US09404319B2
A cable support, cable support assembly, and method of supporting a cable is disclosed. The cable support includes a body having a base portion and a ball portion with a cable channel to receive a cable therethrough. The body includes a plurality of axial segments movable between an open position to access the cable channel and a closed position to enclose the cable in the channel. The base portion has a cavity to receive the ball portion of another cable support whereby the cable is flexibly supported.
US09404313B2
A tubing cleaning system comprising: a body portion, a tubing aperture, a one or more spray heads, a fluid input and a one or more fluid channels. Said body portion comprising a one or more plates. Said tubing aperture through said one or more plates. Said one or more spray heads arranged within said tubing aperture. Said fluid input. Said one or more fluid channels cut into said one or more plates between said fluid input and said one or more spray heads.
US09404310B1
Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a domed polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table that exhibit improved wear resistance and/or thermal stability. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate having an interfacial surface, and a domed PCD table bonded to the interfacial surface of the substrate. The domed PCD table includes an exterior, convex generally cylindrical peripheral surface extending away from the interfacial surface of the substrate. The domed PCD table further includes a domed portion defining an upper, convex generally spherical surface, and an optional chamfer extending between the exterior, convex generally cylindrical peripheral surface and the upper, convex generally spherical surface.
US09404305B1
A platform apparatus comprising: a deck structure; a ladder structure; and at least one hinge element which pivotably connects the ladder structure to the deck structure. The hinge element can be locked in a plurality of pivot angles of the ladder structure with respect to the deck structure in a range of from about 105° to about 150°.
US09404302B2
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for unlocking, opening, closing and locking a vent sash. The system may include a base configured to attach to one or more of a vent stop and a window frame. The system may include a lever pivotably or slidably attached to the base. The lever may be configured to pivotably attach to a locking mechanism interface of the vent sash. The lever may be configured to pivot substantially ninety degrees in a first direction to an unlocked position. The lever may be configured to pivot substantially ninety degrees in a second direction to an opened position. The lever may be configured to pivot substantially ninety degrees in a third direction to a closed position. The lever may be configured to pivot substantially ninety degrees in a fourth direction to a locked position.
US09404297B2
A lever operated compression latch has an elongated, hook-ended pawl carrying a longitudinal slot, and is cam guided and pin rotated while translated to engage and withdraw from a keeper cup. The compound movement of the pawl includes a lateral translation towards the keeper cup while rotating there into, followed by a lateral withdrawal to exert a compression force between the latch body which is attached to a door and the keeper cup which is attached to a door frame. A series of interconnected links is operated by a lever handle to fold into one another to provide a compact envelope when the latch is closed and to expand outwardly to open the latch and disengage the pawl from the keeper when operated by the lever. Of this series of links, a pair of release links operates in contact with one another, and rotates on respective individual pivot points to extend outwardly from the latch envelope to engage a striker plate portion of the keeper cup. This striker engagement causes the release links to push the latch and the door from a sealing engagement with the keeper and door jamb for a short distance, prior to the latch and the door thereafter being fully opened. This striker engagement of the release links also causes the latch links to fold inwardly which rotates and translates the pawl into keeper engagement and compression. This operation is facilitated with a floating spring having one end operating as a pivot member. A detent engages one of the links to provide a physical indication to the handle lever between the hard closed position and the closed about to open position.
US09404293B2
This door handle device is provided with: a handle base; an introduction opening that is opened in a door handle and that supports the handle base; an operation handle that is connected to the handle base; and a gasket that is disposed between the handle base and the operation handle. A handle stopper, of which one end passes through the introduction aperture and is borne by the handle base, and of which the other end contacts the operation handle, is integrally provided to the gasket.
US09404290B2
A securable article display having a main base fixedly mounted upon a support and a first elongate hanger projecting therefrom. A blocking system has a U-shaped component with a base portion and spaced first and second legs. The U-shaped component is movable relative to the main base between: a) a first position wherein a portion of the first elongate hanger resides between the first and second legs to prevent separation of an article; and b) a second position wherein an article can be separated. The portion of the first elongate hanger moves through a slot as the U-shaped component is changed between the first and second positions. A locking system includes a blocking assembly that is changeable between: a) a locked state wherein the blocking assembly blocks the slot with the U-shaped component in its first position; and b) an unlocked state wherein the portion of the first elongate hanger is allowed to move through the slot.
US09404288B2
A sash limiter assembly includes a limiter housing configured for installation in a sash or a window frame of a window. A sash stop is movably coupled with the limiter housing, and the sash stop is movable between engaging and retained positions. A reset is movably coupled with the limiter housing, and the reset is movable into a resetting position. The sash limiter assembly is configured for positioning between a sash limiting configuration and a resetting configuration. In the sash limiting configuration the sash stop is in the engaging position and positioned in a translation path of the sash. In the resetting configuration the sash stop is held in the retained position by the reset in the resetting position. In the retained position the sash stop is out of alignment with the translation path, and in the resetting position the reset is positioned within the translation path.
US09404287B2
A system and method of determining the status of an appliance door is provided. The status of the door of the appliance can be determined based an output signal provided by a door switch coupled in series with a latch motor feedback. A change in the output signal of the door switch can be indicative of either the opening of the appliance door or the actuating of the latch motor. The source of the change in an output of the door switch can be determined based on the latch command provided to the latch motor. The appliance can be controlled based on the status of the appliance door.
US09404281B1
An example canopy according to this disclosure includes, among other things, a column, and support including a track extending in a longitudinal direction. The support is connected to the column. The canopy further includes a frame member, and at least one follower connected to the frame member. The at least one follower is received in the track such that the frame member is slidable in the longitudinal direction.
US09404269B2
An attachment strip for attaching lath to a wall and a system for attaching lath to a wall with increased water resistive characteristics. The attachment strip has protruding teeth on an attachment plate that holds the lath in place, and a mounting plate that secures the lath furring strip against the wall and framing. In addition, since attachment strip, instead of the lath directly, is secured to the sheathing, fewer mounting devices are needed compared to when a lath is directly secured to a sheathing, where substantially more mounting devices would be needed. Thus in this arrangement, fewer penetrations are created when installing the lath. Additional water resistive features, such insulation layers, and a drainage space surrounded by two water resistive barriers, create space that not only increases insulation, but protects the inner layers of a wall from damage.
US09404268B2
A flashing laminate includes a non-reinforced thermoplastic sheet having a bottom surface, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge. The flashing laminate also includes an adhesive layer on a longitudinally extending portion of the bottom surface adjacent to one of the longitudinal edges. In one or more embodiments, the laminate also includes a release liner positioned over the adhesive tape.
US09404263B2
A roofing material comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface includes reduced-particle size granules and may further include a reduced-thickness face coating. The thickness of the upper surface is related to the particle size of the granules deposed on the face coating. A smaller particle size granule than those used in traditional roofing shingles is utilized in the upper surface which may allow for a reduced-thickness face coating while not sacrificing the retention of the granules on the surface of the roofing material or desired physical characteristics. The face coating may include a reduced amount of filler material, such as mineral fillers, than face coatings of traditional roofing materials.
US09404260B2
A roofing shingle is disclosed comprising a headlap portion with a non-straight longitudinal edge and a buttlap portion with a plurality of tabs with a non-straight longitudinal edge and spaced apart by openings, wherein the non-straight longitudinal edges do not shadow each other laterally across the shingle. A roofing system is disclosed wherein at least a portion of the headlap portion of such shingle from a subsequently installed course overlaps at least a portion of the headlap portion of a shingle from a previously installed course. The maximum headlap overlap dimension is beneath the subsequently installed shingle laterally proximate the openings in the buttlap portion of the subsequently installed shingle. A method for making the shingle is disclosed comprising cutting a sheet of roofing material longitudinally along non-straight lines wherein at least a portion of each formed shingle has a width of about twelve inches.
US09404259B2
The present invention provides shaped articles comprising one or more composite layer of (i) a vulcanizate encapsulated in a colored or uncolored thermoplastic polymer matrix containing one or more passivating agent, and (ii) a reflective material chosen from colored fluidizable particles of a thermoplastic reflective colorant encapsulated vulcanizate, roofing granules, thermoplastic encapsulated roofing granules, the colored thermoplastic polymer matrix, and combinations thereof. The articles can be laminates of colored or reflective layers on uncolored or other layers, or one or more colored layer having colored fluidizable particles are dispersed within the surface of the uppermost composite layer or having either the colored fluidizable particles or the granules are dispersed on the surface of the composite layer or are adhered thereto with a thermoplastic resin. Roofing shingles are provided.
US09404250B2
A combination of a connector for glass elements and such glass elements to provide a loadbearing glass construction that comprises at least one glass post and at least one glass beam that are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the connector is arranged to provide a rotationally fixed connection between the post and the beam.
US09404247B2
A manual toilet flushing apparatus including an integral inlet fresh water valve assembly (IIFWVA) and a waste water discharge pump assembly (WWDPA) operably isolated from the IIFWVA is provided to preclude waste water from contaminating pressurized fresh water (PFW). The IIFWVA includes a pressurized fresh water inlet port to receive the PFW, an inlet valve body defining an inlet valve cavity (IVC), a second plunger in communication with a first plunger to actuate a check valve to direct a flow of the PFW into the IVC, and an outlet port. The PFW flows through the outlet port to a rim of a toilet bowl. The WWDPA includes a waste water inlet port to receive waste water, a discharge pump body, and a connecting rod in communication with a retractable handle to actuate a piston in backward and forward directions to suction and discharge the waste water through a discharge port.
US09404242B2
A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body.
US09404239B2
A computer-implemented method for determining a cut location for a machine implement is provided. The method may include comparing a target cut volume to a projected cut volume associated with each boundary of a selected bin, designating the cut location as the boundary most closely approximating the target cut volume if both of the projected cut volumes at the boundaries are either greater than or less than the target cut volume, and designating the cut location as an average of the boundaries if the projected cut volumes at the boundaries are greater than and less than the target cut volume.
US09404237B2
A system and method are provided for assisting a machine operator in controlling a work tool of the machine. In an embodiment, the work tool is set at a first height and the machine is travelling at a first machine speed, resulting in a first work tool or machine load. Based on these factors, a first work tool control mode or second work tool control mode is chosen. In the first work tool control mode, the work tool is manually controlled within a load limit and a work tool height limit, whereas in the second work tool control mode, the work tool load is controlled toward the first work tool load. Based on operator inputs and machine state, as well as other factors such as ground surface, the machine may switch between control modes, or out of automatic work tool control entirely.
US09404236B2
Mechanical stops in the linkage of a hydraulic thumb for a materials handling machine protect the hydraulic thumb actuator from damage.
US09404234B2
A building system includes a foundation block and a wall block. Each block has opposing first and second main surfaces, a first top end and an opposing second bottom end, and opposing first and second side surfaces extending between the first and second main surfaces and between the top and bottom ends. Portions of the first and second main surfaces of the foundation block proximate the top end thereof taper axially inwardly toward each other and toward an interior of the block to form a pair of inwardly tapered surfaces. The bottom end of the wall block includes a pair of outwardly tapered surfaces which extend axially outwardly away from each other and toward an exterior of the wall block. The pair of outwardly tapered surfaces of the wall block engage the pair of inwardly tapered surfaces of the foundation block in an assembled configuration to form a first vertical stack member.
US09404228B1
A modularly configurable paving operations system includes a modular framework extendible or reducible by the addition or removal of frame inserts. A control system can rotate one or more steerable crawlers via a steering assembly to drive, steer, or reconfigure the system. The control system may also include a tining control system, a grade control system, a spray control system, sensors and sensor arrays, and a user interface. The system may accommodate one or more accessories through an undercarriage mounted to the modular framework, which may further include position and elevation sensors and proximity switches. A height adjuster may be configured to raise or lower accessories to maintain a consistent depth or elevation for transverse or longitudinally oriented texturing.
US09404227B2
Apparatus for forming a liquid-tight seal across a gap formed between adjacent, interconnected first and second mats in a load-supporting surface includes first and second liquid impermeable, elongated seal members extending into the gap from the first and second mats, respectively. The seal members abut one another in the gap to form a liquid tight seal therebetween.
US09404223B2
The present invention relates to a process of making paper or paperboard in which a cellulosic thin stock is provided and subjected to one or more shear stages and then drained and a moving screen to form a sheet which is dried, wherein the process employs a retention system which is applied to the thin stock, said retention system comprising as components i) a blend of different cationic polymers and ii) a microparticulate material, in which the blend of cationic polymers comprises, a) a cationic polymer having a charge density of at least 3 mEq per gram and a molar mass of greater than 700,000 Da, b) a cationic polymer having a charge density of below 3 mEq per gram and an intrinsic viscosity of at least 3 dl/g, wherein one of the components of the retention system is dosed into the thin stock after the final shearing stage and the other is dosed into the thin stock before the final shearing stage.
US09404219B2
A high-durability paper and method of manufacture thereof. The paper may be intended for manufacturing bank notes, offering good resistance to circulation, especially good resistance to pulverulent soiling in dry medium, to friction in wet medium and to soiling in wet medium, which is moreover appropriately capable of satisfying all the manufacturing constraints, especially the printing constraints. The high-durability paper includes a fibrous substrate, and a protective coat completely covering at least one face of the fibrous substrate, where the protect coat includes at least one base layer on the substrate side and a polyurethane-based outer printability layer that covers the base layer.
US09404217B2
A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.
US09404207B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable production process for a melt-blown nonwoven fabric comprising thin fibers and having extremely few thick fibers [number of fusion-bonded fibers] formed by fusion bonding of thermoplastic resin fibers to one another, and an apparatus for the same. The present invention relates to a melt-blown nonwoven fabric comprising polyolefin fibers and having (i) a mean fiber diameter of not more than 2.0 μm, (ii) a fiber diameter distribution CV value of not more than 60%, and (iii) 15 or less fusion-bonded fibers based on 100 fibers; a production process for a melt-blown nonwoven fabric characterized by feeding cooling air of not higher than 30° C. from both side surfaces of outlets of slits 31 from which high-temperature high-velocity air is gushed out and thereby cooling the spun molten resin; and a production apparatus for the same.
US09404201B2
A metallic card wire has an elongated rib portion and teeth. The teeth have a front segment, a top segment and a back segment. The front segment has the connection of the tooth from the elongated rib portion and the front segment including a tip which is actively taking fibers in carding. The top segment has at least one hunch after the tip in the direction of the back segment. If more than one hunch is present the first hunch is the hunch positioned closest to the tip; if only one hunch is present this hunch is the first hunch. The back segment forms the connection of the top segment towards the elongated rib portion and the front segment of the next tooth.
US09404190B2
An end pressure plate is provided for an electrochemical cell stack or an electrolyzer module. The end pressure plates comprise a load transfer plate for maintaining even pressure over the faces of the structural plates, and a backing plate for supporting load transferred from the load transfer plate.
US09404184B2
A substrate position detecting apparatus detects a position of a substrate inside a chamber from an image of a target inside the chamber. The apparatus includes an image pickup device to pick up the image of the target inside the chamber through a window, an illumination device to irradiate light upwards, an illumination reflecting plate provided above the illumination device and including a reflecting surface to reflect the light from the illumination device towards the window, and a reflection restricting part provided on the reflecting surface to form a shadow in a predetermined region that includes the target inside the chamber.
US09404183B2
A substrate processing system includes a processing chamber including a showerhead, a plasma power source and a pedestal spaced from the showerhead to support a substrate. A filter is connected between the showerhead and the pedestal. A variable bleed current circuit is connected between the filter and the pedestal to vary a bleed current. A controller is configured to adjust a value of the bleed current and configured to perform curve fitting based on the bleed current and DC self-bias voltage to estimate at least one of electrode area ratio, Bohm current, and radio frequency (RF) voltage at a powered electrode.
US09404181B2
A plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) system used to form thin films on substrates includes a plasma chamber, a processing chamber, two or more ring units and a control piece. The plasma chamber includes an outer and an inner quartz tubular units, whose central axes are aligned with each other. Therefore, plasma is held and concentrated in an annular space formed between the outer and outer quartz tubular units. Due to the first and second through holes, the plasma flow may be more evenly distributed on most of the surface of the substrate to form evenly distributed thin films and nano particles on the substrate. In addition, due to the alignment and misalignment between the first and second through holes, the plasma generated in the plasma chamber may be swiftly allowed or disallowed to enter to the processing chamber to prevent the precursor from forming a CVD.
US09404180B2
The disclosed deposition device for forming a thin film using a starter gas comprising an organic metal compound is provided with: a processing container 22; a mounting platform 28 which has a heater 34 for heating the workpiece W; a gas introduction mechanism 80 which introduces the starter gas toward the area more exterior than the outer peripheral end of the workpiece W on the mounting platform 28; an internal partition wall 90 which is disposed such that the lower end of said processing space contacts the mounting platform 28 to form gas outlets 92 between the lower portion of the space and the edges of the mounting platform 28; and a orifice forming member 96 which extends radially inward toward the mounting platform 28 and forms an orifice 98 communicating with the gas outlet 92.
US09404178B2
A method of forming a dielectric layer is described. The method first deposits a silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing (polysilazane) layer by radical-component chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing layer is formed by combining a radical precursor (excited in a remote plasma) with an unexcited carbon-free silicon precursor. A silicon oxide capping layer may be formed from a portion of the carbon-free silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing layer to avoid time-evolution of underlying layer properties prior to conversion into silicon oxide. Alternatively, the silicon oxide capping layer is formed over the silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing layer. Either method of formation involves the formation of a local plasma within the substrate processing region.
US09404170B2
A process for making an article of a titanium alloy having α″ phase as a major phase according to the present invention includes providing a work piece of a titanium alloy consisting essentially of 7-9 wt % of molybdenum and the balance titanium and having α″ phase as a major phase; and cold working at least a portion of the work piece at room temperature to obtain a green body of the article, wherein the cold worked portion of the green body has a thickness which is 20%-80% of that of the at least a portion of the work piece, and the cold worked portion has α″ phase as a major phase.
US09404165B2
A process for recovering pig iron from iron-containing concentrates produced from iron-containing ores and sands by forming agglomerates and reducing them in a natural gas smelter, in which the process makes maximum utilization of heat created in and by the process.
US09404164B2
The present invention is related to a fungal serine protease enzyme, which said enzyme has serine protease activity and comprises an amino acid sequence of Malbranchea ALKO4122 mature protease as defined in SEQ ID NO:18 or an amino acid sequence having at least 66% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18. Also disclosed is an isolated nucleic acid molecule, comprising a polynucleotide sequence which encodes a fungal serine protease enzyme, nucleic acid sequences encoding said protease, a host cell and a process of producing a polypeptide having serine protease activity. Said protease is useful as an enzyme preparation applicable in detergent compositions and for treating fibers, wool, hair, leather, or silk, for treating food or feed, or for any applications involving modification, degradation or removal of proteinaceous material.
US09404160B2
Presented herein are methods for the detection of the presence or absence of one or more microorganisms in a sample. The method deploys a plurality of probe sets to detect a plurality of microorganisms. The probes in the probe set are detectably labeled. At least one probe set has probes labeled with a combination of detectable labels. The number of detectable labels used in the plurality of probe sets numbers less than the number of microorganisms being detected by the probe set.
US09404159B2
Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection the 5′ portion of TMPRSS2 mRNA for the detection and diagnosis of prostate disease including prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
US09404153B2
A detection method of nucleic acid is provided. The method includes: providing nucleic acid to be tested, making the nucleic acid to be tested react under asymmetric PCR conditions with a pair of primers for target nucleic acid amplification, DNA polymerase, adenine deoxyribonucleotide, guanine deoxyribonucleotide, cytosine deoxyribonucleotide and thymidine deoxyribonucleotide in a PCR buffer solution, mixing the reaction product and liquid that contains probe molecules, and judging whether the nucleic acid to be tested contains the target nucleic acid by observing the obtained mixture color or color change. A kit is also provided that can be used in the nucleic acid detection by the said method. Application of the method and the kit in inspection and quarantine is also provided. The method is a quick and easy, sensitive and a specific detection method of nucleic acid with direct observation using naked eyes. The method does not need additional equipment.
US09404149B2
The present invention refers to a method for detecting a point mutations of a nucleotide sequence by an improvement of the LAMP (loop amplification mediated polymerization) amplification method, as well as to a set of primers and kit therefor. As a non limitative embodiment, the invention refers to the G1849T mutation of the JAK2 gene.
US09404142B2
The invention relates to the field of parasitology. Methods and peptidic substrate for screening and identifying inhibitors of Plasmodium are described. Also described are compounds identified by these screening methods, including more particularly inhibitors of Plasmodium subtilisin-like proteases. The invention also concerns anti-malaria compounds, anti-malaria compositions, and uses thereof for preventing, treating, improving, and/or alleviating a Plasmodium infection in a subject, and more Plasmodium vivax and/or by Plasmodium falciparum human infections.
US09404139B2
A mutant hydroxylase with increased activity and greater substrate specificity towards phenylacetyl-7-ADCA derivatives for the production of phenylacetyl-7-HACA derivatives, which carries one or more amino acid modification at residue positions when compared with certain wild type hydroxylase from certain groups of residues. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of deacetyl cephalosporanic acid from the corresponding deacetoxy cephalosporanic acid that includes an enzyme of the present invention. Also provided is a method for the production and processing of such enzymes.
US09404137B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising: a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and a heterocyclic compound. The present invention also relates to methods of using the compositions.
US09404135B2
To include a hydrothermal decomposition unit that transports a fed biomass material from one side (a lower side) to the other side (an upper side) by a screw 14 in an apparatus body, feeds pressurized hot water, hydrothermally decomposes the biomass material, transfers hot-water soluble fractions into a hot-water effluent and separates a lignin component and a hemicellulose component from the biomass material, and also to include a biomass discharging unit. Further, a scraping unit is provided at an end of a flight of the screw positioned within an installation area of the solid-liquid separator.
US09404131B2
The invention relates to methods for preparing ingenol-3-angelate from ingenol or ingenol derivatives.
US09404120B2
The present invention relates to a method for increasing the tolerance of a plant to water deficit, which method comprises the overexpression in said plant of an R2R3-MYB subfamily 4 transcription factor.
US09404115B2
Provided is a phenol-producing transformant constructed by transferring a gene which encodes an enzyme having chorismate-pyruvate lyase activity and a gene which encodes an enzyme having 4-hydroxybenzoate decarboxylase activity into a coryneform bacterium as a host. Also provided is a process for producing phenol, which comprises a step of allowing the transformant to react in a reaction mixture containing a saccharide under reducing conditions, and a step of collecting phenol from the reaction mixture.
US09404114B2
Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of GCGR mRNA and protein in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate metabolic disease, for example, diabetes, or a symptom thereof.
US09404113B2
Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of PTP1B mRNA and protein in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate metabolic disease, for example, diabetes, or a symptom thereof.
US09404111B2
Inhibitors of miRNAs 221 and 222, and their use as medicaments in the treatment of multiple myeloma. The inhibitors inhibit miRNAs 221 and 222 of the type of LNA-miRNAs and have the formula +C*A*G*+A*+C*A*+A*T*+G*T*+A*+G*C, and formula C*+A*+G*+A*T*+G*T*+A*+G*C wherein letters with symbol “+” indicate the positions of LNA and symbol “*” indicates phosphorothioate bonds.
US09404110B2
The invention relates to a cosmetic and/or dermatological and/or pharmaceutical composition for the topical use and application of oligonucleotides, in particular antisense-oligonucleotides such as DNAzyme, siRNSs, asDNAs or ribozymes for use as an agent against inflammatory diseases by means of emulsions having a dispersed, internal, discontinous aqueous phase.
US09404108B2
The invention provides a microRNA inhibitor that has two or more sequences complementary to the sequence of microRNA to be the target of inhibition, which two or more complementary sequences are linked via one or more linker residues.
US09404103B1
This invention relates to, in part, compositions of beta-lactamases and methods of using these enzymes in, for example, gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) disorders such as C. difficile infection (CDI).
US09404102B2
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods of preserving viability of islets of Langerhans for transplantation, and treating various disease and other abnormal or pathological conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic heart disease, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome and radiation-induced brain injury, with DNA repair enzymes that are directed to the mitochondria.
US09404089B2
Disclosed herein are purified bacteriophage preparations that effectively lyse a plurality of C. perfringens strains. In one embodiment, a purified bacteriophage preparation includes four or more C. perfringens-specific bacteriophage, wherein each bacteriophage has lytic activity against at least five Clostridium species strains. In another embodiment, the purified bacteriophage preparation includes five or more C. perfringens-specific bacteriophage.
US09404077B2
A hemostatic device, method of making, and method of using for internal and external applications to wounds in the body of a patient to induce hemostasis at an anatomical site.
US09404076B2
A dry yeast composition which includes 5-adenosyl-L-methionine and a thickener and has excellent storage stability. A thickener is added to a yeast cell concentrate obtained by culturing yeast which has SAMe-producing ability and collecting the cells, and the resultant mixture is dried. Thus, a dry yeast containing a high concentration of 5-adenosyl-L-methionine which has excellent storage stability and excellent bioabsorbability can be easily and profitably produced. It is hence possible to supply a market with a dry yeast composition that contains a high concentration of 5-adenosyl-L-methionine, which is useful as a water-soluble physiologically active substance, and that has excellent storage stability and bioabsorbability.
US09404075B2
A device for processing a porous filtration medium has a holding part that can be mounted on a lower part with the porous filtration medium. An outer wall of the holding part can be positioned outside a surface, of the filtration medium, and a fixing edge arranged in the holding part can be positioned on an edge of the filtration medium. The holding part has a filtration support which, on its side facing away from the filtration medium, is connected to an outlet for reverse flushing.
US09404069B1
Systems and methods for formulating and utilizing chemical gel formulations, particularly with respect to cooling tower fill cleaning operations.
US09404066B2
The present invention improves dye transfer inhibition in the washing of textiles by the use of urea derivatives comprising sulfonic or carboxylic acid groups.
US09404058B2
A composite lubricating material including at least a graphite-based carbon material and/or graphene-like graphite exfoliated from the graphite-based carbon material dispersed in a base material. The graphite-based carbon material is characterized by having a rhombohedral graphite layer (3R) and a hexagonal graphite layer (2H), wherein a Rate (3R) of the rhombohedral graphite layer (3R) and the hexagonal graphite layer (2H), based on an X-ray diffraction method, which is defined by following Equation 1 is 31% or more: Rate (3R)=P3/(P3+P4)×100 Equation 1 wherein P3 is a peak intensity of a (101) plane of the rhombohedral graphite layer (3R) based on the X-ray diffraction method, and P4 is a peak intensity of a (101) plane of the hexagonal graphite layer (2H) based on the X-ray diffraction method.
US09404053B2
A low-pressure process for hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodesulfurization of a gas oil feedstock. The process uses a multi-bed, stacked-bed reactor system. The first and third beds of the multi-bed, stacked-bed reactor system include catalysts that comprise cobalt and molybdenum supported on alumina. The middle, second bed, includes a catalyst comprising nickel and molybdenum supported on alumina that preferably includes an additive. The stacked bed arrangement with the use of the specific catalysts provides for the low-pressure operation and significantly improved HDN and HDS activity with relatively insignificant differences in hydrogen consumption.
US09404050B2
A startup method for a fractionator that is supplied with, and fractionally distills, a hydrocracked product obtained in a wax fraction hydrocracking step by hydrocracking a wax fraction contained within a Fischer-Tropsch synthetic oil, the method including a preheating step of preheating the fractionator using a hydrocarbon oil that includes at least a portion of the hydrocracked product and is liquid at a normal temperature and normal pressure.
US09404049B2
A process and system are described for the processing of gas associated with crude oil production, i.e. associated gas. A separation complex is used to separate produced fluids produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir into crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas, water, and natural gas. At least a portion of the natural gas is converted into synthesis gas in a synthesis gas generator. A combination of a synthesis gas conversion catalysts and hydroconversion catalysts are used in a synthesis gas reactor to convert the synthesis gas into a liquid effluent stream containing liquefied petroleum gas and a synthetic crude oil. The liquefied petroleum gas and synthetic crude oil from the synthesis gas reactor is sent to the separation complex. Liquefied petroleum gas is separated both from the synthetic crude oil and a natural crude oil obtained from the produced fluids. The system and process permits synthetic crude oil to be blended with the natural crude oil producing a blended stabilized crude oil having 2 wt % or more of the synthetic crude oil and with a pour point of 60° C. or less. Use of a common facility for separation operations on the natural crude oil and synthetic crude oil thus reduces capital costs and allows converted associated gases to be shipped with the natural crude oil on a conventional crude oil tanker.
US09404025B1
An adhesive composition for manufacturing a composite wood product comprising an aqueous network of a formaldehyde condensation resin, wheat flour, and wheat gluten, said adhesive composition having a density less than water and is non-thixotropic. The composition is prepared by subjecting an aqueous formaldehyde condensation resin, wheat flour and wheat gluten to an intense high shear.
US09404015B2
A coating composition adapted for application on a fastener, the coating composition composed of a binder component composed of a polymeric resin present in the composition at a concentration between 1.0% and 15.0% by total composition weight, wherein the binder component is composed of at least one of a solvent dispersible compound; a reactive cross-linking component present in the composition in an amount between 1.0% and 80.0%; at least one curing agent; optionally at least one expansion agent, wherein at least one of the curing agent or the reactive cross-linking component are physically and reactively isolated from other components of the composition.
