the group consisting of PEP7 (SEQ ID NO:1), PEP71 (SEQ ID NO:2), EP72 (SEQ ID NO:3), PEP73 (SEQ ID NO:4), PEP74 (SEQ ID NO:5), PEP75 (SEQ ID NO:6) and PEP76 (SEQ ID NO:7). The oligopeptides have very high reactivity for a BMP-specific receptor to increase osteoblastic differentiation and calcification, thereby showing improved osteointegration and osteogenesis.
US08853159B2

The present invention provides fusion peptides having GLP-1 activity and enhanced stability in vivo, in particular resistancy to dipeptidyl peptidase IV. The fusion peptide comprises as component (I) N-terminally a GLP-1(7-35, 7-36 or 7-37) sequence and as component (II) C-terminally a peptide sequence of at least 9 amino acids or a functional fragment, variant or derivative thereof. Component (II) is preferably a full or partial version of IP2 (intervening peptide 2). A preferred embodiment comprises the sequence GLP-1(7-35, 36 or 37)/IP2/GLP-1(7-35, 36 or 37) or GLP-2. The fusion peptide may be produced in engineered cells or synthetically and may be used for preparing a medicament for treating various diseases or disorders, e.g. diabetes type 1 or 2, apoptosis related diseases or neurodegenerative disorders.
US08853157B2

The present invention describes administering a GLP-1 agonist to treat obesity caused by the administration of an obesity-inducing drug.
US08853151B2

The present invention provides methods, compositions and applications for efficient, site-specific drug delivery using pro-drug complexes comprising one or more functional groups (e.g., imaging agents, targeting agents, and trigger agents) conjugated with a therapeutic agent (e.g., a chemotherapeutic agent), methods of synthesizing the same, as well as systems and methods utilizing the therapeutic and diagnostic compositions (e.g., in diagnostic and/or therapeutic settings (e.g., for the delivery of therapeutics, imaging, and/or targeting agents (e.g., in disease (e.g., cancer) diagnosis and/or therapy, etc.))). Trigger agents include an indolequinone; attachment groups include a triazole ring; and therapeutic agents include camptothecin.
US08853149B2

Integrin interaction inhibitors using a beta-turn promoter are described herein. These peptides are useful in treating cancer, such as multiple myeloma, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the integrin interaction inhibitor. Data show that integrin interaction inhibitors act synergistically or additively interact with anti-proliferative agents such as doxorubicin, SAHA, arsenic trioxide, and etoposide.
US08853142B2

Disclosed herein are methods for producing liquid detergent products using a vessel comprising an inlet, an outlet, an agitation device, and an additive mixing zone disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The method comprises introducing an unstructured liquid detergent precursor into the inlet of the vessel; mixing an additive and the unstructured liquid detergent precursor in an additive mixing zone to form a combined additive detergent; adding a structurant to the combined additive detergent downstream of the additive mixing zone to form a liquid detergent product. The liquid detergent products may be used in a water-soluble pouch, for e.g., a multi-compartment water-soluble pouch.
US08853137B2

A method of increasing the fracture complexity in a treatment zone of a subterranean formation is provided. The subterranean formation is characterized by having a matrix permeability less than 1.0 microDarcy. The method includes the step of pumping one or more fracturing fluids into a far-field region of a treatment zone of the subterranean formation at a rate and pressure above the fracture pressure of the treatment zone. A first fracturing fluid of the one or more fracturing fluids includes a first solid particulate, wherein: (a) the first solid particulate includes a particle size distribution for bridging the pore throats of a proppant pack previously formed or to be formed in the treatment zone; and (b) the first solid particulate comprises a degradable material. In an embodiment, the first solid particulate is in an insufficient amount in the first fracturing fluid to increase the packed volume fraction of any region of the proppant pack to greater than 73%. Similar methods using stepwise fracturing fluids and remedial fracturing treatments are provided.
US08853135B2

The invention discloses a method of treating a wellbore by providing an aqueous mixture of a hydrated polysaccharide with a salt; adding to the mixture a cross-linking agent for cross-linking the hydrated polysaccharide, wherein the cross-linking agent comprises a zirconium compound, glutamic acid, and a polyol; pumping the aqueous mixture of the hydrated polysaccharide and the cross-linking agent into the wellbore; and cross-linking the hydrated polysaccharide.
US08853134B2

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a microarray of binary nucleic acid probes for the detection of one or a plurality of nucleic acid analytes in a complex sample in a single high throughput assay with extraordinary specificity under physiologic conditions. Any binary nucleic acid probes that generate a detectable signal when bound to analyte are suitable for use in the microarrays, including binary deoxyribozyme or ribozyme probes; nonenzymatic binary probes for fluorescent detection, nonenzymatic binary dye-binding probes, and binary split enzyme peroxidase probes for visual detection of nucleic acids. The invention is also directed to new non nonenzymatic binary probes that bind to reporter oligonucleotides.
US08853131B2

The invention provides novel scaffold proteins for the display of peptides such as peptide aptamers. The novel scaffold proteins are modifications of Stefin A or STM (a variant of Stefin A) and are useful as scaffold proteins and as display systems.
US08853129B2

An herbicidal synergistic composition containing (a) penoxsulam and (b) oryzalin provides improved post-emergence herbicidal weed control in tree and vine crops, turf, sugar cane, range and pasture, parks and alleyways, and IVM.
US08853128B2

Oil-in-water fungicidal formulations are prepared having pigment dispersed therein, the pigment being stable within the oil-in-water emulsion as a result of the addition of suitable silicone surfactants and suitable emulsifiers. The formulations can be prepared either as a 2-pack formulation or as a single formulation. In the case of the single formulation polyethylene glycol is also added. In either case, the formulations show a synergistic effect through the addition of the pigment, the resulting formulations having an increased efficacy. Further, the formulations show a synergistic effect when mixed with conventional chemical fungicides, both being added in reduced amounts compared to recommended rates.
US08853126B2

The present invention relates to compositions for controlling plant pests containing the compound of the formula (I) in a mixture with specified fungicidally active compounds.
US08853121B1

The effect of aging temperature on oxygen storage materials (OSM) substantially free from platinum group (PGM) and rare earth (RE) metals is disclosed. Samples of ZPGM-ZRE metals OSM, hydrothermally aged at a plurality of high temperatures are found to have significantly high oxygen storage capacity (OSC) and phase stability than conventional PGM catalysts with Ce-based OSM. ZPGM-ZRE metals OSM includes a formulation of Cu—Mn stoichiometric spinel structure deposited on Nb—Zr oxide support and may be converted into powder to be used as OSM application or coated onto catalyst substrate. ZPGM-ZRE metals OSM, after aging condition, presents enhanced level of thermal stability and OSC property which shows improved catalytic activity than conventional PGM catalysts including Ce-based OSM. ZPGM-ZRE metals OSM may be suitable for a vast number of applications, and more particularly in underfloor catalyst systems.
US08853119B2

The present invention relates to synthesis method of a family of ruthenium sulfide catalysts promoted with an added additional metal, unsupported (M/RuS2) and supported (M/RuS2/support). The obtained catalysts exhibit a high catalytic activity in hydrotreating or hydroprocessing (HDT) of hydrocarbons, mainly hydrodesulfuration, hydrodenitrogenation, and hydrodeoxigenation. The impact of the present invention for application in the commercial context, lies in the high catalytic activity of the obtained catalysts, which is far superior to the existing commercial catalysts, as well as the simplicity of the synthesis method, which will affect the quality of the products obtained in the oil industry, allowing to meet the environmental standards imposed by current legislations.
US08853106B2

Flame-retardant composition containing a first component selected from phosphorous acid or a salt of phosphorous acid and a second component selected from an isocyanic acid, an isocyanic acid precursor, a cyanate salt, a thiocyanate salt or isothiocyanic acid precursor, dicyandiamide, cyanamide or carbodiimide precursor.
US08853101B1

Methods for creating chemical guide patterns by DSA lithography for fabricating an integrated circuit are provided. In one example, an integrated circuit includes forming a bifunctional brush layer of a polymeric material overlying an anti-reflective coating on a semiconductor substrate. The polymeric material has a neutral polymeric block portion and a pinning polymeric block portion that are coupled together. The bifunctional brush layer includes a neutral layer that is formed of the neutral polymeric block portion and a pinning layer that is formed of the pinning polymeric block portion. A portion of the neutral layer or the pinning layer is selectively removed to define a chemical guide pattern. A block copolymer layer is deposited overlying the chemical guide pattern. The block copolymer layer is phase separated to define a nanopattern that is registered to the chemical guide pattern.
US08853100B2

According to an embodiment of present disclosure, a film formation method is provided. The film formation method includes supplying a first process gas as a source gas for obtaining a reaction product to a substrate while rotating a turntable and revolving the substrate, and supplying a second process gas as a gas for nitriding the first process gas adsorbed to the substrate to the substrate in a position spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the turntable from a position where the first process gas is supplied to the substrate. Further, the film formation method includes providing a separation region along the circumferential direction of the turntable between a first process gas supply position and a second process gas supply position, and irradiating ultraviolet rays on a molecular layer of the reaction product formed on the substrate placed on the turntable to control stresses generated in a thin film.
US08853092B2

A method of fabricating a plurality of features of a semiconductor device includes providing a dielectric layer over a silicon layer, and etching the dielectric layer and the silicon layer to form a plurality of first apertures in the dielectric layer and the silicon layer, wherein adjacent apertures of the plurality of first apertures are set apart by a first pitch. The method further includes etching a plurality of second apertures in the dielectric layer, each aperture of the plurality of second apertures having a greater width than and centered about a respective aperture of the plurality of first apertures, implanting a plurality of dopants into the silicon layer aligned through the plurality of second apertures in the dielectric layer, wherein doped portions of the silicon layer are set apart by a second pitch less than the first pitch, and removing undoped portions of the silicon layer.
US08853091B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor die may have the steps of:—Providing a semiconductor substrate;—Processing the substrate to a point where shallow trench isolation (STI) can be formed;—Depositing at least one underlayer having a predefined thickness on the wafer;—Depositing a masking layer on top of the underlayer;—Shaping the masking layer to have areas of predefined depths;—Applying a photolithograthy process to expose all the areas where the trenches are to be formed; and—Etching the wafer to form silicon trenches wherein the depth of a trench depends on the location with respect to the masking layer area.
US08853089B2

A manufacturing method of a semiconductor substrate includes: forming a trench in a semiconductor board by a dry etching method; etching a surface portion of an inner wall of the trench by a chemical etching method so that a first damage layer is removed, wherein the surface portion has a thickness equal to or larger than 50 nanometers; and performing a heat treatment at temperature equal to or higher than 1050° C. in non-oxidizing and non-azotizing gas so that crystallinity of a second damage layer is recovered, wherein the second damage layer is disposed under the first damage layer. The crystallinity around the trench is sufficiently recovered.
US08853088B2

Methods are provided for forming gates in gate-last processes. The methods may include performing chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) on an interlayer dielectric (ILD) that is on a plurality of dummy gates, each of the plurality of dummy gates including a gate mask in an upper portion thereof, and the CMP exposing the gate mask. The methods may also include removing the gate mask by etching the gate mask. The methods may further include performing CMP on the ILD.
US08853084B2

A method provides an intermediate semiconductor device structure and includes providing a wafer having first dummy gate plugs and second dummy gate plugs embedded in a first layer having a non-planar wafer surface topography due at least to a presence of the first dummy gate plugs; depositing at least one second layer over the first layer, the at least one second layer comprising a hard mask material; and removing at least a portion of the second layer to form a substantially planar wafer surface topography over the first dummy gate plugs and the second dummy gate plugs prior to gate conductor deposition.
US08853074B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to the following processes. A first hole is formed in an insulating film. A seed layer, which covers an upper surface of the insulating film and an inner surface of the first hole, is formed. A first plating film is formed over the seed layer at a first growth rate. A second plating film is formed over the first plating film at a second growth rate that is higher than the first growth rate. A third plating film is formed over the second plating film at a third growth rate that is higher than the second growth rate.
US08853069B2

An improved field effect transistor and method of fabrication are disclosed. A barrier layer stack is formed in the base and sidewalls of a gate cavity. The barrier layer stack has a first metal layer and a second metal layer. A gate electrode metal is deposited in the cavity. The barrier layer stack is thinned or removed on the sidewalls of the gate cavity, to more precisely control the voltage threshold of the field effect transistor.
US08853064B2

The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a substrate, which includes loading a base substrate into a reaction furnace; forming a buffer layer on the base substrate; forming a separation layer on the buffer layer; forming a semiconductor layer on the separation layer at least two; and separating the semiconductor layer from the base substrate via the separation layer through natural cooling by unloading the base substrate from the reaction furnace.
US08853057B2

A method for fabricating semiconductor devices includes: (a) forming a layered structure that includes a temporary substrate, a plurality of spaced apart sacrificial film regions on the temporary substrate, and a plurality of valley-and-peak areas among the sacrificial film regions; (b) growing laterally and epitaxially an epitaxial film layer over the sacrificial film regions and the valley-and-peak areas, wherein gaps are formed among the epitaxial film layer and the valley-and-peak areas; (c) forming a conductive layer to contact the epitaxial film layer; (d) forming a plurality of grooves to divide the epitaxial film layer and the conductive layer into a plurality of epitaxial structures on the temporary substrate; and (e) removing the temporary substrate and the sacrificial film regions from the epitaxial structures by etching the sacrificial film regions through the gaps and the grooves.
US08853056B2

Methods of dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. A method includes forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer, the mask including a layer covering and protecting the integrated circuits. The mask and a portion of the semiconductor wafer are patterned with a laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask and to form trenches partially into but not through the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. Each of the trenches has a width. The semiconductor wafer is plasma etched through the trenches to form corresponding trench extensions and to singulate the integrated circuits. Each of the corresponding trench extensions has the width.
US08853048B2

The present disclosure provides a streamlined approach to forming vertically structured devices such as deep trench capacitors. Trenches and a contact plate bridging the trenches are formed using one lithographic process. A hard mask is formed over the substrate and etched through the mask to form two or more closely spaced trenches. The hard mask is then reduced by an isotropic etch process. The etch removes the hard mask preferentially between the trenches. Chemical mechanical polishing removes the conductive material down to the remaining hard mask layer, whereby conductive material remains in mask openings and forms a conductive bridge across the trenches.
US08853040B2

A method of forming a transistor device includes forming a patterned gate structure over a semiconductor substrate; forming a spacer layer over the semiconductor substrate and patterned gate structure; removing horizontally disposed portions of the spacer layer so as to form a vertical sidewall spacer adjacent the patterned gate structure; and forming a raised source/drain (RSD) structure over the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the vertical sidewall spacer, wherein the RSD structure has a substantially vertical sidewall profile so as to abut the vertical sidewall spacer and produce one of a compressive and a tensile strain on a channel region of the semiconductor substrate below the patterned gate structure.
US08853039B2

The embodiments of mechanisms for forming source/drain (S/D) regions of field effect transistors (FETs) described enable forming an epitaxially grown silicon-containing layer with reduced number of particles on surface of recesses. The described mechanisms also reduce the effect of the residual particles on the epitaxial growth. The mechanisms include controlled etch of a native oxide layer on the surfaces of recesses to reduce creation of particles, and pre-CDE etch to remove particles from surface. The mechanisms also include reduced etch/deposition ratio(s) of initial CDE unit cycle(s) of CDE process to reduce the effect of residual particles on the formation of the epitaxially grown silicon-containing layer. With the application of one or more of the mechanisms, the quality of the epitaxial layer is improved.
US08853035B2

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region and at least one trench isolation region at a perimeter of the active region, and a functional gate structure present on a portion of the active region of the semiconductor substrate. Embedded semiconductor regions are present in the active region of the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the portion of the active region that the functional gate structure is present on. A portion of the active region of the semiconductor substrate separates the outermost edge of the embedded semiconductor regions from the at least one isolation region. Methods of forming the aforementioned device are also provided.
US08853034B2

Techniques for increasing conductivity of graphene films by chemical doping are provided. In one aspect, a method for increasing conductivity of a graphene film includes the following steps. The graphene film is formed from one or more graphene sheets. The graphene sheets are exposed to a solution having a one-electron oxidant configured to dope the graphene sheets to increase a conductivity thereof, thereby increasing the overall conductivity of the film. The graphene film can be formed prior to the graphene sheets being exposed to the one-electron oxidant solution. Alternatively, the graphene sheets can be exposed to the one-electron oxidant solution prior to the graphene film being formed. A method of fabricating a transparent electrode on a photovoltaic device from a graphene film is also provided.
US08853030B2

The present invention discloses a method for production of selective growth masks using underfill dispensing and sintering. The method includes steps of: providing a sapphire substrate, growing a gallium nitride base layer on the sapphire substrate, coating a photoresist layer, performing imprint lithography, exposure and development, performing underfill dispensing, and performing sintering. The production method of the present invention can be applied in the atmosphere, and vacuum chambers as known production approaches are unnecessary. The selective growth masks produced by the method of the present invention make the growth of nanowires cylindrical and perpendicular to the gallium nitride base layer, and each nanowire is parallel to one another.
US08853019B1

One method disclosed herein includes forming a layer of silicon/germanium having a germanium concentration of at least 30% on a semiconducting substrate, forming a plurality of spaced-apart trenches that extend through the layer of silicon/germanium and at least partially into the semiconducting substrate, wherein the trenches define a fin structure for the device comprised of a portion of the substrate and a portion of the layer of silicon/germanium, the portion of the layer of silicon/germanium having a first cross-sectional configuration, forming a layer of insulating material in the trenches and above the fin structure, performing an anneal process on the device so as to cause the first cross-sectional configuration of the layer of silicon/germanium to change to a second cross-sectional configuration that is different from the first cross-sectional configuration, and forming a final gate structure around at least a portion of the layer of silicon/germanium having the second cross-sectional configuration.
US08853016B2

A double gate thin-film transistor (TFT), and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display apparatus including the double gate TFT, includes a double gate thin-film transistor (TFT) including: a first gate electrode on a substrate; an active layer on the first gate electrode; source and drain electrodes on the active layer; a planarization layer on the substrate and the source and drain electrodes, and having an opening corresponding to the active layer; and a second gate electrode in the opening.
US08853008B1

FinFETs and methods for making FinFETs are disclosed. A fin is formed on a substrate, wherein the fin has a height greater than 2 to 6 times of its width, a length defining a channel between source and drain ends, and the fin comprises a lightly doped semiconductor. A conformally doped region of counter-doped semiconductor is formed on the fin using methods such as monolayer doping, sacrificial oxide doping, or low energy plasma doping. Halo-doped regions are formed by angled ion implantation. The halo-doped regions are disposed in the lower portion of the source and drain and adjacent to the fin. Energy band barrier regions can be formed at the edges of the halo-doped regions by angled ion implantation.
US08853003B2

A method for forming a wafer level chip scale (WLCS) package device with a thick bottom metal comprising the step of attaching a lead frame comprising a plurality of thick bottom metals onto a back metal layer of a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of semiconductor chips having a plurality of bonding pads formed on a front surface of each chip, each thick bottom metal is aligned to a central portion of each chip; a plurality of back side cutting grooves are formed along the scribe lines and filled with a package material, the package material are cut through thus forming a plurality of singulated WLCS package devices.
US08852996B2

Provided are carbon doped resistive switching layers, resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells including these layers, as well as methods of forming thereof. Carbon doping of metal containing materials creates defects in these materials that allow forming and breaking conductive paths as evidenced by resistive switching. Relative to many conventional dopants, carbon has a lower diffusivity in many suitable base materials. As such, these carbon doped materials exhibit structural stability and consistent resistive switching over many operating cycles. Resistive switching layers may include as much as 30 atomic percent of carbon, making the dopant control relatively simple and flexible. Furthermore, carbon doping has acceptor characteristics resulting in a high resistivity and low switching currents, which are very desirable for ReRAM applications. Carbon doped metal containing layer may be formed from metalorganic precursors at temperatures below saturation ranges of atomic layer deposition.
US08852991B2

Provided is a method of manufacturing a solar cell. The method includes: preparing a substrate with a rear electrode; and forming a copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) based light absorbing layer on the rear electrode at a substrate temperature of room temperature to about 350° C., wherein the forming of the CIGS based light absorbing layer includes projecting an electron beam on the CIGS based light absorbing layer.
US08852987B2

A method of manufacturing an image pickup device includes a step of forming a filling member such that the filling member covers a light guiding part and a peripheral part provided in a film. The light guiding part is positioned on an image pickup region of the image pickup device and has openings that correspond to respective photoelectric conversion portions. The peripheral part is positioned on a peripheral region of the image pickup device. The filling member fills in the openings. The method includes a step of processing the filling member. The method includes a step of forming light guiding members, which is performed after the step of processing filling member has been performed, by a polishing process performed on the filling member so that the light guiding part is exposed. The light guiding members are part of the filling member and disposed in the openings.
US08852973B2

A method for manufacturing an LED module includes following steps: providing a SMT (Surface Mount Technology) apparatus having a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor and a nozzle, and providing a PCB and fixing the PCB in the SMT apparatus; providing a plurality of LEDs and mounting the LEDs on the PCB by the SMT apparatus; providing a plurality of lenses each having a plurality of patterned portions formed on an outer face of the lens, and the CCD image sensor imaging the lens and identifying the patterned portions, and then the SMT apparatus obtaining a location of the lens relative to the LED; positioning the lens on the PCB to cover the LED by the SMT apparatus; and fixing the lens on the PCB.
US08852971B2

A method of cutting light emitting element packages includes preparing a ceramic substrate having a surface on which a plurality of light emitting element chips are mounted and a light-transmitting material layer is formed to cover the plurality of light emitting element chips; partially removing the light-transmitting material layer between the plurality of light emitting element chips along a cutting line by using a mechanical cutting method; and separating individual light emitting element packages by cutting the ceramic substrate along the cutting line by using a laser cutting method.
US08852967B2

A multiple channel site-isolated reactor system and method are described. The system contains a reactor block with a plurality of reactors. Input lines are coupled to each reactor to provide a fluid to the respective reactors. A sealing element associated with each reactor contacts a surface of a substrate disposed below the reactor block, which defines isolated regions on the surface of the substrate. A dissolution rate monitor extends into each reactor to monitor a rate of real-time dissolution of one or more layers on the surface of the substrate when it is disposed proximate to the surface of the substrate.
US08852966B2

A semiconductor wafer, on the surface of which a silicon dioxide base material and an amorphous silicon thin film are formed in this order, is carried into a chamber. An insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is connected with a power supply circuit to a flash lamp, and the IGBT makes an energization period to the flash lamp to be 0.01 millisecond or more and 1 millisecond or less, consequently making a flash light irradiation time to be 0.01 millisecond or more and 1 millisecond or less. Since a flash heat treatment is performed with a remarkably short flash light irradiation time, the excessive heating of the thin film of amorphous silicon is suppressed and harmful influence such as the exfoliation of the film is prevented.
US08852965B2

The terminating layer that covers the top layer of a GaN-based semiconductor having a principal surface which is either a non-polar plane or a semi-polar plane, is removed by performing an organic solvent cleaning process step, and replaced with an organic solvent cleaned layer. Next, by irradiating the semiconductor with an ultraviolet ray, the organic solvent cleaned layer is removed to form a surface-modified layer instead. By performing these process steps, the top layer of the GaN-based semiconductor becomes the surface-modified layer and an electrical polarity is given to the surface of the GaN-based semiconductor. As a result, the hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity and wettability of the GaN-based semiconductor can be controlled.
US08852964B2

Exemplary embodiments are directed to controlling CD uniformity of a wafer by controlling trim time on temperature in a plasma processing system. The plasma processing system has a wafer support assembly including a plurality of independently controllable temperature control zones across a chuck and a controller that controls each temperature control zone. The controller receives process control and temperature data associated with at least one wafer previously processed in a plasma chamber of the plasma processing system, and critical device parameters of a current wafer to be processed in the plasma chamber. The controller calculates a target trim time and a target temperature profile of the current wafer based on the process control and temperature data, and the critical device parameters. The current wafer is trimmed during the target trim time while the temperature of each device die location is controlled based on the target temperature profile.
US08852950B2

A method for determining an NOx concentration in a measurement gas is provided, where a measurement value for the NOx concentration is determined from the sensor signal of a gas sensor and a measurement value for the concentration of a second component in the measurement gas is determined. A corrected value for the NOx in the measurement gas is determined from the measurement values, and the measurement value and the corrected measurement value for the NOx concentration are displayed and/or output.
US08852947B2

A photographic material for image display including an intimately sorbed contrast agent that provides a contrast layer against which the recorded image can be seen regardless of the nature and color of the background.
US08852943B2

A method of modifying a target region in a host DNA using a donor DNA: wherein the donor DNA having regions homologous to a 5′-side region outside of the target region in the host DNA, a 3′-side region outside of the target region in the host DNA and a first homologous recombination region inside of the target region in the host DNA, respectively, in this order, and further having a first selectable marker gene, an expression-inducing promoter and a second selectable marker gene expressed under the control of the expression-inducing promoter between the region homologous to the 3′-side region and the region homologous to the first homologous recombination region; which method has the steps of: a first step of performing homologous recombination between the donor DNA and the host DNA at the regions of the 5′-side region and the first homologous recombination region, to conduct selection of a host integrated with the donor DNA based on expression of the first selectable marker gene; and a second step of performing homologous recombination, within the host DNA integrated with the donor DNA by the first step, between two regions of the 3′-side region derived from the host DNA and the 3′-side region derived from the donor DNA, to conduct selection of a host whose target region is modified based on expression of the second selectable marker gene under an expression-inducing condition for the expression-inducing promoter; and a selectable marker cassette for use in the method.
US08852940B2

The methods of the present application describe that introduction of physiologically relevant miRNAs can enhance or modulate somatic cell reprogramming, generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). These miRNAs did not further enhance reprogramming in the presence of cMyc. Furthermore, unlike previously described methods of generating iPS cells, such as through the introduction of genetic elements using viruses, the methods of the present invention reduce the risk of activating oncogenes in the iPS cells. The methods of the invention generate iPS cells that can be free of genetic modifications and thus have greater potential for use as therapeutic agents than those generated by existing methods.
US08852937B2

The present invention makes available methods and reagents for modulating proliferation or differentiation in a cell or tissue comprising contacting the cell with a hedgehog agonist, such as the compounds depicted in FIGS. 32 and 33. In certain embodiments, the methods and reagents may be employed to correct or inhibit an aberrant or unwanted growth state, e.g., by antagonizing a normal ptc pathway or agonizing smoothened or hedgehog activity.
US08852931B2

The present invention concerns the V617F variant of the protein-tyrosine kinase JAK2, said variant being responsible for Vaquez Polyglobulia. The invention also relates to a first intention diagnostic method for erythrocytosis and thrombocytosis allowing their association with myeloproliferative disorders, or to the detection of the JAK2 V617F variant in myeloproliferative disorders allowing their reclassification in a new nosological group.
US08852926B2

