US09422672B2
A device to be fitted to a guided vehicle moving on a track having a guide rail and two side rails parallel to and on each side of the guide rail maintains a trajectory of the vehicle upon derailment. The vehicle includes a guidance unit having guide wheels to be supported on the guide rail. The device includes a bar to be fixed to the guidance unit transverse to the track. The bar has a length L between a distance D mutually separating the side rails minus the width C of the head of the guide rail and the distance D mutually separating side rails, i.e. D−C
US09422663B1
A process for treatment of biomass materials is disclosed. The treatment comprises of applying mechanical rubbing and crushing action to the biomass materials that result in significant reduction in the biomass particle size. The treatment is carried out in a chamber where the biomass is subjected to the action of a plurality of rotating pins against channels disposed on the chamber interior wall. The maceration of the biomass is further aided by impact from a plurality of blocks and sand particles placed inside the treatment chamber that are hurled into motion inside the chamber through collision with the rotating pins. Chemical catalysts may be used to speed up the maceration. These include aluminum silicate, either an acid or alkaline pretreatment, gaseous urea or urea granules. The treatment produces materials that are beneficial in a variety of applications such as soil erosion prevention, biofuel manufacturing, plant growth substrates and animal bedding.
US09422659B2
A washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The method includes monitoring a flow rate of fluid additive with a flow meter and measuring a volume of fluid additive dispensed after the flow rate of fluid additive substantially decreases. The method can assist with accurately and/or precisely dispensing fluid additive during operating of the washing machine appliance.
US09422658B2
The present invention relates to a home appliance, to a home appliance system, and to a method for operating same, wherein the home appliance and a mobile terminal are connected to one another to add or update data in the home appliance through the mobile terminal connected thereto, diagnose the state of the home appliance by means of the mobile terminal, and supplement the function of the home appliance by means of the mobile terminal, thus expanding the functions of the home appliance to enable the easy control of the home appliance, and more conveniently controlling the home appliance.
US09422656B2
A drum type washing machine includes a main tub having a main drum that rotates to wash laundry, a sub tub separate from the main tub and having a sub drum that rotates to wash laundry, and a clutch unit including a motor that provides a rotational force to at least one of the main drum and the sub drum.
US09422652B2
To provide a stretchable bulky nonwoven fabric having a high bulkiness and a good feeling; wherein a first fibrous layer including fibers (1) is laminated with a second fibrous layer including heat fusible fibers (2) and having a MD shrinkage ratio lower by 5% or more than a MD shrinkage ratio of the first fibrous layer, the first fibrous layer and the second fibrous layer are integrated by entanglement between the fibers (1) included in the first fibrous layer and fibers (2) included in the second fibrous layer, the first fibrous layer is shrunk to form a structure in which the second layer is raised in the thickness direction, and sonic bond processing is applied from a side of the second fibrous layer.
US09422651B2
A method for arranging nanotube elements within nanotube fabric layers and films is disclosed. A directional force is applied over a nanotube fabric layer to render the fabric layer into an ordered network of nanotube elements. That is, a network of nanotube elements drawn together along their sidewalls and substantially oriented in a uniform direction. In some embodiments this directional force is applied by rolling a cylindrical element over the fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by passing a rubbing material over the surface of a nanotube fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by running a polishing material over the nanotube fabric layer for a predetermined time. Exemplary rolling, rubbing, and polishing apparatuses are also disclosed.
US09422650B2
A medical balloon with a variable diameter that is reinforced with continuous fibers woven to form a fabric with a varying number of layers and fiber densities. Portions of the balloon having a relatively smaller diameter are reinforced with a fabric having a reduced fiber density and an increased number of layers to facilitate the placement of the layers. The fabric also includes a braiding pattern that facilitates the transition from a single layer fabric to a multiple layer fabric. Also described is a manufacturing method for the braiding and layering.
US09422636B2
A method for producing a single crystal of semiconductor material having material properties of a zone-pulled single crystal includes providing a vessel transmissive to high frequency magnetic fields and having a granulate of a granular semiconductor material disposed therein and a first conductor disposed externally thereto. A high frequency current is supplied to a planar inductor disposed above the vessel, the planar inductor having a turn and a slit as a current supply so as to produce an open melt lake on the granulate by a temperature field at a surface of the granulate produced by thermal power of the planar inductor and a heating action of the first inductor, the melt lake being embedded in unmelted material of the granular semiconductor material and not being in contact with a wall of the vessel. A single crystal is pulled form the melt lake of the semiconductor material upwards.
US09422631B2
The present invention relates to a method of operating an oxygen-consuming electrode as cathode for the electrolysis of alkali metal chlorides or hydrochloric acid, in an electrochemical cell, comprising feeding an oxygen-containing process gas to the electrode, wherein the oxygen-containing process gas is at least partly heated using a heat source from the electrolysis before contact with the oxygen-consuming electrode to a temperature which corresponds to not more than the temperature of the cathode space in the cell or is less than 50° C. below the temperature of the cathode space in the cell.
US09422628B2
The invention relates to a process for improving the electrical and optical performance of a transparent electrically conductive material having silver nanowires. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a film made of a transparent electrically conductive material, such as a transparent electrode, a transparent heating film, or a film for electromagnetic shielding. The process of the invention includes the following steps: a) a step of bringing silver nanowires into contact with an acid solution, this solution having a pH lower than 7, preferably lower than 3; and b) a step of eliminating the acid. The field of application of the invention is in particular the field of optoelectronics.
US09422626B2
This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride. In certain example embodiments, the coated article has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 50%, more preferably no greater than about 40%, and most preferably no greater than about 39%).
US09422618B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for forming a coating layer using a physical vapor deposition apparatus equipped with a sputtering apparatus and an arc ion plating apparatus, comprising: a first coating step of forming a Mo coating layer on a base material using a the sputtering apparatus and a Mo target and Ar gas; a nitrating step of forming a nitride film forming condition using an arc ion plating apparatus and Ar gas and N2 gas; a second coating step of forming a nano composite coating layer of Cr—Mo—N using the Mo target and Ar gas of the sputtering apparatus and the Ar gas, N2 gas and a Cr source of the arc ion plating apparatus at the same time; and a multi-coating step of forming a multi-layer having alternating Cr—Mo—N nano composite coating layers and Mo coating layers by revolving the base material around a central pivot.
US09422616B2
A material blend for deposition of an abrasion-resistant overlay onto a metal substrate comprising a first metal particle component, a second metal particle component, and a carbide particle component and a method for the application thereof, wherein the overlay process conditions and the homogeneity of tungsten carbide distribution in the overlay are improved.
US09422606B2
The present invention provides novel mutations of the CFTR gene related to cystic fibrosis or to conditions associated with cystic fibrosis. The mutations include duplication of exons including duplication of exons 6b through 10. Methods of identifying if an individual contains the exons 6b through 10 duplication are provided as well as nucleic acid fragments that contain the junction site of the duplicated segment. The detection of additional mutations in the CFTR gene are also provided.
US09422598B2
A method and kit for the prognosis of colorectal cancer where the method includes the steps of: a) obtaining a peripheral blood sample and extracting total RNA from the sample, b) contacting the total RNA with at least one reagent specific for at least one NK cell gene and no more than 25 specific reagents for 25 NK cell genes, c) determining the expression level of at least one and at most 25 NK cell genes to obtain an expression profile for the patient, d) analyzing the expression profile with expression profiles previously clinically classified as a good prognosis and as a poor prognosis, wherein if the expression profile is clustered with the poor prognosis profiles, then the patient is determined to have a poor prognosis, and if the expression profile is clustered with the good prognosis profiles, then the patient is determined to have a good prognosis.
US09422591B2
Methods and kits for determining if one or more animals have mastitis and for monitoring animals and the quality of the milk they produce are disclosed. Kits and test assays disclosed are used to determine the quantity of proteasomes and proteins thereof, the activity of proteasome enzymes, the quantity of proteasome bound and regulating proteins, and the quantity of ubiquinated protein. Components and reagents for use in the kits and assays are also disclosed.
US09422588B2
An apparatus for measuring bacteria includes a sampling device for processing fluorescently stained bacteria, a detector for detecting size information from the bacteria in the sample, and a detector for detecting fluorescence information expressing intensity of fluorescent light emitted by the bacteria. The apparatus further includes a processor and memory that includes programs for creating a scattergram representing a distribution of the bacteria based on the size information and the fluorescence information detected, analyzing the distribution of the bacteria in the scattergram, and determining whether the bacteria in the sample is bacillus or coccus based on a result of the analysis.
US09422587B2
Provided are methods for generating a microorganism with improved ability to convert glycerol to succinic acid. These methods comprise combining a microorganism with ability to convert glycerol to succinic acid and a medium containing glycerol to produce a fermentation mixture; allowing fermentation to occur such that succinic acid is produced; and assaying for an indication of glycerol metabolism. These latter two steps may be repeated as necessary. Also provided are microorganisms generated in this manner, particularly bacteria deposited at the NCIMB on 13 Apr. 2011 with the Accession Number NCIMB 41825. A method of producing succinic acid from glycerol is also provided, this method comprising: mixing a microorganism according to claim of the invention with a medium comprising glycerol to produce a fermentation mixture; and incubating the fermentation mixture, under conditions that promote fermentation to produce succinic acid, until succinic acid is produced. Succinic acid produced by such methods is also provided.
US09422561B2
An aspect of an embodiment of the invention relates to providing treatment of disease, in particular age-related disease, through increasing or decreasing the activity of SIRT6 protein. This may be accomplished through upregulation and downregulation of expression of SIRT6 in mammals. It has been found by the inventors that mice over-expressing SIRT6 have a longer lifespan in comparison to control mice, indicating that increasing SIRT6 expression can lengthen lifespan of mammals. Agents which modulate SIRT6 expression through, for example binding to 3′UTR region of human mRNA encoding SIRT6 or by blocking binding of agents to 3′UTR region of human mRNA encoding SIRT6, have been identified.
US09422546B2
The invention relates to novel polypeptides and cells comprising the polypeptides. The polypeptides and cells are used in methods to identify and/or isolate cells producing a protein with specific biological functions. In particular, the methods may be used for identifying, selecting, and isolating cells producing antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies.
US09422542B2
The present invention relates to a process for the parallel isolation and/or purification of RNA and DNA from the same fixed biological sample, the quantification and analysis of the nucleic acids isolated by the process according to the invention, to a kit for the parallel isolation and/or purification of RNA and DNA from a fixed sample and to the use of this kit for the diagnosis, prognosis, decision with respect to therapy and/or the monitoring of the therapy of a disease.
US09422541B2
An apparatus for the extracorporeal treatment of blood comprising an extracorporeal blood circuit (2), a pump (6) configured to provide fluid displacement within the extracorporeal blood circuit, and a reaction chamber (8) connected to the extracorporeal blood circuit and configured to receive blood or plasma from the circuit and treat the blood or plasma. The reaction chamber comprises an protease enzyme immobilized to a support, in which the protease enzyme is specific for, and capable of irreversibly cleaving, a human C5a present in the blood or plasma, wherein the abundance of the human C5a in the treated blood or plasma is less than that in the untreated blood or plasma. The apparatus finds utility in the extracorporeal treatment of blood from patients with inflammatory conditions, especially auto-immune disease and sepsis.
US09422536B2
The invention relates to polypeptides having glucanase, e.g., endoglucanase, mannanase, xylanase activity or a combination of these activities, and polynucleotides encoding them. In one aspect, the glucanase activity is an endoglucanase activity (e.g., endo-1,4-beta-D-glucan 4-glucano hydrolase activity) and comprises hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-D-glycosidic linkages in cellulose, cellulose derivatives (e.g., carboxy methyl cellulose and hydroxy ethyl cellulose) lichenin, beta-1,4 bonds in mixed beta-1,3 glucans, such as cereal beta-D-glucans or xyloglucans and other plant material containing cellulosic parts. In addition, methods of designing new enzymes and methods of use thereof are also provided. In alternative aspects, the new glucanases e.g., endoglucanases, mannanases, xylanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.