US09404011B2
Coating compositions comprising at least one hydroxyl-containing compound (A), at least one isocyanato-containing compound (B) and at least one urea-group-containing compound (H) different from (B), compound (H) comprising at least one structural unit selected from the group consisting of a structural unit (I) a structural unit (II) a structural unit (III) —NR′″—C(O)—N(X—SiR″x(OR′)3-x)n(X′—SiR″y(OR′)3-y)m, and combinations of two or more of the foregoing, compound (H) being obtained by reacting an isocyanato-containing compound (HG) with amino-containing compounds, wherein in compound (H) more than 90 mol % of the isocyanate groups originally present in (HG) have undergone reaction to form the structural units (I), (II), (III), or combinations thereof, where R′, R′″=hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; R, R″=alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; X, X′=linear and/or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl radical; x, y, n, m=0 to 2; and m+n=2.
US09404004B2
A hot applied, non-crosslinking, non-butyl, sealant. These sealants are composed of olefin polymers, styrenic block copolymers, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, tackifying resins, plasticizers, and preferably inorganic fillers, and organosilane adhesion promoters. Optionally, the sealant may include UV absorbers, antioxidants, pigments, and the like. The sealants are suitable for use as edge sealants for insulated glass (IG) window units.
US09403994B2
The present invention relates to anti-corrosive particles based on inorganic oxide products such as silica or alumina modified with polyvalent metal cations optionally comprising anions of weak acids which may be inorganic or organic in nature and their conjugate species. In particular, the present invention is concerned with anti-corrosive pigment particles comprising inorganic oxides or mixtures of inorganic oxides displaying mesoporosity and/or macroporosity such that the average pore size, averaged over the mixture of inorganic oxides where more than one oxide is involved is greater than 2 nm and the average pore volume is greater than 0.2 ml/g. The present invention is also related to methods of making such particles and to anti-corrosive compositions made with them. The present invention further relates to articles to which the anti-corrosive compositions have been applied.
US09403987B2
Disclosed is a composition comprising a charged particle of volume 5 nm3 to 50 million nm3 preferably having an inorganic core of SiO2, AI2O3, and/or TiO2, or a core essentially consisting of an organic pigment and/or pigment derivative, and a counter ion which is separable from the particle and is not covalently linked to the particle, said counter ion comprising a silicon atom which is directly bound to a carbon atom. Preferably, said charged particle comprises a dye attached to said inorganic core and said counter ion comprises a (poly)siloxane moiety linked via suitable bridge members to a quaternary, positively charged, nitrogen or phosphorus atom, or to a moiety carrying an anionic functional group. Said composition may be used e.g. in the form of a homogenous dispersion in an electrophoretic display.
US09403969B2
Alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds are described. The alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds contain an alkoxysilane group that participates in an alkoxysilane-silica reaction as a silica dispersing agent in rubber, with the release of zero to about 0.1% by weight of the rubber of volatile organic compounds (VOC), especially alcohol, during compounding and further processing. Further described are methods for making alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, methods for making vulcanizable rubber compounds containing alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, vulcanizable rubber compounds containing alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, and pneumatic tires comprising a component that contains alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes.
US09403960B2
The invention relates to fluoropolymer articles that have been irradiated with at least 5 Kilo Gray of radiation, where the resulting articles have low levels of leachable or extractable fluoride ion. The low fluoride ion migration from the irradiated article is due to the presence of low levels of metallic salts or oxides in the fluoropolymer composition. The invention is especially useful for fluoropolymer articles in which the fluoropolymer layer contacts a biological or pharmaceutical fluid, and that are subjected to sterilization by irradiation.
US09403950B2
Disclosed is an organic-inorganic hybrid composition containing a metal oxide (A) having a particle diameter of 1-400 nm and a polymer emulsion particle (B) having a particle diameter of 10-800 nm. The polymer emulsion particle (B) is obtained by polymerizing a hydrolyzable silicon compound (b1) and a vinyl monomer (b2) having a secondary and/or tertiary amide group in the presence of water and an emulsifying agent.
US09403949B2
An acetoacetyl-functional silicon-based resin includes at least a fraction with a branched molecular skeleton containing silicon atoms and acetoacetyl functional groups chemically bonded to the branched molecular skeleton. The acetoacetyl functional silicon-based resin can be used to formulate coating compositions.
US09403944B2
An antipathogenic copolymer 122, formed by the process of heating hexamethylenediamine HMDA 102, bis(hexamethylene)triamine BHMT 104, guanidinium hydrochloride 106.
US09403943B2
High fluidity polyamides are used for the impregnation of reinforcing cloth materials, namely, industrial fabrics, which impregnated cloths are converted into composite shaped articles.
US09403938B2
A continuous preparation method of a biodegradable aliphatic/aromatic polyester copolymer includes: performing a first esterification reaction of an aliphatic dihydroxy compound with an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid at a temperature of 185° C. or less; continuously performing a second esterification reaction of a reaction product from the first esterification reaction; continuously performing a first polycondensation reaction of a reaction product from the second esterification reaction to obtain a prepolymer; continuously performing a second polycondensation reaction of the prepolymer to obtain a second polycondensation reaction product having a melting index from about 15 g/10 min to about 25 g/10 min; and continuously performing a third polycondensation reaction of the second polycondensation reaction product to prepare the biodegradable aliphatic/aromatic polyester copolymer, wherein the performing of the first esterification reaction or the continuously performing of the second esterification reaction includes adding an aromatic carboxylic acid.
US09403932B2
Provided is a process for producing silicate-comprising polyols, comprising (i) admixing an aqueous silica sol (K) having an average particle diameter 1-150 nm, silica content 1-60% by weight and a pH of 1-6, with a 0.1- to 20-fold amount of at least one organic solvent (L), (ii) admixing the resulting mixture with a polyol, (iii) removing at least partially water and the organic solvent (L) by distillation, (iv) admixing with 0.1-30 mol % of at least one compound (S) which has at least one at least monoalkoxylated silyl group and at least an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl substituent, which may contain heteroatoms, wherein the substituent optionally contains a group reactive toward an alcohol, an amine or an isocyanate, and (v) optionally adjusting the pH of the silicate-comprising polyol to 7-12 by addition of a basic compound.
US09403930B2
The invention relates to polyisocyanate polyaddition products, to a process for preparation thereof and to the use thereof.
US09403928B2
A high pressure polymerization process to form an ethylene-based polymer comprises the steps of: A. Injecting a first feed comprising ethylene and optionally a chain transfer agent system (CTA system) into a first autoclave reactor zone operating at polymerization conditions to produce a first zone reaction product, the CTA system of the first reactor zone having a transfer activity Z1; and B. (1) Transferring at least part of the first zone reaction product to a second reactor zone selected from a second autoclave reactor zone or a tubular reactor zone and operating at polymerization conditions, and, optionally, (2) freshly injecting a second feed into the second reactor zone to produce a second zone reaction product, with the proviso that the second reactor zone contains a CTA system having a transfer activity Z2; and with the proviso that the ratio of Z1/Z2 is less than 1.
US09403927B2
Method for operating a process for producing a polymer by polymerization of a monomer and an optional comonomer in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor during steady-state and non-steady-state conditions.
US09403918B2
The invention relates to a hyaluronic acid derivative and methods of preparation and modification of a hyaluronan derivative with an aldehydic group in the position (6) of the polysaccharide glucosamine part. The oxidation of the hyaluronic acid can be performed by means of Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP) agent. The prepared aldehyde can be used for binding amine, diamine, amino acid, peptide and other compounds containing an amino group, e.g. by means of the reductive amination with NaBH3CN in water or in a water-organic solvent system. When a diamine or compounds containing three or more amino groups are used, cross-linked hyaluronan derivatives can be prepared. Cross-linked derivatives can also be prepared by the reaction of the aldehyde with a hyaluronan substituted by an amino-alkyl group HA-alkyl-NH2.
US09403916B2
The invention relates to a new type of polysaccharide-block-polypeptide diblock copolymer which is bioresorbable or biodegradable and biocompatible, to a method for preparing same, to the micellar vesicles constituted of this copolymer, and to the use thereof for encapsulation, transport, vectorization, and targeting of molecules of interest.
US09403908B2
The present invention satisfies the need in the art by providing methods for altering hematopoietic progenitor cell adhesion and/or migration to a target tissue, and for altering hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation into a second cell type. The invention also provides methods for screening test compounds for altering the level of hematopoietic progenitor cell adhesion and/or migration to a target tissue, and for altering hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation into a second cell type. The invention further provides methods for isolating hematopoietic progenitor cells.
US09403906B2
The present invention provides agents comprising or consisting of a binding moiety with specificity for interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) for use in inducing cell death and/or inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of cells associated with a solid tumour, wherein the cells express IL1RAP. A related aspect of the invention provides agents comprising or consisting of a binding moiety with specificity for interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) for use in detecting pathological cells associated with a solid tumor, wherein the cells express IL1RAP. Further provided are pharmacological compositions comprising the agents of the invention and methods of using the same.
US09403898B2
An improved method for purifying albumin, a variant or fragment thereof, a fusion protein comprising albumin, a variant or fragment thereof, or a conjugate comprising albumin, a variant or fragment thereof is disclosed.
US09403894B2
The invention provides materials and methods for promoting weight loss or preventing weight gain without affecting glycemic control. In particular, the invention provides novel glucagon analog peptides effective in such methods. The peptides may mediate their effect by having increased selectivity for the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor as compared to human glucagon.
US09403890B2
Isolated peptides derived from SEQ ID NO: 50 and fragments thereof that bind to an HLA antigen and induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and thus are suitable for use in cancer immunotherapy are described herein. The inventive peptides encompass both the above mentioned amino acid sequences and modified versions thereof, provided they retain the requisite cytotoxic T cell inducibility of the original sequence. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding the peptides as well as pharmaceutical agents, substances and/or compositions that include any of the peptides or nucleic acids. The peptides, nucleic acids, pharmaceutical agents, substances and compositions of this invention find utility in the treatment of cancers, including, for example, AML, bladder cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, cholangiocellular carcinoma, CML, colorectal cancer, esophagus cancer, diffused-type gastric cancer, liver cancer, NSCLC, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, renal carcinoma, SCLC, soft tissue tumor and testicular tumor.
US09403885B2
The invention provides novel Wnt polypeptides that have enhanced solubility and improved biologic drug-like properties, and polynucleotides encoding the Wnt polypeptides of the invention. The Wnt polypeptides of the invention can be used therapeutically, such as, for example, in methods of preventing or treating muscle loss and/or promoting muscle hypertrophy and growth.
US09403878B2
Methods for producing virus particles with simplified glycosylation on structural or surface proteins, such as mono-glycosylated forms of influenza A virus, NIBRG-14 (H5N1). When used as targets for vaccine production, the conserved nature of such sites generates vaccines that are less sensitive to viral mutations. Such methods may include the use of glycosylation inhibitors for production of viruses with simplified glycosylation profiles.
US09403859B2
The present invention relates to novel iridium-based Ir(III) luminescent complexes, conjugates comprising these complexes as a label and their application, e.g. in the electrochemiluminescence based detection of an analyte.
US09403855B2
Methods and compositions for detection of drug resistant pathogens and treatment against infections thereof are provided. Methods for detection of oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses by competitive binding assays utilizing non-oseltamivir influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitors and oseltamivir carboxylate are provided. Influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitors coupled to sensors and useful for employment in the methods of the invention are disclosed. Novel phosphonate compounds active as neuraminidase inhibitors against wild-type and oseltamivir-resistant influenza strains of H1N1, H5N1 and H3N2 viruses are disclosed. An enantioselective synthetic route to preparation of these phosphonate compounds via sialic acid is provided.
US09403840B2
The present invention relates to novel podophyllotoxin derivatives substituted in the 4-position by a substituted (poly)aminoalkylaminoacetamide chain, to their process of preparation and to their use as medicament as anticancer agents.
US09403836B2
1- or 2-substituted (6aR,9aS)-3-(phenylamino)-5-6a,7,8,9,9a-hexahydro-5-methyl-cyclopent[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazolo[4,3-e]pyrimidin-4(1H or, 2H)-one compounds of Formula (I), processes for their production, their use as pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09403834B2
A compound of formula (I), wherein A, R1, R3, and R24 are described herein. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of potassium channel function and in the treatment and prevention of arrhythmia, IKur-associated disorders, and other disorders mediated by ion channel function.
US09403833B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or co-crystal thereof; a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US09403825B2
This compound is represented by the following general formula (IA) or (IB) (in the formula, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, or an aryloxy group, and a plurality of the R1 and the R2 may be the same as each other or different from each other; R3 corresponds to a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and a plurality of R3 may be the same as each other or different from each other). A solar cell module includes the compound. A photovoltaic power generation device includes the solar cell module.
US09403819B2
The present invention relates to apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (“ASK1”) inhibiting compounds of the formula wherein the variables are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions, kits and articles of manufacture comprising such compounds; methods and intermediates useful for making the compounds; and methods of using said compounds.
US09403815B2
The invention provides a novel compound having a structure corresponding to Formula (I): (A)-(B)-(C)-(D) (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof and methods for using them.
US09403808B2
The invention relates to a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 to R4 are defined as in the description and in the claims. The compound of formula (I) can be used as a medicament. In particular, the compound may be used as a preferential agonist of Cannabinoid Receptor 2.
US09403800B2
Methods and small molecule compounds for inhibition of cancer cell proliferation are provided. One example of a class of compounds that may be used is represented by the compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, N-oxide or solvate thereof, wherein A, B, D, E, F, G, I, J, R, R1, R2, R2′, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 are as described herein.
US09403799B2
Compounds selected from the group according to claim 1 are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular of Met kinase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumors.
US09403795B2
A carbazole-based compound of Formula 1 and an organic light-emitting diode including the same. The carbazole-based compound represented by Formula 1 has a triarylamine structure, wherein at least one of R1 to R5 is essentially a nitrogen-containing group. Thus, the carbazole-based compound has high glass transition temperature and/or high melting point, and is stable during electron injection, and when interposed between a pair of electrodes (anode and cathode) of an organic light-emitting diode, the carbazole-based compound may have excellent thermal resistance against Joule's heat generated in organic layers between the pair of electrodes, between the organic layers, or between the organic layer and the electrode during an operation of the organic light-emitting diode.
US09403793B2
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I; and methods for treating or preventing moderate to severe pain, may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of muscle pain, spasticity, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, post-operative pain, muscle spasticity, headache, chronic pain, sub-chronic pain and local pain.
US09403786B2
New clerodane compounds isolated from plant material from Dodonaea polyandra are disclosed. The compounds have anti-inflammatory activity. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions containing the compounds, as well as methods of treating inflammation using the compounds, are also disclosed.
US09403783B2
Provided here are methods of manufacture of viloxazine and its various salts, as well as viloxazine-related compounds, such as novel intermediate reaction products and polymorphs thereof. In particular, the methods provide a substantially pure API of viloxazine HCl while avoiding undesirable impurities. The methods further provide for separating, identifying, and characterizing novel polymorphs of viloxazine. Further provided are methods for synthesis and identification and characterization of novel intermediates of viloxazine, as well as for some important metabolites and precursors of metabolites of viloxazine.
US09403772B2
Compounds and methods for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases which are pathophysiologically mediated by the neurokinin (NK1) receptor, based on 4-(5-(2-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-N,2-dimethylpropanamido)-4-(o-tolyl)3yridine-2-yl)-1-methyl-1-((phosphonooxy)methyl)piperazin-1-ium and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US09403767B2
The invention relates to compounds that have an affinity to the μ-opioid receptor and the ORL 1-receptor, methods for their production, medications containing these compounds and the use of these compounds for the treatment of pain and other conditions.
US09403762B2
Reaction products of guanidine compounds or salts thereof, polyepoxide compounds and polyhalogen compounds may be used as levelers in metal electroplating baths, such as copper electroplating baths, to provide good throwing power. Such reaction products may plate with good surface properties of the metal deposits and good physical reliability.
US09403759B2
The present invention provides methods for making a polycarbamate by feeding a) a urea in fluid form into a reaction medium containing b) an alkyd polyol, such as a short or med oil alkyd polyol to form a reaction mixture and then carbamylating the alkyd polyol by heating the reaction mixture while feeding water in to the reaction mixture, preferably, in the presence of one or more c) carbamylation catalysts. The polycarbamate of the present invention when combined with a polyaldehyde or an acetal or hemiacetal thereof as a second component makes a multicomponent composition that is substantially isocyanate-free, and cures at a temperature of from 0° C. to less than 80° C. to form a crosslinked polyurethane.
US09403750B2
The invention relates to a process for continuously producing 2-octyl acrylate by reacting acrylic acid and 2-octanol in the presence of a sulfonic acid esterification catalyst and at least one polymerization inhibitor. The water formed by the esterification reaction is entrained by distillation in a column surmounting the reactor in the form of a heteroazeotropic mixture with the 2-octanol which is then subjected, after condensation, to separation in a decanter so as to give an upper organic phase and a lower aqueous phase. The reaction mixture containing the reaction product and residual by-products are purified by separation means in order to obtain: (1) pure 2-octyl acrylate and (2) unreacted 2-octanol and acrylic acid compounds that will be recycled along with the catalyst.
US09403747B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating leukemia by cyclohexenone compounds.
US09403743B1
Processes for producing long chain ethers from via alkoxides using fatty acid containing feedstocks. In an embodiment, a long chain ether may be prepared by reacting a long chain alkoxide with an alkyl halide. In another embodiment, a long chain ether may be prepared by reacting an alkoxide with a halide derivative of a long chain secondary alcohol. In an embodiment, a long chain alkoxide may be generated electrolytically by feeding the corresponding long chain alcohol to a suitable electrolytic cell. In another embodiment, a long chain alkoxide may be prepared by reacting a long chain alcohol with a light alkoxide. In an embodiment, the light alkoxide may be generated electrolytically from a volatile alcohol.
US09403742B2
A catalytic process for the synthesis of trifluoroethylene from chlorotrifluoroethylene which comprises contacting chlorotrifluoroethylene with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst consisting of palladium or platinum supported on extruded activated carbon.
US09403739B2
A process for recovering butadiene from a C4 fraction is disclosed. The process may include: contacting a mixed C4 stream comprising butane, butene, and butadiene, with a solvent comprising an organic solvent and water in a butadiene pre-absorber column to recover an overheads fraction comprising at least a portion of the butane, butene, and water, and a first bottoms fraction comprising the organic solvent, butadiene, and at least a portion of the butene; and feeding the first bottoms fraction to a butadiene extraction unit to recover a butene fraction, a crude butadiene fraction, and a solvent fraction.
US09403736B2
Methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing in high yield aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from a mixture of oxygenates comprising di- and polyoxygenates are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like; and methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing the mixture of oxygenates from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like. The disclosed catalysts for preparing the mixture of oxygenates comprise a NinSnm alloy and a crystalline alumina support.
US09403733B2
Process and apparatus for granulation of a liquid phase, wherein a polydispersed flow of droplets of said liquid phase is generated, with descending motion in contact with solidification air along a substantially vertical granulation path, and wherein inside said polydispersed flow, small-sized droplets solidify producing solid particles, and said solid particles grow by collision with other droplets of liquid; in some embodiments the product obtained with this new granulation method can be grown with the conventional method.
US09403722B2
Provided is a sintered object which has excellent resistance to corrosion by corrosive halogen gases and by the plasmas thereof and has excellent thermal conductivity and excellent electrical conductivity. The sintered object has few limitations on design, is usable in a wide range of applications, and is highly versatile. The sintered object has no frequency dependence when a high-frequency voltage is applied thereto and with which it is possible to actualize the stability of a plasma. Also provided is a method for producing the sintered object. Furthermore provided is a high-frequency transmission material which has direct-current electrical conductivity for reducing fluctuations in plasma potential and has capacitive properties that enable the material to transmit high-frequency power necessary for plasma excitation, and which has no fear of causing contamination of a sample with a metal and has resistance to corrosion by plasmas.
US09403721B2
The invention relates to a composite ceramic material which comprises: (a) a first phase based on zirconia containing CeO2 as stabilizer, and (b) a second phase based on an aluminate. The invention also relates to a ceramic powder composition, processes for the preparation of the composite ceramic material and the ceramic powder composition as well as uses thereof.
US09403717B2
A coated article is provided, having a coating supported by a glass substrate where the coating includes at least one color and/or reflectivity-adjusting absorber layer. The absorber layer(s) allows color tuning, and reduces the glass side reflection of the coated article and/or allows sheet resistance of the coating to be reduced without degrading glass side reflection. In certain example embodiments the absorber layer is provided between first and second dielectric layers which may be of substantially the same material and/or composition. In certain example embodiments, the coated article is capable of achieving desirable transmission, together with desired color, low reflectivity, and low selectivity, when having only one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of silver and/or gold. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, monolithic windows, or the like.
US09403715B2
A glass ceramic precursor glass and a glass ceramic having low levels of rhodium and a method of controlling the amount of rhodium in such glasses and glass ceramics. The precursor glass and glass ceramic contain from about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm and, in certain embodiments, from about 1 ppm to about 6 ppm rhodium. The method of controlling of reducing rhodium dissolution from a rhodium-containing material such as, for example, an alloy into a glass melt comprises controlling and/or lowering the partial pressure of oxygen at the rhodium-containing vessel/glass interface by imposing a high humidity condition around the external (non-glass-contact) surface of the rhodium-containing material. The lower concentration of rhodium minimizes its coloring effect on the white color of the glass ceramic.
US09403714B2
Lithium silicate glass ceramics and glasses containing specific oxides of hexavalent elements are described which crystallize at low temperatures and are suitable in particular as dental materials.
US09403702B1
The invention provides systems and methods for purification of fluids such as water and air. The fluids are passed through a filter comprising chlorhexidine citrate (CXC), wherein either in the same filter or downstream from it a sorbing mixture of porous calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate and activated carbon is also provided. The invention enables rapid, economical fluid purification without byproducts. The materials can be regenerated for reuse, and the invention can be used for either high volume applications or disposable single-use applications.
US09403698B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for purifying produced water, comprising a closed loop cation exchange unit, a closed loop anion exchange unit, and an intermediate degasifier.
US09403697B2
A manually operated hydrodynamic cavitation water device formed from a cylindrical bottle having an internal chamber constructed and arranged to cause hydrodynamic cavitation of water placed within the bottle upon vigorous shaking. The bottle includes a series of plates positioned within the bottle having a plurality of bi-directional orifices designed to control the velocity of water with each said orifice. Each plate further includes a edge shape to induce shearing, which together with the plate orifices are constructed and arranged to create micro bubbles to create OH-radicals.
US09403694B2
The present invention provides a geothermal based heat utilization system for just about preventing scaling of geothermal fluid in a heat exchanger, comprising a mixing unit upstream to a heat exchanger of said system and in which separated brine, steam condensate and non-condensable gas portions are mixed so as to just about reconstruct the geothermal fluid to just about equilibrium conditions such that dissolved solids are assured not to precipitate in the heat exchanger.
US09403690B2
Provided is a preparation method for a mesoporous zeolite, particularly a method for preparing mesoporous zeolite through a simple process without using costly materials such as an organic amine template or a surfactant. The method includes 1) forming a synthetic zeolite gel by mixing a silica precursor, an aluminum precursor and water and aging the resulted mixture; 2) carrying out zeolite synthesis by subjecting the synthetic zeolite gel to a hydrothermal reaction; 3) cooling the synthesized zeolite from the above step 2), then adding a basic solution thereto and allowing them to react, thereby obtaining a mesoporous zeolite slurry; and 4) washing the mesoporous zeolite slurry with water, drying and firing it, thereby obtaining a mesoporous zeolite.
US09403678B2
This disclosure provides methods to use nanoparticles as non-optical tags for detecting a change in mass. chemical sensing or bio-sensing events or reaction upon conjugation of nanoparticles onto a thermoresistor heat sensor. Particularly described is the use of metal nanoparticles in thermal sensors, thermal bio-sensors, and sensing pixel arrays for multiple analyte sensing. In addition, an asymmetric filter is disclosed that allows size separation of molecules from nanoparticles. The asymmetric filter is a porous membrane that is designed to have a small pore size in one size and a large pore size on the other side.
US09403675B2
The disclosure relates to a method for forming a nanoscale structure by forming a pattern on a selectively etched layer located on top of a substrate using lithography, wherein the pattern results a gap having sidewalls, performing RIE on the gap having sidewalls, wherein RIE results in the formation of a self-aligned mask on the bottom wall of the gap with unprotected regions on the bottom wall of the gap near the junctions with the sidewalls, and wet etching the gap having a self-aligned mask and unprotected regions to remove the substrate under the unprotected regions to form a nanoscale structure in the substrate. The disclosure also relates to a nanoscale structure array including a plurality of nanotrenches, nanochannels or nanofins having a width of 50 nm or less and an average variation in width of 5% or less along the entire length of each nanotrench, nanochannel or nanofin.
US09403671B2
A micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor is excited. The response of the MEMS sensor is measured. The MEMS sensor is calibrated.
US09403660B2
A conveyor belt take-up drum includes spacers of substantially the same length as the width of a conveyor belt being taken up onto a core section are detachably provided between opposing outer ends of main radial direction members of flange sections linked to circumferential direction members on which ground-contacting sections are provided, the bending rigidity near joints between the core section and inner ends of the opposing main radial direction members is set lower than the bending rigidity of the main bodies of the main radial direction members, and the conveyor belt taken up onto the core section is sandwiched between the main radial direction members, putting the main radial direction members, the spacers, and the conveyor belt into an integrated state.
US09403649B2
A loading dock bumper assembly for securement to a loading dock wall includes a dock bumper and a mounting provision coupled to the bumper. The dock bumper includes a mounting portion, an impact-absorbing portion opposing the mounting portion, and a deformable spanning portion joining the mounting portion and the impact-absorbing portion. The mounting portion is adapted for coplanar alignment with the loading dock wall, the impact-absorbing portion is adapted for direct contact with a rear frame of a vehicle, and the bumper defines an internal cavity that is filled with a fluid. A mounting provision is coupled to the bumper. The mounting provision is adapted for installation to the loading dock wall. The loading dock bumper assembly further includes a hard stop adapted to retard further deformation of the spanning portion. The hard stop includes a two-piece outer shell to capture and retain a resilient, deformable inner member.
US09403621B2
The invention relates to a plastic storage and transport container. The container includes a bottom part and four sidewalls fixedly disposed on the container bottom, or hinged tiltably and latchable to one another. The storage and transport container includes a removal opening (2) in at least one sidewall (1) which is closeable by way of a lid (3). Preferably, the lid (3) is of two-part construction made up of two lid elements (3a, 3b), wherein the two lid elements (3a, 3b) are swingably connected together by way of a hinge-like connection. This lid (3) can only be opened from the inside of the container. When the container is transported, the lid (3) is closed and cannot be opened or manipulated from the outside. For storage, the containers are stacked in such a way that a removal opening (2) of each container is accessible from the front. Prior to stacking the containers, the lids (3) are partially or entirely opened so that the goods located in the container can be removed from the container.
US09403619B2
Disclosed is a transport and packaging container for accommodating a plurality of cylindrical containers (2) for substances, comprising at least two segments (320, 330) of which each can be handled separately and which can be assembled or stuck together to jointly form the transport and packaging container (1), wherein a first segment (330; 320) of the at least two segments has a bottom (333; 323) for supporting the plurality of containers (2), and positioning devices (324; 25) are provided for positioning the plurality of containers (2) in the interior of the transport and packaging container (1) in a regular arrangement in such a manner that a collision of the directly adjacent containers (2) is prevented, and wherein at least one of the segments (320, 330) comprises sealing means (327, 328, 334, 335, 130).
US09403617B2
Disclosed are various embodiments of containers that may be collapsible. In one embodiment, the container includes a first pliable end panel and a second pliable end panel that are attached to multiple pliable side panels. Each pliable side panel has a respective side panel support member attached thereto. The second pliable end panel includes a first closable flap. The first closable flap comprises a second closable flap.
US09403616B2
The present invention relates to a laminar blank for assembling polyhedra which comprises at least three arrises (2a, 2b). Each of the arrises (2a, 2b) comprises: a first tab (4) projecting from the arris (2a, 2b) and forming a fold line, at least two closure grooves (12) provided in said arris (2a, 2b), a second fold-in tab (6) projecting from the first tab (4) and forming at least one fold-in line (30), a closure flange (10) projecting from the second tab (6) and aligned with a closure groove (12), and a third tab (8) projecting from one of the side edges (22) of the first tab (4) and being foldable with respect to the first tab (4) for cooperating with the adjacent arris (2b). The invention also relates to a polyhedron formed from laminar blanks according to the invention, as well as to a method of assembly.
US09403613B2
A beverage container that resembles the well-known gasoline can shape includes a spout, an integrally formed top handle, and a rear handle assembly that includes an interior handle space dimensioned to store 3-6 shot glasses in a vertically nested stack. An access door in a side wall enables use of replaceable sealed cartridge that contains the liquid being transported and served, the spout including a punch to tap the cartridge. A condiments tray is slidably disposed in a drawer space below the cartridge for separately storing mixological condiments, and includes a push button activated latch that keeps the tray closed and secure in the drawer space.