There is provided an expression cassette comprising a 3′-UTR cDNA library fragment, mammalian cells transfected with the expression cassette, and kits comprising the same. Furthermore, methods for identifying target genes for microRNAs are provided that utilize the expression cassette hereof.
US08852924B2

A closed transparent photobioreactor having a dome and a staged column wherein the dome is used as a growth chamber to provide a large culture volume to land area used and a flow pattern inside the dome allows for the uniform distribution of light energy, thereby negating growth rate inhibiting ‘dark zones’. A pump delivers culture from the bottom of the column to a lower portion of the dome and drives circulation between the two components and an increase in mass in the dome results in a spillover from the top of the dome into the column. Once in the column, algaculture will be aerated at each stage before returning to the dome. The staged column also provides for semi-continuous harvest of algae through the application of froth flotation and various other separation processes.
US08852922B2

Assay modules, preferably assay cartridges, are described as are reader apparatuses which may be used to control aspects of module operation. The modules preferably comprise a detection chamber with integrated electrodes that may be used for carrying out electrode induced luminescence measurements. Methods are described for immobilizing assay reagents in a controlled fashion on these electrodes and other surfaces. Assay modules and cartridges are also described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain preferred embodiments, these modules are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick.
US08852919B2

A microfluidic apparatus, method, and associated applications utilize and apply to a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sample and performing a liquid-liquid extraction to remove the paraffin from the tissue sample prior to a nucleic acid purification step. A microfluidic device includes a dedicated liquid-liquid extraction process vessel, a nucleic acid purification process component, and a nucleic acid amplification reactor. A liquid-liquid extraction and nucleic acid purification kit includes a microfluidic device capable of performing both a liquid-liquid extraction process and a nucleic acid purification process, including a dedicated liquid-liquid extraction process vessel, an immiscible liquid or a precursor phase thereof disposed in the vessel, a nucleic acid purification process component, a nucleic acid amplification reactor fluidically, and a supply of reagents suitable to enable the liquid-liquid extraction process and the nucleic acid purification process.
US08852918B2

A biologically pure isolate of a selected bacterium derived from Clostridium autoethanogenum is described which has improved efficiency in the production of ethanol by anaerobic fermentation of substrates comprising carbon monoxide. The bacterium can produce ethanol and acetate at an ethanol to acetate ratio of at least 1.0 and has a productivity of at least 1.2 g of ethanol/l of fermentation broth per day. The bacterium is also characterized in that it has substantially no ability to sporulate.
US08852914B2

The invention provides flavivirus vaccines and methods of making and using these vaccines.
US08852907B2

The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g., fixed production facility.
US08852905B2

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US08852903B2

Recombinant microorganisms having an improved ability to co-metabolize in medium both fructose and glucose are described. The recombinant microorganisms comprise a promoter operably linked to a native or non-native nucleotide sequence that encodes a fucose: H+ symporter polypeptide. The recombinant microorganisms are useful for the production of a variety of products including glycerol and glycerol derivatives such as 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid.
US08852902B2

The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing trimethylpentanoic acid. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the trimethylpentanoic acid. The present invention also provides for a method of producing the trimethylpentanoic acid, comprising: providing a host cell of the present invention, and culturing said host cell in a suitable culture medium such that the trimethylpentanoic acid is produced, optionally isolating the trimethylpentanoic acid, and optionally, reducing the isolated trimethylpentanoic acid into a trimethylpentanol or an iso-octane.
US08852895B2

The present invention is directed to a macrocyclic derivative which is formed by modification of a macrocycle. The invention further relates to assemblies formed by the self-assembly of such macrocyclic derivatives in aqueous solvent, and includes bilayer vesicles, micelles, monolayers, nanoparticles, colloidal assemblies and surface-coated assemblies.
US08852890B2

The present invention provides methods to enhance production of desired products and increase the growth rate of a bacterial strain by inactivating an endogenous arcA and optionally overexpressing a ppc gene.
US08852884B2

The device for spraying a reagent onto a support (81) adapted to retain microorganisms on a predetermined surface (82), comprises a spraying bell (3) as well as a nozzle (71) for emitting a jet of droplets of said reagent into a spraying chamber (34) comprised by said bell (3), said device also comprising an absorbent pad (5) mounted against said bell (3) transversely to said jet and closing said chamber (34) from the opposite side to said nozzle (71) with the exception of a circular central opening (51) provided in said pad (5), the diameter of said central opening (51) being adapted to enable a portion of said jet, when said device faces said support (81) and is at a predetermined distance therefrom, to pass through said central opening (51) over its entire area and be deposited on the whole of said predetermined surface (82) of said support (81).
US08852883B2

Substrates for detecting microorganisms are provided, wherein the substrate comprises a set of molecular markers linked, optionally with linker molecules or moieties, to a di-, or tripeptide consisting of amino acids X1 and X2, or X1, X2 and X3, in which one of them, for example, X1, is a D-amino acid and the others, for example, X2 and X3, may be any D- or L-amino acid. The substrate preferably is used for the detection of Bacillus anthracis. Also provided are substrates for detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa, wherein the substrate comprises a set of molecular markers linked, optionally with linker molecules or moieties to a tri-, tetra-, or pentapeptide consisting of glycine amino acids. The invention further comprises methods for detecting microorganisms, specifically B. anthracis and P. aeruginosa, with the substrates of the invention and use of the substrate(s) in such a method.
US08852875B2

The invention features methods of quantifying cells in a sample by lysing the cells followed by the measurement of at least one intracellular component. Methods of the invention are especially useful for quantifying small numbers of cells, e.g., over a large surface area or volume compared to the cell size. In a preferred embodiment, methods of the invention are performed using a microfluidic device.
US08852864B2

Provided herein are compositions and methods for analysis of nucleic acids, including, methods and compositions for genotyping, haplotyping, sequencing and performing other genetic and epigenetic analysis on nucleic acids, for example. In some embodiments, methods and compositions suitable for whole-genome sequencing on single molecules of nucleic acid are provided. In some embodiments, analysis of single molecules of nucleic acid are performed in conjunction with nanopores and/or nanopore devices.
US08852860B2

Nucleic acid and protein sequences relating to a cation channel which is sperm-specific (CatSper1) are disclosed. The CatSper1 protein is shown to be specifically expressed in sperm and to be necessary for sperm motility. Nucleic acids, vectors, transformed cells, transgenic animals, polypeptides, and antibodies relating to the CatSper1 gene and protein are disclosed. Also provided are methods of in vitro fertilization and contraception, methods of identifying modulators of CatSper1 activity, methods of genotyping subjects with respect to CatSper1, and methods of diagnosing and treating CatSper1-mediated disorders, including infertility.
US08852832B2

Provided is a radiation-sensitive colored composition which exhibits excellent developability, has excellent heat resistance and solvent resistance, and is capable of forming a colored pattern with less color transfer and color unevenness.The radiation-sensitive colored composition includes a colorant multimer (A), a polymerizable compound (B), a photopolymerization initiator (C), and an organic solvent (D), wherein the content of an inorganic metal salt (X) including no colorant skeleton is 0.1% by mass or less with respect to a dye solid contents.
US08852828B2

This invention provides a volume hologram photosensitive composition, which can realize a hologram having an excellent brightness and, at the same time, having excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength, and a photosensitive medium for volume hologram recording using the volume hologram photosensitive composition. The volume hologram photosensitive composition comprises at least a photopolymerizable monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, a sensitizing dye for sensitizing the initiator, and a binder resin. The binder resin comprises a heat curing resin, and optionally a thermoplastic resin, and the thermoplastic resin is contained in an amount of 0 to 25% by weight based on the total solid content of the photosensitive composition.
US08852824B2

A fuel cell system for generating a hydrogen test pulse includes a fuel cell stack having an anode inlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen source via a fuel spending line, a cathode inlet in fluid communication with an oxidant source, and an anode outlet and a cathode outlet in fluid communication with an exhaust line. An electric pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the fuel spending line. An overpressure valve is in fluid communication with an overpressure line, which is in fluid communication with the fuel spending line between the electric pressure regulator and the fuel cell stack. A hydrogen sensor is in communication with the exhaust line, and is configured to measure the hydrogen test pulse.
US08852816B2

In the all-solid secondary battery of the present invention, a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer are disposed on both sides of a solid electrolyte layer, a first inorganic solid electrolyte and a second inorganic solid electrolyte are included into at least one of the positive electrode layer, the negative electrode layer, and the solid electrolyte layer, the content of transition metal in the first inorganic solid electrolyte is less than 15% by mass on oxide basis, and the content of transition metal in the second inorganic solid electrolyte is 15% by mass or more on oxide basis.
US08852808B2

This invention provides a multi-layer article comprising a first electrode material, a second electrode material, and a porous separator disposed between and in contact with the first and the second electrode materials, wherein the porous separator comprises a nanoweb consisting essentially of a plurality of nanofibers of a fully aromatic polyimide. Also provided is a method for preparing the multi-layer article, and an electrochemical cell employing the same. A multi-layer article comprising a polyimide nanoweb with enhanced properties is also provided.
US08852806B2

Disclosed is a novel cathode active material for secondary batteries. More specifically, disclosed is a cathode active material for secondary batteries that reduces deintercalation of oxygen from a crystal structure of Li2MnO3 at a high voltage of 4.3V to 4.6V through incorporation of excess lithium in a transition metal cation layer.
US08852805B2

The present invention provides an electrode active material, an electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The electrode active material contains the following powder (A) and powder (B):(A) a powder of a lithium mixed metal oxide that is represented by the following formula (1) and has a layered rock-salt type crystal structure, the powder having a BET specific surface area of from 3 m2/g to 30 m2/g, Li(Ni1−(x+y)MnxFey)O2  (1) wherein x is within a range of more than 0 to less than 1, y is within a range of more than 0 to not more than 0.1, and x+y is within a range of more than 0 to less than 1; (B) a powder of a lithium mixed metal oxide that has a spinel type crystal structure. The electrode contains the electrode active material. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes the electrode as a positive electrode.
US08852803B2

A composite includes a compound selected from the group consisting of a lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide and a lithium lanthanum tantalum oxide; a lanthanum oxide; and an oxide selected from the group consisting of a lanthanum zirconium oxide and a lanthanum tantalum oxide. An electrode active material for a secondary lithium battery may include such composite. Methods of preparing the composite, an electrode for a secondary lithium battery including the electrode active material, and a secondary lithium battery including the electrode are disclosed.
US08852801B2

A battery with more superior reliability is provided. The battery includes: a battery element in which a cathode having a cathode active material layer on a strip-shaped cathode current collector and an anode having an anode active material layer on a strip-shaped anode current collector are layered with a separator in between, wherein the anode active material layer is provided to occupy a first region that is overlapped with a cathode active material layer formation region in which the cathode active material layer is provided on the cathode current collector and a peripheral region thereof in the anode, and out of a second region adjacent to the first region in the longitudinal direction in the anode, a width of a third region in which the anode active material layer is not formed and the anode current collector is exposed is smaller than a width of the first region.
US08852799B2

An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that allows reversible charge and discharge to be carried out and can be used for a long period because of a stable non-aqueous electrolyte used therein. The invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material and capable of storing and releasing sodium, a negative electrode capable of storing and releasing sodium, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, and the positive electrode active material includes sodium, nickel, manganese, and a transition metal that can exist in a hexavalent state. An example of the transition metal that can exist in a hexavalent state may include tungsten (W). An example of the negative electrode may include a sodium metal capable of storing and releasing sodium ions.
US08852796B2

Disclosed are a secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of manufacturing a secondary battery includes preparing a pouch case comprising a first case and a second case, seating an electrode assembly into the first case, covering the first case comprising a receiving part with the second case, and sealing a side portion of the first case and a side portion of the second case using a jig. The jig includes a first jig compressing the first case and a second jig compressing the second case. A first compressed width of the first case compressed by the first jig is less than a second compressed width of the second case compressed by the second jig.
US08852795B2

A secondary battery including: a bare cell including an electrode assembly, a can to receive the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly attached to an opening of the top of the can; a protection circuit board electrically connected to the bare cell, and a molded resin disposed between the cap assembly and the protection circuit board. The cap assembly includes a cap plate attached to the top of the can and having a through-hole, an electrode terminal extending through the through-hole; and a gasket disposed around the electrode terminal. A portion of the molded resin is disposed in a gap between the electrode terminal and an upper surface of the cap plate.
US08852794B2

Subject matter disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for a battery system for electric vehicles and, more particularly, to removable modular batteries and a battery case to store the batteries.
US08852790B2

A secondary battery including: a cell unit including at least one battery cell; a protection circuit module including a circuit board having at least one terminal hole and at least one electrode tab. The electrode tab includes an insertion plate that is inserted into the terminal hole, to electrically connect the cell unit and the circuit board. The insertion plate includes a locking wing.
US08852783B2

A battery cell assembly is provided. The battery cell assembly includes a cooling fin having first and second plate portions and a first thermally conductive layer. The first and second plate portions are coupled to one another and extend longitudinally along a central axis. The first plate portion has a first thickness. The second plate portion has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The first thermally conductive layer is disposed on a first outer surface of the first plate portion. The cooling fin thermally communicates with the cooling plate. The battery cell assembly further includes a first battery cell disposed against the first thermally conductive layer and the second plate portion of the cooling fin.
US08852771B2

A battery includes a cylindrical shaft core, and a wound electrode formed by winding a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator around the outer periphery of the core. The wound electrode has a first wound portion formed by winding a first active material uncoated portion of the first electrode plate, a second wound portion formed by winding a second active material uncoated portion of the second electrode plate, and a power generating portion positioned between the first and second wound portions and formed by winding the first and second electrode plates, and the separator. The shaft core has a current collector portion composed of a metal, which is comprised of a joint portion connected to the first or second wound portion. The portions of the first or second wound portion, which are positioned on the outside of the shaft core in the radial direction with respect to the joint portion, are overlapped and welded to the joint portion.
US08852769B2

A nonaqueous secondary battery includes a current cutoff mechanism that cuts off a current in a short period of time in response to a rise in pressure inside a battery outer body in at least one of a conductive path through which a current is taken out from a positive electrode plate to outside of the battery and a conductive path through which a current is taken out from a negative electrode plate to outside of the battery. At least one type selected from an oligomer containing a cyclohexyl group and a phenyl group, a modified product of the oligomer containing a cyclohexyl group and a phenyl group, a polymer containing a cyclohexyl group and a phenyl group, and a modified product of the polymer containing a cyclohexyl group and a phenyl group is present on the surface of the positive electrode plate.
US08852765B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a microbial fuel cell capable of increasing a current density without employing a mediator. The microbial fuel cell 1 includes a 3-dimensionally structured agglomerate formed from conductive fine particles 2 and microorganisms 3. In the agglomerate 4, the conductive fine particles 2 disperse among pieces of Shewanella 3 and the conductive fine particles 2 are coupled to one another to hold Shewanella 3, thus forming the 3-dimensional structure as a whole. Accordingly, with respect to Shewanella 3, conductive fine particles 2 hold Shewanella 3a on a surface of an electrode 103 and even Shewanella 3b positioned vertically away from the surface of the electrode 103. Hence, it becomes possible that more pieces of Shewanella 3 are allowed to transfer electrons.
US08852760B2

A boron or boron containing dusting layer such as CoB or FeB is formed along one or both of top and bottom surfaces of a free layer at interfaces with a tunnel barrier layer and capping layer to improve thermal stability while maintaining other magnetic properties of a MTJ stack. Each dusting layer has a thickness from 0.2 to 20 Angstroms and may be used as deposited, or at temperatures up to 400° C. or higher, or following a subsequent anneal at 400° C. or higher. The free layer may be a single layer of CoFe, Co, CoFeB or CoFeNiB, or may include a non-magnetic insertion layer. The resulting MTJ is suitable for STT-MRAM memory elements or spintronic devices. Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is maintained in the free layer at temperatures up to 400° C. or higher. Ku enhancement is achieved and the retention time of a memory cell for STT-MRAM designs is increased.
US08852757B2

Disclosed is an organic electroluminescent device having high external quantum efficiency and long emission life. Also disclosed are an illuminating device and a display, each comprising such an organic electroluminescent device. The organic electroluminescent device is characterized by comprising at least an anode and a cathode on a supporting substrate, while having at least one light-emitting layer between the anode and the cathode. The organic electroluminescent device is also characterized by containing a polymer which at least partially contains a compound A having a partial structure represented by the general formula (a) below and a reactive group, and is obtained by polymerizing the compound A through the reactive group. (In the formula, Ar1 and Ar2 respectively represent an aromatic ring.)
US08852746B2

A substrate coating and a method of forming the same are provided. The substrate coating includes a first layer formed on a substrate, in which the composition of the first layer includes at least silicon-rich-carbon, and the amount of silicon is about equal to or greater than the amount of carbon; and a second layer formed on the first layer, in which the composition of the second layer includes at least fluorine doped diamond-like-carbon. The substrate coating not only is easy to clean, has good wearing performance, and provides a smooth surface, but also has better adhesion to prevent peeling off.
US08852745B2

An aspect of the present invention relates to an optical glass, which comprises, denoted as weight percent, 2 to 37 percent of SiO2, 0 to 25 percent of B2O3, 0 to 10 percent of GeO2, 18 to 55 percent of a combined content of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, CaO, SrO, and BaO, and 27 to 55 percent of a combined content of TiO2, Nb2O5, and WO3, wherein the weight ratio of SiO2 content relative to a combined content of SiO2 and B2O3 ranges from 0.1 to 1, a weight ratio of the Li2O content to a combined content of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, CaO, SrO, and BaO ranges from 0 to 0.4, and a weight ratio of TiO2 content relative to a combined content of TiO2, Nb2O5, and WO3 ranges from 0.35 to 1, with a refractive index nd of 1.860 to 1.990 and an Abbé number νd of 21 to 29.
US08852743B2

An electro-conductive member for electrophotography, including an electro-conductive mandrel and an electro-conductive layer; and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus using the same. The layer contains a binder resin having a sulfo or a quaternary ammonium group as an ion exchange group, and an ion opposite in polarity to the ion exchange group. The resin has any one of structures represented by formulas (1)-1 and (1)-2, and any one of structures represented by formulas (2)-1 to (2)-3; and the resin has a molecular structure preventing occurrence of a matrix-domain structure. M represents an integer of 2-20, n represents an integer of 5-50, p represents an integer of 1-25, q represents an integer of 1-15, and r represents an integer of 1-12. —(CF2)m—  Formula (1)-1 —(CF2—CF2—O)n—  Formula (1)-2 —(CH2—CH2—O)p—  Formula (2)-1 —(CH2—CHCH3—O)q—  Formula (2)-2 —(CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—O)r—  Formula (2)-3
US08852742B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing water-absorbent polymer particles by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a surrounding heated gas phase and flowing the gas cocurrent through the polymerization chamber, which comprises coating the water-absorbing polymer particles with at least one sulfinic acid, sulfonic acid and/or salts thereof.
US08852737B2

[Problem] To provide a coating composition capable of forming a hard coating on the surfaces of an optical base member such as a plastic lens featuring highly closely adhering property, excellent transparency and excellent scratch resistance.[Means for Solution] The coating composition comprise (a) a fine granular silica having a grain size of not larger than 30 nm; (b) organosilicon compound components containing an epoxy group-containing organosilicon compound (b1) and tetraalkoxysilane (b2) at a mass ratio (b1/b2) of 0.25 to 4.0; (c) water; and (d) a curing catalyst comprising a complex containing aluminum as a core metal, wherein the fine granular silica (a) is contained in an amount of 15 to 55 parts by mass, the water (c) is contained in an amount of 30 to 200 parts by mass and the curing catalyst (d) is contained in an amount of 0.1 to 5.0 parts by mass per the total amount of the fine granular silica (a) and the organosilicon compound components (b) of 100 parts by mass.
US08852736B2

A method of forming a reconstituted wood block can include providing a recovered wood having a high aspect ratio along wood grains of the recovered wood. The recovered wood can be radially crushed or obtained as strips of recovered veneer. The recovered wood can be pretreated to increase resin absorption to form a degreased wood. The degreased wood can then be dried sufficient to reduce a moisture content to produce a dried wood. The dried wood can be soaked in a resin solution to form a resin impregnated wood. The resin impregnated wood can be dried to reduce the moisture content without substantially curing the resin to form a dried resin impregnated wood. The dried resin impregnated wood can then be molded having wood fibers oriented in a non-random predetermined pattern substantially common direction and compacted to form an uncured molded wood. The pattern can be oriented along a substantially common direction or portions may be oriented transverse to others to obtain a knotted appearance. The uncured molded wood can then be cured to form the reconstituted wood block.
US08852718B2

Surface coating composition, method and apparatus for coating a surface. The surface coating composition comprises a recycled rubber product, one or more binding agent and optionally one or more additional agent.
US08852717B2

In a method for containing a spilled liquid, a mat is provided onto a surface. The mat includes a liquid permeable upper layer disposed above a liquid impermeable lower layer, with a watertight adhesive securing the upper layer to the lower layer. The watertight adhesive defines one or more enclosed regions between the upper and lower layers. A vessel containing liquid can be placed on the mat, accessible by an animal or human, such that liquid spilled from the vessel falls onto the mat above the one or more enclosed regions. The spilled liquid permeates through the liquid permeable upper layer onto one or more enclosed regions, where the liquid impermeable lower layer prevents further vertical permeation of the liquid while the watertight adhesive that bounds the enclosed regions inhibits lateral permeation of the liquid. The spilled liquid is thereby contained in the enclosed regions onto which it was spilled.
US08852711B2

A carpeted, vehicle load floor including a pivotable, carpeted cover segmented into articulated sectional members is provided. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel and the segmented cover to removably cover a storage area in the interior of the vehicle. The cover is segmented into articulated, planar sectional members to allow desired cover positioning over the storage area. The members are pivotally connected to one another for folding one over the other. The load floor also includes a substantially continuous carpet layer bonded to a top support surface of the panel and top support surfaces of each of the members. A first living hinge allows the carpeted cover to pivot between different use positions and a second living hinge allows the members to easily pivot and fold one over the other in a compact, folded, open position of the cover.
US08852710B2

A detachable surface flow enhancement device is provided, comprising: an aerodynamic structure configured to deflect moving air incident upon the aerodynamic structure; and an attaching element configured to attach the aerodynamic structure to a surface of a vehicle and to detach he aerodynamic structure from the surface of the vehicle without altering the surface of the vehicle.
US08852708B2

Disclosed is a vacuum insulation member having a uniform insulation thickness, a refrigerator having a vacuum insulation member, and a method for fabricating a vacuum insulation member. The vacuum insulation member includes: an envelope having gas impermeability and having a certain decompressed space therein; and a core including a plurality of laminated mesh members to support the envelope at an outer side of the envelope.
US08852707B2

Provided is a PAS resin composition with which molded articles having excellent high- and low-temperature impact properties can be obtained and which can be highly inhibited from leaving mold deposits when molded and is suitable for use in insert molding. Also provided is an insert-molded article obtained using the resin composition. The PAS-derived resin composition comprises a PAS resin having carboxylic terminal groups and an olefin-derived copolymer, wherein the olefin-derived copolymer comprises units of an α-olefin, a glycidyl ester of an α,β-unsaturated acid, and an acrylic ester as comonomer units, the PAS resin has a number average molecular weight of 1,000-10,000, and the content of the comonomer units derived from the glycidyl ester in the resin composition is 0.08-0.20 mass %, the ratio of the content of the comonomer units derived from the glycidyl ester (mmol/kg) to the amount of the carboxylic terminal groups (mmol/kg) being 0.35-1.00.
US08852703B2

Linerless label media comprises a substrate, a thermally-sensitive coating, and an adhesive. The substrate has a front side and a back side opposite the front side. The thermally-sensitive coating is disposed on the front side of the substrate. The adhesive is disposed on a portion of the back side of the substrate. The adhesive may comprise emulsion polymer particles and high-aspect reinforcement particles dispersed within the emulsion polymer particles to provide a relatively high level of reinforcement per reinforcement particle. The adhesive may include a tapered surface interconnecting first and second adhesive edge surfaces which extend substantially parallel to a longitudinally-extending axis. The substrate may comprise a transparent material. The thermally-sensitive coating may comprise a clear material.
US08852698B2

It is an object to provide a laser beam machining method which can easily cut a machining target. The laser beam machining method irradiates laser light while positioning a focus point at the inside of a machining target to thereby form a treated area based on multiphoton absorption along a planned cutting line of the machining target inside the machining target and also form a minute cavity at a predetermined position corresponding to the treated area in the machining target.
US08852696B2

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes include, in one embodiment, a method for processing a wafer within a vapor deposition reactor comprising heating at least one wafer disposed on a wafer carrier by exposing a lower surface of the wafer carrier to radiation emitted from a lamp assembly and flowing a liquid through a passageway extending throughout the reactor to maintain the reactor lid assembly at a predetermined temperature, such as within a range from about 275° C. to about 325° C. The method further includes traversing the wafer carrier along a wafer carrier track through at least a chamber containing a showerhead assembly and an isolator assembly and another chamber containing a showerhead assembly and an exhaust assembly, and removing gases from the reactor through the exhaust assembly.
US08852685B2

A method of coating the inner surfaces of gas passages of a gas delivery system for a plasma process system such as a plasma etching system includes (a) flowing a fluidic precursor of a corrosion-resistant material through the gas passages and depositing a layer of the fluidic precursor to completely coat the inner surfaces of the gas passages; (b) removing excess fluidic precursor from the inner surfaces; (c) curing the deposited layer of the fluidic precursor to form a corrosion-resistant material coating.
US08852684B2

A finish for acrylic fiber to be processed into carbon fiber includes an ester compound having at least three ester groups in its molecule and a silicone compound, wherein the silicone compound constitutes 10 to 50 weight percent of the whole of the nonvolatile matter of the finish. A method of manufacturing carbon fiber includes the processes of applying the finish for acrylic fiber to be processed into carbon fiber to acrylic fiber to be processed into carbon fiber; oxidative-stabilizing the finish-applied acrylic fiber in an oxidizing atmosphere at 200 to 300 deg. C. to convert the fiber into oxidized fiber; and carbonizing the oxidized fiber in an inert atmosphere at 200 to 3000 deg. C.
US08852681B2

A mask and method for kinetic cold gas compacting is disclosed. The mask includes a body for covering a not-to-be-coated region of a substrate to be coated having a work side exposed to a coating substance. The work side has a hardness such that the work side is not plastic deformable by a striking coating particle.
US08852676B2

A spin toque transfer magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) element and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed having a free sub-layer structure with enhanced internal stiffness. A first free sub-layer is deposited, the first free sub-layer being made partially of boron (B), annealing is performed of the STTMRAM element at a first temperature after depositing the first free sub-layer to reduce the B content at an interface between the first free sub-layer and the barrier layer, the annealing causing a second free sub-layer to be formed on top of the first free sub-layer and being made partially of B, the amount of B of the second free sub-layer being greater than the amount of B in the first free sub-layer. Cooling down the STTMRAM element to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature and depositing a third free sub-layer directly on top of the second free layer, with the third free sub-layer being made partially of boron (B), wherein the amount of B in the third sub-free layer is less than the amount of B in the second free sub-layer.
US08852670B2

