最新美国发明专利第2015-06-02期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US09045407B2	Mixtures used in oxidizing alkyl aromatic compounds A process and a mixture for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprises forming a mixture comprising the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent, a bromine source, and a catalyst; and contacting the mixture with an oxidizing agent at oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidation product comprising at least one of an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid. The solvent comprises a carboxylic acid having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms and an ionic liquid selected from the group consisting of an imidazolium ionic liquid, a pyridinium ionic liquid, a phosphonium ionic liquid, a tetra alkyl ammonium ionic liquid, and combinations thereof. The catalyst comprises at least one of cobalt, titanium, manganese, chromium, copper, nickel, vanadium, iron, molybdenum, tin, cerium, and zirconium.
US09045405B2	Compounds and methods for preparation of diarylpropanes Compounds of structure (I): including stereoisomers, tautomers and salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X, Y and Z are as defined herein. Such compounds are useful for the preparation of diarylpropane compounds. Methods for the preparation of compounds of structure (I) are also disclosed, as are methods employing compounds of structure (I) for the preparation of diarylpropanes.
US09045403B2	Geranyl geranyl acetone (GGA) derivatives and compositions thereof This invention relates to geranylgeranyl acetone (GGA) derivatives and the use of GGA, its isomers, and GGA derivatives in methods for inhibiting neural death, increasing neural activity, increasing axon growth and cell viability, and increasing the survival rate of subjects administered the GGA or GGA derivatives.
US09045401B2	Methods for treating or ameliorating a melanoma and killing melanoma cells The invention provides novel compositions—lipopeptides and analogs, including somocystinamide A, and somocystinamide A variants and analogs, and pharmaceutical compositions, liposomes and nanoparticles comprising them, and methods of making and using them. In one embodiment, these lipopeptides and analogs are used to induce apoptosis in a cell, which can be a normal cell, a dysfunctional cell and/or a cancer (tumor) cell. In alternative embodiments, the compositions of the invention, including the lipopeptides and analogs of the invention, and the pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, are used to treat or ameliorate (including slowing the progression of) normal, dysfunctional (e.g., abnormally proliferating) and/or tumor associated blood vessels, including endothelial and/or capillary cell growth; including neovasculature related to (within, providing a blood supply to) a tumor.
US09045395B2	Process for the production of aliphatic isocyanates The present invention is an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic isocyanate obtained form a process comprising the steps of reacting an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic primary amine, with phosgene in the presence of an inert solvent, wherein the initial reaction temperature is between 100 and 130° C. and the temperature is subsequently ramped to 150 to 180° C. during the course of the reaction, the solvent to amine weight ratio is 95:5 to 80:20, the total reaction pressure is maintained between 50 and 350 psig and the amine is rapidly dispersed in the phosgene through injection in a region of high efficiency mixing.
US09045393B2	Derivatives of 3.5-seco-4-norcholestane and use thereof The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): where X+Y=keto, or X=OH and Y=H, or X+Y=oxime or methyloxime, B=OH and C+D=H, or C+D=C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl, or C=H and D=C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl, or B+C=keto and D=methyl, hydroxyl, or methylamino, or B and C=H and D=methylamino, or B+C=oxime and D=methyl and R=C1-C10 linear or branched alkyl, the salts, esters, or salts of esters thereof as medicament, in particular as neuroprotectors, novel compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions.
US09045390B2	Haloalkylmethyleneoxyphenyl-substituted ketoenols The invention relates to novel compounds of the formula (I), in which W, X, Y, Z and CKE are each as defined above, to several methods and intermediates for preparation thereof and to the use thereof as pesticides and/or herbicides. The invention also relates to selective herbicidal compositions which comprise firstly haloalkylmethyleneoxyphenyl-substituted ketoenols and secondly a compound which improves crop plant compatibility.The present invention further relates to the enhancement of the action of crop protection compositions comprising especially haloalkylmethyleneoxyphenyl-substituted ketoenols, by the addition of ammonium or phosphonium salts and optionally penetration enhancers, to the corresponding compositions, to methods for production thereof and to the use thereof in crop protection as insecticides and/or acaricides and/or for preventing undesired plant growth.
US09045389B2	Biphenyl derivatives useful as glucagon receptor antagonists The present invention is directed to biphenyl derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment and/or prevention of disorders and conditions ameliorated by antagonizing one or more glucagon receptors, including for example metabolic diseases such as Type II diabetes mellitus and obesity.
US09045388B2	Polymorphs of bromfenac sodium and methods for preparing bromfenac sodium polymorphs Different polymorphs of bromfenac sodium may be prepared and interconverted using crystallization/recrystallization, drying and/or hydration techniques.
US09045387B2	Oxidative homo-coupling reactions of aryl boronic acids using a porous copper metal-organic framework as a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst The disclosure provides methods for the use of open metal frameworks to catalyze coupling reactions.
US09045381B2	Ruthenium complexes and their uses in processes for formation and/or hydrogenation of esters, amides and derivatives thereof The present invention relates to novel Ruthenium catalysts and related borohydride complexes, and the use of such catalysts, inter alia, for (1) hydrogenation of amides (including polyamides) to alcohols and amines; (2) preparing amides from alcohols with amines (including the preparation of polyamides (e.g., polypeptides) by reacting dialcohols and diamines and/or by polymerization of amino alcohols); (3) hydrogenation of esters to alcohols (including hydrogenation of cyclic esters (lactones) or cyclic di-esters (di-lactones) or polyesters); (4) hydrogenation of organic carbonates (including polycarbonates) to alcohols and hydrogenation of carbamates (including polycarbamates) or urea derivatives to alcohols and amines; (5) dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols to esters; (6) hydrogenation of secondary alcohols to ketones; (7) amidation of esters (i.e., synthesis of amides from esters and amines); (8) acylation of alcohols using esters; (9) coupling of alcohols with water to form carboxylic acids; and (10) dehydrogenation of beta-amino alcohols to form pyrazines. The present invention further relates to the novel uses of certain pyridine Ruthenium catalysts.
US09045377B2	Hardening accelerator composition containing phosphated polycondensates The invention concerns a process for the preparation of a hardening accelerator composition by reaction of a water-soluble calcium compound with a water-soluble silicate compound and by reaction of a calcium compound with a silicon dioxide containing component under alkaline conditions, in both cases the reaction being carried out in the presence of a polycondensate containing at least one structural unit consisting of an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety bearing a polyether side chain and at least one structural unit consisting of an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety bearing at least one phosphoric acid ester group and/or its salt. The invention concerns a composition of calcium silicate hydrate and the polycondensate, its use as hardening accelerator and for the reduction of the permeability of hardened compositions.
US09045376B2	Fiber-based ablative and high temperature pre-preg material A fabric-matrix composite structure [10] for making parts [13] suitable for use in hostile, high-temperature environments, such as rocket exhaust nozzles. The structure [10] includes a fabric [11] formed of polyacrylonitrile fiber, especially a polyacrylonitrile fiber that has been oxidized, and especially a combination of polyacrylonitrile fibers that have been oxidized to different degrees. The structure [10] also includes a binder [12] that impregnates the fabric [11]. The binder [12] might be a phenolic resin. The structure is formed [30], partially cured [40], formed into a product [50], and finish cured [60].
US09045374B2	Formation of silicon carbide-silicon nitride nanoparticle carbon compositions A composition having nanoparticles of silicon carbide and a carbonaceous matrix or silicon matrix. The composition is not in the form of a powder. A composition having silicon and an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight or a thermoset made from the organic compound. A method of combining silicon and the organic compound and heating to form silicon carbide or silicon nitride nanoparticles.
US09045370B2	Aqueous wax emulsions having reduced solids content for use in gypsum compositions and building products Aqueous wax emulsions are disclosed herein for use in gypsum formulations and other building products which emulsions include water; a paraffinic hydrocarbon; a montan wax component; and a hydrocarbon component. Optional emulsion and strength additives may be included in the emulsion or in a slurry formed from such emulsion for preparing a settable gypsum composition herein. The hydrocarbon component is at least one hydrocarbon compound having from 5 to 20 carbon atoms or at least one hydrocarbon resin which is based on the at least one hydrocarbon compound as a monomer, wherein the resin is at least a dimer comprising the hydrocarbon compound and the resin has a molecular weight (Mw) of no greater than about 3,000, wherein the hydrocarbon compound is saturated or unsaturated, functionalized or nonfunctionalized and is aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic, wherein the hydrocarbon component has a softening point of from about 22° C. to about 110° C.
US09045366B2	Process for diminishing the adsorptive capacity of coal ash Disclosed is a process for diminishing the adsorption capacity of coal ash comprising inter alia admixing a quantity of coal ash with a quantity of latex polymer, ultimately to form a cementitious mixture. The invention is useful inter alia for relieving an environmental burden of coal ash disposal and for imparting favorable properties to the cementitious mixture.
US09045364B2	Surface treatment process for glass containers A glass container and a process for chemically modifying a surface portion of a glass container using an ion-exchange process. At least a portion of the glass container is immersed in or in contact with an aqueous electrolyte solution comprising salts of at least one group IA alkali metal and having a temperature of about 75 degrees Celsius such that exchangeable alkali metal ions in a surface portion of the glass container are exchanged or replaced by alkali metal ions in the electrolyte solution. The alkali metal ions that replace the exchangeable ions in the surface portion of the glass container have either a smaller or a larger atomic radius than the exchangeable ions.
US09045363B2	Low-E panels with ternary metal oxide dielectric layer and method for forming the same Embodiments provided herein describe a low-e panel and a method for forming a low-e panel. A transparent substrate is provided. A metal oxide layer is formed over the transparent substrate. The metal oxide layer includes a first element, a second element, and a third element. A reflective layer is formed over the transparent substrate. The first element may include tin or zinc. The second element and the third element may each include tin, zinc, antimony, silicon, strontium, titanium, niobium, zirconium, magnesium, aluminum, yttrium, lanthanum, hafnium, or bismuth. The metal oxide layer may also include nitrogen.
US09045360B2	Method and apparatus for enhanced photocatalytic oxidative decolorization of wastewater containing reactive anthraquinone dye Disclosed are a method and apparatus for decolorization of reactive anthraquinone dye-containing wastewater using photocatalytic oxidation, which include inducing high-efficiency photocatalytic oxidation under a controlled salt concentration and pH of wastewater to perform effective decolorization of reactive anthraquinone dye-containing wastewater. The method for decolorization of reactive anthraquinone dye-containing wastewater using photocatalytic oxidation, includes: introducing a photocatalyst and salt into reactive anthraquinone dye-containing wastewater and adjusting pH of the wastewater to a level higher than neutral pH; and irradiating UV to the photocatalyst to carry out cleavage of the reactive anthraquinone dyes through photocatalytic oxidation, thereby accomplishing decolorization of wastewater.
US09045359B2	Reverse osmosis negative-ion water dispenser A reverse osmosis negative-ion water dispenser comprising a polypropylene filter element, a granular active carbon filter element and a compressed active carbon filter element inside a housing; a low pressure switch, a booster pump, an inlet solenoid valve, an RO filter bottle, an RO membrane and two water outlets for concentrated water and pure water respectively are also provided, wherein the water outlet for concentrated water is connected with a flush solenoid valve and a waste water proportioner assembly, the water outlet for pure water is connected with a storage tank through a high pressure switch and a float switch; the storage tank is provided with a high-low level three-line water level switch and connected to a combined hot and cold exchange tank. A negative-ion generating device comprising a solenoid valve, a fast heating equipment and a negative-ion filter device is provided to generate negative-ion.
US09045358B2	UV disinfecting device A disinfecting device is proposed that is well suited for household and outdoor use. The device comprises a container housing 12 with an interior volume 24, which may contain an object or a liquid to be disinfected. The container housing 12 comprises a side wall 16 and an end cover 14. A dielectric barrier discharge lamp 32 is provided for emitting ultraviolet light into the volume 24. The lamp 32 comprises a lamp vessel 34 with gas filling and electrodes 42, 44 arranged electrically insulated from the gas filling. An alternating voltage applied to the electrodes 42, 44 causes a discharge in the gas filling. The lamp vessel 34 has a planar window from which during the discharge ultraviolet light 46 is emitted. The window is arranged in the end cover 14.
US09045357B2	System for reducing contaminants from a photoelectrocatalytic oxidization apparatus through polarity reversal and method of operation A system and method for removing fouling from a photoelectrocatalytic oxidation assembly is provided. The method includes resetting a first counter, increasing the first counter by a first channel increment value, and determining if the value in the first counter exceeds a value corresponding to the number of channels provided in the assembly. If the first counter does not exceed the number of channels, the polarity in a channel associated with the value in the first counter is reversed, and a first timer is reset. If an amount of time in the first timer does not exceed a first time period, the first timer is increased by a first time increment until the time remaining in the first timer exceeds the first time period and the polarity reversal is terminated, returning to the step of increasing the first counter by a first channel increment value.
US09045351B2	Zero discharge water desalination plant with minerals extraction integrated with natural gas combined cycle power generation A desalination and minerals extraction process includes a desalination facility fluidly coupled to a minerals extraction facility. The desalination facility includes a nanofiltration membrane section producing a first tailings stream and a reverse osmosis membrane section producing a second tailings stream and a desalinated water outlet stream from an inlet feed stream. The extraction facility produces at least one mineral compound, an extraction tailings stream, and a second desalinated water outlet stream. At least one of the first tailings stream and the second tailings stream is fed into the extraction facility. In certain exemplary embodiments, a natural gas combined cycle power unit supplies power to at least one of the desalination facility and the extraction facility. In certain exemplary embodiments, the extraction tailings stream is recycled into the desalination facility and there are no extraction tailings streams or desalination tailings streams discharged into the environment.
US09045349B2	Method for preparing porous alumina The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous alumina which may be suitably used as a catalyst carrier, an adsorbent, and various surface coating agents and has a boehmite or pseudoboehmite structure having a fine and uniform particle size distribution and a large pore volume.
US09045346B2	Stable dispersions of single and multiple graphene layers in solution A method for producing colloidal graphene dispersions comprises the steps of: (i) dispersing graphite oxide in a dispersion medium to form a colloidal graphene oxide or multi-graphene oxide dispersion, and (ii) thermally reducing the graphene oxide or multi-graphene oxide in dispersion. Depending on the method used for the preparation of the starting dispersion, a graphene or a multi-graphene dispersion is obtained that can be further processed to multi-graphene with larger inter-planar distances than graphite. Such dispersions and multi-graphenes are, for example, suitable materials in the manufacturing of rechargeable lithium ion batteries.
US09045345B2	Apparatus for purifying carbon nanotubes Provided is a continuous method and apparatus of purifying carbon nanotubes. The continuous method and apparatus of purifying carbon nanotubes is characterized in a first purifying step for injecting a carbon nanotube liquid mixture containing an oxidizer into a purifying reactor under a sub-critical water or supercritical water condition at a pressure of 50 to 400 atm and a temperature of 100 to 600° C. to obtain a purified product, thereby removing amorphous carbon and producing the carbon nanotube product.
US09045341B2	Storage-stable aqueous solutions of chlorine dioxide and methods for preparing and using them The present invention is for extremely pure solutions of chlorine dioxide, methods for making such solutions and to compositions and methods for storing, shipping and using such solutions. Generally, the chlorine dioxide solutions of the invention are aqueous solutions containing about 2500 ppm or less of total impurities. The chlorine dioxide solution can be prepare by passing dilute highly pure chlorine gas through a bed of substantially solid sodium chlorite and contacting the resulting chlorine dioxide gas with a liquid.
US09045338B2	Storage-stable aqueous solutions of chlorine dioxide and methods for preparing and using them The present invention is for extremely pure solutions of chlorine dioxide, methods for making such solutions and to compositions and methods for storing, shipping and using such solutions. Generally, the chlorine dioxide solutions of the invention are aqueous solutions containing about 2500 ppm or less of total impurities. The chlorine dioxide solution can be prepare by passing dilute highly pure chlorine gas through a bed of substantially solid sodium chlorite and contacting the resulting chlorine dioxide gas with a liquid.
US09045336B2	Non-CO2 emitting manufacturing method for synthesis gas There is provided a method for producing synthesis gas without CO2 emissions. In the method for producing synthesis gas by reforming a hydrocarbon gas, a reforming reaction is caused by supplying a light hydrocarbon gas containing steam and/or carbon dioxide added thereto to a catalyst-filled tube side of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger-type reformer and circulating a heating medium, such as a molten salt, heated by a heat source such as solar heat or nuclear heat in a shell side of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger-type reformer. Carbon dioxide is removed from a produced gas discharged from the tube side and is supplied to the upstream side of the tube side and recycled.
US09045330B2	MEMS element and method of manufacturing the same According to one embodiment, a MEMS element comprises a first electrode fixed on a substrate, and a second electrode arranged above the first electrode, facing the first electrode, and vertically movable. The second electrode includes a second opening portion that penetrates from an upper surface to a lower surface of the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first opening portion at a position corresponding to at least a part of the second opening portion, the first opening portion penetrating from an upper surface to a lower surface of the first electrode.
US09045328B2	Method for wafer-level surface micromachining to reduce stiction An array of microbumps with a layer or coating of non-superhydrophobic material yields a superhydrophobic surface, and may also have a contact angle hysteresis of 15 degrees or less. A surface with such an array may therefore be rendered superhydrophobic even though the surface structure and materials are not, by themselves, superhydrophobic.
US09045327B2	Liquid dispensing LED nozzle A dispenser is provided having a nozzle that can direct light down a stream of liquid exiting therefrom. The nozzle includes one or more features to promote a substantially laminar flow of liquid therethrough. This construction can allow the light to travel farther down the stream of liquid exiting the nozzle than in e.g., non-laminar flow. Such light transmission can allow the user to more accurately view the dispenser and liquid flow when filling a container with liquid.
US09045326B2	Method of changing a transportation tube for a beer dispensing system A used transportation tube is replaced with a new transportation tube by moving a lever of a coupler from an engaged position to a disengaged position such that a fitment of the transportation tube releases a keg valve assembly. The fitment is removed from a top end of the coupler, and the transportation tube is removed from a faucet and tower of a beer dispensing system. A new transportation tube is inserted into the tower and faucet of the beer dispensing system. A fitment of the new transportation tube is inserted through the top end of the coupler and into a bore of the coupler. The lever is moved from its disengaged position to its engaged position, whereby the lever pushes the fitment downward within the bore such that the fitment opens the keg valve assembly thereby facilitating beer flow from the keg through the transportation tube.
US09045319B2	Variable-speed hoisting machine A variable-speed hoisting machine uses an electric motor having a pull-rotor brake as a hoisting motor and capable of supplying the electric motor with an electric current that can reliably release the pull-rotor brake at the time of starting an operation even in the case of a variable-speed hoisting machine such as an electric chain block in a variable-speed hoisting machine having an electric motor with a pull-rotor brake and an inverter controlling the speed of the electric motor in a soft-start manner, the inverter is set to operate according to a predetermined voltage-frequency (V-F) pattern.
US09045318B1	Systems and methods for controlling an overhead gantry crane Systems and methods for controlling an overhead gantry crane are provided. One overhead gantry crane includes an X-axis drive motor, a Y-axis drive motor, and a hoist member operable to be moved into a plurality of positions by the X-axis drive motor and the Y-axis drive motor to move an object. The overhead gantry crane further includes a controller operable to control operation of the X-axis motor and the Y-axis motor and define a local axis coordinate system for the overhead gantry crane based on a reference point determined from an X-axis location and Y-axis location of the hoist member and a desired movement path for the object, as well as cause movement of the object by concurrently controlling the X-axis motor and the Y-axis motor using the local axis coordinate system.
US09045315B2	Construction machine The invention relates to a construction machine having a carrier unit, a boom mounted pivotably on the carrier unit, an erection support for erecting and/or holding the boom by means of a guy cable tensioned between the boom and the erection support, and a safety cable which can be tensioned along the boom for securing a user. A cable support with a first attachment point for the safety cable is arranged at a head end of the boom. A second attachment point for the safety cable is provided on the erection support. The safety cable can be tensioned between the first attachment point on the cable support and the second attachment point on the erection support along the boom.
US09045312B2	Arrangement for damping lateral sways of a rope fixed to an elevator unit and an elevator An arrangement is provided for damping lateral sways of a rope fixed to a movable elevator unit, such as an elevator car in an elevator hoistway, the bottom end of which rope has an upward opening bottom loop. The arrangement includes a freely hanging damper supported on the top surface of the bottom loop, which damper includes a device for measuring acceleration and/or twisting of said rope.
US09045310B2	Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and method of enhancing folding of sheet bundle A sheet processing apparatus includes: a folding unit that folds a sheet bundle; a pressing unit that presses a fold part of the sheet bundle, which has been folded by the folding unit, in a thickness direction of the sheet bundle to enhance folding of the fold part; and a moving unit that advances and returns the pressing unit in a width direction of the sheet bundle. The pressing unit starts pressing from a predetermined position in the width direction of the sheet bundle during advancing movement, and releases pressing after going past one end of the sheet bundle. The pressing unit starts pressing from the predetermined position during return movement and goes past the other end of the sheet bundle.
US09045300B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a housing including a first wall portion extending in a vertical direction, a second wall portion extending in the vertical direction on a side opposite from the first wall portion, and an internal space formed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. In a first state in which a sheet cassette is not attached to the housing, a cover member seals an opening portion formed in the second wall portion and through which the sheet cassette passes through, and forms part of the second wall portion. In a second state in which the sheet cassette is attached to the housing, the cover member is pivoted by being abutted by part of the sheet cassette and covers a top of a portion of the sheet cassette that is exposed to the outside of the housing.
US09045298B2	Paper feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus adopting the same A paper feeding apparatus includes a pickup roller, a knock-up plate to accommodate recording media thereon and capable of moving to a pickup position and a release position, a forward roller to transfer a recording medium picked up by the pickup roller, a retard roller capable of moving to a contact position and to a separation position, a first control unit to move the knock-up plate to the pickup position and the release position, and a second control unit to move the knock-up plate to the contact position and the separation position, wherein the first control unit and the second control unit are driven by a single driving motor.
US09045288B2	Apparatus for the heating of plastics material pre-forms with sterile room In an apparatus for the heating of plastics material pre-forms with a conveying device which conveys the plastics material pre-forms along a pre-set conveying path, at least one heating device moves with the plastics material pre-forms arranged on the conveying device, wherein the heating device comprises a receiving room that receives the plastics material pre-forms and that surrounds the plastics material pre-forms during heating thereof. A holding device holds the plastics material pre-forms. The plastics material pre-forms are conveyed through a clean room, the clean room surrounding the conveying path of the plastics material pre-forms. A moving device introduces the plastics material pre-forms into the receiving room and removes plastics material pre-forms from the receiving room. At least one portion of the moving device is arranged exterior the clean room. A sealing device seals the clean room from an exterior environment.
US09045286B2	Food and drink conveying device A food and drink conveying device allows a travel body carrying food and drink to stably travel along a curved path of a travel path while maintaining stability. A travel body (7) includes a travel body main unit (26), and a leading body (27) at the front end of the travel body main unit (26) in the travel direction. The leading body (27) is supported by the travel body main unit (26) so as to be pivotable in a horizontal plane. Contact sections (29) are provided to both sides of the leading body (27) in the widthwise direction relative to the travel direction and aligned on either side in the travel direction. The contact sections (29) provided on the inner side of a curved path portion (10a) are configured to make contact in the curved path (10a) at two locations in a travel path (1a).
