最新美国发明专利第2014-05-27期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08734803B2	Humanized neuraminidase antibody and methods of use thereof Antibodies against influenza neuraminidase, compositions containing the antibodies, and methods of using the antibodies are provided herein.
US08734802B1	Methods of treating vasomotor symptoms using antibodies The invention features methods for preventing or treating CGRP associated disorders such as vasomotor symptoms, including headaches (e.g., migraine, cluster headache, and tension headache) and hot flushes, by administering an anti-CGRP antagonist antibody. Antagonist antibody G1 and antibodies derived from G1 directed to CGRP are also described.
US08734801B2	Anti-IL13 antibodies and uses thereof The present invention relates to anti-IL13 antibodies that bind specifically and with high affinity to both glycosylated and non-glycosylated human IL13, does not bind mouse IL13, and neutralize human IL13 activity at an approximate molar ratio of 1:2 (MAb:IL13). The invention also relates to the use of these antibodies in the treatment of IL13-mediated diseases, such as allergic disease, including asthma, allergic asthma, non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, eczema, urticaria, food allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ulcerative colitis, RSV infection, uveitis, scleroderma, and osteoporosis.
US08734797B2	Anti-IL13 antibodies and uses thereof The present invention relates to anti-IL13 antibodies that bind specifically and with high affinity to both glycosylated and non-glycosylated human IL13, does not bind mouse IL13, and neutralize human IL13 activity at an approximate molar ratio of 1:2 (MAb:IL13). The invention also relates to the use of these antibodies in the treatment of IL13-mediated diseases, such as allergic disease, including asthma, allergic asthma, non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, eczema, urticaria, food allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ulcerative colitis, RSV infection, uveitis, scleroderma, and osteoporosis.
US08734794B2	Humanised antibodies to toll-like receptor 2 and uses thereof A fully humanized antibody having binding specificity to Toll-like Receptor 2 comprises a light chain and a heavy chain entirely comprised of amino acid sequence of human origin. The variable region of the light chain comprises an amino acid sequence which is substantially homologous with the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, while the variable region of the heavy domain comprises an amino acid sequence which is substantially homologous with the sequence of SEQ ID NO:4. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, as well as the use of the antibodies in medicine, in particular for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases which are mediated by Toll-like Receptor 2 activation and signalling.
US08734791B2	Optimized fc variants and methods for their generation The present invention relates to optimized Fc variants, methods for their generation, and antibodies and Fc fusions comprising optimized Fc variants.
US08734786B2	Use of ECDI-fixed cell tolerance as a method for preventing allograft rejection The present invention provides methods, systems, and compositions for inducing donor-specific tolerance. In particular, the present invention provides methods of administering ECDI-treated cells before, during, and/or after administration of donor transplant cells or a donor allograft in order to induce tolerance for the cells and/or allograft in a recipient.
US08734784B2	Composition comprising a combination of an elder extract and a strain of L. paracasei, L. bulgaricus or S. thermophilus The invention relates to a composition comprising a combination of an elder extract (Sambucus nigra) and a strain of L. paracasei, L. casei, L. bulgaricus or S. thermophilus, intended for stimulating immunity and/or promoting an anti-infectious and/or anti-inflammatory response.
US08734783B2	Composition comprising probiotic bacteria for use in the treatment of immune disorders The present invention relates to a composition comprising probiotic bacteria for the treatment of pathologies associated with alterations of the immune system. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of selected probiotic bacteria for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of allergies, such as atopic dermatitis.
US08734782B2	Host cell for the production of a compound of interest The present invention relates to a recombinant host cell for the production of a compound of interest. The invention further relates to a method for the production of such host cell. The invention further relates to the production of a compound of interest. The invention further relates to isolated polynucleotides and vectors and host cells comprising said polynucleotides.
US08734779B2	5-fluorouracil-resistant bacteria and method for production thereof The present invention provides a method for producing a cytosine deaminase (CD)-expressing, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-resistant microorganism which can grow in anaerobic tumor tissues, can express CD, and has a resistance to 5-FU at a concentration that is at least effective for antitumor activity. More specifically, the method is a method (A) comprising performing subculture or acclimation culture of a CD-expressing microorganism which can grow in anaerobic tumor tissues, in the presence of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), or a method (B) comprising (1) performing subculture or acclimation culture of a microorganism which can grow in anaerobic tumor tissues and does not express CD, in the presence of 5-FU to produce a 5-FU-resistant microorganism and (2) transforming the 5-FU-resistant microorganism by introducing a CD gene. The present invention also provides the CD-expressing, 5-FU-resistant microorganism and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the microorganism.
US08734777B2	Heterocyclic antiviral compounds Compounds having the formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3 and X are as defined herein are Hepatitis C virus NS5b polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating an HCV infection and inhibiting HCV replication.
US08734775B2	Chemokine derived peptides that bind with chemokine receptor CXCR3 and uses for chronic wound and angiogenesis inhibition treatments Disclosed are peptides having activity against receptor CXCR3 are disclosed that exhibit activity in preventing the formation of new vessels and activity in mediating the dissociation of newly-formed vessels and resolving of wounds in the later stages of wound healing. Preferred peptides are derived from the α-helix portion IP-10 (CXCL10) or from IP-9 (CXCL11), are nontoxic, and smaller than naturally occurring peptides, making them useful in therapies against diseases or disease states marked by unwanted angiogenesis, including tumorogenic diseases such as cancers, and in healing of chronic wounds.
US08734773B2	Compositions for attracting blood-feeding insects Methods and compositions suitable for influencing insect behavior are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions comprise a blend of between two and eight insect attractant compounds selected from the group consisting of: a) compounds of formula (I); b) compounds of formula (II); c) compounds of formula (III). Wherein: n is zero or an integer; x is zero or an integer selected from 1-8, or greater than 9; and R is a C1-C12 alkyl. The compositions are useful as bait, with or without other mammalian body odor constituents or synthetic attractants, to attract disease carrying insects to traps or targets.
US08734772B1	Photo-curable resin for cosmetic application Disclosed herein are cosmetic compositions comprising (a) at least one styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer bearing at least one group chosen from styrylpyridine and styrylpyridinium groups and (b) at least one co-film forming agent and/or at least one plasticizer. The cosmetic composition optionally further comprises at least one pigment and at least one solvent. Also disclosed herein are methods for making up and/or enhancing the appearance of a keratinous substrate comprising (1) forming a film on the keratinous substrate by applying to said keratinous substrate a cosmetic composition comprising (a) at least one styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer bearing at least one group chosen from styrylpyridine and styrylpyridinium groups and (b) at least one co-film forming agent and/or at least one plasticizer and (2) exposing the film to radiation chosen from UV and visible light radiation.
US08734763B2	Compressed chewing gum tablet The invention relates to a chewing gum tablet (20) comprising at least two cohered chewing gum modules (21, 22, 23), said tableted chewing gum being formed by compression of chewing gum granules, at least one of said chewing gum modules comprising gum base granules, said gum base granules comprising an elastomer system, said chewing gum tablet comprising an elastomer system in an amount of at least 10% by weight of the tablet. According to the invention, a compressed chewing gum tablet has been obtained featuring extremely impressing abilities of incorporating well-defined amounts of chewing gum ingredients combined with acceptable rheological properties of the compete tablet.
US08734760B2	Antagonists of ligands and uses thereof The invention provides multivalent ligand binding agents (traps) for members of the TGF-β superfamily and polypeptide linkers and methods for making and using such constructs. The traps may be used as therapeutic or diagnostic (imaging or non-imaging) agents for diseases/disorders caused by over-production/activity of the target ligand. In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a multivalent binding agent with affinity for a member of the TGF-β superfamily, the agent having the general structure I: (-linker1)k-[{-linker2--linker3f-}n-()m-(linker4-)d]h, where: n and h are independently greater than or equal to 1; d, f, m and k are independently equal to or greater than zero; bd's are polypeptide binding domains having an affinity for the same member of the TGF-β superfamily; and, linkers are unstructured polypeptide sequences.
US08734754B2	Carbon fibers having improved strength and modulus and an associated method and apparatus for preparing same The invention is directed to carbon fibers having high tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for making the carbon fibers. The method comprises advancing a precursor fiber through an oxidation oven wherein the fiber is subjected to controlled stretching in an oxidizing atmosphere in which tension loads are distributed amongst a plurality of passes through the oxidation oven, which permits higher cumulative stretches to be achieved. The method also includes subjecting the fiber to controlled stretching in two or more of the passes that is sufficient to cause the fiber to undergo one or more transitions in each of the two or more passes. The invention is also directed to an oxidation oven having a plurality of cooperating drive rolls in series that can be driven independently of each other so that the amount of stretch applied to the oven in each of the plurality of passes can be independently controlled.
US08734753B2	Surface etched diamond particles and method for etching the surface of diamond particles A method is provided of etching a diamond particle including the step of heating the particle at a temperature of about 700° C. or greater in the presence of water vapor to form an etched particle. Also provided is an etched particle having a core and a surface. The core is formed of sp3 hybridized carbon atoms covalently bonded together, and the surface has substantially no chlorine atoms, oxygen atoms or oxygen species.
US08734744B2	Separation of gases Aspects of the disclosure relate to the separation of gases and to a process for the removal of carbon dioxide gas using liquid absorbents. A process is disclosed for removing carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream comprising contacting the gaseous stream with a carbon dioxide absorbent comprising a mixture of an ionic liquid and water in a molar ratio of from 10:1 to 1:10, wherein the ionic liquid has the formula: [Cat+][X−].
US08734740B1	Process and composition for removal of arsenic and other contaminants from synthetic gas A process for removing one or more of arsenic and other contaminants from a synthetic gas feedstock comprising a sulfur compound. The synthetic gas feedstock is contacted with a composition having an active material. The active material includes one or more elements having an electronegativity from 1.6 to 2.0 on the Pauling scale. At least a portion of the active material is a sulfide phase.
US08734737B2	Production of EB from toluene and methane A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting toluene with methane to form a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and further processing the ethylbenzene to form styrene in an existing styrene production facility.
US08734732B2	Chemical synthesis and analysis via integrated or sequential photochemical and electrochemical processes for use in microfluidic, lab-on-a-chip, and green-chemistry applications A microfluidic system comprising a plurality of photochemical reaction stages, the microfluidic system comprising a computational processor, a plurality of electrically-controllable photochemical reaction stages, and a series of controllable interconnections for connecting the photochemical reaction stages. In an implementation, the computational processor controls the plurality of electrically-controllable photochemical reaction stages and the controllable interconnections so as to implement a multi-step photochemical synthesis function.
US08734730B2	Surgical instrument debris collection system The presently disclosed debris collection system includes an elongate body having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending therethrough. The first end of the elongate body is hermetically closed while the second end has an opening. The elongated body is made of an impermeable material. A cap fixed to the elongated body and has a bore extending therethrough. A port, which is attached to the cap, is designed for introducing fluid into the elongated body. A watertight seal, such as a gasket, is attached to the cap. The seal is also made of an impermeable material. In operation, a liquid is introduced into the debris collection system. A surgical tool must then be introduced into the system. Thereafter, a vortex is created within the system to debride debris from the surgical tool.
US08734729B2	Stabilized ceramic composition, apparatus and methods of using the same In one aspect, the invention includes a refractory material, said material comprising: (i) at least 20 wt. % of a first grain mode stabilized zirconia based upon the total weight of said material, said first grain mode having a D50 grain size in the range of from 5 to 2000 μm, said stabilized zirconia including a matrix oxide stabilizer; (ii) at least 1 wt. % of a second grain mode having a D50 grain size in the range of from 0.01 μm up to not greater than one-fourth the D50 grain size of said first grain mode zirconia, based upon the total weight of said material; and (iii) at least 1 wt. % of a preservative component within at least one of said first grain mode stabilized zirconia, said second grain mode stabilized zirconia, and an optional another grain mode; wherein after sintering, said material has porosity at 20° C. in the range of from 5 to 45 vol %.
US08734722B2	Detection apparatus accompanying preconcentrated pulsed analyte via an aperture IMS apparatus has a preconcentrator outside its inlet aperture. Analyte vapor is adsorbed during a first phase when substantially no gas is admitted to the reaction region. The preconcentrator is then energized to desorb the analyte molecules and create a volume of desorbed molecules outside the IMS housing. Next, a pressure pulser is energized momentarily to drop pressure in the housing and draw in a small sip of the analyte molecules from the desorbed volume through the aperture. This is repeated until the concentration of analyte molecules in the desorbed volume is too low for accurate analysis, following which the apparatus enters another adsorption phase.
US08734719B2	Parts supply device, sample analyzing device, parts supply method A parts supply device for supplying disposable part selected from a cuvette and pipette tip, comprising: a storage section for storing a plurality of disposable parts; a sort section for sorting the disposable parts supplied from the storage section, the sort section including a push-up plate to be capable of pushing up the disposable part in the supplied parts and a wall section arranged at the downstream side of the push-up plate so as to be adjacent to the push-up plate, wherein the push-up plate is configured to vertically move along the wall section between a first position and a second position that is above the first position; and a transfer section for transferring one by one the disposable part supplied by the push-up plate over the wall section.
US08734718B2	Systems, devices, and methods including catheters having an actively controllable therapeutic agent delivery component Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively-controllable disinfecting implantable device configured to, for example, treat or prevent an infection in a biological subject.
US08734714B2	Magnet recycling The present invention discloses a method for recovering rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet and comprises the steps of exposing the assembly to hydrogen gas to effect hydrogen decrepitation of the rare earth magnet to produce a rare earth particulate material, and separating the rare earth particulate material from the rest of the assembly.The invention also resides in an apparatus for separating rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel having an opening which can be closed to form a gas-tight seal, a separation means for separating the rare earth particulate material from the assembly, and a collection means for collecting the rare earth particulate material. The reaction vessel is connected to a vacuum pump and a gas control system, and the gas control system controls the supply of hydrogen gas to the reaction vessel.
US08734713B2	Energy storage ceramic dielectric component and method thereof The present invention is a new composition of matter and can be used as components of a capacitor. The dielectric properties possess in this material has improved tremendously as compared to the existing component. The finding of high dielectric permittivity in the present invention ceramic according to its formulation and processing technique that can operate or use at wide range frequencies and temperatures are very useful in electronic and electrical devices. The present invention is best for applications at the range of temperatures. The permittivity is recorded at 1 kHz are between ˜20,000 to ˜54,000 and almost constant over three decade of frequency. Thus, the dielectric permittivity obtained can be used as energy storage, sensor, electric filter, etc., besides minimizing the devices size.
US08734712B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing cutting inserts A method for manufacturing a cutting insert green body from a sinterable powder, a tool set for manufacturing the cutting insert green body by that method and the green body manufactured by the tool set. The tool set has axially moving upper and lower punches and radially moving side punches. The side punches move slidably on die rods. The side punches and die rods move in channels in a base body on which a cover plate is mounted. The upper and lower punches move in through holes in the cover plate and base body, respectively. The die rods are stationary during compaction of the sinterable powder. The upper, lower and side punches form surfaces of the green body and the die rods form some of the edges of the green body. The green body can have undercuts and the edges formed by the die rods can be non-linear in shape.
US08734709B2	Apparatus for reforming a portion of a plastic container An apparatus for converting a refurbishing machine into a reforming machine. The apparatus reforms a portion of a plastic container using induction heating. The apparatus includes a reform heating assembly that achieves a temperature of above about 500° F., heats the container via radiant and convection heating without contacting the container, and has a power and thermocouple connection to a first controller. The apparatus also includes a reform cooling assembly that has a forming die which contacts and reforms the container portion, a support housing a Peltier thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink facilitating heat transfer away from the forming die, and a power and thermocouple connection to a second controller. The method includes the steps of replacing heating assemblies of the refurbishing machine with the reform heating assembly and the reform cooling assembly, respectively, using the existing equipment utilities of the refurbishing machine.
US08734703B2	Methods and systems for fabricating composite parts using a SMP apparatus as a rigid lay-up tool and bladder A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as both a rigid lay-up tool and as a bladder. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. The composite material may be applied onto the SMP apparatus in the rigid tool configuration and then placed into a rigid external tool and heated to composite cure temperatures at which the SMP apparatus is malleable. A pressure differential may be induced which urges the SMP apparatus to compress the composite material against the rigid external tool. When the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be urged away from the cure composite material and removed from within the composite part.
US08734692B2	Method for compacting a powdery composition at constant volume A method for compacting powdery compositions wherein the composition is compacted down to a reduced volume and the composition is then maintained at constant volume until the solid compact product is obtained.
US08734686B2	Metal pattern composition and method of forming metal pattern using the same Disclosed is a metal pattern composition including a conductive metal or a conductive metal precursor compound, and a carboxylic acid-amine base ion pair salt.
US08734685B2	Electrically conducting syntactic foam and a process for preparing the same The present invention relates to design and development of carbon nanotubes (CNT) reinforced electrically conducting synthetic foams comprising resin matrix system, carbon nanotubes, hollow glass microspheres and optionally hardener or catalyst for electrical conductivity and related applications especially electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.
US08734682B2	Process for preparing fuel solids for gasification The invention provides a process that comminutes fuel solids in a steam-driven shear field, with controlled water content and optionally a catalyst, with gasification of the free-standing or slurry particulate outputs. Unlike conventional gasification methods the invention requires no dioxygen to be present, and produces dry friable ash that has significant marketable value as a material in its own right.
US08734679B2	Identification and authentication using liquid crystal material markings The present invention relates to a marking of polymeric liquid crystal material having determined optical characteristics allowing its authentication and reading by a machine and its authentication by the human eye. The marking is applied onto an item, good or article by a variable information printing process. The marking is in the form of indicia representing a unique code which allows for an easy authentication by the human eye and a secure tracking and tracing of the marked item, good or article throughout its life cycle.
US08734677B2	Liquid-crystal coating fluid and polarizing film A liquid-crystal coating fluid which comprises: an azo compound represented by the following general formula (1); and a solvent to dissolve the azo compound: wherein Q1 is an aryl group which may have any substituent group; Q2 is an arylene group which may have any substituent group; R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an acetyl group, a benzoyl group, or a phenyl group which may have any substituent group; and M is a counter ion.
US08734676B2	Carbon-coated lithium iron phosphate of olivine crystal structure and lithium secondary battery using the same Disclosed is lithium iron phosphate having an olivine crystal structure, wherein the lithium iron phosphate has a composition represented by the following Formula 1 and carbon (C) is coated on the particle surface of the lithium iron phosphate containing a predetermined amount of sulfur (S). Li1+aFe1−xMx(PO4−b)Xb (1) (wherein M, X, a, x, and b are the same as defined in the specification).
US08734675B2	Method for preparing Li4NbxTi5−xO12/C nanocomposite as an anode material for li-ion batteries A method for preparing a Li4NbxTi5-xO12/C nanocomposite as anode material for lithium-ion batteries is disclosed, which includes the following steps: (a) obtaining a mixture of a lithium salt, niobium pentaoxide, titanium dioxide (TiO2), and a carbon source in a selected stoichiometric ratio; (b) mixing the mixture in a dispersant to produce a slurry; (c) drying the slurry to produce a dried mixture; (d) treating the dried mixture under a protective atmosphere, according to a heating program to produce the Li4NbxTi5-xO12/C nanocomposite, wherein the heating program comprises: calcining the dried mixture at 600° C. for 2-6 hours, heating it at a rate of 2-20° C. per minute to 950-980° C., cooling it by natural cooling to 800-850° C., maintaining the temperature at 800-850° C. for 16 hours, and cooling it by natural cooling to room temperature.
US08734671B2	Azeotrope-like compositions comprising 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene An azeotrope-like mixture consisting essentially of a binary azeotrope-like mixture consisting essentially of trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (trans-HFO-1233zd) and a second component selected from the group consisting of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze), and combinations of these and various uses thereof.
US08734666B2	Method for preparing nanotubes of piezoelectric material and nanotubes of piezoelectric material obtained thereby A method for preparing nanotubes by providing nanorods of a piezoelectric material having an asymmetric crystal structure and by further providing hydroxide ions to the nanorods to etch inner parts of the nanorods to form the nanotubes.
US08734663B2	Purging of porogen from UV cure chamber A method for removing species from a substrate includes arranging a purge ring in a chamber proximate to a pedestal. The purge ring includes an inlet portion and an exhaust portion. The inlet portion defines an inlet plenum and an inlet baffle. The inlet baffle includes a continuous slit that is substantially continuous around a peripheral arc not less than about 270°. The exhaust portion includes an exhaust channel that is located substantially opposite the inlet baffle. The method further includes supplying ozone to the inlet plenum; at least partially defining a ring hole space having a periphery using the inlet portion and the exhaust portion; conveying gas from the inlet plenum into the ring hole space using the inlet baffle; conveying gas and other matter out of a purge space using the exhaust portion; and inhibiting deposition of material evolved from the substrate during curing using the purge ring.
US08734661B2	Flattening method and flattening apparatus A flattening method, by utilizing the advantages of the CARE method and making up for the disadvantages, can perform removal processing of a surface of a workpiece at a sufficient processing rate and can provide a processed surface having enhanced flatness without leaving damage in the processed surface. A flattening method comprises at least two surface removal steps and at least two cleaning steps, the final surface removal step being a catalyst-referred etching step comprising immersing a workpiece in a processing solution containing at least one of hydrohalic acid, hydrogen peroxide water and ozone water, and bringing a surface of a catalyst platen into contact with or close proximity to a surface to be processed of the workpiece to process the surface, said catalyst platen having in a surface a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, a ceramic solid catalyst, a transition metal, glass, and an acidic or basic solid catalyst.
US08734658B2	Method for manufacturing grain-oriented electrical steel sheet A resist film is formed on a cold-rolled steel sheet so as to fabricate a groove by etching. At this point, a steel sheet exposed portion where a portion of the steel sheet is exposed is formed in the resist film, and the steel sheet exposed portion has a first region oriented in a sheet width direction, and a plurality of second regions starting from the first region, widths of the first region and the second regions being 20 μm to 100 μm, and a distance from an end portion of one of the second regions to an end portion of another of the second regions adjacent thereto being 60 μm to 570 μm.
US08734655B2	Method for regenerating filter [PROBLEM] There is provided a method for regenerating a filter, by which deterioration of the color tone of purified acrylic acid can be prevented.[SOLUTION] There is provided a method for regenerating a filter which has been used in a filtration step in the process for producing an acrylic acid, comprising a step (A) wherein the filter is washed with an aqueous alkaline solution, a step (B) wherein the filter is washed with water after the step (A) , and a step (C) wherein the filter is brought into contact with the acrylic acid for regeneration for at least one hour after the step (B).
US08734654B2	Method for treating a substance with wave energy from an electrical arc and a second source A method for treating a substance using an apparatus having: (a) a volute or cyclone head, (b) a throat connected to the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector connected to the throat, (d) a first wave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head that extends through the outlet into the first opening of the throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus wherein the second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. The substance is supplied to the inlet of the volute or cyclone head and is irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources.
US08734651B2	Multi-component filters An apparatus for conducting single-pass filtration of ink waste is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a filter connected to a housing unit and a plurality of absorbent layers within the housing unit, wherein the plurality of absorbent layers are in any order and include: a layer for removing metal and polar compounds, a layer for removing non-polar color impurities, a layer for removing acid functional components, a layer for removing additives with polar or protic functional groups, and a layer for removing residual water. A process and a system that include or utilize the apparatus are also disclosed.
US08734650B2	Method for recovering gas from shale reservoirs and purifying resulting produced water to allow the produced water to be used as drilling or frac water, or discharged to the environment A system and method for removing gas from a gas producing subterranean formation and removing contaminants from the produced water is provided. The method includes providing a mixture of gas and water gathered from a gas producing well. Thereafter the method entails separating the gas from the mixture to produce a gas product and the produced water which includes organics, suspended solids and dissolved solids including silica. Thereafter, suspended solids are removed from the produced water. After removing some of the suspended solids, the produced water is directed to a micro porous polymer extraction (MPPE) unit. In the MPPE unit aromatic organic compounds are removed from the produced water. Thereafter the produced water is treated in a membrane bioreactor to remove additional organics. Thereafter the produced water is directed to at least one RO unit that produces a high dissolved solids containing reject stream and a low dissolved solids permeate stream. The method or process described reduces the concentration of certain contaminants in the produced water such that the output or permeate stream from at least one RO unit can be used for frac fluid, drilling mud, or discharged to the environment.
US08734647B2	Process for the biologic treatment of organic wastes and plant therefor Process for the biological treatment of organic wastes, includes a first anaerobic digestion phase and a second aerobic digestion phase in succession, a respective filtration phase of the solid substance being provided between the two digestion phases, a separation phase of the biogas released in the anaerobic digestion phase and a nitrogen recovery phase from the exhaust gases rich in ammoniac substances separated from the aerobic digestion phase. The solid substance coming from each of the filtration phases is separately returned to the respective digestion phase, while the liquid phase coming from the filtration phase downstream of the anaerobic digestion phase is sent to aerobic phase. In the nitrogen recovery phase the gaseous current consisting of exhaust gases rich in ammoniac substances is treated with a solution of carbonic acid supplied in countercurrent in a first gas/liquid contactor to obtain a mixture of nitrogen salts (ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, etc.).
US08734639B2	Upgrading of petroleum resid, bitumen or heavy oils by the separation of asphaltenes and/or resins therefrom using ionic liquids Petroleum resid, bitumen and/or heavy oil is upgraded by the separation of asphaltenes and/or resins from such resids, bitumen and/or heavy oils by contacting them with an ionic liquid with which the asphaltenes and/or resins interact.
US08734636B2	Method of manufacturing diesel fuel Provided is a method of manufacturing diesel fuel, including: fractionating in a first fractionator a synthetic oil obtained by Fisher-Tropsch synthesis into at least two fractions of a middle fraction, and a wax fraction containing a wax component heavier than the middle fraction; hydroisomerizing the middle fraction by bringing the middle fraction into contact with a hydroisomerizing catalyst to produce a hydroisomerized middle fraction; hydrocracking the wax fraction by bringing the wax fraction into contact with a hydrocracking catalyst to produce a wax decomposition compound; fractionating in a second fractionator a mixture of the hydroisomerized middle fraction and the hydrocracked wax fraction into at least two fractions including a kerosene fraction and a gas oil fraction; and mixing the at least two fractions at a predetermined blend ratio to produce a diesel fuel having a kinematic viscosity at 30° C. of 2.5 mm2/s or more and a pour point of −7.5° C. or less.
US08734633B2	Method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide Proposed is a method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide including the steps of using an insoluble electrode as either an anode or a cathode, using a scrap containing conductive oxide as the counter cathode or anode, performing electrolysis while periodically inverting the polarity, and recovering the scrap as hydroxide. With the foregoing method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide, oxide system scrap is conductive oxide and a substance that can be reduced to metal or suboxide with hydrogen. This method enables the efficient recovery of valuable metal from sputtering target scrap containing conductive oxide or scrap such as mill ends of conductive oxide that arise during the production of such a sputtering target.
US08734632B1	Hydrogen furnace system and method Apparatus and operating methods are provided for controlled atmosphere furnace systems. In one possible embodiment, hydrogen is injected from a hydrogen source to an enclosure. The hydrogen is circulated within the enclosure from a gas inlet to a gas outlet. A temperature is raised within the enclosure to a predetermined threshold. Hydrogen is pumped from the gas outlet to the gas inlet with an electrochemical hydrogen pump. The electrochemical hydrogen pump has a first electrode in fluid communication with the gas outlet, and a second electrode in fluid communication with the gas inlet. An electrical potential is provided between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a higher electrical potential with respect to zero than the second electrode. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.
US08734627B2	Power supply apparatus Provided is a power supply apparatus which can effectively restrict the current rise at the time of occurrence of arc discharge that is directly related to the occurrence of splashes or particles, and which is also capable of preventing the discharge voltage from getting excessive at the time of finishing the arc processing. The power supply apparatus has: a DC power supply unit which applies a DC voltage to a target which comes into contact with a plasma; and an arc processing unit which can detect arc discharge generated in the electrode by positive and negative outputs from the DC power supply unit, and also which can perform arc discharge suppression processing. An output characteristics switching circuit switches the outputs such that the output to the electrode has constant-current characteristics and that the output to the electrode has constant-voltage characteristics by the time of completion of the arc suppressing processing.
US08734626B2	Electrode, ozone generator, and ozone production method An anode (3) and a cathode (5), interposing a solid polymer film (7), are disposed. While supplying purified water from a supply port (13a) of an anode chamber (13), wherein the anode (3) is disposed, and a supply port (15a) of a cathode chamber (15), wherein the cathode (5) is disposed, direct electric current is applied between the anode (3) and the cathode (5). As a result, ozone-water is discharged from an outlet port (13b) of the anode chamber (13). In such an electrolysis cell (1), a free-standing conductive diamond plate, formed by microwave plasma assisted CVD so as to have a thickness of 0.8 mm, is used as the anode (3). The diamond plate is provided with holes, having a diameter of 1 mm and disposed such that a center distance therebetween becomes 2 mm. Therefore, the electrolysis cell (1) can stably produce ozone without causing exfoliation of the anode (3), even when high voltage and large current are applied between the anode (3) and the cathode (5).
US08734623B1	On-demand hydrogen generator Techniques for maintenance-free on-demand high-efficient hydrogen generation using a small amount of electricity are described. A piece of foam is provided in the fluid used to generate the hydrogen. The foam, similar to a sponge structure, includes a plurality of open cells to accommodate the fluid. In a sense, the foam has been made to have the maximum contact with the fluid. When applied on with an electrical power (current or voltage), the fluid causes electrolysis and pyrolysis to happen so as to generate hydrogen and oxygen (oxy-hydrogen). Depending on implementation, the electrical power is electronically pulsed electricity and helps drive the fluid in a container to vibrate at an electrical resonance of the container.
US08734621B2	Transparent conducting oxides and production thereof Transparent conducting oxides and production thereof are disclosed. An exemplary method of producing a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) material may comprise: providing a TCO target (110) doped with either a high-permittivity oxide or a low-permittivity oxide in a process chamber (100). The method may also comprise depositing a metal oxide on the target (110) to form a thin film having enhanced optical properties without substantially decreasing electrical quality.
US08734620B2	Method of making a thin seeded Co/Ni multilayer film with perpendicular anisotropy for read head sensor stabilization A method for producing a hard bias (HB) structure that stabilizes a free layer in an adjacent spin valve is disclosed. The HB structure includes a composite seed layer and a metal layer having a fcc(111) or hcp(001) texture to enhance perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in an overlying (Co/Ni)x laminate. (Co/Ni)x deposition involves low power and high Ar pressure to avoid damaging Co/Ni interfaces and thereby preserves PMA. A capping layer is formed on the HB layer to protect against etchants in subsequent processing. After initialization, HB magnetization direction is perpendicular to the sidewalls of the spin valve and generates an Mrt value that is greater than from an equivalent thickness of CoPt. A non-magnetic metal separation layer may be formed on the capping layer and spin valve to provide an electrical connection between top and bottom shields.
US08734619B1	Method of sensing local sputtering target selenization A method including directing a first radiation at a first copper-indium-gallium (CIG) sputtering target in a reactive copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) sputtering process, detecting a first reflected radiation from the first CIG target and determining the amount of selenium poisoning of the first CIG target based on the first reflected radiation.
US08734618B2	Apparatus Apparatus for treating a gaseous hydrocarbon fraction to obtain a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction which apparatus includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger and a distillation column, wherein the shell-and-tube heat exchanger includes an inlet and an outlet for cooling fluid which inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the tube side of the heat exchanger, and an inlet for the gaseous hydrocarbon fraction at the upper end of the heat exchanger which inlet is in fluid communication with the shell side of the heat exchanger, and a conduit for guiding hydrocarbons from the heat exchanger to the distillation column which distillation column includes an outlet for gas at its upper end and an outlet for liquid at its lower end, and process in which such apparatus is used.
US08734611B2	Medium consistency refining method of pulp and system A thermomechanical pulping method including: refining pulp with a high consistency refining stage, and a medium consistency refining stage processing the refined pulp discharge from the high consistency refining stage. Chemical pretreatments for improving pulp quality development during medium consistency refining can be optionally added at the pressurized chip press, fiberizer pre-refining step, primary high consistency refining step, and/or the standpipe feeding the medium consistency refiner.