A coating and drying apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent and drying the stent is provided.
US08852665B2

A process for milling grain includes milling whole grain wheat kernels into whole grain wheat flour having a particle size distribution where at least about 98% of the whole grain wheat flour is less than or equal to about 212 μm. The whole grain wheat flour includes substantially the same proportions of natural constituents, other than moisture, as compared to a representative sample of the whole grain wheat kernels.
US08852658B2

An anticancer composition containing a flowery portion of elm tree or its extract and a leaf portion of varnish tree or its extract is safe and shows high activity.
US08852655B2

Disclosed herein is a cosmetic composition which can inhibit skin aging resulting from external harmful environmental factors such as UV light and environmental pollution, which promote aging. More specifically, disclosed is a cosmetic composition, which contains green tea polysaccharide and Tricholoma matsutake extract and shows an excellent anti-aging effect by inhibiting skin inflammatory and oxidative processes.
US08852648B2

A composition and method adapted for delivery of hydrophilic, biologically-active agents are disclosed. The composition can include a reverse microemulsion formed from at least one hydrophilic, biologically-active agent solubilized by a hydrophobic reverse emulsion surfactant in a non-stinging, volatile, hydrophobic solvent. The non-stinging, volatile, hydrophobic solvent is selected from the group consisting of volatile linear and cyclic siloxanes, volatile linear, branched, and cyclic alkanes, volatile fluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons, liquid carbon dioxide under pressure, and combinations thereof. The reverse microemulsion can be an optically clear solution.
US08852631B2

The present invention relates to new acid resistant hard pharmaceutical capsules, a process for their manufacture and use of such capsules particularly but not exclusively for oral administration of pharmaceuticals, veterinary products, food and dietary supplements to humans or animals. The capsules of the invention are obtained by aqueous compositions comprising a water soluble film forming polymer and gellan gum in a mutual weight ratio of 4 to 15 weight parts of gellan gum for 100 weight parts of film forming polymer.
US08852622B2

One embodiment of the invention relates to a coated implant having a base body composed of a biocorrodible magnesium alloy. The coating of the implant comprises:(i) a base layer, which is applied to the base body, composed of a basic polymer having a repeater unit that contains units of formula (1) or (2) and (ii) a polymeric cover layer that is applied directly to the base layer.
US08852617B2

A dental care preparation in a form of a toothpaste or tooth gel dentifrice includes an antimicrobial amount of at least one antimicrobial N-methylol transfer agent, and at least one of a fluoride compound or a source of fluoride ions.
US08852597B2

Improved anti-CD154 antibodies are provided herein which have ablated FcR binding. The use of these antibodies for inducing tolerance and treating immune diseases including autoimmunity, inflammation and allergic disorders is disclosed herein.
US08852595B2

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.
US08852592B2

The present invention is related to the anti-PAX8 antibodies, kits, cocktails, and use of anti-PAX8 antibodies for detection of cancer.
US08852577B2

The invention relates to polynucleotides coding for the PPVO viral genome, to fragments of the polynucleotides coding for the PPVO genome and to polynucleotides coding for individual open reading frames (ORFs) of the PPVO viral genome. The invention also relates to recombinant proteins expressed from the above mentioned polynucleotides and to fragments of said recombinant proteins, and to the use of said recombinant proteins or fragments for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions.
US08852575B2

Disclosed are compositions and methods for method of treating a subject having reduced cardiac function or cardiac disease by administering adult bone marrow-derived stem cells to an individual. In some embodiments, the subject is a myocardial infarction patient or congestive heart failure patient. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectable or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.
US08852564B2

A cosmetic composition includes, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least: one copolymer containing at least alkyl methacrylate, alkyl acrylate and acrylic acid monomers; one non-volatile oil having a hydrocarbon-based chain containing at least 16 carbon atoms and having a molar mass of less than 650 g/mol; and one glossy oil having a molar mass of greater than or equal to 650 g/mol.
US08852556B2

A method for evaluating the effect of a compound on vasomotor response in vivo comprises the steps of administering said compound to a rabbit and measuring the diameter of the vessel lumen of a central ear artery of said rabbit in comparison with the baseline diameter of the vessel lumen of said central ear artery of said rabbit, said baseline diameter being measured prior to the administration of said compound.
US08852549B2

Provided are methods for maintaining the ratio of the oxime to equilibrium modifier concentration in solvent extraction circuits, said solvents essentially consisting of at least one ketoxime and/or aldoxime; at least one equilibrium modifier; and at least one diluent.
US08852547B2

A new method for recovering a catalytic metal and carbon nanotubes from a supported catalyst is provided. The carbon nanotube, including carbon nanotube structures, may serve as the support for the catalytic metal. The valence state of the catalytic metal, if not already in the positive state, is raised to a positive state by contacting the supported catalyst with a mild oxidizing agent under conditions which does not destroy the carbon nanotube. The supported catalyst is simultaneously or subsequently contacted with an acid solution to dissolve the catalytic metal without dissolving the carbon nanotube.
US08852531B2

The present invention relates to a system for detecting microbial contamination of a liquid specimen comprising a device for concentrating micro-organisms from a liquid specimen, having (i) a hypobaric chamber, (ii) a filter housing comprising a liquid-permeable bed of an adsorbent material and adapted for being fluidly connected to said hypobaric chamber, and (iii) a vacuum pump adapted for being fluidly connected to said hypobaric chamber, said system further comprising a kit for detection of micro-organisms adsorbed to said adsorbent material, wherein said kit is based on enzymatic detection using chromogenic and/or fluorescent substrate analogs.
US08852527B2

A microfluidic chip includes microfluidic channels, elements for thermally and optically isolating the microfluidic channels, and elements for enhancing the detection of optical signal emitted from the microfluidic channels. The thermal and optical isolation elements may comprise barrier channels interposed between adjacently-arranged pairs of microfluidic channels for preventing thermal and optical cross-talk between the adjacent microfluidic channels. The isolation element may alternatively comprise reflective film embedded in the microfluidic chip between the adjacent microfluidic channels. The signal enhancement elements comprise structures disposed adjacent to the microfluidic channels that reflect light passing through or emitted from the microfluidic channel in a direction toward a detector. The structures may comprise channels or a faceted surface that redirects the light by total internal reflection or reflective film material embedded in the microfluidic chip.
US08852516B2

The present invention relates to a continuous separation and discharge apparatus and method of solid catalysts and liquid products for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions, and more particularly, to a continuous separation and discharge apparatus and method of solid catalysts and products for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions involving the conversion of synthetic gas into synthetic oil, by which products of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis including wax, as a long-chain hydrocarbon, can be stably obtained by continuously separating the products from a slurry comprising solid catalyst particles and the products using periodic pulses of a feeding gas and discharging the products through a lower portion of a reactor. Provided is a continuous separation and discharge apparatus of solid catalysts and products for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions including: a level sensing device which is installed at an upper portion of a reactor and detects the slurry-level of reactants; a solid catalyst/product separation device and a discharge device which are installed at a lower portion of the reactor and separate and discharge liquid products from a mixed slurry in the reactor; and a control unit which receives a signal from the level sensing device to open and close the discharge device, wherein the separation device filters the solid catalysts, and the discharge device continuously discharges the products separated from the solid catalysts through the lower portion of the reactor by the amount of the synthesized products measured by a level sensing device.
US08852501B2

A process for removing or treating harmful biological and chemical substances from an enclosure, such as a building or vehicle by using heated air. The method of the present invention is non-toxic and can be performed in a relatively short amount of time while effectively killing and removing a large proportion of dead organisms and substantially reducing volatile organic compounds.
US08852495B2

A process for manufacturing a piece made of composite material including a fiber preform that is embedded in a matrix, includes placing the preform in a first chamber that is delimited by a first semi-sealed wall, i.e., permeable to gas and impermeable to a product that is able to form the matrix, extracting the gases in a second chamber that is delimited by a second gas-tight wall and the first semi-sealed wall so as to obtain the diffusion of the product that is able to form the matrix in the preform, characterized in that it consists in using—as a first semi-sealed wall—at least one plate with a number of pipes of tapered shape that empty on either side of the at least one plate and at least one semi-sealed membrane that is superposed on the at least one plate.
US08852491B2

In a method of manufacturing an electroforming mold, a first photoresist layer is formed on an upper surface of a bottom conductive film of a substrate, and the first photoresist layer is divided into a first soluble portion and a first insoluble portion. A conductive material is thermally deposited on an upper surface of the first photoresist layer within a predetermined temperature range, to thereby form an intermediate conductive film. An intermediate conductive film is patterned. A second photoresist layer is formed on an exposed upper surface of the first photoresist layer after the intermediate conductive film is removed, and on an upper surface of the intermediate conductive film remaining after patterning. The second photoresist layer is divided into a second soluble portion and a second insoluble portion. Next, the first and second photoresist layers are developed, and the first and second soluble portions are removed.
US08852489B2

The present invention provides a process for producing moldings, the curing of the mold being carried out using a blend comprising one or more epoxy resins and a mixture, the curing component a) being used within the mixture in the range from 0.3 to 0.9 amine equivalent per equivalent of epoxide of the epoxy resin used, and the hardener component b) being a compound of the formula I.
US08852482B2

A method and apparatus is provided which uses activation members for incrementally stretching a web at a low strain rate. The activation members include an activation belt and a single activation member wherein the activation belt and single activation member comprise a plurality of teeth and grooves that complement and engage one another at a depth of engagement in a deformation zone. The depth of engagement can be controlled to increase linearly over at least a portion of the deformation zone such that a web interposed between the activation belt and the single activation member in the deformation zone is incrementally stretched at a low rate of strain.
US08852469B2

Disclosed are an optical member, a display device including the optical member and a method of fabricating the optical member. The display device includes a light source; a wavelength conversion member into which light generated from the light source is incident; and a display panel into which light is incident from the wavelength conversion member. The wavelength conversion member includes a receiving part having a pipe shape; a matrix in the receiving part; and a plurality of wavelength conversion particles disposed in the matrix to convert a wavelength of the light generated from the light source.
US08852463B2

A metal fine particle for a conductive metal paste includes a protective agent covering a surface of the metal fine particle. An amount of heat generated per unit mass (g) of the metal fine particle is not less than 500 J at a temperature of an external heat source temperature in a range of 200° C. to 300° C. when being calcined by the external heat source. The protective agent includes at least one selected from the group consisting of dipropylamine, dibutylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine, butanethiol, pentanethiol, hexanethiol, heptanethiol, octanethiol, nonanethiol, decanethiol, undecanethiol and dodecanethiol. The content of the protective agent is in a range of 0.1 to 20% by mass with respect to the mass of the metal fine particle.
US08852461B2

A family of carboxylic acid group containing fluorene/fluorenon copolymers is disclosed as binders of silicon particles in the fabrication of negative electrodes for use with lithium ion batteries. These binders enable the use of silicon as an electrode material as they significantly improve the cycle-ability of silicon by preventing electrode degradation over time. In particular, these polymers, which become conductive on first charge, bind to the silicon particles of the electrode, are flexible so as to better accommodate the expansion and contraction of the electrode during charge/discharge, and being conductive promote the flow battery current.
US08852458B2

This invention relates to coating compositions comprising a glycidyl carbamate functional resin, an epoxy resin, and an amine curing agent. The coating compositions have improved corrosion resistance, particularly on untreated steel substrates.
US08852457B2

A method for purification and conditioning of crude syngas based on properties of molten salts, includes removing particles at a high-temperature by enabling the high-temperature crude syngas produced by a gasification device to firstly pass through a high-temperature particle removal device to remove solid particles in the gas; removing hydrocarbons in the presence of oxygen by introducing an oxidant into the crude syngas after treatment, selectively removing the hydrocarbons in the crude syngas and simultaneously utilizing high temperature produced by oxidation of the hydrocarbons to crack tar; and removing gas pollutants and conditioning by introducing the obtained crude syngas into molten salts medium, removing pollutants containing sulfur and chlorine in the crude syngas, and simultaneously adjusting the H2/CO ratio of the syngas to obtain purified syngas.
US08852455B2

Embodiments of the present invention are directed a β-SiAlON:Eu2+based green emitting phosphor having the formula Eux(A1)6−z(A2)zOyN8−z(A3)2(x+z−y), where 0
US08852451B2

The present invention relates to a silicon etching solution which is used for selectively etching a dummy gate made of silicon in a process for producing a transistor including a laminate formed of at least a high dielectric material film and a metal gate containing hafnium, zirconium, titanium, tantalum or tungsten by the method of removing the dummy gate made of silicon to replace the dummy gate with the metal gate and which includes 0.1 to 40% by weight of at least one alkali compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, a diamine and a polyamine represented by the general formula (1), 0.01 to 40% by weight of at least one polyhydric alcohol selected from the group consisting of specific polyhydric alcohols and a non-reducing sugar, and 40 to 99.89% by weight of water, and a process for producing a transistor using the silicon etching solution.
US08852449B2

Lubricant compositions comprising certain mixtures of esters of pentaerythritol, di-pentaerythritol, tri-pentaerythritol and higher pentaerythritol oligomers are ideally suited for use with CO2 as refrigerant in heat transfer devices provided that at least 30% by weight of the esters are esters of pentaerythritol oligomers containing 4 or more pentaerythritol monomer units and wherein a majority of the alkylcarboxylate groups are straight chain C3-6 alkanoyl groups, such as n-pentanoyl. Said mixture of alkylcarboxylate esters are shown to not only have higher than expected viscosity and exceptional CO2 miscibility, but also possess excellent lubricity, film building properties and load bearing properties even as part of a lubricant/CO2 solution.
US08852438B2

A membrane filtration device has a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship; said first header and said second header having opposed ends of each fiber sealingly secured therein, all open ends of said fibers open to a permeate-discharging face of at least one header; permeate collection means to collect said permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming an integrated combination wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed and ends of individual fibers are potted in closely spaced-apart relationship in cured resin; with opposed faces at a fixed distance; each of said fibers having a length from 0.1% to less than 5% greater.
US08852430B2

A water treatment device includes a control module communicating with a feed line; an energy pipe communicating with the control module; a light wave pipe assembly communicating with the energy pipe; and magnetizing pipe communicating with the light wave pipe assembly through the second manifold then with an exit line. The light wave pipe assembly communicates with the light wave generator so that the wave guide tube grants the light wave energy to the water liquid. The magnetic energy of magnets of the magnetizing pipe magnetizes the water liquid. Furthermore, with the use of multiple loops which refine molecules of the water liquid, the energy of the water liquid increases to allow the water liquid to be easily absorbed by human body.
US08852429B2

A method for processing froth treatment tailings, including separating the froth treatment tailings in order to produce a coarse mineral material fraction and a fine mineral material fraction therefrom, subjecting the coarse mineral material fraction to froth flotation in order to produce a heavy mineral concentrate and a coarse mineral material tailings therefrom, and subjecting the heavy mineral concentrate to solvent extraction in order to produce a debitumenized heavy mineral concentrate and a bitumen extract therefrom.
US08852428B2

The hydrorefining method of the invention is characterized by contacting, in the presence of hydrogen, a fuel stock comprising normal paraffins and oxygen-containing compounds, with a hydrorefining catalyst comprising a support containing USY zeolite and at least one solid acid selected from among silica-alumina, alumina-boria, silica-zirconia, silica-magnesia and silica-titania, and at least one metal selected from among metals of Group VIb and metals of Group VIII of the Periodic Table supported on the support.
US08852420B2

A calibration method, including steps of: providing a test meter having a socket provided with a set of conductive pins; providing a biosensor test strip having a set of strip electrodes corresponding to the set of conductive pins, wherein the combination of lengths of the strip electrodes corresponds to a parameter code; inserting the biosensor test strip into the socket of the test meter so that each of the conductive pins and each of the corresponding strip electrode have a relative motion; reading out the parameter code by using a set of pulse widths detected by each of the conductive pins in the insertion period; and calibrating the test meter by using the parameter code to match a calibration parameter installed in the test meter.
US08852409B2

A high purity ceramic oxygen generator incorporating a module utilizing a plurality of tubular ceramic membrane elements and configured to operate in: (i) a pressurizing mode to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed stream when an electric potential difference is applied to induce oxygen ion transport in an electrolyte thereof; and (ii) an idle mode when the electric potential difference is removed. The ceramic oxygen generator further includes one or more manifolds as well as one or more automatic purge valves located upstream of the oxygen receiving tank. The purge valve is opened for a pre-set duration upon initiation of the pressurization mode to purge any nitrogen or other contaminating gas that diffuses into the ceramic oxygen generator during idle mode thereby ensuring the desired purity level of oxygen is received by the oxygen receiving tank.
US08852405B2

A dual-mode dividing wall column capable of mode switching between a dividing wall column operating mode and a conventional column operating mode, and a distillation method using the dual-mode dividing wall column, wherein when compared to the existing conventional column, the invention can reduce device costs and energy and improve productivity is described. Furthermore, since a mutual conversion between a dividing wall column operating mode and a conventional column operating mode is enabled without shutting down a process, an economic loss which can occur during shutdown caused by the malfunction of a device can be prevented.
US08852403B2

A twin wire press for dewatering solid-liquid suspensions, such as pulp suspensions, between top and bottom webs is described herein which includes consecutive primary, secondary and tertiary dewatering sections. The primary dewatering section includes a wedge area. The secondary dewatering section is positioned adjacent to the primary section downstream therefrom and includes grooved rolls in an s-roll configuration. The tertiary dewatering section includes rolls in a scissor-nip configuration. The press rolls in the secondary and tertiary section are all supported onto a frame. Whenever maintenance is to be performed on any one of the grooved rolls or on the press roll assemblies, an overhead crane can for example be used since no frame structure is provided on top thereof.
US08852399B2

Polymer-containing articles of manufacture that provide one or more superior properties, such as soil adsorption properties, mirror cleaning properties, and/or absorption properties, compared to known polymer-containing articles of manufacture, are provided.
US08852398B2

The present invention provides tissue products having increased CD stretch, which may be manufactured using a process in which the nascent web is subjected to two distinct rush transfers. The first rush transfer occurs when the web is transferred from the forming fabric to the transfer fabric, i.e., the “first position,” and the second occurs when the web is transferred from the transfer fabric to the through-air drying fabric (TAD) fabric, i.e., the “second position.” The overall speed differential between the forming fabric and the TAD fabric may be, for example, from about 10 to about 50 percent, with the amount of rush transfer being divided between the first and second position in a manner sufficient to achieve the desired CD stretch and other sheet properties.
US08852395B2

The method and arrangement are for adding treatment liquid to comminuted cellulose material, preferably wood chips, during the manufacture of chemical pulp in a continuous process. The process is using a down-flow vessel wherein chips are descending down the vessel in a plug flow and wherein treated chips are continuously fed out at the bottom of the vessel. By arranging at least one telescopic pipe inside the vessel that extends down into the plug flow makes it possible to adjust the position for the addition of treatment liquid depending on current operational parameters.
US08852394B2

Apparatus for evaporating waste water having chemicals therein which cause foaming comprises a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, one or more submerged combustion chambers with burners suspended within the holding tank, and, one or more foam skimming weirs located in an upper portion of the holding tank, the one or more foam skimming weirs defining one or more foam collection zones.
US08852390B2

A substrate processing apparatus includes: a cylindrical shaped chamber configured to accommodate a substrate; a movable electrode capable of moving along a central axis of the cylindrical shaped chamber within the cylindrical shaped chamber; a facing electrode facing the movable electrode within the cylindrical shaped chamber; and an expansible/contractible partition wall connecting the movable electrode with an end wall on one side of the cylindrical shaped chamber. In the substrate processing apparatus, a high frequency power is applied to a first space between the movable electrode and the facing electrode, a processing gas is introduced thereto, and the movable electrode is not in contact with a sidewall of the cylindrical shaped chamber. At least one low dielectric member is provided in a second space between the movable electrode and the end wall on one side of the cylindrical shaped chamber.
US08852389B2

There is provided a plasma processing apparatus capable of stably generating plasma by suppressing oscillation of a plasma potential, and capable of preventing contamination caused by sputtering a facing electrode made of metal. A high frequency bias power is applied to an electrode within a mounting table for mounting a target object thereon. An extended protrusion 60 is formed at an inner peripheral surface of a cover member 27. The extended protrusion 60 is formed toward a plasma generation space S and serves as a facing electrode facing an electrode 7 within a mounting table 5 with the plasma generation space S therebetween. A ratio of a surface area of the facing electrode with respect to that of an electrode for bias (facing electrode surface area/bias electrode area) is in a range of from about 1 to about 5.
US08852374B2

A method for manufacturing an optical film laminate including subjecting a laminate including the non-crystallizable ester type thermoplastic resin substrate and the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer formed on the non-crystallizable ester type thermoplastic resin substrate to an elevated temperature in-air stretching to form a stretched laminate comprising a stretched intermediate consisting of a molecularly oriented polyvinyl alcohol type resin, impregnating the dichroic material in the stretched laminate to form a dyed laminate including a dyed intermediate comprising a polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer having the dichroic material impregnated therein in an oriented state, and stretching the dyed laminate in boric acid solution to form an optical film laminate.
US08852371B2

A method of forming an air passageway in a an air maintenance tire carcass includes: embedding an elongate strip within a pre-cured flexible tire component of a pre-cured tire carcass, the elongate strip extending in a longitudinal direction between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component; curing the pre-cured tire carcass including the flexible tire component; extracting the elongate strip longitudinally end-to-end from occupancy within the flexible tire component; and defining an air passageway in the flexible component by the space previously occupied by the withdrawn elongate strip. A free end portion of the strip is accessible at either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity, and the elongate strip may be extracted from either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity by a tensile withdrawal force applied to the elongate strip free end.
US08852364B2

Provided is material for an aluminum alloy exhibiting a sufficient heat resistance, tensile strength as well as stress corrosion cracking resistance necessary for use as automobile parts. Also, provided are a forged part forged from such aluminum alloy and an aluminum alloy high strength bolt made thereof. The aluminum alloy (by mass) is consisted of (by mass) 1.0 to 1.7% of Si, 0.05 to 0.5% of Fe, 0.8 to 1.5% of Cu, 0.6 to 1.2% of Mn, 0.9 to 1.5% of Mg, 0.05 to 0.5% of Zn, 0.05 to 0.3% of Zr, 0.01 to 0.2% of V, and when needed, Ti exceeding 0% and not more than 0.05%, and, when further needed, Ni exceeding 0% and not more than 0.7%, the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities.
US08852356B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a hot strip from transformation-free ferritic steel, wherein a melt is cast into a roughed strip and the latter is subsequently rolled into a hot strip. For this purpose, it is provided that the melt is cast in a horizontal strip casting facility under conditions of a calm flow and free of bending into a roughed strip in the range between 6 and 20 mm and is subsequently rolled into hot strip having a degree of deformation of at least 50%.
US08852351B2

A method of operating a dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving utensils and a spraying system spraying liquid in the treating chamber, to determine at least one parameter of the cycle of operation based on the set of load condition by selectively spraying liquid in multiple portions of the treating chamber.
US08852345B2

Electronic devices are formed on a substrate that is advanced stepwise through a plurality of deposition vessels. Each deposition vessel includes a source of deposition material and has at least two shadow masks associated therewith. Each of the two masks is alternately positioned within the corresponding deposition vessel for patterning the deposition material onto the substrate through apertures in the mask positioned therein, and positioned in an adjacent cleaning vessel for mask cleaning. The patterning onto the substrate and the cleaning of at least one of the masks are performed concurrently.
US08852343B2

Apparatus for vapor phase growing of crystals having a single multi-zone heater arranged to heat a heated zone to give a predetermined temperature profile along the length of the heated zone. A generally U-shaped tube having a first limb, a second limb, and a linkage connecting the first and second limbs is located on the heated zone. The first limb contains a source material. The second limb supports a seed such that the source material and seed are spaced longitudinally within the heated zone to provide a predetermined temperature differential between the source and seed. The crystal is grown on the seed.
US08852342B2

A surface of a single crystalline semiconductor-carbon alloy layer having a surface normal along or close to a major crystallographic direction is provided by mechanical means such as cutting and/or polishing. Such a surface has naturally formed irregular surface features. Small semiconductor islands are deposited on the surface of single crystalline semiconductor-carbon alloy layer. Another single crystalline semiconductor-carbon alloy structure may be placed on the small semiconductor islands, and the assembly of the two semiconductor-carbon alloy layers with the semiconductor islands therebetween is annealed. During the initial phase of the anneal, surface diffusion of the semiconductor material proceeds to form vicinal surfaces while graphitization is suppressed because the space between the two semiconductor-carbon alloy layers maintains a high vapor pressure of the semiconductor material. Once all semiconductor material is consumed, graphitization occurs in which graphene layers can be formed on the vicinal surfaces having atomic level surface flatness.
US08852341B2

The present invention discloses methods to produce large quantities of polycrystalline GaN for use in the ammonothermal growth of group III-nitride material. High production rates of GaN can be produced in a hydride vapor phase growth system. One drawback to enhanced polycrystalline growth is the increased incorporation of impurities, such as oxygen. A new reactor design using non-oxide material that reduces impurity concentrations is disclosed. Purification of remaining source material after an ammonothermal growth is also disclosed. The methods described produce sufficient quantities of polycrystalline GaN source material for the ammonothermal growth of group III-nitride material.
US08852325B2

A device for collecting particles that have a high electron affinity, particularly explosive particles, from a gas, includes a flow channel (12a) in which at least one electrically positive collector electrode (20a) and at least one ionising electrode (18a) are arranged, between which an electrical field is present so that the particles having high electron affinity can be indirectly charged by corona discharge on the ionising electrode (18a) and can be displaced towards the collector electrode (20a).
US08852319B2

The invention is a process involving membrane-based gas separation for separating and recovering carbon dioxide emissions from combustion processes in partially concentrated form, and then transporting the carbon dioxide and using or storing it in a confined manner without concentrating it to high purity. The process of the invention involves building up the concentration of carbon dioxide in a gas flow loop between the combustion step and a membrane separation step. A portion of the carbon dioxide-enriched gas can then be withdrawn from this loop and transported, without the need to liquefy the gas or otherwise create a high-purity stream, to a destination where it is used or confined, preferably in an environmentally benign manner.
US08852318B2

In a method for compressing a water-containing CO2-rich fluid wherein the CO2-rich fluid is compressed in a compressor located upstream from the compression step, an antifreeze agent is injected into the water-containing CO2-rich fluid in order to lower the water solidification temperature. The antifreeze agent-containing CO2-rich fluid is frozen, water is extracted from the frozen fluid, and the frozen fluid is compressed in the compressor.
US08852314B2

