US08921435B2
Polymeric foams and elastomer/hydrogel bicontinuous composite structures derived from high internal phase emulsions and possessing shape-memory characteristics are disclosed, as well as processes for forming the same and uses thereof in, for example, manufacturing of various articles.
US08921434B2
A polylactic acid composition is produced with an MI value of 0.05 or more and 5 or less, the MI value being measured at 190° C. under a load of 21.6 kg in accordance with JIS K7210 (ISO 1133). A polylactic acid is crosslinked with a polyisocyanate to generate a cross-linked polylactic acid, including a large cross-linked polylactic acid molecule which inhibits foaming. The cross-linked polylactic acid is mechanically grinded-by applying a shear force to decrease a molecular weight of the large cross-linked polylactic acid molecule. The amount of the polyisocyanate combined is 0.4 to 5% by weight based on the polylactic acid. The grinding is conducted in supercritical condition of an inert gas. A foam molded article is made from the polylactic acid composition.
US08921430B2
The invention is directed to a mixture of esters according to the general formula (I), R1—C(═O)—O—R2, wherein R1 is an alkyl moiety with 7 to 9 carbon atoms and wherein R2 is a an alkyl moiety with 8 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein the mixture comprises 5 to 60 weight-% of ester of the general formula (I), wherein R1 is an alkyl moiety with 9 carbon atoms, based on the total amount of esters according to formula (I) and/or wherein the mixture comprises 5 to 60 weight-% of ester of the general formula (I), wherein R2 is an alkyl moiety with 10 carbon atoms, based on the total amount of esters according to formula (I). The invention is further directed to cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical compositions comprising such esters and processes for the production of such esters.
US08921424B2
The present invention relates to compounds represented by formula (I) or composition comprising at least one of such compounds, which are inhibitors of histone deacetylase. The detailed description of these compounds is disclosed in the Description. These compounds and the composition comprising the same may be useful as medicaments for the treatment of proliferative disorders as well as other diseases involving, relating to or associated with enzymes having histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities.
US08921423B2
Dermatological disorders having an inflammatory or proliferative component, notably common acne, are treated with topically applicable pharmaceutical compositions containing about 0.3% by weight of 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthanoic acid (adapalene) or salt thereof, formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable media therefor, advantageously formulated into topically applicable gels, preferably aqueous gels, creams, lotions or solutions.
US08921418B2
A method of providing a patient with controlled release of a phenolic opioid using a prodrug capable, upon enzymatic activation, of releasing the phenolic opioid through intra-molecular cyclization leading to formation of a cyclic urea, carbamate or thiocarbamate.
US08921411B2
The invention relates to solid state forms of Cabazitaxel, and processes for preparation, via novel synthetic intermediates, thereof, and formulations comprising one or more of the solid state forms of Cabazitaxel. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of the solid state forms of Cabazitaxel, and a method of treating hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
US08921406B2
The invention relates to 5-ring heteroaromatic compounds of general formula (I), their use for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, and medicaments containing same.
US08921404B2
The invention relates to azole derivatives of the general formula I as defined in the present application as well as to their uses in treatment of conditions that would benefit from their inhibitory effect on hormone sensitive lipase, HSL, an allosteric enzyme in adipocytes which is inhibited by insulin and is responsible for the breakdown of fats in fat cells and thus for transferring fat constituents into the blood stream. Inhibition of this enzyme is therefore equivalent to an insulin-like effect of the compounds of the invention.
US08921403B2
The present invention relates to combinations of imazalil, or a salt thereof, and hydroxypyridones which provide an improved biocidal effect. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions comprising a combination of imazalil, or a salt thereof, together with one or more hydroxypyridones selected from 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinone, ciclopirox, ciclopirox olamine, piroctone, piroctone olamine and rilopirox in respective proportions to provide a synergistic biocidal effect. Compositions comprising these combinations are useful for the protection of any living or non-living material, such as crops, plants, fruits, seeds, objects made of wood, thatch or the like, engineering material, biodegradable material and textiles against deterioration due to the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, viruses, and the like.
US08921401B2
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of degenerative diseases and disorders.
US08921396B2
The invention provides two crystalline freebase forms of biphenyl-2-ylcarbamic acid 1-(2-{[4-(4-carbamoylpiperidin-1-ylmethyl)benzoyl]methylamino}ethyl)piperidin-4-yl ester. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline freebase or prepared using the crystalline freebases; processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline freebases; and methods of using the crystalline freebases to treat a pulmonary disorder.
US08921395B2
The invention provides crystalline forms of biphenyl-2-ylcarbamic acid 1-(2-{[4-(4-carbamoylpiperidin-1-ylmethyl)benzoyl]methylamino}ethyl)piperidin-4-yl ester, and pharmaceutically acceptable solvates thereof. The crystalline form can be a freebase, or a salt such as a diphosphate, monosulfate or dioxalate salt. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these crystalline compounds or prepared using these compounds; processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline compounds; and methods of using these compounds to treat a pulmonary disorder.
US08921393B2
Behavioral pharmacological data with the compound of formula (I), a novel and selective 5HT2A/2C receptor inverse agonist, demonstrate in vivo efficacy in models of psychosis and dyskinesias. This includes activity in reversing MK-801 induced locomotor behaviors, suggesting that this compound may be an efficacious anti-psychotic, and activity in an MPTP primate model of dyskinesias, suggesting efficacy as an anti-dyskinesia agent. These data support the hypothesis that 5HT2A/2C receptor inverse agonism may confer antipsychotic and anti-dyskinetic efficacy in humans, and indicate a use of the compound of formula (I) and related agents as novel therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease, related human neurodegenerative diseases, and psychosis.
US08921386B1
A drug substance with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic acid addition salt of an opioid wherein said organic acid is selected from Structure A: wherein R1-R4 are independently selected from H, alkyl or substituted alkyl of 1-6 carbons, adjacent groups may be taken together to form a cyclic alkyl, cyclic alkyl-aryl, or cyclic aryl moiety; R5 is selected from H, or an alkali earth cation; R6 and R7 are independently selected from H, alkyl of 1-6 carbons, an alkali earth cation, and aryl of 6 to 12 carbons, in a number sufficient to complete the valence bonding of X, and wherein X is selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; and wherein the drug substance has a morphology selected from amorphous and crystalline.
US08921381B2
Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise triazolopyrimidines useful for the treatment of hepatitis virus in a patient.
US08921378B2
Compounds of formula (I) or (II) wherein Rx, Rz, R9, R10, R14, R14′, R15, R15′, A and B are as defined in the claims and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, are disclosed. The compounds possess utility as tissue-selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) and are useful as medicaments in the treatment of prostate cancer and other AR dependent conditions and diseases where AR antagonism is desired.
US08921373B2
The invention relates to compounds of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, and methods for treating or preventing a condition such as pain, UI, an ulcer, IBD and IBS, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.
US08921366B2
This invention relates to novel substituted triazolo-pyridazines, their derivatives, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering an α1-GABA-A receptor antagonist and/or a α2, α3 and α5 GABA-A receptor agonist.
US08921365B2
The invention relates to the use of a pharmaceutical composition for the local treatment or prevention of a tissue infection at an infection site, the pharmaceutical composition comprising at least two different antibiotics of group A or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, or an antibiotic of group A and at least one antibiotic of group B or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof. Group A comprises primarily intracellular active antibiotics working as inhibitor of bacterial RNA polymerase; as inhibitor of gyrase; or as inhibitor of bacterial protein synthesis. Group B comprises primarily extracellular active antibiotics working as inhibitor of bacterial cell wall synthesis; or inhibitor of bacterial protein synthesis; or by direct destabilization or rupture of the bacterial cell wall.The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of extracellular and/or intracellular microbial infected cells and/or for the prevention of microbial cell infections comprising at least one antibiotic acting as an inhibitor of bacterial RNA polymerase and/or at least one antibiotic affecting the bacterial cell wall or its synthesis, and a substrate carrying a pharmaceutical composition.The invention also relates to the use of a combination of at least one antibiotic acting as an inhibitor of bacterial RNA polymerase and at least one antibiotic affecting the bacterial cell wall or its synthesis as anti-adhesive against microorganisms on surfaces.
US08921359B2
The present invention is directed to a compound represented by the following structural formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound represented by Structural Formula (I) and method of use of these compound for inhibiting BACE activity in a subject in need of such treatment are also described.
US08921345B2
The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for emergency contraception, to the use of levonorgestrel in combination with COX inhibitors for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the stated purpose, and to a method for preparing these pharmaceutical compositions.
US08921344B2
A method of increasing the bioavailability of 5-aminosalicylate compound by administration of an oral dosage form with food is provided, as well as an article of manufacture comprising an oral dosage form of 5-aminosalicylate compound in a suitable container and associated with printed labeling which describes the increased bioavailability of the medication in the container when taken with food.
US08921340B2
The present invention features the use of a synthetic triterpenoid to induce gene expression and differentiation of stem or progenitor cells in the treatment of bone/cartilage diseases or conditions.
US08921334B2
The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 (NRF1), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 (NRF1). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of NRF1.
US08921332B2
Methods of modifying, repairing, attenuating and inactivating a gene or other chromosomal DNA in a cell are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating or prophylaxis of a genetic disease in an individual in need thereof. Further disclosed are chimeric restriction endonucleases.
US08921329B2
Oligonucleotide compounds modulate expression and/or function of Erythropoietin (EPO) polynucleotides and encoded products thereof. Methods for treating diseases associated with Erythropoietin (EPO) comprise administering one or more oligonucleotide compounds designed to inhibit the EPO natural antisense transcript to patients.
US08921319B2
The invention provides methods of making and using compounds of the formula shown, which are inhibitors of human plasmin and plasma kallikrein. (Formula I) The compounds are useful for the prevention of blood loss, and as components of fibrin adhesives.
US08921316B2
Formulations of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-specific fusion protein antagonist are provided including a pre-lyophilized formulation, a reconstituted lyophilized formulation, and a stable liquid formulation. Preferably, the fusion protein has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.
US08921314B2
The present invention features a compound having the formula A-X-B, where A is peptide vector capable of enhancing transport of the compound across the blood-brain barrier or into particular cell types, X is a linker, and B is a GLP-1 agonist (e.g., exendin-4 or an exendin-4 analog). The compounds of the invention can be used to treat any disease where increased GLP-1 activity is desired, for example, metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.
US08921313B2
An insulin analogue comprises a B-chain polypeptide incorporating a halogenated phenylalanine at position B24, B25 or B26. The halogenated phenylalanine may be ortho-monofluoro-phenylalanine, ortho-monobromo-phenylalanine, ortho-monochloro-phenylalanine, or para-monochloro-phenylalanine. The analogue may be of a mammalian insulin, such as human insulin. A nucleic acid encodes such an insulin analogue. The halogenated insulin analogues retain significant activity. A method of treating a patient comprises administering a physiologically effective amount of the insulin analogue or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof to a patient. Halogen substitution-based stabilization of insulin may enhance the treatment of diabetes mellitus in regions of the developing world lacking refrigeration.
US08921311B2
A method for treating hyperglycemia and/or diabetes in a subject is provided. In particular, the method is directed for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have a fasting blood glucose concentration greater than about 8 mM, wherein the patient is administered a formulation comprising a GLP-1 molecule and a diketopiperazine by pulmonary inhalation with a dry powder inhalation system.
US08921307B2
The invention provides a synthetic polypeptide of Formula I′ (SEQ ID NO: 1): X1-X2-X3-R—X5-X6-X7-X8-X9-X10-X11-X12-X13 I or an amide, an ester or a salt thereof, wherein X1, X2, X3, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, X10, X11, X12 and X13 are defined herein. The polypeptides are agonist of the APJ receptor. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the polypeptides of the invention, and its therapeutic uses such as treatment or prevention of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), chronic heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, Brugada syndrome, ventricular tachycardia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, restenosis, ischemic cardiovascular diseases, cardiomyopathy, cardiac fibrosis, arrhythmia, water retention, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), obesity, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular accidents, transient ischemic attacks, traumatic brain injuries, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, burn injuries (including sunburn) and preeclampsia. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US08921306B2
The present invention relates to nociceptin peptide mimetics that have α-helical structures and bind to and modulate the opioid receptor-like-1 (ORL-1) receptor. The peptide mimetics are constrained cyclic nociceptin analogs which have either agonist or antagonist activity. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nociceptin peptide mimetics and methods of treating or preventing a disease or condition ameliorated by modulating the ORL-1 receptor are also described.
US08921303B1
Compositions are provided that provide release of fragrance over an extended period of time. The compositions comprise a hydrophilically-modified cross-linked silicone elastomer and an acrylic rheology modifier.
US08921301B2
This invention relates to non-bleeding, non-staining colored speckles for use in granular or powdered detergents such as laundry detergents and automatic dishwashing detergents. The colored speckles are comprised of a salt or salt-containing carrier and a coloring agent and are characterized as being substantially uniformly colored throughout the cross-sectional volume of the speckle.
US08921299B2
This disclosure relates to detergent compositions containing tiron, a ligand capable of binding iron, an iron-displacing species, and iron. Methods for altering the color in a tiron-containing detergent composition are also disclosed.
US08921286B2
Embodiments of the present invention may provide textured surfaces to be lubricated, the texturing to enhance the effectiveness of the intended nano-lubrication. The texturing may make asperities and depressions in the surface to be lubricated. This texturing may be executed, for example, by chemical etching, laser etching, or other techniques. This texturing may create locations in the lubricated surface to hold or anchor the intended nano-lubricants, to facilitate the creation of a tribo-film on the surface when the lubricated surface is used under pressure, and resulting in delivery of multiple chemistries from the nano-lubricant.
US08921282B2
An object is to provide a highly effective segmented process apparatus for a microplate using a standard microplate without increasing the scale of the apparatus, as well as a method for processing a microplate. The apparatus includes: a predetermined microplate provided with a number of wells are set in array; one or more nozzle heads provided with a number of nozzles set in array; a suction and ejection mechanism for sucking and ejecting a gas via the nozzles; and a moving means which allows relative movement between the microplate and the nozzle heads, wherein tips of all of the nozzles provided on each nozzle head are provided in such a manner that the tips can be inserted into the wells in a portion of the microplate all together, and the row intervals and column intervals of the nozzles in array are respectively same as the row intervals and column intervals of the wells in array.
US08921281B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for generating libraries of DNA sequences encoding homologous polypeptides, and uses of the libraries to identify naturally diversified polypeptide variants. The invention also provides compositions and methods for generating collections of synthetic antibody fragments in which one or several complementary determining regions (CDR) are replaced by a collection of the corresponding CDR captured from a natural source. The invention further provides compositions and methods for diversifying a portion of a polypeptide by inserting a diversified sequence of synthetic or natural origin without the need for modification of the original polypeptide coding sequence.
US08921280B2
An integrated bio-chip includes; a sample detection portion including at least one light receiving device which detects fluorescent light emitted from at least one sample, a light transfer portion disposed on a light incident surface of the sample detection portion, and which includes at least one excitation light absorbing waveguide which absorbs an excitation light and transmits the fluorescent light emitted from the at least one sample, and a sample reaction portion disposed adjacent to an incident end of the at least one excitation light absorbing waveguide, and including at least one reaction region on which the at least one sample is attached, wherein the sample detection portion, the light transfer portion, and the sample reaction portion are integrally coupled to each other as a single component.
US08921267B2
Herbicidal injury caused by 6-(trisubstituted phenyl)-4-amino-2-pyridinecarboxylates in wheat and barley is reduced with the use of AD67 (MON 4660), benoxacor, 2-CBSU, daimuron, dichlormid, dicyclonon (BAS 145 138H), fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, fluxofenim, furilazole (MON 13900), glyphosate, isoxadifen-ethyl, mefenpyr-diethyl, naphthalic anhydride, oxabetrinil and mixtures thereof.
US08921263B2
A method for forming activated carbon comprises forming a feedstock mixture from a carbon feedstock and a chemical activating agent, and heating the feedstock mixture with microwaves in a plurality of successive heating steps to react the carbon feedstock with the chemical activating agent and form activated carbon. Step-wise heating can be used to efficiently control the microwave activation process.
US08921259B2
An exhaust gas purification catalyst for removing CO or HC, which contains a carrier and an alloy of palladium and silver supported on this carrier.
US08921252B2
A process for the regeneration of deactivated catalyst from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor, the catalyst being a supported cobalt catalyst. The process comprises the following steps: a withdrawal step, in which a portion of deactivated catalyst together with liquid hydrocarbon is withdrawn from the reactor; a concentration step, in which the concentration of the catalyst in the liquid hydrocarbon is increased; a calcination step, in which the deactivated catalyst composition is subjected to an oxidizing gas to oxidize carbonaceous material contained in the deactivated catalyst in to gaseous oxides of the components of the carbonaceous material; and a reactivation step, in which the deactivated catalyst composition is reactivated to produced a regenerated catalyst.
US08921226B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure having at least a contact plug includes the following steps. At first, at least a transistor and an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer are formed on a substrate, and the transistor includes a gate structure and two source/drain regions. Subsequently, a cap layer is formed on the ILD layer and on the transistor, and a plurality of openings that penetrate through the cap layer and the ILD layer until reaching the source/drain regions are formed. Afterward, a conductive layer is formed to cover the cap layer and fill the openings, and a part of the conductive layer is further removed for forming a plurality of first contact plugs, wherein a top surface of a remaining conductive layer and a top surface of a remaining cap layer are coplanar, and the remaining cap layer totally covers a top surface of the gate structure.
US08921222B2
A conductive pillar for a semiconductor device is provided. The conductive pillar is formed such that a top surface is non-planar. In embodiments, the top surface may be concave, convex, or wave shaped. An optional capping layer may be formed over the conductive pillar to allow for a stronger inter-metallic compound (IMC) layer. The IMC layer is a layer formed between solder material and an underlying layer, such as the conductive pillar or the optional capping layer.
US08921219B2
A process for fabricating a transistor may include forming source and drain regions in a substrate, and forming a floating gate having electrically conductive nanoparticles able to accumulate electrical charge. The process may include deoxidizing part of the floating gate located on the source side, and oxidizing the space resulting from the prior deoxidation so as to form an insulating layer on the source side.
US08921213B2
An object of the present invention is to amplify the current which varies by a factor of several orders of magnitude with a constant gain without using a complicated circuit. In order to solve the problem, with a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity, a second semiconductor region which is an opposite conductivity opposite to the first conductivity and is in contact with the first semiconductor region and a third semiconductor region which is the first conductivity and is in contact with the second semiconductor region at the second surface, a fourth semiconductor region in contact with the second semiconductor region is provided so as to be separated from the third semiconductor region and enclose the third semiconductor region and an impurity concentration of the fourth semiconductor region is larger than that of the second semiconductor region.
US08921212B2
A semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus includes a chamber in which a wafer is loaded; a first gas supply unit for supplying a process gas into the chamber; a gas exhaust unit for exhausting a gas from the chamber; a wafer support member on which the wafer is placed; a ring on which the wafer support member is placed; a rotation drive control unit connected to the ring to rotate the wafer; a heater disposed in the ring and comprising a heater element for heating the wafer to a predetermined temperature and including an SiC layer on at least a surface, and a heater electrode portion molded integrally with a heater element and including an SiC layer on at least a surface; and a second gas supply unit for supplying an SiC source gas into the ring.
US08921211B2
An embodiment of a vertical-conduction integrated electronic device formed in a body of semiconductor material which includes: a substrate made of a first semiconductor material and with a first type of conductivity, the first semiconductor material having a first bandgap; an epitaxial region made of the first semiconductor material and with the first type of conductivity, which overlies the substrate and defines a first surface; and a first epitaxial layer made of a second semiconductor material, which overlies the first surface and is in direct contact with the epitaxial region, the second semiconductor material having a second bandgap narrower than the first bandgap. The body moreover includes a deep region of a second type of conductivity, extending underneath the first surface and within the epitaxial region.
US08921204B2
A method for fabricating semiconductor dice includes the steps of providing a wafer assembly having a substrate and semiconductor structures on the substrate; and defining the semiconductor dice on the substrate. The method also includes the step of separating the substrate from the semiconductor structures by applying a first laser pulse to each semiconductor die on the substrate having first parameters selected to break an interface between the substrate and the semiconductor structures and then applying a second laser pulse to each semiconductor die on the substrate having second parameters selected to complete separation of the substrate from the semiconductor structures. The method can also include the steps of forming one or more intermediate structures between the semiconductor dice on the substrate configured to protect the semiconductor dice during the separating step.
US08921168B2
An integrated circuit assembly includes an insulating layer having a having a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface of the insulating layer is less than 10 microns below an upper plane of the integrated circuit assembly. An active layer contacts the first surface of the insulating layer. A metal bond pad is electrically connected to the active layer and formed on the second surface of the insulating layer, and is also electrically connected to a printed circuit board. A method of fabricating an integrated circuit assembly includes coupling a handle wafer to the active layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer, removing the substrate of the semiconductor-on-insulator, forming a bond pad connecting to the active layer on the exposed insulator surface, bonding the bond pad to a printed circuit board using a solder bump, and removing the handle wafer.
US08921149B2
A first species selectively dopes a workpiece to form a first doped region. In one embodiment, a selective implant is performed using a mask with apertures. A soft mask is applied to the first doped region. A second species is implanted into the workpiece to form a second implanted region. The soft mask blocks a portion of the second species. Then the soft mask is removed. The first species and second species may be opposite conductivities such that one is p-type and the other is n-type.
US08921146B2
A method for an optical image stabilizer including: providing an SOI wafer substrate which has a plurality of cells, the SOI wafer substrate including an insulating layer, and first and second silicon layers disposed on both sides of the insulating layer; forming scratch drive arrays and supporting members on each of the cells by etching the first silicon layer; forming the table through cells' separation by etching the second silicon layer and the insulating layer; removing the insulating layer interposed between the scratch drive arrays and the table; mounting the image sensor on the table; forming the substrate which has an electrode layer corresponding to the scratch drive arrays; and assembling the table with the image sensor and the scratch drive arrays on the substrate having the electrode layer in such a manner that the scratch drive arrays face the electrode layer each other.
US08921145B2
A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device and method for forming a MEMS device is provided. A proof mass is suspended a distance above a surface of a substrate by a fulcrum. A pair of sensing plates are positioned on the substrate on opposing sides of the fulcrum. Metal bumps are associated with each sensing plate and positioned near a respective distal end of the proof mass. Each metal bump extends from the surface of the substrate and generally inhibits charge-induced stiction associated with the proof mass. Oxide bumps are associated with each of the pair of sensing plates and positioned between the respective sensing plate and the fulcrum. Each oxide bump extends from the first surface of the substrate a greater distance than the metal bumps and acts as a shock absorber by preventing the distal ends of the proof mass from contacting the metal bumps during shock loading.
US08921139B2
A manufacturing method of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes manufacturing a mother substrate including a plurality of panels formed with a plurality of anodes for each pixel and a test pad connected to each anode of the panel. The method further includes loading the mother substrate into a plasma chamber and applying a plasma voltage to the test pad of the mother substrate to perform a plasma surface treatment process. The test pad is applied with a different plasma voltage for each pixel.
US08921136B2
The present disclosure relates to methods of forming a self-aligned contact and related apparatus. In some embodiments, the method forms a plurality of gate lines interspersed between a plurality of dielectric lines, wherein the gate lines and the dielectric lines extend in a first direction over an active area. One or more of the plurality of gate lines are into a plurality of gate line sections aligned in the first direction. One or more of the plurality of dielectric lines are cut into a plurality of dielectric lines sections aligned in the first direction. A dummy isolation material is deposited between adjacent dielectric sections in the first direction and between adjacent gate line sections in the first direction. One or more self-aligned metal contacts are then formed by replacing a part of one or more of the plurality of dielectric lines over the active area with a contact metal.
US08921134B2
In various embodiments, lighting systems include an electrically insulating carrier having a plurality of conductive elements disposed thereon, a light-emitting array, and at least one power source. The light-emitting array is disposed over the carrier and includes a plurality of light-emitting strings, each light-emitting string comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) electrically connected in series. Each LED has at least two electrical contacts, and each electrical contact is electrically connected to a conductive element by a solder. The power source provides power to the light-emitting strings.
US08921131B2
An exemplary method for manufacturing an LED package includes following steps: providing a substrate; forming a reflector on the substrate with a receiving chamber defined in the reflector; providing an LED chip and mounting the LED chip on the substrate wherein the LED chip is received in the receiving chamber; providing a gelatinous phosphor layer and arranging the gelatinous phosphor layer on a top end of the reflector wherein the gelatinous phosphor layer covers the receiving chamber and phosphor powder is evenly distributed in the gelatinous phosphor layer; providing a pressing mold and arranging the pressing mold on a top end of the gelatinous phosphor layer; pressing the pressing mold toward the gelatinous phosphor layer to make the gelatinous phosphor layer fill in the receiving chamber; solidifying the gelatinous phosphor layer.
US08921130B2
Methods for producing and placing wavelength converting structures for use in a solid state lighting assembly are disclosed. The wavelength converting structures may take the form of thin film converters including a substrate and one or more thin films of wavelength conversion material.
US08921129B2
A donor substrate includes a base substrate; a light reflection layer on the base substrate and partially overlapping the base substrate; a light-to-heat conversion layer on the base substrate, and including a combination layer including an insulating material and a first metal material; and a transfer layer on the light-to-heat conversion layer. A ratio of the first metal material in the combination layer to the insulating material in the combination layer increases as a distance from the base substrate increases along a thickness direction of the light-to-heat conversion layer.
US08921126B2
Magnetic seed method for improving blocking temperature and shield to shield spacing in a TMR sensor
A process for manufacturing a TMR sensor is disclosed wherein the blocking temperature of the AFM layer in the TMR sensor has been raised by inserting a magnetic seed layer between the AFM layer and the bottom shield. This gives the device improved thermal stability, including improved SNR and BER.
US08921124B2
PROBLEMProvided is a novel cyanine dye derivative with a pyrazole skeleton and an indole skeleton, having high sensitivity performance in a shorter wavelength region as compared with a conventional optical system, and showing high water solubility.SOLUTIONThe invention provides (1) a compound represented by the following general formula [50] and a salt thereof: [wherein R1 to R6 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group which may have an amide bond; R7 to R10 each independently represent alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aryl group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, alkylthio group, arylthio group, alkylsulfonyl group, arylsulfonyl group, carbamoyl group, sulfamoyl group, ureido group or amino group, those groups being able to have substituents; a group represented by the general formula [2]: —COOR12 [2] (wherein R12 represents hydrogen atom, C1 to C10 alkyl group, alkali metal atom, organic ammonium ion, ammonium ion or anion); a group represented by the general formula [3]: —SO3R13 [3] (wherein R13 represents hydrogen atom, alkali metal atom, organic ammonium ion, ammonium ion or anion), halogen atom, aromatic heterocyclic thio group, hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, cyano group, formyl group, thiol group or nitro group; R11 represents hydrogen atom, or alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group or aryl group, those groups being able to have substituents; and n represents an integer of from 0 to 3, provided that any of R1 and R2, R4 and R5, R1 and R6, and R2 and R4 may form a bivalent group with a group selected from —O— group, —S— group, —COO— group and groups represented by the general formulae [52] to [54]: (wherein R50 represents hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group or aryl group, those groups being able to have substituents), and substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group; and in the case where said bivalent group is formed, at least one of R1 to R11, along with the bivalent group formed by any of R1 and R2, R4 and R5, R1 and R6, and R2 and R4, has the group represented by the general formula [2], the group represented by the general formula [3], amino group, hydroxyl group, thiol group or formyl group; and in the case where said bivalent group is not formed, at least one of R1 to R11 has the group represented by the general formula [2], the group represented by the general formula [3], amino group, hydroxyl group, thiol group or formyl group]; (2) a labeled compound obtained by subjecting the above compound to direct or indirect binding to a substance to be labeled, and (3) a method for labeling a substance to be labeled, comprising subjecting the above compound to direct or indirect binding to the substance to be labeled.
US08921112B2
Disclosed herein are zinc fingers comprising CCHC zinc coordinating residues. Also described are zinc finger proteins and fusion proteins comprising these CCHC zinc fingers as well as polynucleotides encoding these proteins. Methods of using these proteins for gene editing and gene regulation are also described.
US08921110B1
Provided are methods for generating iris plants having flowers expressing red, red/orange, or orange/red color, previously non-existing in this plant genus, thereby expanding the color palette of, and generating new and exciting varieties of, ornamental plants. These methods employ capsanthin-capsorubin synthase-encoding nucleotide sequences, and are also applicable to other genera, species, cultivars, and varieties of ornamental plants in which red, red/orange, or orange/red flowers have been desired. The nucleotide sequences and methods disclosed herein can be applied to genera, species, cultivars, and varieties of ornamental plants that produce yellow pigments, or yellow/orange flowers, but no red flowers, to produce novel red-, red/orange, or orange/red-flowering plants. Plants normally producing the yellow pigments antheraxanthin and/or violaxanthin, or yellow or yellow/orange flowers, are preferred for such modification using the presently disclosed, or similar, methods employing capsanthin-capsorubin synthase-encoding nucleotide sequences.
US08921108B2
The present invention concerns human hepatocyte cell line cultures and their use in bioartificial liver (BAL) systems. These systems are used to treat subjects suffering from liver failure to temporarily compensate for loss of hepatocellular function and generally comprise a bioreactor loaded with functional liver cells. Until now, it has been problematic to acquire cells with a broad spectrum metabolic functionality, resembling that of freshly isolated human hepatocytes, to the extent that they are in fact suitable for successful clinical BAL application The present inventors have managed to develop human hepatocyte cell line cultures that display broad-spectrum metabolic functionality such as to render them particularly suitable for effective clinical BAL application.
US08921098B2
An instrument for monitoring replication of DNA is provided.
US08921092B2
A system and method are described for electroporating a sample that utilizes one or more sets of electrodes that are spaced apart in order to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the electrodes. The first electrode is connected to the lower body of the system while the second electrode is connected to the upper body. Both electrodes are connected to a pulse generator. Each electrode has a sample contact surface such that the first electrode and the second electrode may be positioned to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the two sample contact surfaces and the sample may receive a selected electric pulse.
US08921085B2
Manufacturing methods and compositions are described for production of self-contained microfluidic cartridge devices with on-board reagents for molecular biological testing. Sensitive reagents are stored in dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and reconstituted at the point of use with either a biological sample or a sample eluate at the point of use. Manufacturing methods include sheet and roll fabrication processes where the reagents are printed in place and sealed within individual microfluidic cartridges before gel vitrification.