US08734610B2	Two vessel reactor system and method for hydrolysis and digestion of wood chips with chemical enhanced wash method A reactor vessel system including: a first reactor vessel having a hydrolysate and liquid extraction screen, a first region above the extraction screen that is maintained at conditions promoting a hydrolysis reaction in the cellulosic material, a second region below the extraction screen in which the hydrolysis is substantially suppressed and a wash liquid inlet below the extraction screen providing wash liquid at a temperature below a hydrolysis temperature; a transport pipe having an inlet coupled to the first reactor vessel and an outlet coupled to a second reactor vessel, and the second reactor vessel includes a liquid discharge that extracts a portion of liquid from the second reactor vessel and directs the portion of liquid to the first reactor vessel or to the transport pipe.
US08734609B2	Continuous process for the production of moisture-cure, polyurethane sealants and adhesives A process for continuous manufacturing of moisture-curable polyurethane formulations used as sealants and adhesives. The process is characterized by the fact that the reactive components are introduced independently, and without the need for a prepolymer, to a mixer. Solid or liquid raw materials can be either pre-blended or fed directly to the mixer, a twin-screw extruder, which provides the requisite energy to homogenously mix the raw materials and drive the chemical reaction. The process is designed so that the extruder barrel and screw allow variable feed addition and heat exchange down the length of the machine. This allows various operations to be performed at different points in the extruder, including reaction, dispersive mixing, distributive mixing and devolitization.
US08734608B2	Diffuser-integrated prism sheet for backlight units and method of manufacturing the same A diffuser-integrated prism sheet is provided, in which diffuser layers are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the prism sheet and prism-shaped protrusions are formed in the prism sheet. The prism sheet for backlight units includes a lower diffuser layer having a light diffusion structure, a lower layer formed on the lower diffuser layer, a first intermediate layer formed on the lower layer and having prism-shaped protrusions formed parallel to each other, a second intermediate layer formed on the first intermediate layer, an upper layer formed on the second intermediate layer, and an upper diffuser layer formed on the upper layer and having a light diffusion structure, wherein an air layer is formed between the lower surface of the second intermediate layer and the valleys of the prism-shaped protrusions of the first intermediate layer. Also, a method of manufacturing the diffuser-integrated prism sheet is provided.
US08734606B2	Airfoil assembly and method of forming same A composite component includes an inner core formed from a first composite material having discontinuous fibers. An outer sleeve is formed from a second composite material different from the first, and having continuous fibers. The outer sleeve generally surrounds and is bonded or otherwise connected to the inner core. The component is made by injecting or otherwise introducing thermoplastic fiber composite material including chopped or otherwise discontinuous fibers into a mold to form the inner core having a first portion with smooth surfaces and integrally joined to a second portion with bumps and ridges. The injected thermoplastic fiber composite material is cured and then removed from the mold. A layup including one or more surface plies of a thermoset continuous fiber composite material is then applied to the smooth first portion of the core. The surface plies then are compressed and cured in a mold.
US08734604B2	Bond line control process A method and apparatus for bonding parts. An adhesive and a plurality of beads may be applied onto a first surface of a first part to form a layer of adhesive and beads. The first surface of the first part with the layer of adhesive and beads may be placed in contact with a second surface of a second part to form a structure, wherein the structure may be cured.
US08734593B2	Substrate treatment apparatus and substrate treatment method A substrate treatment apparatus includes: substrate holding unit which horizontally holds a substrate; a rotating unit which rotates the substrate held by the substrate holding unit about a vertical axis; and a first nozzle having a first opposing face to be opposed to a region of a lower surface of the substrate inward of a peripheral portion of the substrate in spaced relation to the lower surface of the substrate during rotation of the substrate by the rotating unit and a treatment liquid spout provided in the first opposing face for filling a space defined between the lower surface of the substrate and the first opposing face with a treatment liquid spouted from the treatment liquid spout to keep the space in a liquid filled state.
US08734591B2	Dishwasher with auxiliary, tough soil chemistry dispensing system A dishwasher is provided with an auxiliary dispenser to be selectively, conveniently attached to a dish rack for movement with the dish rack into and out of a dishwasher tub, with the dispenser including a storage compartment for housing a washing agent, an inlet leading to the storage compartment and an outlet leading from the storage compartment. When the dish rack is in the recessed position, the inlet of the dispenser is arranged in fluid communication with a fluid conduit system which delivers washing fluid to at least one spray nozzle of the dishwasher, while an outlet of the dispenser leads to a washing compartment of the tub. With this arrangement, at least a portion of the washing fluid directed to the at least one spray nozzle will be forced to flow through the storage compartment in order to pick up additional washing agent for enhanced cleansing purposes.
US08734587B2	Concrete mixing truck chute washing apparatus and method of using same The invention comprises an apparatus for washing, storing and transporting concrete wastewater washed from concrete conveying chutes associated with a concrete mixing truck. The apparatus comprises a fluid container having a first opening and a pair of arms extending upwardly above the container. Each end of the arms distal from the container is adapted to mate with a first end of a first concrete chute member and to removably retain the first concrete chute member such that a second end of the first concrete chute member is higher than the first end and the first end is disposed above the first opening in the fluid container. The container is attachable to a concrete mixing truck such that a second concrete chute member attached to the concrete mixing truck can be positioned above the first concrete chute member while the first concrete chute member is mated with the arms. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.
US08734578B2	Dust collecting system An indoor dust collecting system includes an air conditioner having an indoor unit that generates an air current, a dust collector, and a controller for controlling the air current from the indoor unit. A moving body detector is provided to detect a moving body such as, for example, a person, a pet, a cleaning robot, and the like. The air current from the indoor unit is controlled by the controller based on the position of the indoor unit, the position of a spot of occurrence of dust detected by the moving body detector, and the position of the dust collector such that the air current from the indoor unit reaches the dust collector via the spot of occurrence of dust in order for the dust collector to effectively suck the dust.
US08734577B2	Separator tank for separating oil and gas from water A separator tank (1) for separating oil and gas from water, and comprising separator tank units (2, 2′, 2″) arranged on top of one another within an annular enclosure (4). An inlet pipe (14) is connected with the inlet for fluid in a first of the at least two separator tank units. A second outlet (9) in the first separator tank unit (2) is connected with the inlet (7) for fluid in a second of the at least two separator tank units (2′). A pressure control device controls the pressure downstream of the first outlets for oil and gas (8) so that the pressure at the first outlets (8) is lower than the pressure at the water outlet (26) on the separator tank.
US08734575B2	Airflow controlling device and method The airflow controlling device includes a bacteria counting portion counting bacteria of a controlled space; a first smoothing processing portion performing a first smoothing process on the bacteria count; a second smoothing processing portion performing a second smoothing process on the bacteria count; a bacteria reducing capability storing portion storing a bacteria reducing capability relative to each flow rate; a first flow rate evaluating portion selecting a flow rate matching a bacteria reducing capability compatible with an increase in a bacteria count forecasted from the processing result of the first smoothing processing portion; a second flow rate evaluating portion selecting a flow rate matching a bacteria reducing capability compatible with an increase in a bacteria count forecasted from the processing result of the second smoothing processing portion; and a flow rate determining portion selecting a flow rate into the controlled space based on the flow rates selected by the first and second flow rate evaluating portions.
US08734573B2	Vent plug An object is to provide a vent plug having a structure in which an air-permeable membrane is unlikely to be damaged. More specifically, a vent plug is produced, which includes: a cylindrical member 1 having a through-hole 1a; a support 2 connected to the cylindrical member 1 so as to be across the through-hole 1a; and an air-permeable membrane 3 circumferentially attached to the cylindrical member 1, wherein the air-permeable membrane 3 is held on the support 2 and a convex portion 3a that follows the shape of the support 2 is formed on the air-permeable membrane 3.
US08734571B2	Purification of air Reduction of water, CO2 and N2O in an air stream comprising: passing said air stream at a feed temperature through a first adsorbent, whose Henry's Law selectivity for CO2/N2O is at least 12.5, and a second adsorbent, whose Henry's Law constant for CO2 is less than 1020 mmol/g/atom and whose Henry's Law selectivity for CO2/N2O is at most 5; and passing a heated regenerating gas at a temperature which is between 20° C. and 80° C. to at least the second adsorbent, and passing a second regenerating gas at a temperature less than the temperature of the heated regenerating gas to the first and second adsorbents in a direction opposite to the feed direction; the second adsorbent occupying from 25% to 40% of the total volume of the adsorbents, and the temperature of the heated regenerating gas being 10° C. to 60° C. higher than the feed temperature.
US08734570B2	Pressure and vacuum swing adsorption separation processes A pressure or vacuum swing adsorption process for separating water from solvent utilizing molecular sieves and regenerating the molecular sieve by passing non-condensable recycled gas along the molecular sieve, capturing the recycled gas and using the recycled gas again to repeat regeneration of the molecular sieve.
US08734567B2	Methods of preparing a crosslinked fiber membrane Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a crosslinked hollow fiber membrane. The method involves spinning a one phase solution comprising a monoesterified polyimide polymer, acetone as a volatile solvent, a spinning solvent, a spinning non-solvent, and optionally an organic and/or inorganic additive, wherein the volatile solvent is present in an amount of greater than 25 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the solution.
US08734564B2	Magnesium-based alloy with superior fluidity and hot-tearing resistance and manufacturing method thereof Provided are a magnesium-based alloy and a manufacturing method thereof. In the method, a magnesium alloy is melted into liquid phase, and an alkaline earth metal oxide is added into a molten magnesium alloy. The alkaline earth metal oxide is exhausted through surface reduction reaction between the melt and the alkaline earth metal oxide. Alkaline earth metal produced by the exhaustion reacts with Mg and/or other alloying elements in the magnesium alloy so that an intermetallic compound is formed. The magnesium prepared by the method is excellent in fluidity and hot-tearing resistance. To this end, the alkaline earth metal oxide added is CaO, and the added amount of CaO is 1.4 to 1.7 times the target weight of Ca to be contained in the final Mg alloy.
US08734563B2	Method and plant for the production of zinc dust A method of production of Zinc dust, which includes melting Zinc products in a melting furnace on a semi-continuous basis, transferring at least a part of the molten Zinc products to a vaporizing furnace, vaporizing the molten Zinc in the vaporizing furnace into Zinc vapor on a substantially continuous basis, transferring Zinc vapor from the vaporizing furnace to a condenser, and condensing the Zinc vapor to form Zinc dust.
US08734553B2	Indoor unit of air conditioner A casing (10) of an indoor unit (1) contains an indoor fan (21), an air filter (30), and an indoor heat exchanger (22). The indoor unit (1) includes: a divider plate (25) which includes an air hole (26) for attaching the air filter (30) therein, and divides space inside the casing (10) into a room upstream of an air flow passing through the air filter (30), and a room downstream of the air flow passing through the air filter (30); a dust removing mechanism (50) for removing dust trapped on the air filter (30); and a dust container (90) for containing the dust which is removed by the dust removing mechanism (50), and is transferred through a transfer duct (88). The indoor heat exchanger (22) is arranged around the indoor fan (21), and the dust container (90) is arranged below the indoor heat exchanger (22).
US08734552B1	Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond and polycrystalline diamond compacts with a carbonate material Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”), polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) having a PCD table comprising such PCD, methods of fabricating such PCD and PDCs, and applications. In an embodiment, a method includes sintering diamond particles in the presence of a carbonate material to form PCD. The carbonate material includes at least one alkali metal carbonate. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a matrix. An interstitial constituent may be dispersed through the matrix. The interstitial constituent includes at least one alkali metal carbonate, at least one alkali metal oxide, or both. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate bonded to a PCD table. The PCD table may be formed from any of the disclosed embodiments of PCD.
US08734544B2	Apparatus and process for producing solid fuel A solid fuel producing apparatus that even when supply of raw coal (RC) and mixed oil (MO) and supply of slurry to subsequent steps are stopped because of troubling at evaporation step or later, etc., would prevent cloggings of heat exchanger and raw coal supply means. The solid fuel producing apparatus includes a mixing tank (1) for mixing porous coal with a mixed oil having heavy oil and solvent oil contents to thereby obtain a raw slurry; an evaporator (2) for processing evaporation of water from the raw slurry by heating the same to thereby obtain a dewatered slurry; a solid-liquid separator (3) for separation of the mixed oil and upgraded porous coal from the dewatered slurry; and circulation means (4) for returning the mixed oil having been separated and recovered by the solid-liquid separator to the mixing tank. The solid fuel producing apparatus is characterized by having a mixed oil heating heat exchanger (5) for heating the mixed oil to be returned to the mixing tank by the circulation means.
US08734541B2	Diesel fuel formulation A diesel fuel formulation containing a triethoxypropane and a palm oil methyl ester (POME), and a diesel fuel supplement containing a premix of a triethoxypropane and a POME is disclosed. The triethoxypropane may be 1,2,3-triethoxypropane or 1,1,3-triethoxypropane.
US08734535B2	Methods for controlling crystal growth, crystallization, structures and phases in materials and systems This invention relates to novel methods for affecting, controlling and/or directing various crystal formation, structure formation or phase formation/phase change reaction pathways or systems by exposing one or more components in a holoreaction system to at least one spectral energy pattern. In a first aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy pattern can be applied to a crystallization reaction system. In a second aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy conditioning pattern can be applied to a conditioning reaction system. The spectral energy conditioning pattern can, for example, be applied at a separate location from the reaction vessel (e.g., in a conditioning reaction vessel) or can be applied in (or to) the reaction vessel, but prior to other (or all) crystallization reaction system participants being introduced into the reaction vessel.
US08734530B2	Colorants in foam form An agent in foam form for coloring keratin-containing fibers, in particular human hair, under induction by atmospheric oxygen and methods for coloring keratin-containing fibers using such agent is provided. In an embodiment, the agent comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier, at an alkaline pH of 8 to 10.5, (a) as a color-forming component in the form of a dye precursor of a nature-analogous dye an indole and/or indoline derivative, (b) an alkalizing agent, and (c) a propellant, the agent containing no additional oxidizing agent for the color-forming components.
US08734527B2	Encapsulated kidney tissue Provided are therapeutic implants comprising renal tissue encapsulated within a polymer bead. Also disclosed are methods for treating a disease state in a subject comprising implanting within said subject a therapeutic implant comprising renal tissue encapsulated within a polymer bead. Also provided are methods for making a therapeutic implant comprising: providing renal tissue; mixing the renal tissue with a solution comprising a polymer, thereby forming a tissue-polymer suspension; extruding the tissue-polymer suspension into an bead-forming solution, thereby forming a therapeutic implant comprising beads of said polymer within which the renal tissue is encapsulated.
US08734523B2	Limited motion tibial bearing A tibial implant comprising: a baseplate having a bone contacting surface, a bearing support surface and a proximally extending wall at least partially surrounding the bearing support surface; a bearing component slidably mounted with respect to the baseplate bearing support surface, the bearing component having a proximally facing condylar surface and a distally facing surface for contacting the baseplate bearing support surface the proximally and distally facing bearing component surfaces spaced to define a circumferential side surface therebetween; and an elastic gasket element interposed within a gap formed between the baseplate proximally extending wall and the bearing component circumferential side surface.
US08734522B2	Posterior stabilized orthopaedic prosthesis A posterior stabilized knee orthopaedic prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The tibial bearing includes a spine having a concave cam surface and a convex cam surface. The femoral component includes a posterior cam having a concave cam surface and a convex cam surface. During flexion, the concave cam surface of the posterior cam contacts the convex cam surface of the spine and the convex cam surface of the posterior cam contacts the concave cam surface of the spine.
US08734518B2	Artificial intervertebral disc The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human intervertebral thoracic disc).
US08734517B2	Medical procedure involving protective pad A method of performing at least one surgical procedure is disclosed. The method includes: preparing a patient for a first surgical procedure; making a first incision through the skin of the patient in accordance with the first surgical procedure; exposing a target area for the first surgical procedure through the first incision; performing a step of the first surgical procedure on the target area for the first surgical procedure; placing a protective pad with a fluid pocket between a vulnerable anatomical part and the target area for the first surgical procedure; and closing the first incision in accordance with the first surgical procedure with the protective pad between the vulnerable anatomical part and the target area. A protective system for facilitating revision surgery is also disclosed.
US08734516B2	Bi-directional fixating/locking transvertebral body screw/intervertebral cage stand-alone constructs having a central screw locking lever, and pliers and devices for spinal fusion A bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus including an intervertebral cage for maintaining disc height, and a method of inserting the same is provided. The intervertebral cage includes a first internal screw guide and a second internal screw guide, a first screw member and a second screw member, and a central screw locking lever coupled to the intervertebral cage, wherein the central screw locking lever prevents the first screw member and the second screw from pulling-out of the first internal screw guide and the second internal screw guide. The central screw locking lever includes a rotatable handle and stem portion, or a screw locking horizontal bracket. A pliers device for inserting and removing the bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus, a posterior cervical and lumbar facet joint staple, and a staple gun for a posterior cervical and lumbar facet joint staple also are provided.
US08734514B2	Micro-alloyed porous metal having optimized chemical composition and method of manufacturing the same A micro-alloyed porous metal is disclosed having an optimized chemical composition to achieve targeted mechanical properties for use as an orthopaedic implant and a cell/soft tissue receptor. The porous metal may achieve a targeted compressive strength and a targeted ductility, for example. These targeted mechanical properties may allow the porous metal to be densified to a low relative density.
US08734510B2	Intraocular lens for capsular bag An intraocular lens to be implanted into the capsular bag after ablation of the crystalline lens includes a central optical portion and a haptic portion including haptic members arranged on the periphery of the optical part and for positioning the intraocular lens in the capsular bag. On the one hand, the posterior surface of the optical portion includes a sharp ridge at the peripheral edge and, on the other hand, the posterior surface of the haptic members includes a proximal area in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the optical portion, each proximal area including at least one tooth extending substantially along the entire width of each haptic member, the tooth or teeth having a sharp edge that becomes serrated in the posterior capsule in order to limit the migration of the epithelial cells of the haptic members towards the optical portion.
US08734507B2	Device and method for improving function of heart valve A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve, and a first flange unit being connected to said first loop-shaped support. The flange unit is configured to be arranged against said annulus when said first loop-shaped support is abutting said heart valve.
US08734501B2	Composite stent graft A composite stent graft has a balloon expandable stent portion (3), a tubular graft material portion (1) inside or outside of the balloon expandable stent portion and self expanding stents (5) associated with the tubular graft material portion. Part (7) of the balloon expandable stent portion can extend beyond the proximal end (9) of the tubular graft material portion. The tubular graft material can be polytetrafluoroethylene, Dacron, Thoralon™, polyamide, small intestine submucosa, collagenous extracellular matrix material, or any other suitable biocompatible material. A method of deploying which includes flaring a part (7) of the balloon expandable stent portion is also discussed.
US08734496B2	Bone screw retaining system A spinal implant has a bone plate with a bone contacting surface and an opposite upwardly facing surface and at least one opening with a groove formed around an inner circumference of the opening. The groove has an axially spaced upper and lower surface. A bone-anchor or bone screw is capable of being accommodated in the opening between the groove and the bone contacting surface. A split-ring is mounted in the groove. The split-ring is sized to expand upon insertion of the anchor element into the opening and to come into direct contact with a head of the bone anchor to hold the bone anchor in the opening. The split-ring has an upper surface and a lower surface for respectively engaging the upper and lower surface of said groove, wherein the split-ring has a variable width so as to optimize its flexibility.
US08734491B2	Method and apparatus for the stabilization of the trapeziometacarpal joint A method and apparatus for the stabilization of the trapeziometacarpal joint following the removal or partial resection of the trapezium includes an assembly for securing a first metacarpal relative to a second metacarpal. The assembly includes a suture guide having a suture anchor plate that is frangibly connected to a guide stem.
US08734490B2	Methods and devices for minimally invasive spinal fixation element placement Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.
US08734489B2	Rod inserter and rod with reduced diameter end A pedicle screw assembly including a bone fastener having a lower end for engaging bone and an upper end remote from the lower end; a head having a rod-receiving channel attached to the upper end of said bone fastener; a spinal rod insertable into the rod-receiving channel of said head, said spinal rod having an outer surface extending between first and second ends thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second ends has a reduced diameter section. A spinal rod having an outer surface extending between a first end and a second end thereof; wherein the outer surface of said spinal rod has a reduced diameter section at least one of the first and second ends.
US08734488B2	Maintenance feature in magnetic implant A distraction system includes a distraction rod having one end configured for affixation to at a first location on patient. The system further includes an adjustable portion configured for placement in the patient at a second location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly comprising a magnet, the magnetic assembly secured to a threaded element that interfaces with an opposing end of the distraction rod. The system includes a magnetically permeable member in proximity to the magnetic assembly and covering an arc of less than 360° of the adjustable portion.
US08734485B2	Sutures with barbs that overlap and cover projections A barbed suture with a first end and a second end and a body with a plurality of barbs extending from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. Projections extend from said suture. The projections can also engage tissue. The barbs cover the projections when the first end of the suture is moved in tissue and exposes the projections in order to engage tissue when the suture is moved in the direction of the second end through tissue.
US08734481B2	Removeable filter head A filter (10) for use within the lumen of a blood vessel that includes a plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements (14) adapted to flexibility convert between a filter configuration and an open configuration. The filter further includes a removable filter head (16) having a retainer (50) and a stopper (70) movable between a first position and a second position. The retainer and the stopper cooperate at the first position to secure the plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements into the filter configuration and the movement of the stopper to the second position releases the plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements to the open configuration.
US08734477B2	Translaminar approach to minimally invasive ligament decompression procedure Provided herein is a method for treating spinal stenosis comprising percutaneously accessing the epidural space from a first side of the spine. The first side of the spine is located on one side of the medial plane with respect to the spinal cord. A tissue removal tool is then advanced through the first side of the epidural space into the other side of the epidural space, where the other side of the epidural space is located on the other side of the medial plane of the spinal cord. Once the tissue removal tool is located on the second side of the medial plane, stenosis can be reduced using the tissue removal tool.
US08734476B2	Coupling for slip ring assembly and ultrasonic transducer in surgical instrument An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body such as a handle assembly and an acoustic transmission assembly. The acoustic transmission assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer and an end effector. A mounting ring is positioned on a horn of the transducer. A rotatable drum is positioned distal to the mounting ring. Piezoelectric components of the transducer are positioned proximal to the mounting ring. Electrical conduits extend from the drum to the piezoelectric components and are routed over or through the mounting ring. The drum is coupled with a power source through a slip ring assembly to selectively activate the transducer.
US08734474B2	System for providing fluid flow to nerve tissues Provided is an apparatus that includes a nerve conduit and a nested manifold for providing a reduced pressure. Also provided is a system that includes a source of reduced pressure, a nerve conduit and nested manifold, and a conduit for providing fluid communication between the manifold and the source of reduced pressure. Additionally provided is a method that includes implanting the above nerve conduit and manifold at a site of damaged nerve tissue and applying a reduced pressure to the manifold thereby stimulating repair or regrowth of nerve tissue.
US08734467B2	Delivery tool for implantation of spool assembly coupled to a helical anchor Apparatus is provided, including a tissue-adjusting member configured to be coupled to tissue of a patient, a rotatable structure that is configured to adjust a tension of the tissue-adjusting member, a tissue anchor coupled to the tissue-adjusting member and configured to screw into the tissue of the patient, and a delivery tool reversibly coupleable to the rotatable structure. The delivery tool comprises a first actuating element configured to rotate the tissue anchor so as to facilitate screwing of the tissue anchor into the tissue of the patient while not facilitating rotation of the rotatable structure, and a second actuating element configured to rotate the rotatable structure while not facilitating rotation of the tissue anchor. Other applications are also described.
US08734465B2	Stone retrieval device and related methods of manufacture A medical device includes an elongate member having a plurality of flexibility features and a basket having a plurality of legs. The elongate member and the basket are formed from a single piece of a material. The flexibility features are formed by removing first portions of the material to increase flexibility of the elongate member. The legs are formed by removing longitudinal portions of the material.
US08734464B2	Surgical retrieval apparatus for thoracic procedures A surgical retrieval apparatus includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and including an elongated sleeve extending distally therefrom. The housing and the elongated sleeve cooperate to define a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A shaft having an end effector disposed at a distal end thereof is selectively translatable between a first position, wherein the end effector is disposed within the elongated sleeve, and a second position, wherein the shaft is translated through the lumen such that the end effector extends distally from the elongated sleeve. An articulation mechanism operably coupled to the end effector is configured for articulating the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. A specimen retrieval bag is coupled to the end effector and is deployed therefrom upon movement of the end effector from the first position to the second position.
US08734462B2	Systems and methods for the fixation or fusion of bone using compressive implants First and second bone segments separated by a fracture line or joint can be fixated or fused by creating an insertion path through the first bone segment, through the fracture line or joint, and into the second bone segment. An anchor body is introduced through the insertion path. The distal end of the anchor body is anchored in the interior region of the second bone segment. An elongated implant structure is passed over the anchor body to span the fracture line or joint between the bone segments. The proximal end of the anchor body is anchored to an exterior region of the first bone segment to place, in concert with the anchored distal end, the anchor body in compression, to thereby compress and fixate the bone segments relative to the fracture line or joint.
US08734461B2	Device and method for use during ligament reconstruction surgery The present disclosure relates to a device for use in ligament reconstruction surgery. The device includes a handle, a tube coupled to the handle, and a locking mechanism coupled to the handle. A method for use during ligament reconstruction surgery is also disclosed.
US08734460B2	Systems and methods for internal bone fixation Internal bone fixation devices and methods for using the devices for repairing a weakened or fractured bone are disclosed herein. According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a device for repairing a fractured bone that includes a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the delivery catheter having an inner void for passing at least one reinforcing material, and an inner lumen for accepting a light pipe, wherein a distal end of the inner lumen terminates in an optical lens; a conformable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter, the conformable member moving from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one reinforcing material is delivered to the conformable member; and an adapter releasably engaging the proximal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the light pipe and the at least one reinforcing material.
US08734457B2	Instrument for use in a joint replacement procedure An instrument for use in a joint replacement procedure includes a trial head that corresponds to the head of an orthopaedic joint component having an upper surface defined by a curved surface and a bore formed in a lower surface and a trial connector for connecting the trial head to a stem part of the orthopaedic joint component which is intended for location in the intramedullary cavity of a bone. The trial connector can be fitted into the bore in the trial head at a variable angular orientation.
US08734452B2	Guidance system,tools and devices for spinal fixation A system for attaching first and second spine fixation elements at a predetermined angle relative to each other to first and second locations of a vertebra, respectively includes first and second guide arms pivotally connected to each other at a first pivot point and configured to pivot around a pivot axis passing through the first pivot point, and first and second guide tubes passing through first and second elongated through-bore openings formed in the first and second guide arms, respectively, and forming an X-structure as they exit the first and second through-bore openings.
US08734451B2	Surgical technique and instrumentation for minimal hip arthroplasty surgery Improved instruments for modifying a shape of a proximal femur of a patient for installation of a stem of a femoral component of a prosthetic hip during hip replacement surgery, comprising a handle including an elongated shaft extending downward approximately in a z-direction, a first offset extending from a bottom of the elongated shaft approximately in a y-direction, a second offset extending from the second offset approximately in an x-direction, and a shaping member elongated downward from the second offset approximately in the z-direction. Provided is an improved femoral broach and an improved osteotome. Also provided is a method of improving a patient's positioning during hip replacement surgery by using a variable configuration mattress for positioning the patient.
US08734449B2	Medical or surgical handpiece A medical or surgical handpiece for driving a medical tool comprises a housing, a drive train accommodated therein and a motor. The motor includes a first drive shaft and a second shaft, the second shaft being at least partially arranged in the first drive shaft and mounted to rotate freely relative to the first drive shaft via at least one bearing, so that the second shaft is rotatable independently of the first shaft.
US08734448B2	Implant assembly for proximal femoral fracture An implant assembly for proximal femur fracture comprises of a targeting device and intramedullary nail having plurality of proximal holes directed towards head and neck of femur wherein the axis of the holes makes an ante version angle of about 5° to 20° with the horizontal plane and at the same time axis of plurality of distal holes making 90° angle to longitudinal axis of said nail that holds the femur wherein said nail has reducing cross section area from thigh end to knee end with grooved knee end with anterior curvature even in short length version, plurality of proximal sliding hip pins with smooth shaft for collapsibility, triflanged end with mores taper to hold proximal femur, large head and washer to get impaction and plurality of distal locking screw to hold distal fragment of femur, optional buttress plate and barrels supporting lateral cortex to get controlled limited guided collapse.
US08734446B2	External fixation surgical clamp with swivel A clamping device for an external fixation system includes a first clamp having an opening for receiving an external fixation element, the first clamp having an axle seat. A first base component includes a concave first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface. The concave first surface is in selective engagement with the clamp. A swivel element comprises an axle component and a post component. The axle component is disposed on the axle seat of the first clamp. The post component extends from the axle component and has a length sized to extend from the axle component through a second external fixation clamp. The post component is arranged to swivel relative to the axle seat. Methods are also disclosed.
US08734443B2	Vessel sealer and divider for large tissue structures An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. The forceps include a drive assembly that moves the jaw members relative to one another from a first position to a second position for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included that is rotatable about a pivot. A knife assembly is also included having a movable knife rod to operatively engage a knife blade, the knife rod having a first longitudinal section having a first predetermined shape, and a second longitudinal section having a second predetermined shape. The first predetermined shape is different than the second predetermined shape.
US08734439B2	Ablation apparatus and method An ablation apparatus includes an ablation energy source producing an electromagnetic energy output. A multiple antenna device is included, and has a primary antenna with a longitudinal axis, a central lumen and a distal end, and a secondary antenna with a distal end. The secondary antenna is deployed from the primary antenna central lumen in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis. The multiple antenna device is coupled to the ablation energy source.
US08734437B2	Catheter having electrically conductive pathways Medical devices having electrically conductive pathways are disclosed. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to catheter shafts including an electrically conductive wire embedded in a polymeric tube. The disclosure is also directed to catheter shafts including an electrically conductive media coextruded in a polymeric tube. The disclosure is also directed to catheter shafts including electrically conductive pathways formed with electrically conductive ink, paste, adhesive and/or epoxy.
US08734436B2	Laser catheter for bypass surgery and assembly comprising said catheter The invention is directed to a laser catheter (1) for bypass surgery, wherein the distal part (2) of the catheter (1) is provided with: a tubular arrangement (3) of optical fibers (4) having distal ends (5) defining a ring-shaped light emergence surface (6) for emitting a tubular bundle of light beams in the distal direction (D) of the catheter (1); and a stop surface (7) extending around the tubular arrangement (3) of optical fibers (4) and facing in the distal direction (D), the stop surface (7) being arranged at a distance (A) proximally from the light emergence surface (6). The light emergence surface (6) slants at a slanting angle (α) in the range of [20°, 60°] with respect to the longitudinal axis (8) of the catheter (1). The invention further relates to an assembly comprising such a catheter.
US08734435B2	Dual port ablation cannula and kit A dual port ablation cannula kit includes a trocar and a hollow shaft defining a longitudinal lumen. The shaft has a proximal segment and a distal segment, such that the distal segment includes a distal tip substantially aligned with the shaft to permit passage of the trocar within the hollow shaft. The distal tip also is configured with a tissue-gripping surface in as much as a plane of the tissue-gripping surface is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, dual ports extending from an exterior surface of the hollow shaft, each port defining a hollow passageway into the hollow shaft, and dual couplers, one coupling a suction line to one of the dual ports and another coupling an irrigation line to another of the dual ports. Finally, the kit can include a laser fiber.
US08734432B2	Integration of surgical instrument and display device for assisting in image-guided surgery The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a handle portion or mounting portion and a functional portion and/or tip, wherein a display device is provided on the instrument and includes or enables displays which serve to assist in image-guided and/or navigation-assisted surgery. It also relates to a method for navigating a surgical instrument, wherein its position is determined and tracked by means of a medical tracking system and the position data is processed within the framework of medical navigation by means of a medical navigation system, wherein displays for navigation assistance and/or for assisting in image-guided surgery are provided on the instrument or on an element which is positionally assigned to the instrument or fastened to the instrument.
US08734422B2	Closed loop control with improved alarm functions Methods, system and devices for monitoring control parameters in a closed loop control operation including continuously monitoring glucose level and automatic administration of a medication, detecting a condition associated with hypoglycemia, determining whether a probability of the detected condition associated with hypoglycemia exceeding a threshold level, and outputting a notification based upon the determination are provided.