A magnetic powder for magnetic recording medium comprises acicular particles constituted primarily of Fe, wherein the powder contains Co in an amount such that the Co/Fe ratio is 50 at. % or less and the Co is contained in a manner such that the surface portion has a higher concentration than the core portion of the particles, and upon subjecting the magnetic powder for magnetic recording medium to TG measurement, the powder exhibits at least two oxidation starting points: a low-temperature side oxidation starting point and a high-temperature side oxidation starting point. The magnetic powder achieves improved resistance to oxidation without sacrificing magnetic characteristics.
US08852303B2

A coal feed system to feed pulverized low rank coals containing up to 25 wt % moisture to gasifiers operating up to 1000 psig pressure is described. The system includes gas distributor and collector gas permeable pipes imbedded in the lock vessel. Different methods of operation of the feed system are disclosed to minimize feed problems associated with bridging and packing of the pulverized coal. The method of maintaining the feed system and feeder device exit pressures using gas addition or extraction with the pressure control device is also described.
US08852302B2

Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, and methods of making the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels.
US08852295B2

A secondary battery includes: an electric cell layer including a stack structure sequentially including: a positive electrode layer, a separator layer, and a negative electrode layer having an electrolyte higher in conductivity than an electrolyte of at least one of the separator layer and the positive electrode layer.
US08852291B2

A gel liner made by starting initially with a one-piece knitted tubular sock-shaped fabric having a closed distal end section of gel impermeable knitted fabric, an open proximal end section of gel impermeable knitted fabric and at least one intermediate section being a gel permeable loosely knitted fabric. Molding the liner to have a gel cushion layer on its interior surface with the gel passing through and embedding the at least one intermediate fabric section therein to form at least one annular seal. The intermediate fabric section selected of meltable fibers and knit construction that may or may not be melted by the gel during the molding process whereby the at least one annular seal is not inhibited in compression and/or elongation by the presence or absence of fabric when the liner is worn thereby reducing or eliminating any discomfort of the liner during ambulation caused by the annular seal.
US08852288B2

A hip prosthesis has an oblong plate with at one head end a mounting pin provided with a hinge ball, and at the opposite head end a fastening pin for fastening the hip prosthesis in a shaft of a bone. A first part of the plate extends on a first side of the mounting pin. The mounting pin forms an angle α smaller than 90 degrees with the first part of the plate and the tangent to the fastening pin at the location of the connection between the fastening pin and the first part of the plate forms an angle β greater than 90 degrees with the first part of the plate. In order to insert the hip prosthesis into a bone in a simple manner, the fastening pin includes a curved shape from the plate onwards in a direction to the first part of the plate.
US08852285B2

Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of implants for repairing or relieving damage to the distal radioulnar joint. A component for replacing at least part of the ulnar head includes a concave surface for accommodating a convex surface of a component for attachment to the radius, e.g. in the sigmoid notch of the radius.
US08852283B2

This glenoidal component for a shoulder prosthesis comprises a base which may be immobilized on the glenoid cavity of a shoulder, and an element provided to be mounted on this base and forming a convex surface of articulation centered on an axis of symmetry. This axis of symmetry is non perpendicular to a rear face of the base intended to abut against the glenoid cavity, this making it possible to compensate a defect in parallelism between the resectioned surface of the glenoid cavity and the axis of the patient's spinal column.A surgeon can select the component most adapted to the orientation of the resectioned surface from a set of components in which the axes of symmetry of the components are oriented differently with respect to their rear faces.
US08852282B2

A spacer for implantation between adjacent vertebrae is provided. The spacer includes a distal end and a proximal end. The spacer also includes top and bottom surfaces spaced by sides. The top and bottom surface define a height, and the sides define a width. Each of the sides of the spacer may include a depressed region sunk into the side including a sloped surface at least toward the proximal end of the spacer. The distance between the sloped surfaces of the sides may decrease proximally to form a web having a leading edge proximate to the proximal end of the spacer. The web may be sized and configured to aid distribution of bone graft material to either side of the spacer, wherein bone graft material is supplied to a site of interest is distributed to at least one side of the spacer.
US08852281B2

The present invention provides an intervertebral endoprosthesis disc for surgical implantation between two vertebrae having an endoprosthesis body comprising an anterior region and a posterior region designed to be positioned between a first vertebra and a second vertebra with a first and second movable insert positioned rotatably in anterior cavities and is rotatable to adjust the fasteners.
US08852277B2

A system and method for correcting misshaped ears using a molding device having one or more braces supporting a scaphal mold. The one or more braces and the scaphal mold are adapted to retain the helix and the helical rim of a misshaped ear within a space defined between the one or more braces and the scaphal mold, and to maintain a substantially correct anatomical shape of the helix and the helical rim.
US08852275B2

Disclosed is an intraocular lens supporter having a control ability. One embodiment of the present invention provides an intraocular lens supporter that is inserted into a capsular sac, including a first face coming in contact with an inner surface of the capsular sac in at least one point as a structural body that is extended along an equatorial region of the capsular sac; and a second face arranged opposite to the first face, wherein, in a section where the structural body is cut along a virtual plane in a visual axis direction (Y direction) of an eye lens, the first face is provided at a length as much as ¾ to 3 times of a length (d5, d10) of a region where an zonule of Zinn is coupled to an outer surface of the capsular sac.
US08852272B2

Apparatus is described for use with a native heart valve of a subject, the apparatus including (1) a prosthetic valve support, comprising an upstream support portion, the upstream support portion having (a) a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration in which the upstream support portion has an inner perimeter that defines an opening; and (2) a prosthetic valve, advanceable into the opening defined by the upstream support portion, and intracorporeally couplable to the upstream support portion by being expanded within the opening defined by the upstream support portion, the apparatus being configured such that, when the prosthetic valve is expanded within the opening defined by the upstream support portion, the expansion of the prosthetic valve is restricted by the inner perimeter of the upstream support portion, without causing the prosthetic valve support to apply a radially-expansive force to the native annulus. Other embodiments are also described.
US08852262B2

A stent (10) formed by slitting a tube to create a matrix of struts which are separated from each other by no more than the width of the slit and which lie more or less parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the tube, the slitted tube being radially expandable to a stenting disposition in which the struts exhibit a zigzag pattern in successive loops around the circumference of the stent, the angle each strut makes with the longitudinal axis increasing as the stent diameter increases the zigzag pattern exhibiting a cusp between any two adjacent struts with selected tied cusps of any one loop being connected by a bridge (12) to a facing cusp of the adjacent loop, the bridge extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube and with intervening free cusps (46, 48), between any two bridge of a loop, not being connected to the adjacent loop the zigzag pattern exhibiting a lengthwise staggering of circumferentially adjacent said slits to the extent that the lengths of two circumferentially adjacent struts on the zigzag pattern that flank a tied cusp are different and further such that, in the said stenting disposition, the free cusps of adjacent loops are circumferentially displaced from each other; and characterized in that: a majority of the struts in any one of the successive loops share a first common length X, and any remaining struts in said one loop share a second common length Y (42), wherein Y
US08852261B2

An endoluminal support structure includes strut members interconnected by swivel joints to form a series of linked scissor mechanisms. The structure can be remotely actuated to compress or expand its shape by adjusting the scissor joints within a range of motion. In particular, the support structure can be repositioned within the body lumen or retrieved from the lumen. The support structure can be employed to introduce and support a prosthetic valve within a body lumen.
US08852254B2

Apparatus and methods for treating psychiatric disorders, mood disorders and circadian rhythm disorders with a multi-stage light protocol are disclosed. The presently disclosed multi-stage light protocol provides a synergistic treatment including up to 4 types of therapies: bright light therapy, extended sleep deprivation therapy, dawn simulation therapy and short to medium wavelength light therapy. According to some embodiments, the first stage of the protocol includes a first time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is between 50 lux and 2000 lux. According to some embodiments, the second stage of the protocol includes a second time window of at least 90 minutes during which, for every 10 minute period within the second time window, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is exceeds 100 lux. According to some embodiments, the third stage of the protocol includes a third time window of 60 minutes during which, for a majority of the time, the light intensity exceeds 2000 lux In some embodiments, the light is provided by apparatus including a plurality of LEDs. Typically, the light includes white light having a broad spectrum. In some embodiments, the light further includes light having a medium wavelength, for example, wavelengths between 520 nm and 535 nm.
US08852244B2

A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.
US08852242B2

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.
US08852240B2

A method for augmenting bone in a subject in need thereof including installing within an interior portion of a bone located in the subject a sufficient amount of a biocompatible material to form a scaffold within the bone interior, wherein the scaffold serves as a support for the formation of new bone within the bone interior portion, and administering to the subject a sufficient amount of at least one bone augmentation agent to elevate blood concentration of at least one anabolic agent in the subject. The method may further include administering at least one anti-resorptive agent to the subject in an amount sufficient to substantially prevent resorption of new bone growth. In another embodiment, the method may further include a step of mechanically inducing an increase in osteoblast activity in the subject, wherein the elevation in blood concentration of the anabolic agent and the increase in osteoblast activity at least partially overlap in time.
US08852239B2

A spinal bone screw has a receiver with upstanding arms forming a channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member, such as a rod, the receiver being integral with a threaded shank. The receiver further includes inner surfaces in sliding engagement with an insert, the insert having a seating surface for the rod. The insert and rod being pivotable with respect to the bone screw in a single plane.
US08852238B2

A spinal implant system for use in immobilizing adjacent vertebral bodies in a minimally invasive manner, including a pair of implants having lengths sufficient so that one of the ends extend outside of a patient's body when the implants are installed. Each implant has a pair of opposed elongated posts which in conjunction with an orthogonally arranged support surface define a transverse opening for receiving a stabilizing rod. A cap having upper and lower surfaces is associated with each implant, each cap and its associated post has means for advancing the cap along the posts toward the support surface to lock a stabilizing rod therebetween. The rod is pivotally coupled to one of the caps so that the rod, when pivoted, will extend between the transverse openings in adjacently installed implants.
US08852237B2

A rod connector for joining a first rod and a second rod includes bore holes that are offset and/or non-parallel to each other. The rod connector provides an offset or non-parallel connection between the rods that allows for the rods to match the contour of a patient's body without requiring bending of the rods. The rod connector may include a first bore hole for receiving the first spinal rod and a second bore hole for receiving the second spinal rod that is adjustable relative to the first bore hole to adjust the position and/or orientation of the second spinal rod relative to the first spinal rod. The rod connector may comprise a first housing component defining the first bore hole and a second housing component that is movable relative to the first housing component and defining the second bore hole.
US08852233B2

An implantable apparatus for use in the correction of skeletal deformities comprising a rod, a pair of spaced apart attachment members, each of the attachment members being attachable to a bone. At least one of the attachment member mounts a rod receiving member, the rod being slidable along a predetermined path with respect to the rod receiving member.
US08852226B2

A vascular device for use during an interventional procedure, the device having a stent structure having a collapsed configuration, an expanded configuration, a proximal end, and a distal end; and a delivery member for delivering the stent to a treatment site within a vasculature, wherein the proximal end of the stent structure is fixed to the delivery member when the stent structure is in the expanded configuration at the treatment site.
US08852220B2

A device for penetrating occlusive material in a body lumen is provided that may include an outer tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube. At least a portion of the intermediate tube may be moveably disposed within the outer tube. At least a portion of the inner tube may be moveably disposed within the intermediate tube. A first dynamic member may be operably connected to the intermediate tube and the inner tube. The first dynamic member may be configured to penetrate the occlusive material and to anchor the first dynamic member within the occlusive material. A second dynamic member may be operably connected to the outer tube and the intermediate tube. The second dynamic member may be configured to penetrate the occlusive material and to anchor the second dynamic member within the occlusive material and to support movement of the first dynamic member.
US08852218B2

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for occluding an anatomical structure including an occlusion apparatus having first and second beams and at least one connector for connecting the respective ends of the beams together. The occlusion apparatus may be adapted for use in a deployment device having a pair of jaws and optionally having a respective pair of shuttle bodies for releasably connecting an occlusion apparatus to the jaws while in an open position and for releasing the occlusion device from the jaws while in a closed position. A system for occluding an anatomical structure is also disclosed that includes an occlusion apparatus and a deployment device for holding the occlusion apparatus in an open position for locating the occlusion device adjacent the anatomical structure to be occluded and then moving the occlusion apparatus to a closed position and locking the occlusion apparatus in the closed position.
US08852206B2

A probe insertion device for implanting a probe into tissue includes a rigid base that selectively attaches to the probe due to a bond between the base and the probe, that provides a structural backbone to the probe, is longitudinally aligned with the probe, and can be adapted to receive a fluid between the base and the probe. The probe insertion device can include a surface covering at least a portion of the base that reduces the bond between the base and the probe in the presence of the fluid.
US08852194B2

An apparatus to aid removal of a prosthetic implant cemented into bone that has an adapter to engage a proximal end of the implant, a clamp screw to hold the engaged end to the adapter in good acoustic contact, a generator for torsional or longitudinal mode ultrasonic vibrations and a coupling link to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the adapter and thence to the implant, the proximal end of the implant being gripped between a conical tip of the clamp screw and a raised portion of the adapter to avoid damping flexural mode oscillations induced in the implant by making the zone of contact between the adaptor and implant as narrow as possible.
US08852191B2

Apparatus and methods are used for severing at least a portion of a lateral retinaculum as part of a lateral release procedure. An elongated guide body has a first, smooth side and second, opposing side having a lengthwise track with a groove. A pushrod having a cutting device is insertable into the track such that the cutting device protrudes from the lengthwise groove, thereby enabling a user to move the pushrod and sever a lateral retinaculum using the cutting device. The cutting device may be a sharp blade or an electrocautery. A method of performing a lateral retinacular release may comprise the steps of inserting the elongated guide body under the skin and subcutaneous fat with the second, opposing side facing a lateral retinaculum; inserting the pushrod into the track of the body; and pushing or pulling the pushrod such that the cutting device severs a lateral retinaculum.
US08852189B2

A kit includes an orthopaedic implant stem, and a reamer assembly for reaming a proximal portion of a cavity, said reamer assembly cooperating with a proximal portion of the orthopaedic implant stem, said reamer assembly comprising, a sleeve defining an inner periphery, said sleeve configured to fit over the proximal portion of the orthopaedic implant stem, said sleeve defining an outer periphery, and a reamer including a body defining a cavity formed therein for receiving at least a portion of the outer periphery of said sleeve, a plurality of cutting edges extending outwardly from said body, said cutting edges adapted for cooperation with bone, and a stem extending from an end of the body, wherein the sleeve comprises a locking feature and the stem comprises a connection feature to removably secure the sleeve to the proximal portion of the orthopaedic implant stem when assembled together.
US08852187B2

A method for treating a fracture with a variable length nail is provided. The nail is configured for at least 5 mm of axial length change in each direction. An incision is made in proximity to a fractured bone and canal is cleared through the center of the bone. The variable length nail is inserted into the canal and a distraction shaft and a housing are secured to separate portions of the fractured bone. The incision is allowed or caused to close. An external adjustment device with at least one rotatable magnet is placed in proximity to the patient's skin. The external adjustment device is operated so that a magnetic field of the at least one rotatable magnet of the external adjustment device causes the rotatable permanent magnet of the variable length nail to rotate, causing either extension or retraction of the distraction shaft relative to the housing.
US08852179B2

A system for monitoring and/or controlling tissue modification during an electrosurgical procedure is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical apparatus adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical apparatus configured to transmit energy to tissue. The system also includes a control system having one or more electromagnetic wave sources configured to generate the interrogator wave of one or more frequencies adjacent tissue. One or more sensors are configured to transmit and sense a reflected portion of the interrogator wave of at least one frequency to determine dielectric boundary data. A processor operatively coupled to the control system and to the electrosurgical generator configured to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to tissue based on dielectric boundary data provided by the one or more sensors.
US08852175B2

Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for locating tissue layer transitions within a cornea, including focusing a laser to a laser spot with an energy below a photodisruption threshold of the cornea, varying a position of the focal spot of the laser between an anterior surface of the cornea and a posterior surface of the cornea, and determining one or more transitions of the tissue layers based on a change in harmonic light generated by the laser spot.
US08852174B2

Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.
US08852173B2

Methods and systems for transvenously accessing the pericardial space via the vascular system and atrial wall, particularly through the superior vena cava and right atrial wall, to deliver a pharmacologic agent, particularly a NO-donor drug, to the heart are disclosed. A proximal connector of an infusion catheter is coupled to an infusion pump, and a distal catheter segment having a distal infusion catheter lumen end opening is disposed in the pericardial space. The implantable infusion pump is operable in conjunction with an implantable ischemia monitor to monitor the ischemic state and trigger delivery or regulate the periodic delivery of the pharmacologic agent to optimally treat ischemia. The patient may operate a patient activator that the patient when feeling ischemia symptoms to transmit a signal that is received by the implantable infusion pump and triggers delivery of a bolus and/or continuous infusion.
US08852166B1

A method of treating an occlusion at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises providing an ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic catheter has a distal region, a proximal region opposite the distal region, a fluid delivery lumen having at least one opening in the distal region, and an ultrasound radiating member positioned within the distal region. The method further comprises positioning the ultrasonic catheter at the treatment site, such that at least a portion of the distal region is within the occlusion. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises passing a therapeutic compound through the fluid delivery lumen such that the therapeutic compound is delivered to the treatment site. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises emitting ultrasonic energy from the ultrasound radiating member. The emitted ultrasonic energy has an amplitude that is periodically varied between a low amplitude and a high amplitude.
US08852157B2

Disposable items made from bioplastic resins include a biodegradable resin; and a plasticizer; wherein the resin and plasticizer are intermixed to provide a generally homogenous bioplastic that is formed to provide the device. A disposable device includes a multidose syringe, a specimen tube, a scalpel, a lancet, a sharps container, or a suction canister. A method of disposing of an item includes providing an item made from a biodegradable resin and a plasticizer that are intermixed to provide a generally homogenous bioplastic; sterilizing the item utilizing radiation or ethylene oxide gas; shredding the item; and composting the item into a compost end product, thereby disposing of the item.
US08852142B2

Described are needleless injection systems and methods that involve features including one or more of a tissue tensioner and a fitting for attaching to a distal end of a shaft, exemplary embodiments including: an elastic sleeve sized to fit under tension about the distal end of a flexible scope, such as an endoscope; a non-metal, polymeric tube-like device being optionally attached to the elastic sleeve for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment site within a patient wherein the elastic sleeve may include an integral balloon (tissue tensioner) feature that can be used to position the injection orifice of the tube-like device proximate a treatment area.
US08852136B2

The present invention generally relates to intraocular shunts, and in particular, to intraocular shunts configured to form a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and the intra-scleral space.
US08852133B2

Embodiments of the hyperextension brace assembly utilize a cross-strap attached to mounting facilities about a joint to limit the extension of limbs about the joint. The cross-strap assembly is positioned from a cross origin behind the joint to attachment points on upper and lower mounting facilities on the upper and lower limbs and provides an opposing tensile force that limits the extension of mounting facilities and the limbs. In embodiments for a knee joint, the brace assembly provides a resisting force to resist hyperextension of the knee. Embodiments of the assembly are able to accommodate different joints, different size wearer's of the assembly and different tension settings such as for athletes during competition. Embodiments of the brace can be used bilaterally and can be made without metal bracing to comply with the requirements of some sports.
US08852105B2

The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system capable of providing a plurality of M-mode images corresponding to M-mode lines without moving a probe. A volume data forming and reconstructing unit of the present invention forms volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals, the volume data forming and reconstructing unit being configured to determine a beat period of the moving object and reconstruct the volume data based on the beat period. A processor forms at least one reference image based on the reconstructed volume data and one or more M-mode images corresponding to one or more M-mode lines set on the reference image. A display unit displays the reference image, the M-mode lines and the M-mode images.
US08852103B2

Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described.
US08852102B2

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a method of determining elasticity index reliability control transmission and reception of an ultrasonic beam, track displacements in a transmission direction of a plurality of points of a blood vessel in the transmission direction of the ultrasonic beam, calculate an elasticity index of the blood vessel based on the tracking result, acquire the direction of a displacement or the amount of displacement in the transmission direction of a specific point of the blood vessel, and determine reliability of the elasticity index based on the acquisition result. A program for determining elasticity index reliability causes a computer to execute the respective steps of the method. A computer readable storage medium stores the program.
US08852101B2

Devices and methods for positioning a portion of a sensor at a first predetermined location, displacing the portion of the sensor from the first predetermined location to a second predetermined location, and detecting one or signals associated with an analyte level of a patient at the second predetermined location are disclosed. Also provided are systems and kits for use in analyte monitoring.
US08852093B2

A mobile home care logistics and quality assurance system to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, accountability, and overall level of care for nurses visiting patients in their home. The system has a patient home health communication interface to establish a communication between a patient and a central server to receive instructions from and to transmit collected data/information to a remote server. The remote server generates various reports including a home visit prioritization report and a routing report based on the collected and stored data. The information and reports are used for billing, performance reviews, and patient data for assessment of each homecare nurse's in-field assignments.
US08852092B1

The eyelid-engaging eyewear is comprised of an eyewear frame having open spaces in front of the eyes and through which eyelid engaging means attach to and pivot. The eyelid engaging means include armatures at distal ends, which engage eyelids of an end user and lift and hold up said eyelids in order to assist in installing and/or removing contact lenses from the eyes of the end user. The eyewear frame includes a centrally located suction cup that is directed inwardly and adheres to the forehead of the end user so as to secure the device to the end user. The eyewear is worn in a normal fashion, and upon rotation of the eyelid engaging means shall lift and hold up said eyelids of the end user.
US08852086B2

Provided is an endoscope with a handle, an endoscope shaft connected to the handle, and imaging optics arranged in the endoscope shaft. An object can be located in the direction of view of the imaging optics in front of the endoscope shaft. The endoscope may also include a swivellably housed deflecting element that sets the desired direction of view. The deflecting element can be positioned at the distal end of the endoscope shaft facing away from the handle. An actuating element can be attached to the handle, which is mechanically connected to the deflecting element, and with which the swivel position of the deflecting element can be changed in order to set a desired direction of view.
US08852078B2

The present invention provides a practical, non-invasive, and efficient method for cryopreservation of an in-vitro-produced porcine embryo. The inventive method treats the NP (such as IVF- or NT-derived) embryo at the one-cell or cleavage stage prior to compaction with high osmolality followed by high speed centrifugation. The high osmolality treatment enlarges the periviteline space, and with centrifugation, enables the separation of the lipids from the cytoplasm. The lipid-separated embryos after high osmolality treatment have been successfully cryopreserved and later recovered and transferred to produce live offspring.
US08852067B2

Various embodiments provide a method for making a garment box insert. The method comprises the steps of performing a plurality of folding actions upon a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall so as to form a container portion. Extended flap portions and fold-over panels are further provided and folded so as to enclose and define the container portion. A first walled enclosure portion is further formed by performing steps of folding the second and first fold-over panels such that an elongate slot and at least to apertures are appropriately aligned. The method concludes with inserting one or more tabs of the first walled enclosure portion into one or more oval slots in the first side wall, so as to selectively secure the first walled portion relative to the first side wall during use.
US08852066B2

The hearth roll includes a thermally sprayed coating formed on the surface thereof. The thermally sprayed coating includes a nitride, an oxide, or a multiple oxide, and a matrix material composed of one or two or more metals. In the hearth roll having high Mn build-up resistance, the following expressions are satisfied: 3% by volume≦X1≦50% by volume; 3% by volume≦X2≦50% by volume; and 40% by volume≦X1+X2≦80% by volume, in which X1 is the percentage by volume of the nitride contained in the thermally sprayed coating with respect to the total volume (10% by volume) of the thermally sprayed coating, and X2 is the percentage by volume of the oxide or the multiple oxide contained in the thermally sprayed coating with respect to the total volume of the thermally sprayed coating.
US08852058B1

An interactive device includes a housing and a finger ladder held within the housing and having a number of parallel rungs. Each rung includes at least one sensor. A display system, which may include panels attached to either side of the ladder, produce sounds and/or images when the rungs of the ladder are contacted sequentially. Alternately, the display system may be integral with the finger ladder. The sounds and/or images may produce a song or a familiar sequence, such as the alphabet. The sequential activation of the sensors results in the development of both gross and fine motor skills, for example, in children, persons with developmental differences, and persons needing physical or occupational therapy.
US08852048B2

Described is a planetary harmonic differential transmission, comprised of a rigid externally-toothed inner sprocket, a rigid internally-toothed outer sprocket, a deformable belt that is toothed on both its internal and external faces, and a set of free-rotating planetary sprockets that are mounted on a rotating carrier cage and cause the belt to progressively engage and disengage from successive portions of the rigid sprockets. The input to the transmission is the relative motion between the carrier cage and the inner sprocket, and the output is the relative motion between the outer sprocket and the inner sprocket, resulting in a differential transmission.
US08852039B2

A sport ball may include a plurality of panels having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface forming a majority of an exterior surface of the ball. In addition, the sport ball may include an interior layer secured to the second surface of the panels and forming substantially all of an interior surface of the ball to retain a fluid within the ball, the interior layer extending between the panels to join the panels together. Further the sport ball may include a valve secured to the interior layer.
US08852038B1

A shock-absorbing bolt for a crossbow comprises a shaft, a forward flange, and a shock-absorbing mechanism coupled to the shaft or the forward flange. The forward flange is coupled to a forward end of the shaft and has a forward surface with a transverse area that is greater than about three times larger than a transverse area of the shaft. A tapered tip can be attached to and protrude from the forward surface of the forward flange. The shock-absorbing mechanism is arranged so that, upon acceleration or deceleration of the bolt, kinetic energy of the bolt is dissipated by viscoelastic, viscous, or frictional forces within the bolt.
US08852032B1

A bat swing training machine for improving a user's bat swing technique and developing muscular strength includes a frame carried by an adjustable post for height adjustment and two mounting brackets for installation in various locations. The machine also includes a torsion spring, a swing arm with swivel linkage and a bat handle. The machine provides torsional resistance with precise positional control throughout the swing motion and does so equally for right and left handed swings. Backswing is relatively un-resisted thereby allowing the athlete or trainee to stay in position and continuously repeat the swing motion.
US08852028B2

A golf fitting apparatus can comprise a component option analyzer configured to calculate, based on physical characteristic information of an individual: (a) an initial component option group for a plurality of club components, the initial component option group comprising a first initial component option for a first club component, and a second initial component option for a second club component, (b) a first optimal component option for the first club component based on first golf shot data of a first test club having the first initial component option; and (c) a second optimal component option for the second club component based on second golf shot data of a second test club having the first optimal component option and the second initial component option. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08852020B2

A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
US08852015B1

A golf training aid constructed of flexible material that stretches when deployed and maintains tensions along the wearer's upper and lower arm including a shoulder harness including a first shoulder portion and a second shoulder portion, the first shoulder portion including a strap that is fixedly attached to a back portion of the first shoulder portion and can be detachably fixed after passing around a body of a wearer to a front portion of the second shoulder portion to maintain the shoulder harness on the wearer while the wearer executes a golf swing and an arm extension attached to the second shoulder portion, the arm extension including an upper attachment portion, lower attachment portion and wrist portion, the upper and lower attachment portions can secure the arm extension in place at upper and lower portions of a wearer's arm to maintain the arm extension over the elbow of the wearer.
US08852014B1