US08921076B2
The present invention provides methods to produce a reduced representation of a genome for sequencing and DNA polymorphism detection. In particular, the invention provides PCR-based methods, with normalization of the amplified products using a duplex-specific nuclease, in order to reduce over-representation of PCR products. Oligonucleotides for use in the disclosed method are also provided.
US08921072B2
Methods and kits for generating circular nucleic acids in a cell-free system, and uses for the generated circular nucleic acids are provided. The methods comprise in vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template comprising a recombination site to produce tandem repeat nucleic acid sequence, and employ a recombination protein to generate the circular nucleic acids from the tandem repeat nucleic acid sequence.
US08921068B2
A method and point of use kit to determine under field conditions the presence and/or amount of a selected Pseudomonas species capable of bioremediating organic environmental pollutants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons.
US08921066B2
Bio-adhesive compositions that include an extra-cellular matrix protein, bovine serum albumin conjugated with a fluorophore, and an aggregate are provided. The bio-adhesive composition may also include at least one component selected from the group consisting of collagen type IV, laminin, and chitosan. Also provided are methods of making the present compositions, that include taking a desired amount of extracellular matrix gel to liquid form of extracellular matrix; adding a desired amount of bovine serum albumin conjugated with a fluorophore; adding a desired amount of aggregate; and mixing. Further provided are methods for attaching cells to an apparatus using the present bio-adhesive compositions, and methods of attaching the present bio-adhesive compositions to an apparatus. Also provided are kits that include the present composition, components thereof or apparatuses, having the present composition attached thereto.
US08921063B2
Provided herein are methods for detecting endotoxin or Gram negative bacteria in a sample. Kits for detecting endotoxin or Gram negative bacteria in a sample are provided.
US08921060B2
The invention relates to the area of health-beneficial preparations and production methods thereof, in particular to the use of thermally pre-treated Lactobacillus preparations having specific bonding capacity for Streptococcus mutans for caries prophylaxis. The invention further relates to the Lactobacillus preparations and thermal pasteurization.
US08921059B2
Disclosed is a method for detecting guaiacol-producing bacteria in a specimen comprising culturing the specimen or a dilution thereof on a plate of a solid medium for acidophilic bacteria comprising a compound represented by the following formula, wherein R is —H, —OH, —C(O)H, —C(O)CH3, —COOH, C1-C3 alkyl or C1-C3 alkenyl, wherein alkyl and alkenyl may optionally be substituted by —OH, —C(O)H or —COOH); and detecting a colony formed on the solid medium. According to preferred embodiments, the solid medium for acidophilic bacteria comprises 50 ppm or more of vanillic acid and the plate culture is carried out at 20° C. to 55° C. The present invention also provides a solid medium for acidophilic bacteria and a kit for detection of guaiacol-producing bacteria in a specimen. According to the present invention, guaiacol-producing bacteria present in a specimen such as fruit juice raw materials can be detected rapidly in a simple manner.
US08921057B2
A CDK profile including a ratio of specific activities of two cyclin dependent kinases closely correlates with the malignancy grade and the presence/absence of the sensitivity to an irritant such as an anticancer agent of a cancer tissue in clinical medicine. Therefore, the properties of a mammalian cell, such as malignancy grade, proliferation potency, sensitivity to an irritant such as an anticancer agent can be assessed based on its CDK profile or by comparing the result of a specific activity ratio of two CDKs with a predetermined threshold corresponding to the ratio. This sensitivity assessing method shows a high ratio of correct assessing results particularly in positive or sensitivity and is useful in predicting efficacy of chemotherapy using the anticancer agent.
US08921044B2
Compositions and methods are described to modify Family B DNA polymerases that contain residual exonuclease activity that interferes with sequencing techniques and with detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms. The compositions are mutant proteins with reduced exonuclease activity compared with presently available “exo−” polymerases, and a sensitive screening assay that enables an assessment of exonuclease activity of any synthetic DNA polymerase.
US08921041B2
The present invention includes devices and methods for transfecting a cell or cell population and dynamic monitoring of cellular events. A variety of microelectronic devices are provide that incorporate functions such as electroporation, modulation of a transmembrane potential and dynamic monitoring of cellular functions and mechanisms.
US08921040B2
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for conducting an assay. In particular, the present invention relates to a rotatable platform which can be used for conducting an assay, in particular multi-step assays. The present invention provides a rotatable platform adapted to immobilize a first binding partner in one or more discrete areas on a surface of said platform, or to selectively immobilize a second binding partner in one or more discrete areas on a surface of said platform. The invention also relates to methods, apparatus, a kit and the use of the rotatable platform for conducting an assay. In particular, the invention has been developed primarily for use in sequencing nucleic acid by pyrosequencing, however the invention is not limited to this field.
US08921038B2
A method, according to an embodiment, for evaluating a regenerated cartilage includes allowing a group of cells containing auricular chondrocytes to stand in the presence of a culture medium, subsequently collecting at least a portion of a liquid component from the culture medium, measuring the GFAP content of the collected liquid component, and determining whether a regenerated cartilage that has been obtained or can be obtained from the group of cells is suitable for transplantation based on the GFAP content.
US08921029B2
A resist composition having a resin having a structural unit represented by the formula (I), a resin being insoluble or poorly soluble in alkali aqueous solution, but becoming soluble in an alkali aqueous solution by the action of an acid and not including the structural unit represented by the formula (I), and an acid generator represented by the formula (II), wherein R1, A1, R2, RII1, RII2, LII1, YII1, RII3, RII4, RII5, RII6, RII7, n, s and RII8 are defined in the specification.
US08921018B2
The present invention provides a polymer compound represented by the following Formula (1) and a method for production thereof, a pigment dispersant, a pigment dispersion composition, and a photocurable composition respectively using the polymer compound, and a color filter and a method for production thereof [R1: an organic linking group having a valency of (m+n); R2: a single bond or a divalent organic linking group; A1: a monovalent organic group containing at least one moiety selected from an organic dye structure, a heterocyclic structure, an acidic group, a group having a basic nitrogen atom, a urea group, a urethane group, a group having a coordinating oxygen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 4 or more carbon atoms, an alkoxysilyl group, an epoxy group, an isocyanate group, and a hydroxyl group; m=1 to 8, n=2 to 9 (m+n=3 to 10); and P1: polymer skeleton]. (A1-R2nR1P1)m Formula (1)
US08921001B2
A conduit assembly for a fuel cell system includes a dielectric tube comprising a first end and a second end, a first metal tube including a first lip coupled to the first end of the dielectric tube, a first dielectric ring coupled to the first lip of the first metal tube, a second metal tube including a second lip coupled to the second end of the dielectric tube, and a second dielectric ring coupled to the second lip of the second metal tube.
US08921000B2
An anode separator of a fuel cell forms: a plurality of gas flow channels arranged in parallel to let a fuel gas flow to an MEA; a supply passage configured to supply the plurality of gas flow channels with the fuel gas; and a recovery passage configured to recover the fuel gas from the plurality of gas flow channels. The plurality of gas flow channels include: a gas flow channel connects the supply passage and the recovery passage; and a gas flow channel having the supply passage side blocked.
US08920988B2
The potential energy from a hydrogen tank is used in a gas jet pump, which draws in anode waste gas via an inlet and recirculates it to an anode inlet. To ensure that this system operates effectively even under low loads, a part of the waste gas is supplied to a compressor, and the compressed waste gas is supplied to the motive jet inlet of a gas jet pump, which may be the same one to which the hydrogen from the tank is also supplied. Different gas jet pumps may also be used, for the hydrogen from the tank on the one hand, and the compressed waste gas on the other hand.
US08920985B2
A method of generating electrical power includes flowing hydrogen across an anode, splitting the hydrogen into protons and electrons using a catalyst attached to the anode, directing the electrons to a circuit to produce electrical power, flowing oxygen across a cathode, splitting the oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms using a cathode catalyst, passing the protons through an electrolyte to the cathode, and combining the protons with oxygen to form water. The cathode catalyst includes a plurality of nanoparticles having terraces formed of platinum, and corner regions and edge regions formed of a second metal.
US08920978B1
The present invention provides a battery electrode comprising an active battery material enclosed in the pores of a conductive nanoporous scaffold. The pores in the scaffold constrain the dimensions for the active battery material and inhibit sintering, which results in better cycling stability, longer battery lifetime, and greater power through less agglomeration. Additionally, the scaffold forms electrically conducting pathways to the active battery nanoparticles that are dispersed. In some variations, a battery electrode of the invention includes an electrically conductive scaffold material with pores having at least one length dimension selected from about 0.5 nm to about 100 nm, and an oxide material contained within the pores, wherein the oxide material is electrochemically active.
US08920972B2
A secondary battery includes a first electrode plate including a first active material coated area in which a first substrate is coated with a first active material and a first non-coated area not coated with the first active material; a second electrode plate including a second active material coated area in which a second substrate is coated with a second active material and a second non-coated area not coated with the second active material; and a separator interposed between the first and second electrode plates, wherein at least one of the first and second electrode plates includes an electrode assembly having a waveform boundary section between one active material coated area and one non-coated area. A manufacturing method of such secondary battery is also disclosed.
US08920969B2
An alkaline electrochemical cell having an anode including electrochemically active anode material, a cathode including electrochemically active cathode material, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte includes a hydroxide dissolved in water. The separator in combination with the electrolyte has an initial area-specific resistance between about 100 mOhm-cm2 and about 220 mOhm-cm2.
US08920967B2
There is provided an electric storage element and a production method thereof. The electric storage element has excellent air tightness at a portion connected with an external terminal and realizes high assembling performance, even in a simple configuration. The electric storage element includes casings, an external terminal that has a surface exposed outward from one of the casings, a current collector that is provided inside the casings and is connected to the external terminal, and an electrode assembly that is provided inside the casings and is connected to the current collector. The casings are provided with a through hole. The external terminal includes a flange in contact with an outer surface of one of the casings, and a first shaft that extends from the flange to be inserted into the through hole in one of the casings and be welded over the entire periphery.
US08920965B2
A rechargeable battery comprises an electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and a separator, a case for receiving the electrode assembly, and an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and drawn outside the case. The anode and the cathode each comprises an electrode uncoated region exposed past the separator and including a current collector at an edge. The electrode terminal comprises a terminal plate having a first terminal portion adhered to a bottom surface of the current collector and a second terminal portion drawn outside the case, and a combiner installed on the terminal plate to surround and adhere to a side surface and a top surface of the current collector.
US08920957B2
A cooling device is provided for a battery (1). The cooling device has a housing (3). To further improve the cooling of batteries, in particular of high-voltage batteries for hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles, the housing (3) has a liquid-cooling arrangement and an air-cooling arrangement. For winter operation, a heating unit is integrated.
US08920950B2
Provided are a battery cell and a battery module including the same, and more particularly, the battery cell can secure safety thereof, by forming an exhaust part in a predetermined region of a sealing part to have a sealing member thicker than the other region of the sealing part so that the exhaust part has relatively weaker adhesive strength than the sealing part not containing the exhaust part, and thus, the adhesive state of the exhaust part is broken when high pressure occurs within the cell due to overheat conditions such as overcharging or inner short circuits to cause a case of the cell to swell, thereby discharging out the substances within a pouch type secondary cell.
US08920939B2
Regioregular polythiophenes having heteroatoms in the substituents can be used in hole injection layer and hole transport layers for electroluminescent devices. Copolymers and organic oxidants can be used. Homopolymers can be used. Metallic impurities can be removed. The heteroatom can be oxygen and can be substituted at the 3-position. Advantages include versatility, synthetic control, and good thermal stability. Different device designs can be used.
US08920933B2
An autoxidisable aqueous varnish composition comprising: a) film forming polymer latex binder system comprising, on a non-vol basis, i) 40-60 wt % soft autoxidisable polymer particles of Fox Tg less than 5° C., ii) 60-40 wt % hard polymer particles of Fox Tg at least 40° C. wherein the soft autoxidisable polymer particles comprise at least 60 wt % gel b) a carrier liquid comprising at least 50 wt % water and an amount of a volatile organic material of from 0 to 2 wt % when calculated on the total liquid varnish composition, c) optionally pigment at a pigment to binder weight ratio up to 0.05:1 calculated on a non-vol basis.
US08920927B2
Resin particles which are excellent in electrostatic property, thermal storage stability and thermal properties, and have evenness of particle diameter are to be provided. The resin particles are core-shell resin particles (C2) each comprising one or more film-like shell layers (P) comprising a first resin (a) and a core layer (Q) comprising a second resin (b). Core-shell type resin particles (C2) each comprising a film-like shell layer (P) in one or more layer structure comprising a first resin (a) and a core layer (Q) in one layer structure comprising a second resin (b), wherein the weight ratio of (P) and (Q) is in a range of (0.1:99.9) to (70:30), the content of volatile components of (C2) is 2% by weight or lower, and (a) has an initial softening temperature of 40 to 270° C., a glass transition temperature of 20 to 250° C., a flow temperature of 60 to 300° C., and the difference of the glass transition temperature and the flow temperature in a range of 0 to 120° C. and contains 20 to 80% by weight of vinyl acetate as constituent units.
US08920924B2
Disclosed are a method of producing fine particulate alkali metal niobate in a liquid phase system, wherein the size and shape of particles of the fine particulate alkali metal niobate can be controlled; and fine particulate alkali metal niobate having a controlled shape and size. Specifically disclosed are a method of producing particulate sodium-potassium niobate represented by the formula (1): NaxK(1-x)NbO3 (1), the method including four specific steps, wherein a high-concentration alkaline solution containing Na+ ion and K+ ion is used as an alkaline solution; and particulate sodium-potassium niobate having a controlled shape and size.
US08920921B2
Disclosed herein are blends prepared from polyester terpolymers that function as pressure-sensitive adhesives. The disclosed articles comprise the terpolymer blends adhered to a release liner. The disclosed implant devices comprise the pressure-sensitive adhesive blend adhered to a surface thereof. The pressure-sensitive adhesive blend can promote adhesion of the implant device to a location in a subject.
US08920919B2
Certain embodiments relate to compositions that may be used as thermal interface materials in electronic assemblies. One such composition includes a block copolymer matrix comprising polystyrene and polybutene. The composition also includes a filler positioned in the copolymer matrix, the filler comprising carbon. The filler may in certain embodiments be a material selected from the group consisting of graphite, graphene, and carbon nanotubes. composition may include routing structures and their formation. Assemblies may include the composition positioned between a die and a heat spreader. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08920916B2
Provided is a sliding member having excellent adhesion and slidability suitable for use as a transfer pad in an image forming apparatus. A sliding member (10) includes a porous body (1) that is a sintered body of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles and having a surface of the porous body (1) as a sliding surface (5). The sliding surface (5) has a particle occupation ratio of 50% or less, and a surface roughness Ra of 2.0 μm or less. The sliding member (10) can be obtained by heating the porous body obtained by cutting the sintered body of UHMWPE particles to make the sliding surface (5) smoother than before the heating.
US08920913B2
Provided is a porous multi-layer film having two or more layers that is used as a separator for battery. In the film, more than 2 layers have different porosities and pore sizes. The film has a thickness of 9 to 50 μm, a machine direction (MD) loop stiffness of 0.008 mg/μm or more, puncture strength of 0.15 N/μm or more, permeability of 1.5×10−5 Darcy or more, shut-down temperature of 140° C. or less, melt-down temperature of 170° C. or more, a transverse direction (TD) maximum shrinkage of 25% or less in Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) under a load of 1 mN/(1 μm×6 mm), and melt down temperature of 160° C. or more. Since the porous multi-layer film shows excellent thermal stability at high temperature and electrolyte retaining property due to a dual pore structure, the film shows a superior effect when used as a separator for high-capacity/high-power lithium ion battery.
US08920909B2
The invention relates to anti-ballistic articles comprising a stack of sheets, each sheet having one or more mono-layers of polyethylene anti-ballistic fibers and a thermoplastic binder, wherein the specific energy absorption (SEA) of the anti-ballistic article is greater than 145 J/kg/m2 and the maximum % thickness increase, measured at about 90° C., is less than 8% after storing the article for 160 hours at 90° C.
US08920900B2
A cavity filler for use in a hollow pillar of a vehicle. The cavity filler includes a carrier having a generally planar upper surface, an expandable foam mounted to the carrier wherein the expandable foam is mounted to the carrier around a peripheral edge of the carrier. The invention further includes a flange connected to the expandable foam (also made of the expandable foam) wherein the flange extends away from and generally parallel with the planar upper surface of the carrier. The extension and flange of the expandable foam are operable to extend the expandable foam to ensure a full filling of the expandable foam after the heat treating process. The fully occupied hollow cavity of the pillar with the expandable foam blocks the transmission of noise from the engine, wind and/or road noise through the pillars to the interior vehicle cabin.
US08920899B2
A highly reliable vacuum heat insulating material having excellent workability, usability, and heat insulating performance, and a heat insulation box using the vacuum heat insulating material are provided. A vacuum heat insulating material includes: a first fiber assembly made by aligning a plurality of sheet-shaped fiber assemblies, which are continuous in a length direction, so as to be next to each other in a width direction; a second fiber assembly provided so as to overlap the first fiber assembly and made by aligning a plurality of sheet-shaped fiber assemblies, which are continuous in the length direction, so as to be next to each other in the width direction; and a core material formed in a flat plate shape by winding up the first fiber assembly and the second fiber assembly continuously from inside toward outside while being displaced by a predetermined amount Xb in the width direction.
US08920893B2
An aerofoil has first and second panels spaced apart from each other to provide a cavity, the cavity containing a damping material, the first panel has at least one protrusion extending therefrom within the cavity towards the second panel, the protrusion having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is secured to the first panel and the distal end is slidably mounted to the second panel.
US08920891B2
A polymer composition comprises a low-molecular-weight (LMW) ethylene polymer component and a high-molecular-weight (HMW) ethylene polymer component coupled with a polysulfonyl azide. Preferably, the LMW polyethylene component and the HMW polyethylene component co-crystallize in the composition such that it exhibits a single or substantially single peak in a lamella thickness distribution (LTD) curve. The ethylene polymer for the LMW and the HMW polyethylene components can be either homopolymer or ethylene copolymer. Preferably, both components are an ethylene copolymer of the same, or different, composition (that is, with the same or different comonomers). A method of making a pipe that includes selecting a polymer composition having a substantially single peak in the LTD curve is described. Compositions comprising a chromium-catalyzed ethylene polymer, coupled with a polysulfonyl azide are also described herein.
US08920889B2
An optical film having: a hard coat layer; an optically anisotropic layer; and a transparent support, wherein the optically anisotropic layer contains a liquid crystalline compound and a binder, the hard coat layer, the transparent support, and the optically anisotropic layer are laminated in this order, a surface of the optically anisotropic layer contains a fluorine-containing compound not forming covalent bond with the binder of the optically anisotropic layer, a surface of the optical film on the hard coat layer-formed side contains a fluorine-containing or silicone series compound being fixed by covalent bond, and a topmost surface properties of the optical film on hard coat layer-formed side satisfies the specific conditions.
US08920888B2
A chuck and a wafer supported thereon are rotated during a plasma process or a film deposition process to reduce thickness non-uniformity of a film processed or deposited on the wafer.
US08920882B2
A process for coating an edge within a hole in a coated component is provided. The hole is a cooling-air hole operable conduct a coolant therethrough. According to the processes, an outer coating is provided on the outer surface of the component. An inner coating is provided on an inner surface within the hole, wherein the inner coating within the hole takes place using a coating nozzle at a different angle to the coating of the outer surface around the hole, if the spray angles for the outer coating and inner coating relate to the outer surface.
US08920879B2
A method of making a composite material provides a composite material that includes a polymeric layer and a substrate, in contact with the polymeric layer, where the substrate includes a substrate matrix, a first microfluidic network in the substrate matrix and in fluid communication with the polymeric layer, and a polymerizer in the first microfluidic network. The method includes forming the first microfluidic network in the substrate matrix, where the first microfluidic network is in fluid communication with a surface of the substrate matrix. The method further includes contacting the surface of the substrate matrix with the polymeric layer, and placing the polymerizer in the first microfluidic network.
US08920870B2
A catheter comprising an outer shaft comprising a first section of electroactive polymer. The first section of electroactive polymer affecting either the flexibility of the catheter or the steerability of the catheter.
US08920867B2
The present disclosure relates to self-supporting films for delivery of a therapeutic agent containing at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one therapeutic agent. Methods of forming the self-supporting films are also disclosed.
US08920863B2
Cheese products with improved flavor, texture and melting properties are disclosed. Topical application of a dairy powder, and in particular a cream cheese powder, to a cheese product improves not only dairy flavor when consumed cold, but unexpectedly also melted appearance, texture and taste.
US08920862B2
The invention provides methods for making Maillard flavor compositions in a structured lipid phase using Maillard reactants, e.g., reducing sugars and amino groups. The structured lipid phase comprises from about 0.3% to about 95% aqueous solvent and from about 5% to about 99.7% lipid plus emulsifier. The compositions are useful for enhancing the palatability of foods, dietary supplements, medicaments, and the like.
US08920861B2
For increasing the yield, a process for obtaining a constituent from whey protein concentrate by microfiltration (4) provides for separating from the retentate stream from the microfiltration (4) a reduced-fat substream (14) in two stages (5.1, 5.2) and recirculating it to microfiltration (4).
US08920859B2
A stigmasterol-rich phytosterol composition is prepared wherein the composition comprises at least 50% stigmasterol, based on the total weight of phytosterols, no more than 1000 ppm water, no more than 50 ppm ethanol, and wherein stigmasterol is at least 98% in the anhydrous form. A ready-to-freeze beverage is provided comprising the stigmasterol-rich composition and water, with optional additives. A frozen beverage is prepared from the ready-to-freeze beverage as a pourable slush. There are further provided processes to prepare the ready-to-freeze beverage and the frozen slush beverage.
US08920853B2
Compositions for promoting hair growth can be formed using food related oils. The food related oils include meadowfoam seed oil, neem oil, sesame oil, camelina, flaxeed oil, and tamanu oil. The oil can be combined with lime peel essential oil and/or aloe vera to create various products. The products in an oil for treating the hair and scalp, a treatment for damaged hair and scalp, shampoo, conditioner, pomade and hair root stimulant. A method for making each product is described. In addition, a method for using each product is described.
US08920845B2
It is intended to provide a method whereby various kinds of microcapsules, which are usable in, for example, a gene vector, can be produced in a small amount. This production method comprises: feeding a fluid containing a substance to be encapsulated into at lease one (13) of material-feeding microchannels in a substrate in which these material-feeding microchannels (12, 13, 14) and a reaction microchannel (18) connected to these material-feeding microchannels are formed; feeding an envelop-forming fluid containing a material for forming envelopes into at least one of the other material-feeding microchannels (12, 14); and allowing the envelope-forming fluid and the fluid containing the encapsulated substance that converge in the reaction microchannel from each material-feeding microchannel to flow through the reaction microchannel while continuously maintaining the interface between the fluids formed at the confluence thereof.
US08920842B2
The present invention relates a biopolymeric liquid aqueous composition for producing self-gelling systems and gels, which comprises: an acidic water-based medium, 0.1 to 10% by weight of a pH-gelling acid-soluble biopolymer; and 0.1 to 10% by weight of a water-soluble molecule having a basic character and a pKa between 6.0 and 8.4, or a water-soluble residue or sequence of the molecule having a basic character and a pKa between 6.0 and 8.4. The liquid composition has a final pH ranging from 5.8 and 7.4, and forms a stable solid and homogeneous gel within a temperature range from 10 to 70° C. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the composition and uses thereof.
US08920839B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a press-coated orally-disintegrating tablet characterized by containing an inner core which has an excellent disintegratability in oral cavity and a suitable hardness as a whole tablet. The present invention relates to a press-coated orally-disintegrating tablet with an outer layer surrounding an inner core wherein the inner core has a thickness in the range of 10 to 90% per that of the whole tablet, and the outer layer comprises (a) microcrystalline cellulose, (b) an inorganic excipient, and (c) one or more particular ingredients selected from the group consisting of crospovidone, starches, low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose and carmellose.
US08920831B2
A lidocaine-containing hydrogel patch comprising: a support layer; and a adhesive layer stacked on a surface of the support layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of lidocaine and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a total content of the lidocaine and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is 3 to 8% by mass relative to an entire mass of the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer further comprises oleic acid in an amount of 0.3 to 1% by mass relative to the entire mass of the adhesive layer, and a pH of the adhesive layer is 6.8 to 7.4.
US08920830B2
The present invention relates to wound dressings having a wound contacting layer that contains a wound healing composition and which is adapted to maintain a temperature different from ambient, for example achieve and maintain a heat-absorbing effect on the underlying tissues. The specific physico-chemical structure of the devices of the invention allows fluid containment and absorption of wound secretions while avoiding skin macerations.
US08920823B2
A disposable paper towel with an anti-microbial lotion and is provided with a chromatic transfer indicator which undergoes a delayed, visually perceptible color change at a predetermined time after the towel is wetted. An anti-microbial lotion on the towel increases water absorbency times (WAR) to further promote lotion transfer to the skin and increase lotion transfer effectiveness.
US08920819B2
Compositions comprising a lipophilic derivative of a hydrophilic drug and an amphiphile compound for use in therapy of the human or animal body are provided. Methods of medical treatment, wherein a composition according to the invention is administered to a human or animal body also form part of the invention. It is preferred that the drug is delivered to the brain.
US08920812B2
The present invention relates to chimeric RSV-F polypeptide and lentivirus or alpha-retrovirus GAG-based virus-like particles (VLPs). The present invention also includes methods of making and using such chimeric VLPs. In certain embodiments, the GAG polypeptide of the chimeric VLPs comprises an HIV or ALV GAG polypeptide.
US08920810B2
A method and apparatus for harvesting algal growth on an algal growth medium that is arranged within a floway containing water. A cable coupled to the algal growth medium is pulled by a pulling unit to draw the algal growth medium along the floway and past a vacuum positioned adjacent the algal growth medium. Suction from the vacuum is used to remove or harvest the algal growth on the algal growth medium.
US08920805B2
The invention provides Nrp2 antagonists, such as anti-Nrp2 antibodies, and their use in the prevention and treatment of tumor metastasis.
US08920803B2
A method for the treatment of a condition which is characterized by CD 123-expressing cells in a patient comprises administering to the patient (i) an antibody or antibody fragment which binds selectively to IL-3Rα(CD 123), and (ii) an immunostimulating complex which comprises saponin, a sterol and a phospholipid.
US08920801B2
Provided herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject suffering from a deficiency in arylsulfatase A in the CNS. The methods include systemic administration of a bifunctional fusion antibody comprising an antibody to a human insulin receptor and an arylsulfatase A.
US08920778B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a targeting agent, which enables the delivery of a drug to tumor sites or the imaging of tumor sites by utilizing its effect of accumulating to such tumor sites. The present invention provides a targeting agent for tumor site, which comprises a hydrophilic polymer-modified carrier coated with a gelatin-like protein that has repeats of a sequence represented by Gly-X-Y characteristic to collagen and has two or more sequences of cell adhesion signals in a single molecule wherein X and Y each independently represent an amino acid and a plurality of Gly-X-Y sequences may be the same or different.
US08920776B2
Disclosed are methods and compositions for the detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of hematological malignancies, and in particular, B cell leukemias, lymphomas and multiple myelomas. Disclosed are compositions, methods and kits for eliciting immune and T cell responses to specific malignancy-related antigenic polypeptides and antigenic polypeptide fragments thereof in an animal. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for use in the identification of cells and biological samples containing one or more hematological malignancy-related compositions, and methods for the detection and diagnosis of such diseases and affected cell types. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic kits, as well as methods for the diagnosis, therapy and/or prevention of variety of leukemias and lymphomas.
US08920769B2
A method for producing hydrogen comprising the steps of: i) contacting a compound (C) comprising one or more groups Si—H with an amine based catalyst in a solvent selected from an alcohol or an aqueous solution, thereby forming hydrogen and a by-product (C1); wherein said amine based catalyst is as defined in claim 1; ii) recovering the obtained hydrogen.
US08920762B2
The present invention discloses a method of synthesizing transition metal nitride by using supercritical ammonia. Transition metal nitride such as vanadium nitride, molybdenum nitride, titanium nitride, nickel nitride, neodymium nitride, iron nitride, etc. can be synthesized in supercritical ammonia with reducing mineralizers such as potassium, sodium, lithium, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum. Since supercritical ammonia has characteristics of both gas and liquid, it can over complicated fine structure or fine particles. The new method is suitable for forming a protective coating on complicated structure or forming micro- to nano-sized particles.
US08920754B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a cuvette of which an inner space thereof is easily cleansed while minimizing its inner space.A cuvette according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an upper portion having an inlet and forming a first inner space; a middle portion following the first inner space and forming a second inner space that is smaller than the first inner space; and a lower portion following the second inner space and forming a through hole having an interior diameter that is narrower than a cross-section of the second inner space.Accordingly, the through hole functions as a valve to stop the solution when the solution is divided to the inner space for the test, and after the test, the inlet is pressed such that the through hole functions as a nozzle when cleansing such that the solution may be exhausted therefrom.
US08920749B2
A microchip capable of sending liquid in a micro flow channel to a predetermined place irrespective of the pressure difference and sending a mixture of two or more liquid masses to a predetermined place even if the channel structure is simple. The microchip comprises an intermediate reservoir portion provided in a micro flow channel and adapted for temporarily holding liquid sent through the micro flow channel. The microchip is characterized in that the intermediate reservoir portion has a side channel, the volume of the intermediate reservoir portion is smaller than the total volume of the liquid sent into the intermediate reservoir portion, the side channel is provided for communication of a micro flow channel on the upstream side of the intermediate reservoir portion with a micro flow channel on the downstream side thereof, and the cross-section area of the side channel is smaller than that of the micro flow channel.
US08920742B2
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger mixing system comprising at least one heat exchanger zone, at least one connection plate having one or more mixing units, at least four corners per connection plate, wherein each corner being either blind passage corner, a through-passage corner, a single passage corner, or a double passage corner, and the one or more mixing units are provided with static mixing elements. Present invention relates further to use of a heat exchanger mixing system, and a process for mixing fluids.