US09403604B2
An airplane transfer system for transferring an airplane comprising an airplane control component. The system comprises: a transfer module comprising at least one motor and adapted to transfer an airplane; and a controller coupled to the transfer module and configured to: i) receive a at least one transfer signal that is responsive to one or more commands provided via the airplane control component; and ii) control the transfer module in response to the transfer signal, wherein the commands are a priori capable of controlling the airplane or components thereof.
US09403595B1
Apparatus and methods provide for a cargo power drive unit (PDU) with a water extraction mechanism. According to one aspect, a PDU includes a PDU housing that is configured for installation within the cargo floor. A PDU drive wheel is positioned within a drive wheel compartment of the PDU housing. A water barrier is positioned around a top portion of the PDU housing. A water extraction mechanism is configured to transfer water from a sump portion of the drive wheel compartment to the cargo floor outside of the water barrier.
US09403592B2
A shock strut is disclosed. The shock strut may have multiple pistons and multiple chambers. In this manner, the shock strut may compress different lengths for different applied forces at different points during its stroke.
US09403591B2
A landing gear control lever system including a lever assembly, a locking assembly, and a switch assembly is disclosed herein. The locking assembly is connected to the lever assembly. The locking assembly has a rotary actuator and a Scotch yoke member operably connected to a portion of the rotary actuator such that rotation of the rotary actuator causes linear movement of the Scotch yoke member. The locking assembly can further include a locking arm operably coupled to the Scotch yoke member and moveable between locked and unlocked positions upon rotation of the rotary actuator.
US09403586B2
A jet propelled watercraft includes a prime mover, a jet pump driven by the prime mover and jetting water from a jet port, a reverse gate changing a direction of the jet flow jetted from the jet pump, a shift actuator capable of moving the reverse gate to a plurality of shift positions, a reverse gate operator configured to set a position of the reverse gate, and a controller configured or programmed to prohibit startup of the prime mover when it is determined that the reverse gate operator is being operated.
US09403572B2
A method of making a portion of a bicycle frame including positioning a low-friction mandrel adjacent a flexible mandrel with a first fibrous material in between. The mandrels are wrapped with second fibrous material, and the mandrels are inserted into a mold. The second fibrous material is cured to produce a cured assembly, the cured assembly is withdrawn from the mold, and the low-friction mandrel is removed from the cured assembly to produce an internal passageway. The flexible mandrel can includes a recess, and the step of positioning can include inserting the low-friction mandrel into the recess of the flexible mandrel. Preferably, the low-friction mandrel has a cross sectional shape that substantially matches a cross-sectional shape of the recess. The invention is also embodied in a portion of a bicycle frame, such as a portion of the frame during the manufacturing process, and having similar features as recited above.
US09403569B2
A device for removably mounting an accessory to a vehicle includes a chassis. The chassis includes a first end, an opposing second end, at least one leg extending therebetween, and an accessory interface located proximate the first end of the chassis. The leg includes at least one hole extending therethrough. At least one fastening mechanism extends into at least a portion of the hole of the leg. At least one accessory mount is configured to releasably engage at least a portion of the accessory interface of the chassis.
US09403563B2
Drag reduction apparatus (18) attachable to a vehicle (10) wherein the drag reduction apparatus has a hollow duct section (21) having an open bottom end (43, 44) and a front wall (35) and a pair of opposed side walls (30, 31) wherein the front wall (35) and each side wall (30, 31) have a plurality of air outlets (42, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 32, 33, 34) and a hollow air intake section (19) in fluid communication with the hollow section (21) having at least part thereof (87) in use spaced from a vehicle roof (13) and unsupported by the vehicle roof (13).
US09403552B2
An opening portion 111 includes a plurality of extended portions 111a that are each a portion of the opening portion 111 with an enlarged diameter and a notch 111b formed in an edge portion. An insulator 6 includes a support 6a that has a larger diameter than that of the opening portion 111, a trunk portion 6b that has a smaller diameter than that of the support 6a and that can be inserted through the opening portion 111, a plurality of lock portions 6c, the diameter of which is partially enlarged from the trunk portion 6b, that can be passed through the extended portions 111a, a hook portion 6d that is formed on a lateral side of the trunk portion 6b and that can be engaged with the notch 111b, and engagement holes 6e that are formed in a surface that is in contact with the stopper 5, the engagement holes 6e engaging thereto a jig 8 for fixing the insulator 6 to the opening portions 111.
US09403551B2
According to the invention, there is provided a frame (4) for a sports board (2) with a length direction (X) and a width direction (Y), wherein the frame comprises a base frame portion (6) for mounting the frame on the sports board along the length direction of the sports board, a supporting frame part (8) provided with a frame connection (18) with the base frame portion, wherein the width direction (Y) of the supporting frame part (8) is in use substantially parallel to the length direction (X) of the sports board (2), at least one handle (46, 48) attached to the base frame portion (6) along the width direction (Y) of the supporting frame part (8), a seat (36) for supporting a bottom of a user in use, wherein the seat (36) is attached to the supporting frame part (8) aligned with the at least one handle, wherein a front side (37) of the seat is substantially parallel to the width direction of the supporting frame part (8), wherein the frame connection comprises an in at least a length direction of the supporting frame part (8) moveable connection between the supporting frame part and the base frame portion, such that the seat is moveable along a first trajectory along the length direction of the supporting frame part relative to the base frame portion (6).
US09403546B1
A folding structure for a trolley includes at least two main poles and a movable member. The main poles are connected to a carrying platform having an operating rod, two roller sets, and a base that are motionally linked. A transverse plate is attached to upper ends of the main poles. The movable member is slidably mounted on the main poles and has a pull rod. The pull rod extends beyond the transverse plate for an extension distance. To prepare the trolley for use, the operating rod is pushed downward so that the roller sets expand in a horizontal direction and the base is laid down. Then the pull rod is set for its largest extension distance to facilitate a user's pulling trolley. After use, the trolley can be easily folded by lifting the operating rod that in turn drives the roller sets and the base to retract.
US09403541B2
A portable railcar sill step extender adapted to a sill step of a railcar, the portable railcar step comprising an elongated member having two longitudinal ends and two substantially parallel surfaces, a first receptacle disposed on a first plane substantially parallel to the two substantially parallel surfaces, a second receptacle disposed on a second plane, the second plane disposed at from about 8 degrees to about 12 degrees from the two substantially parallel surfaces and a locking device. Each of the first receptacle and the second receptacle is adapted to receive the sill step and the locking device is adapted to be removably applied at one of the first receptacle and the second receptacle to prevent the elongated member from sliding off of the sill step in a longitudinal direction of the elongated member.
US09403538B2
An efficient sand tube heater including a flexible heating element wrapped around a sand tube. The flexible heating element and sand tube are then surrounded by a heat sensitive sheathing. Heat is applied to the heat sensitive sheathing such that the heat sensitive sheathing shrinks around the flexible heating element and sand tube such that the flexible heating element remains in contact with the sand tube.
US09403532B2
The present invention provides a method of reducing the output speed of a transmission in a vehicle, whereby the transmission includes a speed sensor and a controller and the vehicle includes a proximity sensor. The method includes measuring the output speed with the speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method further includes receiving an input signal from the proximity sensor and comparing the input signal to a signal threshold. The output speed of the transmission can be controlled based on the values of the measured output speed, throttle percentage, and input signal.
US09403531B2
A system and a method of controlling a vehicle using a turning degree are disclosed. The method includes detecting input variables including a driving input variable and a turning input variable and calculating a driving tendency index based on the driving input variable. A turning degree related to the number of consecutive turnings is calculated based on the turning input variable and then the vehicle is operated based on the driving tendency index and the turning degree.
US09403530B2
An air flow sensor chip-heating control device and method of a diesel hybrid electric vehicle controls whether an air flow sensor installed in an engine intake system of the diesel hybrid electric vehicle performs a chip-heating operation. Particularly, the air flow sensor chip-heating control device performs a chip heating operation of the air flow sensor based on a result obtained by deciding a driving history of an engine when the vehicle enters into a hybrid mode during driving of the engine.
US09403526B2
A vehicle control device 50, a controller 100, an inverter control device 30 and a steering control device 32 constitute a control device that executes control to give a yaw moment to a vehicle 1 so as to make the vehicle 1 travel while meandering around the center of trolley wires 3R and 3L based on image information acquired by a camera 15. The control device converts an image acquired by the camera 15 into coordinate information, calculates at least one representative point of the vehicle 1 and at least one target point situated on the trolley wire 3R/3L based on the coordinate information, sets a fluctuating point which fluctuates with reference to the target point, and executes control to give a yaw moment to the vehicle 1 so that the representative point approaches the fluctuating point. With this configuration, uneven wear of the sliders can be prevented and the operating load on the driver during the trolley traveling can be lightened considerably.
US09403524B2
Systems and methods for improving emissions and drivability of a hybrid vehicle that includes a motor/generator and an engine are presented. The systems and methods may allow vehicle emissions regulations to be met while at the same time providing driveline torque that matches driver demand torque so that vehicle drivability may be maintained or improved.
US09403516B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling the activation of a brake of a hydraulic vehicle brake system of a hybrid vehicle which can be braked by the generator mode of an electric drive motor. The invention proposes equipping the vehicle brake system with an electromechanical brake booster and generating a pedal force at a brake pedal with the brake booster when braking by the generator mode of the electric drive motor occurs.
US09403513B2
A parking brake apparatus includes a base plate, a brake lever supported by the base plate, a pair of left and right brake actuating units, and left and right brake cables connecting between the brake lever and the left and right brake actuating units, respectively. The base plate has an elongated hole extended from a corresponding position to a cable connecting portion of the brake lever toward the outer cable holding portion, left and right inner cables of the pair of left and right brake cables are connected to a common inner cable by an equalizer, and the common inner cable is extended inside the elongated hole from the cable connecting portion toward the outer cable holding portion.
US09403507B2
A vehicular interior member assembly includes an interior member main body and an interior part mounted on the interior member main body to cover a seat belt retractor from a vehicular interior side. The interior part includes a main wall portion and a front wall portion extending from the main wall portion toward a vehicular exterior side and being in front of the seat belt retractor. The front wall portion includes a seat belt outlet that is through the front wall portion, and a guide portion on a side opening edge of the seat belt outlet and guiding the seat belt to the seat belt outlet when the interior part is attached to the interior member main body. The seat belt outlet has an elongated opening having a side opening that is open toward the vehicular exterior side.
US09403506B2
The present teachings provide for a vehicle seatbelt positioner. The vehicle can include a pillar and seatbelt. The seatbelt positioner can include a cassette, router, and tether. The cassette can be mounted to a first side of the pillar. The router can include a guide body configured to releasably couple the router to the seatbelt. The router can be movable between an extended position in which the router is spaced apart from the pillar, and a retracted position in which the router contacts the pillar. The tether can have a first end coupled to the cassette and a second end coupled to the router. When the router is in the extended position, the tether can extend through an aperture defined by the pillar to a second side of the pillar. The cassette can be configured to retract the tether toward the cassette to position the router in the retracted position.
US09403500B2
An airbag device is disposed beneath the lateral surface of a driver's seat backrest facing a front passenger seat, and beneath the lateral surface of a front passenger seat backrest facing a driver's seat. The air bag device has first and second airbags that are inflatable and deployable upon a collision of a vehicle equipped with airbag device. The inflated and deployed first airbag has a depressed portion on its outer side in a vehicle width direction near the shoulder of an occupant, and the second airbag inflates and deploys so as to fill the depressed portion. Upon the collision of the vehicle, when the body size of the occupant is greater than or equal to a predetermined size, only the first airbag inflates and deploys, whereas when the body size is smaller than the predetermined size, the first and second airbags inflate and deploy.
US09403498B2
An energy absorbing assembly, sometimes referred to as a crush tip assembly, that is mounted to a body-on-frame vehicle, either behind a front or rear bumper, so that the assembly absorbs energy in during a collision. The energy absorbing member is a multi-piece assembly where adjoining segments are secured together with a welded joint that may include a non-linear portion having one or more junction features. The specific arrangement of the non-linear portion, along with other optional secondary features like strengthening ribs, holes, slots, etc., can be used to achieve more desirable energy profiles during a collision event.
US09403493B2
A motor vehicle door latch mechanism, comprising a circuit arrangement with at least one sensor (9, 10, 11, 12) and with at least one connected control unit (6, 7), wherein the sensor (9, 10, 11, 12) has two or more switch states, and wherein two different control units (6, 7) are connected to the sensor (9, 10, 11, 12).
US09403491B2
A vehicle includes a vehicle body structure and a video camera assembly. The video camera assembly includes a base member, a video camera, a video display and an image processor. The base member is fixedly mounted to a side surface of the vehicle. The video camera is moveably supported to the base member for movement between a retracted orientation adjacent to the side surface and an extended orientation extended outward away from the side surface to capture a video image of an area outside the vehicle. The video display is supported within the vehicle such that the video display is visible within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The image processor is operatively coupled to the video camera and the video display to process the video image captured by the video camera and to stream a video view to the video display.
US09403490B2
A method is provided for mounting a mobile communications device (404) on a substrate. In accordance with the method, a holder (401) is provided which includes (a) a back wall (407) having attaching means thereon for releasably attaching the holder to a substrate, and (b) a front wall (405) opposing said back wall, said front wall extending only partially across a surface of said mobile communications device when said mobile communications device is disposed in said holder. The holder is releasably mounted on an interior surface of a vehicle.
US09403488B1
An instrument panel assembly and method for assembling an instrument panel assembly are provided. The instrument panel assembly and method of assembling is configured so as to center a front face of an electrical component within a second opening of a cover. The method and instrument panel assembly utilize a deformable rib configured to set the angular position of the front face of the electrical component by adjusting an alignment hole of a bracket to fit the widened rib. Thus, the instrument panel may be manufactured in a repeatable manner so as to allow for the mass production of instrument panel assemblies wherein the front face of the electrical component is centered with respect to the second opening of the cover.
US09403487B1
A vehicle and a hood release system are provided. The vehicle may include a hood release lever disposed within a vehicle cabin connected to a hood latch assembly and a step assembly disposed within a front portion of the vehicle. The hood release lever may be configured to release the step assembly from a stowed to a deployed position in coordination with releasing the hood latch from primary latching position to a secondary latching position. The step assembly may be configured to release the hood latch from the secondary latching position to allow the hood to fully open.
US09403486B2
A safety railing system and a method provide a walkway on a tanker trailer so that a user may access the top of the tanker trailer. A ladder provides access to the walkway connected to a frame on the tanker trailer. A railing adjacent to the walkway provides a handrail for the user. A lever pivots relative to the frame to move the railing from a collapsed position to an upright position for use. The railing locks in the upright position for use and also locks in the collapsed position for stowage during transport of the tanker trailer.
US09403476B2
A cargo lamp is provided for a pickup truck. The cargo lamp includes a lamp housing, a stop light held in the lamp housing and an adjustable lamp held in the lamp housing. The adjustable lamp may be manipulated by the operator to selectively direct the light passing through the lamp to a target area of the pickup truck including a cargo bed of the truck.
US09403470B2
Disclosed is a vehicle-mounted lift system for use with a container that includes a frame, a carriage coupled to the frame which can move longitudinally along the frame, a first support attached to and extending above the carriage, an arm rotatably attached to the first support at an arm pivot point, a lifting hook attached to the arm that can engage a lifting hook on the container, and an actuator that can rotate the arm angularly about the pivot point to move the position of the lifting hook.
US09403463B2
There is provided a panel-shaped seat back frame used for a seat back of a vehicle seat. The panel-shaped seat back frame includes a basic frame member configured by a metallic rod-shaped material, and a panel-shaped forming member which is made of a hard foamed resin and covers the basic frame member.
US09403461B2
A seat heater device initiates power supply upon operation of a switch by a seat occupant within a vehicle interior and includes a heater for warming installed in a seat within the vehicle interior and a control unit for controlling energization of the heater for warming. The control unit includes a low-voltage detecting means for detecting whether an input voltage is a regular drive voltage value of the control unit or a voltage value lower than a predetermined voltage value and a switching element that is turned on when the low-voltage detecting means detects the regular drive voltage value of the control unit and turned off when the low-voltage detecting means detects a voltage value lower than the predetermined voltage value. This configuration can avoid heat generation of the switching element even if a leakage occurs in an electronic circuit within the switch due to, for example, insulation failure.
US09403460B2
A vehicle seating assembly includes a vehicle seat having a body. The body includes a center portion and four corner portions. A breathable coverstock covers a seating surface of the body. A plenum chamber is disposed below the body and is configured to receive and store a fluid. A cupped nozzle is disposed at each of the center portion and four corner portions. Each cupped nozzle includes a tapered base and a wide mouth proximate the coverstock. Fluid passageways extend through the body and connect the plenum chamber with the tapered base of each of the cupped nozzles. Pressurized fluid from the plenum chamber flows through the passageways to the cupped nozzles to deliver targeted airflow to a seated passenger.
US09403448B1
A transfer seat base for a vehicle having a floor includes a rail frame configured for connection to a vehicle floor; a carriage frame mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the rail frame and including a top plate for receipt of a seat mountable thereto, a lift assembly for enabling selective vertical movement of the top plate relative to the rail frame, and a rotation assembly for enabling selective rotation of the top plate relative to the rail frame; a motive mechanism for selectively moving the carriage frame along the rail frame between a forward driving position and a rearward occupant transfer position; a pedal guard assembly including a base plate connected to the carriage frame, a guard plate hingedly connected to the base plate to pivot between a down, rest position and an up, guard position and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the guard plate in the up, rest position.
US09403444B2
The performance of a fuel cell power plant that decays, in an electric vehicle which makes frequent starts, is recovered by partially shutting down (65-67) the power plant. Recovery is enabled by a recovery enable flag (25) upon conditions such as vehicle using (22) low or no power (16), vehicle speed at or near zero (22), electric storage SOC above a threshold (23), and no recovery (19) during the last half-hour (or other duration). The recovery restart resets a timer (79) to ensure (19) that recovery is not attempted too often. The power plant then remains in a recovery stand-by mode (72) until a recovery restart flag (35) is set to 1 (74). The restart causes start-up of the fuel cell power plant (50, 52, 55), reaching an operational mode (57).
US09403434B2
A method of operating a hydraulic system and hydraulic system for raising and lowering a boom in extreme climates. When the temperature is below a low temperature the system is operated open center while a variable displacement pump providing a constant flow of hydraulic fluid. When the temperature is between the low temperature and a moderate temperature the variable displacement pump provides at least a minimum flow of hydraulic fluid to the system, and the minimum flow decreases linearly with an increase of the temperature. When the temperature is above the moderate temperature, the system is operated closed center while maintaining at least a system pressure when in neutral and wherein the variable displacement pump provides hydraulic fluid to the actuator when a control valve is actuated.
US09403427B2
Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine in a hybrid vehicle in response to fuel and water dilution of engine lubricating oil. An engine oil dilution counter may be adjusted based on a number of engine hot starts and duration of engine operation above a threshold temperature. In addition, the counter may be adjusted if the engine is started to deplete stale fuel in the fuel tank.
US09403423B2
A detachable-roof-equipped vehicle body structure includes a seal member provided in a roof opening section, and a soft top constructed to abut against the seal member. The seal member includes first and second seal units, and the soft top includes a flexible sheet for covering the roof opening section and a reinforcing member of higher rigidity than the sheet. The reinforcing member is abutted, from above, against both of the first and second seal units. The structure also includes a connecting bag part secured to the sheet, left and right side rails attached to the sheet, and a wire member inserted through the bag part and extending between the side rails. The wire member includes a small-diameter portion, and large-diameter portion each provided on a position spaced from a corresponding one of the side rails.
US09403422B2
Provided is a small plug door device capable of performing an opening/closing operation and a plugging operation with a door drive mechanism for causing a force in a vehicle front-rear direction to act on a door, and further applicable also to a one-panel sliding door. A slide base 12 is installed slidably in a vehicle width direction relative to a fixed base 11. A door drive mechanism 13 for moving one door 104 in a vehicle front-rear direction via a connecting portion 19 has a drive portion 13a including an electric motor 21, a drive wheel member 13b, a follower wheel member 13c, and an endless member 13d, and is installed on the slide base 12. A guide portion 15 guides a shaft portion 14 provided on the connecting portion 19 so as to move the shaft portion 14 in a vehicle width direction. In a double-speed rail 16 in which a pinion 16c is disposed between two racks (16a, 16b), one rack 16b is connected to the slide base 12, the other rack 16a is connected to the door 104 side, and the pinion 16c is connected to the connecting portion 19.
US09403419B2
In a motor vehicle air conditioning system, comprising a housing, a fan and at least one heating device, the intention is for different heating devices to be able to be fastened to a housing in a technically simple manner with low production costs. This problem is solved in that the at least one heating device is fastened to the housing, in particular exclusively, by at least one adaptor cover.
US09403413B2
Systems and methods for assisting in coupling a vehicle and a trailer include at least one sensing device disposed on the vehicle. A first coupling is coupled the vehicle and a second coupling is coupled to the trailer. A controller in communication with the at least one sensing device is configured to identify a spatial location of the first coupling. The controller is also configured to determine a spatial location of the second coupling using data from the at least one sensing device. The controller may also calculate a path between the spatial location of the first coupling and the spatial location of the second coupling and convey the path for facilitating movement of the first coupling toward the second coupling.
US09403404B2
A carbon fiber rim contains: a body, two clamping pieces, and a plurality of covering layers. The body includes a recessed fixing face defined on an outer diameter thereof so as to fix a tire and two connecting faces formed on two sides thereof so as to align with the two clamping pieces, and each clamping piece is a circular loop and corresponds to a profile of an outer peripheral side of the body. The plurality of covering layers are fitted and surround around the body and the two clamping pieces. Thereby, the two clamping pieces are fixed on the two connecting faces of the body by using the plurality of covering layers so that the two brake blocks do not contact with the body directly and brake a bicycle wheel via the two clamping pieces.
US09403395B2
A color laser markable laminate includes at least a transparent polymeric support and a color forming layer including a leuco dye; an infrared dye; and a polymeric binder including vinyl acetate and at least 85 wt % of vinyl chloride based on the total weight of the binder; wherein the color laser markable laminate includes a specific phenol stabilizer sterically hindered by a ring containing three nitrogen atoms. A method for preparing a color laser marked document is also disclosed.
US09403388B2
In a recording medium transporting device, an inter-shaft distance between a printing barrel that rotates and transports with gripping an end portion of a recording medium inwardly from an outer peripheral surface thereof and a first transporting barrel juncturally connected with the printing barrel is set to be a distance shorter than a sum of a radius of the printing barrel and a radius of the first transporting barrel, and an inter-shaft distance between the first transporting barrel and a second transporting barrel juncturally connected with the first transporting barrel is set to be a sum of the radius of the first transporting barrel and a radius of the second transporting barrel, which can suppress distortion of the recording medium and enables the first transporting barrel and the second transporting barrel to grip the end portion of the recording medium on the outer peripheral surface thereof, allowing stable transportation.
US09403387B2
A recording apparatus includes: a recording section that is capable of recording on a medium transferred in a transporting direction; a first unit that is capable of sending the medium from the upstream side of the transporting direction to a recording area in the recording section; and a second unit that is capable of collecting the medium sent from the recording area to the downstream side of the transporting direction, in which the first unit is capable of being moved to the downstream side of the transporting direction while the second unit is capable of being moved to the upstream side of the transporting direction, and the second unit is capable of sending the medium from the upstream side of the transporting direction to the recording area while the first unit is capable of collecting the medium sent from the recording area to the downstream side of the transporting direction.
US09403383B1
A printer comprises an applicator, a primer dryer, a plurality of printheads, an auxiliary dryer configured to at least partially dry ink ejected by the plurality of printheads, a main dryer configured to dry ink ejected by the plurality of printheads, a media transport configured to move media past each of these components, and a controller. The controller operates the applicator to apply a predetermined amount of primer to a surface of media, the primer dryer at a predetermined temperature to dry the primer, the plurality of printheads to eject ink to the surface of media, the auxiliary dryer at a predetermined temperature to at least partially dry the ink ejected by the printheads to control the spread of ink, and the main dryer to dry the ink image. The controller uses a plurality of set points corresponding to printing process parameters identified for each print job.
US09403378B2
The invention relates to a lighting apparatus (2) for providing light for processing an object (3). A ring of light sources generates processing light for processing the object and an imaging unit (9) images the ring of light sources onto a working plane (16) in which the object is to be processed, wherein the ring of light sources and the imaging unit are configured such that images of the light sources in the working plane are distributed equidistantly in a direction being parallel to a diameter of the imaged ring in the working plane. The ring arrangement allows for a high quality imaging with a relatively small and technically simple optical element. A relatively small lighting apparatus can therefore be provided, which can be used for applications like laser printing.
US09403375B1
A credential production device includes a transfer ribbon, a printing device, a laminating device, and a transfer ribbon accumulator. The printing device is configured to print an image to the transfer ribbon. The laminating device is configured to transfer printed images from the transfer ribbon to a substrate. The transfer ribbon accumulator includes first, second, and third ribbon-engaging members (REM's), and a drive system. The first and second REM's have fixed positions relative to each other. The third REM is configured to move relative to the first and second REM's along an axis that extends through a gap between the first and second REM's. The drive system is configured to generate a force that drives movement of the third REM relative to the first and second REM's along the axis. Movement of the third REM relative to the first and second REM's along the axis changes a length of a path along which a portion of the transfer ribbon travels through the accumulator.
US09403367B2
A printing machine has a printing unit which has a printing-material conducting element that can be rotated about an axis of rotation defining an axial direction and at least four printing heads. Four positioning devices are arranged, by the use of each of which, at least one printing head can be arranged at least either in a respective printing position associated with the printing head or in a respective idle position associated with a printing head. At least one first printing head of the printing heads can be arranged either in a first printing position associated with that first printing head or in a first idle position associated with that first printing head. At least one second printing head of the printing heads can be arranged at least either in a second printing position associated with that second printing head or in a second idle position associated with that second printing head. Each respective idle position is configured as a respective maintenance position, in which a maintenance device configured as a cleaning device is or can be associated with at least one nozzle of the respective printing head. The maintenance device is arranged in such a way that the maintenance device can be moved along a provision path at least partially orthogonally to the axial direction.
US09403364B2
The present invention aims to provide a liquid discharge head capable of reducing the possibility that ink intrudes into the interior thereof. The liquid discharge head includes a head body which has a plurality of discharge holes, a plurality of pressurizing chambers communicating with the discharge holes, and piezoelectric bodies disposed correspondingly to the pressurizing chambers, a flexible wiring board electrically connected to the piezoelectric bodies, a first member having a hole disposed on the head body, and a second member disposed on the first member. A part of the second member is disposed so as to cover the hole in a plan view. The flexible wiring board is passed through the hole and is led out from between the first member and the second member.
US09403360B2
A print device for performing print using an ink jet method includes an ink jet head for discharging ink droplets, and a drive signal output section for outputting a drive signal for allowing the ink jet head to discharge ink droplets. The ink jet heads includes a nozzle for discharging ink droplets, an ink chamber for storing ink to be supplied to the nozzle at a former stage of the nozzle, the ink chamber having a hole connected to the nozzle on any surface of the ink chamber and an opening on a position different from the hole, a thin film for covering the opening of the ink chamber, and a piezoelectric element that is displaced according to the drive signal so as to apply pressure to the ink chamber. The piezoelectric element is disposed on the thin film with a main surface along the thin film.
US09403359B2
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head including a surface formed with nozzles arranged in a first direction, a head moving unit reciprocating the liquid ejection head along a line parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the first direction, a conveyor portion conveying the recording medium in the first direction, and a corrugate mechanism disposed upstream or downstream of the liquid ejection head in the first direction and forming the recording medium in a predetermined corrugated shape. A controller determines an ejection timing for ejecting liquid from ones of the nozzles appropriate to a corrugated shape formed in the recording medium while the liquid ejection head is moved, a memory that stores ejection timing information, and a gap sensor that moves with the liquid ejection head to determine a gap between the recording medium and the liquid ejection surface in the second direction.
US09403356B2
A frame and panel for tensioning fabric such as a silkscreen mesh is described. The panel includes locking strips secured to the edges using stitching through the mesh and locking strips. A method for fabricating the frame and panel, and tensioning the panel on a frame is also described. Locking strips may be stitched to edges of the fabric or mesh.
US09403347B2
A steam-ventable package includes a container formed to include an interior region and a mouth opening into the interior region and a closure coupled to the container to close the mouth. The closure is made from a peelable film coupled to a brim included in the container and configured to be removed from the brim in response to application of shear force applied to the peelable film.
US09403345B2
An IG window unit includes a coating supported by a glass substrate. The coating includes at least the following: a dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride; a dielectric layer comprising an oxide of titanium; another dielectric layer; a layer comprising zinc oxide; an infrared (IR) reflecting layer comprising silver on the glass substrate, located over and directly contacting the layer comprising zinc oxide, wherein the coating includes only one IR reflecting layer; and an overcoat comprising (i) a layer comprising tin oxide and (ii) a layer comprising silicon nitride located over and contacting the layer comprising tin oxide. The IG unit may have an SHGC value of at least 0.65, a visible transmission of at least 70%, and/or an Energy Rating of at least 25.
