US08969661B2
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety AR1111926 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety AR1111926 and its progeny, and methods of making AR1111926.
US08969660B2
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety AR0902417 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety AR0902417 and its progeny, and methods of making AR0902417.
US08969656B2
This invention is intended to be used to search for a transcription factor having novel functions of increasing the weight of an individual plant, increasing the weight of a given tissue per individual plant, or improving the productivity of a given substance per individual plant and to improve such properties in the plant. The weight of an individual plant is increased, the weight of a given tissue per individual plant is increased, the productivity of a given substance per individual plant is improved, or the content of a given substance per given tissue of a plant is increased via expression of a transcription factor that has been modified to suppress transcription accelerating activity.
US08969648B2
A blood clotting substrate and device which has a plurality of oxygen plasma-treated polypropylene pillars extending from the surface of a polypropylene film.
US08969643B2
A method of converting hydrocarbons requires contacting a hydrocarbon stream containing alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons with a catalyst of a phosphorus-containing pentasil zeolite in a reactor. The phosphorus-containing pentasil zeolite having a phosphorus content of 7.5% or less by weight of zeolite, a pore volume of at least 0.2 ml/g, and a 27Al MAS NMR spectrum characterized by a peak at or near 50 ppm that is greater than any other peak in said spectrum. A benzene-enriched output stream is recovered from the reactor.
US08969641B1
Tetrahydrotricyclopentadienes are isomerized to a low pour point, high energy missile fuel. Aluminum trichloride is the catalyst and an inert chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent is present. The mole ratio of AlCl3 to the diene is in the range between from about 0.005 to about 1.0. The isomerization temperature is in the range from between about −20° C. to about 25° C.
US08969636B2
An approach that permits continuous batch conversion of alpha-olefins and internal-olefins to oligomeric materials without fouling the reaction vessel and provides a simple and highly efficient method for making very cost effective catalyst systems based on Zeigler-Natta Group 4 metallocenes. Embodiments of this invention produce diesel and turbine fuels that are 100% synthetic iso-paraffinic kerosenes with flashpoints greater than 61 deg C.
US08969635B2
A method of: providing a mixture of fecal waste and a bacterium; incubating the mixture to produce a fatty acid enriched mixture; removing water from the fatty acid enriched mixture to produce a dried mixture; and pyrolyzing the dried mixture in an inert atmosphere to produce an alkane from the C5-C32 fatty acid. The bacterium is a type that produces a C5-C32 fatty acid in the presence of any microbes in the fecal waste.
US08969634B2
The present invention is directed to a combination reactor system for exothermic reactions comprising a trickle-bed reactor and a shell-and-tube reactor. This combination allows the system to efficiently remove heat while also providing the ability to control both the temperature and/or reaction progression. The trickle-bed reactor removes heat efficiently from the system by utilizing latent heat and does not require the use of a cooling or heating medium. The shell-and-tube reactor is used to further progress the reaction and provides a heat exchanger in order to introduce fluid at the desired temperature in the shell-and-tube reactor. Also, additional reactant or reactants and/or other fluids may be introduced to the shell-and-tube section of the reactor under controlled temperature conditions.
US08969630B2
A method of preparing chlorohydrins and a method of preparing epichlorohydrin by using chlorohydrins prepared using the method are provided. The method of preparing chlorohydrins by reacting polyhydroxy aliphatic hydrocarbon with a chlorination agent in the presence of a catalyst includes at least one combination of a series of unit operations including a first reaction step, a water removal step, and a second reaction step, in that respective order, wherein the method further includes purifying chlorohydrins from a reaction mixture discharged from a final reaction step of the plurality of reaction steps. The method of preparing epichlorohydrin includes reacting chlorohydrins prepared using the method of preparing chlorohydrins, with an alkaline agent.
US08969628B2
The invention relates to a method for enriching a homogenous catalyst from a process flow comprising said homogenous catalyst as a component, wherein the process flow is conducted over at least one membrane and wherein the membrane wholly or partially comprises a polymer that has planar polymer units connected to one another via a rigid link and wherein the linker is contorted, such that at least one planar polymer unit is connected to at least one second planar polymer unit via the link, in a non-co-planar arrangement. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing tridecanal.
US08969619B2
This invention relates to the synthesis of iodixanol (1,3-bis(acetamido)-N,N′-bis[3,5-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropylaminocarbonyl)-2,4,6-triiodophenyl]-2-hydroxypropane), more specifically to the dimerisation of 5-acetamido-N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodo-isophthalamide with propyleneglycol as solvent.
US08969612B2
The invention relates to a class of novel surfactants that have utility in the recovery and/or extraction of oil.
US08969594B2
Fullerene⊙CTV complexes, comprising fullerene⊙CTV hemicarceplexes, formed by various cyclotriveratrylene (CTV)-based molecular cages and various fullerene guests are disclosed. A method of direct isolating at least a fullerene from fullerene mixtures by using the above fullerene CTV hemicarceplexes but without using crystallization or HPLC is also disclosed.
US08969592B2
Novel heterocyclic materials are disclosed. The materials contain a fused tetracyclic structure that can improve the properties of OLED devices when the novel heterocyclic materials are incorporated into such devices.
US08969591B2
The present invention is directed to provide an efficient production method which is capable of not only obtaining a cyclic sulfonic acid ester (sultone) at low cost and in high yield, but also the sulfonic acid ester (sultone) stably even in a commercial scale. The present invention relates to a method for producing hydroxysultone comprising a first step where a diol having a specified structure and a thionyl halide are reacted to obtain a cyclic sulfite having a specified structure, and a second step where the cyclic sulfite is reacted with water or/and alcohol; a method for producing an unsaturated sultone having a specified structure comprising a third step where a hydroxylsultone having a specified structure is reacted with an acid halide or an acid anhydride to obtain an intermediate, subsequently the intermediate is treated with a base; as well as a cyclic sulfite having a specified structure.
US08969583B2
This invention is directed to a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R, R1, R2, R3, n, X1, X2, L1, and L2 are as defined herein. The compounds of Formula I are useful as receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors and can be used to treat such diseases as cancer, blood vessel proliferative disorders, fibrotic disorders, mesangial cell proliferative disorders and metabolic diseases.
US08969580B2
A diagnostic imaging agent useful for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging as well as to improved hardware for producing such imaging agents is described. Flutemetamol (18F) Injection for the imaging of b amyloid plaques in the brain and methods and devices for preparing same are described including the automated synthesis and purification of [18F]flutemetamol by means of solid phase extraction (SPE).
US08969568B2
The invention relates to new substituted naphthyridines of formula 1, as well as pharmacologically acceptable salts, diastereomers, enantiomers, racemates, hydrates or solvates thereof, wherein R1 is selected from among —O—R3 or —NR3R4, R3 is C1-6-alkyl which is substituted by R5 and R6, R5 is selected from hydrogen, branched or linear C1-6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, —C1-6-alkylen-O—C1-3-alkyl, C1-3-haloalkyl, R6 is ring X wherein n is either 0 or 1, and is a either a single or a double bond and wherein A, B, D and E are each independently from one another selected from CH2, CH, C, N, NH, O or S and wherein ring X is attached to the molecule either via position A, B, D or E, wherein said ring X may optionally be further substituted by one, two or three residues each selected individually from the group consisting of -oxo, hydroxy, —C1-3-alkyl, —C1-3-haloalkyl, —O—C1-3-alkyl, —C1-3-alkanol and halogen, and wherein R4, R2, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11 and Q may have the meanings as given in claim 1, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.
US08969567B2
Compounds of Formula (I), their preparation and use in preventing or treating bacterial infections are disclosed.
US08969551B2
The present invention provides a useful morpholino nucleic acid derivative for synthesizing a morpholino nucleic acid oligomer. The present invention provides a compound represented by the following general formula (1) or a salt thereof. Here, R1 represents hydrogen, trityl and so on. R2 represents an amide or an imine. R3 represents a hydroxy group which may be protected by trialkylsilyl and so on, or a group represented by the following general formula (5): (wherein X represents O or S, Y represents dialkylamino or alkoxy, and Z represents chlorine).
US08969550B2
The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a cyclic carbamate starting with o-aminobenzyl alcohol and/or a suitable salt thereof, which is reacted with a cyclization agent selected from phosgene, diphosgene, triphosgene and mixtures thereof, and in that the reaction carried out in the presence of an aqueous base, and a water-immiscible organic solvent, said organic solvent mainly comprising at least one compound selected from C2-5-alkyl C2-5-carboxylates and mixtures of at least one C2-5-alkyl C2-5-carboxylate with at least one C5-8-alkane.
US08969549B2
Amine chelates capable of antioxidant capacity and amyloid disaggregation are shown which may be useful in targeting metal-based oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders. Pyclen, a backbone commonly investigated for contrast agent imaging, may be repurposed as an anti-oxidant chelator for disaggregating amyloid. The antioxidant capacity of pyclen is enhanced dramatically via conversion of the pyridine backbone to a pyridol with cellular studies showing superior antioxidant capacity while retaining chelation ability to protect amyloid from metal ions aggregation and also disaggregate amyloid aggregates. Another family of molecules based upon hybrid heterocyclic amine ligands is also presented.
US08969536B2
The present invention is directed to novel nucleotide and amino acid sequences of Torque teno virus (“TTV”), including novel genotypes thereof, all of which are useful in the preparation of vaccines for treating and preventing diseases in swine and other animals. Vaccines provided according to the practice of the invention are effective against multiple swine TTV genotypes and isolates. Diagnostic and therapeutic polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are also a feature of the present invention, as are infectious clones useful in the propagation of the virus and in the preparation of vaccines. Particularly important aspects of the invention include vaccines that provide TTV ORF1 protein, or peptide fragments thereof, as antigen.
US08969518B2
Disclosed is a newly identified B7 family member, zB7H6, which functions as a counter-receptor for the NK cell triggering receptor, NKp30. Methods and compositions for modulating NKp30-mediated NK cell activity based on the interaction of zB7H6 with NKp30, as well as related screening methods, are also disclosed. Further disclosed are anti-zB7H6 antibodies as well as antibody-drug conjugates comprising an anti-zB7H6 antibody conjugated to a therapeutic agent, including methods for using such antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates to exert therapeutic effects against zB7H6-expressing cells.
US08969501B2
A novel LDPE from radical, high pressure polymerization is devised.
US08969497B2
A method for producing a water-absorbent resin including the step of subjecting a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer to a reversed phase suspension polymerization in a petroleum hydrocarbon dispersion medium in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator and a dispersion stabilizer, wherein the method is characterized by the use of an ether-ester type nonionic surfactant as the dispersion stabilizer, and a water-absorbent resin obtained by the method, wherein the water-absorbent resin has a water-retention capacity of saline solution of 25 g/g or more, a water-absorption rate of saline solution of 50 seconds or less, and a flow index under moisture absorption of 70% or more. According to the method of the present invention, a water-absorbent resin having high water-retention capacity, excellent water-absorption rate, and further having excellent flowability under moisture absorption can be produced. The water-absorbent resin having the specified physical properties as described above can enhance properties of hygienic materials, and the resin can be suitably used in the production of the hygienic materials.
US08969494B2
This invention discloses caps and closures produced by injection molding with a bimodal high density polyethylene (HDPE) resin comprising a low molecular weight, high density polyethylene fraction substantially free of comonomer and a high molecular weight, low density polyethylene fraction, having a molecular weight distribution of at least 3.5, preferably greater than 4.0, prepared in two reactors connected in series in the presence of a metallocene-containing catalyst system, wherein the metallocene comprises a bisindenyl or a bis-tetrahydrogenated-indenyl component.
US08969491B2
An aqueous dispersion containing a vinylidene chloride polymer (P1) containing vinylidene chloride in a proportion of at least 50% by weight, and at least one random, alternating or gradient copolymer (C1) having: a) at least one monomer unit (m1) carrying at least one phosphonate group —PO(OH)(OR1) with R1 being a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical comprising from 1 to 11 carbon atoms, and b) monomer units (m2) which represent at least 50% by weight of the copolymer (C1), derived from at least one monomer (M2) chosen from styrene, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid and the (meth)acrylic monomers corresponding to the general formula CH2=CR2R3 in which R2 and R3 are described herein, copolymer (C1) not containing monomer units derived from vinylidene chloride.
US08969490B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an epoxy resin composition that provides, when used for an insulation layer of a multilayer printed wiring board, a multilayer printed wiring board which is excellent in plating adhesion, heat resistance and moisture resistance reliability and capable of forming fine wiring. Another object of the present invention is to provide a resin sheet, a prepreg, a method for producing a multilayer printed wiring board, a multilayer printed wiring board and a semiconductor device.These objects are achieved by an epoxy resin composition comprising (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a phenoxy resin having a specific bisphenol acetophenone structure and (C) a curing agent, wherein the content of the phenoxy resin (B) is 10 to 30% by weight of the total solid content of the resin composition.
US08969488B2
The invention generally relates to a method of substantially homogeneously mixing ingredients comprising solid thermoplastic particulates and a viscous material in a container and apparatus useful therein. The invention also generally relates to a non-clogging device and mixing apparatus comprising same.
US08969476B2
In one of its aspects the invention is directed to rubber modified thermoplastic resin compositions comprising discontinuous elastomeric phase particles derived from a unitary rubber substrate having at least a bimodal particle size distribution, wherein the elastomeric phase particles comprise a polymer having structural units derived from at least one (C1-C12)alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer and are dispersed in a rigid thermoplastic phase, wherein at least a portion of the rigid thermoplastic phase is grafted as a shell to elastomeric phase core particles, and wherein the rigid thermoplastic phase comprises structural units derived from at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, at least one monoethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer and at least one (C1-C12)alkyl- or aryl-(meth)acrylate monomer. In another aspect the rigid thermoplastic phase of the compositions comprises a first thermoplastic phase at least a portion of which is grafted to the elastomeric phase; and a second thermoplastic phase comprising a polymer prepared separately in the absence of elastomeric phase and added to the composition.
US08969470B1
A quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite for optical chemical and biological sensing is formed by stably incorporating functionalized quantum dots into a pH sensitive hydrogel polymer network. At least one monomer of the pH sensitive hydrogel has functional groups selectively chosen to correspond to functionalized groups on the quantum dots to enable conjugation between the hydrogel polymer network and the functionalized quantum dots. The resulting quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite is placed in a solution having a known pH and addition of a chemical composition or biological agent of interest generates a change in pH of that solution. The nanocomposite expands or contracts responsive to the pH change. The pH change is optically detected by measuring the intensity level of fluorescence from the quantum dots when the nanocomposite is subjected to an excitation light source.
US08969466B2
Nanocomposite compositions based on expandable thermoplastic polymers which comprise: a) a polymeric matrix produced by the polymerization of a base comprising one or more polymerizable monomers; b) 1-10% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a), of an expanding agent englobed in the polymeric matrix; c) 0.004-15% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a), of an athermanous filler comprising nano-scaled graphene plates with a thickness (orthogonal to the graphene sheet) not greater than 150 nm, an average dimension (length, width, or diameter) not greater than 10 micrometers and a surface area>50 m2/g.
US08969464B2
Synthetic aggregates and methods of producing the same are disclosed herein. The aggregates advantageously utilize styrene polymer particles coated with additional materials such as fly ash, silica fume, and/or “liquid glass” in order to provide an improved means for manufacturing lightweight concrete that is significantly stronger than conventional lightweight concretes.
US08969459B2
The disclosure provides a white coating composition, and a device employing a coating made of the composition. The white coating composition includes 20-55 parts by weight of silicon dioxide particles, 40-75 parts by weight of inorganic material, and 5-40 parts by weight of silsequioxane, wherein the silsequioxane is prepared from monomers comprising a first monomer represented by the Formula (I) and a second monomer represented by the Formula (II) wherein, R1 is independently the same or different methyl or ethyl, and R2 is independently the same or different C1-6 alkyl.
US08969458B2
Provided is a transparent heat shielding composition, which includes a thermoplastic resin material and a compound of formula (I) MxWO3-yAy (I), wherein M is an alkali metal, W is tungsten, O is oxygen, A is halogen, 0
US08969457B2
The present invention relates to a curable composition, which comprises a) at least one radiation-curable resin, b) at least one specific anti-oxidant and c) at least one photoinitiator salt. The invention further relates to a cured product made from the curable composition. The curable compositions and/or the cured products thereof are particularly suitable as laminating adhesives, sealants, and/or encapsulants for electronic or optoelectronic devices.
US08969453B2
A composite of an adhesive film contains a thermoplastic elastomer selected from rubber-based thermoplastic elastomer or rubber series material, polyethylene-based coupling agent or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-based coupling agent, montan wax, and fatty acid esters with pentaerythritol having five to nine carbons. The adhesive film is typically useful to produce footwear by molding a shoe sole in a mold, and thus, not requiring the conventional labor-consuming and hazardous processes, such as cleaning, primer coating, and bonding processes, to separately produce an outsole, a midsole, and an upper, and then binding together to manufacture a shoe.
US08969450B2
Modified rubber compositions containing an elastomer component and a modifier comprising a steroid and/or a peptide and methods of their production. Such modified rubber compositions can have improved properties and can be useful in making various articles of manufacture, such as, for example, in the manufacture of tires.
US08969449B2
The present invention relates to a polyolefin composition comprising a crosslinkable polyolefin with hydrolysable silane groups and a silanol condensation catalyst, and (A) a compound containing one or more POm(OnR)(OoR)(OpR″) groups, wherein R, R′, and R″ are the same or different organic residues; m is 0 or 1; n, o, and p each are 0 or 1; and n+o+p=1 to 3; a master batch for a crosslinkable polyolefin composition comprising a polymer and a silanol condensation catalyst and component (A), a stabilized polyolefin containing cross-linked silane groups wherein cross-linking has been performed by the use of a silanol condensation catalyst, further comprising component (A), and to the use of component (A) for stabilizing a polyolefin composition comprising a crosslinkable polyolefin with hydrolysable silane groups and a silanol condensation catalyst. The polyolefin composition of the invention can be used for pipe, wire & cable, film, fiber and molding applications.
US08969448B2
The present invention relates to moulding compositions of polycarbonates and graft polymers and optionally further additives and components, which have, in addition to a high resistance to chemicals, a good resistance to heat, in particular a low tendency towards yellowing and a low tendency towards degradation when exposed to heat.In a particular, flameproofed embodiment, the after-burn time in a UL94 classification is furthermore reduced.
US08969442B2
This invention encompasses rubber modified asphalt cement compositions, as well as systems, apparatuses, methods for preparing, as well as methods for using rubber-modified asphalt cement compositions.
US08969439B2
The invention provides a method of agglomeration (10) which has the steps of mixing a feedstock (12) of small particles which have an average particle size of 3 mm or less with a binder (14) which is in the form of a polyvinyl alcohol in the form of an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution in a first blender (16) to form a binder mixture (18), reacting a gelling agent (20) with the feedstock and the binder and processing the binder mixture to deliver an agglomerate (22).
US08969407B2
At least one compound selected from among coumarin and/or derivative thereof, butylated hydroxyanisole, ethoxyquine and mixtures thereof, and admixtures thereof with other active agents selected from among active agents for combating desquamative conditions of the scalp, plant extracts having propigmenting activity and active agents that slow hair loss and/or promote hair regrowth, are useful for preventing and/or limiting and/or stopping the development of canities.
US08969406B2
A compound for inhibiting activity of glutathione s-transferase omega 1 is provided and is represented by the following Formula 1: in which A is p-quino, and R is selected from the group consisting of the following Formula 1a and Formula 1b, where n in Formula 1 is 1 or 2, m in Formula 1b is 1 or 2, and n′ in Formula 1b is 1, 2, or 3:
US08969402B2
A method administers quaternary ammonium anti-cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonists in combination with acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors to treat either cognitive impairment or acute delirium. This therapy results in a modification of a cognitive disorder or disease, namely a slow down in the disease progression. In one preferred embodiment, the disease is dementia with Lewy Bodies. New formulations for quaternary ammonium anti-cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonists are also disclosed.
US08969397B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for contributing to the local treatment of pain. More specifically, the disclosed systems and methods contribute to the local treatment pain by inhibiting the NFκB family of transcription factors.
US08969393B2
A composition comprising a carboxamide compound represented by following formula (I), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R2 represents a methyl group, a difluoromethyl group or a trifluoromethyl group, and ethaboxam is provided by the present invention. This composition has excellent effect for controlling plant disease.
US08969392B2
The present invention relates to a pesticide composition intended for protecting plants, crops or seeds against phyto-pathogenic fungi or damaging insects, and the corresponding methods of treatment using the said composition. More precisely, the subject of the present invention is a pesticide composition based on propamocarb-fosetylate, an insecticide active substance and optionally a further fungicide active substance.
US08969368B2
Crystalline, anhydrous hydrochloride salts of 4,5α-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one (oxymorphone) are disclosed and three polymorphic forms of these salts are reported. The invention further relates to a method for the production of such salts, a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of such a salt and such a salt as a medicament and for the treatment and/or prevention of pain.
US08969364B2
The present invention relates to 4-pyridinone compounds which are inhibitors of catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT), and are useful in the treatment and prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which COMT enzyme is involved. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which COMT is involved.
US08969359B2
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein X and R are as defined herein. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as gyrase and/or topoisomerase IV inhibitors for treating bacterial infections. The compounds of formula (I) either possess a broad range of anti-bacterial activity and advantageous toxicological properties or are prodrugs of compounds having said activity.
US08969355B2
This disclosure relates to a method of treating a disease selected from the group consisting of affective disorders, depression, major depressive disorder, anxiety, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and panic attacks. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of Compound I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient in need thereof, in which Compound I is 1-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenylsulfanyl)-phenyl]piperazine.
US08969351B2
A crystalline form of (S)-1-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-isopropoxy-6-methoxy-2-(4-{methyl-[4-(4-methyl-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yl)-trans-cyclohexylmethyl]-amino}-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-isoquinolin-3-one, which is useful in the treatment of a disease or disorder associated with the interaction between p53, or variants thereof, and MDM2 and/or MDM4, or variants thereof, respectively.
US08969343B2
The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treating cancer and neoplastic disease. Provided herein are substituted 3-aminopyridine derivative compounds, substituted 3-aminopyridazine derivative compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The subject compounds and compositions are useful for inhibition histone demethylase. Furthermore, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer and/or melanoma and the like.
US08969342B2
Described herein are compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, which are useful as inhibitors of IMPDH. In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention selectively inhibits a parasitic IMPDH versus a host IMPDH. Further, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of the invention. The invention also relates to methods of treating various parasitic and bacterial infections in mammals. Moreover, the compounds may be used alone or in combination with other therapeutic or prophylactic agents, such as anti-virals, anti-inflammatory agents, antimicrobials and immunosuppressants.
US08969334B2
Compounds of Formula (I), their preparation and use in preventing or treating bacterial infections are disclosed.
US08969317B2
Described herein are compositions and methods for the inhibition of miR-21 activity. The compositions have certain nucleoside modification patterns that yield potent inhibitors of miR-21 activity. The compositions may be used to inhibit miR-21, and also to treat diseases associated with abnormal expression of miR-21, such as fibrosis and cancer.
US08969311B2
A novel polypeptide which has an excellent angiogenesis-inducing activity and an excellent antibacterial activity, and a novel angiogenesis-inducing agent which contains the polypeptide as an effective ingredient or a novel agent for treating a wound(s) which contains the polypeptide as an effective ingredient are disclosed. The polypeptide of the present invention is a polypeptide whose amino acid sequence is shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 6, 8 and 10. The angiogenesis-inducing agent which contains the polypeptide of the present invention as an effective ingredient is useful for the prevention, amelioration or treatment of a disease such as a burns, decubitus, wound, skin ulcer, leg ulcer, diabetic ulcer, occlusive arterial disease and arteriosclerosis obliteran.
US08969308B2
The invention provides a method of treating T-cell mediated diseases and a method of inhibiting the activation of T-cells using certain diketopiperazines. The invention also provides methods of synthesizing diketopiperazines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising certain diketopiperazines. The invention further provides methods of making improved pharmaceutical compositions of proteins and peptides by either increasing or decreasing the content of diketopiperazines in the compositions and the resultant improved pharmaceutical compositions.
US08969298B2
An effective liquid preparation achieves high bioavailability (BA) of physiologically active peptides or proteins, including ghrelins, that are administered as drugs. Also provided is a method for improving the BA of physiologically active peptides or proteins, including ghrelins, that are subcutaneously injected in aqueous solutions. The liquid preparation contains: a physiologically active peptide or protein, such as ghrelins, as an active ingredient; an acid solution including one or a combination of two or more selected form the group consisting of acetic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, glycine, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, benzoic acid and salts thereof; an alcohol; and a polar organic liquid including one or a combination of two or more selected from the group consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide and methylparaben.
US08969290B2
The invention provides a scaffold of extracellular matrix polymers with recombinant chimeric peptides tethered thereto. The invention also provides recombinant chimeric peptides of antimicrobial peptides and extracellular matrix binding domains. The invention also provides methods for treating chronic wounds using the scaffold and/or recombinant chimeric peptides.
US08969288B2
Prodrug formulations of glucagon superfamily peptides are provided wherein the glucagon superfamily peptide has been modified by the linkage of a dipeptide to the glucagon superfamily through an amide bond linkage. The prodrugs disclosed herein have extended half lives and are converted to the active form at physiological conditions through a non-enzymatic reaction driven by chemical instability.
US08969284B2
The present invention relates to a laundry detergent or a cleaning composition, preferably a granular detergent product, comprising a carboxyl-group containing polymer, which is useful in improving whiteness and/or anti-soil redeposition. Processes for making and methods of using the laundry detergent or cleaning composition are also encompassed by the present invention.
US08969251B2
A method for assaying phenotypic similarity or dissimilarity between organisms is disclosed in which a composite sample of admixed first and second samples is provided. The first, standard sample contains average concentrations of compounds of molecular mass less than about 1000 AMU present in the organism species. The second, assay sample contains compounds of having a similar molecular mass present in the organism whose phenotype is to be assayed. The constituents of both samples are (i) in a liquid medium and (ii) each compound of a sample has the same, first and second respective amounts of first and second stable isotopes of a first atom. The composite sample is mass spectroscopically analyzed for analytes, with the ratio of first to second isotope being determined for each analyte, along with a composite sample median ratio. The ratios for each analyte are compared to the median, with outlying ratios indicating dissimilarity.
US08969242B2
A supported catalyst useful in processes for chemically refining hydrocarbon feedstocks, the catalyst comprising a metal from Group 6, a metal from Group 8, and optionally phosphorous, wherein the carrier or support, comprises porous alumina comprising: (a) equal to or greater than about 78% to about 95% of TPV in pores having a diameter of less than about 200 Angstroms (A); (b) greater than about 2% to less than about 19% of the TPV in pores having a diameter of about 200 to less than about 1000 A; (c) equal to or greater than 3% to less than 12% of the TPV in pores having a diameter equal to or greater than about 1000 A.
US08969240B2
A sorbent, suitable for removing heavy metals, particularly mercury, from fluid streams containing a reductant such as hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide, is in the form of a shaped unit containing ≦0.1% by weight in total of heavy metal selected from mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium and antimony, and 4-75% by weight of copper in the form of one or more reduced copper sulphides which have a sulphur to copper atomic ratio of ≦0.6:1.
US08969236B2
A preferred embodiment of the process involves a generate a catalyst that comprises molybdenum carbide nickel material. Steps may involve heating a surface that comprises molybdenum oxide and a nickel salt while passing thereover a gaseous mixture that comprises a reductant and a carburizer. In certain embodiments, the reductant and the carburizer may both be carbon monoxide, or both be a saturated hydrocarbon. In others, the reductant may be carbon monoxide and the carburizer may be a saturated hydrocarbon.
US08969233B2
The present invention describes a hydrocracking and/or hydrotreatment process using a catalyst comprising an active phase containing at least one hydrogenating/dehydrogenating component selected from the group VIB elements and the non-precious elements of group VIII of the periodic table, used alone or in a mixture, and a support comprising at least one dealuminated zeolite Y having an overall initial atomic ratio of silicon to aluminum between 2.5 and 20, an initial weight fraction of extra-lattice aluminum atoms greater than 10%, relative to the total weight of aluminum present in the zeolite, an initial mesopore volume measured by nitrogen porosimetry greater than 0.07 ml·g−1 and an initial crystal lattice parameter a0 between 24.38 Å and 24.30 Å, said zeolite being modified by a) a stage of basic treatment comprising mixing said dealuminated zeolite Y with a basic aqueous solution, and at least one stage c) of thermal treatment.
US08969217B2
Some embodiments include methods of treating semiconductor substrates. The substrates may be exposed to one or more conditions that vary continuously. The conditions may include temperature gradients, concentration gradients of one or more compositions that quench etchant, pH gradients to assist in removing particles, and/or concentration gradients of one or more compositions that assist in removing particles. The continuously varying conditions may be imparted by placing the semiconductor substrates in a bath of flowing rinsing solution, with the bath having at least two feed lines that provide the rinsing solution therein. One of the feed lines may be at a first condition, and the other may be at a second condition that is different from the first condition. The relative amount of rinsing solution provided to the bath by each feed line may be varied to continuously vary the condition within the bath.