US08920738B2
Safely processing fluid via monitoring and decreasing explosiveness of vapor-gas species formed therefrom, or contained therein. Fluid input unit 12, for transporting source fluid 24; first fluid processing unit 14, for receiving and processing fluid 26, and forming processed fluid including vapor-gas portion 30; vapor-gas explosiveness monitoring and decreasing unit 16, for measuring at least an indication of explosiveness level of vapor-gas portion 30, wherein if the measurement exceeds a pre-determined threshold explosiveness level (PDTEL), then vapor-gas portion 30 is condensed, for forming condensate and output vapor-gas 32 whose explosiveness level is less than lower explosion limit (LEL) of output vapor-gas 32; second fluid processing unit 18, for processing output vapor-gas 32, and forming processed vapor-gas product 34. Includes an output unit 20 for transporting processed vapor-gas product 34 as (vapor-gas, liquid, or/and solid) output products 36, for disposal, storage, or/and additional processing, and a central process control unit 22.
US08920735B2
The present invention provides a SCC (Spinning Cone Column) equipped with a foam removal unit comprising: a housing having a rotation axis; a supply part of at least one reactant formed inside of the housing; at least two spinning cones that are installed so as to have a constant gradient from the upper part to the lower part to the rotation axis, move supplied reactants through the reactant supply part, and rotate around the rotation axis; a fixed cone that is fixed and formed on the inner side of the housing, and provides a pathway for sequentially moving reactant from a spinning cone at the upper part to a spinning cone at the lower part; a product collection part for collecting reactants moved through the spinning cone and the fixed cone; and a driving part for rotating the spinning cone, wherein a foam removal unit is installed on one side of the housing. The SCC according to the present invention solves the problems that foam is generated when separating material to be removed to decrease removal yield and lower stability of the product, and may improve removal yield and product stability because a foam removal unit is for removing generated foam is installed.
US08920734B2
Devices dispense air treatment chemicals in response to heat generated by a candle. There is a support mounted on the candle that carries a substrate bearing the air treatment chemical. The support holds a heating plate with substrate thereon over the candle, and a chimney in the heating plate (and passage through the substrate) allow heated air to pass through when the candle wax is being combusted. Heat dispersal fins are formed along the chimney. A washer shaped substrate is provided that is made of fiberglass bound with polyvinyl alcohol and bears the air treatment chemical.
US08920731B2
A chemical gas sensor formed from a nonwoven material is described. The gas sensor includes a flexible, gas-permeable, nonwoven web-based material substrate having a matrix that is composed of a plurality of inert thermoplastic, pulp, cellulose or staple fibers as either a major or minor portion, with a plurality of gas-sensitive fibers formed from a polymer that can absorb volatile organic compounds (VOC), and a plurality of electrically conductive fibers. The gas-sensitive fibers are intermixed with and associated spatially among a network of adjacent electrically conductive fibers, such that a change in physical morphology of said gas-sensitive fibers as a result of interacting with volatile organic compounds, causes a change in dielectric properties that disrupts said network of adjacent electrically conductive fibers. The sensor can be configured as either a resistive or a capacitive chemisensor.
US08920724B2
The present invention is to present a specimen processing apparatus, comprising: an imaging device for imaging a cap of a covered specimen container containing a specimen; an aspirating device including a specimen aspirating tube, moving the specimen aspirating tube so as to pass the specimen aspirating tube through the cap of the covered specimen container and aspirating the specimen contained in the covered specimen container via the specimen aspirating tube; an aspiration controller for controlling a movement of the specimen aspirating tube into the covered specimen container based on an image obtained by the imaging device; and a specimen processing device for processing the specimen aspirated by the aspirating device.
US08920713B2
A steel for a welded structure includes the following composition: by mass %, C at a C content [C] of 0.010 to 0.065%; Si at a Si content [Si] of 0.05 to 0.20%; Mn at a Mn content [Mn] of 1.52 to 2.70%; Ni at a Ni content [Ni] of 0.10% to 1.50%; Ti at a Ti content [Ti] of 0.005 to 0.015%; O at an O content [O] of 0.0010 to 0.0045%; N at a N content [N] of 0.002 to 0.006%; Mg at a Mg content [Mg] of 0.0003 to 0.003%; Ca at a Ca content [Ca] of 0.0003 to 0.003%; and the balance composed of Fe and unavoidable impurities. A steel component parameter PCTOD is 0.065% or less, and a steel component hardness parameter CeqH is 0.235% or less.
US08920712B2
A process including: (a) forming a powder blend by mixing titanium powders, (b) consolidating the powder blend by compacting to provide a green compact, (c) heating the green compact thereby releasing absorbed water from the titanium powder, (d) forming β-phase titanium and releasing atomic hydrogen from the hydrogenated titanium by heating the green compact in an atmosphere of hydrogen emitted by the hydrogenated titanium, (e) reducing surface oxides on particles of the titanium powder with atomic hydrogen released by heating of the green compact, (f) diffusion-controlled chemical homogenizing of the green compact and densification of the green compact by heating followed by holding resulting in complete or partial dehydrogenation to form a cleaned and refined compact, (g) heating the cleaned and refined green compact in vacuum thereby sintering titanium to form a sintered dense compact, and (h) cooling the sintered dense compact to form a sintered near-net shaped article.
US08920709B2
A cooling plate (10) for a metallurgical furnace comprises a body (12) with a front face (14) and an opposite rear face (16), as well as coolants channel (18) therein; a plurality of lamellar ribs (24) on its front face, two consecutive ribs (24) being spaced by a groove (22); and inserts (26) fixed in the grooves (22) and projecting from the front face (14). The inserts (26) have an upper side projecting from the bottom edge of the rib directly above, which is configured so as to form a collecting surface (28) on which, in use, furnace burden material accumulates up to the top edge (32) of the rib (24) directly above.
US08920706B2
Disclosed is a method for hot isostatic pressing a substrate. At first, a metal container is provided. Powder is filled in the metal container before the metal container is located in an oven. The metal container is subjected to isostatic pressing that includes heating and pressing. Thus, the metal container shrinks and presses on the powder evenly and turns the powder into a nugget. The metal container is moved out of the oven and broken to release the nugget. A substrate is cut from the nugget. With the hot isostatic pressing, the substrate exhibits only a few flaws and is large, fine, homogenous and strong so that the substrate is not vulnerable to deformation in a high-pressure environment.
US08920702B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a molded body having microstructures from molding material. The method for producing a molded body having microstructures on a carrier out of molding material is effected by inputting a molding material into a container (10) comprising a mold cavity (14), wherein at least one micro-structured mold (12) is provided in the mold cavity. Furthermore, the centrifugation of a container (10) is carried out until the molding material has completely entered into the structure of the mold (12). Thereafter, the curing of the molding material is carried out to form a molded body having microstructures, which is then removed from the mold (12) and the container (10).
US08920689B2
A photosensitive resin composition for a color filter includes (A) a dye polymer composite including a repeating unit derived from a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, wherein in Chemical Formula 1, each substituent is the same as described in the detailed description, (B) an acrylic-based photopolymerizable monomer, (C) a photopolymerization initiator, and (D) a solvent, and a color filter using the same.
US08920688B2
A method of synthesizing transition metal phosphide. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of preparing a transition metal lignosulfonate, mixing the transition metal lignosulfonate with phosphoric acid to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to a microwave radiation for a duration of time effective to obtain a transition metal phosphide.
US08920682B2
The disclosure generally relates to a dispersion of nanoparticles in a liquid medium. The liquid medium is suitably water-based and further includes an ionic liquid-based stabilizer in the liquid medium to stabilize the dispersion of nanoparticles therein. The stabilizer can be polymeric or monomeric and generally includes a moiety with at least one quaternary ammonium cation from a corresponding ionic liquid. The dispersion suitably can be formed by shearing or otherwise mixing a mixture/combination of its components. The dispersions can be used to form nanoparticle composite films upon drying or otherwise removing the liquid medium carrier, with the stabilizer providing a nanoparticle binder in the composite film. The films can be formed on essentially any desired substrate and can impart improved electrical conductivity and/or thermal conductivity properties to the substrate.
US08920679B2
Fluorinated silylethynyl pentacenes and compositions containing fluorinated silylethynyl pentacenes are disclosed. Methods of making and using fluorinated silylethynyl pentacenes and compositions containing fluorinated silylethynyl pentacenes are also disclosed.
US08920667B2
The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition and a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the chemical-mechanical polishing composition. The polishing composition comprises (a) abrasive particles, wherein the abrasive particles comprise zirconia, (b) at least one metal ion oxidizer, wherein the at least one metal ion oxidizer comprises metal ions of Co3+, Au+, Ag+, Pt2+, Hg2+, Cr3+, Fe3+, Ce4+, or Cu2+, and (c) an aqueous carrier, wherein the pH of the chemical-mechanical polishing composition is in the range of about 1 to about 7, and wherein the chemical-mechanical polishing composition does not contain a peroxy-type oxidizer.
US08920664B2
According to one embodiment, a pattern forming method includes forming a physical guide that includes a first predetermined pattern in a first region on a lower layer film, and includes a second predetermined pattern and a dummy pattern in a second region on the lower layer film, forming a block polymer inside the physical guide, making the block polymer microphase-separated to form a pattern having a first polymer section and a second polymer section, removing the second polymer section to form a hole pattern, and processing the lower layer film after removal of the second polymer section, with the physical guide and the first polymer section used as a mask. Shapes of the hole patterns in the first and the second predetermined patterns are transferred to the lower layer film. A shape of the hole pattern in the dummy pattern is not transferred to the lower layer film.
US08920661B2
A method for making a graphene/carbon nanotube composite structure includes providing a metal substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, growing a graphene film on the first surface of the metal substrate by a CVD method, providing at least one carbon nanotube film structure on the graphene film, and combining the at least one carbon nanotube film structure with the graphene film, and combining the polymer layer with the at least one carbon nanotube film structure and the graphene film, and forming a plurality of stripped electrodes by etching the metal substrate from the second surface.
US08920653B2
A desalination apparatus includes a pretreatment device 13 having a pretreatment membrane 13a that filters suspended matters in raw water 11 with added chlorine-containing water 12, a reverse osmosis membrane device 17 having a reverse osmosis membrane 16 that removes a salt content from filtrate water 14 supplied from the pretreatment device 13 to produce permeated water 15, and a reducing-agent injection device 30 that neutralizes the added chlorine on an upstream side of the reverse osmosis membrane device 17. The reducing-agent injection device 30 extracts a part 14a of the filtrate water 14, adds metering SBS solution 18 to the part, obtains a maximum change point (equivalence point) of the oxidation-reduction potential of a reducing agent and chlorine, obtains reducing-agent additive concentration (Csm) corresponding to the equivalence point, and supplies the SBS solution 18 corresponding to the concentration to the filtrate water 14 to thereby neutralize the chlorine.
US08920650B2
A filter may include ac over defining a chamber and an annular filter element arranged within the chamber. The filter may also include a housing and at least one intermediate piece arranged between the cover and the housing when the cover is screwed to the housing. An inlet duct may be in communication with an untreated side of the filter element and an outlet duct may be in communication with clean side of the filter side of the filter element and an outlet duct may be in communication with a clean side of the filter element. A drainage duct may be arranged in the housing for draining the chamber during removal of the cover. A closure device may be arranged in the intermediate piece and have a closure element configured to close the drainage duct.
US08920649B2
An oil filter for an internal combustion engine has a filter housing having an interior and an exchangeable filter cartridge arranged in the interior of the filter housing. A drainage valve is arranged in the filter housing and has a valve seat and a valve member. The valve member is movable relative to the valve seat in an opening direction that is parallel and coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the filter housing and oriented toward the interior of the filter housing. The valve member is received in the valve seat in a closing direction opposite to the opening direction. The valve member can be pushed out of the filter housing in the closing direction. The valve member and the filter cartridge form together a servicing unit for joint exchange of the valve member and the filter cartridge.
US08920642B1
A biological wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a watertight basin and a filter. The basin has an open top and is configured for being placed on a substrate. The filter is located in the basin and includes five layers, each layer configured for removing biological contaminants from water traveling therethough. A first perforated pipe is located in the second layer and is connected to a second perforated pipe located in the fourth layer. If the third layer becomes clogged and prevents the passage of water, the water in the second travels into the first perforated pipe and exits the second perforated pipe in the fourth layer. In this manner, the third layer is bypassed, and the treatment system can be used despite the clogging of the third layer.
US08920640B2
An oil/water separator is provided that is suitable for use aboard an oil spill recovery vessel and elsewhere. The separator comprises a tank structure divided into first and second compartments that communicate via a bottom channel. An inlet pipe supplies an oil/water mix to be separated into the first compartment. An oil suction pipe draws oil out of the first compartment on a continuous or intermittent basis. Water discharges unassisted from the second compartment once the water level in the second compartment has reached a certain level. A heating compartment is provided adjoining the first compartment thereby to enable the oil in the compartment to be heated to reduce its viscosity in cold conditions; this heating compartment is arranged to serve as a reservoir for hydraulic fluid whereby heating of the oil results from heat given up by worked hydraulic fluid returned to the heating compartment after operational use.
US08920627B2
An embodiment of the invention generally relates to an FET-based detector for carbon monoxide which is based on two sensitive layers. In at least one embodiment, the first of the sensitive layers is catalytically active and therefore reacts equally to alcohols, in particular ethanol, and carbon monoxide. The second of the sensitive layers is not catalytically active and therefore does not react to carbon monoxide, but only to ethanol. The concentration of carbon monoxide can be deduced from the comparison of the signals of the two layers. The two sensitive layers are implemented via similar metal oxide layers, an additional layer having a catalyst such as palladium being provided for the catalytically active layer. Alternatively, two different layers can be used, one of which is already catalytically active without an additional layer.
US08920620B2
A composition that includes at least one crosslinkable monomer; at least one hydrophobic monomer; and at least one dielectric constant enhancing agent selected from dielectric enhancing monomers, ferroelectric particulates, and electroactive polymers. Coatings including the polymer of compositions, and articles including electrically isolating layers are also disclosed.
US08920615B2
A salt water chlorinator (30) for a swimming pool includes an electrolysis cell having two anodes (98) and a cathode (94). Two scrapers (102), each of which is of titanium and includes scraping portions in the form of ribs (106) in contact with the opposite surfaces of the cathode, are reciprocated relative to the cathode (94) to remove scale deposits from the cathode (94). The scrapers (102) are mounted in a frame (110) and their scraping ribs (106) are curved such that the ribs (106) are self-biased against the cathode surfaces. A mechanism for reciprocating the scrapers (102) includes two solenoid coils (116) which act on cores (114) in a stem (112) of the frame (110). A control circuit for the electrolysis cell is contained in a housing (86) which is attached to a housing (82) for the electrolysis cell. The control circuit includes a flow sensor for sensing salt-water flow through the electrolysis cell.
US08920611B2
The method of performing physical vapor deposition on a workpiece includes performing at least one of the following: (a) increasing ion density over a workpiece center while decreasing ion density over a workpiece edge by decreasing impedance to ground at a target source power frequency fs through a bias multi-frequency impedance controller relative to the impedance to ground at the source power frequency fs through the side wall; or (b) decreasing ion density over the workpiece center while increasing ion density over the workpiece edge by increasing the impedance to ground at fs through the bias multi-frequency impedance controller relative to the impedance to ground at fs through the side wall.
US08920608B2
A method of treating sludge using solar energy is provided. The present invention utilizes a Fresnel panel frame that includes at least one Fresnel panel. The Fresnel panel may cover at least a portion of a bed cavity. An amount of waste may be placed within the bed cavity. When placed in sunlight, the heat enhanced by the Fresnel panels may heat the waste sufficiently for safe easy disposal, recycling, or for the creation of fertilizer.
US08920607B2
A method for producing individual compacts made of coke and suitable for coke oven chambers by dividing a coal cake in a non-mechanical manner, wherein the coal cake is produced by a compression method according to the prior art and the coal cake is divided by non-mechanical, energy-supplying media, and the non-mechanical media supplying shearing energy are, for example, a laser beam, a high-pressure water jet, an abrasive-solid jet, an ultrasonic beam, a compressed-air jet, or a gas jet. By using the method, coal compacts can be produced from coal cakes without forming dust, without wearing out cutting tools, and with high precision.
US08920606B2
The present disclosure is directed to a continuous process for preparing cellulose reactive adducts of polyvinylamide.
US08920593B2
The method and device provided herein relates to the field of screwed joints for panels and, in particular, for sandwich panels used in aerospace applications. It relates to a method for attaching a headless rivet nut to a wall of such a panel. The method comprises: injecting a predetermined quantity of adhesive into a blind hole made in the wall of the panel; fitting the headless rivet nut onto a rivet nut setting tool, the rivet nut setting tool comprising a pierced anvil and a mandrel passing through the anvil, the mandrel being screwed into the rivet nut so as to press the rivet nut onto the anvil; positioning the headless rivet nut in the blind hole, the anvil coming to press against the wall of the panel; setting the rivet nut so as to squeeze the wall of the panel between the anvil and a flange formed by deformation of the rivet nut.
US08920591B2
The invention relates to a process for producing electrically conductive bonds between solar cells, in which an adhesive comprising electrically conductive particles is first transferred from a carrier to the substrate by irradiating the carrier with a laser, the adhesive transferred to the substrate is partly dried and/or cured to form an adhesive layer, in a further step the adhesive is bonded to an electrical connection, and finally the adhesive layer is cured. The invention further relates to an adhesive for performing the process, comprising 20 to 98% by weight of electrically conductive particles, 0.01 to 60% by weight of an organic binder component used as a matrix material, based in each case on the solids content of the adhesive, 0.005 to 20% by weight of absorbent based on the weight of the conductive particles in the adhesive, and 0 to 50% by weight of a dispersant and 1 to 20% by weight of solvent, based in each case on the total mass of the undried and uncured adhesive.
US08920567B2
A post metal chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) cleaning process for advanced interconnect technology is provided. The process, which follows CMP, combines an acidic clean and a basic clean in sequence. The process can achieve a more than 60% reduction in CMP defects, such as polish residues, foreign materials, slurry abrasives, scratches, and hollow metal, relative to an all-basic clean process. The process also eliminates the circular ring defects that occur intermittently during roller brush cleans within a roller brush clean module.
US08920566B2
A pressure lock system passes a wire along a wire path from a wire source at a high pressure first region to a destination at a low pressure second region. The pressure lock system includes a pressure lock chamber. A first conduit has an interior positioned to pass the wire along the path and is mounted for rotation. A second conduit has an interior positioned to pass the wire from the pressure lock chamber and is also mounted for rotation. A motor may drive rotation of the first conduit and the second conduit. Pumps may maintain a pressure of the pressure lock chamber lower than a pressure of the first region.
US08920565B2
Affords MOCVD reactors with which, while deposited films are uniformized in thickness, film deposition efficiency can be improved. An MOCVD reactor (1) is furnished with a susceptor (5) and a duct (11). The susceptor (5) has a carrying surface for heating and carrying substrates (20). The duct (11) is for conducting reaction gas (G) to the substrates (20). The susceptor (5) is rotatable with the carrying surface fronting on the duct (11) interior. The duct (11) has channels (11b) and (11c), which merge on the duct end upstream of Point A4. The height of the duct (11) running along the reaction gas (G) flow direction monotonically diminishes heading toward the duct downstream end from Point P1 to Point P2, stays constant from Point P2 to Point P3, and monotonically diminishes heading downstream from Point P3. Point P1 lies upstream of Point A4, while Point P3 lies on the susceptor (5).
US08920557B2
Provided are an additive for skim coat mortar and a skim coat mortar composition including the same, and the additive is a blend of cellulose ether having hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose cross-linked with an aldehyde compound and hydroxyalkyl cellulose cross-linked with an aldehyde compound. By applying the additive to a skim coat mortar composition, it is possible to improve workability, surface luster, and a creamy property while maintaining a water retention property.
US08920549B2
A wet-type dust collector for a vacuum cleaner. The disclosed wet-type dust collector includes a first separating portion, the inside of which is filled with water for separating dust from air that is suctioned in from the outside; an exhaust pipe unit having an exhaust outlet and installed inside the first separating portion; and a passage-closing unit installed inside the exhaust pipe unit, wherein the passage-closing unit closes the exhaust outlet of the exhaust pipe unit by means of the combined forces of the suctioning force through the exhaust pipe unit and the buoyant force of the water, in order to prevent the water from leaking out from the first separating portion.
US08920546B2
A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
US08920541B2
A method is provided for replacing at least a portion of the organic linker content of a zeolitic imidazolate framework composition. The method comprises exchanging the organic linker with another organic linker. Also provided is a new material, designated as EMM-19, and a method of using EMM-19 to adsorb gases, such as carbon dioxide.
US08920537B2
A flying air purifier includes a flying unit configured to fly within a space at a first elevation. The flying unit is also configured to fly within the space at a second elevation. The flying air purifier also includes an air purifier mounted to the flying unit and configured to remove particles from air within the space at the first elevation and at the second elevation. The air purifier includes an air inlet having a first charge and an air outlet having a second charge, wherein the second charge is opposite of the first charge.
US08920530B2
The invention relates to a filter element, comprising a filter medium (10) having a concentric shape and pleated in a zig-zag shape, a first open or closed end disk (11) arranged on a face and a second end disk (12) arranged on the opposing face. The end disk (12) comprises a concentric opening (13) and extends in a substantially annular shape over the pleats of the filter medium. The end disk (12) further comprises a first ring bead (14) extending axially to the outside and a sealing groove (16). The ring bead (14) comprises outer faces (18, 19), which are supported on radially extending ribs (20, 21) of a housing receiving the filter element or on a flat surface having channels.
US08920525B2
This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. High carbon biogenic reagents are also provided.
US08920522B2
A negative-electrode active material layer having an uneven pattern is formed on a surface of a copper foil as a negative-electrode current collector by applying an application liquid by a nozzle-scan coating method. Subsequently, an application liquid containing a polymer electrolyte material is applied by a spin coating method, thereby forming a solid electrolyte layer in conformity with the uneven pattern. Subsequently, an application liquid is applied by a doctor blade method, thereby forming a positive-electrode active material layer whose lower surface conforms to the unevenness and whose upper surface is substantially flat. A thin and high-performance all-solid-state battery can be produced by laminating an aluminum foil as a positive-electrode current collector before the application liquid is cured.
US08920518B2
The socket system includes a socket and a vacuum liner. A one-way valve is positioned within the closed distal end of the socket and provides controlled fluid communication between the interior socket space and an external environment. The closed distal end of the vacuum liner includes a distal portion formed of a higher durometer elastomeric material than the surrounding portions of the liner, and including a concave section extending from an external surface thereof towards the interior liner space. The socket, on the interior of the closed distal end thereof, includes a receiving portion that corresponds to and receives the distal portion of the vacuum liner 20 (e.g. matching the perimeter and depth of the distal portion). The receiving portion includes a bottom surface (e.g. a flat surface) opposite to the concave section of the vacuum liner when received therein, and defining an exterior liner space therewith.
US08920517B2
An energy-storing prosthetic knee includes an upper leg structure and a lower leg structure hingedly connected to the upper leg structure. The lower and upper leg structures move pivotally relative to one another. A fluid actuator is operatively connected to the upper and lower leg structures such that relative pivotal movement of the upper and lower leg structures causes a fluid to flow in a predetermined manner within the fluid actuator. At least two controllable variable fluid flow resisting devices, an accumulator, and a control system are also provided. The control system is actuable to cause storage of the fluid energy for a predetermined length of time and release of the fluid energy at a predetermined time during the gait cycle. Both the storage and release of the fluid energy are variable by action of the control system without physical modification of other components of the prosthetic knee.
US08920515B2
A graft prostheses (11), materials and method for implanting, transplanting, replacing, or repairing a part of a patient. The graft prosthesis includes a purified, collagen-based matrix structure removed from a submucosa tissue source. The submucosa tissue source is purified by disinfection and removal steps to deactivate and remove contaminants, thereby making the purified structure biocompatible and suitable for grafting on and/or in a patient.
US08920507B2
Described here are deformable monolithic, stabilization devices, or implants, suitable for use within bone and between bones, for instance, to fuse vertebral bodies, to repair herniated discs, or to repair spinal compression fractures. The implants are introduced into a chose site at a first, smaller height and then plastically deformed to achieve a second, but unique, pre-selected, larger height. Variations of the device provide one or more specific larger heights. The devices are particularly suitable as intervertebral spinal fusion implants for the immobilization of adjacent vertebral bodies. Methods of deploying the implants are also described as are instruments for such deployment.
US08920504B2
A biologically implantable device including a spacer body and fasteners for fixing the spacer body in place between vertebrae, and a method for use of the device to improve intervertebral spacing and correct foraminal stenosis, and to immobilize facet joints and promote fusion of adjacent vertebrae to each other. A drill guide may be used in providing bores in the facet joints to receive the fasteners.
US08920495B2
The various embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-optics intraocular lens (IOL) scaffold assembly for incorporation into a capsular bag of an eye of a subject, provided with a ring platform and a protective umbrella. Several anterior and posterior ribs are hinged to the ring platform to support a posterior lens and an anterior lens. The dynamic spring elastic junctions are provided between the anterior and posterior ribs. The pendulum IOL assembly of the multi-optics intraocular lens (IOL) scaffold assembly enables a near vision of the objects using an optical system designed for a distance focusing in normal gaze. The pendulum IOL assembly has a posterior lens fixed to an equatorial ring platform and a secondary hanging lens provided with a weight at the lower end to act like a pendulum which swings with the posture of the eye.
US08920491B2
In one aspect, a medical device has a first configuration and a second configuration, a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent, and a barrier layer disposed over the reservoir, wherein the barrier layer comprises an inorganic material. In another aspect, a medical device has a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent, a barrier layer disposed over the reservoir, wherein the barrier layer comprises an inorganic material, and a swellable material disposed between the barrier layer and a surface of the medical device, wherein the swellable material is a material that swells upon exposure to an aqueous environment. In yet another aspect, a medical device has a multi-layered coating having alternating reservoir layers and barrier layers, and a plurality of excavated regions penetrating through at least a partial thickness of the multi-layered coating. In yet another aspect, a medical device has a polymer layer comprising a block co-polymer, wherein the polymer layer contains a therapeutic agent, and a barrier layer disposed over the polymer layer, wherein the barrier layer comprises an inorganic material, and wherein the barrier layer has a plurality of discontinuities. Methods of forming coatings on medical devices and methods of delivering therapeutic agents to body sites are also disclosed.
US08920481B2
A stent-graft delivery system is disclosed having an outer tubular shaft or sheath with a relatively stiff proximal segment and a distal segment formed from a tubular textile component. The proximal segment being formed from a polymeric tubing and having a distal end attached to a proximal end of the tubular textile component. During tracking of the delivery system through the vasculature, a self-expanding stent-graft is constrained by and within the tubular textile component in a compressed delivery configuration. Upon positioning at a treatment site, such as an aneurysm, retraction of the outer tubular shaft proximally slides the tubular textile component over the stent-graft to expose and deploy the stent-graft. The tubular textile component may be made from strands of one or more biocompatible materials that have been formed into a textile by weaving, braiding, knitting, crocheting, felting or a combination thereof.
US08920479B2
Provided is a novel system that includes an anterior vertebral body plate with at least one bone spike pivotally attached to the plate and capable of being manually inserted into underlying bone to securely fix the plate to the bone. Also provided is a method of stabilizing cervical vertebrae using the disclosed system.
US08920478B2
Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. Systems may facilitate immobilizing or providing support for the cervical portion of the vertebral column of a patient. A device may comprise a plate having two channels located in a proximal to distal direction, and may further comprise at least one aperture. The device may further comprise attachment elements such as attachment cross-links and spacer cross-links, and fasteners. The plate and the attachment elements may be secured to the vertebrae by passing fasteners through apertures and channels. The length of the plate, position and number of the attachment cross-links, position and number of spacer cross-links and degree of movement may be intraoperatively selected by the surgeon to provide an optimal application and procedural outcome. Uniform components of the devices and systems allow for a more streamlined and simplified method of treating spinal conditions.
US08920477B2
Assemblies of one or more implant structures make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. The representative lumbar spine interventions, which can be performed on adults or children, include, but are not limited to, lumbar interbody fusion; translaminar lumbar fusion; lumbar facet fusion; trans-iliac lumbar fusion; and the stabilization of a spondylolisthesis.
US08920473B2
A functionally dynamic stabilization unit and system for treatment of spinal instability are provided. Each unit, and collectively, the system, is configured to control flexion, extension and translation of the affected unstable vertebral area, thereby stabilizing the vertebral segments by restoring normal function. This is achieved by providing a unit and system that allow for lateral bending, axial compression, rotation, anterior segmental height adjustment, and posterior segmental height adjustment. The unit and system provide sufficient segmental stiffness, while also limiting, or controlling, the range of motion (i.e., sufficient stiffness in the neutral or active zone, while limiting or preventing motion outside of the active zone) to stabilize the vertebral segments. In use, the system mimics the natural movement of the normal spine. Furthermore, the system includes a rigid, fusion-promoting coupler configured for use in an adjacent level, or as a substitute for the functionally dynamic unit. The modularity of the system allows adjustment over time and easier revision surgery, and is configured for minimally-invasive, delivery or implantation.
US08920471B2
The present disclosure provides a transverse connector having first and second spinal rod connecting members disposed on opposing ends of a cross member. Each spinal rod connecting member is configured to connect to a spinal rod. The first and second spinal rod connecting members are configured for multidirectional articulation relative to the cross member.
US08920470B2
Exemplary spinal fixation devices, systems, and method are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a patient's spine. In one exemplary embodiment, methods and devices are provided for coupling one or more bone anchors, such as hooks, screws, etc., and/or one or more spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, cables, plates, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cross connector is provided for connecting and stabilizing two bone anchors, a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, or a bone anchor and bone.
US08920468B2
An apparatus is designed to attach an implant to bone in a manner that permits rotational adjustment of the implant about multiple axes prior to securement via the apparatus. The apparatus includes separate rotational and translational fasteners that can be individually locked to independently restrict rotation and translation of the implant relative to the bone. The rotational fastener includes an interpositional member, an expandable engagement member, and a rotational locking member that urges the expandable engagement member to advance along the interpositional member. The resulting expansion of the engagement member causes it to engage the implant. The rotational fastener is slidable along a fixation member implanted in the bone until the translational fastener is applied to restrict relative translation between the rotational fastener and the bone.