US08734420B2	Packaging assembly to prevent premature activation A package assembly for a drug reconstitution assembly includes a body, a drug reconstitution assembly and a removable lid. The body includes a plurality of protrusions configured to mate with a plurality of corresponding features of the drug reconstitution assembly to inhibit axial and rotational translation of the drug reconstitution assembly and its constituent parts during shipping and handling. By preventing axial and rotational shifting during shipment, premature and accidental puncture or contamination of the medication or the spikes within the drug reconstitution assembly is minimized.
US08734417B2	Simple disposable absorbent article A simple disposable pant-like garment includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis, which can be extensible, includes a water-impermeable sheet folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The absorbent assembly is smaller in width and in length than the chassis. The side edges and end edges of the absorbent assembly can be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that can contain superabsorbent particles contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.
US08734413B2	Packaged body adhering absorbent article A packaged feminine care absorbent article has an absorbent article with an absorbent structure and a shell. The absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. At least a portion of the shell extends outward beyond the periphery of the absorbent structure. The absorbent article is configurable between a packaged configuration and a use configuration. At least part of the outward extending portion of the shell is arranged in direct overlapping relationship with a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration. The outward extending portion of the shell is free from overlapping relationship with the absorbent structure in the use configuration.
US08734411B2	Multi-layer odor barrier tube, and combination odor barrier tube and odor barrier collection bag A multi-layer odor barrier catheter tube for a fecal drainage catheter. The external surface has a low coefficient of friction, as does the internal surface. The layers of the catheter tube may be co-extruded, or formed as a heat-laminated film rolled into a cylindrical shape and heat-welded. A flexible scrim may be included intermediate the first and third layers. One or more tie layers may be included between at least one of the first and second layers, or the second and third layers. A combination of a multi-layer odor barrier catheter tube with an odor barrier collection bag is also described.
US08734406B2	Methods and systems for chemical ablation Thermochemical ablation techniques may provide ablation of bodily tissue using chemical reaction energy.
US08734405B2	Lay flat tubing Lay flat tubing is used as a fluid conductor for transferring fluid to and from the body of a patient. The lay flat tubing lies flat or collapsed when not in use, utilizing minimal space during transportation and storage, but which expands to form a passage when used to conduct fluid. A plurality of lumens may be formed in the lay flat tubing. At least one lumen transports infused fluid end-to-end from a source to an entry site on a patient, or in the alternative from an entry site on or in a patient. All lumens are isolated with respect to each other in order to prevent crossover of fluid from one lumen to the other.
US08734404B2	Lay flat tubing Lay flat tubing is used as a fluid conductor for transferring fluid to and from the body of a patient. The lay flat tubing lies flat or collapsed when not in use, utilizing minimal space during transportation and storage, but which expands to form a passage when used to conduct fluid. A plurality of lumens may be formed in the lay flat tubing. At least one lumen transports infused fluid end-to-end from a source to an entry site on a patient, or in the alternative from an entry site on or in a patient. All lumens are isolated with respect to each other in order to prevent crossover of fluid from one lumen to the other.
US08734402B2	Injection device An injection device including a syringe having a needle, a barrel and a plunger. The device is configured to provide an automatic injection cycle and includes a drive coupling arrangement between a driving spring and the syringe. In operation, a drive force can be selectively transmitted between the respective first and second parts of the drive coupling arrangement depending upon their relative rotational positions such that, when the first and second parts are in a first relative rotational position during the dispensing stage, a driving force is transmitted to the plunger to drive the plunger into the barrel, and, when the first and second parts are in a second relative rotational position during the retraction stage, no force is transmitted to the plunger to allow the plunger and the syringe to retract.
US08734395B2	Microneedle patch applicator A method and apparatus for application of a microneedle patch to a skin surface of a patient includes use of an applicator. The applicator includes a housing, a slidably disposed applicator plate, and a compression spring. The applicator plate is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, and has an engaging surface suitable for mashing up against a microneedle patch and pressing it against a skin surface. A docking system transfers the microneedle patch from a support to the applicator without requiring a user to handle the microneedle patch directly. Once mounted in the applicator, the microneedle patch is deployed against a skin surface of a patient for delivery of a desired agent via a microneedle array contained on the patch.
US08734392B2	Dosing device having a pumping device A dosing device having a pumping device delivering at least one medium into a pumping channel running along a pumping axis, as well as an applicator having at least one application opening is known.According to the invention, the applicator has at least one flow channel linking the pumping channel with the application opening and which is oriented transversely to the pumping axis, while the application opening is positioned laterally on the applicator.Use for pharmaceutical applications.
US08734391B2	Systems, methods and devices for adjusting the insertion depth of a cannula associated with a portable therapeutic device Systems, methods and devices are described herein for adjusting the insertion depth of a cannula associated with a portable therapeutic device within the body of a patient. The systems may include a mounting unit securable to the skin of the patient and having a mounting base and a well defining a passageway through the mounting base and a cannula unit including a cannula subcutaneously insertable through the well of the mounting unit. The well may have an adjustable height and/or adjustable anchoring mechanisms that allow for varying and customized insertion depths of the cannula within the body of the patient.
US08734389B2	Medical balloon A non-compliant medical balloon, where the non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon, is made with a first fiber layer, a second fiber layer over said first fiber layer such that the fibers of the first fiber layer and the fibers of the second fiber layer form an angle and a binding layer coating the first fiber layer and said second fiber layer. The interior surface area of the non-compliant medical balloon remains unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.
US08734388B2	Catheter for minimally invasive cardiac pacing surgery and method of use An assembly of a pulmonary venting catheter and a pacing wire disposed therethrough whereby the pacing wire is extended from the distal end of the catheter tube during pacing mode, eliminating the need for exchanging the venting catheter with a pacing catheter to begin pacing after venting. The pacing wire includes a flexible distal end for a first conductor to conductively engage heart tissue after the pacing wire is extended from the catheter distal end; a second conductor, also exposed outside the catheter distal end, completes the circuit. The pacing wire is lockable in unextended and extended positions at the proximal end portion of the assembly. A method for venting and pacing a patient's heart during cardiac surgery is described, which includes retracting the catheter distal end from the pulmonary artery after venting mode, into the right ventricle during pacing mode, whereafter the pacing wire is extended for pacing.
US08734385B2	Manual breast pump A manual breast pump, including a housing; a funnel connected to the housing and forming a passage for breast milk; a cup for receiving a breast; a lid connected to an upper portion of the housing; a handle assembly connected to the lid; a substantially semi-circular finger grip connected to the housing; a piston movably connected to the handle assembly and reciprocally movable within the housing to create a negative pressure for the expression of breast milk from the breast; a flexible insert sealably secured to the cup and forming an isolated air volume between the cup and the flexible insert. A valve is removably connected to a lower portion of the housing; and a receptacle for receiving the breast milk, the receptacle being removably attached to a lower portion of the housing. The isolated air volume expands and contracts as the piston moves reciprocally within the housing, causing the flexible insert to move.
US08734384B2	Needle-free injectors and design parameters thereof that optimize injection performance A needle free injector system and a method for delivering a formulation using this system are disclosed. The method comprises actuating a needle free injector to pressurize a liquid formulation and force the formulation through an orifice in a skin puncture phase followed by injection of the formulation during a delivery phase. The skin puncture phase is defined by a pressure profile vs. time curve after actuation which has a main pressure peak with a maximum pressure. The delivery phase occurs at a lower pressure than the maximum pressure of the main peak pressure. The device may have one or more orifices and pressurizing the formulation during the puncture phase and delivery phase to extrude the formulation through each orifice is structured so as to improve characteristics of needle free delivery.
US08734383B2	Method and device for improving glycemic control based on residual insulin Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods, including a system that includes a processor-based device implementing at least a residual insulin (RI) determination unit configured to determine a residual insulin in the patient's body at a particular time instance based on bolus doses previously delivered to the body of the patient, each bolus dose being associated with at least one dose value and a time representative of the time that dose value was delivered to the patient's body, and based on dose dependent RI time records that each includes at least a dose value and an associated duration value representative of dose-dependent duration of therapeutic effectiveness of the associated at least the dose value. The system also includes a pump to controllably dispense the insulin from a reservoir to the body of the patient based on the residual insulin determined by the RI determination unit.
US08734381B2	Method and system for supplying predetermined gas into body cavities of a specimen In a gas supply system, a controller is electrically connected to a pressure regulator and an operation switch. The controller is operative to control the pressure regulator so that a predetermined gas is supplied to a first delivery member directing to a first body cavity with its pressure regulated to a first pressure suitable for the first body cavity. The controller is operative to control the pressure regulator depending on an instruction sent from the operation switch upon operation of the operator so that the predetermined gas is supplied to a second delivery member directing to a second body cavity with its pressure regulated to a second pressure suitable for the second body cavity.
US08734380B2	Determining patient-specific vapor treatment and delivery parameters Methods and systems for determining patient specific treatment parameters for delivering vapor to the lung to treat lung tissue. In some embodiments vapor is delivered to the lung to cause coagulative necrosis, inducing fibrosis and thereby reducing the volume of at least one segment of the lung. The delivery parameters can be adjusted depending on the desired degree of injury to be induced in the lung tissue.
US08734376B2	Perfusion system with RFID A perfusion system is easy to set-up, use and monitor during a bypass procedure. At least some of the disposable components used with the perfusion system are configured to be able to communicate set-up and/or operational parameters to the perfusion system. A blood level sensor can be used to monitor a blood level or volume within a blood reservoir.
US08734375B2	Blood treatment method adapted to at least partially eliminate the carbon dioxide content and related device A blood treatment method is described that is adapted to at least partially eliminate the carbon dioxide content of the type comprising a step of drawing a blood flow. Advantageously according to the invention, the method further comprises the steps of: acidifying the blood flow with transformation of the related blood bicarbonate content into gaseous carbon dioxide; and eliminating the gaseous carbon dioxide content by means of a pressure gradient.
US08734372B1	Systems and methods for decompression and elliptical traction of the cervical and thoracic spine A traction device comprises a frame, a first bladder portion, a second bladder portion, a strap, and a pump. The first bladder expands in an outward direction a distance greater than in a transverse direction. The second bladder expands in an angular direction. The second bladder is positioned generally below and to the side of the first bladder. The frame is secured to the user's head. Upon expanding in the outward direction, the first bladder bears against the back of the user's neck and forces the cervical spine to curve forwardly. Upon expanding in the transverse direction, the first bladder applies an angular traction to the cervical spine. Upon expanding in the angular direction, the second bladder bears angularly against the back of the user's upper thoracic region and forces the thoracic spine to decompress and reduces hyper-kyphosis of the upper thoracic spine.
US08734362B2	Minimally invasive methods and apparatus A lung biopsy tool having a deployable snare and an inflatable pull type cutter for removing small samples of tissue.
US08734361B2	Method and apparatus for signal encoding evoked responses A method and apparatus for utilizing the benefits of encoded signal transmission and reception to enhance the performance of medical testing devices (100) adapted to evoke and measure biological response signals such as auditory evoked potentials (AEP), and the auditory brainstem response (ABR) signals in particular. Auditory stimuli, such as clicks, are presented to the ear of a human patient, in a predetermined encoded sequence, resulting in the generation of auditory responses and bio-electric response signals in the human patient. These response signals from the patient are acquired and observed, and are processed according to the predetermined encoded sequence in which the auditory stimuli were presented to the patient's ear in order to extract the desired auditory evoked potential signals or ABR signals.
US08734359B2	Method and system for determining an individual's state of attention The present invention relates to a method and a system designed to determine an individual's state of attention from an individual's respiratory signal. The method of the invention comprises a first learning step, wherein the characteristics of an individual's normal state are determined by selecting a respiratory signal fragment that is considered to be normal according to a pre-established criterion, and a second analysis phase, wherein the individual's state of attention is determined from parameters extracted from the respiratory signal on the basis of some pre-defined rules and the individual's normal state previously characterised. The method of the invention is implemented in two embodiments. A first embodiment is based on the identification of pre-defined patterns in the respiratory signal and, in the second embodiment, an index indicative of the variability of the respiratory signal is defined.
US08734358B1	Method and system for identifying cardiopulmonary findings by using a heart and lung sounds builder A system is provided for creating a sound profile that matches sounds produced by a patient during a physical examination, such as a cardiac or pulmonary examination. A user selects multiple sounds from a library and combines them to form the profile which may then be modified by the addition of further sounds, adjustments to their relative timing, duration, loudness, and so forth. The refinement continues iteratively, and after each change the profile is provided by the system to the user, for example, as a phonocardiogram for comparison against the sounds observed during the examination.
US08734357B2	Method and system for patient-specific modeling of blood flow Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.
US08734354B2	Sphygmomanometer A sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure in accordance with an oscillation in an artery wall, resulting from an arterial pulse correspondent with a change in cuff pressure. It comprises a cuff that is connected to the sphygmomanometer main body by a tube, a display unit for displaying the results of blood pressure measurements, and an air supply unit for supplying air to, and thus pressurizing, the cuff, which is detachable from the sphygmomanometer main body. The air supply unit is screwed into the sphygmomanometer main body with a screw assembly, and the screwed-in state is preserved by a caulking ring. The air supply unit also comprises a filter for keeping dust from entering the sphygmomanometer main body.
US08734353B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and elastic image display method An elastic image suitable for diagnosis is easily acquired without depending on the examiner's pressure technique. The displacement of tissue in a tomographic portion of an object is measured on the basis of a pair of RF signal frame data items regarding the tomographic portion, which are obtained at different times by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave to and from the object (b). The average displacement of each beam line (d0 to dn) of an ultrasonic wave is calculated (c), and a displacement gradient (50) in the scanning direction of an ultrasonic probe is calculated on the basis of the displacement average (d). A correction coefficient (52) with respect to the displacement of each beam line is calculated on the basis of the calculated displacement gradient (e), and the displacement distribution measured on the basis of the calculated correction coefficient is corrected (f). In this manner, even if the object is pressed by an ultrasonic probe inclined along the scanning direction, an elastic image generated by pressing the object with the ultrasonic probe not inclined along the scanning direction can be generated in a pseudo manner by correcting the displacement distribution on the basis of the correction coefficient.
US08734351B2	Method of displaying elastic image and diagnostic ultrasound system A method of displaying an elastic image according to the present invention includes the steps of measuring ultrasound cross-section data of a cross-section region of a subject while applying compression to the subject 1 (2, 3, 4), determining distortion of tissue in the cross-section region on the basis of the ultrasound cross-section data, generating an elastic image of the cross-section region on the basis of the distortion, displaying the elastic image on a display device (7), setting a plurality of ROIs on the elastic image displayed on the display device, converting the distortion of each ROI into an index value (12), and displays the index value on the display device (8). In this way, the method enables quantitative evaluation of the hardness of body tissue of a region to be diagnosed.
US08734349B2	System and method for quantitative 3D CEUS analysis A method (50) for quantitative 3D contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) analysis includes acquiring (54) an initial pair of ultrasound contrast and tissue images of an anatomy. A region of interest (ROI) or volume of interest (VOI) is established (56) in the initial acquired tissue image, which becomes the baseline tissue image. The established ROI/VOI is automatically registered (58) from the initial tissue image to the initial contrast image, which becomes a baseline contrast image. Quantitative analysis is performed (60) on the ROI/VOI of the baseline contrast image. The method further includes acquiring (62) a next ultrasound contrast and tissue image pair, corresponding to an i th current contrast and tissue image pair. Frame-to-frame registration is established (64) between (i) the current tissue image and (ii) the baseline tissue image, the frame-to-frame registration being used (66) between the current tissue image and the baseline tissue image to transfer the ROI/VOI from (i) the baseline contrast image to (ii) the current contrast image, thereby creating a transformed ROI/VOI in the current contrast image. Quantitative analysis is then performed (68) on the transformed ROI/VOI of the current contrast image.
US08734345B2	Real time intravascular monitoring device A real time tissue sampling and analysis system includes a catheter including an elongated body defining at least one internal lumen, a sampling device positionable within the at least one internal lumen of the catheter for collecting a tissue sample, and a biochip disposed within the at least one internal lumen. The biochip includes a substrate for receiving the tissue sample, a marker for interacting with the tissue sample, and a sensor for identifying a characteristic of the tissue sample and transmitting data about the tissue sample to a processing unit for analysis.
US08734342B2	Graphical user interface for in-vivo imaging A graphical user interface is provided which allows the user to perform numerous operations suitable for analysis of in-vivo images within a single display screen or a single window. Using the in-vivo GUI, the user may create and manipulate analysis tools such as rectangle and ellipse tools to define regions of interest and perform various measurements on an in-vivo image. In addition, the GUI allows the user to store measurement results in a dated electronic notebook, display testing information, manipulate image presentation and print while maintaining view of the image.
US08734341B2	Method and apparatus to sense hydration level of a person A hydration sensor or sensing element configured to measure the hydration level of a user is disclosed. The sensing element can include a water-permeable material positioned in between two water-impermeable material. The sensing element can be coupled to a bottle of fluid, or a carrier with a timer. The sensing element can be incorporated into a handheld device. The sensing element can be a disposable element, an element applicable for more than one-time use, or a re-usable element. The sensing element or sensor can be calibrated for a specific user or a group of users. One or more additional sensors that do not measure hydration level of the user can be coupled to a hydration sensing element to determine the amount of fluid consumption for the user in different conditions.
US08734340B2	Method, apparatus and system for providing healthcare support by message based communication to healthcare support terminals A patient terminal can communicate with doctor terminals and a center terminal via a communication network. The patient terminal acquires vital data from a measuring device with a receiving unit. A control unit determines whether the vital data contains an abnormal value and the necessity of messaging depending on the presence or absence of a manual messaging request with a message button and selects the doctor terminal or the center terminal. When it is determined that messaging is necessary, the control unit makes a communication unit call the selected terminal.
US08734339B2	Electronic skin patch for real time monitoring of cardiac activity and personal health management A novel wearable electronic skin patch sensor device configured for the real time acquisition, processing and communicating of cardiac activity and other types of biological information within a wired or wireless network is disclosed. A system level scheme for networking the sensor device with client devices that include intelligent personal health management appliances, cellular telephones, PDAs, portable computers, personal computers, RFID Tags and servers is disclosed. The sensor device and the system enable distributed processing, archival and correlation of the biological information with biometrics, gastronomic information, user profiles and health factors that include height, weight, blood pressure and physical activity facilitating real time personal health management at any time and any place.
US08734338B2	Minimally invasive retractor and methods of use A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a novel screw-based retractor, disclosed herein, that allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed to be coupled to a pedicle screw and then to have opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The retractor is removed by pulling it out of the wound whereby the retractor is deformed to pass over the pedicle screw head. The retractor is intended to be made of a stiff plastic material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.
US08734335B2	Electronic endoscope An electronic endoscope includes a white light source, an excitation light source, an imaging device, and a light amount controller. The white light source emits white light for illuminating a subject. The excitation light source emits excitation light for generating fluorescent light on the subject. The imaging device generates first image signals by receiving reflected light of the white light, and generates second image signals by receiving the fluorescent light. The light amount controller controls the amount of the white light to lower the difference between a reflected light luminance and a fluorescent light luminance, so that a normal image corresponding to the first image signals and a fluorescent image corresponding to the second image signals that are both real-time images representing the same subject at the time of receiving the reflected light and the fluorescent light can be generated.
US08734330B2	Systems and methods for directing instruments to varying positions at the distal end of a guide tube Described herein are various systems and methods for directing endoscopy instruments to varying positions at a target site. In one aspect, at least one instrument channel has multiple exit points at the distal end of the guide tube, and the position of an instrument delivered through the channel may be switched between the different exit points. In another aspect, an instrument channel splits into multiple branches at the distal end of the guide tube, and the position of an instrument at the target site may be changed by selectively directing the instrument into a different channel branch. In yet another aspect, the guide tube, or a portion thereof, may be rotated to reposition an instrument at the target site. The capability of changing the instrument positions during a procedure would enable a physician to examine or treat multiple target sites within an operative field, without necessitating the full retraction of the instruments or the guide tube from the operative field.
US08734325B2	Oxygen therapy with ultrasound A treatment is described for delivering oxygen to tissue, especially hypoxic tissue. A medium saturated with gas is delivered to the tissue. Dissolved gas is transferred from the medium to the tissue. Ultrasound is transmitted to the tissue to enhance the transfer of gas to the tissue.
US08734321B1	Systems and methods for providing sexual stimulation A handheld device for providing sexual stimulation includes a plurality of paddles contained by an attachment which can be mounted on a shaft driven by a motor of the device. Control logic of the device ensures that a rotational speed for the device selected via the device's user interface is maintained even when the device is held against a part of a human body. That is, resistance from holding the device against a body part is accounted for, inasmuch as the device senses the resistance and adjusts the motor to maintain the desired rotational speed through the resistance. Different attachments may have different numbers of paddles, and the paddles may be placed differently on different attachments or may have different shapes, among other variations in the paddles. The device is battery-operated, and a charging connection through the device housing is offered through a septum, providing a water-resistant enclosure.
US08734319B2	Apparatus for organ suspension Disclosed herein are a number of embodiments of methods for suspending an organ in a body, and many embodiments of apparatus for suspending an organ in a body. One embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a sleeve having a lumen. A dissecting instrument is slidably located within the lumen. The dissecting instrument includes a channel useful for hydrodissection. An operating instrument is slidably located within the lumen. The operating instrument includes a graft chamber for conveying a graft for fixation between the organ and the body. The operating instrument includes at least one operating channel that accepts a fixation device that fixes the graft between the organ and the body. In one method, an incision is made in the body. An operating instrument bearing a graft is inserted into a sleeve. The sleeve and the operating instrument are inserted through the incision. A fixation device is inserted into the operating instrument. The graft is fixed to the body with the fixation device. The fixation device is removed from the operating instrument. The operating device and the sleeve are removed through the incision. The graft is attached to the organ.
US08734318B2	Mechanical anal incontinence An anal incontinence treatment apparatus comprises an adjustable restriction device implanted in a patient, who suffers from anal incontinence. The device engages a portion of the colon or rectum of the patient to restrict the fecal passageway. An adjustment device mechanically adjusts the restriction on device to restrict or release the fecal passageway, i.e. to normally close the fecal passageway and open the fecal passageway when the patient wants to relieve himself or herself.
US08734317B2	Method to improve concentration and/or memory in a subject in need thereof The present invention is directed to a method of treatment to improve at least one of concentration, memory, cognitive performance, and stress-relief in a subject in need thereof by controlled administration of synchronized flashes of light and pulsed tones.
US08734304B2	Low back exercise machine with rocking user support A low back exercise machine has a pivotally mounted user support frame carrying a user seat and a foot rest assembly, an exercise arm carrying a back pad pivotally mounted relative to the user support frame, and a connecting linkage which translates movement of the exercise arm into rotation of the user support frame about its pivot axis, whereby the user support including the foot rests moves from an upright into a rearwardly reclined orientation as the user pushes the back pad rearward and downward to lean backwards so as to exercise the lower back muscles.
US08734300B2	Dual deck exercise device An exercise device employing side-by-side pivotally supported moving surfaces. In one particular example, an exercise device employs a first belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller and an adjacent second belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller. The rear of the belts in the area of the rear rollers are pivotally secured and the front of the belts in the area of the front roller are adapted to reciprocate in an up and down motion during use. In some implementations, the moving surfaces include an interconnection structure such that a generally downward movement of one surface is coordinated with a generally upward movement of the other surface. In other implementations, the moving surfaces are operably associated with one or more resistance elements that effect the amount of force required to pivot or actuate the moving surfaces.
US08734299B2	Upper body exercise and flywheel enhanced dual deck treadmills An exercise device includes a first treadle assembly supporting a first moving surface and a second treadle assembly supporting a second moving surface. The exercise device further includes an upper body exercise assembly operably associated with the exercise device. The first treadle assembly is pivotally coupled with the frame structure, and the second treadle assembly is pivotally coupled with the frame structure. In another form, an exercise device includes a frame structure, a first treadle assembly having a first endless belt in rotatable engagement with a first roller, a second treadle assembly having a second endless belt in rotatable engagement with a second roller, and a flywheel operably coupled with the first endless belt and the second endless belt.
US08734288B2	Planet carrier assembly A gearbox assembly comprising of at least one planetary gear set comprising one or more ring gears, one or more sun gears and a planet carrier. The planet carrier supports two sets of circumferentially spaced planet gear bearings, pins and planet gears. The bearings, pins and gears are able to self adjust in an angular direction relative to the carrier supporting disc whereby the rotation axis of the planet gears may remain perpendicular to the plane of the planet carrier or skewed from said plane.
US08734287B2	Power train for hybrid vehicle An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a power train for a hybrid vehicle can achieve three or more fixed gear ratio modes where a vehicle is driven at a fixed gear ratio, such as shift stages of common transmission, only by the driving force of an engine without driving a motor generator, as well as an electric vehicle mode, which is the basic drive modes of a hybrid vehicle, and two or more power division modes including an input division mode and a composite mode, thereby driving the vehicle with high efficiency in accordance with traveling conditions of the vehicle and improving fuel efficiency.
US08734283B2	Speed reduction mechanism, and motor torque transmission device including the same When a bearing includes outer and inner rings and the outer ring is fitted to the inner periphery of an input member, which defines a center hole, with a clearance and the inner ring is fitted to an eccentric portion with a clearance, a size between a second axis and a third axis is set to a size that is smaller than or equal to half of a size obtained by adding a diameter difference between an outside diameter of the bearing and an inside diameter of the input member, which defines the center hole, a diameter difference between an inside diameter of the bearing and an outside diameter of the eccentric portion and an operating clearance of the bearing in a state where the input member has been moved to contact the housing on a line perpendicular to the second axis and a fourth axis.
US08734280B2	Inner link plate for bicycle chain An inner link plate is provided for a chain. The inner link plate has a longitudinal centerline, an inside surface arranged to face another inner link plate when the chain is assembled, an outside surface opposite to the inside surface, and an outer peripheral edge disposed between the inside and outside surfaces. The bicycle inner link plate basically has a first end portion, a second end portion and a connecting portion. The first and second end portions are each provided with a connecting opening. The connecting portion includes a recess disposed on the inside surface of the connecting portion. The recess has a maximum longitudinal width on the outer peripheral edge, and a minimum longitudinal width in a region adjacent the longitudinal centerline. The recess at least extends from the outer peripheral edge to the longitudinal centerline.
US08734271B2	Golf club head with repositionable weight A golf club head comprises a body, a track formed in or attached to the body and having a length and a weight and weight retainer. The weight is continuously repositionable such that it can be positioned at any selected point along the track between its ends. The weight has a major dimension, and the weight retainer comprises a fastening member having a diameter not greater than about one half of the major dimension of the weight.
US08734270B2	Golf club apparatus and method A golf club apparatus includes a shaft, a grip and a head. The head is attached to the shaft. The head further includes a main body having a ball contacting surface or club face; a heel portion, a toe portion and a sole portion. The shaft attached to the main body proximate the heel portion and the toe portion is distal from an attachment point of the shaft. The sole portion corresponds to the bottom of the main body and is positioned between the toe portion and the heel portion and the leading edge to the trailing edge. A leading edge is an edge formed at the intersection of the club face and the sole portion. The sole portion has a plurality of substantially triangularly shaped or v-shaped grooves therein with axes. Each of the axes is between 0 degrees and 180 degrees to the plane of the club face. This angle is also combined with varying levels of bounce, camber, radius and sole width creating various options within a certain degree of a wedge or iron.
US08734269B2	High volume aerodynamic golf club head A high volume aerodynamic golf club head with a club head volume of at least 400 cc producing reduced aerodynamic drag forces. The club head has a crown section imparting beneficial aerodynamic properties due in part to the location of a crown apex and the curvature of the crown section.
US08734268B2	Golf club shaft and golf club therewith A golf club shaft has a length of a shaft of 1050 mm to 1170 mm and a sum of flexural rigidities at positions 150 mm, 200 mm and 250 mm from a front end of the shaft of A1, a sum of flexural rigidities at positions 400 mm, 450 mm and 500 mm from the front end of the shaft of A2 and a sum of flexural rigidities at positions 650 mm, 700 mm and 750 mm from the front end of the shaft of A3, distribution of flexural rigidities is 1.70≦A3/A2 and 0.60≦A1/A3.
US08734264B2	System and method for measurement and analysis of behavior of golf club head in golf swing An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for measurement and analysis of a behavior of a golf club head. Specifically, the system comprises a measurement and analysis device having a marker recognition and positional information acquisition unit for recognizing the at least one marker and acquiring positional information of the recognized at least one marker, a vector calculation unit for calculating a first vector representing a direction of the head and a second vector representing a tangent vector of a trajectory of the head during the golf swing, and a vector angle change acquisition unit for calculating a vector angle between the first vector and the second vector and acquiring a time series change of the calculated vector angle.
US08734259B2	Application-centric user interface techniques Various application-centric user interface techniques are described. A user can easily launch, add, or update applications. An application-centric activity center can be presented as part of a user interface for an operating system shell. A file defining metadata for an application can be defined. The techniques can be applied to game-related software.
US08734258B2	Dead reckoning in a gaming environment Client position in a multi-client game is determined using dead reckoning. Clients send information to a server over a network. The server distributes this information to other clients. A client uses this information and dead reckoning to determine a character's position. The server may calculate the client's position using dead reckoning and send updates to clients when errors between actual and calculated positions exceed a threshold. Clients may calculate their position according to dead reckoning, and when an error between actual and calculated position exceeds a threshold, send updated information to other clients. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08734257B2	Wager gaming voting leaderboard Disclosed herein are techniques and equipment for providing a voting point leaderboard system. Players playing wagering games may be awarded voting points for use in a poll with a plurality of candidates in exchange for game-play related activity. Players voting for the winning candidate in the poll may be given an award. Polls may include candidates which may be involved in a real-world contest. Players may be rewarded for voting for the candidate which wins the real-world contest.
US08734256B2	System and method for hosting multiplayer games A multiplayer gaming system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The multiplayer game has game indicia and a plurality of game elements including one or more exposed game elements and at least one concealed game element associated with each player. Video interface systems are disposed at respective player seats and present different perspective views of the game indicia and the exposed game elements to the players. The multiplayer gaming system likewise includes a plurality of handheld player control devices that provide a customized game interface for presenting the concealed game element to the associated player while inhibiting other players from viewing the concealed game element and for enabling the player to actively control his participation in the multiplayer game. The multiplayer gaming system thereby simulates an experience of physically participating in a tangible game.
US08734254B2	Virtual world event notifications from within a persistent world game A mechanism is provided for generating event notifications for offline characters from within a persistent world online game. A player agent for an offline player includes an event monitor that monitors for events that occur in a persistent virtual world maintained by a game server. When a game event occurs that triggers an offline player rule, the player agent composes an event notification message and sends the message to the offline player. Event notification messages may include images, voice (text-to-speech), sound, or video. Offline players may receive event notifications at various messaging clients, such as personal computers and wireless telephones. A notification server may transmit the event notifications via existing communications channels, such as electronic mail, facsimile, instant messaging, text messaging, and voice communications.
US08734252B2	Portable gaming device having embedded reel games with progressives A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game.
US08734251B2	Multimodal control of vehicles in three dimensional space Methods and systems for controlling vehicles within graphically simulated environments are described herein. A video game such as a vehicle-based combat game may have vehicles (such as airplanes) operating in a simulated three dimensional space. In a destination based control mode, users may partially control vehicles using two-dimensional input devices by inputting a new destination for the vehicle to go to, and the game's control logic may then automatically calculate how to control the vehicle toward the new heading. Fight and assault (bombing) control sub-modes may be provided. In addition, in an immediate control mode, a user may provide input that indicates a direction and speed of rotation, to provide more direct control of a vehicles control systems and/or control surfaces.
US08734247B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling a gaming machine display A gaming machine is provided including a display unit configured to generate video images, an input unit, an ambient light sensor, and a controller coupled to the display unit, input unit, and ambient light sensor. The controller is configured to receive physical characteristics of a player via the input unit, determine an ambient light level of an environment of the gaming machine based on a signal generated by the ambient light sensor, determine a desired brightness level for video images based on the determined ambient light level, determine a desired contrast level for the video images based on the received physical characteristics or the determined ambient light level, generate display settings for the video images based on the determined brightness level and the determined contrast level, and display the graphics to the player via the display unit using the generated display settings.
US08734245B2	Game related systems, methods, and articles that combine virtual and physical elements Physical objects may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Displays subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as order food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions.