A golf swing training device constructed of flexible material that stretches when deployed and that provides feedback to a user during golf swing execution regarding vertical head movement and hip rotation. The device includes a collar portion, a first tension strap, and a second tension strap. The first tension strap includes a first extension portion being adapted to be disposed along a back of the user from the collar portion down toward a waist of the user and a second extension portion that is adapted to extend from the waist at the user's back to the ground at a predetermined angle, wherein the first tension strap includes a first pass-through region disposed between the first extension portion and the second extension portion. A second tension strap includes a second attachment means at one end and a third attachment means at a second end.
US08852004B2

A method includes a rotary torque limiting assembly including a rotary input member having an internal cavity having sprag receptacles. A rotary output member is disposed within the internal cavity, the secondary rotary member having radial protrusions and recesses. Radial ratchet members are disposed radially between the input member and the output member, each ratchet member having a radially inner surface, and a radially outward surface that includes at least one radially protruding sprag. Bearings are disposed radially between the ratchet members and the output member. A retaining assembly is adapted to provide a compliant force to maintain contact among the ratchet members, bearings, and second rotary member. Each bearing is partly retained between one of the ratchet members and the second rotary member, and each sprag is partly retained within a corresponding sprag receptacle.
US08851997B2

A game system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, and a mobile game apparatus that can communicate with another game apparatus that exists within a communicable range by use of a radio communications unit. When a communicated state is established, exchanging conditions for exchanging game data are received and transmitted, and in a case the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data are exchanged.
US08851994B2

A game device is provided with a position acquisition unit for acquiring the position of an input device for moving the position of a given object on a screen displayed on a display device; an inclination acquisition unit for acquiring the inclination of the input device; and a position computation unit for determining the position of the object on the screen based on both a positional displacement amount of the input device and an inclination displacement amount of the input device.
US08851989B2

A gaming machine includes a cabinet having a compartment for housing circuitry for gaming and a door for closing the compartment. The door is attached to the cabinet by a hinge system. The hinge system includes a first portion attached to a door and a second portion attached to the cabinet. The first portion includes a first pin proximate a first corner of the door, and a second pin further including a round head proximate a second corner of the door. The second pin has a longitudinal axis aligned to the longitudinal axis of the first pin.
US08851985B2

In one aspect, a wagering game system includes a display device including a projector, a rear switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the projector to receive light output from the projector, a front switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel to receive light output through the rear switchable liquid crystal panel, and a liquid crystal panel assembly disposed in front of the front switchable liquid crystal panel. The front switchable liquid crystal panel and/or the rear switchable liquid crystal panel are configured to provide one or more regions controlled by the controller that may be independently maintained in a different state than other regions of the respective one of the front switchable liquid crystal panel and the rear switchable liquid crystal panel. The projector is configured to output light to the liquid crystal panel through the front switchable liquid crystal panel and the rear switchable liquid crystal panel to provide a backlight for the liquid crystal panel.
US08851968B2

At least one game matrix is generated. Number indicia are selected and any matches between the selected number indicia and the game matrix are identified. The numbers game component is resolved based on the identified matches. One or more game hands are formed by assigning a prize indicium and/or game indicium to each match. Optionally, game indicia are randomly assigned to game matrix locations lacking a match. In an embodiment based on Bingo, a game hand may be formed based on the pattern of matches. The game hand component of a game is resolved based on a comparison of the game hand to a standard, such as a pay table, dealer hand, and/or other game hands of other players. A prize component is resolved based on whether a predetermined collection of prize indicia is obtained.
US08851963B2

A method for mass-production butchering of a chuck roll of beef includes: sectioning the beef clod into a first portion and a second portion substantially along a natural seam, the first portion comprising triceps brachii long head muscle and essentially being free of triceps brachii lateral head muscle, and the second portion comprising triceps brachii lateral head muscle and essentially being free of triceps brachii long head muscle; and sectioning the first portion generally with or parallel to the grain into a first set of separate portions. Another method for mass-production butchering of a beef clod may include: sectioning the beef clod into a first portion and a second portion substantially along a natural seam, the first portion comprising the teres major; and sectioning the first portion generally with or parallel to the grain into a first set of separate portions.
US08851958B2

A method for simultaneous double-side material-removing processing of at least three workpieces includes disposing the workpieces in a working gap between rotating upper and lower working disks of a double-side processing apparatus. The workpieces lie in freely movable fashion in respective openings in a guide cage and are moved under pressure in the working gap using the guide cage. Upon attaining a preselected target thickness of the workpieces, a deceleration process is initiated that includes reducing an angular velocity ωi(t) of a respective drive i of each of the upper working disk, lower working disk and guide cage to a standstill. The reducing is carried out such that ratios of the angular velocities ωi(t) with respect to one another as a function of time t deviate by no more than 10% from initial ratios of the angular velocities ωi(t) corresponding to when the preselected target thickness was attained.
US08851954B2

This invention is a yo-yo with a non-spinning and externally accessible, independently rotating axle that functions as an accessory attachment system to which stunt attachments can be attached. Also described are a variety of possible trick and stunt accessories. Further disclosed is a bead, which surrounds the yo-yo string, such that recoil of the yo-yo is controlled through engagement with the internal wall of the rotating disks.
US08851946B2

In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and transmission, it is configured to determine whether acceleration is instructed to the engine by an operator when the gear position is the second speed, detect a slip ratio of a propeller based on theoretical velocity and actual velocity of a boat, control a throttle opening to suppress increase in the slip ratio when the acceleration is determined to be instructed, and change the gear position from the second speed to the first speed when the slip ratio is equal to or less than a first predetermined value and the change amount of the slip ratio is equal to or less than a prescribed value. With this, it becomes possible to appropriately control operation of the engine and the transmission during acceleration, thereby improving the acceleration performance of immediately after acceleration start.
US08851935B2

A connector includes a plurality of terminal metal fittings that are arranged in parallel to one another and respectively have electric wire connection sections to which electric wires are electrically connected, and a connector housing that accommodates the plurality of terminal metal fittings therein. The plurality of terminal metal fittings are configured that the lengths of the electric wire connection sections are made longer in accordance with the arrangement thereof from one side toward the other side in an arrangement direction of the plurality of terminal metal fittings. The electric wires are connected to the electric wire connection sections respectively so that the electric wires extend from one end portions of the electric wire connection sections toward the one side and intersect with a longitudinal direction of the electric wire connection section.
US08851922B2

An electrical connector device includes a first connector including a first metal shell member; and a second connector to be mounted on a board and including a second metal shell member. The second connector includes an opening portion for receiving a fitting portion of the first connector in a fitting direction. The second metal shell member includes a ground connecting portion to be contacted with the board and a ground contacting member situated in a cut hole. The ground contacting member is arrange to be capable of contacting with the first metal shell member. The ground connecting portion is arranged partially on a first imaginary straight line perpendicular to the fitting direction and a second imaginary straight line in parallel to the fitting direction so that the cut hole is not situated on the first imaginary straight line and is situated partially on the second imaginary straight line.
US08851919B2

An insulating body is captively secured on the housing for a plug connection having insulation displacement terminals. The insulating body is held on guide of the housing in a rotatable manner and in an insertable manner into the housing via an opening. The guide can be formed as slits that lie in lateral parts of the housing. The lateral parts project beyond the housing. Electric conductors can be inserted into the insulating body on a rear surface, plugged through said body, and cut on a front surface. The electric conductors are thus brought to the intended length before the insulating body is inserted into the housing.
US08851918B2

The operability and usage durability of a lock cancellation operating part (12e) can be improved with a simple configuration. A latch lock part (12a) and a lock cancellation operating part (12e) are integrally provided to an elastically-displaceable lock arm member (12g), which is integrally extending like a cantilever from a board connecting part (12c) solder-joined with a main wiring board. The board connecting part (12c), the latch lock part (12a), and the lock cancellation operating part (12e) are integrally provided with the lock arm member (12g) so that a retaining action and a cancelling action of the inserted signal transmission medium (F) is carried out by operation of a single member.
US08851910B2

A receiving housing is displaceable in the direction to be pushed out from the opening of a bottom panel by a connecting operation. One end of a lever can be engaged with a counterpart housing and the other end can be engaged with a rotating shaft protrusion of the bottom panel. The counterpart housing is pulled towards the receiving housing by means of the lever that pivots around a portion to be engaged with the rotating shaft protrusion of the bottom panel as a fulcrum by the displacement of the receiving housing in cooperation with the connecting operation.
US08851902B2

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a modular jack or modular connector mountable on a patch panel and having two openings. A first opening may receive a standard modular plug and a second opening may enable access to the resilient part of the conductive contacts inside the jack by a conductive element. The conductive element may electrically connect the connector to a second connector. The connector may be disconnected from the second connector when a communication plug is inserted into the first opening of the connector.
US08851892B2

Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to embodiments of the present invention relate to a temporary dental prosthesis and methods of utilizing the same. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a dental prosthesis that may be quickly and easily set in a patient's mouth without the need for surgery or similar complex dental procedure. In one embodiment of the present invention, a temporary dental prosthesis comprises a primary body having a pair of axially positioned braces extending therefrom, the braces being connected to one another via an expansion means capable of extending and contracting the braces away from and towards the primary body, and an expansion control means for enabling the expansion means and controlling the expansion and contraction of the braces.
US08851888B2

An oral implant system and method. The system includes a positioning tool, a transfer band, a transfer screw, and a transfer drill to provide for accurate placement of a dental implant parallel to other implants and or existing teeth and at predetermined depths. A model is made of the patient's maxilla and mandible. The model is marked for implant position, depth and size. Holes are drilled in the model for implant analogs using the positioning tool. The analogs are installed into the model using the positioning tool and a surveyor. Transfer bands are coupled to the analogs and a surgical stent portion is fabricated. The surgical stent is fitted to the patient's occlusion, secured, and then utilized to accurately drill apertures into the patient's maxilla or mandible. The implants are installed into the apertures and the surgical stent is removed. A final restoration is secured to the implants.
US08851887B1

An intra-oral mouth vibrator preferably includes a lower bite pad, an upper bite pad, a retention pad, at least two vibratory motors and a power source. Two holes are formed through the upper bite pad to receive the two vibratory motors. One end of a wire is connected to the two vibratory motors to supply power thereto. The other end of the wire is connected to a power source. The retention pad preferably includes a perimeter retention lip. The upper bite pad is placed on a top of the lower bite pad. The upper and lower bite pads are inserted into the retention pad. In use, the vibratory motors receive electrical power from the power source, which causes the at least two vibratory motors to vibrate. The vibration causes the lower bite pad, the upper bite pad and the retention pad to vibrate.
US08851881B2

Ovens for preforms in plastic material, applicable in particular but not exclusively to blowing machines and stretch blowing machines, are provided.
US08851879B2

Boeing is actively engaged in the production of lightweight composite airframes for both military and commercial applications. The double bag vacuum infusion process of the present invention provides a low cost, method for producing complex composite assemblies without an autoclave. It also enables the production of highly innovative structures. The quality of the composites produced using such an infusion process are comparable to composites made using prepregs, hand layup or fiber placement, and autoclave curing.
US08851876B2

An injection mold includes a first plate, a second plate, a movable plate, a ball screw, a ball nut, an injection screw, a transmission shaft, an injection motor, a metering motor, a first driving assembly and a second driving assembly. The ball screw is rotatably supported by the first plate. The ball nut is fixed to the movable plate, and is threadedly engaged with the ball screw. The injection screw is coaxially positioned with the ball screw. The transmission shaft is rotatably supported by the second plate. The injection motor is fixedly mounted on the first plate. The metering motor is fixed mounted on the second plate. The first driving assembly is connected to the injection motor to drive the ball screw. The second driving assembly is connected to the metering motor to rotate the transmission shaft for moving the injection screw.
US08851869B2

In an internal gear pump that includes an inner gear having outer teeth and an outer gear having inner teeth, either the inner or outer teeth have a shape based on a tooth shape that is respectively formed by a generating curve of the outer or inner teeth. The inner teeth are arc-shaped, the outer teeth are curved-shaped, and both end sections of the curved shape are arc-shaped. If a radius of the arc shape of the inner teeth is set as ro, a radius of the arc shape of each of the corner sections is set as ri, a diameter of a pitch circle of the inner teeth is set as dp, and the number of the inner teeth is set as z, the inner gear and the outer gear each has a shape that satisfies a relationship established by following equations: 1.6>ro/(dp/z)>1.0; and ro/(dp/z)>ri/(dp/z)≧0.13. Each of the inner teeth is provided so that an intersecting point between one of arcs that follow the first arc shapes of the adjacent inner teeth and the pitch circle of the inner teeth and in proximity to the other arc is located outside of the other arc.
US08851868B2

A scroll compressor includes two scrolls 40, 46 having respective scroll plates 42, 48 and respective scroll walls 44, 50. The scroll walls intermesh so that on relative orbital movement of the scrolls, a volume 52, 54 of gas is trapped between the scrolls and pumped from an inlet 31 to an outlet 33. The axial extent ‘A’ of the trapped volume between the scroll plates is less along a first portion 62 of a flow path 56 between the inlet and the outlet than the axial extent ‘B’ of the trapped volume along a second portion 64 of the flow path, and the first portion is closer to the inlet than the second portion along the flow path.
US08851866B2

Embodiments are described for engaging a pumping cartridge with a pump drive. In certain embodiments, the cartridge, including a cylinder and a movable piston assembly, is initially assembled or subsequently positioned so that the distance between the attachment point on the piston assembly for coupling to a drive assembly, and a reference point on the cylinder, is greater than the maximal distance that will be encountered during normal oscillation of the piston during use. The cartridge, in certain embodiments, may be pressed into a drive assembly that immobilizes the cartridge and couples the piston assembly to the driveshaft. In certain embodiments, when the cartridge is fully inserted into the drive assembly, the piston is pressed into the cylinder sufficiently to establish a selected distance so that the piston shaft is in the proper position to engage with a coupling mechanism carried on the driveshaft.
US08851857B2

Provided are a wind turbine blade that can reduce the thickness of a turbulent-flow boundary layer generated on the blade surface of a blade tip portion to prevent noise generated at a trailing edge portion effectively, as well as a wind power generator using the same. Provided is a wind turbine blade, which is a wind turbine blade having an airfoil shape in cross section, wherein an angle-of-attack decreasing portion that decreases an angle of attack during rotation at at least a predetermined rotational speed is provided over a predetermined range from a blade tip to a blade root side.
US08851856B2

A rotor blade has a chord and a span length perpendicular to the chord. The rotor blade includes a first skin having an inner surface and a first plurality of elements extending from the inner surface. The first plurality of elements are distributed along at least a portion of the span length and inclined with respect to the chord of the rotor blade. A second skin is attached to the first skin so as to form an outer surface of the rotor blade. The second skin has a second plurality of elements extending towards the inner surface of the first skin and engaging with the first plurality of elements to form a plurality of ribs within the rotor blade.
US08851844B2

A stationary blade and a steam turbine capable of reducing self-excited vibrations with a simple configuration are provided. A stationary blade has a cavity, extending in a blade-width direction, formed therein and slits communicating between the cavity and the outside. A wave-shaped plate spring that is in sliding contact with at least one of a pressure-side member and a suction-side member is provided between the pressure-side member, which is a portion on the pressure side of the cavity, and the suction-side member, which is a portion on the suction side of the cavity. When the stationary blade is elastically deformed, the wave-shaped plate spring causes friction between itself and at least one of the pressure-side member and the suction-side member. This friction attenuates relative positional displacement between the pressure-side member and the suction-side member. Thus, self-excited vibrations occurring at the stationary blade can be reduced.
US08851834B2

A centrifugal pump including a rotor and a housing surrounding the rotor, the housing having a connection on the pressure side and another on the intake side, respectively. The housing surrounding the rotor is constructed as a composite part in which a first thin-walled layer (5) defines the inner configuration of the housing, and at least one second layer (11) provides structural stability to the housing.
US08851829B2

A pump insert (50) for supporting a rotor (14) of a pump comprises an annular resilient support (52) for engaging the body (26) of the pump, the support (52) extending about a rolling bearing (10) having an inner race (12) for engaging the rotor (14), an axially preloaded outer race (16) fixed to the support (52), and a plurality of rolling elements (18) located between the races. During assembly, the rolling bearing (10) can be accurately positioned within the support (52) so that there is a very low tolerance stack-up when the insert (50) is fitted to the rotor (14). Consequently, the position of the rotor (14) will hardly change, if at all, when the rolling bearing (10) is replaced during servicing of the pump.
US08851825B2

A materials handling vehicle is provided including a vehicle power unit, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus supported on the monomast. The fork carriage apparatus includes a mast carriage assembly directly coupled to the monomast for vertical movement, a fork carriage mechanism to which forks are mounted, and a reach mechanism coupled to the mast carriage assembly and to the fork carriage mechanism for actuating the fork carriage mechanism to move between an extended position and a retracted position.
US08851810B2

A cutting tool of the present invention includes a cutting insert and a holder having at a front end part thereof an insert pocket for attaching the cutting insert. The insert pocket includes a seating part including a seating face which is brought into contact with the lower surface of the cutting insert, and is inclined forward in a rotation direction of the holder as the seating face separates from the front end part of the holder; and a constraining part brought into contact with first and second side surfaces adjacent to each other among the side surface of the cutting insert. The constraining part includes a curved portion; a first constraining face which is connected to one end of the curved portion and extends perpendicularly with respect to the rotation axis of the holder as the first constraining face separates from the curved portion, or extends away from the front end part of the holder; and a second constraining face which is connected to the other end of the curved portion and extends toward the front end part of the holder in the direction away from the curved portion. A method of manufacturing a machined product using the cutting tool is provided.
US08851805B2

A longitudinally yieldable support for underground roof support includes a first support section with a first elongate outer shell filled with a solid compressible filler material and a second support section filled with a second solid compressible filler material with a second elongate outer shell extending above the first elongate outer shell. The second support section has density that is greater than a density of the first solid compressible filler material. A pair of attachment members are coupled to the second elongate outer shell and are configured for lifting the second elongate outer shell relative to the first elongate outer shell and for securing the second elongate outer shell relative to the first elongate outer shell once lifted.
US08851804B2

A support for use in mines and other underground workings is provided comprising a flexible inflatable bag configured for receiving a pumpable load-bearing material. A reinforcing material is provided for supporting the bag when the bag is filled with the load-bearing material. The reinforcing material can include reinforcing plates, rings, bands or barrels positioned about the outer periphery of the bag. Alternatively, the support can be formed from a plurality of stackable barrels that are filled with load-bearing material but without the inflatable bag. The barrels can include internal reinforcing or cladding material at spaced locations along the barrels to define controlled deflection zones. According to another design, the support can be designed to be extensible. The support is inexpensive to transport, can be erected on-site and has a reinforced structure with residual yield strength. A method for supporting a mine or other underground workings is disclosed.
US08851785B1

An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a ball joint having a housing defining an axis and a chamber having an open end. A bearing is disposed in the chamber. A ball stud having a ball portion is supported within the chamber by the bearing and a stud portion extends outwardly from the open end of the chamber. A retainer having a mounting portion is secured to the housing to retain the bearing in the chamber and an opening is formed therein through which the stud portion extends. The retainer is stamped and has a central portion configured with a dome shaped surface which extends over the open end of the chamber and is shaped complimentary to the ball portion.
US08851771B2

A wipeable keyboard cover may include a flat, flexible membrane surrounded by a rigid frame that closely fits a keyboard assembly. The wipeable keyboard cover may be securely attached to the keyboard assembly and may be easily removed from the keyboard assembly by a user. The wipeable keyboard cover may prevent foreign matter from contacting the covered portion of the keyboard assembly while allowing easy operation of the keyboard assembly. The flat nature of the wipeable keyboard cover may allow the cover to be cleaned effectively while it is attached to a keyboard assembly without subjecting the underlying keyboard assembly to potentially harmful treatment.
US08851770B2

A control unit includes a memory storing correction data obtained by associating information acquired by a first acquisition unit (rotary encoder) with information acquired by a second acquisition unit (direct sensor) with respect to, at least one rotation of a conveying roller. When a plurality of images are sequentially printed on a first surface and a second surface of a continuous sheet, the control unit reads the correction data corresponding to the rotation information acquired by the first acquisition unit from the memory and corrects at least one of driving control of a print head and driving control of the roller. The correction data used in printing on the first surface of the sheet is different from that used in printing on the second surface of the sheet.
US08851769B2

A substrate processing method for a substrate having a photosensitive film on a top surface thereof, includes cleaning a back surface of the substrate after the formation of the photosensitive film and before exposure processing; transporting the substrate to a temperature adjuster such as a cooling unit, while holding the substrate with a first holder; adjusting a temperature of the substrate with the temperature adjuster; transporting the substrate from the temperature adjuster to the exposure device with a second holder; and transporting the substrate after the exposure processing to a first platform while holding the substrate with a third holder.
US08851768B1

An optical shutter apparatus has a shutter blade that is movable between a first position, blocking at least a portion of an aperture and a second position spaced apart from the first position. A rotary actuator has a stator and a magnetic rotor element that is coupled to the shutter blade. The rotary actuator is energizable for moving the shutter blade between the first and second positions, wherein the rotor element rotates about an axis that lies within the stator. At least one permanent magnet is coupled to the stator and provides a magnetic field that biases the stator to provide a continuous urging force on the magnetic rotor element.
US08851759B2

The rolling bearing, in particular for a power steering mechanism, comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, an elastic sleeve in contact axially and radially with one of said rings, and a housing holding the sleeve. The housing provides an axial portion and two lateral flanges extending the axial portion and mounted in contact against the sleeve to exert an axial pre-stress on said sleeve.
US08851751B2

An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit having an imaging unit power feeding mechanism configured to receive electric power from an external device; a pedestal including a pedestal power feeding mechanism configured to feed the electric power to the imaging unit; and a holder configured to position and hold the imaging unit so that a position of the imaging unit power feeding mechanism coincides with a position of the pedestal power feeding mechanism even if the imaging unit power feeding mechanism is moved with respect to the pedestal power feeding mechanism within a predetermined imaging plane.
US08851746B2

A subterranean grouting method including (a) placing a sample of a grout mixture within a test container, (b) separating a sand component from the sample, (c) determining if the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity within a predetermined thermal conductivity range based upon a proportion of the sand component within the sample, and (d) upon determining that the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity with the predetermined thermal conductivity range, securing a conduit within a subterranean bore with the grout mixture, wherein (a), (b), (c), and (d) are carried out proximate each other at a job site.
US08851743B1

A trigger mechanism for remotely operating the chronograph functions of a watch. A lever mounted to the watchcase is swingable about a pivotal connection for rotating a cylindrical cam. A rotary cam follower is displaced by the cam. A striker member extending from the cam follower actuates a pushbutton for controlling the chronograph functions.
US08851740B1

A self-serve drink blending device includes a blend chamber, at least one product source, a water source, an ice source, a liquid level sensor, a controller and a dispenser. The blend chamber includes a blending blade. The at least one product source is configured to deliver a volume of product to the blend chamber. The water source is configured to deliver a volume of water to the blend chamber. The ice source is configured to deliver a volume of ice to the blend chamber. The liquid level sensor is mounted to the blend chamber and configured to create a liquid level signal when contents in the blend chamber reach a predetermined level. The controller is configured to automatically calibrate the at least one product source, the water source, and the ice source based on the liquid level signal. The dispenser is arranged to dispense contents from the blend chamber.
US08851739B2

A portable baby bottle blender includes a baby bottle having a top collar with external threads and a bottom collar with external threads. A top cap has a central aperture. The top cap is internally threaded to be removable threaded onto the top collar of the baby bottle and holds a feeding nipple extending through the central aperture of the top cap onto the top collar. A sealing O-ring fits onto the bottom collar of the baby bottle. A bottom cap has a rim internally threaded. An agitating unit is centrally retained within the bottom cap. When the rim of the bottom cap is removably threaded onto the bottom collar of the baby bottle and against the sealing O-ring, the agitating unit extends into the bottom collar of the baby bottle. A base member has a top recess to receive the bottom cap on the baby bottle therein. A spur-crown gear coupling is for operating the agitating unit, so that the mixing blade assembly mixes formula within water placed through the top collar of the baby bottle.
US08851732B2

In a light-guide module, a method of manufacturing the light-guide module and a backlight assembly having the light-guide module, the light-guide module includes a light-guide plate (“LGP”) and a thin-film layer. The LGP has a light-incident surface into which lights are incident and a light-exiting surface through which lights exit. The thin-film layer is formed on the LGP. The thin-film layer has a concavo-convex pattern formed on an opposite surface of a surface contacting the LGP. Accordingly, a thin-film layer having a concavo-convex pattern is formed on a light-incident surface of an LGP, so that a reflectance of light incident into the LGP may be decreased. Moreover, a light amount transmitted through the LGP is increased in accordance with a decreasing of reflectance, so that a light transmittance may be increased in total.
US08851730B2

A transparent member 2 defines part of a lamp compartment 4. A light source 5a is accommodated within the lamp compartment 4 and shines light to the front through the transparent member 2. A detection device 6 is accommodated within the lamp compartment 4 and obtains information on what exists ahead. A stepped portion 7 is formed on an external surface of the transparent member 2 and guides drops of water which adhere to the external surface so as to avoid a detection enabled area of the detection device 6.
US08851723B2

The present disclosure is directed to an automotive headlight. In one embodiment, the automotive headlight includes one or more first light emitting diodes (LEDs) and one or more second LEDs, wherein the one or more second LEDs are positioned at about 180 degrees with respect to the one or more first LEDs, wherein the headlight optical axis is about −90 degrees with respect to a LED optical axis of the one or more first LEDs, at least one first reflector, wherein the at least one first reflector redirects light from the one or more first LEDs to an angle of about −90 degrees with respect to a LED optical axis of the one or more first LEDs and at least one second reflector, wherein the at least one second reflector redirects light from the one or more second LEDs to an angle of about −90 degrees with respect to the LED optical axis of the one or more first LEDs.
US08851720B2

An illuminator of a door outside handle for a vehicle may perform both a function of a light source and a light guiding function. The illuminator may further employ a light guide having a mood lamp function on an inner surface of the door outside handle and a top LED combined with the light guide to illuminate the outer panel together with the illuminator, making it possible to enhance a product value due to realization of various illumination effects. The illuminator of a door outside handle for a vehicle can be turned on or off through various operation logics by employing multiple different illumination methods where lights of different colors can be realized according to the operation condition, making it possible to enhance product value.
US08851715B2

A lighting module has a housing that houses an array of light-emitting elements and has multiple channels that each have an opening at the end of each channel. All of the openings of the channels are positioned along the same plane in some examples. The plane is opposite the surface of the housing that emits the light from the light-emitting elements. An intake fan is positioned in at least one of the channels so that it causes air to enter the housing through that channel's opening. An exhaust fan is positioned in another one of the channels so that it causes air to be forced out of the housing through the other channel's opening. The air flow through the intake channel and the exhaust channel help cool the lighting module during use.
US08851707B2