US08920467B2
The invention provides a lumbago treatment instrument which manipulates the pelvis safely and properly by pressing the coccyx utilizing the patient's own body weight. A coccyx contact treatment member is disposed inside a cylindrical casing so as to be movable in the vertical direction via an elastic member. A coccyx contact buffering member made of sponge or the like is provided on the upper end of the coccyx contact treatment member. The patient straddles the coccyx contacting buffering member, assuming a sitting posture, and places the coccyx on the coccyx contact buffering member. In this posture, both feet are slightly lifted from the floor to apply the body weight on the coccyx contact buffering member so that the coccyx is pushed up from below. When doing so, the patient continues to maintain an upright posture while pressing the upper body against a posture holding member and gripping a handle with both hands.
US08920463B2
A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device includes a covering member positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. A securing member is positionable external of the vessel and has a plurality of pores extending therethrough. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and securing member and moves the securing member toward the covering member.
US08920459B2
An embolic coil detachment system includes an elongated, flexible polymer tube having a tubular wall with an inner surface defining an interior lumen. A distal portion of the tubular wall has a score line, and a resistive heating element is located near the score line and in immediate contact with a surface of a distal portion of the tubular wall, to provide direct heating of the distal portion of the flexible polymer tube adjacent to the score line. A therapeutic embolic coil includes a headpiece that is releasably attached within the distal portion of the flexible polymer tube, and that is releasable by heating of the distal portion of the tubular shaft to cause the distal portion of the tubular wall to split along the score line.
US08920458B2
A vessel filter having a first region having a first set of struts forming a mounting portion and a filter portion having a converging region at a first portion to direct particles toward the center of the filter. The mounting portion is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second portion opposite the first portion. A second set of struts forms a second mounting portion flared in the expanded position. A plurality of spaced apart struts extend between the first and second regions.
US08920447B2
Intragastric implant devices for obesity treatment are disclosed. The device is passive and does not autonomously change shape, but instead reacts to movement of the stomach to induce satiety. The device includes a series of connected, articulated clips that plicate the stomach wall nondestructively (no puncturing through the gastric wall) such that the overall volume of the stomach is reduced. Cam-shaped clamping surfaces prevent slippage of the stomach tissue from within the clips. Methods of implant are disclosed including delivering the device through a transoral delivery tube and advancing the device through the esophagus to be deployed within the stomach. Removal of the device occurs in the reverse.
US08920439B2
An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing and a curved shaft. Surgical fasteners are disposed within the curved shaft for being dispensed from the distal end of the curved shaft. An advancer is disposed inside the curved shaft for shifting the surgical fasteners one position closer to the distal end of the curved shaft each time the advancer moves distally. A firing element is disposed inside the curved shaft and is movable between the proximal and distal ends of the curved shaft for dispensing the surgical fasteners from the distal end of the curved shaft. A staging assembly is adapted to receive a leading one of the surgical fasteners from the advancer as the advancer moves distally to shift the leading surgical fastener into substantial alignment with the firing element when the advancer moves proximally.
US08920435B2
A method for operating a surgical end effector of a medical device includes the steps of operably associating a passive articulation joint with a surgical end effector to allow articulation of the end effector, retaining the passive articulation joint in a still position with an articulation lock, releasing the articulation lock to free the passive articulation joint from its still position thereby permitting the end effector to articulate through the passive articulation joint dependent upon forces that are external to the device and are applied to the end effector, and passively articulating the end effector into a desired articulated position by pressing a portion of the end effector against a feature of the environment.
US08920431B2
A method for performing a laparoscopic procedure may include inserting a bag through an opening. The method may also include delivering tissue into the bag, sealing the bag, and inflating the bag to create an artificial pneumoperitoneum that extends the abdomen and provides additional working and viewing space. Further, the method may include carrying out a procedure on the tissue located in the inflated bag.
US08920413B2
This relates to methods and devices for improving treatment to a wall, a cavity or passageway with a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy.
US08920412B2
An electrosurgical generator for the treatment of biological tissue. The electrosurgical generator comprises a generator part which supplies a high-frequency (“HF”) treatment current with an HF voltage set according to a voltage control signal. A measuring device detects the HF treatment current and the HF voltage and generates corresponding current and voltage signals. The current signal and the voltage signal are fed to a conversion device which forms a real current signal corresponding to the real component of the HF treatment current. A regulation device compares the real current signal with a pre-settable target value and generates the voltage control signal on the basis of the comparison. The real component of the treatment current is determined and the generator part is adjusted so that said real component approximates to a pre-determined target value.
US08920410B2
An electrosurgical system is provided and includes a power source, a microwave applicator, a switching mechanism and a controller. The power source is configured to generate microwave energy. The microwave applicator is configured to deliver microwave energy from the power source to tissue. The switching mechanism includes a housing having input and output ports. The input port is connectable to the power source and the output port is connectable to the microwave applicator. The housing is configured to house one or more switches therein. The controller is in operative communication with the switching mechanism to toggle the switch from a first state, wherein microwave energy generated by the power source is directed to the microwave applicator to a second state, wherein microwave energy is directed to a resistive load operably coupled to the switching mechanism.
US08920398B2
An absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The ratio of the width of the rear end region to the width of the front end region ranges between 1:1 and 2.5:1. The absorbent article has a topsheet, backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of rear side flaps each extending laterally from the corresponding longitudinal edge of the absorbent core in the rear end region and a continuous support layer disposed on the backsheet in the rear end region. The continuous support layer includes a continuous material having a shear rigidity value of at least 3.0 gf/cm·degree in the longitudinal direction.
US08920396B2
NuChain supply chain and disposal chain apparatus are created by NuPurposing containers, conditioning and transforming such containers from fluent material delivery containers into waste collection containers. Novel structural features of the waste collection systems allows bottle docking for the ingress of collection material into fluent material distribution containers as well as operation as a canister waste ingress collection system. The application of counter opposing forces on a canister and a lid operates in sealing and the unsealing and assembly and disassembly. A reduced pressure configured to be drawn away from said container inducing ingress of air into said container by a source of reduced pressure.
US08920395B2
A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a tissue site of a patient includes a reduced-pressure source for supplying reduced pressure, a fluid source for supplying a fluid, and a plurality of inflatable bladders for placing adjacent the tissue site. The inflatable bladders are operable to receive the fluid to expand from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The system also includes a plurality of chambers that are compressible. At least one of the plurality of chambers is disposed between a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder of the plurality of inflatable bladders.
US08920393B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for use during surgical procedures for collecting autologous bone. A preferred bone collection assembly collects bone by compressing blood products away from trapped bone using a press. Such bone collecting assembly is easy and uncomplicated to use, and can be easily integrated into an operation where the need for collection and utilization of autologous bone exists.
US08920388B2
An apparatus provides feedback regarding the material in which tip of the apparatus is located as the tip is advance into matter of varying resistances. The apparatus responds to a change in pressure, force, or other parameter such that when the tip reaches matter of a certain resistance, a change in the parameter is sensed. The apparatus provides a driving force to a penetrating medical device, such as a needle, when the apparatus tip encounters material of high resistance. When the apparatus tip encounters a low resistance material, no further driving force is applied to the apparatus. An inner core may be advanced into the low resistance material for deployment of a gas or a liquid as desired.
US08920385B2
The present disclosure describes an extended finger flange that facilitate use of syringe systems. The extended finger flange increases the surface area available for an end user's fingers thereby allowing a more secure grip on the device and providing greater control during administrations of the medication.
US08920383B2
A mechanism for preventing setting of a dose, which exceeds the amount of a medicament in a reservoir in an injection device. The device comprises a threaded piston rod, a limiter and a driver. The three elements are arranged such that during dose setting, the limiter is moved towards an end-of-contend position, wherein dose setting is limited. The invention comprises an accumulative and a non-accumulative embodiment. The invention further relates to a mechanism for prevention ejection of a dose exceeding the set dose.
US08920381B2
An infusion set for use with a fluid infusion device is provided. The infusion set can include a mount including a projection having a bore. The projection can be surrounded at least partially by a recess defined through a surface of the mount, and the mount can include at least one rib that spans the recess. The infusion set can include a fluid outlet coupled to at least a portion of the bore of the projection and a coupling device to couple the infusion set to a user. The coupling device can be coupled to the surface and the at least one rib of the mount.
US08920376B2
The filling status of a drug reservoir in a drug pump devices may be determined with mechanical and/or magnetic position sensor associated with a reservoir boundary.
US08920368B2
A control system for a medical remote catheter guidance system includes an ECU, a computer-readable memory coupled to the ECU, and user interface (UI) logic stored in the memory configured to be executed by the ECU. The user interface logic receives input from a touch screen display with respect to a view of an anatomical model, associates a user type with the input, and interprets the input according to the associated user type and input. The user interface logic may be further configured to receive simultaneous inputs from at least two different users and to associate different user types with each of said simultaneous inputs. The user interface logic may associate each input with a user type according to a location of the input on the touch screen display.
US08920366B2
An irrigation system for irrigation of a body cavity includes a reservoir, with an inlet for pouring liquid into the reservoir, an insertion member defining an insertion end for insertion into a body cavity through a body opening of a human being, the insertion member defining at least one opening, and a liquid tube fluidly connecting the reservoir with the insertion member. The reservoir has front and rear walls formed of a flexible, non-elastic polymer material, with the walls having edges sealed together. The reservoir has an upper liquid chamber and a lower liquid chamber, with the two chambers being separated by a first one-way valve.
US08920361B2
A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a biological substrate are provided. A plasma generation device includes a dielectric conduit and a high voltage electrode. The plasma generation device is placed in proximity to the biological substrate and a gas supply that includes a precursor material is directed through the dielectric conduit. An electric field generated by the potential difference between the high voltage electrode and the biological substrate ionizes at least a portion of the gas supply and causes plasma to emanate from the dielectric conduit and contact the biological substrate. The plasma induces a reaction of the precursor material to form a film that is deposited on the biological substrate.
US08920358B2
A patient is provided with an increased sense of satiety by increasing resistance to the outflow of food from the stomach and through the intestines. Stomach emptying may be slowed with devices implantable within the gastrointestinal tract below the stomach. Implants are preferably removable and can include artificial strictures that may be adjustable to vary the rate of stomach emptying. Slowing gastric emptying may induce satiety for a longer period and may therefore reduce food consumption. Many of the embodiments include intestinal liners or sleeves, but they need not. The resistor concept may be applied to a simple anchor and resistor without a long liner.
US08920357B2
Treating glaucoma utiilizing a shunt having an elastormeric plate and a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube. The plate is positioned over a sclera with an outflow end of the elastomeric drainage tube open to an outer surface of the plate. An inflow end of the drainage tube tunnels through the sclera and cornea to the anterior chamber of the eye. The drainage tube collapses upon initial insertion within an incision in the sclera and cornea, or at a kink on the outside of the incision, but has sufficient resiliency to restore its patency over time. The effect is a flow restrictor that regulates outflow from the eye until a bleb forms around the plate. The plate desirably has a peripheral ridge and a large number of fenestrations, and a longer suturing tab extending from one side of the plate to enhance visibility and accessibility when suturing the shunt to the sclera.
US08920352B1
The present invention includes an orthotic brace which offers advantages in being able to be adjusted to fit the small of the back of a specific wearer, and may attain an infinite number of positions within its range of motion, while providing effective reinforced lumbar support.
US08920340B2
Described herein are devices and methods for identifying the existence of an oral condition in a subject.
US08920337B2
A biopsy needle comprises a first lumen open to a tissue penetrating distal tip of the needle for receiving a tissue sample therein and a second lumen in combination with a filter separating the first and second lumens from one another, the filter being configured to permit fluids to pass therethrough while preventing the sampled tissue from passing therethrough.
US08920334B2
The invention relates to an analysis method for determining a functional parameter of an organ of a human or animal individual by measuring the 13CO2 content in the air exhaled by the individual to which a substrate has been administered the reaction of which in the body of the individual enriches the air exhaled by the individual with 13CO2. The method is characterized by using a measuring device, the maximum reaction rate of the substrate in the body of the individual being determined via a change of the measured 13CO2 content in the air exhaled by the individual using zero-order enzyme kinetics. The invention also relates to an aqueous methacetin solution for use in said analysis method, the pH of the solution being greater 7.0. The invention also relates to a face mask (1) for use in the inventive method for separating the exhaled air from the air inhaled by an individual. Said face mask comprises a face mask body (2) and an air cushion (3) encircling the face mask body. Said air cushion is filled with a gas and establishes a substantially gas-tight contact between the face of the individual and the face mask (1) placed on the face of the individual so that the air required by the individual for breathing and the air exhaled by the individual has to flow essentially completely through the face mask (1). At least one exhalation valve (5) and at least one inhalation valve (4) are integrated into the face mask and allow a flow of inhaled and exhaled air through the face mask. The invention finally relates to a diagnostic method for determining the functional parameters of an organ of a human or animal individual.
US08920332B2
Some embodiments provide a wearable fitness monitoring device including a motion sensor and a photoplethysmographic (PPG) sensor. The PPG sensor includes (i) a periodic light source, (ii) a photo detector, and (iii) circuitry determining a user's heart rate from an output of the photo detector. Some embodiments provide methods for operating a heart rate monitor of a wearable fitness monitoring device to measure one or more characteristics of a heartbeat waveform. Some embodiments provide methods for operating the wearable fitness monitoring device in a low power state when the device determines that the device is not worn by a user. Some embodiments provide methods for operating the wearable fitness monitoring device in a normal power state when the device determines that the device is worn by a user.
US08920327B2
In a method for determining cardiac output from an arterial blood pressure curve measured at the periphery, in which the blood pressure curve measured at the periphery is arithmetically transformed into the corresponding central blood pressure curve and the cardiac output is calculated from the central blood pressure curve, the transformation of the blood pressure curve measured at the periphery into the corresponding central blood pressure curve is performed by the aid of an artificial neural network whose weighting values are determined by learning.
US08920325B2
A handheld ultrasound device is provided, having a transducer assembly for emitting and receiving sonic signals, a configurable signal processing unit, and a data processor configured to provide configuration data to the signal processing unit. The configuration data defines a beamforming configuration, filtering configuration and envelope detection configuration for an operational mode. The operational mode may be selected by the user or may be determined based on a detected type of the transducer assembly.
US08920319B2
In aspects of the present disclosure, a multi compatible or universal blood glucose monitoring unit including a calibration unit is integrated with one or more components of an analyte monitoring system to provide compatibility with in vitro test strip that require calibration code and test strips that do not require calibration code. Also disclosed are methods, systems, devices and kits for providing the same.
US08920313B2
A speculum configured for attachment to an otoscope attachment of a medical examination instrument is provided in an embodiment herein. The speculum includes a proximate end, a distal end, and a speculum body extending from the proximate end to the distal end. The proximate end is configured for attachment to a first end of the otoscope attachment, and the distal end is configured for penetration into an orfice of a subject. The adjustable speculum further includes at least one flange, wherein the at least one flange is adjustably positioned on the speculum body between the proximate end and the distal end to limit a depth of the penetration of the speculum in the orfice.
US08920311B2
An improved system for attaching devices to the distal end of endoscopic instruments is described. An attachment adapter comprises a distal stop, such as a complete or partial loop or cylinder, which limits the penetration of an endoscope into the adapter. The adapter has at least one flange protruding proximally along the endoscope. The adapter is secured on the endoscope by a securing means, which compresses the flange or flanges sufficiently to provide a friction fit. The flexibility of the inventive adapter system allows the adapter to work reliably with endoscopes that are used, damaged or repaired. The adapter may further provide a slit or window allowing viewing of the vessel wall by a lens on an endoscope, thereby improving the operator's ability to understand the location of the endoscope during operation. The adapter may carry any of a variety of devices, including devices for closing a surgical incision, or treating or manipulating tissue. Improvements are described in a number of areas to allow more flexible pairing of particular endoscopes or endoscopic instruments with devices to be carried on their exteriors, while maintaining a tightly locked position of the external device on the carrier.
US08920304B2
A method for treating urinary incontinence includes making an incision in a region adjacent to the urethra, and positioning a tape under the urethra through the incision such that one portion of the tape extends from under the urethra through one obturator foramen and another portion of the tape extends from under urethra through the other obturator foramen.
US08920294B2
A suspension training device, system and method for using the same is disclosed. A suspension training device includes an elongated strap, a handle at a first end of the elongated strap, a harness at a second end of the elongated strap, and one or more stops, each stop being affixed at a position along a length of the elongated strap between the handle and the harness. A gravity training system includes two or more suspension training devices. The suspension training devices can be suspending with a stationary object by the stops, such as the elongated strap being threaded between a door and a doorframe, to a desired length to allow a user to accomplish any number of exercises or gravity-resistant movement.
US08920293B1
A resistance exercise device for exercising the arms and upper core of the body. The device includes a pair of handle assemblies connected together with a replaceable elastomeric resistance member to permit the use of a resistance member having a desired length and resistance strength. Each handle assembly includes a handle member and a convex support member attached thereto which are separable to permit replacement of a non-slip hollow cylindrical hand grip that engages a center portion of the handle member.
US08920290B2
An apparatus, system, and method for attaching a trampoline enclosure net to an enclosure pole involves attaching the enclosure net directly to the top end of the enclosure pole with an elastic cord. The enclosure pole may curve outward from the trampoline. The enclosure pole may pass through an opening in a protective pad to prevent the protective pad from moving out of place. The entire trampoline may be densely packaged for easy storage and shipping.
US08920288B2
In general, exercise devices of the present invention include one or more fans that can increase the flow of air in particular direction. Exercise devices of the present invention also include a sensing mechanism that can sense a physiological condition of a user performing an exercise on the exercise device. The sensed physiological condition could be pulse, blood pressure, respiration, caloric expenditure, weight, perspiration, temperature, blood oxygen level, metabolic equivalent of task (MET), carbohydrates burned, cadence or another physiological condition. The speed of the air flow created by the fan can depend on the physiological condition sensed by the sensing mechanism.
US08920285B2
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.
US08920283B2
An epicyclic gearbox oil scavenge arrangement. The epicyclic gearbox is of the planetary or differential type and comprises an input sun gear (28); a plurality of planet gears (32) that mesh with the sun gear (28) and are driven therefrom; an annular planet carrier (34) that couples the planet gears (32) in known relative orientation and is configured to precess around the sun gear (28); and a ring gear (38) that meshes with each planet gear (32). The ring gear (38) comprises ejection apertures (44) that extend radially therethrough and the planet carrier (34) comprises at least one lobe (42) that extends radially from the periphery of the planet carrier.
US08920270B2
An arrow may comprise a shaft, an arrowhead, a nock and at least one vane. The shaft may comprise an elongated structure having the arrowhead located at a first end and the nock located at the second end. The at least one arrow vane may be located on the shaft proximate to the second end. The at least one arrow vane may comprise a base attached to the arrow shaft, and a body with convex major surfaces extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge. Methods of manufacturing such an arrow vane may comprise injecting a foamed polymer into a mold and curing the foamed polymer within the mold.
US08920269B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide broadhead having a body portion that includes a number of slots that extend substantially along a length of the body portion. Extending from the body portion is one or more removable blades. In embodiments, each of the removable blades has an arcuate shape that causes each blade to have an inner side and an outer side with each inner side having a sharpened edge extending substantially along a front side thereof. Additionally, a base portion of each of the plurality of removable blades is configured to be received in respective slots of the plurality of slots.
US08920265B1
A ballmark repair tool. In one embodiment, the device comprises a handle assembly to allow the user to stand upright when repairing a ballmark on a putting green and a twistable prong assembly. The twistable prong assemble may include a plurality of planetary gears and a pinion gear that is engaged with the planetary gears. The result is a device and method of repairing a putting green that allows uniform and properly repaired ballmarks.
US08920260B1
A golf club putting head includes a flexible cylindrical roller body having a striking face defined thereon and thereabout. The roller body has a central bore extending therethrough from end to end thereof and configured to mount the body over an axle on a lower end of a putter shaft such that the body can undergo rotation about and relative to the axle. The striking face on the body is yieldably conformable to the shape of a golf ball upon impacting the ball and is formed by an annular bed of multiple flexible projections formed on and about the body. The putting head also includes a pommel fitted on an outer end of the axle and configured for adjusting the rollability of the roller body on the axle so as to enable a player to hit the ball with an impact that will cause it to roll towards the hole.
US08920238B2
A gaming system comprising a main cabinet and a computer server, comprising: a mechanism in a main cabinet for selecting and playing, by a player, one or more live casino game(s) from a plurality of live casino games being played at a plurality of tables spaced away from said main cabinet; a mechanism for selecting and playing one or more casino slot machine game(s) by the player, at least one first portion of a first screen in the main cabinet for displaying the live-casino game(s), wherein a results history for each table is displayed to provide a results history display, a second additional portion of a screen in main cabinet for displaying at least one casino slot game(s), the mechanism playing the casino slot machine game(s) is adapted to allow the player to switch between the live casino games and at least one casino slot machine games according to at least the results history display for each table.
US08920235B2
A game system has at least two modes of operation, that is, a monitor game mode and a terminal device game mode. In the monitor game mode, a main game image is displayed on a monitor and a sub game image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device. In the terminal device game mode, the main game image is displayed on the LCD of the terminal device. The mode of operation can be switched in accordance with a mode switching instruction from a user.
US08920233B2
A slot management system including a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method is disclosed for use with game devices, systems, and methods is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify game devices and other related activities. An assignment-creator/modifier is provided for creating and modifying assignment templates for assignments that include at least one job to modify a gaming machine.
US08920229B1
A gaming card verification system includes electronic gaming tables and a system server in communication with and located remotely from the tables. The system or table tracks playing cards at each table and facilitates alerts when improper conditions are detected. Gaming tables can include a physical surface for playing card games, an automated shoe or card handler, a smart discard rack, and a table controller. First sensors detect a first identifier on each card and separate second sensors detect a separate second identifier on the card. The first identifier can be a randomly assigned code unique to each card, while the second identifier indicates a game value of the card. A database can store and provide details regarding card identifiers, values and locations. The discard rack can detect discards and reconcile those with what issued from the shoe. Both counterfeit card insertions and missing cards can be detected thereby.
US08920225B2
A dishwasher having a water vapor vent structure is provided. The water vapor vent structure may include an outer cover having one or more water vapor vents, and an inner cover detachably mounted to the outer cover and having condensation channels for condensing water vapor. As water vapor is collected and maintained in the condensation channels for a period of time, condensation efficiency may be enhanced, and air quality in a room in which the dishwasher may be maintained at an acceptable level.
US08920209B2
A toy apparatus having a lower base, an upper base and a doll cover for the upper base where the lower base and the upper base attach and detach with an easy twisting motion. The lower base encloses a flywheel on a shaft, and a passageway for a rack and includes a cover with an outside screw thread. The upper base is either empty or encloses three switches, a sound generator, a light source, a controller printed circuit board, and a battery chamber and includes a cover with an inside screw thread that mates with the screw thread of the lower base. The toy apparatus has two primary play modes, a first mode where the lower base, the upper base and the cover are connected and a user uses the rack to spin the flywheel.
US08920188B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for providing a connection between a connector and a flex cable. In one embodiment, the connector scheme comprises: a flex ribbon having first and second sides, the first side being opposite the second site, where the flex ribbon has one or more traces on the first side and a ground plane on at least a portion of the second side; and a connector into which the flex ribbon is inserted to make an electrical connection thereto, where the connector has a metal shell in electrical contact with the ground plane while having contacts in electrical contact with the one or more traces.
US08920184B2
A high strength electrical connector includes an outer cylindrical, rigid support cover open at both ends and preferably comprised of a high strength metal. A first electrical lead extends through a tension bushing attached to one end of the support cover. A mating receptacle through which a second electrical lead passes is securely attached to a second opposed end of the support cover. Electrical connection between the ends of the first and second electrical leads is established within the support cover. Securely attaching the ends of the first and second electrical leads together within the support cover, which is preferably comprised of a high strength metal, directs axial and transverse forces exerted on the first electrical lead through the support cover, thus bypassing the electrical connection.
US08920180B2
A portable electronic device including a main body and a connecting port is provided. The main body has an containing cavity. The connecting port includes a base and at least one movable component. The base is disposed at the main body. The movable component is movably connected to the base and moves between an accommodated position and an operation position relatively to the base. When the movable component is located at the accommodated position, the height of the connecting port is less than or equal to the height of the containing cavity such that the connecting port is adapted to be accommodated in the containing cavity. When the movable component is located at the operation position, the height of the connecting port is greater than the height of the containing cavity, and a connector is adapted to be fixed between the base and the movable component.
US08920177B1
A rotating electrical plug includes a hollow shell, a bottom cap attached to one side of the hollow shell, a rotary member detachably inserted into an opposite side of the hollow shell to selectively force respective locating notches thereof into engagement with locating blocks in the rotary member, an electrode holder coupled to the rotary member to hold electrodes in the hollow shell, an elastic member mounted in a sleeve of the electrode holder, and a fastening device affixed to the end cap to hold down the elastic member. Thus, the rotating electrical plug has a simple structure, and allows adjustment of the installation angle positively and safely to fit different electrical sockets.
US08920172B1
A participant in a motion capture environment, such as a motion capture simulation, can utilize or interact with physical objects disposed in the environment, for example weapons, sporting goods, and wands. Markers attached to the physical objects can track movement of the objects in the motion capture environment as well as changes in operational state associated with participant interaction or usage. Markers on an object can be passive, active, or a combination of active and passive. A change in separation between two passive or active markers on a mechanized physical object can indicate that a participant has engaged a mechanism of the object, for example firing a semiautomatic weapon. One or more active markers can emit a pattern of light that is modulated spatially or temporally to report operational state of an object, such as when a participant has fired the weapon or turned a weapon safety off or on.
US08920168B2
An oral care implement has a head portion with tooth cleaning elements on one surface thereof and a reservoir containing at least one active agent. A capillary channel extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver active agent(s) to one or more outlets. In one aspect, a vibration-producing device is provided to vibrate at least a portion of the implement to enhance the function of tooth cleaning elements and the delivery of the active agent through capillary action. A variety of active agents can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.
US08920156B2
Support members for rotatable platens of injection molding machines are provided. In some aspects, an injection molding machine includes a guide member and a rotatable platen including a base plate and a turntable supported by and rotatable relative to the base plate about a substantially horizontal axis. The turntable is adapted to support a mold for rotation about the horizontal axis relative to the base plate and the guide member. The injection molding machine also includes a support member coupled to the rotatable platen and engaged with the guide member for movement of the rotatable platen and the support member along the guide member. The turntable is adapted to rotate the mold relative to the support member. In other aspects, a support member for a rotatable platen of an injection molding machine is provided and includes a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from the first arm.
US08920152B2
The present teachings provide a modular articulating cement spacer mold for forming a temporary implant comprising a mold first portion, a mold second portion, and a ventilation forming surface feature on an interior surface of at least one of the mold first portion or the mold second portion. The first mold portion and the second mold portion have corresponding interior surfaces that form a cavity therebetween.
US08920149B2
A screw compressor includes a screw rotor, a gate rotor, a drive mechanism to rotate the screw rotor, a cylinder, a discharge port and an adjustment mechanism. The screw rotor has an outer periphery with a helical groove engaged with radially arranged gates of the gate rotor. First and second axial ends of the screw rotor form suction and discharge sides, respectively. The cylinder accommodates the screw rotor to define a compression chamber in the helical groove. Fluid in the compression chamber flows through the discharge port toward the discharge side of the screw rotor. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a compression ratio of the compression chamber within a predetermined range. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the compression ratio to a minimum compression ratio immediately before or when operation of the adjustment mechanism is stopped.
US08920145B2
A hydraulic power module is provided with a plurality of hydraulic actuators. A piston of each of the hydraulic actuators is coupled with a drive plate and a screw is rotatably coupled with the drive plate. Rotation of the screw longitudinally displaces the drive plate to simultaneously actuate each of the hydraulic actuators. A second hydraulic power module may be coupled with the hydraulic power module, such that rotation of the screw also drives the screw of the second hydraulic power module.
US08920141B2
A mechanical combustion engine coolant pump for pumping a coolant for an internal combustion engine includes a pump wheel. A rotor shaft is arranged at the pump wheel. The rotor shaft is rotatable and radially supported. A driving wheel is rotatable, radially supported is driven by the internal combustion engine. A connecting device is connects the rotor shaft with the driving wheel so as to be rotatably fixed. A first roller bearing comprises a separate outer bearing ring. The separate outer bearing is directly fixed to a pump frame body. The first roller bearing directly radially supports the rotor shaft or the driving wheel. A separate bearing fixation structure axially pushes the separate outer bearing ring of the first roller bearing so as to be clearance-free against the pump frame body so that the separate bearing fixation structure is directly fixed to the pump frame body.
US08920124B2
A squealer tip formed from a pressure side tip wall and a suction side tip wall extending radially outward from a tip of the turbine blade is disclosed. The pressure and suction side tip walls may be positioned along the pressure sidewall and the suction sidewall of the turbine blade, respectively. The pressure side tip wall may include a chamfered leading edge with film cooling holes having exhaust outlets positioned therein. An axially extending tip wall may be formed from at least two outer linear surfaces joined together at an intersection forming a concave axially extending tip wall. The axially extending tip wall may include a convex inner surface forming a radially outer end to an inner cavity forming a cooling system. The cooling system may include one or more film cooling holes in the axially extending tip wall proximate to the suction sidewall, which promotes increased cooling at the pressure and suction sidewalls.
US08920114B2
A turbocharger (15) with variable turbine geometry having a blade bearing ring arrangement (1) which has a blade bearing ring (2) and a disk (3) which can be fixed to the blade bearing ring (2) to form a flow duct (4); having a spacer device (5) which is arranged between the blade bearing ring (2) and the disk (3) to set a defined width (B) of the flow duct (4), wherein the spacer device (5) is designed as a guide ring (6) which has spacer profiles (7) whose height (H) corresponds to the width (B) of the flow duct (4).
US08920113B2
An exemplary turbomachine securing apparatus includes a coupling member that couples a first component to a second component within a turbomachine. The first component and the second component are both non-rotating components during operation of the turbomachine. The coupling member limiting relative circumferential movement between the first component and the second component, and permitting relative radial movement.
US08920111B2
A gas turbine engine (10) and an airfoil (50) for use therein, the airfoil (50) having a structure (128) containing cooling passageways (110, 120) extending between a chamber (100) and a series of apertures (78) positioned along the trailing edge (72) through which cooling fluid (144) received from the chamber (100) exits the airfoil (50), wherein the structure (128) is characterized by a variable thickness (t) between the pressure and suction sidewalls (74, 76) of the airfoil as a function of position along the cooling passageways (110, 120) such that each in a plurality of cooling passageways are characterized by a cross sectional flow area (170, 174) which decreases as a function of distance from the chamber (100).