US08734243B2	System and method for facilitating access to an online game through a plurality of social networking platforms Participation in an online game through a plurality of different social network platforms may be facilitated. This may include enabling an individual user to log in to the online game, which may take place in a virtual space, through a plurality of different social network platforms, thereby extending the accessibility of the online game with respect to the individual user. The online game may be provided to users through different social network platforms such that a first user accessing the online game through a first social network platform may access a common instance of the online game (and/or the virtual space) with a second user accessing the online game through a second social network platform.
US08734242B2	Interactive action figures for gaming systems An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules. The game character's traits, powers, and other features may be enhanced or otherwise modified by purchasing preferably-three-dimensional accessories and inputting serial numbers into the gaming system that are also supplied with the accessories.
US08734240B1	Method and system for administering a lottery in combination with a pari-mutuel pool In a method for administering a lottery in combination with a pari-mutuel pool, tickets are generated at point-of-purchase terminals, each ticket including a series of randomly generated or user-selected numbers. A portion of the purchase price of each ticket is allocated to the pari-mutuel pool and is treated as a wager in the pari-mutuel pool, while another portion of the purchase price may be allocated to other pools, including a supplemental payout pool. If the ticket is a winning ticket, a preliminary amount of a payout from the wager in the pari-mutuel pool is determined. In some cases, this preliminary amount is supplemented from monies in the supplemental payout pool.
US08734237B2	Wager games with restricted prizes Wagering systems with a payout percentage that exceeds 100% of wagers are presented. The payouts of these wagering systems may include unrestricted credits and/or restricted credits. Players may cash out unrestricted credits at virtually any point, but may be limited in when and/or how they can cash out or play restricted credits. By providing payouts in the form of unrestricted credits and/or restricted credits, players may find their experience with the wagering systems to be more engaging, enjoyable, and longer-lasting. Moreover, the limitations on the use of restricted credits may allow the casino operator to maintain a reasonable profit margin despite the increased duration of play.
US08734232B2	System and method for games having a skill-based component Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a predetermined award presented in a manner in which a player's skill at the game appears to affect the amount of the award without actually having an effect on its amount.
US08734229B2	Agreements in video games permitting virtual and real world penalties obligations and remedies Video game methods and apparatus permit contracts to be formed and enforced within a video game. Virtual and/or real world obligations, penalties and remedies are available for entities that are parties to or breach contracts or other obligations in virtual contracts.
US08734226B2	Systems and methods for assisting in game play and wagering Systems and methods for assisting game play and wagering are provided. A game assistant system may provide a user with advice on game play or wagering for casino games such as blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, slots, or baccarat. The game assistant may also provide a user with advice on wagering events (e.g., horse racing, etc.) or on other games (e.g., backgammon, chess, etc.). The information provided by the game and wagering assistant during game play or a wagering event may allow a user to minimize losses or the statistical advantage of a casino or game provider. The game and wagering assistant system may also allow a user to allocate a particular amount of money for wagering on games or events, and allow the user to control the rate at which the money is expended.
US08734224B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method providing accumulation game A gaming system and method enables a player to assign at least one amplifier to at least one accumulator. In one embodiment, the amplifier causes an increase in the rate of advancement for the accumulator. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides the player any awards associated with the level of one or more of the accumulators.
US08734223B2	Gaming device having oversized symbols in the play matrix Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a gaming device having oversized symbols in the play matrix. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a gaming apparatus having an improved game play comprising oversized symbols in the play matrix, and methods of administering, operating and playing the same in wagering and non-wagering applications. In one embodiment of the present invention, a game comprises a plurality of reels, each of the reels including a plurality of symbol positions; a plurality of symbols at the plurality of symbol positions on the reels, the plurality of symbols including an oversized symbol occupying at least a plurality of symbol positions; and predetermined winning symbol combination of a plurality of winning symbol combinations including the oversized symbol, wherein the predetermined winning symbol combination is associated with an award.
US08734222B2	Slot machine game with alternating wild symbol A modified pick selection bonus game feature is provided including picking hidden selections to accumulate matching symbols and win a prize. The game includes improved features such as a prize bump bonus symbols to increase the value of all available bonus prizes.
US08734220B2	Wager gaming voting leaderboard Techniques and equipment for providing a voting point leaderboard system are provided. Players playing wagering games may be awarded voting points for use in a poll with a plurality of candidates in exchange for game-play related activity. Players voting for the winning candidate in the poll may be given an award. Polls may include candidates which may be involved in a real-world contest. Players may be rewarded for voting for the candidate which wins the real-world contest.
US08734217B2	Gaming system and a method of gaming A gaming system, comprising a game controller arranged to control play of a game, and a display arranged to display a representation of play of the game, the game controller being arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for play of the game, to control the display to display a plurality of the selected symbols in rows and columns, to determine a game outcome based on patterns of symbols in the rows and columns, and also being arranged to generate a feature game in response to a trigger condition, and determine an outcome of the feature game depending on the occurrence of a non-linear pattern of symbols.
US08734214B2	Simulation of sporting events in a virtual environment Aspects of the present invention provide a system, method and computer program product for simulating movement of a projectile in a virtual environment. Primary data comprising a plurality of sets of position values and a plurality of time values for a projectile is received, with each time value in the primary data being associated with one of the sets of position values. The primary data is processed to generate secondary data that represents at least two consecutive sets of positions. Each set of positions includes a start position and an end position for the projectile, and the secondary data further represents a velocity of the projectile associated with each start position. The secondary data is used to simulate movement of the projectile in the virtual environment.
US08734213B2	Method and apparatus for modifying gaming machines to provide supplemental or modified functionality A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for transferring credits from one gaming device to another via the use of coded scrip is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of accepting a cash-out command in the gaming device, scanning a magnetically manifested code uniquely identifying a scrip stored in the gaming device, transmitting a cash-out message comprising the code to a remote processor having access to a database configured to store and retrieve codes from a plurality of gaming devices, receiving a scrip dispense message from the remote processor, and dispensing the scrip. The apparatus comprises a scrip storage unit, a scrip dispensing unit having a scrip transducer for reading and recording a magnetically manifested code on a scrip retrieved from the scrip storage unit, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the scrip transducer and a remote computer having access to a database for storing and retrieving code information from the plurality of gaming devices.
US08734211B2	Aircraft pressure management system One embodiment of a pressure management system for an aircraft may include a cavity, an opening in a surface of the cavity, and a moveable door. An interior area within the cavity may have an interior pressure and an exterior area outside of the cavity may have an exterior pressure. The door may open to uncover the opening and may close to cover the opening in response to pressure differential between the exterior pressure and the interior pressure.
US08734210B2	Autonomous ventilation system An autonomous ventilation system includes a variable-speed exhaust fan, a controller, an exhaust hood, and a spillage sensor. The exhaust fan removes air contaminants from an area. The controller is coupled to the exhaust fan and adjusts the speed of the exhaust fan. The exhaust hood is coupled to the exhaust fan and directs air contaminants to the exhaust fan. The spillage sensor is coupled to the controller, detects changes in an environmental parameter in a spillage zone adjacent to the exhaust hood, and communicates information relating to detected changes in the environmental parameter to the controller. The controller adjusts the speed of the exhaust fan in response to information relating to detected changes in the environmental parameter.
US08734205B2	Rigid or flexible, macro-porous abrasive article A macro-porous abrasive article includes a spun lace substrate having a macro-porous structure and a coating. The coating is made of a resin binder and abrasive aggregates. The abrasive aggregates are formed from a composition of abrasive grit particles and a nanoparticle binder. The coating is at least partially embedded in the substrate. A method for making the macro-porous abrasive article includes combining abrasive aggregates of abrasive grit particles and a nanoparticle binder with a resin binder to form a slurry. The slurry is applied to a macro-porous support structure so that the slurry at least partially penetrates the substrate. The resin is then cured to bond the aggregate grains to the substrate.
US08734203B2	Elevator load bearing member having a jacket with at least one rough exterior surface An illustrative method of making a load bearing member for use in an elevator system includes mechanically roughening at least one surface on an exterior of a jacket of the load bearing member to establish a friction characteristic that facilitates engagement between an elevator system sheave and the roughened surface.
US08734195B2	Mooring buoy assembly A mooring buoy assembly includes a floating structure, a pipe, an elbow, and a swivel joint. The pipe extends vertically into and away from the floating structure, and is fixed to the floating structure such that the floating structure does not rotate with respect to the pipe. Furthermore, the pipe is configured to provide a flow path in fluid communication with a submerged hose. The elbow is in fluid communication with the pipe and provides a change in direction of the flow path. Furthermore, the elbow is supported by the floating structure and is configured to be in fluid communication with a floating hose. The swivel joint is connected to the pipe and is configured to allow the elbow and floating hose to rotate relative to the submerged hose.
US08734194B2	Fuel supply system of outboard motor A fuel supply system of an outboard motor includes: a vapor separator which separates a fuel sent from a fuel tank by a low-pressure fuel pump into gas and liquid to release fuel vapor to an atmosphere; a fuel cooler which is disposed under the vapor separator to cool the fuel by cooling water passing through a cooling water pipe; a drain pipe connected to a side surface of the fuel cooler which faces downward while the outboard motor is tilted up; and an in-line high-pressure fuel pump connected in a middle of a fuel pipe connected to a side surface of the fuel cooler different from the side surface to which the drain pipe is connected. It is possible to easily and surely draw off the fuel in the fuel pipe while the outboard motor is tilted up.
US08734192B2	Terminal having a clamping spring A terminal for at least one electrical conductor, comprising a terminal socket and a clamping spring, wherein a clamping force applied by the clamping spring clamps the electrical conductor to the terminal socket, and wherein a screw coupled to a support element is provided, by which at least one section of the clamping spring is movable relative to the terminal socket.
US08734191B2	Power connector system A touch safe right angle power connector includes a header assembly that includes a conductive pin, an inner shroud that surrounds the pin, and an outer shroud that surrounds the inner shroud. The inner shroud has slots therethrough. The power connector includes a power terminal connector having a plug housing that has a cavity and an insert assembly that is received in the cavity. The insert assembly has a terminal body configured to be terminated to an end of a conductor of a power cable and is electrically connected to the pin of the header assembly. The insert assembly has a dielectric insert that holds the terminal body. The insert assembly has a shield that surrounds the dielectric insert and provides shielding for the terminal body. The plug housing has optional ribs which are received in corresponding slots to orient the power terminal with respect to the header assembly.
US08734189B2	Spring-loaded contact having dome-shaped piston Spring-loaded contacts having an improved reliability. One example may provide spring-loaded contacts having a reduced likelihood of entanglement between a spring and a plunger. For example, a piston may be placed between a plunger and a spring. The piston may have a head portion that is wider than the diameter of the spring and located between the spring and the plunger to isolate the spring and the plunger. Another example may have a reduced likelihood of spring damage caused by excess current flow. For example, a plunger may have an eccentrically-tapered back. This eccentrically-tapered back may contact the head portion of the piston. The eccentricity may help to ensure that the plunger tilts at an angle such that the plunger or the piston, or both, contact a barrel of the spring-loaded contact, thereby avoiding current flow and resulting damage to the spring.
US08734185B2	Electrical connector incorporating circuit elements An electrical connector electrically connects a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board, where the electrical connector includes: (a) an insulative housing; (b) a plurality of signal conductors, with at least a portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors disposed within the insulative housing; (c) each of the plurality of signal conductors having a first contact end, a second contact end and an intermediate portion therebetween; and (d) a passive circuit element electrically connected to the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors, where the passive circuit element is housed in an insulative package and includes at least a capacitor or an inductor.
US08734184B2	Sensor or detector device with an improved cable guide plug A sensor or detector device includes a box in the form of a tubular hollow body, through whose opening a connecting cable passes and that is sealed by a connected plug. The device also includes a card or an analogous substrate, carrying the electronic components of the sensor or detector and mounted in the box, by being coated by an insulating filler material filling approximately the entire remaining inside volume of the latter. The Device (1) is characterized in that it includes a mechanical element for the positioning with wedging of the card (6) in the box, preferably along a median plane or with longitudinal symmetry (PM) of the latter, with at least a portion of the element being integrated in the plug (5).
US08734181B1	Electrical outlet cover with excess cord storage Electrical plug receptacle cover plate assembly with a flange plate positioned between a spool plate and a receptacle cover plate. A portion of the space between the flange plate and the spool plate is used to wrap excess cord, and rearward angular flanges are used to conceal the cord. In other embodiments, the receptacle cover plate may be recessed; the spool plate and receptacle cover plate may be combined; the flange plate may be provided over a combined spool plate and receptacle cover plate; and a combined flange plate and receptacle cover plate may be provided over a spool plate.
US08734178B2	Electrical plug-provided cord An electrical plug-provided cord has a cord including lead wires and an outer cover for covering the lead wires, an electrical plug including plug blades connected to the lead wires at a tip of the cord and a plug outer housing for covering a part of the cord and a part of the plug blades from base parts of the plug blades to the outer cover at a tip part of the cord, and a coupling member which surrounds the tip part of the cord in close contact and is coupled to the plug outer housing by thermal welding. The plug outer housing is formed of a synthetic resin. At least an interface of the coupling member with the plug outer housing is formed of a heat-weldable material which is thermally weldable with the plug outer housing.
US08734175B2	Flexible sealing connector A flexible sealing connector for conveying an electrical signal from a first tool portion to a second tool portion, at least one of the first tool portion and the second tool portion having a receiver with a surface defining a receiver passageway, includes a deformable boot in sealing engagement with the surface of the receiver passageway, the deformable boot having a surface defining a boot passageway. The connector further includes an electrical coupler in sealing engagement with the surface of the boot passageway, the coupler having a first end electrically connected to a first electrical line extending from the first tool portion and a second end electrically connected to a second electrical line extending from the second tool portion whereby the first line and the second line are electrically connected, the receiver passageway is sealed by the boot and the boot passageway is sealed by the coupler.
US08734171B2	Electrical connector having a mechanism for choosing a first or a second power source A method and apparatus for modifying standard AC plugs and receptacles to flexibly furnish AC or DC power is disclosed. This can be accomplished by adding a “selector” pin between the non-ground pins used in traditional AC plugs. Alternately, an interposer can be manually applied to the plug to effect selection. Plug electronics can select AC or DC based on respective availability. A flexible power receptacle can manage AC/DC selection, regulate the supplied DC voltage and enable reversion to the AC supply if the DC supply is inadequate. Electronics within a flexible power receptacle can convert DC to AC when advantageous and can regulate the supplied voltage. Additional electronics within a flexible power plug or receptacle can enable communication.
US08734169B2	Method of locating SMT connector with SMT cap feature An improved electronic connector with alignment features is disclosed. One or more alignment features for the connector are disposed on a removable SMT cap that attaches to an external face of the connector. Placing one or more alignment features in the SMT cap may enable fewer alignment features on the device PCB, resulting in increased space for electrical routing and other electrical components.
US08734168B2	Safety plug adapter A safety plug adapter comprises a cover, a base plate, a conductive terminal block, a first sliding assembly, a second sliding assembly, two first conductive pins, two second conductive pins, two auxiliary elements, a ground portion, a grounding terminal block, and an attachable conductive pin, wherein the cover defines a first group of slots on a top surface thereof and a second group of slots on a side surface; the first group of slots includes a live slot, a neutral slot, and a ground slot; the second group of slots includes a live slot and a neutral slot. With the plug adapter, the first group of slots or the second group of slots can be inserted by a plug of an electrical device, whereas the first conductive pins or the second conducive pins can insert into a socket, to achieve an electrical connection between the electrical device and the socket.
US08734167B2	Electrical connector assembly An electric connector assembly includes an intermediate connector for connecting the first attaching connector to the second attaching connector. The intermediate connector includes a power source terminal. The first attaching connector includes a first receiving terminal for contacting with the power source terminal, and the second attaching connector includes a second receiving terminal for contacting with the power source terminal. One of the first receiving terminal and the power source terminal and one of the second receiving terminal and the power source terminal include a metal cylindrical member capable of elastically deforming in a radial direction. Therefore, the power source terminal can incline and move in the radial direction at an arbitrary angle along a circumferential direction around an axial line of the power source terminal. The elastic cylindrical member includes a circumference elastically contacting with the power source terminal, the first receiving terminal, and the second receiving terminal.
US08734162B2	Server and application for interactive gameplay An interactive game and gaming system are presented. In some aspects, information is derived from a database and a select subset of it is used to generate both questions and potential answers to the questions. A player is presented with the potential answers and selects an answer, which is evaluated by the system to determine its correctness. Commercial advantages of interacting with players in this way and collecting information about the players and promoting things to the players are described.
US08734159B2	Physical skills training apparatus and method A physical skills training apparatus particularly useful for training various close-contact sports skills and techniques related to stance, balance, hand positioning accuracy, leg movement, muscle strength, action and reaction times, resistance, movement finesse, and others, includes a main structure or body that provides at least geometric form, structural integrity, engageability by at least one user if the apparatus is connected to a mount or support and, by two or more users (as, e.g., opposing participants), and is characterized by its geometric form to be portable, relatively light-weight, and easily transportable by a single person. Illustratively, the main body of the apparatus may be in the form of a one-piece, high aspect ratio plate that is flat or curved. The main body will have (holding) means for gripping, grasping or holding the apparatus by a user on one side of the apparatus, which may be in the form of shaped and oriented openings to accommodate both hands of a user, or handles. There may be more than two of the openings or more than two sets of the openings to facilitate different holding positions by a single user if the apparatus is mounted or, by two simultaneous users, one on each of the front side and the back side of the apparatus. Training methods are disclosed.
US08734156B2	Dry fire training device A multi-function dry fire training device to be inserted into the chamber of a firearm, which comprises an illuminator for emitting, upon receiving a command from a controller, a beam of visible or invisible illumination from the barrel of the firearm, the beam being parallel to its central axis; a controller for controlling the functionality of the device including illumination of the illuminator, in response to activation of the firearm trigger; an actuator, being electrically connected to the controller, for activating the controller whenever being struck by the firearm striker and a power source for providing DC power to the controller and illuminator.
US08734153B2	Intelligent dental handpiece control system An intelligent dental handpiece control system is disclosed. The handpiece includes a sensor which detects a vibration, sound, force or torque frequency/time signal produced by the handpiece in use and signal processor which produces or determines secondary signal characteristics such as the handpiece torque, force or angular velocity. A controller analyzes the secondary signal characteristics and produces a control signal which controls or stops the angular velocity of the dental handpiece in order to avoid overdrilling of healthy tooth material or damaging the nerves in the jaw during dental implant operations. The controller may also provide a warning signal to the user and/or control the angular velocity of the handpiece.
US08734150B2	Computer automated development of an orthodontic treatment plan and appliance A computer is used to create a plan for repositioning an orthodontic patient's teeth. The computer receives an initial digital data set representing the patient's teeth at their initial positions and a final digital data set representing the teeth at their final positions. The computer then uses the data sets to generate treatment paths along which the teeth will move from the initial positions to the final positions.
US08734148B2	Heat treatment apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device A heat treatment apparatus capable of achieving high-accuracy processing and high safety and a method of manufacturing a substrate are provided. The heat treatment apparatus 10 includes a reaction tube 42 for processing a substrate, a manifold 44 for supporting the reaction tube 42, a heater 46 installed around the reaction tube 42 to heat an inner part of the reaction tube 42, a surrounding member 500 installed to surround a side portion of the reaction tube 42 arranged in a lower portion than the heater 46; an exhaust device 301 for forcibly exhausting a gap 506 between the surrounding member 500 and the reaction tube 42; and a sealing member 150 installed in a contacting portion between the reaction tube 42 and the manifold 44. Here, an inlet hole 501 through which the exhaust device inhales an atmosphere outside the surrounding member 500 to the gap 506 is installed in the surrounding member 500.
US08734146B2	Miniature automatic shutoff nozzle tip An improved automatic shutoff nozzle tip which is mounted on the downstream end of a nozzle body of an injection molding machine or the like who's purpose is to act as a passageway for molten plastic fluid allowing the fluid to flow in one direction when urged to open by the pressure created by the forward motion of the plasticizing screw of said molding machine and to close when said pressure is lower than the designed opening pressure. The nozzle, having an convex outwardly extended portion that mates up with a sprue bushing or mold having complimentary convex radii, said nozzle having a orifice on the distal end that mates with a complimentary orifice of said sprue bushing. A nozzle that has a means for attachment to a nozzle body or the like with a rear seat, poppet and spring or similar device who's poppet is normally in the closed position until pressure is applied urging the poppet to move in the downstream direction and providing for a passageway for molten plastic fluid.
US08734144B2	Device for selectively depositing molten plastic materials It comprises a support (3), an ultrasonic transducer (1), a sonotrode (2), a nozzle (4), at an end part of said sonotrode, and a melting chamber (5) in communication with a deposition outlet (4a) through a discharging channel (6a) wherein: an internal channel (6) extends through the sonotrode (2) allowing a loose passage of plastic material in solid state; said internal channel (6) extends along a section with a progressive reduction of its clearance area through a truncated conical section providing said discharging channel (6a) and containing said melting chamber (5); several longitudinal profiles or ribs (10), located as a cone generator and angularly offset are protruding from the interior wall of the conical section of the melting chamber (5), having a multifaceted end (11) facing and opposed to an entrance to said melting chamber (5).
US08734140B2	Reversible gerotor pump A reversible gerotor pump for a machine having a drive shaft is provided, the pump including a housing, an offset ring, and an inner and outer gear. The offset ring is disposed in the housing and includes a tab extending radially from an outer periphery. The outer periphery of the offset ring defines a first axis in common with the axis of a drive shaft. The inner periphery of the offset ring defines a second axis that is slightly offset from the second axis. The axis of the outer gear moves relative to the axis of the inner gear to allow pumping action in both rotational directions using the same suction and line cavities for both directions.
US08734136B2	Water-conducting household appliance, particularly a dishwasher A water-conducting household device, particularly a dishwasher, includes a pump having at least one normal operating mode in which fluid is pumped in a pumping direction, and a venting operating mode which can be carried out before the normal operating mode. The venting operating mode is provided to allow venting of the pump by pumping a gas bubble in opposition to the pumping direction during the normal operating mode at least partially out of a pump chamber of the pump to a fluid pump inlet of the pump.
US08734135B2	Electric air pump with a hinged connection between the casing and outer bracket An electric air pump has a pumping assembly, an outer bracket and an inlet plate. The pumping assembly has a casing. The outer bracket is connected pivotally to the pumping assembly and has a faceplate mounted pivotally on an open top of the casing of the pumping assembly and selectively hermetically contacting a top annular edge of an open top of the casing. A locking hole is defined through the faceplate. The inlet plate is mounted securely in the casing, located between the casing and the outer bracket and has a resilient locking hook selectively hooking in the locking hole of the outer bracket. The electric air pump is capable of inflating and deflating an inflatable product without cooperating with external devices.
US08734133B2	Fuel pump A fuel pump has a motor portion and a pump portion, wherein fuel is sucked from an inlet port into the pump portion when an impeller is rotated and the pressurized fuel is discharged out of the fuel pump from an outlet port. A stator has multiple stator cores on which respective stator coils are wound to form a star-connection winding. A terminal sub-assembly is provided in an axial side portion of the stator. The terminal sub-assembly has multiple conductive members and each end portion of the stator coils is respectively connected to connecting portions of the conductive members, which are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the terminal sub-assembly.
US08734130B2	Anisotropic bearing supports for turbochargers An exemplary anisotropic member supports a semi-floating bearing in a bore and can reduce non-synchronous vibration of the bearing in the bore. An anisotropic member can include an annular body configured to receive a semi-floating bearing and to space the bearing a distance from a bore surface and can be configured to impart anisotropic stiffness and damping terms to the semi-floating bearing when positioned in the bore. Such a member is suitable for use in a rotating assembly for a turbocharger where the bearing may be a semi-floating bearing. Various exemplary members, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are disclosed.
US08734129B2	Motor pump unit A motor pump unit for a high-pressure cleaning apparatus has an electric motor and a pump. The electric motor has a motor housing that is surrounded by a cooling housing with an annular space having an annular space inlet and an annular space outlet formed therebetween. The pump has a suction inlet connected to the annular space outlet and a pressure outlet. The liquid to be transported by the pump can be supplied to the annular space inlet. The cooling housing, on its inside, has at least one flow guide rib for guiding the liquid within the annular space. In order to ensure that no liquid can leak out of the annular space even in the long term, the at least one flow guide rib is spaced-apart from the motor housing.
US08734126B2	Screw compressor A screw compressor includes a low pressure stage compressor body; a high pressure stage compressor body that further compresses a compressed air compressed by the low pressure stage compressor body; pinion gears for example, respectively, provided on, for example, a male rotor of the low pressure stage compressor body and, for example, a male rotor of the high pressure stage compressor body; a motor; a bull gear for example, provided on a rotating shaft of the motor; and an intermediate shaft supported rotatably and provided with a pinion gear, which meshes with the bull gear, and a bull gear, which meshes with the pinion gears. Thereby, it is possible to make the motor relatively low in rotating speed while inhibiting the gears from being increased in diameter, thus enabling achieving reduction in cost.
US08734121B2	Flow guide structure for bladeless air fans A flow guide structure for a bladeless air fan. The bladeless air fan includes a host and an airflow guiding frame. The host includes an airflow generator. The airflow guiding frame is connected to the host and includes an air discharging portion which has an airflow guiding passage inside to communicate with the airflow generator. The air discharging portion also includes an airflow gathering wall, an inner ring compression wall and an outer ring compression wall extended forwards from two ends of the airflow gathering wall. From the junctions of the airflow gathering wall and inner ring compression wall and outer ring compression wall, the inner ring compression wall and outer ring compression wall are spaced from each other at a decreasing interval between them, and the inner ring compression wall and outer ring compression wall also have distal ends forming a front air outlet to discharge airflow forwards.
US08734119B2	Advanced frequency variable pump speed controller and method of operating The invention is an apparatus and method of varying power output and decrease noise generation of spa pumps by powering them with a variable frequency power device, digital signals capable of controlling cascaded pumps using ganged controls, and to decrease safety concerns of spas using an integrated water level and motion detectors.
US08734118B2	Set of piston compressors and methods for oil compensation A set of piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8) for use in a refrigeration system comprises a fluid connection (10) between the crank cases of the piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8) for allowing oil compensation between said piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8); and a control unit (12) which in operation monitors the running time of each piston compressor (2, 4, 6, 8) and, in case all piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8) are running, subsequently interrupts the operation of a respective piston compressor (2, 4, 6, 8) for a predetermined period of time for oil compensation if its running time reaches a predetermined maximum running time.
US08734112B2	Asymmetrical rotor blade slot attachment A gas turbine engine includes a disk having an annular hub circumscribed about a centerline with an annular web extending radially outward from the hub to an annular rim. A multiple of slots extend generally axially through the rim and at least one of the multiple of slots having an asymmetric slot root for lower stress and higher service life.
US08734111B2	Platform cooling passages and methods for creating platform cooling passages in turbine rotor blades A method for creating a platform cooling passage in a turbine rotor blade, wherein the turbine rotor blade comprises a platform at an interface between an airfoil and a root, wherein the platform includes a platform topside along an outboard surface. The method may include the steps of forming a recessed area along the platform topside; forming a coverplate; and affixing the coverplate to the platform topside. The coverplate may be configured to correspond to the shape of the recessed area such that, when affixed to the platform topside in a desired manner, the coverplate substantially encloses the recessed area to form the platform cooling passage therein.
US08734109B2	Foldable electric fan A foldable electric fan, comprising: a fan head, a support tube and a base, a turnover mechanism for turning the fan head up or down is provided between the top of the support tube and the fan head, is disclosed. Further, the base is foldable, and the electric fan can be arranged into a desk fan or a floor fan by turning the fan head up or down, and can be used for several different purposes in more broad fields. The fan head and the base of the electric fan can be folded-up, which reduces the space it occupies and cuts down the cost of package and transportation. Moreover, the foldable electric fan effectively reduces the inconvenience of traditional electric fans which need to be detached into several parts during package and transportation, and then assembled together for use.
US08734108B1	Turbine blade with impingement cooling cavities and platform cooling channels connected in series A turbine rotor blade with impingement cooling cavities for the airfoil and serpentine flow cooling channels for the platform of the blade. Two impingement cavities provide cooling for the forward section of the airfoil while another two impingement cavities provide cooling for the aft section of the airfoil. Both impingement cavity cooling circuits are connected in series to platform cooling channels that use the same cooling air to cool the platform. The spent cooling air from the platform cooling channels is discharged into a dead rim cavity as purge air for the blade. The blade with the impingement cavities and the platform serpentine flow cooling channels are all formed as a single piece from a metal printing process.
US08734106B2	Ceiling fixture protection system and method Devices, apparatus, systems (and related methods) which protect various features of ceiling fixtures, such as fans, chandeliers, lights, and other fixtures, during painting and remodeling processes. The presently disclosed apparatus may be installed and removed quickly and easily, and both disposable and reusable embodiments are possible.
US08734104B2	Control device and method for an aerodynamic brake of a wind energy converter A wear-free, self-contained control device for an aerodynamic emergency brake of a wind energy converter is presented that comprises multiple components in order to provide a most effective means to control the rotation of a vertical axis wind turbine by a brake, which is able to activate itself without external actuation in malfunction situations and is able to shut down the vertical axis wind turbine. Therefore, a mass element is utilized to store mechanical energy which in turn is used to deploy an aerodynamic braking operation. It also represents a means to control and limit the amount of torque, as absorbed by the turbine in high-wind conditions, and thus provides the ability to harvest electrical/mechanical energy, beyond the normal operational wind speeds of turbines.
US08734103B2	Method of repairing a flange of a casing A method of repairing a flange of a casing for an airplane turboprop or turbojet, in which the flange includes at least one through hole for passing a bolt for fastening equipment, and the hole opens out in a face of the flange that is worn by friction against the equipment, disclosed. The method includes mounting a bearing member on the flange. The bearing member includes a radial wall covering the worn face of the flange. The wall includes a hole that comes into register with the hole in the flange and having thickness for compensating the wear of the face of the flange. The member further includes an abutment for bearing against the periphery of the flange, and being fastened to the flange by adhesive.
US08734102B2	Heat dissipation device A heat dissipation device includes a number of fans and a fixing member. Each fan includes two spaced boards respectively defining a number of through holes. The fixing member is sandwiched between the boards of each fan, at a corner of the fan. The fixing member includes two engaging portions movably relative to each other. A number of pins are formed on each engaging portion for respectively engaging in the through holes of the fans.
US08734101B2	Composite vane mounting A vane includes a composite airfoil having a single dovetail root extending chordwise between or near leading and trailing edges of the airfoil. The root is connected to the airfoil and is slidably received in a dovetail slot in an inner vane mount. The dovetail slot has a triangular slot cross section and a flat slot bottom and flat slot pressure and suction side crush faces corresponding to pressure and suction sides of the airfoil. The root has a triangular root cross section, a flat root bottom, and flat dovetail root pressure and suction side crush faces. A biasing means urges the root bottom of the dovetail root away from the slot bottom and presses and preloads the dovetail root pressure and suction side crush faces against the slot pressure and suction side slot crush faces.
US08734099B2	Water pump for vehicle and bearing structure A water pump for a vehicle includes: a pump housing; a drive shaft; an impeller fixed on a first end portion of the drive shaft; a pulley including a first radial extension portion and a first axial extension portion; a seal ball bearing which is disposed between an inner circumference surface of the first axial extension portion and an outer circumference surface of a cylindrical portion, and which includes seal members; and a plate member disposed between an end portion of the seal ball bearing which is on an impeller side and a stepped portion, and arranged to cover an end surface of the seal ball bearing which is on the impeller side, the plate member having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the stepped portion, and including a separating portion which is separated from a portion rotating relative to the plate member.
US08734094B2	Fan assembly A fan assembly includes a motor-driven impeller for creating an air flow, at least one heater for heating a first portion of the air flow, a surface diverting a second portion of the air flow away from said at least one heater, and a casing comprising at least one first air outlet for emitting the first portion of the air flow and at least one second air outlet from emitting the second portion of the air flow. To cool an external surface of the casing, at least one second air outlet is arranged to direct at least part of the second portion of the air flow over the external surface.