The present invention is directed to a beacon light with a light emitting diode (LED) optic. In one embodiment, the LED optic includes at least one LED comprising an LED plane, a first reflector positioned above the LED plane and comprising a curved cross-section, wherein the at least one LED is positioned approximately 90 degrees with respect to an optical axis of the first reflector and at least one second reflector positioned above the LED plane.
US08851694B2

A semiconductor light source apparatus can include a clad layer, a phosphor layer surrounded by the clad layer and a laser diode emitting a laser light. The phosphor layer can include a cavity having an opening for receiving the laser light, a phosphor material and a light-emitting surface of the apparatus. The laser light entering into the cavity can repeatedly reflect on an inner surface of the phosphor layer many times, each and every time most of the laser light entering into the phosphor layer. The laser light can be efficiently wavelength-converted by the phosphor material and the wavelength converted light can be emitted from the light-emitting surface having various shapes exposed from the clad layer. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter can include providing semiconductor light source apparatuses having a high light-emitting efficiency and high light-emitting density such that the devices can be used for a headlight, general lighting, etc.
US08851685B2

There is provided an image projection apparatus comprising: a measuring unit that measures a distance from the image projection apparatus to a projection surface; a generating unit that generates a first operation image if the measured distance is less than a threshold value and generates a second operation image if the measured distance is not less than the threshold value, wherein the first operation image is an image with respect to which an operation can be input by pointing on the first operation image that is being projected with a body part of a user, and the second operation image is an image with respect to which an operation can be input by operating a cursor displayed in the second operation image that is being projected using a predetermined operating unit; and a projecting unit that projects an operation image generated by the generating unit onto the projection surface.
US08851684B2

Provided is an optical unit that includes: light source (1a); light source (1b) located to face light source (1a); color wheel (2) located between light sources (1a and 1b); prism unit (3a) that totally reflects light emitted from light source (1a) and that is transmitted through color wheel (2), and transmits light emitted from light source (1b) to enter color wheel (2); and prism unit (3b) that totally reflects the light emitted from light source (1b) and that is transmitted through color wheel (2), and transmits the light emitted from light source (1a) to enter color wheel (2).
US08851681B2

An illumination device includes: a light source section having plural kinds of light sources, in which the light sources emits light beams having different wavelengths; a parallelizing optical system parallelizing each of the light beams entered from the light sources, and allowing each of the parallelized light beams to exit therefrom; a light path unifying optical system unifying the parallelized light beams exited from the parallelizing optical system into a single light path; an expanding optical system expanding a beam diameter of each of the parallelized light beams unified into the single light path, and allowing each of the expanded and parallelized light beams to exit therefrom; and a uniformizing optical system uniformizing an in-plane intensity distribution in each of the expanded and parallelized light beams exited from the expanding optical system.
US08851668B2

Glasses are described having a frame (3) and having nose pads (6) provided in the region of frame attachments (7), which have catch positions arranged in succession in an adjustment direction. To allow an advantageous glasses adaptation, it is proposed that the nose pads (6) be provided on the side opposite to their support surface (10) with a plug-in attachment (9) protruding transversely to the support surface (10), which forms at least two catches (11) in succession in the plug-in direction for alternately engaging in a catch recess (8) of the frame attachments (7).
US08851660B2

There is provided a method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head in which a plurality of recording element substrates used for discharging ink are appropriately arranged onto a support substrate.
US08851658B2

The present invention provides a printer and printing method that forms a lenticular lens or a transparent structure based on pseudo-embossment printing or the like on paper having penetrability, and an inkjet printer performs: with respect to a base material having a characteristic of being penetrated by radiation-curable ink, an undercoating step of using radiation-curable transparent ink to form a thin undercoat layer; an undercoat curing step of irradiating the formed undercoat layer with radiation to completely solidify the thrilled undercoat layer; a transparent structure forming step of using the radiation-curable transparent ink to form a spacer layer and microlens layer as a desired transparent structure on the solidified undercoat layer; and a transparent structure curing step of afterward further irradiating the radiation to cure the formed spacer layer and microlens layer.
US08851656B2

An image fixation apparatus includes a supporting surface that is a part of a path along which a recording target medium is transported from an upstream side to a downstream side and can support the recording target medium; and an image fixation section that is provided opposite the supporting surface and performs image fixation processing when the recording target medium is supported by the supporting surface after recording of an image on the recording target medium at a position upstream of the supporting surface, the image fixation processing being processing of fixing the image on the recording target medium, wherein, when measured in a direction in which the supporting surface and the image fixation section are provided opposite to each other, the supporting surface is relatively distant from the image fixation section as compared with a region that is located upstream of the supporting surface in the transportation path.
US08851653B2

A liquid discharging apparatus includes a liquid discharging section which performs a liquid discharging operation for discharging liquid; and a controller which forms a plurality of images on a medium and also forms coating of the images, by executing a pass which makes the liquid discharging section perform the liquid discharging operation while moving the liquid discharging section in a movement direction, wherein the controller forms a common image portion that is an image site common to each of the plurality of images by a predetermined number of passes and forms respectively a variable image portion that is an image site which differs in each of the plurality of images and the coating of the images by a number of passes smaller than the predetermined number.
US08851651B2

An ink jet recording method includes forming a first image by applying by an ink jet method a glitter ink in which a glitter pigment is dispersed to a first region of a recording medium in which the glitter first image is to be formed, and forming a second image by applying by an ink jet method a color ink containing a coloring material to a second region of the recording medium in which the colored second image is to be formed, the amount per unit area of the glitter ink ejected in an overlapping region in which the first region overlaps the second region being larger than the amount per unit area of the glitter ink ejected in the first region excluding the overlapping region.
US08851650B2

Provided is a method of producing a transfer medium including attaching ink which contains a resin and is discharged from an ink jet head onto a substrate; evaporating at least a part of the liquid component included in the ink having been attached to the substrate; and attaching adhesive liquid which contains a resin and is discharged from the ink jet head to a substrate surface where the ink in which at least a part of the liquid component has been evaporated is attached.
US08851629B2

An image forming device includes, the first head which ejects the first ink, the second head which ejects the second ink, a movement mechanism which moves a relative position of the first head and the second head in a predetermined direction, and a control unit which causes an ejection operation in which ink is ejected from nozzles while relatively moving the head and a medium in the movement direction intersecting the predetermined direction, and a transport operation in which the head and the medium are relatively moved in a predetermined direction to be repeated, and adjusts a head interval as an interval of the first head and the second head in a predetermined direction.
US08851627B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a recording head ejecting ink onto a paper; a tray which moves in a direction along a nozzle forming surface in a state where a plurality of units are displaceably supported in a direction approaching and separating from the nozzle forming surface of the recording head; and a cam which is disposed on a moving path of the tray and engages individually with at least two units while the tray moves in a direction along the nozzle forming surface, and makes the units engage individually to be displaced in the direction approaching and separating from the nozzle forming surface.
US08851626B2

A cap device includes a first table provided so as not to be movable in a main scanning direction with respect to a base member; a first cap provided on the first table; a first guide member which has a first contact surface directed leftward and is provided on the first table; a second table provided so as to be movable in the main scanning direction with respect to the base member; a second cap provided on the second table; a second guide member which has a second contact surface directed leftward and is provided on the second table; a third guide member which has a third contact surface facing the first contact surface and is provided on a first ink head unit; and a fourth guide member which has a fourth contact surface facing the second contact surface and is provided on a second ink head unit. The first, second, third and fourth guide members are located such that when a carriage moves rightward, the second contact surface and the fourth contact surface contact each other and after this, the first contact surface and the third contact surface contact each other.
US08851625B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head which has a nozzle formation surface that ejects a liquid containing a solvent in a vaporized state with a specific gravity greater than that of air onto a recording medium, and is in a standby state in which the nozzle formation surface faces a lower side in the vertical direction at a standby position deviating from a region where the recording medium is disposed during non-ejection of the liquid; and a head accommodation portion which has a concave portion that accommodates at least a part including the nozzle formation surface of the liquid ejecting head in the standby state and is provided so that a bottom portion of the concave portion opposes the nozzle formation surface in a state where the part is accommodated.
US08851624B2

Disclosed is a maintenance liquid for property carrying out imprints excellent in patternability. The maintenance liquid for imprints of an ink-jet discharging device comprises a compound comprising an ester group and/or an ether group.
US08851622B2

Printers, methods, and apparatus to reduce aerosol are disclosed. An example apparatus to reduce aerosol includes a print head to generate droplets and aerosol, and to direct the droplets toward a print substrate, a first corona wire to generate first ions having a first electrical polarity to direct the aerosol toward the print substrate, and a second corona wire to generate second ions to direct the aerosol toward the print substrate, wherein the second ions have a second electrical polarity that is opposite the first electrical polarity.
US08851619B2

The present invention efficiently optimizes a non-ejection correction parameter for each nozzle. The non-ejection correction parameter for each nozzle is optimized by repeatedly executing the operations of generating test chart data based on a non-ejection correction parameter for each of a plurality of nozzles provided on an ink-jet head; acquiring read data of a test chart recorded on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the plurality of nozzles based on the test chart data while relatively moving the ink-jet head and the recording medium; evaluating a correction intensity of the non-ejection correction parameter for each of the nozzles based on the acquired read data; and updating the non-ejection correction parameter for each of the nozzles based on a single variable root-finding algorithm using iteration method from the evaluated correction intensity.
US08851618B2

An ejection complement process is performed during which both a usual ejection failure and a sudden ejection failure can be appropriately coped with, without being accompanied by a frequent maintenance process. In a case wherein sequential printing is not currently being performed, the first detection process is performed with a high accuracy while being accompanied by the maintenance process, and in a case wherein sequential printing is currently being performed, the second detection process that requires only a small process load is performed at a predetermined timing without being accompanied by the maintenance processing. At this time, when the number of ejection failed nozzles detected in the second ejection process has reached a predetermined value or greater, the maintenance process is performed, and only the information for the ejection failed nozzle, detected in the second detection process, is reset.
US08851616B2

Systems and methods for pre-aligning print head(s) to alignment adapter(s) to increase print resolution of printed matter, and to reduce offline time of a printing system due to print head alignment, include the use of an alignment adapter to which a print head is pre-aligned and which includes precision alignment features which precisely engage cooperating precision alignment features on the print head carriage mounting plate of the print head carriage. Print head(s) can be pre-aligned and fine-tuned to alignment adapter(s) even while the printing system is still in print production. Pre-aligned print head/alignment adapter assemblies can then be quickly mounted on the print head carriage using the cooperating precision alignment features of the adapter and print head carriage mounting plate. Duplicate sets of print head mounting sockets can include print heads aligned at different relative offsets (e.g., half a pixel) to increase the print resolution.
US08851610B2

A calculator calculates a total value of tone values of all pixels in each aggregation by allocating each pixel of M-valued image data to one aggregation. Each block is either one of ejection-port groups including ejection ports having a common liquid channel serving as a liquid supply source or one of divided ejection-port groups. Each aggregation includes pixels of the M-valued image data corresponding to dots formed on a medium when liquid is ejected from ejection ports in one block during one L ejection period. Each L ejection period is obtained by dividing, by a plural number, a number of ejection cycles required to record an image on one recording medium. A tone-value reducer reduces tone values of at least part of pixels in an adjustment-requiring aggregation so that the total value becomes less than a threshold. A transmitter transmits the adjusted M-valued image data to a liquid ejecting device.
US08851606B2

A chart 50 is formed of a density detecting pattern 51 and position detecting marks 52. The density detecting pattern 51 includes five different density areas A, B, C, D and E in form of belts arranged sequentially in Y-direction. The position detecting marks 52 are formed at intervals in X-direction which is a direction of arrangement of nozzles, at an end of the density area A of the density detecting pattern 51. These position detecting marks 52 are formed by suspending, for a fixed period of time, discharge from particular nozzles selected from a plurality of nozzles which discharge ink for forming the density detecting pattern 51, thereby producing ink-free portions (void portions) in the density area A.
US08851605B2

An LDV meter 21 cooperates with an LDV processor 22 to measure travel distances or travel speeds of a transfer belt at a prescribed measuring spot and at intervals with a prescribed rotation angle of one of a set of rollers, on which the transfer belt is stretched, as a set for one or more go-around revolutions of the transfer belt. A roller profile calculator 242 calculates a roller profile data as a set of fractions attributable to an eccentricity of the set of rollers in a set of measurement data. A belt profile calculator 241 removes the set of fractions attributable to the eccentricity from the set of measurement data and calculates a belt profile data representative of irregularities in thickness of the transfer belt based on the set of measurement data after removal of the set of fractions attributable to the eccentricity. In printing, a printing machine 1 controls timing for discharge of ink at an ink head based on the belt profile data and the roller profile data.
US08851600B2

An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a paper conveying device which conveys paper; a line-type inkjet head which performs image formation on the paper by ejecting ink droplets to the paper conveyed by the paper conveying device; a paper conveyance speed measuring device which measures a paper conveyance speed of the paper at the image formation by the inkjet head; a dot arrangement data acquiring device which acquires data for arranging dots to form an image by the inkjet head on the paper conveyed at a predetermined paper conveyance speed; a dot arrangement data adjusting device which adjusts the data for arranging dots in accordance with the paper conveyance speed measured by the paper conveyance speed measuring device so that the image is formed on the paper with a constant image density even when the paper conveyance speed varies; and a head drive controlling device which controls drive of the inkjet head in accordance with the adjusted data for arranging dots.
US08851598B2

The printing device including: a first setting unit configured to set printing mode of a main image and to set either front-surface printing mode for printing a background image on the medium and then printing the main image on the background image or rear-surface printing mode for printing the main image on the medium and then printing the background image on the main image; and a second setting unit configured to set a printing mode of an additional image printed in association with the printing of the main image and to set either front-surface printing mode for printing a background image for the additional image on the medium and then printing the additional image on the background image for the additional image or rear-surface printing mode for printing the additional image on the medium and then printing the background image for the additional image on the additional image.
US08851596B2

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a recording head, a head tank, a displacement member, an air release unit, a main tank, a liquid feed device, a body-side detector, and a supply controller. The supply controller controls a normal filling operation to start feeding liquid from the main tank to the head tank without opening the air release unit when a consumption amount of the liquid in the head tank is a threshold amount or greater, and stop feeding the liquid from the main tank to the head tank when the body-side detector detects an arrival of the displacement member at a normal fill position. When the body-side detector detects the displacement member at a start of the normal filling operation, the supply controller corrects the normal fill position to a position at which the liquid feed device can feed the liquid to the head tank.
US08851594B2

Systems and methods of fill area reduction during printing are disclosed. An example of a method includes identifying a fill area. The method also includes generating a depletion matrix corresponding to the fill area. The depletion matrix identifies which of the plurality of print heads to deactivate. The method also includes selectively adjusting output from the plurality of print heads based on the depletion matrix in order to reduce fill area during printing.
US08851587B2

A slide assembly having an outer segment, an intermediate segment, and an inner segment telescopically engaged with one another. The slide assembly includes forward pair of rollers and a rearward pair of rollers having a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the forward pair of rollers. The outer segment includes a protrusion that limits vertical movement of the intermediate slide segment. The intermediate segment includes a stop member arranged to contact a portion of the inner segment to limit vertical movement of the inner segment relative to the intermediate segment. The inner segment includes a stop arrangement that contacts the intermediate segment to define a closed position of the inner segment. The outer segment includes a stop member and a strengthening rib is positioned near a surface of the intermediate segment that contacts the stop member.
US08851586B1

An automatic full-open type sliding box mounting structure includes a sliding box, a sliding track assembly mounted at the bottom side of the sliding box, and a first opening and closing device and a second opening and closing device and a reset device mounted at the top side of the sliding box in such a manner that the first opening and closing device and the second opening and closing device are capable of automatically moving the sliding box to the full-open position and, the reset device is capable of reset the first opening and closing device and the second opening and closing device when the user pushes the sliding box back to the close position for a next sliding box opening operation.
US08851582B2

A track (10) for track-type vehicles is described, comprising a continuous sequence of articulated joints (12, 12′) of the hinge type, oriented according to a first axis (A-A) substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal development axis (B-B) of the track (10). The articulated joints (12, 12′), provided with pins (36, 36′), are connected to each other and maintained at a constant distance through pairs of links (14) having longitudinal development, arranged laterally and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis (B-B). Around each pin (36, 36′) a bushing (40) is mounted free to rotate with respect to the pin (36, 36′) itself and between each pin (36, 36′) and the links (14) at least one sliding bearing (44) is press-fitted. The geometric/size characteristics of the links (14) and of the sliding bearings (44) make it possible to improve the stability and the resistance to fatigue and wearing of the articulated joints (12, 12′) of the track (10).
US08851571B2

A movement device for an element of furniture for the movement of a seat includes a rotating shaft, integral with the seat, and a hollow hub integral with the fixed portion. The shaft is coupled in rotatable and axially sliding manner to the hub, to define a first lifted position, in which the seat is positioned with respect to the fixed portion. The device also includes a biasing element coupled to the hub and to the shaft to exert an elastic action of contrast on the shaft and maintain it normally in the first position, a friction element constrained to the shaft, and a stop element integral with the hub and configured to contact selectively the friction element and define a second position of the shaft, which is lowered with respect to the first position and in which the rotation of the shaft is angularly countered by the friction element.
US08851567B2

Disclosed are tie down cord assemblies and methods of assembling same. According to some aspects, the tie down cord assembly includes a webbing having a tunnel portion and a flat portion, with the tunnel portion configured to receive a slotted cord and the flat portion configured to attach to fabric. The slotted cord weaves in and out of the tunnel portion and is configured to interact with a seat frame or other suitable structure to secure the fabric to a seat frame. The tie down cord assembly is configured to be universal so that it can be used with seat frames having different dimensions and/or configurations.
US08851565B2

A seatback holder for a tablet computer including a bracket configured to releasably engage within a seatback pocket and a frame pivotally connected to the bracket configured to hold an installed tablet computer securely therein and pivot relative to the bracket to adjust the viewing angle of the installed tablet computer relative to a seatback.
US08851563B2

Fitting system including base seat surface and leg support segments. The seat surface segment is displaceable in relation to the base segment, and the leg support segment is pivotable between a storage position and a use position, and wherein the relative positions of the seat surface and leg support segments with respect to the base segment are forcibly coupled to each other. The seat surface segment is connected to the base segment by a first bracket. The leg support segment is pivotable about a pivot axis fixed in position with respect to the base and leg support segments. The leg support segment is connected to the seat surface segment by a second bracket pivotable about a pivot axis on the leg support and seat surface segment sides.
US08851560B1

The device is a vehicle with a carefully designed multi-layered roof and with a solar array consisting of at least five solar panels mounted on various parts of that roof. When the vehicle is being driven none of the solar panels will extend beyond the outer perimeter of the vehicle. When the vehicle is parked, the driver will be able to cause the at least four solar panels to be repositioned in such a way that their total footprint is more than twice the total footprint of the vehicle. This vehicle will also feature an onboard computer that can help the driver do a variety of tasks that are not normally necessary for typical vehicles and which involve levels of information processing which a normal person would be better off allowing the onboard computer to accomplish.
US08851552B2

A vehicle door includes a run channel including a molded rubber part that is molded using a mold and an extruded part that is molded by extrusion molding. A covering lip is formed on the molded rubber part in such a manner as to extend rearward from an inner side of the molded rubber part. A mounting hole is covered by the covering lip. The covering lip and an extruded lip are accommodated in a recess of a corner garnish and clamped between a flange and the corner garnish, so that the molded rubber part is strongly fixed to the upper corner of the door sash.
US08851548B2

A height compensating latch supported upon an underside of a rotatable vehicle seat and including a pair of spaced apart support plates, between which are pivotally supported a hook rotatable between a floor supported striker engaging position and a further position permitting rotation of the seat. A cam is also supported between the plates and triggers actuation of the hook. A pair of pliant and resilient portions are supported within mounting apertures associated with the plate, an open interior of each resilient portion receiving a mounting fastener for securing the plate to the seat and providing a degree of height compensation between the latch and striker. The pliant and resilient portions include a pair of rubberized bushings sandwiched between the support plates, each of the bushings further including an integrally formed grommet supported within first and second aligning pairs of mounting apertures associated with the plates.
US08851546B2

A lateral extension (1), for road and rail vehicles, comprising a multitude of individual shafts (5) assembled so as to pivot freely, at each of their extremities, firstly, with regard to the interior extremity secured to the vehicle, on a longitudinal structure (11) that is fixed in relation to the load-carrying platform and, secondly, as regards the exterior extremity, on an edge and connecting rigid longitudinal member (10). The shafts bear, over a portion of their length, on an adjacent flat support surface (13) that is fixed in relation to the load-carrying platform, and are cantilevered towards the exterior over the remainder of their length. The extension can be moved to a deployed position, so that the supporting surface (14) provides a passageway, and, a retracted position of lesser width, and incorporates a railing. A changeover from one position to the other is accomplished by pivoting in a horizontal plane.
US08851545B2

A vehicle is provided with a luggage compartment that houses an additional support unit having a loading floor, height-adjustable between a lowered position and at least one raised position; the unit has two levers hinged to a fixed structure about a first horizontal axis and to the loading floor about a second horizontal axis, parallel to the first one; when placed in the raised position, the loading floor is supported, but can be rotated upwards about the second horizontal axis; the levers carry respective appendages, which rest on fixed brackets to support the loading floor in the raised position.
US08851544B2

A slidable tray assembly is provided having an aperture located on the housing near the track of the slidable tray assembly to promote egress of foreign objects out of the track. The housing includes a grid-like assembly to strengthen the overall housing assembly. The grid-like pattern promotes foreign objects to become stuck within the track thereby prohibiting movement of the slidable assembly. Foreign objects enter the tray by means of a gap between the slidable tray and a panel from the interior of the vehicle. The aperture located on the housing is sized in proportion to the gap created between the panel and the slidable tray.
US08851543B2

A lug reversibly connectable to a wear plate having a hole extending therethrough. The lug includes a coupling means and a plug. The plug comprises an upper surface. In a first position the lug is connectable to an underside of the wear plate such that the coupling means extends through said hole and outward from an upper surface of the wear plate an in this position can be engaged by a hoist. In a second position the lug is connectable to the underside of said wear plate such that the plug fills said hole whereby the upper surface of the plug is aligned with the upper surface of the wear plate to thereby present an even wear surface.
US08851539B2

An energy absorbing assembly for impact energy absorption can comprise: an elongated plastic member having a major axis, a first side and a second side, comprising a central portion disposed between a first end portion and a second end portion, the second side defines a channel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion; and an elongated insert having a front, edges, tips, and a rear, wherein the insert is configured to flex upon impact, and is removably friction fit within the channel such that the plastic member surrounds the front, and greater than or equal to 50% of the edges and tips. The energy absorbing assembly can be configured to attach to a vehicle to absorb energy absorption impact. A vehicle can comprise: a vehicle rail and the energy absorbing assembly attached to the vehicle rail.
US08851533B2

A vehicle door locking device Ao is integrated by assembling a base unit A2 provided with a latch mechanism A2a to a housing unit A1 provided with an actuating mechanism for actuating the latch mechanism A2a. A metal sub-base plate 27 of the base unit A2 has an attachment hole 27a fitted to a support shaft 11a provided in the housing unit A1 in the axial direction thereof, the support shaft extending in the vehicle length direction. The attachment hole 27a of the metal sub-base plate 27 is fitted to the support shaft 11a, so that the base unit A2 is integrated with the housing unit A1. The metal sub-base plate 27 is provided with a receiving portion 27b for restraining a lean in the vehicle width direction (W direction) of a child-proof lever 36 at a back part of the child-proof lever 36.
US08851532B2

An electric strike according to the present invention comprises a housing, and an actuator mounted to the housing to switch operation of said strike between open and locked modes. In changing the modes the actuator provides lateral motion and a blocking element is included that is also mounted to the housing and cooperates with the actuator. The actuator's lateral motion causes rotational movement in the blocking element to switch between said open and locked modes. Different embodiments of the present invention can operate as dual mode electric strikes wherein the actuator is movable between fail-safe and fail-secure positions, and can include switches and paddles to monitor the position or condition of certain mechanisms in or working with the strikes. In some embodiments the blocking element can be rotatably mounted to the housing at a plurality of rotation mounting points and can comprise a plurality of blocking surfaces. In other embodiments, at least one of the one or more blocking surfaces having a pre-load movement mechanism to reduce friction with the keeper.
US08851530B2

An electric latch retraction device comprising a housing for receiving a plurality of internal components of the electric latch retraction device. An actuator mechanism is included in the housing, the actuator mechanism is adapted to impart linear movement on a latch, such that the latch is retracted towards the housing. A holding mechanism is also included in the housing, the holding mechanism holds the latch in a fully retracted position.
US08851529B2

An electronic device is provided, including a main body, a latching mechanism, and a movable member. The latching mechanism is disposed on the main body to join with the movable member. The latching mechanism includes a rod, a first latching member disposed on a side of the rod, a second latching member connected to the rod, a first elastic member connecting the first latching member with the main body, a second elastic member connecting the second latching member with the main body, and a rotary member. The rotary member pivotally connects to the main body, and connects the rod with the first latching member.
US08851528B2

A fluidic compression connection includes a first sealing device having a fluid inlet at an entry opening and a first mating surface at an exit opening end; a second sealing device having an interchangeable plug-and-play consumable insert, a second mating surface at the entry opening end and a third mating surface at the exit opening end; a third sealing device having a fluid outlet at the exit opening and a fourth mating surface at the entry opening end; a mechanical support; and a drive force mechanism, wherein the first mating surface opposes the second mating surface and the third mating surface opposes the fourth mating surface, and wherein the drive force mechanism is configured to apply a substantially axial drive force opposed by the mechanical support, to compress the first, second, and third sealing devices and create a leak-resistant seal in the connection between the sealing devices.
US08851526B2

A cap for a quick connect fitting assembly is a unitary component having a terminal portion and a body portion extending from the terminal portion to define an inner cavity. The body portion defines a first opening opposite the terminal portion and a second opening extending from the first opening toward the terminal portion. The terminal portion has a first locating feature and the body portion has a second locating feature. The first and the second locating features are spaced relative to one another such that the unitary component will connect to the quick connect fitting assembly with both of the locating features contacting predetermined locations of the quick connect fitting assembly only if a male fitting is inserted into a female fitting to a predetermined position, the unitary component thus ensuring proper connection of the quick connect fitting assembly. A method of assembly using the cap is provided.
US08851522B1

A seatbelt anchor assembly includes a ferrule, a cable, and seatbelt buckle. The ferrule can be mounted at one end to a seat base or other mounted structure of the vehicle, and can further include an anti-rotation pin that is received in a locating hole of the seat base to limit rotation of the ferrule during mounting and during normal occupant use. The pin can be made from aluminum or other material that can shear off in response to a dynamic vehicle load, allowing the ferrule to pivot about its mounting location to align the loads. The ferrule can be in the form of a blank including a body portion and a head portion having a pair of ears, and can include a recess between the ear portions and the body portion to limit tension in the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped to mount a cable thereto.
US08851519B1