US08920110B2
The disclosure relates to a hollow gas turbine vane that is cooled by an arrangement configured to sequential cooling an endwall of the vane and its airfoil and, at the same time, the two endwalls of the vane. This arrangement can reduce cooling air demand, which can have a positive effect on the turbines efficiency.
US08920109B2
A thermal management arrangement (110) in a gas turbine engine (60), including: a conduit-arrangement (62) providing fluid communication between a compressor section (156) and: a relatively thermally responsive portion (52) of a turbine vane carrier (10); and a relatively thermally unresponsive portion (48) of a first turbine vane carrier. The conduit-arrangement includes: a general cooling flow outlet (122) disposed proximate the relatively thermally responsive portion of the turbine vane carrier and configured to discharge a general cooling flow (124); and an impingement flow outlet (118) disposed proximate the relatively thermally unresponsive portion and configured to discharge an impingement flow (120). The thermal management arrangement is configured such that a flow rate of the impingement flow is effective to accelerate a thermal response of the relatively thermally unresponsive portion toward a thermal response of the relatively thermally responsive portion.
US08920104B2
A mining shovel (10) includes a hydraulic system comprising a plurality of fixed displacement pumps (104,106,108,110) driven by a variable speed motor (100), and a tank (68) system comprising an upper return tank and a lower supply tank (70). A cylinder manifold (64) is connected to the pump control manifold (112), and includes a directional control valve for directing the extend and retract functions of the cylinder (50), while accepting fluid flow in a single direction from the pump control manifold. The single direction flow allows for the use of smaller fluid conduits (61), such that the hose providing a high pressure supply can be comparatively smaller than the return hose (67).
US08920096B2
A device for controlling the application of glue on the spine of a book. The device consists of a computerized controller that tracks the precise location of the book in the binding system, and a servo motor that controls a doctor blade, the servo motor is connected to the controller and is instructed when to open or close the doctor blade at the precise time to precisely place the glue on the book spine. The doctor blade can also be adjusted to control the thickness of the glue on the book spine.
US08920085B2
Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly, engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel, translating the insertion portion of the body along the track from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the track in the second position, and actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position, a portion of the track being clampably engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the track by the at least one engagement member.
US08920082B2
One variation may include a system including a mobile host having a vehicle compartment defined therein and a receiving platform in the vehicle compartment having a plurality of guide features for guiding vehicles into the vehicle compartment of the mobile host, and a loading station including a loading platform having a plurality of vehicle guide features for guiding vehicles over the loading platform and onto the receiving platform. One variation may include a method comprising loading a vehicle into a mobile host having a vehicle compartment defined therein, wherein the mobile host includes a receiving platform having a plurality of raised guide features, and wherein the loading comprises guiding the vehicle onto the receiving platform using the plurality of raised guide features.
US08920081B2
An interface between a receptacle body and an insert designed, in particular, as a tool or workpiece insert, comprises a receptacle body (2) having a cylindrical receiving bore (4), which is circumscribed by a first plane surface (6) extending at a right angle to the bore axis and in which a first cone surface (9) is arranged, said first cone surface being coaxial with the bore axis and being arranged so that its tapered end faces toward the plane surface. The insert (3) has a pin (15) that is disposed to be plugged into the receiving bore (4) and is circumscribed by a second plane surface (22). At an axial distance from the second plane surface (22), said pin has a second cone surface (22), the tapered end of said second cone surface being arranged so as to face toward the second plane surface. With the pin (15) inserted in the receiving bore (4), the two plane surfaces are in superimposed contact while the two cone surfaces (9, 22) can be biased relative to each other by limited twisting of the insert relative to the receptacle body.
US08920076B2
A frame rail assembly for a boat dock structure includes a frame rail member and a removable resilient rub-rail member. The frame rail member includes a first side configured for securing the frame rail member to a side of the boat dock structure; a second side opposing the first side; a first channel extending along a length of the frame rail member; and a second channel below the first channel, the second channel extending along the length of the frame rail member. An interlocking frame rail system for boat dock structures includes a first frame rail member, a second frame rail member, and an upper connector member extending along at least a portion of a length of the first frame rail member and at least a portion of the length of a second frame rail member.
US08920072B2
A drainage channel includes a first sidewall provided with a first rail member extending along a longitudinal axis of the drainage channel. A second sidewall extends along the longitudinal axis of the drainage channel with the first and second sidewalls at least partially defining an interior area of the drainage channel. A first locking insert is at least partially positioned within a first rail opening of the first rail member, with the first locking insert including a first insert opening. Further examples include methods of making a drainage channel.
US08920071B2
A container adapted to be placed near a walkway or road and adapted to receive a solid ice prevention composition such as salt pellets. The container has an entrance opening and an exit opening. The entrance opening of the container may be connected to a downspout directly or via a connecting member to direct water from the downspout into the container. Water enters the container through the entrance opening and mixes with the ice prevention composition to create a solution having a reduced freezing point. The solution exits the container through the exit opening where it is able to flow in its liquid state even after the ambient air temperature falls below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
US08920068B1
A process for slip forming of concrete structures, specifically, concrete structural components, for road and bridge construction. This process has particular application for slip forming of monolithic structures having multiple component/functional parts, wherein the resultant slip formed monolithic, structure has exposed rebars bar the later integration with additional concrete structures arid/or mechanical structural elements, c,g. noise walls, barricades, guard rails and the like. This invention also includes a system adapted for the formation of these unique, monolithic slip formed structures with exposed rebars, including the tunnel mold assembly, which is utilized in this slip forming process; and, the resultant to slip molded monolithic structural component with exposed rebus.
US08920067B2
The present invention is directed to a Concrete Decorative Inlay Process where the concrete slab is initially poured with a recessed section constructed with a rough broom finish on the bottom. After curing a bonding agent is applied and an artistic form is located on the depressed area and additional concrete, possibly of different colors or textures to enhance the design, is poured into the design cavity and a variety of decorative elements are inlayed this area. After the design area has cured the artistic form is removed and the recessed area is then filled in, possibly with still a different color or texture of concrete to finish the project. This allows ample time to work in close proximity to the design area and the ability of using different elements to enhance the design.
US08920066B1
A tactile sidewalk tile has a horizontal top surface and a horizontal bottom surface. A plurality of truncated domes project vertically from the top surface, and each of the truncated domes has a corresponding dome depression formed on the bottom surface. A sheet of tacky mounting material is applied to the horizontal bottom surface and is covered by a sacrificial release sheet until installation. According to one method of installing tactile sidewalk tile, the sacrificial release sheet is removed from the sheet of tacky mounting material, the tactile sidewalk tile is placed on an underlying sidewalk surface, pressure is applied to the horizontal top surface, and anchor holes are drilled using a plurality of fastener-receiving bores in the tactile sidewalk tile as guides.
US08920065B2
A vehicle barrier system, comprising, a support member having a first side disposed toward an area used by vehicles, a splice plate including a support aperture and a stress concentrator associated with to the support aperture, and a rail assembly including, in one embodiment, a wood rail and a first side, wherein the first side of the rail assembly is coupled to the splice plate and the splice plate is coupled to the support member at the support aperture. In another embodiment the rail assembly includes one or more weakened areas serving as stress concentrators in the rail assembly.
US08920064B2
A shaft assembly comprising a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a plurality of first splines that each have an end portion and a chamfer disposed on the end portion. The second shaft is coaxial with the first shaft and has a plurality of second splines. The plurality of second splines each have a base portion and an end portion. The end portion defines an inverted chamfer having a base and a tip. The tip projects from the base radially away from the second shaft and axially away from the base portion of the plurality of second splines. The base of the inverted chamfer undercuts the tip of the inverted chamfer. The plurality of first splines engage with the plurality of second splines to couple the first shaft and the second shaft for common rotation.
US08920061B2
The coupling includes first gripping members which are connected, facing on one and the same level on corresponding mounting bodies, to respective structures, and second gripping members mounted so as to slide vertically on the first gripping members in order to secure pneumatic covers in two diametrically opposed regions thereof with the collaboration of threaded rods. The gripping members and provide retention walls that extend towards the mounting bodies by means of horizontal retention flanges. The second gripping members have walls with holes for the passage of screws during fitting thereof to the mounting bodies.
US08920051B2
A state of a print head is checked by printing a plurality of images in order on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit, and reading the printed images. A region that is inappropriate for performing printing on the fed sheet is detected. When the inappropriate region has been detected, printing the images is stopped and the sheet is cut. Of the cut sheets, the sheet at an upstream is sent back to the sheet feeding unit. Subsequently, the sheet is again fed to perform printing and conduct a test.
US08920037B2
The invention relates to a bearing arrangement with an outer ring and an inner ring that can rotate relative to one another, and rolling bodies, especially balls, which are located between the outer ring and the inner ring. The invention also relates to an infeed distributor and a suction exhaust device for incorporation in such a bearing arrangement.
US08920032B2
Disclosed is a bearing sleeve for supporting a shaft of an air cycle machine. The bearing sleeve includes an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The outer diameter is within a range of 3.214 and 3.216 inches. Further included is a foil retaining cavity provided in the inner diameter of the sleeve. The foil retaining cavity includes a slot and first and second openings located at opposing axial ends of the slot. Each of the first and second openings include a small portion and a large portion having different axial lengths. A ratio of the combined axial lengths of the large portions to an axial length of the foil retaining cavity is within a range of 0.19:1 and 0.22:1. Further included is a seal attachment portion provided at one axial end of the bearing sleeve configured to circumferentially support a seal.
US08920030B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to flexible packages having an access control feature in the form of a strip of a malleable sheet material that can be used to form a dead fold to re-close an opened package and prevent spilling. The access control feature can also be used to keep the mouth of the package open for easier access when the contents of the package are being consumed. Exemplary embodiments operate in an intuitive manner and are easy to use. The access control feature provides a tactile cue to the user for properly closing the package, as well as visual assurance that the package has been closed.
US08920026B2
In one embodiment, a current sensing circuit corrects for the transient and steady state temperature measurement errors due to physical separation between a resistive sense element and a temperature sensor. The sense element has a temperature coefficient of resistance. The voltage across the sense element and a temperature signal from the temperature sensor are received by processing circuitry. The processing circuitry determines a power dissipated by the sense element, which may be instantaneous or average power, and determines an increased temperature of the sense element. The resistance of the sense element is changed by the increased temperature, and this derived resistance Rs is used to calculate the current through the sense element using the equation I=V/R or other related equation. The process is iterative to continuously improve accuracy and update the current.
US08920022B2
Provision of a waterproof device capable of improving waterproof property in a push-in operation portion formed by including an extensible member, a holding member and an operation shaft. A wrist watch (portable device) 11 includes an outer case (device outer housing) 12, an extensible member 32 with waterproof property, a holding member 41 attached to the case 12 and an operation shaft 51. The case 12 includes a seating portion 29 and a hole 30. The extensible member 32 includes a cylindrical portion 33 which can be extended/retracted in an axial direction, closing one end as well as opening the other end, and inserted into the hole 30, and a flange 35 projecting integrally from an outer periphery of the other end portion of the cylindrical portion and seated on the seating portion 29. The holding member 41 includes a presser portion 42 sandwiching the flange 35 with the seating portion 29 to thereby secure the waterproofing around the flange, and a through hole 44 connecting to the opening of the cylindrical portion 33. The operation shaft 51 includes a shaft end portion 52 protruding to the outside of the holding member 41 through the through hole 44. The operation shaft 51 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 33 and arranged in a state of being able to be pushed from the outside of the case 12 so as to allow the cylindrical portion 33 to extend.
US08920019B2
A machine (10) for mixing a food product in a container includes a container holder (38) having an axis and adapted to receive a container. An agitator (30) is rotated by a motor (22) on an axis and is positioned above the container holder (38). A motor (47) moves the container holder (38) upwardly to selectively position the agitator (30) in the container with the axis of rotation of the agitator (30) being displaced from the axis of the container holder (38). A motor (45) can rotate the container holder (38) on its axis while the agitator (30) is in the container.
US08920017B2
A variation in luminance is reduced near a light source without decreasing intensity of a light exit pattern. A light source is disposed and a light exit pattern is formed. The light exit pattern reflects light guided in a light guide plate and outputs the light. In inclined angles of tangents of the light exit patterns in a section passing through a center axis of the light exit pattern, a largest inclined angle of the tangent is defined as a maximum inclined angle of the light exit pattern. At this time, in the light exit pattern provided in the light guide plate, the maximum inclined angle is decreased with increasing distance from a light incident surface in a region near the light incident surface, and the maximum inclined angle is decreased or kept constant with increasing distance from the light incident surface in a region distant from the region near the light incident surface.
US08920014B2
A backlight unit includes a light guide plate and a light source unit. The light guide plate includes an exit surface which has a polygonal shape, a lower surface which faces the exit surface, and side surfaces which connect the exit surface and the lower surface. The light guide plate guides a light such that that light exits from the exit surface. The light source unit includes a plurality of light sources which provide the light to the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a protrusion which protrudes from an end of the lower surface in a direction opposite to the exit surface. The protrusion includes a first inclination surface which is connected to one of the side surfaces, and a second inclination surface which connects the first inclination surface and the lower surface to each other.
US08920013B2
It is an object to provide a medical light-source device capable of securing a long illumination time required for being used in operations in the medical field, a medical light-source device is worn on the body of the operator to apply light to a target portion of the medical treatment, and has a battery power supply section 60, and a control section 54 feeds a rated value of current from the battery power supply section 60 to an LED illumination section 61 to emit by a first switch 55A being operated, and when the second switch 55B or 55C is operated, changes an average current value fed to the LED illumination section 61 to supply an increase value of current higher than the rated value for a predetermined time to increase the quantity of irradiated light for the period. Further, an acceleration sensor 80 is provided so as to control illuminance corresponding to a motion of the operator.
US08920009B2
Disclosed is a lamp device for a vehicle, which includes: a lens disposed on a first optical axis extending to a front and a rear of the vehicle; a main reflector disposed at a rear side of the lens, reflecting light frontward, and including a first focus on the first optical axis; a light source disposed on the first focus, and emitting light; a lower sub reflector disposed below the light source, upwardly reflecting the light, and including a first focus on a point at which the first optical axis and a second optical axis extending above and below the vehicle intersect; an upper sub reflector disposed above the light source, and frontwardly reflecting the light reflected by the lower sub reflector; and a shield plate disposed between the lens and the light source, and disposed to correspond to a second focus of the main reflector.
US08920006B2
A lighting or signalling device for a motor vehicle, having an optical axis and comprising at least one light source and at least one guide for the light rays between the source and an exit face, the guide having an entry edge associated with the source. The guide for the light rays is formed by a sheet and the sheet comprises a curved rear edge convex towards the rear, able to provide reflection of the light rays towards the exit face. A curved shape of the rear edge being associated with the profile of the exit face so that the emerging light rays have a direction contained in a substantially horizontal plane containing the optical axis of the device.
US08919996B2
An LED lighting module formed by combining components into an integrated type to achieve efficiency in light emission-light diffusion-heat dissipating operations is provided. Also, a lighting lamp is provided in which a plurality of LED lighting modules are combined to enable wide light distribution, and heat generated from the lighting lamp can be convected through a plurality of vent holes formed in all side surfaces of the lamp to achieve improved illumination efficiency and lengthen the lifespan of the lamp to tens of thousands of hours. For this, the LED lighting module is formed by combining, into an integrated type, an LED module in which a plurality of vertical projection type and side projection type LED elements are arrayed, a light diffusion cover having blades protruded from the left and right sides thereof, and a thin heat dissipating plate, thereby obtaining a lightweight and economically advantageous lighting module.
US08919992B2
An LED lighting device may include an LED support, which is populated with at least one LED on a front side thereof and a rear side of which is fastened to a rest. The front side of the LED support may be overarched by an electrically insulating, light-permeable and diffusely scattering LED cover, and the LED cover may be overarched by a protection cover resting on the support.
US08919984B1
A multiple light source cap device with short and long range lighting. The cap device includes a brim extending forwardly from a crown. A first light source is integral with a forward part of the brim, the first light source projecting light in a forward direction aligned with and projecting from the brim. A second light source in the brim projects light at a downward angle to the first light source forward direction. A third light source in the brim projects light at a downward angle from the second light source downward angle.
US08919976B2
A light source device can include a solid-state light source configured to emit blue light as excitation light and a phosphor section which is excited by the excitation light from the solid-state light source and which emits fluorescent light longer in wavelength than the light emitted from the solid-state light source. In the light source device, a wavelength selective member configured to transmit the excitation light from the solid-state light source and to reflect the fluorescent light from the phosphor section can be provided between the phosphor section and the solid-state light source. The size of the wavelength selective member can be less than the size of the phosphor section which can be greater than the size of the excitation light spot irradiated with the solid-state light source.
US08919970B2
An adjustable supporting mechanism and a projector therewith are disclosed. The adjustable supporting mechanism is disposed in an apparatus casing includes a clamping part, an adjustment part, a constraining part, and a releasing part. The clamping part is fixedly disposed on the apparatus casing and has a passage extending in a direction. The adjustment part is disposed through the passage and is capable of protruding out of the apparatus casing. The constraining part is disposed to be capable of selectively urging the clamping part to clamp the adjustment part or being urged by the releasing part to release the clamping for releasing the adjustment part. Therefore, the exposed length of the adjustment part is adjustable, so that the disposition angle of the projector can be easily adjusted.
US08919969B2
A system for on-product projection and display of electronic content. The system includes a projector for projecting electronic content, a mirror film stack having a reflective surface facing the projector, and a product having an exterior surface facing the reflective surface of the mirror film stack. A graphic is located on a surface of the mirror film stack opposite the reflective surface. The electronic content from the projector is projected onto the exterior surface of the product via the reflective surface of the mirror film stack. The graphic can be located on a display window and hide the mirror from a viewer without completely blocking a view of the projected electronic content. The product can include a removable projection screen for displaying the electronic content, and the projection screen can include a removable label on its non-viewer side to advertise or promote the product.
US08919962B2
Provided is an optical apparatus including a polarization separation element for separating an incident light beam into a first polarization component and a second polarization component and outputting the first polarization component and the second polarization component, a polarization conversion unit including a waveplate for converting one of the first polarization component and the second polarization component into the other polarization component, the waveplate being held to a holding metal plate, and a housing for holding the polarization separation element and the polarization conversion unit.
US08919959B2
To provide appropriate position information to a tomographic image of fundus in an ophthalmology apparatus for acquiring fundus tomographic images and fundus images. A calculation unit that calculates movement information of an eyeball from fundus images and a matching unit that matches the calculated movement information with fundus tomographic images are provided to the ophthalmology apparatus including a fundus image pickup apparatus to acquire an amount of movement of an eye to be inspected, wherein the calculation unit calculates movement information for the fundus tomographic image having no movement information to be further matched from the movement information of tomographic images before and after the fundus tomographic image so that movement information to be matched with the fundus tomographic image originally having no movement information is calculated from the movement information of tomographic images before and after the fundus tomographic image.
US08919956B2
A model eye includes an optically transmissive structure having a front curved surface to receive a coherent light beam, and an opposite rear planar surface for directing a portion of the coherent light beam back out the model eye through the front curved surface; and a material structure adhered to the rear planar surface of the optically transmissive structure that has a characteristic to cause a speckle pattern of the portion of the coherent light beam that is directed back out the front curved surface of the optically transmissive structure to have a bright-to-dark ratio of less than 2:1. In some embodiments, the material structure may include a fabric-reinforced polyethylene tape adhered to the rear planar surface of the optically transmissive structure by an adhesive. One example material structure which may be employed is duct tape.
US08919943B2
Aspects of the present invention provide an ink-jet recording method including the step of applying an ink to a recording medium by discharging the ink from a recording head by action of thermal energy and the step of fixing the ink to the recording medium by heating the ink applied to the recording medium. The ink contains water, a self-dispersing pigment, and resin particles. The resin particles have a glass transition temperature of not less than 25° C., an average particle diameter of 70 nm or more and 220 nm or less, and an acid value of 25 mg KOH/g or more and 150 mg KOH/g or less.
US08919919B2
The present invention relates to a device characterized in that it comprises a base (3) including a cleaning plate (4), provided with cleaning elements (5), which can be moved along said base (3) and which defines three positions: an injection position which allows the passage of the ink through holes (6) in said base complementary to holes or recesses (7); a cleaning position in which said cleaning elements (5) contact the cartridges (2); and a resting position; and a resting plate (8), provided with closing elements (9), which can be moved along said base (3) by means of the movement of the print head (1) between a position of use of the print cartridges (2) and a resting position in which said closing elements (9) contact the cartridges (2).
US08919911B2
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head tank, a main tank, a liquid feed device, and a controller. When the main tank is in an ink end state, the controller causes the feed device to feed the liquid in reverse from the head tank to the main tank. When air is unlikely to be mixed with the liquid or the liquid is unlikely to be bubbled in the head tank before installation of a new main tank, the controller causes the feed device to feed the liquid from the main tank to the head tank with an air release unit opened after the installation. When air is likely to be mixed with the liquid or the liquid is likely to be bubbled in the head tank before the installation, the controller causes the feed device to feed the liquid with the release unit closed after the installation.
US08919910B2
A reproduction apparatus includes a print unit with print elements for ejecting an amount of ink on a plurality of sheets, of which each size in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheets under the print unit is smaller than the size of the print unit in the same direction, and a displacing mechanism for displacing the sheets in the same direction. The displacement of the displacing mechanism is so extreme that an alignment of a sheet is variable from an alignment of one side of the sheet with one end of the print unit to an alignment of the other side of the sheet with the other end of the print unit. Also a method for application by such a reproduction apparatus is disclosed.
US08919906B2
The present invention provides a recording apparatus including recording heads each including a plurality of nozzle arrays that are arranged so as to overlap, wherein the width with which the overlapping portions of the recording heads for colors that are simultaneously used with a relatively high frequency overlap in an intersecting direction that intersects an array direction of nozzles is smaller than the width with which the overlapping portions of the recording heads for colors that are simultaneously used with a relatively low frequency overlap in the intersecting direction.
US08919901B2
A top-down substrate printing device for thin film printing is disclosed. In one aspect the device comprises a stage fixing a substrate in a top-down manner, a plurality of nozzles each of which has one end portion positioned below the stage to face the stage and including printing fluid therein, a vertical position controller controlling a distance between the substrate and the nozzles, and a horizontal position controller controlling positions of the substrate and contacts of the nozzles.
US08919899B2
The object of the invention is the provision of methods and apparatuses for controlled direct printing of continuous films or discreet structures using a two-component liquid jet issuing from an orifice. The two liquids may be miscible or immiscible, and form an annularly propagating flow along the axis of a deposition head. The flow consists of an outer sheath liquid with a boiling point temperature that is approximately 10 to 40 degrees lower than that of an inner sample liquid. The exit channel of the head is heated so that the pressurized outer sheath liquid is raised to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the sheath liquid at the local atmospheric pressure. The outer liquid is evaporated as the jet exits the orifice and falls at atmospheric pressure. Deposited sample line widths are produced in the range from approximately 1 to 1000 microns.
US08919896B1
A large rolling tool chest includes a generally rectangular body with a hollow interior, a plurality of wheels, and an adjustable handle to facilitate organization, storage, and transportation of numerous tools of various sizes. The handle pivots to allow a user to keep it out of the way when not in use. The tool chest also includes a large pouch to hold items which are frequently used. The top of the tool chest includes two horizontally extendable drawer assemblies that fold outward and open in sections.
US08919895B2
A carrier device comprises a rail and a supporting element. The rail includes a first rail element and a second rail element disposed oppositely. The supporting element is slidably disposed between the first rail element and the second rail element along the rail. The supporting element includes a supporting base and a buffer element. The supporting base has a lateral wall. The buffer element has a lateral side as well as a first edge and a second edge disposed oppositely to each other. The buffer element is disposed on the lateral wall with its lateral side facing the lateral wall of the supporting base. The first edge is pressed against the first rail element through a first protruding portion of the first edge. The second edge is pressed against the second rail element. The material stiffness of the buffer element is less than that of the supporting base.
US08919893B2
Under a normal condition, brake fluid pressure generated by a slave cylinder (23) that operates according to operation of a brake pedal (12) is fed to a wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21) to perform braking, while under a fault condition of the slave cylinder (23), brake fluid pressure generated by a master cylinder (11) for backup that operates by the operation of the brake pedal (12) is fed to the wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21) to perform braking. In the latter case, brake fluid fed by a pump (64) is fed to the wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21), before the brake fluid is fed from the master cylinder (11) to the wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21) by a driver depressing the brake pedal (12). Accordingly, without leading to an increase in the stroke of the brake pedal (12), a required amount of brake fluid can be fed to the wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 21) to thus ensure a sufficient braking force.
US08919891B2
An antilock brake system for a vehicle may include a controller that is linked to a brake pedal sensor. The brake pedal sensor may be linked to a brake pedal. The brake pedal may be coupled to a normally closed brake pedal valve. The brake pedal valve may include an inlet in communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and an outlet in communication with a normally opened isolation valve. The isolation valve may be in communication with one or more main control valve systems and may be linked to a controller which maintains the isolation valve in a closed position during normal operating conditions. The isolation valve then shifts to an open position in the event current supply by the controller is interrupted as a result of an electrical failure or malfunction of the controller.
US08919886B2
A seat bottom chassis includes a pair of brackets configured to support a seat back chassis, and a cushion pan extending between the pair of brackets. The seat bottom chassis is formed from a single piece of material.
US08919879B1
A stadium-styled universal seat cover that converts to a backpack or tote having a front wall with first and second lateral edges, and first and second edges. The front wall also has first stitching adjacent to the first edge. The front wall further has first and second slits. A rear wall extends from the second edge. The rear wall has third and fourth lateral edges, and a third edge. The rear wall further has second stitching adjacent to the third edge. An engaging wall also extends from the second edge. The engaging wall has fifth and sixth lateral edges, and a fourth edge. The engaging wall further has third stitching adjacent to the fourth edge. The stadium-styled universal seat cover that converts to a backpack or tote also has a cord assembly.
US08919871B2
A foldable infant seat includes a support frame including two generally U-shaped support members, each U-shaped support member pivotally connecting with the other at a central location of the U-shaped support member such that the support frame is foldable between a first configuration in which corresponding ends of the U-shaped support members are separated from each other and a second configuration in which the corresponding ends of the U-shaped support members are disposed in close proximity to each other. A flexible seat member is securable to the support frame. In one embodiment, a canopy is pivotally secured to the support frame. The canopy can include at least one pocket configured to store one or more items.
US08919865B2
A vehicle rear body structure is provided in a vehicle that includes an electrical component box. The vehicle rear body structure includes a rear frame, a protective frame that is positioned on a rear side of the electrical component box and stands erect on the upper surface of the rear frame, a wheel housing reinforcing gusset that includes an engagement pin that protrudes rearward from the rear surface thereof, and an upper load transmitting member that extends forward from the upper end portion of the protective frame to the wheel housing reinforcing gusset. In the vehicle rear body structure, the upper load transmitting member has a positioning hole with which the engagement pin is engaged and includes a fastening extension fastened to the inner side surface of the wheel housing reinforcing gusset.
US08919859B2
A vehicle door includes an elongated upper door beam and an elongated lower door beam each fixed horizontally to an inner surface of a door outer panel. Respective ends of the door beams are fixed to the inner surface of the door outer panel by fixing members. A portion of the upper door beam at an intermediate position between the ends in a longitudinal direction is coupled to the inner surface of the door outer panel by a first coupling bracket and a second coupling bracket with a seal member (a mastic sealer) interposed between the coupling brackets and the inner surface. A harness for a window regulator and a wire harness for an outer handle are installed inside a door main body. The wire harness is mounted on the first coupling bracket and the second coupling bracket.
US08919858B2
An assembly of a swing type tailgate checker includes: a checker assembly including a first base bracket on a vehicle body and having a hole at one side and an arm locking member at an outer side of the first base bracket to form a fitting space together with the first base bracket and partially bent toward the first base bracket; and an arm assembly including a second base bracket on a tailgate of a vehicle and including an arm extended from the second base bracket toward the vehicle body and having an arm roller provided at an end portion, wherein at the time of opening the tailgate, the arm roller is temporarily fixed while being locked by the arm locking member at a primary open angle and passes through the arm locking member to thereby be unlocked, such that it is completely opened while being again rotated.
US08919850B2
An equipped living, compartment for transport vehicles, the equipped compartment being provided with a multipurpose kitchen unit defined by a cabinet having a top closing lid and provided with a cooking surface, which is mounted underneath the lid and can be turned up or down, at least in part, between a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position, and with a basin or sink set in a fixed position underneath the cooking surface.
US08919848B2
Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a universal chassis that may be mounted in the head unit of a vehicle. The chassis may accept one or more modules that each have common dimensions. With a common form factor, the universal chassis is configurable as different modules with different functionality may be inserted into the chassis with ease.
US08919845B2
A vehicle interior trim part having a molded skin, an intermediate layer, a substrate, at least one reinforcing element arranged in the intermediate layer, and at least one fixing element formed as a part of the skin which acts to fix the position of reinforcing element so that its position cannot inadvertently change as the vehicle interior trim part is being produced. The fixing element is formed as at least one rib-shaped, elevated portion from the same material as the remaining molded skin. A method for producing the vehicle interior trim part is also provided.
US08919838B2
There is disclosed an eating utensil design for providing comfortable control of certain food. A user of the utensil can grasp the utensil which has at least three digit elements for grasping food. An example of the three digit elements are in the form of three channeled compartments for receiving a person's digits or digits. Any three digits or digits can be used such as the thumb or the four other digits. The most common implementation includes using the thumb in one channel, and the index digit and the middle digit in two opposing channels. Thus an eating utensil is provided that allows comfortable and efficient manipulation of food while shielding the digits from sauces and that can be quickly and single-handedly grasped for use and released.
US08919830B2
A barrier isolator port assembly for connecting to a conventional docking port of an isolated enclosure is provided. The port assembly includes an annular body, a door assembly and a lock. The annular body is configured to engage a docking port of the isolated enclosure. The port assembly also includes a door assembly mountable within the annular body and a lock operatively connected to the annular body. The lock includes a lever and a pin. The lever is pivotably connected to the annular body about a pivoting member and configured to pivot about the pivoting member to removably insert the pin into the recess of the door assembly.