US09045285B2	Sterile heating apparatus for plastics material pre-forms An apparatus for the heating of plastics material pre-forms comprises a movable carrier on which is arranged at least one heating device, the heating device including a holding element for holding and conveying the plastics material pre-forms. A heating cavity is included, into which individual plastics material pre-forms can be inserted. A moving device is suitable for inserting the plastics material pre-forms into the heating cavity. A clean room, inside which the plastics material pre-forms are capable of being heated by the heating cavity is included, wherein the clean room is isolated from an external environment by at least one first wall and at least one second wall, the second wall being constructed and arranged to be movable with respect to the first wall.
US09045283B2	Object information management system and program An object information registration device (100) acquires peculiar image information obtained by imaging surface patterns of objects at predetermined imaging spots before the objects are stored in containers and imaging time instants so as to be associated with respective objects having peculiar patterns on surfaces respectively in a manufacturing process of the objects, acquires container identification information identifying the containers containing the objects and time ranges in which the objects are stored in the containers so as to be associated with each other and registers the container identification information corresponding to the obtained peculiar image information so as to be associated with respective objects based on a time difference from the imaging of the objects to the storing in the container, the imaging time instants associated with the peculiar image information of the objects and the time ranges associated with container identification information of containers containing the objects.
US09045282B2	Article storage facility A vertically movable work platform is suspended and supported by a plurality of suspension wires fed out from one or more of winding rotating bodies which is rotated such that the vertically movable work platform is vertically moved by the rotation of the one or more of winding rotating bodies. A support for receiving and supporting the lowering vertically movable work platform at a work height, and a stopper for preventing the rotation of the winding rotating body in a direction which tends to lower the vertically movable work platform when the vertically movable work platform reaches the work height are provided.
US09045279B2	Systems and methods for reducing vapor emission from floating roof storage vessels Floating roof storage vessels including a vapor emission reduction system designed to be inserted into deck leg apertures, when the legs have been removed during hydrocarbon storage.
US09045278B2	Insulated shipping container and method of making the same Insulated shipping container and method of making the same. In a preferred embodiment, the insulated shipping container includes an outer box, an insulated insert, an insulated cover, a payload container and a plurality of coolant members. The insulated insert is snugly, but removably, disposed within the outer box and is shaped to include a plurality of sides and a top. The top includes a raised peripheral edge and a recessed shelf. A large rectangular prismatic cavity surrounded by a plurality of smaller cavities extends downwardly from the recessed shelf. The large cavity of the insulated insert is adapted to receive a payload container. Each of the smaller cavities of the insulated insert has a “top hat” shape when viewed from above that includes a crown portion and a brim portion.
US09045274B2	Multi-chamber container for bulk materials, and method of filling a multi-chamber container A multi-chamber container includes at least two sections for storing at least two separate bulk materials in isolation from one another, and/or in isolation from environmental elements such as water or humidity, and/or in isolation from other chemicals. The container may include at least two separate openable apertures or regions for dispensing the respective bulk materials separately or simultaneously, and may be filled in a manner that surrounds one bulk material with another, but isolates the bulk materials from one another while they are in the container. The container permits flexibility in storage and handling of the bulk materials, which are substantially prevented from premature chemical reactions or undesired exposure to environmental elements or chemicals.
US09045271B2	Packaging devices, systems and methods A cushioning device comprises a compressible dot having a top cushioning surface and a substantially flat attachment surface. The compressible dot is adapted to increase in density in correlation with increasing compression force exerted on the compressible dot. The top cushioning surface is adapted to increase in contact surface area in correlation with increasing compression force exerted on the compressible dot. A packaging system comprises a packaging container having an inner surface and a compressible dot having a top cushioning surface and a substantially flat attachment surface, the compressible dot being attached to the inner surface of the packaging container.
US09045270B2	Caulking guns An electric caulking gun may include a main body portion including a cartridge setting portion to which a cartridge containing a caulking material can be set, an electric motor disposed within the main body portion, and a push rod configured to be pressed against the cartridge for dispensing the caulking material from the cartridge. The push rod may be coupled to the electric motor so as to advance and retract along a moving path. The electric motor may extend in a right and left direction across a vertical plane including the moving path of the push rod.
US09045269B2	Container closure having means for introducing an additive into the contents of the container A closure device for releasing an additive liquid into a liquid in a container by operation of the closure device and to a container including such a closure device. The closure device including a cap member defining a fluid chamber having a neck at a lower end thereof and a casing substantially surrounding the fluid chamber. A plug member extends into the neck of the fluid chamber. The neck has an upper portion with a first diameter, and wherein the plug member comprises a primary seal adapted to seal between the plug member and the upper portion of the neck. An upper seal is adapted to seal between the plug member and the upper portion of the neck. A nozzle is directed away from the fluid chamber and in fluid communication with the exterior surface of the plug member below the primary circumferential seal.
US09045266B1	System and method for retaining towels in place on a bar A method of securing and retaining a towel or other foldable item in a folded orientation over a bar or ring, includes steps of folding the towel over a bar or ring, so that there are two approximately equal folded lengths of the towel descending from opposed sides of the bar or ring, and providing a retaining device, or strap, having two opposed ends. The method then involves wrapping the strap about the folded item, beneath the bar or ring, so that the strap surrounds and contacts each of the two folded lengths of the foldable item. The two opposed ends of the retaining strap are then secured together, to form a secured loop about the foldable item below the bar or ring, whereby the foldable item cannot be removed from the bar or ring while the secured loop of the strap is in place about the foldable item.
US09045265B2	Child proof closure cap for container with combined tilting and rotating operation A child-proof closure cap for containers having an inner cap and an outer cap assembled for tilting with respect to each other. The inner cap includes an outer surface with notches for engagement with internal teeth on an inner surface of the outer cap to facilitate removal of the closure cap from the container with either left hand or right hand operation according to user's natural ability. The outer cap has a spring that is adapted to spring load the outer cap in a non-tilt arrangement relative to the inner cap.
US09045264B2	Container having an articulated pivoting cover The invention relates to a container (1) having a cover (2) which is connected to the container (1) by at least two hinge arrangements (3) so that it can be opened and closed about a pivot axis (a) relative to the container (1). For permanent attachment of the cover to the container each hinge arrangement (3) comprises: a hinge gudgeon (4) disposed on the cover (2) with a casing section (5) formed in some sections in a dish shape on which a web (6) extending in the direction of the pivot axis (a) is formed; and a slot (7) introduced into the upper edge region of the container (1) and extending in the direction of the pivot axis (a) for receiving the casing section (5) formed in some sections in a dish shape, wherein the extent (b) of the casing section (5) together with the web (6) measured in the direction of the pivot axis (a) is greater than the extent (c) of the slot (7) measured in the direction of the pivot axis (a).
US09045257B2	Grab bar and a container provided therewith A grab bar comprising a body with open opposite ends and diametrically opposed apertures close to the open ends; and a cap supporting a central leg supporting flexible side legs, each side leg comprising a protrusion at a free extremity thereof and being adapted to flex inwards toward the central leg as the central leg is inserted within the body from the open end thereof until the protrusions engage a respective the apertures in the body and emerge out of the outer surface of the body, and the cap is generally flush with an edge of the open end of the body; and the side legs being adapted to flex inwards toward the central leg as the protrusions are pushed toward the central leg thereby disengaging the protrusions from the apertures in the body and allowing the cap to be pulled out from the open end of the body.
US09045256B2	Packaging case for a windshield wiper blade A packaging case for a windshield wiper blade includes an elongated wiper blade receiving section including a perimeter wall defining a blade-retaining channel. The perimeter wall includes inner and outer wall segments. At least one aperture is formed within the outer wall segment of the perimeter wall. An elongated cover section is pivotally coupled to wiper blade receiving section and configured to pivot between an open state and a closed state. The elongated cover section includes first and second lateral walls and first and second end walls defining a cover compartment that fits over the elongated wiper blade receiving section. At least one projection is formed on an inner surface of the first lateral wall for engaging the at least one aperture formed within the outer wall segment of the contoured wall, thereby retaining the cover section over the wiper blade receiving section.
US09045255B2	Modular container system A modular container system, consisting of at least one container, characterized in that having at least one monolithic housing (1) consisting a back wall (2), having an opening (3) for a screw and an area (3a) for double-sided adhesive tape; sidewalls (4); connection clips (5) attached to the back wall; a cover (6) equipped with pins (16) allowing installation of illumination; a base (7); a plastic insert (9) of cylindrical shape, enclosed at its base; a vertical attachment system consisting of vertical, male, sliding shape connector (10); and a vertical female connector; a horizontal attachment system consisting of top openings (12) and bottom openings (13), and a horizontal connector (14); a safety system consisting of a lock (17); and a system allowing to create a portable configuration, consisting of a base (19) containing a female vertical connector (20) and a handle (21a) and (21b).
US09045249B2	Synthetic resin container having pressure reducing/absorbing capability in the bottom A synthetic resin container with a bottom structure in which forms, in the bottom portion thereof, an outer circumferential wall that is continuing from the body portion, an annular leg portion inclusive of a grounding portion and an inner circumferential wall, and a raised bottom portion positioned over the grounding portion on the inside of the inner circumferential wall of the leg portion. The raised bottom portion protrudes downward beyond the root portion where the leg portion is continues to the inner circumferential wall, a plurality of arcuate protuberances are formed in a spiral shape heading from the outer edge of the central portion of the raised bottom portion toward the outer circumferential side, and arcuate dents are formed among the arcuate protuberances that neighbor each other.
US09045246B2	Container usable as a deep bottom and shallow bottom type container, and manufacturing method thereof To provide a container usable as a deep bottom- and shallow bottom-type container by changing between deep bottom- and shallow bottom-type container configurations by folding along prescribed ruled lines, forming a protruding part on the circumferential wall surface and forming undistorted smooth surfaces; and to provide a manufacturing method thereof. This container usable as a deep bottom- and shallow bottom-type container in which a deep bottom-type container configuration can be changed into a shallow bottom-type container configuration, wherein said deep-bottom type container is obtained by folding, along prescribed ruled lines, a single blank having a part with prescribed ruled lines and corresponding to the bottom surface, a part sectioned into compact triangles and quadrilaterals and corresponding to a partition surface, and a part corresponding to an inner folded surface, and said deep-bottom type container comprises a protruding part formed without distortion on the circumferential wall surface; and a manufacturing method thereof.
US09045245B2	Knotter assembly A knotter assembly for use in a wire-tieing system includes various elements. The knotter assembly includes a slidably removable twist module assembly, a removable segment gear assembly, and a removable torque tube assembly having two operating arms that carry operating components for actuating various elements of the knotter assembly.
US09045244B2	Apparatus and method for staining a tobacco pouch product An apparatus for distributing moisture and staining the web of a plurality of tobacco sachets. The apparatus includes a turret wheel assembly comprising a rotatable turret wheel having a plurality of cups for receiving containers for tobacco sachets, a sensor for verifying the presence a container within a cup of the rotatable turret wheel, a hydraulic injector for injecting water into a container having a plurality of tobacco sachets, means for tamping tobacco sachets, and means for agitating and stirring the plurality of tobacco sachets to lift and stir tobacco sachets from the bottom of the container. A method of distributing moisture and staining the web of a plurality of tobacco sachets is also provided.
US09045243B2	Apparatus and method for stacking corrugated sheet material An apparatus for stacking sheet material that may include a trim section and a stacking section, the stacking section being downstream the trim section for receiving the blanks of sheet material, forming bundles each having a plurality of blanks, and transferring the bundles downstream. The apparatus may further include a plurality of longitudinal positioning systems for independently longitudinally positioning a plurality of components in at least one of upstream or downstream directions so as to create an operator access space. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an incline conveyor section downstream the trim section and upstream the stacking section, and the trim section may have a takeaway conveyor for conveying the plurality of blanks of sheet material to the incline conveyor. In certain embodiments, the plurality of longitudinal positioning systems can individually longitudinally position at least two of the takeaway conveyor, the incline conveyor, or the stacking apparatus.
US09045240B2	Flight control device, spacecraft, and reference trajectory correcting method A flight control method and device for correcting a reference trajectory based on a distance from a current position to a target position in a spacecraft in flight. A CPU included in the spacecraft generates a reference trajectory which is a trajectory for allowing the spacecraft in flight to arrive at the target position on a celestial body with the atmosphere, and which is identified based on velocity or energy of the spacecraft and on drag acceleration of the spacecraft. The CPU calculates a ratio between the range that is a distance from the current position based on the reference trajectory to the target position, and the real range that is a real distance from a current position to the target position, and corrects the reference trajectory by calculating the drag acceleration in the reference trajectory using the calculated ratio.
US09045236B2	Device for exciting a landing gear of an aircraft while on the ground A device for exciting a landing gear of an aircraft while it is on the ground. The device includes an oblong bracing foot, a movable support on which the oblong foot is mounted and an arrangement for setting the gear into vibration.
US09045235B2	Service device, passenger service unit, fuselage of an aircraft, method for installing the service device The invention relates to a service device having a system of a gasper module and a lighting module for a passenger service unit of an aircraft, comprising: a lighting source in a housing of the lighting module for providing light and a gasper orifice in a housing of the gasper module for supply of gasper air, wherein the lighting module and the gasper module are assembled in a housing assembly of the service device, wherein the housing assembly is adapted to hold the lighting module and the gasper module essentially around an axis (Z) of the housing assembly. According to the invention the lighting module and the gasper module are separated from each other by a housing assembly bearing part, and a force transmission is applicable to the lighting module and the gasper module for independent movement of at least one of the lighting module and the gasper module relative to the bearing part, and wherein the gasper module housing and the lighting module housing are separately form fitted to the bearing part by a positive locking.
US09045229B2	Sealing system A sealing system (38) for use in an aircraft facility to be sealed from the environment comprises a closing element (40) which can be connected to a housing (42) of the aircraft facility in order to seal an opening (44) formed in the housing (42) of the aircraft facility. Furthermore, the sealing system (38) comprises a receiving device (46), and a sealing element (48) received in the receiving device (46). A transfer device (54) is adapted to transfer the sealing element (48) between an inactive state, in which the sealing element (48) is shaped and/or positioned such that it cannot be brought into sealing contact with a sealing surface (64), and an active state, in which the sealing element (48) is shaped and/or positioned such that it can be brought into sealing contact with the sealing surface (64).
US09045223B2	Method of assisting a pilot of a single-engined rotary wing aircraft during a stage of flight in autorotation A method of assisting a pilot of a single-engined rotary wing aircraft (1) during a stage of flight in autorotation, said aircraft (1) including a hybrid power plant having an engine (13), an electric machine (12), and a main gearbox (11). Said aircraft (1) also includes electrical energy storage means (14) and a main rotor (2) mechanically connected to said hybrid power plant (5). According to said method, while in flight, the operation of said engine (13) is monitored in order to detect a failure thereof, in particular by monitoring for a drop of power on said main rotor (2), and then in the event of a failure of said engine (13) being detected, said electric machine (12) is controlled to deliver auxiliary power We to said main rotor (2), thereby enabling the pilot of said aircraft (1) to be assisted in maneuvering said aircraft (1) during said stage of flight in autorotation following said failure.
US09045220B2	Control system of aircraft, method for controlling aircraft, and aircraft Stable flight can be achieved without the need for a complicated throttle operation by a pilot even when part or all of control surfaces malfunction. A computer (15) calculates a thrust control signal for controlling engine thrust and a deflection angle control signal for controlling control surfaces based on state information regarding an airframe and an operation command signal from an operation end. An engine control unit (17) drives an engine based on the thrust control signal. An actuator (16) moves the control surfaces based on the deflection angle control signal.
US09045219B2	Hand controller assembly A user input device for a vehicular electrical system is provided. The user input device includes a handle sized and shaped to be gripped by a human hand and a gimbal assembly within the handle. The gimbal assembly includes a first gimbal component, a second gimbal component coupled to the first gimbal component such that the second gimbal component is rotatable relative to the first gimbal component about a first axis, and a third gimbal component coupled to the second gimbal component such that the third gimbal component is rotatable relative to the second gimbal component about a second axis.
US09045216B2	Flight vehicle fairing having vibration-damping blankets Vibration-damping blankets are attached to the back surfaces of fairing panels of a flight vehicle (e.g., an aircraft or spacecraft) to reduce vibration, fatigue, structure and airborne transmitted energy, and cabin noise. In one case, the flight vehicle fairing has an exterior comprising exterior surfaces of a multiplicity of removable panels. A method of retrofitting the flight vehicle with vibration-damping blankets comprises: removing a panel from the flight vehicle exterior; attaching a vibration-damping blanket to a back surface of the removed panel; and installing the panel with attached vibration-damping blanket on the flight vehicle with the exterior surface of the panel forming part of the flight vehicle exterior. In one embodiment, the vibration-damping blanket comprises polymeric (e.g., aromatic polyamide) fibers in a nonwoven structure.
US09045208B2	Interlock vessel for hyperbaric transfer system An interlock vessel having an air-tight body with opposing ends. A portion of the body is designed to fit into a decompression (hyperbaric) chamber, wherein a diver or a patient undergoing a decompression treatment is positioned. The opposing ends are closed by pivotally moveable doors and locking assemblies that retain the doors in a closed position until the pressure inside the decompression chamber and the exterior of the chamber can be equalized. The outer door has two locking systems: (a) an interlock system and (b) a safety/delay locking system. Both locking assemblies are manually operated.
US09045204B1	Method and apparatus for wake enlargement system A Method and Apparatus for Wake Enlargement System have been disclosed. By using water pick ups that are mounted or deployable on a boat controlled filling of ballast tanks is possible without the use of pumps.
US09045202B1	Apparatus and system for detecting and sharing characteristics of a ride on a watercraft Described herein are systems and apparatuses for detecting and sharing characteristics of a ride on a watercraft. In general, a watercraft apparatus may include at least one fin coupleable to a bottom portion of a planar body. In a preferred embodiment, the fin may define a fully enclosed cavity configured to receive a ride tracking device. In general, a watercraft system may optionally include a planar body configured for moving across a water surface and for carrying a rider. In general, a watercraft apparatus may include at least one fin coupled or coupleable to a bottom portion of the planar body. In a preferred embodiment, the fin may define a fully enclosed cavity, and a ride tracking device may be disposed within the cavity.
US09045197B2	Boat seat base assembly A boat seat base assembly includes a pair of opposed side panels and a pair of opposed end panels joined to the side panels by means of shaped connecting members formed in one of the side panels and end panels and shaped apertures formed in one of the side panels and end panels wherein the shaped connecting members are slideably received in the shaped apertures with an interference between the shaped connecting members and the shaped apertures.
US09045196B2	C-shaped rigid buoyancy tube assembly for boats The stabilizing tube assembly extends from the stern of the boat to the bow of the boat, the tube assembly comprising two half sections, each half section comprising a single piece of metal which is bent along a plurality of longitudinal lines for a portion thereof, from an aft end to a selected point along the length of the half-tube, forming a C-shape over said portion. The remainder thereof to the bow end is cut to produce a plurality of individual finger portions which are joined together to form a bow end with the other half-tube section or joined, respectively, to ends of a separate forward section to form a stabilizing tube bow.
US09045195B2	Boat expanding and contracting apparatus An expandable and contractible pan protects a bottom portion of an expandable and contractible floor of a boat. The pan includes a panel of flexible material tensionable to fill a space between a first hull and a second hull of the boat in an expanded state of the floor. In a contracted state of the floor, the panel of flexible material relaxes to fit between the hulls of the boat. A deflector is mountable on a front portion of the boat. The deflector covers a front edge of the panel of flexible material, thereby obscuring entry to a top surface of the panel of flexible material.
US09045192B2	Quick release hub assembly A quick release hub assembly, comprising a stationary axle element with a first outer face and an axially opposed second outer face and an opening that extends axially between the first outer face and the second outer face, a rotatable hub shell element that is rotatable about the axle element and a quick release skewer assembly that includes a first skewer element with a first gripping face and a first collar portion extending axially inboard of the gripping face and a second skewer element with a second gripping face and a skewer shaft connecting the first skewer element and the second skewer element. The first gripping face is axially opposed and facing the second gripping face and the axial distance between the first gripping face and the second gripping face is selectively variable. The first gripping face is axially outboard the first outer face and the second gripping face is axially outboard the second outer face and the quick release skewer assembly extends through the opening. The first skewer element is connected to the skewer shaft by means of a connection at a location that is axially inboard of the first gripping face. Preferably including a frame with a frame element with first and second mounting portions, where the first collar portion includes locating geometry to provide radially positioning alignment with the first mounting portion.
US09045189B2	Scooter assemblies In some embodiments, a scooter comprises a deck configured to support a rider, a front wheel and a rear wheel, a steering column, and a foot brake. The steering column can include a steering tube and a handlebar assembly, and the steering column can be used to steer the scooter by controlling a direction of the front wheel. The foot brake can be configured to apply a braking force to the rear wheel when the foot brake is pressed down. For example, the foot brake can be configured to rotate about a pivot axis when the foot brake is pressed down. The foot brake also can be configured to return to an un-pivoted position when the foot brake is no longer pressed down.
US09045185B2	Two-way interactive light control device A two-way interactive light control device includes a plurality of lamps. Each lamp includes a microcomputer processor, a controlling code setting unit, a controlled code setting unit, a signal transmitting and receiving unit, a light drive unit and light emitting diodes. When the device is started, it can receive a wireless signal automatically and decode to identify whether the lamp is the same product. If there is no same lamp around, the device will set itself as the controller to keep searching the same lamps and to drive the light emitting diodes to twinkle. When the device receives a signal from the same lamps, the same lamps will be the controlled with their light emitting diodes to twinkle synchronously. Thus, when many same lamps meet, they can provide safe and warning effects.
US09045181B2	Position-securing mechanism and device unit equipped therewith A position-securing mechanism and a device unit equipped therewith for securing a working device to a trailer is designed to the working device is attachable to a working machine via a coupling device. The position-securing mechanism is formed with a sensor designed to detect a coupled state and a decoupled state of the coupling device, a receiving device having first and second functional sections provided on a first longitudinal side of the trailer or the working device, a locking device that is brought into a locked state in which this locking device prevents the release of the engagement of the functional sections and into an unlocked state in which this locking device permits the release of this engagement and a drive device connected to the sensor and driven thereby.
US09045178B2	Rotation device for load transporting apparatus Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that is capable of being steered while transporting a load across a base surface. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a roller track configured to support movement of a roller assembly, and a support foot that is connected to the roller track with a pin connector. During load transport, the support foot can be maintained in a substantially similar position relative to a frame structure supporting the load even when the transport movement is not in a parallel direction to the orientation of the support foot.
US09045175B2	Vehicle body rocker structure A vehicle body rocker structure includes a plate-like inner member and a plate-like outer member that extend in a vehicle backward-forward direction and join with each other in a vehicle width direction as a structure member for constituting a rocker, wherein respective cross-sections of the inner member and the outer member include upper joint portions, lower joint portions, at least one convex portion caused to project to opposite sides joining therebetween, and concave portions disposed between the upper and lower joint portions as well as on a vehicle body upper and lower side of the convex portions, respectively, and the upper joint portions, the lower joint portions, and the convex portions of the inner member and the outer member are joined with each other, respectively and plural closed cross-sections are formed in the vehicle body up-down direction.
US09045171B2	Work vehicle A work vehicle includes a fixed hood covering a rear area of an engine compartment housing an engine and an engine accessory, a swing axis extending through the rear area of the engine compartment in a transverse direction of the vehicle, and a swing hood swinging around the swing axis between a closed position and an open position. The swing hood tucks the fixed hood inside the swing hood and thus covers the fixed hood in the open position, and covers a front area and a middle area of the engine compartment and overlaps with a front end portion of the fixed hood in the closed position.