US09422532B2
The gene encoding N-methylputrescine oxidase (MPO) and constructs comprising such DNA are provided, including methods of regulating MPO expression independently or with other alkaloid biosynthesis genes to modulate alkaloid production in plants and host cells. MPO genes or fragments thereof are useful for reducing pyrrolidine or tropane alkaloid production in plants, for increasing pyrrolidine or tropane alkaloid production in plants, and for producing an MPO enzyme in host cells.
US09422530B2
The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme including the capability of reducing 5-((4S)-2-oxo-4-phenyl (1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl))-1-(4-fluorophenyl) pentane-1,5-dione to (4S)-3-[(5S)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize the intermediate (4S)-3-[(5S)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one in a process for making Ezetimibe.
US09422520B2
System for generating the motion of a tool, in particular for the work on biological cell material, which includes an apparatus, the apparatus providing a tool section, at which a tool can be arranged, and at least one actuator element arranged to move the tool section, the system further comprising a system control device.
US09422511B2
A novel composition useful as a cleaner and/or freshener is provided comprising dilute acetic acid, pure vanilla extract, and optionally a natural scent component. A method of cleaning using the composition and a method of freshening using the composition is also provided.
US09422496B2
A process for treating a gas stream, such as natural gas, comprising a process design that prevents the formation of undesired sulfur and sulfates from the reaction of oxygen and sulfur is disclosed. After water is removed from the gas stream, a portion of the dried gas stream is sent through a cooled adsorbent bed that has a first layer to remove sulfur compounds and then a layer to remove oxygen. There may be additional layers of adsorbent to remove other contaminants. The gas stream that is then heated to regenerate an adsorbent bed no longer contains sulfur and oxygen and undesirable reactions of sulfur and oxygen are avoided.
US09422490B2
A rotating heat regenerator is used to recover heat from the syngas at it exits the reactor vessel of a waste or biomass gasifier. In some embodiments, three or more streams are passed through the heat exchanger. One stream is the dirty syngas, which heats the rotating material. A second stream is a cold stream that is heated as it passes through the material. A third stream is a cleaning stream, which serves to remove particulates that are collected on the rotating material as the dirty syngas passes through it. This apparatus can also be used as an auto-heat exchanger, or it can exchange heat between separate flows in the gasifier process. The apparatus can also be used to reduce the heating requirement for the thermal residence chamber (TRC) used downstream from the gasification system.
US09422489B2
A pressure equalizing structure that includes: a gasification furnace (3) for gasifying a carbon-containing fuel; a pressure vessel (5) housing the gasification furnace (3); an annulus section (7) filled with an inert gas and provided between the gasification furnace (3) and the pressure vessel (5). A pressure equalizing part (13), which is connected to the gasification furnace (3) to communicate between the inside of the gasification furnace (3) and the inside of the annulus section (7), is provided in a region where the in-furnace gas temperature inside the gasification furnace (3) is higher than the annulus temperature inside the annulus section (7).
US09422487B2
A process and apparatus for recovering cycle oil from FCC CSO is described. By feeding the additional cycle oil to a hydrocracking unit additional diesel, naphtha and petrochemical feedstock may be obtained. The additional cycle oil is obtained by vacuum separation of the CSO. The described process and apparatus can provide additional recovery for a refiner.
US09422482B2
Disclosed are processes for producing deasphalted bitumen and heavy bitumen compositions from oil sands and processes for upgrading the bitumen compositions. The processes for producing the deasphalted bitumen and heavy bitumen compositions involve a Phase I and/or Phase II extraction solvent. According to the Phase I process, a high quality oil sands-derived, deasphalted bitumen can be produced using a Phase I type solvent. According to the Phase II process, a substantial amount of the heavy bitumen on the oil sand can be extracted using a Phase II type solvent, while producing a relatively a tailings by-product that is non-harmful to the environment. The heavy bitumen from the Phase II type extraction process can be hydroprocessed for ready conversion into relatively high volumes of high quality transportation fuels.
US09422471B2
The invention provides a lighting unit comprising a light source, configured to generate light source light and a luminescent material, configured to convert at least part of the light source light into luminescent material light, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and wherein the luminescent material comprises a phosphor comprising M2AX6 doped with tetravalent manganese, wherein M comprises monovalent cations, at least comprising potassium and rubidium, wherein A comprises a tetravalent cation, at least comprising silicon, wherein X comprises a monovalent anion, at least comprising fluorine, and wherein M2AX6 has the hexagonal phase.
US09422465B2
This invention relates to removable pressure sensitive adhesive compositions and constructions that contain an emulsion acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive copolymer of a plurality of acrylic monomers and at least one polymerizable acid. The invention further relates to labels, particularly removable polymeric labels for use on reusable containers.
US09422461B2
There is provided a pressure sensitive adhesive displaying sufficient adhesive force to the surface of PMMA under a wide range of temperatures including ambient, low, and high temperatures, and also an adhesive tape having an adhesive layer including the pressure sensitive adhesive. There is provided a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a polymer obtained by polymerizing 100 mass parts of a monomer mixture comprising: a monomer component 1 comprising an acrylate mixture selected from an aliphatic alkyl(meth)acrylate having a carbon number of 4-6 and an aliphatic alkyl(meth)acrylate having a carbon number of 7-12; a monomer component 2 comprising an amide group-containing vinyl monomer; a monomer component 3 comprising an ester of a non-tertiary aromatic alcohol and (meth)acrylic acid, or an ester of a non-tertiary alicyclic alcohol and (meth)acrylic acid; and a monomer component 4 comprising (meth)acrylic acid.
US09422460B2
Provided is an adhesive film capable of being used to encapsulate or capsulate an OED. The adhesive film includes an adhesive layer whose surface has at least one groove for exhausting air.
US09422458B2
An improved approach toward the electrostatic deposition of activatable adhesive formulations is disclosed. The activatable adhesive formulations are formed for transforming from a dry powder precursor layer to a precursor layer film.
US09422454B2
A polishing composition of the present invention contains a water-soluble polymer and abrasive grains. The water-soluble polymer is an anionic compound having an acid dissociation constant pKa of 3 or less. Specific examples of such a compound include polyvinylsulfonic acid, polystyrenesulfonic acid, polyallylsulfonic acid, polyethyl acrylate sulfonic acid, polybutyl acrylate sulfonic acid, poly(2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid), and polyisoprenesulfonic acid. The abrasive grains exhibit a negative zeta potential at a pH of 3.5 or less. Specific examples of such abrasive grains include colloidal silica.
US09422452B2
A polymerized film forming method for forming a polymerized film on a target surface of a workpiece using a first raw material gas which contains a first monomer and a second raw material gas which contains a second monomer differing from the first monomer includes: supplying the first raw material gas wherein difunctional non-aromatic amine having a hydrolyzable group is used for the first monomer; and supplying the second raw material gas wherein difunctional acid anhydride is used for the second monomer.
US09422447B2
The invention is related to azetidinium-containing copolymers and vinylic monomers and their uses in formation of non-silicone hydrogel coatings on silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
US09422444B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards coating compositions comprising from 20 to 85 percent of an aqueous dispersion based on a total weight of the coating composition, a basic water composition, and a crosslinker, wherein the aqueous dispersion comprises a melt blending product of (a) a base polymer comprising a polyolefin, (b) a polymeric performance improving agent (c) a polymeric stabilizing agent, and (d) a polymeric coupling agent.
US09422435B2
The present invention relates to a coating composition that provides improved scratch and stain resistance. The coating composition includes a curable film-forming resin having at least two multi-functional (meth)acrylates and a plurality of particles dispersed within the resin, said particles comprising (i) inorganic nanoparticles and (ii) wear resistant mineral particles. The wear resistant mineral particles have an average particle size of greater than 3.5 microns.
US09422422B2
In order to provide a rubber composition having high transparency and toughness, the present invention can provide a crosslinked rubber composition, being substantially free of silica, comprising a first olefin polymer having refractive index of between 1.500 to 1.525 at 23 degree C.; and a second olefin polymer which is different from the first olefin polymer, wherein the composition has haze of 20% or less on 2 mm thick sheet, measured according to JIS K7136, and wherein the composition has Type A Durometer hardness (0 sec) of 35 or more, measured according to JIS K6253.
US09422410B2
Provided is a recyclable flame-retardant foamed styrene resin composition having high flame-retardancy and heat stability by adding little bromine-containing flame retardant. A flame-retardant foamed styrene resin composition containing (A) a styrene resin, (B) a mixture of (B1) tetrabromobisphenol A-bis(2,3-dibromo-2-methylpropyl ether) and (B2) another bromine-containing flame retardant, (C) zinc-modified hydrotalcite, (D) zeolite, and (G) a foaming agent, containing 0.005-0.08 parts by weight of (C) the zinc-modified hydrotalcite per 100 parts by weight of (A) the styrene resin.
US09422405B2
The present invention has its object to provide a liquid-form modified product of polyhedral polysiloxane which is excellent in moldability and transparency, and a composition produced using the modified product. In addition, the present invention can provide an easy-to-handle modified product and composition. The present invention provides a modified product of polyhedral polysiloxane which is obtainable by modifying a polyhedral polysiloxane compound (a) with a compound (b), and a composition containing the modified product. The polyhedral polysiloxane compound (a) has an alkenyl group and/or a hydrosilyl group, and the compound (b) has a hydrosilyl group and/or an alkenyl group each capable of hydrosilylation with the component (a).
US09422403B2
Water-absorbable silicone rubber particles which are particles of a silicone rubber, each of which has a particle diameter ranging from 0.1 to 1,000 μm and is elastic, wherein the silicone rubber is an organopolysiloxane having a polyoxyalkylene group, contains an oxyethylene unit represented by the formula —OCH2CH2— in an amount of 20 to 80 mass %, and can absorb water in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more relative to 100 parts by mass of the silicone rubber. The silicone particles according to the present invention can impart soft touch, a soft-focusing effect and the like to a make-up cosmetic such as a foundation or an antiperspirant when added to the make-up cosmetic or the antiperspirant. In addition, since the particles have high water absorption performance, the particles can absorb sweat and therefore is expected to exhibit an effect of reducing unpleasantness such as stickiness and greasiness, oiliness of the skin and make-up deterioration.
US09422399B2
A copolyester comprising repeating units derived from an aliphatic glycol, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and the monomer of formula (I): (Formula (I)) wherein n=2, 3 or 4, Z is S(═O)2, and wherein comonomer (I) constitutes a proportion of the glycol fraction of the copolyester; and films, fibers, molding compositions or molded articles comprising said copolyester.
US09422396B2
The present disclosure relates to biodegradable and biocompatible elastomeric polymers that are amorphous and have a glass transition temperature below both room temperature and body temperature, and which will homogenously degrade to water soluble by-products with no reported toxicity.
US09422386B2
A flame retardant acrylic/polylactic acid (PLA) copolymer is synthesized which contains a FR-PMMA block that includes either a poly(MMAP) block or a poly(MMA-co-MMAP) block, wherein MMA is methyl methacrylate and MMAP is a MMA-like monomer that is functionalized with a phosphorus-containing moiety. In some embodiments, the flame retardant acrylic/PLA copolymer is a diblock copolymer containing a PLA block and a FR-PMMA block. In other embodiments, the flame retardant acrylic/PLA copolymer is a triblock-graft copolymer containing a PLA block, a PMMA block and a FR-PMMA block.
US09422384B2
A silyl protected diacrylamide compound is described. A method of forming such a compound includes mixing a silylation reagent with a hydroxylated diamine compound under first reactive conditions to form a product in a first solution, separating the product from the first solution, and mixing the product with acryloyl chloride under second reactive conditions in a second solution to form a silyl protected diacrylamide compound.