US08919826B2
In one embodiment the present invention is a screen frame grasping and removal system comprising at least one pull tab. There is at least one lock to lock each tab. The frame defines openings to receive the tab and lock cooperation, the tab and lock openings communicating with each other to permit the lock to engage the tab. In another embodiment the above includes one side of the frame defining an opening to receive the tab and an opening to receive the lock, the tab and lock openings communicating with each other to permit the lock to engage the tab; and a second side of the frame contains therein at least one outwardly springing bias. The screen first and second side opposing each other.
US08919823B2
A drainage fitting is mounted to an air-conditioner drainage device having a waste collector provided with an inlet and an outlet. The drainage fitting is composed of a drainage connector having an annular protrusion externally and defining an upper part and a lower part, between which the annular protrusion is located, the lower part being mounted inside the outlet, the annular protrusion being stopped against the waste collector; at least two guide members being fixed to the waste collector and located at two opposite sides around the outlet and each having a guide recess facing the other, and a locating member having a hollow portion, against which the upper part of the drainage connector can be stopped, and having two sides inserted into the guide recesses to lie against the annular protrusion.
US08919818B2
Disclosed herein is a wheel guard for a vehicle which may sufficiently absorb and reduce high frequency noise of various frequency bands produced from a tire, using resonance apertures 11a, resonance necks 11b, and resonance chambers 20. The wheel guard includes a resonance wheel guard that is fixed to a vehicle body panel and includes a plurality of resonance apertures. Additionally, the wheel guard includes a resonance chamber cover that is attached to a rear of the resonance wheel guard and forms a plurality of resonance chambers between the resonance wheel guard and the resonance chamber cover.
US08919817B2
A bulldozer includes a cab, a fuel tank arranged to a rear of the cab, and first and second engaging members. The cab includes a driver seat and an air-conditioning cooling module projecting rearward from an upper end portion of the cab. The first and second engaging members are provided on the fuel tank, with each having an engaging part to engage onto a suspension member. The engaging part of the first engaging member is positioned on a first lateral side of a first straight line connecting a first lateral side end of the air-conditioning cooling module and a first lateral side end of the fuel tank. The engaging part of the second engaging member is positioned on a second lateral side of a second straight line connecting a second lateral side end of the air-conditioning cooling module, and a second lateral side end of the fuel tank.
US08919810B2
The disclosure describes an air bag having a mechanical characteristic durable against the gas of high output and high temperature generated from an inflator, while reducing amount of the gas leaked from a sewn part of the air bag. The air bag can be used for vehicles and includes a main body part consisting of a base fabric and a sewn part being formed by sewing, with a sewing thread, the main body part into a bag, wherein a difference between an elongation of the sewing thread upon applying a tension of 31.3/a (N/thread) to the sewing thread and an elongation of the base fabric upon applying a tension of 62.5/a to the base fabric (N/stitch), wherein “a” (stitch(es)/cm) is a sewing pitch in the sewn part, is within a range of 0 to 5.0% in both directions of warp and weft, and an air permeability of the sewn part at 40 kPa during an initial stage of development of the air bag is less than 50 mm/cm/sec.
US08919806B2
A foldable stroller has a frame assembly with a fold joint, a fold joint, a handle push arm, a front leg with an upper end connected to the fold joint, a rear leg extending down from and pivotally connected to the fold joint, and a drive link. The drive link has a rear end pivotally coupled to the rear leg below the fold joint and a front end pivotally coupled to a lower end of the push arm. The frame assembly is reconfigurable between an unfolded and a folded configuration. In the folded configuration, the fold joint moves upward along the handle push arm. The rear end of the drive link and the rear leg are moved toward and lie closely adjacent the front leg and handle push arm. The frame assembly may automatically move to the folded and/or unfolded configuration. The foldable stroller may also stand upright in the folded configuration.
US08919802B2
My weight transferring tow dolly is releasably attachable to a receiver hitch of a towing vehicle such as a pickup truck and generally provides a dolly frame formed of plural structurally interconnected box beams having a height adjustable suspension carrying an axle with wheels and tires at opposing end portions, and a support frame to partially support the weight of a carried load and to move the center of gravity of a loaded towing vehicle forwardly to increase the stability of the towing vehicle.
US08919801B2
An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot including a drive section assembly having at least one motor and a pair of drive wheels coupled to the motor, a frame configured to support a payload, a transfer arm connected to the frame and configured for the autonomous transfer of payload to and from the frame, and a suspension system movably connecting the drive section assembly and the frame allowing relative movement between the frame and the drive section assembly.
US08919797B2
A seat assembly for a conveyance, such as a wheelchair, that allows the user to set the recline angle of the seat back at a seating position, fold the seat back down to a folded position and back up to the seating position, such that the seat back is returned to the seating position at the user selected recline angle R unless the recline angle is adjusted by the user. The user selected recline angle R is not disturbed by folding the seat back from the seating position, to the folded position 106, and back to the seating position.
US08919796B2
A trailer hitch step, integrally molded of a polymer compound, is capable of accepting a predetermined off-axis vertical load without an objectionable degree of torsional displacement, while also being capable of resiliently absorbing energy from rear impacts.
US08919795B2
A suspension for a vehicle having a chassis rail and a longitudinal axle arranged substantially orthogonal thereto. The vehicle suspension has a primary spring, which may be a leaf spring having a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a first primary pivot coupling, and a distal second end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a second primary pivot coupling. The primary spring can be a coil spring. A secondary leaf spring has a first end for pivotally coupling to the chassis of the vehicle at a secondary pivot coupling, and a second end for coupling to the axle. The longitudinal configuration of the secondary leaf spring is arranged to be angularly displaced with respect to the longitudinal configuration of the primary leaf spring. The first primary pivot coupling and the secondary pivot coupling are arranged to be substantially coplanar.
US08919793B1
A trailer suspension system has an axle, a pair of frame hanger brackets, dual trailing arm beams, and a spring. The pair of frame hanger brackets are mounted spaced apart underneath the trailer. The dual trailing arm beams are connected rigidly to the axle at one end and resiliently connected to a respective one of the frame hanger brackets with a pivot means bushing at the other end. The spring intermediate the trailing arm beam and the trailer to support the trailer load. Wherein, the axle connection center is the center of the patch that connects the axle to the longitudinal trailing arm beam, thereby reducing the stress on the axle as well as increasing the stability of the suspension system.
US08919791B2
A container includes a body having base wall and a side wall extending upward from the base wall. The body includes a bracket portion having an elongated slot. An axle extends through the elongated slot. The axle is slidable in the elongated slot between a deployed position and a retracted position. A wheel is connected proximate one end of the axle. A clip secures the axle within the elongated slot.
US08919773B2
A sheet conveyor included in an image forming apparatus includes a conveying roller rotatable in normal and reverse directions to convey a sheet in opposite sheet conveyance directions, a switching guide rotatable about a support shaft to guide the sheet to a path, a first switchback mechanism performing a first operation of changing a direction of rotation of the conveying roller, a first actuator actuating the first switchback mechanism, a second switchback mechanism performing a second operation of changing a position of the switching guide, a second actuator actuating the second switchback mechanism. The switchback mechanisms and the actuators are configured to be replaceable with a switchback linking mechanism, by employing a linking member, configured to link the first and second operations to be actuated by one actuator of the first and second actuators without changing an arrangement of the one actuator of the first and second actuators.
US08919769B2
The invention relates to a self-adjusting processing system for sheet material. A self-adjusting processing system for sheet material comprises a guiding device for sheet material having a main transport and a redirecting device for sheet material having a branch transport in association with the main transport to redirect the sheet material. The redirecting device further has fixed rollers adopted to interact with the branch transport and floating members, the fixed rollers and the floating members are positioned at opposite sides of the branch transport and each floating member is adopted to be aligned with appropriate fixed roller. The redirecting device further comprises fixing means for fixing the floating members' position relative to the fixed rollers, releasing means for releasing the floating members' position relative to the fixed rollers, and a first actuating means for moving the floating members towards the fixed rollers till the floating members engage the fixed rollers and backwards from the fixed rollers. Also provided is a method of processing of a piece of sheet material with the self-adjusting processing device of the present invention. The processing system and the method can be used with any sheet materials, advantageously with banknotes.
US08919766B1
An apparatus includes a compiler surface that receives sheets of media, and a registration surface positioned at one end of the compiler surface. The leading edges of the sheets of media contact and are aligned by the registration surface. A rotatable cam is positioned at the other end of the compiler surface. The rotatable cam has a lobe, and the surface of the lobe is a high-friction surface. When the rotatable cam is at a “first” rotation position, this causes the lobe to contact the bottom sheet as the sheets of media are received onto the compiler surface. When the rotatable cam is at a “second” rotation position, this causes the lobe to move out of the way and avoid contacting any of the sheets of media as the sheets of media are ejected from the compiler surface.
US08919764B2
A feeding apparatus includes a pickup roller arranged to pick and feed a medium downstream along a conveying path, a separating roller arranged downstream to the pickup roller for advancing the medium downstream, a brake roller arranged opposite to the separating roller, and a pressing structure arranged opposite to the pickup roller and operable to swing toward or away from the pickup roller according to the rotating direction of the brake roller. When the brake roller rotates for feeding mediums downstream, the pressing structure moves toward the pickup roller and applies a normal force required for picking the medium. But when the brake roller stops rotating downstream because multiple mediums are fed between the brake roller and the separating roller, the pressing structure moves away from the pickup roller and stops applying normal force, so as to control the medium-picking process.
US08919752B2
The systems and methods described herein include innerspring assemblies or innerspring cores for use with cushioning articles such as mattresses. The innerspring core may have one or more coil springs formed from a high-carbon steel wire alloyed with one or more suitable alloying elements such as titanium and copper and capable of imparting greater strength and durability to the innerspring core.
US08919749B2
Disclosed is a parallel type engine mount structure that includes a main rubber member having a core disposed at an upper portion thereof and a fluid chamber disposed at a lower portion thereof. A bracket is disposed at an exterior of the main rubber member and a membrane is mounted at a lower portion of the fluid chamber. Additionally, a first space is disposed at a lower portion of the membrane on which one end of a first leaf spring is mounted. An orifice is disposed at an exterior side of the first space and includes an upper liquid chamber formed between the main rubber member and the membrane and a lower liquid chamber. A driver is disposed at an exterior side of the bracket and includes a second space formed at a lower portion thereof and a second leaf spring connected to the first leaf spring.
US08919725B2
A load isolation mounting apparatus may be secured to one side of a machine frame wall to support a machine component in a position closely adjacent the opposite side of the wall. The mounting apparatus may include a mounting plate having a generally planar body to which the machine component may be secured. An aperture in the machine frame wall may accommodate a support flange that may be affixed to the mounting plate and extend through the aperture for securement of the mounting plate to the isolation mount apparatus affixed to the other side of the wall. As such, the isolation mounting apparatus may be affixed to an exterior machine frame wall for protecting an interiorly positioned mounting plate, and particularly a machine component secured thereto, from potentially harmful forces, including vibrations.
US08919722B2
A ratchet assembly includes an elongated shaft, a gear housing, a ratcheting member, and an arm. The elongated shaft can have a gear and be supported by the gear housing to allow rotation about a primary axis of the shaft. The ratcheting member can mount in the housing and be biased toward the gear to engage with the gear hindering relative rotation about the shaft axis in a first direction and allowing rotation about the shaft axis in a second direction opposite the first direction. The ratcheting member can rotatably mount within the housing about a second axis. The arm can couple to the gear housing in a first configuration to provide torque to rotate the housing about the shaft axis in the first direction when the arm is pressed downward. The arm can also be coupled to the gear housing in a second configuration to rotate the housing about the shaft axis in a second direction opposite the first direction when the arm is pressed downward.
US08919717B2
A fastening device having equalization elements, which are movable in the longitudinal direction of a receiving sleeve for adjustment to different diameters of oblong fastening elements such as coarse thread bolts, which hold the fastening element substantially without play in the receiving sleeve in dependence on the diameter of the respective fastening element.
US08919713B2
The disclosure and claims herein are directed to a paint can holder for attachment to a ladder, the paint can holder comprising a shaft having a first end, a second end, a top surface with a first friction area at the first end of the shaft, and a bottom surface with a second friction area at the second end of the shaft, configured such that inserting the shaft inside a rung of the ladder secures the paint can holder to the ladder, and a holding portion coupled to the second end of the shaft, the holding portion comprising a groove configured to receive a handle of a paint can, at least one opening, and at least one magnetic area.
US08919712B2
A sucker assembly includes a sucker (10), a pull bar (13) secured on the sucker, a pressing seat (30) mounted on the pull bar and encompassing the sucker, a control handle (40) pivotally mounted on the pressing seat, and a pivot shaft (45) extending through the control handle, the pressing seat and the pull bar. The sucker includes a first layer (11) and a second layer (12). Thus, when the sucker is placed on a rough surface, the first layer of the sucker can be deformed elastically to fill the corrugated gaps of the rough surface, so that the first layer of the sucker is bonded onto the surface closely to prevent ambient air from entering the space between the sucker and the rough surface to keep the vacuum state of the sucker.
US08919711B2
The invention relates to a device for detachably coupling a drawer to an extendable rail of a pullout guide, comprising an adjusting apparatus by means of which a position of a drawer connected to the rail can be adjusted in the lateral direction relative to the rail, wherein the device has a fastening part that can be fastened to the drawer and a coupling part that can be coupled to the rail, wherein the coupling part can be detachably coupled to the rail, and wherein the position of the fastening part and the coupling part relative to each other can be adjusted by the adjusting device.
US08919709B2
A lifting rod device of shower has a lifting rod, a sucker mechanism and a locking mechanism. A penetrating hole penetrates the upper end part. The locking mechanism has a support seat connected to the lifting rod, a lower wedge block that can be connected in the support seat in a forward and backward sliding manner, an upper wedge block that can be connected in the support seat in an upward and downward sliding manner and a nut, a transversal threaded rod is fixedly arranged on the lower wedge block, the threaded rod can rotationally pass through the support seat; the nut is screwed to the threaded rod and connected out of the support seat in a relying manner, and the lower wedge block can be driven to move forward and backward by rotating the nut.
US08919708B1
The dustpan with garbage bag supporting frame, filter, and running boards includes a dustpan of hollowed construction from which the garbage bag supporting frame attaches to a rear of said dustpan. The dustpan includes a plurality of interchangeable filters that can attach to a front opening and/or rear opening in order to sift or filter out debris swept into and through said dustpan. The garbage bag supporting frame attaches onto opposing exterior surfaces of said dustpan. Both the garbage bag supporting frame and the dustpan include running boards that attach there under, and which enable mobilization there to. The running board for use with the garbage bag supporting frame may further include an according-styled cover that extends to cover the garbage bag supporting frame as well as a trash bag contained therein.
US08919707B2
The present invention provides a support clip for a vehicle cable, which is significantly prevented from being inappropriately coupled to a socket member connected to a cable, and which makes it possible to couple and decouple components without using a tool, thereby assembling and replacing components more efficiently.
US08919706B2
A gas distribution mounting bracket for gas grills that simultaneously secures a gas distribution manifold to the fire box and support frame of the gas grill.
US08919689B2
A dispenser to deploy and expand cut web material uniformly to form a three dimensional lattice. The unexpanded web material is substantially longer than it is wide. The web material is die cut and has essentially parallel longitudinal strands on opposite transverse sides. The dispenser tracks the threaded web material over three rollers, and uses an adjustable braking mechanism that creates diagonal web tension to pull the paper from the roll. After the web material is threaded through the mechanism, simply pulling the web material on the opposite side from the rollers deploys and expands it simultaneously. The unit can accommodate a plurality of rolls of web material mounted to deploy and expand either individually or simultaneously. The web material itself may have more than one layer. An exemplary embodiment of the dispenser is a motorized version, where a motorized guide wheel assembly pulls the web material, thereby eliminating the necessity of manual deployment.
US08919687B2
A mandrel cupping assembly for releasably engaging the unsupported ends of a plurality of mandrels disposed on a web winding turret assembly is disclosed. The mandrel cupping assembly comprises a cupping arm turret, a mandrel cup and cupping arm cooperatively associated with each mandrel, an outer ring guide disposed coaxially about the cupping arm turret, and a first actuator. Each of the mandrel cups and cupping arms are disposed radially about the cupping arm turret. The mandrel cups releasably engage the unsupported end of the mandrel against the outer ring guide. The mandrel cups have a hold-open position and a hold-closed position and are carried in a radial orbital path about the cupping arm turret while disposed in either of the hold-open position or the hold-closed position. The first actuator disposes each of the mandrel cups and cupping arms from the hold-open position to the hold-closed position.
US08919683B2
A shredder for super absorbent polymer includes an inlet portion for feeding a plate-shaped super absorbent polymer, a pulverizing portion for pulverizing the super absorbent polymer fed through the inlet portion, and an outlet portion for discharging the pulverized super absorbent polymer from the pulverizing portion. The pulverizing portion includes a rotary drum to which a plurality of rotary blades are attached, at least one fixed blade for pulverizing the super absorbent polymer in cooperation with the plural rotary blades, and a housing for holding the rotary drum and the at least one fixed blade. Each rotary blade has a polygon shape with at least one vertex having an acute angle of at most 45°.
US08919682B2
Disclosed is a kitchen waste disposal system which includes a residue feeding mechanism, a mechanical gear grinding mechanism and a paddle-type stirring mechanism. The residue feeding mechanism receives kitchen waste and leads the kitchen waste into a mechanical gear grinding zone in the disposal system. The mechanical gear grinding mechanism is provided with a double-shaft bi-directional gear grinding component. Two gear shafts are arranged in parallel and rotate in opposite directions. Each gear shaft is provided with first buckle gears and second buckle gears, and the first buckle gears and the second buckle gears are combined to crush the kitchen waste from the residue feeding mechanism. The paddle-type stirring mechanism comprises a W-shaped treatment groove and a paddle component in the middle of the treatment groove.
US08919673B2
A fuel nozzle includes a fuel plenum, an outer body surrounding the fuel plenum, and bore holes that extend longitudinally through the outer body. The fuel nozzle also includes means for fixedly attaching the fuel plenum to the outer body and passages that provide fluid communication between the fuel plenum and the bore holes. A method for manufacturing a fuel nozzle includes drilling bore holes longitudinally through an outer body and drilling passages in the outer body to the bore holes. The method further includes inserting a fuel plenum into the outer body, wherein the passages provide a fluid communication between the bore holes and the fuel plenum, and attaching the fuel plenum to the outer body.
US08919671B2
A shower head includes a shower body, a spherical joint, a fixing seat, a TPR roller, a welding sheet, a switching shaft, a connecting member, a water dispensing disc, a supporting frame, an inclined member, a rotor, an air intake valve, a TPR lid, and a cover. The switching shaft is a concave body with a handle. A cylinder having a hole is provided in the concave body. A spring and a sealing gasket are sleeved on the cylinder. A pillar is arranged on the outer side of the concave body. The pillar is connected with the connecting member. The handle of the switching shaft is connected with the welding sheet. The shower head has the advantages that the sealing effect is better when the water pressure is lower, and it is easy to switch when the water pressure is higher.
US08919667B2
The invention relates to a nacelle that comprises a fixed structure (20), a nozzle with a variable section, and a cowling (30) mounted on said fixed structure (20) so as to be capable of sliding particularly along a travel so as to modify the section of said nozzle, characterized in that the nacelle further comprises an aerodynamic continuity assembly (40) provided between the fixed structure (20) and the mobile cowling (30), said assembly (40) including an elastic means that can be compressed between the fixed structure and said mobile cowling when the cowling is in the upstream portion of the travel thereof and that can expand when the cowling is in the downstream portion of the travel thereof so as to ensure the aerodynamic continuity of the lines between said fixed structure (20) and said mobile cowling (30).
US08919656B2
A mounting spring coil is made to grip and releasably hold a cylindrical periphery of a memory button while transmitting an ID effectively. A memory button held in a coil of the mounting spring can support objects such as tags and keys that are identified by the memory button to account for removal and replacement of the objects being secured.
US08919645B1
A system and method for granting access to an electronic device is disclosed. The method may include (1) receiving, from an electronic device, a unique identifier that identifies the electronic device; (2) using at least one computer processor, determining if the unique identifier is on an approved list of approved devices; and (3) granting the electronic device access to a network if the unique identifier is on the approved list of approved devices.
US08919637B2
An unmanned parcel storage apparatus capable of dynamically allocating storage spaces and a method of using the unmanned parcel storage. A storage method of the unmanned parcel storage apparatus determines a position and a size of a desired storage space to be allocated. Based on the determination result, a moving unit adds or removes a partition to create the desired storage space, and moves a delivery item to the created storage space for the storage purpose. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently use a space in a storage unit and thereby store more number of delivery items in the same storage unit. In addition, the moving unit processes the allocation of storage spaces, and delivery, loading and discharging of the delivery items, and therefore the user's convenience of use can be enhanced.
US08919631B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for mounting a transducer to a bond head of a wire bonder. In particular, the bond head of the wire bonder is operative to mechanically drive the transducer when forming electrical interconnections between separate locations within a semiconductor package. Specifically, the apparatus comprises: i) a flexural structure having a connector for connecting to the transducer, the flexural structure being configured to bend; and ii) at least one actuator attached to the flexural structure, the at least one actuator being operative to bend the flexural structure to thereby cause a displacement of the transducer connected thereto via the connector.
US08919620B2
A long handled sock donning tool includes a handle portion adapted to be gripped by a user and an opposing sock engaging portion. The sock engagement portion includes first and second flanges spaced from an elongated support by first and second spacers. Each of the flanges include a sock engagement arm for retaining a sock thereon, and an opposing stabilizing arm for supporting the tool during the mounting of the sock onto the tool. First and second rubber sock gripping portions help retain the sock on the tool. Once an upper portion of a sock is folded over the sock gripping portions, a user's foot can be inserted into the sock comfortably without being forced into contact with a hard plastic wall of the tool. Additionally, the tool can be used as a shoe horn by fitting one of the first and second flanges into the heel of a shoe.
US08919619B2
A portable liquid applicator system and a method for applying liquid directly from an original package container, e.g., a five-gallon bucket, to a surface. The system includes a wheeled platform onto which the container is positioned such that fluid within the container flows toward a pour opening. A extended actuating handle engages a valve at the pour opening and allows the valve to be opened and closed by a user in an upright position, rather than having to bend to operate the valve. A method includes positioning the container on the platform, opening the valve, and then moving the platform to disperse the liquid onto a surface.
US08919613B2
A fluid dispensing device has a container made from a flexible material defining an interior fluid storage region and a flexible metering housing having a metering chamber in fluid communication with the fluid storage region, the flexible metering housing having a button heat sealed to a base plate. A unidirectional intake valve is disposed between the container and the flexible metering housing. A unidirectional output valve is in fluid communication with the flexible metering housing. The button has a stepped flange towards an outer edge of said circular shape and the base plate has a stepped flange corresponding to the stepped flange of the button.
US08919609B2
A dental mixing device with a barrel, a mixing tip, and a plunger. The plunger moves dental material through the barrel where it is mixed using a mixing tip. The mixing tip includes an auto-aligning fitting female element configured to align with an auto-aligning fitting male element of the barrel. This auto-alignment simplifies the attachment between the mixing tip and the barrel. The mixing tip also includes a seal component with a soft material (or component) to insert into the auto-aligning fitting element which is a hard material (or component) to achieve a seal. The seal component and auto-alignment fitting element can be combined together into one component instead of two components.
US08919607B2
An analyte test strip vial having a restrictor to dispense analyte test strips in a controlled manner. In general, the restrictor includes one or more openings (e.g., central and/or arc-shaped openings) that are appropriately sized to facilitate the dispensing of a manageable number of analyte test strips from the vial container. The restrictor may also include one or more surface features (e.g., tabs, cavities, and/or tapered surfaces) to facilitate in the removal of analyte test strips, and the matting and/or removal of the restrictor from the vial container.
US08919600B2
The flanged container for a dairy product or similar food composition is provided with a hollow body and a generally planar annular flange connected to the top of the body, the flange having outer straight side edges and an inner edge defining a circular upper opening of the container. The body has a planar bottom and a lower portion tapering from a generally cylindrical upper portion toward the bottom in a curved manner. The lower portion has a height h1 in some embodiments not less than 14 mm and the ratio h1/H is less than 2:5 where H is the height of the container. The side wall of the body has a thickness profile such that the average thickness of the lower portion is more than the average thickness of the upper portion. Several identical containers can be grouped in a pack with breakable junctions at the outer straight side edges.
US08919591B2
An insulating lid includes a cover having an outer edge and a base. The base includes an upper surface, a lip projecting upwardly from the upper surface about an outer perimeter of the base to define an inner area, and a plurality of spacer members extending upwardly from the upper surface positioned within the inner area. The plurality of spacer members are configured to space the cover a distance from the upper surface of the base to define an insulating space between the cover and the upper surface of the base.
US08919588B2
An apparatus for fastening and carrying bottles includes a cap ring and a connecting device. The cap ring has at least an opening. The cap ring is received in a cavity of the bottle. The cap ring is initially connected to the cap, and the cap ring is separated from the cap while the cap is turned to open. The connecting device engages the opening of the cap ring to allow people to carry the bottle by holding the connecting device or by engaging the connecting device with an object. The apparatus has many advantages, including never loss, low cost for manufacture, and recycle.
US08919577B2
A bocce ball game caddy for removably retaining bocce ball game components. The caddy includes a plurality of racks supported by posts in vertically spaced relation. Each of the racks supporting at least one retainer adapted to removably support the bocce ball game components.
US08919563B2
A front semiconductor opening wafer container for large diameter wafers includes a container portion and a door. The container portion includes a left closed side, a right closed side, a closed back, an open front, and an open interior including a plurality of slots for receiving and containing the wafers. The door is attachable to the container portion to close the open front and selectively latchable to the container portion. The container portion can accommodate large diameter wafers, particularly 450 mm wafers. Optimized sag control is provided as well as enhanced structural rigidity, and wafer seating features.
US08919562B2
A pallet-like base frame includes corner feet and a floor for supporting an inner container. Central feet made of metal are arranged between the corner feet, and which are attached to a foot frame, to which the floor of the base frame as well as an outer jacket of the inner container are fastened. At least one central foot of the base frame encompasses a profile body, which encompasses a U-shaped cross section, comprising a base wall, an outer journal wall and an inner journal wall, wherein the base wall and the journal walls embody an axial edge web at axial end areas of the profile body in a plane at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the profile body.
US08919559B2
A package for accommodating, storing, displaying and transporting an article, such as, pharmaceutical products. The package has a receptacle mountable to a paperboard. The mountable receptacle has a clamshell for receiving, for example, one or more blister cards. The clamshell has a first portion having a first edge and a second portion having a second edge, which opposes the first edge. The mountable receptacle has an extension connected at least to the second edge through a breakable mechanism. The extension is attached to a surface of the paperboard, such that the clamshell can be detached from the paperboard by breaking the breakable mechanism.
US08919554B2
A fluid collection container (100) includes a vessel (101) and a lid (102). A mesh conduit layer (201) is coupled to the vessel so as to span an opening (110) of the vessel and enclose an interior (111) of the vessel. The mesh conduit layer is liquid permeable and serves as a splash retarding mechanism that prevents liquids being transferred through the mesh conduit layer from splashing back. An optional cache (603) of coagulant material can be disposed within an interior of the vessel as well.
US08919551B2
This invention relates to a container for a part and in particular relates to a container for an automotive part having fiberboard with a hole there through for engaging the automotive part as well as a method of packaging a part with a protrusion; and in particular relates to a method of packaging an automotive hood have a protruding latch striker. This invention also relates to a corrugated paperboard package having a fiberboard insert as well as a method of protecting the shipment of automotive parts by utilizing a laminated stack of corrugated paperboard and fiberboard having a hole there through for engagement with the striker latch of the hood.
US08919546B2
A moisture-proof container including: a container body; a lid hermetically closing the container body to be openable and closable; and a desiccant storage case that is put on a bottom portion of the container body. The desiccant storage case includes: an inner case having an opening at one end; a desiccant stored in the inner case; and a moisture transmission dustproof sheet to seal the opening of the inner case. The inner case has, at an outer circumferential wall thereof, a groove connecting between an open end and a bottom portion, the container body includes a base on a bottom plate, and the desiccant storage case is put in the container body such that the moisture transmission dustproof sheet abuts the base, and a gap is formed between the bottom plate of the container body, and the moisture transmission dustproof sheet.
US08919542B2
A method of disconnecting a slat from a wheel assembly that is used with a positive displacement sorter having a plurality of parallel laterally extending slats and a pair of wheel assemblies, each interconnecting common end portions of the slats thereby defining an endless web that travels in a longitudinal direction. An upper surface of the web defines an article-conveying surface. The sorter has a plurality of pusher shoes travelling along the slats in order to laterally displace articles on said conveying surface. The sorter further has a plurality of attachment mechanisms, each attaching an end portion of one of the slats to one of the wheel assemblies. Each of the attachment mechanisms includes at least one locking member. The locking member includes a pin on the slat engaging an opening in one of the wheel assemblies. A retraction tool is positioned against one of the wheel assemblies adjacent to the slat to be disconnected. The retraction tool is pivoted about the wheel assembly to retract the pin from the opening. The slat is disconnected from the wheel assembly with the pin being retracted from the opening.
US08919541B2
A belt conveyor apparatus includes a conveyor frame with a belt support, a belt, a belt drive, and containment side members releasably attached to the conveyor frame. Specifically, a linear first slot and arcuate second slot on the conveyor frame engage permanently-attached first and second studs on the containment side members to allow rotational assembly of the containment side member to the conveyor frame. The path of engagement prevents the studs from being removed simultaneously from respective slots. As a result, the first and second studs will wedgingly bind and thus cannot be simultaneously pulled out of the first and second slots when the containment side member is biased toward a release direction. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08919537B2
The present invention relates to a device for the treatment of bulk material, comprising a platform 24′, 24′, 28 for supporting bulk material and at least one outfeeding device 28 arranged on the platform for feeding bulk material placed on the platform towards an outlet 29 arranged on the platform, wherein the feeding device has a feeding direction towards the outlet, a first and a second beam 30, 31, 32, 33 is arranged on the platform above the outfeeding device, which beams extends transversal to the feeding direction of the outfeeding device and at least a portion in over of the width of the outfeeding device, wherein the second beam 32 being arranged at a higher level above the outfeeding device than the first beam 31. Further, the invention comprises a method for the treatment of bulk material, wherein the bulk material is placed on a platform 24′, 24′, 28 comprising an outfeeding device 28 and an outlet 29 arranged in connection to one end of the outfeeding device, and wherein bulk material which is placed on the platform and being fed by the outfeeding device in a direction towards the outlet and is slowed down at several places above the outfeeding device. Additionally, the device comprises a beam construction intended to be used in a device for the treatment of bulk material.