US09045164B2	Vehicle body structure A vehicle body structure includes a floor fabricated of resin, a pillar fabricated of resin, and a connecting member. The floor is disposed at a vehicle body lower side. The pillar is disposed so as to extend in a vehicle body up-and-down direction at a vehicle width direction outer side of the floor. The connecting member connects the pillar with the floor, and is constituted of a material with higher ductility than the pillar and the floor. Thus, a withstand load strength of a joining portion between the pillar and the floor is assured.
US09045162B2	Frame rail for a vehicle A frame rail for a vehicle has a pair of elongated structural members, each one of the pair of elongated structural members having flanges protruding from lateral edges thereof. The flanges of one of the pair of elongated structural members extend in a direction toward the flanges of the other one of the pair of elongated structural members. The frame rail also has first and second metallic web panels interconnecting the pair of elongated structural members. Overall, the frame rail has a box beam structure, wherein at least a major portion of each one of the first and second metallic web panels has a material thickness that is less than a material thickness of at least a major portion of each one of the pair of elongated structural members.
US09045159B2	Vibration-damping inflator and airbag module for a vehicle including said inflator An inflator (10) for a vehicle airbag module comprises an external housing (12) in which a combustion chamber (36) is formed, wherein the inflator (10) can be supported to be oscillating on a body-side component of the vehicle, especially on a component of the airbag module. Inside the external housing (12) a separate balancing weight (58) is arranged for adjusting the vibration behavior of the inflator (10), wherein the balancing weight (58) has no further inflator-specific function. In an airbag module for a vehicle including such inflator (10) the latter is supported by its retaining means on another component of the airbag module so that it is adapted to oscillate about a suspension plane.
US09045151B2	Track barcode systems for railroad management This invention is related to an economic and practical method of using barcode systems for the management of railroad tracks. The systems consist of barcodes and device(s) which can optically read and decode the barcodes. The barcodes are permanently installed on one or both rails of a railroad track at predetermined locations along the track. The barcodes include coded contents such as track location coordinates and other railroad property information along the track. By using these novel track barcode systems, sections of problematic tracks could be accurately located either manually or automatically for repeatable monitoring, repairing or replacement purposes.
US09045145B2	Vehicle and method of tuning performance of same A method for tuning a vehicle's performance may include measuring a plurality of parameters representing the vehicle's current handling condition and the vehicle's limit handling condition, determining a margin between the vehicle's current handling condition and limit handling condition, characterizing the driver's dynamic control of the vehicle based on the margin, and altering at least one tunable vehicle performance parameter based on the characterization.
US09045143B2	Electronic brake control device for a vehicle An electronic brake control device for a vehicle includes one or more output connections for activating one or more vehicle components that are not part of the vehicle brake system. The electronic brake control device includes a memory which has at least one memory location for storing operational data of a vehicle component that is connected to a respective output connection. The electronic brake control device is configured to detect data characterizing the operation of the connected vehicle component, collect the data as an overall operating value of the vehicle component, and store the data in the assigned memory location.
US09045133B2	Vehicle travel control device Provided is a vehicle travel control device that outputs a driving force command requested for a target by a driving force source, to vehicles having different driving schemes without changing a driving force command calculation method even when the driving force command requested by the driving force source has a different target. The vehicle travel control device includes a target acceleration computation section for calculating a target acceleration in accordance with a calculated target vehicle speed and with a detected actual vehicle speed, and a driving force computation section for calculating a driving force command from the target acceleration and outputting the calculated driving force command. The driving force computation section outputs at least one of a plurality of driving force commands, which are converted by using a plurality of predetermined conversion ratios, in accordance with a connected driving force source.
US09045128B2	Drive system Provided is a drive system that enables a reduction in the rise time of foot axis torque even if the drive system has a one-way clutch. The drive system includes a one-way clutch between a transmission and an output shaft. When a coasting determination unit determines to perform a coasting control, a control unit executes the coasting control by reducing the engine rotation speed of an internal combustion engine or stopping the engine rotation to bring the one-way clutch into a non-transmission state, and changing the transmission gear ratio of the transmission to a transmission gear ratio smaller than the transmission gear ratio calculated by a calculation unit.
US09045123B1	Brake setting system and method A system may include a vehicle system including at least one vehicle, wherein the at least one vehicle includes at least one handbrake. The system may also include a handbrake setting determination unit configured to determine a handbrake setting control input indicating whether the at least one handbrake is to be set in order to park the vehicle system at a particular location without moving. A handbrake setting suggestion may be based on the handbrake setting control input.
US09045121B2	Brake fluid pressure retainer device A brake fluid pressure retainer device for use in a vehicle incorporating a fluid pressure braking device includes an electromagnetic open-close valve disposed in a middle of a brake fluid passage between a brake pedal and a braking device provided for wheels, and a movable shutoff valve disposed in parallel with the electro-magnetic open-close valve for the brake fluid passage. The movable shutoff valve includes a movable valve body movable in a flowing direction of a brake fluid, a valve seat to be pressed by a front end to shut off the brake fluid, and a spring to apply force to the movable valve body in a direction in which the movable valve body moves away from the valve seat. A direction in which the movable valve body moves toward the valve seat is the flowing direction of the brake fluid.
US09045120B2	Pedal oscillation suppression A vehicle brake system. The system includes a wheel brake, a brake pedal, a master cylinder, a first valve, a second valve, a pump, a pressure sensor, a pressure controlling device, and a controller. The master cylinder increases a pressure of a brake fluid in the brake system based on a user depressing the brake pedal. The pump pumps the brake fluid through the first valve to the wheel brake and to draw the brake fluid from the wheel brake through the second valve. The pressure sensor senses a pressure of the brake fluid in the brake system. The pressure controlling device reduces a pressure of the brake fluid at the master cylinder. The controller operates the first and second valves, the pump, and the pressure controlling device during a controlled braking event.
US09045112B2	Adjustable rain sensor setting based on proximity vehicle detection A system for adjusting the wipers of a vehicle based on the use of rain and proximity detecting subsystem on a given vehicle for detecting the presence of rain and one or more other vehicles in proximity to the given vehicle, such that the wipers of the given vehicle can be automatically operated to better respond to material such as rain, snow, or other material being splashed on the given vehicle by the other vehicle(s). This system may utilize sensor subsystems used for other purposes for use as the proximity sensors.
US09045111B2	Windscreen wiper device A windscreen wiper device (I) for a motor vehicle. The device includes at least one wiper motor (2) on which a motor crank (4) is provided connected to at least one gearing (3) which is downstream of said wiper motor (2), so as to drive a wiper arm that is coupled thereto such that said arm performs an oscillating wiper movement on a windscreen of said motor vehicle, said wiper motor (2) being coupled to a control unit. Motor power generated by the wiper motor (2) is adjusted by the control unit depending on a transmission ratio which results from the position of said gearing (3). The control unit delays a reduction in the motor power until after the motor crank (4) has accelerated out of the respective wiper arm turning points to produce as uniform a wiper arm movement as possible on the windscreen.
US09045108B1	Airbag reinforcement material at an airbag gas inlet An airbag apparatus includes an inflatable curtain airbag, an inflator to provide inflation gas to deploy the inflatable curtain airbag, and reinforcement material. The inflator is coupled to an end of the inflatable curtain airbag at an inflator outlet. The reinforcement material is attached to a portion of an outer surface of the inflatable curtain airbag. Upon deployment of the inflatable curtain airbag, the reinforcement material is disposed between the portion of the outer surface of the inflatable curtain airbag and an external object in a vicinity of the inflator outlet to reinforce the inflatable curtain airbag from an edge of the external object.
US09045102B2	System for passive entry and passive start for a motor vehicle A system for passive entry and/or passive start for a motor vehicle is described, which includes an antenna group and an electronic control unit designed to be coupled to the vehicle, the electronic control unit for controlling the antenna group to cooperate with a portable recognition device carried by a user to enable the entry and/or start of the vehicle. The antenna group has at least a first antenna and a second antenna, designed to operate within the frequency range, and according to the communication protocol, of the Bluetooth standard, and having a respective radiation lobe; wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are arranged so that their radiation lobes are arranged on opposite sides with respect to a longitudinal symmetry axis of the motor vehicle.
US09045100B2	Shock absorbing member A shock absorbing member provided between a side member extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle and a bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction and provided at the side member, includes: a shock absorbing portion, which extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and is supported by the side member and which is configured to absorb an impact caused by a load by being compressed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle when the load is applied to the bumper reinforcement in at least one of a forward direction and a backward direction; and a bumper reinforcing portion, which extends from an end portion side closer to the side member in the impact absorbing portion toward a vehicle-width-direction outside and a bumper reinforcement side and which reinforces the vehicle-width-direction end portion side of the bumper reinforcement.
US09045098B2	Vocabulary dictionary recompile for in-vehicle audio system An in-vehicle audio system and methods are provided. A respective word or a respective phrase may be associated with each item of audio content stored in the in-vehicle audio system. The in-vehicle audio system may perform an action with respect to one of the stored items of audio content in response to a spoken command, which may include the respective word or the respective phrase associated with the one of the stored items. When audio content is to be added to the in-vehicle audio system, phonetics related to the audio content may be generated and added to a vocabulary dictionary during a compile process. When stored audio content is to be deleted from the in-vehicle audio system, phonetics related to the stored audio content to be deleted may be eliminated from the vocabulary dictionary during the compile process, which, in some embodiments, may be performed during a shutdown process.
US09045097B2	Two-dimensional position map correcting method Even when areas delimited by delimiting points are not appropriate and area division has failed, success or failure of area division in such areas can easily be determined by applying a map determination condition in the map determining step (step S50). And since the areas delimited by the delimiting points are changed and the map determining step (step S50), including also steps S22 and S23 and steps S30 and S40, is repeated until the map determination condition is satisfied, the areas satisfying the map determination condition are determined appropriate and the area division in such areas can be carried out accurately. Even when there is distortion, a two-dimensional position map can be corrected accurately.
US09045095B2	Security for a wireless ECU vehicle system A secure wireless vehicle control system includes a power source installed in a vehicle and a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) operative to control the operation of components of the vehicle, where each of the ECUs is connected to the power source via electrical wiring, configured with at least a communications unit for receiving security information via the electrical wiring, and also configured with a wireless transceiver operative to use the security information to secure wireless transmission. An ECU includes a wired connection to a vehicle's power source, a communications unit operative to at least receive security information via the wired connection, and a wireless transceiver operative to communicate with at least one other ECU, where the wireless transceiver is configured to use the security information to secure communications with the at least one other ECU. A method for securing wireless communications for an ECU includes receiving security information on a communications unit via a wired connection to a vehicle's power source, and using the security information to secure the wireless communications.
US09045093B2	Trailer wiring over-current protection An electrical power supply device for a trailer lighting system behind a truck is disclosed. The trailer lighting system including at least two FMVSS 108 compliant LED stop-tail-turn lamps. The electrical power supply device has an outer casing including a terminal to be electrically attached to and become part of the trailer lighting system. There are a plurality of electrically conductive wires within the casing. At least one of the wires is selected from one or more of the group consisting of low copper usage wire. The device has an over-current protection device along at least one which breaks current flow through the one wire below at an amperage threshold less than 25 amperes.
US09045090B2	Portable water sport board rack A portable water sport board rack includes a pair of generally parallel forks each including a plurality of elongated prongs that define channels for receiving and storing water-sport boards. The forks are transversely connected via a support cross member, and an extension member connects the cross member to a rotational unit. An elongated rod is secured to the bottom of the rotational unit at an angle, and the device is secured to a boat through insertion of the angled rod into a rod holder.
US09045089B1	Glove compartment A glove compartment for a vehicle includes a carrier that is unitarily formed of a polymeric material. The carrier includes a distinct upper compartment, a distinct lower compartment, and a distinct intermediate compartment that is between the upper compartment and the lower compartment. A first door is mounted on the carrier and is moveable between open and closed positions with respect to the lower and intermediate compartments. A second door is mounted on the carrier and is movable between open and closed positions with respect to the upper compartment. The second door can include first and second hinge arms that extend outwards from a door panel. The hinge arms are received through first and second openings in the upper compartment and are pivotally supported on first and second hinge mounts that are situated outside of the upper compartment.
US09045082B2	Non-invasive high intensity LED docking light and method for mounting A hull mounted light for illuminating a place of portage to which a watercraft would come to dock. The docking light includes high intensity LED light sources for efficient illumination, an illuminated surface area on the exterior of the apparatus, a combination of circuits that compensates for the irregular operation of the watercrafts electrical system and a method of mounting that allows for adjustment after being operationally verified.
US09045081B2	Device and method for adjusting the headlight range of a motor vehicle The invention relates to a device for automatically adjusting the headlight range of a motor vehicle, comprising at least vertically adjustment headlights comprising a control unit provided with a sensor device which is used to detect vehicle and/or ambient data and an evaluation and control device which is used to determine control data for controlling the at least vertically adjustable headlights. The sensor device is embodied as a non-predictable working sensor which is used to detect the vertical roadway curving.
US09045073B2	Vehicle alert device for velocity and stop detection An electronic device employed in vehicles, such as automobiles, to ascertain whether the vehicle has stopped at a stop point, such as a stop sign. The operation of the alert device is that it monitors the status of the vehicle's speed or wheel sensor (that it is outputting or not) and if a minimum pulse rate is present, then the vehicle is in motion. A further conclusion can be reasoned is that if there has been no pulse activity over a finite period of time that the vehicle is stopped. The alert device monitors a pulse derived voltage to determine that the vehicle has fully stopped. When the device has detected that the vehicle has come to a full stop an approximately one second tone or chime, and or a visual annunciation is generated and if enabled declare that the vehicle has come to a stop. The alert device also signals when vehicle motion initially occurs by a different tone and flash. The alert device automatically resets for the next stop or initial vehicle movement notification. The alert device facilitates compliance with the law.
US09045063B2	Articulating seat bolsters A vehicle seating assembly for a vehicle having a seat back and a seat. Bolsters extend laterally from one of the seat back and the seat and include a static projection, a cushion, and a dynamic projection disposed between the static projection and the cushion. The dynamic projection is operably coupled to one of the seat back and the seat. An articulation feature is disposed between the dynamic projection and the static projection and is operable between articulated and unarticulated conditions. A control is operably coupled to the articulation feature and is operational to move the articulation feature between the articulated and unarticulated conditions, which consequently move the dynamic projection relative to the static projection, respectively, thereby adjusting the angle of the cushion relative to one of the seat back and the seat.
US09045062B2	Reversible airline seat A passenger seat is provided that utilizes existing standard pitch dimensions for multiple seating classes, in combination with a proprietary reconfiguration mechanism that allows passengers to maintain an acceptable knee clearance regardless of the seat's orientation. According to some embodiments, a passenger seat may reverse position of the backrest in a way that maintains passenger density (number of passengers per class), while providing appropriate levels of comfort and respect for current social norms related to personal space. In some embodiments, a reversible tray table is provided for use with the reversible seat. In some embodiments, the tray table may couple with an adjacent tray table with engagement features.
US09045058B2	Vehicle seat apparatus A vehicle seat apparatus includes a seat unit supporting mechanism rotatably supporting a seat unit about a rotation axis in a roll direction of a vehicle and a yaw direction of the vehicle. The rotation axis is set so that a rear side is higher than a front side in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat apparatus, and so as to pass near a waist of a driver sitting on the vehicle seat apparatus.
US09045056B2	Apparatus for controlling motor system of environment-friendly vehicle and method thereof An apparatus for controlling a motor system of an environment-friendly vehicle includes a tilt angle sensor to measure a driving tilt angle of a vehicle; a hill hold determinator to calculate a real-time driving gradient of the vehicle in order to determine a hill hold situation based on tilt angle information from the tilt angle sensor; and a variable switching determination controller to calculate a command torque for a motor based on the real-time gradient calculated by the hill hold determinator and to determine a variable switching condition of an inverter based on the command torque, a motor speed and previous and current tilt angle information from the tilt angle sensor.
US09045055B2	Preventing of slip in an electrically powered vehicle A method and arrangement for preventing slip in a wheeled vehicle having two or more driving wheels that are operated with electric motors. The motor of each driving wheel includes a torque limit applicable to limit torque of the motor. For each driving wheel, the method includes setting an angular acceleration limit for the wheel, detecting angular acceleration of the driving wheel continuously, comparing the detected angular acceleration with the angular acceleration limit continuously, if the detected angular acceleration is higher than the angular acceleration limit, reducing the torque limit from its current value until the angular acceleration of the wheel is below the angular acceleration limit, increasing the torque limit at a first rate to a value lower than the value from which it was reduced, and increasing the torque limit at a second rate to the maximum value, the second rate being lower than the first rate.
US09045053B2	Information processing apparatus, motor-driven movable body, and discharge control method There is provided an information processing apparatus including a travelable information display unit that displays before a discharge, regarding motor-driven movable bodies of a discharge source and a discharge destination driven by using electric power of batteries, information about places to which the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source can move using electric power of the battery left after the discharge by assuming, when information about a discharge amount discharged from the battery of the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source toward the motor-driven movable body of the discharge destination that receives power supply is input, a case in which the discharge amount is discharged from the battery.
US09045052B2	Parallel configuration of series cells with semiconductor switching A battery pack for an electric vehicle includes a first battery arranged in parallel with a load of the electric vehicle. A second battery is arranged in parallel with the first battery and the load. A first semiconductor switching module is arranged in series with the first battery and is arranged to selectively allow current flow from the first battery to the load and from the load to the first battery. A second semiconductor switching module is arranged in series with the second battery and is arranged to selectively allow current flow from the second battery to the load and from the load to the second battery. A battery control module selectively turns on and off the first semiconductor switching module and the second semiconductor switching module.
US09045051B2	System for identifying an electric vehicle connected to electric vehicle service equipment A system for identifying an electric vehicle connected to electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) and which involves RF communication exploits the OBDM of the electric vehicle as well as the auto-CAM system. Power is applied from the EVSE to supply electric power and the flow of current to the battery charger is detected. The VIN and a power-on signal is then transmitted by RF to the EVSE transceiver. Power is removed from the EVSE to the electric vehicle. A VIN and a power-off signal is transmitted to the EVSE and processed to confirm the identity of the connected electric vehicle. Power is then re-applied to the EVSE to charge the battery power supply.
US09045050B2	Inductive charging method for vehicles An inductive charging system for vehicles includes a power receiving (PR) device disposed in a vehicle, and a power sourcing (PS) device disposed in a charging equipment separated from the vehicle.
US09045049B2	System and method for in situ charging of a remote vehicle A system for in situ charging of at least one rechargeable power source of a remote vehicle. The system comprises a power recharger having contacts configured to supply power to the at least one rechargeable power source, and a chassis adapter at least partially enclosing the at least one rechargeable power source and retaining the at least one rechargeable power source on the remote vehicle, the chassis adapter including terminals connected to the at least one rechargeable power source and configured to mate with the power recharger to allow the power recharger to recharge the at least one rechargeable power source. The chassis adapter comprises charger input contacts including a positive contact, a ground, and one or more data contacts. The power recharger automatically disengages from the recharging terminals when the remote vehicle is driven away from the chassis adapter without damaging the power recharger.
US09045046B2	Electrical charging system An electrical charging system for an energy accumulator of a motor vehicle. The electrical charging system comprises a supply input in a conductor system having at least one phase conductor and a neutral line for energy supply from a grid. The charging system also comprises a rotating field machine which, via its phase windings, is operably connected to a rectifier. The rectifier is provided on the other side for connection to the energy accumulator to be charged, the phase windings of the rotating field machine can be either selectively isolated and interconnected such that the charging system is designed for step-up connecter charging operation and step-down charging operation by way of at least one isolated phase winding and, in particular, all the isolated phase windings.
US09045041B2	Driver behavior from probe data for augmenting a data model In one implementation, sets of probe data are collected by probe vehicles. The probe data describes the driving characteristics of the probe vehicles. The sets of probe data are sent to a server or a mobile device for analysis. A polycurve, including a piecewise function of map data, is modified based on the probe data. The polycurve may be a spline curve for an advanced driver assistance system. The modified polycurve may be used in the advanced driver assistance system for a vehicle traveling along the same path previously traversed by the probe vehicles. Based on the polycurve modified by the probe data, a driver assistance feature is provided to the vehicle.
US09045037B2	Ventilation assembly A ventilation assembly has a support structure, an electric motor and a fan connected to the motor. The fan has a cup-like hub with an annular side wall and a bottom wall and which define internally a housing in which the motor extends. The hub further has a plurality of internal vanes for the ventilation of the motor, that extend from the side wall of the hub. The support structure has at least one arcuate formation which is coaxial with the axis of the fan and which extends axially inside the hub of the fan, in a partially interpenetrated relationship with the side wall of the hub to form a labyrinth-like radial path between external and internal regions with respect to the hub.
US09045034B2	Hybrid drive train A drive train for a motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine and a hydraulically shiftable transmission unit. The input of the transmission can be connected via a clutch arrangement to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The output of the transmission can be connected to driven wheels of the motor vehicle. The crankshaft is connected to a pump shaft which drives a pump arrangement for a hydraulic arrangement, by means of which the transmission unit is shifted and/or lubricated. The pump shaft is connected to an electric machine. The pump shaft is connected to the crankshaft via a constrained motion mechanism. The electric machine is arranged in the axial direction between the constrained motion mechanism and a pump of the pump arrangement.
US09045033B2	Vibration-damping controlling apparatus A sprung vibration damping for suppressing sprung vibration which is generated to a vehicle by an input from a road surface to wheels provided with the vehicle by controlling a torque of a motor, and the sprung vibration damping is subjected to a restriction including a prohibition in response to a state of battery, which supplies power to the motor, such as a voltage and a temperature of the battery or a state of a control, which affects the power of the battery, such as a charge/discharge amount feedback control and the like.
US09045029B2	Axle for a motor vehicle A vehicle axle, in particular a torsion beam axle for an electric vehicle, with at least one trailing arm on which is arranged a drive unit located close to a wheel, and the drive unit comprises an electric machine and a transmission unit. The drive unit, close to the wheel, has at least one supply line and at least one damper such that the drive unit, close to the wheel, is formed at least partially as a trailing arm and the damper is connected, on at least one side, to the drive unit at least in a single-shear manner and can be connected, on at least the other side, to a body of the electric vehicle. The at least one vehicle axle is utilized on a motor vehicle.
US09045027B2	Sealing system for slide out rooms A seal useful in sealing slide out rooms used in recreational vehicles. The seal may be used singularly or in pairs to straddle a wall through which the opening is located. A bulb is attached to the base in a cantilevered manner over the base. The bulb has an outer arcuate portion that is integrally joined to opposing sidewall portions. The sidewall portions extend into an inner wall that defines an enclosed space within the bulb portion. The bulb portion may also have a protrusion that can touch the base. A wiper extends from the base substantially co-linearly to the base and opposite the offsetting member. A locating leg extending from the base is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position has the locating leg perpendicular to the base and the second position places the locating leg parallel to the base.
US09045025B1	Articulated gull wing door An articulated gull-wing door is described. The articulated gull-wing door comprises an upper section and a lower section mounted in a modular frame or directly in the body of a motor vehicle between two pillars. The upper section is overlapable with the lower section when the door is in a closed position to provide a leak proof interface. The upper section is attached to a top of the modular frame with a plurality of hinges and comprises a sliding rod that is couplable to a mechanical link in the lower section. The lower section comprises a plurality of linear bearings arranged at an upper portion of a front side and a rear side of the lower section to slidably couple the lower section to corresponding rails attached to upper front and upper rear portions of the modular frame. The lower section is capable of slidably displacing itself in a vertical direction on the rails in the modular frame to fixed upper pivot points and then rotating upward upon the fixed upper pivot points to a fully opened position.