US08969201B2
The invention relates to a contact structure of a semiconductor device. An exemplary structure for a contact structure for a semiconductor device comprises a substrate comprising a major surface and a trench below the major surface; a strained material filling the trench, wherein a lattice constant of the strained material is different from a lattice constant of the substrate; an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer having an opening over the strained material, wherein the opening comprises dielectric sidewalls and a strained material bottom; a semiconductor layer on the sidewalls and bottom of the opening; a dielectric layer on the semiconductor layer; and a metal layer filling an opening of the dielectric layer.
US08969193B2
A semiconductor substrate (1) is provided on a main surface (14) with an intermetal dielectric (4) including metal planes (5) and on an opposite rear surface (15) with an insulation layer (2) and an electrically conductive connection pad (7). An etch stop layer (6) is applied on the intermetal dielectric to prevent a removal of the intermetal dielectric above the metal planes during subsequent method steps. An opening (9) having a side wall (3) and a bottom (13) is formed from the main surface through the substrate above the connection pad. A side wall spacer (10) is formed on the side wall by a production and subsequent partial removal of a dielectric layer (11). The insulation layer is removed from the bottom to uncover an area of the connection pad. A metal layer is applied in the opening and is provided for an interconnect through the substrate.
US08969191B2
Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a package structure are provided. A method for forming a package structure includes providing a semiconductor die and forming a first bump structure and a second bump structure over the semiconductor die. The second bump structure is thinner and wider than the first bump structure. The method also includes providing a substrate having a first contact pad and a second contact pad formed on the substrate. The method further includes forming a first solder paste structure and a second solder paste structure over the first contact pad and the second contact pad, respectively. The second solder paste structure is thicker than the first solder paste structure. In addition, the method includes reflowing the first bump structure and the second bump structure with the first solder paste structure and the second solder paste structure, respectively, to bond the semiconductor die to the substrate.
US08969183B2
Method for making thin crystalline or polycrystalline layers. The method includes electrochemically etching a crystalline silicon template to form a porous double layer thereon, the double layer including a highly porous deeper layer and a less porous shallower layer. The shallower layer is irradiated with a short laser pulse selected to recrystallize the shallower layer resulting in a crystalline layer. Silicon is deposited on the recrystallized shallower layer and the silicon is irradiated with a short laser pulse selected to crystalize the silicon leaving a layer of crystallized silicon on the template. Thereafter, the layer of crystallized silicon is separated from the template. The process of the invention can be used to make optoelectronic devices.
US08969182B2
A semiconductor device using an oxide semiconductor is provided with stable electric characteristics to improve the reliability. In a manufacturing process of a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, an oxide semiconductor film containing a crystal having a c-axis which is substantially perpendicular to a top surface thereof (also called a first crystalline oxide semiconductor film) is formed; oxygen is added to the oxide semiconductor film to amorphize at least part of the oxide semiconductor film, so that an amorphous oxide semiconductor film containing an excess of oxygen is formed; an aluminum oxide film is formed over the amorphous oxide semiconductor film; and heat treatment is performed thereon to crystallize at least part of the amorphous oxide semiconductor film, so that an oxide semiconductor film containing a crystal having a c-axis which is substantially perpendicular to a top surface thereof (also called a second crystalline oxide semiconductor film) is formed.
US08969181B2
Oxygen, silicon, germanium, carbon, or nitrogen is selectively implanted into a workpiece. The workpiece is annealed to incorporate the ions into the workpiece. A compound semiconductor is then formed on the workpiece. For example, gallium nitride may be formed on a silicon, silicon carbide, or sapphire workpiece. The width of the implanted regions can be configured to compensate for any shrinkage during annealing.
US08969179B2
A method of forming nanowire devices. The method includes forming a stressor layer circumferentially surrounding a semiconductor nanowire. The method is performed such that, due to the stressor layer, the nanowire is subjected to at least one of radial and longitudinal strain to enhance carrier mobility in the nanowire. Radial and longitudinal strain components can be used separately or together and can each be made tensile or compressive, allowing formulation of desired strain characteristics for enhanced conductivity in the nanowire of a given device.
US08969164B2
A semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a gate stack, a base area, and a source/drain region, wherein the gate stack is located on the base area, the source/drain region is located in the base area, and the base area is located on the substrate. A supporting isolated structure is provided between the base area and the substrate, wherein part of the supporting structure is connected to the substrate; a cavity is provided between the base area and the substrate, wherein the cavity is composed of the base area, the substrate and the supporting isolated structure. A stressed material layer is provided on both sides of the gate stack, the base area and the supporting isolated structure. Correspondingly, a method is provided for manufacturing such a semiconductor structure, which inhibits the short channel effect, reduces the parasitic capacitance and leakage current, and enhances the steepness of the source/drain region.
US08969163B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure may include preparing a continuous active layer in a region of the substrate and forming a plurality of adjacent gates on the continuous active layer. A first raised epitaxial layer may be deposited on a recessed region of the continuous active layer between a first and a second one of the plurality of gates, whereby the first and second gates are adjacent. A second raised epitaxial layer may be deposited on another recessed region of the continuous active layer between the second and a third one of the plurality of gates, whereby the second and third gates are adjacent. Using a cut mask, a trench structure is etched into the second gate structure and a region underneath the second gate in the continuous active layer. The trench is filled with isolation material for electrically isolating the first and second raised epitaxial layers.
US08969158B2
A method of fabricating a vertical gate region in LDMOS transistor includes depositing a first masking layer on an n-well region implanted on a substrate, patterning the first masking layer to define an area, depositing a second masking layer over the area, etching through the second masking layer in a first portion of the area to expose the n-well region, and etching the exposed n-well region to form a first trench. The first trench, extending from a surface of the n-well region to a first depth, is filled with an oxide. The second masking layer is etched through in a second portion of the area to expose the n-well region. A second trench is formed in the n-well, the second trench extending from the surface to a second depth, less than the first depth. An asymmetric vertical gate is formed by filling the second trench with a conductive material.
US08969156B2
An embodiment is a structure comprising a substrate, a high energy bandgap material, and a high carrier mobility material. The substrate comprises a first isolation region and a second isolation region. Each of first and second isolation regions extends below a first surface of the substrate between the first and second isolation regions. The high energy bandgap material is over the first surface of the substrate and is disposed between the first and second isolation regions. The high carrier mobility material is over the high energy bandgap material. The high carrier mobility material extends higher than respective top surfaces of the first and second isolation regions to form a fin.
US08969153B2
A method of making a NAND string includes forming a tunnel dielectric over a semiconductor channel, forming a charge storage layer over the tunnel dielectric, forming a blocking dielectric over the charge storage layer, and forming a control gate layer over the blocking dielectric. The method also includes patterning the control gate layer to form a plurality of control gates separated by trenches, and reacting a first material with exposed sidewalls of the plurality of control gates to form self aligned metal-first material compound sidewall spacers on the exposed sidewalls of the plurality of control gates.
US08969148B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing a microelectronic device having a channel structure formed from superimposed nanowires, in which a nanowire stack having a constant transverse section is firstly formed, followed by a sacrificial gate and insulating spacers, where source and drain areas are then formed by growth of semiconductor material on areas of the stack which are not protected by the sacrificial gate and the insulating spacers (FIG. 4D).
US08969143B2
A light-emitting device package including a lead frame formed of a metal and on which a light-emitting device chip is mounted; and a mold frame coupled to the lead frame by injection molding. The lead frame includes: a mounting portion on which the light-emitting device chip is mounted; and first and second connection portions that are disposed on two sides of the mounting portion in a first direction and connected to the light-emitting device chip by wire bonding, wherein the first connection portion is stepped with respect to the mounting portion, and a stepped amount is less than a material thickness of the lead frame.
US08969138B2
The semiconductor device includes a tab including a chip supporting surface, and a back surface opposite to the chip supporting surface; a plurality of suspension leads supporting the tab; a plurality of leads arranged between the suspension leads; a semiconductor chip mounted on the chip supporting surface of the tab, the semiconductor chip including a main surface, a plurality of pads formed on the main surface, and a rear surface opposite to the main surface; a seal portion sealing the semiconductor chip such that a part of each of the leads is exposed from the seal portion; and a Pb-free solder formed on the part of each of the leads. A part of the rear surface of the semiconductor chip is contacted with the seal portion.
US08969135B2
A semiconductor device includes a lead frame having a down bond area, a die attach area and a dam formed between the down bond area and the die attach area. A bottom of the dam is attached on a surface of the lead frame. The dam prevents contamination of the down bond area from die attach material, which may occur during a die attach process.
US08969127B2
A method of fabricating an electronic device comprises providing a layer structure (48) supported on a first substrate (34), providing a second, patterned substrate (28) and transferring selected areas (58) of the first layer structure onto the second substrate.
US08969126B2
Disclosed is a method of fabricating an organic light emitting device and an organic light emitting device fabricated using the same. The method comprises the steps of sequentially forming a cathode made of metal, at least one organic material layer including a light emitting layer and an anode on a substrate, and additionally comprises the step of forming a thin metal film on a native oxide layer that is spontaneously formed on the cathode before forming of the organic material layer.
US08969125B2
A method for manufacturing a solar cell includes texturing a front surface of a semiconductor substrate having a first conductive type dopant by using a dry etching method, forming an emitter layer by ion-implanting a second conductive type dopant into the front surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a back passivation film on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate; and forming a first electrode electrically connected to the emitter layer and a second electrode being in partial contact with the back surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US08969117B2
Methods for forming a buried p-n junction and avalanche photodiodes incorporating same are disclosed. The method includes forming a well in a semiconductor layer, wherein a depth of the well is selected as a function of the desired shape of the p-n junction in the edge region of the avalanche photodiode. A diffusion mask is then formed on the semiconductor layer, wherein the diffusion mask includes at least two openings per APD formed, wherein one opening is a diffusion window and the other is a diffusion sink. The depth of the p-n junction in the active region of the APD is based, in part, on an attribute of the diffusion mask relating to the diffusion sink.
US08969114B2
A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display apparatus, the method includes loading a substrate on a moving unit, determining an angle formed between a side of the substrate and an opening in a patterning slit sheet, rotating the patterning slit sheet by two X motors so that the side of the substrate and the opening in a patterning slit sheet extend along the same direction and forming a layer on the substrate while conveying the substrate on the moving unit in the first direction in a chamber. The patterning slit sheet moves along a direction perpendicular to the first direction during the forming the layer on the substrate so that a deposition layer having a linear pattern that extends along the first direction is formed on the substrate.
US08969113B2
Optical devices having a structured active region configured for selected wavelengths of light emissions are disclosed.
US08969108B2
A light emitting diode (LED) and a forming method thereof are provided. The method for forming the LED includes: providing a semiconductor substrate (20) and a sapphire substrate (30) respectively, wherein a first bonding layer (21) is formed on the silicon substrate (20), and a sacrificial layer (32), an LED die (33) and a second bonding layer (35) are formed in turn on the sapphire substrate (30); bonding the first bonding layer (21) and the second bonding layer (35); removing the sacrificial layer (32) and lifting off the sapphire substrate (30). The method increases the effective lighting area of the LED, improves heat radiation, and enhances lighting efficiency.
US08969107B2
A method of manufacturing a nano-rod and a method of manufacturing a display substrate in which a seed including a metal oxide is formed. A nano-rod is formed by reacting the seed with a metal precursor in an organic solvent. Therefore, the nano-rod may be easily formed, and a manufacturing reliability of the nano-rod and a display substrate using the nano-rod may be improved.
US08969099B2
Provided is a microanalysis method and system using a Field Effect Transistor (FET). The microanalysis method includes a channel region having a receptor molecule fixed; forming a nano-particle conjugate in the channel region by supplying a sample for test and the nano-particle conjugate to the FET; growing a probe material on the channel region; and measuring a current flowing through the channel region, wherein the receptor molecule is a material that is selectively bonded to a target molecule in the sample for test.
US08969096B2
Processes and apparatuses are provided for the liberation of one or more volatile organic compounds from a test sample. The processes include exposing a sample to light of a wavelength less than 400 nm, subjecting the sample to heat, and collecting one or more volatile organic compounds produced from the sample. The volatile organic compounds are detected by any of various methods, and are optionally identified by methods such as FTIR. The processes and apparatus provide for improved detection of relevant volatile organic compounds that are otherwise undetectable by traditional processes.
US08969089B2
This disclosure provides methods for quantifying individual amino acids in various bodily fluids obtained from a human patient. Also provided are reference ranges for normal amino acid levels in the various bodily fluids (e.g., blood plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and saliva) and for various age groups (e.g., neonates, infants, children, and adults).
US08969084B2
A method that identifies the compounds contributing to a sweet odor from an air conditioner, reproduces the sweet odor, and prepares a corresponding sweet odor composition. Through the analysis method of the present invention, the compounds contributing to the sweet odor from an air conditioner are identified and quantified. The sweet odor is reproduced from a combination of the compounds identified by the analysis method of the present invention. The reproduced sweet odor provides significant data required for development of an apparatus and a method for removing specific odor.
US08969081B2
Disclosed are methods for generating a neuron expressing Hoxc8 transcription factor or a caudal motor neuron comprising culturing an embryonic stem cell in a composition which is essentially free of retinoids and comprises an isotonic salt solution, so as to generate the neuron which expresses Hoxc8 transcription factor or the caudal motor neuron. Disclosed are also methods for generating a caudal brachial motor neuron, a thoracic motor neuron, or a lumbar motor neuron from an embryonic stem cell in a composition essentially free of retinoids and comprising ADFNK medium, an amount of FGF-2, or Gdf11 respectively. Disclosed are also methods of transplanting a motor neuron into a subject comprising generating the motor neuron and transplanting the motor neuron into the subject. Disclosed is also a population of motor neuron cells enriched for motor neuron cells expressing Foxp1 and expressing a gene associated with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
US08969077B2
The invention provides an expression system for producing Caveolin-1 in neuronal cells or neural stem cells comprising a neuron-specific regulatory element and a nucleic acid sequence encoding Caveolin-1.
US08969076B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for the expression of small RNA molecules within a cell using a lentiviral vector. The methods can be used to express doubles stranded RNA complexes. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be expressed using the methods of the invention within a cell, which are capable of down regulating the expression of a target gene through RNA interference. A variety of cells can be treated according to the methods of the invention including embryos, embryogenic stem cells, allowing for the generation of transgenic animals or animals constituted partly by the transduced cells that have a specific gene or a group of genes down regulated.
US08969068B2
A process for the purification of plasmid DNA, the process comprising treating an aqueous composition containing plasmid DNA with a polypeptide obtained from an NST1 phage to digest colanic acid and separating the plasmid DNA from the treated aqueous composition.
US08969063B2
A herpes simplex virus is disclosed in which the herpes simplex virus genome comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an ING4 polypeptide.
US08969059B2
The present invention includes methods, devices and systems for isolating a nucleic acid from a fluid comprising cells. In various aspects, the methods, devices and systems may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material and/or results in high purity nucleic acid isolated from complex fluids such as blood or environmental samples.
US08969051B2
A process for producing an optically active 2-alkyl-1,1,3-trialkoxycarbonylpropane (2), comprising a step of asymmetric hydrolysis of 2-alkyl-1,1,3-trialokoxycarbonylpropane (1) by using an enzyme capable of selectively hydrolyzing an ester moiety of either one enantiomer of 2-alkyl-1,1,3-trialkoxycarbonylpropane (1), or by using a culture of a microorganism capable of producing the enzyme or a treated object thereof.
US08969050B2
Methods of producing renewable materials may include consuming a fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce a renewable material in fermentation broth; water may then be separated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations, or the renewable material may be concentrated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations. Methods of producing biofuel components may include consuming a lignocellulosic or sugar fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce either ethanol or butanol in fermentation broth; cooling the feedstock or broth to solidify at least some water therein; and separating the solidified water from the feedstock or broth using a solid-liquid phase separation.
US08969048B2
The present invention provides a bacterium which has an ability to produce a useful metabolite derived from acetyl-coenzyme A, such as L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, L-proline, L-arginine, L-leucine, L-cysteine, succinate, and polyhydroxybutyrate, wherein said bacterium is modified so that activities of D-xylulose-5-phosphate phosphoketolase and/or fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase are enhanced. The present invention also provides a method for producing the useful metabolite using the bacterium.
US08969040B2
The present invention provides an anti-BMP9 (Bone morphogenetic protein-9) monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment thereof binding to human BMP9, a hybridoma producing the antibody or the antibody fragment, a DNA encoding the antibody or the antibody fragment, a vector comprising the DNA, a transformant obtained by introduction of the vector, a method for preparing the antibody or the antibody fragment using the hybridoma or the transformant, and a therapeutic agent comprising the antibody or the antibody fragment as an active ingredient. Further, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or the antibody fragment as an active ingredient for the treatment of anemia such as renal anemia, cancer anemia or the like, and a method for treating anemia such as renal anemia, cancer anemia or the like using the same.
US08969032B2
The invention relates to a method and a system for obtaining biogas in two or more stages in a hydrolysis and a methane stage, wherein the hydrolysis of solid biogenic materials is performed in at least two percolators operated at offset times. Liquid hydrolyzate and CO2 rich hydrolysis gas, and then hydrolysis gas comprising methane thereby arises in the percolator. The liquid hydrolyzate is removed from the percolators, wherein part of the hydrolyzate is fed into the methane stage and the other part of the hydrolysis stage. In the methane stage, the hydrolyzate is converted to biogas and fermenting fluid. In the method according to the invention, the percolators are operated in a gas tight manner and hydrolysis gas is drawn off from the percolators, wherein the hydrolysis gas comprising methane is fed to an energy utilization and CO2 rich hydrolysis gas is used for purging a further percolator operated at an offset time. The system according to the invention is suitable for performing said method and comprises at least two gas tight percolators that are interconnected by means of the gas supply lines thereof, and at least one methane reactor.
US08969024B2
Compositions and methods comprising proteins that bind specifically to adalimumab are disclosed herein. Adalimumab is a monoclonal antibody specific for the cytokine TNF-α and was developed to treat TNF-α mediated inflammatory diseases. In one aspect of the instant invention, the binding proteins are antibodies directed toward adalimumab. These antibodies, including binding fragments thereof, can be used in a clinical setting as well as for research and development. For example, these anti-adalimumab antibodies can be employed to neutralize adalimumab.
US08969019B2
The invention relates to a diagnosis method for Leishmaniasis using a RPE.
US08969015B2
The invention features methods and kits for determining the presence of, or a predisposition to develop, Sjögren's syndrome in humans. The invention features methods to detect changes in the levels of one or more LMP-2 protein isoforms, in particular phosphorylated isoforms of LMP-2, and to detect changes in cellular protein phosphorylation and ubiquitination in samples from Sjögren's patients.
US08969012B2
The present invention relates to prophylactic and therapeutic methods of immunization against neoplastic and infectious diseases. The invention provides a method for identification of novel immunogens and compositions of such immunogens that are useful for eliciting immune responses against antigens associated with neoplastic or infectious diseases.
US08969011B2
A process for capturing or concentrating microorganisms for detection or assay comprises (a) providing a concentration device comprising a sintered porous polymer matrix comprising at least one concentration agent that comprises an amorphous metal silicate and that has a surface composition having a metal atom to silicon atom ratio of less than or equal to 0.5, as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); (b) providing a sample comprising at least one microorganism strain; and (c) contacting the concentration device with the sample such that at least a portion of the at least one microorganism strain is bound to or captured by the concentration device.
US08969008B2
The present invention relates to methods for detecting for the presence of an agent that putatively causes or potentiates DNA damage comprising subjecting a cell (containing a DNA sequence encoding a reporter protein operatively linked to a human GADD45α gene promoter and a human GADD45α gene regulatory element arranged to activate expression of the DNA sequence in response to DNA damage) to an agent; and monitoring the expression of the reporter protein from the cell. The invention also concerns expression cassettes, vectors and cells which may be used according to such a method and also modified media that may be employed in fluorescence assays and in preferred embodiments of the method of the invention.
US08969001B2
Disclosed herein is a DNA methylation-based test for determining the recurrence or non-recurrence of a lung cancer such as NSCLC after treatment. The assays involve the detection of methylation of the BAX gene promoter alone or in combination with other genes. The test is suitable for monitoring treatment of subjects with lung cancer for which methylation differs by stage of the disease and by treatment regimen.
US08968999B2
The present invention relates to methods of joining two or more double-stranded (ds) or single-stranded (ss) DNA molecules of interest in vitro, wherein the distal region of the first DNA molecule and the proximal region of the second DNA molecule of each pair share a region of sequence identity. The method allows the joining of a large number of DNA fragments, in a predetermined order and orientation, without the use of restriction enzymes. It can be used, e.g., to join synthetically produced sub-fragments of a gene or genome of interest. Kits for performing the method are also disclosed. The methods of joining DNA molecules may be used to generate combinatorial libraries useful to generate, for example, optimal protein expression through codon optimization, gene optimization, and pathway optimization.
US08968993B2
The disclosure provides methods of making a cell-containing product having a uniform amount of cells therein. The method comprises pooling red blood cells from a plurality of blood units, and inactivating any pathogen contained therein. A storage solution added to the cellular component results in a cell-containing product that is essentially pathogen and white blood cell free and has an extended shelf life of about 42 to about 100 days. The cell-containing product is further divided into units which comprise a uniform dose of RBCs per unit.
US08968986B2
An electrochemical cell, membrane, and method for making the membrane and electrochemical cell are disclosed in which ion passage channels of the membrane have advantageous characteristics relating to dimensions, positioning, and patterning. The ion passage channels are formed by selected means of radiation, many of which require post-radiation manipulation.
US08968984B2
Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition for an organic insulating layer. More specifically, the photosensitive resin composition is suitable for forming a substrate of a transflective thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) or a pattern of an interlayer insulating layer by improving remarkably a pattern property with a high taper angle besides improvement of flatness, sensitivity, heat resistance, and transparency. Particularly, the photosensitive resin composition can provide low power dissipation besides a wide viewing angle and high visibility when being applied to a transflective type display. In addition, the photosensitive resin composition can provide a clear screen under natural light without a backlight by maintaining the brightness of a screen and prominent field visibility.
US08968977B2
Continuous and semi-continuous emulsion aggregation processes for the production of toner particles are presented.
US08968976B2
A method for regenerating a carrier core material for electrophotography, including: treating a carrier for electrophotography including a carrier core material for electrophotography and a coating layer on a surface of the carrier core material for electrophotography with an aqueous solution including an oxidant in a subcritical state or a supercritical state having a temperature of 280° C. or greater and a density of 0.20 g/cm3 or greater, wherein an amount of the oxidant in a total amount of the aqueous solution used in the treating is greater than 0.05 parts by mass with respect to 1 part by mass of the carrier for electrophotography to be treated in the treating.
US08968964B2
A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 10 to 70 wt % solvent; (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) lithium and/or calcium salt. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.
US08968957B2
A fuel cell unit configuring a fuel cell is provided with a first separator, a first electrolyte film/electrode body, a second separator, a second electrolyte film/electrode body, and a third separator. Resin guide members are provided on the outer periphery of the first separator, the second separator, and the third separator. The resin guide members have outer peripheral ends which protrude outwards, and in the aforementioned resin guide members are formed concave reliefs which are spaced inwards from the aforementioned outer peripheral ends.
US08968952B2
Immediately after a main switch is turned ON, a battery check is performed based on a first inhibit voltage lower than a second reference voltage which is an inhibit voltage level a predetermined time period after the main switch is turned ON, and therefore, even when the voltage is in a low state immediately after the main switch is turned ON, it is possible to activate a camera without an erroneous detection. Further, when the elapsed time from a time when the main switch is turned OFF to a time when tuned ON next time is relatively long, a solid high polymer film inside the fuel cell is assumed to be further dried, then the first inhibit voltage is changed, and therefore, even when the voltage fluctuates depending on the humidifying state immediately after the main switch is turned ON, an appropriate battery check can be performed.
US08968950B2
A method of starting operation of a fuel cell stack includes the steps of performing gas replacement by supplying a fuel gas to a fuel gas flow field from a downstream side of the fuel gas flow field through a fuel gas discharge passage, and supplying an oxygen-containing gas to an oxygen-containing gas flow field from an upstream side of the oxygen-containing gas flow field through an oxygen-containing gas supply passage. After the step of performing gas replacement, normal power generation is carried out by supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas flow field from an upstream side of the fuel gas flow field through a fuel gas supply passage, and supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas flow field from the upstream side of the oxygen-containing gas flow field through the oxygen-containing gas supply passage.
US08968944B2
A humidifier device for humidifying a fluid in a fuel cell system of a motor vehicle is provided. The humidifier device has a housing, in which is arranged at least one membrane, and a bypass channel for bypassing the at least one membrane. The bypass channel has a non-circular cross-section.
US08968943B2
Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.
US08968941B2
A lithium-air battery includes a cathode including a porous active carbon material, a separator, an anode including lithium, and an electrolyte including a lithium salt and polyalkylene glycol ether, where the porous active carbon material is free of a metal-based catalyst.
US08968940B2
A compound has general Formula I, II, III, or IV: where X and Y are independently a group of Formula (A): and Z a group of Formula (B): The compounds may be used in electrolytes and electrochemical devices.
US08968937B2
The present invention relates to an anode for a secondary battery, comprising at least two anode wires which are parallel to each other and spirally twisted, each of the anode wires having an anode active material layer coated on the surface of a wire-type current collector; and a secondary battery comprising the anode. The anode of the present invention has an increased surface area to react with Li ions during a charging and discharging process, thereby improving the rate characteristics of a battery, and also release stress or pressure applied in the battery, e.g., the volume expansion of active material layers to prevent the deformation of the battery and ensure the stability thereof, thereby improving the life characteristic of the battery.
US08968924B2
Compositions, and methods of obtaining them, useful for lithium ion batteries comprising discrete oxidized carbon nanotubes having attached to their surface lithium ion active materials in the form of nanometer sized crystals or layers. The composition can further comprise graphene or oxygenated graphene.
US08968920B2
Organic electrolyte solutions and lithium batteries employing the same are provided. In one embodiment, an organic electrolyte solution includes a silane compound. The inventive organic electrolyte solutions prevent crack formation caused by volumetric changes in the anode active material during charging/discharging of the battery. This improves charge/discharge characteristics, resulting in improved battery stability, reliability, and charge/discharge efficiency, which is a dramatic improvement over conventional organic electrolyte solutions, which have higher irreversible capacities due to the decomposition of polar solvents.
US08968919B2
The invention relates to an electrical energy storage system (100) comprising at least one coiled electrical energy storage element placed inside an envelope (200), said envelope (200) containing the coiled electrical energy storage element in a main body (210) of the envelope (200) and including at least one lid (230, 240), characterized in that said lid (230, 240), placed at one end of the main body of the envelope (200) and electrically connected by electrical connection means (280) to the coiled electrical energy storage element, is fastened to the main body (210) of the envelope (200) by a bonding means (600). The invention is particularly applicable in the production of electrical energy storage assemblies such as supercapacitors, batteries or generators.
US08968918B2
A battery pack includes a region spaced a certain distance apart from a hole of a battery case. The region is different in surface roughness from the other regions of the battery case, and thus, a forming error of the hole may be visually detected, so as to decrease a condition setting time for controlling the forming error.
US08968915B2
Provided is a flat plate electrode cell, comprises positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates. The positive electrode plates each comprise manganese and compressed metal foam. The negative electrode plates each comprise zinc and compressed metal foam. Both the positive and negative electrodes can have alignment tabs, wherein the flat plate electrode cell can further comprise electrical terminals formed from the aligned tabs. The rechargeable flat plate electrode cell of the present disclosure, formed from compressed metal foam, provides both low resistance and high rate performance to the electrodes and the cell. Examples of improvements over round bobbin and flat plate cells are current density, memory effect, shelf life, charge retention, and voltage level of discharge curve. In particular, the rechargeable flat plate electrode cell of the present disclosure provides longer cycle life with reduced capacity fade as compared with known round bobbin and flat plate cells.
US08968909B2
Disclosed herein is a fibrous separation membrane for secondary batteries, comprising: a polymer layer which partially melts and blocks pores thereof thus cutting off electric current when a temperature of a secondary battery is increased; and heat-resistant resin layers applied on both sides of the polymer layer.
US08968908B2
A rechargeable battery includes a plurality of electrode assemblies each having a first planar surface and a second planar surface substantially opposite to the first planar surface; a case housing the electrode assemblies; and a safety member having a first side plate that contacts the first planar surface of a first electrode assembly of the plurality of electrode assemblies, wherein the first electrode assembly is located at a periphery of the electrode assemblies, a second side plate that contacts the second planar surface of the first electrode assembly, and a connector electrically connecting the first side plate and the second side plate to each other, wherein the safety member is electrically coupled to the first electrode.
US08968907B2
A battery pack comprises a battery cell; a protective circuit module, wherein the protective circuit module comprises an insertion hole; a terminal tab for coupling the battery cell with the protective circuit module, wherein a portion of the terminal tab is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole of the protective circuit module; and an insulating layer formed on a surface of the terminal tab such that a portion of the insulating layer is inserted into the insertion hole.
US08968897B2
A secondary battery includes a battery unit that has an accommodation space for an electrode assembly, a vent housing that defines a housing space connected with the accommodation space through a first vent hole, the vent housing including a second vent hole through which the housing space is connected with an outside of the secondary battery, a revolving member that is rotatably mounted between a closing position for closing the first and second vent holes and an opening position for opening the first and second vent holes, and first and second sealing caps that are formed at opposite sides of the revolving member with respect to a rotation axis of the revolving member. The first and second sealing caps respectively close the first and second vent holes, when the revolving member is mounted at the closing position.