US09403341B2
A process for the production of a polymeric article comprises: (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely, (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymer material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature, and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the fits layer, to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer, and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at a lower compaction temperature than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process.
US09403339B2
A honeycomb structural body has cells surrounded by cell walls arranged in a lattice-like shape. A cross section is divided into a central section and an outer peripheral section. The outer peripheral section surrounds the central section through a boundary partition wall. The outer peripheral section is lower in a cell density than the central section. The cells contain imperfectly shaped cells in contact directly with the boundary partition wall. In the imperfectly shaped cells, first specific imperfectly shaped cells are smaller in opening area than second specific imperfectly shaped cells. Each first specific imperfectly shaped cells has an opening area of not more than a predetermined area S=(P−T)2/8. P and T indicate a cell pitch and a thickness of each cell wall, respectively. The opening section of the first specific imperfectly shaped cells is closed by the same raw material of the cell walls.
US09403336B2
An exemplary embodiment of a screw crusher may utilize a cantilevered screw with an inverse tapered shaft with flighting for conveying the product up the length of the shaft for compression. The screw may include an end flight configured to provide thrust to the product for further conveyance beyond the end of the screw or additional compaction when utilized with a receiving container. An exemplary embodiment of the screw crusher may utilize a single moving element in relation to a cylindrical tube for compression of the product. Also, an exemplary screw compactor may utilize a fixed replaceable restrictor tube section and an efficient screw design making it more cost effective and efficient to operate than other known compactors. Furthermore, an example of the screw crusher may be fitted with perforated or the preferred “V” Slotted tube to perform liquid removal in addition to the compaction of the material.
US09403331B2
A method for manufacturing high speed pressure compensator-type drip irrigation tubes and the tubes obtained thereby having absolute radial orientation of molecular chains, the orientation imparting strength as well as flexibility to the tube material. The said method comprises extruding a tube using a plurality of extruders; blowing up the extruded tube by introducing a pressure inside the tube relatively higher than the pressure outside the tube; drawing the blown tube simultaneously to the blowing of tube; flattening the blown tube by heat welding the collapsed halves together and forming a tape immediately, subsequent to the process of blowing and drawing the tube; extrusion of a bonding polymer on one border of the tape; printing flow channels into the hot and viscous bonding polymer; and forming a tube by lengthwise folding the tape and heat welding the overlapping borders together using the bonding polymer.
US09403320B2
A medical device-includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen.
US09403318B2
A method of joining a first thermoplastic component with a second thermoplastic component includes abutting a joint surface of the first thermoplastic component against a joint surface of the second thermoplastic component. The first thermoplastic component includes a thermoplastic protrusion extending from the joint surface, and the joint surface of the second thermoplastic component defines a receiving pocket adapted to receive the thermoplastic protrusion. Abutting a joint surface of the first thermoplastic component against a joint surface of the second thermoplastic component further includes inserting the thermoplastic protrusion into the receiving pocket. Once abutted, thermal energy is applied to a heat-apply surface of the second thermoplastic component, that is opposite the joint surface. The thermal energy is sufficient to melt a portion of the thermoplastic protrusion and a portion of the joint surface of the second thermoplastic component.
US09403313B2
A forming apparatus for forming objects by forming a sheet of thermoformable material includes a thermal conditioning station including a kiln for heating the material to an operating temperature, and a heating station positioned downstream of the thermal conditioning station and including a heating arrangement to heat set portions of the material to a temperature near a softening temperature of the material. In order to reduce reject material at the restart of the apparatus following machine downtime, the kiln and the heating arrangement are positioned near one another in such a manner that a part of the material interposed between the thermal conditioning station and the heating station is heated by the heat generated by a kiln and/or by the heating arrangement.
US09403302B2
A fabrication method and a fabrication device capable of fabricating medium-scale mass production parts. The method of fabricating a composite material hollow part includes: holding a tool on a frame using a holding section that maintains a gap between the tool and the frame, placing a prepreg on the tool, covering the tool and the prepreg using a highly stretchable sheet, securing the highly stretchable sheet and the frame with a securing jig so that tension is applied to the highly stretchable sheet from the top portion of the prepreg where the highly stretchable sheet contacts the prepreg at the highly stretchable sheet and the outer periphery of both the tool and the prepreg to the edges of the highly stretchable sheet, thereby forming an enclosed space that houses the tool and the prepreg, and subsequently evacuating the inside of the enclosed space to wrap the prepreg around the tool.
US09403299B1
A process for manufacturing spaced dyed yarn for use with tufted or pile carpet including applying one or more colors of dye to one or more yarns in a predetermined spaced relation to form a colorized yarn having a predetermined color pattern.
US09403298B2
A bi-component silicone resin (6) is introduced into a container (4). A placement of at least one solid cosmetic product (5) is placed on the silicone resin (6) introduced in the container (4). The resin (6) is polymerized with consequent anchoring of the cosmetic product (5) to the container (4). The bi-component silicone resin is a modified polyvinyldimethylsiloxane-based resin consisting of two low viscosity elastomeric silicones, polyvinylmethylvinylsiloxanes and polymethylhydrogensiloxane, suitably mixed. In particular, a RTV-GEL resin or an elastomeric RTV resin is used.
US09403293B2
An anodized layer formation method of an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: (a) providing an aluminum base which has a surface that is made of aluminum; (b) anodizing the surface to form a barrier-type alumina layer; and (c) after step (b), further anodizing the surface to form a porous alumina layer which has a plurality of minute recessed portions. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided that enables formation of a porous alumina layer which has an interpore distance of a desired magnitude with the use of an aluminum base which has a surface that is made of aluminum, irrespective of the surface form.
US09403292B2
Disclosed is a mold for foam molding capable of making the operation to attach a reinforcing member to an inner surface of a mold easier, capable of sufficiently preventing entry of foam synthetic resin between the reinforcing member and the inner surface of the mold at the time of foam-molding, and capable of preventing the reinforcing member from becoming wrinkled; and also provided is a method for producing a foam-molded member which has a reinforcing member using this mold for foam molding. A mold 20 for foam molding is used to foam-mold a seat pad 1 which is provided with a seat pad main body 2 and a reinforcing member 10 disposed on the back side of the seat pad main body 2. At the time of foam-molding, the reinforcing member 10 is disposed inside the mold 20 and an end edge of the reinforcing member 10 is secured to the inner surface of the mold 20 by a securing means. A tension application means is provided which applies tension to the end edge of the reinforcing member 10 in a direction to separate from the securing means.
US09403290B2
A valve for forming a foam from a fluid, the valve includes an outer valve wall including a first end and a second end in fluid communication with each other and defining a chamber within the valve; an air intake bore intermediate outer valve wall first end and outer valve wall second end that provides fluid communication between a space outside of valve and the chamber; and at least two barriers within the chamber, wherein each of the at least two barriers defines an aperture.
US09403288B2
A cast sheet that consists of a non planar net structure with cavities, where the net structure spread across a plane and where the cavities can form holes from one side of the sheet to the other. The cavities on both of the sides of the sheet can be arranged in identical structures where the structure of both sides are displaced or rotated in relation to each-other. Also described is a form template for casting of such a sheet and a method for producing such sheet.
US09403284B2
A rip fence mechanism for being slidably connected to a worktable of a sawing machine includes parallel and spacedly arranged first and second rails, a fence plate pivotally connected between the first rail and the second rail in a way that the fence plate is pivotable between a vertical posture and a horizontal posture, and a support plate pivotally connected with the fence plate in a way that the support plate is pivotable between a first position where the support plate is abutted with the fence plate and a second position where the support plate is vertical to the fence plate. As a result, the lateral side of a to-be-cut workpiece can be directly stopped at the fence plate at the vertical posture and a bottom of the workpiece can be supported by the support plate at the second position during cutting.
US09403283B2
A clamping and cutting device for frozen material includes a clamping member and a cutting component. The clamping member includes a clamper for clamping frozen materials and a driving component for driving the clamper to open or close. The cutting component is connected to the clamper and includes two driven arms cooperating with the clamper to open and close with the clamper.
US09403276B2
A robot system of the present disclosure includes: a robot including an operable working arm; a motion speed detection unit configured to detect a motion speed of the working arm; a region setting unit that sets a region with a predetermined range around the robot; a moving body detection unit configured to detect a position of the moving body other than the robot; and an abnormality determination unit configured to determine abnormality when detecting of the position of the moving body within the region, wherein the region setting unit changes the range of the region according to the motion speed of the working arm.
US09403274B2
A robotic device having an arm including an actuator and inertial sensor, a first calculator adapted to calculate an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the actuator based on a rotational angle data from an angle sensor, a second calculator adapted to calculate one of an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the arm based on an output detected by the inertial sensor, and a comparator adapted to compare one of the angular velocity and the angular acceleration calculated by the first calculator and one of the angular velocity and the angular acceleration calculated by the second calculator with each other, and it is determined that the inertial sensor is at fault if an absolute value of the difference between the actuator and the arm in one of the angular velocity and the angular acceleration in the comparison section is larger than a threshold value.
US09403268B1
A telescoping handle including a plurality of telescoping hollow tubes that are nested within each other and dimensioned to provide a gap between each adjacent pair of nested tubes. At least one shim is secured to the outer circumferential surface of one end of at least one of the tubes. The shim has a thickness sufficient to fill the gap between the adjacent pair of tubes whereby the shim is flush against the inner surface of the adjacent hollow tube. The other end of an adjacent tube has a tapered portion which has an inner circumferential surface that is flush against the outer circumferential surface of the adjacent telescoping tube.
US09403264B2
The invention relates to a replaceable die for pliers to press workpieces, such as for crimping pliers for pressing electrical connector elements. By replacing the die, the pliers can be adapted to the press operation to be performed, such as adapting a crimping pliers to different types and sizes of the connector elements to be pressed. The die according to the invention comprises a first and a second die half that can be inserted into the pliers together and removed from the pliers together. The two die halves each have a guide for this purpose. Both die halves each further have a first connecting element for releasably attaching the die to the pliers. Both die halves finally each have a second connecting element for releasably attaching the die to a storage fixture. This ensures that the die formed by the two die halves is held in the storage fixture during or after removal from the pliers, and remains therein for storage.
US09403260B1
Polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) and methods of manufacturing such PDCs. In an embodiment, the PDC includes a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table having at least a portion of a metal-solvent catalyst removed therefrom. Removing at least a portion of a metal-solvent catalyst from the PCD table may increase the porosity of the PCD table relative to a PCD table that has not been treated to remove the metal-solvent catalyst. Likewise, removing at least a portion of a metal-solvent catalyst from the PCD table may decrease the specific magnetic saturation and increase the coercivity of the PCD table relative to a PCD table that has not been treated to remove the metal-solvent catalyst.
US09403259B2
A method is provided for removing material from a workpiece using a material removal device and a measurement device. The method includes measuring a first dimension of the workpiece at a location with the measurement device. A jet of water is directed from the material removal device to the location to remove material from the workpiece at the location. A second dimension of the workpiece at the location is measured with the measurement device. The first dimension is compared to the second dimension to determine a measured thickness of the material removed from the workpiece at the location.
US09403257B2
A double-side polishing apparatus for a work according to the present invention includes one or more work thickness measuring devices and a control unit. The double-side polishing method for a work includes the steps of: first polishing for polishing both surfaces of the work; first measurement for measuring the thickness of the work; in the first measurement step, when the thickness of the work is found to reach the predetermined thickness, terminating the orbital motion of the carrier plate; second polishing both surfaces of the work while the carrier plate performs only rotational motion; second measurement for measuring the thickness of the work at predetermined position(s); and determining a time for terminating polishing based on the result of the measurement of the thickness of the work in the second measurement step.
US09403253B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for handling slabs (2a, 2b), produced in particular by continuous casting, the surfaces of which are ground before they are rolled in a rolling train, wherein the slab, lying on a reversible grinding table (12a, 12b), is moved back and forth under a grinding unit, arranged in a machining cell, of a grinding machine unit (I, II), the grinding table is moved linearly out of the machining cell after the grinding operation has been performed on one surface, the slab is lifted off the grinding table and fed to a turning device, wherein, after turning, the slab is removed from the turning device and, with an unworked, other surface lying uppermost, is brought onto the grinding table, which is then introduced once again into the machining cell for the working of this surface. One aim of the invention is to provide a considerably simpler method and apparatus for handling continuously cast slabs during the grinding thereof, said apparatus having at the same time a much simpler construction. This is achieved by the slab being taken up by a slab manipulator (9), which has a rotatable slab clamping and lifting means (14; 14a, 14b) and with which the clamped slab can be both transported transversely and turned.
US09403246B2
A method for manufacturing a drill bit (1), wherein in a first step the chip flutes (12) are ground into a round rod, in a second step the round rod is ground down to its outer diameter (15, 16) with simultaneous grinding of the drill-bit back (13), and wherein in a third step the drill-bit front (4) is ground, and a drill bit (1) having at least one chip flute (12) and one secondary cutting edge and one drill-bit back (13) adjoining the secondary cutting edge, the drill-bit back (13) sloping downwards as the distance from the secondary cutting edge increases, in order to create a clearance that becomes continuously larger as the distance from the point of intersection (19) of the secondary cutting edge with the drill-bit back (13) increases.
US09403243B2
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a steel Yankee cylinder (1), where the Yankee cylinder (1) is welded together from individual pre- or finish-machined cylinder sections (8, 9, 10).The invention also relates to a Yankee cylinder (1) that is manufactured using the manufacturing process according to the invention.
US09403227B2
An electrochemical machining tool includes a tool main body which includes an electrode having a tubular shape extending along an axis and formed of a conductive material having flexibility, the electrode through which an electrolyte flows toward a distal end side, and an insulating layer coated on an outer circumferential surface of the electrode so as to expose a distal end surface of the electrode. In the electrochemical machining tool, a hole part serving as a fluid discharge part configured to discharge the electrolyte flowing through inside of the electrode toward the outside in the radial direction of the tool main body is formed at a portion of a position in the circumferential direction of the tool main body.
US09403218B2
A drill chuck including a spindle portion with a pusher bore, a spindle bore, an annular array of teeth, and an annular groove defined by the outer surface of the first end. A body is rotatably disposed about the spindle portion and includes a central bore, an annular groove defined by the central bore, and a pawl pivotably mounted to the body for selectively engaging the annular array of teeth. A jaw pusher includes a threaded post and a head, the threaded post being disposed in the pusher bore and configured for axial motion. A jaw guide is disposed on the first end of the body and includes a plurality of jaw slots. A plurality of jaws is slidably received in the corresponding jaw slots and slidably received by the head of the jaw pusher. A plurality of bearing balls is received between the annular groove of the spindle portion and the annular groove of the body. The annular groove of the spindle portion and the annular groove of the body form a continuous pair of bearing races for the plurality of bearing balls.
US09403216B2
A first coupling part interacts with a second coupling part of a tool coupling. The first coupling part has a first body and a conical pin, which extends from the first body along a center axis (x) to an end surface. The conical pin is insertable into a conical seat. The conical pin comprises a cavity, which extends from the end surface and comprises a number of first protuberances, which are separated and arranged at a distance from each other along a circumferential direction in respect to the center axis so that there are formed a corresponding number of first recesses. The first protuberances form a respective first contact surface and interact with a corresponding number of separated, second contact surfaces of a pull member of the second coupling part. The first contact surfaces form an acute angle with the center axis.
US09403215B2
The present invention provides a cutting tool that achieves cutting with high precision. The cutting tool of the present invention includes a cutting edge composed of a polycrystalline body including high-pressure-phase hard grains that contain one or more elements selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, and nitrogen, the polycrystalline body being formed by subjecting a non-diamond carbon material and/or boron nitride, serving as a starting material, to direct conversion sintering under ultra-high pressure and high temperature without adding a sintering aid or a catalyst, in which letting the radius of curvature of the nose of the cutting edge of the cutting tool be R1, the sintered grains constituting the polycrystalline body have an average grain size of 1.2×R1 or less and a maximum grain size of 2×R1 or less.
US09403214B2
A cutting tool holder blade is formed of hard metal, having a front plane, a perpendicular mid-plane. An insert pocket of the holder blade has a base jaw and a clamping jaw resiliently connected to the base jaw in a unitary one piece construction. The base jaw has a base jaw abutment surface and the clamping jaw has a clamping surface facing opposite the base jaw abutment surface, and an insert stop surface. A curved inner surface extends from the base jaw abutment surface towards and along the clamping jaw, the curved inner surface having a front extremity portion. The clamping jaw is narrowed down adjacent the front extremity portion, such that the clamping surface overhangs the front extremity portion of the curved inner surface, in a direction towards the base jaw and away from the front plane. The holder blade may be formed of cemented carbide.
US09403213B2
In one embodiment, the present invention may be a method of forming a porous and/or dense article from metal powder (12), including adding to a mold a first feedstock comprising an agglomerated metal powder (12) and an agglomeration agent, forming said first feedstock into a green state dense article (22); and removing said agglomeration agent. Furthermore, the present invention may include a second feedstock including an agglomerated metal powder (12), a space filling material and an agglomeration agent which may be formed into a green state porous article (21). The present invention also includes a dense and/or porous article (22 and 21) manufactured by various methods, as well as methods for creating the dense and porous feedstocks. Moreover, the present invention may include an article which may be a medical implant.
US09403204B2
A heat exchanger includes a casing, a fluid flow path extending between first and second ends of the casing; first and second bundles of heat exchanger tubes in first and second portions of a fluid flow path extending through the casing, and a third section of the fluid flow path connecting the first and second sections and having a sealing plate with one or more apertures for the fluid flow path to pass therethrough. By virtue of the sealing plate and its relationship with the adjacent structure of the heat exchanger, adjacent ends of the two bundles of tubes are each movable in at least one direction with respect to the casing and the other bundle of tubes.
US09403197B2
A system for breaking down medical waste for safe disposal includes a novel disposal solution for dissolving and dispersing the medical waste, as well as a hardening agent that solidifies the disposal solution to prevent it from contaminating the environment after disposal. The novel disposal solution includes a dispersion agent that dissolves the medical waste in addition to a neutralizer, which binds to the dissolved medical waste to render it inert. The disposal solution can optionally include defoaming, preservation and/or anti-freeze agents. The system may also include a vessel with a vented cap for storing the disposal solution prior to and during use. The vessel may also be used to discard the disposal solution and broken-down medical waste after the disposal solution solidifies.
US09403194B2
The present subject matter provides colored wear tiles for use in optical sorting apparatuses and related methods that separate an associated material into a desired product and an undesired product. The colored wear tiles have a color and/or lightness value that permeates the entire body of the wear tile and sufficiently differs from the color and/or lightness of the associated material in order to allow the colored wear tile, or portions or pieces thereof, that may mix with the associated material, to be separated from the desired product by the sorting apparatus.
US09403183B2
A method of imparting hydrophilicity to a surface of a material, which includes providing a base material having a surface; applying and chemically fixing a siloxane oligomer represented by Chemical Formula 1 to the surface of the base material to form a siloxane-modified surface; and applying a glycidol compound represented by Chemical Formula 2 to the siloxane-modified surface; and carrying out a reaction therebetween to form an organosiloxane coating having a N,N-bis(hydroxyalkyl)aminoalkyl group: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are the same or different and are each independently hydrogen or a C1 to C3 alkyl group, A is a single bond or a C1 to C5 alkylene group, and n ranges from 2 to 30; wherein each R is the same or different, and is as defined herein, and L is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C3 alkylene group.
US09403181B2
A two-part oral care system includes a first vessel containing an oxidative composition having a pH less than 7.5 and a second vessel containing a reductant composition having a pH greater than 7. The first and second vessels isolate the oxidative and reductant compositions from reacting with one another during storage and the vessels can dispense the oxidative and reductant compositions for combining to result in a final composition for use. The oxidative composition includes an ozonated oil and an oxidant. The reductant composition includes an aloe gel or aloe vera, a xylitol, a ferrous sulfate, a sodium bicarbonate, a calcium carbonate, a zinc gluconate, a salt comprising, a bromelain, a papain and at least one essential oil. A probiotic lozenge may also be used after the two-part oral care system to install good bacteria.
US09403179B1
Cleaning device includes shaft that interfaces with fluid source and defines conduit. Mounting couples to cleaning element and includes interior and apertures. Liquid conducting universal joint is coupled with mounting and shaft. Joint includes a nozzle coupled to shaft that is in fluid communication with conduit. Nozzle includes nozzle mating feature defining nozzle aperture. Joint includes rotational element having first mating feature rotationally coupled with nozzle mating feature and is rotatable about radial axis of nozzle mating feature and second mating feature. Rotational fluid conduit extends between mating features. Joint includes connector coupled with mounting that defines connector conduit. Connector mating feature is rotatably coupled with second mating feature and is rotatable about radial axis of second mating feature that is substantially orthogonal to radial axis of nozzle mating feature. Cleaning device defines rigid fluid path that enables rotation of mounting without bending components that define fluid path.
US09403177B2
A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes, in a preferred arrangement, a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage along a sprinkler body axis and a nozzle insert spring-loaded received in a complementary recess formed in the sprinkler body. The nozzle insert has an axis of rotation transverse to the sprinkler body axis and is rotatable from an insertion position to plural operating positions. The nozzle insert is provided with an elongated, substantially cylindrical insert body including a nozzle bore extending through the insert body on an axis transverse to the axis of rotation and alignable with the flow passage in at least two of the plural operating positions. Plural index tabs extend radially from the insert body at circumferentially-spaced locations, and are adapted to engage respective plural index notches in the sprinkler body as the insert body is rotated to the plural operating positions.
US09403163B2
The invention relates to a pipetting apparatus, for pipetting a fluid sample in accordance with at least one mode of operation of the pipetting apparatus, which is controlled by an operating parameter set, which is associated with a corresponding mode of operation, wherein the electric control device of the pipetting apparatus is designed to automatically store the at least one parameter value set determined by the user to be the at least one historic parameter value set for this mode of operation in the memory device, and is designed to provide, after the operating parameter set for this mode of operation has changed, the at least one automatically stored historic parameter value set for this mode of operation again for the subsequent control of the at least one, same, pipetting process. The invention also relates to a method for operating the pipetting apparatus.
US09403161B2
FCC catalysts having improved attrition resistance are provided by mixing a cationic polyelectrolyte with either zeolite crystals or a zeolite-forming nutrient and/or a matrix material, prior to or during formation of a catalyst microsphere.
US09403151B2
An Oxygen Ion Conductor (OIC)/Oxygen Storage (OS) material is disclosed, more particularly an OIC/OS having a stable cubic crystal structure, related to a method for the promotion of the catalytic properties of OIC/OS by the post-synthetic introduction of non-precious metals via a basic (alkaline) exchange process and the application of said materials to control of vehicle exhaust emissions.
US09403149B2
The present invention relates to solid phosphoric acid (SPA) catalysts, processes for making the catalysts, and processes for conversion of hydrocarbons using the catalysts, such as oligomerization of propylene. In an exemplary embodiment, the catalyst comprises a calcined extrudate of phosphoric acid, diatomaceous earth, and niobic acid. Methods for converting hydrocarbons to olefins comprise contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with the catalyst at hydrocarbon conversion conditions.
US09403145B2
An apparatus for continuously manufacturing organometallic compounds is provided where the apparatus has a source of a first reactant stream wherein the first reactant comprises a metal; a source of a second reactant stream; a laminar flow contacting zone for cocurrently contacting the first reactant stream and the second reactant stream; a mixing zone comprising a turbulence-promoting device; and a heat transfer zone.
US09403142B2
The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
US09403140B2
Multiple catalytic processing stations couple with a system which produces volatile gas streams from biomass decomposition at discrete increasing temperatures. These catalytic processing stations can be programmed to maximize conversion of biomass to useful renewable fuel components based on input feedstock and desired outputs.
US09403133B2
Apparatus and methods are described for use in mixing of fluids or mixing ingredients into fluids by means of a static mixer assembly (i.e. without requiring moving mechanical parts, where fluid flow is used to achieve mixing). The static mixer assembly is a cylindrical tube with three pairs of fins extending inward from the inner wall of the tube. The central fins form a prow pointing upstream, with two pairs of flanking fins arranged to prevent unhindered fluid flow parallel to the central axis of the tube a peripheral region, while allowing unobstructed flow in a central region and extending to a peripheral region near the inner wall opposite the prow. The fins force fluid outwards along the inner walls from the prow towards the unobstructed peripheral region opposite the prow and additionally fluid spills over the inner edges of the fins into the central region. The resulting flow pattern provides excellent mixing with a low ratio of pressure drop to volumetric flow rate across the assembly. Ingredients inserted into the unobstructed peripheral region opposite the prow are rapidly homogenized into flowing fluid.
US09403132B2
A cylindrical mixer having an opening portion on both ends forms an axial flow path and a first fluid introduced into the axial flow path through the opening portion at one end flows therethrough in the axial direction and the first fluid exits from the opening portion at the other end; and a spiral flow path and a second fluid introduced into the spiral flow path through a hole formed in a peripheral wall of the mixer is made to flow along an inner peripheral surface of the mixer while being swirled in a spiral manner about an axis of the axial flow path so that the first fluid and the second fluid are mixed and a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid exits from an opening potion at the end to refine and homogenize a dispersion phase on a micro level to a sub-micro level.
US09403129B2
A hollow fiber membrane module in which a housing body forming the hollow fiber membrane module includes an insertion opening into which end parts of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes are inserted so as to be fixed and held, and an opening portion which exposes open end surfaces of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes inserted from the insertion opening to outside, and a cover that blocks the opening portion of the housing body. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a housing enabling open end surfaces of hollow fiber membranes to be sealed by easily exposing the open end surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes when the hollow fiber membranes are damaged.
US09403128B2
A device according to one embodiment includes a porous membrane having a surface charge and pore configuration characterized by a double layer overlap effect being present in pores of the membrane, where the porous membrane includes functional groups that preferentially interact with either cations or anions. A device according to another embodiment includes a porous membrane having a surface charge in pores thereof sufficient to impart anion or cation selectivity in the pores. Additional devices, systems and methods are also presented.
US09403127B2
Highly energy efficient electrodialysis membranes having low operating costs and a novel process for their manufacture are described herein. The membranes are useful in the desalination of water and purification of waste water. They are effective in desalination of seawater due to their low electrical resistance and high permselectivity. These membranes are made by a novel process which results in membranes significantly thinner than prior art commercial electrodialysis membranes. The membranes are produced by polymerizing one or more monofunctional ionogenic monomers with at least one multifunctional monomer in the pores of a porous substrate.
US09403125B2
A valve is provided having an air gap to protect against backflow in a fluid system. The valve can also be used to control fluid flow while providing such backflow protection. The valve can be used with e.g., a reverse osmosis water filtration system and/or other systems. By incorporating both backflow protection and flow control into the same device, efficiencies in space, complexity, and/or installation time are provided.
US09403120B2
Disclosed herein is a process for separating components of a gas mixture using gas-separation copolymer membranes. These membranes use a selective layer made from copolymers of perfluorodioxolane monomers. The resulting membranes have superior selectivity performance for gas pairs of interest while maintaining fast gas permeance compared to membranes prepared using conventional perfluoropolymers, such as Teflon® AF, Hyflon® AD, and Cytop®.
US09403114B2
An air purification system comprises a chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, a plurality of flexible wires hanging from a ceiling of the chamber, a spray mechanism configured to spray droplets in the chamber, and a sound wave generator configured to generate a standing sound wave in the chamber. During operation of the air purification system, the plurality of flexible wires are elastically deformed by the standing sound wave generated by the sound wave generator such that portions of the plurality of flexible wires converge at nodes of the sound wave, and also the droplets move to the nodes of the standing sound wave, while trapping particles in the air during the movement to the nodes. The droplets collide against and are adsorbed to the plurality of flexible wires at the nodes of the sound wave.
US09403113B2
An air filter assembly having a primary filter element, a secondary filter element, and a housing with an outlet tube is disclosed. The primary filter element is operably installed within the housing and has an interior volume. The secondary filter element is operably installed within the primary filter element interior volume and has an interior volume defined by a first wall extending between a closed end cap and an opposite open end cap. The open end cap of the secondary filter element defines a sealing structure having a first portion extending into the secondary filter interior volume. The outlet tube is operably connected to the housing air outlet opening and includes an inset collar being at least partially disposed within the secondary filter interior volume and extending over at least a part of the sealing structure first portion.
US09403111B2
Provided is a method for sterilizing a water treatment apparatus having a plurality of tanks. The method includes, performing a sterilization preparation process to drain purified water from the first tank until a first amount of purified water is left, performing a sterilizing process to sterilize the first tank by supplying the sterilized water supplied from the sterilizing module, to drain water from the first tank through a first water outlet pipe until a second amount of water is left in the first tank, and to drain the second amount of water remaining in the first tank into the second tank through a second water outlet pipe.
US09403106B2
This invention relates to an inertial filter 10 for filtering out particulate material in a fluid. The invention extends to a method of manufacturing an inertial filter 10. The filter 10 includes a pair of opposing baffle plates 12, 14 comprising a first baffle plate 12 and a second baffle plate 14 which are operatively in face-to-face abutment with each other such that the plates 12, 14 are in substantially parallel planes. Each baffle plate 12, 14 is in the form of a layered grille or grating in that it comprises a first (an inner) filter member 16 and a second (an outer) filter member 18. More specifically, the first baffle plate 12 includes an outer filter member 18a and an inner filter member 16a which are press-fitted over one another. Similarly, the second baffle plate 14 comprises an outer filter member 18b and an inner filter member 16b.