US09045020B2	System and method for reducing a buffeting condition in a passenger compartment of a vehicle A system and method for reducing a buffeting condition in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a blocking member disposed between the passenger compartment and an adjacent space that is configured to move between an open position and a closed position to respectively open and close an opening between the passenger compartment and the adjacent space. The system further includes a motor operatively coupled with the blocking member and configured to move the blocking member between the open position and the closed position. The system still further includes a controller operatively coupled to the motor and configured to control the motor to move the blocking member to alternate between the open position and the closed position at a predetermined rate in response to a triggering event, whereby a buffeting condition experienced in the passenger compartment is diminished.
US09045017B2	Method for chassis control of a motor vehicle, and device for the performance thereof In a method for chassis control of a motor vehicle which has at least one wheel suspension, a vehicle body, and a shock absorber having a rebound stage, whose stiffness is adjustable, and a compression stage, whose stiffness is adjustable, the stiffness of the compression stage is changed for a compressive load of the shock absorber generated by a specific vehicle body movement, and the stiffness of the rebound stage is additionally changed for a subsequently following tensile load of the shock absorber generated by the specific vehicle body movement, or the stiffness of the rebound stage is changed for a tensile load of the shock absorber generated by a specific vehicle body movement, and the stiffness of the compression stage is additionally changed for a subsequently following compressive load of the shock absorber generated by the specific vehicle body movement.
US09045015B2	Laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first cylinder unit supports the first wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body and a second cylinder unit supports the second wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body. Each cylinder unit includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder connected in series. Each first cylinder has a first diameter and each second cylinder has a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The first and second cylinder units are fluidly connected to each other. Fluid is transferable between cylinder units between a first cylinder of the one cylinder unit and a second cylinder of the other cylinder unit.
US09045014B1	Military vehicle A vehicle includes a passenger capsule, a front module, a rear module, a lift structure, and a plurality of interfaces. The passenger capsule includes a structural shell having a first end and a second end. The front module includes a first longitudinal frame member, a second longitudinal frame member, and a front axle assembly. The rear module is coupled to the second end of the passenger capsule and includes a rear axle assembly. The lift structure includes a first protrusion extending from the first longitudinal frame member and defining a first aperture and a second protrusion extending from the second longitudinal frame member and defining a second aperture. The first aperture and the second aperture form a pair of front lift points. The plurality of interfaces couples the first longitudinal frame member and the second longitudinal frame member of the front module to the first end of the structural shell such that a lifting force applied to the pair of front lift points is transmitted into the structural shell of the passenger capsule to lift the vehicle.
US09045010B2	Motorcycle tire A motorcycle tire comprises a tread portion having a tread width between tread edges. The tread portion is provided with a crown oblique groove disposed within a center region of the tread portion is defined as having 30% of the tread width. The center region having a radius of curvature of from 0.60 to 0.75 times the tread width in a meridian section of the tire, and the center region has a land ratio in a range of from 0.75 to 0.95. The crown oblique groove extends continuously or discontinuously in the tire circumferential direction, across the tire equator a plurality of times, and the crown oblique groove is inclined at angles of not more than 20 degrees with respect to the tire circumferential direction.
US09045009B2	Set of pneumatic tires and an arrangement of mounting pneumatic tires A set of pneumatic tires that are mounted on a vehicle such as a compact or subcompact car, and to an arrangement of mounting the pneumatic tires on the vehicle, which enable omitting of tire rotation without adversely affecting productivity and performances of the tires. Dimensions, shaping and contour as well as tread pattern of the tires for the drive wheel are identical or substantially identical with those for the non-drive wheels. And, wear resistance of the tires for the non-drive wheels is lower than that for the drive wheels due to discrepancy in rubber compositions for forming tire treads between the tires for drive and non-drive wheels. The wear resistance may be defined as a mileage per 1 mm wear in depth direction of grooves on the tire tread around its center line.
US09045005B2	Air maintenance pumping assembly and tire A tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity, first and second sidewalls, a sidewall groove, an air passageway, and a pressure regulator mounted to an inner surface of the pneumatic tire cavity. The pressure regulator controls air pressure within the pneumatic tire cavity. The first and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending when circumferentially within a rolling tire footprint. The sidewall groove defining groove sidewalls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The groove and air passageway deform segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to the bending of the first sidewall bending region circumferentially within the rolling tire footprint.
US09045004B2	Pneumatic tire The pneumatic tire includes a belt layer having a circumferential reinforcing layer. Additionally, the pneumatic tire includes a plurality of circumferential main grooves, and a plurality of land portions partitioned by the circumferential main grooves in a tread portion. The width W1 of the land portion on a tire equatorial plane, and the width W2 of the second land portion at an end portion of the circumferential reinforcing layer have a relationship such that 1.05≦W1/W2≦1.30.
US09045003B2	Pneumatic tire Provided is a pneumatic tire which is improved in a rolling resistance and a ride comfort in normal running without damaging a run flat durability.It is a pneumatic tire provided with a bead core, a carcass layer, a tread rubber layer, an inner liner, a side reinforcing layer and a bead filler, characterized by using a rubber composition (a) which contains (A) a rubber component and (B) a filler and which has a dynamic storage modulus (E′) of 10 MPa or less at a dynamic strain of 1% and 25° C. and a Σ value of 5.0 or less in a loss tangent tan δ at 28 to 150° C. in the physical properties of the vulcanized rubber.
US09045000B1	Tire changing apparatus A tire changing device is disclosed which comprises a tire support tray having two spaced apart adjacent parallel slots in the mid-section of the tray and a rotating cylindrical roller located in each slot. An incline plate is hingedly connected to the tire support table which plate also has two spaced apart adjacent parallel slots which when the incline plate is rotated and rolled on the tire support plate the two slots in the tray and the two slots in the incline table mate with the surface of the two rollers protruding above the surface of the tire table. A telescoping rim capture rod extend upward from the tire tray and terminates in a horizontal hook for retaining the tire securely in place. The tire to be changed is rolled up the incline plate onto the tire tray and is secured between the two surfaces of the rollers. After the tire change, the tire is rolled down the incline plate and into storage away from the tire changing device.
US09044997B2	Anti-skinning container interior portion An interior portion of a container (e.g., a lid portion, a base portion, etc.) includes one or more walls of a body of material (e.g., in a hexagonal configuration, a spiral configuration, a concentric circular configuration, etc.) that define one or more reservoirs. The one or more reservoirs are open to receive fluid composition therein (e.g., when the lid is positioned to close the container).
US09044977B2	System and method for threading a web through a printing device A method for assisting the threading of a media web in a continuous feed printer has been developed. The method includes generating an electrical signal that corresponds to a level of tension applied by a media web to a roller positioned along a media path in a printer as the media web travels over the roller. A controller activates at least one actuator to rotate a roller positioned along the media path in response to identifying that the level of tension exceeds a predetermined threshold to facilitate threading of the media web through the printing device.
US09044969B2	Methods, apparatus, and systems for UV gel ink spreading A UV curable gel ink spreading method and system includes setting an ink re-flow drum temperature, jetting UV gel ink onto a substrate using a print head, heating a back side of the substrate to cause re-flow using the re-flow drum, and curing the UV gel ink image using a UV source to produce a cured image. At least one of drawback and line spread may be measured in-line to determine whether to modify a drum temperature, a UV source location, and/or a print process speed to optimize drawback and/or line spread. Acceptable or optimized temperatures and/or UV source locations may be saved as a set point that corresponds to a substrate type.
US09044968B2	Printer apparatus In accordance with one embodiment, a printer apparatus comprises a first paper conveyance path configured to convey a first paper which has printing surfaces on both sides, that is, a first surface and a second surface serving as a back surface of the first surface; a first printing section configured to carry out printing on the first surface; a second printing section configured at the downstream side of the first printing section in a paper conveyance direction to carry out printing on the second surface; and a second paper conveyance path configured to merge with the first paper conveyance path between the first printing section and the second printing section, and convey a second paper which has a printing surface on either of a first surface and a second surface serving as a back surface of the first surface.
US09044967B2	Marking apparatus and marking method The invention relates to a making apparatus for making an object comprising—a marking head (20) having a plurality of receiving spaces (24) for individual marking devices (40) and—a driving mechanism for providing a relative movement of the object (8) relative to the marking head (20) in an advance direction (16), wherein—the receiving spaces (24) are arranged in a plurality of rows (30) and columns (32), such that an array (22) of receiving spaces (24) with a rectangular pattern of the receiving spaces (24) is formed, and—the array (22) of receiving spaces (24) is tilted with regard to the advance direction (16)—the marking head (20) comprises a receiving plate (28) having a plurality of receiving holes (26) formed as through-holes therein, the receiving holes (26) forming the receiving spaces (24) for the individual marking devices (40),—the marking devices (40) each include a ferrule (42) which is insertable into a receiving hole (26) of the receiving plate (28), and—the receiving holes (26) are formed to tightly and removably hold the individual ferrules (42) therein.
US09044966B2	Method of producing wall covering with relief in a continuous process The present invention relates to a method for producing wall covering with relief, such as for example wallpaper, in a continuous process in a less expensive way (in the case of limited print runs) and with fewer limitations with regard to the size of the repeat of the pattern, comprising: step a providing a base; step b applying a heat-expandable material to this base in a continuous process using an analogue printing technique; step c applying one or more liquids, which influence the expansion of the expandable material, in a desired pattern in a continuous process using a digital printing technique; step d heating the base with the expandable material which has been applied thereto and the one or more liquids applied thereto to a temperature at which the expandable material expands.
US09044965B2	Disposable digital camera with printing assembly A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead.
US09044960B2	Sparse test patterns in printed documents for identification of inkjet and printhead performance in a printer A method for operating an inkjet printer to identify inoperable inkjets includes ejecting ink drops of a first color onto an image receiving surface to impose a control pattern on a document zone in addition to an ink image generated in the document zone. A density of the control pattern in the document zone changes at a rate that is at or less than a predetermined threshold. The method includes generating scanned image data of a portion of the control pattern on the image receiving surface and identifying a performance parameter corresponding to inkjets and printheads in the printer.
US09044958B2	Image forming apparatus and methods thereof Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include identifying a first ink density of ink in an ink tank by a density sensor unit disposed in the ink tank. The image forming apparatus and methods also include identifying an ink weight of ink in an intermediate reservoir by a weight sensor unit. The image forming apparatus and methods also include determining a second ink density of the ink in the intermediate reservoir based at least on the identified first ink density by the density sensor unit and the identified ink weight of the ink in the intermediate reservoir by the weight sensor unit.
US09044956B2	Pagewidth printhead assembly having ink distribution member A pagewidth printhead assembly for an inkjet printer includes: a plurality of channels for distributing the ink along a length of the printhead assembly; a plurality of printhead integrated circuits; and an ink distribution member upon which the printhead integrated circuits are fixed and which distributes ink from the channels to the printhead integrated circuits. The ink distribution member has a plurality of ink supply holes and a plurality of ink supply conduits defined in a surface thereof and the printhead integrated circuits are fixed to the ink distribution member via a bonding film. The bonding film includes a plurality of through-holes coinciding with the ink supply holes and end portions of the ink supply conduits.
US09044953B2	Hard imaging devices, print devices, and hard imaging methods Hard imaging devices, print devices, and hard imaging methods are described. According to one arrangement, a hard imaging device includes a media transport system configured to move media along a media path and a print device adjacent to the media path. The print device may include an image forming device configured to eject a plurality of droplets of a liquid marking agent in a direction towards the media moving along the media path to form hard images using the media, wherein the ejection of the droplets of the liquid marking agent from the image forming device creates puddles of the liquid marking agent on the image forming device and a puddle removal system configured to remove the puddles of the liquid marking agent from the image forming device.
US09044950B2	Printing apparatus and printing method A printing apparatus that includes a head unit in which a plurality of heads are disposed so that parts of nozzle rows overlap with each other between the heads and a control unit configured to make the head unit execute a specified operation for forming flushing dots other than image formation dots on a print medium by discharging liquid through the nozzles. The control unit makes the head unit execute the specified operation in which a liquid amount discharged in the specified operation per nozzle that does not belong to an overlap area where parts of the nozzle rows overlap with each other between the heads is larger in a set movement distance thereof than a liquid amount discharged in the specified operation per nozzle that belongs to the overlap area in a set movement distance thereof, if a specified condition for execution of the specified operation is satisfied.
US09044948B2	Liquid discharge head substrate, liquid discharge head, and method of manufacturing liquid discharge head substrate A liquid discharge head substrate includes a base; a pair of wiring lines; a heat-generating resistive layer, which is in contact with the wiring lines, and which has a portion corresponding to a space between the wiring lines, the portion forming an electrothermal transducer; an insulating layer which covers the heat-generating resistive layer and the wiring lines and which contains Si; a protective layer which covers at least one region of the insulating layer which contains Ir; and an intermediate layer which is placed between the insulating layer and the protective layer. The intermediate layer contains a material represented by the formula TaxSiyNz, where x is 5 atomic percent to 80 atomic percent, y is 3 atomic percent to 60 atomic percent, z is 10 atomic percent to 60 atomic percent.
US09044947B2	Ink jet printing apparatus and ink jet printing method An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing apparatus which can prevent possible stripe-like density unevenness in a joint in a print head constructed by joining a plurality of chips together even if the print head is inclined to the regular position of the print head. The present invention uses a print head having the nozzle arrays being shifted in a direction in which the nozzles are arranged, so as to have overlapping portions in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arranging direction. The present invention controls an ink ejecting operation of the nozzles in the overlapping portions between the plurality of nozzle arrays on the basis of an angle between the nozzle array arranging direction and a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the print head moves relative to the print medium.
US09044944B2	Liquid discharge head and method of making the same A liquid discharge head includes a substrate including an energy generating element that generates energy used to discharge liquid and a discharge port member having a discharge port surface with a discharge port line including discharge ports, through which the liquid is discharged, arrayed in a first direction. The discharge port surface includes a groove portion disposed between the discharge port line and a first end of the discharge port member in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The groove portion extends along the discharge port line. The discharge port surface further includes an inclined surface disposed between an end of the discharge port line and a second end of the discharge port member in the first direction. The inclined surface is inclined toward the second end.
US09044943B2	Inkjet printhead incorporating oleophobic membrane An inkjet printhead includes an oleophobic membrane arranged at a location that allows the oleophobic membrane to simultaneously vent air from an ink flow channel of the printhead and to retain ink within the ink flow channel. The oleophobic membrane includes a metal structure having a nanostructured surface and low-surface energy coating disposed on the metal structure.
US09044940B2	Inkjet printing apparatus An inkjet printing apparatus for printing images on printing paper by discharging ink while moving inkjet heads and the printing paper relative to each other. The apparatus includes an inkjet head holder for holding the inkjet heads, a controller for operating a plurality of motors to move the inkjet head holder vertically at least between a printing position and an origin position, and a monitoring unit for monitoring, during a vertical movement caused by the controller, synchronous rotations of the plurality of motors, and corresponding directions of rotation of the plurality of motors.
US09044938B2	Inkjet printer An inkjet printer is provided that includes a control device configured to determine an ink discharge moment when an inkjet head discharges an ink droplet from nozzles while moving within at least one of a acceleration range to accelerate the inkjet head and a deceleration range to decelerate the inkjet head, based on a distance between an ink discharge surface of the inkjet head and a recording sheet held in a predetermined wave shape and an amount of change in a moving velocity of the inkjet head.
US09044933B2	Printing up to edges of printing paper without platen soiling Images are printed up to the edges of a print medium while preventing ink droplets from depositing on the platen. Ink droplets are ejected without blank space up to the edges of the medium according to print data. The print medium is supported opposite a dot-recording head. Ink droplets are ejected to a first area lying outside of an upper edge of the print medium and to a second area lying outside of a lower edge of the print medium. A length of the second area in a sub-scanning direction is greater than a length of the first area in the sub-scanning direction. In device embodiments, control of such operations is provided by a controller.
US09044932B2	Image recording method An image recording method includes a liquid composition-applying step in which a liquid composition is applied onto an intermediate transfer body, an intermediate-image-forming step in which an ink containing a colorant is applied onto the intermediate transfer body to form an intermediate image, and a transferring step in which the intermediate image is heated to a transfer temperature Tt and transferred onto a recording medium. The liquid composition includes first polymer particles. The ink includes second polymer particles. In the transferring step, Tg2
US09044928B2	Mailing lines and related methods Mailing lines and related methods are disclosed. An example book addresser includes a print head to address varying thickness books and a lift movable relative to the print head between a first position and a second position to substantially maintain a distance between the print head and the varying thickness books.
US09044923B2	Multilayer fluoropolymer films The invention relates to a multi-layer film having at least one fluoropolymer layer, useful for high-purity contact applications. Preferably the fluoropolymer layer(s) are polyvinylidene fluoride polymers and copolymers.
US09044922B2	Self-releasing fuser members and methods of making the same A self-releasing fuser member for an image forming apparatus having a fluoropolymer with fluorocarbon chains bonded to the fluoropolymer via a linking group; a quaternary, tertiary, or secondary carbon atom; and a reactive group. The fluorocarbon chains are oriented nonparallel to the surface of the self-releasing fuser member. Image forming apparatuses having such self-releasing fuser members and methods of making such self-releasing fuser members.
US09044921B2	Solar heat reflective roofing membrane and process for making the same A roofing membrane with high solar heat reflectance includes a bituminous base sheet, a tie-layer with a reinforcement material, and a solar heat-reflective upper layer.
US09044919B2	Transparent laminated glass and use thereof A transparent laminated glass is described. The transparent laminated glass can comprise a transparent outer pane, at least one polymer layer, and a transparent inner pane. Uses of the transparent laminated glass are also described.
US09044918B2	Modified release coatings for optically clear film A modified silicone release coating suitable for use with clear, polymer films that shows reduced adherence when the resultant liner is wound up into large rolls and the smooth soft surfaces are placed into contact with each other. The adherence is reduced by providing a release layer which has a sub micro-rough top surface produced through the inclusion of a relatively small number of relatively large particles.
US09044916B2	Electrostatic adsorbable sheet An electrostatic adsorbable sheet (iii), which has a long-lasting adsorbability not easily affected by humidity, secures good ink adhesiveness, and does not generate troubles in a printing process, is provided. The electrostatic adsorbable sheet (iii) comprises a laminate of a label layer (i) containing a resin film layer (A) and a recording layer (D) on one surface of the resin film layer (A), and a peelable sheet layer (ii) containing a peelable layer (B) and a support layer (C), in which the label layer (i) and the peelable sheet layer (ii) are laminated so that the resin film layer (A) and the peelable layer (B) contact with each other. The peeling strength between the label layer (i) and the peelable sheet layer (ii) is from 1 to 50 g/cm, and the label layer (i) peeled from the peelable sheet layer (ii) is electrostatically adsorbable to an object to be attached.
US09044914B2	Permeable material compacting method and apparatus A permeable material compacting method includes feeding permeable material between at least one set of rollers, and decreasing a cross sectional area of the permeable material as it passes between the at least one set of rollers.
US09044913B2	Machine press In a machine press having a lower and an upper tool carrier, a hydraulic drive acting on the upper tool carrier comprises at least one closed hydraulic drive system that can be switched between rapid motion and press motion, the drive system having at least one hydraulic cylinder piston unit. The hydraulic liquid of the at least one hydraulic drive system is stored in a pressure accumulator fanning the storage container, supplying the entire associated hydraulic drive system. permanently with at least a base pressure above the ambient pressure. There is no hydraulic connection whatsoever between the working chamber on the piston rod side and the working chamber on the piston side of at least one hydraulic cylinder piston unit. The upper tool carrier is pre-stressed into its upper position by a spring unit.
US09044912B2	Operation method of electric press working machine An operation method of an electric press working machine including a frame body, a crown, and a plurality of support posts, a first slide that slides on the support posts, a second slide that slides on the support posts, a first-side drive source that drives the first slide, a second-side drive source that drives the second slide, and either a first upper die that is attached to correspond to the first slide or a second upper die that is attached to correspond to the second slide or both. The method includes: a step of moving the first and second slides to a first position; a step of moving the second slide to a second position while keeping the first slide at the first position; and a step of moving the second slide to a third position while keeping the first slide at the first position.
US09044911B2	Method of producing coloured tyre portions A method of producing colored tire portions, the method including: a step of forming a highly impermeable barrier layer; and a step of depositing a dye or colored layer on the barrier layer. The step of forming the barrier layer includes, in sequence, the operations of (a) depositing an aqueous dispersion on the part of the tire for coloring; (b) separating said aqueous dispersion into an aqueous phase and a solid phase; and (c) removing the aqueous phase.
US09044910B2	Tyre carcass forming method and drum To form a tire carcass, a body ply is wound about a drum, which has two half-drums movable axially in opposite directions to and from a center plane of the drum, and having respective turn-up bladders, on each of which is laid a respective annular lateral portion of the body ply; each annular lateral portion being turned up about a respective bead bundle and onto a sidewall of a toroidal-shaped annular central portion of the body ply by inflating the relative turn-up bladder and controlling distension of a given annular portion of the turn-up bladder so that, when inflation is completed, the annular portion assumes a given final position, in which an intermediate portion of the turn-up bladder rolls outwards along the relative sidewall of the annular central portion of the body ply.
US09044908B2	Tire blank assembly device including removable members The device for assembling a green blank form of the crown of a tire comprises: a support having a shape that exhibits symmetry of revolution (4), —members (8) for shaping the green tire, and for each member, means (20, 35) for removable attachment to the support, comprising at least one bolt (20) and able to fix the member to the support as soon as the member (8) is in a reception position on the support. The bolt (20) has a face able to collaborate with at least one face of the member or of the support in order to place the member in the reception position, the faces being arranged so that the face of the member or of the support cannot move the bolt. The members, when they are in the reception position, are juxtaposed to form a reception surface for components that form the crown of the tire.
US09044906B2	Method and forming tool for producing a fiber composite preform A method and forming tool produce a multi-dimensionally profiled preform from a multidirectional fiber composite material. A tensioning frame envelops top and bottom tool components and fixes the fiber composite material so it is allowed to be subsequently fed-in under frictional engagement. In order to compensate for excess material in regions where a shaping gap has a weaker profile, the tool components have forming elements arranged in the edge trimming zone of the preform and defining between them a drawing-through gap for the material. The drawing-through gap becomes increasingly the shape of a bead in synchronism with the tool components closing movement, and/or the tensioning surface of the tensioning frame is vertically adjusted relative to a tool component inlet surface in the forming phase such that a drawing edge for the material is formed in the tensioning surface.
US09044905B2	Forming device for manufacturing profiled semifinished products, system with such a forming device and method for manufacturing profiled semifinished products Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a profiled semifinished fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) product from a semifinished product of dry fiber or prepreg material that is moved through a forming device in its longitudinal direction (L), where the semifinished product is moved between the facing forming contours of tool parts in the longitudinal direction of a forming device on a carrier foil and the forming contours of the cross sections of the tool parts continuously change from a cross-sectional contour in the entry region to a forming contour in the outlet region, where a supporting part in the intake region of the forming device is set in vibration in such a way that the semifinished product is transformed into a ductile state due to the frictional heat generated between the supporting part and the semifinished product, and where the speed of the movement of the semifinished product is controlled in dependence on the temperature of the semifinished product.