US08919529B1
A dual position chute for parcel handling. In one embodiment, the device comprises a conveying track, an unloading station and a transition zone dual-position chute that is adapted to divert a package from an adjacent conveying track and between at least two substantially vertical discharge positions. In some examples, the chute includes an inlet, a positionable diverter door and at least one spatially-separated stationary diverter door that is downstream from the positionable diverter door. The system and chute provides for discharge of small parcels from an adjacent packing sorting conveyor.
US08919525B2
Disclosed is a gate mechanism (100) mounted on a side frame (210) of a financial automated machine cash slot (230a), wherein the gate mechanism comprises a gate (10), a driving mechanism (20) and a pair of locking mechanisms (30) controlling the gate (10), with the lower end of the gate (10) being connected with a front end (240a) of the frame side (240) in such a way as to be able to slide up and down, and the upper end of the gate (10) being connected with an upper end (240b) of the frame side (240) in such a way as to be able to slide back and forth, and the driving mechanism (20) driving the upper end of the gate (10) in sliding back and forth at the upper end (240b) of the frame side (240), while causing the lower end of the gate (10) to move up and down at the front end (240a) of the frame side (240), thus achieving opening and closing of the gate (10). The gate mechanism (100) can reduce the motion enveloping space of the gate (10) and has the advantage of a compact structure.
US08919521B2
An apparatus for counting deposit beverage containers that includes a loading basin for holding a plurality of deposit beverage containers, a feed chute for receiving the containers from the loading basin having an inlet end narrowing into at least one outlet end, and at least one feed channel extending from each outlet end. The feed channel includes a choke opening that orders the containers into a single file row, an upward bend following the choke opening that decreases the downward slope of the feed channel to moderate the flow of the containers, and a downward curve following the upward bend that accelerates each container to create separation between containers.
US08919519B2
A vehicle driving apparatus includes a rotating electrical machine and an engagement device, which are disposed on a power transmission path linking an input member drive-coupled to an internal combustion engine and an output member drive-coupled to a wheel. The engagement device includes an engagement input coupled to the input member, an engagement output that forms a pair with the engagement input and is coupled to the rotating electrical machine, a friction member disposed between the engagement input and the engagement output, and a pressing member that presses the friction member in a pressing direction. An oil pressure chamber is formed between the pressing member and either the engagement input or the engagement output. A biasing spring biases the pressing member in the pressing direction when no oil pressure is supplied to the oil pressure chamber and is disposed on an exterior of the oil pressure chamber.
US08919512B2
An arrangement of a dual clutch transmission that incorporates a positive pressure lubrication cooler heat exchanger that is integrated into a cover of a wet clutch module of the transmission is provided. Additionally, a method of assembling a wet dual clutch transmission assembly is provided.
US08919509B2
A torque transfer device, in particular in the power train of a motor vehicle, for transferring torque between a drive unit and a shaft that is rotatable around an axis of rotation, in particular a transmission input shaft, having a hydrodynamic torque converter, which includes a converter cover that is connectable to or connected to the drive unit, which converter cover may be coupled via an impeller to a turbine wheel to transfer torque, which turbine wheel is bridgeable, to transfer torque, by a torque converter lockup clutch, which includes a piston that is movable to a limited extent in the axial direction and is constructed as a multi-plate clutch with a plate pack that includes outer plates which are connected to an outer plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection, and inner plates which are connected to an inner plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection.
US08919506B2
The present disclosure relates to a vibration absorber for a drive train of a motor vehicle, including an internal carrier which can be rotated around a rotation axis, a mass ring which is coaxial to the internal carrier and which is arranged at a radial distance from the internal carrier, and a plurality of spring elements which connect the internal carrier and the mass ring to each other. The mass ring has at least one radial profile formation on the inner circumferential surface thereof to provide sliding support in the circumferential direction and is provided with an elastomeric damping layer arranged between the internal carrier and the mass ring, the layer being designed such that the mass ring slides at least in the region of the at least one radial profile formation thereof in the circumferential direction on the internal carrier during a relative rotation.
US08919500B1
A motorcycle compensator-sprocket-wheel-hub lubricating system has a lubricant-collection plate (2) (30) attachable to a sprocket-gear housing (1) of a motorcycle for catching lubricant falling from a sprocket-wheel chain (4) and conveying the lubricant to a compensator-sprocket-wheel hub (33) which is provided with enhanced lubrication of rotating-contact and sliding-contact parts with lubricant conveyed from the lubricant-collection plate (2) (30).
US08919499B2
A circuit and a method for feeding oil to rolling bearings in a turbomachine is disclosed. The circuit includes an oil supply; an oil duct connecting the supply to lubrication enclosures, each enclosure containing at least one rolling bearing; an oil feed pump located between the supply and the lubrication enclosures; an oil recovery pump connected downstream from each lubrication enclosure; a pressurizing valve placed in the duct between the oil feed pump and the lubrication enclosures, the pressurizing valve being adapted to open when the pressure at its inlet exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure; a branch connection duct connecting the inlet of the pressurization valve to one of the lubrication enclosures in order to feed it with oil; and a feeding device which feeds the lubrication enclosures at a small oil flow rate so long as the pressure at the inlet of the pressurization valve has not reached the predetermined threshold.
US08919491B2
The present invention relates to a silencer device for a fluid line which comprises a resonator arrangement which comprises a first resonator tube comprising a first resonator chamber designed for a λ/4 damping of at least one sound wavelength, wherein the first resonator tube comprises a first longitudinal direction, two end walls facing each other in the first longitudinal direction and a first side wall extending between the end walls, and wherein the first resonator chamber is formed between the first side wall and the end walls of the first resonator tube. The resonator arrangement further comprises a second resonator tube comprising a second resonator chamber designed for a λ/4 damping of at least one sound wavelength, wherein the second resonator tube comprises a second longitudinal direction, two end walls facing each other in the second longitudinal direction and a second side wall extending between the end walls, and wherein the second resonator chamber is formed between the second side wall and the end walls of the second resonator tube. The invention further relates to a heating device comprising such a silencer device.
US08919489B2
Connection terminals are provided for electrically connecting sensor terminals and through holes provided on a control substrate, and a control unit is provided with a frame of synthetic resin for holding the control substrate. The frame of synthetic resin is provided with: a connection terminal holding portion for holding one ends of the connection terminals connected to the through holes partially insert-molded and the other ends protruding outwardly from the frame of synthetic resin; and guide openings for guiding and making the sensor terminals insert therethrough so that the sensor terminals protruding from the outer circumference of the reduction gearbox extend to the position where the sensor terminals are connectable with the other ends of the connection terminals.
US08919485B2
A power unit that can periodically determine a leakage of a compressed gas to early discover a defect, such as a crack, and a vehicle in which the power unit is used are provided. A vehicle that runs with an air engine including a gas machinery includes a control device. The control device includes an adjuster that controls an output of the gas machinery such that a target output is obtained, a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure of the compressed gas at the piping unit of the air engine, and a determination unit that determines a leakage state of the compressed gas based on a change in pressure, which is measured by the pressure measuring unit every time the target output of the gas machinery becomes substantial zero. The control device suspends the determination of the leakage state when the target output of the gas machinery changes from substantial zero during the determination.
US08919482B2
An electric motorcycle for driving a rear wheel by driving power generated by an electric motor, comprises a vehicle body frame; a swing arm which extends substantially in a forward and rearward direction, is coupled at a front end portion thereof to the vehicle body frame such that the swing arm is pivotable around the front end portion, and supports the rear wheel at a rear end portion thereof such that the rear wheel is rotatable; a rear suspension coupled to the swing arm and to the vehicle body frame such that the rear suspension is positioned between the swing arm and the vehicle body frame; wherein the rear suspension is placed below a pivot at the front end portion of the swing arm.
US08919479B1
A second drive mechanism for a vehicle. The second drive mechanism includes a motor independent of the motor that propels the vehicle. The second drive mechanism may selectively engage the transmission to propel the vehicle in either forward or reverse direction at limited speeds. In addition, the second drive mechanism may include a safety catch configured to ensure the transmission of the vehicle remains in neutral as the mechanism propels the vehicle in forward or reverse direction at limited speeds.
US08919471B2
A cooling device for a motor vehicle, including a cooling circuit configured to cool an engine assembly using a liquid coolant circulated by at least one variable-flowrate pump, the flowrate of each pump being controlled by a control system. The control system is configured to control the flowrate of each pump in a closed-loop regulating system as a function of the temperature of the liquid coolant and of a setpoint temperature.
US08919463B2
A polycrystalline-diamond cutting element for a drill bit of a downhole tool. The cutting element includes a substrate and a diamond table bonded to the substrate. The diamond table includes a diamond filler with at least one leached polycrystalline diamond segment packed therein along at least one working surface thereof. The cutting element may be formed by positioning the diamond table on the substrate and bonding the diamond table onto the substrate such that the polycrystalline diamond segment is positioned along at least one working surface of the diamond table. A spark plasma sintering or double press operation may be used to bond the diamond table onto the substrate.
US08919461B2
A well tool is disclosed. The tool includes a first member having a surface that is configured for exposure to a well fluid, the first member comprising a metallic coating disposed on a substrate, the metallic coating having a plurality of dispersed nanoparticles disposed therein and providing the surface. The tool also includes a second member that is disposed in slidable engagement on the surface of the first member. In another exemplary embodiment, a well tool includes a first member having a surface that is configured for exposure to a well fluid, the first member comprising a metallic alloy, the metallic alloy having a plurality of dispersed nanoparticles disposed therein and providing the surface.
US08919460B2
A coring tool having a coring mechanism for cutting cores from a borehole sidewall. The coring mechanism comprises a motor having a coring bit to cut 1.5 inch diameter, 2.5 inch long cores. Support plates fixed to the housing comprise guide slots having a longer leg and a shorter leg. Leading pins and follower pins extend from the motor into the guide slots. When the leading and follower pins are driven along the guide slots, the motor is rotated and then pushed into the formation. Drive plates positioned between the housing and the support plates comprise slots and pivot about a pin. The leading pins further extend into the drive plate slots. A hydraulic cylinder pivots the drive plates, pushing the pins along the guide slots to rotate the motor to a radial position and then urge the motor towards the formation.
US08919458B2
A system and method for drilling a wellbore along a desired well path is disclosed. The system and method employed a bearing housing which may be connected into a bottom hole assembly to facilitate drilling of deviated wellbore sections. The bearing housing has an internal bore with an axis that can be positioned to form a non-zero angle with the central or longitudinal axis of the bearing housing. The internal bore is designed to rotatably receive a drill bit shaft such that a drill bit is oriented at a desired angle with respect to the bearing housing. Alternatively, the internal bore may be positioned in a sleeve which is received in the bearing housing.
US08919455B2
A vehicle is disclosed having a blade control system. The blade control system is provided to adjust the angle of a blade and to adjust the pitch of the blade. A method for adjusting the pitch of the blade is also disclosed.
US08919452B2
A casing spear may comprise a mandrel, and a slip assembly comprising at least one slip. The at least one slip may comprise a generally wedge-shaped surface positioned and configured to cause the at least one slip to move radially outwards relative to the mandrel in response to a rotation of the mandrel and a torque acting on the slip assembly, the torque opposing the rotation of the mandrel. Additionally, a method of operating a casing spear may comprise inserting a casing spear into a casing, rotating a mandrel of the casing spear, applying a torque to a slip assembly of the casing spear with the casing, opposing the rotation of the mandrel, and applying a force in a radial direction to at least one slip of a slip assembly of the casing spear in response to the torque.
US08919451B2
A method can include applying a magnetic field to a well screen, thereby varying sizes of pores via which fluid flows through the well screen. A well screen can include a magnetic shape memory material having a dimension which changes in response to application of a magnetic field. Restriction to flow through the well screen can vary in response to the change in dimension of the magnetic shape memory material.
US08919446B2
An apparatus usable with a well includes a gas lift valve having a check valve arrangement located between an annulus and a passageway of a tubing. The check valve arrangement is adapted to selectively allow fluid flow from the check valve arrangement from an inlet side of the check valve arrangement to an outlet side of the check valve arrangement, and is biased to prevent a leakage flow through the check valve arrangement from the outlet side to the inlet side. The check valve arrangement is defined by a valve element movable into and out of engagement with a valve seat wherein one of the valve element and the valve seat has a first sealing structure engageable with a second sealing structure on the other of the valve element and the valve seat. At least one of the first and second sealing surfaces include at least one pair of sealing members.
US08919434B2
A system and method for fracturing a well, wherein the system can comprise a base pipe comprising an insert port capable of housing a stop ball partially within the chamber of it, and a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve can comprise a first sleeve with an in inner surface. That inner surface can comprise a void. The first sleeve can be maneuverable into two positions. In the first position, the void can rest on a surface of the base pipe not comprising an insert port. Such positioning can prevent a stop ball from exiting the chamber of the base pipe. In the second position, the void can rest over an insert port. Such positioning can allow the stop ball to the chamber of said the base pipe and to enter the void.
US08919433B2
A space filler material is used to prevent accumulation of debris that could later foul the operation of adjacent moving parts. In one application a void space that is subsequently closed by actuated parts is initially filled with a material that is highly compressible and has voids that allow it to compress without undue resistance to part movement when the void volume is reduced. Ideally, the pores or voids in the material itself are small enough to keep most if not all the debris from entering and making the space filling material too rigid to collapse under part movement. In an alternative application, the material can be in an annular space such as a seal bore and it can keep debris from getting past the seal bore while allowing hydrostatic pressure across itself thereby helping it to maintain its position until moved such as by shifting of an inner string to which it is attached.
US08919422B2
A die casting system includes a die, a shot tube, a melting system and a vacuum system. The die includes a plurality of die components that define a die cavity. The shot tube is in fluid communication with the die cavity and is operable to deliver a charge of material to the die cavity. The melting system is positioned adjacent to the die and includes an alloy loader, a melting unit and a crucible. The vacuum system defines a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by an isolation valve. The melting system is disposed within the first chamber, and the die is disposed within the second chamber.
US08919415B1
A roll-up curtain closure system having an impact resistant tension rod, wherein the system includes at least one flexible curtain having a first end fixedly attached adjacent a portal along a first end thereof and a second end folded back on itself to define a pocket opening towards the portal first end, an elongated tension rod captured within the pocket, and a curtain driving mechanism operably connected to the curtain second end for varying the height of the pocket. The elongated tension rod comprises an inner flexible fiberglass bar surrounded by an outer soft closed cell foam material, whereby the tension rod is flexible to bend in response to impact force and is resilient to return to its original position after the impact force is removed.
US08919412B2
A debonder apparatus for debonding two via an adhesive layer temporary bonded wafers includes a top chuck assembly, a bottom chuck assembly, a static gantry supporting the top chuck assembly, an X-axis carriage drive supporting the bottom chuck assembly, and an X-axis drive control. The top chuck assembly includes a heater and a wafer holder. The X-axis drive control drives horizontally the bottom chuck assembly from a loading zone to a process zone under the top chuck assembly and from the process zone back to the loading zone. A wafer pair comprising a carrier wafer bonded to a device wafer via an adhesive layer is placed upon the bottom chuck assembly at the loading zone oriented so that the unbonded surface of the device wafer is in contact with the bottom assembly and is carried by the X-axis carriage drive to the process zone under the top chuck assembly and the unbonded surface of the carrier wafer is placed in contact with the top chuck assembly. The X-axis drive control initiates horizontal motion of the X-axis carriage drive along the X-axis while heat is applied to the carrier wafer via the heater and while the carrier wafer is held by the top chuck assembly via the wafer holder and thereby causes the device wafer to separate and slide away from the carrier wafer.
US08919411B2
A sealing jaw for sealing a packaging material using ultrasound is provided. Said sealing jaw comprises energy directing means (28) which, for sealing purposes, can be brought in contact with an opposite surface (26) via the packaging material and which have a substantially grid-shaped or rhomboidal sealing profile (36).
US08919407B2
A method for making a disposable absorbent core comprises depositing absorbent particulate polymer material from a plurality of reservoirs in a printing roll onto a substrate disposed on a grid of a support which includes a plurality of cross bars extending substantially parallel to and spaced from one another so as to form channels extending between the plurality of cross bars. The plurality of reservoirs in the first peripheral surface are arranged in an array comprising rows extending substantially parallel to and spaced from one another. A disposable absorbent article and apparatus for making an absorbent article are also disclosed.
US08919406B2
The bonding apparatus 1 includes a leading end support part 10 that restricts a leading end 201 of the second plate-like member 200 from moving in an up and down direction, a trailing end support part 20 that restricts a trailing end 202 of the second plate-like member 200 from moving in an up and down direction, and an intermediate support part 40 that moves in the same direction as a bonding roller 30 while supporting the second plate-like member 200 at an intermediate point between the trailing end 202 and a bonding position P that is pressed by the bonding roller 30. When the bonding roller 30 is moving, the trailing end support part 20 keeps supporting the trailing end 202 at a lower position than the leading end 201, and the intermediate support part 40 keeps supporting the intermediate point of the second plate-like member 200 at a position lower than the leading end 201 but higher than the trailing end 202.
US08919404B2
The present invention relates to a rubber composition comprising at least one rubber component, between about 50 phr and about 120 phr of a filler, wherein at least 20 phr of the filler is a high surface area carbon black. Further, the composition comprises between 10 phr and 30 phr of a phenolic resin. The present invention is further directed to a tire tread or a tire comprising such a composition.
US08919398B2
A center block and a second block that satisfy h1/H=0.05 to 0.4 and w1/W=0.05 to 0.4 are formed on a tread, where H is the block height, h1 is the drop in height of a chamfered part, w1 is the breadth of the chamfered part and W is the length of the block tread in a circumferential direction. When traveling on hard pavement, the chamfered part of the block contacts the hard pavement first and, compared to a case in which an edge that does not have a chamfered part contacts a hard pavement, the ground-contact surface area can be increased and steering stability on hard pavement can be improved. Further, in rough terrain, resistance received from a road surface at the time of ground contact is reduced, travel resistance is suppressed and steering stability is improved.
US08919394B1
A sanitary guard is disclosed which is attached to the dispensing spout of an automatic toothpaste dispenser with an interference fit. Toothpaste is dispensed through the sanitary guard onto a toothbrush positioned in a slot below the guard to assure the toothpaste will be on the toothbrush bristles. The sanitary guard helps prevent the toothbrush from touching the dispensing spout for sanitary protection. In addition, the sanitary guard is made from a plastic having nanosilver compounds therein that give it germicidal properties for sanitary protection.
US08919392B2
A container filling assembly includes a plurality of fluid storage containers, and a fluid inlet for supplying a fluid from a fluid source to the containers. A vacuum source creates a vacuum in the containers to draw the fluid into the containers and thereby fill the containers. A connective structure connects the vacuum inlet and the fluid inlet in fluid communication with the containers.
US08919384B2
The fluid delivery system includes a pressurizing device for delivering a pressurized injection fluid, a low pressure fluid delivery system, and a pressure isolation mechanism adapted for fluid communication with the pressurizing device and low pressure fluid delivery system. The pressure isolation mechanism includes a housing body defining an inlet port, an isolation port, and an internal cavity, where the housing body defines a seal seat in the internal cavity between the inlet port and isolation port. A valve member is free floating in the internal cavity and is adapted to engage the seal seat. The valve member has an open position permitting fluid communication between the inlet port and isolation port, and is fluid flow responsive to fluid flow in the inlet port to engage the seal seat and attain a closed position preventing fluid communication between the inlet port and isolation port.
US08919382B2
A drainage system is provided that comprises a gully having a circumferential side wall, an outlet and a vortex brake with a vortex chamber having a chamber wall with a peripheral inlet opening and a central outlet opening, the vortex brake being arranged in the gully so that a flow path from the inside of the gully to the outlet leads through the vortex brake, and a drainpipe is connected to the outlet. The vortex brake is arranged in the gully so as to be non-demountable, and the vortex brake is provided with a flushing access having a hose connection.
US08919380B2
A sliding switch outlet mechanism has a sliding unit and a fixed unit. The sliding unit is provided with an inlet cavity and two outlet ends, the inlet cavity is provided with a first and a second end face, the fixed unit comprises an inlet and a sleeve body, the inlet is communicated with the inlet cavity, the inlet cavity of the sliding unit slides axially between two locating positions with respect to the sleeve body, when the inlet cavity is at the first locating position, the second end face is connected to the sleeve body in a sealing manner, and water comes out of the first outlet end, and when the inlet cavity is at the second locating position, the first end face is connected to the sleeve body in a sealing manner, and water comes out of the second outlet end.
US08919376B2
A system and method to mitigate the effect of hydrodynamic ram. The system including a chamber adapted to receive fluid and a core disposed within the chamber. A plurality of columns extend through the core and a plurality of orifices extend through the thickness of the columns. The method includes channeling a portion of a vapor bubble to an ullage space disposed within the chamber with the plurality of columns and changing the fluid state of the vapor bubble with a plurality of orifices extending through the thickness of the plurality of columns.
US08919374B2
An electromechanically actuated, hydraulic control valve with a double slide arranged in a valve housing which is in fluid communication with at least three hydraulic-fluid ports wherein a first and a second axially movable valve slide are, independently of each other, arranged to sealingly abut corresponding portions of a double valve seat, each valve slide is provided with a slide nut which is in engagement with an external threaded portion on the valve slide and is connected via transmission means to an actuator, and to each valve slide, a position sensor is connected, arranged to indicate a rotational motion of the slide nut.
US08919369B2
Fluid flow control members for use with valves are described herein. An example fluid flow control member for use with a valve includes a body having a seat to control a fluid flow through the valve. The body defines a seating surface, an aperture to receive a stem of the valve and a plurality of substantially flat surfaces to enable gripping an exterior surface of the body.
US08919367B2
A device and method for preventing the backflow of undesirable gases from being drawn up through a drain line into a room. The device is particularly useful in applications where liquid flow into the drain is infrequent, resulting in little or no liquid left standing in the P-trap to serve as a gas barrier. When installed the device prevents the unwanted backflow of sewer gases into the room above. However, if water or a similar liquid is introduced into the drain line, the device dissolves, thereby allowing the liquid to pass down the drain line.
US08919366B2
An improved electromechanical apparatus for injecting or purging fluids on demand is disclosed. Also disclosed are systems and methods for using the apparatus, including automatic fertilizer injection/injecting and water line purging systems for use in lawn maintenance. The apparatus can be located in a main water line before the distribution valves of an irrigation system, for example, where it can be activated or deactivated without interfering with the normal usage of the system.
US08919365B2
Fluid transfer apparatus including a body having a bore formed through at least a portion of its interior. Contained within the bore is a movable plunger that moves without changing the axial dimensions of the body. A first end of the body contains a face designed to be attached to an upstream component. A second end of the body is connected to a downstream component such as a filter, pipeline, etc. A first end of the plunger, when it is in the closed position, is in alignment with the face of the body, which combined form a steamable surface and a sterile barrier against the environment to the remainder of the interior of the body, the plunger and downstream components. An outer annular collar is rotatable relative to the body and causes the plunger to move axially within the bore from an open to a closed position.
US08919356B2
An ozone supply module for supplying ozonated water to an appliance that typically includes: an appliance module housing having a water inlet; a water outlet; and an electrical connection for receiving electrical power; a proton exchange membrane cell positioned within the housing; and a water conveying system within the module housing and operably connected to both the water inlet and water outlet. The water conveying system is typically configured to allow water to flow through the deionizing resin and into contact with the proton exchange membrane cell. The module and the proton exchange membrane cell receive electrical power from a home appliance when the module is operably connected to the appliance. The module produces water that contains (dissolved) ozone to be delivered to a chamber within the appliance when the module is in the engaged position with the appliance. The appliance is typically a residential appliance.
US08919340B2
An oxygen generating apparatus that includes a container containing potassium super oxide, an inhale valve, and an inhale valve filter between the potassium super oxide and the inhale valve. The filter is configured to prevent particles having a diameter of 10 μm from passing through the filter, and to neutralize KOH and KO2 particles having a diameter of less than 10 μm that contact the filter into a food grade compound.
US08919336B2
An improved radiant gas burner unit is provided having a shallow base with long walls and shorter walls. The shallow base supports a radiant gas burner plate or plates having openings therethrough, and forming an external surface of the base for emitting high temperature gas radiation. At least three mixing tubes are provided aligned with the shorter wall, and having two open ends. The first open end is positioned within the base and the second open end is positioned adjacent corresponding openings formed through the long wall of the base. A gas supply line extends along the long wall and has gas outlets for ejecting gas across an open air gap positioned intermediate the gas outlet and the second open end of the mixing tubes. The ejected gas is mixed with air as it crosses the air gap, and is provided to the openings of the radiant gas burner plate for combustion which produces high temperature radiation on the radiant gas burner plate and external surface of the base.
US08919335B2
A portable cooking apparatus includes a plurality of panels temporarily coupled to each other and a plurality of rods. Each panel includes a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. At least two of the plurality of panels each include a plurality of slits. Each slit of the plurality of slits extends from the top edge of a panel toward a bottom edge thereof. The plurality of rods removably extend between two panels of the plurality of panels, each rod of the plurality of rods being inserted into a first slit of the plurality of slits formed in one of the two panels and a second slit of the plurality of slits formed in another of the two panels.
US08919332B2
A compound bow comprises at least one limb that extends continuously between opposed rotatable members. In some embodiments, the bow comprises a second limb that extends continuously between the opposed rotatable members. In some embodiments, the limbs are parallel to one another.
US08919327B2
A method for operating a fuel system is disclosed. The method includes sequentially purging fuel vapors from each of a plurality of regions of a canister. Purging a region includes opening an air inlet valve associated with that region and maintaining air inlet valves associated with each other region closed to direct fuel vapors to at least one purge outlet.
US08919323B2
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a gain determination module, a desired torque determination module, and an engine operation control module. The gain determination module determines a gain based on a desired speed of an engine and a change rate of an actual speed of the engine. The desired torque determination module determines a desired torque based on the gain and a difference between the actual speed and the desired speed. The engine operation control module controls at least one of a throttle area, a spark timing, and a fueling rate based on the desired torque.
US08919320B2
In an engine having an oil pump wherein an oil filter is incorporated into the oil pump without allowing the oil pump to become large in size. An oil pump and a hydraulic line changeover valve including a spool valve are disposed so as to have axes extending in parallel with each other. The oil pump has a plate-shaped oil filter disposed at a discharge port thereof. The plate-shaped oil filter is curved arcuately along an outer periphery of a pump rotor as viewed from a pump axial direction.
US08919319B2
Provided is an aluminum alloy piston for an internal combustion engine. In the internal combustion engine, the piston moves back and forth in a sleeve made of grey cast iron or an aluminum alloy. Further, the piston, which is made from silver, silver alloy, copper, or copper alloy, is provided with a film that covers the scoring that is formed on the piston skirt and there are undulations in the surface of the film, formed from protrusions and depressions. There is a difference of 8-15 μm between the lowest point of the depressions and the highest point of the protrusions. The pitch of adjacent protrusions corresponds to the pitch of projections in the scoring. In addition, the arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of the protrusion peaks does not exceed 60 nm.
US08919305B2
A cylinder (2) for a combustion engine has a cylinder bore (42) and a cylinder wall (43). At least one channel is formed in the cylinder wall (43). At least one cover (19), which at least partially closes the channel on the side facing away from the cylinder bore (42), is arranged on the cylinder (2). A very precise channel geometry which can be easily manufactured is achieved in that a first stop (25) is formed in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder between the cylinder (2) and the cover (19) and a second stop (33) is formed in the tangential direction with respect to the cylinder bore (42), with the cover (19) resting on the cylinder (2) at the first stop (25) and at the second stop (33). In the method, the cover (19) is arranged on the cylinder (2) in a first direction (41) radial to the cylinder bore (42) and the cover (19) is shifted in a second direction (40) which is parallel to a plane which is approximately peripherally to the cylinder bore (42) and parallel to the longitudinal cylinder axis (45), until the cover (19) rests on the cylinder (2) at the first stop (25) and at the second stop (33).
US08919304B2
In a two-stroke opposed-piston engine, a ported cylinder with a pair of opposed pistons is equipped with an engine brake including an engine braking valve that can be opened to release air from the cylinder as the pistons cycle between BDC and TDC positions.
US08919303B2
An exhaust manifold has a plurality of branched exhaust passages connected to respective exhaust ports of individual cylinders; a plurality of first collector segments each of which joins the branched exhaust passages for the cylinders which are not adjacent in the exhaust order sequence; a plurality of middle exhaust passages connected to the downstream of the first collector segments, respectively; and a second collector segment that joins the middle exhaust passages. In at least low and middle speed ranges in a high load region of the engine, a valve opening time of an exhaust valve is changed according to the engine speed so that a predetermined amount of a valve overlap period is ensured and that negative pressure waves from exhaust pressure pulses reach an exhaust port during the valve overlap period in a plurality of engine speed ranges.
US08919302B2
A spacer arranged inside a water jacket which is formed to surround peripheries of cylinder bores in a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine includes support legs extending in an up-and-down direction from a spacer main body part which partitions the water jacket into an upper and lower cooling water passages. The support legs are disposed in opposite end portions in a cylinder row line direction, where the temperatures of the cylinder bores tend to be lower. Accordingly, even if the flow of cooling water is more or less inhibited by the support legs and the cooling effect deteriorates, it is possible to prevent the temperatures of the respective cylinder bores from becoming different by suppressing the influence to a minimum.
US08919294B2
Assembly comprising a passageway for livestock, the passageway being delimited by side delimitations, for passage of the livestock from a first space to a second space. The assembly comprises a gate system mounted in the passageway, the gate system comprising at least one self-closing gate leaf which is movable between a closed position and one or more open positions which include a pass position wherein passage to the second space is possible for an animal from the livestock, and wherein the gate leaf is moveable to an open position by pressure exerted by an animal from the livestock for passing through the passageway to the second space. The assembly also comprises a device for determining an ID of an animal from the livestock, and a device for blocking the gate leaf from moving to the pass position, wherein the blocking device can be activated to a blocking position in response to data from the ID determining device.
US08919291B2
A device allowing a quadruped animal that is disabled in the hindquarters thereof to move about, while automatically moving the hind legs of the animal. The device includes: a chassis, on which two side wheels are mounted; a rear harness for receiving and supporting the hindquarters of the animal, which harness can be supported by the chassis; and a crankshaft-type driveshaft having two crankpins to which are attached cradles for moving the hind legs of the animal where the driveshaft is shaped so as to move each of the two hind legs of the animal synchronously in phase opposition. A transmission device is configured to control the rotation of the driveshaft from at least one wheel.