US08968896B1
The present disclosure teaches a method, system, and apparatus for the mitigation of internal shorting for improved battery safety. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method for mitigating internal shorting in a battery involves sensing, with at least one sensor, an internal shorting condition of the battery. The method further involves producing, by at least one processor, at least one commanding signal to initiate motion of a filament breaking mesh. Also, the method involves moving, by at least one drive mechanism, the filament breaking mesh, upon receiving at least one commanding signal. Further, the method involves breaking, with the filament breaking mesh, at least one filament present within the battery.
US08968881B2
A precoated metal sheet produced by simultaneous multilayer coating, and a process for producing the same, is provided with improved color shading prevention and adhesion. In the precoated metal plate, the centerline average roughness Ra in the coating film interface is not less than 0.3 μm, and the maximum height from the waviness center line in the interface is not more than 50% of the layer thickness. Also provided is (i) a top clear coated metal plate, which comprises a clear layer as an upper layer, has an interfacial centerline average roughness Ra of 0.3 to 0.7 μm and has excellent weathering resistance; and (ii) a precoated metal plate having excellent processability and corrosion resistance, which contains not less than 30% by mass of a rust preventive pigment.
US08968875B2
The embodiments described herein generally relate to compositions and articles including dye compounds having desirable optical properties, and related methods. In some cases, the compositions and articles may possess advantageous optical properties, including various degrees of absorbance, emission, and/or transmission at particular wavelengths or ranges of wavelength. Embodiments described herein may be useful as optical filters in protective eyewear applications.
US08968874B2
Microspheres, populations of microspheres, and methods for forming microspheres are provided. One microsphere configured to exhibit fluorescent and magnetic properties includes a core microsphere and a magnetic material coupled to a surface of the core microsphere. About 50% or less of the surface of the core microsphere is covered by the magnetic material. The microsphere also includes a polymer layer surrounding the magnetic material and the core microsphere. One population of microspheres configured to exhibit fluorescent and magnetic properties includes two or more subsets of microspheres. The two or more subsets of microspheres are configured to exhibit different fluorescent and/or magnetic properties. Individual microspheres in the two or more subsets are configured as described above.
US08968871B2
Composite reinforcer (R-2) self-adhesive, by curing, to a diene rubber matrix, which can be used as reinforcing element for a tire, comprising: one or more reinforcing thread(s) (20), for example a carbon steel cord; a first layer (21) of a thermoplastic polymer, the glass transition temperature of which is positive, for example, a polyamide 6,6, covering individually said thread or each thread or collectively several threads; a second layer (22) comprising a functionalized diene elastomer bearing functional groups selected from epoxide, carboxyl, acid anhydride and acid ester groups, for example, an epoxidized natural rubber, covering the first layer (21). Process for manufacturing such a composite reinforcer and rubber article or semi-finished product, especially a tire, incorporating such a composite reinforcer.
US08968848B2
An induction heating system includes a first heating surface and an induction coil located adjacent the first heating surface. The induction heating system also includes food packaging configured to be placed on the first heating surface. The food packaging contains a current conducting material such that the food packaging is inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to heat food when the induction coil is energized.
US08968838B2
A method is provided for exciting at least one electrode of a capacitively coupled reactive plasma reactor containing a substrate. The electrode is excited by applying a RF voltage with a trapezoidal waveform comprising a ramp-up, a high plateau, a ramp-down and a low plateau. The plasma density can be controlled by adjusting the duration of the ramp-up, the duration of the ramp-down, the amplitude and the repetition rate of the trapezoidal waveform. The ion energy distribution function at the substrate can be controlled by adjusting the amplitude and the relative duration between the high plateau and the low plateau of the trapezoidal waveform.
US08968837B2
The present invention relates to the treatment of internal surfaces of a hollow body, on the inner surfaces of which areas having different surface properties, for example, having hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, are produced. The invention further relates to fluid separators that are based on said hollow bodies and that have areas having different surface properties. Such fluid separators are used in medical technology and analysis, in particular biochemical analysis.
US08968834B2
The invention relates to a wear part or tool comprising a body containing an iron-group metal or alloy, a wear-resistant layer metallurgically bonded to a surface of the body through an intermediate layer, characterized in that the wear-resistant layer comprises at least 13 vol. % of grains of metal carbide selected from the group consisting of WC, TiC, VC, ZrC, NbC, Mo2C, HfC and TaC and grains of (Cr,Me)xCy and a metal based phase comprising of a solid solution of 0.5 to 20% Cr, 0.2 to 15% Si, and 0.2 to 20% carbon, where Me is Fe, Co and/or Ni; and the intermediate layer has a thickness of 0.05 to 1 mm and comprises Si in amount of 0.1 to 0.7 of that in the wear-resistant layer, chromium in amount of 0.1 to 0.6 of that in the wear-resistant layer and the metal of the metal carbide in amount of 0.2 to 0.6 of that in the wear-resistant layer and to a method of producing such a wear part.
US08968830B2
A vacuum coating unit includes a reactive gas inlet, at least one PVD coating source with a laminar cathode and a substrate carrier containing a multiplicity of substrates. The substrate carrier forms a two dimensional horizontal extent, and the carrier is between at least two PVD coating sources. The substrates are cutting tools with at least one cutting edge in their peripheral margin region, which are distributed in a plane of the two dimensional extent of the substrate carrier. The substrate carrier is in a horizontal plane in the vacuum process chamber spaced between the laminar cathodes of the PVD coating sources and positioned such that at least a portion of each of the at least one cutting edge includes an active cutting edge and this active cutting edge is oriented opposite at least one of the cathodes of the PVD coating sources exposed at any time along a line of sight.
US08968822B2
Although an ink jet method known as a method of selectively forming a film of a high molecular species organic compound, can coat to divide an organic compound for emitting three kinds (R, G, B) of light in one step, film forming accuracy is poor, it is difficult to control the method and therefore, uniformity is not achieved and the constitution is liable to disperse. In contrast thereto, according to the invention, a film comprising a high molecular species material is formed over an entire face of a lower electrode connected to a thin film transistor by a coating method and thereafter, the film comprising the high molecular species material is etched by etching by plasma to thereby enable to selectively form a high molecular species material layer. Further, the organic compound layer is constituted by a material for carrying out luminescence of white color or luminescence of single color and combined with a color changing layer or a coloring layer to thereby realize full color formation.
US08968818B2
Implantable biocompatible polymeric medical devices include a substrate with an acid or base-modified surface which is subsequently modified to include click reactive members.
US08968817B2
An animal feed mixture containing DL-methionyl-DL-methionine and salts thereof for animals kept in aquacultures is provided. Methods for preparing DL-methionyl-DL-methionine of formula (I) and methods to fractionate the diasteriomeric forms obtained are also provided.
US08968811B2
Hydroxytyrosol extracted from olives and/or from the solid residues of olives after the extraction of olive oil, by acid hydrolysis and purification on resin columns eluted with water contains hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, is free from sugars, has a residual content of Benzo[a]pyrene that is less than 2 microg/Kg (weight BaP/weight of extract as dry matter), containing a weight ratio of hydroxytyrosol to hydroxymethylfurfural of between 45:1 and 10000:1, and the content of hydroxytyrosol in the extract is at least 0.5% (w/w) with purity of at least 40% (by HPLC 280 nm).
US08968809B2
The present invention provides a foaming instant coffee composition comprising particles having a bulk density of from 0.16 to 0.45 g/cm3, said particles comprising a continuous phase comprising an instant coffee matrix and a non-continuous phase comprising particles of a foamable component containing a gas.
US08968808B1
A method of processing a belly for pre-cooked bacon includes injecting a belly with 1 to 3% by green weight of the belly of a solution comprising water, sodium nitrite, and sodium erythorbate to create an injected belly. The injected belly is tumbled under vacuum with dry ingredients comprising salt, sugar, and dextrose to create a tumbled belly. The tumbled belly is molded in a mold and then frozen in the mold to create a hardened belly. The hardened belly is removed from the mold to create a molded belly. The molded belly is sliced to create belly slices, and the belly slices are cooked.
US08968805B2
A device for brewing beer, particularly a wort pan (1), with a container body (2) to receive a wort reservoir (3) is described. The device contains an internal boiler (4) arranged in the container body (2), which is provided with a heat exchanger (5) and a guiding screen (8). Furthermore a wort forced flow (10) provided with a pump is also provided, which runs through the boiler (4). In order to increase the efficiency of the device, the wort forced flow (10) has a thin-layer distributor (17) for the wort, which contains a pipe subsection (11b) connected with the pump, which subsection leads above the guiding screen (8) via an outlet opening (13) with reduced outlet cross-section into the container body (2). Furthermore, above the outlet opening (13), a flow-guiding baffle surface (15) is provided, at which the flow arrives from below, to deflect the liquid towards the wort reservoir (3).
US08968800B2
Disclosed are methods of enhancing neurocognitive function by administering of American Ginseng. Preferred dosages in the range of 5 to 50 mg total genosides enhance cognitive function—including, improvement of working memory (WM) performance, attentional performance (e.g., Choice Reaction Time accuracy), and calmness.
US08968797B2
Methods of preparing bioactive composites are described. Also described are methods of molding such composites. Shaped bodies comprising bioactive composites are further described.
US08968796B2
A treatment and prevention formulation for canker sores of the oral cavity including an aqueous alkaline solution having at least three B vitamins and zinc (provided as Zn (II) EDTA alkali metal salt) mixed therein and administered to a target area by a spray container. The vitamins are B6, B9 and B12, but may include other vitamins as well. The formulation is totally non-toxic in chemical nature and non-offensive in odor to others, so it can be used anywhere and at any time and can be swallowed after use.
US08968794B2
Antiseptic compositions and kits containing a source of silver ions and menthol, which act in synergy such that a concentration of silver ions in the composition is substantially reduced, are disclosed. Further disclosed are uses of the antiseptic compositions as disinfectants and in the treatment of wounds.
US08968783B2
The present disclosure relates to a hydrogel composition and methods of using the same. The hydrogel composition may include precursors that react with each other upon contact as well as precursors that react upon contact with an initiator. In embodiments, the resulting hydrogels may have varying levels of crosslinking with both denser and less dense regions.
US08968782B2
The present invention relates to relates to combination degradable and non-degradable matrices and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes an active agent delivery matrix including a degradable polymer network, a non-degradable polymer network, the non-degradable polymer network interspersed within the degradable polymer network, and an active agent. In an embodiment, the invention includes an active agent elution control matrix including a degradable polymer; and a non-degradable polymer interspersed with the degradable polymer. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of making an active agent delivery matrix including mixing a degradable polymer with a first solvent to form a degradable polymer solution; mixing a non-degradable polymer with a second solvent to form a non-degradable polymer solution; and simultaneously depositing the degradable polymer solution and the non-degradable polymer solution onto a substrate.
US08968780B2
The invention relates to stabilized pharmaceutical composition comprising pregabalin and a disaccharide or higher polyol as stabilizer and optionally a conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The stabilized pharmaceutical composition according to the invention is useful in the treatment of a number of diseases such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.
US08968764B2
A keratin hydrogel matrix serves as an effective acellular scaffold for axonal regeneration and facilitates functional nerve recovery.
US08968763B2
Disclosed herein are implantable medical devices comprising controlled release biodegradable block copolymers or coated with controlled release block copolymers and at least one drug releasable from the block copolymer. The controlled release block copolymers comprise least two blocks selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyethers, and polyurethanes.
US08968759B2
A method of administering an antibiotic to an animal in need thereof, including the step of injecting the antibiotic subcutaneously at the junction of a pinna with the cranium of the animal, is disclosed.
US08968754B2
The present invention provides a titanium dioxide dispersion having a good dispersibility and also provides a cosmetic containing the same. The titanium dioxide dispersion comprises (a) a hydrophobized, treated titanium dioxide powder; (b) one or more oils selected from isohexadecane, isododecane, 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate, isononyl isononate, 2-ethylhexyl isononanoate, isononyl 2-ethylhexanoate, and polypropylene glycol dipivalate; and (c) a siloxane compound represented by the following formula (1), preferably polyoxyalkylene/alkyl comodified organopolysiloxane. R1aR2bR3cSiO(4-a-b-c)/2 (1)
US08968736B2
The present invention provides antibodies that bind to human GFRα3 and methods of using same. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies are fully human antibodies that bind to human GFRα3. The antibodies of the invention are useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with one or more GFRα3 biological activities, including the treatment of acute or chronic pain conditions, or inflammatory conditions.
US08968733B2
A bioadherent composition includes a first mixture containing a plurality of reactive members of a specific binding pair, said reactive members being bound to a ligand capable of binding a receptor on biological tissue, and a second mixture containing a plurality of complementary reactive members of the specific binding pair, said complementary reactive members being bound to a ligand capable of binding a receptor on biological tissue, said reactive members capable of forming covalent bonds with said complementary reactive members via a reaction selected from Huisgen cycloaddition reactions, Diels-Alder reactions, and/or thiol-alkene reactions. A method for bonding biological tissue involves utilizing the bioadherent composition.
US08968711B2
The present patent application relates to a cosmetic or dermatological composition comprising, in a cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable medium, a polymer comprising: (a) a polymer backbone that may be obtained by reaction: of a polyol comprising 3 to 6 hydroxyl groups; of a monocarboxylic acid containing 6 to 32 carbon atoms; of a polycarboxylic acid comprising at least two carboxylic groups COOH, and/or of a cyclic anhydride such as a polycarboxylic acid and/or of a lactone comprising at least one carboxylic group COOH; and (b) at least one junction group linked to the said polymer backbone and capable of establishing H bonds with one or more partner junction groups, each pairing of a junction group involving at least three H (hydrogen) bonds. The patent application also concerns a cosmetic treatment process using the said composition.
US08968710B1
A topical anesthetic is provided containing about 3 wt % to 10 wt % tetracaine in a vehicle suitable for administration to the skin or mucosa. The vehicle for transporting the tetracaine includes a water soluble mucoadhesive or a combination of mucoadhesives such as a high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer and a cellulose polymer. The vehicle also includes propylene glycol. The tetracaine is ground into a powder and is suspended in a plasticized hydrocarbon gel which completes the vehicle.
US08968698B2
Provided herein are processes for recovering molybdenum and/or other value metals (e.g., uranium) present in aqueous solutions from a large range of concentrations: from ppm to grams per liter via a solvent extraction process by extracting the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the aqueous solution by contacting it with an organic phase solution containing a phosphinic acid, stripping the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the organic phase solution by contacting it with an aqueous phase strip solution containing an inorganic compound and having a ≦1.0 M concentration of free ammonia, and recovering the molybdenum and/or other value metal by separating it from the aqueous phase strip solution. When the molybdenum and/or other value metal are present only in low concentration, the processes can include an organic phase recycle step and/or an aqueous phase strip recycle step in order to concentrate the metal prior to recover.
US08968696B2
The invention relates to a potassium sulphate powder wherein about 80 wt % or more of the powder has a particle size of about 0.2 mm or lower, preferably about 0.13 mm or less. The particle size preferably is such, that about 80 wt % or more is about 0.02 mm or higher, more preferably about 0.04 mm or higher. This potassium sulphate powder dissolves easily in water, more in particular, 50 gram of said potassium sulphate powder dissolves in 1 liter of water without stirring within 1 minute, preferably within 30 sec. This potassium sulphate powder is very suitable as foliar fertilizer, in particular for broad acre crops. Further, the invention relates to the use of foliar potassium fertilizer, to enhance the uptake of potassium from the soil.
US08968690B2
Disclosed herein is a layered three-way catalytic system being separated in a front and a rear portion having the capability of simultaneously catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides. Provided is a catalyst composite comprising a single front catalytic layer and two rear catalytic layers in conjunction with a substrate, where the single font layer and the rear bottom layer comprise a Pd component, the rear top layer comprises a Rh component, and the rear bottom layer is substantially free of an oxygen storage component (OSC).
US08968688B2
Rare earth elements are recovered from coal ash. The coal ash with rare earth elements can be treated with a mineral acid to form an aqueous mineral acid solution. The aqueous mineral acid solution can be extracted to form an organic solution that includes the rare earth salts. The organic solution can be mixed with water to form an aqueous solution that includes the rare earth salts. The rare earth elements are separated from the aqueous solution.
US08968680B2
A cleaning device that cleans a liquid storage part of a vessel for storing liquid. The cleaning device includes: a cleaning liquid discharge nozzle that discharges cleaning liquid to the liquid storage part; a first overflow suction nozzle of which tip is positioned above the tip of the cleaning liquid discharge nozzle, that sucks the liquid containing the cleaning liquid from the liquid storage part; a second overflow suction nozzle of which tip is positioned above the tip of the first overflow suction nozzle, that sucks the liquid containing the cleaning liquid from the liquid storage part; and a clog detecting unit that detects clog in one of the first and second overflow suction nozzles.
US08968678B2
An apparatus and methods for concentrating samples for application to microfluidic devices are disclosed. The methods involve electrophoresing charged molecules from a high volume sample into a smaller volume. The analyte of interest can be a charged molecule or can be modified to be charged using, for example, one or more ionic moieties.
US08968677B2
An improved apparatus and method for dispersion of a labeling conjugate in a diagnostic assay, the result being a one-step assay. By eliminating a conjugate pad as in conventional lateral diagnostic devices, and forming a frazil ice pellicle (FIP), rehydration and flow are improved resulting in better reproducibility, improved sensitivity, and reduced costs of individual assay devices. The formation of a frazil ice film formed on a super cooled surface of a sample receiving means simplifies assay assembly. Lyophilization of the FIP improves the release of a sample/analyte/label matrix into a macro channel as in a direct flow assay, while at the same time allowing reagents to mix and flow, thereby optimizing the assay performance. The reagents of the conjugate and the formation of the FIP stabilize the conjugate proteins and provide extended shelf life to the diagnostic assay device.
US08968674B2
Provided herein is a fluid sensor, which includes a closed reaction unit in which reaction of a fluid sample takes place. The reaction unit is tapered on a side through which the fluid is injected so as to prevent generation of air bubbles during the injection of the fluid. Thus, the sensor has improved sensitivity.
US08968669B2
A system and method thereof are provided for multi-stage processing of one or more precursor compounds into a battery material. The system includes a mist generator, a drying chamber, one or more gas-solid separators, and one or more in-line reaction modules comprised of one or more gas-solid feeders, one or more gas-solid separators, and one or more reactors. Various gas-solid mixtures are formed within the internal plenums of the drying chamber, the gas-solid feeders, and the reactors. In addition, heated air or gas is served as the energy source within the processing system and as the gas source for forming the gas-solid mixtures to facilitate reaction rate and uniformity of the reactions therein. Precursor compounds are continuously delivered into the processing system and processed in-line through the internal plenums of the drying chamber and the reaction modules into final reaction particles useful as a battery material.
US08968660B2
A chemical analyzer analyzes a sample for a target chemical. The sample and reagent are added to a measurement cell until a detectable change is observed. A reference compound, which does not take part in the reaction between the target chemical and reagent, is added to the reagent. By measuring the concentration of the reference compound, the amount of reagent used may be determined. In one embodiment, a mechanism introduces the sample, adds reagent, mixes, cleans, and flushes the measurement cell, which incorporates a longitudinal chamber having inlets for the sample and reagent and an outlet for measured sample/reagent mixtures. A detector located in or adjacent to the chamber between the inlets and outlet and a piston movable in the chamber carries seals such that movement of a piston sequentially opens the inlets and expels the fluid. The analyzer also includes a device that delivers reagent to a measurement cell.
US08968657B2
The transport and handling retention member comprises an adapter ring which has a central opening for receiving a tubular container for receiving samples, a gripping member for gripping the adapter ring, and a transfer head which can be moved between a rest position and an operating position, the transfer head in the operating position coming into operational contact with a tubular container which is received in the adapter ring.
US08968651B2
By focusing on the fact that nitrogen dioxide exhibits an increased sterilizing effect among other sterilant gases including nitrogen oxide, the present invention is made to provide a sterilization method which may be suitably used for sterilizing items to be sterilized such as medical instruments which require increased reliability by using a high concentration NO2 gas of 5,000 ppm or above, for example. An inside of a sterilizing chamber containing an item to be sterilized is humidified, and a concentration of NO2 in the sterilizing chamber is made to be from 9 to 100 mg/L by filling a high concentration NO2 gas.
US08968645B2
Method and apparatus for treating containers, such as bottles, cans, or similar containers, by introducing at least one sterilization medium into a container when the container is at a first position on a movement path, and then stopping treatment when the container is at a second position on the movement path. A temperature of the container is then measured to determine if the measured container temperature lies within a predetermined range of temperature. If not, the length of the path between the first position and the second position is changed to thereby change the treatment procedure for subsequent containers, such that, after the subsequent containers have been treated according to the changed treatment procedure, the temperatures of the subsequent containers lie within the predetermined range of temperature.
US08968632B2
The invention relates to a biaxial oriented film with a microporous layer, comprising a propylene polymer and at least one β-nucleating agent the microporosity of which is generated by conversion of β-crystalline polypropylene on drawing the film and the use thereof for the labelling of containers in blow molding. The Gurley value for the film is 10,000 to 300,000 Gurley.
US08968622B2
A device and a method for ejecting at least one capsule are proposed, comprising at least two ejecting mechanisms for ejecting at least one capsule from a holder receiving the capsules. A drive control mechanism is provided in order to move the ejecting mechanisms independently of one another in the ejecting direction, depending on whether the capsule assigned to the ejecting mechanism is detected as defective.
US08968620B2
Control of lateral strain and lateral strain ratio (dt/db) between template and substrate through the selection of template and/or substrate thicknesses (Tt and/or Tb), control of template and/or substrate back pressure (Pt and/or Pb), and/or selection of material stiffness are described.
US08968619B2
A method of manufacturing a wheel and a tire comprising the steps of providing a wheel and molding a tire to the wheel. A mold may be placed over the wheel, such that a cavity is formed between an inner surface of the mold and a rim of the wheel, for receiving material to form the tire, which may be in a liquid form and allowed to solidify in the mold to form a tire attached to the wheel.
US08968607B2
A paste composition for a solar cell electrode includes including an organic vehicle, a conductive powder, and a glass frit, the glass frit including TeO2, and a transition metal oxide component, the transitional metal oxide component including one or more of a transition metal oxide having a melting point of about 1300° C. or more.
US08968594B2
A method is employed for producing a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery that comprises mixing lithium phosphate having a particle diameter D90 of 100 μm or less, an M element-containing compound having a particle diameter D90 of 100 μm or less (where, M is one type or two or more types of elements selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Ge, Cu, Cr, Ti, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, Al, Ga, In, Si, B and rare earth elements) and water, adjusting the concentration of the M element with respect to water to 4 moles/L or more to obtain a raw material, and producing olivine-type LiMPO4 by carrying out hydrothermal synthesis using the raw material.
US08968589B2
A composite material comprises a filled skutterudite matrix of formula (I) IyCo4Sb12 in which (I) represents at least one of Yb, Eu, Ce, La, Nd, Ba and Sr, 0.05≦y<1; and GaSb particles within the filled skutterudite matrix, wherein the composite material comprises 0.05-5 mol % GaSb particles. Compared with conventional materials, the composite material exhibits a substantially increased Seebeck coefficient, a slightly decreased overall thermal conductivity, and a substantially increased thermoelectric performance index across the whole temperature zone from the low temperature end to the high temperature end, as well as a greatly enhanced thermoelectric efficiency.
US08968586B2
A pattern-forming method includes forming a prepattern on a substrate. A space other than a space in which the prepattern is formed on the substrate is filled with a resin composition containing a compound which is diffusible into the prepattern. The compound is diffused into a part of the prepattern. Portions in which the compound is undiffused in the prepattern are removed using a removing liquid.
US08968578B1
A method of treating water may comprise receiving water through an intake of a water treatment system, treating the water to neutralize contaminants, structuring the water by passing the water flow through a water structuring assembly and a plurality of structuring objects, injecting at least one biological component into the water passing through the water treatment system, and passing the water through an outlet of the water treatment system. A water treatment system may comprise a pump configured to move water between an intake and an outlet, a water pretreatment assembly configured to remove particles from the water, a water treatment assembly configured to neutralize contaminants in the water, a water structuring assembly having an entry and an exit and configured to passing the water flow about a plurality of structuring objects, and an injection apparatus configured to inject at least one biological component into the water.
US08968575B2
Ballast and/or cooling water biocidal treatment and disinfection systems and techniques are provided. The systems utilize oxidation reduction potential control to regulate addition, or concentration of an electrocatalytically generated biocidal agent to disinfection levels in ship buoyancy and to biofouling levels in ship cooling water systems. The disinfection and biofouling control systems provide suitable treatment while reducing the potential for corrosion of ship components and, in some cases, undesirable disinfection byproducts.
US08968570B2
A floatable modular device for absorbing oil from a surface, includes a generally disk-shaped floatable cage tapering towards the periphery of the cage in a peripheral region thereof; and a water-repellent strip-shaped oil absorbent accommodated in the cage, wherein the cage further includes at least one connector element configured for joining plural ones of the modular devices together, to form an articulate oil absorber in which the individual cages are oriented in parallel to one another. A method of manufacturing the device includes providing a first, grid-like sheet made of plastics, positioning a water-repellent strip-shaped oil absorbent on the first grid-like sheet, positioning a second sheet on the oil absorbent, and welding the first and second sheets together at their peripheries, with the oil absorbent in between, wherein peripheral regions of the first and second sheets are bent towards one another.
US08968569B2
A method of wastewater reutilization by which reusable water can be stably obtained from a wastewater. Ozone is added to a wastewater, such as water resulting from sewage treatment, in such a small amount as to result in a residual ozone concentration as measured before membrane filtration of 0.01-1.0 mg/L. Ozone is thus brought into contact with fine solids contained in the wastewater to alter the surface properties of the fine solids so that the solids are easily to coagulate. Thereafter, a coagulant, e.g., PACl, is added from a coagulant addition device (3). The fine solids are coagulated in a coagulation tank (5) or a line mixer and the resultant water is subjected to membrane filtration with an ozone-resistant separation membrane (6) such as ceramic membrane. Thus, reusable water is obtained which has a residual ozone concentration, as measured after filtration through the membrane, less than 0.5 mg/L.
US08968565B2
Improvements to “no filter, no run” fluid filtration systems are described. In one example, a filter includes a movable pin cage that has a first pre-installation position adjacent the bottom end plate and is temporarily connected thereto by a snap connection system, and a second position adjacent the upper end plate where it performs a valve interaction function. In another example, a filter includes non-centered valve pins that are rotatable relative to an upper end plate of the filter.
US08968557B2
The present invention provides a method of converting coal to a petroleum product. The method includes the steps of mixing the coal and water to form a mixture, and heating the mixture to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The method further includes separating the mixture in a first separator into a liquid stream of a water bearing minerals and a solid stream of coal, and transferring the coal from the first separator to a coking reactor wherein the temperature is raised to approximately 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to drive off lighter fractions of the coal as a gas. The method also includes transferring the gas to a fourth separator to separate water and liquid petroleum product from the gas.
US08968555B2
The present invention is a process for desulfurizing hydrocarbon feedstreams with alkali metal compounds and regenerating the alkali metal compounds via the use of a copper sulfide reagent. The present invention employs the use of a copper sulfide reagent to convert alkali metal hydrosulfides in the generation or regeneration of the alkali hydroxide compounds which may be utilized in a desulfurization process for hydrocarbon feedstreams. Additionally, in preferred embodiments of the processes disclosed herein, carbonates which form as byproducts of the desulfurization process, and are non-regenerable with copper sulfide, are removed from the alkali hydroxide stream.
US08968554B2
The present invention describes a process for the conversion of a heavy feedstock for improving the production and selectivity for middle distillate, said process using a catalytic cracking unit followed by a unit for selective hydrogenation of the heavy distillate cut (HCO) or any other cut rich in triaromatic compounds before recycling it to the FCC reaction zone in order to maximize the middle distillate cut.
US08968552B2
An intermediate hydrogen separation and purification system is integrated with a hydrotreating and an aromatic saturation process for the production of relatively lower molecular weight products from a relatively heavy feedstock including sulfur-containing and aromatic-containing hydrocarbon compounds. The integrated process allows the processing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstock having high aromatic and high sulfur contents in a single-stage configuration and the using of noble metal catalyst in the aromatic saturation zone. The integrated process increases the overall catalytic activity and hydrogenation capability to produce superior distillate products.
US08968551B2
Methods are provided for forming an asphalt fraction corresponding to a blend of asphalts, the asphalt fraction having at least one property that is unexpectedly better than the expected property value based on the individual asphalts used in the blend. The unexpectedly beneficial blends of asphalts are formed in part by including an effective amount of a Napo crude oil or crude fraction in the feed used to form the asphalt fraction. For some asphalt blends, including an effective amount of a Napo crude in the feed can allow for production of an asphalt with a low temperature performance grade that is lower than the predicted value by at least 0.5° C., such as at least 0.75° C. or at least 1.0° C.
US08968545B2
Described are devices and methods for forming one or more nanomembranes including electroactive nanomembranes within a nanowell or nanotube, or combinations thereof, in a support material. Nanopores/nanochannels can be formed by the electroactive nanomembrane within corresponding nanowells. The electroactive nanomembrane is capable of controllably altering a dimension, a composition, and/or a variety of properties in response to electrical stimuli. Various embodiments also include devices/systems and methods for using the nanomembrane-containing devices for molecular separation, purification, sensing, etc.