US09044902B2	Radio frequency magnetic field responsive polymer composites The invention includes a composite material comprising magnetic field responsive particles distributed in a reversibly crosslinked polymer, wherein the reversibly crosslinked polymer includes thermally reversible bonds. In one embodiment, exposing the composite material to an electromagnetic field allows for crack-healing, remolding and/or bonding of the material.
US09044901B2	Removable profile assembly and method of use A profile assembly for use on a belt comprises a base configured to be attached to the belt, wherein the base comprises a lower portion configured to be in physical communication with a surface of the belt, and an upper portion comprising aperture channel therein, and a lip disposed adjacent to the channel on a side of the upper portion; and a removable profile configured to matingly engage the base, wherein the profile comprises an outer portion configured to be in physical communication with an object to be conveyed, and an inner portion configured to be inserted into the upper portion, wherein the inner portion comprises a protrusion extending from a first surface of the inner portion, the protrusion configured to extend through the aperture and snap fit with the lip.
US09044899B2	Porous film production method A solution of polymer uniformly dissolved into a solvent is prepared in a solution preparing step. The solvent contains good and poor solvent components for the polymer. The solution is discharged from a coating die to a support to be a coating film thereon in a primary body forming step. A water drop generating step and a fluidity decreasing step are performed in parallel with each other while wet air is applied to the coating film. Water drops are generated on a surface of the coating film in the water drop generating step. The good solvent component is evaporated from the coating film to decrease fluidity of the solution for forming the coating film in the fluidity decreasing step. In the water drop evaporating step, dry air is applied to the coating film. The solvent and the water drops are evaporated from the coating film to obtain the porous film.
US09044894B2	Slot die position adjustment and return to baseline A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.
US09044891B2	Control device of an injection molding machine An injection molding machine includes a molding machine controller having a computer function to perform molding by controlling a mold clamping device that clamps a mold and an injection device that injects and charges resin, plasticized and molten by rotation of a screw inside a heating cylinder, into the mold by advancement of the screw. The molding machine controller includes a mode selecting function that selects either of two modes of an injection side setting priority mode for injecting and charging the resin by giving priority to a molding condition set on the injection device side and a mold clamping side setting priority mode for injecting and charging the resin by giving priority to a molding condition set on the mold clamping device side. A setting screen display function for displaying an injection side priority setting screen and displaying a mold clamping side priority setting screen is provided.
US09044886B2	Controlled valve fittings device for an installation for the blow-moulding of containers comprising individually operable valves A controlled valve fittings device (22) for an installation for the blow-molding of containers, includes: a low-pressure first valve (24A) which includes elements (58) for shutting off a low-pressure supply line (32); a high-pressure second valve (24B) which includes elements (58) for shutting off a high-pressure supply line (34); an exhaust third valve (24C) which includes elements (58) for shutting off an exhaust line (52); wherein each valve (24A, 24B, 24C) includes an individual actuator (60) and individual shut-off elements (58) which are controlled by the associated actuator (60) that makes them move between an open position and a shut-off position.
US09044885B2	Device for blow-molding containers A device for blow-molding containers including a structure and a platform mounted to rotate on the structure about an axis of rotation. The platform is provided with blower members and with molds that are mounted under the blower members, each of which includes a stationary mold portion and a movable mold portion that is movable in pivoting by a control device between an open position and a closed position for the mold. The device includes blocking members for blocking the molds in the closed state, each blocking member including a strut.
US09044883B2	Method for making containers comprising an intermediate depressuring operation Process for manufacturing a container (2) from a plastic preform (3) by blow-molding in a mold (11), comprising: an operation of introducing the preform (3) into the mold (11); a blow-molding operation consisting of pressurizing the preform (3) by introducing a gas under a blow-molding pressure into it; a flushing operation subsequent to the blow-molding operation consisting of partially pressurizing the container (2) by introducing a gas under a flushing pressure lower than the blow-molding pressure into it; an operation of at least partial depressurization of the container down to a pressure lower than the flushing pressure, wherein this depressurization operation is subsequent to the blow-molding operation and prior to the flushing operation.
US09044880B2	Method for producing container Provided is a production method for a container, including the steps of: inflating a material in a mold by direct blowing, the material including a polyamide resin composition containing 0.01 to 2 parts by mass of a crystallization promoter and 100 parts by mass of a polyamide resin obtained by polycondensation of a diamine component containing 70 mol % or more of m-xylylenediamine and a dicarboxylic acid component including an α,ω-linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and an aromatic dicarboxylic acid at a molar ratio of 97:3 to 90:10; and retaining the material in the mold whose temperature is controlled to 0 to 60° C., for a time beginning immediately after the direct blowing and lasting for 30% or more of a semi-crystallization time at cooling of the polyamide resin composition under a constant temperature of 160° C.
US09044879B2	Production method of wafer lens The aim is to regulate thickness on the optical axis in the production of wafer lenses. Disclosed is a wafer lens production method that is equipped with a dispensing process for dropping resin onto a molding die (64), an imprinting process for pressing either the molding die (64) or a glass substrate (2) toward the other, and a releasing process for releasing the glass substrate (2) from the molding die (64), and that repeats the processing from the dispensing process to the releasing process as a single cycle and successively forms resin lenses (4) on the glass substrate 2); wherein the height (A) of the non-lens area (6) surrounding the lenses (4) and the heights (B and C) of the glass substrate (2) are measured between the releasing process of a first cycle and the dispensing process of a second cycle, and the position of the molding die (64) is corrected for imprinting processes of the second cycle, on the basis of the heights (A-C).
US09044875B2	Chain saw A chain saw includes: a motor driven by electric power; a housing configured to accommodate the motor; a guide bar attached to the housing; a chain blade wound around the guide bar; a sprocket engaged with the chain blade to drive the chain blade, wherein the chain saw is configured to transmit a driving force of the motor to the sprocket via a clutch mechanism, wherein the chain saw comprises a shut-off switch for detecting an actuation of the clutch mechanism and is configured such that the power supply to the motor is stopped when the actuation of the clutch mechanism is detected by the shut-off switch so as to brake electrically. The electrical brake is provided together with a mechanical brake that is configured to work when a hand guard is rotated.
US09044874B2	Working component for mating with multiple shaft ends A working component for mating with multiple shaft ends includes a body portion and a clamping portion which is connected to the body portion and suitable for mounting the working component to the shaft ends. The body portion has a work piece processing area for acting on the work piece to be processed and the clamping portion has a mounting hole with a longitudinal axis Y. The clamping portion includes a support portion and a mating portion which is provided with a plurality of projections which extend in a radial direction vertical to the longitudinal axis Y and which are distributed alternately.
US09044871B2	Adjustable working area cutting machine An adjustable working area cutting machine includes a worktable, a cutting unit, a movable guide rail unit, a fence unit, and a locking unit installed on one of the worktable and the movable guide rail unit. The worktable includes a first rail. The movable guide rail unit includes a channel bar coupled to the first rail, and a second rail. The locking unit is fixed to the other of the worktable and the movable guide rail unit. The fence unit includes a fence arranged to be located on the top side of the worktable, and a slide coupled to the second rail. By moving the movable guide rail unit relative to the worktable, the working area of the cutting machine is relatively extended. To cut a large size workpiece, the position of the movable guide rail unit is adjusted relative to the worktable to extend the working area.
US09044867B2	Autonomous rechargeable heated child's mat The Autonomous Rechargeable Heated Child's Mat is totally portable and forms an integrated yet detachable part of the child's pushchair, buggy or pram (or similar conveyance). Rechargeable embedded power cells power the system for over 4 hours at a full heat output. The system is fully controllable from the parent or operator's mobile telephone or tablet device via bidirectional wireless communication. Simply seat or lay the child in the pushchair, buggy or pram (or similar conveyance) as normal. Using a dedicated application on the mobile device the child will quickly and safely be warmed to a controlled temperature as set by the parent or operator. The longest of excursions can now be made with the child in complete comfort and warmth. A powerful, intelligent and safe mobile heating system that is simple to operate and control wirelessly with simplicity.
US09044864B2	Wrist lock for a storage library Systems and methods are described for fixed rotational positioning of a robotic hand assembly using mechanical wrist locking techniques. A wrist is configured to rotate the hand assembly and point grip components in a desired direction (e.g., for pick and place operations). Tolerances of components of the wrist can accumulate to manifest rotational positioning error. Embodiments include wrist locking techniques for locking the wrist in a desired rotational position. Some implementations couple grip components with wrist lock components in such a way that movement of the grip components causes the wrist lock assembly automatically to move between locked and unlocked states. For example, retracting the grip components pushes a wrist lock latch into an unlocked position (allowing the wrist to rotate). Extending the grip components allows the latch to move to a locked position where it interlocks with an alignment feature to lock the wrist into an accurate, predetermined angle.
US09044863B2	Polarized enhanced confidentiality in mobile camera applications A system for selectively controlling visibility of information and for reducing or eliminating light energy in a robotic telepresence environment is provided. The system includes a robotic device in a work environment that is occupied or operated by a pilot at a station in a workspace remote from location of the robot in the work environment, a camera operably attached to the robotic device, a primary polarizing filter adjustably attached to the camera, a viewing area, at least one light source remote from the camera, and at least one secondary polarizing filter. The primary and at least one secondary polarizing filter can be adjusted to vary the lighting and artifacts seen by the pilot.
US09044862B2	Path planning apparatus and method for robot Disclosed herein are a path planning apparatus and a method for a robot to plan an optimal path along which a manipulator of a robot moves to a goal point from a start point. An obstacle within a prescribed angle on a straight line connecting a start point and a goal point is recognized as a middle point in a configuration space and arbitrary points separated from the middle point by a prescribed distance are selected. Among the selected points, arbitrary points which can directly connect the start point and the goal point without passing the obstacle are selected as waypoints to map a new middle node. A path is extended via the middle node and extension of a tree in a wrong direction is minimized so that the manipulator is not struck at local minima without depending greatly on a goal score, thereby improving the performance of path planning and rapidly searching for a path.
US09044860B2	Control method of robot apparatus and robot apparatus A control method of a robot apparatus, the robot apparatus including a link and a pair of actuators, obtaining each driving force command value of each of the actuators, and controlling each of the actuators, the control method including: a torque command value computation step; a change computation step of computing a difference between the joint stiffness command value and a value and performing a computation of subtracting a value from the joint stiffness command value; an iterative step of iterating the computations of the torque command value computation step and the change computation step until the difference converges to a value equal to or smaller than a predetermined value; and a driving force command value computation step to compute each of the driving force command values when the difference is converged to a value equal to or smaller than the predetermined value.
US09044857B2	Control system that guides a robot or articulated device with a laser distance meter for 3D motion, or guides a robot or articulated device with a computer pointing device (such as a mouse) for 2D motion A control system that guides a robot or articulated device with a laser distance meter for 3D motion, or guides a robot or articulated device with a computer pointing device (such as a mouse) for 2D or 3D motion. User needs to point to a desired physical location of the end point, and then the difficult work of finding the right joint angles to get there is done by a computer. System works like hand eye coordination. The hand goes wherever the eye is pointed so long as the eye is pointed within the reachable boundary of the jointed arm or articulated device.
US09044856B2	Robot apparatus, method of controlling the same, and computer program A robot apparatus includes a plurality of arm sections; a grasping-easiness calculation section configured to calculate an index value of grasping easiness quantitatively evaluating easiness of assuming a grasping posture for grasping an object or assuming a transition posture leading to the grasping posture for each of the plurality of arm sections; and an arm-section selection section configured to select an arm section to be used for actually grasping the object on the basis of the index value of the grasping easiness calculated for each of the arm sections.
US09044855B2	Processing context information A system for generating contexts of targets to estimate a high-order context is provided. The system includes: a detection device including: a sensor for detecting a target; a module for extracting the target and a primary context of the target based on data detected by the sensor; and a module for encrypting the primary context with a key corresponding to the target; a storage device for recording encrypted primary context from the detection device; and a processing device including: a module for receiving the encrypted primary context from the storage device; a module for receiving the key corresponding to the target involved in the encrypted primary context; a module for decrypting the encrypted primary context using the received key; and a module for estimating a high-order context using the decrypted primary context, where the processing device further includes a module for requesting the detection device to delete information on a key corresponding to a specific target.
US09044853B2	Handgrip for a dental device Embodiments are directed to a dental device holder for holding a dental device in place and a method of use of the dental device holder for providing dental care. The dental device holder can include a spherical outer wall with a plurality of holes in the wall, wherein a dental instrument can be inserted through the holes and frictionally retained in the dental device holder. The dental device holder can include attachment elements. A strap can be attached to the dental device holder using the attachment elements.
US09044851B2	Hydraulically operated tool with relief valve assembly A relief valve assembly limits the maximum torque of a gear motor of a hydraulically driven tool. The relief valve assembly dumps flow to a return channel to return hydraulic fluid to the supply when the relief valve assembly is activated. The relief valve assembly is placed in the channel of a directional valve spool, and varies its pressure setting depending upon spool position. This is useful to vary the pressure settings of a hydraulic motor in different directions.
US09044849B2	Power tool, particularly a hand power tool, the housing parts thereof being connected by means of form-fitting elements A power tool, particularly a hand power tool, has a motor housing and a housing cover, in which a brush cover can be removably inserted. Corresponding form-fitting elements are arranged on the motor housing and on the housing cover, said elements being connected to each other in a form-fitting manner in the assembled position. The brush cover is held on the housing cover and/or on the motor housing in a form-fitting manner.
US09044848B2	Impact tool having a vibration reducing member An impact tool includes a motor, a rotating shaft rotationally driven by the motor, a swinging member that swings in an axial direction of a tool bit by rotation of the rotating shaft, a tool driving mechanism connected to an end region of the swinging member in a direction transverse to the axis of the rotating shaft. The tool driving mechanism is moved rectilinearly in the axial direction of the tool bit by swinging movement of the swinging member thereby rectilinearly driving the tool bit. A vibration reducing member reduces vibration caused in the axial direction of the tool bit during operation of the tool bit. The vibration reducing member is disposed on an opposite side of a rectilinear working axis of the tool bit from the rotating shaft and connected to a connecting part between the swinging member and the tool driving mechanism so as to be driven.
US09044846B1	Adjustable lightweight camping mallet Adjustable weight camping mallet having a hollow head with interior chamber and access opening that can be selectively covered and uncovered. When uncovered, the access opening permits insertion of weighting material into the interior chamber to increase weight of the mallet head. Covering the access opening retains the weighting material within the interior chamber. The adjustable weight mallet has minimal weight, such as while backpacking, when the interior chamber is empty. When the mallet head is filled with weighting material (e.g., sand, water, wet sand, dirt, wet dirt, rocks, lead fishing sinkers, pocket knife, batteries, or combinations thereof), the weight can be increased by more than 50%, 100%, 200% or 300% depending on the volume and/or density of weighting material.
US09044841B2	Abrasive articles and methods of forming A method of forming an abrasive article includes directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a starting location on an abrasive preform comprising a bonding layer and abrasive grains within the bonding layer, and increasing the power of the beam of electromagnetic radiation to a scanning power while directed at the starting location. The method further includes changing the position of the beam relative to the abrasive preform from the starting location to a second location on the abrasive preform.
US09044838B2	Spindle device A spiral groove flow passage with a clockwise spiral direction and a spiral groove flow passage with a counterclockwise spiral direction are provided inside a spindle. When the spindle is accelerated to rotate in the forward rotation direction, a pressure in the direction of causing a reverse flow of a coolant is applied to the left-hand spiral groove flow passage by the axial-flow pumping action, but a pressure in the forward direction is applied to the right-hand spiral groove flow passage by the same axial-flow pumping action to cancel out the pressure causing the reverse flow described above.
US09044836B2	Hand-held power tool guiding device A hand-held power tool guiding device is disclosed. The device includes a receptacle element for receiving the power tool, a remote control device for operating the power tool, and a guiding and support device, which is designed to be adjustable with an adjusting lever. The adjusting lever has a handle which is configured to be rotatable relative to the adjusting lever around an axis of rotation.
US09044831B2	Method of joining part having high fatigue strength A method of joining using a supporting electrode 4 having a cooling circuit and a pressure electrode 8 movably arranged above the supporting electrode, using a steel material causing martensitic transformation for one of or both of a first member 20 having an opening portion and a second member 24, engaging the second member with the opening portion of the first member, starting conduction from a power supply to the supporting electrode and the pressure electrode, allowing an insertion portion of the second member to enter the opening portion of the first member by a pressure force of the pressure electrode, causing the second member and an inner wall portion of the opening portion to be subjected to solid-phase diffusion joining, rapidly cooling the both members by thermal conduction of the supporting electrode after the joining, and quenching a joined portion and generating compressive residual stress by the rapid cooling.
US09044830B2	Method for forming cavity, apparatus for forming cavity, method for manufacturing circuit board, and circuit board A method for forming cavity in substrate includes setting start position on closed loop line having circumference L for substrate, consecutively irradiating laser from laser device upon board for the substrate such that holes are formed, and moving the device in loop from the start position along the line such that penetrating hole is formed through the board. The start position of first loop is set as base position, the moving includes shifting the start position by distance d after each loop and controlling such that the moving satisfies p=Σdi, m≅L/p and M=m×n, where i=1 to n, n represents number of loops, p represents pitch of the holes, m represents number of the holes in loop, Σdi is distance from the base position for the start position after i-th loop, and M is number of the holes by the loops.
US09044826B2	Laser processing machines A laser processing machine includes a workpiece support, a movement unit that is movable relative to the workpiece support, the movement unit being configured to move a laser processing head over the workpiece support, and a switch cabinet in which one or more control components of the laser processing machine are provided. An arrangement of the switch cabinet provides a free movement space disposed underneath at least a portion of the switch cabinet, wherein at least a portion of the movement unit is disposed within the free movement space.
US09044823B2	Long light metal billet and method for manufacturing the same A plurality of short light metal billets obtained by pressing light metal pieces are stacked in a long container having an inside diameter D that is larger than an outside diameter d of each of the short light metal billets, are pressed in the long container at a temperature higher than room temperature, and are compressed until the outside diameter d of each of the short light metal billets becomes equal to the inside diameter D of the long container, thereby joining the short light metal billets together at an interface between each adjacent pair of the short light metal billets by friction.
US09044820B2	Auger with laser cladding and/or laser heat treatment and method An agricultural auger for conveying grain material is provided. The agricultural auger includes a shaft that is adapted to rotate about a central axis. A flight extends and spirals about the shaft. The flight further includes a base material of a first hardness. A laser treated material is formed on or into the base material along a portion of the flight. The laser treated material comprises a second hardness greater than the first hardness.
US09044816B2	Solder paste, joining method using the same and joined structure A solder paste including a metal component consisting of a first metal powder and a second metal powder having a melting point higher than that of the first metal, and a flux component. The first metal is Sn or an alloy containing Sn, and the second metal is a metal or alloy which forms an intermetallic compound having a melting point of 310° C. or higher with the first metal and has a lattice constant difference, i.e. a difference in between the lattice constant of the intermetallic compound and the lattice constant of the second metal component, of 50% or greater.
US09044814B2	Spindle drive apparatus and methods Systems and methods are disclosed for material treatment within a member or for removal of material from within a member. Embodiments have a spindle powered by a motor or motors positionable within the member during operation of the spindle; and, in certain particular aspects, such systems and methods are for forming a stator for a downhole motor.
US09044810B2	Rare earth magnet and its preparation A rare earth magnet is prepared by disposing a R1-T-B sintered body comprising a R12T14B compound as a major phase in contact with an R2-M alloy powder and effecting heat treatment for causing R2 element to diffuse into the sintered body. The alloy powder is obtained by quenching a melt containing R2 and M. R1 and R2 are rare earth elements, T is Fe and/or Co, M is selected from B, C, P, Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, Hf, Ta, W, Pt, Au, Pb, and Bi.
US09044806B2	Multi-component composition metal injection molding A method of metal injection molding on a plastics injection molding machine having a heated barrel with an increasing temperature gradient is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a metal alloy feedstock including a first metal alloy with a first melting point and a second metal alloy with a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point, the first metal alloy and the second metal alloy providing a gradient in composition of solids to liquids paralleling the temperature gradient of the heated barrel, feeding the first metal alloy and the second metal alloy into the plastics injection molding machine, heating the first metal alloy and the second metal alloy within the plastics injection molding machine to about 500-700° F./260-372° C.; and forming an equilibrium of about 5% to about 30% solids to liquids between the first metal alloy and second metal alloy within the heated barrel.
US09044801B2	Deep draw manufacturing process A method of manufacturing a drawn panel and a die set. The method includes clamping a blank between a binder and a die that defines a cavity. A first draw punch contacts the blank in advance of a second punch that subsequently engages the blank. A central area of the blank is drawn by the first draw punch that clamps a central area of the blank against a lower die. Side areas of the blank are drawn into the cavity by the side punches while the central punch clamps the blank again the lower die.
US09044799B2	Coil winding device and method of winding an elongate member A device for winding an elongate member into a coil includes at least one first body portion adapted to rotate about a first axis; at least one fixing device for fixing a portion of an elongate member to the at least one first body portion; and at least one force applicator for applying a force to the elongate member. The force includes first and second force components acting in perpendicular first and second directions respectively, in order to restrict movement of the elongate member in directions parallel with the first and said second directions. The first force component acts towards the first body portion to which the elongate member is fixed.
US09044796B1	Method of encapsulating waste A method of encapsulating and safely transporting hazardous waste is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: first, providing a waste object at a first location; second, covering the waste object with a closed cell polymer foam; third, allowing a sufficient time for the closed cell polymer foam to cure; and fourth, transporting the covered waste object to a second location. In another embodiment the method comprises the steps of: first, providing a waste object at a first location; second, treating the waste object to decontaminate or neutralize the hazardous waste; third, covering the waste object with a closed cell polymer foam; fourth, allowing a sufficient time for the closed cell polymer foam to cure; and fifth, transporting the covered waste object to a second location.
US09044794B2	Ultrasonic cleaning fluid, method and apparatus A cleaning fluid including dispersed gas avoids using ultrasonic energy to induce cavitation by subjecting a liquid containing dissolved gas to a pressure reduction in a bubble machine, to generate a gas/liquid dispersion. The cleaning fluid can be used to clean articles such as semiconductor wafers using a device that includes a holder and a vibrator for supplying ultrasonic or megasonic energy to the article.
US09044792B1	Conduit decontamination and pressure testing device A conduit decontamination and pressure testing device with test module, fluid reservoir, decontaminant reservoir, decontaminant pump, Injection fluid reservoir, fluid injection pump, fluid exit tie-in, decontaminant neutralization device, and transport system.
US09044789B2	Method for deicing and cleaning fans The invention pertains to a method for removing ice layers and/or snow layers and/or dirt layers from the rotor blades of axial fans in cooling installations for refrigerating and/or freezing products. At least one cleaning substance jet is directed toward the rotor blades of an axial fan within certain time intervals in such a way that ice layers and/or snow layers and/or dirt layers are at least separated from the surfaces of the rotor blades and transported away, wherein the rotor blades rotate with nominal speed while cleaning jets act upon their surfaces.
US09044788B2	Blowing target structure, and image forming apparatus A blowing target structure includes an opening portion that (a) is an inlet into which the air flow from a blower pipe that has an elongated shape in one direction, (b) is elongated in the same direction as the one direction of an outlet of the blower pipe, (c) has a member that is provided at least on one end side in a lateral direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the opening portion to set an air permeability of a member side region of the opening portion to a value smaller than an air permeability of a region other than the member side region of the opening portion.