US09422375B2
Provided is a non-cyclopentadienyl-based chromium-ligand complex, preferably a chromium-ligand complex of formula (J): LCr(RA)m(D)k (J), wherein L is a non-Cp monoanionic ligand; Cr (chromium) is in a formal oxidation state of +3 or +2; when Cr formally is Cr+3, either m is 1 and RA is hydrocarbylene (a hydrocarbylene chromium-ligand complex of formula (J)) or m is 2 and each RA independently is hydrocarbyl (a dihydrocarbyl chromium-ligand complex of formula (J)), wherein each hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbylene of RA independently is unsubstituted or substituted by from 1 to 5 RAS; each RAS independently is a neutral aprotic heteroalkyl, neutral aprotic heterocycloalkyl, neutral aprotic heteroaryl, or neutral aprotic aryl; when Cr formally is Cr+2, m is 1 and RA is hydrocarbyl (a hydrocarbyl chromium-ligand complex of formula (J)); k is an integer of 0 or 1; D is absent when k is 0 or D is a neutral ligand when k is 1; wherein the chromium-ligand complex of formula (J) is overall neutral and lacks a cyclopentadienyl-based (Cp-based) moiety. Also provided is a chromium catalyst comprising or prepared from the complex. Also provided is a process of making the catalyst and a process employing the chromium catalyst for polymerizing the olefin monomer, especially a straight chain 1-alkene, to prepare the polyolefin, especially a partially chain-straightened poly(1-alkene) or olefin block copolymer. Further provided is the partially chain-straightened poly(1-alkene) or olefin block copolymer prepared thereby. Also provided is a high throughput workflow.
US09422373B2
Covalently modified alginate polymers, possessing enhanced biocompatibility and tailored physiochemical properties, as well as methods of making and use thereof, are disclosed herein. The covalently modified alginates are useful as a matrix for the encapsulation and transplantation of cells. Also disclosed are high throughput methods for the characterizing the biocompatibility and physiochemical properties of modified alginate polymers.
US09422364B2
The present invention relates to an immunoglobulin preparation comprising immunoglobulin in a mass-volume percentage of at least 4%, wherein the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the preparation at room temperature is less than 40 μmol/l.
US09422362B2
Targeted coagulation factors comprising a coagulation factor linked with at least one domain that specifically binds to a membrane protein on a blood cell is provided. The disclosed targeted coagulation factors increase the efficiency of coagulation factors and prolong their duration of action and thus, are an improvement for the treatment of hematological diseases such as hemophilia A.
US09422361B2
There is described a chromatographic purification process that allows highly purified von Willebrand factor (vWF) and Fibronectin (Fn) to be obtained, starting from a biological fraction enriched in vWF and Fn and easily scaled up to industrial level. Chromatographic purification was obtained by a strong anionic exchange resin. The concentrates obtained have a high specific activity and, given the low content of contaminant proteins, are particularly suitable for therapeutic use.
US09422357B2
[Problem] To provide a glycosylated polypeptide having an affinity to somatostatin receptors, and, compared to somatostatins, having improved in-blood stability. [Solution] The glycosylated polypeptide is characterized by at least one amino acid in a somatostatin or an analog thereof being replaced with a glycosylated amino acid.
US09422353B2
This present invention relates to pharmacologically potent and stable human fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) variants, pharmaceutical compositions comprising FGF21 variants, and methods for treating type 2 diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and/or metabolic syndrome using such variants.
US09422352B2
The present technology provides methods and compositions for the treatment of inflammatory and/or tissue damage conditions. In particular, the use of Smad7 compositions delivered locally or systemically to a site of inflammation and/or tissue damage is described. Other specific embodiments concern treatment or prevention of side effects caused by radiation and/or chemotherapy, including but not limited to oral and gastric mucositis. Also provided are codon-optimized nucleic acids encoding for Smad7 fusion proteins.
US09422350B2
Described are methods and compositions for preventing and/or treating HIV infection, as well as in vitro and in vivo methods of inhibiting HIV replication, inhibiting HIV viral transcription, inhibiting the viral Tat protein, and inhibiting HIV LTR expression. The methods involve administering a Target of Egr1 (TOE1) polypeptide, fragment or deletion mutant thereof, either to a subject in need of treatment or to a cell infected with an HIV virus. Compositions may comprise the described polypeptide, or an encoding polynucleotide thereof.
US09422333B2
The present invention provides compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.
US09422332B2
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, m, n and q are described in this application, and methods of using said compounds in the treatment of cancer.
US09422328B2
A series of multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves is set up inside a growth volume of a bioreactor. The acoustic standing waves are used to hold a cell culture in place as a nutrient fluid stream flows through the cell culture. Biomolecules produced by the cell culture are collected by the nutrient fluid stream and separated downstream of the cell culture.
US09422323B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I: including any possible stereoisomers thereof, wherein R9 has the meaning as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing said compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use, alone or in combination with other HCV inhibitors, in HCV therapy.
US09422314B2
Described herein are compounds and compositions that modulate the activity of beta-lactamases. In some embodiments, the compounds described herein inhibit beta-lactamase. In certain embodiments, the compounds described herein are useful in the treatment of bacterial infections.
US09422313B2
Methods include formation of 4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenylboronic acid pinacol esters. The method comprises contacting a 1-chloro-3-fluoro-2-substituted benzene with an alkyl lithium to form a lithiated 1-chloro-3-fluoro-2-substituted benzene. The lithiated 1-chloro-3-fluoro-2-substituted benzene is contacted with an electrophilic boronic acid derivative to form a 4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenylboronate. The 4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenylboronate is reacted with an aqueous base to form a (4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenyl)trihydroxyborate. The (4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenyl)trihydroxyborate is reacted with an acid to form a 4 chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenylboronic acid. The 4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenylboronic acid is reacted with 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol to form 4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenylboronic acid pinacol esters . Methods of using 4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenylboronic acid pinacol esters to produce 6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-substituted-phenyl)-4-aminopicolinates are also disclosed.
US09422310B2
GnRH receptor antagonists are disclosed which have utility in the treatment of a variety of sex-hormone related conditions in both men and women. The compounds of this invention have the structure: wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R2, R2a, and A are as defined herein, including stereoisomers, esters, solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed are compositions containing a compound of this invention in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, as well as methods relating to the use thereof for antagonizing gonadotropin-releasing hormone in a subject in need thereof.
US09422306B2
The present disclosure describes artemisinin compounds. The compounds can be synthesized using an Ugi synthesis reaction and can be used in the treatment of cancers, parasitic infections and yeast infections.
US09422303B2
Provided are compositions, methods of making the compositions, and methods of using the compositions. The compositions can be provided as pharmaceutical preparations for use in disease treatment, such as cancer therapy. The compositions include novel pharmaceutical preparations which contain effective concentrations of a chemical compound. One compound used is 10H-1,3-Dioxolo[4,5-g]pyrano[3′,4′:6,7]indolizino[1,2-b]quinoline-8,11(7H,12H)-dione, 7-ethyl-7-hydroxy-, (S)-. The invention also provides methodologies for preparing pharmaceutical preparations for use in intravenous and oral pharmaceutical preparations that contain drug compounds that are difficult to dissolve in water.
US09422298B2
The invention provides novel substituted pyridopyrimidines represented by Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof, and a composition comprising these compounds. The compounds provided can be used as inhibitors of the phosphoinositide 3′ OH kinase family (PI3K) for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, allergy, asthma and autoimmune disorders.
US09422297B2
The present invention provides tricyclic compounds having cytostatic and cytotoxic activity in a single molecule having receptor tyrosine kinase(s), dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase and/or dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitory activity, which are useful as anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor agents. Also provided are methods of utilizing these inhibitors to treat tumor cells and other proliferative diseases and disorders.
US09422296B2
The present invention relates to 4-aryl-6-piperazin-1-yl-3-substituted-pyridazines that are fast dissociating dopamine 2 receptor antagonists, processes for preparing these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds as an active ingredient. The compounds find utility as medicines for treating or preventing central nervous system disorders, for example schizophrenia, by exerting an antipsychotic effect without motor side effects.
US09422284B2
Compounds of the formula (I) useful as 11-Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Inhibitors
US09422280B2
The invention relates to N-substituted hetero-bicyclic compounds of formula (I), to the enantiomers, diastereomers and salts thereof and to compositions comprising such compounds. The invention also relates to methods and uses of these N-substituted hetero-bicyclic compounds, and of compositions comprising thereof, for combating and controlling animal pests. Furthermore the invention relates also to pesticidal methods of applying such N-substituted hetero-bicyclic compounds.The N-substituted hetero-bicyclic compounds of the present invention are defined by the following formula I: wherein A, B, X, Het, R1, R2, W1, W2, W3 and W4 are defined as in the description.
US09422275B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide selected compounds having a molecular structure according to Formula 1: In Formula 1, Z is —CO—, —SO—, or —SO2—; Ar is phenyl, heteroaryl, or heterocycloalkyl; Het is heteroaryl; R is R″, X, or NR1R2; R′ is R3, or OR3; R″ is R4, or OR4; R1 and R2 are each independently H, alkyl, or acyl; R3 is H, heteroaryl, or alkyl; R4 is H, heteroaryl, or CnH2n+1 (n>2); and X is F, Br, I, CN, or NO2. In some embodiments, compounds having a molecular structure according to Formula 1 have the property of inhibiting a growth of a cell line selected from HeLa and MB468 with a sub-micromolar IC50.
US09422272B2
Compounds of formula (I): are described herein. Compounds of the disclosure are modulators of Kv3 channels and may be used in the prophylaxis or treatment of related disorders.
US09422262B2
The invention relates to the use of a compound of Formula I for the treatment of protease-activated receptor mediated diseases by the administration of a compound of Formula I or a prodrug or metabolite thereof.
US09422258B2
Methods of making reduced derivatives of hydroxymethyl furfural using metal catalysts are described. The derivatives may have tetrahydrofuran or furan nucleus with alkoxymethyl ether or ester moieties on the 5′ carbon and methanol on the 2′ carbon. Suitable metal catalyst include Raney nickel, a nickel catalyst with a zirconium promoter, a chromite catalyst with a barium, a palladium catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, or a ruthenium catalyst. Also provided are a new class of compounds, which are n-alkoxy hexane diols (i.e., 1,2 or 1,5 hexane diol ethers) and methods of making the same by reduction of furan or tetrahydrofuran derivatives.
US09422244B2
This invention relates to organic chemistry, in particular to processes for the preparation of pyrazoline carboxamidine derivatives of formula (I), known as potent 5-HT6 antagonists. The invention also relates to novel intermediates of these compounds. wherein the symbols have the meanings given in the description.
US09422224B2
The present invention is directed to BCAT inhibitors with the following formula: Wherein R1 is a linear alkyl group and X+ denotes a cation. These inhibitors are useful in treating autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease.
US09422222B2
Processes for the catalytic dehydration of hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with high yield and selectivity and without significant conversion to undesired side products, such as, acetaldehyde, propanoic acid, and acetic acid, are provided.
US09422212B2
A process for producing methanol, where a hydrocarbon feedstock (1) is reformed and a make-up syngas is reacted in a synthesis loop, obtaining crude methanol which is further treated to obtain high-grade methanol, and where the carbon dioxide dissolved in the crude methanol is recycled to the reforming section in order to adjust the stoichiometric number of the make-up syngas. In a preferred embodiment, a flash gas (9) separated from the crude methanol (8) and light ends (10) coming from distillation are recycled to a compressor (106) and fed to a primary reformer (100); further carbon dioxide can be recycled from the flue gas (11).
US09422211B2
The present invention provides a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, comprising the steps of producing 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene by reacting anhydrous hydrogen fluoride with a specific chlorine-containing compound in a gas phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst while heating; and producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene by reacting 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in a gas phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst while heating, the step of producing 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene being performed after the step of producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. According to the process, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene can be produced with reduced energy and equipment costs in an economically advantageous manner.