US08968540B2
A device for reading the sequence of a polymer, consisting of a first electrode and a second electrode, each electrode being functionalized with a reader molecule strongly bonded to the electrodes, but forming weak bonds with a molecule to be sequenced. In particular, the reader molecule is designed to form bonds with at least two points on the target molecule such that the target molecule is trapped between a first reader molecule on one electrode and a second reader molecule on the second electrode, with the overall size of the molecular complex being small enough to permit significant electric current to flow.
US08968537B2
Embodiments of the invention provide sputtering targets utilized in physical vapor deposition (PVD) and methods to form such sputtering targets. In one embodiment, a sputtering target contains a target layer disposed on a backing plate, and a protective coating layer—usually containing a nickel material—covering and protecting a region of the backing plate that would otherwise be exposed to plasma during the PVD processes. In many examples, the target layer contains a nickel-platinum alloy, the backing plate contains a copper alloy (e.g., copper-zinc), and the protective coating layer contains metallic nickel. The protective coating layer eliminates the formation of highly conductive, copper contaminants typically derived by plasma erosion of the copper alloy contained within the exposed surfaces of the backing plate. Therefore, the substrates and the interior surfaces of the PVD chamber remain free of such copper contaminants during the PVD processes.
US08968536B2
A sputtering target for a sputtering chamber comprises a backing plate with a sputtering plate mounted thereon. In one version, the backing plate comprises a circular plate having a front surface comprising an annular groove. The sputtering plate comprises a disk comprising a sputtering surface and a backside surface having a circular ridge that is shaped and sized to fit into the annular groove of the backing plate.
US08968533B2
An electroplating processor includes an electrode plate having a continuous flow path formed in a channel. The flow path may optionally be a coiled flow path. One or more electrodes are positioned in the channel. A membrane plate is attached to the electrode plate with a membrane in between them. Electrolyte moves through the flow path at a high velocity, preventing bubbles from sticking to the bottom surface of membrane. Any bubbles in the flow path are entrained in the fast moving electrolyte and carried away from the membrane. The electroplating processor may alternatively have a wire electrode extending through a tubular membrane formed into a coil or other shape, optionally including shapes having straight segments.
US08968530B2
An electrolytic treatment method and electrolytic treatment device are provided for electrolytic treatment of an aluminum web W by applying an alternating current to an upstream electrode and a downstream electrode disposed along a conveying direction a. At least one of a conveying velocity v of the aluminum web W, a frequency f of alternating current applied at the upstream electrode and the downstream electrode, and/or a web conveying direction separation distance d2 between the upstream electrode and the downstream electrode are set such that the alternating current and voltage waveform applied to the aluminum web W at the far end of the upstream electrode and the alternating current and voltage waveform applied to the aluminum web W at the near end of the downstream electrode do not reinforce each other.
US08968528B2
A process for coating a part comprises the steps of providing a chamber which is electrically connected as an anode, placing the part to be coated in the chamber, providing a cathode formed from a coating material to be deposited and platinum, and applying a current to the anode and the cathode to deposit the coating material and the platinum on the part.
US08968527B2
Micro-fluid ejection devices, methods for making micro-fluid ejection heads, and micro-fluid ejection heads, including a micro-fluid ejection head. One such micro-fluid ejection head has relatively high resistance thin film heaters adjacent to a substrate. The thin film material comprises silicon, metal, and carbon (SiMC wherein M is a metal). Each thin film heater has a sheet resistance ranging from about 100 to about 600 ohms per square and a thickness ranging from about 100 to about 800 Angstroms.
US08968510B2
In a method of producing a transponder, a substrate is provided. The substrate comprises a first area, a second area adjacent to the first area, and a first electric contact adjacent to the second area. An electric device is placed in or on the first area, preferably without touching the first electric contact. Subsequently, a conductive glue is applied on the second area and on the first electric contact so that the conductive glue electrically couples the first electric contact with the electric device.
US08968507B2
A method of covering a roof deck includes laying a course of starter shingles in a side-by-side relationship at an eave edge of a roof deck. A starter shingle of the course of starter shingles is a laminated starter shingle comprising an underlay sheet laminated below an overlay sheet. A plurality of successive generally horizontal courses of covering shingles are laid above the course of starter shingles. The covering shingles in each of the courses of covering shingles are laid in a side-by-side relationship and horizontally offset from the covering shingles in adjacent courses. Each covering shingle of the courses of covering shingles includes a headlap portion and a butt portion. The butt portion includes a plurality of tabs separated by cutouts. The starter shingles include an exposed portion extending between the tabs of the covering shingles.
US08968504B2
A method for manufacturing a laminated film according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a laminated film constituted by laminating a first film and a second film. The method includes a lamination step of pasting together the first film and the second film in a state where the first film is stretched to be longer than a natural length thereof in a predetermined direction.
US08968487B2
A wafer container cleaning device for cleaning container bodies and container covers of wafer containers includes a housing having a cleaning chamber defined therein, a rotor rotatably installed within the cleaning chamber of the housing, a plurality of container holders mounted to the rotor to removably hold the container bodies and the container covers, and a cleaning solution sprayer nozzle for spraying a cleaning solution toward the container bodies and the container covers held by the container holders. Each of the container holders includes a support tray having a body support portion for supporting each of the container bodies in an upside down state and a cover support portion for supporting each of the container covers.
US08968474B2
A substrate processing apparatus includes: a chamber including a body having an open portion and a door for blocking the open portion; a substrate supporter connected to the door; and a door operating means including a rotation shaft for straightly moving and rotating the door, the door and the body separated in parallel from each other by straightly moving the door.
US08968467B2
Techniques for controlling resistivity in the formation of a silicon ingot from compensated feedstock silicon material prepares a compensated, upgraded metallurgical silicon feedstock for being melted to form a silicon melt. The compensated, upgraded metallurgical silicon feedstock provides semiconductor predominantly of a single type (p-type or n-type) for which the process assesses the concentrations of boron and phosphorus and adds a predetermined amount of boron, phosphorus, aluminum and/or gallium. The process further melts the silicon feedstock with the boron, phosphorus, aluminum and/or gallium to form a molten silicon solution from which to perform directional solidification and maintains the homogeneity of the resistivity of the silicon throughout the ingot. A balanced amount of phosphorus can be optionally added to the aluminum and/or gallium. Resistivity may also be measured repeatedly during ingot formation, and additional dopant may be added in response, either repeatedly or continuously.
US08968466B2
Emulsions, and processes for making the emulsions, useful for imparting water resistance to gypsum products are disclosed. Process for making the emulsion and gypsum products made from the emulsion are also disclosed. The emulsions of the invention include at least one paraffin wax and a hydrophilic metallic salt. The emulsions of the invention may further include a saponifiable wax substitute for montan wax. The emulsions of the invention may further include a biocide.
US08968461B1
Conductive concrete mixtures are described that are configured to provide EMP shielding and reflect and/or absorb, for instance, EM waves propagating through the conductive concrete mixture. The conductive concrete mixtures include cement, aggregate, water, metallic conductive material, and conductive carbon particles and/or magnetic material. The conductive material may include steel fibers, and the magnetic material may include taconite aggregate. The conductive concrete mixture may also include graphite powder, silica fume, and/or other supplementary cementitious materials (SCM). The conductive carbon particles may comprise from about zero to twenty-five percent (0-25%) of the conductive concrete mixture by weight and/or the magnetic material may comprise from about zero to fifty percent (0-50%) of the conductive concrete mixture by weight.
US08968452B2
Disclosed is a phase change ink comprising: (a) a crystalline trans-cinnamic diester; and (b) an amorphous oligomer of isosorbide and a diacid.
US08968451B2
An apparatus for concentrating solution includes a plurality of nozzles (1) to spray solution into minute particle mist, a gas supplier (2) to transfer gas-mist mixture containing mist by supplying carrier gas to mist sprayed from the nozzle (1), and a separator (3) to separate a component with a low boiling point from a component with a high boiling point by supplying gas-mist mixture transferred using the gas supplier (2). The gas supplier (2) defines a plurality of apertures (9) to supply carrier gas to the plurality of nozzles (1). In this apparatus for concentrating solution, the plurality of nozzles (1) are spraying mist into carrier gas supplied from the apertures (9).
US08968447B2
A separation membrane including an alloy including a Group 5 element and Ir, wherein the alloy includes a body centered cubic crystal structure.
US08968445B2
The present invention provides regenerable pleated media and filter elements and combinations thereof for use in a clean room environment for removal of airborne molecular contamination. Disclosed is a pleated filter media for a clean room environment wherein the pleated filter media comprises at least an adsorbent first layer of activated carbon or polymer wherein said activated carbon or polymer together with fibers and/or an adhesion agent is enclosed between two second layers of non woven with a grid positioned on at least one side of either of the second layers or incorporated in the first layer for preventing deformation of the pleated filter media when regenerated by a heated air flow above 100° C. at 1 atm.
US08968444B2
The present invention relates generally to a cyclic adsorption process for separating components of a gas stream with at least one adsorber vessel containing at least one adsorber bed undergoing the steps of at least pressurization and depressurization such that the steps are driven by at least one compressor, the compressor undergoing the steps of acceleration and deceleration in association with the steps of pressurization and depressurization. The compressor is operated at or above predetermined speeds which do not generate undesirable frequency pulsations while meeting the requirements of the cyclic adsorption process.
US08968436B2
A cutting element include a substrate and a diamond compact including at least two polycrystalline diamond portions separated by at least one metal carbide foil portion. The cutting element is made by placing diamond powder in a reaction container, placing a thin metal layer in the reaction container above or around the diamond powder and binder, placing additional diamond powder in the reaction container above or around the thin metal layer, and placing a pre-sintered substrate containing binder into the reaction container above all diamond powder and thin metal layer components. The assembled reaction container is put into a reactor and is subjected to a high-temperature high-pressure sintering process. The binder in the pre-sintered substrate sweeps through to sinter the first diamond portion, and then reacts with the thin metal layer to form a metal carbide, and then the binder continues to sweep through to sinter the second diamond portion.
US08968435B2
A coated abrasive product including green, unfired abrasive aggregates having a generally spheroidal or toroidal shape, the aggregates formed from a composition comprising abrasive grit particles and a nanoparticle binder, wherein the abrasive aggregates are dispersed within a polymer resin coating, and wherein the coated abrasive product is capable of polishing an optical component, including ophthalmic lenses without the need to apply an abrasive slurry.
US08968432B2
An on-board fuel processor includes a microchannel steam reforming reactor (30) and a water vaporizer (40) heated in series with a combustion gas. The reformer (30) and the vaporizer (40) are both of a cross-flow panel configuration that allows for low combustion side pressure drop. Fuel is directly injected into the steam, and during a rapid cold start, both the combustion gas flow rate and the steam to carbon ratio are substantially increased relative to their steady state operating values. A rapid cold start can be achieved in under 30 seconds with a manageable amount of electric power consumption, removing impediments to use in automotive fuel cell applications.
US08968430B2
A process for treating coal includes contacting the coal with a leaching agent configured to remove a mineral from the coal; forming a wastewater stream comprising water and a concentration of a contaminant; and contacting the wastewater stream with a first side of a reverse osmosis membrane under pressure, wherein a permeate stream comprising a reduced concentration of the contaminant permeates the reverse osmosis membrane and flows from a second side of the reverse osmosis membrane, and a concentrate stream comprising an increased concentration of the contaminant is retained on the first side of the reverse osmosis membrane.
US08968424B2
Provided is a flat plate electrode cell, comprises positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates. The positive electrode plates each comprise manganese and compressed metal foam. The negative electrode plates each comprise zinc and compressed metal foam. Both the positive and negative electrodes can have alignment tabs, wherein the flat plate electrode cell can further comprise electrical terminals tanned from the aligned tabs. The rechargeable flat plate electrode cell of the present disclosure, formed from compressed metal foam, provides both low resistance and high rate performance to the electrodes and the cell. Examples of improvements over round bobbin and flat plate cells are current density, memory effect, shelf life, charge retention, and voltage level of discharge curve. In particular, the rechargeable flat plate electrode cell of the present disclosure provides longer cycle life with reduced capacity fade as compared with known round bobbin and flat plate cells.
US08968418B2
A reinforcement device for reinforcing tissues having one or more structural deficiencies includes a longitudinally-extending reinforcing layer for treating the structural deficiency, a plurality of spiked naps distributed across the reinforcing layer and projecting therefrom for adhering to the tissue, and a dissolvable matrix layer covering at least a portion of the reinforcing layer and a portion of the plurality of spiked naps. The matrix layer increases the time before the spiked naps substantially adhere to the tissue, thereby allowing the practitioner additional time to position the reinforcement device.
US08968417B2
Bioactive implant for myocardial regeneration and ventricular chamber support including an elastomeric microporous membrane. The elastomeric microporous membrane being at least one non-degradable polymer and at least one partially degradable polymer. The non-degradable polymer is selected from polyethylacrylate and polyethylacrylate copolymerized with a hydroxyethylacrylate comonomer. The partially degradable polymer is selected from caprolactone 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl ester and caprolactone 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl ester copolymerized with ethylacrylate. The elastomeric microporous membrane further includes a nanofiber hydrogel, and cells. The bioactive implant, having one or two helical loops, contributes to the restauration of the heart conical shape. Cardiac wrapping by ventricular support bioprostheses of the present invention, having reinforcement bands spatially distributed as helicoids, recovers the sequential contraction of the myocardium resulting in the successive shortening and lengthening of the ventricles, therefore improving the ejection (systolic function) and suction of blood (diastolic function).
US08968413B2
A tibial orthopaedic prosthesis assembly for use during performance of a knee replacement procedure includes one or more tibial augments configured to be coupled to a tibial tray. Each tibial augment includes an exterior side surface of varying angulation relative to a top surface of the tibial augment.
US08968408B2
Method and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue and particularly spinal tissue. The device and method may include insertion of at least one elongated member and an augmenting member to form a structure between the tissues to be distraction, such that a dimensional aspect of the structure is augmented upon movement of the augmenting structure.
US08968406B2
A spinal implant (40) including first spinal attachment member (44) for attaching to a first spinal portion (41), second spinal attachment member (46) for attaching to a second spinal portion (42), and a post-implantation variable dimension device disposed between the first and second spinal attachment members, which is operable after completing surgery in which said spinal implant was installed into a patient, to cause relative movement between the first and second spinal attachment members.
US08968399B2
A vision correction arrangement is described in which a lens system having variable optical power varies in dependence on the orientation of the user's eye. The vision correction arrangement may be embodied as an intraocular lens implant, or an extraocular device such as spectacles. The intraocular lens implant comprises a fixed lens element (11) and a movable lens (12) element sensitive to the orientation of the eye, so that the optical power of the intraocular lens implant is increased when the user looks downward, and returns to a reduced optical power condition when the user's eye returns to a horizontal gaze. The fixed lens element may have a convex rear surface and a concave front surface, and the second lens element may be pivotally mounted in front of the first lens element, so that downward inclination of the eye causes the second lens element to swing away from the fixed lens element.
US08968398B2
A system for easily transferring an intraocular lens (IOL) from an inserter into a patient's eye. The system includes an inserter handpiece with a holding station for receiving or storing an IOL. The IOL may be pre-loaded within the holding station during manufacture, and the inserter handpiece coupled to a delivery tube so that the entire system is ready for use by a surgeon to implant an IOL. The IOL may have an optic and leading and trailing haptics coupled to the optic, and the holding station may be capable of manipulating the haptics as desired to facilitate transfer of the IOL through the delivery tube into the eye. For instance, the holding station may fold one or both of the haptics over the optic. Preferably, the holding station maintains the haptics in their folded positions during transfer of the IOL into the delivery tube. The holding station desirably maintains the IOL in a relaxed configuration during storage. A small opening on one side may be provided to introduce a narrow tool for folding one of the haptics over the optic.
US08968382B2
A device comprising a single closed loop of elastic filament configurable between (i) a first configuration for movement along a blood vessel; and (ii) a second configuration for lodging within a blood vessel, the second configuration providing a single flow-restricting face sized and configured to cover the mouth of the aneurysm and obstruct blood flow to the aneurysm while permitting substantially normal blood flow through the blood vessel, with the degree of obstruction at the mouth of the aneurysm being such that the aneurysm thromboses when the face is positioned over the aneurysm, the flow-restricting face comprising a plurality of lengths of the closed loop of filament disposed in close proximity to one another in a switchback configuration, and at least one leg for holding the flow-restricting face adjacent the mouth of the aneurysm, the leg configured so as to maintain substantially normal blood flow through the blood vessel.
US08968379B2
In one aspect, a stent delivery system includes a catheter having two or more pullwire lumens evenly spaced about the central axis of the catheter and thereby balanced within the catheter. Pullwires are positioned in the pullwire lumens. Proximal portions of the pullwires are attached to a connector, which is attached to a master pullwire. The connector has a given range of motion that allows the pullwires to move within the pullwire lumens, thereby ensuring full flexibility of the catheter. The pullwires assume different lengths. A pullwire positioned over the outer curve of a flexed catheter may be longer than a pullwire positioned within the inner curve of the catheter, preventing the catheter from being straightened or displaced by the action of retracting the pullwires. The catheter may serve as either an inner member on which a stent is mounted or a sheath enclosing a stent.
US08968372B2
A bone screw is created, with a thread section (1) with a tip (6) at a first end and a head (8) for engaging with a screwdriver at the opposite second end, which serves as traction element to connect shattered or split off parts of bones to one another. So that fusion of the screw with the bones can take place, the thread section (1) is constructed as tubular and its wall has a plurality of recesses.
US08968371B2
Devices and systems for repairing bone fractures and more specifically a fracture repair plate that provides for fixation of a metaphysis to the diaphysis of a long bone, for instance a fracture between the proximal humerus and the diaphysis of the humerus. The fracture repair system includes an implantable repair fracture repair plate and a bone anchor for fixing the fracture repair plate to a bone. In one embodiment, the fracture repair plate may also be adapted to serve as an anchor for a suture. The fracture repair system may also include a fracture reduction mechanism attachable to the fracture repair plate for imparting a controlled translational movement between two bone segments along a plane that lies substantially parallel to the surface of the bone to which the fracture repair plate is attached and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bone shaft.
US08968364B2
A system for use in graft fixation in a knee reconstruction procedure can include a first femoral fixation member adapted to be retained relative to a first end of a femoral tunnel and a first self-locking adjustable flexible member construct having a passage portion with a pair of free ends and a pair of self-locking adjustable loops. The first flexible member construct can be interconnected to the first femoral fixation member. A second femoral fixation member can be coupled to the first flexible member construct and can be adapted to be positioned in the femoral tunnel relative to a second end of the femoral tunnel adjacent a joint space between the femur and a tibia. A second self-locking adjustable flexible member construct having a passage portion with a pair of free ends and a pair of self-locking adjustable loops can be interconnected to the second femoral fixation member.
US08968337B2
A surgical apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a housing, a drive assembly, a trigger, and a shaft assembly. The trigger is operatively connected with the drive assembly. The drive assembly is at least partially positioned within the housing. The shaft assembly extends distally from the housing and has a first tubular member pivotally connected with a second tubular member located distally from the first tubular member. An articulation mechanism is operatively connected between the first and second tubular members, and includes a gear rack, at least one gear, and a gear segment, respectfully connected with each other to pivot the second tubular member about the pivot axis. The gear rack and at least one gear are located within the first tubular member. The gear segment extends proximally from the second tubular member.
US08968335B2
A tissue anchoring system includes a tissue anchor member that is suitable for anchoring against tissue. The system also includes a tensioning member operatively connected to the anchor member such that the anchor member can slide relative to the tensioning member, the tensioning member capable of being pulled to cause the anchor member to move relative to the tensioning member into a position seated against the tissue. A hand operated deployment catheter is operable to extend and deploy the anchor member therefrom. The deployment catheter includes a rotatable member about which the tensioning member is routed and a clutch assembly for limiting tension within the tensioning member to prevent the deployed anchor from being pulled through the tissue.
US08968330B2
A method and apparatus for treating a clot in the blood vessel of a patient, and particularly the treatment of a pulmonary embolism is disclosed. The treatment includes restoring flow through the clot followed by clot removal, either partially or substantially completely. The clot treatment device is expandable into the blood vessel and may contain radial extensions that assist in restoring flow as well as in removing clot material.
US08968323B2
A syringe that has a barrel with curvature is provided. The curvature enables a greater volume of bone graft materials to be housed than in a straight syringe without increasing the absolute distance from the handle of the plunger to dispensing end of the syringe. Additionally by maintaining a constant diameter, the barrel permits bone graft material to be dispersed with reduced likelihood of clogging.
US08968321B2
An orthopaedic surgical instrument that includes a patella resection guide is disclosed. The patella resection guide includes a body having a substantially planar upper surface that defines a patella cutting guide surface and a first jaw having a first tooth, and a second jaw positioned opposite the first jaw. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw and includes a second tooth extending toward the first tooth that defines an axis along which the second jaw is moveable relative to the first jaw. The patella cutting guide surface defines a resection plane that extends through a patient's patella when the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw.
US08968318B2
A device for binding a cable about a fractured bone to stabilize a fracture comprises a slot including a distal opening sized to receive an enlarged end of a cable and a proximal opening sized to permit the cable to slide therethrough while preventing the enlarged end from passing therethough and a bore sized to slidably receive the cable, the bore extending to a proximal opening in combination with a locking element channel extending to a distal end opening into the bore and a locking element movable into a locking position in which a distal end of the locking element extends into the bore to engage a portion of the cable received therein and lock the cable in a desired position within the bore.
US08968317B2
A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame including an engagement recess defined on each lateral side thereof and a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an outer jaw housing having an engagement tang disposed on each lateral side thereof. The engagement tangs are configured to engage the engagement recesses of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface.
US08968311B2
A surgical instrument includes a housing that supports an elongated shaft. A selectively movable drive rod extends through the elongated shaft and carries a cam pin in a longitudinal direction. An end effector for surgically treating tissue is supported by the elongated shaft and includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to one another about a pivot axis. The upper jaw member includes a first pair of laterally spaced flanges, and the lower jaw member includes a second pair of laterally spaced flanges defining a camming slot for engaging the cam pin. The flanges are arranged in an offset configuration where one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.
US08968306B2
A forceps includes a disposable shaft and a reusable shaft. The shafts each including a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The shafts are releasably coupled to one another about a pivot and are moveable relative to one another for moving the jaw members between an open position and a closed position. The disposable shaft includes a first tissue sealing plate disposed thereon and an electrical, connector coupled thereto that includes a plurality of wires extending therethrough and into the disposable shaft member. One or more wires is coupled to the first tissue sealing plate and one or more wires is coupled to a second tissue sealing plate that is configured for releasable engagement with the jaw member of the reusable shaft member. The tissue sealing plates are adapted to conduct energy through tissue for sealing tissue grasped between the jaw members.
US08968299B2
A circuit (10, 110, 210) configured for connecting an electrode (28, 126, 228) to a catheter or sheath is disclosed. The circuit (10, 110, 210) includes a member (12, 112, 212) having a longitudinal axis (14, 214) and configured to extend along at least a portion of the length of the catheter or sheath. The circuit (10, 110, 210) further includes a trace (16, 116, 230) printed on the member (12, 112, 212), where the trace (16, 116, 230) includes at least a longitudinal segment (18, 118) extending generally along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis (14, 214) and a transverse segment (20, 120) extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis (14, 214). In an embodiment, the circuit further includes a pad (26, 126, 226) integral with and extending from the (10, 110, 210) proximal the transverse segment (20, 120) of the trace (16, 116, 230). A catheter or sheath assembly comprising the circuit (10, 110, 210) and an electrode (28, 126, 228) connected to the circuit (10, 110, 210) is also disclosed. A method of forming a catheter or sheath assembly is also provided.
US08968293B2
The disclosed electrosurgical systems and methods accurately determine the power actually applied to a load by using equalizers to calibrate the power measurements. The electrosurgical systems include an electro surgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument coupled to the electrosurgical generator through an electrosurgical cable. The electrosurgical generator includes an electrical energy source, voltage and current detectors, equalizers that estimate the voltage and current applied to a load, and a power calculation unit that calculates estimated power based upon the estimated voltage and current. The methods of calibrating an electro surgical generator involve applying a resistive element across output terminals of the electrosurgical generator, applying a test signal to the resistive element, measuring the magnitude and phase angle of voltage and current components of the test signal within the electrosurgical generator, estimating the magnitude and phase angle of the voltage and current at the resistive element using equalizers, and determining gain correction factors and minimum phase angles for the equalizers.
US08968287B2
Devices and methods for treating tissue with microwave energy used in applications such as destroying a soft tissue by microwave ablation and/or creating point, line, area or volumetric lesions. Various embodiments of flexible, low-profile devices are also disclosed where such device can be inserted non-invasively or minimally invasively near or into the target tissue such as cardiac tissue. The devices disclosed herein comprise antennas wherein the field profile generated by an antenna is tailored and optimized for a particular clinical application. The antennas use unique properties of microwaves such as interaction of a microwave field with one or more conductive or non-conductive shaping elements to shape or redistribute the microwave field.
US08968285B2
A portable surgical instrument (PSI) includes a shaft extending therefrom. An end effector operably supported at the distal end of the shaft includes a pair of jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is activatable to treat tissue. A selectively removable generator pivotally couples to the housing to energize the activatable jaw member. The generator defining one or more apertures at a distal end thereof and a pivot member disposed at a proximal end thereof. A locking mechanism configured to operably couple to the elongated shaft of the housing includes one or more locking fingers configured to releasably couple to the one or more apertures disposed at the distal end of the generator such that generator is selectively and removably engageable with the housing of the portable surgical instrument.
US08968280B2
Methods and systems for controlling selective targeting of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells within a treatment region of the RPE. The methods include (a) depositing a selected amount of energy on a test region of the RPE; (b) determining an extent to which microcavitation has occurred in the test region; and (c) on the basis of the determination, either depositing the selected amount of energy on the treatment region, or depositing an increased amount of energy on the test region, and repeating steps (b) and (c).
US08968277B2
A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation mechanism of the handle, an optic fiber, and a housing tube. The housing tube may include a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater than the first stiffness. The optic fiber may be disposed within the housing tube and within an inner bore of the handle. A portion of the optic fiber may be fixed to an inner portion of the housing tube.
US08968269B2
A suctioning and irrigating sinus balloon catheter is provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities and choana. The catheter has a number of fluid carrying conduits to provide irrigation, suction and inflation/deflation to the distally mounted balloon. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, choana or sinus to be excised. Some catheters can be hand bendable by the surgeon. Some catheters provide the capability of threading an endoscope through one of the conduits. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, choana, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.
US08968264B2
A diaper assembly 2 includes a diaper garment 10 and a fluid absorbent pad 60. The diaper garment 10 has an outer shell 12 from which a sling 20 is suspended. The sling 20 is fluid resistant and has front and rear pockets 34, 36 into which opposite ends of the fluid absorbent pad 60 can be inserted. The front pocket 34 is formed by fluid resistant shield 50 that is surrounded on three sides by gussets 40, 42 that are more skin friendly than the shield 50. Multilayer pads 60 can be carried by the sling 20.
US08968262B2
A wound irrigation kit includes a basin for collecting irrigation fluid that is configured to closely fit the specific body part that is to be irrigated. The kit optionally includes a grommet that can be readily incorporated into the basin to allow for active draining of the basin during the irrigation procedure. The kit also optionally includes a flexible irrigation shield that can be attached to an existing irrigation device and that can be readily modified to vary its length.
US08968255B2
An improved drug delivery device is provided having a piston rod that incorporates on its proximal end at least one guidepost that is configured for transmitting axial and rotational forces from a drive mechanism. The device comprises a drug delivery device housing and a medicament contained in the drug delivery device housing.
US08968254B2
The present invention relates to a drug delivery device and in particular to temperature sensitive labelling of such devices. The drug delivery device is designed for dispensing of a dose of a medicinal product and comprises a housing, and a drive mechanism comprising an axially displaceable piston rod to act on a piston of a cartridge containing the medicinal product to be dispensed. The device is further provided with a protective cover arranged across a functional component of the device, and adapted to irreversibly change at least one of its visually perceptible properties in response to the ambient temperature rising above or dropping below at least one predefined threshold.
US08968246B2
Syringe adapter 300 has base member 310 and flange lock member 320. Flange lock member 320 is formed in generally arc shape as a whole so as to receive a cylinder flange inside. Flange lock member 320 has look hook 323 and engagement hook 324 formed thereon. Look hook 323 locks the cylinder flange by rotation of a syringe received in flange lock member 320 about its axis. Engagement hook 324 locks syringe adapter 300 to the apparatus so as not to release lock to the apparatus in the state in which the cylinder flange of the syringe is received in flange lock member 320.
US08968244B2
A disposable cassette for mixing a drug in a vial includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike, a chamber and a valve mechanism. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. The valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.
US08968233B2
An arteriovenous shunt assembly including a shunt having a hollow bore between open first and second ends thereof and a valve slidably disposed through the hollow bore. The valve includes means for retaining the valve in a closed position or in any of various selected open positions that provide corresponding different rates of blood flow through the shunt assembly. In some embodiments, the AV shunt assembly is self-expandable from a collapsed tow-profile configuration employed during transluminal delivery. The valve position in the hollow bore may be adjusted in vivo by inflating a catheter balloon in a blood vessel to bear against an end of the valve. Methods for using the shunt assembly are also disclosed.