US09044784B2	Remote recognition processing system and method A computerized method for intelligently distributing computer processing of mail piece scan images across a plurality of mail piece scan image processors. The method can include receiving a mail piece scan image from a mail piece scan image job requestor and selecting one of a plurality of scan mail piece scan image processors to process said mail piece scan image. The mail piece scan image can be transmitted to said one of a plurality of plurality of mail piece scan image processors and a mail piece scan image processing result can be received from said one of a plurality of plurality of mail piece scan image processors. Post-processing operations can be performed based on said mail piece scan image processing result. The mail piece scan image processing result can be transmitted to said mail piece scan image processing requestor.
US09044778B2	Decorating method A decorating method includes the steps of coating a base material with a coating composition comprising 45-95 parts of urethane methacrylate, 1-50 parts of a compound having at least an intra-molecular radical polymeric double bond, and 0.1-15 parts of photopolymerization initiator. The coating is hardened to form an under coat. Vacuum deposition of indium and/or tin in a crystalline structure-independent way is performed to form a non-conductive thin film. Then, a UV-hardening resin, poly acrylic-urethane resin, or acrylate-silica resin is applied, which is hardened to form a hard coat layer.
US09044777B2	Blade coating The invention relates to a doctor blade for the surface treatment of fibrous nonwoven webs, including a main body and a coating arranged on the surface of the main body, wherein the coating covers at least the part of the surface of the main body on which the doctor blade is provided for contact with the fibrous nonwoven web, and wherein the porosity of the coating is less on the first surface adjoining the main body than on the surface arranged opposite thereof.
US09044773B2	Device with slotted nozzle assembly for dispensing fluid A device for dispensing fluid onto a substrate that is movable relative to the device. The device includes a basic body that has a fluid supply channel which is connectable to a fluid source. A slotted nozzle assembly communicates with the fluid supply channel. The slotted nozzle assembly is formed on or attached to the basic body and has a slot-shaped discharge opening for dispensing the fluid. A fluid valve selectively interrupts or releases the fluid stream. The basic body and/or the slotted nozzle assembly have a plurality of segments which are situated adjacent to each other in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the slot-shaped discharge opening.
US09044766B2	Spray head for a mobile fluid distribution system A spray head for a fluid distribution system may include first and second deflector inner surfaces defining a fluid outlet. A piston may define a variable orifice communicating with the fluid outlet to control fluid flow through the spray head. An inner surface of the second deflector may define a grooveless deflector central region disposed between first and second deflector lateral regions. Each of the first and second deflector lateral regions may include at least a first deflector groove extending along a first deflector groove path oriented substantially radially relative to the inlet passage, so that the spray head generates a spray pattern having more uniform fluid distribution across the spray pattern.
US09044762B2	Centrifugal liquid separation machine using pressurized air to promote solids transport A screw type centrifugal liquid separation machine having a continuous decanter and using pressurized air to promote solids transport is provided. The machine has an outer bowl and a conveyor, which are coaxial. A back drive assembly is provided to maintain a difference in speed between the bowl and conveyor so that the conveyor has a mechanical sweeping action within a separation region of the machine. Air is introduced into the machine through the back drive assembly, and is injected into the heavy phase discharge path. In one location, the air acts as a turbulence inducer that at least partially re-suspends grits within the heavy phase material. The air is also injected through lift injectors radially spaced about the solids baffle to provide a uniform solid phase driving force. A flow control is also provided for controlling the discharge rate of the heavy phase material through a discharge port.
US09044761B2	Electrostatic system and method of sorting plastics Sorting and separation systems may use the inherent electrostatic properties of plastic as the basis for separating different types of plastics from one another. Plastics of different types may charge to different degrees when subjected to a charging event. By appropriately charging a collection unit, plastic components of one type of plastic may be separated from other plastic components by electrostatic attraction.
US09044760B2	Wearable safety device for cutting machine A safety system prevents cutting machine operators from being accidentally carried through the infeed chute into the machine's cutting mechanism. An operator wears a safety device on his wrist and/or ankle and a sensor array mounts on opposing sides of the cutting machine's infeed chute. The sensor array elements are wound in opposite directions and connect in series opposing. The magnetic field of the safety device induces a current in the sensor array as it moves in the proximity of the sensor array. The safety system generates a signal which is proportional to the sum of the induced currents. When the signal exceeds a threshold, the safety system shuts off power to the feed mechanism and/or the cutting blades of the cutting machine, preventing injury to the operator.
US09044758B2	Method for producing fine powder and the fine powder produced by the same Disclosed is a manufacturing method for a fine powder exhibiting improved solubility, little impurity contamination, and a high recovery rate. Material to be ground and a grinding medium are suspended and stirred in a liquefied inert gas dispersion medium such as dried ice, and the material to be ground is made into a sub-micron or nano-sized fine powder. A uniform fine powder can be obtained when the material to be ground is a mixture having two or more components. Impurity contamination can be reduced by using granular dry ice as the grinding medium.
US09044753B2	Thermal cycler for PCR An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover and an internal computer. The assembly is made up of a sample block, a number of Peltier thermal electric devices and heat sink, clamped together. The sample block temperature is changed exclusively by the thermoelectric devices controlled by the computer. The sample block is of low thermal mass and is constructed of silver. The Peltier devices are designed to provide fast temperature excursions over a wide range. The heat sink has a perimeter trench to minimize edge losses and is adjacent to a continuously variable fan. A perimeter heater is used to improve the thermal uniformity across the sample block to approximately ±0.2° C. A heated platen pushes down onto the tube caps to apply a minimum acceptable force for seating the tubes into the block, ensuring good thermal contact with the block. The force is applied about the periphery of the tube caps to prevent distortion of the caps during thermal cycling. The platen is heated to provided thermal isolation from ambient conditions and to prevent evaporation from the surface of the sample into the upper portion of the sample tube. A control algorithm manipulates the current supplied to the thermoelectric coolers such that the dynamic thermal performance of the block can be controlled so that pre-defined thermal profiles for the sample temperature can be executed. The sample temperature is calculated instead of measured using a design specific model and equations. The control software includes calibration diagnostics which permit variation in the performance of thermoelectric coolers from instrument to instrument to be compensated for such that all instruments perform identically. The block/heat sink assembly can be changed to another of the same or different design. The assembly carries the necessary information required to characterize its own performance in an on-board memory device, allowing the assembly to be interchangeable among instruments while retaining its precision operating characteristics. The instrument has a graphical user interface. The instrument monitors the thermoelectric devices and warns of changes in resistance that may result in failure.
US09044752B2	Microfluidic cartridge with parallel pneumatic interface plate A microfluidic cartridge for placement onto a parallel pneumatic interface plate of a pneumatic instrument is provided. The cartridge includes a three dimensional fluid channel, in which a fluid is to be transported, a flexible membrane that spans a plane and is part of an outer surface of the cartridge. The three dimensional fluid channel is spatially defined in three dimensions by internal walls of the cartridge and by the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is in a ground state, when no pressure or vacuum is applied to the flexible membrane. However, the flexible membrane is pneumatically deflectable from the ground state perpendicular to the plane of the flexible membrane in two directions when the cartridge is placed onto the parallel pneumatic interface plate.
US09044749B2	Pipette A pipette with a rod-shaped casing, a seat, a displacement equipment, comprising a displacement chamber with a relocatable limit, a connection channel, a drive equipment for relocating the relocatable limit of the displacement chamber, coupled to the relocatable limit and having an axially relocatable lifting rod, an upper stop body, a lower stop body and a stop element on the circumference of the lifting rod for limiting the stroke of the lifting rod, an overstroke spring, a stationary screw element, and with a screw element that is relocatable in the casing, a toothing, running along a helical line with the same pitch as that of the thread of the relocatable screw element and having teeth on the upper edge of the relocatable screw element that are directed in the direction of the instantaneous axis of the relocatable screw element, a toothed driving wheel, and means for rotating the toothed driving wheel.
US09044740B2	Purification of immunoglobulins The present invention relates to a separation matrix comprised of a porous or non-porous support to which ligands have been immobilized, wherein said ligands comprise at least one aliphatic sulfamide. The invention also relates to a chromatography column that contains the described separation matrix, as well as to a method of isolating immunoglobulins, such as IgG, Fab fragments, fusion proteins containing immunoglobulins etc, by adsorption to a separation matrix that comprises the aliphatic sulfamide ligands of the invention.
US09044739B2	Foam-based adsorbents having high adsorption capacities for recovering dissolved metals and methods thereof Foam-based adsorbents and a related method of manufacture are provided. The foam-based adsorbents include polymer foam with grafted side chains and an increased surface area per unit weight to increase the adsorption of dissolved metals, for example uranium, from aqueous solutions. A method for forming the foam-based adsorbents includes irradiating polymer foam, grafting with polymerizable reactive monomers, reacting with hydroxylamine, and conditioning with an alkaline solution. Foam-based adsorbents formed according to the present method demonstrated a significantly improved uranium adsorption capacity per unit weight over existing adsorbents.
US09044734B2	Diesel oxidation catalyst with layered structure containing ceria composition as palladium support material for enhanced HC and CO gas conversion The present invention relates to a layered diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) comprising: a) a carrier substrate; b) a diesel oxidation catalytic material comprising b1) a first layer located on the carrier substrate, the first layer comprising palladium impregnated on a support material comprising ceria in an amount of at least 45 weight-% based on the total weight of the support material, and optionally comprising platinum; b2) a second layer located on the first layer, the second layer comprising palladium and platinum each impregnated on a support material comprising a metal oxide; wherein the platinum to palladium weight ratio of the first layer is lower than the platinum to palladium weight ratio of the second layer.
US09044730B2	System for processing hydrocarbon fuels using surfaguide A system for processing hydrocarbon materials includes a waveguide having a lateral portion comprising housing having a first end portion configured to be connected to an energy generator, a closed opposite end portion, a primary axis extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, and a central portion having a circular opening. A reaction tube structure comprising an outer wall made of a dielectric material is positioned in or connected to the opening of the waveguide. When hydrocarbon feedstock and process gas are fed into the reaction tube structure and energy is received in the waveguide, energy is propagated to the reaction tube structure to form a plasma within the reaction tube structure and cause the feedstock and process gas to react and form into a product stream.
US09044716B2	Microporous membranes and methods for producing and using such membranes The invention relates to microporous polymeric membranes suitable for use as battery separator film. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a membrane, batteries containing such membranes as battery separators, methods for making such batteries, and methods for using such batteries.
US09044715B2	Unsupported palladium alloy membranes and methods of making same The invention provides support-free palladium membranes and methods of making these membranes. Single-gas testing of the unsupported foils produced hydrogen permeabilities equivalent to thicker membranes produced by cold-rolling. Defect-free films as thin as 7.2 microns can be fabricated, with ideal H2/N2 selectivities as high as 40,000. Homogeneous membrane compositions may also be produced using these methods.
US09044714B2	Membrane module, membrane unit, and membrane separation device A membrane separation apparatus in which a membrane clogging is moderated to lower a load to filtering. A plurality of separation membranes 4 are stored vertical and parallel to each other inside the a casing 6 formed with opening sections which respectively open in upper and lower directions thereby configuring a membrane module 3. In a flow passage through which treated water for the membrane module 3 flows, a water flow guide 5 is provided such that an opening area S2 of the flow passage through which treated water outflows is smaller than an opening area S1 of the flow passage through which treated water inflows. Additionally, a plurality of the membrane modules 3 are stacked one upon another in a direction of height of a casing thereby to configure a membrane unit 2. An air diffusing device 7 is disposed below this membrane unit 2 thereby configure a membrane separation apparatus 1.
US09044713B2	Asymmetric nanotube containing membranes This invention relates to heterogenous pore polymer nanotube membranes useful in filtration, such as reverse osmosis desalination, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and gas separation.
US09044708B2	Headspace gas treatment apparatus and method An apparatus for treating headspace gas has a production water tank, a source of at least one of oxygen and ozone, a diffuser, and a reaction tank. The production water tank contains a headspace gas and a headspace gas outlet. At least a portion of the headspace gas is a sulfide gas. The diffuser diffuses a mixture of the at least one of oxygen and ozone and headspace gas from the production water tank via the headspace gas outlet into a liquid solvent. The at least one of oxygen and ozone oxidizes at least a portion of the sulfide gas as they pass through the diffuser. The reaction tank for receives the liquid solvent.
US09044706B2	Water-proof air-permeable filter and use of the same A water-proof air-permeable filter (1) includes: a resin film (2) having formed therein a plurality of through pores (21); a treated layer (3) having hydrophobicity and oil repellency, and formed on at least one of both surfaces in the thickness direction of the resin film (2) such that the treated layer (3) has openings (31) at positions corresponding to the through pores (21); and a loop-shaped double-sided tape (4) stuck to an edge region of one of both surfaces in the thickness direction of the resin film (2), with the treated layer (3) interposed therebetween.
US09044705B2	Method of dehumidifying and drying powdered or granular material and system for dehumidifying and drying powdered or granular material A system for dehumidifying and drying a powdered or granular material having a drying hopper, a dehumidifying unit, and a circulation route having a processing gas supply route and a processing gas dehumidifying route that interconnect the drying hopper and the dehumidifying unit to allow processing gas to circulate is proposed. The system repeatedly supplies and circulates the processing gas in the circulation route. The processing gas supply route and the processing gas dehumidifying route are interconnected by a bypass route having a regulation valve. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of processing gas exhausted from the drying hopper is installed in the processing gas dehumidifying route. The system further has a control means for controlling opening or closing of the regulation valve, provided in the bypass route, based on a temperature detection signal detected by the temperature sensor. The control by the control means is performed under the condition that the total circulation amount of the processing gas circulated in the circulation route, including the amount of the gas passing through the bypass route, is held substantially constant.
US09044704B2	Use of oxygen from ion transport membranes in blast furnace The present invention is a method of integrating oxygen production with blast furnace operation. A heated air stream is introduced to an ion transfer membrane separator, producing a permeate and a retentate. The permeate and the motive stream are introduced into an ejector jet pump producing an oxygen enriched stream. The oxygen enriched stream is introduced into blast furnace. In another embodiment of the present invention, the permeate and a steam motive stream are introduced into an ejector jet pump. Heated air inlet stream is introduced into a cascading series of ion transfer membrane separators, producing a series of permeate streams and a series of retentate streams wherein each retentate stream acts as the input stream for the subsequent ion transfer membrane separator. Thereby producing a series of oxygen enriched streams which are combined and introduced into blast furnace.
US09044702B2	Method and systems for washing ethanol production byproducts to improve oil recovery In one aspect of the invention, a method and related system efficiently and effectively recover a significant amount of valuable, useable oil from byproducts formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method may include forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct using a multi-stage evaporator, as well as recovering the oil before the final stage of the evaporator. Further, the step of recovering oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects of the invention include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil.
US09044699B2	Filtration system A filtration system is disclosed comprising a filter manifold and a filter cartridge. The filter manifold comprises a bracket, a valve, a manifold feed port, a manifold filtrate port, and a handle. The valve is held by the bracket and comprises a fixed portion attached to the bracket and a rotary portion. The handle is operatively connected to the rotary portion and comprises a cartridge lifter having one of a camming ramp or a camming lug lifter engagement feature. The handle is rotatable to a service position and a disengaged position, wherein the manifold feed port is blocked by the valve when the handle is in the disengaged position. The filter cartridge comprises a cartridge feed port, a cartridge filtrate port, and an external cartridge surface having one of a camming lug or a camming ramp for engaging the lifter engagement feature.
US09044693B2	Controlled-gradient, accelerated-vapor-recompression apparatus and method An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.
US09044691B2	Method and apparatus for dehydration of glycol A method and apparatus for dehydration of glycol uses two galvanic electrodes submerged in a water-glycol mixture. Semiconductor switches are used to supply pulses from a direct current source and to control the polarization and current flow time in such a way as to produce an average current of zero and a switching frequency commensurate with electro-hydrodynamic frequency of the electrode and liquid system. By applying sufficiently low frequency of switching, stirring of glycol and removal of gas products from the electrodes is achieved. The glycol container has at least one submerged electrode module equipped with at least two galvanic electrodes. Each electrode is connected through pairs of high power electronic switches which cycle alternatively between the positive and negative terminals of a direct current power supply.
US09044689B2	Case for electronic device with surface for attaching building elements A case for a portable electronic device includes a cavity and one or more studded surfaces. The cavity can receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device such that the portable electronic device is removable from the cavity through an opening in the cavity. The studded surfaces can be coupled with one or more building elements.
US09044683B2	Method and apparatus for presenting gamer performance at a social network A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving at a computer device a plurality of stimulus signals generated by one or more gaming accessory devices of a gamer controlling a gaming application, generating a plurality of gaming stimulations based on the plurality of stimulus signals, generating a plurality of gaming action results from the gaming application responsive to the plurality of gaming stimulations, combining the plurality of gaming action results and the plurality of gaming stimulations to generate a plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer, and transmitting to a social network the plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer.
US09044680B2	Low-friction synchronous interaction in multiplayer online game Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing an online game. One method includes an operation for executing a first game board for a first user and a second game board for a second user. The first game board is created when the first user plays the game for the first time and the second game board is created when the second user plays the game for the first time. The method further includes operations for detecting a visit by the second user to the first game board, and for detecting a request by the second user to place a game asset in the first game board. The game asset is installed in the first game board when the first user approves the request, and the second user obtains one or more game rewards when the first user interacts with the game asset while playing the online game.
US09044679B2	Wireless communication system for portable gaming device A portable wireless communication device configured for attachment to a portable electronic video game device, facilitating voice or data communication, or both, between one or many users. The invention includes a two-way radio transceiver that is preferably powered by alkaline or rechargeable type batteries.
US09044671B2	Game controller and game system A first control unit includes a first operation data generation section for generating first operation data in accordance with a motion of a first control unit body included in the first control unit. A second control unit includes a second operation data generation section for generating second operation data in accordance with a direction input operation performed by a player or a motion of a second control unit body included in the second control unit. Further, one of the first control unit and the second control unit includes a transmission section for transmitting the first operation data and the second operation data to a computer at a predetermined timing.
US09044670B2	Using input from a pointing device to control a simulated object Methods and systems for controlling vehicles within video games 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. Users may partially control the direction of these vehicles using two-dimensional input devices by inputting a new direction for the vehicle to point and optionally a speed with which to pursue the new direction. Alternatively, a user may wish to engage in continuous banked turning of their vehicle to realistically simulate aspects of vehicle-to-vehicle combat. Rotation of the vehicle from its current direction to its new direction is controlled by an artificial intellect, which operates various control equipment of the vehicle to realistically simulate the path of the vehicle, based on whether a user has input a desired destination or a desired turn direction.
US09044669B2	Program, information storage medium, and image generation system An image generation system performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including an acceleration sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space. The image generation system includes: an operation input detection section which detects whether or not a plurality of operation inputs including a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the acceleration sensor; a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the first operation input; and an object movement control section which controls a movement state of the given object based on at least one of the first operation input and the second operation input.
US09044667B2	Syllabic roulette game with solmization, and method A roulette game enables single-spin formation of meaningful character strings, which character strings may be coupled to tones for enhancing the gaming experience. The meaningful character strings may be defined by solfege-enabling letter groups, which letter groups may prompt underlying tones in solmization. The syllabic roulette game comprises a roulette wheel, a wager-enabling layout, and a plurality of balls. The wheel comprises alphabetic characters against a rainbow colored backdrop for enabling various payout schemes. A color-coordinated wager support surface is preferably disposed adjacent the roulette wheel for facilitating wager placement.
US09044662B2	Golf club head A golf club head is provided having a club body having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, and a heel portion. The club head also having a central portion connected with the front portion. A frame is connected with the central portion configured to provide a lightweight crown portion being located above an offset plane.
US09044661B2	Golf putting stroke training device The present invention provides a simulated golf putting device to improve a golfer's putting skill, comprising means to execute a simulated putt and to determine if the putt would be on target, and if not in which direction the simulated putt would miss the target. The device provides near-instantaneous signals to the user whether a simulated putt is good or a miss. The device is compact and self-contained, and can be readied for use in virtually any location in seconds.
US09044654B2	Golf putter An improved putter comprising concentrations of mass near a heel and a toe and a wide profile is provided. The golf putter generally comprises a golf putter head comprising a face, an upper surface, a sole, a rear surface, and sides and a shaft. A heel-side comprises a heel-side forward scalloped portion and a toe-side comprises a toe-side forward scalloped portion. The heel-side and toe-side forward scalloped portions each extend upward from the sole. The heel-side further comprises a heel-side angular scalloped portion and the toe-side further comprises a toe-side angular scalloped portion. The heel-side angular scalloped portion extends at an angle from the rear surface towards a forward heel corner, said the toe-side angular scalloped portion extends at an angle from the rear surface towards a forward toe corner. A rear surface comprises a central scalloped portion. The head may be transparent and comprise a sight member.
US09044653B2	Iron type golf club head Iron-type golf club heads are disclosed having a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face. The iron-type golf club heads include a flexible boundary structure (“FBS”) that is provided at one or more locations on the club head. The flexible boundary structure may comprise, in several embodiments, a slot, a channel, a gap, a thinned or weakened region, or other structure that enhances the capability of an adjacent or related portion of the golf club head to flex or deflect and to thereby provide a desired improvement in the performance of the golf club head.
US09044651B2	Double strap carrying system and base stand for golf bags and other shoulder-borne articles Dual-strap carrying assemblies and devices including such assemblies are provided herein. The carrying devices may be embodied in dual carrying strap golf bags that allow the bearer to more easily don and remove the bag. The secondary strap of the dual strap assembly is connected to the primary strap by a movable engagement assembly, such as an assembly that rotates to allow the secondary strap to more easily become within the reach of the bearer of the bag. In some embodiments, the movable engagement assembly may include a movement limiting device that prevents the secondary strap from moving too far out of the bearer's reach. The strap assemblies may be used in combination with a flexible base stand to make a self-standing carrying device that is easy to don and doff.
US09044650B2	System and method for painting golf balls A golf ball painting system and method comprising: providing at least one golf ball, the cover having an outer surface comprising a surface area Sa; masking a portion P1 of surface area Sa with at least one masking part MA1, portion P1 having a surface area Sb that is less than surface area Sa; applying paint having a color C1 onto an unmasked portion P2 of surface area Sa, portion P2 having a surface area Sc that is less than surface area Sa and such that Sc+Sb+Sn=Sa wherein n is the number of masking parts; masking surface area Sc with a masking part MA2; removing MA1 from Sb; painting Sb a color C2 wherein C2 is different than C1; forming a painted golf ball having an overall color appearance of at least two different colors.
US09044648B2	Golf balls having multi-layered covers based on aromatic and aliphatic polyurethanes Golf balls having multi-layered covers are provided. The cover includes an inner cover layer made of an ionomer composition; an intermediate cover layer made of an aromatic polyurethane composition; and outer cover layer made of an aliphatic polyurethane composition, wherein the total thickness of the multi-layered cover is no greater than 0.110 inches. Preferably, the thickness of the inner cover layer is 0.010 to 0.050 inches; the thickness of the intermediate cover layer is 0.010 to 0.040 inches; and thickness of the outer cover layer is 0.004 to 0.020 inches. The invention also includes methods for making such multi-layered covers. The resulting ball has good light-stability, cut/shear-resistance, and impact durability.
US09044644B2	Solid golf ball The invention provides a solid golf ball which has a core of at least one layer and a cover of at least one layer. At least one layer of the core is formed primarily of polybutadiene and includes at least 0.05 part by weight each of (I) a rubber powder obtained by granulating a rubber material containing acrylic acid or a metal salt of acrylic acid and (II) a polyurethane resin powder per 100 parts by weight of rubber component. At least one layer of the cover is formed primarily of polyurethane.