US09422206B2
Provided are processes for making hydrocarbons from renewable feed sources. In an embodiment, there is provided a method for producing a lube basestock including: contacting a compound of Formula (I) and a feedstock of biological origin with a catalyst component including a basic material: wherein R1 is selected from acyclic hydrocarbyl, cyclic hydrocarbyl, and aryl, wherein R1 has one or more optional substitutions selected from the group consisting of —Ra, —ORa, —C(O)Ra, and —C(O)ORa, wherein Ra is H or C1-C6 alkyl group; and n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and hydrogenating a ketone to a hydrocarbon with a catalyst including a hydrogenation catalyst and a hydrothermally stable binder.
US09422200B2
The invention relates to boron nitride agglomerates, comprising lamellar, hexagonal boron nitride primary particles, which are agglomerated with one another with a preferred orientation, the agglomerates formed being flake-shaped.The invention also relates to a method for producing said boron nitride agglomerates, characterized in that lamellar, hexagonal boron nitride primary particles are agglomerated in such a way that they line up with one another with a preferred orientation.The flake-shaped agglomerates according to the invention are suitable as filler for polymers for making polymer-boron nitride composites and for hot pressing of boron nitride sintered compacts.
US09422186B2
When drawing of a GRIN lens from a preform is started, wastage of the preform is reduced and the amount of time taken from the start of elongation of the preform to the start of winding is reduced. A preform, to a lower end of which a weight formed of silica is fused, is set in a heating furnace, and drawing of the preform is started by heating a fused portion where the preform and the weight are fused to each other. This can reduce wastage of the preform. Since an elongation speed of the preform is increased by the weight of the weight, the amount of time taken from the start of the elongation of the preform to the start of winding can be decreased.
US09422182B2
A water purifier system includes a base unit and a filter unit detachably connected to the base unit. The base unit is provided with a water inlet tube for guiding water to the filter unit and with a water outlet tube for guiding purified water from the filter unit. The filter unit includes a container surrounding a replaceable filter element and covered by a removable lid. The container is provided with a water inlet member for guiding unfiltered water from the water inlet tube into the container. The replaceable filter element is provided with a water outlet member for guiding purified water from the filter element to the water outlet tube of the base unit. The water outlet member extends through an opening in the removable lid that covers the container.
US09422181B1
Vehicle wash water reclaim system in fluid communication with settling tanks receiving used vehicle wash water, the system comprising: a control system, a self-cleaning vertical plane strainer, a pump controlled by the control system, and a cyclone assembly wherein the pump is in fluid communication with the self-cleaning vertical plane strainer for drawing vehicle wash water through the vertical plane strainer and pumping it through the cyclone assembly to a recirculation line feeding back to the underground settling tanks and to a vehicle wash line feeding vehicle wash equipment. The assembly comprising at least one first cyclone in continuous fluid communication between the pump and the recirculation and vehicle wash lines and at least one second cyclone selectively switched into parallel fluid communication with the at least one first cyclone. An ozone system and a hydrogen peroxide system comprising a screen filter bio-media combination are disposed in the recirculation line.
US09422179B2
Procedure using zeolite, clinoptilolite type in an upflow anaerobic reactor and sludge blanket (UASBs) in order to obtain granular active sludge, thereby improving the density of the sludge, and thereby, their settling properties, and increase of biomass within reactor by immobilizing microorganisms, to achieve an increase in the efficiency of the removal of organic material and the production of biogas (60-70% methane) in more than 20% over the same type reactor used so far without zeolite, enabling the use of such reactor for treating wastewater with a high concentration of proteins, amino acids and other nitrogen compounds and which prevents the accumulation of nitrogen, which is toxic to the process by allowing zeolite-clinoptilolite, the exchange with alkali and alkaline earth found in specific points of the crystal structure of clinoptilolite by ammonia nitrogen, and also preventing the development of filamentous bacteria, which are difficult to hold up within the reactor and reduces its efficiency.
US09422178B2
The systems and methods described provide for reducing sludge generation, and thus sludge wasting and handling, by including an anaerobic completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) as a bioreactor in a side-stream. The CSTR provides a significant simplification of side-stream treatment design, enhanced sludge minimization, and enhanced removal of nitrogen and phosphorous without the need to add organic carbon. The described systems and methods provide generation of biogas including both hydrogen and methane from the activated sludge system. The described systems and methods avoid complex reactor designs for nutrient removal.
US09422169B2
The present disclosure provides a composition for purifying water comprising a magnesium oxide component and a binder. The magnesium oxide component includes magnesium oxide, a pH regulator, and an additional water purifying material. The binder can be an organic polymer, an inorganic binder, or a combination of both.
US09422168B2
Disclosed is a dissolved air flotation (“DAF”) device. The DAF device creates an elongated separation zone to permit agglomerated impurities to be more effectively removed from the influent. A header is included at the lower extent of the separation zone to collect the clarified effluent. In one possible embodiment, a collection channel with a series of intake apertures is connected to the header. In another embodiment, intake apertures are located along the header. In either embodiment, the header reduces the rate at which the effluent is collected and, thereby, reduces the inadvertent collection of agglomerated impurities.
US09422163B2
The present invention is related to a new scalable method of forming graphite oxide (only one or few layers of carbon atoms) of high purity (notably without metallic residues) and high oxidation degree from graphite flakes in a cost-effective and reduced environmental impact.
US09422157B2
Methods of forming MEMS resonators containing a first structural material and a second structural material to tailor the resonator's temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF). The first structural material has a different Young's modulus temperature coefficient than the second structural material. In one embodiment, the first structural material may be formed on substrate and patterned, and the second structural material may be formed over the first structural material and planarized to expose the first structural material. A resonator may be patterned that contains both the first and second structural materials.
US09422150B2
According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes: a support section; a film section; and a strain sensing element. The film section is supported by the support section and deformable. The film section includes a first film and a second film. The first film includes a first region located in a central part and a second region located in a peripheral part around the first region. The second film is provided on the first region. The strain sensing element is provided on part of the second region. The strain sensing element includes a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; and an intermediate layer. Magnetization of the first magnetic layer changes in response to deformation of the second region. The intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.
US09422149B2
Trapped sacrificial structures and thin-film encapsulation methods that may be implemented to manufacture trapped sacrificial structures such as relative humidity sensor structures, and spacer structures that protect adjacent semiconductor structures extending above a semiconductor die substrate from being contacted by a molding tool or other semiconductor processing tool in an area of a die substrate adjacent the spacer structures.
US09422148B1
An article for retaining a spray container having a spray nozzle for discharging contents stored in the spray container. The article includes an elongated spine, a base formed at one end of the spine which supports a spray container, a hand grip formed at an opposite end of the spine, the hand grip is rotationally coupled to the spine, and a mechanical finger positioned along the spine. The article further includes a trigger for remotely controlling the position of the mechanical finger relative to the spray nozzle of the spray container.
US09422146B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank and a piping system having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.
US09422140B2
An endless cable winch includes a working cable, a housing, in which is mounted a driving cable pulley around at least a part of which the working cable is wrapped, and further includes a drive for driving the driving cable pulley, wherein the housing is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, and a sensor is provided for detecting a pivoting movement of the housing for detecting an overload state of the working cable.
US09422133B2
An exemplary method is useful for controlling movement of an elevator car in an elevator system that includes a machine that selectively moves the elevator car and a machine brake that selectively resists movement of the elevator car. The method includes determining whether the elevator car is near a landing and determining whether a door of the elevator car is open. A desired operation includes desired movement of the elevator car while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open. A determination is made whether the elevator car moves other than according to the desired movement. The machine brake is applied for stopping movement of the elevator car responsive to elevator car movement other than the desired movement while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open.
US09422127B2
A sheet registration system is for use in connection with a finisher for a digital printing system. A scuffer carriage has omnidirectional scuffer wheels with a plurality of overlapping rollers to provide uninterrupted traction to move media sheets against a registration wall for process direction registration. A pair of opposed tamper plates will move toward one another pushing the media sheets together in the cross process direction. The freely rotating scuffer rollers will allow free movement of the media sheets in the cross process direction. Thus, cross process registration is achieved simultaneously with process direction registration, and registration time is minimized. Process direction registration is maintained by not lifting the scuffer from the media sheets during cross process registration.
US09422120B2
To provide a levitation air plate that can be easily manufactured and can float a substance being conveyed such as a glass while maintaining its high rigidity and controlling a floating amount in high accuracy. A levitation air plate 1 provided with: a top plate 2 in which a plurality of air ejection holes 2c and suction holes 2d penetrating from an upper surface 2a to a lower surface 2b are arranged in alternating fashion as viewed from the upper surface, the top plate 2 having a counter-bored portion 2e on the lower surface side of each of the plurality of air ejection holes; an orifice sheet 3 having a plurality of orifices 3c penetrating from an upper surface 3a to a lower surface 3b in positions corresponding to the counter-bored portions of the top plate, and having communicating holes 3d communicated one-to-one with the suction holes of the top plate and penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface; and bottom side plates 4, 5 having an air supply channel 4c and an air supply hole 5c for supplying air to all of the orifices drilled in the orifice sheet, and an air suction channel 4d and a suction hole 5d for suctioning air from all of the communicating holes communicated with the suction holes.
US09422110B2
There is disclosed herein a guide device (1A) with a wedge sliding surface for bulk conveyors, said guide device being removably fixed to the head end of a lateral or central guide (4A) of a bulk conveyor; wherein said sliding surface is at least partially defined by a plurality of rolling bodies (5), which are idly mounted to a plurality of shafts defining axes of rotation substantially and/or generally parallel to one another and orthogonal to said axis of extension.
US09422107B1
The lawn debris collector with removable rigid supports is a kit that is adapted to be used to collect lawn debris. The lawn debris collector includes a tarp member and a plurality of removable rigid supports. The plurality of removable rigid supports is each securable to a perimeter of the tarp member. More specifically, a first and second of the plurality of removable rigid supports are inserted into sleeves provided on a first and second edge of the perimeter of the tarp member. A plurality of immovable flexible supports is permanently secured along a bottom surface of the tarp member. The plurality of immovable flexible supports is perpendicularly oriented with respect to the plurality of removable rigid supports. The plurality of removable rigid supports are removed in order to fold the tarp member in half with lawn debris collected on said tarp member.
US09422102B2
An apparatus for dispensing material through a refillable cartridge, comprising a container having a receptacle for receiving a refill cartridge, the container having a lid cooperating with the container to enclose the refill cartridge, the container further comprising an exit port and a channel for communicating material from the refill cartridge to the exit port, and a valve for controlling the flow of material out of the refill cartridge; and a reusable, refill cartridge sized to be received in the receptacle, the refill cartridge including compressed gas and material separated by a bi-conical thruster, the refill cartridge further comprising a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold, and a second end having a compressed gas inlet. The system's performance can be improved by applying a surface treatment to the wetted surfaces of the system to change the physical properties at the fluid/vessel interface.
US09422099B2
A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and a second portion that defined a lid co-operable with the first portion. The lid includes an auxiliary access opening and closure member that are smaller than the main opening, and that can be operated one-handed. A rigid work surface is provided, typically immediately adjacent to the secondary closure member, the work surface providing a place for holding or mixing a drink or for preparing a snack. In some embodiments the work surface may be movable relative to the container, whether slidable in a co-planar or parallel planar manner in translation, or folding as in a foldable shelf. The entire container assembly may be foldable or collapsible to a storage condition, and the rigid member, whether fixed or movable, does not impede that folding or collapsing.
US09422097B1
A package cushioning material for liquid crystal glass includes an air sack sheet and scratch protection layers arranged between the air sack sheet and corners of a piece of liquid crystal glass. The air sack sheet is formed by connecting a plurality of air sacks. The package cushioning material uses an air sack sheet as a basic cushioning material that is protected from being damaged by the corners of the liquid crystal glass by being separated from the corners of the liquid crystal glass by the scratch protection layers.