US08734092B1	Flood pump A flood pump includes a pump housing having a pump housing inlet and a pump housing outlet, an impeller housing disposed in fluid communication with the pump housing between the pump housing inlet and the pump housing outlet, an impeller disposed in the impeller housing, a power unit drivingly engaging the impeller, a diversion conduit disposed in fluid communication with the pump housing between the pump housing inlet and the pump housing outlet and a pump housing outlet valve in the pump housing between the diversion conduit and the pump housing outlet.
US08734083B2	Tooling device Exemplary embodiments are directed to a tooling device which for connecting to a manipulator. The device includes a base unit and at least two manipulator modules each with a first and a second end. At least one degree of freedom in movement is provided between both ends of each manipulator module. The first end is connected with the base unit and a tool interface is provided at the second end. The tool interfaces are each moveable independently of the other relative to the base unit. At least one manipulator module is linearly moveable on its first end relative to the base unit.
US08734080B2	Car dumper dust collection method and apparatus An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a material receiving pit. A rotary rail car dumper includes a rotational frame supporting at least one baffle. The rotational frame is configured to dump a load from a rail car during rotational motion of the rotational frame between an upright position wherein the entire load is in the rail car and a dumping position wherein the load can exit the rail car. A backside airflow diverter is located beneath the rotational frame and includes a curved upper surface. A lower margin of the at least one baffle contacts the curved upper surface during at least part of the rotational motion of the rotational frame. A backside hood is located beneath the backside airflow diverter on the back side of the pit.
US08734071B2	Functional element in the form of a press-in element The invention relates to a functional element in the form of a press-in element for attachment to a sheet metal part, wherein the functional element has a head part and a shaft part, the head part has a ring-shaped sheet metal contact surface at the side adjacent the shaft part and a ring-shaped axial recess inside this ring-shaped sheet metal contact surface and surrounding the shaft part at the transition from the head part into the shaft part. In accordance with the invention the shaft part has a plurality of circumferentially distributed radial recesses extending in the axial direction and between these noses which likewise extend axially and project radially, wherein raised material portions are present at the positions of the radial recesses at their axial ends adjacent the head part and form undercuts with the head part in the region of the ring-shaped recess.
US08734068B2	Cutting tool with unequal flute spacing A cutting tool having a shaft with a longitudinal axis, wherein the cutting tool includes a first flute extending about the longitudinal shaft along a helix angle and a first cutting edge adjacent the first flute. The cutting tool also includes a second flute extending about the longitudinal shaft along a helix angle and a second cutting edge adjacent a second flute. The cutting tool further includes a third flute extending about the longitudinal shaft along a helix angle and a third cutting edge adjacent the third flute. The first cutting edge, the second cutting edge, and the third cutting edge are unequally angularly spaced from each other.
US08734067B2	Drill A drill includes a pair of main cutting edges extending from a distal portion of the drill to a position close to a proximal end of the drill to entirely define a two-edge configuration, and a pair of auxiliary cutting edges extending between positions at the distal and proximal sides of a maximum diameter position to partly define a four-edge configuration. A ridgeline of each auxiliary cutting edge is located within an angle smaller than 90° from a ridgeline of the corresponding main cutting edge toward the rear in a rotation direction of the drill. The point angle of the auxiliary cutting edges increases at a higher rate than the point angle of the main cutting edges in a predetermined range from the maximum diameter position toward a distal end of the drill.
US08734066B2	Hole saw tube notcher The present is a hole saw tube notcher with a rotary vice that aligns a tubular workpiece and a hole saw aligning assembly with a rotatable arm that aligns a hole saw to form a single or multiple cut notch geometry with a set radial middle that remains fixed when the rotary arm is rotated and when different diameter workpieces and hole saws are secured to the notcher.
US08734065B2	Reaming tool A reaming tool has a generally planar base with a base opening. A stand is coupled to the base and extends away from the base, the stand having at least one cross member. A guide opening extends through the cross member. An elongate reamer has a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second, opposing end. The reamer extends through the guide opening and the base opening, with the second end of the reamer being proximal to the base opening. A set of reaming flutes are formed in the reamer proximate its second end. The reamer is slidable and rotatable in the guide opening and the base opening, and the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the reamer with respect to the base and the stand is fixed by the guide opening.
US08734062B2	Cutting insert assembly and components thereof A cutting assembly useful for the chipforming removal of material from a workpiece at the cutting insert-workpiece interface. The cutting assembly has a holder with a coolant passage and a seat. As one option, a stud extends away from the seat and facilitates coolant flow to an insert locking cap, which attaches to the stud. The insert locking cap directs coolant flow toward the cutting insert-workpiece interface. As another option, a diverter plate has a bottom surface with a bowl and an arcuate forward surface with one or more openings. Coolant flows from the coolant passage into the bowl then exits through at least one opening in the arcuate forward surface towards the cutting insert-workpiece interface.
US08734057B2	Method of and system for installing foundation elements in an underwater ground formation The invention relates to a method of installing foundation elements, in particular (mono)piles (2), in an underwater ground formation (3), by means of a driver (4), comprising the steps of placing a foundation element (2) on the underwater ground formation (3) and holding the foundation element (2) in place by means of a gripper (10) mounted on a surface vessel, placing a sleeve (6) for reducing noise input from the driver (4) about the foundation element (2), disengaging the gripper (10), lowering the sleeve (6) onto the ground formation (3), and placing the driver (4) on top of the foundation element (2). The sleeve (6) is held at least laterally with a guide (11) mounted on the surface vessel, at least when disengaging the gripper (10).
US08734055B2	Method for assembling an operating rig for a fluid in a body of water and associated operating rig This method comprises connecting a downstream point (40) of a pipe (24) to a buoy (26) and completely submerging the buoy (26). It comprises deploying in the body of water (12) an intermediate section (30) of the pipe (24) from the downstream point (40) to at least as far as an upstream point (38), anchoring the upstream point (38), and tensioning the intermediate section (30) to keep it vertical. The height of the buoy (26) is less than 1.5 times its greatest transverse dimension. The method comprises moving the buoy (26) between a remote position and an installed position in line with an anchoring region, keeping the buoy (26) partly submerged on the surface (16) of the body of water.
US08734052B2	Tank base A method for the construction of an improved tank base. A tank base is constructed for protection against accidental spills and/or leaks associated with a tank battery. The improved tank base comprises at least one part of a suitable substrate, which allows for the adhesion of an elastomer such as polyurea. Polyurea is preferably applied using a spray device which yields an average coverage of about 50-80 mils, and most preferably 60 mils. If more than one substrate is used, one or more substrates can be bound together with a fastening system. Once pressure is applied in the form of weight, the fastening system can be removed, resulting in an improved tank base having at least one seam and impervious to the fluid of the tank battery.
US08734042B2	Oral care implement with rapid flavor release An oral care toothbrush includes a handle having a head at one end of the handle, the head having at least one cleaning element. The head has at least one oral care dispenser. The oral care dispenser is configured to release an oral care material within about five seconds when exposed to water at a temperature of about 35° C. to about 40° C.
US08734041B2	Dispenser of product The invention relates to a dispenser including: an applicator device; a case comprising a housing for receiving at least a portion of the applicator device; a mobile member being movable mounted inside the housing between a retracted position and a use position; an actuating member for urging the mobile member towards the use position, wherein the housing comprises an abutment surface for engaging with the mobile member in order to define the use position of said mobile member.
US08734040B2	Multi-function writing instrument with propulsion mechanism A multi-function writing instrument includes a front section having a writing point opening and a rear section having an eraser opening. The rear section and the front section are rotatably connected to each other. A plurality of marking tips are disposed in the front section. One of the marking tips is a pencil lead marking tip. The marking tips are alternately selectable for extension through the writing point opening. An eraser holder is movably disposed in the rear section. An eraser is mounted in the eraser holder. The eraser holder is selectable for extension through the eraser opening. A means for simultaneously propelling the pencil lead marking tip through the writing point opening and the eraser through the eraser opening upon rotation of the front section relative to the rear section is housed in the multi-function writing instrument.
US08734039B2	Print medium handling A method of assisting in handling a print medium on a spindle, said spindle being operatively connected with a motor, said method comprising the following steps: rotating said spindle by an outside force in a first direction when handling the print medium, said rotation generating an electromotive force in said motor in a second direction, opposite to said first direction; and causing the motor to apply a torque in said first direction, said torque being proportional to the electromotive force generated in the second direction by the rotation of the spindle.
US08734027B2	Coupling field adapter Disclosed is a coupling assembly for use in a telecommunication enclosure. The coupling assembly comprises an optical coupling mounted within the enclosure, a parking lot adapter, and a first optical fiber connector having a key on its housing. The parking lot adapter is axially aligned with and fitted to a first side of the optical coupling. The first optical fiber connector is inserted into the parking lot adapter and is movable between two stable positions. The two stable positions consist of a connected position and a disconnected position.
US08734016B2	Incrementally-stretched thermoplastic films with enhanced look and feel and methods for making the same Methods of increasing the perceived thickness and strength of a thermoplastic film include incrementally stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction. In one or more implementations, methods of incrementally stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films while increasing a loft of at least a portion of the film. The methods can involve cold stretching the films and imparting rib patterns and alternating peaks and valleys into the film. The linear ribs can have alternating thick and thin gauges.
US08734013B2	Small mobile x-ray scanning system This invention describes a method of inspecting unidentified packages placed on the floor or ground, or on desktops or counters. The method uses a transmissive x-ray system mounted on a small mobile platform such as robots. X-ray is emitted from the source directed away from the platform and detected by a detector arm supported on an extended member attached to a vertical member such that the object to be inspected can pass in between the detector arm and the x-ray source. To scan portions of the object close to the ground, the height of the x-ray source is lowered close to the ground, and during transportation, it is raised up so that there is more clearance from the ground. To scan objects located on higher levels such as desks, the detector arm has an angular movement greater than ninety degrees with respect to an axis that has a vertical component.
US08734011B2	Distributed optical fiber temperature sensor based on optical fiber delay The present invention discloses distributed optical fiber temperature sensor based on optical fiber delay technology, including a tunable optical transmitter module, an optical receiver module, a signal processing and controlling module and multiple distributed sensing modules connected in series via transmission fibers. The multiple wavelengths optical signals transmitted from the tunable optical transmitter module respectively are transmitted into the first sensing module, and then transmitted out from the last sensing module. The output multiple wavelengths optical signals arrive at the optical receiver module. The optical receiver module converts optical signals of all wavelengths into electrical signals and transmits them into the signal processing and controlling module. The signal processing and controlling module measures transmission delay time of optical signal of each wavelength respectively, and calculates and obtains the temperature parameters of corresponding distributed testing positions based on the relative delay time.
US08734008B2	Voltage reading technique for large sensor arrays through reduced noise differential path An active sensor apparatus includes an array of sensor elements arranged in a plurality of columns and rows of sensor elements. The sensor apparatus includes a plurality of column and row thin film transistor switches for selectively activating the sensor elements, and a plurality of column and row thin film diodes for selectively accessing the sensor elements to obtain information from the sensor elements. The thin film transistor switches and thin film diodes are formed on a common substrate.
US08734006B2	Calibration of an on-die thermal sensor A method of calibrating a thermal sensor includes setting a wafer to a control temperature. The wafer includes the thermal sensor and other chip logic. The method also includes applying power exclusively to a thermal sensor circuit, calibrating the thermal sensor, and storing a calibration result. The method also includes retrieving the calibration result upon application of power to the other chip logic.
US08734005B2	Method, apparatus, system and heat exchanger for increasing the temperature of a substance which is initially in an at least partly solidified state in a container One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for increasing the temperature of a substance which is initially in an at least partly solidified state in a container, where at least one heat exchanger is arranged in the container. One object is to obtain that the temperature of a substance may be changed relatively fast. This is obtained by having pumping means for displacing the substance, exchanging heat between a heat exchanger and the substance, displacing substance with the pumping means for increased heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the substance, as well as stirring the substance with the pumping means by displacing the substance inside the container. When the substance is displaced, then not only stagnant substance is in contact with the heat exchanger for heat exchange. The amount of substance in contact with the heat exchanger is thereby greatly increased, and the heat transfer is less dependent on thermal conductivity of the substance.
US08734002B2	Frame of backlight module A frame of a backlight module includes a first side bar, a second side bar, a third side bar and a fourth side bar. The first side bar, the second side bar, the third side bar and the fourth side bar are connected end to end. The frame includes two contacting portions. One of the contacting portions is positioned at a corner of the first side bar and the second side bar, and the other one of the contacting portions is positioned at another corner of the first side bar and the fourth side bar.
US08734000B2	Light module, composite circuit board device used therein, and assembling method thereof A light module and an assembling method thereof are disclosed. The light module includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a light source, wherein the first circuit board has a first opening and a second opening, and the second circuit board has a first bending portion. The light source is disposed on the first circuit board. The second circuit board passes through the first opening and the second opening of the first circuit board to form the first bending portion and the first circuit board and the second circuit board are fixed together to complete the light module assembling.
US08733998B2	Display device A display device is provided, which can precisely control a light source by measuring the quantity of light from the light source under uniform conditions. The display device includes a display panel displaying an image, a light source generating light, a light guide plate guiding and providing the light to the display panel, a receptacle accommodating the light source and the light guide plate, an optical sensor fixed to the receptacle to sense the light, a light receiving hole formed at an edge of the receptacle to provide a path through which the light reaches the optical sensor, and an optical adjustment member interposed between the light guide plate and the optical sensor to reduce luminance of the light incident to the optical sensor. The optical sensor is completely exposed to the optical adjustment member through the light receiving hole.
US08733997B2	Display apparatus with dual screens capable of displaying images and merchandise samples A display apparatus includes a housing formed with a front opening, a display unit disposed in the housing, and a lighting unit disposed in the housing for illuminating the display unit. The display unit includes a light-transmissive front display screen exposed through the front opening, and a light-transmissive rear screen disposed spacedly parallel to the front display screen. The rear screen is operable to have a first light transmittance, and a second light transmittance higher than the first light transmittance.
US08733994B2	Head lamp structure of vehicle A head lamp structure of the vehicle may include a reflector including a light source, and a shield part rotatably provided at a front of the reflector and including a shield protrusion formed at an outer peripheral surface thereof and having a cutting surface.
US08733993B2	Light emitting device, illumination device, vehicle headlamp, and vehicle A headlamp of an embodiment of this invention includes a laser element, a light emitting section, and a parabolic mirror. A part of the parabolic mirror is provided so as to face an upper surface of the light emitting section, which upper surface has a larger area than that of a side surface of the light emitting section. The light emitting section emits fluorescence in such a manner that distribution of the fluorescence corresponds to the Lambertian distribution.
US08733991B2	Vehicle lamp A vehicle lamp is formed using a light guide body. Thus light with an excellent aesthetic quality can be emitted without increasing the number of components. The structure has a light guide part (6a) formed on a light guide member (6). The light guide part (6a) emits light in an elongated shape by irradiating a first light-emitting diode (9) provided on one end of the light guide part (6a) in the longitudinal direction. A projecting part (6g) projects reward on the rear face of the light guide part (6a), which is the light-emitting face. A light emission suppressing part (6h) is provided on the projection end face of the projecting part (6g) and has a metal film (6f) formed by vapor deposition.
US08733990B2	Low profile switching and lighting integration within an interior vehicle component An interior vehicle component comprises a base and a panel coupled to the base. The panel is moveable between a first position and a second position. The panel has a first side and an opposite second side. The first side is configured to be visible to a vehicle occupant when the panel is in the first position. The second side cooperates with the base to define a cavity. The panel has an aperture extending through the first side and the second side. The panel also comprises at least one of a solid state switch and a light source supported at the first side of the panel, and a flexible circuit coupled to a backside of the at least one of the solid state switch and the light source through the aperture.
US08733984B2	LED luminaire as a replacement for incandescent light bulbs The problem addressed by the present invention consists in providing an LED luminaire which corresponds to the known shapes for incandescent bulbs both in terms of contour and size and which enables illumination similar to that of an incandescent bulb by means of the light-emitting means both in terms of the emission response and the luminous intensity of said luminaire. The heat sink which is required for technical reasons and which bears the light-emitting means itself predetermines the shape of the incandescent bulb and the emission of the LEDs for this purpose. The heat sink can in this case be in the form of one body or can comprise a plurality of separate heat sinks, which are arranged about a central axis so as to be associated with the respective light-emitting means.
US08733983B2	Sheet and light-emitting device A transparent sheet for use with a light emitting body with one of surfaces of the transparent sheet being adjacent to the light emitting body, wherein the other surface of the sheet is divided into a plurality of minute regions δ, a largest inscribed circle of the minute regions δ having a diameter from 0.2 μm to 1.5 μm, each of the minute regions δ being adjoined by and surrounded by two or more other ones of the plurality of minute regions δ, the plurality of minute regions δ include a plurality of minute regions δb which are randomly selected from the plurality of minute regions δ so as to constitute 40% to 98% of the minute regions δ and a plurality of minute regions δa which constitute the remaining portion of the minute regions δ, the minute regions δa are provided with a first tiny element which has thickness d and effective refractive index na, and the minute regions δb are provided with a second tiny element which has thickness d and effective refractive index nb, nb being greater than na.
US08733980B2	LED lighting modules and luminaires incorporating same LED lighting modules have a highly thermally conductive polyhedral body having a plurality of exterior facets disposed around a mounting axis in a polygonal array facing outwardly away from the mounting axis and at a downward angle thereto. At least a majority of the facets carries at least one LED whose optical axis is angled acutely. The body carries a plurality of heat dissipating fins and serves as a heat sink to prevent overheating the LEDs in a transient and steady state operation. For retrofit applications, the module is mounted to a fixture via either a support or a bracket in a mounting position in which the elevation of the LEDs is determined according to the mounting and geometry of the replaced lamp.
US08733975B2	LED lighting apparatus Disclosed is a light-emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus. The LED lighting apparatus comprises: a light source module comprising an LED light source; a thermal base coupled to the light source module so as to receive heat generated by the light source module; and a heat-dissipating member comprising a ventilation unit coupled to an edge region of the thermal base so as to discharge heat transmitted from the thermal base and open a central area of the thermal base so as to facilitate air ventilation to the outside. The LED lighting apparatus can increase heat-dissipating efficiency by maximizing ventilation efficiency and enabling air around the heat-dissipating member to flow smoothly without stagnating.
US08733974B2	Light emitting diode module and lamp A light emitting diode module includes a metal substrate, a main circuit, an adapter circuit board, an adapter circuit and a plurality of light emitting diodes, and the main circuit is installed on the metal substrate and includes a plurality of first power points, an adapter circuit installed on the adapter circuit board and including a plurality of second power points, each being electrically coupled to each corresponding first power point, and the light emitting diode is installed on a surface of the metal substrate and electrically coupled to the main circuit. A light emitting diode lamp includes a reflection cover, a light emitting diode module and a plurality of power lines.
US08733973B2	Lighting device with light emitting diodes A lighting device has a base body of translucent material, in which several light-emitting diodes, which are applied to a flexible adhesive strip having integrated conductors, are arranged at intervals. A cavity is milled into the rear of the base body, the width and length of the cavity being slightly smaller than the width and length of the base body. A closed edge web is created along the periphery of the base body. An adhesive strip having light-emitting diodes is applied to the interior side of the edge web over the entire length in such a way that light-emitting diodes are arranged on the interior sides of opposing edge web sections. The light-emitting diodes illuminate a solid section of the base body in front of the cavity and produce a high luminous density on the front side. The rear side of the cavity is closed by a cover.
US08733970B2	Lighting apparatus with light controlling reflective layer A lighting apparatus may include a case, a circuit board, a light source including a light emitting diode (LED), and a light controlling layer to reflect light from the light source toward an inside of the case to prevent the light from being directly radiated to an outside of the case.
US08733954B2	Devices and methods for reducing vehicle drag In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a mirror assembly for a vehicle is described. The mirror assembly includes a housing defining an aerodynamic shape. The housing includes a first curved wall, a second curved wall, a bottom portion, and a top portion. The first and second curved walls extend from the bottom portion to the top portion and intersect one another to form a leading edge of the housing. The housing is dimensionally configured so that a thrust force is generated in a travel direction of the vehicle when a crossflow from the vehicle is directed around the housing.
US08733951B2	Projected image enhancement A first image is provided to a projector, which is configured to project the first image on a projection screen. A captured first image is received from a camera configured to capture the projected first image and an occluding object between the projector and the projection screen. A key including a difference between the captured first image and the first image is generated. A second image is modified according to the key to generate a new second image. The new second image is provided to the projector, which is further configured to project the new second image.
US08733949B2	System for representing colors including an integrating light capsule Disclosed herein is a color display device that can be deployed at retail paint stores, kiosks, customers' offices or homes, airports, malls, etc. for rapid color and appearance prototyping. The color display device, which can be mobile, can display color under standardized lighting or simulated ambient lighting. The color display device can augment or replace a traditional paint chip rack or fan deck. The color display device can manipulate light sources additively and/or subtractively using an integrating light mixing capsule or chamber, special optics, mock objects and electronic control for color and appearance representation and for object illumination with desirable simulated ambient lighting.
US08733940B2	Light source device and projection display apparatus A light source device has: a light source unit including solid-state light sources emitting blue-color light and a condensing lens; a dichroic mirror polarization separating color light into first and second polarization components; a fluorescence emission plate excited with the first polarization component, emitting fluorescence of green and red components to enter the dichroic mirror; a first retardation plate converting the second polarization component to a circularly polarized light; and a reflection plate reflecting a light passed through the first retardation plate to reenter the same. The color lights from the fluorescence emission plate and the first retardation plate are combined at the dichroic mirror. A second retardation plate converts the polarization direction of the light from the light source unit, so as to control the ratio of p-polarization and s-polarization components. Lights from solid-state light sources are condensed efficiently and a high spectrum-utilization factor is obtained.
US08733939B2	Vehicle content projection In an example, a content projecting system includes a communication module configured to receive an instruction to project content. The content projecting system further includes a projector configured to be affixed to a vehicle. The projector is further configured to project the content onto a projection surface separate from the vehicle.
US08733938B2	Virtual convertible tops, sunroofs, and back windows, and systems and methods for providing same A virtual-sunroof system for providing a virtual sunroof at an interior of a vehicle for viewing by a passenger of the vehicle. The system includes a virtual-sunroof imaging device configured and arranged at the vehicle to collect image information from an environment above the vehicle and create digital image data using the image information. The system also includes a virtual-sunroof projection device configured and arranged in the vehicle to be in communication with the virtual-sunroof imaging device for providing a virtual sunroof display. The virtual sunroof display provided (a) is viewable above a head of the passenger, (b) is formed using the image data, (c) represents accurately at the interior of the vehicle a rendition of the environment above the vehicle, and (d) has a size, shape, and location corresponding generally to a size, shape, and location that an actual conventional-type sunroof would have in the vehicle.
US08733937B2	Methods and devices for measuring tear film and diagnosing tear disorders Methods and devices measure eye blinks and tear film lipid and aqueous layer thickness before and following ophthalmic formula application onto the ocular surface, especially wherein the ophthalmic formula is an artificial tear. The methods and devices are suitable for dry eye diagnosis. The methods and devices are suitable for use to evaluate ophthalmic formula effects on the tear film and to use such information to diagnose ophthalmic formula treatment of ocular disease conditions such as dry eye in the absence of contact lens wear or post-surgical eye drop treatment and diagnosis. The methods and devices are also suitable for use in the optimization of ophthalmic drug dosage forms and sustained drug release.
US08733936B1	Fitting glasses frames to a user A system for fitting glasses frames to a user is disclosed. The system includes an interface for receiving images of a user's head at different angles. A processor compares user head measurements determined from the images with a database of glasses frame information that includes glasses frame measurements. One or more glasses frames are selected based on the comparison and the selected glasses frames are output.
US08733922B2	Print preparation method Provided is a print preparation method possessing an ejection step in which liquid drops of actinic energy radiation curable type ink-jet ink each containing a polymerizable compound, a photo-polymerizable initiator and a gelling agent are injected from an ink-jet recording head to supply the actinic energy radiation curable type ink-jet ink onto a recording medium, and an actinic energy radiation exposure step, wherein the print preparation method further comprises step (A) in which the recording medium is exposed to electromagnetic waves having a longer wavelength than a wavelength of an absorption wavelength of the photo-polymerization initiator contained in the actinic energy radiation curable type ink-jet ink from a side of a surface on which the image is formed, before conducting the actinic energy radiation exposure step, the print preparation method by which a print having images exhibiting excellent image wear resistance, gloss evenness and image density evenness is provided.
US08733921B2	Method of ink jet printing with image quality control Disclosed is a method and apparatus for improving printed image quality. The image quality improvement is achieved by differentially curing different image elements such as continuous tone elements, uniform tinted and solid elements, color elements, line art and text elements. A delay in the activation, duration and variation in the intensity of the curing radiation or a mix of some or all of them that follows the ink droplet on substrate deposition controls the ink droplet spread and accordingly the image quality.
US08733920B2	Inkjet recording ink, ink cartridge, inkjet recording device, inkjet recording method, and ink recorded matter To provide an inkjet recording ink, which contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent, a colorant, and a surfactant, wherein the colorant contains a surfactant-dispersible pigment (A) dispersed by the surfactant, and a resin-coated pigment (B), and wherein the surfactant is a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants represented by the following formula (1), and having HLB value of 12 or higher: R1—O—(CH2CH2O)m-A (1) where R1 is a C2-C24 alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkylphenyl group, or alkylallyl group; A is —COOM1, —SO3M2, or —PO(OM3)OM4, where M1, M2 and M4 are each independently alkali metal, quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium, or alkanolamine, and M3 is a hydrogen atom or R2(CH2CH2O)n with proviso that R2 is a C1-C4 alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkylphenyl group, or alkylallyl group, and n is an integer of 4 to 20; and m is and integer of 15 to 40.
US08733915B2	Cartridge A cartridge includes a casing, a printing material containing portion, a printing material flow path and first and second insertion holes formed in a front face of the casing. A rod used for detection of the out-of-printing material state is inserted into the first insertion hole, and a printing material supply tube is inserted into the second insertion hole. The first insertion hole is located on the front face at a middle position between a first side face and a second side face of the casing.
US08733913B2	Liquid delivery system A liquid delivery system and method move an air impermeable membrane adjacent a liquid chamber in response to withdrawal of liquid from the chamber to move a plunger. The plunger moves between a first position fluidly connecting a fluid source and a fluid actuated valve to open the valve and supply liquid to the liquid chamber and a second position blocking connection of the fluid source and the fluid actuated valve.
US08733912B2	Liquid container A liquid container comprises a liquid container pouch of flexible sheets and a liquid outlet between the pair of flexible sheets to permit extraction of a liquid in the pouch. The pouch includes a pair of side portions and a lower gusseted portion defining a basal gusset and including bilateral edge portions overlapping individual lower border zones on the side constituting the lower borders of the pair of side portions during extraction of liquid. The individual lower border zones and the individual bilateral side edge portions overlap to define sealed portions; the lower gusseted portion has a fold line parallel to the lower border between the bilateral edge portions and is oriented in a folding direction to define a chevron shape pointing inwardly into the pouch; and the two sealed portions having regulators to restrain outward expansion by a greater extent than other faces on the pair of side portions.
US08733908B2	Printing system having valved ink and gas distribution for printhead A printing system having a media width printhead, a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of fluid tubes each defining an individual closed fluid flow loop, a first multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing fluid flow along each closed loop via the printhead by selectively moving a pinch element into and out of pinching contact with the fluid tubes so as to respectively block and allow fluid flow through the fluid tubes, a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a second multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing venting of gas in each closed loop via the gas vents.
US08733906B2	Electromechanical conversion element, liquid drop ejection head, liquid drop ejection device, and image forming apparatus Disclosed is an electromechanical conversion element, including an electromechanical conversion film including a PZT, an upper electrode formed on a top of the electromechanical conversion film and including a first strontium ruthenium oxide, and a lower electrode formed on a bottom of the electromechanical conversion film and including a second strontium ruthenium oxide, wherein Sr-pzt/Sr-sr≦0.01, wherein Sr-pzt is a SIMS intensity for a secondary ion of strontium of the PZT at a position of ½ of a thickness of the electromechanical conversion film and Sr-sr is a SIMS intensity for a secondary ion of strontium of the second strontium ruthenium oxide at a position of ½ of a thickness of the lower electrode.
US08733899B2	Inkjet head and method of manufacturing the same According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes a base member, a nozzle plate, a frame and an adhesive. The nozzle plate is opposed to the base member. The frame is interposed between the base member and the nozzle plate, the frame including an adhering surface to which the nozzle plate is adhered, and a groove which is provided in the adhering surface. The adhesive is interposed between the adhering surface and the nozzle plate.
US08733898B2	Ink jet head, nozzle plate thereof and printing method using the same Disclosed is an ink jet head for ejecting an ink droplet to form an image on a recording medium, including a pressure chamber to which ink is supplied, an actuator which applies a pressure on the ink filled in the pressure chamber to eject the ink droplet, a circuit applying to the actuator a drive-waveform for sequentially ejecting one or more ink droplets to form one pixel, the one ink droplet having V in volume, and a nozzle plate which has a nozzle fluidly communicating with the pressure chamber to eject ink droplet therefrom, the nozzle having a stepped inner surface shaped to include an inlet communicating with the pressure chamber and having a first sectional area in an orthogonal plane to ink-ejecting direction, and to include an outlet communicating with the inlet and having a length Ln1 in the ink-ejecting direction and a second sectional area C1 in the orthogonal plane smaller than the first sectional area, the Ln1, C1, and V being satisfied the relationship of 0.5≦Ln1/(V/C1)≦1.0. The ink jet head provides a high print quality while preventing a variation in volume of ink droplet ejected from the nozzle.
US08733894B2	Recording apparatus and color sample table A recording apparatus records a glitter color image on a medium by superimposing a glitter image formed by discharging a glitter ink and a color image formed by discharging at least one of a first color ink and a second color ink. The recording apparatus records a color sample table including a first pattern obtained by superimposing a glitter image formed with a predetermined ink amount per unit area and a color image; and a second pattern obtained by superimposing a glitter image formed with the predetermined ink amount per unit area and a color image having substantially the same color as that of the color image of the first pattern by using the first color ink or the second color ink at a different ink amount per unit area from that of the color image of the first pattern.
US08733892B2	Ink-jet printing deposition method The invention relates to an ink-jet printing deposition method including a compensation of deviations (δl1, δl2, δl3, . . . ) of ejection nozzles (1, 2, 3 . . . ) carried by a printing head (10). To this end, the deviations are measured first at the moment of the deposition, and then, during the deposition, each nozzle is activated when it shows a shift in relation to the point on a support where the substance is to be deposited, substantially opposite the deviation of said nozzle. Said depositions carried out in this way do not comprise accidental Moiré patterns.
US08733890B2	Nozzle surface cleaning apparatus and droplet ejection apparatus A nozzle surface cleaning apparatus is configured to clean a nozzle surface of a droplet ejection head while moving relatively with respect to the droplet ejection head. The apparatus includes: a cleaning liquid deposition device which deposits cleaning liquid to the nozzle surface; a blade which is pressed against the nozzle surface to wipe the nozzle surface; a drip guiding member which guides waste liquid wiped by the blade to drip to a predetermined drip position set inside of the blade than an end of the blade; and a receptor which receives the waste liquid dripping from the drip guiding member.
US08733885B1	Print head array testing A method and apparatus test a printed circuit assembly and a print head array with a low-power application to a printed circuit assembly having a power storage component disconnected from a power rail of the printed circuit assembly and test the printed circuit assembly and the print head array with a high-power application to the printed circuit assembly with the printed circuit assembly receiving electrical power from the power storage component.
US08733884B2	Detecting stretch or shrink in print media A printing system includes a print media having two sets of test patterns formed or printed in at least two margins adjacent a content area on the print media. The two sets of test patterns are separated by a pattern distance and at least two test patterns in each set of test patterns have a different number of marks. Two integrated imaging systems are disposed opposite the print media and are mechanically tied together and separated by a fixed distance. The integrated imaging systems substantially simultaneously capture images of the two sets of test patterns. An image processing device can process the images to determine if one or more size variations have occurred in the print media in the in-track direction.
US08733871B2	AlCu hard mask process A process for forming a metal interconnection in an integrated circuit includes forming a first metal layer and a second metal layer on the first metal layer. Photoresist is placed on the second metal layer and patterned to form a mask. The second metal layer is etched. The mask is then removed and the first metal layer is patterned with the second metal layer acting as mask for the first metal layer.