US08919285B1
A new device for the collection, storage, and selected delivery of livestock feed is provided. Such a device includes an internal system to simultaneously prevent caking or otherwise solidifying of such feed material as well as maneuver the same to a trough for dispensing on demand. Additionally, the device includes an auger component with a housing cap to selectively alter the rate of dispensing as well as provide a shut off mechanism if needed. Such a device thus may be driven to a feed source location and filled to any selected level, closed, and transported to any desired location to permit delivery thereof the stored feed. With the enclosed structure, as well, long-term storage may be achieved, thus effectively preventing rodent or other pest invasion, as well as providing a suitable moisture barrier for proper and effective storage. A system of feeding livestock with this device is also encompassed.
US08919282B2
A method for continuous vermiculture is provided. The method includes providing a continuous vermiculture culture system. The continuous vermiculture culture system includes at least one culture member that is fluidly connected to an irrigation system. After preparing a feeding solution, a volume of the feeding solution is then infused into the at least one culture member via the irrigation system. The steps of providing a feeding solution and infusing a volume of the feeding solution into the at least one culture member via the irrigation system are optionally repeated to promote formation of culture-grade soil and plant growth within the at least one culture member.
US08919280B1
An apparatus and method for sterile insect technique comprising a plurality of x-ray sources surrounding a container containing insects targeted for reproductive sterilization, wherein the container is at an optimized distance from the x-ray sources, moves at a fixed rate along a direction perpendicular to a plane intersecting the x-ray sources, and rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said x-ray sources.
US08919278B2
A coating comprises a resin solution including a solution of neoprene latex and liquid asphalt emulsion and an accelerator solution including an aqueous solution of zinc sulfate powder and water. A spray system for applying the coating includes a spray gun having first and second nozzles, a first pump fluidly connected between the first nozzle and a resin solution reservoir for delivering the resin solution to the first nozzle at a first fluid pressure, and a second pump fluidly connected between the second nozzle and an accelerator solution reservoir for delivering the accelerator solution to the second nozzle at a second fluid pressure different from the first pressure. The accelerator solution may be aerated by a source of compressed air prior to discharge from the second nozzle.
US08919276B2
An assembly structure of a display device according to the present invention is a structure in which a liquid crystal indicator is assembled to a meter body including a case having a ring-like peripheral wall, a dial arranged on a front surface side of the case, a pointer that moves on the dial, and a movement that is provided in the case and drives the pointer. In the peripheral wall of the case, an indicator insertion opening is formed, through which it is possible to insert and detach the liquid crystal indicator into and from between the movement and the dial.
US08919274B1
A submersible vehicle with increased payload and energy savings, more particularly, a submersible vehicle, which may be an unmanned underwater vehicle, with high maneuvering cyclic-pitch postswirl propulsors. The high maneuvering cyclic-pitch postswirl propulsor arrangements are a bow thrust vectoring arrangement and a stern thrust vectoring arrangement. The bow thrust vectoring arrangement is a two-part arrangement having a forward/reverse element and a turning element. Similarly, the stern thrust vectoring arrangement is also a two-part arrangement having a forward/reverse element and a turning element.
US08919273B1
A valve is disclosed. The valve can be mounted through a wall, for example in the hull wall of a submersible vehicle. The internal components of the valve can be readily removed, serviced and/or replaced without removing the valve body from the wall. A filling assembly is also disclosed, which mates with the valve to deliver a fluid from one side of the wall, through the valve and into a storage tank or other apparatus disposed on the opposite side of the wall. The filling assembly actuates the valve to open a fluid pathway therethrough in order to deliver fluid to a storage tank or other apparatus connected to the valve's exit port.
US08919254B2
A vessel, such as a rocket motor tube, comprised of an insert, and a joint that allows the insert to decouple from the vessel to relieve pressure when subjected to excessive temperatures and/or a predetermined temperature or temperature range.
US08919253B2
A perforating system that transfers a detonation wave between adjacent perforating guns by converting shockwave energy to electrical energy. An explosive is provided on an end of a detonating cord that is coupled to shaped charges, so that a detonation wave traveling in the detonation cord will initiate detonation in the shaped charges and then in the high explosive. The explosive is disposed adjacent a pair of members that are energized so that a magnetic field is formed between the members. When the explosive detonates, the resulting shock wave pushes one of the members into the space between the members to compress the magnetic field. Compressing the magnetic field produces an electrical potential usable to initiate a detonation wave in another detonating cord for perpetuating the detonation wave along the perforating system.
US08919252B2
An Ink-based digital printing system comprises an external fluid applicator for applying multi-component, multi-functional fountain solution to a surface of an imaging plate. The plate is image wise exposed using a high power laser to remove primary components of the fountain solution from select regions of the plate according to digital image data, leaving a layer of the secondary components at said select regions. The plate is then inked with ink useful in printing. The ink adheres to the select regions from which the primary components have been removed to form an ink image. The ink image is transferred at an image transfer step wherein the secondary components enable efficient transfer of the ink to a medium with reduced image quality defects. The multi-component fountain solution comprises primary components that reject or repel ink, and secondary components that function as a release agent.
US08919249B2
Prior to a mark imaging process executed for the purpose of detecting a position of recognition marks for positioning the substrate and the mask, an optical axis calibration processing process of detecting a horizontal relative position between imaging optical axes, and a surface correction data creation processing process of detecting a local positional deviation of the imaging optical axes, which is caused by the travel of the imaging unit, are executed. Before starting production, a production pre-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision is executed by using a verification substrate and a verification mask, and after starting the production, a production post-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision after starting the production is executed by using a commercial production substrate and a commercial production mask.
US08919248B2
An improved screen printing machine is provided. The main body portion and the support table portion of the printer main body are constructed independently of each other, and the main body portion is supported by the support table portion so as to be movable forward. A feed screw is axially immovably and rotatably held by the main body portion so as to be parallel to the front and rear direction, and the feed screw is engaged with the nut provided on the support table portion. An operator rotates the handle attached to the feed screw to move the main body portion forward with respect to the support table portion so that the main body portion is drawn from the support table portion.
US08919247B2
The invention relates to a device for printing by transfer onto a print support (10) comprising at least one blanket (30) driven in a sequential relative movement past a magazine (50) conveying the print supports (10), in which device the blanket (30) has a surface area greater than that of the print support (10), the device further comprising digital printing means (20) which print by spraying ink onto this blanket (30) over a variable area equal to that of the print support (10).
US08919243B2
Provided is a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance includes a cooktop part on which a grill module for grill cooking is detachably disposed, a collection device for sucking an exhaust gas generated in the grill module, an exhaust device forcibly sucking the exhaust gas collected into the collection device to exhaust the exhaust gas to the outside, and a guide device for guiding the exhaust gas collected into the collection device to the exhaust device. The cooking appliance enables different types of food to be simultaneously cooked according to different cooking methods, and thus cooking time for food may be reduced and various demands of users may be met.
US08919239B2
Actuator piston (100) formed by an injection-molded piece (120) consisting of a cylindrical body (121) and a collar (122) to receive the hydraulic actuator (110) and the travel detector (160). The piece (120) comprises a shell (150) covering its front face and receiving the return spring (250) and the thrust rod (130).The actuator piston (110) includes lugs (115) engaged behind the lugs (125) of the body (121), by a pivoting movement about the axis. The rotational position is blocked by a locking and guiding sleeve (180).
US08919233B2
The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing pre-cut sheets from a roll or a web material to a user in need of the web material. The dispenser contains a product identification sensor in communication with a control circuit. This product identification sensor detects and identifies information about the roll of the web material placed in the holder and relays this information to the control circuit. The control circuit adjusts dispensing parameters for the actuator roller in dispensing a sheet of the web material from the dispenser.
US08919232B2
In a process of transporting a strip-shaped optical film F, the optical film F is cut to a predetermined length. Thereafter, the sheet-like optical films F divided by the cutting are intermittently transported while the strip-shaped optical film F is fed by the predetermined length such that a portion to be cut next reaches a cutting action position. Further, a leading one of the sheet-like optical films F in the intermittent transport process is transported to a continuous transport process such that a rear end thereof passes the intermittent transport process in a subsequent intermittent transport operation. Herein, the sheet-like optical film F is transported to the downstream-side continuous transport process following the intermittent transport process to continuously transport the optical film F.
US08919230B1
An internal adapter for use in torque-limiting handles for interchangeable orthopedic tools contains a slidable collar component, house component, retaining ring, spring, driver component, cover and cam which engages a torque-limiting mechanism. A plurality of securing ball mechanisms releasably secure an orthopedic tool in the adapter, while a configuration of chamfered surfaces centrally stabilize the tool. A plurality of guiding chamfers located in a driver component rotationally secures the orthopedic tool.
US08919223B2
A variable cam comprises a cylindrical skirt with a track followed by a roller movable along a guide comprised within a rotating structure, which is coaxial to the skirt. The track is interrupted at a portion in the region of maximum elevation of the roller. The cam comprises two arc-like elements proximate to the track portions proximate, on opposite sides, to the interruption. Each arc-like element is guided along a path in which, in each position a portion of a first portion of a side of the element is adjacent to the corresponding portion proximate lo the interruption. A second portion of the side, joined with the first portion, is contained within a plane perpendicular to the skin axis. The presence is determined of a track portion within a plane perpendicular to the skirt axis between the ends of the arc-like elements and is adjacent, in every position occupied by the arc-like elements, to a portion of the second portion.
US08919213B2
A control moment gyroscope (CMG) includes a stator housing, an inner gimbal assembly (IGA), and a torque motor coupled to the stator housing and configured to rotate the IGA housing about a gimbal axis to selectively generate a desired output torque during operation of the CMG. The IGA includes, in turn, an IGA housing rotatably coupled to the stator housing, a CMG rotor rotatably mounted within the IGA housing, and a spin motor coupled to the IGA housing and configured to rotate the CMG rotor about a spin axis. The CMG rotor includes a rotor shaft, a rotor rim circumscribing the rotor shaft, and a plurality of radially-compliant spokes extending between the rotor shaft and the rotor rim.
US08919209B2
A device for measuring the physical characteristics of a flow within a pipe is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a plug attached to two or more strut assemblies, each strut assembly comprising a forward strut, a rearward strut, and a skid having an inner surface that faces the plug, and one or more sensors located on the inner surface of the skid.
US08919206B2
A method of testing one of bond or fatigue strength of an elastomeric seal lip to a metal substrate and apparatus therefor is provided. The method and apparatus avoid causing inadvertent damage to the seal lip during testing. Further, the method and apparatus allow a tensile force to be applied along an axis of the seal lip along which the seal lip extends regardless of the angle of inclination of the seal lip relative to a central axis of a metal substrate to which the seal lip is attached. Accordingly, accurate and repeatable test results indicating one of bond strength of the seal lip to the metal substrate or fatigue strength of the seal lip are obtained via the method and apparatus.
US08919202B2
A system including a plurality of sensing devices configured to generate acoustic emission (AE) signals that are representative of acoustic emission waves propagating through a plurality of stator vanes is presented. The system further includes a processing subsystem that is in an operational communication with the plurality of sensing devices, and the processing subsystem is configured to generate a dynamic threshold based upon an initial threshold and the AE signals, determine whether a plurality of signals of interest exist in the AE signals based upon the dynamic threshold, extract the plurality of signals of interest from the AE signals based upon the dynamic threshold, determine one or more features corresponding to the plurality of signals of interest, and analyze the one or more features to monitor and validate the health of the plurality of stator vanes.
US08919201B2
An acceleration measuring apparatus that can easily detect acceleration with high accuracy is provided. In the apparatus, positional displacement of a swingable pendulum member is detected, feedback control is performed to maintain the pendulum member in a stationary state using an actuator, and acceleration is measured by measuring the output of the actuator at this time. A movable electrode is provided to the pendulum member, and a loop is formed in which a fixed electrode provided to oppose the movable electrode, and an oscillating circuit, a crystal unit, and the movable electrode are electrically connected in series. By measuring an oscillating frequency of the oscillating circuit at this time, a change in the size of a variable capacitance formed between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode is detected, and thereby the positional displacement of the pendulum member is detected.
US08919200B2
A physical quantity detection device includes: a base; a movable portion, provided in the base through a coupling portion, which is displaced in accordance with a change in a physical quantity; a physical quantity detection element which is fixed across the base and the movable portion; and a mass portion which is fixed to the movable portion, wherein the movable portion includes a first fixing portion to which the physical quantity detection element is fixed, a second fixing portion to which the mass portion is fixed, and a notch having a notched shape which is separated from the coupling portion, and reaches from a lateral side of the movable portion to a place intersecting a line that links the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion.
US08919199B2
One or more electrodes that interact with a movable mass in a MEMS device are anchored or otherwise supported from both the top and bottom and optionally also from one or more of the lateral sides other than the transduction side (i.e., the side of the electrode facing the mass) in order to severely restrict movement of the electrodes such as from interaction with the mass and/or external forces.
US08919187B2
Air required for measurement of exhaust gas components is supplied to an exhaust sensor without using a device for generating positive pressure. In a structure for arrangement, in an engine (1), of an exhaust sensor (10) that measures exhaust gas components and requires air for the measurement of the exhaust gas components, an exhaust pipe (5) of the engine (1) communicates with the exhaust sensor (10) through an introduction pipe (15), the exhaust sensor (10) communicates with an intake pipe (2) of the engine (1) through a discharge pipe (16), and an atmosphere pipe (17) open to the atmosphere is connected to the exhaust sensor (10), so that exhaust gas is sucked into the exhaust sensor (10) through the introduction pipe (15) while air is sucked into the exhaust sensor (10) through the atmosphere pipe (17) due to intake negative pressure generated during an intake stroke of the engine (1).
US08919183B1
A new instrument for electrical-mobility based size segregation of particles at high resolution is described. The instrument called the high-flow dual-channel differential mobility analyzer (HD-DMA) comprises of five flows: a polydisperse aerosol flow, a clean sheath flow, two monodisperse sample flows and a residual excess flow. High resolution measurements are possible because of the large sheath flowrates that are permissible in this instrument.
US08919176B2
A hydrodynamic compression and/or cutting tool (1) comprises an electric motor (6), a transformation mechanism (8) suitable for transforming the rotary motion of the motor (6) into an oscillating translation motion, a two-speed hydraulic pump (11) suitable for carrying out an increase in pressure of a pressure fluid acting on an actuation piston (12) in response to the oscillating translation movement so as to move the actuation piston (12).
US08919175B2
A press working die assembly includes a pad secured to an upper die holder so as to be movable upward and downward, a machining slide cam slidable laterally along a cam surface and having a bending edge at one end thereof, a rotatable rotary cam having a bending portion for forming a negative angle portion of a workpiece, and a reciprocating driving apparatus configured to rotate the rotary cam to a workpiece machining position. The reciprocating driving apparatus includes a slide block having a cam surface for rotating the rotary cam in a predetermined direction on an front end side and a rotation impelling surface configured to rotate the rotary cam back to its original position, and a restoring action block configured to come into abutment with the rotation impelling surface of the slide block when the slide block retracts to restore the rotary cam to its original position.
US08919171B2
A method for three-dimensionally bending a workpiece comprises feeding the workpiece by a feeding unit provided at an upstream side of the workpiece, supporting the workpiece by a supporting unit at a downstream side of the feeding unit, processing the workpiece by clamping the workpiece with a three-dimensionally movable unit that is provided downstream of the supporting unit, heating a local part of the workpiece in a temperature range which allows quenching to be performed, applying a bending moment to the heated local part of the workpiece by the three-dimensionally movable unit in association with the supporting position and/or the moving speed of the workpiece after the heating step, and rapidly quenching the heated portion. Even when a high-strength workpiece is bent, it is possible to effectively obtain a product having excellent shape fixability and uniform hardness distribution at low costs for wide application for bending sophisticated automobile parts.
US08919170B2
A pot-shaped housing part, especially for a hub part of a hybrid drive. The housing part has a bottom and a wall extending axially away from the bottom, and an outer face of the wall extending at least approximately up to an outer face of the bottom, which outer face of the bottom faces away from a free edge of the wall. The wall and the bottom are configured as one piece. The outer face of the wall also has a projecting portion that projects axially beyond the outer face of the bottom and is produced from material of the wall.
US08919169B2
A sheet metal component includes a three dimensionally shaped first surface, a three dimensionally shaped second surface opposite and extending substantially parallel to the first surface and an edge interconnecting and extending about the perimeter of the first and second shaped surfaced. The edge includes a sheared portion formed during a trimming operation and an indented portion formed during a forming operation prior to the trimming operation.
US08919164B2
A forming tool apparatus is provided for forming an article having a negative draft angle that locks the formed article within the forming tool. An insert, which is disposed within a recess defined in a forming surface of the forming tool, has a surface that cooperates with the forming surface of the forming tool to shape a metal blank into a desired final shape. In particular, the surface of the insert is shaped to define the negative draft angle feature of the formed article. Subsequent to forming the article, a linear-drive mechanism is activated to withdraw the insert away from the formed article, and thereby unlock the formed article from the tool. The formed article is then extracted from the tool along an extraction direction that is other than parallel to the direction along which the insert is driven.
US08919158B2
An opening/closing and hooking/releasing system of a suitcase for motorcycles is described, provided with a lower shell and an upper shell. On the bottom portion of the lower shell reversible hooking means to a support plate fixed to the motorcycle are provided. On the lower shell a plaque is made integral, on which are obtained a first release button of the suitcase with respect to the support plate, a second opening button of the upper shell and a locking block. The first and the second buttons are mobile along a predetermined direction. A rotatable under-locking ring is rigidly constrained to the locking block, said ring being provided with a pair of counter-posed protruding teeth and able to rotate in support on the side wall to shift from a first simultaneous blocking position of the first and second buttons to a second simultaneous release position of such first and second button.
US08919157B2
A lock assembly includes a lock body with a shackle. The shackle has a leg. A locking element is disposed in the lock body and is selectively engageable to the shackle. A cam is disposed in the lock body and includes a locked position, an unlocked position and a shackle removal position. The leg includes a shackle removal recess that only partially extends circumferentially about an outer peripheral surface disposed about a longitudinal axis of the leg and is sized to receive the first locking element sufficiently to permit movement of the cam to the shackle removal position. The shackle is rotatable in the unlocked position to expose the shackle removal recess to the locking element.
US08919155B2
A padlock includes a housing and a shackle positionable between an open position and a closed position. The shackle may be retained in its closed position within the housing by a latch that is operatively connected to a key locking mechanism and a combination locking mechanism. The latch may be disengaged from the shackle so that the shackle may be placed into the open position when the key locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked orientation or the combination locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked configuration. The key locking mechanism may include a cylinder configured for operative engagement with the latch, and the combination locking mechanism may include a button configured for operative engagement with the latch and a spindle configured to restrict movement of the button. In the unlocked configuration of the combination locking mechanism, the combination used for the combination locking mechanism may be reset and/or reconfigured.
US08919135B2
A turbojet engine with a fan and a nacelle element forming the secondary duct downstream of the fan is provided. The turbojet engine includes an intermediate casing with an outer shroud to which the nacelle element is fixed by a connecting member. The connecting member includes a cylindrical element secured to the shroud while at the same time being capable of a rotational movement with respect to the axis of the engine and connected to the nacelle element by a bayonet-type fitting.
US08919123B2
A waste heat recovery apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine includes a working fluid circuit having a first heating line and a second heating line parallel to the first heating line, a first heat exchanger in the first heating line operatively connected to transfer heat energy to the working fluid from a waste exhaust flow of an internal combustion engine, a second heat exchanger in the second heating line operatively connected to transfer heat energy to the working fluid from recirculating exhaust gas the internal combustion engine, and a recuperative heat exchanger operatively connected to transfer heat energy to the working fluid in the first heating line from the working fluid at a junction of an expander outlet and condenser inlet.
US08919116B1
A cylinder block brake for a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle is provided. A braking member is located in a housing adjacent to a motor cylinder block and has a first position where it is not engaged to the motor cylinder block and a second, braking position where it is engaged to the motor cylinder block. A brake actuation shaft is located in the housing and has a cam portion located along its longitudinal axis. The cam portion is positioned to engage the braking member so that rotation of the brake actuation shaft moves the braking member between the engaged and disengaged positions.
US08919115B2
The operability when performing a combined arm-crowd and bucket operation can be improved. A hydraulic drive device for a hydraulic excavator includes: a bucket directional control valve and a second arm directional control valve, which are connected in parallel tandem with a first hydraulic pump; a first arm directional control valve that is connected to a second hydraulic pump; and a flow rate restriction device that restricts the flow rate of pressure oil supplied to the second arm directional control valve, during crowd operation of a bucket. This flow rate restriction device includes a variable throttle whose opening is controlled so as to become smaller as a bucket operating device is operated to the crowd side, the variable throttle being provided in a bypass path connecting to the supply port of the second arm directional control valve.
US08919114B2
A hydraulic system is disclosed having first, second, and third pumps. The hydraulic system may also have a first actuator connected to the first pump in closed-loop manner, a second actuator connected to the second pump in closed-loop manner, and a third actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a selector valve associated with the third pump, and a first switching valve associated with the third pump and the third actuator. The first switching valve may be movable between a first position at which the third pump is connected to the third actuator in a closed-loop manner to move the third actuator in a first direction, a second position at which the third pump is connected to the third actuator in a closed-loop manner to move the third actuator in a second direction, and a third position at which the third pump is connected to the selector valve.
US08919113B2
An energy recovery retrofit kit for a hydraulic control system is disclosed. The energy recover retrofit kit may have a first accumulator and a second accumulator. The energy recover retrofit kit may also have a recovery valve block fluidly connectable between an existing pump and an existing motor of the hydraulic system. The recovery valve block may be configured to selectively fluidly communicate the first and second accumulators with the existing motor.
US08919107B2
A control device of a diesel engine with a turbocharger is provided. The device includes an engine body having a cylinder, a fuel injection valve, a turbine of the turbocharger, a bypass passage for bypassing the turbine, a bypass valve for opening and closing the bypass passage, an oxidation catalyst for purifying HC, and a DPF for capturing soot. The device includes a fuel cutting module for stopping, when the diesel engine is in a deceleration state, a main injection of the fuel performed on compression stroke, a DPF regenerating module for performing, when a predetermined DPF regeneration condition is satisfied, a post injection on expansion stroke to supply HC to the oxidation catalyst and regenerate the DPF by heat generated from an oxidation reaction of HC, and a bypass valve control module for controlling the bypass valve.
US08919106B2
A method for operating a motor vehicle internal combustion engine with an exhaust system branch in which a wall-flow exhaust particle filter is arranged. An amount of ash and an amount of soot accumulated in the exhaust particle filter are continuously determined. An ash increase value characterizing an increase in the amount of ash is determined and if pre-set conditions are present, the operation of the internal combustion engine is changed over to a special operating mode for performing an ash detachment and transportation operation, in which operating variables of the internal combustion engine are set such that, on the exhaust entry side in the exhaust particle filter, a pre-settable minimum exhaust flow speed results at which detachment of ash attached to the channel walls of the exhaust particle filter and transportation of detached ash in the direction of the respective inlet channel end is made possible.
US08919093B2
A cable protection and guide device capable of preventing abrasion powder that is otherwise generated when a link side plate slides on a support surface while switching between a linear position and a flexional position. The link side plate integrally includes: a front side plate portion connected to a longitudinally preceding link side plate to form a cable flexional inner circumferential side; a rear side plate portion connected to a longitudinally succeeding link side plate to form a cable flexional outer circumferential side; and, a flexible linkage portion interposed between the front and rear side plate portions. The rear side plate portion includes a first flexional outer circumferential end surface in an arc shape and provided on the cable flexional outer circumferential side, and, an arc center of the first flexional outer circumferential end surface longitudinally preceding a center of the linkage portion of the succeeding link side plate.
US08919090B2
A device comprising: (a) a body portion including: (i) a first end and ii. a second end; (b) for a holder at the first end; (c) a holder at the second end; (d) a rotation device at the first end in communication with the holder at the first end; and wherein the holder is fixedly attached to a split gear having a channel therethrough so that one or more flexible mediums may be placed through the channel and removed from a work area located between the holder at the first end and the holder at the second end.
US08919081B2
A method of producing a sealed package of a pourable food product involving feeding a tube of packaging material along an axis; moving a pair of first jaws and a pair of second jaws cyclically and alternately along sealing paths parallel to the axis, and along repositioning paths; moving the jaws, as they travel along the sealing paths, into a closed position in which the sealing members grip the tube and respectively form, at different times, a first and a second seal sealing the tube and defining respective opposite ends of the package; and moving the jaws, as they travel along the respective repositioning paths, into an open position, in which they are detached from the tube; acquiring a desired value of a quantity related to the package weight; and forming the second seal at a distance, which is a function of the value, from the first seal.
US08919080B2
The disclosure relates to a packaging machine for packaging products, in particular food, wherein the packaging machine comprises at least one packaging station for producing packagings that accommodate products, and at least one high-pressure treatment station for high-pressure treatment of the products contained in the packagings. The disclosure is characterized in that a central control system for the packaging station and the high-pressure treatment station are provided. The disclosure moreover also relates to a method for operating such a packaging machine.
US08919079B2
A building structure for covering a large object with a cover comprising: multiple frames, each frame being part of a building structure); at least one motor suspended from at least one of said plurality of frames and connected to one or more spools; and an arm lifting structure suspended from the frame and comprising: at least two arms; a plurality of lifting connectors, each attached on one end to an arm on a first end and attached to one of the spools on a second end; and at least one fastening roller member mounted to each arm for temporarily securing the cover to the arms. Alternate embodiments of the building structure include laterally and/or longitudinally translating motors and/or guides for ensuring the that arms are raised and lowered straight up and down.
US08919068B2
Novel devices, systems, and methods for providing exterior flooring that can be installed over existing exterior surfaces, such as surfaces of an outdoor deck, are provided herein. In some aspects, a joint device or joint member for an exterior floor covering can include a body portion and at least one tongue portion extending from the body portion. The joint device can be adapted to connect adjacent floor panels and secure the floor panels to an underlying surface. The joint device can, but is not required to pass liquid therebetween. The joint device and adjacent floor panels can be made of water resistant materials. The joint device can further include an optional opening adapted to receive an attachment member for attaching portions of the joint member to an underlying surface.
US08919064B2
Embodiments of a structural stud and panel for use in building a tilt-wall building are disclosed. Devices and methods for forming structural studs and panels are also disclosed.
US08919062B1
Prefabricated exterior wall panel systems that incorporate one or more drainage features are disclosed. The drainage feature can include a channel formed in the panel body in fluid communication with an interior portion of the panel body and an opening in the front face of the panel. The drainage feature also can include a wedge having a sloped surface thereon on which the channel can be aligned. The exterior wall panel systems having these drainage features can be used in the exterior cladding of buildings and other structures.
US08919057B1
A method of tensioning concrete is disclosed.
US08919054B2
A modular floor tile comprising a base substrate and top layer having a first land with a support surface and first and second perimeter portions each defining a second land with a surface recessed relative to the support surface, the first perimeter portion defining a recess and the opposing second perimeter portion defining a lug, whereby two tiles join together by the recess receiving a lug of a second tile, and the support surface supporting footwear remote from the second land to avoid scuffing against the joined lug and recess so the top layer is not delaminated from the base substrate.
US08919049B2
A prefabricated, transportable, ADA compliant, temporary addition, providing ADA accessible bathing, hygiene, and optional laundry facilities to the disabled occupants, eliminating the need to negotiate stairs to access a second floor bath or basement laundry. The addition is designed to be transported, lifted, connected and disconnected multiple times. The addition contains a walk-in shower with grab bars, ADA sink and sink base, tilt mirror, raised toilet with grab bars, egress door, light, heating unit, and exhaust fan. The addition is supported on a foundation of piers and attached to a ground floor room of an existing home by way of a connecting collar, minimizing the surface area connection to the house. The addition is pre-plumbed and wired with plumbing and electrical access points at the base of the addition that are connected to the existing home's utilities through a hole into the basement.
US08919042B2
A motorized closure assembly is provided that includes an opening frame configured to fit around the opening; a substantially rectangular closure slab having a closure slab frame configured to surround the substantially rectangular closure slab and sealingly fit within the opening frame; and a motorized driver, wherein the motorized driver is entirely embedded within the closure slab frame or within a combination of the closure slab frame and the opening frame, the motorized driver configured to slidably move the slab between an open position and a closed position.
US08919041B2
A grow light support system for use with a raised border system includes components for forming a tension cord network that is suspended over the raised bed border system and includes a grow light unit that is suspended on the tension cord network. The grow light unit is configured such that the grow light can be positioned and locked in place at a predetermined location of the tension cord network and is configured such that the distance between the grow light and the tension cord network can be varied, thereby changing the height at which the grow light is positioned relative to the ground.
US08919032B1
In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a lure structure for rigging a hook such as a treble hook on an upper portion or top of the swim bait. Many advantages are achieved. For example, the lure is likely to be weedless and prone to fewer snags. That is, the lure has less chance of getting hung up, snagging, or being torn or caught on a bottom structure in the water.
US08919029B1
A fishing apparatus for implementing a substantially hands-free form of angling, includes a movable arm assembly securable to a fixed point, where the movable arm assembly is operatively engaged to a fishing rod having a distal end through which a fishing line extends, and is adapted for imparting a reciprocating motion to the distal end of the fishing rod relative to the fixed point.
US08919025B2
A system for removably securing a hand guard to a semi-automatic or automatic rifle is provided. The system having: a first locking assembly for removably coupling a rear end of the hand guard to an upper receiver of the rifle; a second locking assembly for removably coupling a forward end of the hand guard to the rifle; and wherein the first locking assembly and the second locking assembly axially and rotationally position the hand guard with respect to the rifle and wherein the hand guard is not directly secured to a barrel of the rifle.
US08919019B2
A biometric monitoring device and multiple carrying cases for same are provided. In some implementations, the case may be made from a flexible viscoelastic material and the biometric monitoring device may be slipped into a receptacle in the case through an opening in the case; the opening may become distended during the insertion of the biometric monitoring device. In some implementations, the case may feature a display window that, in combination with materials of the biometric monitoring device, may mask a display of the biometric monitoring device from view when the display is off and may allow the display to be seen when the display is displaying content.