US09403104B2
A multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser comprises at least a first stage and a second stage. Each stage includes a carrier-gas inlet and a carrier-gas outlet, as well as a condenser chamber containing a condensing bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet. The carrier-gas inlet is positioned to bubble carrier gas from the carrier-gas inlet up through the condensing bath, overcoming a hydrostatic head of the condensing bath. The carrier-gas outlet is positioned with an opening for carrier-gas extraction above the condensing bath, wherein the first-stage carrier-gas outlet is in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet of the second stage to facilitate flow of the carrier gas through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the first stage and then through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the second stage.
US09403102B2
A heat exchange system may include a first heat exchange circuit and a second heat exchange circuit. The first heat exchange circuit may circulate a first working fluid sequentially through a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a membrane contactor. The second heat exchange circuit may direct a second working fluid sequentially through the first heat exchanger and the membrane contactor, where the second working fluid includes solute and solvent. The first heat exchanger and the membrane contactor may transfer heat energy from the second working fluid to the first working fluid, and the second heat exchanger may transfer heat energy from the first working fluid to a third working fluid. The membrane contactor may extract a portion of the solvent from the second working fluid.
US09403089B2
A system providing a graphical chat room and/or virtual world on a website in which users can control avatars or other characters to participate in activities and interact with other users' avatars/characters. The chat room or virtual world has a large common location where a large number of users might participate with their characters/avatars, but where because display of all of the participants and/or all of the area becomes impractical or otherwise unwieldy, the system determines an appropriate portion of the area and a limited number of avatars/characters to display based on some criteria.
US09403076B2
A kit for combatants engaged in a martial arts competition, including a combat garment for generally covering the combatant, strike gear for covering at least portions of the combatants hands and feet, and strike coins for loosely adhering to portions of the combat garment. The combat garment includes a plurality of predetermined areas covered with first hook-and-loop fasteners. Each predetermined area corresponds with a predetermined strike zones. At least a portion of the strike gear is covered with second hook-and-loop fasteners and each respective strike coin is covered with third hook-and-loop fasteners adhesively matable with the first and second hook-and-loop fasteners.
US09403073B2
The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
US09403053B2
An exercise system comprising: an exercise cycle comprising a crank, wherein the crank is configured to be rotated by a user; and a sensing unit coupled to the exercise cycle, wherein the sensing unit is configured to sense information related to at least one crank measurement and to transmit the information related to the at least one crank measurement to a remote device via wireless communication. In some embodiments, the remote device is a mobile device. In some embodiments, the at least one crank measurement comprises a rotational speed of the crank or a force applied to the crank. The remote device can display information related to use of the exercise cycle based on the information received from the exercise cycle.
US09403051B2
An exercise machine includes a frame and a console connected to the frame. The console has first member in a surface of the console and a second member in an adjustable portion of the console. Also, the machine has an assembly movably connected to the second member to translate the second member toward the first member with a sufficient force to hold an object in compression between the first member and the second member.
US09403048B2
An exercise apparatus that provides multiple different exercises for a User, including both resistance movements and isometrics. The User interacts with the apparatus by grasping a bar. A resistance mechanism is symmetrically mounted on a second bar and provides infinitely variable resistance to the User, as well as soundproof operation. There is a vertical column that allows infinite positioning of the bars for different bodily exercises, and a bench for support. The User can change the exercise resistance by verbal commands, or the apparatus can vary the exercise resistance in response to the force applied by the User. The apparatus can be operated at locations where electric service is permanently unavailable, or in zero gravity; and the apparatus can be mounted inside a shallow closet and hidden from view. To verify accuracy, the resistance can be calibrated against a known quantity of weight.
US09403046B2
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a computer system, information that indicates that a fire has been detected in a building and that a fire suppression system within the building has begun dousing the fire; monitoring sensor information from one or more sensors located within the building; determining, by the computer system and based on the sensor information, whether the fire has been extinguished; activating, in response to determining that the fire has been extinguished, a feature to turn off a water supply to the building, the feature being presented on a computing device for a user who is associated with the building; receiving, after activating the feature and from the computing device, a command to turn off the water supply; and transmitting, by the computer system, a control signal that causes an electromechanical device to close a water valve within the building.
US09403043B2
An air warming apparatus operable to provide a user breathing air wherein the air is warmer than that of the user's environment. The air warming apparatus includes a filtered air intake operably coupled to an intake manifold. A lower air transport assembly circumferentially surrounds a user's torso and is adjacent thereto and provides the first phase of air warming for air flowing therethrough. A return manifold operably couples the lower air transport assembly and the upper air transport assembly and further contains a humidifier therein. The upper air transport assembly is surroundably mounted to the user and provides the second phase of air warming. An upper chamber of the intake manifold operably couples the upper air transport assembly and the breathing assembly. The breathing assembly includes a mouthpiece and a breathing valve that is operable to control the air flow through the air warming apparatus.
US09403028B2
The invention relates to a device that can be used to expose a person to a magnetic field, including an insulating belt to be placed in contact with a part of the body of the person, at least one substantially rectangular, flat dipole antenna emitting a magnetic field over a vector perpendicular to the surface thereof, the antenna being arranged longitudinally on the belt in the lengthwise direction thereof, and a power source for supplying the antenna with AC or pulsed power.
US09403027B2
A wearable defibrillation system includes an output device and a motion sensor. The output device emits a sound or a vibration for the patient, who responds by deliberately tapping the system. The motion sensor registers the tapping, and interprets it as a reply from the patient. The reply can be that the patient is conscious, or convey data that the patient enters by tapping the right number of times, or that the patient wants attention, and so on. Since the patient does not need direct access to the wearable defibrillation system for tapping it, he or she can wear it under their other garments, which helps preserve their dignity and privacy.
US09403025B2
A device for conveying power from a location external to a subject to a location within the subject may include a flexible carrier and an adhesive on a first side of the carrier. A coil of electrically conductive material may be associated with the flexible carrier. A mechanical connector may be associated with the carrier opposite the adhesive, wherein the mechanical connector is configured to retain a housing and permit the housing to rotate relative to the flexible carrier. At least one electrical portion may be associated with the carrier in a manner permitting electrical connection to be maintained between the flexible carrier and the housing as the housing is rotated.
US09403021B2
A driving circuit useful in a magnetic inductive coupling wireless communication system is disclosed. The circuit includes an inductor (coil) and capacitor in series selectively coupled to a power source such as a rechargeable battery. The LC circuit is made to resonate in accordance with a Frequency Shift Keying or other protocol. Such resonance produces a voltage across the inductor. This voltage is used to create a first voltage either by tapping into the coil, or by providing a transformer. The first voltage is coupled to the rechargeable battery by a diode. When the circuit resonates, and when the first voltage exceeds the voltage of the power source, the diode turns on, thus shunting excess current back to recharge the rechargeable battery. By use of this circuit, energy is conserved. Additionally, oscillations can be quickly dampened so as to allow the circuit to transmit at high data rates.
US09403015B2
An electrical neuromodulation system and method of treating an ailment of a patient using a neuromodulation device. Electrical modulation energy is delivered at a first frequency from the neuromodulation device to a first set of electrodes having a first combined electrode impedance. A second set of electrodes having a second combined electrode impedance less than the first combined electrode impedance is automatically selected. The electrical modulation energy is delivered at a second frequency to the second set of electrodes, wherein the second frequency is greater than the first frequency.
US09403005B2
An exemplary sound processor 1) sets a current steering range for a stimulation channel defined by first and second physical electrodes communicatively coupled to an auditory prosthesis to be less than an entire physical range of the stimulation channel, 2) maps each frequency included in a frequency band associated with the stimulation channel to a virtual electrode included in a plurality of virtual electrodes included in the current steering range of the stimulation channel, 3) identifies a feature of an audio signal, 4) identifies a virtual electrode included in the plurality of virtual electrodes and that is associated with the identified feature, and 5) directs the auditory prosthesis to apply electrical stimulation representative of the identified feature to a stimulation site associated with the identified virtual electrode by concurrently stimulating the first physical electrode with a first current level and the second physical electrode with a second current level.
US09402999B2
A medical patch having a multi-piece bottom liner including a central liner sequentially removable independently of two outer perimeter liners. The multi-piece liner covering two adhesives of different peel force. Removal of the central liner exposes a first temporary/repositionable adhesive. Once properly positioned, the outer perimeter liners are removed to expose a second stronger adhesive. A foam cushioning layer is disposed beneath and extends beyond a footprint of every printed circuit board to prevent skin irritation. The medical patch may be designed specifically for stimulation of the sacral (S3 foramen) spinal nerve without the use of a separate mechanical placement tool or assistance by another.
US09402998B2
A vestibular electronic orthodontic appliance expediter constituted of a lingual sub-member and a buccal sub-member, the lingual sub-member arranged to fit a lingual contour of a gum of a patient, the buccal sub-member arranged to fit a buccal contour of a gum of the patient; a control circuitry; a power supply; a plurality of lingual electrodes, each associated with a particular tooth socket; and a plurality of buccal electrodes, each associated with a particular tooth socket. Either a first or a second type current is generated between lingual and buccal electrodes responsive to the control circuitry. Biochemical molecules involved in bone remodeling, augmented by the electric currents, may be applied to the expediter as a layer of gel containing those molecules on the expediter surface facing the gum tissue. Temperature control enhances the gel effects. pH measurement, as indicators of the cellular response to the combined treatment is further provided.
US09402997B1
A peripheral nerve conduction diagnosis system that utilizes an electrostimulation device having dry elastomer electrodes and a distance measuring device that allow a user to move the electrostimulation device along the skin of a patient while in constant contact with the skin and measure the distance moved.
US09402995B1
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for providing both neurostimulation and defibrillation therapy. The system includes an implantable pulse generator (IPG), at least one neurostimulation electrode electrically coupled to the IPG and configured to apply neurostimulation pulses to a subject, and at least one defibrillation electrode electrically coupled to the IPG and configured to apply defibrillation pulses to the subject.
US09402993B2
A paddle lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes a paddle body; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the paddle body; a plurality of lead bodies coupled to the paddle body; an array of terminals disposed on each of the plurality of lead bodies; and a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples one of the electrodes to at least one terminal of at least one of the terminal arrays. The paddle lead assembly further includes an implantation aid configured and arranged to fit over a portion of at least one of the lead bodies to provide additional stiffness proximal to the paddle body for aiding in implantation of the paddle body into a patient.
US09402992B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for multi-vessel neuromodulation, e.g., via a pulsed electric field. Such multi-vessel neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, the multi-vessel neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. Such multi-vessel neuromodulation optionally may be performed bilaterally.
US09402986B2
A hernia repair implant includes a first layer for facing a body structure having a hernia defect to cover the defect while promoting tissue growth into the first layer from the body structure. The implant also includes a second layer opposed to the first layer and made of anti-adhesion material to prevent growth of tissue into the second layer from body structures contacting the second layer. Furthermore, the implant includes at least one engagement strap connected to the first layer and extending therefrom to terminate at a free end. The engagement strap defines opposed thin edges and opposed flat surfaces extending between the edges. At least one barb extends from at least one edge and/or at least one flat surface of the strap and is configured to impede motion of the strap in only a single direction.
US09402980B2
According to one general aspect, there is a medical device including a locking mechanism that is used to connect a plurality of catheters, a multi-balloon inflator that inflates multiple balloons on a single catheter, an extraction point used to remove human fluids from the human body, and a connecting point that allows a syringe or a machine to insert liquid saline solution or radioactive isotopes into the multi-balloon inflator.
US09402961B2
A drug delivery device having a spring element that provides dispense assistance. The drug delivery device includes a variable dose setting mechanism, a fixed dose setting mechanism, and a mechanical coupling having a spring element. The variable dose setting mechanism is operably coupled to a first reservoir holding a first medicament, and the variable dose setting mechanism comprises a dose setter. The fixed dose setting mechanism is operably coupled to a second reservoir holding a second medicament. The mechanical coupling operably couples the variable dose setting mechanism and the fixed dose setting mechanism. Further, the variable dose setting mechanism is configured to set a variable dose of the first medicament upon activation of the dose setter, and the fixed dose setting mechanism is configured to set a fixed dose of the second medicament during variable dose setting. Still further, the spring element is configured to store energy during dose setting and to transfer stored energy to the fixed dose setting mechanism to assist with dispense of the fixed dose.
US09402954B1
A medical device that automates protocol compliance by performing one or more of measuring relevant data, determining dosage, dispensing appropriate dosages, ordering supplies, updating protocol, contacting third-parties, logging events, and reporting data.
US09402953B2
A closed-loop system for insulin infusion overnight uses a model predictive control algorithm (“MPC”). Used with the MPC is a glucose measurement error model which was derived from actual glucose sensor error data. That sensor error data included both a sensor artifacts component, including dropouts, and a persistent error component, including calibration error, all of which was obtained experimentally from living subjects. The MPC algorithm advised on insulin infusion every fifteen minutes. Sensor glucose input to the MPC was obtained by combining model-calculated, noise-free interstitial glucose with experimentally-derived transient and persistent sensor artifacts associated with the FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitor System (“FSN”). The incidence of severe and significant hypoglycemia reduced 2300- and 200-fold, respectively, during simulated overnight closed-loop control with the MPC algorithm using the glucose measurement error model suggesting that the continuous glucose monitoring technologies facilitate safe closed-loop insulin delivery.
US09402949B2
Apparatus are provided for infusion devices and related operating methods. An exemplary device includes a sensing arrangement to provide an output indicative of a characteristic that is influenced by operation of the device, and a control module that is coupled to the sensing arrangement to apply a matched filter corresponding to a condition associated with the operation of the device to the output of the sensing arrangement and detect that condition based on the filtered output. In one example, the device includes a motor coupled to a plunger of a reservoir and operable to displace the plunger, wherein the characteristic is a force opposing displacement of the plunger and the control module detects an occlusion condition in a fluid path from the reservoir based on filtered force measurements.
US09402939B2
The present invention provides a disposable trumpet valve tube cassette assembly, as well as, a surgical irrigation instrument that includes a probe assembly, a pump, a removable pump cartridge, and a socket. The probe assembly provides passage of fluids for irrigating the body interior and for evacuating matter from the body interior. The pump provides for pumping irrigation fluid through the probe assembly into the body interior. A pump cartridge defines a pumping chamber. Electronic control circuitry includes an electronics controller and a trumpet valve switch interface. The electronics controller includes a pulse generator that generates pulses, the duty cycle of the pulses controlling the speed of the motor. The trumpet valve switch interface is in electronic connection to a switch, the interface providing a signal to the controller.
US09402931B2
This document describes a high intensity air purifier, a super oxidation purifier, and a controller for controlling operation of any of various purification systems. The air purifier includes an air purifier system coupled within a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air purifier system includes a pre-filter coupled to the air inlet, an axial fan for receiving and forwarding air from the air inlet. The air purifier further includes a UV reaction chamber having a UV-light source for providing UV light to the forwarded air from the air inlet and a reflective lining to reflect the provided UV light, to provide UV purified air from the UV reaction chamber. The air purifier further includes a chemical catalyst cartridge for receiving the UV purified air from the UV reaction chamber, for further purifying the UV purified air, and a post filter coupled to the air outlet.
US09402929B2
A system for decontaminating a device, such as a medical device, includes a decontamination chamber configured to retain the device and a chemical dispersion assembly configured to deliver a decontaminating fluid to the decontamination chamber. A pressure control assembly is connected to the decontamination chamber and configured to control the pressure in the decontamination chamber. The system also includes a system controller configured to control the decontamination chamber, chemical dispersion assembly, and pressure control assembly. A decontaminating fluid is added into the decontamination chamber at a first rate while increasing the pressure in the decontamination chamber. Adding the decontaminating fluid increases a relative humidity in the decontamination chamber.
US09402919B2
This invention relates to the field of therapeutics. Disclosed are methods of conditionally expressing erythropoietin under the control of an ecdysone receptor-based gene expression modulation system in the presence of activating ligand and uses for therapeutic purposes in animals. The methods of the invention cause an in vivo increase in the expression of erythropoietin and an increase in the hematocrit or volume percentage of red blood cells in blood after administration of the ligand.
US09402912B2
The present invention describes novel single drug entities, formed by direct linkage of an antibiotic to a steroidal drug. Upon topical application to the eye, the conjugate would undergo enzymatic and/or hydrolytic cleavage to release the individual drugs. The antibiotic is coupled directly to the steroid drug.
US09402901B2
The present disclosure provides (a) vectors comprising a multi-antigen construct encoding two, three, or more immunogenic PAA polypeptides; (b) compositions comprising the vectors, (c) methods relating to uses of the vectors and compositions for eliciting an immune response or for treating prostate cancers.
US09402898B2
The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising an antibody that specifically binds to angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2). The formulations may contain, in addition to an anti-Ang-2 antibody, at least one amino acid, at least one sugar, or at least one non-ionic surfactant. The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention exhibit a substantial degree of antibody stability after storage for several months and after being subjected to thermal and other physical stress.
US09402894B2
The invention relates to generating a vaccine based on immunogens from viral particles that initially have replication competency but are then inactivated by chemical, biophysical or other methods. The components of this vaccine may be a non-HIV enveloped virus that contains and expresses a gene related to the HIV Envelope gene such that the Envelope protein is expressed on the surface of viral particles. These viral particles may be further treated to reduce their replication competency. The vaccine further may contain components to improve its immunogenicity, tolerability, stability and ease of manufacture.
US09402888B2
A immunogenic composition is provided for use in methods for treating or preventing the development of a cancer, comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a cancer antigen and a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP). In one embodiment, the composition comprises a vector comprising a first expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen of a, operatively linked to an expression control sequence that directs the expression of the antigen in a mammalian host cell. The composition further contains a vector comprising a second expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP) operatively linked to an expression control sequence directing the expression of FAP in a mammalian host cell. In one embodiment, the cancer is one in which tumor progression depends on the fibroblasts expressing fibroblast activation protein (FAP).
US09402885B2
The present disclosure relates to pharmaceutical or nutritional compositions containing α-galactosidase and β-galactosidase and their use in the prevention and/or treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease; in particular the present disclosure related to pharmaceutical or nutritional compositions.
US09402884B2
Methods of treating pulmonary sarcoidosis are described herein. Patients in need of treatment for pulmonary sarcoidosis are administered a therapeutically effective amount of a mucolytic agent such as DNase I. In some embodiments, the DNase I is a recombinant human DNase I such as dornase alfa.
US09402882B2
Methods for enhancing or stimulating hematopoiesis including the step of administering Interleukin-12 (IL-12) to yield hematopoietic recovery in a mammal in need. Preferred methods include the step of administering IL-12 as an adjuvant therapy to alleviate the hematopoietic toxicities associated with one or more treatment regimens used to combat a disease state. Other methods include administering IL-12 to ameliorate various hematopoietic deficiencies. Still other methods are directed to uses of IL-12 for in-vivo proliferation of hematopoietic repopulating cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells and hematopoietic stem cells. Other disclosed methods are directed to uses of IL-12 for bone marrow preservation or recovery.
US09402881B2
This invention provides methods for extracting platelets, compositions obtained therefore, and methods for using the same.
US09402878B2
The present invention relates generally to novel depsipeptides, to methods for the preparation of these novel depsipeptides, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel depsipeptides; and to methods of using the novel depsipeptides to treat or inhibit various disorders.
US09402874B2
A method of alleviating a symptom of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in a human patient suffering from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis or a patient who has experienced a first clinical episode and is determined to be at high risk of developing clinically definite multiple sclerosis comprising administering to the human patient three subcutaneous injections of a therapeutically effective dose of glatiramer acetate over a period of seven days with at least one day between every subcutaneous injection so as to thereby alleviate the symptom of the patient.
US09402872B2
The invention relates to the use of lactic acid bacteria, for use in improving transepithelial resistance and more particularly in treating and/or preventing constipation and/or irritable bowel disease.
US09402871B2
TRFs useful for identifying strains of interest are provided. A method of identifying one or more strain that can be used as a direct-fed microbial is also provided. One or more strain identified by the method is additionally provided. A method is also provided for administering to an animal an effective amount of the one or more strain. Additionally provided is an isolated strain chosen from at least one of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain P1B c6 (NRRL B-50103), Lactobacillus salivarius strain o246e 33w (NRRL B-50102), Pediococcus acidilactici strain o246e 42 (NRRL B-50171), and Pediococcus acidilactici strain P1J e3 (NRRL B-50101). An isolated strain having all of the identifying characteristics of one of the strains listed above is also provided. One or more strain can be administered as a direct-fed microbial to an animal. Methods of preparing a direct-fed microbial are also provided.
US09402869B1
A treated composition of neural tissue is made of spinal cord tissue harvested from a spinal cord of a mammal. The spinal cord tissue is harvested from vertebral column of the mammal. The spinal cord tissue is harvested post mortem. The mammal is one of a primate, an equine, a bovine, a porcine or other mammalian animal. The spinal cord tissue is dried or has the water content in the tissue reduced or eliminated by freeze drying or hypothermic dehydration and treated with a cryopreservative.
US09402868B2
The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue using nerve grafts and preparation of nerve grafts. The compositions and methods of the subject invention can be employed to restore the continuity of nerve interrupted by disease, traumatic events or surgical procedures. Compositions of the subject invention comprise one or more chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG)-degrading enzymes that promote axonal penetration into damaged nerve tissue and nerve graft. The invention also concerns methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue using the present compositions and nerve tissue treated according to such methods. The invention also includes storage solutions for nerve tissue.
US09402867B2
The present invention relates to a method and composition for the aspiration, processing, testing and infusion of bone marrow derived stem cells, as an adjuvant treatment in cardiovascular disorders. More specifically, the invention provides for the methods and compositions for the aspiration, analysis, processing, infusate preparation and infusion of bone-marrow derived stem cells, particularly in a rapid point-of-care environment, wherein a centrifugal fractionation and optically monitored separation of the bone marrow yield desired cellular product in the desired concentration and viscosity.
US09402866B2
Automated systems and methods for providing platelet concentrates and synthetic storage media with reduced residual plasma volumes are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods reduce the residual volume of plasma in platelet concentrate to obtain a platelet product having a volume of plasma that is approximately 5% or less of the total platelet product volume. The disclosed systems and methods also reduce the residual volume of plasma in platelet concentrate to obtain a washed platelet product, wherein the volume of plasma in the washed platelet product is approximately 1% or less of the total washed platelet product volume. Storage media for platelets including less than approximately 10% plasma are also disclosed.
US09402858B2
The present invention provides the use of an alginate Io inhibit pancreatic lipase. The use may be directed to the control of weight in animals including human beings. Preferably the fraction of guluronate dimers in the alginate is at least 0.5.
US09402846B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating cancer in a human and to pharmaceutical combinations useful in such treatment. In particular, the method relates to a cancer treatment method that includes administering N-{3-[5-(2-Amino-4-pyrimidinyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]-2-fluorophenyl}-2,6-difluorobenzenesulfonamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and N-{(1S)-2-amino-1-[(3,4-difluorophenyl)methyl]ethyl}-5-chloro-4-(4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-2-furancarboxamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a human in need thereof.
US09402841B2
Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are defined in the specification. This disclosure also relates to materials and methods for preparing compounds of Formula 1, to pharmaceutical compositions which contain them, and to their use for treating Type I hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders, cancer, non-malignant proliferative disorders, and other conditions associated with BTK.
US09402840B2
The invention provides a crystalline hydrochloride salt of 1-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid {(1S,3R,5R)-8-[(R)-2-hydroxy-3-(methanesulfonyl-methyl-amino)propyl]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl}amide or a solvate thereof. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such crystalline salt forms, methods of using such crystalline salt forms to treat diseases associated with 5-HT4 receptor activity, and processes useful for preparing such crystalline salt forms.
US09402832B2
The present invention relates to HSP90 inhibitors containing fused amino pyridine core that are useful as inhibitors of HSP90 and their use in the treatment of HSP90 related diseases and disorders such as cancer, an autoimmune disease, or a neurodegenerative disease.
US09402823B2
The invention provides ingenol compounds for treating seborrheic keratosis.
US09402822B2
A method of treating patients in need of treatment for a cardiac disorder has been found which comprises administering to the patient a seven carbon fatty acid compound or derivative thereof, wherein the compound or derivative thereof is able to readily enter the mitochondrion without special transport enzymes. A dietary formulation suitable for treatment of heart tissue in cardiac or surgical patients has been found which comprises a seven-carbon fatty acid chain, wherein the seven-carbon fatty acid chain is characterized by the ability to transverse the inner mitochondrial membrane by a transport mechanism which does not require carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, or carnitine/acylcarnitine translocase and the ability to undergo mitochondrial β-oxidation, and wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of n-heptanoic acid or a derivative thereof, a triglyceride comprising n-heptanoic acid or a derivative thereof, and triheptanoin or a derivative thereof.
US09402821B2
The present invention relates to a method and compositions for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
US09402812B2
Provided herein are methods for preparing liposomes and uses thereof. In certain embodiments, liposomes are prepared without using heat, organic solvents, proteins, and/or inorganic salts in the process. In certain embodiments, the liposomal preparation contains one or more active agents. In certain embodiments, the liposomal preparations are used in the treatment of diseases or disorders.
US09402810B2
The invention relates to a product for oral delivery of nicotine containing a core comprising a powder of at least one free nicotine salt, at least one pH adjusting agent and at least one filler, and a water insoluble pouch, wherein said pouch is permeable for saliva and therein dissolved parts of the powder, wherein said product upon contact with purified water gives a pH of at least 6. The invention also relates to a method to manufacture such a product.
US09402807B2
Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade to release the drug into the bloodstream to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.
US09402806B2
Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade to release the drug into the bloodstream to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.
US09402804B2
Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. The drugs, agents, and/or compounds may also be utilized to treat specific diseases, including vulnerable plaque. Therapeutic agents may also be delivered to the region of a disease site. In regional delivery, liquid formulations may be desirable to increase the efficacy and deliverability of the particular drug. Also, the devices may be modified to promote endothelialization. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned. In addition, the devices utilized to deliver the implantable medical devices may be modified to reduce the potential for damaging the implantable medical device during deployment. Medical devices include stents, grafts, anastomotic devices, perivascular wraps, sutures and staples. In addition, various polymer combinations may be utilized to control the elution rates of the therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds from the implantable medical devices. Liquid formulations, including solutions and suspensions of the various drugs, agents and/or compounds, may be locally or regionally delivered. In each of these instances, antioxidants are utilized to prolong product integrity.
US09402801B2
The invention relates to active ingredient combinations of magnolia bark extract and hyaluronic acid, cosmetic and/or dermatological preparations containing said active ingredient combinations and to the use thereof for the cosmetic and/or dermatological treatment and/or prophylaxis of cellulite and/or the appearance form of skin aging.
US09402799B2
The invention relates to a sterilized composition comprising at least one hyaluronic acid or biologically acceptable salt thereof, alone or in a mixture, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, in a ratio [HA]/[MAP] by mass of the amount of hyaluronic acid or salt thereof [HA] to the amount of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate [MAP] of greater than or equal to 1, the amount of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate being between 0.001% and 1% by weight, relative to the total weight of said composition, with an elastic component G′ which is retained or improved after sterilization and is between 5 and 400 Pa. It also relates to a composition of the invention which further includes dimethyl sulfone, to methods for producing same, and to uses thereof.
US09402793B2
Use of UV-filters to stabilize resveratrol in topical cosmetic compositions and to improve the efficacy of topical cosmetic skin whitening compositions containing resveratrol as skin whitening agent.
US09402790B2
The present invention relates to a structured liquid composition comprising anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant and a plurality of stable and evenly suspended encapsulated actives. The liquid composition is externally structured by incorporating a cross-linked acrylic copolymer.
US09402789B2
An enteral feeding set for an enteral feeding pump having a control system for controlling operation of the pump to supply nutrient liquid to a patient through the enteral feeding set loaded in the pump, a source of electromagnetic radiation operatively connected to the control system of the pump for emitting electromagnetic radiation, and an electromagnetic radiation detector operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation and providing an indication to the control system that the feeding set is properly loaded in the pump. The feeding set includes a conduit for carrying nutrient liquid to a patient. A safety interlock includes a light pipe for providing a passage of the electromagnetic radiation from the source of electromagnetic radiation to the electromagnetic radiation detector only when the safety interlock is loaded in the pump such that nutrient liquid flow to the patient is regulated by the pump.
US09402788B2
An extrusion process comprises extruding a material that is flowable when heated and passing the extrudate thus formed through a nozzle 10 to shape the extrudate into a plurality of substantially uniformly shaped elements such as minispheres or minicapsules.
US09402776B2
A restraint, reposition, traction, and exercise device treats acute or chronic mechanical pain, particularly back, neck, hip, pelvis, shoulder, knees, and/or leg pain, and restores and/or increases range of motion in suitable users. The device may include two or more movable support structures and two or more restraints, such as straps. The restraints may be incrementally adjustable to stabilize two or more portions of a person's body, such as the back and/or pelvic regions, against the support structures in any number of three-dimensional orientations that produce a substantially pain-free position. The support structures may be moved apart to apply spinal traction to the portions of the person's body between the restraints. Exercises may be performed while in a substantially pain-free position before, during, or after spinal traction is applied. The user may reposition and restrain herself/himself in another substantially pain-free position and then re-apply spinal traction and/or perform further exercises.