US09044643B2	Weightlifting equipment support assembly This disclosure provides a weight support assembly including a main support mountable to an upright frame member to define a coarse position and a secondary support movable relative to the main support to define a fine position.
US09044641B2	Portable doorway recreation apparatus A portable doorway recreation device for use on a doorway frame comprises an L-shaped frame. A first horizontal elongate bar is attached to a riser of the L-shaped frame and a second horizontal elongate bar is attached to a base of the L-shaped frame. A securing member is operatively associated with the second elongate bar, wherein with the first elongate bar sitting on a top of the doorway frame on a first wall side and the second elongate bar operatively associated with a second wall side, the securing member is configured to engage one of the first and second wall sides to prevent movement of the second elongate bar away from the second wall side.
US09044640B2	Ellipse exerciser with inclination adjustment unit An ellipse exerciser includes a base, a rail frame having two rails, an ellipse unit having two pedals and two roller units, and an adjustment unit having a bottom part and a support frame. The roller units are moved along the rails of the rail frame. The bottom part has two slots and each slot has teeth. Two guide boards are pivotably connected to the two respective outsides of the bottom part. Each guide board is connected with a spring. The support frame has a rod and two ends of the rod are respectively engaged with the slots. The guide boards each have a stop portion to guide the rods. When the support frame is rotated to different angular positions relative to the bottom part, the rods are engaged with different teeth so as to adjust the inclination of the rails.
US09044638B2	Foldable treadmill An embodiment of this invention discloses a foldable treadmill comprising a bracket, a platform, a lifting device, a folding frame, a motor, a linear actuator, and a control board, wherein the bracket comprises two supporting sticks, two tracks, and a rear linkage connected with the supporting sticks, the lifting device comprises a rod connected with the bracket, and two pull members respectively arranged at one end of the rod, the folding frame comprises two bars and a link bar, in which the link bar has two ends respectively connect with one bar, a middle portion of each bar connects with the pull member of the lifting device, a front end of each bar is used as a pivotal point to rotate, and a rear end of each bar has a wheel placed in the track, and the linear actuator is horizontally laid on the rear linkage.
US09044637B2	Belt for a treadmill and training equipment having a belt A belt for a treadmill includes a carrier belt and a tread surface arranged on the carrier belt. The tread surface has pockets which are separate from one another. The pockets are filled, or can be filled, with a filler material.
US09044634B2	Dynamically configurable balancing board A balancing board comprises a first surface for receiving one or more feet of a user when the balancing board is in operation. The balancing board includes a second surface of one or more outwardly curved forms for engaging with a floor surface, wherein the second surface enables variations in an orientation and movement of the balancing board relative to the floor surface. The balancing board further includes a signal receiving arrangement for receiving sensor signals indicative of one or more user reactions when operating the balancing board in reaction to the variations in the orientation and movement of the balancing board. The user is supported upon the first surface of the balancing board; and a processor operable to receive signals from the first set of sensors. The processor is operable to activate one or more modes of operation of the balancing board based on the received signals.
US09044632B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method and recording medium storing program An information processing apparatus includes: a first obtaining portion configured to obtain plural pieces of motion information representing type of motion; a second obtaining portion configured to obtain motion video information including a video corresponding to the motion information obtained by the first obtaining portion; a motion list generating portion configured to generate a motion list which includes at least one piece of the motion information among the plural pieces of motion information; a motion speed setting portion configured to set motion speed at which motion of the motion information included in the motion list is performed; a third obtaining portion configured to obtain a music; a video controller configured to output the motion video information corresponding to the motion information in the motion list; and a music controller configured to output the obtained music according to the motion speed set for the motion information in response to outputting the motion video information by the video controller.
US09044627B1	Back wall fire suppressor system and method An automatic self-contained fire suppression system and method are provided herein. Stovetop fires are a well known residential and commercial hazard. The fire suppression system described mounts on a back wall or back splash above the stove mount. By mounting on the back wall, the system is free from interconnections with apparatus mounted above the stovetop, such as hoods, microwave ovens, lights, fans, and vents. Using a hopper containing fire suppressing matter, a power spring, drive shaft, and a bladed spinner, fires suppressing powder is distributed over the stovetop surface. The fire suppression action is triggered automatically via failure of a heat sensitive frangible link.
US09044626B2	Remaining service life indication system for gas masks cartridges and canisters Gas masks and canisters for gas masks have a chemical sorbent that protects the respiratory system of the wearer from gaseous compounds. The remaining service indication systems for respiratory protections systems provide a warning to the wearer that the capacity of the chemical sorbent to adsorb or absorb further compounds is nearly depleted. A remaining service life indication system has a computer memory device for storing information concerning the canister for determining an end of the service life of a gas mask, a canister and/or a cartridge and such devices from the input of various sensors.
US09044624B2	Sunscreen composition The present invention provides a sunscreen composition containing (a) a surfactant, (b) water, (c) an oil component, and (d) a water- and/or oil-soluble ultraviolet absorbent, that is in a bicontinuous microemulsion phase at 25° C. The transparent bicontinuous microemulsion spreads well when applied to the skin, to give a uniform and well-absorbed film.
US09044623B2	Polymer-bound UV absorbers in personal care compositions Personal care compositions comprising a polymer-bound UV absorber are described that provide enhanced properties, including customizable UV spectrum protection, broad-spectrum UV spectrum protection, water resistance, and labile UV stabilization. The polymer comprises anhydride functionality, such as maleic anhydride or a derivative thereof, and the UV absorber contains at least one hydroxyl, primary amine, or secondary amine group.The personal care compositions may be used to treat and/or protect against burns, cancers, erythema, lentigo (“liver spots”), keratotic lesions, wrinkles, and cellular changes of the skin; and/or color changes, embrittlement, lack of luster, tangles, split ends, and/or unmanageability of the hair.
US09044622B2	Inverse emulsions comprising an alkoxylated ester oil Inverse emulsions made by inverse emulsion polymerization have a disperse aqueous phase comprising a solution or dispersion of at least one water soluble polymer, particularly a polymer that forms a viscous solution or dispersion in water, and a continuous oil phase which is or includes an ester oil including an alkoxylated alcohol group. The inclusion of ester oil including an alkoxylated alcohol group provides these oils in emulsions, particularly personal care emulsions made by inversion of the inverse emulsions on dilution with water.
US09044608B2	Systems and methods for facilitating electro-acoustic stimulation using an off-the-ear sound processor module An exemplary electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”) system (100) includes 1) an off-the-ear sound processor module (102), 2) a headpiece module (104) communicatively coupled directly to the off-the-ear sound processor module (102) and configured to be affixed to a head of a patient, the headpiece module (104) comprising a housing with communication circuitry disposed therein that is configured to facilitate communication by the off-the-ear sound processor module (102) with a cochlear implant (106) implanted within the patient, and 3) a loudspeaker (110) communicatively coupled directly to the headpiece module (104). The off-the-ear sound processor module (102) is configured to direct the cochlear implant (106) to apply electrical stimulation to the patient and direct the loudspeaker (110) to apply acoustic stimulation to the patient. Corresponding systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
US09044601B2	System and methods for accelerating simulation of radiation treatment A method for estimating a radiation dose and distribution for a target volume is provided. The method includes receiving a simulated dose array (606) describing a plurality of simulated dose values for a plurality of voxels in the target volume, generating an energy deposition coefficient function for the plurality of voxels (608), and obtaining a raw fluence array based at least on the simulated dose array and the energy deposition coefficient function (612). The method also includes generating an adjusted fluence array (613) based on the raw fluence array and at least one adjustment criteria, and generating an adjusted dose array (622) for the target volume based on the adjusted fluence array and the energy deposition coefficient function.
US09044600B2	Proton tomography apparatus and method of operation therefor The invention relates to a method and apparatus for charged particle tomographic imaging using a tomography system. The tomography imaging system is optionally simultaneously operational with a charged particle cancer therapy system using common elements, allows tomographic imaging with rotation of the patient, is operational on a patient in an upright, semi-upright, and/or horizontal position, is simultaneously operational with X-ray imaging, and/or allows use of adaptive charged particle cancer therapy. The common tomography and cancer therapy apparatus elements are operational in a multi-axis and/or multi-field raster beam mode.
US09044599B2	Deposition of an intended dose distribution in a cyclically moved target area The invention concerns a process for the deposition of an intended dose distribution in a cyclically moved target region moving cyclically (102) by means of multiple irradiations with a beam (105) approaching matrix points of a target matrix in at least two scannings, wherein in each of the scannings, matrix points are approached sequentially. It is characterized through the steps: establishing the maximal tolerance level for local deviation from the intended dose distribution, de-synchronizing the sequence of the irradiation and the cyclical motion of the target region (102), and partitioning the irradiation of the target region (102) in a sufficient number of scannings such that local deviations from the intended dose distribution correspond at most to the maximal tolerance level of deviation from the intended dose distribution. Furthermore, the invention also concerns an irradiation apparatus for executing a process of this type and a process for determining the control parameters for said irradiation apparatus.
US09044598B2	Smart laser bio-sensor and bio-therapeutic device system and methods An apparatus includes a housing having a treatment surface, a light source disposed adjacent the treatment surface and configured to emit dynamic photonic energy, a thermal element disposed adjacent the treatment surface and configured to emit dynamic thermal kinetic energy, and a controller disposed in the housing, the controller in communication with the light source and the thermal element to vary a plurality of parameters of the light source and the thermal element to control the characteristics of the dynamic photonic energy and the dynamic thermal kinetic energy emitted thereby. The treatment surface can also house a variety of sensors that can capture a variety of physical and chemical data, which is integrated with a malleable energy composition and delivery system that co-ordinates with the treatment progress.
US09044595B2	System and method for reducing lipid content of adipocytes in a body A system is provided for reducing lipid content of adipocytes in a body. The system includes an optical device configured to illuminate a region of the body at a selective peak wavelength and at a selective power density for a selective time period. The system also includes a controller connected to the optical device to determine the selective wavelength, the selective power density and the selective time period to stimulate lipolysis in the adipocytes. A system is also provided for reducing pain in the body. A method is also provided for reducing lipid content of adipocytes in the body.
US09044593B2	Discontinuous conductive filler polymer-matrix composites for electromagnetic shielding A medical electrical lead having a conductor assembly covered by an insulating layer, and a shield covering positioned adjacent or proximate to at least a portion of the insulating layer in order to shield the conductor assembly from one or more electromagnetic fields. The shield covering is formed of a polymer-matrix composite. The polymer-matrix composite includes a polymeric resin having discontinuous conductive fillers provided therein. The discontinuous conductive fillers include one or more of nano-sized metal structures and nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can have a coating formed of one or more metals. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can be formed of carbon. In turn, the nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can include one or more of carbon nanofibers, carbon filaments, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanoflakes.
US09044590B2	Method of manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode array Polymer materials make useful materials as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision. Regardless of which polymer is used, the basic construction method is the same. A layer of polymer is laid down. A layer of metal is applied to the polymer and patterned to create electrodes and leads for those electrodes. A second layer of polymer is applied over the metal layer and patterned to leave openings for the electrodes, or openings are created later by means such as laser ablation. Hence the array and its supply cable are formed of a single body.
US09044584B2	Pneumatic connector for small-bore medical tubing A connector apparatus for small-bore medical tubing includes a male connector (20) with a dome (22) which fits into a mating cavity (42) of a female connector (40) when the two connectors are coupled together. A fluid channel extends through the connectors, the dome, and into the cavity to form a continuous fluid passageway when the connectors are coupled together. The dome is compressed into the cavity to form a fluid-tight connection when the connectors are coupled together. Each connector has a coupling structure which mates with the other to compress the connectors together when fully engaged. The connectors are engaged by inserting the dome of one of the connectors into the cavity of the other connector, then rotating the connectors to fully couple them together.
US09044583B2	Valve for introducer needle A valve is provided for mounting on the hub of an introducer needle to provide a flashback chamber, to prevent outflow of blood from the introducer needle and to allow a guide wire to be inserted into the introducer needle in a bloodless seal-tight manner. The valve employs a seal ring having a slit through which the guide wire may be passed. A port is also provided to vent air from the introducer needle through an air filter that prevents passage of blood.
US09044581B2	Medical devices, methods, and kits for delivering medication to a bodily passage Medical devices, methods and kits are described. An exemplary medical device comprises a catheter that has a catheter wall and defines a catheter lumen, a bend, and a coil disposed distal to the bend. The catheter defines one or more apertures that extend through the catheter wall and are in communication with the catheter lumen.
US09044580B2	In-situ forming foams with outer layer Systems, methods and kits relating to in-situ forming polymer foams for the treatment of aneurysms or fluid filled spaces are disclosed. The systems include an insertable medical device and an in-situ forming foam of lava like materials with a fast forming outer skin and a slower hardening interior that is formed from a one-, two- or multi-part formulation. When used to treat an aneurysm, the foam is placed into contact with at least a portion of an exterior surface of the medical device and/or the tissue surface of the aneurysm.
US09044576B2	Catheter with valve A catheter including one or more bidirectional valves is provided. The catheter includes a tubular body having proximal and distal ends, and inner and outer surfaces, and at least one valve formed near the distal end of the tubular body. The valve includes a deformation portion that defines a slit that is openable and closable. The openable/closable slit communicates from the inner surface to the outer surface of the tubular body, wherein the distance between the inner surface and the outer surface of the tubular body progressively becomes thinner approaching the openable/closable slit within the deformation portion.
US09044574B2	Catheter A catheter includes a first opening portion positioned at a distal end; a first curved portion positioned proximally of the first opening portion, and is curved in a first direction; a second curved portion positioned proximally of the first curved portion, and is curved in a second direction; an intermediate portion provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion; and a second opening portion formed in the intermediate portion. In a transverse sectional view of the intermediate portion, the first direction and the second direction are directions directed towards a first side of the intermediate portion. In addition, in the transverse sectional view of the intermediate portion, the second opening portion opens in a third direction directed towards a second side of the intermediate portion that is opposite to the first side.
US09044571B2	Stretch valve balloon catheter and methods for producing and using same A safety balloon catheter includes a stretch valve and a balloon catheter having a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining an interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, an inflation lumen extending through the shaft to the interior and shaped to convey inflation fluid thereto and from, a second lumen parallel to the inflation lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the second lumen. The hollow stretch valve is shaped to permit a fluid to pass therethrough and is positioned in the second lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, in an over-inflated state, the distal sliding portion slides within the second lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen.
US09044570B2	Medical devices to facilitate tissue stabilization for heart failure Methods and devices for the stabilization of heart tissue to treat congestive heart failure using a therapeutic composition are discussed. The therapeutic composition can comprise an elastin stabilization agent, a collagen stabilization agent, or a combination thereof and be applied to the pericardium, to the outer surface of the myocardium, or a combination thereof using a catheter type of device with an attached reservoir. Controlled placement and release of the therapeutic composition can be achieved using a delivery vehicle to formulate the composition.
US09044567B2	Phototherapy method and device A phototherapy method, acting on the eyes (5) of an individual through light rays (R) of at least one specific wavelength, emitted by at least one light source (3) stationary relative to his/her head, which consists in: arranging the light source (3) at the periphery of his/her visual field allowing the individual's normal activities and in deflecting the light rays (R) onto a specific zone (9) of the retina (11), so as to maintain vision.
US09044563B2	Breathing assistance apparatus A patient interface that is comfortable for a user to wear is disclosed. The patient interface includes a forehead rest and cushion. In particular the cushion includes a deformable resilient member that when compressed creates a uniformly and gradually increasing force while evenly distributing the pressure on the forehead of the patient.
US09044562B2	Quick donning headgear A patient interface for patient ventilation comprises a frame portion and a head strap system. The frame portion is for surrounding oral and nasal regions of a patient. The head strap system is configured for coupling from a left lateral portion of the patient interface, around a posterior skull of a patient, and to a right lateral portion of the frame portion such that in response to donning of the patient interface, the head strap system supplies a securing force to secure the frame portion in a position over nasal and oral cavities of the patient, the head strap is also configured to retain a head-shape when not in use to enable intuitive donning on the patient.
US09044559B2	Apparatus for the regulated supply of a gas, in particular an assisted breathing apparatus An apparatus for supplying gas, includes a ventilator having a motor, a rotor having vanes and a volute, a conduit for cooling the motor, and a soundproofing housing containing the ventilator and the conduit. The conduit has a shape similar to the wall of the motor and the volute, thus providing a flow path around the motor and the volute. The conduit also includes two housing portions, one of which includes a set of walls, forming a portion of the soundproofing housing and the conduit, and the other also includes a set of walls, forming the matching portion of the soundproofing housing and the conduit. The portions of the soundproofing housing and the conduit on the same portion of the housing are integral with one another, the two portions being suitable for being assembled together around the ventilator such as jointly to form the conduit and the soundproofing housing.
US09044558B2	Method and system for classification of photo-plethysmographically detected respiratory effort Embodiments disclosed herein may include systems and methods for determining a patient's respiratory effort and blood oxygen saturation based on data acquired from a pulse oximetry sensor and analyzing the parameters in conjunction with each other. For example, the respiratory effort may be determined based on a photo-plethysmographic waveform generated from light attenuation detected by the sensor, and the blood oxygen saturation may be a pulse-based estimate of arterial blood oxygen saturation determined from the detected attenuation. Analysis of the parameters may enable detection and classification of apnea (e.g., obstructive or central) or another underlying cause for respiratory instability. Furthermore, the measured respiratory effort may be compared to respiratory effort supplied by a ventilator to ensure proper sensor placement before enabling automatic adjustment of ventilator settings.
US09044551B2	Safety syringe A safety syringe includes a barrel, a plunger, and a needle hub. The barrel is extended axially and includes a first tube portion, a second tube portion extended from an end of the first tube portion, and a first folded ring flexibly branched and formed on an inner side of the first tube portion and disposed around the axis, such that after the first folded ring is unfolded, the first folded ring is bounded and extended from the first tube portion towards the second tube portion, and includes a movable first flexible portion. The plunger includes a rod extended along the axis. The needle hub is detachably installed in second tube portion. The plunger can be moved to an injecting position, a limit position, and a disposal position with respect to the needle hub.
US09044549B2	Syringe dispenser, stand and application plate for said syringe dispenser and method for its use A syringe dispenser may include a plunger having an outer threading, a barrel adapted to contain liquid or semisolid fluid or any other material to be dispensed and to receive the plunger, the plunger being movably attached to the barrel, and a nut having an inner threading. The nut may at least partly enclose the plunger and the barrel, such that the inner threading of the nut engages with the outer threading of the plunger. A stand, an application plate, and a method of dispensing a controlled and measurable amount of liquid or semisolid fluid from a syringe dispenser are also disclosed.
US09044548B2	Medical delivery device having air shot means An air shot or priming mechanism for an injection pen. The injection pen comprises a cartridge-holder and a housing. The cartridge-holder interacts with a nut-member capable of driving the piston rod forward when relatively rotated. The cartridge-holder is rotational coupled to the housing such that rotation of the cartridge-holder relatively to the housing causes the nut-member and the piston rod to rotate relatively, thus the relative angular rotation between the cartridge-holder and the housing determines the size of the air shot so performed.
US09044545B2	Needleless injection device A fluid applicator is fed by a fluid delivery arrangement containing an energy storage such as a pressure vessel. The gas pressure acts on a container that has been prefilled with the ejection fluid. The fluid to be ejected is thus subject to constant pressure. With a valve, the user can initiate the ejection of the desired amount of fluid with constant intensity. The check valve may also be a regulating valve which can be used by the user to vary the intensity of the effect. The user need only release the system, e.g., by puncturing the pressure vessel, to then be able to directly inject the fluid in a defined or metered manner via the probe, i.e., the fluid applicator. It is also possible to configure the entire injection device as a single-use system and to prefill the fluid applicator up to its fluid exit opening.
US09044543B2	Unmanned device utilization methods and systems Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to perform a task, alone or in combination with other entities, or for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance.
US09044541B2	Pressure activated proximal valves A medical device is disclosed comprising a diaphragm having at least one slit valve disposed therein, and a valve housing configured to secure the diaphragm at a peripheral portion of the diaphragm, wherein a central portion of the diaphragm is positioned relative to the peripheral portion of the diaphragm such that compressive forces acting on the peripheral portion of the diaphragm create moment forces which bias the slit valve in a closed position. A method is disclosed for using the device in connection with a catheter for regulation of fluids to and from a patient.
US09044538B2	Automatic injector ram homing A power injector (40) includes a movable ram (74) operable to interface with and move a plunger (90a/b) of a syringe (86a/b). The power injector (40) may be operable to automatically determine a proper home position for a particular type of the syringe (86a/b) to be used in a fluid injection sequence. The power injector (40) may also include a ram homing logic (182) operable to automatically move the ram (74) to the home position after the injection sequence. Such automatic homing of the ram (74) may, for example, be initiated by an end of the injection sequence in preparation for another injection sequence, by opening of a faceplate (102a/b), by a user input, or by any combination thereof.
US09044530B2	Fabrication of bone regeneration scaffolds and bone filler material using a perfusion flow system The present disclosure is directed at a process to form bone grafting material. One may provide a porous collagen scaffold and insert the scaffold into a perfusion chamber of a perfusion flow system. This may then be followed by continuously providing a mineralization perfusion fluid flow through the scaffold at a flow rate to provide dynamic intrafibrillar mineralization of the scaffold and form a collagen/hydroxyapatite composite scaffold. One may optionally provide the scaffold with bone tissue forming cells and then deliver a perfusion fluid including oxygen and one or more nutrients through the collagen/hydroxyapatite composite scaffold and to the bone tissue forming cells at a flow rate such that the bone tissue forming cells remodel the collagen/hydroxyapatite composite scaffold and form a bone tissue extracellular matrix. The bone tissue extracellular matrix may then be decellularized to form an acellular bone repair scaffold.
US09044527B2	Wound care products with peracid compositions Methods have been developed for incorporation of a peracid compound into or on wound application matrices, such as bandages or dressings, and other matrices which will favorably impact wound healing and help eliminate microbial infection. The peracid compound comprises a base compound that is metabolically pertinent to wound healing, the oxidized form of the base compound (a peracid), and an appropriate oxidizer, such as hydrogen peroxide. In addition, other excipients with wound healing potential, such as esters of the base compound, may be added to the peracid compound. The combination peracid-wound application matrices can be used to disinfect and heal various wound types with designed time release of the peracid compound.
US09044526B2	Medical product containing active component of propolis or grapefruit seed extract and manufacturing method thereof A medical product containing either an active ingredient of propolis which is a natural antibiotic or a grapefruit seed extract, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The medical product is impregnated with a solution of CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester) or pinocembrin, which is an active ingredient of propolis having antibacterial effects, to increase the antibacterial activity of the medical product due to antibacterial compounds contained in the active component, or the medical product is impregnated with a solution of a grapefruit seed extract such that the extract can exhibit antibacterial activity in the medical product.
US09044519B2	Radiotracer precursor for imaging of hypoxic tissue, radiotracer, and method for preparing the same A radiotracer precursor for imaging of hypoxic tissues, a radiotracer and a method for preparing the same are revealed. The radiotracer precursor, DANI, includes a nitroimidazole functional group with a feature of retention in hypoxic tissues and a bifunctional ligand able to complex with radioisotopes. Thus DANI can be used to produce radiotracers stayed in hypoxic tissues and the radiotracers are applied to medical imaging of malignant tumor with hypoxic layer.