A releasable tether retention system is provided. The system includes a housing, a movable member movably mounted within the housing, and a sliding element coupled to the movable member so as to move with the movable member and so as to be extendible to an exterior of the housing to engage a tether.
US08851518B2

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.
US08851517B2

In various embodiments, a safety device for a motor vehicle is provided. The safety device includes an elastic membrane, which partially or completely delimits a hollow space, which is provided for an accident-initiated filling subject to elastically expand the membrane. The elastic membrane is covered by a separate envelope in a gas-tight manner, which provides an opening through the expansion of the membrane.
US08851514B2

A child care device is configured to receive a child. The device includes a child-restraint harness including first and second shoulder straps and inflatable elements associated with each shoulder strap.
US08851511B1

A side airbag cushion (10, 10A or 10B) has a front side panel (22), a rear side panel (24), a top panel (26) spaced between the upper edges of the front and rear side panels (22, 24), and a bottom panel (28) spaced between the lower edges of the front and rear side panels (22, 24). The top and bottom panels (26, 28) are configured to create a contoured or concavity (23) shaped fully inflated side airbag cushion with a larger sized forward end (27) volume and with a smaller sized volume at the occupant mid-location (25) wherein the inflated airbag cushion fills the gap between the door trim (7) and the occupant (2).
US08851503B2

The dual-chair beach wagon includes attachable beach chairs with removable wheels that convert the beach chairs into a rolling wagon for transport of beach paraphernalia. The beach chairs have arm latches and frame brackets that allow them to be removably connected together at opposing front ends to form the wagon. When disconnected each chair serves as a standard beach chair. The removably attachable wheels attach to adjustable rear legs of the beach chairs. In preparation for beach wagon mode, the front legs can be folded up and secured with a recessed leg lock to facilitate attachment of the two chairs using the arm latches and frame brackets to form the beach wagon. A pull rod is attachable to one end of the dual chair configuration. Wheels on the pull rod attachment end of the dual chair configuration have independently pivotal axles to facilitate steering of the wagon transport.
US08851489B2

A steering system for motor vehicles including agricultural machines is provided. The system includes a first conventional steering assembly for the front wheels to rotate only each of the front wheels within a respective first predetermined steering angle, each front wheel rotatable to a pre-determined first maximum value within its pre-determined angle. The system also includes a second steering assembly to independently steer a front axle and the front wheels within a second pre-determined steering angle. The second steering assembly is activated only after each of the front wheels have reached its respective first maximum value within its first pre-determined steering angle, during the conventional steering performed by the first conventional steering assembly.
US08851485B2

An apparatus for increasing the buoyancy of a wheeled vehicle includes a ski to be disposed under at least one tire or wheel of a wheeled vehicle; a boot having a bottom wall secured directly or indirectly to the ski and side walls substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall, wherein the side walls of the boot are configured to laterally constrain the tire or wheel of the wheeled vehicle; and a tire block pin for connecting the side walls of the boot to one another to increase rigidity of the apparatus and to rotationally constrain the tire or wheel of the wheeled vehicle and/or tie downs for securing the wheel to the ski. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed.
US08851473B2

A sheet medium separating mechanism and a control method and a control system thereof. When the head part of a currently separated medium reaches the front boundary of a preset speed regulating region in front of a money distributing wheel (111) and the tail part of the currently separated medium leaves the back boundary of a preset speed regulating region on the money distributing wheel, relative speeds of a money distributing wheel motor (122) and a back money distributing power wheel motor (120) are regulated, so that a preset medium separating distance is kept between the tail part of the currently separated medium and the head part of a next separated medium. Therefore, the sheet medium separating mechanism is adapted to sheet media of different shapes and different specifications, the money distributing wheel size and rotary inertia of longitudinal deposit equipment are reduced, and the motor load is effectively lowered.
US08851465B2

A recording apparatus includes a medium cassette provided with a medium accommodation tray that has a medium accommodation unit for accommodating a medium which is transported to a recording unit, and a paper discharge tray that is disposed on the upper side of the medium accommodation tray and that receives a medium on which recording has been performed at the recording unit. The paper discharge tray has a cutout formed from an end portion of the paper discharge tray which is on a feed-out side in a transport direction of the medium accommodation unit, and the cutout exposes the medium accommodation unit.
US08851456B2

The present invention provides a fencing system having interconnected tubular elements comprised of longitudinally extending conductor wires and reinforcement wires. Said conductor wires are conventionally disposed in an outer casing's cavity with an open round or rounded section. Said outer casing is formed by a crimping process such that said conductor wires are reinforced by parallelly extending reinforcement wires, the latter wires being disposed in a separate partition of the longitudinal inner volume of said outer casing. Said partition assigned to said reinforcement wires provides that said reinforcement wires does not damage said conductor wires during the final stage of crimping process in which barbed tapes with pointed and/or cutting barbs are transversely folded around the interconnected tubular elements.
US08851447B2

An integrated irrigation valve control device has a coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of irrigation equipment. Control circuitry is electrically coupled to the coil to control the flux at the coil. A housing covers at least a portion of the coil and at least a portion of the control circuitry.
US08851443B2

Actuator apparatus having a multi-stable element actuated by memory alloy actuating elements. In one embodiment, the multi-stable actuator comprises a bistable (two-state) diaphragm element adapted to alternate between two stable configurations via forces exerted on the diaphragm by more than one memory alloy filaments in response to thermal activation. The bistable diaphragm element is coupled to a magnetic actuator element resident on a dry portion of a valve fitting, while a plunger actuated by the magnetic actuator element is resident on a wet portion of a valve fitting. Methods for making and using the bistable actuator apparatus are also disclosed.
US08851442B2

The invention is directed to a patterned aerogel-based layer that serves as a mold for at least part of a microelectromechanical feature. The density of an aerogel is less than that of typical materials used in MEMS fabrication, such as poly-silicon, silicon oxide, single-crystal silicon, metals, metal alloys, and the like. Therefore, one may form structural features in an aerogel-based layer at rates significantly higher than the rates at which structural features can be formed in denser materials. The invention further includes a method of patterning an aerogel-based layer to produce such an aerogel-based mold. The invention further includes a method of fabricating a microelectromechanical feature using an aerogel-based mold. This method includes depositing a dense material layer directly onto the outline of at least part of a microelectromechanical feature that has been formed in the aerogel-based layer.
US08851440B2

A releasable hanging system having a loop fastener component and a hook fastener component. The loop fastener component includes a flexible patch carrying a field of engageable fibers exposed on a front side of the patch and an adhesive on a back side of the patch. The hook fastener component includes a resin base carrying an array of male touch fastener elements. A significant majority of the male touch fastener elements each extend from the base to a distal tip to overhang the base in a single, common direction. The fastening system can be used to hang an object on a vertical surface such that the male touch fastener elements of the significant majority bear the weight of the object in a downward direction, and such that the significant majority of the male touch fastener elements are oriented so as not to inhibit lifting of the object in an upward direction.
US08851439B2

The invention provides a reading stand. The reading stand may comprising a base portion including at least one base portion sidewall, the base portion sidewall being supported by the base portion; and a platform portion forming a support surface to support the document, the platform portion including at least one page holder to retain the document. The reading stand may further include a side support clip extending from the platform portion such that the base portion sidewall is receivable between the platform portion and the side support clip in an assembled position, the side support clip having a protuberance disposed thereon, the protuberance engageable with the base portion sidewall. The assembled position affords side reading.
US08851434B2

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for coupling an apparatus to a cleat.A cleat-mounted support apparatus in accordance with the present invention may comprise: (a) a first bracket portion; (b) a second bracket portion; and (c) bracket coupling means.A cleat-mountable apparatus in accordance with the present invention may comprise: (a) a cleat-mountable support; (b) an accessory.A method for coupling a cleat-mounted apparatus to a cleat in accordance with the present invention may comprise one or more of the steps: (a) disposing a first bracket portion about a cleat member; (b) disposing a second bracket portion about the cleat member; and (c) operatively coupling the first and second bracket portions.
US08851426B1

A modified cruciform parachute is configured to provide improved aerodynamic efficiency and/or reduced construction expense. In an exemplary parachute, a shoulder panel is disposed between a center panel and a side panel to at least partially equalize load path lengths in the cruciform parachute. Components of the parachute may be two-dimensional in construction in order to reduce construction expense. Components of the parachute may also be modular and/or interchangeable. The cruciform parachute may be steerable and/or may be configured to glide via inclusion of venting means on the parachute canopy.
US08851425B2

The present invention relates to a removable support (10) for optional equipment (6) on an aircraft (1). The support (10) comprises an elongate beam (20) fitted with at least one attachment point for a piece of equipment and extending from a first end portion (21) to a second end portion (22), and the support (10) is provided with first fastener means (30) provided with a first fastener arm (31) connected to a first link arm (32) that is releasably fastened to the first end portion (21), and with second fastener means (40) provided with a second fastener arm (41) connected to a second link arm (42) that is releasably fastened to the second end portion (22), a first support rod (34) also connecting the first fastener arm (31) to the first link arm (32), and a second support rod (44) also connecting the second fastener arm (41) to the second link arm (42).
US08851416B2

An aircraft nacelle that makes it possible to channel a stream of air in a longitudinal direction and that includes at least two panels (50, 50′) placed end to end in the longitudinal direction, each including a so-called aerodynamic surface (52, 52′) that is in contact with the air stream and an edge (54, 54′) that is in contact with the edge of the other panel, characterized in that at least one of the panels includes—at its edge (54, 54′)—at least one partition (58) that projects relative to the edge that extends in the direction of the edge of the other panel, in a manner that is secant to the aerodynamic surface and in a plane that contains the longitudinal direction, so as to limit the circulation of air between the edges of the panels.
US08851408B2

Grain crushing apparatuses for processing grain are disclosed. In one embodiment, a grain crushing apparatus includes a first and second sidewall spaced apart from one another a throat dimension in a first direction, and a first and second support shaft positioned transverse to the first and sidewall. The first and second support shaft are each configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The grain crushing apparatus also includes a first and second grain crushing roller. Each of the grain crushing rollers include a plurality of teeth extending from a root a tooth height. The first and second grain crushing rollers are intermeshed with one another such the first and second grain crushing roller are maintained at positions spaced apart from one another in a second direction normal to the first direction by an overlap distance less than the tooth height.
US08851406B2

A pump apparatus includes a particulate pump that defines a passage that extends from an inlet to an outlet. A duct is in flow communication with the outlet. The duct includes a deconsolidator configured to fragment particle agglomerates received from the passage.
US08851398B2

An overhead shower comprises a stationary part rotably connected to a rotating part having two water division apertures disposed oppositely left and right, and a cover plate having two movable members disposed left and right, rotably connected inside said rotating part. A switching method comprises: step 1, Push one side of the overhead shower to rotate the rotating part until the top surface of the movable member of said side of the cover plate leans against the stationary part, and until the water division aperture seals and leans against the underside of the movable member of said side of the cover plate, to seal said water division and simultaneously open another water division aperture; step 2, Release the overhead shower, then the rotating part and said movable member of the cover plate attach hermetically under the water pressure, the rotating part will be restored by a spring or gravity.
US08851394B2

An expansion valve to expand high-pressure refrigerant and send the expanded refrigerant toward an evaporator is used in a refrigeration cycle, and includes a body portion, an element portion, and a valve portion. The body portion has a first passage through which the high-pressure refrigerant passes, a throttle passage located in the first passage so as to expand refrigerant, and a second passage through which refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator passes. The element portion arranged outside of the body portion has a pressure responding member to be displaced in accordance with a difference between an inner pressure of a seal space and a pressure of refrigerant flowing through the second passage. Temperature sensing media is filled in the seal space, and a pressure of the media is changed by temperature. The valve portion is displaced in accordance with the pressure responding member so as to control an opening of the throttle passage. Additive is filled in the seal space with the media so as to lower a condensing temperature of the media.
US08851393B1

A bureau is adapted to monitor and forecast weather conditions and to generate forecasting data. A thermostat operatively coupled to an air conditioner/heater initiates and terminates both heating and cooling. A communication network operatively couples the bureau and the thermostat. Operational components within the thermostat are a first screen to display the actual temperature, a second screen to display the desired temperature, a mode switch having a primary position for cooling and a secondary position for heating, and an electronic controller for receiving input from the bureau and for operating the mode switch and for generating signals for the operation of the air conditioner/heater, the interpreting being based upon the generated forecasting data.
US08851390B2

A reader/writer antenna module includes a flexible substrate that includes a first base portion, a second base portion and a bending portion that connects the first base portion and the second base portion to each other. The flexible substrate has a structure that is folded by utilizing the flexibility of the bending portion such that a first main surface of the first base portion and a first main surface of the second base portion face each other, and a magnetic layer is provided between an antenna conductor and the chip component in the folded structure.
US08851385B2

Described herein are RFID structures and methods of manufacturing RFID structures. An antenna substrate is provided. A first stack layer is provided. An antenna assembly including an antenna track, and at least two contact pads, are formed on a first surface of the antenna substrate. An integrated circuit unit is coupled to the at least two contact pads. A first surface of the first stack layer, the first surface of the antenna substrate, or both are coated with a unidirectional thermally expansive coating material. The first surface of the antenna substrate is positioned to be adjacent to the first surface of the first stack layer.
US08851380B2

A method and system for collecting and recognizing information from a monitoring device is provided. On a mobile computer device a user can capture an image of a monitoring device. The image captures at least two aspects: (1) monitored data tracked or acquired by the monitoring device, and (2) a portion of the monitoring device sufficient to recognize the monitoring device. Recognition functions are provided for: (1) recognizing and converting the monitored data visible in the captured image into quantifiable data, and (2) for recognizing the monitoring device. A note taking function can be provided to allow a user to create notes. The notes can be enriched with the quantifiable data and/or the recognized monitoring device (or vice versa). A suggestion function can be provided for suggesting services where the quantifiable data, the recognized monitoring device, and/or the notes can be bound.
US08851377B2

A card reader for use with a card having a magnetic stripe may include a card path through which the card having the magnetic stripe is transferred, a magnetic head placed in the card path, and card position detecting sensors for detecting a position of the card. The card position detecting sensors may be located at positions where the magnetic stripe passes through in the card path.
US08851375B2

Various methods are described for facilitating in-aisle scanning of one or more items to be purchased at a store. One example method may comprise scanning a barcode associated with an item. The method may further comprise adding the item to a list of items to be purchased. Additionally, the method may comprise receiving an indication that the item needs to be weighed. The method may further comprise flagging the item in the list to be weighed during checkout. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.
US08851366B2

A bank (or merchant) hosts and operates an online money transfer service (or “portal”). A sender logs into the portal and enters payment card and money transfer details and then submits the transaction. An authentication window appears displaying the sender's transaction details and the sender is prompted to enter his or her password. Upon successful authentication, the bank seeks authorization from the card issuer. Upon successful authorization, the bank credits the recipient's local bank account or existing payment card. The recipient can also receive a check, a draft, a prepaid card or cash. The money transfer service is used both cross-border and domestic to effect person-to-person money transfer. The money transfer service uses the “Verified by Visa” authentication service and VisaNet for authorization. Messages over VisaNet are used to deliver funds to a recipient.
US08851354B2

A surgical instrument with a tissue-clamping end effector, where actuation of the instrument is locked out when the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector is not within a specified thickness range. The end effector may comprise a tissue thickness module that senses the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector. The surgical instrument also comprises a control circuit in communication with the tissue thickness module. The control circuit prevents actuation of a working portion of the end effector when the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector is not within the specified thickness range.
US08851351B2

A trigger assembly for switching one shoot mode or repeat shoot mode includes a trigger, a switch, a fixing element, a trigger plate and a torsion spring. When a user wants to switch the shoot modes of the nail gun, the user turns the switch so that the fixing element moves along the curved track of the switch and the fixing element drives the trigger plate to move on a protrusion or on a through hole simultaneously. After the user presses the trigger, the trigger plate is resisted by the protrusion so that the nail gun is in one shoot mode. In addition, when the trigger plate is vibrating on the through hole, the nail gun is in repeat shoot mode.
US08851350B2

A hands-free mount and a manufacturing method for a hanging structure thereof are disclosed. The hands-free mount includes a mount body and a hanging arm. The mount body is formed by a bottom shell and a top shell coupled mutually. The hanging arm includes a metal substrate and inner and outer coatings wrapping the metal substrate. The outer coating has a chamfered end located outside the bottom shell and inclined at an angle. The manufacturing method for the hanging structure of the hands-free mount uses an over-molding process to fully wrap the stainless steel core, so as to endow the hanging structure with good appearance and soft touch and prevent the product from rusting. Using the hanging structure as the hanging arm, the hands-free mount has improved firmness, appearance and touch.
US08851347B2

An apparatus for transporting cargo on a motorcycle comprises a first rack having a width of about the width of a seat of a motorcycle. The first rack has a first plurality of attachment structures fixedly attached thereto. A second rack has a base with a second plurality of attachment structures fixedly attached to a bottom of the base configured for engaging with and being secured to the first plurality of attachment structures. The second rack is positioned on top of the first rack when secured thereto and includes a pair of upwardly extending elongate members fixedly coupled to the base and angled toward the rear of the motorcycle. The elongate members are each provided with a transversely extending receiving member and a centrally located receiving bracket attached proximate a rearward side of the base, thus forming a three-point attachment structure for attaching an accessory to a motorcycle.
US08851335B2

A dispenser for dispensing a diluted form of a concentrated product includes: a supply of concentrated product; a dilution chamber; an actuation assembly and a product pump mechanism having a water staging chamber. The actuation assembly receives water under pressure from a pressurized water supply. In a staging state, water from the pressurized water supply is fed to the water staging chamber, increasing the volume thereof and causing the actuating of the pump mechanism thereby driving a dose of product into the dilution chamber. In a return state, (a) water within the water staging chamber exits the water staging chamber, (b) water is advanced to the dilution chamber and mixes with the dose of product to create diluted product, and (c) a dose of concentrated product is drawn from the supply of concentrated product into the product pump mechanism.
US08851329B2

Embodiments of a dispensing system for dispensing a number of products to a user are disclosed. The dispensing system may include an input/output device and a dispenser. The input/output device may be adapted to receive a selection of one of the products from the user. The dispenser may be adapted to dispense a plurality of diluent components, the diluent components and a ratio of the diluent components corresponding at least in part to the selection of the user.
US08851326B2

The present invention provides a dispenser for folded sheets having an overfill prevention device, which effectively prevents the dispenser from being overfilled with folded sheet material. The result of the present invention is that a maintainer of the dispenser will have a difficult time overfilling the dispenser.
US08851319B2

This invention relates to a cooking article (1) including a metal dish (2) having a base area (20), a concave internal face (21) intended to be arranged on the side of the food to be placed in said article (1) and a convex external face (22) intended to be arranged toward a heat source, and an external coating (3) covering said external face (22), characterized in that said external coating (3) includes between 30% and 50% by weight, with respect to the entire weight of said coating (3), of at least one polyimide having a glass transition temperature Tg equal to or above 250° C. This invention also relates to a process for producing such an article (1).
US08851317B2

A filtration tank intended to be buried and for containing wastewater in particular, the tank (100) comprising a casing (110) having an upper part (200) and a lower part (300), the tank being provided with voussoirs (610, 610′) for reinforcing the structure of the casing (110) so that it can withstand the pressure exerted by the surrounding material when the tank (100) is buried and is not completely filled. The voussoirs (610, 610′) bearing against the upper part (200) and in that the tank (100) incorporates means (650d, 670) for absorbing the supporting forces of the voussoirs (610, 610′) so as to transfer said forces onto the bottom (310) of said tank. A tank is thus obtained which withstands being buried without deforming even though it may be only partially filled.
US08851315B2

A tamper-evident rigid plastic food container system wherein the outer periphery of the mating surfaces of the lid and tray are permanently bonded together after the food product has been placed in the tray, a set of perforated rows at an inner periphery, the interconnect of which needs to be torn in order to open the lid. Intentional, inadvertent, or malicious ingress into the container can only be made by tearing at the perforations and thereby evidencing the potential tampering and contamination of the packaging contents. The lid and tray edges may further include mechanical interference fits, including snap-fit grips that may be of the releasably lockable kind to permit sealing, release, and re-sealing multiple times without deterioration in reliability, and which can further prevent or minimize leakage of liquid food product.
US08851314B2

A container assembly for holding, shipping, and consuming a product, such as a frozen confection, is provided. The container assembly includes a container, a lid, and a utensil. The utensil is connected to the assembly so that a consumer is able to spoon the product from the container. A consumer may purchase the assembly containing a product, open the container, remove the utensil, and consume the product using the self-contained utensil. The assembly may also include a membrane for ensuring freshness and to indicate tampering of the product. The utensil may be attached directly to the lid, or in a pocket between sealed membranes.
US08851313B2

An electrical junction box configured to stably hold a cover member in a standby state in a first position apart from a connector-mounting section. The electrical junction box includes a cover member rotatably attached to a casing about rotary support axes, an engaging projection provided on the casing that engages the cover member to position the cover member in the first position, a guide projection provided on one of the casing and the cover member, and a pair of positioning walls provided on the other of the casing and the cover member, wherein the cover member is positioned with respect to the engaging projection in an axial direction of the rotary support axes when the pair of positioning wall portions pinch the guide projection.
US08851307B2

A frame for attachment to the periphery of a panel having a main portion, a surrounding wall designed to surround an edge of the panel, and attachment means for attaching the frame relative to the panel having at least one locking element, the locking element being connected to the main portion by a hinge and being movable relative to the main portion between an open position, in which the panel is capable of being inserted into the surrounding wall without interaction with the locking element, and a closed position, in which, when the surrounding wall surrounds the edge of the panel, the locking element is facing a main face of the panel.
US08851302B2

A product dispensing system including a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a container support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends, and a lower support deck positioned below the container support deck, the lower support deck defining a product display area, a container positioned on the container support deck, the container defining an internal volume and including an interference member extending into the internal volume, and a number of products received in the internal volume and arranged in at least a first row and a second row, the second row being positioned above the first row, wherein the interference member is positioned to restrict longitudinal movement at least one product in the second row.
US08851301B1

A bicycle stand contains a base, a connecting member, and an adjusting plate. The base includes a placing area, a first extending section, a second extending section, and supporting plate. The connecting member includes a receiving portion, and the adjusting plate includes a positioning area. The locking area has a circular hole for retaining a wheel. The supporting plate has a connecting section, the connecting section has a recess, and the receiving portion has two shoulders, the adjusting plate includes a longitudinal slot with a plurality of notches. Thereby, the bicycle stand is applied to fix a bicycle based on a placed height of a rear fork of a wheel.
US08851300B2

A roll-out shelving storage rack system includes a frame coupled with a shelf member. The shelf member includes a base support, a shelf support tray, a shelf, and a driver. The base support mounts to the frame, and the shelf support tray engages the base support and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shelf engages the shelf support tray and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The driver is coupled to the base support and the shelf. Activation of the driver moves the shelf from its retracted position to its extended position. Further, when the shelf reaches its fully extended position, the shelf support tray moves from its retracted position to its extended position. The extension of the shelf support tray substantially and completely extends the shelf outside of the frame.
US08851296B2

This invention relates to a blood processing filter including a band-shaped first seal part that seals an inlet-side flexible container of the blood processing filter and a filter element of the blood processing filter so as to surround an inlet port, and an annular second seal part that seals at least the inlet-side flexible container and an outlet-side flexible container and is formed surrounding the first seal part at a position that is closer to an outer edge than the first seal part. A valley part corresponding to the first seal part is provided on an outlet side of the filter element. An outlet opening that communicates with an inside of the outlet-side flexible container is formed in the outlet port. At least one portion of the outlet opening is arranged so as to overlap with the valley part.
US08851287B2

Universal members placed between containers having different stacking patterns permit stacking of these containers regardless of the type of container positioned as the bottom container. The universal members include an appropriate thickness and a plurality of openings configured to receive the different stacking patterns. Depending on the containers being stacked, the universal members may take different forms. For example, one universal member may include T-shaped openings while another universal member may include rectangular-shaped openings with offset members.
US08851286B2

The disclosure pertains to a vessel for holding replacement heart valves and associated positioning and installation apparatus which is configured and adapted to contain a biocidal sterilization fluid during and following exposure of a delivery system for the replacement heart valve to sterilization by ionizing radiation and methods of use therefor. The vessel includes a shield which limits exposure of biologically derived material therein to radiation. The vessel also provides a storage and shipping container for the replacement heart valve in which the biologically derived material is maintained in a sterile fluid environment.
US08851281B2

A sharps container 10, 20 for used syringes is disclosed which can withstand a crushing force in the direction of the longitudinal axis of a syringe 15 without the needle 11 of the syringe penetrating the base 7 of the container. Instead the container has a portion 120, 22A of reduced wall thickness which concertinas (or zig zags) when such a crushing force is applied.
US08851279B1

A publication and product delivery package is disclosed which permits product samples to be packaged and displayed along the binding (or “spine”) of a publication, such as a magazine, or an object of similar size, and delivered to a purchaser of that publication utilizing standard delivery services, such as the United States Postal Service, even when such products may be otherwise loose, liquid, or fragile, and despite the stresses and impacts of such packaging, display, and delivery. In a novel marketing method, the publication package allows a product distributor to include additional attractive marketing text and images alongside product sample containers, and coordinated with similar text and images impressed on the delivered product sample containers, to achieve high-impact and memorable promotion with little delivery costs over the cost of delivering the publication alone.
US08851271B2

Conveyor belts are made from modular links having offset forward and rearward projecting eye parts to intercalate eye parts from one belt link between eye parts with oval lateral apertures. Connecting rods inserted through aligned apertures hingedly connect adjacent links. Clips restrict lateral turning of the belt links. Clips have general U-shapes with two legs, a bridge portion end, and opposite free ends. Projecting members at the free ends have lengths parallel to the legs and smaller than the lengths of the apertures in the belt links in which the clip is to be installed, and have heights equivalent to or smaller than the heights of the aperture in the belt link in which the clip is to be installed. The lateral distance between the two legs of the U, is larger than the lateral extent of an eye part in the belt link in which the clip is installed.
US08851267B2

A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end, and an opposed roller motor assembly. The opposed roller motor assembly may include a motor; a support frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, drive rollers connected to the motor and to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning the drive roller adjacent to one surface of an extended fin driven member. The pivot block assemblies may be coupled together with a self-tensioning adjustment assembly. In some examples, the self-tensioning adjustment assembly may be adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly.
US08851265B2