US08733867B2	Drawer and refrigerator including the same A drawer of a refrigerator includes a basket extractable and retractable through the refrigerator while having a storage space surrounded by four wall surfaces. A first partition is slidably mounted to facing first and third ones of the wall surfaces, to move between facing second and fourth ones of the wall surfaces, a second partition is arranged to cross the first partition and is slidably mounted to the second and fourth wall surfaces, to move between the first and third wall surfaces. A moving guide disposed at an intersection between the first and second partitions, to guide movements of the first and second partitions. The drawer achieves an enhancement in utilization by virtue of the partitions capable of varying a partitioned size of the drawer.
US08733860B1	Storage system and method A storage system comprising a plurality of shelf units movable together through a circuit attached to and moved by a flexible drive such as a chain or belt, while being guided and stabilized in orientation by a separate guide track which track followers, retained by each shelf unit, move to maintain a selected orientation of the shelves within a system support or enclosure. Each shelf unit is removable by the user from engagement of the drive and from the system enclosure permitting replacement of the shelves within the storage system without system disassembly.
US08733859B2	Silverware basket for a dishwasher appliance A silverware basket for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The silverware basket appliance includes features for selectively securing a cover of the silverware basket in an open position. To selectively secure the cover in an open position, the silverware basket can include a pin with a noncircular cross-section that rotatably mounts the cover to the silverware basket or a recess defined by a brace that can receive a portion of the cover in the open position or both.
US08733857B2	Electronic device with bezel assembly A bezel assembly includes a panel, a shielding member, and a securing member. The panel includes a main body. The main body defines a through hole and a first opening. The shielding member attached to the panel includes a mounting portion. A second opening is defined in the shielding member, and the first opening and the second opening are configured to a data storage extend through to abut the first opening. The securing member secured to the panel includes a latching piece with a cutout. The securing member is slidable relative to the main body between a first position and a second position; when the securing member is in the first position, the mounting portion extends through the through hole to engage with the latching piece; when the securing member is in the second portion, the mounting portion is located on the cutout to disengage from the latching piece.
US08733855B2	Arc resistant switchgear modular compartment for instrumentation and circuit breakers Modular bucket assemblies enable selective configuration of switchgear compartments for conformance with selective levels of personnel accessibility to energized switchgear. The bucket assemblies can be configured to enable personnel access to energized compartments while service doors are open, such as for instrumentation compartments. Interiors and the front face of instrumentation compartment bucket assemblies are isolated from potential infiltration of hot arc gasses in the switchgear cabinet. Other compartments can be configured to enable personnel access to the front face of a fully closed door energized circuit breaker compartment by isolating the compartment door exterior and venting any hot arc gasses out of the compartment interior in a direction away from the front and other peripheral sides of the switchgear cabinet.
US08733847B2	Asymmetrical electric braking architecture for aircraft An asymmetrical electric braking architecture for aircraft, having plural electro-mechanical brake actuators (EBAs) for selectively applying a braking force on friction elements of braked wheels. The architecture comprises (1) a brake control unit (BCU) for acting in normal mode to generate braking setpoint values in response to a braking order, (2) electro-mechanical actuator controllers (EMACs), each including at least one inverter for supplying power to the EBAs in response to the braking setpoint values, (3) at least one emergency brake power and control unit (EBPCU) including at least one inverter for supplying power to some of the EBAs in response to a braking order; and (4) protection means for channeling power supplied by the EMACs or the EBPCU towards the actuators while preventing power from being diverted towards the architecture.
US08733838B2	Floor track for seating system An apparatus for maintaining at least two seats in a vertical position and a predetermined distance between rows of the at least two seats. The apparatus includes at least two substantially flat base portions; and at least two support blocks mounted a predetermined distance from each other on an upper surface of each of the base portions, wherein the at least two support blocks define a hollow region for receiving a lower end portion of a leg of a seat to maintain the seat in a vertical position. The predetermined distance between the support blocks corresponds to a predetermined distance between rows of seats.
US08733837B2	Furniture cover A furniture cover is provided that has a substantially t-shaped, substantially continuous, fabric body having a generally elongated central trunk portion, and two outwardly extending arm portions. The central trunk portion is sized to extend over and substantially across the back, seat and front of a seating device. The arm portions are sized to extend over and substantially across the arms of the seating device. The fabric body has a first layer of comfort fabric for exposure to the user; and a second layer of waterproof fabric, seamed around a perimeter edge to the first layer, so that the second layer provides a waterproof barrier across the covered portions of the seating device.
US08733836B2	Apparatus for controlling tension of elongate strap used in strap furniture A strap-tightening structure for a furniture item having a frame that supports an elongate strap. The elongate strap includes a rearward section that overlies the back rest of the furniture and a forward section that overlies the seat section. A rearward end of the elongate strap overlies a transversely disposed rearward end of the frame and is secured against longitudinal displacement when the forward end of the elongate strap is pulled taut at the forward end of the furniture. A pair of tensioning belts are secured to a forward end of the elongate strap. Each of the tensioning belts is disposed in overlying relation to a transversely disposed forward end of the frame. A pair of releasable buckles is secured to a bottom side of the elongate strap and adjustably engages the tensioning belts so that the elongate strap can be pulled taut whenever it develops a sag.
US08733835B2	Vehicle seat cover and vehicle seat with such a cover A vehicle seat has a cover that comprises, in sections, a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first and second layers have different elasticities. The layers may be connected, such as by sewing. The layers may have strips arranged transversely to an expansion direction.
US08733828B2	Headliner with integral wire harness This invention relates to a roof structure in a vehicle, wherein the roof structure (100) is provided with printed electrical connection means (110) for connecting electrical devices in the vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a roof structure and to a system comprising an electrical device, a roof structure (100) with printed electrical connection means (110), a printed conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412) and an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector (530, 730) is pierced through the roof structure (100) to connect the electrical device with the conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412).
US08733826B1	Truck bed panel attached to door hinge mounting plate A conversion system that converts a four-door style vehicle into a pick-up style vehicle. The conversion system converts the four-door style vehicle into a pick-up style vehicle when rear doors of the vehicle are removed and replaced by inner and outer side panels that form a side panel assembly for the bed of the vehicle. Additional features of the conversion system include a bed floor assembly, a bulkhead assembly, and a roof assembly that isolate the cabin of the vehicle from the newly formed bed.
US08733820B2	Trim panel retention assembly A trim panel retention assembly for a vehicle includes a retention bracket mounted to an inner door panel and a trim panel bracket mounted to a door trim panel. The trim panel bracket is proximate and spaced from the retention bracket such that the retention bracket deters the trim panel bracket and door trim panel from detaching from the inner door panel during a side impact collision.
US08733819B1	Variable stiffness energy-absorbing component for vehicle occupant protection An energy-absorbing member is mounted within a vehicle door outboard of an interior panel adjacent to a seating position. The member is rotatable between a first position wherein a maximum-stiffness axis of the member is relatively more aligned with an impact vector of an occupant of the seating position during a crash, and a second position wherein the maximum-stiffness axis is relatively less aligned with the impact vector. A controller receives signals from safety-related systems and operates an actuator to move the member between the first and second positions. Selection between the first and second position may be made at the start of a driving cycle based upon signals from an occupant sensor, stored biometric data, and/or a command from the occupant. The selection may be updated after the start of the driving cycle based upon signals from an impact sensor, a vehicle dynamics sensor, and/or a pre-crash sensor.
US08733816B2	Hopper cover assembly A cover assembly includes a roller member rotatably supported by a bracket assembly on one end of the intake hopper of an agricultural conveyor such that a sheet member rolled onto the roller member can be unrolled to span across the intake opening. The cover assembly also includes a support frame pivotally coupled to the intake hopper between a working position and a stored position. In the working position a portion of the frame is centrally located above the intake opening and protrudes upwardly beyond respective sides of the housing of the intake hopper to support the sheet member to slope downward from a central apex to prevent accumulation of precipitation thereon. In the stored position the support frame is shorter in height relative to the housing than in the working position and the sheet member is rolled onto the roller so as not to interfere with normal operation of the intake hopper.
US08733815B2	Tailgate outside handle assembly A tailgate outside handle assembly may include a housing installed in an outer panel of a tailgate, an actuator unit, a manipulating handle installed in the housing and having a manipulation portion in a front surface thereof, and a hinge shaft that may be coupled to a top end portion of a rear surface of the manipulation portion, wherein a bottom end portion of the manipulation portion may be engaged with the actuator unit and selectively rotated about the hinge shaft such that after the manipulation portion may be withdrawn to the outside of the housing by a driving force of the actuator unit when the tailgate may be to be opened, the manipulating handle works as a handle.
US08733814B1	Latching cargo stake A cargo stake is disclosed which may be secured in a stake hole without the need of inserting a pin or bolt underneath the cargo bed. In a preferred embodiment, a latching mechanism is provided internal to a cargo stake body made from box steel tubing. The latching mechanism includes a latching member which can protrude perpendicular to the axis of the cargo stake at the lower end of the cargo stake, and the latching mechanism is operable through the upper open end of the cargo stake. In a preferred embodiment the latching mechanism is spring loaded and automatically latches in place upon insertion.
US08733812B2	Modular data center Described are methods, systems, and apparatus relating to a modular data center. In some embodiments, a modular data center includes one or more data modules. The modular data center includes a network module connected to the one or more data modules, the network module containing equipment for facilitating data communications by the one or more data modules. The modular data center includes a power module connected to the one or more data modules and the network module, the power module containing electronics equipment for conditioning and distributing power to the one or more data modules and the network module. In the modular data center, each module of the one or more data modules, the network module, and the power module comprises: an enclosure defining an internal space; a floor within the enclosure separating the internal space into an above-floor space and a sub-floor space; and a plurality of bays in the subfloor space, each bay of the plurality of bays configured to contain a field-replaceable environmental management component.
US08733809B2	Handling device for a wheel of a vehicle and handling process for a wheel using such a device A method and apparatus for handling a wheel of large mass from a storage position to enable its mounting onto the hub of a vehicle, wherein the method includes placing a tire in a handling device having two ends which are of substantially equal length, the length being longer than the perimeter of the wheel, between two ends of the handling device, bringing together the ends of the handling device so as to imprison the wheel within the handling device, and hooking the ends of the handling device into a handling and lifting device.
US08733807B2	Self-adjusting striker assembly A self-adjusting striker assembly, for use with a box having a lid, a box body and a latch, includes a striker bar mounted to the lid which is operative to move linearly relative to the latch in the event of misalignment between the lid and box body.
US08733805B2	Security seal assembly A security seal using a captured lock wire for sealing a device in a manner revealing tampering with the seal includes a locking insert that fits closely within a central cavity of an outer body and is locked within the outer body against removal without visible damage to the insert or the outer body using locking fingers on the insert that cooperate with locking abutments in the cavity that permit insertion of the locking insert into the central cavity but not removal there from. A free end of the lock wire is captured by being threaded through apertures and grooves in the insert and outer body after being secured to a device to be sealed.
US08733801B2	Swivel joint A swivel joint includes a pipe part and a swivel nut. The pipe part has a first end and a second end and the swivel nut has a first end and a second end. The swivel nut is positioned on the pipe part such that the first end of the swivel nut forms a swivel connection with the first end of the pipe part. The swivel nut and the pipe part include shoulders against each other for preventing separation of the swivel nut from the pipe part. The swivel nut is made such that the swivel nut and the pipe part are connected together by pushing the first end of the swivel nut towards the first end of the pipe part whereby the swivel nut and the pipe part are connected by a snap joint.
US08733799B2	Combination sealing member and pipe couplings A sealing member is disclosed having an outer surface that supports segments of a pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation. The segments are supported in spaced relation to permit the pipe elements to be inserted into the coupling without disassembly. The sealing member is a flexible ring that has conical lips around its inner circumference to engage and guide the pipe elements into the coupling. A tongue extends radially inwardly between the lips, the tongue having conical shoulders which engage and guide the pipe ends. The tongue locates the coupling segments relatively to the pipe elements.
US08733798B2	Conduit connector device and conduit system A conduit connector device includes an open-ended sleeve with aligned openings through upper and lower walls of the sleeve for insertion of a fastener to secure the lower wall of the sleeve to a support. A cover member or bridge is inserted into the sleeve between two conduit ends to cover the opening in the upper wall after the lower wall is attached to the support, restricting access to the previously inserted fastener. The ends of two adjacent lengths of conduit to be connected are inserted into opposite ends of the sleeve to abut the opposite ends of the bridge, and the adjacent lengths of conduits are thereby attached to the support.
US08733792B2	Castor wheel A castor wheel for a vehicle or an attachment for a vehicle, the castor wheel comprising; a wheel having an axle about which the wheel can rotate, an offset pivot mounting for mounting the castor wheel to the vehicle or vehicle attachment, the pivot mounting being connected to the wheel axle and defining a pivot axis perpendicular to and offset from the wheel axle, the wheel capable of pivoting about the pivot axis, and wherein the castor wheel also comprises a restrainer for restraining the pivoting of the wheel is disclosed.
US08733787B2	Baby carriage A baby carriage is disclosed in the invention, the baby carriage comprises a folding frame, a seat disposed on the frame, a locking mechanism for locking the frame when it is unfolded, front and rear wheel assemblies disposed at the bottom of the frame. The frame comprises: front brackets; seat rods with front portions being connected to the front brackets; push rods with lower portions being rotatably connected to the upper portions of the front brackets or the front portions of the seat rods; rear brackets with lower portions being rotatably to seat rods; and sliding elements for connecting the upper portions of push rods with the upper portions of the rear brackets. The sliding elements are slidably disposed on one of the push rods and rear brackets, and rotatably connected to the other one. The seat is set on the seat rods.
US08733784B2	Stroller A stroller capable of reducing dimensions upon folded, while maintaining a rigidity is proposed. A stroller includes: a core member; a front leg that is swingably connected to the core member and extends downward from the core member toward the front; and a pair of rear legs that are swingably connected to the core member and extend downward from the core member toward the rear. The pair of rear legs are arranged in a vehicle width direction, and are, in the used condition, separated away from each other, as a certain point on each rear leg separates away from the core member. An end of the front leg on the opposite side to the core member and ends of the rear legs on the opposite side to the core member are located on positions closer to each other in a folded condition than in a used condition.
US08733782B2	Hinge mechanism, collapsible ascension ski having such a hinge mechanism, and related methods and kits A hinge mechanism includes a first hinge element, a second hinge element, and a locking element. The first and second hinge elements each include a plate portion and a plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another. The pluralities of substantially parallel fingers interlock with one another along a pivot axis such that the first and second hinge elements are rotatable relative to one another about the pivot axis between an extended position and a folded position. The locking element extends substantially parallel to the pivot axis and may be configured to releasably engage a receiving portion in one of the pluralities of substantially parallel fingers when the first and second hinge elements are in the extended position to lock the first and second hinge elements relative to one another. A collapsible ascension ski having such a hinge mechanism as well as related methods and kits are also disclosed.
US08733781B2	Trailer hitch system and method A trailer hitch is disclosed. Said trailer hitch comprises a first bracket assembly, a second bracket assembly, a coupler assembly, and a jack assembly. Said jack assembly is capable of mechanically adjusting first bracket assembly relative to second bracket assembly. Said coupler assembly is capable of releasably attaching to a hitch on a vehicle.
US08733778B2	Arrangement for the transport of wind turbine components A system for the transportation of wind turbine components with a vehicle, especially for the transportation of large wind turbine components, is provided. The vehicle includes at least two wheelsets, a first end frame connected to a first wheelset and a second end frame connected to a second wheelset. The vehicle further includes a support structure for carrying at least one wind turbine component, wherein the support structure is adapted to be detachably connected to the first end frame and/or to the second end frame. Thereby, the wind turbine component is connected solely to the support structure in a fixed but detachable manner.
US08733777B2	Corrugation bellows of a transfer between two pivotably interconnected vehicles A corrugation bellows for a transfer between two articulated vehicles has a plurality of corrugations which are generally U-shaped in cross-section. Two adjacent corrugations are connected together by a frame. The corrugations may have a web interconnecting two limbs, with the web being substantially planar in a substantially neutral state of the bellows. The limbs extend at right angles to the web in a substantially neutral state of the bellows.
US08733776B1	Bumper protection of steering structure A bumper assembly for use on a cycle steering column, comprising in combination a C-shaped gripper sleeve, an elastomeric bumper attached to the sleeve, and having a bumper surface presented outwardly relative to the sleeve, there being adjustable retainer means configured to releasably hold the bumper and sleeve in selected positions, whereby the sleeve is adjustable endwise and rotatably to adjustably position and retain the sleeve to the steering column, with the bumper presented outwardly, in a selected direction, as aforesaid.
US08733774B2	Bicycle rear suspension system with controlled variable shock rate A bicycle comprises a bicycle frame and a rear wheel suspension system that is attached to the frame. The rear wheel suspension system comprises a rear wheel swingarm and a shock absorber that is coupled to the swingarm. A change in vertical wheel travel (ΔVWT) of the rear wheel is related to a change in the length of the shock absorber (ΔSL), providing a shock rate (SR). The shock rate (SR) changes throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel, such that the change in the shock rate dSR/dVWT has a change in sign as the rear wheel travels through its vertical wheel travel. In each case, the rate of change of the shock includes a change in sign, from positive to negative or from negative to positive. In some embodiments, the swingarm may be attached to the frame at a single pivot point or through a linkage system.
US08733764B1	Multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly A multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly utilizes a plurality of baseplates each having one or more sub-jaws pivotably attached thereto. Each baseplate is configured for attachment to, or is part of, the radially movable elements of a lathe chuck. Further, each baseplate has two pivotably attached sub-jaws. Each sub-jaw has two compression and two expansion workpiece gripping surfaces extending generally outwards from the front face of the baseplate: a first tier compression gripping surface, a second tier compression gripping surface, a first tier expansion gripping surface, and a second tier expansion gripping surface. The gripping surfaces each approximate a curved shape that matches the shape of a circle of a given radius allowing the sub-jaws to pivot and self-align to the workpiece surface for maximum surface contact and gripping force. Force-directed serrations can provide additional holding force toward the face of the chuck.
US08733763B2	Gasket assembly having isolated compression limiting device A manifold gasket includes a carrier frame with a plurality of media-conveying openings corresponding to openings communicating between two parts to be clamped, such as an intake manifold and a cylinder head. Elastomeric sealing material is molded to the carrier frame about the openings to seal the openings when clamped. A compression limiting device is disposed on the carrier frame and is isolated from direct contact with the carrier frame by intervening elastomeric bonding material to limit compression of said elastomeric sealing material when the gasket is clamped between the head and block. The elastomeric bonding material renders the compression limiting device free-floating relative to the carrier frame.
US08733762B2	Thermal seal and methods therefor A thermal bulb seal has a bulb portion and a tab portion that is configured to allow welding or other attachment of the bulb seal to the end surface of an insulating structure. Most preferably, the tab portion comprises an angled portion so allow welding of the bulb seal to another insulating structure.
US08733759B1	Matching games and systems for implementing matching games One method of conducting a game includes steps: (a) providing first and second decks of cards; (b) accepting a predetermined number of uniform wagers from players; (c) associating with each wager a predetermined number of cards from the first and second decks; (d) after the predetermined number of wagers are accepted, selecting the predetermined number of cards from the first and second decks; (e) determining whether the cards selected after the predetermined number of wagers are accepted matches exactly the cards associated with any wager; (f) performing steps (d) and (e) without further wagering until cards selected after the predetermined number of wagers are accepted matches the cards associated with any wager; and (g) awarding a payout dependent on the number of wagers accepted, the amount of each wager, and the number of players having cards that match the cards selected after the predetermined number of wagers are accepted.
US08733754B2	Sheet conveying device, sheet feed device and image forming apparatus having the same A sheet sender 21A includes a lift plate 21P, a feed roller 21B and a registration roller 23. A biasing spring 21S applies an upward force onto the lift plate 21P. The lift plate 21P is moved upward by eccentric cams 60 which are arranged at axial ends of the feed roller 21B and rotationally driven by arm protrusions 211 which have come in contact with the eccentric cams 60. A rotational driving force is transmitted to a feed gear 220 and a registration gear 231 from a main gear 70 to rotate the feed roller 21B and the registration roller 23. A gear of the main gear 70 that engages with the feed gear 220 is idly rotatable within a predetermined angle with respect to a gear that engages with the registration roller 23.
US08733753B2	Sheet processing device According to one embodiment, a sheet processing device includes a jogger fence configured to carry out a crosswise direction alignment to a stack of image formed sheets ejected from an image forming apparatus, a rear end fence acting as a lengthwise reference edge, a stapling device configured to staple the aligned sheet stack, a discharge belt configured to move the stapled sheet stack to a sheet ejection tray, and a controller to control movement of the jogger fence during the sheet stack being moved by the discharge belt so as to move the jogger fence more than once between a position where the jogger fence does not contact the edge of the sheet stack and a position where the jogger fence pressing contact the edge of the sheet stack.
US08733752B2	Apparatus and method for producing packs of flexible flat objects The invention proposes a method for operating a print further processing system for producing and processing printed products, in particular for forming stacks or packs of printed product collections comprising completed final printed products such as periodicals and newspapers, which are preferably put together from a main product and a plurality of part products and/or inserts. The printed products are produced in accordance with a predefined production plan and, by means of a stacking device, are processed to form a sequence of packs (S1-S9) of individually predefined size; in order to produce part packs, the processing speed of the parts of the print further processing system that are connected upstream of the stacking device is reduced and, when a threshold value (T) is exceeded, empty positions are formed deliberately in the section of the product sequence allocated to the pack (S). The threshold value (T) is preferably a predefined value of the difference Δ in the size of successive packs (Sn−Sn+1).
US08733748B2	Cart with height adjustable tray A cart includes a frame body, a tray, a driving mechanism, and a transmission mechanism. The frame body includes a top portion, a bottom portion including a number of castors, and a number of connecting bars between the top portion and the bottom portion, which cooperatively defines a receiving space. The tray is configured to support a workpiece and to be slidably received in the receiving space. The transmission mechanism is connected between the tray and the driving mechanism to transmit the power of the driving mechanism to the tray to drive the tray to move in the receiving space.
US08733746B1	Vehicular suspension enhancement A vehicular suspension enhancement that comprises the addition of a pair of cellular polyurethane elastomer cylindrical shaped springs, one located on each side of an axle. Each spring is operatively attached between the axle and the vehicular frame and made from a cast of cellular polyurethane elastomer derived from a polyol diisocyanate mixture containing naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate (NDI)-terminated prepolymer and a polyol selected from the group consisting of polyether polyol, polyester polyol, or a combination thereof.
US08733740B2	Support jack A support jack for supporting semitrailers includes a vertically telescopically displaceable supporting device having an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. A method of assembling such a support jack, in which a spindle nut is connected detachably to the inner sleeve by means of at least one translatory and one rotary joining movement or at least by means of two translatory joining movements.
US08733738B2	Universal platform and aircraft assembly method using the same Disclosed herein are a universal platform and an assembly method of an aircraft using the same. The universal platform includes a plurality of scissor lifts arranged around an aircraft, wherein each of the plural scissor lifts includes a base frame, a support frame located above the base frame, a support table fixedly coupled to an upper portion of the support frame, a plurality of link members axially assembled to be mutually pivoted between the support frame and the base frame, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders coupled to the respective link members and the base frame so as to lift the support frame in upward and downward directions, and a slide member slidably coupled to the support table, and the slide member slides from the support table toward the aircraft so as to allow a worker to work according to height, and there is provided the assembly method of the aircraft using the universal platform, thereby contributing to improvement in productivity and in health of workers.
US08733733B2	Sleeve seal assembly and rotary valve having sleeve seal assembly A fluid flow control device includes a valve body, a bonnet, a control assembly, and a seal assembly. The valve body defines an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a bonnet opening, and a fluid flow path extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The bonnet is disposed in the bonnet opening. The control assembly is at least partly supported by the bonnet, and includes a ball element disposed within the valve body and rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The valve body defines an internal recess at a location downstream from the inlet portion and adjacent the bonnet opening. The seal assembly is disposed within the internal recess and includes a movable sleeve seal, a retaining device, and one or more sealing elements for preventing leakage between the sleeve seal and the retaining device and/or the valve body.
US08733732B2	Pressurized o-ring pole piece seal for a manifold An assembly comprises a manifold and a valve. The manifold has a portion defining a bore having a first end and a second end. The valve is at least partially disposed within the manifold and includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic field; a bobbin configured to house the coil; a pole piece located near the bobbin; and a housing. The pole piece includes a first end configured for insertion into the bore of the manifold; a circumferentially extending groove located near the first end of the pole piece; an o-ring disposed in the circumferentially extending groove; and a radially outwardly extending flange located near the circumferentially extending groove that is configured to engage both the portion of the manifold defining the first end of the bore and the bobbin. The housing includes a tab configured to fasten the valve to the manifold.
US08733731B2	Valve device A valve device includes an oil path that is formed such that a hydraulic fluid flows therethrough, a ball valve that opens and closes the oil path, and a contraction-type PVC gel actuator including a plurality of planar cathode plates, a plurality of mesh-like anode plates, and PVC gel layers. The cathode plates and the anode plates are alternately stacked one on top of the other with the PVC gel layers sandwiched therebetween. With expansion or contraction deformation of the contraction-type PVC gel actuator, the ball valve is driven so as to close or open the oil path. The cathode plates and the anode plates included in the contraction-type PVC gel actuator are interconnected using the belt-like wiring portions. Thus, an integrated unit of the plurality of cathode plates and an integrated unit of the plurality of anode plates are formed.
US08733728B2	Formwork clamp A formwork clamp comprising: a lower elongate support member having a head portion and a tail portion, the head portion adapted for attachment to a lower portion of formwork, an upper elongate support member having a head portion and a tail portion, the lower elongate support member and the upper elongate support member being attached relative to each other and movable relative to each other between a collapsed position where the lower elongate member is more towards or against the upper elongate member, and an extended use position where the head portion of the upper elongate member is spaced away from the lower elongate member, a mounting member attached to or forming part of the head portion of the upper elongate support member, the mounting member being attachable to an upper portion of the formwork, the upper elongate support member being adjustable in length, and anchor means to enable the formwork clamp to be anchored to the ground.
US08733727B2	Connector for connecting perpendicular formwork panels in a formwork assembly A connector for connecting formwork panels in a formwork assembly comprises a first elongate portion having triangular cross-section, a second elongate in sliding contact with the first elongate portion, and a third elongate portion in sliding contact with the first elongate portion. A guiding device is coupling the first elongate portion, the second elongate portion, and the third elongate portion. An actuator drives movement of the second elongate portion and third movement along the guiding device. The second elongate portion and the third elongate portion are movable toward and away from each. The second and third elongate portions also each being movable relative to the first elongate portion.
US08733726B2	Compressor mounting system A mounting system for an industrial compression system including a first component close-coupled to a second component includes a first support for the first component. The first support is configured to resist movement of the first component in a first direction substantially horizontal relative to the first component, a second direction substantially vertical relative to the first component, and an axial direction relative to the first component. The mounting system also includes a second support for the second component. The second support is configured to resist movement of the second component in a first direction substantially horizontal relative to the second component and a second direction substantially vertical relative to the second component, wherein the second support permits movement of the second component in an axial direction relative to the second component.
US08733724B2	One-piece plastic clamping device for holder for beverage containers A one-piece clamping device for a cup holder retains beverage containers in an automotive vehicle. The cup holder comprises a container receptacle with a base and an outer casing. The one-piece clamping device comprises retaining jaws which may be radially pushed away and which protrude through the outer casing into the container receptacle. Spring elements, such as spring arms, are arranged integrally on a support element which is further arranged on the base of the container receptacle. The spring elements are configured as a dual-acting flexible arm arrangement.
US08733718B2	Non-invasive roof mounting adaptor and method for installing same A mounting adapter for attaching an object to a flat surface includes an anchor plate having a plurality of first apertures extending therethrough. Each first aperture is configured to receive a first elongated fastener having a length sufficient to fasten to a support structure located beneath the surface for attaching the anchor plate thereto. A plurality of threaded apertures is formed in the anchor plate. A cover plate is positioned over the anchor plate and has a plurality of third apertures that align with the plurality of threaded apertures in the anchor plate. A threaded fastener extends through each third aperture and is threadedly engaged with the second threaded apertures of the anchor plate for securely attaching the cover plate to the anchor plate. One or more fourth apertures are formed in the cover plate and configured to receive a third fastener for attaching the object to the mounting adapter.
US08733715B2	Ski boat pylon mount An apparatus is provided for mounting a video recording device to the pylon of a ski boat such that the video recording device tracks the motion of the skier during a ski run in response to movement of the ski rope.
US08733713B1	Auto-folding tray support An auto-folding tray support having a central column, a lower portion of the column being slidable in a central lower member, at least three support legs each pivotally connected at a respective mid-section to the central column above the lower member, a rigid link associated with each leg, each link being pivotally connected adjacent opposite ends of the link to the lower member and to a lower part of a respective leg, pivot connections of the links being arranged such that said lower parts of the legs are automatically spread from the central column when the central column is lowered into the lower member and are automatically drawn towards the central column when the central column is lifted relative to the lower member.
US08733710B1	Clamp display system The specification and drawing figures describe and illustrate a clamp display system for displaying one or more articles on being removably fastened to a structural element.
US08733709B2	Two shot tube retention fastener with anti material peeling feature A tube retention fastener includes a polymeric material body having first and second walls and a semi-circular sleeve defining a longitudinal cavity. First and second deflecting wings individually connected to one of the first or second walls are directed toward a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal cavity in a non-deflected condition. An elastically resilient material isolation member includes a first portion fixed to the semi-circular sleeve, and first and second contact ends fixed to the first and second deflecting wings. Isolation member free extending portions are positioned and freely extend between the first portion and the contact ends. First and second wing receiving cavities are created between the deflecting wings and the first and second walls in the non-deflected condition. The deflecting wings, the contact ends and the free extending portions elastically deflect into one of the wing receiving cavities when a tube is positioned between the deflecting wings.
US08733691B2	Split pivot fitting for helicopter landing gear A multi-piece pivot fitting for use on aircraft with skid type landing gear has a forward fitting, and aft fitting, and at least a lower strap. This configuration allows cross tube loads to be transferred to the keel beams of the aircraft, thereby allowing selected longitudinal rocking of the aircraft and preventing the aircraft from going into a resonance state.
US08733688B2	Aircraft leading edge An aircraft leading edge, such as, for example, an air intake (22) of a nacelle (14) of a propulsion unit, includes a coating (26) for the acoustic treatment that includes—from the outside to the inside—an acoustically resistive porous layer that has a determined open surface ratio, at least one alveolar structure, and a reflective layer, whereby the coating (26) integrates a frost treatment system, characterized in that a frost treatment system includes at least one vibration emitter (36).
US08733687B2	Alternative apparatus for reducing web feed rate variations induced by parent roll geometry variations An apparatus is disclosed for reducing feed rate variations when unwinding a web material. The apparatus includes a rotational position and speed determining device for determining the rotational position and speed of the parent roll, a drive system for imparting rotational movement to the parent roll, a device for measuring the radius of the parent roll, and a logic device. The logic device generates an ideal speed reference signal and utilizes calculated and measured data to establish a corrected speed reference signal to make adjustments in the driving speed based upon the corrected speed reference signal to maintain a relatively constant feed rate. By dividing the parent roll into 1, 2, . . . n sectors, the data can be refined to a relatively high degree taking into account high speed data processing capabilities as well as operating system response times to make appropriate driving speed adjustments.
US08733684B2	Collapsible spool holder This invention is a new portable and collapsible fishing line spool holder that can be hung from a fishing rod eyelet to permit the winding of the fishing line from the spool onto the fishing rod's reel. The present invention avoids common problems of twisting and line tension during transfer from spool to reel. Moreover, the present invention is collapsible, simple to load, and easily transportable.
US08733682B2	Shredding device The present invention relates to a shredding device for shredding material, comprising a material charging compartment in which the material to be shredded can be loaded; a rotor; and a pusher device having a pusher and a drive device for the pusher, wherein the pusher is pivotable about an axis such that it presses the material to be shredded towards the rotor, and wherein the pusher remains completely within the material charging compartment during operation.