US09422094B2
Packaging inserts for headphones include a unitary body having two or more integral portions configured to fold relative to one another so as to partially enclose, support, and retain a headphone within the folded unitary body between the integral portions. Methods of packaging headphones include positioning a headphone on such a unitary body, and folding the unitary body around at least a portion of the headphones. Packaged headphone assemblies include a headphone, and such a packaging insert folded around at least a portion of the headphone.
US09422089B2
Disclosed are devices and methods for sealing containers. The device can include a seal, a spring, and an eccentric or ramp. In a first position, the spring and the seal can be retracted enabling the device to be placed in the opening of a container. In a second position, the spring can expand the seal enabling it to seal against a sealing surface of the container. The device can create a replaceable bottle cap assembly that conforms to the top of a non-threaded beverage container. The device can provide a lid for a variety of storage containers, including food storage containers. The device can form a watertight or airtight seal. The device can be used to form a movable lid for a container or to join multiple containers together.
US09422087B1
A foldable crate includes a base platform, a pair of longitudinal sidewalls forming a hinged connection with the base platform and a pair of flanking sidewalls forming a hinged connection with the base platform. The flanking sidewalls accommodate a pair of rotary locking elements, as well as unlocking element.
US09422084B2
An inventory system includes a pallet and a base for palletizing or unpalletizing a mobile drive unit. The pallet has a set of openings corresponding with features of the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit features may extend into the pallet openings. The base includes protrusions corresponding to the pallet openings. Engaging the pallet and base can position the base protrusions in the pallet openings. Positioning the base protrusions in the pallet openings can displace the mobile drive unit features from the pallet openings and/or provide a surface upon which the mobile drive unit can navigate.
US09422082B2
Apparatus and methods for engaging and disengaging various members to each other are described herein. The preferred apparatus and methods reduce the number of components and/or sub-assemblies in hinged apparatus and methods and other applications, and simplify and improve the quality and efficiency of installation and removal of latches associated with the hinged elements or members. The latching/locking system and methods of the invention also enable selective relatively permanent engagement of the hinged elements or members to each other, and can permit selective transition between the foregoing hinged and locked relationships. Improved latches are disclosed, with interchangeability, keying to assist assembly, and other features. Methods of fabrication and assembly are disclosed.
US09422080B2
Peel-Reclose packaging material formed using an adhesive label in combination with laser scoring technology. The adhesive label is applied over laser scored material before or after the laser score forms a pattern smaller than the adhesive label. The adhesive label and laser scored packaging material can then be opened and resealed. In one embodiment the adhesive label in combination with the packaging material has tamper resistant features.
US09422077B2
A rectangular storage container comprises four parts, two of which are releasably coupled to each other to respectively form a bottom section and a top section such that, when assembled together, the bottom section and top section can move telescopically with respect to each other in a first dimension, and the respective two parts that are attached to form the bottom section and top section can additionally move with respect to each another in a second dimension, to enable adjustment of the volume of the storage container in two dimensions.
US09422075B2
Pressure pad for a heat-sealing device in a packaging machine, the heat-sealing device having a heat-sealing jaw and a counter-jaw adapted to seal together two surfaces of a packaging material when the jaws are pressed together. The pressure pad comprises a first portion, adapted to be mounted on the counter-jaw of the heat-sealing device, and a second portion, in use arranged towards the heat-sealing jaw of the heat-sealing device. A cross-section of said second portion, along the extension of the pressure pad, has a substantially constant arc-shape of the outer contact surface in use facing the heat-sealing jaw. The pressure pad is made up of a resilient material, and the cross-section of said arc-shaped outer contact surface has a radius of curvature of 15 mm±5 mm. The invention further relates to a heat-sealing device having such a pressure pad.
US09422063B2
In an aircraft including a gas turbine engine having a compressor including a compressor booster, a turbine, and a nacelle, a system for cooling compressor discharge air provided to the turbine to cool the turbine includes a heat exchanger provided in a nacelle compartment of the gas turbine engine configured to cool the compressor discharge air by exchanging heat from the compressor discharge air to a cooling fluid; and a cooling fluid circuit configured to circulate cooling fluid through the heat exchanger and a heat sink, wherein the heat sink is at least one of an inlet of the nacelle compartment, an inlet of the compressor booster, or outlet guide vanes of the gas turbine engine.
US09422060B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for a turboprop-powered medium altitude long endurance (MALE) aircraft, having: a heat exchanger with a heat-storage material, for example a heat-storage wax; and an air recirculation path. The heat exchanger can be arranged to cool air recirculating around the air recirculation path which is arranged to provide cooling to the MALE aircraft, for example to an equipment bay. The heat-storage material may be cooled by ground-based cooling apparatus when the aircraft is on the ground and/or by ram air when the aircraft is in flight. The heat-storage material may have a melting point selected so as to be rendered solid during ground-based cooling and/or ram air cooling, and/or selected so as to undergo melting while cooling the air recirculating around the air recirculation path.
US09422048B1
An apparatus for securing a plurality of tendons to a balloon includes a first and second plate and a cable long enough to extend around a circumference of the first plate. The first plate has a plurality of slots and one more mating ports. Each slot is configured to allow a given tendon from the plurality of tendons to extend through the first plate by inserting a tendon within the slot. The second plate has a surface with one or more mating members attached. Each mating member is configured to connect the first and second plates together by mating with at least one of the one or more mating ports. The cable is configured to pass between the first and second plates so as to couple with each tendon within the plurality of slots in order to secure the tendons to a balloon structure.
US09422040B2
A computer 11 of a ship monitoring device 1 arranges one kind of transmission data between two consecutive start control codes and two consecutive termination control codes. The computer 11 also arranges information indicating a type of the transmission data between the transmission data and the start control codes and between the termination control codes and the transmission data. In this way, the transmission data is transmitted in form of packet data. Therefore, transmission data in information communication between ships and sensed information in information communication of fenders can be easily distinguished from each other. In addition, a type of information transmitted as the transmission data can be easily identified.
US09422038B2
A personal flotation device includes a hard outer shell, a seat, a centered leg straddle support, and a water ballast valve. The flotation device is fully submersible and has adjustable buoyancy that allows the user to sit upright on the device, floating at approximately armpit level in the water with the user's arms free and feet dangling down. The user can use his or her arms and legs to propel through the water, or perform other activities while floating because his or her hands are free to do so.
US09422034B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a self-directed (i.e., autonomous), steerable gravity-embedded anchor. This anchor free-falls through the water column, accelerates due to gravity and uses its kinetic energy to embed itself into the seafloor so as to function as an anchor for mooring of both floating vessels and other underwater structures. Unlike existing gravity-embedded plate anchors, this device can steer itself to its intended target location on the seafloor, enhancing placement accuracy and allowing release directly from an installation vessel on the water surface, thereby greatly simplifying installation.
US09422030B2
A combination fishing pole holder and cleat has a bezel portion for affixing to a surface. The bezel portion has a first hole for accepting an object and a shaped indentation to accept and fit a cleat portion. The bezel portion has a pair of studs, each having a cavity formed there within. The cleat portion is shaped to fit within the shaped indentation and has a second hole, also for accepting the object. A pair of legs extends from the cleat portion and through respective studs. Each of the legs is terminated by a device/end that is wider than the cavity of the studs. A tubular portion extends from a side of the bezel and is aligned with both the first hole and the second hole for insertion of the object. The cleat portion moves between a retracted position and an extended position.
US09422025B2
A fork assembly having an external pipe closed on top with a first plug, an internal pipe slidably housed inside the external pipe, and a cartridge disposed inside the internal pipe and closed with a closing bush. The fork also has an electrovalve disposed in intermediate position between the closing bush of the cartridge and the first plug of the external pipe.
US09422024B2
Bicycle frame formed by a half-shell (1) made of a thermoplastic material. The half-shell (1) is fiber-reinforced at least in regions, and includes a cover element (2), which is, at least in regions, connected to the half-shell and preferably closes the half-shell.
US09422021B2
A collapsible skateboard includes an upright handle having lower portion on which is fixedly mounted a bracket, a connector having a curved slot having a lower end formed with a horizontal recess, an upper end formed with a vertical recess, and a circular hole under the vertical recess, an adjust pin inserted into the vertical recess of the connector and the elongated hole of the bracket, a pivot pin fitted through the circular hole of the connector and the circular hole of the bracket, a spring having an upper end connected to the adjust pin and a lower end to the pivot pin, and a platform on which is fixedly mounted the connector, whereby the skateboard can be easily folded up as desired.
US09422020B2
A driver protective device for a two-wheeled vehicle according to the present invention, includes: a main frame including a mounting frame which is mounted on a body of the two-wheeled vehicle, and a panel frame which is fixed to the mounting frame and has a front transparent panel installed therein; a storage box which is mounted on a rear portion of the two-wheeled vehicle; and an attachable protection panel including an upper panel which is attached to or detached from one end of the panel frame of the main frame, and a back panel which is attached to or detached from one side of the storage box, wherein the upper panel and the back panel are pivotly connected to each other.
US09422012B2
A motor vehicle for use in chauffeur operation, in particular a taxi or a limousine, has at least one driver's seat, at least one foot pedal and at least two front wheels. In order to design a vehicle to meet the specific requirements of short-distance chauffeur operation, the driver's seat is arranged between the front wheels in such a way that the foot pedal is positioned, viewed in the driving direction, between the axles, preferably in front of the front wheel axle.
US09422006B2
A bend initiating structure or contact member is provided on or as part of frame. A tie rod associated with a wheel is engaged and bending initiated during a front or offset vehicle crash event where the subframe has detached from the frame. This engagement turns the wheel, so that there is more stroke space with which to absorb energy in a crash event. Detachment of the subframe from the frame during the crash event reduces the energy absorption capacity of the vehicle system because the subframe is no longer carrying load, however, the energy absorption stroke of the frame is increased by turning the wheel to a toe out position.
US09422005B2
A chassis of a motor vehicle optimized for absorbing a frontal impact. The chassis includes a firewall separating a passenger compartment of the vehicle from a front portion of the chassis configured to hold an engine, and a mechanism for absorbing a frontal impact including two side rails mounted on at least the front portion of the chassis and arranged on either side of the chassis, each side rail including a front portion and a rear portion assembled to overlap at least partially. The side rails are arranged such that an overlap area is below the plane of the firewall, and the rear portion of the side rail includes a material which is less compressible than the front portion of the side rail.
US09421991B2
The present application relates to a device for supporting a child. The application also relates to a pushchair, a high chair and a child's bed provided with such a device. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a relative rotation movement of the undercarriage and upper carriage of the device is converted by means of a transmission into a movement collapsing the undercarriage. The device can hereby also be reduced in size in a transverse direction.
US09421979B2
A vehicle system includes at least one sensor that collects infrastructure information in real time and outputs sensor signals representing the collected infrastructure information. A processing device processes the sensor signals, predicts a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, and controls at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic. A method includes receiving infrastructure information collected in real time, processing the infrastructure information, predicting a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, and controlling at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic.
US09421972B2
A method and arrangement are described for pick-up point retrieval timing in a vehicle having autonomous parking capabilities. The arrangement may include a communication interface arranged to receive data concerning a desired retrieval time. A processor may be arranged to monitor one or more parameters while the vehicle is performing autonomous driving along a route to a final slot until autonomous parking of the vehicle has been completed. The processor may be further arranged to calculate when to start autonomous return travel in order to be at the pick-up point at the desired retrieval time based on at least one monitored parameter. An actuator may be arranged to initiate autonomous travel to the pick-up point at the calculated return travel start time.