The present invention is a reverse vending machine which accepts non-metallic and metallic beverage containers for processing. The beverage containers are inserted by the user into an intake chute, where they are then compacted, sorted, and deposited in storage bins contained in the machine. A number of additional functions are provided by the reverse vending machine, including a self cleaning system, a video screen for displaying information to users, a bar code scanner for scanning bar codes, a user ID reader, and a coupon printer for issuing coupons to users. All transaction information is processed by a computer and stored electronically. The invention automatically returns non-empty containers and containers with unacceptable or unreadable bar codes to the user. The user is also provided warning messages when the storage bins are nearly full, or when a container is jammed in the machine.
US08851255B2

A ratchet assembly for a load binder includes a pawl bearing assembly biased between a surface of the pawl and a biased movable element whose movement is actuated by the insertion or withdrawal of the lever. In one position of the movable element, the bearing assembly is urged against the pawl to lock it. In the other position of the movable element, the bearing assembly is allowed to reduce its pressure on the pawl.
US08851253B2

A vehicle-related system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a road-way. The vehicle has three sources of power: a vehicle-related power generator, a set of batteries and vehicle-external electric stations. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be connected with an electric station. A circuit, determining instantaneous power content of the set of batteries, is adapted to connect the vehicle-external power source via a switch belonging to the electric station, in order to charge the set of batteries and/or to supply power to the vehicle motor via a control circuit, when the power content of the set of batteries is at a predetermined level of power, lying below a maximum power content, and a supply of power or voltage from the vehicle-external power source is available.
US08851251B2

An ergonomic handle for luggage is provided. In one aspect, the handle comprises at least one palm grip. The handle is attached to a compartment with wheels. The palm grip can be used to push the luggage as the wheels roll over a rolling surface.
US08851250B2

The invention relates to an active vibration isolation system which detects structural vibration of the mass to be isolated via a sensor and also takes account of these disturbance variables.
US08851242B2

An electromechanical brake includes a pair of pad plates provided with a friction pad to apply pressure to a disc, a carrier to support the pad plates, a caliper housing supported movably back and forth on the carrier to apply pressure to the pad plates; and a presser to apply pressure to the pad plates. The presser includes a pressing member to apply pressure to one of the pad plates, a driving motor to operate the pressing member, a gear assembly disposed between the driving motor and the pressing member to transfer rotational force of the driving motor to the pressing member. The gear assembly includes an input shaft connected to a motor, an external gear coupled to the input shaft such that the external gear eccentrically rotates, and a stationary internal gear and a rotational internal gear meshed with the external gear such that the external gear revolves, while rotating. The rotational internal gear includes an output shaft in the center thereof and the output shaft is connected to the pressing member.
US08851232B2

A rope climbing apparatus includes two spaced side members. Each side member has a climbing rope end and a tethering end. The climbing rope ends each include a pair of spaced apertures. The tethering ends each include a cooperative aperture. Two friction elements are disposed between the spaced side members. The friction elements are axially disposed between the pair of spaced apertures in the climbing rope end for receiving a rope therebetween the friction elements. A tether connector is axially disposed between the cooperative apertures in the tethering end for connecting a tether thereto. The climbing apparatus is useable as a brake while descending a rope through angular movement of the tethering end relative to the rope.
US08851227B2

A bearing assembly is for a mechanism including a housing and a rotatable shaft disposed within the housing. The bearing assembly includes a sleeve disposable within the housing and having an inner circumferential surface defining a bore and a radial surface extending radially inwardly from the inner surface. A bearing is disposed within the bore and includes inner and outer races and rolling elements disposed between the races, the inner race being coupleable with the shaft such that the shaft and the inner race rotate as a single unit. Further, a biasing member biases the outer race generally against the sleeve radial surface or a housing radial surface to prevent axial displacement of the outer race during shaft rotation. Preferably, a retainer couples the biasing member with the outer race to retain the bearing and the biasing member within the bore when the assembly is separate from the housing.
US08851226B2

A steering system for a vehicle adapted to travel on a track or a guideway includes a drive shaft having a rotational axis and first and second substantially semicircular gear elements provided on the drive shaft and adapted to engage first and second racks, respectively. The first and second substantially semicircular gear elements are offset along the rotational axis of the drive shaft and are located about a common end of the drive shaft. The first substantially semicircular gear element engages the first rack when the drive shaft is rotated in a first direction while the second substantially semicircular gear element engages the second rack when the drive shaft is rotated in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. Both first and second substantially semicircular gear elements engage the first and the second rack, respectively, when the drive shaft is in a neutral position.
US08851224B2

A wheel loader includes a vehicle frame, an engine, a supporting mechanism, a diesel articulate filtering device, and a connecting pipe. The engine is mounted on the vehicle frame, and the supporting mechanism is fixed to the vehicle frame. The diesel particulate filtering device is mounted on the supporting mechanism above the engine and has an exhaust gas inlet facing the rear. An exhaust upstream side end part of the connecting pipe is coupled to an exhaust part of the engine, and an exhaust downstream side end part of the connecting pipe is connected to an exhaust gas inlet of the diesel particulate filtering device from the rear. The connecting pipe includes an extending part that is disposed below the diesel particulate filtering device and extends rearward of the diesel particulate filtering device from the exhaust upstream side end part, and a flexible pipe part provided in the extending part.
US08851220B2

An air cleaner device can include an air cleaner case including a case main unit and a cover. An intake duct can be disposed on the cover, and an intake path can be disposed on the case main unit. An air cleaner element can be accommodated in the air cleaner case. When the air cleaner device is mounted in a vehicle and viewed from a vehicle side, the air cleaner case is formed to be vertically long. The intake duct is formed to have an upstream-side opening portion thereof oriented toward a first side of the air cleaner case, and a downstream-side opening portion thereof can be oriented downwardly. The intake path is formed to have an upstream-side opening portion thereof oriented upwardly to face the downstream-side opening portion of the intake duct, and a downstream-side opening portion thereof is oriented toward a second side of the air cleaner case.
US08851217B2

A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine, at least one electric drive motor and a starter. The internal combustion engine optionally can be started by the starter or the electric drive motor. However, the internal combustion engine is started by the starter when the vehicle is already being driven by the electric drive motor.
US08851193B1

A self-centering tool for use in a wellbore includes a centering mechanism, a biasing mechanism, and a release mechanism. The centering mechanism includes at least one arm that is configured to move from a first position to a second position. The arm urges a centerline of the tool towards a centerline of the wellbore when in its second position. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the centering mechanism and urges the arm from its first position to its second position. The release mechanism is electro-mechanically actuated. In its locked position, the release mechanism prevents the arm from moving towards its second position, while in its released position the arm is able to move towards its second position. The release mechanism is a split-spool type mechanism. A control system that includes one or more sensors controls the operation of the release mechanism.
US08851191B2

A method for unseating a threaded connection of wellbore tubing within the wellbore. The method utilizes a back-off tool which consists of a tubular metal housing, a shaped charge and HNS detonating cord within the housing, and an explosive material attached to the housing. The back-off tool is detonated near the threaded connection, creating a shockwave that strikes the threaded connection with sufficient force to unseat the connection.
US08851190B1

A production sleeve assembly for use downhole comprises a fluid pathway configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular, a flow restriction disposed in the fluid pathway, and a valve disposed in series with the flow restriction in the fluid pathway. The valve comprises: a rupture disk and a plug releasably engaged in the fluid pathway in series with the rupture disk. The valve is configured to allow production from the exterior of the wellbore tubular to the interior of the wellbore tubular through the chamber without producing past the plug once the rupture disk is actuated.
US08851189B2

Disclosed are systems and methods of producing from multiple production zones with a single trip multi-zone completion system. One single trip multi-zone completion system includes an outer completion string having at least one sand screen arranged thereabout and a flow control device movably disposed within the at least one sand screen between an open position and a closed position, and an insert string arranged within the outer completion string and having at least one control and data acquisition module disposed thereon, the at least one control and data acquisition module having one or more mechanical coupling mechanisms extending therefrom and configured to locate and move the flow control device between the open and closed positions.
US08851188B2

A method of producing liquid hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation can include flowing the liquid hydrocarbons from the formation through at least one valve, and increasingly restricting flow through the valve in response to pressure and temperature in the formation approaching a bubble point curve from a liquid phase side thereof. A method of producing gaseous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation can include flowing the gaseous hydrocarbons from the formation through at least one valve, and increasingly restricting flow through the valve in response to pressure and temperature in the formation approaching a hydrocarbon gas condensate saturation curve from a gaseous phase side thereof.
US08851184B2

A containment valve assembly using the upcoming pressures to control the flow of oil/gas through a riser pipe with a stop flow plug positioned within the valve housing that has an outer surface shaped to fit within and against the riser pipe, and an inner socket cavity having a conical nose receiver portion with a relief vent allowing the oil/gas to escape through the valve assembly, when desired. The stop flow plug is shaped to fit within the inner socket cavity and moves between an open position and a closed position, wherein the stop flow plug fits securely against the conical nose receiver portion, sealing the relief vent. At the top of the valve, a nut will lock the stop flow plug to the close out plate for additional stoppage. A second embodiment adds a heavy duty insert to supplement the sealing pressure, when needed. Electronic monitors convey data remotely.
US08851182B2

A well production system including a wellhead and a first casing string supported from a first casing hanger landed on a shoulder in the wellhead bore. A loading shoulder assembly is installable in the wellhead and includes an energizing ring, a loading ring threaded into the interior of the energizing ring, a lock ring, and a hold-down ring threaded into the interior of the loading ring. The hold-down ring engages the first casing hanger to prevent rotation of the hold-down ring and restrain rotation of the loading ring. The lock ring is expandable from an unset position into supporting engagement with the wellhead in a set position upon rotation of the energizing ring. The hold-down ring is also moveable axially out of the loading ring to restrain the first casing hanger.
US08851181B2

A method for removing a fluid influx from a subsea wellbore drilled using a pump to return fluid from the wellbore to the surface. The method includes detecting the influx when a rate of the return pump increases. Flow from the wellbore is diverted from the return pump to a choke line when the influx reaches the wellhead. A choke in the choke line is operated so that a substantially constant bottom hold pressure is maintained while drilling fluid continues to be pumped through the drill sgring. Fluid flow from the wellbore is redirected to the return pump inlet when the influx has substantially left the well.
US08851179B2

A process and process line is provided for preparing a friction-reduced hydraulic fracturing fluid at a central location which can be readily transported to an oil or gas well in a formation at a well site, comprising: preparing a mixture of polymer and water at the central location by shearing the polymer in the water in a high shear environment to create the friction-reduced hydraulic fracturing fluid; pumping the friction-reduced hydraulic fracturing fluid through a series of pumps and pipelines to the well site; and injecting the hydraulic fracturing fluid into the oil or gas well at a pressure sufficient to cause fracturing of the formation.
US08851172B1

High strength, low density ball sealer for sealing openings in oil or gas wells, such as perforations formed through the well casing or openings formed through slidable packers or sleeves received within a tubing string in the well, from the flow of a fluid injected into the well. The ball sealer is formed as having an inner core, and a metal matrix composite layer surrounding the core.
US08851171B2

An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a string and a screen assembly, which is adapted to be run downhole on the string. The screen assembly includes a tubular carrier and a container. The container includes a gravel pack layer that includes gravel. The tubular carrier and the gravel pack layer are adapted to be radially expanded downhole; and the tubular carrier, container and the gravel pack layer are adapted to be run downhole as a unit.
US08851168B2

A centralizer having a plurality of collapsible bows interconnecting a first collar and a second collar, with the centralizer disposed on a tubular with a stop collar, and an attachable retainer(s) of the centralizer blocking passage of the stop collar therethrough. The bows may have a yield strength of at least about 200,000 psi. Outer surface of the bows may have a coefficient of friction equal or less than about 0.02. Maximum radial thickness of centralizer when the plurality of collapsible bows is fully collapsed may be equal to or less than 3/16″. Centralizer may be rotatable relative to tubular. Centralizer having a split tubular body forming first and second collars connected by collapsible bows and a retainer to retain the split tubular body on the tubular, and the retainer, the first collar and/or the second collar providing a recess therein to receive a stop collar of the tubular.
US08851166B2

A downhole tool having a throughbore is disclosed for use in a tubular located in a wellbore. The downhole tool has a sealing element configured to seal an annulus between the downhole tool and an inner wall of the tubular; at least one flow path formed in the downhole tool, wherein the flow path is configured to allow fluids in the annulus to flow past the sealing element when the sealing element is in a sealed position; and at least one valve in fluid communication with the flow path and configured to allow the fluids to flow through the flow path in a first direction while preventing the fluids from flowing through the flow path in a second direction. A guard may be installed proximate anchor elements. The guard extends radially beyond an outer diameter of the anchor elements when the anchor elements are in a retracted position.
US08851162B2

The present disclosure relates to a fiberglass rod with connectors on each end. Each connector has a rod-receiving receptacle having an open end, a closed end, and axially spaced annular wedge shaped surfaces such that the compressive forces between the rod and the respective connector are defined by the shape of the wedged surfaces.
US08851161B2

A well tool can include multiple electrical devices and multiple electronic circuits which control operation of the respective electrical devices, each electronic circuit including a respective isolation circuit, wherein each of the isolation circuits isolates a corresponding one of the electronic circuits from a respective one of the electrical devices in response to a predetermined condition. A method of operating a well tool can include providing multiple electronic circuits for operation of respective multiple electrical devices of the well tool, disconnecting one electronic circuit from its respective electrical device in the well, and connecting another electronic circuit to the electrical device in the well. Another method of operating a well tool can include providing multiple electronic circuits for operation of respective multiple electrical devices of the well tool, disconnecting one electronic circuit from its respective electrical device in the well, and connecting the electronic circuit to another electrical device.
US08851155B2

A heat exchanger having a housing with a bottom, an upper wall and side walls. Additionally, onto two pairs of opposite side walls, a front wall and a back wall respectively, are connected a supply and a discharge for the gas to be cooled. A mechanism is provided in the housing for separating condensate from the cooled gas. The mechanism includes a series of corrugated vertical walls upon which are provided crosswise extending ribs forming vertical gutters extending only from the bottom up to the upper wall of the housing. Additionally, holes are provided in the bottom for the discharge of the separated condensate from the gutters via a collector. The collector extends from at least under the holes to under an opening which is provided in the bottom between the mechanism for separating condensate and the back wall.
US08851153B2

Disclosed herein is a waste heat management system of an electric vehicle. In particular, a pump for controlling the flow of cooling fluid, an OBC cooling fluid line and a motor cooling fluid line which diverge in parallel from an outlet of a cooling fluid line of the fluid pump, and a heater core cooling fluid line and a radiator cooling fluid line which are respectively connected in parallel with a junction of an inlet of the fluid pump cooling fluid line and a junction of outlets of the heater core cooling fluid line and the radiator cooling fluid line, are interconnected to provide both heating and air-conditioning to the interior of the vehicle. Additionally, the present invention, also allows the motor to be preheated when the vehicle is not running.
US08851144B2

An innovative, low-density, highly-insulating modular panel for use in many applications and industries. The panel consists of a frame that may be preformed or bent and may be made of rigid or flexible material, and a panel covering comprising at least one pocket of thin, low-density shade fabric that has the capability of sufficiently stretching to surround the frame when the pocket is pulled onto it. The pocket may be then secured, along any previously open end where the frame was inserted, by various fastening devices. The panel covering pocket may have additional features added, as described herein. The panel is durable and cost-effective, and has good solar-control and insulating qualities. It is also a windbreak panel, a noise-reduction panel, an impact protection panel, a water-resistant panel, a fall protection panel, and a pollution-control panel. Two or more panels can be joined to create a structure-protecting panel assembly or system.
US08851140B2

A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level.
US08851132B2

A tire has an elongate profiled sidewall groove extending into a first tire sidewall from an outward first sidewall surface. An elongate air tube is positioned within the elongate sidewall groove in contact with the groove sidewalls, the air tube having an external surface configuration corresponding with and seating within the internal sidewall configuration defining the sidewall groove. The air tube when subject to outward originating impinging force collapses from an expanded unstressed configuration into a collapsed configuration to allow the tube to insert through the groove entry opening and expand outwardly once within the sidewall groove to its unstressed configuration. The configuration of the groove sidewalls capture the air tube within the groove in its expanded unstressed configuration to prevent separation of the tube from the tire during use.
US08851131B2

This skew-symmetric non-pneumatic tire focuses on the mechanical aspects of the design of the design to solve problems associated with the ride comfort, durability and assembly of a non-pneumatic tire. The tire has a generally cylindrical hub surrounding the axis of rotation and a generally cylindrical outer surface sharing the common axis of rotation; a pair of disk-like side wall members comprising non-buckling webs extending between and mating with their respective hub and outer cylindrical surface; said pair of side wall members have webs sharing a common configuration resulting in an assembly with a skew-symmetric structure with respect to the loading direction; and a tread-band circumscribing the cylindrical outer surfaces of the side walls.
US08851129B2

Provided is a run-flat tire having a substantially-crescent-shaped cross section, which makes it possible to achieve both durability at the time of run-flat travel and ride comfort at the time of travel at a normal inner pressure. A rigidity reducing portion that reduces a tire rigidity in the width direction extends in the circumferential direction on a surface of a tread rubber in an area located on the inner side than an end of a belt in the tire width direction and on the outer side than a road-contacting end in the tire width direction under a 75% load state.
US08851125B2

An intermediate insulating product (20) is disclosed comprising a planar insulating layer (11) having a top side in to which is formed a plurality of parallel channels (14) having cross-sections with tapered sides. A vapor proof layer (18) is applied to the top surface after the channels (14) have been formed such that the vapor proof layer (18) bridges the plurality of parallel channels (14). The intermediate insulating product (20) is then bent with mechanical manipulation in regions adjacent the bottom of the channels (14) thereby causing the channels (14) to close to form a non-planar, derivative insulated ductwork product (30) and the vapor proof layer (18) forms a vapor proof inner lining to the derivative insulated ductwork product (30).
US08851115B2

Coupling holding means 50 comprising retainers 53 and retainer engaging portions 52 for holding a coupled state is provided between a socket S10 and a plug P10 of a coupler. Engaging pawl portions 54 are formed on the inner sides of a pair of retainers 53 provided on both sides of a nozzle portion 32. By causing the retainers 53 to move outwardly in a coupling operation, a gap between the retainers 53 and the nozzle portion 32 can be made small. By forming interference preventing portions 58 in the engaging pawl portions 54, the retainers 53 can be provided at a smaller interval than the outer diameter of the nozzle portion 32 whereby the coupler can be made even more compact. Further, by forming the retainers 53 higher than the foremost end portion of the nozzle portion 32, the nozzle portion 32 can be protected by the retainers 53 even in an unexpected event such as falling and damage will not extend directly to the nozzle portion 32.
US08851107B2

A gas releasing and/or regulating mechanism is equipped with a body (1) with a passage, a gas intake (2) and outlet (3), the intake and outlet being connected to the passage; elements to block (5, 6, 7, 8) the passage; mobile elements (9) which associated to the body (1) of the mechanism, define a low pressure chamber (11) below the blocking elements (5, 6, 7, 8), the mobile elements (9) operating the blocking elements (5, 6, 7, 8) depending on the pressure within the low pressure chamber (11). The blocking elements (5, 6, 7, 8) are made of a first shutter (5, 6) and a second shutter (7, 8) below the first in the passage; and the first and second shutters (5, 6, 7, 8) are mechanically connected so that the first shutter (5, 6) closes before the second one (7, 8).
US08851106B2

A disclosed gas supplying apparatus includes a pressure controller that reduces a primary pressure thereby providing a secondary pressure greater than a process pressure at which a predetermined process is performed and less than the atmospheric pressure in a secondary pipe; a pressure sensor that measures a pressure in the secondary pipe; a first open/close valve provided in the secondary pipe; an open/close valve controller that opens or closes the first open/close valve; a pressure comparator that compares the pressure measured by the pressure sensor in the secondary pipe with a first set pressure that is greater than the process pressure by a predetermined pressure; and a controller that outputs a signal to the open/close valve controller thereby closing the first open/close valve, when the pressure comparator determines that the pressure in the secondary pipe is less than the first set pressure.
US08851104B2

Disclosed is an elevating fire hydrant assembly. The elevating fire hydrant assembly includes: a water pipe which supplies firefighting water in accordance with the open or shut operation of a water control valve buried underground; an elbow pipe connected to the water pipe; a fixing pipe connected to the elbow pipe; an elevating pipe which is coupled to the fixing pipe to retract into or extend from the ground, and the lower end of which is coupled to a guide block that slides along the inner surface of the fixing pipe; a sealing plate coupled to the top of the fixing pipe to prevent the elevating pipe from escaping; a head block which is coupled to the top of the elevating pipe, and which has a hose connector for connecting a firefighting hose; and valve means for opening or shutting the lower end of the elevating pipe.
US08851093B2

An outdoor umbrella includes an awning frame, a supporting shaft and an adjustable rotation base including a base housing and a transportation arrangement. The base housing is arranged to couple with the supporting shaft to support the awning frame in an upright manner, and includes a plurality of transferring wheels. The transportation arrangement is provided at the base housing to operate the base housing between an idle mode and a transportation mode, wherein in the idle mode, the transferring wheels are suspenedly lifted up to position above the bottom edge of the base housing such the base housing is sat on the ground surface in a stationary manner, wherein in the transportation mode, the base housing is lifted up by air pressure for allowing the transferring wheels to move out of the receiving cavity at a position below the bottom edge of the base housing.
US08851073B2

A medical device may include a patient interface for use in a breathing assistance system, an electronic device coupled to the patient interface, and one or more electrical conductors at least partially integrated with the patient interface. The patient interface may include a connection end configured for receiving gas communicated by a gas delivery apparatus, and a patient end configured for insertion into or more breathing passageways of a patient. The one or more electrical conductors at least partially integrated with the patient interface may be capable of facilitating communication of electrical signals between the electronic device and the gas delivery apparatus when the patient interface is communicatively coupled to the gas delivery apparatus.
US08851059B2

The present invention provides a self-cleaning wiresaw cutting apparatus including a cleaning mechanism adapted to clean the components of the wiresaw before, during, or after a cutting process or to humidify the cutting region of the apparatus. The apparatus contains at least one dispenser adapted to dispense an aqueous fluid onto various components of the wiresaw.
US08851058B2

Wear indicators for abrasive articles are presented. Specifically, indicator marks that are parallel to a bonding edge of a grinding element are presented. Tools comprising a carrier element and one or more grinding elements comprising one or more indicators are also presented.
US08851057B2

A bow press for deflecting bow limbs of a bow. Inside and outside support members are provided to engage the bow limbs and/or riser on the bow. Rotating support members roll on outside surfaces of the bow limbs to deflect the bow limbs toward the center portion in response to the actuator mechanism is extended.
US08851049B2

In a vehicle in which an output of an engine is transmitted to a driving wheel through a transmission, an engine control device stops fuel injection of the engine, when engine rotational speed is above a preset specific fuel cut-off rotational speed while the vehicle is coasting; and restarts the fuel injection, when the engine rotational speed falls below a recovery rotational speed while the fuel injection is stopped, wherein the recovery rotational speed is below the specific fuel cut-off rotational speed. When determining that an operating state allows the stop and restart of fuel injection to be repeated, the engine control device sets a hunting-preventing fuel cut-off rotational speed based on an input shaft rotational speed of the transmission, wherein the hunting-preventing fuel cut-off rotational speed replaces the specific fuel cut-off rotational speed.
US08851048B2

A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a rocker arm shaft (110) having a control fluid supply passage (112) and an exhaust rocker arm (500) pivotally mounted on the rocker arm shaft (110). A cam (210) for imparting main exhaust valve actuation to the exhaust rocker arm (500) may contact a cam roller associated with the exhaust rocker arm. A valve bridge (300) may be disposed between the exhaust rocker arm (500) and first and second engine valves (400, 450). A sliding pin (310) may be provided in the valve bridge (300), said sliding pin contacting the first engine valve (400). An engine braking rocker arm (100) may be pivotally mounted on the rocker arm shaft (110) adjacent to the exhaust rocker arm (500). The engine braking rocker arm may have a central opening, a hydraulic passage (102) connecting the central opening with a control valve (130), and a fluid passage (105) connecting the control valve with an actuator piston assembly (140). The actuator piston assembly may include an actuator piston (141) adapted to contact the sliding pin (310) during engine braking operation. A bushing (115) may be disposed between the engine braking rocker arm (100) and the rocker arm shaft (110). The bushing may have a port (118) which registers with the hydraulic passage (102). A cam (200) is provided for imparting engine braking actuation to the engine braking rocker arm (100). A plate (122) is fastened to a back end of the engine braking rocker arm (100), and a spring (124) biases the plate and the engine braking rocker arm (110) into contact with the cam (200).
US08851044B2

In an embodiment, a rotary vane-type geared internal combustion engine includes a stator, two coaxial rotors and a reducing gear. The stator has an internal cylindrical working area and intake and outlet openings. The two coaxial rotors with two vanes on each rotate to define four chambers separated by four vanes. The reducing gear has a main shaft, a shaft of an auxiliary device and two shafts of the two coaxial rotors positioned between the main shaft and the shaft of the auxiliary device. Each shaft of the reducing gear has a pair of two-tooth gears reciprocally positioned at a 90 degree angle.
US08851030B2

The compression ratio of an internal combustion engine is adjustable in a stepwise fashion, such as by pivoting an extension of an eccentric connecting rod bearing. The projection extends into a chamber defined by a portion of a connecting rod coupling portion of a connecting rod assembly. Liquid is delivered to one side of the projection and removed from the opposite side of the projection to move the projection and thereby the eccentric connecting rod bearing from one position corresponding to one compression ratio to another position corresponding to another compression ratio.
US08851028B2

A cooling system for a fan drive device, particularly for a wet friction clutch. The clutch shaft member is attached to a shaft mounting plate and ATF is circulated through them. The shaft mounting plate is connected in turn to an engine mounting plate which has engine coolant circulated through it at a lower temperature. The shaft mounting plate and engine mounting plates both have passageways for circulation of fluids therein.
US08851023B2

A continuous steam generator with a combustion chamber having a number of burners for fossil fuel and an outside wall composed of steam generator pipes that are welded to each other gas-tight is provided. A vertical gas flue is connected downstream of the combustion chamber on the hot gas side in an upper area via a horizontal gas flue, wherein a part of the outside wall facing the vertical gas flue and below the horizontal gas flue is inclined inward and thus forms a nose projecting into the combustion chamber with the bottom of the adjacent horizontal gas flue. Support pipes are connected downstream of at least one part of the steam generator pipes of the nose at the upper end thereof on the flow medium side, wherein the support pipes are guided substantially vertically to the lower end of the nose.
US08851021B2

A method for controlling the temperature of hot water through an operation of a circulation pump according to the present invention includes: judging whether a user uses the hot water; judging whether one of the circulation pump operating modes is selected; and circulating the hot water in an outflow pipe to an inflow pipe by operating the circulation pump provided on a bypass pipe connecting the inflow pipe which direct water enters and the outflow pipe through which heated hot water flows out to each other when the user uses the hot water and selects one of the circulation pump operating modes, thereby controlling a temperature difference of the hot water that flows out from a water heater to be reduced.
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