US08733675B2	Converging spray showerhead Showerheads with two or more nozzles configured to deliver water streams that converge at one or more regions. Prior to convergence, the converging water streams may generally retain a recognizable shape determined by the type of nozzle. Upon convergence, at least portions of the converging water streams may substantially disperse into multiple individual water droplets. The nozzles, or a face plate or other components joining the nozzles to a showerhead, may be selectively movable to selectively move the region or regions of convergence closer to or further away from the showerhead, or to convert the nozzles from delivering converging streams to delivering non-converging streams or vice versa. Some showerheads may further include other nozzles for delivering water from the showerhead in other modes, such a high pressure mode, a pulsating mode, a mist mode, and so on.
US08733674B2	Body spray nozzle A compact body spray nozzle is disclosed that includes a spray face that can be tilted to suit the requirements of the bather. The spray face is coupled to a spray body housing that is tiltable about the exterior surface of an internal stem driver ball. The stem driver ball is also coupled to a ceramic disk valve, and flow to the spray face through the ceramic disk valve is controlled by rotating the stem driver ball. An internal key index can be used to select a range of flow from the ceramic disk valve.
US08733665B2	Riser segment RFID tag mounting system and method A system, in certain embodiments, includes a riser segment including a flange disposed on a longitudinal end of the riser segment. The system also includes a recess disposed within an outer circumferential surface of the flange. The recess extends along an axial direction from a mating surface of the flange. The system further includes a transmitter disposed within the recess.
US08733664B2	Apparatus and method for supplying an RFID component with energy An apparatus for supplying an RFID component with energy includes an antenna and an energy store. The energy store stores energy induced into the antenna by an alternating electromagnetic field during a first time interval. In addition, the energy store supplies the RFID component with stored energy in order to maintain its functionality during a later, second time interval if an energy induced by an alternating electromagnetic field during the later, second time interval is not sufficient for supplying the RFID component.
US08733663B2	Mobile phone containing contactless payment card used in transit fare collection An apparatus such as a mobile phone includes a contactless smart card or payment device, where the smart card is intended for use in both commerce transaction payment and transit fare payment (or other venue access) environments. The payment device may function as both an electronic wallet for commerce transactions and as a transit system card, for access to and fare payment of transit services. Implementation of both functions may be achieved by use of a dynamic memory management system that permits data for both the payment and transit applications to be stored on the card, with the transit data and storage locations isolated from those used to store data intended for use in paying for commerce transactions. The transit application specific data may include access control data (keys, passwords, identification data) or data required for fare calculations (rates, historical data on system use), for example.
US08733659B2	Arrangement for and method of regulating laser output power in electro-optical readers In an electro-optical reader, an aiming or a scanning laser has a laser chip and a monitor photodiode. Output power of a laser beam emitted by the laser is regulated by a feedback circuit for maintaining substantially constant the laser beam output power during normal operation, a disabling circuit for disabling the feedback circuit, a drive circuit for driving the chip with a drive current when the feedback circuit is disabled, and for concomitantly generating a photodiode output voltage, a current modification circuit for modifying the drive current by a predetermined current with a concomitant change in the photodiode output voltage when the feedback circuit is disabled, and a control circuit for monitoring the change in the photodiode output voltage, for determining whether the change in the photodiode output voltage is sufficient to indicate an over-power condition, and for interrupting power to the chip when the over-power condition is indicated.
US08733657B2	Barcode device Bar codes used for various applications. A bar code can be used for biometrics, or for computer data entry. A special bar code is described that has additional information, but can be read by other readers.
US08733656B2	Code and part associating method and apparatus An apparatus for associating codes on parts with part spaces on a conveyor wherein each part has a leading edge and a trailing edge that define a part space and each part is to be marked with at least one code, the apparatus comprising an area scan camera having a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the camera supported adjacent the conveyor so that parts conveyed by the conveyor pass through the FOV, a processor linked to the area scan camera, the processor programmed to perform the steps of receiving images from the area scan camera, identifying the locations of codes on parts in at least one of the images wherein a code located is a located code, identifying the locations of leading and trailing edges of parts wherein the leading and trailing edges define part spaces and associating each located code with a part space that includes the location of the located code.
US08733649B2	Data matrix decoding chip and decoding method thereof An exemplary Data Matrix barcode decoding chip, comprising: a characteristic searching unit configured for searching for a characteristic pattern in the barcode image to determine pixel coordinates of the characteristic pattern; a barcode parameter acquiring unit configured for acquiring a barcode parameter according to the pixel coordinates of the characteristic pattern; a correction characteristic acquiring unit configured for searching for a characteristic position in the barcode image and acquiring a correction characteristic according to the characteristic position; a module information processing unit configured for calculating a grayscale value corresponding to a module according to the barcode parameter and the correction characteristic; a binarizing unit configured for binarizing the module; a codeword extracting unit configured for extracting a codeword according to the binarized module; and an error correction and decoding unit configured for decoding the codeword.
US08733648B2	Smart phone casing and information exchange system The embodiments of the present invention relate to a smart phone casing and information exchange system which enables a user to carry a single system that merges the digital and telecommunications necessities of the individual with the personalized cards, membership accounts, consumer credit and/or medical insurance or health information in a single source protected both physically with a hardened case, and digitally with appropriate safeguards for electronic protection.
US08733647B2	Sight The invention relates to a method of determining a replacement distance when taking aim on a target (2) with a target distance D (6) and an elevation angle α (5) between a line of sight (4) to the target (2) and a horizontal plane (3) with a weapon (9) in order to fire projectiles with an approximately flat trajectory. The replacement distance is determined from the target distance D (6) by means of a correction function, and the correction function is determined exclusively from non-ballistic characteristic values and at least as a function of the target distance D (6) and the difference in angle between the elevation angle α (5) and the shooting angle.
US08733645B2	Unified transportation payment system Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic payment system and more particularly to a unified transportation payment system. In one embodiment, a passenger uses a card which has been set up for use within the transportation system to pay transportation costs. The card contains data including information representing a monetary value. The passenger uses the card at a card reader located at the transportation center. The card reader includes an application programming interface (API) which receives the data read from the card including information representing the monetary value stored on the card. The monetary value is adjusted by assessing an amount corresponding to a value associated with the transaction.
US08733640B1	Secure card Systems and methods for monetary cards are described. The cards are free from personally identifiable data, e.g., no name or embossment. In an example, the card includes a first number that activates the card and a second number written to the card at activation away from the card manufacturer. This helps prevent theft at the manufacturer. This second account is a bearer account where anyone who knows the account number can withdraw the funds from the account. The account may be funded with either the account number or the authentication number.
US08733636B2	Method and apparatus for money transfer A staged bill payment transaction method comprises receiving transaction information from a user terminal at a kiosk, building a staging record at a data center in communication with the kiosk, and providing a retrieval key to the sender. The transaction information includes sender and biller information, for example where the sender has an account with the biller. The staging record comprises the transaction information and the retrieval key, which identifies the staging record for finalizing the transaction. If the retrieval key leads to the staging record at the data center, the staged bill payment transaction proceeds to credit a send amount to biller. If not, the transaction is rejected.
US08733632B2	Mobile subscriber device for financial transaction tokens There is provided a mobile subscriber unit for a financial transaction token. The subscriber unit interfaces with a financial token or card that is in communication with the subscriber unit. The financial token or card has an onboard energy source so that the card token may operate away from proximity to a merchant terminal (e.g.; a POS terminal). In one implementation, the onboard power storage device includes a rechargeable battery or capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that stores sufficient energy to power the subscriber unit's onboard electronics and/or the electronics of a financial token in communication with the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit may be a component of another consumer device such as a computing device, communications device, an item of clothing, an item of jewelry, a cell phone, a PDA, an identification card, a money holder, a wallet, a purse, a briefcase, or a personal organizer.
US08733627B2	Money receptacles and mechanical coin banks Money receptacles and mechanical coin banks for storing coins, bills, and the like are presented herein. A money receptacle is disclosed which includes an elongated stand projecting from a support base, and a lever attached to the stand. A first storage receptacle is attached proximate a first end of the lever. The first storage receptacle has a first hollow compartment with an opening through which coins, bills, or both, can be passed into the first compartment. A second storage receptacle is attached proximate a second end of the lever opposite the first end. The second storage receptacle has a second hollow compartment with an opening through which coins, bills, or both, can be passed into the second compartment.
US08733623B2	Carrying handle for a carton A carton (12) includes a first wall (22) and a second wall (20). The first wall (22) includes a first edge (21) and a second edge (23) that are opposed to one another. The first wall (22) and the second wall (20) are adjoined along the first edge (21). The carton (12) includes a handle (30). The handle (30) includes a handle opening (80) that is elongated along a longitudinal axis that extends transversely to the first edge (21). The handle opening (80) is configured to be engaged no closer to the second edge (23) than to the first edge (21).
US08733621B2	Method for manufacturing a container of paper material, particularly for foodstuffs A method of manufacturing containers of paper material for foodstuffs, in particular pastries, wherein the container comprises a single sheet portion of flexible paper material defining a flat bottom wall and a side wall emerging from the bottom wall. The container has a side wall comprising, in section, at least one curvilinear stretch (10) for defining a rounded or convex conformation of the side wall. The method contemplates a first step for making the bottom wall (2) provided with an upper surface (2a) and a lower surface (2b), and a side wall (3) emerging from the bottom wall (2) in such a manner that in cooperation with said bottom wall it defines a holding region (21) whose bottom consists of said lower surface (2b), and a second step of overturning the side wall on the opposite side relative to the bottom wall (2) for defining a cavity (7) having an upwards facing opening in the normal use position of the container.
US08733619B2	Nickel-base radiant tube and method for making the same Nickel-base radiant tube includes straight and curved elbow tube sections. The straight tube section has constant inner and outer radii. The elbow tube section has a constant inner radius and variable outer radius. The inner diameter of the elbow tube section is equal the inner radius of the straight tube section. Mating end portion of the elbow tube section has an outer radius equal to the outer radius of the straight tube section. Method for making the radiant tube comprises the steps of positioning a mating end portion of the straight tube section adjacent to and aligned with the mating end portion of the elbow tube section so that end faces of the straight and elbow tube sections face each other to define a circumferentially extending weld groove, and butt welding the mating end portions of the straight and elbow tube sections together at the weld groove.
US08733618B1	Methods of coupling parts of vascular treatment systems Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measurable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.
US08733617B2	Robotic high density welding body shop A method and apparatus for managing the delivery of component parts and tooling to a robotic welding assembly positioned on a motor vehicle body assembly line. Automatic guided vehicles deliver component parts from a source of parts to a parts staging area on the robotic welding assembly including a substage awaiting area, a substage in-use area and a substage empty area, and further automatic guided vehicles deliver tooling from a tooling management area to the robotic welding assembly whereafter the tooling, upon model changeover, is moved to a tooling use area proximate the assembly line whereafter, upon further model changeover, the tooling is removed from the tooling use area and loaded onto an automatic guided vehicle for return to the tooling management area.
US08733616B2	Loaded surgical stapler The present invention relates to a surgical stapler loaded with at least two sets of surgical fasteners (405, 406) of different types that are delivered in a pre-established order. The invention also relates to a surgical kit comprising such a surgical stapler and a textile prosthesis.
US08733615B2	Circular stapler with frictional reducing member A circular stapling instrument is provided which includes a reciprocating drive shaft and a firing bar. The reciprocating drive shaft has a first engagement member at a tip of the reciprocating drive shaft and a threaded adjustment member at a base of the reciprocating drive shaft. The firing bar is movably connected at a first end with a firing trigger and movably connected at a second end with a stapling head assembly through a second engagement member. The firing bar forms a first engagement surface which faces a respective second engagement surface formed on the reciprocating drive shaft. The circular stapling instrument also includes a frictional reducing member located in between the first and second engagement surfaces in order to reduce friction between the reciprocating drive shaft and the firing bar.
US08733614B2	End effector identification by mechanical features According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a tool assembly, the loading adapted to be coupled to the body portion. The instrument also includes a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit and a load switch coupled to a microcontroller. The load switch is adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion.
US08733613B2	Staple cartridge A staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staples positioned within a cartridge body, wherein the cartridge body can comprise a tissue-contacting deck and a plurality of ridges extending from the tissue-contacting deck. The ridges can be configured to prevent, or reduce the possibility of, tissue from moving relative to the staple cartridge during use. The staple cartridge can further comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity can comprise an opening in the deck which is at least partially surrounded by a ridge. The ridges can comprise a uniform height or a height which varies along the length thereof. The height can vary relative to a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge body and/or between the center of the cartridge body and the side.
US08733612B2	Safety method for powered surgical instruments The present disclosure provides for a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a handle portion and a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument includes an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end. The articulating tool assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion and is configured to be articulated with respect to the body portion, namely, the articulating tool assembly is movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly.
US08733608B2	Side-by-side multi-strip magazine for fastener driving tool A magazine assembly for a fastener driving tool having a nosepiece defining a fastener passageway includes an inner mobile member at least partially defining at least first and second chambers for receiving fasteners, and an outer stationary member at least partially surrounding the inner mobile member and engageable relative to the nosepiece. The inner mobile member is movable relative to the outer stationary member in a direction transverse to fastener travel in the magazine assembly.
US08733607B2	Staple remover An automatic staple remover in a gun-shaped housing comprises a trigger that engages a series of levers and one or more springs that ultimately engage a rotating tumbler. Alternatively, the trigger engages an electric motor and gears, or a pneumatic motor and lever arrangement, or a combination of levers and motors to engage the rotating tumbler. Around the perimeter of the tumbler are one or more teeth capable of sliding under a staple. Positioned below the tumbler a removable receptacle catches removed staples. Additionally, the automatic staple remover can include stapler components side-by-side in the same housing that can be engaged by a common trigger. Stapler components comprise a series of levers and springs, a blade assembly, and a plurality of staples in a sleeve. Alternatively, stapler components can include pneumatic motor components or electric motor components.
US08733595B2	Refrigerator with beverage dispenser cleaning system A refrigerator is provided which includes a cabinet. A first compartment and second compartment are disposed within the cabinet. A first door provides access to the first compartment and a second door provides access to the second compartment. A beverage dispensing system is disposed within the cabinet. The beverage dispensing system has a fluid line, a fluid enhancement line, and a cleaning subsystem for cleaning the fluid component line and the fluid enhancement line.
US08733590B2	Fuel or DEF dispenser having fluid temperature conditioning and control system A fluid dispenser has a housing in which fluid flow control components are located and a fluid conduit completing a fluid flow path between a fluid storage tank and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The fluid dispenser further has a control system, at least one controllable valve and a fluid flow meter located along the fluid flow path. The fluid dispenser further has a fluid temperature conditioning subsystem located along the fluid flow path upstream of the flow meter. The control system selectively operates the fluid temperature conditioning subsystem upon detection of a predetermined temperature. At least one controllable recirculation valve may also be provided, and the control system may selectively actuate the controllable recirculation valve such that the fluid flows back to the fluid storage tank. A method of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in the fluid dispenser is also disclosed.
US08733588B2	Air assisted severance of viscous fluid stream Methods and apparatus for dispensing flowable fluids, particularly those which are high viscosity by passing a stream of fluid through an elongate discharge passageway and injecting air into the fluid stream to initiate severing of the stream between an inner portion inward of the injected air and an outer portion outward of the injected air.
US08733585B2	Folding container lid A lid can be configured to removably attach to a container. The lid can include multiple lid portions can open independently of each other. A first lid portion can open while a second lid portion remains closed and coupled to the container. Similarly, the second lid portion can open while the first lid portion remains closed and coupled to the container. A junction can joint the first and second lid portions and can enable pivoting of the lid so that the first and second lid portions can hingedly move with respect to each other.
US08733583B2	Cup lid for beverages with foam A lid for a beverage cup includes an annular mounting portion to removably, sealingly, engage the open lip of a round beverage cup; a raised annular ridge inset from the mounting portion extending from a first end to a second end; a central portion spanning the annulus and including an aroma aperture at the center; a dispensing portion spanning between the annular ridge first end and second end including a front flat portion, a sloped dispensing aperture surface, and a dispensing aperture disposed on the sloped surface, the dispensing aperture comprising a triangle with rounded corners having a base proximate and parallel to the intersection edge and an apex proximate the upper edge; and, the raised annular ridge and dispensing portion defining a continuous containment surrounding the central portion.
US08733582B2	Drinking assembly with integral straw A cup (22) includes a base (26) and a wall (30) with an integral straw (36). A lid (24) includes a flange (52) for mating with the cup (22) to establish an assembled position of the drinking assembly (20). The lid (24) defines an orifice (66) aligned with the integral straw (36) in the assembled position, and a flexible straw (68) is disposed within the orifice (66). The flexible straw (68) has a nipple portion (70) extending to an inlet end (72) disposed in abutting relationship with the integral straw (36) in the assembled position to establish a compression fit between the flexible straw (68) and the integral straw (36). The lid (24) is also stackable with identical lids (24) and includes a cavity (60) extending between first and second ends (62, 64). The orifice (66) is disposed about one of the ends (64) and the cavity (60) has an open portion (90) disposed about the other of the ends (62) for receiving a nipple portion (70) of the identical lid (24) being stacked in alternating relationship.
US08733579B2	Fast draining water holding tank An improvement to a collapsible liquid holding tank includes a chute which extends outwardly from an opening in one of the tank side walls. The chute is formed by a bottom panel and side walls of collapsible material, the bottom panel perimeter being reinforced by a hinged frame which swings between “vertical” and “horizontal” conditions in which the opening is “closed” and “opened,” respectively. A clamp hinged on the top rail of the tank secures the chute in the “closed” condition in which the bottom panel of the chute extends across the opening. To drain the tank, the clamp is rotated clear of the frame and the chute is swung to the “opened” condition by the weight of the liquid in the tank.
US08733575B2	Food processor bowl cover dynamic sealing assembly A food processor bowl 1 has a pouring lip 2, a sidewall 4, a handle 5, a floor 6 and bowl neck 7 with an opening 3. The bowl 1 has an upper rim 8 and pair of hinge slots 9, 10 adapted to receive corresponding hinge pins 17, 18 that are attached to the cover 13. The bowl neck 7 is adapted to receive a driven motor shaft (not shown) through its opening 3. A conventional blade assembly (not shown) is mounted to the driven shaft to rotate therewith in order to chop and mix food product.
US08733573B2	Receptacle formed of a folded sheet metal blank A receptacle is formed by folding a single sheet metal blank to define a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls. The walls are joined to one another at each corner of two adjacent walls by providing a mounting tab foldable relative to one of the wall and a tongue on the other wall to receive and retain the mounting tab by interlocking connection of mating connections. Apertures for hooking the receptacle on a wall are located in the rear wall in alignment with corresponding apertures in the mounting tabs at the rear for increased strength. Each mounting tab includes a first portion which interlocks with the tongue and a second portion which is considerably longer than the first portion to redirect forces which might otherwise tend to urge the tongues to release the mounting tabs therefrom.
US08733572B2	Box for packaging and transporting products A box for packaging and transporting products essentially made from plastic, designed to contain, within, different products, such as fruit and vegetables. The box includes a lightweight supporting structure and a package made up by a laminar body that is placed against the inside or outside of the lateral walls and base of the supporting structure, the laminar body being connected to at least one of the elements that make up the supporting structure.
US08733570B1	Stackable storage containers with connecting latches A modular storage container for articles according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a floor panel, a plurality of stackable side walls constructed and arranged to be connectable to the floor panel, a plurality of stackable end walls constructed and arranged to be connectable to the floor panel, and a plurality of stackable corner members constructed and arranged to be connectable adjacent one edge to a side wall and adjacent an opposite edge to an end wall, wherein each side wall and each end wall defining a wall end opening and each corner member having a mounting hole surrounded by a cylindrical boss, each cylindrical boss being constructed and arranged to fit within a corresponding wall end opening.
US08733568B2	Spillproof container assemblies A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body. In addition, the wing portions of the lid body are designed to slightly interfere with and cam over respective upper platforms on the wing portions of the container body so that a user will be provided with a tactical feedback as a lid body is approaching an optimal amount of tightness with respect to the container body.
US08733567B1	Bottle capping assembly A bottle capping assembly including a “C” member having an upper arm, a lower arm, a stem section extending between the upper and lower arms, and having a laterally opening concavity formed by the arms and stem; a ceiling member, the ceiling member incorporating the “C” member's lower arm; and a frangible channel incorporated operatively into the ceiling member, the frangible channel being adapted for, upon an application of an upward force to the “C” member's upper arm, segmenting the ceiling member to form a fluid outlet port; the assembly further including a cylindrical wall fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the ceiling member.
US08733566B2	Tamper evidence means for a closure and a tamper evident closure The invention concerns a tamper evidence and locking means for a closure and a tamper evident closure. The tamper evidence and locking means indicate initial opening and allow relocking the closure after initial opening.
US08733565B1	Nipple closure having flow control valve A nipple assembly is removably attachable to a baby bottle via a retainer ring and comprises a nipple having a flow aperture through one end, and a nipple flange structured to support the nipple. A flow control valve assembly is mounted to the nipple flange and extends inwardly from an inner surface of the nipple flange, the flow control valve assembly is structured to allow pressures to equilibrate between the inside and outside of the baby bottle, without allowing fluid to leak therethrough. A training cup spout assembly is removably attachable to a cup and comprises a spout having a spout channel extending therethrough. The spout channel has a dual valve assembly mounted therein to permit flow for drinking, as well as to prevent leakage of fluid from the cup. A flow control valve assembly may be mounted to the training cup spout assembly to permit pressure equilibration.
US08733560B2	ULT cable support system A cable rack arm and support system suitable for underground power and communication service is made from reinforced non-metallic polymers that will not rust or corrode. A cable rack arm up to thirty inches long may be compression molded with long glass fibers in a polyester or vinylester matrix. Each cable rack arm is securely mounted to a non-metallic stanchion that may be made from a reinforced, pultruded composite material. Nonmetallic pins may be used to secure the cable rack arms to the stanchions. Each cable rack arm then supports one or more cables in cable saddles that are snap-fit atop the arm, thus keeping the cables accessibly organized in a manhole, tunnel or vault. Each saddle may include elastomeric dampening material to reduce shock and vibration in the mechanical and electrical environment in underground tunnels, vaults and manholes.
US08733556B2	Method for reducing performance variability of multi-layer filters Multi-layer membrane devices with reduced performance variability, and method of reducing performance variability of such devices. The variability is reduced by combining two or more membranes with similar pore sizes, and carefully selecting the upstream membrane based upon its performance rating, in order to control the performance of the overall device. Selective layering reduces the capacity range of the device when compared to random layering, with the mean capacity greater than overall population mean. The flux range also can be reduced, with the mean near the overall population mean. The LRV range also can be reduced, with the mean LRV near or higher than the overall population mean.
US08733553B2	Sheet processing apparatus In a sheet processing apparatus which checks sheets and sorts the sheets for a plurality of cassettes on the basis of the check result and conditions for the sheets which are assigned to the respective cassettes, conditions for sheets such as bill types and bill states which are assigned to the respective cassettes are displayed on a display unit. When an instruction to save these setting contents is issued while a cassette and conditions for sheets which are displayed on the display unit are selected, the selected conditions for sheets are assigned to the selected cassette.
US08733551B2	Medical equipment storage and transportation kit A kit for the storage and transportation of medical equipment (31) following processing or use thereof contains, as its principal component, a tray (10) defined by a base (12) and surrounding walls (13, 14). The tray (10) has at least one fold line (19) formed in the base and/or walls (13, 14), thereby to facilitate compaction of said tray (10) for disposal. Optional further components of the kit include: a tray line (28); a protective cover (34) adapted to be detachably secured to the tray (10); a lid (23) adapted to engage with the walls (13, 14) of the tray (10); and an oxygen-impermeable container (37) adapted to receive said tray (10) therewithin.
US08733550B2	Nesting container lids with snap on wings Stackable lids for a container each include a top surface facing generally in a first direction and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and facing generally in a second direction. Pivotable wing portions extend from each side edge of the lid and each pivotable wing portion is joined to its respective side edge by a hinge. The wing portions are moveable between engaged and disengaged positions, and an inner surface of each wing includes a tab member configured for detent engagement with a rim of the container. The lid also includes corner portions extending between the side edges. Each corner portion includes a skirt portion extending generally in the second direction. Each corner portion also defines a recessed shoulder configured to receive the skirt portion of another when the lids are stacked.
US08733547B2	Cassette for accomodating substrates A cassette for accommodating substrates, the cassette including; a cassette main body for accommodating a plurality of substrates, the cassette main body having an open side; a door detachably coupled to the open side for optionally sealing the cassette main body; a pin unit disposed on the door and configured to be coupled to the cassette main body; and a magnetic portion on the door for coupling the door with the cassette main body according to movement of the pin unit.
US08733546B2	Apparatus for storing hand tools A hand tool-holding apparatus includes a frame and a storage element located in the frame. The storage element includes at least one chamber defined therein, at least one aperture in communication with the chamber, and at least one elastic tab formed in the chamber. A tool can be inserted in the chamber via the aperture and kept there by the elastic tab.
US08733543B2	Environmentally friendly fuel gas within a refillable and non-corrosive gas cylinder An article is provided that can be used as a heating source for various applications. The article includes an environmentally friendly gaseous fuel mixture within a gas cylinder that is both non-corrosive and refillable. More specifically, the gaseous fuel mixture contains hydrogen and methane. Methods of using the article as a heating source are also provided.
US08733540B2	Excited frame vibratory conveyor An excited frame vibratory conveyor is described and which includes a base frame; a motor mount made integral and with the base frame; a pair of vibratory motors mounted on the motor mount; and an electrical circuit for energizing the pair of vibratory motors in a fashion which reduces movement of the base frame in a vertical direction.
US08733539B2	Vibratory feeder for conveying components A vibration feeding apparatus comprises a receptacle for holding and conveying components, and first and second linear motors coupled to the receptacle. The first and second linear motors are spaced from each other and have respective coils that are aligned parallel to each other. The first and second linear motors are operative to be driven at a first operation mode whereby to impart rotary vibration to the receptacle, and at a second operation mode whereby to impart linear vibration to the receptacle.
US08733537B2	Guiding apparatus that maintains attitude of suspended object during conveyance A guiding apparatus includes a hanger line that continuously conveys hangers that are suspended from the hanger line at predetermined intervals and a guide unit installed in the line and driven in synchronization with the line while holding at least one of the objects, thereby maintaining the attitude of the object and guiding the attitude maintained object along the line.
US08733533B1	Mobile material elevator on wheels A roof loading device delivers materials such as shingles to a roof from the ground. The device includes a platform and a conveyor coupled to the platform. The conveyor has a first end pivotally coupled to the platform and a second end positionable in spaced relationship from the platform wherein the second end is configured for being positioned over a surface of a roof. A motivator is operationally coupled to the conveyor wherein the conveyor is configured for moving an object on the conveyor from the first end of the conveyor towards the second end of the conveyor.
US08733524B2	Driving system for bicycle hub A bicycle hub driving system includes a hub with a socket unit connected thereto. An axle unit extends through the hub and the socket unit. A clutch driving device is located between the ratchet unit and the hub. The clutch driving device includes a clutch unit, a driving unit and a driving member located between the clutch unit and the driving unit. The clutch unit includes a first ratchet portion on the ratchet unit and a second ratchet portion on the driving member. The driving unit includes first driving teeth on the hub and second driving teeth on the driving member. By the linear movement of the riving member between the first driving teeth and the first ratchet portion, the first and second ratchet portions are engaged with each other or disengaged from each other to co-rotate the hub and the socket unit in one direction.
US08733514B2	Electronic wedge brake apparatus The present invention makes it possible to increase safety of parts and ensure durability and smooth operability in braking by increasing axial stiffness of a motor while keeping the spring effect of connecting springs driving an upper wedge with force from the motor.
US08733513B2	Disk brake Provided is a disk brake in which a rotation control part for controlling relative rotation of a cartridge and a cylinder of a parking brake mechanism is formed at the cartridge and includes convex parts having curved surfaces and concave parts formed at the cylinder and having curved surfaces, and a spacer formed of stainless steel, resiliently fitted into an inner circumference of the cylinder and including arc part having the same shape as the concave parts is disposed between the convex parts and the concave parts.
US08733509B2	Multiple input voltage hoist system A suspension work platform hoist system powered by an input power source for raising a work platform on a rope. The system includes a hoist having a motor that drives a traction mechanism designed to cooperate with the rope, and a reactive power reducing input power system in electrical communication with the motor and the constant frequency input power source. The reactive power reducing input power system includes an AC-DC converter and a regulator system, wherein the regulator system is in electrical communication with a DC-AC inverter that is in electrical communication with the motor. The system may include an isolation system to electrically isolate the DC-AC inverter from the motor when the DC-AC inverter is not transmitting power to the motor. The system may accept multiple alternating current voltage sources including both single phase and three phase sources.
US08733508B2	Scissor lift assembly A lift assembly includes a base and a platform at a relatively greater distance from the base in an extended state than in a contracted state. The lift assembly includes a pair of scissor arms with each arm having opposed first and second ends, and pivotably connected to each other about a central axis. The lift assembly includes a drive screw mechanism including a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, and further includes a drive motor, a block, and a collar. The lift assembly further includes first and second pairs of links. Each link has opposed first and second ends and an edge facing away from the central axis and defining a recess in the link. The collar and block are spaced from the central axis and indirectly coupled to the pair of scissor arms through a pair of links.
US08733507B2	Multicar zoned elevator system An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in each elevator shaft of the system. The elevator shaft may include a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.
US08733503B2	Safety attachment for ladder An extension ladder stabilizer includes a ladder rung engagement rod having threads along at least a portion of its length and configured to be disposed in and project from each end of a hollow tubular rung of an extension ladder, a pair of internal supports having a substantially gear shaped hole in each, a pair of external supports having a substantially gear shaped boss with a through hole on a first face and an anchor channel on a second face opposite the first face on each, and a pair of ground engagement members. In a ladder stabilizing configuration, the extension ladder stabilizer is installed on a ladder and the ground engagement members are passed through the anchor channels and into the ground to secure the ladder from side slipping, kicking back, and kicking over when in use.
US08733499B2	Supporting structure for an anti-noise barrier wherein foundations and lifting post are realized in a single element and relative assembly method A supporting structure for an anti-noise barrier and relative assembly method are disclosed. The foundation and the structural post of the barrier are a single continuous piece in the shape of a sheet pile. The sheet pile has a first part and a second part of such a length that, in use, the second part is insertable on the ground to realize the foundation, while, contextually, the first part emerges from the ground upwards. The first part of the sheet pile, besides, is provided with connection means through which to be able to connect the sound-absorbent panels, and with a plate on which to lean the panels themselves in such a way that the arrangement on the ground of the foundation and of the structural post is results realizable in a single phase to then proceed with the second phase of application of the panels.
US08733498B2	Housing The present invention relates to a housing (1) with a jacket (2), enclosing a housing interior space (7) in circumferential direction (8). For reducing self-induced vibrations of the jacket (2), at least one preloading device (14) is proposed, which is arranged in the housing interior space (7), which supports itself on a first supporting region (15) of the jacket (2) on the inside of the jacket (2) subject to a first preload (16) orientated towards the outside and which supports itself on a second supporting region (17) of the jacket (2) spaced from the first supporting region (15) on the jacket (2) on the inside subject to a second preload (18) orientated towards the outside.
US08733494B1	Coil retention systems for implantable medical devices Presented herein are coil retention systems for use in implantable medical devices. In certain embodiments, a coil retention system comprises an implantable non-magnetized member having a central aperture and an external magnet also having a central aperture. The external magnet is configured to magnetically couple to the implantable non-magnetized member. In certain embodiments, the external magnet and the implantable non-magnetized member have corresponding annular shapes so as to self-align with one another.
US08733492B2	Power unit suspension structure for electric vehicle A power unit 4 is mounted in a rear part of a vehicle, a shaft C shared by a motor 2 and a motor speed reducer 3 is disposed in a vehicle width direction, and a sub-frame 8 is provided around the power unit 4, a front cross frame 11 is disposed over a front portion of the power unit 4 in a front view of the vehicle and disposed in parallel with the shaft C of the motor 2, a rear cross frame 12 is disposed over a side portion of the power unit 4 in a side view of the vehicle, and left and right side portions of the power unit 4 are suspended from a vehicle body via suspension brackets 13 and 14 provided on side frames 9 and 10, circular mount rubbers 15 and 16, and motor-side mount brackets 17 and 18.