US09421967B2
A control device for a hybrid vehicle is configured to enter a driving mode in which a preset engine-start condition is met, and is configured to enter electric vehicle mode when a preset engine-stop condition is met, and includes an engine-start-condition-controlling device which, during travel in the electric vehicle mode, in the event that an electric vehicle travel zone expansion condition that has been set on the basis of vehicle speed VSP and torque demand information reflective of demand by the driver, and that expands the travel zone in the electric vehicle mode, is met, changes the engine-start condition from a baseline start condition, to an expansion engine-start condition for expanding the travel zone in the electric vehicle mode, doing so for the duration of a prescribed time thereafter.
US09421958B2
A braking system for a work vehicle may generally include a hydraulically actuated brake, a tank containing hydraulic fluid and a brake valve fluidly connected between the tank and the hydraulically actuated brake. The brake valve may be movable between an on position and an off position for controlling a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the tank to the hydraulically actuated brake. The brake valve may include a first solenoid coil and a second solenoid coil, with each of the solenoid coils being configured to be independently energized and de-energized for moving the brake valve between the on and off positions. The system may also include a first control device electrically connected to the first solenoid coil for energizing and de-energizing the first solenoid coil and a separate second control device electrically connected to the second solenoid coil for energizing and de-energizing the second solenoid coil.
US09421953B2
A control device is described for a brake system of a vehicle, having a valve control device that is designed to determine, at least taking into account a provided information signal relating to a generator braking moment of a generator that is currently being exerted or is to be exerted, a first target state of a first valve of the brake system that is connected to a master brake cylinder of the brake system and to a fluid storage device of the brake system in such a way that a brake fluid volume can be displaced out of the master brake cylinder into the fluid storage device via the first valve, which is controlled into an at least partly open state, and to output a first control signal, corresponding to the first target state, to the first valve, the first target state being determinable, by the valve control device, for a valve connected via at least one intake line to a brake medium reservoir of the brake system as fluid storage device, as first valve. In addition, a method is described for operating a brake system of a vehicle.
US09421950B2
The invention relates to a wiper blade (10) for the cleaning of vehicle windows, with a wiper blade body (12), which is able to be connected to a wiper arm (1) via preferably a wiper blade adapter (11) arranged approximately centrally on the wiper blade body (12), wherein the wiper blade body (12) has a wiper rubber (13) with a wiper lip (14), and wherein a receiving groove (16, 17) which is U-shaped in cross section is formed and in which a strip-shaped spring strip (18, 19) engages in the wiper rubber (13) on both longitudinal sides lying opposite each other. According to the invention, it is provided that the two spring strips (18, 19) are rigidly connected to each other by means of at least one reinforcing element (25), wherein the reinforcing element (25) engages over the wiper blade body (12) on the side facing away from the wiper lip (14) and is connected at least indirectly to the two spring strips (18, 19).
US09421947B2
A windshield wiper has a wiper arm with a window clearing blade and an ice scraper component located above the blade. The outer edges of the blade and scraper component are curved, so as to be configured to the shape of the windshield of the vehicle. Wing nut and screw attachment means allows the scraper component to be slideable between a position in which the scraper component is slid forward of the blade and contacts the windshield to perform its ice clearing function and a second position in which it is retracted away from the windshield of a vehicle to allow the blade to perform its water clearing function.
US09421935B2
A vehicle airbag device included: an airbag that is disposed at an inner side of an instrument panel, that receives a supply of gas from an inflator and inflates and deploys to an outer side of the instrument panel, and that comprises a first bag that inflates and deploys at a vehicle front side of an occupant, and a second bag that inflates and deploys at a vehicle width direction center side of the first bag; and a recess that is formed at a lower face of the second bag when inflated and deployed, that is open toward a vehicle lower side, and that covers an interior component installed at a vehicle width direction central portion of the instrument panel from a vehicle upper side.
US09421930B2
The present specification relates to an apparatus for protecting a vehicle passenger, and the apparatus for protecting a vehicle passenger according to an exemplary embodiment of the present specification includes: a front two-axis sensor; a first side two-axis sensor; a second side two-axis sensor; a control unit which determines whether the vehicle passenger is in a front collision situation, by calculating an average value of acceleration values, or determines whether the vehicle passenger is in a broadside collision situation, by calculating speed and a speed change of the first side two-axis sensor using the acceleration value obtained by the sensor unit and by calculating speed of the second side two-axis sensor; and a protection unit which protects the vehicle passenger based on the determination of the control unit.
US09421925B2
A power device possesses a built-in fuse function and can continue to normally operate after a short circuit failure. The power device includes a plurality of output cells, a plurality of bonding wires provided corresponding to the output cells, and a control terminal driving circuit. Each of the output cells includes an output transistor. First side electrodes of the output transistors are commonly coupled to a first power source. Each of second side electrodes of the output transistors is coupled to an output terminal through the corresponding bonding wire. The control terminal driving circuit supplies a drive signal to the control terminals of the individual output transistors to control the output transistors. Each of the bonding wires is designed to be fused and cut if the output transistor included in the corresponding output cell fails and is shorted.
US09421924B2
A safety system for vehicles for reducing the danger of an electric shock from a battery is described, wherein the safety system is arranged on the outside of the vehicle and has an operator control area and a charging plug-in location with an operating plug. It is characteristic that the operating plug and the charging plug-in location are combined with one another outside the vehicle and are embodied in such a way that removing the operating plug causes the voltage of the vehicle to be disconnected. In addition, the disclosure relates to a motor vehicle which contains such a battery and to a method for reducing the danger of an electric shock from a battery, which method serves to implement the battery according to the disclosure.
US09421912B1
An auxiliary rearview mirror mounting structure includes two support arms of angularly adjustable multi-segment design pivotally connected to an auxiliary rearview mirror, multiple hooks located at each support arm for hooking on the rim of a main rearview mirror, and tightening-up devices mounted in each support arm corresponding to one respective hook and rotatably movable inwards and backwards for abutting against the rim of the main rearview mirror to lock the hooks to the rim of a main rearview mirror.
US09421908B2
A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The assembly includes a bottom seat member and a haptic alert assembly. The haptic alert assembly includes a first actuator incorporated into the bottom seat member. The first actuator is configured to generate at least a first portion of a haptic alert.
US09421907B2
A level indicator device is disclosed for use in conjunction with a road vehicle such as a caravan, trailer, motor home or mobile crane and which comprises an electrically energized level sensor that is arranged to provide an output signal that is representative of a prevailing level of the sensor, a signal generator associated with the sensor and arranged in use to generate a signal that is representative of a substantially horizontal level when that level is sensed to prevail by the sensor. A radiofrequency signal transmitter is located in circuit with the signal generator and is arranged to transmit a radiofrequency signal that is modulated by the signal generated by the signal generator, and a remote receiver is provide and is arranged to receive and demodulate the radiofrequency signal. In one embodiment of the level indicator device the level sensor comprises a MEMS accelerometer that measures G-force in plural axes. Also disclosed is a vehicle level adjusting system for a road vehicle and which comprises a level indicator device as defined and a plurality of level adjusting devices, in the form of ramps or jacking actuators, that are arranged to effect levelling of the vehicle.
US09421905B2
A method for controlling a matrix beam headlamp (M) with adaptive light functions in which using non-glare lighting and/or targeted lighting of objects (O) with segments (S1-Sn) of the light distribution of the matrix beam headlamp (M). Different switch-on and switch-off boundaries are defined for the individual segments (S1-Sn).
US09421897B2
An assembly for receiving a heel of a user of a motor vehicle under a pedal and/or a footrest of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, including at least a thickness of acoustic felt resting on a floor of the vehicle, a receiving element resting on the acoustic layer and including at least a bearing and pivoting area for the heel, and a mat covering the element. The receiving element is formed from a hollow housing including at least a rigid rear transverse wall, which protrudes relative to the horizontal to form the bearing and pivoting area for the heel of the user and a horizontal transverse wall secured to the floor of the vehicle and configured to deform in event of an impact.
US09421890B2
A vehicle seat is provided in which a pressure-receiving member receiving the back of an occupant through an upper linking wire is supported on a seat back frame of a seat back, and an abutment member is provided on the pressure-receiving member, the abutment member restricting an amount of flexing of the pressure-receiving member by abutting against the upper linking wire when the amount of flexing exceeds a predetermined amount. This enables the amount of flexing of the pressure-receiving member for supporting the back of the occupant to be restricted, thereby stabilizing the support of the occupant.
US09421885B2
An adjustable seat cushion assembly is disclosed which exhibits a first seat element and a second seat element moveable relative to the first seat element. A cover piece straddles a variable gap between cushion parts of the first and second seat elements. The adjustable seat cushion assembly is configured to draw the cover piece into the gap when the seat cushion assembly is moved from an extended position into a retracted position. A hem is formed with the cover piece in an area between the two cushion parts, and is joined with the second seat element. A link rod extends in the seat width direction of the cover piece and engages into slots at opposite ends.
US09421882B2
The speed v of a motor driven body, the rotational speed ω and the actual torque value Tm generated by the motor are acquired. Subsequently, unit (741) estimates the slip rate X of the drive wheels based on the movement speed v and the rotation speed ω. Further, unit (742) estimates the drive torque Td based on the rotational speed w and the actual torque value Tm. Next, unit (743) calculates a limit value L for a torque command value Tc based on the slip rate X and the drive torque Td. Further, unit (744) limits the torque command value Tc using the limit value L, generates a torque setting value Ts, which is sent to a motor drive system (900). As a result, it is possible to quickly realize control in accordance with changes in the road surface state, thus allowing safe travel while ensuring the needed drive power.
US09421879B2
A vehicle system with a charging station and an autonomously movable, electrically powered vehicle dockable therewith, the vehicle system being mutually engageable at an inlet-side on the vehicle and an outlet-side on the charging station arranged to transport energy between the charging station and vehicle when engaged and further being provided with an inlet-side guiding member, an outlet-side guiding member, respectively, arranged to guide the inlet-side and outlet-side engagements from a non-charging position into a charging position upon engaging of the inlet- and outlet-sides when docking the vehicle to the charging station.
US09421868B2
A power transfer system transfers electric power from a power feeding device external to a vehicle to a power receiving device mounted on the vehicle in a contactless manner. The power feeding device includes a first reflective wall formed at a rear side of a transmitting coil with respect to a power transferring direction from the transmitting coil, to allow reflection of a magnetic flux output from the transmitting coil in the power transferring direction. The transmitting coil and the first reflective wall are arranged spaced apart from each other. The power receiving device includes a second reflective wall formed at a rear side of a receiving coil with respect to a power receiving direction from the transmitting coil, to allow reflection of a magnetic flux output from the transmitting coil to the receiving coil. The receiving coil and the second reflective wall are arranged spaced apart from each other.
US09421865B2
A motor vehicle has an engine compartment accommodating a powertrain and at least one strut, which is substantially parallel to an advancing longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle; the motor vehicle has a safety device configured so as to move the powertrain sideways during an impact, towards the side opposite to the one concerned by the impact; the safety device is provided with a beam having a first end, distanced from an end portion of the strut towards the outside of the engine compartment, and a second end fixed to the strut in a position which is horizontally beside the powertrain; the safety device is also provided with a restraining member fixed to the strut and having a protruding portion arranged behind a wall of the beam.
US09421860B2
A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame, and an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground-engaging members. Additionally, the two-wheeled vehicle includes a windshield assembly operably coupled to the frame and an adjustment member operably coupled to the windshield assembly. A vehicle control unit is operably coupled to the adjustment member and is configured to automatically actuate the adjustment member for adjusting the position of the windshield assembly.
US09421853B2
A vehicle includes a vehicle structure that extends along a longitudinal axis. An engine includes a crankshaft that defines a crank axis disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. A transmission includes an output shaft that defines a transmission output axis substantially parallel with the crank axis. The transmission output axis is disposed nearer the forward end of the vehicle structure than the crank axis. The crank axis is disposed vertically above the transmission output axis a distance of about 140 mm. The engine includes at least one cylinder bore that defines a bore axis disposed perpendicular to and may intersect the crank axis. The bore axis may be angled toward the forward end of the vehicle structure to define an angle between the bore axis and a vertical plane. The angle between the bore axis and the vertical plane may be about 18°.