US09402756B2
A monorail guides a guide wire introduced into an outer tube in a catheter for stent surgery. The catheter includes the outer tube having an outer hole, an inner tube installed in the outer tube, and a guide wire inserted into the outer hole and the inner tube and protruding outwards from a front end of the inner tube so that the outer tube and the inner tube move along the guide wire so as to be guide a stent. The monorail includes a separation guide which is inserted into and fixed in the outer tube and configured such that the guide wire that is inserted into the outer hole is spaced apart from the inner tube without making contact with the inner tube.
US09402751B2
The present disclosure includes an endoprosthesis comprising a descending stent-graft, an ascending stent-graft, and/or a side-branch stent-graft. In various embodiments, an ascending stent-graft is capable of being coupled to a descending stent-graft, and/or a descending stent-graft can comprise a fenestration capable of being coupled to a side-branch stent-graft. In addition, in various embodiments, a descending and/or ascending stent-graft can comprise a reduced diameter portion that, when implanted within an aortic arch, recedes from a luminal surface of the aortic arch to allow a side-branch stent-graft to be maneuvered within the aortic arch.
US09402748B2
The present invention relates to artificial limbs generally and joints for same. The present invention provides hydraulic functional units whereby enabling movement of artificial joints to closely correspond with natural human movement. In the provision of realistic joints, as used in prosthetic limbs, an important aspect in achieving realistic movement is providing a different operating characteristic to the joint when under load. One important characteristic of an artificial leg for achieving a natural-looking walking gait corresponding with those of a stabilized knee, i.e. a knee resisting flexion when under load, is when it bears at least some of the weight of the amputee. Properties of resilient mechanical members are utilized to enable a hydro-mechanical system to be controlled so that it releases a low joint resistance mode relative to a default high resistance mode. The invention also permits alternative embodiments such as electronic, electro fluidic or electromechanical means.
US09402740B1
An intervertebral implant for implantation between an upper vertebral body and a lower vertebral body is disclosed. It includes a body portion through which a first and second pathway pass. A first arcuate anchor is movable in an arcuate path through the first pathway and a second arcuate anchor is movable in an arcuate path through the second pathway. A locking member is movable between an open position and a closed position to either block or allow the withdrawal of the first and second arcuate anchors.
US09402739B2
An expandable fusion device may include a first endplate, and a second endplate. The expandable fusion device also may include a first ramp configured to mate with both the first and second endplates. The first ramp may be a wedge with an incline extending along a longitudinal axis of the expandable fusion device, and also may be a wedge having an incline extending along a lateral axis of the expandable fusion device. A second ramp may be configured to mate with both the first and second endplates. The first ramp may be a wedge having an incline extending along the longitudinal axis of the expandable fusion device, and also may be wedge having an incline extending along the lateral axis of the expandable fusion device.
US09402738B2
Embodiments of devices and methods of correcting vertebral misalignment, including, e.g., spondylolisthesis, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vertebral implant may include an assembly configured to be secured to a first vertebral body, wherein the assembly includes a frame made of a first material and at least one end plate made of a second material different than the first material; a reducing plate configured to be slidably received over the central portion, wherein the reducing plate is configured to be secured to a second vertebral body; and an actuator configured to move the reducing plate relative to the frame.
US09402730B2
A humeral prosthesis includes a stem component with a lateral stem body and a head component joined by an inclination component or block. The stem component and the inclination component are provided with openings/holes/fenestrations/eyelets that allow attachment of soft tissue (and optional fracture repair). A first plurality of suture holes are provided to the lateral stem body and a second plurality of suture holes are provided on the medial aspect of the inclination block. These suture holes are intended for subscapularis or lesser tuberosity reattachments. Inclination angle, radial offset, and version are adjustable and are separately and independently set and fixed.
US09402724B2
A resorbable bone graft scaffold material, including a plurality of overlapping and interlocking fibers defining a scaffold structure, plurality of pores distributed throughout the scaffold, and a plurality of glass microspheres distributed throughout the pores. The fibers are characterized by fiber diameters ranging from about 5 nanometers to about 100 micrometers, and the fibers are a bioactive, resorbable material. The fibers generally contribute about 20 to about 40 weight percent of the scaffold material, with the microspheres contributing the balance.
US09402716B2
The present inserter, system and method suitable for inserting the IOL may include a lumen having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall including at least one hollowed portion; a plunger for advancing along the lumen, the plunger having a plunger shaft extending into the open proximal end and terminating at a distal plunger end; a reservoir within the lumen between the distal plunger end and the distal insertion tip, the reservoir having an opening that is misaligned with the at least one hollowed portion prior to advancing of the plunger, and that is aligned with the at least one hollowed portion during advancing of the plunger; and a viscous fluid within the lumen, wherein the viscous fluid flows along a bypass formed of the at least one hollowed portion and the opening and into said reservoir, thereby decreasing an inserting displacement force effected at the distal insertion tip from a plunger displacement force applied to said plunger.
US09402710B2
Macroporous 3-D tissue engineering scaffold comprising elastomeric cross-linked polymer units and interconnected macropores containing living cells are produced by step of: in a mixture of the cells and elastomeric polymer units comprising activatable crosslinking groups, activating the crosslinking groups to form the scaffold.
US09402709B2
The invention discloses a process for fabricating a biomaterial, comprising: a) joining a porous collagen based-material with a non-porous collagen based-material by applying a controlled amount of a bonding layer of a gel comprising collagen to a bonding surface of the non-porous collagen based-material, and contacting a surface of the porous collagen based-material with the gel applied to the bonding surface to partially hydrate a section of the porous material at the interface between the materials; b) drying the gel to dry to bond the materials together; and c) cross-linking the collagens in the bonding layer. Also disclosed are biomaterials and implants produced using the fabrication process.
US09402708B2
A device for treating a thrombus in a blood vessel includes a treatment section and a filter section. The treatment section can be generally cylindrical and comprise a plurality of individual filaments and individual cells, as well as a first edge and a second edge along a longitudinal axis of the device. A varying degree of overlap of the first edge and the second edge may be provided as the device transitions from a volume-reduced form to an expanded form. The filter section can be generally conical and accommodate the variable degree of overlap by providing a first section, distal to the treatment section, that has a variable degree of overlap with a non-continuous, interrupted surface. A second section, distal to the first section, has a continuous surface for providing effective filtering of debris and emboli dislodged from the thrombus during action upon the thrombus by the treatment section.
US09402704B2
Various embodiments of an implant system for treating fecal incontinence are provided. The devices and systems can include a mesh or like device that can include a variable porosity to control the degree of expansion of the anal canal. The mesh can be constructed at least in part of patterned strut members allowing for various geometric configurations, with varying load and tension properties for the designated portions of the device according to the needs for a particular patient application.
US09402703B2
Disclosed is a female urinary incontinence-inhibiting device comprising a flexible torus including at least one slot configured to, under compression, flexibly reduce the outer diameter of the flexible torus, the flexible torus having a diameter configured to inhibit female urinary incontinence when placed in a vagina and a stabilizing element, coupled to the flexible torus, the stabilizing element having a size and position configured to stabilize the flexible torus within the vagina.
US09402696B2
A pin connector for attaching an orthodontic force module to an orthodontic appliance is configured to preferentially bend in a middle segment along an elongate pin body of the pin connector. The pin connector includes an elongate pin body and an extension rod extending laterally from an end of the pin body for interconnecting the pin body and an orthodontic force module. The elongate pin body includes first, second and third segments, with the second segment having reduced cross-sectional diameter relative to the first and third segments so that pin body preferentially bends in the second segment rather than the first and third segments when attaching the orthodontic force module to the orthodontic appliance. This provides a preselected amount of distance or play between the orthodontic force module and the orthodontic appliance.
US09402695B2
The invention relates to a customized jig for an orthodontic appliance, to an assembly formed by the jig, a base and a bracket, and to the associated design methods. The customized jig is used to install a bracket-bearing base on a tooth, said base forming part of an orthodontic appliance. The invention is characterized in that: the jig is a cap that covers the tooth, covering the free edge thereof and at least portions of the front and rear surfaces of same; and the shape of the jig is such that it matches that of the base in at least one portion of at least one of the edges thereof. The invention also relates to an assembly formed by a customized base bearing a bracket and a customized jig of the type mentioned above, and to methods for designing one such jig.
US09402694B2
The present invention relates to a hand held interproximal dental tool for detaching unwanted materials from a patient's teeth and to methods of manufacturing such tools. The interproximal dental tool includes a compact, ergonomically designed housing which is gripped by a dental practitioner during use and a blade extending from and structurally supported by the housing which includes serrations for cutting or abrasive materials for sanding unwanted material.
US09402688B2
A surgical robot system and a control method thereof include a slave device and a master device to control motion of the slave device. The surgical robot system further includes a monitoring device that inspects a signal transmitted within the system in real time to stop motion of the slave device if an abnormal signal is detected.
US09402679B2
A surgical instrument includes an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a bore extending between the distal and proximal ends, a pair of jaws for severing vessel mounted on the distal end of the body, wherein at least one of the jaws has an electrically conductive material, and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body, wherein in a first mode of operation, the electrically conductive material is for receiving energy from a DC source, and in a second mode of operation, the electrically conductive material is for receiving energy from a RF source.
US09402671B2
A valve controller includes a housing, and a lever extending from the housing. The lever includes a protrusion rigidly attached to the lever, and the lever is biased to an initial position. A switch has an open and a closed position. A linkage is pivotally connected to the switch, and the linkage includes a centrally disposed slot configured to receive the protrusion such that movement of the switch controls movement of the linkage and the lever such that moving the switch to the closed position closes a valve controlled by the lever regardless of a position of the lever.
US09402667B2
A system for fixing fractured bone portions of a distal humerus in position with respect to one another. In one embodiment, the system includes a plate portion, a projection portion, and a fixation post. The plate portion includes a surface for contacting a posterior portion of the distal humerus adjacent one of a lateral side and a medial side thereof. The projection portion extends outwardly from the plate portion and includes an aperture for receiving the fixation post. The fixation post includes at least one fenestration, and extends from adjacent the one of the lateral and medial sides of the distal humerus to adjacent the other of the lateral and medial sides of the distal humerus.
US09402664B2
An intramedullary nail comprising an outer tubular sheath, a flexible rod and a driver element mobile within the sheath longitudinally with an engagement element formed out of the wall of the tubular sheath. After the nail has been inserted, distal end first, into the intramedullary cavity, the flexible rod is pulled, thereby engendering the driver element to advance the engagement element into the cortical bone, thus keeping the intramedullary nail in position within the intramedullary cavity.
US09402656B2
The present disclosure generally relates to a device for positioning and immobilizing at least two adjacent vertebrae. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the present disclosure relates to spinous process fusion devices that distract and immobilize the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae.
US09402650B2
Methods of joint repair employing sutures and attached fixation devices are discussed. For example, a bone block graft procedure (e.g., Latarjet) is discussed which employs fixation devices to secure contact between graft surfaces of two bones. A suture construct, including a continuous suture loop routed through a first fastener, is secured to a first bone. Looped ends of the suture loop are passed through passageways formed in the two bones. The looped suture ends are further routed through a second fastener. The second fastener is mounted to the second bone and a sliding knot, formed in the looped suture ends, is advanced into contact with the second fastener. The suture is further tensioned using a tensioner device to secure the two bones together.
US09402642B2
A portable hand held tongue vacuum cleaner that includes a small vacuum pump and power supply contained within a hollow housing. A removable cleaning head is attached to a vacuum port which extends out from the housing. The cleaning head includes bristles and a centrally located vacuum tube whose end terminates just below the height of the bristles. The cleaning head is oriented at a forty-five degree angle with respect to the cleaning head extension tube. A removable filter trap is located inside the extension tube to catch debris removed from the surface of the tongue.
US09402639B2
A system and method for positioning a medical imaging unit is disclosed. The method may include accessing data from a plurality of sensors. The method may also include computing an optimal position for the medical imaging unit to acquire images of a point of interest. The computation may be based on data from plurality of sensors and information for calibrating the point of interest with at least one sensor. The method may also include computing instructions for manipulating the medical imaging unit from a first position to an optimal position. In an embodiment, the instructions may be displayed for a user to manually position the medical imaging unit. Alternatively, the instructions may be sent to an electric motor to position the medical imaging unit, or the electric motor may provide force feedback to guide a user to position the medical imaging unit in an optimal position.
US09402638B2
A cutting burr that includes a pair of axially spaced diamond-shaped portions designed to be keyed into a spindle of a locking mechanism of a high speed surgical drilling instrument and adapted to fit into a single pawl thereof to lock said cutting burr in place so as to prevent axial movement thereof and provide concentric rotation of said cutting burr without any wobbling. The orientation of both portions may be identical with respect to a center plan and diamond shape in the portion at the proximal end of the shank of the cutting tool may be larger than the intermediately located diamond shape of the other portion. The apexes of the facets of the six-sided diamond shape may be disposed below the surface of the shank of the cutting burr.
US09402634B2
A vascular device is provided that includes a tubular structure and an occluding structure. The tubular structure has inner and outer layers, with the occluding structure located between the inner and outer layers. Each of the inner and outer layers may define a different pick count, and the tubular structure may include a leading edge at a transition between the pick counts. The leading edge may be disposed at the distal end of the vascular device when the device is deployed from a delivery device. Furthermore, the occluding structure may have first and second layers formed by the inversion or eversion of the occluding structure and the subsequent coupling of its free ends to form a continuous structure. Thus, any loose ends may be sealed to minimize unraveling and/or shifting of the occluding structure within the tubular structure. A method of making the vascular device is also provided.
US09402631B2
A multiple band endoscopic ligation device comprises a single pull string and a plurality of beads positioned on said pull string and between each successive band. The device is configured to be coupled to the distal end of an endoscope and is used to deploy multiple elastic bands around target tissues to be ligated. The device includes a tapered cylindrical body about which a plurality of elastic bands are stretched and positioned. The pull string includes multiple sets of two beads fixed to the string wherein one bead is placed directly behind and in contact with the other. The string is wrapped around the device's body and under each band such that at least one pair of beads is positioned between the elastic bands and one pair of beads is positioned proximally to the most proximal band. As the string is pulled, the beads push the bands sequentially off the distal end of the device and around a tissue to be ligated. The use of two adjacent beads on the string to push off each band ensures that the bands will not slip over the beads, thereby preventing a misfire.
US09402628B2
Disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus that includes a cartridge assembly which is capable of being reloaded during a surgical procedure without being removed from the surgical site. This allows a surgeon to continue a surgical operation without withdrawing or removing the surgical stapler for reloading and thus reduces the length of the surgery while allowing the physician to concentrate solely on the surgical procedure rather than dividing attention between the surgical procedure and reloading of the surgical stapler. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongate member having a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows which is longitudinally translatable through the cartridge to position the plurality of fasteners relative to a plurality of retention slots extending through an upper surface of the cartridge.
US09402627B2
An end effector for use with a surgical apparatus. The end effector comprising a staple cartridge having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot and an anvil plate having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot. A folded surgical buttress configured to overlie each of the tissue contacting surfaces of the staple cartridge and anvil plate and configured to retain the surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate. The surgical buttress having a first longitudinal portion, a second longitudinal portion, and middle longitudinal portion between the first and second longitudinal portions, wherein the middle longitudinal portion is folded and configured to fit within the central longitudinal slot of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate.
US09402625B2
A surgical stapler including a hollow shaft and a tube slidable axially within the shaft between a forward position, where one end of the tube projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a blood vessel and a rearward position, where the end of the locator tube is retracted within the shaft. A surgical staple straddles the tube and is slidable thereon forwardly towards an anvil against which the staple may be deformed to staple together the opposite edges of the puncture site. A cam mechanism drives the staple forwardly along the tube into deforming engagement with the anvil and at the same time retracts the tube into the shaft in time to allow the legs of the staple to close onto the puncture site.
US09402614B2
A spreader for the atrium of the heart is disclosed, particularly for the exposure of the mitral valve, having a thin-walled axially continuous hollow retractor body, the diameter of which expands from a distal edge to a proximal edge. The wall of the retractor body is made of an elastically deformable flat material, preferably of a shape memory metal. At the proximal edge of the retractor body, a receptacle is arranged, into which a fixing rod for positioning and fixing the retractor body can be inserted.
US09402611B2
A surgical portal apparatus includes a portal housing, a portal sleeve, and a seal. The portal housing defines a central housing axis and a central housing channel. The portal sleeve extends from the portal housing and is dimensioned to pass through tissue to provide access to underlying tissue via a longitudinal opening. The central housing channel of the portal housing and the longitudinal opening of the portal sleeve define a passageway for reception and passage of a surgical object. The seal has inner surfaces defining a seal passage for establishing a general sealed relation about the surgical object. The seal passage is radially offset with respect to the central housing axis. The seal is adapted to rotate about the central housing axis to vary positioning of the seal passage to substantially maintain the substantial sealed relation upon manipulation of the surgical object within the portal housing.
US09402609B2
A surgical retracting device includes a linking element and support element, characterized in that the linking element is a thread (2) and in that support element (1) includes a first and second face and at least three holes in which the thread passes through (6, 7, 8), the support element (1) and thread (2) being connected by a first knot (18) on the first face (A) and by a second knot (19) on the second face (B). A process for manufacturing the aforementioned device is also described. The device is useful in surgical operations for retaining or retracting biological or synthetic tissue, in particular during mini-invasive operations.
US09402602B2
The current invention presents a tissue sampling apparatus and methods to reliably obtain solid and liquid bone marrow samples in sequence in a single insertion of the apparatus to a target area. The apparatus comprises a proximal handle assembly, a distal cutting assembly and a shaft assembly connecting both assemblies. The handle assembly comprises an upper handle connected to an inner cutting tube and a lower handle connected to an outer cannula. The lower handle transmits axial rotation of the upper handle to longitudinal movement of the inner cutting tube. Axial rotation of an engaged upper handle longitudinally pulls out from the outer cannula the inner cutting tube that spirally holds fast a solid marrow sample inside a distal end of said inner cutting tube. Following acquisition of the solid marrow sample, a liquid marrow sample is aspirated through the outer cannula.
US09402601B1
A hand-held ultrasound system includes integrated electronics within an ergonomic housing. The electronics includes control circuitry, beamforming and circuitry transducer drive circuitry. The electronics communicate with a host computer using an industry standard high speed serial bus. The ultrasonic imaging system is operable on a standard, commercially available, user computing device without specific hardware modifications, and is adapted to interface with an external application without modification to the ultrasonic imaging system to allow a user to gather ultrasonic data on a standard user computing device such as a PC, and employ the data so gathered via an independent external application without requiring a custom system, expensive hardware modifications, or system rebuilds. An integrated interface program allows such ultrasonic data to be invoked by a variety of such external applications having access to the integrated interface program via a standard, predetermined platform such as visual basic or c++.
US09402599B2
Disclosed is an ultrasound probe including a piezoelectric device which transmits and receives ultrasound, n layers of acoustic matching layers provided on a front side of the piezoelectric device, n layers meaning two layers or more, an acoustic lens which is provided on a front side of the acoustic matching layers and an acoustic reflecting layer which is provided on a back side of the piezoelectric device.
US09402594B2
An x-ray detector of a grid-based phase-contrast x-ray device and a method for operating a grid-based phase-contrast x-ray device. Signal values of detector elements are combined to form group signal values. An image computing unit calculates an x-ray beam phase value from the group signal values.
US09402589B2
An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an X-ray irradiator configured to emit X-rays to the examinee on a table; an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays transmitted through the examinee on the table; a data collector configured to collect transmission data on those X-rays; a movement drive unit configured to move one of the table and the X-ray irradiator relative to the other in an outward direction and then in a homeward direction, the outward direction and homeward direction being opposite directions along a body axis of the examinee on the table; a position detector configured to detect a relative position between the table and the X-ray irradiator; and a data collection controller configured to control timings for starting and stopping data collection by the data collector, based on the relative position between the table and the X-ray irradiator.
US09402582B1
A smart surgical glove is provided that includes sensors configured to detect one or more properties of a target tissue and indicators configured to indicate the detected one or more properties of the target tissue. In some embodiments, the indicators are configured to provide a sensation to a wearer of the smart surgical glove that is related to the detected one or more properties of the target tissue. In some embodiments, the indicators are configured to transmit a signal to another device, for example, a head-mounted display worn by the wearer of the smart surgical glove. In some embodiments, the smart surgical glove is configure to illuminate a fluorescent imaging agent in the target tissue and to detect one or more properties of the target tissue related to the presence of the imaging agent. Additionally included are methods of using such smart surgical gloves.
US09402577B2
The present invention discloses a driver's fatigue detection system and method. The system comprises a vital sign detection device generating at least one personal vital sign value; a storage device storing a linear statistic equation; a processor electrically connected with the vital sign detection device and the storage device; and a display device electrically connected with the processor. The processor receives the personal vital sign value, retrieves the linear statistic equation, substitutes the personal vital sign value into the linear statistic equation to generate a predictive vehicle deviation value, and determines whether the predictive vehicle deviation value is over a preset vehicle deviation value. If yes, the processor generates an alert signal to the display device to present an alert image. The present invention determines whether the stability of the driver is decreasing according to his physiological status and reminds the driver to avoid a traffic accident beforehand.
US09402569B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems, methods and/or devices for calibrating sensor data to be used in estimating a blood glucose concentration. A relationship between sensor signal values and reference readings may be used to estimate a relationship between sensor signal values and measurements of blood glucose concentration.
US09402568B2
A device monitors sensor data generated by movement of a wearer and determines whether the data indicates a fall. The device may include accelerometers, barometer(s), and sensors that detect, light, sound, temperature, magnetic and electric fields, strain-force on the device, and other environmental conditions. A processor determines whether the data meets a first criterion for a parameter (i.e., exceeding an acceleration or barometric pressure maximum threshold). The first criterion corresponds to a first set of known-fall event data sets. If the first criterion is met, the processor generates a full indication. If the data does not meet the first criterion, the processor compares the data to a second criterion for the same, or different, parameter. If the second parameter is met, further processing confirms a fall determination by comparing the data to other criteria corresponding to known-fall event data sets that differ from the first set.
US09402565B2
In a method of analysis, a target image is registered to define a plurality of keypoints arranged in sets corresponding to polygons or linear segments in the target image. A database of registered and annotated images is accessed and a polygon-wise comparison between the target image and each database image is employed. The comparison is used for projecting annotated locations from the database images into the target image.
US09402564B2
Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve measuring a prostate or other object. In some embodiments, a membrane can be sealed over a digit extension to form a closed volume. The closed volume can be inflated via an inflation tube, and a reference pattern can be disposed within the closed volume along with a measurement assembly. In use, a user can put on the glove, position the membrane in proximity to a rectal wall overlying a prostate, and inflate the membrane. As the user slides their finger across the rectal wall, optical fibers in the measurement assembly can move relative to a reference pattern, and a controller can sense light reflected through the fibers from the reference pattern. The controller can calculate or estimate various attributes of the prostate based on the reflected light, such as the palpable surface width or volume.
US09402563B2
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to identification of apnea type. One aspect of the present subject matter provides a method for real-time apnea discrimination. The method includes sensing an impedance-based tidal volume signal to monitor a respiratory cycle of a patient, and detecting a reduction in tidal swing using the sensed impendence to detect an apnea event. When the apnea event is detected, a shape of the sensed signal is compared to a stored signal shape to determine whether the apnea event is primarily an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event or primarily a central sleep apnea (CSA) event, in various embodiments.
US09402555B2
A drive assembly for use in a robotic control and guidance system comprises a cartridge having an outer housing and a rotatable medical device assembly disposed therein. The rotatable assembly includes a medical device having proximal and distal ends, and a housing having first and second ends, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The proximal end of the medical device is disposed within the housing, and the housing further comprises an opening through which the medical device extends outwardly from said housing. The rotatable assembly further comprises a drive interface coupled with the housing. The drive assembly further comprises a manipulation base comprising a mounting plate onto which the cartridge is removably attached, and a drive system mounted to the mounting plate. The drive system is configured to operatively engage the cartridge drive interface and to impart rotational movement onto the rotatable assembly through the drive interface.
US09402553B2
A lifesaving support apparatus includes: a sensor section which is adapted to be attachable to a patient, and which is configured to acquire information of blood flow of the patient; a determining section which, based on the information of blood flow, is configured to determine whether or not a use of an automatic external defibrillator is necessary; and an outputting section which is configured to notify a rescuer of information which is determined by the determining section.
US09402551B2
To detect whether the pulse detector is in an unworn state, the pulse detector is provided for detecting a pulse signal that originates in the pulse of a subject has a pulse wave sensor, a pulse wave sensor sensitivity adjustment section that adjusts the sensitivity of the pulse wave sensor, a body movement sensor, and an unworn-state detector that detects that the pulse detector has been removed from the subject and is in an unworn state, on the basis of the sensitivity of the pulse wave sensor sensitivity adjustment section and a body movement sensor signal outputted from the body movement sensor.
US09402550B2
A method may include sensing a time of beat sequence of a patient's heart and processing said time of beat sequence with a medical device to identify a change in heart rate of a patient from a first heart rate to a second heart rate. The method may continue by determining with the medical device at least one of a) a ratio of the second heart rate to the first heart rate and b) a difference between the second heart rate and the first heart rate. The method may include determining with the medical device at least one of a) a dynamic ratio threshold for the ratio and b) a dynamic difference threshold for the difference, wherein the at least one threshold is based upon the first heart rate. The ratio and/or the difference may be compared to the threshold(s) to detect a neurological event, for example, an epileptic seizure.
US09402549B2
Methods and apparatus to estimate ventricular volumes are disclosed. An example computer-implemented method includes preparing a sample set using a prior probability model for a left ventricle and a right ventricle and using a likelihood function to assign a weight to each sample within the sample set. The example method also includes, based on the weighted sample set, determining an area of the right ventricle and the left ventricle.
US09402548B2
The invention relates to a radiation detector (10), in particular for detecting x-ray radiation, comprising a carrier substrate (11), a detector layer (12) which comprises GaN, is arranged on the carrier substrate (11) and has a thickness less than 50 μm, and contact electrodes (13) which form ohmic contacts with the detector layer (12). The invention also relates to a measurement device which is equipped with at least one such radiation detector (10).
US09402546B2
Optical sensor devices, image processing devices, methods and computer readable code computer-readable storage media for detecting biophysical parameters, chemical concentrations, chemical saturations, vital signs and physiological information such as a malignant condition are provided. In some embodiments, the optical sensor includes an array of photodetectors, where each photodetector is configured to detect a spectrum of light. In some embodiments, the image processing device receives a live still or video electronic image, or alternatively, the electronic image is provided from an electronic storage media. Exemplary physiological parameters include but are not limited to a pulse rate, a biophysical or physiological property of skin, a cardiovascular property, a property related to an organ such as the liver or the kidneys, and a temperature fluctuation. In some embodiments, the physiological parameter is indicative of a malady including but not limited to an autoimmune disease, a cancer, a nutritional deficiency, a malignant condition of bone marrow, a present of an infectious microbe such as a fungus, a present of hepatitis, and a cardiovascular disorder a pulmonary disorder. Exemplary chemical concentrations include but are not limited to a chemical saturation, a pH level, a pH level in blood vessels such as capillaries or in skin, a glucose level such as a blood glucose level, a urea nitrogen level such as a blood urea nitrogen level, a CO2 level such as a blood CO2 level or a CO2 saturation level, and an oxygen level such as a blood oxygen level or a blood oxygen saturation level. In some embodiments, the biophysical parameter, physiological parameter or chemical concentration is obtained from reflecting light from tissue from a mammalian subject. Alternatively one or more of these parameters are detected from a food item such as food tissue, a consumable beverage such as an alcoholic beverage, a dairy product, wine, a baked good, a fruit and a vegetable. Exemplary parameters related to food items include but are not limited to a parameter indicative of cooking or spoilage, a pH, a concentration of an antioxidant, and a concentration of an anti-inflammatory agent.
US09402540B2
Scanning optical beam imaging systems for imaging extended structures of an eye and providing biometry of an eye are provided. The systems include a focal system for shifting the focus of the scanning system from the front to the back of the eye. The systems provide for converging rays that can scan through the pupil of the eye, enabling scanning of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye using a common objective and a fixed working distance.
US09402533B2
There is provided herein a circuit board assembly for a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope comprising a camera circuit board configured to carry at least one front-pointing camera and at least one side-pointing camera, a flexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least one foldable panel and configured to carry at least one front illuminator for essentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of the front-pointing camera and at least one side illuminator for essentially illuminating the FOV of the side-pointing camera.
US09402529B1
The present invention includes a doormat comprising of a base including a mat element and a bottom portion for engaging with a supporting surface; pipes interconnected to each other disposed in a formation, wherein disposed periodically along the pipes is at least one miniature can for receipt of fluid to be piped through the pipes, which themselves include a plurality of holes for the dispensed fluid, to be dispensed therethru when the pressure is exerted on the upper surface element of the doormat, which comprises of a brush member with at least one main aperture for providing access to the at least one miniature can disposed along the pipes and one or a plurality of minor apertures for permitting the dispensed fluid to reach the upper surface thereby eliminating germs from being carried from one location to another.