US08968231B2
An extracorporeal blood circuit including: a withdrawal conduit connectable to a coronary withdrawal catheter; a withdrawal pump connectable to the withdrawal conduit, wherein a pumping rate of the withdrawal pump determines a blood withdrawal rate from the coronary withdrawal catheter; a filter having an input connected to the withdrawal conduit and a blood output connected to an infusion conduit and a filtrate output connected to a filtrate conduit; a filtrate measurement device to determine an amount of filtrate removed from the blood in the filter; a fluid supplementation conduit providing a blood replacement fluid to at least one of the withdrawal conduit, filter and infusion conduit; a supplementation pump connectable to the fluid supplementation conduit, wherein a pumping rate of the supplementation pump determines a rate at which the blood replacement fluid flows into the blood flowing through the blood circuit, and a controller regulating the pumping rate of the supplementation pump such that the rate of the blood replacement fluid provides an amount of blood replacement fluid to the at least one of the withdrawal conduit, filter and infusion conduit so as to substantially match the amount of filtrate removed.
US08968224B2
A chest compressions monitor for measuring the depth of chest compressions achieved during CPR. A displacement detector produces a displacement indicative signal indicative of the displacement of the CPR recipient's chest toward the recipient's spine. A signaling mechanism provides chest compression indication signals directing a chest compression force being applied to the chest and a frequency of such compressions.
US08968216B2
An outer coil and an inner coil are joined in parallel with a distal end portion of a core of a guide wire. A winding direction of a strand of the outer coil is the same as that of a strand of the inner coil. Diameters of the outer and inner coils increase or decrease when rotation of the core is transmitted and thereby rotation transmission capability is improved. An outer space wound portion and an inner space wound portion are formed in corresponding positions in the outer coil and the inner coil, respectively, in a core direction. Even if the guide wire has a double-coil structure, the outer and inner space wound portions improve flexibility of the guide wire. A coil pitch of the outer space wound portion differs from a coil pitch of the inner space wound portion. Thereby, engagement of the strands is prevented.
US08968213B2
A tissue collection apparatus maximizes the collection and retention of tissue samples from within a patient. The apparatus comprises a handle with a hollow catheter flexibly extending distally from the handle. A cytology brush is stored within the hollow at a distal end of the cannula, and can be extended and retracted from the cannula by manipulating the handle. The cytology brush has a cylindrical proximal brush, a cylindrical distal brush, and a tissue collection gap longitudinally separating the proximal and distal brushes. The bristles of the brushes can have different material properties and can have an effective diameter greater than the cannula. In use, tissue samples accumulate within the bristles and within the tissue collection gap. When retracted into the hollow of the cannula, the apparatus maximizes the amount of tissue collected by folding the bristles over the tissue collection gap to shield the tissue samples collected within.
US08968212B2
A biopsy system includes a biopsy device and a vacuum control module. The biopsy device includes a cannula and a cutter that translates relative to the cannula to obtain tissue samples. The vacuum control module includes a source of vacuum in communication with the cutter and a user interface. The user interface includes a first page and a second page. The first page has a first graphical representation to indicate the operational status of the biopsy device and does not accept user inputs to alter the operational status of the biopsy device. The second page has at least one icon to adjust the operational status of the biopsy device indicated on the first page and a second graphical representation to indicate the adjustment to the operational status of the biopsy device. The user interface includes a user input feature to select the first page or the second page.
US08968204B2
A system and method for measuring fluid flow and pressure in a flexible conduit is disclosed. An embodiment of the system and method uses an ultrasound sensor for determining volume of flow and a tonometric system for determining pressure along a common length of a flexible conduit.
US08968179B2
An implantable device arranged to contact the urethral sphincter allows for manipulation of the device from outside the body by the patient.
US08968177B2
A method for treating morbid obesity in a body of a mammal having a gastrointestinal tract extending through a stomach and a pyloric sphincter and a wall forming the stomach and pyloric sphincter. At least one implant is formed in the wall in the vicinity of the pyloric sphincter to inhibit emptying of the stomach.
US08968175B2
Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
US08968167B1
A resistance system for an exercise device includes a plurality of cord plates which may be selectively engaged by one or more pins which may include an engagement lock. One or more of the cord plates may be received by a pin with each cord plate that is received by a pin being secured relative to a frame. A cord plate that has received a pin is engaged and a cord plate that is not received by a pin is disengaged. A carriage may be provided which receives a plurality of elastic cords which may be attached to the cord plates. The carriage may be displaced relative to a base frame, to provide elongation of the elastic cords coupled to engaged cord plates and no elongation of the cords coupled to the disengaged cord plates which provide a selective resistance for a user.
US08968161B2
Apparatus for exercising a person's balance control, the apparatus comprising: a motion stage operable to displace an object mounted thereto; a treadmill mounted to the stage and comprising a belt having a runway surface on which a person using the treadmill stands, walks and/or runs; and a controller that controls the motion stage to provide a displacement of the treadmill and thereby the treadmill runway surface.
US08968155B2
A resistance exercise system having, in certain embodiments, a DC power supply system, a DC motor connected to the DC power supply system, a drive section connected to a drive element, a resistance delivery element connected to the drive element, and an extractable exercise resistance delivery section, a predetermined variable resistance section intermediate the DC power supply system and DC motor, an electrical condition sensor, and a variable resistance section control in communication with the electrical condition sensor and the predetermined variable resistance section. In some embodiments, the resistance exercise system includes a computing facility providing the ability to configure the exercise system to provide predetermined static or variable exercise resistance during exercise, and for example, during a positive or negative exercise stroke. Some embodiments allow users to create and, if desired, display varying and complex resistance exercise routines with or without use of resistance weights.
US08968151B2
A vehicle has an engine, an upstream clutch, an electric machine, a downstream clutch, a transmission gearbox, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) control engagement of the downstream clutch, (ii) monitor a vehicle torque, and (iii) control electric machine torque to a designated rate when the vehicle torque changes direction and the electric machine is operating. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes engaging a clutch downstream of the electric machine, monitoring a vehicle torque, and controlling electric machine torque to a designated rate when vehicle torque changes direction and the electric machine is operating. A hybrid vehicle system has an electric machine and a controller configured to (i) control electric machine torque to a designated rate within a time zone, and (ii) control at least one of the electric machine torque and an engine torque to meet driver demand outside of the zone.
US08968145B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
US08968136B2
A dual clutch transmission (500) having a plurality of forward gears and at least one reverse gear (582) where the first gear is operatively engaged by a one-way clutch (594). A pair of actuator control valves (270, 272) is employed to move actuators to engage selective ones of the forward gear sets. A multiplex valve (284) is disposed in fluid communication between the pair of actuator control valves (270, 272) and the actuators associated with the forward gears of the transmission and is adapted to selectively provide fluid communication to the actuators to thereby select the forward gear ratios. A manual valve (185) is operatively connected to the gear shift selector (187) to control the actuator associated with reverse gear (582).
US08968131B2
A chain for a timing drive or an assembly drive of a drive device of a motor vehicle, which has a plurality of link packs articulatedly connected to one another and formed from middle links and cover links, with corresponding recesses through which chain pins or chain sleeves are inserted, and a plurality of inner links which connect the link packs to one another. At least the inner links and the middle links have different expansion behavior.
US08968127B2
A tensioner having a simplified structure, using engaging teeth having increased strength and reduced backlash, constructed from a reduced number of parts, reduced in cost, and having increased design freedom. A tensioner comprises: a tubular member (1) having engaging teeth (1b) formed thereon; one or more engaging elements (2) having formed thereon engaging teeth (2a) engaging with the engaging teeth (1b); and a shaft member (3) provided inside the tubular member (1) and having an engaging-element receiving section (3c) or an engaging-element supporting section which receives the engaging elements (2) of the tubular member (1). Either the tubular member (1) or the shaft member (3) functions as an advancing member which is moved by urging force in an advancing and retracting manner. The tensioner is provided with a ratchet mechanism which, when the engaging elements (2) move in a diameter reducing direction and move over the engaging teeth of the tubular member (1), allows the advancing member to advance forward, and when the engaging elements (2) move in a diameter expanding direction and engage with the engaging teeth of the tubular member (1), prevents the advancing member to retract.
US08968117B2
A golf ball comprising: an inner core formed from a first substantially homogenous rubber composition comprising a carbon-carbon initiator, the inner core having a geometric center and a first outer surface having a hardness less than that of the geometric center by up to about 20 Shore C; an outer core layer disposed about the inner core formed from a second substantially homogenous rubber composition and comprising a second outer surface having a hardness that is up to about 43 Shore C points greater than the hardness of the geometric center; an inner cover layer disposed about the core comprising an ionomeric material and having a material hardness of about 55 Shore D or greater; an outer cover layer disposed about the inner cover layer comprising a polyurea or polyurethane and having a material hardness of 20 Shore D to 70 Shore D.
US08968107B2
A flexible shaft drive transmission for transmitting rotational power between a drive motor and a gear train of a power operated tool. The flexible shaft drive transmission includes an elongated drive shaft assembly including a rotatable drive transmitting shaft assembly extending through an outer casing. The shaft drive transmission includes a motor end coupling affixed to one end the outer casing and adapted to be releasably connected to a mating coupling of the drive motor. The motor end coupling includes a coupling body having an outer surface tapered region tapering from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter at a distal end of the tapered region to facilitate insertion and proper alignment with the drive motor coupling. The drive transmitting shaft assembly includes a driven fitting having a plurality of drive faces surrounding an axially extending locating member for engagement with a mating drive fitting of the drive motor.
US08968105B2
This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing the contents of NVRAM in a wagering game machine. A method copies a first data of an NVRAM module to a storage device, wherein the NVRAM module is associated with a wagering game machine and then copies a second data to the NVRAM module.
US08968100B2
A system (234, 220, 200) for monitoring movements of one or more users and/or one or more projectiles during sports activities performed by the one or more users is provided. The one or more projectiles (200) incorporate sensors (202, 204) for sensing movements of the one or more projectiles (200) during the sports activities. A user interface (220) is used for presenting automated sports training services. A data processing arrangement (234, 232, 220) is used for analysing one or more records of the movements of the one or more projectiles (200) against reference data, for providing the automated sports training services to the one or more users via the user interface (220).
US08968083B2
A gaming system enables players of a group of gaming devices to wager on progressive or other awards for that group and tracks an amount of player activity at the group. If player activity of the group exceeds an upper reconfiguration threshold, the gaming system disassociates one or more gaming devices from the group to reduce the amount of player activity. If the player activity of the group falls below a lower reconfiguration threshold, the gaming system associates one or more additional gaming devices with that group to increase player activity. Reallocation of gaming devices can occur following a player winning the award for the group. The system can incrementally increase an award reset amount, while reducing the odds of winning the award, to maintain a desired range of gaming experiences. The system can also enable a player to select an initial groups based on a characteristic of that player.
US08968082B2
System and method of managing user accounts to track outcomes of real world wagers revealed to users
The invention relates to systems and methods of maintaining revealed and unrevealed balances that both belong to a user, but the user is aware only of the revealed balance. In this manner, the system can give the user an impression that a value (e.g., a cash amount or other value) has been gained or lost by transferring the value between the revealed and unrevealed balances of the user, even though no gain or loss actually occurred. The unrevealed balance may include a payout from a real-world wager. Thus, payout may be revealed to the user in a manner that the user believes that the payout was won by the user through a game or other interactive media, even though the payout belongs to the user based on the payout. Other changes in value to the unrevealed and revealed balances may occur as well.
US08968078B2
A method for wagering comprises receiving a bet regarding a spin of the reels of a slot machine. An outcome may be determined based on one or more financial market indicators. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08968074B2
A wagering game, gaming machine, gaming system and method are disclosed wherein a player-interactive bonus feature is triggered and displayed simultaneously with a wagering game presentation and a bonus award is paid responsive to a player selecting a displayed bonus target, such as a balloon. The bonus award is paid in addition to any award payable based on the wagering game outcome.
US08968068B2
A bonus game for a slot machine, method and apparatus, is disclosed and is based on a playfield configured as a matrix of playing positions, wherein each playing is used to display a character of the alphabet, and wherein a plurality of words are hidden in the playfield. During the bonus game, the rows and/or columns of the playfield are rotated, and then are randomly stopped to uncover hidden words. Each hidden word has a payout amount associated with it, which is paid to the player upon uncovering the word. A plurality of sound and visual effects is also provided to heighten the enjoyment of the bonus game.
US08968060B2
This invention relates to automated systems and methods for hanging live poultry for further processing. The system has an alignment conveyor, an alignment stunner, a hanging box, and a shackle. The alignment conveyor conveys poultry from an input point to the alignment stunner. The alignment stunner urges the poultry to move to a desired position on the alignment conveyor and stuns the poultry. The hanging box grasps the stunned poultry and places the poultry into the shackle for further processing. A computer and at least one sensor control operation of the system so that human intervention is minimized.
US08968055B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for a pre-CMP semiconductor substrate buffing module. The invention includes a polishing pad assembly adapted to be rotated against a major surface of a substrate; a chuck adapted to hold the substrate and to rotate the substrate against the polishing pad assembly as the polishing pad assembly is rotated; and a lateral motion motor adapted to oscillate the polishing pad assembly laterally across the major surface of the substrate while the polishing pad assembly is rotated against the rotating substrate. Numerous additional features are disclosed.
US08968051B1
The present invention relates to a crossover maternity panel that may be attached to any lower garment worn throughout pregnancy and post-partum body changes. The crossover maternity panel may be a belly panel comprised of a single piece of fabric or multiple pieces connected with seams, and wrap around from the front to the back of the wearer. The portions may overlap in the back of the wearer as they decrease in height to create a crossover triangular section that provides support to the lumbar region of the wearer. The crossover maternity panel may be attached to any lower garment such as a pant, short, skirt, skort, or the like. The flexible and stretchable material of the crossover maternity panel allows the wearer to have support for the enlarged belly, support for increased pressure and laxity on the wearer's sacroiliac joints and lower back, as well as comfort and mobility.
US08968050B1
A bra saver device made for underwire and non-underwire bras to provide protection to the wearer from sudden exposure to underwires and to provide comfort between the wearer of a bra from friction caused by movement of a bra during normal use. The present invention easily attaches to the edge of a bra by opening the clip to the present invention and placing it over the bra where ever an underwire has become exposed and then closing the clip to securely attach the present invention to a bra. The present invention can also be attached to any section of the bra at the edge along the bra at the top or the bottom, front or back where the wearer of the bra experiences discomfort.
US08968049B2
A rotatable performance device, such as a yo-yo, is modifiable such that the device can act as both a relatively narrow looping yo-yo and a relatively wide string trick yo-yo. Inner lobe spacers that facilitate these modifications and a method for attaching the spacers to the rotatable performance device to change its play characteristics are also disclosed.
US08968045B2
A cathode selection method includes measuring, by using a cathode having an electron emission surface which is a flat surface and a emission area which is limited, a total emission emitted from the cathode; calculating, using a measured total emission value, work function by a Richardson Dash Man's formula; and determining whether or not the cathode has the work function equal to or under an acceptable value.
US08968039B1
An interface assembly for a panel board is provided. The interface assembly includes an interface assembly body and a number of conductor assemblies. The interface assembly body includes a front side and a back side, said body further defining a number of conductor passages. Each conductor passage extends from said interface assembly body front side to said body back side. The conductor assemblies each includes a stab coupling assembly and a secondary coupling assembly. Each stab coupling assembly and each said secondary coupling assembly are coupled and are in electrical communication. Each stab coupling assembly is disposed in a conductor passage. When the interface assembly body is mounted in a panel board, each stab coupling assembly is coupled to, and in electric communication with a stab. Each secondary coupling assembly can be coupled to another panel board device.
US08968032B2
An interface section 200 of a structure 100 includes a plurality of contacts 120, each of the contacts having a contact portion 122 and a spring portion 126 which supports the contact portion 122 so that the contact portion 122 is displaceable in an up-down direction. The contact portions 122 of the contacts 120 are arranged in a pitch direction (X direction), and reinforcement portions 166 are positioned between the contact portions 122, respectively. The structure reinforces a side portion of the contact portion 122. Therefore, even if the contact portion 122 receives a force along the pitch direction (X direction), damage of the contact 120 can be prevented.
US08968028B2
In a connection structure of a battery terminal, including a battery terminal to be connected to a battery and a fuse unit to be mounted to the battery terminal through a fixing section, the connection structure being provided between the battery terminal and the fuse unit, the battery terminal is provided with a regulating protrusion formed in a protruding manner, while the fuse unit is provided with a plurality of regulating grooves, into one of which the regulating protrusion is made to engage so as to position a mounting position of the battery terminal to the fuse unit.
US08968022B2
An electrical connector includes a housing having a receptacle that is configured to receive an electrical wire therein. An electrical contact is held by the housing. The electrical contact includes a contact beam that includes a wire interface that is configured to engage the electrical wire. The contact beam is movable between a closed position and an open position. The wire interface is configured to engage the electrical wire when the contact beam is in the closed position. The wire interface is configured to be disengaged from the electrical wire when the contact beam is in the open position. The electrical connector includes a push-button actuator having a resiliently deflectable spring that is configured to slidably engage the contact beam to thereby move the contact beam from the closed position to the open position.
US08968013B2
A modular jack is composed of: a base connector installed on a printed circuit board, and a socket connector with a parallel crank mechanism at an extremity thereof, the parallel crank mechanism being slidably connected to the base connector and switching an upper housing between a raised state and a lowered state. When the upper housing is laid toward the front side of the socket connector, the socket connector can be housed inside the casing and both faces of the upper housing, the socket housing, and the base housing are made in a flat plate-like shape. This contributes to height reduction in the modular jack. The socket connector is configured such that, when the upper housing is pulled out from a side face of the casing and raised outside the casing, a plug can be electrically connected to the socket connector.
US08968012B2
A connection cable for use with a wearable electronic device includes a first end unit configured to connect with an electronic component and a second end unit. The second end unit has a housing with a connection end configured to connect with a connection feature of an extension arm of the device and a support end spaced apart from the connection end. The housing is configured such that, when the connection end is connected with the connection feature, the support end, the first end of a band of the device, and a nosepiece of the device define at least three points of contact along a plane spaced apart from the surface of the extension arm with the second end unit disposed between the surface of the extension arm and the plane. The cable also includes a cable body extending between the first end unit and the second end unit.
US08968010B2
The press-fit type connector terminal includes a pin section in the form of a flat plate, and a plurality of contact sections situated continuous to a front end of the pin section. Each of the contact sections includes a contact piece in the form of a barrel or a spindle surrounding an imaginary center line, the contact piece being formed with a slit extending substantially parallel to the imaginary center line, and the connector terminal is comprised of a single bent metal plate having elasticity.
US08967995B1
A dual-pressure flare system and a method of its use. The dual-pressure flare system includes a dual-pressure flare stack having a central axis that is aligned with the center of a high-pressure outlet; a high-pressure flue having a central axis that is co-linear with the central axis of the dual-pressure flare stack; and a low-pressure flue connected to a low-pressure tip. Some exemplary embodiments of the system further include an air-assist assembly having an air-supply connection connected to an air blower and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber surrounds the low-pressure tip. In some exemplary embodiments, the air-supply connection is disposed outside the dual-pressure flare stack and the high-pressure flue.
US08967981B2
A mechanical combustion engine coolant pump for pumping a coolant for an internal combustion engine includes a stationary cylindrical support body. A rotatable driving wheel is supported by a driving wheel roller bearing at the stationary cylindrical support body. The rotatable driving wheel is configured to be driven by the internal combustion engine. A pump wheel is arranged at a rotatable rotor shaft. The pump wheel is supported by a shaft roller bearing at the stationary cylindrical supporting body. A switchable friction clutch is configured to couple the rotatable driving wheel with the pump wheel. The stationary cylindrical support body integrally comprises an inner ring of the driving wheel roller bearing. The stationary cylindrical support body integrally comprises an outer ring of the shaft roller bearing.
US08967979B2
A fan assembly includes a nozzle and a system for creating a primary air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes at least one outlet for emitting the primary air flow, and defines an opening through which a secondary air flow from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the emitted primary air flow and which combines with the primary air flow to produce a combined air flow. The nozzle includes a user operable device for allowing a user to adjust selectively at least one parameter, for example at least one of the profile, the orientation and the direction, of the combined air flow.
US08967973B2
A turbine bucket includes a radially inner mounting portion; a shank radially outward of the mounting portion; at least one radially outer airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a substantially planar platform radially between the shank and the at least one radially outer airfoil; at least one axially-extending angel wing seal flange on a leading end of the shank thus forming a circumferentially extending trench cavity along the leading end of the shank, radially between an underside of the platform leading edge and a radially outer side of the angel wing seal flange; and slash faces along opposite, circumferentially-spaced side edges of the platform. At least one of the slash faces is formed with a dog-leg shape, a leading end of the at least one of slash face terminating at a location circumferentially offset from the leading edge of the at least one radially outer airfoil.
US08967970B2
A fluid pump 1, particularly a water pump 1, wherein an impeller 11 comprising a plain bearing bush 12 is rotatably supported on a bearing pin 13. The impeller 11 and the plain bearing bush 12 are thereby made of an identical base material in one or more pieces. A further material is mixed into the base material of the plain bearing bush 12, improving the sliding properties of the plain bearing bush 12 on the bearing pin 13.
US08967969B2
A prestressing device extending about an axis between a first plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis and a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane and axially offset relative to the latter. The device includes a first annular body extending in the first plane, and a first series of at least three tabs, each of which is connected to the first body and extending in an essentially radial direction, each of the tabs of the first series including a planar surface extending in the second plane. This arrangement ensures surface contact between the parts of the elements to be subjected to prestressing. The device can be used for example for a rotor, and for example for a rotor of an unducted propeller for a turbine engine.
US08967960B2
Method and rotor for a compressor. The rotor includes a solid first stub having a first end configured to engage with a corresponding bearing and a second end having a flange configured to be attached by bolts to a corresponding flange of a first impeller of the compressor; a tie rod configured to pass through the first impeller of the compressor; a nut being configured to engage a threaded region of the first end of the tie rod; and a solid second stub having a first end configured to receive the threaded portion of the second end of the tie rod and a second end configured to engage with a corresponding bearing. The tie rod does not contact the solid first stub.
US08967929B2
A transportation and storage system for a wind turbine rotor blade comprises a tip end frame assembly comprising a tip end receptacle and a tip end frame. The tip end receptacle comprises an upwardly open tip end-receiving space for receiving a portion of the tip end of the blade and having a supporting surface for supporting the blade, a lower surface allowing the tip end receptacle to rest upright on a substantially horizontal surface, such as the ground, and releasable retaining means for releasably retaining the tip end of the blade in the receiving space of the tip end receptacle. The tip end frame comprises an upwardly open receptacle-receiving space for receiving the receptacle and provided with positioning means for positioning the receptacle in the tip end frame. A base part defines a bottom surface allowing the tip end frame to rest upright on the ground.
US08967921B2
A cutting insert is capable of boring or drilling without the formation of a prepared hole in a workpiece. A cutting edge includes a cutting edge portion extending from the outer peripheral side to the tool center axis side of a cutting tool body when the cutting insert is attached to a mounting seat, reaching a first plane including the tool center axis, and traversing from one side to the other side of a second plane which is perpendicular to the first plane and which includes the tool center axis.
US08967919B2
A preferred embodiment of a system for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit includes a bin for storing at least one of the catalyst and/or additives, and a loading unit in fluid communication with the storage bin and the fluidized catalytic cracking unit on a selective basis. The loading unit is capable of being evacuated so that a resulting vacuum within the loading unit draws the catalyst and/or additive from the bin. The loading unit is also capable of being pressurized so that the catalyst and/or additive is transferred from the loading unit to the fluidized catalytic cracking unit.
US08967910B2
A vibratory compactor includes a roller and an eccentric shaft. The roller is rotatably mounted on a main frame and may include a first vertical support and a second vertical support. The eccentric shaft is rotatably connected between the first vertical support and the second vertical support in the roller. The eccentric shaft includes a first end, a second end, a first eccentric weight, a second eccentric weight, and a center portion, casted as a single piece. The first eccentric weight is proximal to the first end and the second eccentric weight is proximal to the second end. The center portion may be disposed between the first eccentric weight and the second eccentric weight. The center portion may include at least one cavity on a surface of the center portion. The at least one cavity is elongated between the first eccentric weight and the second eccentric weight.
US08967906B2
An underlayment panel includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of projections define drainage channels. A plurality of drain holes arranged through the panel provide fluid communication between the top surface and the bottom surface.
US08967897B2
A cosmetic dispenser includes a translucent reservoir sandwiched in-between a shelled wall and a solid wall of an opaque housing. The shelled wall provides exposure to a portion of the translucent reservoir, the exposed portion of the translucent reservoir defines a flexible wall. The translucent reservoir being formed of a substantially more supple material than the opaque housing, thereby providing the flexible wall to displace a portion of product stored in the translucent reservoir.
US08967896B2
A cosmetic apparatus includes a double-ended cosmetic container having a liquid cosmetic reservoir chamber therein. Interchangeable end caps are removably attached to generally opposite ends of the container. An applicator wand, attached to the first end cap, is insertable through the first end and a first wiper insert, and selectively moved to the generally opposite second end so as to be insertable through the second open end and second insert, which is configured to funnel cosmetic material into the second insert and onto the applicator so as to capture the remaining cosmetic material.
US08967893B2
A printer includes a main body case in which a sheet roll is installed, a sheet discharge port from which a printed sheet of paper is discharged, an opening/closing cover that opens and closes with respect to the main body case, a cutter that is attached to the opening/closing cover and configured to cut the printed sheet of paper from the sheet roll, and a cutter protection mechanism configured to move in correspondence with an opening movement or a closing movement of the opening/closing cover. The cutter protection mechanism is configured to expose the cutter at the sheet discharge port when the opening/closing cover is in an open state and conceal the cutter when the opening/closing cover is in a closed state.
US08967888B2
Methods and systems are provided for a dry silicone gel. The dry silicone gel comprises a base polymer having a vinyl-silicone group and a crosslinker having thiol groups. The dry silicone gel may be made without the use of a catalyst by reacting the base polymer and crosslinker in the presence of a photo or thermal initiator. In some embodiments, the gel also comprises a chain extender having thiol groups. In certain embodiments, the dry silicone gel may comprise: (1) a hardness between 100 g and 300 g, (2) a stress relaxation between 30% and 60% when subjected to a deformation of 50% of the original size of the gel, (3) a compression set between 4% and 20% after 50% strain has been applied to the gel for 1000 hours at 70° C., and/or (4) less than 10% oil bleed out under compression of 1.2 atm after 60 days at 60° C.
US08967884B2
An optical transceiver with two circuit boards is disclosed. The optical transceiver includes two OSAs, two circuit boards, and a holder put between two circuit boards. The circuit boards are assembled with the holder made of resin by the snap-in, and this intermediate product is set within the housing of the transceiver. The cover of the transceiver is also assembled by the snap-in without using screws and so on.
US08967881B2
A pluggable ONU transceiver module comprises a top shell, a bottom shell configured to mate with the top shell to form a cavity, and a PCB disposed within the cavity. A plurality of pins are coupled to the PCB and are configured to be inserted into a protruding socket of a host device through the bottom shell. The protruding socket is mounted on a PCB of the host device. The pluggable ONU transceiver module further comprises one or more guiding features integrated with the bottom shell and configured to ensure that the pins are inserted correctly into the protruding socket, and means for positioning the top shell at a predetermined height above the PCB of the host device to allow coupling of the top shell to a heatsink of the host device.
US08967879B2
A cage for rolling elements of a bearing, which has a plastic base body and a metal coating fixed to the base body and at least partially covering the the base body. The cage provides mechanical stability, wear-resistance and corrosion resistance. This is achieved by the metal, at least sections, having a nanocrystalline granular structure.
US08967875B2
A bearing includes a liquid lubricant and at least one ceramic component, which, during operation of the bearing, is subject to rolling contact load. A tribological surface of the at least one ceramic component is impregnated with a sealant, such that the liquid lubricant is prevented from entering discontinuities in the tribological surface.
US08967874B2
A lubricant retainer for use in a pump bearing assembly, the bearing assembly which in a first operating configuration is lubricated by a relatively highly viscous lubricant, and which in a second operating configuration is lubricated by a less-viscous lubricant, the bearing assembly comprising a bearing housing having a bore extending therethrough for receiving a pump drive shaft, spaced-apart bearing mounting zones within said bore with a chamber therebetween, each bearing mounting zone arranged for the in use receipt of a bearing therein. Each zone has associated therewith one lubricant retainer, the lubricant retainer being adapted to be mounted within the bore adjacent the bearing mounting zone with which it is associated so as to form a barrier between the bearing mounting zone and the chamber when the pump bearing assembly is in the first operating configuration, the retainer being removed when the pump bearing assembly is in the second operating configuration.
US08967873B2
A rolling element guide for a bearing assembly formed with cantilevered arms, the arms flexibly adjusting to contact with a guide surface of an inner or outer ring of a bearing. Lubrication channels in a surface of the cage are also disclosed.
US08967869B2
Particles, embedded into a sliding layer, have a coating, within which a lubricant, e.g., a liquid, is contained. A component with the sliding layer provides a sliding surface that can be used as a backup bearing to ensure emergency operating properties, for example, of a shaft that is mounted in a main bearing. When the shaft strikes the bearing surface, the coating of the particles that are exposed on the bearing surface are destroyed and the lubricant can exit. Advantageously, the sliding properties of the sliding surface are thereby improved.
US08967867B2
A first seal portion having a surface of a lubricating oil defined therein is defined between a sleeve portion and a bearing housing. A side communicating channel arranged to bring a first seal gap and a thrust gap into communication with each other is defined either between a sleeve portion and a bearing housing or in an outer circumferential portion of a sleeve portion. A second seal portion having another surface of a lubricating oil defined therein is defined in a gap constituted by a side minute gap between a thrust plate and a bearing housing and a lower minute gap between a thrust plate and a cap member.