US08733491B2	Method and apparatus for an offroad vehicle A two-wheeled motorized scooter is disclosed as an off-road vehicle capable of off-road use. The off-road vehicle utilizes a rigid chassis, a motor and transmission offering both low end torque and structural rigidity, and a suspension assembly capable of offering handling and control necessary for typical off-road use.
US08733486B2	Battery for electric vehicle An electric vehicle is provided with a swing arm one end of which is coupled to a swinging shaft and the other end of which supports a rear wheel. An electric motor is installed on the side of the other end of the swing arm and drives the rear wheel. The swing aim is provided with a housing space provided in the vicinity of the swinging shaft and a guide groove that positions the battery in the housing space, the battery is mounted inside the swing arm by fixing the battery positioned in the housing space via potting material. The housing space is provided with an opening for inserting the battery on the side of the electric vehicle and the battery is inserted and fixed into/to the housing space of the swing aim from the side of the electric vehicle.
US08733483B2	In-wheel motor drive assembly The in-wheel motor drive assembly 21 includes: a motor unit A; a wheel hub bearing unit having a tubular wheel hub 32, a cylindrical outer-ring-side member 22c surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the wheel hub, and a wheel hub bearing 33 disposed in an annular space formed between the outer circumferential surface of the wheel hub and the inner circumferential surface of the outer-ring-side member to rotatably support the wheel hub; and a speed reduction unit 101 being a speed reduction mechanism having an output shaft 28 extending in one direction and an input shaft 25 extending in the other direction and reducing the rotational speed of the input shaft and transmitting the reduced rotation to the output shaft, the output shaft being fixedly inserted in the center of the wheel hub 32 and the input shaft being fixedly inserted in the motor rotary shaft 35.
US08733474B2	Flow control diverter valve A method of drilling a well and installing a liner includes assembling concentric inner and outer strings of tubulars. A drill bit is located at the lower end of the inner string and a liner with a liner hanger makes up part of the outer string. The inner and outer strings may be rotated in unison to drill the well. A valve is located upstream of a liner hanger control tool used to release and set the liner hanger in the drill string. The valve comprises a ported sleeve that slides relative to a ported housing to meter flow from the interior of the drill string to the annular space. The redirected flow maintains a minimum flow rate in the annular space to prevent cuttings from settling on the control tool. A portion of the valve can further be used with a dart to manipulate downstream equipment.
US08733464B2	Combined fire extinguishing system A fire suppression system includes a divert valve downstream of a fire suppressant source. The divert valve is selectively movable between an initial first position which communicates extinguishing agent into a first distribution network and a second position which communicates extinguishing agent into a second distribution network.
US08733459B2	Integrated enhanced oil recovery process An enhanced oil recovery process that is integrated with a synthesis gas generation process, such as gasification or reforming, involving capture and recycle of a sour carbon dioxide stream for EOR use.
US08733457B1	Method and apparatus for axially displacing coiled tubing while minimizing fatigue A system and method for axially displacing a portion of coiled tubing into and/or out of a wellbore so that the coiled tubing does not incur a fatigue cycle during such axial displacement, such as, but not limited to a translation system located between the wellhead and the injector head base to axially displace the injector head and, therefore, the gripped coiled tubing, away from and toward, the wellhead.
US08733455B2	Roller standoff assemblies Roller standoff assemblies and devices facilitate disposal of an interior tubular member within an exterior tubular member. Roller standoff devices include a roller cage and at least one roller supported by the roller cage to contact and roll upon the exterior tubular member.
US08733453B2	Expandable structure for deployment in a well An expandable structure for passive deployment in a well. The structure may be locked in a position determined by the inner dimensions of the well in which it is deployed. Practical uses for the structure may include production tubing or a host of other devices for affixing downhole with a final diameter as determined by the inner diameter of the well. Additionally, the structure may be configured for advancement to a targeted well location while in a collapsed state. Thus, upon deployment, subsequent structures may be advanced through the expanded/deployed structure. As such, affixed structures may be deployed downhole in both top-down and bottom-up fashions without concern over a prior deployed structure obstructing subsequent structure deployment downhole thereof.
US08733437B2	Apparatus and methods for recovery of hydrocarbons Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to methods and apparatus for recovery of viscous hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs. In one embodiment, a method for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes drilling an injector well to be in communication with a reservoir having one or more production wells in communication with the reservoir, installing casing in the injector well, cementing the casing, perforating the casing, positioning a downhole steam generator in the casing, flowing fuel, oxidant and water to the downhole steam generator to intermittently produce a combustion product and/or a vaporization product in the reservoir, flowing injectants to the reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons through the one or more production wells.
US08733434B2	Connector for use with top drive system In some embodiments, apparatus connectable between a top drive system and a tool useful in connection with a hydrocarbon exploration or production well includes a rotatable barrel, a non-rotating upper housing engageable with the top drive system, a rotatable lower housing engageable with the tool and a non-rotating communication ring.
US08733433B2	Method and apparatus for performing continuous tubing operations A spool for deploying and retrieving multiple separate strings of continuous tubing, such as over the side of or through the moon pool of a boat, rig or other vessel, without the need of an injector head. The spool has at least one rotating swivel to permit pumping of fluid(s) down, or back up, tubing strings while the spool is rotating or stationary. A level-wind assembly having at least one sheave directs the continuous tubing overboard, but also level-winds the tubing onto the spool in an orderly fashion through lateral movement of the sheave. The system is powered by a hydraulic power unit with a remote control console.
US08733429B2	Hybrid heating and/or cooling system A hybrid heating and/or cooling system may combine different energy sources (e.g., solar and geothermal) into a single system. The hybrid heating and/or cooling system may include one or more heat pumps, a heat exchanger system, a solar and/or waste energy system, and a delivery system for delivering heat (and/or cool air) to a space such as a building. These systems may be interconnected and controlled using various conduits, pumps, valves and controls. The solar energy system may provide heat (e.g., low grade heat) to the working fluid at the input to the source side of the heat pump and/or may provide heat (e.g., high grade heat) to the delivery system for direct solar and/or waste energy heating.
US08733418B2	Device for joining plies of paper The device for joining at least two plies of paper, in particular tissue paper, including a ply-bonding unit and moistening means to moisten at least one of the two plies before joining.
US08733412B2	Pneumatic tire with sipe having concave grooves A pneumatic tire has a sipe is formed in a land portion of a tread surface. The sipe has a wide region in which a sipe width is made larger than a tread at position which is at a distance from the tread. The wide region is constructed by alternately providing a concave groove extending in a depth direction of the sipe in both sides of a sipe wall surface along a longitudinal direction of the sipe.
US08733407B2	Device for adding air and/or sealing means to a tire A device for the introduction of air and/or sealant into a tire, in particular a motor vehicle tire, having an electric pump or compressor, an electric connection cable for the pump or compressor which has a connection element, in particular a plug, at its end for the connection of the connection cable to a power supply, in particular to the cigarette lighter of a motor vehicle, having a hose for the air and/or the sealant which is or can be connected to the electric pump or compressor and whose other end can be connected to the tire to be filled, and having a housing for the reception of at least some of the device components, wherein the housing has in each case a separate receiver for the connection cable, on the one hand, and the connection element of the connection cable, on the other hand to improve the handling of the device.
US08733405B2	Corrugated pipe with outer layer A pipe having an axially extending bore defined by a smooth inner wall fused to a corrugated outer wall is provided. The corrugated outer wall has axially adjacent, annular, outwardly-extending crests separated by valleys. The pipe further includes an outer layer fused to the outer wall, the outer layer having adjacent concave portions and convex portions, the concave portions being aligned with corrugation valleys of the outer wall so that each concave portion of the outer layer extends between at least two corrugation crests. A method of improving the resistance to deformation of a corrugated pipe having a smooth inner wall fused to an outer wall defined by annular crests and valleys is also provided.
US08733401B2	Cone and plate fluidic oscillator inserts for use with a subterranean well A method of manufacturing a fluidic oscillator insert for use in a subterranean well can include forming the insert with a conical housing engagement surface thereon, and forming at least one fluidic oscillator on a substantially planar surface of the insert. A well tool can include a housing assembly, at least one insert received in the housing assembly, the insert having a fluidic oscillator formed on a first surface thereof, the insert being at least partially secured in the housing assembly by engagement of conical second and third surfaces formed on the insert and housing assembly, and a cover which closes off the first surface on the insert. An insert for use in a well tool can include a conical housing engagement surface, and at least one fluidic oscillator formed on a substantially planar surface. The fluidic oscillator produces oscillations in response to fluid flow through the fluidic oscillator.
US08733398B2	Shut-down arrangement A shut-down arrangement comprises a shut-off actuation device operable under the control of a control unit, a switch whereby a first shut-down signal can be supplied to the control unit and whereby a second shut-down signal can be supplied to the shut-off actuation device, and delay means whereby the transmission of the second shut-down signal to the shut-off actuation device is delayed relative to the transmission of the first shut-down signal to the control unit.
US08733393B2	Solenoid operated fluid control valve Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
US08733391B2	Valve for controlling pressure A pressure control valve is provided, which includes a stopper having a flow path for preventing damping that is provided in a contact portion that is adjacent to an inner flow path of a main piston so that hydraulic fluid in the main piston is smoothly drained through a gap between stopper contact surfaces.
US08733378B2	Umbrella mechanism and methods of use Apparatus and methods for an umbrella mechanism with an outer and inner shaft, a plurality of ribs connected with the outer shaft and a canopy supported by the plurality of ribs are provided. The plurality of ribs are configured into a substantially “V” shape when the umbrella mechanism is in a closed position, such that upon opening the umbrella into an open position, the plurality of ribs opens vertically before expanding horizontally, thus avoiding inadvertent contact of the umbrella with a user during the opening operation. The umbrella mechanism may be handheld or mounted to a structure such as a backpack, chair, table, patio or house, and may be operated by an enclosed motor. The motor may be powered by a battery, solar panel embedded into the canopy or an outside power source.
US08733376B2	Dishwasher with filter assembly A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spraying system, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system. The liquid filtering system includes a filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.
US08733374B2	Hair styling device This invention relates to a hair styling device having a body defining a chamber adapted to accommodate a length of hair, the length of hair being styled while it is located within the chamber. The chamber has a primary opening through which the length of hair may pass into the chamber. A rotatable element is provided which is adapted to engage the length of hair adjacent to the primary opening. An elongate member is located within the chamber, the length of hair being wound around the elongate member by the rotatable element. The device has a handle which may be gripped by a user, the handle comprising a first handle part and a second handle part, the first handle part being connected to the body and the second handle part being movable relative to the first handle part. The second handle part can carry a panel which is adapted to close the primary opening.
US08733373B2	Steam hairdressing device comprising a base and a portable unit Provided is a device intended for the styling of hair including: a base (1000) comprising a fluid reservoir (19), a portable unit (100) detached from the base (1000) and comprising fluid vaporization means (7), steam distribution means (7′, 7″) intended for hair, a cord set (21) comprising at least one line (215) intended for the passage of fluid and arranged between the fluid reservoir (19) and the vaporization means (7), the portable unit (1000) comprises a first treatment surface (4) intended to come into contact with the hair and the fluid vaporization means (7) are exclusively provided in the portable unit (100).
US08733371B1	Apparatus and method for the controlled delivery of skin products and therapeutic agents A device for delivering an agent to the skin or the hair or the fur of a recipient. In one form the device has a comb-like extent of tines which are of a carrier material that will melt on contact with skin and thereby deposit an agent that is mixed with the carrier. In other form there is an abrading material in the mixture so as to abrade the skin and thereby allow the agent to be deposited. In the latter case the agent may be an inoculant. The tines may also be placed on a glove so that the agent can be delivered by moving the tines over a selected area to deposit the agent. The device can be in the form of a finger condom having a tine strip. The methods allow delivery of the agent using the various forms of the device and to accomplish various purposes.
US08733369B2	Molecularly imprinted polymers selective for tobacco specific nitrosamines and methods of using the same A class of molecularly imprinted polymers that specifically recognizes and binds to TSNAs are useful, for example, in analysis and separation of TSNAs from biological fluids. Such polymers are also useful in methods of treating and manufacturing tobacco products and materials.
US08733366B2	Medical protective cover The medical protective cover includes a semi-ovoid shell configured to cover a wound or intravenous site. The shell is attached to a patient's limb or extremity by a pair of adhesive tabs extending from longitudinal ends of the shell and a plurality of adjustable straps extending laterally from the shell. A plurality of ventilation holes longitudinally extend along lateral edges of the shell to allow passage of air for keeping the covered area dry. Each longitudinal end of the shell includes a pair of tubing ports to facilitate mounting and passage of IV infusion tubing to an IV catheter or cannula. The top of the shell also includes a selectively opened slot that permits passage of a needle for the administration or withdrawal of fluids through an access port of the catheter.
US08733360B2	Occlusion devices and methods The invention provides intrafallopian devices and non-surgical methods for their placement to prevent conception. The efficacy of the device is enhanced by forming the structure at least in part from copper or copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by a lumen-traversing region of the resilient structure which has helical outer surface, together with a portion of the resilient structure which is biased to form a bent secondary shape, the secondary shape having a larger cross-section than the fallopian tube. The resilient structure is restrained in a straight configuration and transcervically inserted within the fallopian tube, where it is released. Optionally, permanent sterilization s effected by passing a current through there resilient structure to the tubal walls.
US08733358B2	Cushion for a respiratory mask assembly A respiratory mask includes a frame including a breathable gas port, wherein the frame defines an inner chamber to receive at least one of a wearer's nasal region and mouth, and a cushion including a flange connected to the frame, an inner rim defining an opening to the inner chamber of the frame, and a sealing portion disposed between the flange and the inner rim to contact the wearer's face. The sealing portion includes a nasal seal section to span a wearer's face above the wearer's nares, side seal sections extending from each side of the nasal seal section on both sides of the wearer's mouth, and a chin seal section that extends between the side seal sections, wherein the chin seal section is upwardly curved in an arch to follow the chin's bony contour.
US08733357B2	Cold weather exposure mask A Cold or Inclement Weather Exposure Mask is designed to fit snugly around the face, head, and neck. The mask serves vital needs of warmth, humidity, and air flow. A raised, malleable chamber covering the mouth and nose provides a breathing space to allow normal breathing while keeping the face warm and dry. The chamber is affixed to a fabric panel made of a water and wind resistant, non-irritating, comfortable, and stretchable material. A fastening means on the panel holds the mask in place around the wearer. The chamber includes multiple apertures which allow fresh air to pass to the wearer after it is mixed with warm, humid, exhaled air. The apertures also exhaust air and condensation. A raised lip further aids in the removal of condensation. A valve system optionally regulates the flow of air. Colors and pattern selections allow adaptation to all labor and recreation uses.
US08733355B2	Breathable air safety system and method A breathable air safety system and method is disclosed. In an embodiment, a safety system of a structure includes a supply unit (100) of a structure to facilitate delivery of breathable air from a source of compressed air to an air distribution system (150, 250, 350) of the structure, a valve (408) to prevent leakage of the breathable air from the air distribution system (150, 250, 350) potentially leading to loss of system pressure, a fill station (102A) interior to the structure to provide the breathable air to a breathable air apparatus at multiple locations of the structure, and a distribution structure (104) that is compatible with use with compressed air that facilitates dissemination of the breathable air of the source of compressed air to multiple locations of the structure.
US08733352B2	Pulse oxygen system A pulse oxygen system and methods for providing oxygen to a user are disclosed. An oxygen mask coupled to a metering valve is provided to a user. An oxygen prescription delivery amount is determined based on and as a function of a real-time operation condition. A metering valve timing is calculated based on the oxygen prescription delivery amount to obtain a pulse delivery time. A pressure and time regulated flow of the oxygen prescription delivery amount of pulsed oxygen is then dispensed to the oxygen mask for a duration of the pulse delivery time in response to detecting the user breathing through the oxygen mask.
US08733351B2	Method and apparatus for providing ventilatory assistance The apparatus provides for the determination of the instantaneous phase in the respiratory cycle, subject's average respiration rate and the provision of ventilatory assistance. A microprocessor (16) receives an airflow signal from a pressure transducer (18) coupled to a port (17) at a mask (11). The microprocessor (16) controls a servo (19), that in turn controls the fan motor (20) and thus the pressure of air delivered by the blower (10). The blower (10) is coupled to a subject's mask (ii) by a conduit (12). The invention seeks to address the following goals: while the subject is awake and making substantial efforts the delivered assistance should be closely matched in phase with the subject's efforts; the machine should automatically adjust the degree of assistance to maintain at least a specified minimum ventilation without relying on the integrity of the subject's chemoreflexes; and it should continue to work correctly in the presence of large leaks.
US08733349B2	Wire heated tube with temperature control system, tube type detection, and active over temperature protection for humidifier for respiratory apparatus A PAP system for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator to generate a supply of breathable gas to be delivered to the patient; a humidifier including a heating plate to vaporize water and deliver water vapor to humidify the supply of breathable gas; a heated tube configured to heat and deliver the humidified supply of breathable gas to the patient; a power supply configured to supply power to the heating plate and the heated tube; and a controller configured to control the power supply to prevent overheating of the heating plate and the heated tube.
US08733345B2	Inhalation device and heating unit therefor The invention relates to a heating unit for an inhalation device for the inhalation administration of an inhalation mixture of air and at least one additive material, having a fuel storage (252) which is filled or can be filled with a thermally combustible solid or liquid fuel (258), and with a combustion chamber (256) for the combustion of the fuel (258), which is essentially sealed from the surroundings by a combustion chamber wall (222). The invention further relates to an inhalation device (210) with such a heating unit.According to the invention, the combustion chamber (256) is designed for forming a flame, and the combustion chamber wall (222) has at least some micro openings (224). The micro openings are designed in such a way that the sum of the outer side lengths of all micro openings (224) is at least 140 mm, and the sum of the outer side lengths of the micro openings (224) per surface in the area of the combustion chamber wall (222) averages at least 80 mm/cm2.Application as cigarette substitute or as aid for nicotine withdrawal.
US08733344B2	Mouthpiece supply valve control system A mouth piece supply valve control system which may be used in connection with mouth piece supply valve with a rebreather. An exemplary mouth piece supply valve control system may include a sensor operative to produce a sensor signal upon sensing a condition, a computer connected to the sensor that may produce a computer signal associated with sensor signal, a logic device operatively connected to the computer for receiving the computer signal, and an automatic actuator operatively connected to the logic device. The automatic actuator may be operatively coupled to a mouth piece supply valve that may be selectable between a first mode and a second mode and the automatic actuator may shift the mouth piece supply valve from the second mode to the first mode upon receipt of a logic device signal from the logic device.
US08733343B2	Device and method for creating aerosols for drug delivery A drug delivery device is disclosed which produces aerosolized particles of pharmaceutically active drug for delivery to a patient by inhalation. The device includes a liquid feeding source such as a channel to which formulation is added at one end and expelled through an exit opening. The feeding channel is surrounded by a pressurized chamber into which gas is fed and out of which gas is expelled from an opening. The opening from which the gas is expelled is positioned directly in front of the flow path of liquid expelled from the feeding channel. Various parameters are adjusted so that pressurized gas surrounds liquid flowing out of the feeding channel in a manner so as to maintain a stable capillary microjet of liquid until the liquid exits the pressure chamber opening and is aerosolized into particles having a uniform diameter in the range of about 1 to 5 microns.
US08733337B2	Heat exchanger for a high efficiency hot air heating appliance and heating appliance equipped therewith Heat exchanger for a high efficiency hot air heating appliance (1), with at least one segment (5) and with a primary section (14) and, viewed in the flow direction (A), followed by a secondary condensing section (15), whereby the segment (5) consists of at least one primary element (16) and at least two secondary condensing elements (19), that form part of the secondary condensing section (15) of the segment (5), and the inputs (20) of each of them are connected in parallel to the output (18) of the primary element (16) in such a way that the gas flow coming from the primary element (16) is divided over the secondary condensing elements (19) connected to it.
US08733336B2	Outer blade cutting wheel and making method In an outer blade cutting wheel comprising an annular thin disc base of cemented carbide having an outer diameter of 80-200 mm, an inner diameter of 30-80 mm, and a thickness of 0.1-1.0 mm, and a blade section disposed on an outer periphery of the base, the blade section comprises diamond grains and/or CBN grains bound with a metal bond having a Young's modulus of 0.7-4.0×1011 Pa and has a thickness which is greater than the thickness of the base by at least 0.01 mm. The outer blade cutting wheel is capable of cutting a workpiece at a high accuracy and a reduced allowance, improves machining yields, and reduces machining costs.
US08733332B2	General gasoline engine The invention discloses a general-purpose gasoline engine, comprising a cylinder block, a cylinder head main body (1), and an intake passage (12) and an exhaust passage (11) arranged on the cylinder head main body (1); an intake valve (5) is arranged on the cylinder head main body (1) correspondingly to the intake passage (12), an exhaust valve (9) is arranged correspondingly to the exhaust passage (11), the intake valve (5) is correspondingly provided with an intake rocker arm (8) and an intake push rod, the exhaust valve (9) is correspondingly provided with an exhaust rocker arm (2) and an exhaust push rod, a combustion chamber surface (13) is formed on the inner side of the cylinder head main body (1), and the combustion chamber surface (13) is of a spherical structure or an arch structure formed of smooth curves; the part of the combustion chamber surface (13) between the intake valve (5) and the exhaust valve (9) forms a nose bridge region (14), and a through air-cooling passage (10) is arranged on the cylinder head main body (1) on the outer side of the nose bridge region (14). The general-purpose gasoline engine in the invention is beneficial to the mixing of combustion gases and has excellent cooling efficiency.
US08733331B2	Adaptive control system for fuel injectors and igniters The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for adjusting the operation of a gasoline-fueled engine based on monitored conditions within a combustion chamber of the engine. In some cases, the system monitors regions within the combustion chamber, identifies or determines a satisfactory condition, and applies an ionization voltage to a fuel injector to initiate a combustion event during the satisfactory condition. In some cases, the system monitors the conditions within the combustion chamber, determines a monitored condition is associated with an adjustment, and adjusts a parameters of a combustion event in order to adjust ionization levels within a combustion chamber.
US08733326B2	Dual fuel injector for a common rail system A dual fuel common rail fuel injector includes a first and second control valve assembly and a first and second check needle. The dual fuel injector is capable of selectively injecting two different fuels such as diesel and liquefied natural gas. The first and second control valve assemblies operate using a single fuel, such as diesel, as the control medium. The dual fuel common rail injector further includes a hydraulic lock assembly.
US08733324B2	Fuel heating system and method This disclosure relates a system for heating fuel supplied by a common rail fuel supply to an internal combustion engine. The system includes a high pressure fuel line, plural fuel injectors connected in series along the high pressure fuel line in the common rail, and a continuous low pressure passage including a heat exchanging portion in close proximity to the high pressure fuel line. A heated fluid source is operative to fluidly communicate with the continuous low pressure passage and circulate heated fluid to heat fuel present in the high pressure fuel line prior to, and during a cold start operation of the internal combustion engine. Other embodiments relate to a method of providing fuel to an internal combustion engine that includes sensing the temperature of fuel supplied to a fuel system and determining whether the sensed fuel temperature is greater than a predetermined value. The method includes circulating heated fluid in a continuous low pressure circuit to heat fuel present in a high pressure fuel line if the sensed fuel temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and evacuating fluid for heating fuel from a portion of the continuous low pressure passage and fluidly connecting the evacuated portion of the continuous low pressure passage to a fuel leakage detection device if the sensed fuel temperature is greater than the predetermined value.
US08733323B2	Method for ascertaining an error in a fuel metering unit of an injection system A method for ascertaining an error in a fuel metering unit of an injection system for an internal combustion engine, wherein the gradients of a first signal representing a physical variable and of a second signal representing a physical variable are determined, and at a predefined magnitude and/or direction of the two gradients an error is recognized.
US08733319B2	Electronic governor system and control device of the same When control to maintain a constant engine rotation number is executed, the electronic control unit constantly monitors an error of detected throttle position data with respect to a desired throttle control value, executes a first stage of a failure judgment method to judge that a failure of a throttle control system has occurred in a case where an absolute value of the error exceeds a predetermined threshold value continuously for a predetermined time or longer, and executes a second stage of the failure judgment method to judge that a serious failure has occurred in the system in a case where a detected engine rotation number exceeds a predetermined rotation number continuously for a predetermined time or longer, to perform predetermined operations in accordance with the judgment results.
US08733315B2	Casting core for forming a cooling channel in a piston A soluble and substantially ring-shaped casting core may include a cooling channel in a piston having at least one inflow and at least one outflow. The casting core may form a closed ring and the inflow may be arranged directly adjacent to the outflow. The casting core may have a cross-sectional taper for forming a choke in the circumferential direction between the inflow and the outflow.
US08733312B1	Tunnel ram intake manifold for improved low RPM operation A manifold including first and second divider bodies each having a carburetor mounting flange. The first divider body includes a first and a second plenum, and the second divider body includes a third and a fourth plenum. A first pair of runners extends from the first port flange to the first plenum; a second pair of runners extends from the first port flange to the third plenum; a third pair of runners extends from the second port flange to the second plenum; and a fourth pair of runners extends from the second port flange to the fourth plenum. Accordingly, in operation, each plenum will present only one carburetor venturi to the cylinder in a low-RPM, low-throttle opening induction event, thus keeping the peak velocity through the carburetor's venturi high even at low RPM.
US08733311B2	Switchable roller finger follower The finger follower employs two independent lost motion arms and a coupling device that locks both arms. Stops are provided both for the roller axle and for the arm swing. The axle stop and the end stops for the arm swing are positioned on the arm and the outer sidewall of the inner lever.
US08733308B2	Hydraulically actuated camshaft adjusting device A camshaft adjusting device (1) including at least two hydraulic chamber (A, B) disposed between a stator (3) and a rotor (4) and separated by a vane (5) and supplied with pressure oil from a pressure oil source (P) by a hydraulic oil controller (6). In order to achieve improved filling and emptying of the hydraulic chambers, the hydraulic oil controller according to the invention provides: first and second supply lines (7, 9) disposed between the pressure oil source (P) and one of the hydraulic chambers (A), wherein check valves (8, 10) are disposed in the supply lines (7), wherein the supply lines (7) are free of further switchable valve elements, and wherein the supply lines (7) are the sole inlet line for hydraulic oil from the pressurized oil source (P) into the hydraulic chambers (A, B), and a 4/3-way valve element (11) that is effectively disposed between the hydraulic chambers (A, B) and a tank (T) has three valve positions (I, II, III).
US08733307B2	Hydraulic braking device and valve timing adjusting apparatus A sealing structure has a permanent magnet and a magnetic-flux guiding member for guiding magnetic flux of the permanent magnet to a brake shaft of a brake rotating member. The magnetic-flux guiding member surrounds an outer periphery of the brake shaft so as to form a sealing gap around the brake shaft. The sealing gap is communicated to a fluid chamber, in which magnetic viscous fluid is filled. A fluid sealing member is provided at the brake shaft at a housing outer side of the magnetic-flux guiding member to form an intermediate fluid chamber, in which an intermediate fluid made of non-magnetic liquid is filled.
US08733306B2	Control valve of a device for changing the relative angular position of a camshaft with respect to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine A control valve (1) of a device (2) for changing the relative angular position of a camshaft (3) with respect to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, wherein, in a region (4) facing the camshaft (3), the control valve (1) includes a fluid line (5) for supplying fluid under pressure and wherein, in an axial central region (6), the control valve (1) includes two fluid lines (7, 8) for supplying and removing fluid under pressure to at least two hydraulic chambers. The hydraulic chambers are operatively arranged between a drive element (9) and the camshaft (3) in order to set a defined relative rotational position between the drive element (9) and the camshaft (3). In a region (10) facing away from the camshaft (3) the control valve (1) has a fluid line (11) for removal of fluid to a tank. In order to reduce wear on the device, according to the invention the fluid line (11) for removing fluid in a preferably hollow-cylindrical section (12) of the control valve (1) is in the form of at least one recess extending through the preferably hollow-cylindrical section (12) to an outside (13) of the section (12).
US08733305B2	Device for variably adjusting the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine A camshaft adjuster for actuating cylinder valves of a combustion engine, retardation torques are imparted back to the adjuster by the camshaft when cams are running on, and advance torques are imparted back to the adjuster by the camshaft when cams are running off, supply and removal of pressure medium is controllable by a control unit, a torque mode or pump mode is selectively adjusted by the control unit, and primarily camshaft torque is used in torque mode to build pressure in the first or second partial chamber, whereas pressure build-up in the first or second partial chamber primarily occurs in the pump mode via the pump. The control unit includes a control valve with inner and outer sleeves, and an adjustment direction and the pump or torque mode is adjustable by the control valve by the relative rotational position of the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve.
US08733304B2	Engine with hydraulic variable valve timing In one example, a method is described for an engine with a hydraulically actuated phaser for adjusting cam timing. The phaser is controlled by a hydraulic spool valve, for example, having a de-energized position that results in hydraulic force urging the phaser to a base timing. When it is desired to operate the cam timing at base timing, rather then leave the spool valve in a de-energized position that can generate leakage, the spool valve is adjusted to near a null position to reduce the hydraulic pressure drop across the cam journal and thus reduce oil leakage. In this way, it is possible to maintain base timing, while also reducing leakage.
US08733301B2	Cover structure of general-purpose liquid-cooled engine A general-purpose liquid-cooled engine delivers a coolant cooling an engine body to a radiator and delivers a cooling air to the radiator by use of a cooling fan to cool the coolant. A cover structure of the general-purpose liquid-cooled engine covers the engine body and the radiator. An engine cover is configured so as to allow the cooling air to be delivered to the radiator. A muffler cover covers a muffler disposed adjacent to an external surface of the engine cover. An exterior cover covers an entire engine including the engine cover and the muffler cover.
US08733298B2	Method and apparatus for operating a compression ignition engine A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas feedstream, a mass flowrate of intake air, and a commanded fuel pulse of fuel. A blend ratio of biodiesel fuel and petrodiesel fuel of the fuel is determined. Engine operation is controlled in response to the blend ratio of biodiesel fuel and petrodiesel fuel of the fuel.
US08733296B1	Surgical after-care garment A removable garment for animals to cover and protect an abdominal surgical or wound site. Generally, the removable garment is comprised of a body wrap with front leg, rear leg, and neck closures, and an abdominal panel, extending distal the body wrap. Each leg and neck closure, as well as the abdominal panel, contains an attachment designed to removeably secure the closure, and ultimately the garment itself, to an animal.
US08733294B2	Animal pen door An animal pen according to the invention comprises an access wall spanning the width of the pen between two side walls. An access door in the access wall is hinged to a vertical hanging post and closes against a vertical slam post. A first of the posts, which may be the hanging post or the slam post, is supported at its top end not by a door lintel extending between the hanging post and the slam post but by a diagonal brace member extending between the top of the said first post and the top of its adjacent side wall, and the second of the posts is supported either by being located at a junction between the access wall and its adjacent side wall or by a similar diagonal brace member extending between the top of the said second post and the top of its adjacent side wall.
US08733290B2	System for providing an interface for interacting with a laboratory animal A system for providing an interface for interacting with a laboratory animal and the method of using the system are disclosed.
US08733288B2	Animal litters Animal litters and methods of making and using such litters are disclosed herein. The animal litters comprise (a) a plurality of absorbent particles comprising (i) a non-swelling particle and (ii) a clumping material coated on the non-swelling particle and (b) a plurality of one or more filler particles that are not associated with the absorbent particles. The filler particles provide additional functionality to the litters, e.g., controlling odor, absorbing moisture, releasing fragrance, controlling microorganisms, controlling dust, reducing density, reducing weight, and combinations thereof. The litters are made by producing the absorbent particles using conventional means and combining the absorbent particles with one or more filler particles that impart the desired characteristic to the litters.
US08733286B2	Litter box with apparatus for catchiing and returning tracked litter and method of assembling the litter box A litter box having apparatus for catching and returning litter being tracked from the litter box, and a method of assembling the litter box. The litter box includes a container for containing litter. An opening and a litter return window are formed in the container. Stair steps defining slots therebetween extend from the opening. A litter return slide is disposed beneath the slots and slopes downward towards the litter return window. As the animal traverses the stair steps, litter adhering to the paws of the animal is dislodged and falls through the slots to be caught by the litter return slide. The dislodged litter travels down the litter return slide and through the litter return window so as to return the dislodged litter to the litter container. Thus, the animal is prevented from tracking litter beyond the litter box, so that litter cleanup is reduced and sanitation is enhanced.

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