US09421851B2
A vehicle cargo box tonneau cover apparatus includes two or more hard panels. Adjacent panels are joined along their common edges by a hinge enabling transitioning the panels between a planer deployed position and a folded retracted position. An opposed pair of headed cantilevered striker pins, are carried with an inner surface of the opposed pair of box panels and extend inwardly within said cargo box for selective engagement with an associated rotary latch when an associated panel portion is in the deployed orientation. A release mechanism carried with the lower surface of each panel portion interconnect a single release member with both associated rotary latch mechanisms carried with said common panel portion, wherein release of a panel can only be effected by manual operation of the release member subsequent to release of an adjacent tonneau cover panel or cargo box panel.
US09421850B2
A tonneau cover system for a pickup truck cargo bed incorporates hinge assemblies to allow individual panels to open, close or fold over on top of each other. To provide individual compartments within a cargo bed, the main hinge assembly of a foldable tonneau cover system provides for a secondary hinge assembly for the addition of a pivoting lock in place isolation wall.
US09421847B2
A fault in a fan motor is detected on the vehicle side with simple wiring. Provided is a vehicle-cooling-fan control system including a fan control unit having a motor control unit that controls a three-phase motor for driving a cooling fan, a vehicle-side ECU that is provided superordinate to the fan control unit and that controls a vehicle, and an air-conditioning-system ECU that controls an air-conditioning apparatus of the vehicle, wherein the fan control unit, the vehicle-side ECU, and the air-conditioning-system ECU are connected so that information can be transferred therebetween via a vehicle network CAN, the fan control unit outputs fault information via a CAN driver in the case where a fault has been detected at a switching device, and the vehicle-side ECU exercises control via the vehicle network CAN to protect the fan control unit and the air-conditioning-system ECU in the case where the importance of the fault information is high.
US09421846B2
When there is a demand for a heating operation of a vehicle and when there is a remaining charging capacity in a main battery, an upper limit value of a charging state of the battery is changed to a level-up upper-limit value, which higher than an ordinary upper-limit value. And an operating mode of an engine is changed to an efficiency prioritizing mode. When there is no remaining charging capacity in the main battery, the upper limit value of the charging state is changed to the ordinary upper-limit value. And the operating mode of the engine is changed to a waste-heat prioritizing mode, an engine efficiency of which is lower than that of the efficiency prioritizing mode. According to such a control, it becomes possible to warm up the engine and the battery, even in the case that there is no remaining charging capacity because of high charging state in the battery.
US09421842B2
A method for controlling a suspension system includes controlling an electronic controlled suspension device (ECS) and an active roll stabilizer (ARS) of a vehicle based on an input sensor value and a driving operation of the vehicle, the input sensor value is based on a road condition and wherein the driving operation is one of a straight driving, a normal turning, and an urgent turning of the vehicle.
US09421839B2
A suspension system comprises an air supply unit and four air spring corner assemblies. The air supply unit including an ECU is fluidly connected to the air spring corner assemblies and is capable of independently adjusting the air spring corner assemblies from one another. A first pressure sensor is located at a valve block of the air supply unit. The pressure signal from the first pressure sensor is used to determine a vehicle load. A second pressure sensor proximate to at least one air spring to detect air pressure of the system at that air spring and to calibrate an air pressure for at least one of the other air springs.
US09421837B2
A golf cart vehicle is disclosed having a suspension that includes a single suspension device that provides for a plurality of functions. In one embodiment the single suspension device includes a plurality of transverse mounted leaf springs that are longitudinally spaced apart from one another to provide a spring and control arm combined effect. The leaf springs can be coupled to a wheel, such as through a steering knuckle via a ball and socket joint. The leaf springs can further be mounted to a chassis via clamps. In one embodiment the clamps are connected to the leaf springs through resilient bushings which can be spaced apart from one another to provide an anti-roll bar effect.
US09421833B1
A reinforced valve stem has two perpendicular tubes, a first tube generally inwardly of a rim and a second tube outwardly and perpendicular to a rim of a wheel. The first tube receives a valve stem and has a threaded inlet for connection to an air source. The second tube threadily connects to the first tube opposite the valve and has an internal smooth passage for providing air into a tire mounted upon a rim. The second tube has a threaded outlet that receives an umbrella nut. The second tube also has an exterior wedge and a truncated conical heel spaced slight above the wedge. The conical heel merges into a shoulder that rotates through the merge of the two tubes to a neck just before the inlet.
US09421827B2
A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with a circumferential shoulder main groove, shoulder lateral grooves extending from the shoulder main groove toward a tread edge, and middle lateral grooves extending from the shoulder main groove toward a tire equatorial plane, the shoulder main groove extending in a zigzag manner through an axially innermost and outermost points alternately, each middle lateral groove extending from each innermost point of the shoulder main groove with an angle of 50-75 degrees with respect to a tire axial direction, and each shoulder lateral groove extending from the shoulder main groove with the same inclination direction with the middle lateral groove at an angle of 10-25 degrees with respect to the tire axial direction, wherein the number of shoulder lateral grooves is larger than the number of middle lateral grooves.
US09421818B2
A bicycle hub includes a hub shell body and a plurality of spoke mounting projections. The spoke mounting projections are disposed at one end portion of the hub shell body. Each of the spoke mounting projections includes a first circumferential side and a second circumferential side. The first circumferential side has a first spoke outlet for a first spoke and a second spoke outlet for a second spoke. The second circumferential side is opposite to the first circumferential side.
US09421817B2
A wheel for at least partially muscle-powered vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles includes a hub and a rim having a plurality of spoke holes and a plurality of spoke systems for connecting the hub with the rim. A spoke system includes a spoke and a spoke nipple. A reinforcing unit with a through hole between the rim and the spoke nipple is provided. The reinforcing unit is a disk-type and is configured curved about at least one longitudinal axis. The reinforcing unit has a convex inner rim contact surface for bearing against a concave orientation area of the rim matched thereto. The reinforcing unit has a concave outside surface at which a nipple accommodation is provided at a depression having a concave nipple contact surface with a narrower curvature for accommodating a matching, convex supporting area of the spoke nipple.
US09421815B2
Simulated stone, clay, and transferware and jewelry blanks and ornaments and a process for their preparation using new or reclaimed low density polyethylene sheets such as bags and or other suitable materials. Some implementations can include inclusions. The process can include heating layers of low density polyethylene plastic (LDPE) or other suitable materials under about 100 lbs. of pressure with sheets of specifically treated plastic inclusions to replicate characteristics of stones such as, for example, turquoise and marble. Some implementations can replicate historic and prehistoric materials such as painted earthenware ceramics and porcelain transferware. Some implementations can include a processed craft material that may receive final processing by off-site craftspeople with a household iron. Final components may be cut manually or die-cut either manually or mechanically.
US09421812B2
A combination three-ring binder and hole punch is provided. The binder includes a housing upon which the rings are mounted and in which the punch assembly is mounted. A pivotal lever on the housing actuates the punch assembly which uses a slide cam to simultaneously punch three holes in one or more sheets of paper.
US09421810B2
A page-turning device turning a page of a book includes a turning unit and a blower. The turning unit holds the page at a departure position of the page of the book being opened and releases the holding of the page at a destination position of the page. The blower sends air above the page at the departure position to blow against the page at the destination position.
US09421807B2
An ink jet-printable composition, which comprises a compound having a reactive silyl group and which is suitable for printing on non-porous substrates such as a glass or ceramic, and a process of decorating non-porous substrates involving ink jet printing the composition onto the substrate, exposing the printed composition to actinic or electron beam radiation to initiate curing and heating the printed composition to a temperature of at least 100° C.
US09421794B2
A fluid application system and method having a support structure for guiding a plurality of pallets along a path of travel through the system. The plurality of pallets for arranging a medium that receives fluid during operation. The system further includes an application assembly for applying fluid and energy to a medium arranged on the plurality of pallets and a conveyance arrangement comprising first and second conveyors for transferring the one or more pallets through the fluid application system. The first and second conveyors have a dedicated trolley selectively coupled to one of the plurality of pallets during movement along a first direction of the path of travel and selectively decoupled from the one of the plurality of pallets during movement along a second direction of the path of travel.
US09421791B2
To provide a printing apparatus for enabling cards high in wear resistance and security properties to be prepared, the printing apparatus is provided with an image formation section and a transfer section, the image formation forms a UV image in an ink reception layer 46d of a first region R1 of a transfer film 46, and forms a YMC image in the ink reception layer 46d of a second region R2 of the transfer film 46, and the transfer section transfers the ink reception layer 46d of the first region R1 with the UV image formed and a protective layer 46c of the first region R1 of the transfer film 46 integrally in this order to a card Ca, and transfers the ink reception layer 46d of the second region R2 with the YMC image formed and the protective layer 46c of the second region R2 integrally in this order thereonto.
US09421786B2
A damper device that supplies ink supplied from a tank to a recording head while suppressing pressure fluctuation, and has a head-side chamber communicating with the recording head; a tank-side chamber communicating with the tank; a communicating passage communicating the head-side chamber and the tank-side chamber; a valve for opening or closing the communicating passage; a spring that biases the valve in a direction along which the valve closes the communicating passage; a pressure receiving plate that receives air pressure, and changes volume of the head-side chamber according to a change in a position of itself; a rod member arranged between the valve and the pressure receiving plate, and configured to transmit force received from one of the valve and the pressure receiving plate to the other thereof; and a bellows unit that supports the pressure receiving plate so that the position of the pressure receiving plate is changeable.
US09421780B2
An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet head including a nozzle configured to eject ink; a positive pressure tank configured to store the ink to be supplied to the inkjet head; a negative pressure tank configured to receive the ink not consumed by the inkjet head; an ink deliverer configured to deliver the ink from the negative pressure tank to the positive pressure tank; a pressure regulator configured to regulate pressures of the positive pressure tank and the negative pressure tank; and a controller configured to control the ink deliverer and the pressure regulator such that an ink delivery operation by the ink deliverer and a pressure regulation operation by the pressure regulator are performed separately in time.
US09421775B2
There is provided an inkjet printing apparatus capable of performing a printing operation to eject ink from an ejection port provided for a print head to a print medium while covering the ejection port with a capping portion in a standby state in which the printing operation is not performed, the apparatus including: a humidifying unit configured to perform a humidification operation to humidify a space formed between the capping portion and the print head in the standby state; and a control unit configured to cause the humidifying unit to perform the humidification operation on the space in the standby state, wherein the control unit suspends the humidification operation at a predetermined timing after performing the humidification operation multiple times.
US09421772B2
A method for forming a plurality of electrostatic actuator membranes for an electrostatically actuated ink jet printhead. The method can include forming a blanket actuator membrane layer on an etch stop layer, where the etch stop layer is interposed between the blanket membrane layer and a handle layer such as a semiconductor wafer. The blanket actuator membrane layer is patterned to form a plurality of actuator membranes. The plurality of actuator membranes is attached to a printhead drive assembly that includes circuitry for actuating the plurality of actuator membranes. Subsequently, the handle layer and etch stop layer are removed, thereby leaving the plurality of actuator membranes attached to the printhead drive assembly.
US09421771B2
A liquid ejection head includes a recording element substrate that ejects liquid, and an element-substrate support member to which the recording element substrate is bonded with an adhesive. A groove to be filled with the adhesive is provided in a bonding region of the element-substrate support member, at which the element-substrate support member and the recording element substrate are bonded together, along a part or an entirety of the outer circumference of the recording element substrate.
US09421769B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a liquid ejecting head main body that has a nozzle group that is formed by arranging a plurality of nozzles, which eject a liquid, in parallel, and that ejects a liquid from each nozzle, and a fixation member to which the liquid ejecting head main body is fixed. The fixation member has a fixation part to which the liquid ejecting head main body is fixed and a reference surface that is formed on a side opposite fixation part, and which includes a reference part serving as reference for a positioning the liquid ejecting head main body with respect to an installation target, and a position adjusting part adjusting the relative position between the reference surface and the nozzle group is provided between the liquid ejecting head main body and the fixation part.