US08967862B2
A slider assembly configured to move on a slide rail along an axial direction without limitation in distance is provided to solve the problems of the middle retaining members of a conventional circulation maintaining device, e.g., insufficient connection rigidity and inconvenience in manufacture and assembly. The positioning portion of a middle retaining member and the positioning portion of the protrusion of a slider are connected in a direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and a transverse direction in which the protrusion projects, thereby connecting the middle retaining member and the protrusion securely and evenly along their entire lengths. The middle retaining member and the protrusion also feature ease of manufacture and assembly.
US08967854B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for mixing materials together and transferring the materials into other instruments, particularly for use in the medical field.
US08967852B2
A mixer for mixing immiscible fluids includes a mixer housing defining a flow passage therethrough from a first fluid inlet to an outlet thereof. An upstream portion of the flow passage defines a main longitudinal axis. A second fluid inlet is provided downstream of the first fluid inlet in fluid communication with the upstream portion of the flow passage. The second fluid inlet is offset with respect to the main longitudinal axis of the flow passage to introduce fluid along a path that is offset with respect to the main longitudinal axis for inducing swirl on fluids introduced at the first and second fluid inlets. In certain embodiments, a mixer section is included having a flow constriction defined in a downstream portion of the flow passage with a flow area smaller than that of the upstream portion of the flow passage for enhancing turbulent mixing of fluids therein.
US08967851B1
Spectral and hyperspectral imaging systems allow monitoring of pharmaceutical or other industrial blending processes to establish the characteristics of the blend. To illustrate, a batch type blender may be equipped with a computer controlled drive mechanism that is slowed down at a predetermined point during rotation to assess the progress of the blending through an imaging window mounted on the blender. A fast hyperspectral imaging device can be provided directly on the blender to view the blend through the imaging window, or can be placed in a fixed position relative to the rotating blender. The image of the blend is preferably captured line-by-line at a location at or near the bottom of the blender synchronously with the blender's rotation. The spectral information acquired from the blend at each rotation can be used to assess whether the nominal blend composition is achieved, or to reveal uniformity of the blend.
US08967849B2
Apparatus (20) for injection of fluid into extrusion system components such as a preconditioner (24) or extruder (100) is provided, preferably as a composite assembly including a fluid injection valve (52) and an interconnected static mixer section (54). Alternately, use may be made of the fluid injection valve (52) or static mixer section (54) alone. The invention greatly simplifies the fluid injection apparatus used in extrusion systems, while giving more efficient absorption of thermal energy with a minimum of environmental contamination, and the ability to inject multiple streams into the extrusion systems.
US08967846B2
A solid state illumination system is provided as a replacement for conventional arc light, metal halide and Xenon white-light sources for applications in life sciences including, microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and endoscopy. The solid state illumination system generates high quality white light output from LED light sources. The white light output is continuous in the visible spectrum from 380 nm to 650 nm and is suitable for imaging all the most common fluorophores and fluorescent proteins. In embodiments, an LED light pipe engine is used to generate a portion of the spectral content of the white light output. In alternative embodiments the solid state illumination system produces light output of a selectable color.
US08967844B2
A luminaire includes a heat spreader, a heat sink, a light source and an outer optic. The heat sink is substantially ring-shaped and is disposed around and in thermal communication with an outer periphery of the heat spreader. The light source is disposed in thermal communication with the heat spreader, the light source having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are disposed in thermal communication with the heat spreader. The outer optic is disposed in optical communication with the plurality of LEDs. The heat spreader, the heat sink and the outer optic, in combination, have an overall height H and an overall outside dimension D such that the ratio of H/D is so dimensioned as to: cover an opening defined by a nominally sized four-inch can light fixture; and, cover an opening defined by a nominally sized four-inch electrical junction box.
US08967837B2
A solid state light having a shell forming an interior volume and with surface texture for redirecting light. A light section is coupled to the shell, and a light source board in the light section includes at least one solid state light source such as an LED. The shell, light section, and light source board have apertures for providing an air cooling channel through the light. The solid state light source transmits light into the interior volume, and the light exits from the shell and is redirected by the surface texture, providing for various light distribution curves of the light.
US08967834B2
A curved dead front display assembly is provided which includes a first plastic layer, a transparent structural plastic layer, a mask layer with light transparent windows defining at least one graphic, a baffle layer having light transmitting hollow chambers, and a printed circuit board featuring light emitting diodes and electrical signal connections. The curved geometry achieves a sharp graphic image by electrically adjusting energy to each of the LEDs.
US08967832B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a lighting and ventilating system including a main housing. The main housing can include an inlet through which air can be received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air can exit the main housing. A fan wheel can be supported in the main housing and it can be operable to generate a flow of air. A grille can be coupled to the main housing and the grille can comprise at least one aperture. The system can include a plate coupled to the grille and the plate can include a recess. Also, a set of illumination devices can be at least partially disposed within the recess.
US08967830B1
Holiday Hoop Décor Systems provides a novel retrofittable décor-cover frame assembly which may be installed to a backboard of a basketball hoop. The décor-cover frame has a pair of adjustable arm members and a head member. At a distal end of each of the arms a light panel comprising LEDs is illuminable by activating a control switch. A décor-cover having a holiday or seasonal display appearance may be placed around the décor-cover frame assembly.
US08967826B2
An illumination apparatus produces a linear intensity distribution. The illumination apparatus contains laser light sources arranged in a number N of rows with in each case a number M of laser light sources which are arranged one next to the other, and emit laser light in a first propagation direction. A number of beam-deflection devices are arranged behind the laser light sources in the first propagation direction and deflect the laser light emitted by the laser light sources into a second propagation direction to a working plane. A beam-merging device is arranged behind the beam-deflection devices in the second propagation direction such that it merges the individual laser beam bundles of the laser light sources into the linear intensity distribution, with adjacent rows being arranged in a first direction perpendicular to first and second emission directions and also offset with respect to one another in the first propagation direction.
US08967818B2
A fluorescent screen includes phosphor regions 1-R, 1-G, diffusion region 1-B and reflecting means 10 formed on a region that includes phosphor regions 1-R and 1-G and diffusion region 1-B. Reflecting means 10 includes fluorescent light reflecting layer 11, phase difference layer 12, and polarizing layer 13 deposited in that order. Fluorescent light reflecting layer 11 transmits excited light 4 and reflects fluorescent light from phosphor regions 1-R and 1-G. Polarizing layer 13 both transmits excited light 4 and, of diffused light of the excited light (4) that was entered from diffusion region 1_B through Phase difference layer 12, transmits TM polarized light and reflects TE polarized light.
US08967806B2
A fundus camera for the recording of high-resolution color images of the fundus of non-dark-adapted eyes, and without the use of a mydriatic. The fundus camera has a strip-shaped pupil division, and includes a coherent or incoherent illumination source with illumination optics, a deflection mirror and an ophthalmoscope lens for illuminating the eye, detection optics and a detector for detecting the light reflected by the eye, and a control and evaluation unit. The deflection mirror has a strip shape, and the spatially resolving detector can be activated and read out in sectors. The control and evaluation unit connects the data read out in sectors in the form of a bright image from the detector and produce a resulting fundus image. The fundus camera records images of the fundus when the eyes are not dark-adapted for this purpose and no mydriatic has been used.
US08967796B2
An inkjet recording apparatus may include a corrugate mechanism configured to form a sheet into a corrugated shape. The inkjet recording apparatus may be configured to receive sheets of various sizes and shapes. Accordingly, in some examples, the inkjet recording apparatus may include differently configured portions to handle sheets of different sizes or shapes. According to one arrangement, the inkjet recording apparatus may be configured to receive passage of sheets of a first size through multiple ones of the differently configured portions while receiving passage of sheets of a second size though limited ones of the differently configured portions.
US08967793B2
A sheet transport device includes: a sheet transporting unit that transports a sheet; a sheet guiding member that is divided into plural member portions and guides the sheet transported from the sheet transporting unit; and a common locating member that is arranged on sides of the sheet guiding member which sandwich the member portions of the sheet guiding member, and collectively locates and holds the member portions of the sheet guiding member.
US08967786B2
Methods for curing ink printed on a print medium are disclosed. The methods comprise heating air to a temperature suitable for curing the ink, and blowing the air through a plurality of holes onto the print medium.
US08967780B2
Second and third outer surfaces intersect a first outer surface, and are spaced from each other. A sensor-signal output terminal is disposed on the first outer surface. A discharge port is disposed on the second outer surface. A channel member is closer to the second outer surface than a liquid storing section is. First and second directions are perpendicular to the first and second outer surfaces, respectively. A third direction is perpendicular to the first and second directions. When a space is divided by an imaginary line parallel to the first direction, as viewed from the third direction, into a first region in which the channel member is disposed and a second region in which the liquid storing section is disposed, the sensor and terminal are disposed in the first region. The liquid channel extends linearly in the second direction. The sensor and terminal are aligned in the first direction.
US08967778B2
A cartridge includes a printing material supply port which is configured and arranged to be connected to a printing material supply pipe provided in a printing device. An effective area T of the printing material supply port is the same or more and five times or less than an effective area S of the printing material supply pipe. The effective area T may be set as two times or more and is 4.5 times or less than the effective area S. The effective area T may be set as three times or more and is four times or less than the effective area S.
US08967777B2
A liquid ink container having mating features for self alignment with an ink delivery station. The ink delivery station includes a receiver with an actuated puncture ring. The liquid ink container includes a cap that is punctured by the ring to allow fluid flow from the container. The receiver and container also include means for introducing pressurized gas into the container to facilitate evacuation of liquid ink.
US08967775B2
An ink jet head includes a substrate including a mounting surface and a pressure chamber open to the mounting surface. The ink jet head further includes a nozzle plate including an inner surface fixed to the mounting surface and covering the pressure chamber, a nozzle open to the pressure chamber, and a piezoelectric element surrounding the nozzle and configured to deform to thereby change a volume of the pressure chamber. The ink jet head further includes a deformation control unit disposed on and extending from the inner surface of the nozzle plate and surrounding the nozzle, the deformation control unit configured to cause deformation of the piezoelectric element to be substantially symmetric with respect to the nozzle.
US08967764B2
An ink jet textile printing apparatus includes a textile printing head having a nozzle line for discharging a coating solution containing an abrasion resistance-improving resin in a content of A and a textile printing head having a nozzle line for discharging an ink containing the abrasion resistance-improving resin in a content of B, wherein the content A and the content B satisfy a relationship of A>B.
US08967761B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus has a liquid ejecting head capable of ejecting an ink containing thermoplastic resin particles from nozzles to a landing target and a heating unit of heating ink droplets landing on the landing target, in which the heating unit heats the ink droplets at a filming control temperature according to the minimum film forming temperature at which the filming of the surface of the ink droplets starts to thereby control the filming degree of the surface of the ink droplets.
US08967756B2
According to one embodiment, a printer includes an image forming unit, a coloring conversion unit, and a deterring unit. The image forming unit forms an image from a temperature-sensitive ink whose color is changed depending on a temperature on a medium. The coloring conversion unit converts a coloring state of the image of the temperature-sensitive ink by heating or cooling the image of the temperature-sensitive ink. The deterring unit provided between the coloring conversion unit and the image forming unit deters an air heated or cooled by the coloring conversion unit from flowing toward the image forming unit.
US08967728B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media containing instructions for controlling a miner. One system includes a cutter head, a left tram system, a right tram system, and a cutter head controller. The cutter head includes a plurality of bits and a plurality of sections defining at least one recess. The left and right tram systems are configured to move the miner, and the cutter head controller is configured to vary a current speed of at least one of the left tram system and the right tram system to cause the cutter head to alternate back and forth to bring the plurality of bits into engagement with material accumulating within the least one recess.
US08967727B2
A gravity wagon includes a container for storing grain or other material and a discharge for allowing material to exit the hopper via gravity. A discharge chute and kickback are used to direct the material from the discharge and are coupled via a linkage such that they can be positioned to direct the material exiting the hopper to an area generally to the side of the hopper in a first position or an area generally towards the center of the hopper in a second position. The movement of the discharge chute and the kickback between the first and second positions is facilitated by a pusher or pushing member coupled to the kickback.
US08967726B2
A load support member includes spaced apart beam members, a linking member and a stop member. In another aspect, the beam includes a support surface defining first and second landing regions, which are in contact with and support a membrane. In another aspect, a brace member is secured between laterally spaced beams, with the brace member having a greater height than width at the end thereof and a greater width than height at the middle thereof. In another aspect, a pair of armrests are joined to a cross member and a pair of spaced apart beams in a releasable engagement. In yet another aspect, a pair of beam members are fixedly joined with a cross member, which is pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the beams. A method of assembling a load support structure is also provided.
US08967724B2
A chair assembly includes a four-bar linkage assembly including a first linkage member and a second linkage member each having a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration that cooperate to form an interior space, a third linkage member and a fourth linkage member, wherein the linkage members are pivotably coupled to on another such that an upper end of the four-bar linkage is vertically adjustable between a raised and lowered positions, an arm rest assembly supported on the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly, and a locking assembly including a first locking link having a first surface and a second locking link having plurality of teeth corresponding to a plurality of vertical positions of the four-bar link located between the raised and lowered positions, wherein the locking links are movable between locked and unlocked positions, and wherein the first and second locking links are located within the interior space.
US08967718B2
A reclining seating unit includes: a base; a rocker assembly fixed to the base; and an arm frame fixed to the rocker assembly, wherein the rocker assembly is configured such that the arm frame experiences rocking motion relative to the base. The seating unit further comprises: a generally horizontally-disposed seat; a generally upright backrest positioned rearwardly of the seat; a footrest unit; and a reclining mechanism that interconnects and controls movement of the seat and the backrest relative to the arm frame between an upright position and a reclined position. In the upright position, the backrest is generally upright and positioned above the arm frame, and the seat has a first rearward position relative to the arm frame, and in the reclined position, the backrest is reclined relative to the underlying surface as compared to its disposition in the upright position and the seat has a second forward position relative to the arm frame that is forward of the first rearward position. The footrest unit comprises at least one footrest and a footrest mechanism that interconnects the footrest with the seat, the footrest mechanism configured to move the footrest between a retracted position, in which the footrest is positioned beneath the seat, and an extended position, in which the footrest is generally horizontally disposed in front of the seat. The footrest mechanism is decoupled from the reclining mechanism. When the backrest moves between the upright and reclined positions, the footrest unit moves relative to the arm frame in concert with the seat.
US08967710B2
A folding device is configured at the pivot between the rear leg frame and the front leg frame of a high chair and allows a user to complete folding process by pressing a driving member. When the driving member is pressed, an engaging member of the folding device moves correspondingly to an unlocked position, so that the rear leg frame disengages from and pivots about the front leg frame. The high chair can then be folded easily for the user, and the structure of the invention is simpler than the prior art.
US08967706B2
A roof apparatus for a vehicle includes a movable panel configured to open and close an opening portion, a sunshade configured to be opened in association with an opening operation of the movable panel, a guide rail, a sliding member causing the movable panel in a fully-closed state to move to a tilt state and to perform the opening operation, an engaging member mounted on a front portion of the movable panel and including an engaging portion and a mounting portion at which the engaging member is mounted on the movable panel, the engaging portion is arranged at a vehicle front side relative to the mounting portion, and an engaged member provided at the sunshade, the engaged member is pressed by the engaging portion when the movable panel performs the opening operation.
US08967704B2
Obtained is a vehicle body skeleton structure having increased rigidity achieved without making the structure complex.A skeleton body comprises a rocker rear, a rear pillar, and a rear wheel house which are joined together. An inner corner portion which forms a rocker reinforcement is formed on the inner side of a bent portion located near the joint portion. A bulging portion having a three-dimensional curved surface shape bulging in a convex shape is formed at the inner corner portion. The rocker reinforcement is formed in such a manner that an upper wall portion, an upper end flange portion, and a rear end standing wall portion are formed on the inner side of the bent portion so as to be directed in three directions and so as to continue to the bulging portion at a position at which the upper wall portion, the upper end flange portion, and the rear end standing wall portion surround the bulging portion. Also, the upper end flange portion is joined to both a rocker inner panel and a pillar inner panel, and the rear end standing wall portion is joined to a wheel house outer panel.
US08967703B2
A reinforcement for a vehicle pillar, for example, the B pillar of a vehicle is provided. The reinforcement includes a reinforcing structure and a stiffening structure. The reinforcing structure is configured with an upper end region for connection to the vehicle roof and with a lower end region for connection to the underfloor and/or a sill structure of the vehicle. The stiffening structure is connected to the reinforcing structure in order to stiffen the reinforcing structure against a side impact of the vehicle. The reinforcing structure has at least one material section which projects with respect to the stiffening structure, which serves to connect the reinforcing structure to the outer skin and/or the inner skin of the vehicle pillar. The reinforcing structure comprises a weldable non-boron steel and the stiffening structure comprises a hardened boron steel. A vehicle pillar having such a reinforcement is also provided.
US08967695B2
An adaptable bin is provided. The adaptable bin includes a bin floor and at least two bin sidewalls. The bin floor and the bin sidewalls define a storage volume. A bin opening is defined by the bin sidewalls, and allows access to the storage volume. The adaptable bin also includes a secondary bin having at least a first tray and a second tray. The first is tray operatively attached to one of the bin sidewalls. The second tray is slidably attached to the first tray, and is slidable between a collapsed position proximal to the first tray and an expanded position distal to the first tray. The secondary bin protrudes into more of the storage volume when the second tray is in the expanded position than in the collapsed position.
US08967692B2
A system and method for lifting heavy bags is presented. A heavy bag lifting apparatus includes a handle, a first grabber device, a second grabber device and a plurality of cross-member devices. Each of the first and second grabber devices has a plurality of pin structures. The first grabber device is pivotally connected to the second grabber device. The cross-member devices pivotally connect the first grabber device and second grabber device together. The plurality of cross-member devices are also pivotally connected to the handle. The first grabber device, the second grabber device and plurality of cross-member device are arranged so that pin structures on the first grabber device and the pin structures on the second grabber device are pushed together in proportion to an amount of weight being lifted by the heavy bag lifter apparatus.
US08967685B2
An electromagnetic doorlock with button detection and power saving device includes an electromagnet assembly and a corresponding adsorption assembly. The electromagnet assembly is connected to a button detection module and the adsorption assembly has a pressing member to abut the button detection module. When the door is closed, the electromagnet assembly with electromagnetic attraction attracts the adsorption assembly and the pressing member presses the button detection module. That is, the electromagnetic doorlock usually stays in a low-energy attraction state; however, when the button detection module is triggered, the electromagnetic doorlock returns to a normal lock state for achieving power saving effect and control of the external force detection improvement.
US08967684B2
A sash lock for single- and double-hung window installations having upper and lower sashes having respective lower and upper check rails. The sash lock includes a latch for being pivotably mounted to the upper check rail of the lower sash, and a catch for being fixedly secured to the lower check rail of the upper sash. The latch includes a draw member, and the catch has a concave surface for being slidably engaged by the draw member. The concave surface is configured so that when the draw member is increasingly engaged with the catch the sash lock forces the upper and lower sashes into proper vertical alignment with one another regardless of whether upper check rail of the lower sash is initially above or below the lower check rail of the upper sash.
US08967674B2
A rotationally molded large-diameter pipe fitting, the wall structure of which is characterized as having a generally smooth interior surface and an exterior surface that is defined by a plurality of axially-spaced circumferentially extending ribs which are monolithically formed and homogeneous with the smooth interior surface of the fitting. The fitting is seamless and modularly designed with integral coupling elements at each terminal end, and with a ribbed wall structure profile capable of withstanding the loads typically found in buried applications with watertight performance requirements, where such ribbed wall structure meets the following dimensions and dimensional ratios: Rib Sidewall Angle (95-105 degrees); Bottom/Top Rib Thickness Ratio (1.80-2.80); Pitch/Rib Height Ratio (1.50-1.95); Rib Height/Fitting Diameter Ratio (0.04-0.09); and Avg. Rib Thickness/Rib Height Ratio (0.28-0.40).
US08967672B2
In a vehicle-body structure of a vehicle, where suspension forming members are attached to a vehicle body, there are provided a first face portion, through which the suspension forming member extends, a second face portion provided to face to the first face portion, and a support member provided between the first face portion and the second face portion and supporting the suspension forming members, and the support member is joined to said second face portion via a reinforcing member which is formed integrally with the support member or formed separately from the support member. Accordingly, vibrations of the support member can be properly restrained.
US08967667B2
The invention relates to a supporting device for a semi-trailer or the like, comprising an outer supporting tube and an inner supporting tube, wherein the inner supporting tube is telescopically arranged in the outer supporting tube and may be moved in the axial direction relative to the outer supporting tube by a spindle mechanism mounted inside the outer supporting tube. The supporting device may further comprise an actuating device for actuating the spindle mechanism, which is configured as a separate structural unit and arranged outside of the outer supporting tube. The invention further relates to a semi-trailer having at least one such supporting device as well as an actuating device and a transmission device for use in such a supporting device.
US08967666B2
Positioning structure for an armament on a vehicle equipped with an armored cockpit (A) and wherein the armament is constrained to the top of the vehicle. The positioning structure engages directly to the frame of the vehicle and in particular to the reinforcement bars (B) typically called roll-bars, which delimit the armored cockpit.
US08967664B2
A gas generator for a protective airbag includes at least one pressurized gas chamber, a first actuator arranged so as to open the pressurized gas chamber, and a diffusion chamber including at least one diffusion hole defining a communication surface. Outside the diffusion chamber, the gas generator includes an obturator having a second actuator. The obturator is arranged in a first position in which it defines a first diffusion surface. The second actuator is arranged so as to allow it to go into a second position in which it defines a second diffusion surface.
US08967656B2
A mobilization device adapted to be attached to a piece of conveying equipment such as a gurney. The device includes a base having a top and a bottom. The base supports an axle housing. An axle is disposed in the axle housing and extends therefrom. Wheel assemblies are disposed on the axle. The device includes a coupling receiver mounted on the top of the base. The coupling receiver includes a receiving element that can hold a support structure of the conveying equipment and hold the wheels of the conveying equipment off of the ground. The wheel assemblies of the device are used to move the conveying equipment and include tires having a relatively larger height and width to aid in increasing the mobility of the conveying equipment.
US08967649B2
A rear fender overhanging a rear wheel of a motorcycle is disposed rearwardly of a rider's seat, and a side cover is disposed diagonally forwardly downwardly of the rear fender and beneath the rider's seat. The side cover conceals a rear frame structure from outside. The rear fender has a fender overlap portion formed in a lower portion of an outer side portion thereof, and the side cover has a cover overlap portion formed in a rear portion thereof, which cover overlap portion is overlapped on the fender overlap portion. The fender overlap portion has an undersurface provided with a projection, and the cover overlap portion is provided with an engagement hole engageable with the projection.
US08967642B2
An apparatus having an upper frame adapted to at least partially encircle a person; a lower frame; a scissor mechanism for coupling the upper frame to the lower frame, wherein the distance between the upper frame and the lower frame can be varied by adjusting the scissor mechanism; and a telescoping rod coupled to the scissor mechanism for locking the scissor mechanism, wherein the distance between the upper frame and the lower frame is locked by the telescoping rod.
US08967640B2
An apparatus for adding a propulsion wheel to a land based vehicle. When the apparatus is attached to a land based vehicle the apparatus is operationally configured to bias a propulsion wheel attached thereto to a position of engagement with a travel surface supporting the land based vehicle thereon.
US08967636B2
A stroller includes a frame and a plurality of hubless wheels. A seat is disposed on the frame. The hubless wheels are disposed on the frame. The hubless wheel includes a rim, an internal sliding structure and at least one bridging component. A tire is disposed on the hubless wheel. The rim has an external sliding structure on an inner surface of the rim. The internal sliding structure is disposed inside the external sliding structure. The bridging component is disposed between the external sliding structure and the internal sliding structure. The bridging component revolves on its own axis.
US08967618B2
A sheet transport device includes a transport roller which transports a sheet, a cover which covers the transport roller, a pinch roller attached to the cover via a shaft facing the transport roller, and a regulation member projecting from a facing surface, facing the transport roller, of the cover and configured to regulate a movement of the shaft in an extending direction of the shaft. The regulation member includes a surface which extends along the extending direction of the shaft, a first end portion fixed to the cover, and a second end portion which faces an end face of the shaft, and is located closer to the end face of the shaft than the first end portion in the extending direction of the shaft.
US08967617B2
The present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of correctly detecting an origin of a conveying roller for conveying a print medium at the time of its rotation with a simple configuration that does not accompany an increase of cost. For this purpose, the printing apparatus is equipped with a lock mechanism (a lock link lever) for stopping rotation of the conveying roller at a predetermined rotational position and saves a count value of a rotation amount of the conveying roller when the conveying roller is locked by the lock mechanism concerned as origin information. After this, driving of the conveying roller is controlled based on the saved origin information and a phase of rotation of the conveying roller obtained from the count value of the conveying roller.
US08967616B2
A sheet ejection device includes a sheet tray on which ejected sheets are stacked, a pair of side fences for restricting positions of the ejected sheets along a lateral direction perpendicular to an ejection direction, and at least one rib is formed vertically on each inner side of the side fences. The ribs are configured to contact with side edges of each of the ejected sheets while the each of the ejected sheets falls down to the sheet tray to align the ejected sheet along the lateral direction. The ejected sheets are aligned adequately by the ribs. According to the sheet ejection device, superior sheet ejection performance can be brought without affected by its environment.
US08967611B2
In an embodiment, a processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to receive sheet length data for two paper sheets of a same standard dimension passing consecutively through a printing device. The processor calculates a length difference between the two paper sheets, and when the length difference exceeds a two-sheet threshold, it initiates an alignment correction cycle in a paper finishing device.
US08967610B2
A sheet processing device includes a clamp configured to clamp an edge portion of a sheet, the edge portion being on a side of an edge parallel to a direction in which the sheet has been conveyed; a first processing unit configured to perform a first process on the sheet at the side of the edge, the first processing unit being disposed at a first position; a second processing unit configured to perform a second process on the sheet at the side of the edge, the second processing unit being disposed at a second position that is different from the first position in a vertical direction; and a moving unit configured to move the clamp from the first position to the second position or vice versa so that the clamp moves on a loop passing through the first position and the second position.
US08967609B2
A method for operating a thread stitching machine for processing printed sheets to form book blocks includes providing at least one sewing station with an active connection to at least one stitching saddle and providing the at least one stitching saddle with an active connection to at least one transporting system. The printed sheets are supplied to the at least one stitching saddle, using the at least one transporting system, in at least one of a substantially vertical and a substantially horizontal plane relative to the at least one stitching saddle. At least the printed sheets in the substantially vertical plane are supplied directly onto the at least one stitching saddle or to a region of the at least one stitching saddle. The printed sheets are supplied to the at least one sewing station resting astride the at least one stitching saddle.
US08967601B2
A damper includes a vehicle-body-side mounting portion, an axle-side mounting portion, and a vehicle height adjusting mechanism for adjusting a distance between the vehicle-body-side mounting portion and the axle-side mounting portion. The vehicle height adjusting mechanism includes a first tubular member formed into a bottomed tubular shape, a second tubular member formed into a bottomed tubular shape and inserted from the bottom side into the first tubular member, and a stopper member having a shaft portion and a locking portion provided at a proximal end of the shaft portion. A distal end of the shaft portion is fixed to the bottom of the first tubular member. The shaft portion is inserted through a hole formed in the bottom of the second tubular member. The locking portion abuts on the bottom of the second tubular member.
US08967600B2
This lanyard, which is movable by elasticity between a rest position and a stretched position, comprises a tubular sheath made from non-stretchable material, and a set of elastic threads joined to the sheath.According to the invention, the elastic threads define at least one longitudinal weaving zone in which they are woven on one surface of the sheath only, each weaving zone being proper to form a bending zone of the lanyard, in the rest position, in which the elastic threads are folded onto themselves.
US08967593B2
In a wheelset press for pressing or pulling wheels, brake disks or the like on/off axles (RA) of rail vehicles, two piston/cylinder units are directed toward one another and stationarily arranged on a common straight line, wherein said piston/cylinder units serve for exerting the required pressing power and, if applicable, for displacing the axle in its longitudinal direction to bring about the pressing-on or pulling-off process. Pressure pistons are provided on the piston/cylinder units to transmit the pressing power onto the facing end of the axle. At least one press abutment for supporting a wheel, a brake disk or the like during the pressing process is designed in such a way that it can be transferred into its support position by means of a relative movement of the axle transverse to its longitudinal direction and otherwise situated outside the press area. The at least one press abutment can be fixed in different positions along the axle. Connecting columns that are rigidly arranged between press beams feature abutments that are axially spaced apart from one another for this purpose. To achieve, among other things, a compact structural shape, the abutments on the connecting columns are realized in the form of slideways for directly accommodating the at least one press abutment, wherein said slideways make it possible to transfer the press abutment from a position outside the press area into a non-tilting support position for the pressing-on or pulling-off process.
US08967587B1
A fixed form suitable for use in framing concrete with arches is described as is an adjustable form and a system for forming concrete. The fixed form has an arch with a fixed radius terminating at arch ends. At least one frame element is attached to the arch wherein the frame element terminates at an arch end at a frame face and the frame face is perpendicular to a tangent of the arch at the arch end. The adjustable form has an adjustable radius.