US09402522B2
A cyclonic separation device comprises a plurality of cyclonic separators fluidly arranged in parallel with each other, each cyclonic separator comprising a chamber 18 having a circular-section side wall 19, a fluid inlet 20 and a fluid outlet 21 disposed at one end of the cyclone chamber 18, and an opening at the second end of the cyclone chamber 18 through which separated matter passes out of the chamber for collection. The cyclonic separators are arranged in a rotatable body 17 such that their respective cyclone axes B are outwardly inclined relative to an axis A of rotation of the body 17 and such that the second end of each cyclone chamber 18 is disposed radially outwardly of its first end with respect to the axis A of rotation. A motor 15 rotates the body 17 about its axis A of rotation and so imparts a radially outward force on separated matter forced against the side wall 19 by the cyclonic action, the radial force serving to rapidly force the matter axially of the towards the opening. The separation efficiency is thereby improved by the radial force.
US09402521B2
A cyclonic separation device comprises a cyclone chamber 11 having a cyclone axis A, a fluid outlet at one end of the cyclone chamber and a tubular apertured shroud 14 extending concentrically with the cyclone axis A. In use a motor 15 rotates the shroud 14 in the direction of a rotational airflow in the chamber 11 at a rotational speed which is over 1500 rpm and/or over 70% of the airflow speed around the shroud 14. The high speed of rotation of the shroud 14 is sufficient to dislodge any dust on the shroud by centrifugal action. Also, the high rotational speed of shroud 14 means that the air does not to need to decelerate to pass through the shroud 14 apertures and hence the risk of pressure drop and a loss of suction is avoided.
US09402520B2
The invention relates to a vacuum cleaning apparatus having a vacuum cleaning unit and a filter bag, in which the vacuum cleaning unit has a motor-fan unit which is designed in such a way that the vacuum cleaning unit with filter bag inserted with aperture 0 generates a negative pressure between 13 kPa and 6 kPa, preferably a negative pressure of between 20 kPa and 8 kPa and particularly preferably a negative pressure between 15 kPa and 8 kPa and, with aperture 8 (40 mm), generates an air flow between 25 l/s and 49 l/s, preferably an air flow between 30 l/s and 45 l/a, and particularly preferably an air flow between 35 l/s and 45 l/s, and the filter bag is a disposable filter bag made of nonwoven material which, during the testing of the reduction in the maximum air flow with a partially filled dust container analogous to EN 60312, exhibits a reduction in the air flow of less than 15%, preferably less than 10%, particularly preferably less than 5%.
US09402516B2
A vacuum cleaner including a base including a suction nozzle, a handle assembly pivotally coupled to the base, and a dirt collection assembly removably coupled to at least one of the handle assembly or the base. The dirt collection assembly includes a suction motor operable to generate an airflow through the suction nozzle when powered by a power source, and a dirt separator in fluid communication with the suction nozzle operable to separate and collect dirt particles from the airflow drawn through the suction nozzle by the suction motor. The suction motor is unpowerable when the dirt collection assembly is removed from the at least one of the handle assembly or the base.
US09402514B2
A windows wiper, which includes a base with a transversal arm and a vertical handle; a wiping board; and a bottom board, wherein the wiping board is able to rotate until the upper surface of the transversal arm rests against the bottom surface of the wiping board and the scraping edge extends forward beyond the surrounding edge of the wiping board. The windows wiper of the present invention has the two functions of scraping and wiping. The number of components of the windows wiper is small, and the configuration is simple too. Further more, when the scraping edge is used to scrape the glass or the wiping towel on the wiping board is used to wipe the glass, the direction of operation is parallel to the vertical portion of the base, which makes the operation convenient.
US09402511B2
The present invention discloses an apparatus and method that combines traditional open flame cooking and modern cooking techniques (including, but not limited to, convection cooking, conduction cooking, microwave cooking etc). It not only allows traditional cooking steps that take place in open flame but also gives the user an option to switch over to other cooking technique to complete the cooking.
US09402510B2
Cookware comprising a cooking surface of a bare metal and a sidewall extending upwardly from the cooking surface to a rim, wherein the sidewall is coated with a non-stick material.
US09402505B2
An oven for performing a rotisserie cooking operation includes an oven cavity having a door for selectively accessing the oven cavity, at least one heating element for heating the oven cavity and a rotisserie arm adapted to support a food product within the oven cavity. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotisserie arm for rotating the rotisserie arm and a food product. The oven also includes a control interface having a rotisserie cooking mode input and a control system for controlling the rotisserie motor and the heating element. In addition to other functions, the control system automatically causes the rotisserie motor to cycle on and off to allow for intermittent rotation of the food product supported on the rotisserie arm when the oven door is opened.
US09402493B2
A multi-purpose retractable drying station comprises a mounting bracket and an elongate main support beam extending from the mounting bracket, the elongate main support beam having a mounting pin that projects through the mounting bracket, the position of the mounting pin in said slots determining a position of the elongate main support beam. The station also comprises a plurality of transverse rods, parallel and spaced apart along the elongate main support beam and mounted thereto, and each transverse rod including a bar serving as a rack for drying articles thereon, the elongate main support beam retracting from a deployed horizontal position to a stowed vertical position.
US09402480B2
A seat assembly is provided that may include a seatback and a seat bottom. The seatback may extend generally upright. The seat bottom may be connected to the seatback and may include a frame and a seat bottom adjustment mechanism. The seat bottom adjustment mechanism may include first and second cushion pans that are movable relative to the frame and movable relative to each other between first and second configurations. The first and second cushion pans may support one or more seat cushions.
US09402470B2
A rack mounting kit is configured to allow mounting of a telecommunications equipment chassis into a rack by a single person. The rack mounting kit includes two complimentary brackets that form a shelf-like feature. The complimentary brackets also include a mating latch for interfacing with a chassis to secure the chassis in place. Additionally, a cross brace is provided that is removably installed onto the two complimentary brackets to provide additionally rigidity to a rack while a chassis is being installed. The cross brace can be removed once installation of the chassis is complete.
US09402468B1
A support device includes a bearing unit, and a supporting frame. The bearing unit includes two bearing members. The supporting frame includes a supporting mechanism combined with the bearing unit, and a stand unit connected with the supporting mechanism and supporting a bottom of the bearing unit. When the support device is disposed at an expanded position, the bearing members are parallel and juxtaposed to each other, and the supporting mechanism bridges and supports the bottom of the bearing members. When the support device is switched to a collapsed position, the bearing members are arranged in an upright manner and are located at two opposite side of the supporting frame. Thus, the support device has a largely reduced volume and has an enhanced strength to withstand a larger force or weight.
US09402463B2
The adaptive system includes a power toothbrush (10) which determines bristle force or pressure applied by the user against the teeth. The toothbrush includes a processing system (28) for comparing the determined force with a threshold value of excessive force and a threshold adaptive value which is below the excessive force threshold but serves as a warning for the user. The system is capable of raising the initial adaptive value threshold (64) following the user exceeding the adaptive value for a selected number of brushing events and then further for decreasing the adaptive value (66) back toward the initial adaptive value when the increased adaptive value is not exceeded for a selected number of brushing events, thus providing the ability to encourage/coach the user toward a brushing force which is below the threshold adaptive level and into a safe region of operation.
US09402454B2
A fluid application device for applying a fluid to a surface and removing the same as necessary. The device may generally comprise a fluid applicator and a textile base member for sanitizing gym equipment, wiping windows, applying sunscreen, and the like. The fluid applicator may comprise a spray applicator, a permeable bladder, and the like. The textile base member may include but is not limited to a hand towel, a wristband, and any other known textile configurations. In one embodiment, the present invention may be used by gym patrons to sanitized gym equipment before and/or after use. The present invention may also be used to clean other surfaces including but not limited to household windows, vehicle windows, and the like. Additional embodiments of the present invention may also be used either to apply sunscreen on a user or as a fishing towel to clean hands and remove odor.
US09402447B2
Belt buckle for releasable connection of a belt to another belt or object. The belt buckle has a male buckle part with a plug-in extension and a female buckle part with a receptacle, and a locking device. The plug-in extension of the male buckle part is insertable into the receptacle of the female buckle part and the buckle parts are lockable to each other in a locking state by the locking device. In the locking state, the buckle parts are arrangeable relative to each other in a neutral position, in which the locking device can be brought into an unlocking position to separate the buckle parts. The buckle parts are additionally arrangeable relative to each other in a blocking position, pivoted in relation to the neutral position, in which the locking device is blocked in a locking position to prevent the buckle parts from being separated from each other.
US09402442B2
An article of footwear sole structure includes a flexible web. The flexible web is surrounded by a ridge extending downward from a bottom side of the web. Traction elements also extend downward from the web bottom side. When standing or casually walking, a substantial portion of the wearer's weight is transferred to the ground by the ridge. During golf play, increased downward force of the wearer on the web deforms the web and transfers more of the wearer weight onto various portions of the traction elements.
US09402436B2
A customizable replacement strap converter system for flip flop sandals provides the ability to create a customized strap arrangement for a pair of flip flop sandals. Converter pegs are inserted into a stock sandal sole after the stock strap arrangement has been removed, providing a number of cord loops through which a plurality of straps may be threaded. A strap tie ring and a decorative embellishment may also be incorporated for added aesthetic appeal.
US09402426B2
Patterns for bodies and sleeves are devised to reduce the pull of the bodies from the sleeves when an arm is moved up, down, forward and backward. In an upper garment 1, portions 67 and 87 to be sewn to a first sewing reference position 6 on a front body 2 in a front portion to be sewn 54 in a front sleeve portion 51 project toward the front body 2 relative to a shoulder point SP, and project toward the front body 2 relative to a boundary point 65 between the front portion to be sewn 54 and the first end portion to be sewn 6, and portions 72 and 89 to be sewn to a second sewing reference position 12 on a back body 3 in a back portion to be sewn 55 in a back sleeve portion 52 project toward the back body 3 relative to the shoulder point SP, and project toward the back body 3 relative to a boundary point 70 between the back portion to be sewn 55 and the second end portion to be sewn 12.
US09402425B2
A nursing garment configured to be worn by a wearer having a breast includes an interior layer, an intermediate layer, and an exterior layer. The interior layer is positioned immediately adjacent the wearer during use of the nursing garment and defines soft cups for supporting the breasts. Each of the soft cups defines an opening therethrough providing access to a different one of the breasts. The intermediate layer defines padded cups, is coupled to the interior layer, and is positioned immediately adjacent the interior layer. The padded cups overlie the soft cups of the interior layer covering the openings of the interior layer. The exterior layer extends over the intermediate layer opposite the interior layer substantially covering the intermediate layer. To permit nursing, the intermediate layer and the exterior layer collectively fold down away from the interior layer permitting access to the breasts via the openings in the interior layer.
US09402423B2
A leg wear according to an embodiment of the present invention has a heel portion for covering a heel. In a plan view of a sole of the leg wear folded in a instep and sole planar shape, the length of a perpendicular line extending from a heel central point located at a center between a heel-side end of an outer gore line of the heel portion and a heel-side end of an inner gore line to an outer contour line is longer than the length of a perpendicular line extending from the heel central point to an inner contour line.
US09402419B2
A packet for tobacco products, includes a mobile container to receive the tobacco products, and a box-shaped body, housing the mobile container such that the mobile container can slide relative to the box-shaped body between a position in which the mobile container is completely inserted in the box-shaped body and a position in which a part of it is extracted from the box-shaped body. Each mobile container includes an inner container housing a group of tobacco products, and an outer container housing the inner container slidably in parallel with axes of the tobacco products, thus allowing the inner container to slide between a retracted position, and an extracted or raised position, in which the inner container is positioned close to a top wall of the outer container and a portion of a tobacco product is accessible through an opening in the outer container.
US09402407B2
A method for preparing a Eucalyptus extract which decreases the Eucalyptus-specific odor and obtains the effective ingredient in high purity and high yield as a physiologically-active ingredient. An essential oil constituent is removed from the Eucalyptus plant and the residue is extracted with water or an organic solvent aqueous solution. Next, the obtained extraction residue is further extracted with an organic solvent aqueous solution or an organic solvent, whereby Macrocarpal A, Macrocarpal B, and Macrocarpal C contained in the Eucalyptus as a physiological active substance are prepared in higher content than using conventional methods. Further, the extract has improved good taste, appearance, and other desirable properties.
US09402406B2
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages at a rapid rate by enabling removal of spent flavor base (e.g., coffee grounds) from a brewing chamber. In one embodiment, a filter is provided in fixed attachment with a wiper. After a brewed beverage is forced from the brewing chamber through the filter, the filter can be removed from the brew chamber. Removal of the filter causes the wiper to pass over the brew chamber, sweeping away spent flavor base and preparing the brew chamber for subsequent use. In some embodiments, a scraper may be positioned such that removal of the filter from the brew chamber causes the scraper to remove spent flavor base from the filter and/or wiper.
US09402405B2
A liquid infusion and/or brewing process is described. The process includes the steps of placing a desired amount of an infusion material into a chamber at atmospheric pressure, placing a desired amount of liquid into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber, wherein said at least one cycle includes reducing pressure within said chamber to form at least a partial vacuum within said chamber and subsequently returning said chamber to about atmospheric pressure. Methods for separating the brewing media from the liquid after completion of the brewing process are also described.
US09402404B2
The inventors provide the use of a composition comprising an antimicrobial polypeptide comprising Blad or an active variant thereof to prevent or inhibit spoilage of a foodstuff by a microorganism. Also provided is a method of preventing or inhibiting spoilage of a foodstuff by a microorganism comprising administering to a foodstuff in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising an antimicrobial polypeptide comprising Blad or an active variant thereof.
US09402401B1
A process and an apparatus for making an extruded pretzel, in which dough is extruded into and through a die to shape the dough into a three loop pretzel shape having a portion having an appearance of a twist-knot associated with a twisted pretzel formed by twisting and folding a rope of pretzel dough over and on itself.
US09402395B2
The present invention relates to novel triazole derivatives of formula (I) having insecticidal activity, to processes and intermediates for preparing them, to insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal or molluscicidal compositions comprising them and to methods of using them to combat and control insect, acarine, nematode or mollusc pests wherein R1, R2, G1, G2, Q1 and Q2 are as defined in claim 1; or salts thereof.
US09402394B2
Anion-paired metallocene-containing compounds are generally provided, along with methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the anion-paired metallocene-containing compound includes a cationic metallocene moiety covalently connected to an organic functional group, and an anion paired to the cationic metallocene moiety. Generally, the cationic metallocene moiety comprises two cyclopentadienyl anions bound to a metal center in the oxidation state I.
US09402393B2
A method is provided for reducing the frequency of mis-directed output of hydroalcoholic gel from a dispenser. The hydroalcoholic gel includes at least 30 wt. % of a C1-4 alcohol, a polyacrylate thickener, and a plug-preventing additive that may be a C6-10 alkane diol. A method of reducing the formation of coagulated gel deposits, and dispensable hydroalcoholic gel compositions are also provided.
US09402392B2
Viscoelastic compositions capable of preventing microbial proliferation and capable of capturing microbial membrane and cell wall decomposition products are provided. The compositions comprise thermal reaction products of blends of fatty acids derived and isolated from drying and semi-drying oils such as linseed, safflower, and tung oil, with a polymer component such as for example poly (isobutyl methacrylate). These compositions are capable of capturing microbes and controlling their proliferation at a material on which the compositions are deposited, and further capable of absorption or incorporation of lipopolysaccharide and protein membrane materials and endotoxins.
US09402380B2
In the present dual-bearing reel, a pinion gear has a body, a first support part, a second support part, a gear part and a narrowed part. The first support part is disposed on a first end side of the body. The second support part is disposed on a second end side of the body. The gear part is disposed so as to be spaced from the first support part at an interval between the first support part and the second support part. The narrowed part is disposed between the first support part and the gear part. The narrowed part includes an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second support part and less than a root circle diameter of the gear part.
US09402379B2
A fishing hook assembly includes a hook element including a tie rail, which defines an enlarged line-pass-through area.
US09402371B2
A pet feeding bowl for holding food and water is provided. The pet feeding bowl has a main receptacle for holding food and water that is supported against the ground by a support structure. An auxiliary receptacle is formed by the outer surface of the main receptacle and the support structure, and may also be used for holding food and water. A first lid may be provided to cover the main receptacle, allowing food or liquid to be stored therein during travel or to prevent access to the contents of the main receptacle. A second lid may be provided to cover the auxiliary receptacle, also for the purpose of storing food or liquid. Both the first and second lids may be placed on the bottom of the pet feeding bowl to provide a non-skid, high-friction connection between the pet-feeding bowl and the support surface or ground on which it rests.
US09402368B2
The number of piglets dying at birth is reduced by providing a temperature sensor in a farrowing crate at the piglet area thereof on a movable cover so that, when the sow is expected to give birth, the sensor is located in the crate at a location to detect the presence of one or more piglets after birth. On detection by a control unit using the sensor signal of the one or more piglets, the sensor communicates a signal to a pager carried by an operator indicating to the operator that birth of piglets is in progress and activates a heating lamp for the piglets in the pen to attract them away from the area of the sow to reduce crushing. The control unit and the sensor also control the heat output. The cover can slide along the piglet area and can lift to expose the piglet area.
US09402363B1
The present invention relates to a spinach plant which may comprise an allele conferring resistance to downy mildew, propagation material of said spinach plant, a cell of said spinach plant, seed of said spinach plant, and to harvested leaves of said spinach plant. The invention further relates to use of a spinach plant in breeding to confer resistance against downy mildew.
US09402355B2
A spray boom system is disclosed that provides substantially equal solution paths to a plurality of nozzles.
US09402344B1
A sugarcane harvester and related method are disclosed for powering various sugarcane harvester operations. An energy storage device may be configured to receive electrical power from one or more electric machines for storage. The energy storage device may be configured to provide electrical power to the one or more electric machines to power operation of the one or more electric machines. An operating state of the sugarcane harvester may be identified, wherein the operating state is associated with one or more of a power requirement, a torque requirement, and an engine speed requirement for the sugarcane harvester. Based upon identifying the operating state, the one or more electric machines may be caused to receive electrical power from the energy storage device for conversion by the one or more electric machines to mechanical power, in order to power an operation of the sugarcane harvester.
US09402341B1
A seed firmer for use on a seed boot having a guide plate with a rear edge may include an elongated main portion having a mount end for mounting to the boot and a free end extending away from the boot. The main portion may have broad faces and narrow sides extending between the broad faces. The firmer may have a guide portion positioned at a medial location on the guide portion between the ends. The guide portion may have a thin, planar character that protrudes from the main portion in a plane that is oriented generally perpendicular to a plane of one broad face. The guide portion may have a peripheral edge with a substantially linear section and an arcuate section, and the substantially linear section may be positionable adjacent to the guide plate when the main portion is mounted on the boot.
US09402340B2
A planter may be disclosed, the planter may comprise a handle, a first shaft, a second shaft, and a link. The first shaft may be operatively connected to the handle, link, or second shaft. The link may be arranged to translate rotational motion of the first shaft to the second shaft.
US09402339B2
A soil processing device for creating cavities in soil, including a machine frame that can move in the direction of travel, and at least one drive unit that is mounted in the machine frame and moves at least one pivotally mounted piercing tool up and down in a substantially vertical direction. Before piercing into the soil, the piercing tool is in a starting position at a predefined piercing angle, whereas in the soil, the same performs a pivoting movement about a first pivot axis as a result of the machine frame moving in the direction of travel, said pivoting movement being superimposed on the up-and-down movement.
US09408333B2
There are provided: a flow-rate adjustment unit capable of individually adjusting the flow rates of a heating medium to be supplied to a plurality of electronic devices; a temperature sensor configured to individually detect the temperatures of the heating medium released from the plurality of electronic devices; and a control unit. The control unit controls the flow-rate adjustment unit based on outputs of the temperature sensor such that the temperatures of the heating medium released from the plurality of electronic devices become equal to each other.
US09408332B2
A system and method for cooling electronic devices disposed with the innermost volume of a fluid-tight sealed enclosure. Thermally conductive fluids that fill one or more volumes of said sealed enclosure may be circulated away from said sealed enclosure to an external heat exchange mechanism. The innermost volume of the sealed container contains one or more single phase or multi-phase thermally conductive fluids, which may be circulated passively by convection or actively by means of a pump, bubbler, fan, propeller or other means. Pressure balancing mechanisms may be included to maintain suitable pressure of gaseous fluid in a volume of the sealed container.
US09408330B2
An apparatus to cool a computing device is provided and includes a structure. The structure includes a coolant moving device and a heat generating component. The structure is formed such that the coolant moving device is configured to generate a first flow of coolant into a plenum in a first direction and a second flow of coolant from the plenum in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction, such that the coolant thermally interacts with the heat generating component. The structure further includes a plate interposed between the plenum and the heat generating component. The plate includes aerodynamic elements disposed to extend into the plenum.
US09408324B2
A modular chassis includes a first casing module, a second casing module and a back plate module. The second casing module and the back plate module are disposed inside the first casing module. The first casing module includes a first outer box and a second outer box, in which the second outer box is capable of sliding relative to the first outer box and joining to the first outer box such that the length of the first casing module is adjustable.
US09408318B2
A storage device has a casing with physical and mechanical features that enable an automated dispenser to reliably move the storage device through a loading and dispensing process therewithin. The casing's physical and mechanical features reduce the chance of a user loading the storage device in an automated dispenser incorrectly. The casing may also improve the stacking of storage devices in a dispenser. The features herein additionally assist a free fall while loading to the automated dispenser. The storage devices may be, for example, USB solid state drives (also referred to as flash drives, thumb drives, or the like), Secure Digital (SD) cards, CompactFlash (CF) cards and the like.
US09408316B2
Wearable electronic devices that provide adaptive physical coupling between electrically coupled components are described. Adaptive physical coupling advantageously accommodates different user sizes, forms, and movements and enhances the overall ergonomics of a wearable electronic device. Adaptive physical coupling also introduces stresses and strains on electrical pathways between the electrically coupled components. Accordingly, the wearable electronic devices include strain mitigation systems that mitigate physical strains on the electrical pathways between electrically coupled components. An exemplary strain mitigation system includes a guide structure that is pivotally coupled to a first substantially rigid structure of the wearable electronic device and slideably coupled to a second substantially rigid structure of the wearable electronic device. The guide structure provides a surface/channel over/through which electrical pathways extend between electrically coupled components.
US09408304B2
A broadband through printed circuit board (PCB) for millimeter wave application and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The structure includes a multiple layered body and an opening in the multiple layered body. The structure further includes at least one signal via extending through the opening. The structure further includes ground vias extending through the opening and on opposing sides of the at least one signal via. The structure further includes a ground plate above and below the opening and electrically connected to the ground vias at respective ends. The structure further includes a microstrip signal via above and below the opening and electrically connected to the at least one signal via.
US09408298B2
A flexible circuit current measuring apparatus includes a flexible substrate member having a top side and a bottom side, a plurality of first conductive traces disposed on the top side of the flexible substrate member and spaced along a length of the flexible substrate member, and a plurality of second conductive traces disposed on the bottom side of the flexible substrate member and spaced along the length of the flexible substrate member. The first conductive traces and the second conducive traces are electrically connected to one another to form a serpentine pattern having a number of windings about and along the flexible substrate member, and the current measuring apparatus is structured to be wrapped around a conductor for measuring a current carried by the conductor.
US09408294B2
Printed circuit board assemblies providing fault detection are provided. One example printed circuit board assembly includes a substrate layer. One or more solder pins are located on a rear surface of the substrate layer. The printed circuit board assembly includes a non-conductive layer adjacent to the rear surface of the substrate layer. The printed circuit board assembly includes a conductive layer adjacent to the non-conductive layer. The conductive layer is electrically connected to a ground. The printed circuit board assembly includes a mounting surface. The printed circuit board assembly includes a support layer compressed between the conductive layer and the mounting surface. The support layer applies a mechanical force that presses the conductive layer towards the non-conductive layer.
US09408287B2
A plasma actuator system includes a first electrode having a first slit formed in a first peripheral section of the first electrode. The first slit directs flow of a gaseous medium along a radial direction of the first electrode. Further, the plasma actuator system includes a second electrode coupled to the first electrode and is disposed concentrically around the first electrode. The second electrode includes a second slit formed in a second peripheral section for directing flow of the gaseous medium along the radial direction. Further, the system includes a power source coupled to the first and second electrode for supplying electric power to the electrodes for ionizing gaseous medium to generate plasma.
US09408284B2
A test pin array (21) array with electrostatic discharge protection comprises at least one modified test pin (22) with a static dissipative element (24) incorporated at its plunger tip (23). The use of the modified test among the test pin array provides an extremely low-cost alternative solution to the large scale testing of microchips without the use of any air ionizer.
US09408282B1
A lighting device for use with one or more other networked devices is disclosed. In embodiments, the lighting device may comprise an outer globe, a diffuser, a plurality of light pipes, an outer cowling, a power input connector, a power control printed circuit board, a communication and control printed circuit board, an indicator printed circuit board, one or more microprocessors, an auxiliary device, and an LED lighting printed circuit board. In embodiments, the lighting device may communicate with one or more other networked devices, such as second lighting devices, mobile phones, servers, remote controls, and/or home or office automation equipment. The lighting device may be powered through a light socket.
US09408278B2
An LED module receives current supplied from a variable current source. The LED module includes a first LED that is connected to a variable current source, a bipolar transistor that is series-connected to the first LED and has a resistance that varies depending on magnitude of the current It supplied from the variable current source, and a second LED that is parallel-connected to a series circuit that is composed of the first LED and the bipolar transistor and differs in luminescent color from the first LED.
US09408265B2
A multichannel constant current LED driving circuit can include: (i) a power stage circuit having a power switching transistor, an inductor, and a rectifier circuit, where the power stage circuit is configured to receive a DC bus voltage, and to generate a pseudo-constant output signal to drive a plurality of LED strings; (ii) a current control unit configured to control an average current of each of the plurality of LED strings in accordance with a corresponding one of a plurality of dimming signals; and (iii) the current control unit being configured to control the power switching transistor in accordance with a current feedback signal that represents a current flowing through the LED strings, where the plurality of LED strings are coupled in series to receive the pseudo-constant output signal.
US09408262B2
A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, with a mechanical power switch and multiple operating modes is provided. The mechanical power switch is disposed in series with the controller for the lighting device and acts as the user interface to the controller to change modes of operation. Because the mechanical power switch is in series with the controller, the portable lighting device does not consume battery power when the mechanical switch is open. A state machine coupled to the controller is polled by the controller each time it is powered up to determine the operational mode of the lighting device. A regulating circuit is used to power a controller and light source. The regulating circuit converts between current regulation and voltage regulation.
US09408257B2
A silicone band heater assembly includes a silicone heater cable, lead wires, and a zip tie connection. The heater cable consists of a resistance heater wire that is optionally surrounded by a fiberglass braid, which in turn is encased in a silicone insulator. Each end of the heater cable includes an overmolded zip tie segment, which includes the splice connection between the lead wire and resistance wire, and the ability to link the ends of the heater cable assembly together when being clamped to a desired structure.
US09408254B2
An access point and a method for transmitting data through an access point are disclosed, In one embodiment the access point includes a MAC processor configured to process and output a single transmit data stream, and a physical layer (PHY) processor configured to split the single transmit data stream in a plurality of transmit data streams, the physical layer (PHY) processor further configured to process a first group of one or more channel paths for the first set of one or more transmit data streams according to the first mode of operation and a second group of one or more channel paths for the second set of one or more transmit data streams according to the second mode of operation.
US09408251B2
Systems and methods for communicating data within mesh networks are provided. According to one implementation, a data communication node comprises a radio frequency (RF) driver configured to transmit RF signals to and receive RF signals from a remote device via an antenna. The node further comprises a timing device configured to establish a plurality of sequential time periods having start times and end times in synchronization with corresponding time periods of the remote device. The node also includes a memory device configured to store a frequency channel table listing a predetermined sequence of channels, the table also being stored in the remote device. Furthermore, the node comprises a transmitting module configured to forward information related to a data packet to the RF driver for transmission over a channel of the predetermined sequence of channels to the remote device during a first of the plurality of sequential time periods.
US09408250B2
A wireless communication system comprises one or more control units operable to transmit control signals, a plurality of actuators responsive to the control signals, and a plurality of sensors operable to transmit sensor data used by the one or more control units in generating the control signals. Each of the sensors, actuators, and one or more control units are located at a fixed position in the system relative to one another. Each of the plurality of sensors and each of the plurality of actuators are coupled to at least one of the one or more control units via a plurality of wireless paths. Each of the plurality of sensors are operable to transmit the sensor data in an assigned time slot to at least one of the one or more control units over a plurality of wireless channels in each of the plurality of wireless paths. The number of channels in each of the plurality of wireless paths is determined based, at least in part, on a worst-case estimate of potential interference, and each of the plurality of sensors is operable to pseudo-randomly switch the plurality of channels over which the sensor data is transmitted.