US09421768B2
In accordance with one embodiment, an inkjet head comprises a plurality of groove-shaped pressure chambers formed on piezoelectric members of which the polarization directions are opposite, and a nozzle plate arranged at the lateral side of the pressure chambers across a lid section with high rigidity. A plurality of through holes connected to a plurality of nozzles formed on the nozzle plate is formed in the lid section. The inkjet head is set in a range of 10-25% before and after a center, that is, a length ratio where the relation between ejection voltage of ink ejected from the nozzles and a length ratio between the length of the through hole of the lid section in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber and the length of the pressure chamber in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber is minimized.
US09421764B2
A controller is for driving a nozzle of a fluid-jet printing device. The controller can select a waveform from a number of waveforms based at least on values for the nozzle. The controller can scale the waveform based on the values for the nozzle. The waveform drives the nozzle to cause the nozzle to eject fluid therefrom.
US09421762B1
Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus including an ejecting unit that ejects liquid based on a drive signal; a comparison unit that includes a first comparator and a second comparator, receives an input signal and the drive signal, and outputs a first control signal based on a signal that is obtained by offsetting one of the input signal and the drive signal by a first voltage and a second control signal based on a signal that is obtained by offsetting one of the input signal and the drive signal by a second voltage; and a pair of transistors that is configured by a first transistor which is controlled based on the first control signal and a second transistor which is controlled based on the second control signal, and outputs the drive signal, in which the first voltage and the second voltage are variable.
US09421758B2
An aqueous sacrificial coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system is provided. The sacrificial coating composition may include at least one polymer, at least one selected from (i) at least one chain extender, or (ii) a reactive elastomeric latex, wherein the at least one chain extender comprises a species capable of linking linear chains or chain segments of the reactive elastomeric latex, at least one hygroscopic plasticizer, and at least one surfactant.
US09421756B1
A method for adjusting an extent of contact between a fountain roller mounted within a pivotable ink pan and an anilox roller in a flexographic printing system, the pivotable ink pan being adapted to pivot around a pivot axis disposed proximate to a first end of the pivotable ink pan. The pivotable ink pan is positioned to provide a predetermined gap between the anilox roller and the fountain roller by inserting a shim between the fountain roller and the anilox roller. The position of the pivotable ink pan is adjusted by adjusting a height of a distal portion of the pivotable ink pan by a predetermined amount that is known to close the predetermined gap to a desired extent. The position of the pivotable ink pan is then locked such that the distal portion of the pivotable ink pan is maintained at the adjusted height.
US09421743B2
The present invention relates to film structure suitable for use in stand up pouches comprising all polyethylene material. The film structure can be a monolayer film or a multilayer film structure having specific requirements for each layer. The combination results in a film structure having adequate stiffness to function as a stand-up pouch while also providing acceptable water vapor transmission rates and good tear resistance. Such films have improved sustainability characteristics as they should permit down-gauging of the films and, can more easily be recycled, at least for the preferred embodiment comprising only polyethylene resins.
US09421740B2
A zirconium alloy for use in nuclear fuel assemblies is provided, which provides increased resistance against oxidation and corrosion and also improved bonding with parent material, because pure metallic material such as silicon (Si) or chromium (Cr) is evenly coated on the surface of the parent material by plasma spraying. Because the plasma spray coating used to coat the pure metallic material on the zirconium alloy does not require vacuum equipment and also is not limited due to the shape of the coated product, this is particularly useful when evenly treating the surface of the component such as 4 m-long tube or spacer grip arrangement which is very complicated in shape. Furthermore, because the coated zirconium alloy confers excellent resistance to oxidation and corrosion under emergency such as accident as well as normal service condition, both the economic and safety aspects of nuclear fuel are improved.
US09421736B2
A hybrid pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) composition includes (i) a solvent phase comprising a first acrylic PSA dissolved in an organic solvent, an alcohol, and optionally water; and (ii) an emulsion phase comprising a second, emulsified acrylic PSA. In another aspect, a metalized film laminate includes a metalized film layer, a hybrid PSA layer, and an ink-containing polymeric film layer. The two-phase hybrid PSA system effectively addresses both metal tear and ink pick problems associated with conventional metalized film laminates.
US09421731B2
A panel structure includes a plate-like flat panel and a reinforcement panel in which a criterion plate portion and a plurality of truncated conic protrusions protruding from the criterion plate portion are formed. Apex portions of the plurality of truncated conic protrusions in the reinforcement panel are joined to the flat panel by an adhesive.
US09421724B2
In the method for manufacturing an uncured blank of a vehicle tire, a strip (30) of rubber is extruded and is made to pass between two members (18, 10) one of which forms a roller (18) for extruding the strip, such that the faces (21, 23) of the strip, forming one and the same section of the strip in a plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of the strip and pressing simultaneously against the respective members, are driven at linear speeds that differ from one another, and that the members (18, 10) stretch the strip between them.
US09421715B2
A printer (106) for building a three-dimensional model by sequential deposition of a plurality of cross-sectional layers by using a thermal print head (1) movable relative to a material bed (102) over a deposited layer. A protective sheet (3) is disposed between the thermal head (1) and deposited layer. Temperature control of the material bed (102) to prevent warping of the model is provided by an independently heatable cover (52, 58) in contact with the surface of the material bed (102) e.g. via the protective sheet (3).
US09421709B2
A method for forming a plastic container in which a heated end product is introduced into a heated preform to expand the preform into at least partial conform with the cavity surfaces of a mold, thereby forming a resultant container, of a first size, with a heated end product. The resultant container is then capped and shrunk to a second size, which is less than the first size. The shrinkage of the reluctant container is greater than the shrinkage of the end product thereby creating a positive pressure within the capped container.
US09421706B2
The invention relates to a method for producing an optical lens element (2), particularly for illumination purposes, particularly for producing a headlight lens (2) for a vehicle headlight, particularly for a motor vehicle headlight (1), wherein a blank (136) made of a transparent plastic is shaped in an injection molding tool (131, 132) by means of an injection molding method, and the blank (136) is subsequently pressed into the lens element (2) by means of a final shape mold (140, 141, 142), particularly in a polished manner.
US09421703B2
Polymer-based materials and processes suitable for producing panels, for example, panels for use in a fan shroud abradable seal of a turbofan engine. Such a process includes introducing constituents of an expandable foam material into a continuous forming apparatus that continuously compounds the constituents into a partially-cured compounded polymeric material, which is then continuously formed with the continuous forming apparatus to produce a continuous form having a constant cross-sectional shape transverse to a continuous forming direction of the continuous forming apparatus. A portion of the continuous form is then deformed to produce a preform, and the preform is cured within a restricted volume to cause the preform to expand and produce the panel.
US09421695B2
The invention comprises a method of forming a slab on grade. The method comprises placing a first layer of insulating material horizontally on the ground and placing plastic concrete for a slab on grade on the first layer of insulating material. The plastic concrete is then formed into a desired shape having a top and sides. A second layer of insulating material is placed on the top of the plastic concrete and the first and second layers of insulating material are left in place until the concrete is at least partially cured. The second layer of insulating material is then removed. The product made by the method is also disclosed. A slab on grade is also disclosed.
US09421694B2
A hole-saw assembly including a hole-saw having at one end a plurality of cutting teeth and at the other end a base having two holes therethrough. two shafts. The assembly includes a mandrel coaxially aligned with said hole-saw and including a body having two bores therethrough, and an annulus located on top of the body which is coaxially aligned with said mandrel and hole saw. The annulus includes two shafts co-axial with the mandrel bores, and is rotatable around its longitudinal axis from a first to a second position. In the first position the annulus shafts are aligned with the base holes allowing the shafts to be freely insertable and removable and in the second position the shafts are misaligned to lock the shafts to the base. In one embodiment the mandrel bores are shaped to accommodate rotation of the shafts, and in a further embodiment, the shafts are configures to rotate within circular mandrel bores. Such an arrangement allows the hole-saw and the mandrel to be easily and quickly mountable and demountable.
US09421687B2
A robot control apparatus controls a robot arm driven by transmitting drive forces to joints from respective electric motors so that the robot arm follows a specified trajectory, based on an instruction value instructed against the electric motors. A movable range of the robot arm is divided into multiple spaces, and constraint conditions including a constraint value of a jerk for each joint, which is determined so that a load torque applied to a transmitting component of the drive force falls within an allowable range in the multiple spaces, is calculated in advance. The constraint conditions are stored in a storage unit. A calculating unit generates the instruction values for the electric motors based on the trajectory by solving an optimization problem that uses the constraint conditions stored in the storage unit as an inequality constraint.
US09421686B2
A master device is provided to a master slave apparatus in which a hand mechanism opens/closes to grip a target object and a slave mechanism performs a task on a target article. The master device includes a hand manipulation mechanism for manipulating the hand mechanism. A person remotely manipulates the slave mechanism by a master mechanism and the hand manipulation mechanism manipulates to cause the hand mechanism to perform the task. In the hand manipulation mechanism, a hand manipulation portion having a pair of open/close manipulation portions manipulated by the person moves forward/backward on a slider, the pair of open/close manipulation portions is opened/closed to change the angle therebetween so that the hand mechanism is opened/closed. A master hand control device transmits, to the slave mechanism, motion information used for manipulating the hand mechanism based on a position of the hand manipulation portion relative to the slider or the angle.
US09421679B2
In a hand-held power tool having a housing and a tool holder, which is disposed on a drive shaft that is rotationally mounted in at least one first and one second ball bearing, the first ball bearing having a first inner ring and the second ball bearing having a second inner ring, a spring element is disposed between the first inner ring and the second inner ring in order to prestress the first ball bearing with respect to the second ball bearing.
US09421676B2
An extraction tool for a tangless spiral coil insert that is simple in structure and is also easy in manufacture and assemble as compared with a conventional tool, accordingly that allows reduction in manufacturing cost and besides that is excellent in operability is provided. An extraction tool 1 for a tangless spiral coil insert of the present invention has, for extracting the tangless spiral coil insert which has been attached to a work from the work, a mandrel 41 a leading end section of which is constituted as a screw shaft 45, and a pivotal claw 80 provided with an actuation section 82 which is a slender member and is provided at one end thereof with a claw section 81 engaging with a notch of an end coil section of the tangless spiral coil insert positioned on a surface side of the work and a support section 83 formed integrally with the actuation section 82.
US09421674B2
A ratchet driving tool includes a handle having a lateral aperture, a housing pivotally attached to the handle and having a hole aligned with the aperture of the handle, and two depressions formed in the housing and communicating with the hole of the housing, a ratchet driving mechanism is attached to the housing, a latch is slidably engaged in the through hole of the housing and the aperture of the handle, the latch includes a key slidably engageable with either of the depressions of the housing for anchoring the housing to the handle at a selected angular position and for allowing the ratchet driving tool to be easily actuated or operated by the user.
US09421671B2
Implementations of the present invention include infiltrated diamond tools with increased wear resistance. In particular, one or more implementations of the present invention include a body comprising at least 10% by volume diamond particles that are infiltrated with a binder. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such infiltrated diamond tool, and methods of forming and using such infiltrated diamond tools.
US09421666B2
A method of fabricating a polishing layer of a polishing pad includes determining a desired distribution of particles to be embedded within a polymer matrix of the polishing layer. A plurality of layers of the polymer matrix is successively deposited with a 3D printer, each layer of the plurality of layers of polymer matrix being deposited by ejecting a polymer matrix precursor from a nozzle. A plurality of layers of the particles is successively deposited according to the desired distribution with the 3D printer. The polymer matrix precursor is solidified into a polymer matrix having the particles embedded in the desired distribution.