US08967586B2
A supporting apparatus, configured to support a heat dissipating device, includes a bracket, two adjusting structures, and two mounting portions. Each of the two mounting portions defines a mounting hole. Each of the two adjusting structures is engaged in each of the mounting holes and includes an adjusting member and an installation member engaged with the adjusting member. Each of the adjusting members defines a through hole. The two adjusting members are rotatable relative to the two mounting portions from a first position to a second position. When the adjusting members are in the first position, a first line is running through the two through holes. When the adjusting members are in the second position, a second line is running through the two through holes, and a length of the first line is less than a length of the second line.
US08967582B2
A longitudinal adjustment device for a motor vehicle seat, with a floor rail which can be connected to a motor vehicle floor, a seat rail which can be connected to the motor vehicle seat and is mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the floor rail, and a connecting element having a connecting section for connection of a functional component to the seat rail. The connecting element is connected by a first section to a side wall of the seat rail and by a second section to an upper side of the seat rail. The connecting element has an opening for receiving the functional component and/or a bearing element for the arrangement of the functional component. The opening is arranged in the region of a recess running in the region of a bending line between the side wall and the upper side.
US08967573B2
A track and carriage system including a mounting plate, a first track removably secured to the mounting plate and receiving a first carriage movable therein, a second track removably secured to the mounting plate and receiving a second carriage movable therein. The first and second tracks are positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to one another such that the carriage of the first track moves independently of and in parallel with the carriage of the second track.
US08967572B1
A holding apparatus system for releasably holding injectable fluid bottles, comprising a pair of elongate elements for releasably gripping a neck portion of a bottle, and a retaining structure for permitting the elongate elements to be moved between a closed position configured to grip the neck portion of the bottle and an open position configured to release the neck portion of the bottle from being gripped by the elongate elements. In other embodiments, the elongate elements each have a first end and a second end, and the first ends of the elongate elements being relatively closer together than the second ends of the elongate elements so that the elongate elements diverge toward the second ends. A method of dispensing an injectable substance from a bottle using a bottle holder apparatus is also disclosed.
US08967564B2
A tree mount bracket having a threaded member and a fixture support member that are joined to one another. The threaded member includes a shaft with a tip and a head and external threads. The fixture support member has a housing that includes a cylindrical wall and a base wall that defines a base wall opening. The cylindrical wall also defines a wire slot for accommodating a wire. The fixture support member can be embodied as a side mounted fixture support member; two side mounted fixture support members; a fixture support plate; a fixture support assembly; and, a ball shaft and a tightening ring.
US08967562B1
The mountable holder comprises a body having a cavity, an upper face, a first side portion, a second side portion and a back portion, with the back portion extending between the first and second side portions and the cavity defining an opening on an upper face and being useable to selectively receive objects. The holder further includes a pair of magnetic connectors, with one of the magnetic connectors extending between the back portion and the first side portion and the other magnetic connector extending between the back portion and the second side portion. The magnetic connectors operatively enable the holder to be magnetically mounted to a metallic surface when the back portion is positioned adjacent the metallic surface, and the magnetic connectors operatively enable the holder to be magnetically connectable to additional holders at the first and second side portions.
US08967561B2
A holder is provided for holding an electronic device on a supporting surface. The holder includes a main body, an attaching member, and a connection arm. The main body includes a support member for supporting the electronic device and a restricting mechanism movably connected to the support member for stably keeping the electronic device in the support member. The attaching member is used for attaching the main body to the supporting surface. Two opposite ends of the connection arm are respectively rotatably coupled to the attaching member and the main body to allow the viewing angle of the electronic device being adjusted.
US08967558B2
A method and device of inserting a food stuff into a food stuff bag is disclosed, with the method involving providing a substantially flexible resilient food stuff support that is generally “U” shaped when viewed from its operative position on a countertop, inserting at least a first end of the device a short depth into an opening of a pliable bag, such first end having an edge that is curved and opposing sides that are substantially straight. A bending mechanism bends so that at least the first end deforms from a first configuration to a second configuration for insertion of the first end through the bag opening and into an interior of the bag, wherein when the forces are reduced, the first end changes shape toward the first configuration for holding a portion of the bag and for providing an open volume within the bag for transferring a food stuff to the interior of the bag.
US08967553B2
In accordance with a predetermined segment definition rule based on a point-switch protection section, a point switch control direction, and a train advancing direction, a plurality of segments are defined in advance with respect to a railway network. Segment competition information in which a competitive relationship between the plurality of segments is set in advance is prepared. A segment use permission setting part determines whether or not a competition for a use-requested segment in terms of a train operation occurs between the plurality of trains, by using segment competition information and segment use permission status information. A use-requested segment for which it is determined that no competition occurs is incorporated, as a use permission segment, into use permission segment information of the corresponding train. In accordance with a result of the competition determination, the segment use permission status information is updated.
US08967546B2
A space probing apparatus is provided that can further enhance its thermal protective function for electronic apparatuses and batteries that are apparatuses each having a narrow range of permissible temperature.The space probing apparatus includes, as a vehicle body 1 that is an apparatus body, an inner housing 13 that accommodates an electronic apparatus 11 and a battery 12, and an outer housing 15 that accommodates the inner housing 13 supporting the inner housing 13 afloat therein. A thermal insulating layer 16 is formed between the inner housing 13 and the outer housing 15 using a space therebetween. A heat dissipating body 17 is included in an upper portion of the inner housing 13. A lid 18 is included in an upper portion of the outer housing 15. The whole outer faces of the inner and the outer housings 13 and 15 are each covered with a thermal insulating material 20. Thereby, in the nighttime, the temperature of the battery 12 is maintained using the least necessary amount of heat generated and, thereby, the electronic apparatus 11 and the battery 12 are protected from an ultralow temperature. In the daytime, the lid 18 is opened and heat is discharged using the heat dissipating body 17 and, thereby, the electronic apparatus 11 and the battery 12 are protected from a high temperature.
US08967540B2
A frame of an aircraft fuselage structure made from composite material, which includes a skin and several stringers fixed on the skin. The frame includes a profile elongated in a longitudinal direction which is hollow over at least a portion of its length. The profile is mounted on two legs. Each leg, intended to be fixed on the skin, includes a first portion extending continuously over the whole length of the profile and a second portion extending from this continuous portion so as to form several openings spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the profile, in each of which a stringer passes. The presence of the hollow profile in the frame and the structure of the legs makes it possible to dispense with clips and cleats.
US08967537B2
The invention relates to an arrangement of a plurality of oxygen breathing devices, in particular for providing oxygen to passenger or crew of an aircraft, each oxygen breathing device comprising an oxygen source, wherein oxygen is stored, in particular in chemically bound form or compressed form, an oxygen guiding device for guiding oxygen from the oxygen source to a person. According to the invention, an arrangement of a plurality of oxygen breathing devices is provided, wherein a first one of said plurality of oxygen breathing devices further comprises an integrated transmitter comprising a sender adapted for wireless communication with a receiver of a second one of said oxygen breathing devices and a receiver adapted for wireless communication with a sender of said second oxygen breathing device.
US08967522B2
A paper sheet receiving/dispensing apparatus includes strip films at least one of which is affixed, on at least one of front and back sides, with marks at intervals of a predetermined pattern in a predetermined shape and in a color different from a color of the strip films, a detection sensor for detecting the marks, and a storage device for storing a table that indicates an association between a roll outer diameter of the strip films wound around a winding drum and driving pulses of a stepping motor. The apparatus calculates the roll outer diameter based on the number of rotations of the winding drum, which is calculated based on detection pulses of the marks, and thicknesses of the strip films and a paper sheet, and controls rotations of the motor with driving pulses read from the table.
US08967513B1
The present invention efficiently and cost-effectively extracts and collects cells from a tissue. The inventors have discovered that the tissue can be effectively fragmented and the resulting cells can be purified using a system or kit with multiple components. An advantage of the present invention is that tissue processing takes place in a closed system such that sterility can be maintained throughout the process, even if certain components are removed during processing, for example through the use of valves, clamps, and heal seals. Furthermore, any or all of the steps can be automated or manually accomplished, according to the specific needs of the application or the user.
US08967512B1
The present invention efficiently and cost-effectively extracts and collects cells from a tissue. The inventors have discovered that the tissue can be effectively fragmented and the resulting cells can be purified using a system or kit with multiple components. An advantage of the present invention is that tissue processing takes place in a closed system such that sterility can be maintained throughout the process, even if certain components are removed during processing, for example through the use of valves, clamps, and heat seals. Furthermore, any or all of the steps can be automated or manually accomplished, according to the specific needs of the application or the user.
US08967511B1
The present invention provides a slidable cover mechanism of a paper shredder, wherein an upper cover of the paper shredder is provided with a face cover sliding along an upper surface of the upper cover, two sides at a bottom of the upper cover are provided respectively with a first chute and a second chute, two sides at a bottom of the face cover are provided with guiding pillars, the guiding pillars are disposed respectively in the first chute and the second chute, a first pressing plate and a second pressing plate are connected respectively above the first chute and the second chute on the guiding pillars, an exterior side of the first chute is provided with a micro-switch at a bottom of the upper cover, and an extension arm is provided between a side of the first pressing plate and the micro-switch.
US08967507B2
A moveable shaft assembly including a frame, a first shaft, and a first drive assembly. The frame includes a first support wall and a second support wall opposite the first support wall. The first shaft includes a drive end and a support end and defining a first axis therebetween. The first shaft extends between the first support wall and the second support wall. The first drive assembly rotates the first shaft about the first axis, and the first drive assembly is coupled to the drive end of the first shaft. The first shaft and first drive assembly are moveable relative to the frame in response to a reaction force acting on the first shaft in a direction oblique or transverse to the first axis.
US08967493B2
An atomizer for atomizing liquids including a liquid storage receptacle pertaining to an atomizing device having an atomizing chamber that communicates with the ambient atmosphere through a plurality of outlet orifices. A vibrator is also provided, which liquid present in the atomizing chamber is caused to vibrate for the purpose of atomization, and an intake channel is provided, via which the liquid storage receptacle is connected to the atomizing device and a pumping device is also provided in the intake channel for the purpose of conveying the liquid from the liquid storage receptacle to the atomizing chamber, An electronic control device controls the pumping device and the vibrator.
US08967492B2
A droplet generation system includes a first nozzle configuration structured to receive a liquid and a gas under pressure in a controllable feed ratio, and to merge the liquid and gas to form an intermediate stream that is a mixture of the gas and of a dispersed phase of the liquid. A second nozzle configuration is connected to receive the intermediate stream from the first nozzle configuration and has a valve mechanism with one or more controllable operating parameters to emit a stream of droplets of the liquid. The mean size of the droplets is dependent on the controllable feed ratio of the liquid and gas and the flow rate of the stream of droplets is dependent on the controllable operating parameter(s) of the valve mechanism. A corresponding method is disclosed, as is the application of the system and method to the production of nanoparticles in a thermochemical reactor.
US08967488B2
An ophthalmic device includes a communication system including an antenna energy receptor and a processor configured to generate a unique identifier. The unique identifier can be, or include, a pedigree profile that can be accessed to prevent users from being exposed to counterfeited ophthalmic devices. The communication system may be small enough to permit incorporation the ophthalmic device without significantly hindering vision, and/or positioned in a media insert with significantly opaque components positioned outside of the optic zone.
US08967484B2
An RFID that performs a wireless communication, including an antenna part (10a) formed by a lead frame (10), a semiconductor device (30) mounted on the lead frame, a first thermoplastic resin (50) configured by performing injection molding on both surfaces of the lead frame so that the semiconductor device is filled, and including a convex portion, and a second thermoplastic resin (56) configured by performing injection molding on both surfaces of the lead frame with reference to a position of the convex portion of the first thermoplastic resin.
US08967479B2
An image processing apparatus has an image read unit configured to form image data from a scanned original and an image processing unit configured to process the image data to identify a color barcode therein, convert the color barcode into a monochrome barcode, and generate new image data that contains the monochrome barcode in place of the color barcode.
US08967475B2
A magnetic head device which suppresses output fluctuation even though the output changes in part of an output waveform from the magnetic head. The magnetic head device includes a magnetic head for reproducing information recorded in a magnetic information recording medium; an amplifier section for amplifying a reproduced signal that the magnetic head has reproduced, by using a gain; an A/D converter section for converting the reproduced signal that has been amplified, to a digital signal, by sampling the signal at predetermined intervals, in order to output the converted digital signal; a signal comparator section for comparing a digital signal output value with a predetermined output criterion value; and a gain control section for adjusting the gain in such a way as to make the output value closer to the output criterion value, in the case where the output value is either greater or smaller than the output criterion value.
US08967470B2
An information exchanging method using a two-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code reader. An original sheet is prepared by writing a first two-dimensional code and a second two-dimensional code. The first two-dimensional code is readable by the code reader, whereas the second two-dimensional code is unreadable by the code reader. A monochrome copy sheet is prepared by monochromatically copying the original sheet, so that the monochrome copy sheet includes a third two-dimensional code as a monochrome copy of the first two-dimensional code and a fourth two-dimensional code as a monochrome copy of the second two-dimensional code. Accordingly, the third two-dimensional code is unreadable by the code reader, whereas the fourth two-dimensional code is readable by the code reader. Information exchange is performed by using the original sheet and the monochrome copy sheet.
US08967467B2
A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of product unit specific indicators, each operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedence of at least one threshold by at least one product quality determining parameter, an indicator reader operative to read the product unit specific indicators and to provide output indications and a product type specific indication interpreter operative to receive the output indications and to provide human sensible, product unit specific, product quality status outputs.
US08967463B1
Automated banking machines operate to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. Each of the automated banking machines includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. Transactions are authorized responsive at least in part to correspondence between card data and stored data corresponding to authorized users. Entities responsible for operating the automated banking machines may receive messages that include information or update code items for software or firmware usable in the banking machines for which they have operational responsibility.
US08967462B2
The present subject matter relates to a computer-implemented method for generating a receipt number. The computer-implemented method includes generating a receipt number generation request in response to transaction involving an item to be purchased, wherein the generating is based at least on input data. The computer-implemented method further includes obtaining the receipt number based on the receipt number generation request and one or more predefined rules. In one implementation, the receipt number is indicative of a mode field, a receipt type field, a format type field, a store number field, a till number field, and a transaction number field.
US08967461B2
There is provided a tube connector for connecting between a fluid sampling tube and a fluid analyzer, the tube connector includes an end face adapted to identify the tube connector, said end face comprising a reflecting surface having one or more reflective regions adapted to reflect light at a predetermined range of wavelengths.
US08967460B1
A method of servicing a target device having a matrix barcode comprises analyzing data from a scan of the matrix barcode on the target device to obtain device identification information encoded in the matrix barcode; obtaining secondary information related to the target device; associating the device identification information with the secondary information; and transmitting the device identification information and secondary information over a network to a back office system.
US08967458B1
This disclosure is directed at least in part to providing coded messages associated with unopened delivered packages. The coded messages may help recipients determine information about the contents of packages without opening the packages, and thereby help prevent spoiling surprises (e.g., holiday gifts, etc.) or otherwise preventing other unwanted behavior. In some embodiments, the coded messages may be decrypted or otherwise received by an authorized recipient of the package.
US08967455B2
A carton structure is disclosed, which includes a side wall panel, a first end panel, a second end panel, a first lateral panel, and a second lateral panel. The first and second end panels are connected to the side wall panel, respectively. The first and second lateral panels extend outwardly from two opposite edges of the second end panel, wherein the first and second lateral panels are pressed by edges of the first end panel to abut the side wall panel such that the opening of the carton structure can be closed.
US08967451B2
Contemplated systems and methods significantly improve friction stir welding of hard metals and particularly steel and stainless steel. Among other factors, the inventors found that high transverse velocity of the tool is critical to obtain predictable and desirable weld quality, which is preferably achieved in such materials by minimizing spindle run out. Moreover, the transverse and angular velocities are preferably selected such as to achieve a temperature in the weld that is below the phase change temperature and/or the solid state transformation point of the materials.
US08967450B2
This disclosure describes a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a welding zone for welding together pipe sections. The temperature is controlled by a flow of inert gas through the pipes. The inert gas flow is cooled and acts as a heat sink to remove heat from the weld zone thereby controlling the weld zone temperature.
US08967449B2
A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a shell assembly and an anvil assembly. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The anvil assembly includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue-contacting surface of the anvil assembly is configured to align with the tissue-contacting surface of the shell assembly when the anvil assembly and shell assembly are in the approximated position.
US08967447B2
A surgical instrument including a loading unit and an indicator that provides an indication whether the loading unit has been used. The indicator provides an indication by transitioning from a first position to a second position that is viewable by a user to prevent inadvertent reloading of the loading unit after use.
US08967441B2
A magnet splitting device includes a one-side holder for holding a plurality of pre-split magnets on one sides of respective splitting grooves, an other-side holder for holding the magnets on the other sides, and an actuating unit for causing relative movement of the other-side holder to split the magnets all at once. The other-side holder includes a plurality of other-side independent holding parts for holding the magnets independently. The actuating unit includes a plurality of independent actuating parts for moving the other-side independent holding parts independently and a simultaneous operating part for simultaneously operating the holding parts.
US08967439B2
A shoulder pouch for securing documents or the like, which is fitted underneath a users arm and protects against pick pocketing and wireless identity theft while still being easily accessed. The present invention provides a pouch which is harnessed to the body and angled from horizontal such that the pouch can be easily accessed with the opposite hand. The pouch provides a secure harnessed attachment about the user's body and RFID protection.
US08967434B2
A self-adjusting handle (2) for a spray bottle (1) having a head (5) extending from a handle (2) that is attached to a cap (6) via a pivot joint (4), a ball joint (15) or a universal joint (20). The cap is attached to a reservoir (7) having a threaded portion that screws into a threaded portion (13) of the cap. A trigger lever (8) located on the head activates a pump (9). The pump is attached to a supply tube (10) that draws fluid from the reservoir. The pump 9 forces liquid up through the supply tube, through a barrel (11) and out a nozzle (12). The pivot joint, a ball joint and universal joint allow a user to pivot the head forward or backward while the reservoir remains in an upright position, thereby ensuring that the bottom of the supply tube maintains constant contact with the liquid in the reservoir.
US08967428B2
The present invention relates to a gum dispenser for automatically dispensing gum by the vertical lifting of a gum case. Particularly, the present invention provides a container that has a self-sealing means, accurately dispenses a piece of gum one by one, prevents the generation of container defects, and provides ease of operation and molding. Currently, in the above operation structure, an inner case receiving gum therein is fitted in a lifting shaft of an outer case to be lifted or lowered so that a piece of gum is pushed up to an upper end of the lifting shaft, and then the gum is exposed to a dispensing hole perforated in a lid, which is coupled with the inner case, one by one for a user to enjoy. The above structure, however, has a disadvantage in that if two pieces of gum are lifted to the upper end of the lifting shaft and the lifting shaft is exposed to the perforated hole of the lid, then the lifting shaft and the dispensing hole correspond to each other 1:1 so that the two pieces of gum pop out, which makes the gum difficult to catch. In addition, if the lifting shaft is molded integrally with the outer case, the lifting shaft is likely to be twisted or bent due to the thickness thereof in the cooling procedure during the molding thereof so that it is difficult to achieve a precisely standing structure. Furthermore, if the inner case is repetitively lifted or lowered in the outer case, an outer force may be applied in the lifting motion according to a vacuum state, so that smooth operation becomes impossible and longer molding time is required in the molding. In addition, in the state that the lid is sealingly coupled with the outer case and the inner case for the sealing of the container during storage or delivery thereof, a perforated lid for implementing the dispensing hole may be pressed by the lifting shaft and the container may burst. If the perforated lid is formed to be thick in order to prevent the bursting, a pulling portion to be pulled for cutting the perforated lid is likely to be cut, and implementation of the dispensing hole may fail. As a result, the present invention is aimed at resolving the above problems.
US08967426B2
A medicine feeder's drive unit includes a drive motor, a gear transmission device, an output shaft and a switcher. The gear transmission device is constituted by a normal-rotation transmission path and a reverse-rotation transmission path provided between a motor shaft of the drive motor and the output shaft. The switcher selects one of the transmission paths for output of driving power from the drive motor. Thus, a jammed tablet in the medicine feeder can be cleared upon detection thereof, and reverse rotation of a rotor can be achieved without driving the motor in a reverse rotating direction, i.e., while the motor is in normal rotation setting.
US08967425B2
A cover apparatus for an electronic device is provided. The cover apparatus includes a cover configured to be pivotably coupled to a body of the electronic device to open or close a portion of the body, and an elastic member, one end of which is supported by the cover, and the other end of which is supported by the body. The elastic member provides a driving force to pivot the cover in a direction for opening the portion of the body, and the cover includes a seating portion configured to fix the one end of the elastic member.
US08967417B2
A sealing system for an outlet of a plastic-lined cylinder has a plastic liner outlet extending into a bore of a boss. An insert is engageable with the bore, forming a primary seal between the insert and portion of the liner outlet. Further, a tapered compression surface of the insert engages a tapered bore portion of the liner outlet adjacent the primary seal for compressing the liner outlet and closing any annular assembly clearance at the primary seal for obviating opportunity for seal extrusion under pressure. An axial position in the boss, and dimensional integrity, of the liner outlet is maintained by engaging an annular distal end of the liner outlet in the bore by a stop. The stop can be integral with the boss. Reverse extrusion of the primary seal due to trapped gas and rapid decompression of the cylinder can be defeated by providing a leak path.
US08967416B2
A food storage container has a base with a bottom, a continuous side wall extending up from the bottom and terminating at an upper end, a storage space within the side wall above the bottom, and an open top. A lid of the container is configured to attach to and close off the open top. A tray of the container has a perforate panel and a tray foot. The tray can fit within the storage space with the tray foot resting on the bottom of the base and the perforate panel elevated above the bottom of the base. A connecting structure is carried in part on the lid, in part on the base, and in part on the tray and is configured so that the lid and the tray can be connected to one another and to the bottom under the base.
US08967397B1
A device for securing sports equipment comprises a supporting structure, a body for housing the sports equipment coupled to the supporting structure, and a securing mechanism for securing the sports equipment in the body, wherein a portion of the sports equipment protrudes from the body when it is secured within the body. In some embodiments, the securing mechanism is integrally coupled to the body and rotates between an open position and a closed position about a hinge. In some embodiments the device further comprises a lock hole for an external lock. In some embodiments, the device further comprises a lock integrally attached to the body. In some embodiments, the securing mechanism covers a protruding portion of the sports equipment. In some embodiments, the sports equipment comprises one or more of a skateboard, a long board skateboard, a snowboard, a scooter, and skis.
US08967396B2
A fishing rod hanging system is provided. More particularly, a hanger member including a hanger plate and a plurality of rails is provided. The rails generally extend in a first direction from the hanger plate, and can have different lengths. Fastener holes and/or integrated fastener members are provided on the rails. The fastener holes and/or integrated fastener members can be adapted to hold sections of a fishing rod. An accessory package can also be provided that is attached to ends of the fishing rod sections opposite ends attached to the hanger member.
US08967393B2
The system of the present application includes a display tray assembly having base and center tray sections that are configured to form a gap that receives a side tray section on either side. The side tray sections are configured such that they may move laterally with respect to the base and center tray section in order to adjust the width of the entire display tray assembly to accommodate any size product in a retail environment. In lieu of side tray sections, the display tray assembly may include union tray sections that may engage two separate base and center tray section assemblies in order to create a continuous display tray assembly with adjustable widths.
US08967386B2
A modular magnetic separation apparatus set has a processing capacity increased by increasing the number of the unit modules of the magnetic separation apparatus set, being suitable for all enrichment processes of magnetic minerals. One modular unit is defined with a separation wheel and its two neighboring magnet-concentration cores and two corresponding excitation coils and a charging hopper and a discharging hopper of magnetic materials, each unit being combined of multiple identical modular units. The modular magnetic separation apparatus solves the conflicts between the transportation of apparatus after the enlargement and the height and width restrictions on general roads, including more reasonable conditions for separate transportation.
US08967377B2
A protective case for a portable electronic device. The protective case including a plurality of storage compartments for retaining a series of items. The protective case includes a removable upper portion allowing unobstructed access to the portable electronic device camera and includes a plurality of corner accessories disposed within and forming the corners of the protective case.
US08967376B1
Described herein is an accessory assembly that includes a deployable arm that is configured to host multiple different removable accessory devices, each of which may include accessory functionality to facilitate or enhance user operation of an electronic device. The accessory functionality of the accessory devices may be far-ranging and may include reading lights, covers, projectors, universal serial bus (USB) drives, cameras, page-turn buttons, audio jacks, expansion headers, Bluetooth devices, biometric sensors, ambient light sensors, speakers, microphones, styli, and more, as discussed in detail below. These accessory devices may complement the operation of any number of electronic devices, including electronic book (eBook) reader devices, tablet computers, laptop computers, or any other mobile or stationary electronic devices.
US08967365B2
A component feeder including a bulk storage container for storage of components, and a lift for elevating a selection of components from the container, the lift being located inside the container. The feeder further includes a transfer arrangement for transferring elevated components from the lift onto a component pick surface on which the components are distributed in order to be picked by a tool or by a hand, and a plate configured to include the component pick surface. Further described is a component feeder system including at least one component feeder, a camera for monitoring the component pick surface and a processor used to control an industrial robot to pick pickable components lying on the pick surface. A corresponding method is also described.
US08967361B2
Systems, apparatuses, and associated methods for counting and sorting coins are described herein. In one embodiment, a coin processing machine can include a coin input region, a coin counting portion, and a coin sorting portion. The coin counting portion can include a first hopper that receives coins from the coin input region, and a coin discriminator that receives the coins from the first hopper and discriminates the coins to determine their value. The coin sorting portion can include a second coin hopper that receives the coins from the coin discriminator, and a coin sorter that receives the coins from the second hopper and sorts the coins into individual denominations.
US08967359B1
A system and method for causing a differential flow rate to exist in a downspout so as to reduce abrasion of a bottom side of said downspout and to sort dry bulk material flowing therethrough. The present invention reduces the velocity of the mass of the dry bulk material, such as corn, thus preserving grain quality and reducing the exit velocity at the lower end of the spout.
US08967355B2
A rotational coupling device is configured for vertical orientation. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The armature and clutch plates move in a first axial direction towards the rotor wall when the conductor is energized and in a second axial direction when the conductor is subsequently deenergized. At least one of the hub and rotor defines means for limiting movement of a corresponding one of the clutch plates in the second axial direction.
US08967354B2
In a clutch cover assembly, accurate abrasion compensation is constantly enabled by stabilizing the actuation of an abrasion amount detecting mechanism. The present clutch cover assembly includes a clutch cover fixed to a flywheel, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring, an abrasion amount detecting mechanism and an abrasion tracking mechanism. The abrasion amount detecting mechanism is a mechanism having a plurality of meshing positions and includes a mobile detecting member configured to release meshing in a first meshing position and move to a second meshing position when the abrasion amount of a friction member reaches a predetermined amount. The abrasion tracking mechanism moves the diaphragm spring to an initial posture side thereof in accordance with the displacement of the mobile detecting member.
US08967351B2
A hydraulic control system of an automatic transmission includes a clutch compensator feed circuit that is in communication with clutch apply circuit exhaust fluid. The clutch compensator feed circuit receives exhaust fluid from one or more apply clutches, or other torque transmitting device(s), and feeds the exhaust fluid to the balance side of the clutch or other torque transmitting device. The clutch compensator feed circuit may be open to atmospheric pressure, such that the clutch compensator feed circuit is not pressurized with respect to atmospheric pressure.
US08967346B2
A multi-stage shock absorber with closed ends has a plurality of tubular shock bodies telescopically interconnected together, and includes a piston arrangement slidably mounted within certain of the shock bodies to define a number of chambers variously containing damping and/or spring elements for enabling damping of shock forces applied to the shock absorber.
US08967341B2
Wheel-mounted brake disks which are arranged on both sides of a wheel base of a railway wheel and are fastened by through bolts, the bolt head of every through bolt lying in a countersink of one wheel-mounted brake disk and a nut screwed onto the through bolt lying in a countersink of the other wheel-mounted brake disk, each resting either directly or indirectly on the bottom of the countersink. The wheel-mounted brake disks are designed so that every countersink has an undercut portion that extends down to the bottom.
US08967338B2
A shim plate relatively movably attached with a friction pad in a rotational direction of a disc is disposed between the friction pad and a reaction section of a caliper, a plurality of claw sections formed to extend in a radial direction of the disc at a position deviated in the rotational direction of the disc with respect to a center of pistons are formed at the reaction section, and movement restriction portions that can abut the intermediate claw section disposed at the middle of the claw sections of the reaction section are formed at a surface of the shim plate opposite to the reaction section in the radial direction of the disc.
US08967324B2
A compressor assembly having a housing with a number of sound control chambers. A method of controlling a sound level of a compressor assembly having a step of providing a plurality of sound control chambers. A method of controlling a sound level of a compressor assembly having a step of eliminating an operator's line-of-sight view to noise producing components of the compressor assembly. Sound level of a compressor can be controlled by separating the internal volume of a housing which encases at least a portion of a pump assembly to create sound control chambers and/or eliminating an operator's line-of-sight view to noise producing components of the compressor assembly.