US09408248B2
Provided are a communication control device by which a situation where a mobile station is disabled to receive a terminating call can be prevented from continuing for a long time, even when the IP-CAN bearer is removed for some reason. A P-CSCF 310 executes the steps of: detecting a state of the IP-CAN Bearer; transmitting a 503 Service Unavailable, rejecting a terminating call to an UE 100, to a source making the terminating call when loss of the IP-CAN Bearer which has been established is detected; and canceling the transmission of the rejection response when receiving a signal from the UE 100 in a situation where the loss of the IP-CAN bearer is detected, the signal being related to an originating call to the IP multimedia subsystem and being a signal other than registration to the IP multimedia subsystem.
US09408246B2
Systems, methods, apparatus and mechanism for maintaining an existing UE control session attachment while changing bearers of a UE data session, such as migrating between UMTS and non-UMTS bearers terminating at a common gateway device.
US09408245B2
The present disclosure includes systems and methods for acquiring service using multiple channels. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising successively configuring a first wireless communication channel and a second wireless communication channel of a single wireless apparatus to receive a plurality of signal frequencies of one or more radio communication protocols. The first wireless communication channel is configured to receive different signal frequencies of the plurality of signal frequencies than the second wireless communication channel. The first wireless communication channel and the second wireless communication channel process the plurality of signal frequencies in parallel to establish a service connection.
US09408238B2
An apparatus includes an NFC circuit and an electrically conductive layer. The NFC circuit includes an antenna configured to inductively couple to signals emitted by another NFC circuit, a charging circuit configured to output power provided by the inductive coupling through the antenna to the signals emitted by the other NFC circuit, and a transceiver circuit configured to be powered by the charging circuit to transmit data for receipt by the other NFC circuit. The electrically conductive layer is removable from being on the NFC circuit, and while the electrically conductive layer is on the NFC circuit the transceiver circuit is prevented from transmitting. The electrically conductive layer can include a removable conductive sticker that electrically connects to one or more locations on the antenna, to a ground plane of the NFC circuit, and/or to another circuit node of the NFC circuit to prevent the transceiver circuit from transmitting.
US09408234B2
According to the present invention, collision and a back-off slot in a competition by means of DCF can be significantly reduced, and a throughput higher than conventional DCFs can be provided. Also, overhead due to additional control messages is eliminated by reverse order implied information operating in a distributed manner in terminals, and communication with conventional terminals is enabled even in a wireless network using Aps or the DCF.
US09408231B2
Methods, apparatuses and a computer program product for Extended Access Barring for machine type communications defining first access class barring parameters, a first scaling factor and a second scaling factor, and transmitting, by a base station, the first access class barring parameters, the first scaling factor and the second scaling factor to user equipment.
US09408224B2
A coexistence signaling scheme for radio communications is described. In one embodiment, a method for coexistence signaling includes establishing first communications and second communications with separate access points or base stations. The method further includes determining protocol timings of the first and second communications. Based on various communications parameters, protocol timings, and identified interference conditions, the method includes generating one or more priority signals to manage the first and second communications. According to certain aspects, overlapping channel conditions can be avoided while maintaining acceptable communications data throughput.
US09408222B2
In a method of interference mitigation in a multi user detection capable radio base station in a communication system, which radio base station comprises a set of confined detection modules, at least one of which is capable of handling multiple user connections, first and at least a second subset of detection modules are formed from said set, wherein the second set comprises at least one interference mitigation capable detection module. Interference information from the first subset is communicated to the second subset, interference originating in user connections of the first subset are then mitigated from the user connections of the second subset. Subsequently, interference is mutually mitigated between the connections within the interference mitigation capable detection module.
US09408220B2
Apparatuses and methodologies are described that enhance performance in a wireless communication system using beamforming transmissions. According to one aspect, the channel quality is monitored. Channel quality indicators can be used to select a scheduling technique, such as space division multiplexing (SDM), multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) transmission and opportunistic beamforming for one or more user devices. In addition, the CQI can be used to determine the appropriate beam assignment or to update the beam pattern.
US09408191B2
A communication terminal and a method for controlling data communication are provided by embodiments of the invention, relating to the field of communication technology. The communication terminal comprises: a first communication module adapted to, when transmitting a first communication signal to a first antenna, generate a first communication control signal for controlling a second communication module; and a second communication module adapted to receive the first communication control signal, and stop the transmission of a second communication signal between the second communication module and a second antenna in accordance with the first communication control signal. In the embodiments of the invention, respective signals of the first communication module and the second communication module are controlled to be transmitted in different times, thus signal interferences between the communication modules on the terminal are reduced.
US09408189B2
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to radio communication devices and to a method for controlling frequency selection. In an embodiment of the invention, a radio communication device is provided. The radio communication device may include a first medium access control unit, a second medium access control unit, a common scheduling unit configured to control the first medium access control unit and the second medium access control unit, and a communication interface configured for frequency selection communication between the first medium access control unit and the second medium access control unit, wherein at least one frequency channel to be used is exchanged between the first medium access control unit and the second medium access control unit.
US09408186B2
A method, base station, terminal and communication system for selecting a component carrier are provided in the present invention. The method includes the following steps: determining the coverage range of each available carrier which can be used by the terminal; determining whether the distribution of the coverage ranges of all available carriers accords with a preset distribution mode; in the case of according with the presetting distribution mode, at least according to a rule which is determined by the distribution mode, determining a component carrier to be used. With the embodiments provided in the invention, a component carrier used by the terminal can be reasonably chosen.
US09408181B2
System and methods are provided for dynamically setting a threshold signal-to-noise ratio for probe requests for one or more access points in a wireless network based on several factors, including density/distance between access points and/or current and expected load on access points. By dynamically adjusting a threshold signal-to-noise for probe requests, the systems and methods described herein may efficiently utilize resources based on current and/or expected conditions. In particular, an access point may ignore client device probe requests when another access point may be better positioned to handle such a request and/or when the access point would be unable to meet expected load requirements if such an associate were made.
US09408171B2
Methods, devices, and computer program products for synchronization of wireless devices in a peer-to-peer network are described herein. In one aspect, a method for synchronizing a wireless communication apparatus is provided. The method includes selectively updating a time value of the wireless communication apparatus in response to receiving one or more received synchronization messages from other wireless communication apparatuses during the discovery interval, the one or more received synchronization messages comprising one or more received timestamps of the other wireless communication apparatuses, wherein selectively updating the time value comprises updating based on one or more criteria and the received timestamps, and transmitting the synchronization message in response to determining an absence any received synchronization messages during the discovery interval.
US09408169B2
An arrangement for providing synchronization between a number of overlapping area access points within a wireless LAN utilizes an Ethernet cable connection to transmit synchronization signals from a centralized hub/switch to each of the access points connected to the cable. The synchronization signal takes the form of a direct sequence spread spectrum (DS-SS) signal.
US09408161B2
An arrangement for controlling energy consumption of a network node associated with a cell includes a terminal activity monitor (16) configured to detect active terminals served by the cell. A transmission controller (18) is connected to the terminal activity monitor and is configured to restrict transmission downlink in the cell during time periods when there are no active terminals served by the cell. During these time periods transmission is restricted to inermittent transmission of information assisting active terminals not served by the cell in finding the cell.
US09408157B2
Measures for enabling per-carrier power control for inter-band multi-carrier capable devices, such as for example inter-band carrier aggregation capable devices. Such measures may for example comprise calculating a desired cumulative output power value for a combination of at least two uplink carriers of a terminal device, said two uplink carriers operating on different bands, setting an output power value for each of the at least two uplink carriers of the terminal device based on the calculated desired cumulative output power value, and providing, for the terminal device, a power control instruction for the at least two uplink carriers at the terminal device in accordance with the output power values set for the at least two uplink carriers.
US09408156B2
Transmit power is controlled for a first uplink data transmission on Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) during random access channel (RACH) procedure. Power control adjustment for the first PUSCH transmission is performed relative to the power spectral density used for successful PRACH transmission as adjusted for bandwidth difference, etc. The uplink Physical random access channel carries the RACH information that is transmitted by the user equipment (UE) during registrations or base station originated calls. A PRACH is composed of a number of preambles and a message portion. The preambles are a series of radio frequency power “steps” that increase in power according to the power step setting until the maximum number of preambles is reached or the base station acknowledges. Once the UE receives a positive indication, it transmits the message portion of the PRACH which consists of message data and control data with independent power gain control.
US09408152B2
A method and apparatus for setting and executing a function profile in a mobile communication terminal to manage its battery usage. The method includes determining whether a function profile setting function is set; selecting, if a function profile setting function is set, a specific function and executing the function according to a set function profile. Therefore, each function of the mobile communication terminal can be executed in an optimal function profile which in turn reduces unnecessary power consumption of the mobile communication terminal.
US09408136B2
Various methods, apparatuses and/or articles of manufacture are provided which may be implemented for use by a mobile device to alter a scan operation. Various methods, apparatuses and/or articles of manufacture are provided which may be implemented for use by one or more electronic devices to determine one or more scan factors for use by a mobile device in altering a scan operation.
US09408123B2
A method for Mobility Management MM in a system architecture supporting mobility between different access systems having separate Core Network CN-level MM entities while using common MM Area, the method comprising a step of: when a User Equipment UE leaves the coverage of a first one of the access systems where it is in a Non Radio Connected state as seen from Radio Access Network RAN, but seen in Connected State from CN-level MM entity, for the coverage of a second one of the access systems where it is in Idle state as seen from CN-level MM entity, putting the UE into Idle state as seen from CN-level MM entity of said first access system.
US09408122B2
A method of obtaining system frame number for handover is provided. A UE receives a handover command from a serving base station in a serving cell. The UE performs downlink synchronization with a target base station. Upon synchronization, the UE determines a radio frame boundary of a target cell. The UE then obtains a system frame number of the target cell based on the radio frame boundary. The UE performs a handover procedure with the target cell by transmitting a RACH preamble to the target base station. The RACH preamble is transmitted over a PRACH resource determined from the system frame number without reading SFN information from a PBCH/BCH broadcasted from the target base station. Finally, the UE establishes data connection with the target base station. Handover interruption time is reduced by obtaining SFN before PBCH reading and decoding.
US09408118B2
This disclosure relates to cell selection of a telecommunication device based on mobility management algorithms for idle mode cell selection routines and handover routines. The mobility management algorithm can utilize the BTS class of the infrastructure equipment to help determine cell selection. The BTS class of the infrastructure equipment can be used to determine the geographic size of the coverage area that the infrastructure equipment provides. These algorithms can be used to help handle mobility management for telecommunication device.
US09408115B2
A master monitor/control (“M/C”) unit selects a base station controller (“BSC”) to serve a mobile radio base station (“RBS”). In one embodiment, the master M/C unit is configured to monitor and assess performance parameters of a communications link between the mobile RBS and a serving BSC and alternative communications links between the mobile RBS and a plurality of other BSCs. The master M/C unit is also configured to determine if the performance parameter of an alternative communications link between the mobile RBS and one of the plurality of other BSCs is better than the performance parameter of the communications link between the mobile RBS and the serving BSC, and select the one of the plurality of other BSCs as an alternative BSC accordingly. The master M/C unit is also configured to provide a new configuration for the mobile RBS and the alternative BSC to enable the alternative communications link therebetween.
US09408113B2
A method of selecting a target core network of a communication network for handing over a voice session of a terminal from a packet switched source radio access network (RAN) to a target RAN. The voice session is anchored in an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, and the selected target core network includes a circuit switched domain which is associated with the target RAN and supports voice session continuity to hand over the voice session from the source RAN to the target RAN. The target RAN is associated with a network identification of the target core network. The method is executed by a node and includes receiving a network identification of at least one target core network associated with at least one target RAN. The target core network is selected based on an indicated support of voice session continuity by the network identification.
US09408107B2
In a multi-access system, an access selection principle is achieved by selecting a signal strength threshold level (130-133) based on a determined load level (ULOCAL) in a first access network. A new user in an area commonly covered by more than one access network attempts to allocate to the first access network if an experienced signal strength exceeds the signal strength threshold level (130-133). Communication utility can preferably be maximized or at least be taken into account by using suitable load level dependencies. By increasing the threshold when the load level approaches the capacity limit, a completely filled first access network is avoided. This gives an opportunity to let particularly well-suited users still have access to the first access network. At the same time, since the preferred access is decided before the actual access attempt, control signalling can be significantly reduced, even at very high traffic loads.
US09408090B1
In a wireless network in which communication devices are configured to use a first guard interval between symbols or a second guard interval between symbols, wherein the first guard interval has a length shorter than a length of the second guard interval, a field in a data unit received from a communication device is analyzed to determine a set of one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) supported by the communication device and to determine whether one or more MCSs in the set of one or more MCSs is supported by the communication device when using the first guard interval. One MCS in the set of one or more MCSs and the first guard interval is utilized a) when communicating with the communication device, and b) when it is determined that the one MCS is supported by the communication device when using the first guard interval.
US09408088B2
A wireless communication system including a transmitting and receiving device that performs communications with the transmitting device, using a radio frame containing control information and data, wherein the transmitting device includes: a first generating unit that generates first control information able to be estimated by the receiving device; a second generating unit that generates second control information used for control of communication from the receiving device to the transmitting device and unable to be estimated by the receiving device; a multiplexing unit that multiplexes the control and data information so that the first control information is allocated in the control information and the second control information is allocated in the data in the radio frame; a transmitting unit a signal multiplexed by the multiplexing unit; the receiving device includes a receiving unit that receives the signal wherein the second control information is allocated in the data from the transmitting device.
US09408083B2
A system, method, and computer program product can determine a need to place a small cell in a particular location covered by a cellular network. Accordingly usage of a network resource by one or more user devices within the confinement of a particular location can be recorded. When the usage exceeds a predetermined threshold for that network resource, and upon determination that such an area could be better served by a small cell, a notification can be generated of the location and the one or more user devices so that such a small cell, such as, e.g., but not limited to, a femtocell, can be effectively placed in the location. In certain embodiments, an area representative of a plurality of user devices may be determined. In such embodiments, the location can be determined within the area.
US09408080B2
A method and apparatus performs processing of the non-access stratus (NAS) layer (layer 3) in long term evolution (LTE) wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), which allows the NAS protocol layer to route layer 3 messages to the correct NAS entity, and to encode new NAS message types and information elements. A new architecture is presented that enables NAS security. When a NAS message is generated, a determination is made as to whether or not to cipher, de-cipher and/or integrity check the NAS message based on at least one of a protocol discriminator (PD) of the NAS message, an indicator field in a header of the NAS message, the type of the NAS message, a NAS security state variable, and an indication by an upper layer protocol. The NAS security state variable indicates whether NAS security is currently active or not and may comprise one bit.
US09408076B2
During a technique for authenticating a user using a portable electronic device (such as a smartphone) while preventing successful 2D media attacks and virtual-camera attacks, the portable electronic device provides an instruction to a user to move the portable electronic device relative to the user's face. Then, using an imaging sensor in the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device acquires, a series of images while the portable electronic device is at different positions or orientations relative to the user's face, where the series of images include at least two images relative to a symmetry axis of the user's face (such as the midline). Moreover, the portable electronic device determines a change in a sign of a nose angle in at least the two images. Next, the portable electronic device authenticates the user based on at least one of the series of images using a facial-recognition technique.
US09408065B2
A device (34) facilitates communications on behalf of users from various public service agencies (22-32). An example device (34) is implemented at a core layer such that it is capable of interfacing with a plurality of wireless communication network elements. An example device (34) includes a database portion (36) that includes information regarding how wireless communications should be managed on behalf of individuals associated with one or more public service agencies. A communication portion (38) interfaces with one or more network elements to provide information from the database portion (36) to achieve the desired control over wireless communications on behalf of end users from the public service agencies. Control portions (40) provide information and management capabilities to agencies utilizing the device (34).
US09408064B2
The present invention discloses user equipment, a home subscriber data server (HSS) and a method and system for obtaining user equipment ability by a core network element. Wherein, the method for obtaining user equipment ability by the core network element includes: in and/or after the IP multimedia network subsystem (IMS) registration process, the home subscriber data server (HSS) informing the IMS network element of the ability information of user equipment (UE). The HSS is enabled to obtain the user equipment ability information in present invention, and can provide services for various operations of subscribers.
US09408061B2
The present disclosure discloses a method and network device providing distributed network layer mobility for unified access networks. The method eliminates the need for a secure tunnel between a home network device and a foreign network device when a client roams from the home network device to the foreign network device. The disclosed network device receives an association request from a client device in a wireless network; identifies a first wireless virtual local area network (VLAN) that the client device is assigned to; and, allows traffic to or from the client device to be transmitted via the network device on the first wireless VLAN, wherein traffic on at least a second wireless VLAN is transmitted via the network device and segregated from the traffic on the first wireless VLAN.
US09408054B2
A method and apparatus for obtaining end-user location information for emergency services within a multimedia network is presented. The multimedia network may include a network implementing the Session Initiation Protocol, H.323, etc. In one embodiment, a Location Application Server (LAS) in the multimedia network and an interface between the LAS and a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) is defined.
US09408044B2
A network device includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface may receive a multicast stream that includes a frame. The processor is coupled to the communication interface and may determine whether to send the frame unicast or multicast. The communication interface transmits the frame unicast or multicast based on the determination by the processor. The determination by the processor may be based on characteristics of the frame. If the characteristics of the frame include characteristics of a key frame such as an I-frame, the processor may determine to transmit the frame unicast. The determination may also be based on a predetermined state of client devices that are to receive the frame. If a client device is in a predetermined state such as a power save state, the processor may determine to transmit the frame unicast to that client device. Other embodiments are also described.
US09408041B1
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for dynamically detecting and updating occupancy of a predefined space based on the presence of smartphones carried by people. In some embodiments, smartphones may include an app that transmits a unique identification used to adjust a count automatically maintained by a remote or local computer to determine the number of people entering or leaving a predefined area. The occupancy level may allow the determination of whether the capacity of the predefined space has been exceeded. Such determinations may be indicated by generating an alarm. Detection of occupancy is useful in many applications such as space monitoring in schools or other buildings, fire evacuation, burglary detection, security purposes, detection of unauthorized presence, starting video cameras in a space to start recording events, calling security staff, space preparation (turning on lights, heat, etc.), space overflow estimation, and other applications.
US09408034B2
A network-centric device discovery solution that leverages area event location services. A proximity server (PS) performing device discovery for a discoverer mobile initiates an area event, via a location server, for each device subscribed to the same proximity service group as the discoverer mobile and camped on the same zone as the discoverer mobile. The area event notifies the PS each time such device moves into an area of an E-CGI and/or WiFI access point where the discoverer mobile attaches. If the PS receives an area event notification for the device camped on the same zone as the discoverer mobile, the PS requests location information for the device and uses returned location information to determine if the device is within a predefined proximity of the discoverer mobile. If the device is within a predefined proximity of the discoverer mobile, the PS sends a proximity alert message to the discoverer mobile.
US09408025B2
A method for authenticating a user's location in a femtocell-based network is disclosed. A user is associated to a femtocell connected to a connection point in the wireless network. An indication of the user's location is provided to a remote user. A characteristic of a connection between the femtocell and the connection point is monitored. The monitored characteristic is provided to the remote user to verify user's location.
US09408018B2
A dual-wireless mode speaker is disclosed, which includes a controller and a wireless receiver module connected to the controller. The wireless receiver module includes a Bluetooth receiver module and a WiFi receiver module. The speaker further includes an audio processing module with an input terminal coupled to the controller and an audio output module coupled to an output terminal of the audio processing module. The speaker is configured to operate in one of a Bluetooth-only mode, a WiFi-only mode and a dual-wireless mode. Additionally, the Bluetooth receiver module is activated and the WiFi receiver module is deactivated in the Bluetooth-only mode; the Bluetooth receiver module is deactivated and the WiFi receiver module is activated in the WiFi-only mode; and both the Bluetooth receiver module and the WiFi receiver module are activated in the dual-wireless mode.
US09408014B2
A data transmission method for Machine Type Communication (MTC) and a MTC apparatus are disclosed. The data transmission method for MTC includes: dividing each of a plurality of subframes configured with time resources and frequency resources into a first region for transmitting control information and a second region for transmitting data; and allocating resources for MTC to the second region of each subframe according to a predetermined hopping period and a predetermined hopping frequency interval. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the data transfer rate of a MTC apparatus.
US09408006B2
An exemplary headpiece module includes 1) a housing configured to be affixed to a head of a patient, 2) communication circuitry disposed within the housing and that facilitates communication of an off-the-ear sound processor module with a cochlear implant implanted within the patient, and 3) a loudspeaker at least partially disposed within the housing of the headpiece module and that applies acoustic stimulation to the patient as directed by the off-the-ear sound processor module.
US09408002B2
In a hearing aid with a signal processor for signal processing in accordance with selected values of a set of parameters Θ, a method of automatic adjustment of a set z of the signal processing parameters Θ, using a set of learning parameters θ of the signal processing parameters Θ is provided, wherein the method includes extracting signal features u of a signal in the hearing aid, recording a measure r of an adjustment e made by the user of the hearing aid, modifying z by the equation z=uθ+r, and absorbing the user adjustment e in θ by the equation θN=Φ(u,r)+θP, wherein θN is the new values of the learning parameter set θ, θP is the previous values of the learning parameter set θ, and Φ is a function of the signal features u and the recorded adjustment measure r.
US09407999B2
A method of enhancing binaural representation for a subject includes receiving a first signal and a second signal in response to a plurality of sound sources, generating a number of estimated interaural time differences using the first signal and the second signal, converting each of the number of estimated interaural time differences to a corresponding interaural level difference, using one or more of the corresponding interaural level differences to generate an adjusted first signal, and using the adjusted first signal to generate a number of signals delivered to the subject for enhancing the hearing of the subject.
US09407993B2
A latency reduction system in a virtual bass processing system performs harmonic transposition on low frequency components of an audio signal to generate transposed data indicative of harmonics of the audio signal. The system uses a base transposition factor greater than two, and generates the harmonics in response to frequency-domain values determined by forward and inverse transform stages that use asymmetric analysis and synthesis windows. The system combines a virtual bass signal with the delayed wide band audio signal through analysis filter banks having filter coefficient truncated Nyquist filters. The virtual bass signal may lag the delayed wide band audio signal when combining with the audio signal to further reduce the latency caused by the harmonic transposition. The virtual bass input signal may be directly routed from a CQMF analysis filter bank of a preceding Hybrid filter bank stage, in order to avoid the delay associated with a Nyquist filter bank.
US09407989B1
A closed audio circuit is disclosed with function of eavesdropping prevention and audio clarity enhancement. The closed audio circuit includes a plurality of user equipment (UEs) and an audio signal combiner for a group audio communication session. The UEs and the audio signal combiner form a closed audio circuit allowing a user to target another user to create a private conversation to prevent eavesdropping. The UEs receive user audio input signals and send the audio input signals to the audio signal combiner. The audio signal combiner receives the audio input signals from each UE and transfer desired mixed audio output signals to each of the UE.
US09407984B2
An electronic apparatus and a method for providing a sound system of the electronic apparatus are provided herein. The electronic apparatus has a housing, a speaker and a bracket. The housing has a space and a channel, which is coupled to the space. The speaker is placed in the space. The bracket has a first end coupled to the channel and is movable relative to the housing. A sound mode of the electronic apparatus may be switched from a first mode to a second mode by positioning a second end of the bracket from a first position in the channel to a second position away from the channel.
US09407982B2
A system for providing media and/or communications data to a plurality of users, the system comprising: a plurality of headphones; and a server system for providing audio data to each of the plurality of headphones; wherein each headphone comprises a processor module for allowing two-way digital communication between the headphone and the server system.
US09407978B2
A portable communication device, such as a remote speaker microphone (RSM) (100) is provided with a movable paddle (104) providing a combination speaker grill and push-to-talk actuator. The RSM incorporates drainage paths (110) to prevent moisture from collecting around the movable paddle (104). An internal speaker (502) is retained within the RSM (100) in a stationary manner with sufficient front and back volumes impervious to the actuations of the movable paddle (104). The movable paddle (104) provides improved tactile feedback over a large surface.
US09407975B2
Objects in a video are identified, and linked to ecommerce sites and advertisements. A user may select an object and be provided with information about the object. A video stream may be encoded with a separate metadata stream that contains the identity of each object on each frame of the video. The metadata channel may be extracted from a video stream and displayed to a user when the user clicks on the corresponding object. A device may take a video input, analyze it, and recognize the video. The device may look up said video in a database of tagged videos, output as an overlay or separate window to a video display device stream with information about the item. A user interface device may allow a user to select objects on a video screen and select and choose said object for integration with the other components of the system.
US09407972B2
A data processor capable of preventing a system from starting up improperly due to incomplete program updating. The data processor receives, by way of an external interface, a program which is sent by communicating medium such as a broadcast wave or a telephone network from an external device and stores the received program into a memory B which is different from a memory A storing a program for the system when a version of the received program is newer than that of a program currently executed by the data processor, thereby starting up an MPU at the next time with the program stored in the memory B.
US09407971B2
Techniques for presentation of summary content for primary content are described. In at least some embodiments, primary content includes different types of content, such as television programs, live broadcasts, web content, and so forth. Summary content can be generated that encapsulates various aspects and/or events of primary content. In at least some embodiments, summary content is selectable to retrieve other types of content. For instance, summary content can be selected to retrieve supplementary content and/or associated primary content. Implementations enable a variety of different interactions with summary content, such as searching, bookmarking, browsing, and so on.
US09407961B2
Systems and methods may determine a visibility state of an application window associated with a media stream, and selectively decode a media stream based on a visibility state. One or more decode operations with respect to media content, such as video content, may be prevented if a visibility state indicates that at least a portion of an application window includes a blocked state. One or more decode operations with respect to media content, such as video content, may be permitted if a visibility state indicates that at least a portion of an application window includes a visible state. The systems and methods result in benefits to resource utilization, such as processor utilization, power consumption, and so on.
US09407952B2
Provided is a control device including a detector configured to detect use of an application on a communication terminal, and a controller configured to control recording processing related to content that is being output from a content output device associated with the communication terminal in accordance with a detection result obtained by the detector.
US09407942B2
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to methods and systems for the indexing and annotation of video content, the retrieval and display of such video content and its annotations, and the conversion and transmission of such video content and associated data. In certain embodiments, the system processes and cross-references video content with data associated with that content and with standard ontologies. Correlating these information sources produces a system of indexing and annotation of the content. In certain embodiments, this indexing and annotation may facilitate the discovery, retrieval, and management of video content, and may facilitate the integration of video content with other media and other systems.
US09407937B2
The present invention relates to an image encoding and decoding technique, and more particularly, to an image encoder and decoder using unidirectional prediction. The image encoder includes a dividing unit to divide a macro block into a plurality of sub-blocks, a unidirectional application determining unit to determine whether an identical prediction mode is applied to each of the plurality of sub-blocks, and a prediction mode determining unit to determine a prediction mode with respect to each of the plurality of sub-blocks based on a determined result of the unidirectional application determining unit.
US09407930B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for encoding or decoding a video signal. According to the present invention, a plurality of reference units for image prediction of the current unit is acquired and combined to obtain a unit prediction value, thereby improving the accuracy of image prediction. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for inducing a variety of reference units using a motion vector prediction value or a motion vector which is used in conventional inter-prediction, and also relates to a method which combines the reference units so as to obtain the prediction value for the current unit. In addition, the present invention relates to a method which involves acquiring a plurality of reference units for a merging mode, and combining the reference units so as to perform image prediction.
US09407927B2
A motion vector coding unit executes processing including a neighboring block specification step of specifying a neighboring block which is located in the neighborhood of a current block; a judgment step of judging whether or not the neighboring block has been coded using a motion vector of another block; a prediction step of deriving a predictive motion vector of the current block using a motion vector calculated from the motion vector of the other block as a motion vector of the neighboring block; and a coding step of coding the motion vector of the current block using the predictive motion vector.
US09407926B2
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to perform block-based static region detection for video processing are disclosed. Disclosed example video processing methods include segmenting pixels in a first frame of a video sequence into a first plurality of pixel blocks. Such example methods can also include processing the first plurality of pixel blocks and a second plurality of pixel blocks corresponding to a prior second frame of the video sequence to create, based on a first criterion, a map identifying one or more static pixel blocks in the first plurality of pixel blocks. Such example methods can further include identifying, based on the map, a static region in the first frame of the video sequence.
US09407923B2
A computer-implemented method, apparatus and computer program product for recovering from lost packets in video transmissions, the method performed by a computerized device, comprising: receiving by a computing device associated with a subscriber a frame constituting a part of video transmission, from an encoder; decoding the frame; determining that a packet within the frame is missing or corrupted; notifying an encoder about a missing packet; receiving from the encoder a first frame in which a first part is encoded independently of a preceding frame; decoding the first frame; receiving from the encoder a second frame in which a second part different from the first part is encoded independently of a preceding frame; and decoding the second frame.
US09407922B2
In a medical image managing system, there are first and second density conversion modes. In the first density conversion mode, a medical image is processed in density conversion by an image server, before a density-converted medical image is transmitted to a client terminal. In the second density conversion mode, a medical image is transmitted from the image server to the client terminal, which processes the medical image in the density conversion. A density conversion mode checker compares processing time of the first density conversion mode with processing time of the second density conversion mode after acquisition according to communication speed between the image server and the client terminal, and processing speeds of the client terminal and the image server. One of the density conversion modes with the shorter processing time is selected. Thus, the density-converted medical image can be displayed rapidly at the client terminal.