US08967320B2
A steering device for a motor vehicle is provided. The steering device comprises a steering wheel, a superposition gearing and a gearing housing, wherein the superposition gearing is arranged in the gearing housing. The superposition gearing is designed to transmit a motor-driven adjusting movement to a steering shaft. The steering wheel forms a steering wheel base which serves for a connection to the steering shaft. It is provided that at least one constituent of the gearing housing, which constituent serves for mounting and/or fixing a gearing element of the superposition gearing or of a drive motor, is integrated into and formed in one piece with the steering wheel base of the steering wheel.
US08967319B2
A horizontal muffler for an agricultural vehicle is provided. One agricultural vehicle includes an exhaust system having a muffler configured to direct exhaust out of an engine and to reduce a noise of the exhaust. The agricultural vehicle also includes a steering wheel configured to control steering of the agricultural vehicle. The muffler is disposed forward of the steering wheel relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural vehicle. Moreover, the muffler extends in a substantially horizontal direction such that a flow of the exhaust through the muffler is substantially parallel to a ground surface.
US08967314B2
A straddle-type vehicle has reduced wiring and a mass of the vehicle as measured in top-to-bottom and front-to-rear directions with respect to the vehicle is concentrated while minimizing the effects of heat from the engine on an engine control unit and ignition coil. An air cleaner is located rearward of a head pipe. A fuel tank is located rearward of the air cleaner. A rear portion of the air cleaner is located above the engine. A front portion of the fuel tank is located above the engine. The engine control unit and the ignition coil are located above the engine and located between the air cleaner and the fuel tank. The ignition coil overlaps the engine control unit as viewed in a side view of the vehicle.
US08967307B2
A cooling apparatus for a vehicle, may include an electric air compression pump generating compressed air using battery power of the vehicle, a main compressed air tank storing the compressed air generated by the electric air compression pump, a compressed air control valve fluid-connected to the main compressed air tank and controlling the compressed air to be discharged to a radiator when a temperature of cooling water flowing through the radiator exceeds a predetermined value, and an air amplification induction device disposed in front of the radiator and fluid-connected to the compressed air control valve, wherein the air amplification induction device induces compressed air discharged from the compressed air control valve, along an inner circumference of the air amplification induction device, such that the compressed air discharged from the compressed air control valve may be injected to the radiator.
US08967299B2
A downhole motor having a motor section, a drive shaft section, and an output shaft section. The output shaft section has a rotatable output shaft with a first end and a second end. A first thrust bearing assembly is located proximal to the first end of the output shaft, and a second thrust bearing assembly is located proximal to the second end of the output shaft. A radial bearing assembly is disposed between the first and second thrust bearing assemblies.
US08967297B2
This invention relates to the construction of well such as oil and gas wells using techniques based on drilling small lateral wells from a main well. The problem of narrow pressure window is solved by the use of constructions techniques that are based on the use of lateral boreholes, i.e. secondary boreholes that are drilled a main borehole, wherein a method of constructing a well comprises drilling a main borehole extending from the surface through one or more underground formations, drilling a plurality of lateral boreholes extending from the main borehole into surrounding formations, wherein the lateral boreholes are substantially shorter and of smaller diameter than the main borehole; and wherein each lateral borehole is separated from its neighboring lateral boreholes by a relatively short distance. Drilling of the lateral boreholes can be for to extend 5-60 meters from the main borehole with a diameter in the range 3.8-10 cm by the lateral boreholes at an axial spacing of less than a few meters in the main borehole. Drilling of more than one lateral borehole can be done at the same depth in the main borehole with a trajectory that deviates from the main borehole by less than 10° or with trajectories that extend in a plane that does not contain the main borehole.
US08967292B2
A method and device for establishing a borehole (26) in the seabed (4), comprising setting of a conductor (1), wherein the method is characterized in that it comprises:—providing the conductor (1) with a suction module (6);—then lowering the conductor (1) down to the seabed (4); and—displacing the conductor (1) down into the seabed (4).
US08967291B2
A first end of a conductive spring is embedded in a wall of a large chamber of a piston housing. The spring is held in tension by a second end of the spring being pinned against a bead contact by a trigger pin. The diameter of the piston and a tensile breaking strength of the trigger pin are selected so that the trigger pin is breakable and the tension in the spring is releasable upon the presence of a predetermined pressure difference between a pressure on the contact side of the piston and a pressure on the pinning side of the piston. Release of tension in the spring closes an electrical circuit.
US08967287B2
A ripper tip includes a front end, a rear end, and a mounting cavity extending into the rear end. The ripper tip further includes an upper surface extending between the front end and the rear end, wherein a portion of the upper surface at the rear end of the ripper tip includes an upwardly projecting ridge having ridge sides and a ridge top that extend rearwardly on the ripper tip.
US08967278B2
An apparatus includes a first housing portion comprising a first adjustable gripping system moveable between an engaged position that grips a cylindrical outer surface of a first tubular structure having a first diameter and a disengaged position that permits relative movement of the first housing portion and the first tubular structure. The apparatus also includes a second housing portion fixed relative to the first housing portion so that rotation of the first housing portion results in rotation of the second housing portion. The second housing portion includes a second gripping system to securely grip a cylindrical outer surface of a second tubular structure that is threadably attached to the first tubular structure and has a second diameter different than the first diameter. Methods of breaking tubing hanger connections are also disclosed.
US08967269B2
A tubular valving system includes, a tubular, a seat, a sleeve movably engaged with the seat between at least a first position, a second position and a third position, a release member between the sleeve and the seat that maintains the sleeve relative to the seat in the first position until release thereof, a biasing member configured to urge the sleeve from the second position toward the third position, and a flapper sealingly engagable with the seat. A first threshold pressure against the seated flapper causes release of the release member allowing the sleeve and the seat to attain the second position. A subsequently drop in pressure against the seated flapper below a second threshold level allows the biasing member to move the sleeve relative to the seat to the third position thereby unseating the flapper from the seat and preventing the flapper from again seating with the seat.
US08967265B2
A flow control apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a screen, a first inflow control device and a second inflow control device, wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of each inflow control device. A method of cleaning a flow control apparatus such as that described above comprises providing in a wellbore a flow control apparatus comprising at least one screen and at least one inflow control device wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the at least one screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of the at least one inflow control device, targeting the at least one inflow control device with a treatment fluid and delivering the treatment fluid such that the fluid flows in a reverse direction along the fluid inflow path.
US08967263B2
Methods of treating a subterranean formation including introducing a fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein; a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, proppant particulates, a crosslinking agent, and a stress-activated resin comprising a stress-activated moiety, wherein the stress-activated resin does not substantially react with the crosslinking agent until placed under stress; introducing the treatment fluid into the at least one fracture of the subterranean formation; removing the pressure in the subterranean formation such that the fracture closes on the treatment fluid and applies a stress to the stress-activated resin; and crosslinking the resin with the crosslinking agent, thereby forming a resinous proppant pack therein.
US08967262B2
A method for determining the fracture spacing for a first set of fractures of a wellbore. A first fracture dimension is chosen from the smaller of the length or height of a first fracture and an expected second fracture dimension is chosen from the smaller of the expected length or expected height of a second fracture to be formed. An approximate position of the second fracture is determined from a percentage of the average of the first fracture dimension and the second fracture dimension. An approximate position of a third fracture is determined so that ratio of the distances from the first fracture and the second fracture are about equal to a ratio of the first fracture dimension and the second fracture dimension. The well may then be fractured at the approximate position of the second fracture and may be fractured at the approximate position of the third fracture.
US08967255B2
A subsurface release plug release apparatus comprising a mandrel comprising a bottom plug portion, a top plug portion, a work string attachment portion, a first release portion between the bottom plug portion and the top plug portion, wherein the first release portion comprises a controlled strength segment configured to fail structurally and thereby release the bottom plug portion at a first fluid pressure, and a second release portion between the top plug portion and the work string attachment portion, wherein the second release portion is configured to release the bottom plug portion at a second fluid pressure, wherein the first fluid pressure is less than the second fluid pressure, a bottom plug body disposed about the bottom plug portion of the mandrel, and a top plug body disposed about the top plug portion of the mandrel.
US08967253B2
A downhole formation fluid pumping and a sampling apparatus are disclosed that may form part of a formation evaluation while drilling tool or part of a tool pipe string. The operation of the pump is optimized based upon parameters generated from formation pressure test data as well as tool system data thereby ensuring optimum performance of the pump at higher speeds and with greater dependability. New pump designs for fluid sampling apparatuses for use in MWD systems are also disclosed.
US08967248B2
A method of hydrocarbon resource recovery from a subterranean formation may include forming a plurality of spaced apart injector/producer well pairs in the subterranean formation. Each injector/producer well pair may include a laterally extending producer well and a laterally extending injector well spaced thereabove. The method may include forming an intermediate well adjacent a given injector/producer well pair, and operating a positioning actuator to position a radio frequency (RF) sensor coupled to the positioning actuator to at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well. The method may further include operating the RF sensor at the at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well to selectively sense at least one corresponding portion of the subterranean formation adjacent the given injector/producer well pair. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources from the plurality of injector/producer well pairs including the given injector/producer well pair.
US08967246B2
An actuator for connecting to and displacing of a component in a well tubular is disclosed. The actuator includes a tool shaft provided with a radial direction spring-loaded gripping device which are complementary fitting in the component.
US08967242B2
An apparatus includes a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a focused sampling probe that includes a piston movable between an open position and a closed position, an auxiliary filter coupled to the piston, and a scraper that interfaces with the auxiliary filter. Movement of the piston may cause the auxiliary filter to move against the scraper.
US08967236B2
An inorganic aqueous solution for use in a phase-change heat transfer device comprises an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate (KMnO4), potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), chromium trioxide (CrO3), silver chromate (Ag2CrO4), strontium hydroxide (Sr(OH)2), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
US08967230B2
Seam protected encapsulated arrays of solid ceramic elements are disclosed. Vulnerable seams between solid ceramic elements arranged adjacent to each other in encapsulated arrays of solid ceramic elements are protected by a seam protector arranged in-line with the vulnerable seams and fixed to the encapsulated array. A stiffener may be arranged in-line with the vulnerable seams and fixed to the encapsulated array opposite to the seam protector. The solid ceramic elements may be encapsulated in a barrier material to prevent the base metal from reacting with the ceramic material units during casting, and/or provide crush/compression protection during cooling.
US08967227B2
A roller curtain fixing bracket assembly includes a left support, a right support, a decoration board and two cover boards covering the left and right supports. A roller curtain device can be installed between the main bodies of the left and right supports. Each of the left and right supports has a plane board main body and several fixing boards protruding from outer edges of the plane board main body. Front edge of each of two fixing boards extending from two sides of the plane board main body is formed with a split. The decoration board has a horizontal panel and a vertical panel. A top end and a certain section of the vertical panel are formed with hook bars inserted and latched in the splits of the left and right supports and assembled therewith. The cover boards serve to conceal the seams between the supports and the decoration board.
US08967226B2
A single or dual channel cord enclosure adapted to hide at least a portion of a cord drawing a shade or blind up or down is included as part of an apparatus, which may also include a roller mechanism adapted to drive a roller to operate an architectural cover, and a cord mechanism adapted to drive the roller mechanism. The enclosure may completely enclose the cord and utilize a slider to actuate the cord within the cord channel enclosure. In another embodiment, an apparatus for actuating an architectectural covering includes an enclosure configured to receive a cord mechanism; a roller mechanism provided on an end of the enclosure; and a slider configured to be movably engaged to the enclosure so that moving the slider actuates the roller mechanism to lift or lower the architectural covering. Also included is a method of making an apparatus for actuating an architectectural covering.
US08967223B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling a current fed to an electric motor during an operation to mount a tire on a rim of a wheel including the tire and the rim, or to demount the tire from the rim. The wheel is rotated by an electric motor about an axis, and the motor current fed to the electric motor is controlled dependent on the rotational speed and torque required for the mounting and/or demounting operation. The motor current is automatically changed to cause the electric motor to apply a high torque peak to rotate the wheel, when the motor current is measured to be greater than a preset limit at a low rotational speed during a preset time. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a tire on a rim or demounting the tire from the rim.
US08967220B2
A method of forming a homogenous composite pipe of unspecified length from strips of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material is disclosed. A mandrel is arranged stationary in a process direction to extend freely from a first supported end to a second end. A slip-sheath is applied about the mandrel. The thermoplastic material strips are wound about the slip-sheath. A section of the thermoplastic material strip winding is consolidated. The slip-sheath is formed from tape material which is applied longitudinally onto the mandrel surface. The slip-sheath is connected to a puller arranged downstream of the mandrel in the process direction. Consolidated pipe sections are pulled off from the second end of the mandrel in synchronization with the winding and consolidation. An assembly for carrying out the method.
US08967211B2
In a pneumatic tire, center land portions include a circumferential narrow groove extending in the tire circumferential direction so as to partition the center land portions in a tire width direction; a plurality of lug grooves disposed in each region of each of the center land portions partitioned by the circumferential narrow groove, extending in the tire width direction, so as to partition each of the regions of the center land portions in the tire circumferential direction; and a plurality of blocks partitioned by the circumferential narrow groove and the plurality of lug grooves. Blocks of the center land portions include one open sipe extending in the tire width direction so as to partition the blocks in the tire circumferential direction, and three or more closed sipes disposed in each of the regions of each of the blocks partitioned by the open sipe.
US08967210B2
Provided is a pneumatic tire having further improved ice performance achieved by narrow grooves. The pneumatic tire of the present invention is provided, in a tread, with land sections formed by partitioning the tread by grooves, and each of the land sections is provide with narrow grooves in a ground contact surface of the land section. The angle of tilt of the narrow grooves relative to the tire's circumferential direction is set to be larger in end regions located at both sides of a center region in a tire's lateral direction in each of the land sections than in the center region.
US08967199B2
A rotary valve adapted for use in utility scale fluidic systems improves over conventional valving schemes by affording reductions in weight, pressure drop, cost, and actuation time, as well as providing improvements in decompression performance, higher pressure capability, and longer operational life. One embodiment of a three way valve assembly utilizes electric actuation to adjust decompression in real time and facilitate port shaping. The valve assembly utilizes a pressure balanced rotor and seals to reduce actuation and bearing loads, as well as increase seal life.
US08967194B2
Disclosed is a bypass valve comprising a valve body. The valve body has a gas inlet and a gas outlet, wherein a check valve is provided at the air outlet. The check valve comprises a check valve body, a ventilation plate and a first sealing gasket. A first gas passage for gas delivering is provided within the check valve body; ventilation holes are provided on the ventilation plate; the ventilation holes are in communication with the gas outlet; the first sealing gasket is provided between the ventilation plate and the check valve body; and the first gas passage and the ventilation holes are in selective communication with each other via the first sealing gasket. The uni-directional check valve is provided in the gas air outlet in the bypass valve, causing the direction of the gas flow to be unique, overcoming the problem of imprecise concentration of the anaesthetic gas caused by the a gas backflow, and having the advantage of structural technology and better gas tightness.
US08967193B2
A device for ventilating and aerating a fuel tank includes a tank shut-off valve and two tank pressure control valves. One of the tank pressure control valves opens in response to an overpressure in the fuel tank and the other one of the tank pressure control valves closes in response to a negative pressure in the fuel tank. A valve unit which is formed from one or multiple of the valves is mountable vertically or horizontally and has a fuel connection which communicates with the fuel tank and a filter connection which communicates with an activated carbon filter. The two connections are generally oriented parallel and point downwards in vertical mounting position of the valve unit and in sideward direction(s) in horizontal mounting position of the valve unit and are arranged at or near the bottom side of the valve unit.
US08967180B2
A pilot type pressure regulator has: a primary port to which air is supplied from the outside; and a secondary port discharging air regulated by a main valve body provided to a main valve shaft. A main valve diaphragm abutting on an abutting end surface of the main valve shaft partitions an inner space into a secondary pressure chamber communicating with the secondary port and a pilot pressure chamber to which pilot pressure is supplied. This pressure regulator has an exhaust mechanism exhausting air from the secondary pressure chamber to the outside when pressure of the secondary port exceeds a set value. In the exhaust mechanism, a stopper holding a sealing material in a guide hole is inserted from the side close to a main valve hole, that is, an inner end portion.
US08967176B2
A fume blocking drain cap could include a drain cap body having a top side and an underside defining at least one aperture extending therethrough and a dissolvable membrane attached to the underside of the drain cap body. The dissolvable membrane is arranged over the at least one aperture sealing the aperture from the underside of the drain cap body. A retainer ring may be provided that abuts the bottom surface of the dissolvable membrane to retain the dissolvable membrane against the underside of the drain cap body. The cap could also include a collar having an outside surface and inside surface. The collar is attached to and depends from the underside of the drain cap body and surrounds the dissolvable membrane.
US08967168B1
A sink insert for cleaning a medical device having a lumen, such as an endoscope, includes a basin and a pump connected to the basin. The basin is shaped to fit into a sink, and has lip portions on its side walls shaped to extend outwardly to overlap side walls of the sink. The basin includes a drain formed in its floor; an additive reservoir integrally formed as a depression in its floor; additive fill lines defining pre-calibrated volume measurement areas for measurement of additives in the reservoir; a thermometer; and basin fill lines on its side walls defining pre-calibrated volume measurement areas for measurement of cleaning liquid filled into the basin. The pump includes inlet and outlet tubes for drawing cleaning liquid from the basin into the pump, and for pressurized output of the cleaning liquid from the pump to the medical device.
US08967167B2
The present invention provides a tool for treating microelectronic workpieces with one or more treatment materials, including liquids, gases, fluidized solids, dispersions, combinations of these, and the like.
US08967164B1
An orthodontic flosser comprising an elongated handle and an articulating head coupled to the handle at a pivot is disclosed. A mechanism holds the articulating head at a selected angle with respect to an axis of the handle. A first and second projection extend from the head for suspending floss, the first projection is sized to insert floss between a wire affixed to a tooth and the tooth. A supply of fresh floss and a take-up reel are configured to feed fresh floss incrementally into suspension between the first and second projections while taking-up used floss and applying a tension to the suspended floss.
US08967154B2
An igniter for an incendiary briquette of a type suitable for smoking a smoking substance disposed in a bowl of a hookah is disclosed. The igniter includes a housing defining an interior and having a sidewall, a bottom wall, and a top opening providing access to the interior. An ignition source that produces a flame is disposed in the interior of the housing. The igniter includes a removable tray for supporting the incendiary briquette. The tray has at least one heat transfer hole therein and is sized to be removably supported by the housing at a location above the flame of the ignition source, wherein heat flows upwardly to cause a burning of the incendiary briquette. The tray is sized to seat above the bowl of the hookah so that the burning briquette is supported to cause a burning of the smoking substance.
US08967151B2
A therapeutic fabric boot that warms the calf and foot, permits ambulation and provides for moisture absorption and selective exposure and ventilation of the covered extremity. An internal foam cradle restricts foot movement and reduces pressure at the heel and calf when lying in a supine position. A re-sizable, flat, hinged foam extension piece extends from the cradle and folds to protect the heel, sole and toes. Several fleece and moisture absorbent fabric cover panels selectively fasten about the foot and calf. Numerous hook and loop fasteners are fitted to external surfaces and attach to straps and/or outer cover pieces upon wrapping the straps and panel pieces about the supported lower calf and foot.
US08967150B2
The invention relates to an operating drape formed by an impermeable web that has a window (3) for access to the operating site, characterized in that the web consists of two impermeable sheets (10,20) held together, one along the extension of the other, in a sealed manner by an adhesive that allows the sheets to be separated by peeling and in that the window (3) is shared between the two sheets. The invention applies in particular to operating drapes used in surgery.
US08967148B2
The invention relates to a device for respiration which consists at least of one body that delimits an inner chamber from an outer chamber, a region for sealing the device against parts of the face of a patient, fastening elements for positioning the device on the patient's head and a connection for supplying respiratory gas. The device is equipped with an actuator, which when adjusted, changes the distance of at least one part of the device from at least one part of the body of the patient.
US08967146B2
A washout vent for a mask for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to an airway of a mammal. The washout vent includes a vent orifice adapted for gas washout. The orifice includes one or more features that contribute to noise reduction, such as a channel with converging walls towards atmosphere, and/or a channel having one or more walls provided with surface treatment and/or contouring, such as roughening and/or scalloped portions.
US08967141B2
Examples of the invention include inhalation systems, breathing apparatuses, and methods for administering a solution by inhalation to a patient. Example breathing apparatuses described herein may be configured to minimize loss of the solution to the environment. Additionally or instead, example breathing apparatuses may be configured to recirculate exhaled solution to increase an amount of the solution available to a patient while minimizing exhausted solution. In some examples, breathing apparatuses may deliver nebulized platelet rich plasma (“PRP”).
US08967138B2
The embodiment of the invention provides a supporting and a shape-regulating device for a reflector of a heliostat, which relates to the solar field. Said device is installed on the back of said reflector of said heliostat and fixed with a support of said heliostat, said supporting and shape-regulating device comprises a shape-regulating part for adjusting the curvature of said reflector and an adjusting part for adjusting the pitch and angle of said reflector; said shape-regulating part comprises at least four shape-regulating components, wherein at least one shape-regulating component is installed on a central sleeve of connection claws in the center of said reflector, the others are installed on the edge of said reflector and connected respectively with said central sleeve of connection claws through respective supporting arms of connection claws, said shape-regulating components comprise suckers and adjustable fasteners; said adjusting part is set up correspondingly on the side part of said center sleeve of connection claw, said adjusting part comprises a transition part and an adjusting fastener, said transition part is fixed with said support, said adjusting fastener is set up between said transition part and said center sleeve of connection claw. Thus, the invention has a simple structure and good adjusting effect, it is convenient to adjust, and easy to process and manufacture.
US08967137B1
The present invention offers improved absorber plates for solar energy collectors, improved cover glazings for solar energy collectors, improved concentrating solar energy collectors, and solar energy collection methods that use one or more of the improved solar energy collectors for useful residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The improved absorber plate solar energy collectors utilize a porous metal to improve solar radiant absorption collection and utilization, the improved concentrating solar energy collectors are Fresnel lens faced ducts of various geometries that enable efficient axial length solar energy collection, and the improved cover glazings utilize transparent front and back faces with other improvements to enable increased solar radiant energy collection per unit front face cover area of solar collector.
US08967133B1
A two axis micro-adjusting device with a single locking mechanism preferably includes a mounting base, a first axis adjustment housing and a second axis adjustment nut. The mounting base includes a second axis housing and an attachment bracket. The first axis adjustment housing is slidably retained on the second axis housing. An end of the first axis adjustment bar is secured to a first object. The attachment bracket is attached to a second object. Rotation of a first axis adjustment screw adjusts the first axis adjustment bar in the first axis adjustment housing. Rotation of a second axis adjustment screw adjusts the second axis adjustment nut in the second axis housing. A locking fastener is tightened to lock the position of the first axis and second axis adjustments.
US08967132B1
A compressed air powered long-range life saving device is provided. Compressed air in an air canister flows to project a tube, a rope within the tube extends to unfasten a safety pin, a sliding disc pushes down a first needle until stopped, the first needle punctures an auxiliary air canister to release compressed air, the compressed air enters a receptacle, the compressed air flows out of the receptacle into a first portion of a second cylinder, the second needle is pushed down when the pressure reaches a preset value, the second needle punctures a main air canister to release compressed air prior to entering a second portion of the second cylinder, the compressed air flows out of the second portion into the first cylinder, the compressed air flows into the a lifebuoy for inflation, the inflated lifebuoy separates a housing into two pieces, and the rope unwinds.
US08967129B2
An internal combustion engine includes an engine block having a cylinder bore and a cylinder head having a flame deck surface disposed at one end of the cylinder bore. A piston connected to a rotatable crankshaft and configured to reciprocate within the cylinder bore has a piston crown portion facing the flame deck surface such that a combustion chamber is defined within the cylinder bore and between the piston crown and the flame deck surface. A fuel injector having a nozzle tip disposed in fluid communication with the combustion chamber has at least one nozzle opening configured to inject a fuel jet into the combustion chamber along a fuel jet centerline. At least one duct defined in the combustion chamber between the piston crown and the flame deck surface has a generally rectangular cross section and extends in a radial direction relative to the cylinder bore substantially along the fuel jet centerline.
US08967126B2
An exhaust gas recirculation cooler for an internal combustion engine is provided. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes an external casing with an inlet and an outlet for an exhaust gas flow. A first tube bundle and a second tube bundle, each with an inlet and an outlet for a coolant, are located inside the external casing so that the exhaust gas flow flows through the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle in series. A bypass passage conveys the exhaust gas flow from downstream the first tube bundle to the outlet of the external casing bypassing the second tube bundle. The bypass passage is located inside the external casing between the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle.
US08967120B2
An engine control system controls an internal combustion engine so that some of a plurality of cylinders in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine are made to rest and reduced-cylinder operation takes place. Each cylinder comprises a piston, an intake valve and an exhaust valve. In a resting cylinder during reduced-cylinder operation, when the piston moves downwards, the engine control system opens both the intake valve and the exhaust valve, and when the piston moves upwards, the engine control system opens the intake valve and closes the exhaust valve.
US08967112B2
A crankshaft includes first, second, third, and fourth main journals, each coaxially disposed along a crankshaft axis. A first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth crank pin are each parallel with the crankshaft axis, and radially offset from the crankshaft axis. A first crank arm includes a first counterweight, and connects the first main journal and the first crank pin. A third crank arm includes a second counterweight, and connects the second crank pin and the second main journal. A seventh crank arm includes a third counterweight, and connects the third main journal and the fifth crank pin. A ninth crank arm includes a fourth counterweight, and connects the sixth crank pin and the fourth main journal. The first, second, third, and fourth counterweights are the only counterweights of the crankshaft.
US08967110B2
An engine front cover assembly includes a plastic engine cover. A metal insert is secured within the plastic engine cover and defines a bore configured to receive a rotating engine component. A seal is located in a seal seat defined within the bore of the metal insert and configured to sealingly engage the rotating engine component. The metal insert is overmolded within the plastic engine cover and serves as a datum point to properly locate the seal relative to the rotating engine component.
US08967107B2
A camshaft adjuster (1, 51) for an internal combustion engine, including a stator (5) which is connectable in a rotationally fixed manner to a crankshaft, a rotor which is mounted in the stator (5) so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis, a sealing cover (7, 53) for minimizing leakage, and a spring element (9, 59) for positioning the rotor with respect to the stator (5). The spring element (9, 59) is held on the sealing cover (7, 53) in the axial direction via a spring clip (3, 41). The use of a spring clip (3, 41) provides a cost-neutral and reduced-weight option for reliably positioning the rotor with respect to the stator (5).
US08967104B2
A camshaft adjuster for adjusting the phase position of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft, in particular a hydraulic camshaft adjuster. A camshaft bearing area provided in the camshaft adjuster is designed as a roller bearing.
US08967100B2
It is intended to effectively prevent blow-by with no need for large changes in typical structures of two-cycle internal combustion engines. A main scavenging passage (24) for supplying air-fuel mixture from a crankcase to a combustion chamber for scavenging purposes has a branch scavenging passage (26) that extends upward aslant toward an intake port (14). The main scavenging passage (24) communicates with a first scavenging port (20) located nearer to an exhaust port (16). The branch scavenging passage (26) communicates with a second scavenging port (22). A mean cross-sectional area of the branch scavenging passage (26) is smaller than that of the main scavenging passage (24). Cross-sectional area of a portion (24b) next to an inlet port (24a) of the main scavenging passage (24) opening to the crankcase is smaller than the sum of cross-sectional areas of the first and second scavenging ports (20, 22).
US08967095B2
An engine cooling apparatus includes an engine for vehicle traveling, a pump driven by the engine, a heat exchanger, a circulation passage for circulating cooling liquid between the engine and the heat exchanger by driving the pump, a solenoid valve capable of opening/closing the circulation passage, and a controller for controlling operations of the engine. The solenoid valve includes a valve body movable between a position away from a valve seat and a position contacting the valve seat and held to contact the valve seat and a solenoid capable of maintaining contact between the valve body and the valve seat in response to supply of power thereto. When driving of the pump under a non-energized state of the solenoid, the valve body is movable to the position away from the valve seat by the cooling liquid fluid pressure.
US08967094B2
A ringed coolant water passage 16 formed to surround a plurality of cylinders #1-#4 is provided. Two partitioning members having a larger thermal expansion coefficient as compared to that of a cylinder block 10, and separating the ringed coolant water passage 16 into first passage 22 and second passage 24 is provided. The first passage 22 exists mainly at one side of a longitudinal bore center plane which extends along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder block 10 while the second passage 24 exists mainly at the other side. An inlet which communicates with the first passage and an outlet which communicates with the second passage are provided. A cylinder head including a coolant water passage which opens to both of the first passage 22 and the second passage 24 is attached to the cylinder block 10. The cylinder block 10 and the partitioning members 12, 14 are formed so that stress acting between both of them in a condition where the internal combustion engine is warmed up does not reach to a breaking stress of the partitioning members 12, 14.
US08967090B2
A saddle-ride vehicle includes a radiator body having a first radiator and a second radiator each including a core composed of radiating fins and tubes, alternately laminated. The radiator body is disposed forward of an engine while sandwiching a down tube between the first and second radiators in a vehicle left-right direction with the down tube extending rearwardly and downwardly of a head pipe. The radiator bodies and an exhaust pipe connected to the engine are disposed in an overlapping manner when the vehicle is viewed in a plan view. The lower tank of the first radiator include an inlet for the coolant from a lower communicating radiator hose that allows coolant to flow from the lower tank of the second radiator and an outlet for the coolant to a lower end radiator hose that is connected from the lower tank of the first radiator to the engine.