US09044514B2	Lipid-peptide-polymer conjugates and nanoparticles thereof The present invention provides a conjugate having a peptide with from about 10 to about 100 amino acids, wherein the peptide adopts a helical structure. The conjugate also includes a first polymer covalently linked to the peptide, and a hydrophobic moiety covalently linked to the N-terminus of the peptide, wherein the hydrophobic moiety comprises a second polymer or a lipid moiety. The present invention also provides helix bundles form by self-assembling the conjugates, and particles formed by self-assembling the helix bundles. Methods of preparing the helix bundles and particles are also provided.
US09044509B2	Inhibition of HIV infection through chemoprophylaxis A process is provided for protecting a primate host from a self-replicating infection by an immunodeficiency retrovirus. Protection is achieved by administering to the primate host a combination of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor prior to exposure to the immunodeficiency retrovirus. The administration is effective if provided in a single dose within 24 hours of the exposure. A regime of regular daily doses is also effective in providing protection against an immunodeficiency retrovirus becoming self-replicating after infecting a primate host. A process for controlling retrovirus transmission within a population includes the administration to a subpopulation at high risk for contracting an immunodeficiency retroviral infection the detailed combination prior to sexual exposure to a source of immunodeficiency retrovirus so as to preclude the immunodeficiency retrovirus from becoming self-replicating in a member of the subpopulation.
US09044508B2	Concentrated aqueous azalide formulations Provided is concentrated aqueous azithromycin formulation from about from about 2%-20%, and a method of making a concentrated aqueous azithromycin formulation which includes preparing and sterilizing a first solution comprising a strong base to form a sterilized solution, dissolving the azithromycin in an aqueous solution comprising an acid consisting essentially of a strong acid, and adding the aqueous solution comprising the strong acid to the sterilized solution comprising the strong base. The strong acid has a pKa less than about −1.74 and the method is carried out without addition or use of a weak acid.
US09044507B2	Elimination of immune responses to viral vectors The present invention relates to the use of immunogenic peptides comprising a T-cell epitope derived from a viral vector antigen and a redox motif such as C-(X)2-[CST] or [CST]-(X)2-C in the prevention and/or suppression of immune responses to viral vectors and in the manufacture of medicaments therefore.
US09044498B2	Lyophilized viral formulations Provided herein are lyophilized viral formulations useful for the stabilization and storage of viruses and methods of preparing these formulations. The lyophilized viral formulations described herein include a virus (e.g., a purified virus) and a non-viral composition including excipients. The formulations can be used, for example, to retain the infectivity or immunogenicity of viruses during periods of storage.
US09044493B2	Treatment of Adiponectin related diseases by inhibition of natural antisense transcript to an Adiponectin The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of an Adiponectin (ADIPOQ), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of an Adiponectin (ADIPOQ). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of Adiponectins (ADIPOQ)s.
US09044487B2	Hematopoietic neoplasm chemotherapy A method and medicament for treating mixed lineage leukemia; translocated mixed lineage leukemia; translocated mixed lineage leukemia based acute myelogenous leukemia; translocated mixed lineage leukemia based acute lymphoid leukemia; a non-MLL based chronic myeloproliferative disorder, or non-MLL based acute lymphoid leukemia is provided.
US09044483B2	Cell death inhibition by macrophage migration inhibitory factor and a binding substance thereto The present invention relates to an antioxidant response element (ARE) activator comprising a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) or a modified form thereof, an ARE activator comprising a combination of MIF or a modified form thereof and a substance capable of binding to MIF, such as a 1,3-benzothiazinone, and so on. These ARE activators are useful.
US09044482B2	Use of aminoindane compounds in treating overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis The present application provides methods of using the aminoindane compounds of formula (I) or (II) in treating an overactive bladder or interstitial cystitis by administering one or more of the compounds to a patient.
US09044480B1	Compositions and methods for treating HCV The present invention features methods of using Compound I to suppress HCV mutants, treat treatment-experienced HCV patients, and treat HCV patients having non-CC IL28B rs12979860 genotype.
US09044479B2	Use of levocetirizine and montelukast in the treatment of influenza, common cold and inflammation The embodiments described herein include methods and formulations for treating influenza, common cold and associated acute inflammation. The methods and formulations include, but are not limited to, methods and formulations for delivering effective concentrations of levocetirizine and montelukast to a patient in need. The methods and formulations can comprise conventional and/or modified-release elements, providing for drug delivery to the patient.
US09044473B2	Delivery of therapeutic compounds to the brain and other tissues The present invention relates to the intrathecal (IT) administration of recombinant enzyme to treat lysosomal storage disorders. In an exemplary embodiment, intrathecal administration of human α-L-iduronidase (rhIDU) injections in MPS I affected animals resulted in significant enzyme uptake, significant rh-iduronidase activity in brain and meninges and a decrease of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) storage in cells of MPS I subjects to that of normal subjects. Intrathecal administration proved more effective than intravenous treatment at alleviating MPS I symptoms, indicating it is a useful method of treating lysosomal storage disorders.
US09044472B2	Use and composition for treating dementia There is described a method for increasing the maximal tolerated dose and thus the efficacy of an acetyl choline esterase inhibitor (AChEI) in a patient suffering from an Alzheimer type dementia by decreasing concomitant adverse effects by administration of said AChEI in combination with a non-selective, peripheral anticholinergic agent, whereby an enhanced acetyl choline esterase inhibition in the CNS of said patient is achieved and alleviation of the symptoms of Alzheimer type dementia in said patient is thereby improved to a greater extent. The use of a non-selective, peripheral anticholinergic agent (nsPAChA) for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for increasing the maximal tolerated dose and thus the efficacy of an acetyl choline esterase inhibitor (AChEI) in a patient suffering from an Alzheimer type dementia and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a non-selective peripheral anticholinergic agent of formula II as illustrated in the description and an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor are also described.
US09044468B2	Labeled inhibitors of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), biological evaluation, and use as imaging agents The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is increasingly recognized as a viable target for imaging and therapy of cancer. Various 99mTc/Re-labeled compounds were prepared by attaching known Tc/Re chelating agents to an amino-functionalized PSMA inhibitor with or without a variable length linker moiety. Ex vivo biodistribution and in vivo imaging demonstrated the degree of specific binding to engineered PSMA+ PC3 PIP tumors.
US09044467B2	Methods for assisting anti-cancer drugs A method for assisting an anti-cancer drug comprising administrating an effective amount of Antrodia camphorata fermentation solution to improve life quality of patient suffering from cancers after chemotherapy is provided.
US09044466B2	Oral compositions comprising a zinc compound and an anti-microbial agent Oral compositions and methods of use thereof are provided herein. The oral compositions comprise a first component comprising at least one Eh-raising compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a second component comprising at least one zinc compound, an anti-microbial agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US09044456B2	Cross-linked compositions Improved compositions comprising a cross-linkable protein or polypeptide, and a non-toxic material which induces cross-linking of the cross-linkable protein. The compositions are optionally and preferably prepared in a non-phosphate buffer solvent. Optionally and preferably, the cross-linkable protein includes gelatin and any gelatin variant or variant protein as described herein. Optionally and preferably, the non-toxic material comprises transglutaminase (TG), which may optionally comprise any type of calcium dependent or independent transglutaminase, which may for example optionally be a microbial transglutaminase (mTG).
US09044455B2	Isolated extracellular matrix material including subserous fascia Described are purified extracellular matrix materials isolated from the abdominal wall of animals and including the subserous fascia layer of the abdominal wall. Such medical materials can find use in treating damaged tissue and in certain aspects in providing tissue support for the repair of hernias. Related methods of manufacture and use are also described.
US09044454B2	Regulation of microvasculature occlusion The present invention provides compositions and methods to regulate embolic occlusion of the microvasculature. In particular, the present invention inhibits extravasation of emboli from microvasculature resulting in increased occlusion (e.g., by administering a MMP 2/9 inhibitor locally to a subject).
US09044452B2	Use of resiniferatoxin (RTX) for producing an agent for treating joint pains and method for applying said agent A method for treating a joint affected by pain that involves injecting an agent that includes resiniferatoxin (RTX) dissolved in a physiologically suitable solvent locally into the intracapsular region or the bursa of the joint affected by pain.
US09044451B2	Use of delta tocopherol for the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders This disclosure relates generally to the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a novel use of delta tocopherol in the treatment of diseases and conditions related to lysosomal storage disorders. Included in the present disclosure is a method for the modulation of cholesterol recycling. Further, the disclosure relates to conditions such as Niemann-Pick type C disease, Farber disease, Niemann-Pick type A disease, Wolman disease and Tay Sachs disease. Further included in the present disclosure is a method for treating lysosomal storage disorders comprising the administration of delta tocopherol. Further included in the present disclosure is a method for treating lysosomal storage disorders comprising the administration of delta tocopherol in combination with cyclodextrin to a patient in need thereof.
US09044449B2	X-ray contrast media compositions and methods of using the same to treat, reduce or delay the onset of CNS inflammation and inflammation associated conditions Embodiments disclosed herein relate to improved X-ray contrast media compositions and methods of using the same for treating symptoms related to allergic reactions, inflammatory conditions, symptoms of the common cold and certain cancers.
US09044448B2	X-ray contrast media compositions and methods of using the same Embodiments disclosed herein relate to improved X-ray contrast media compositions and methods of using the same for treating symptoms related to allergic reactions, inflammatory conditions, symptoms of the common cold and certain cancers.
US09044446B2	Metabolic imprinting effects of structured lipids The invention relates to the use of triglycerides which an enhanced portion of the palmitic acid residues in the sn-2 position for an early in life diet for improving the development of a healthy body composition, in particular prevention of obesity, later in life.
US09044444B2	Method for improving skin appearance and reducing hair loss A method for improving skin appearance and/or reducing hair loss in a subject is provided. The method comprises administrating to the subject an effective amount of peripheral monocytes, wherein the peripheral monocytes are induced by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) or a combination of GCSF and an interleukin relative to GCSF.
US09044442B2	Peptidomimetic compounds as immunomodulators The present invention relates to novel peptidomimetic compounds as therapeutic agents capable of inhibiting the programmed cell death 1 (PD1) signalling pathway. The invention also relates to derivatives of the therapeutic agents. The invention also encompasses the use of the said therapeutic agents and derivatives for treatment of disorders via immunopotentiation comprising inhibition of immunosuppressive signal induced due to PD-1, PD-L1, or PD-L2 and therapies using them.
US09044441B2	3,5,3′-triiodothyronine sulfate as thyromimetic agent and pharmaceutical formulations thereof The invention regards the use of triiodothyronine sulfate, commonly named T3S, as a medicament having thyromimetic activity for the treatment of pathologies due to organic deficiency of triiodothyronine (T3), as such or in association with thyroxine (T4), and pharmaceutical formulations for oral administration thereof.
US09044437B2	Method for treating alzheimer's disease using pharmacological chaperones to increase the activity of gangliosidases The present invention relates to a method for treating an individual having Alzheimer's Disease by using pharmacological chaperones to increase the activity of gangliosidase and/or sialidase enzymes involved in ganglioside catabolism.
US09044434B2	Method of increasing epithelial cell proliferation with chitin binding protein Disclosed herein are methods of increasing epithelial cell proliferation (such as intestinal epithelial cell proliferation) by contacting epithelial cells with one or more CBPs. In some examples, the methods include administering the CBP to a subject, such as a subject in need of increased epithelial cell proliferation. Also disclosed herein are methods of identifying a subject having or at risk of developing hyperproliferation of epithelial cells (such as intestinal epithelial cells). Further disclosed are methods of decreasing epithelial cell proliferation by decreasing expression and/or activity of a CBP and methods of identifying inhibitors of epithelial cell proliferation and/or CBP activity.
US09044427B2	Compositions and methods for prevention and treatment of wounds The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting rapid healing and/or regeneration of damaged tissue resulting from a wound comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of (E)-4-carboxystyryl-4-chlorobenzylsulfone, or a functional derivative thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
US09044425B2	Method for topical treatment of eye disease and composition and device for said treatment A method for the prevention or treatment of an eye disease, which includes topically applying to a patient in need of the treatment an aqueous ophthalmic composition which includes N-acetylcarnosine, a N-acetylcarnosine derivative or a pharmacologically acceptable salt of N-acetylcarnosine, in combination with an amount of a cellulose compound or a pharmacologically acceptable salt which is effective to increase intraocular absorption of N-acetylcarnosine or L-carnosine or a derivative of L-carnosine, such as anserine or balenine, in the aqueous humor. A hydrophilic hydrogel contact lens and an ocular polymer insert for topical application of an ophthalmic composition to the eyes of a patient is also disclosed, with the lens or insert containing N-acetylcarnosine, a N-acetylcarnosine derivative or a pharmacologically acceptable salt of N-acetylcarnosine.
US09044423B2	Alcoholic compositions having a lowered risk of acetaldehydemia The present invention provides beverages and pharmaceutical compositions containing a deuterated alcohol according to Formula 1, and provides methods for their manufacture and use. The compositions of the invention are expected to ameliorate some of the negative side effects associated with the consumption of alcohol, such as hangover and facial flushing.
US09044420B2	Immunogenic compositions and methods of using the compositions for inducing humoral and cellular immune responses Compositions and methods are provided herein for improved dual immunization strategies that induce in a subject an immune response that includes a humoral immune response and cellular immune response, both CD4 and CD8 T lymphocyte immune responses, thereby providing a complete adaptive immune response to one or more antigens. The methods described are therefore useful for treating and/or preventing (i.e., reducing the likelihood or risk of occurrence) different diseases, disorders, and conditions such as cancers and infectious diseases for which induction of both a humoral immune response and cellular immune response is desired and beneficial.
US09044418B2	Treatment for depression and other mental conditions with synthetic isotope-modified lithium Treating mental illness by administering synthetic isotope-modified lithium compounds: (i) with the lithium-6 isotope making up at least 95% of the total number of lithium atoms in the compound to treat depression and other mental conditions with reduced alertness levels, (ii) with the lithium-7 isotope making up at least 95% of the total number of lithium atoms in the compound to treat mania and bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses which respond to lithium compounds with natural isotope abundance levels, (iii) with the lithium-6 isotope ranging from 10% to 95% of the total number of lithium atoms in the compound individually tailored to treat patients with a broad variety of mental disorders, including those in (i) and (ii) above.
US09044416B2	Cosmetic compositions containing phenolic compounds A method of photoprotecting a keratinous substrate comprising applying a composition onto the keratinous substrate, the composition comprising at least one phenolic compound chosen environmental at least one ortho-diphenol, at least one phenolic compound having a carboxylic acid moiety, and mixtures thereof, —a compound chosen from at least one pelyarn!ne, at least one water solvable metal salt, and mixtures thereof; and a cosmetically acceptable carrier. The present disclosure also relates to photoprotective compositions for application onto hair and skin, the compositions comprising at least one phenolic compound chosen from at least one ortho-diphenol, at least one phenolic compound having a carboxylic acid moiety, and mixtures thereof; a compound chosen from at least one polyamine, at least one water soluble metal salt, and mixtures thereof; and a cosmetically acceptable carrier.
US09044415B2	Method for making synthetic sebum for hair transformation A method is presented for forming a synthetic sebum for transforming hair. The method includes mixing water with a thickening agent at a first temperature to form a first mixture and mixing water with a sequestering agent, a first preservative and a second preservative to form a second mixture. The method further includes mixing the first and second mixture to form a third mixture. The method further includes a thickening agent with the third mixture to form a fourth mixture and mixing an antifoam agent with the fourth mixture to form a fifth mixture. The method further includes one or more of: mixing one or more waxes with the fifth mixture; mixing an emulsifying wax with the fifth mixture and/or mixing one or more oils with the fifth mixture.
US09044414B2	Compositions containing a solvated active agent for dispensing as a gas aerosol A composition for solvating one or more active agents in an aqueous solution which is suitable for dispensing as a compressed gas aerosol composition is disclosed. The composition includes at least one surfactant, at least one active agent, and a compressed gas propellant. The at least one surfactant is preferably present in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 3 wt. %. The at least one active agent is preferably present in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt. %. The compressed gas propellant is preferably present in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. %. The total surfactant weight to active agent weight ratio for the composition is preferably about 1:3 to 5:1. The composition uses a reduced amount of surfactant and active agent thereby allowing for a more efficient active agent loading and a reduced stickiness or tackiness on surfaces contacted during use.
US09044413B2	Block polymers, compositions and methods for use for foams, laundry detergents, and shower rinses and coagulants The present invention relates to a block polymeric material. Typically the block polymer comprises units capable of having an average cationic charge density of about 15 or less, preferably 5 or less, more preferably from about 0.05 to about 5, even more preferably from about 0.05 to about 2.77, even more preferably from about 0.1 to about 2.75, most preferably from about 0.75 to about 2.25 units per 100 daltons molecular weight at a pH of from about 4 to about 12. The polymeric material is a suds enhancer and a suds volume extender for personal care products such as soaps and shampoos. The compositions have increased effectiveness for preventing re-deposition of grease during hand and body washing. The polymers are also effective as a soil release agent in fabric cleaning compositions. The polymeric material is also effective in oil well treating foam, fire-fighting foam, hard surface cleaning foam, shaving cream, post-foaming shaving gel, dephiliatories and as a coagulant/retention aid for titanium dioxide in paper making.
US09044412B2	Dye composition using a long-chain ether of an alkoxylated fatty alcohol and a cationic polymer, processes and devices using the same The present invention relates to a composition for dyeing keratin fibers, comprising: at least one oxidation dye; at least one nonionic ether of a polyoxyalkylenated fatty alcohol of formula (i) R—(O-Alk)nOR (i); in which formula (i): R denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C10-C30 hydrocarbon-based radical, R′ denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C10-C30 hydrocarbon-based radical, which may be substituted with a hydroxyl radical, n is an integer between 1 and 100 inclusive, and Alk represents a linear or branched, preferably linear, (C1-C6)alkylene group such as ethylene or propylene, preferably ethylene; at least one cationic polymer; at least one fatty substance at a concentration of at least 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition; at least one chemical oxidizing agent. The present invention also relates to a process using this composition, and to multi-compartment devices that are suitable for implementing the invention.
US09044409B2	Use of chromen-4-one derivatives The invention relates to the use of chromen-4-one derivatives of the formula I where R1 and R2 may be identical or different and are selected from H, —C(═O)—R7, —C(═O)—OR7, alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups and/or cycloalkyl groups and/or cycloalkenyl groups, R3 is H or alkyl groups, R4 is H or OR8, R5 and R6 are selected from —H, —OH, alkyl groups, alkenyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups, and R7 is H, alkyl groups, a polyhydroxyl compound, such as, preferably, an ascorbic acid radical or glycosidic radicals, and R8 is H or alkyl groups, where at least two of the substituents R1, R2 and R4-R6 are different from H or at least one substituent from R1 and R2 is —C(═O)—R7 or —C(═O)—OR7, for the care, preservation or improvement of the general state of the skin or hair.
US09044407B2	Multi-carotenoids compositions and uses therefor Methods for ameliorating the effects of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men, comprising orally administering an effective amount of multi-carotenoids compositions. Multi-carotenoids composition for oral administration comprising about 71% by weight, of a tomato extract containing therein about 2% to 10% by weight of lycopene, about 0.25% to 2% by weight of phytoene, and about 0.2% to 2% by weight of phytofluene, and about 29% by weight, of a suitable encapsulating matrix. A suitable encapsulating matrix is an edible oil exemplified by soya oil, pumpkin seed oil, grape-seed oil and the like. The tomato extract may additionally comprise one or more of at least one carotene selected from the group comprising β-carotene, γ-carotene, and δ-carotene, a phytosterol, a tocopheral and a phospholipid. Use of multi-carotenoids compositions for the treatment of urinary tract malfunctions including benign prostate hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms.
US09044406B2	Aqueous composition for enteric hard capsule, method of preparing enteric hard capsule, and enteric hard capsule prepared using the method An aqueous composition for an enteric hard capsule, a method of preparing an enteric hard capsule, and an enteric hard capsule prepared using the method. The aqueous composition for an enteric hard capsule includes an enteric base material, a capsule forming aid, and a neutralizing agent. The method of preparing an enteric hard capsule includes: preparing an aqueous composition by dissolving an enteric base material, a capsule forming aid, and a neutralizing agent in water; preheating the aqueous composition to a temperature that is less than the gelation temperature for the aqueous composition; immersing a mold pin heated to a temperature that is greater than the gelation temperature for the aqueous composition into the aqueous composition; taking the mold pin out of the aqueous composition to obtain a film formed on the mold pin; and maintaining the film at a temperature that is equal to or greater than the gelation temperature for the aqueous composition for a predetermined period of time to fix the film on the mold pin and drying the film.
US09044394B2	Bioavailability enhancement delivery composition A composition for increasing the bioavailability of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”) in humans and animals, comprising a first water soluble surfactant having a cloud point greater than about 37° C., a second water soluble surfactant having a cloud point greater than about 37° C., wherein a mixture of the first surfactant and the second surfactant comprises a cloud point less than about 37° C.
US09044392B2	Nylon-3 co-polymers and synthetic lung surfactant compositions containing same Non-natural oligomers have recently shown promise as functional analogues of lung surfactant proteins Band C (SP-B and SP-C), two helical and amphiphilic proteins that are clitical for normal respiration. The generation of non-natural mimics of SP-B and SP-C has previously been restlicted to step-by-step, sequence-specific synthesis, which results in discrete oligomers that are intended to manifest specific structural attributes. Presented herein an alternative approach to SP-R mimicry that is based on sequence-random copolymers containing cationic and lipophilic subunits. These materials, members of the nylon-3 family, arc prepared by ling-opening polymelization of 13-lactams. The best of the nylon-3 polymers display promising in vitro surfactant activities in a mixed lipid film. Pulsating bubble surfactometry data indicate that films containing the most surface-active polymers attain adsorptive and dynamic-cycling properties that surpass those of discrete peptides intended to mimic SP-B.
US09044390B1	Pharmaceutical composition and method of manufacturing The present invention provides for methods of obtaining an extract of Cannabis plant material as well as subsequent processing of the extract to provide a concentrate of Cannabis. The present invention also provides for pharmaceutical dosage forms (e.g., oral thin films and transdermal patches) that include the concentrate (or extract) of Cannabis, as well as methods of medical treatment that include administering the pharmaceutical dosage forms.
US09044385B2	Therapeutic compositions for targeted vessel delivery Methods for treating a vascular disease by delivering therapeutic compositions with enhanced endothelium targeting are disclosed.
US09044383B1	Compounds and methods for drug delivery via a human nail Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to methods and/or compositions for preparing a nail coating composition with forskolin to be delivered into the human body. The composition is formed of forskolin and nitrocellulose dissolved in a solvent. The solvent may be an organic solvent and may further comprise a resin, an adhesive polymer, a plasticizer, a coloring agent, and/or any other constituent known to be used in nail coating compositions. The composition is applied to the fingertips and/or fingernails of an individual such that the forskolin contained in the composition is absorbed via the nail plate into the body. The surface of the nail plate may be primed or otherwise manipulated to promote a higher absorption rate.
US09044382B2	Genetic products differentially expressed in tumors and the use thereof According to the invention, gene products expressed in a tumor-associated manner and the nucleic acids coding therefor were identified. The invention relates to the therapy and diagnosis of diseases wherein said gene products expressed in a tumor-associated manner are aberrantly expressed. The invention also relates to proteins, polypeptides and peptides which are expressed in a tumor associated manner and to nucleic acids coding therefor.
US09044381B2	Method for delivering drugs to the brain The present invention is concerned with delivering a pharmaceutical composition to the brain of a mammalian subject for treating brain diseases or disorders. The process includes the steps of: (i) providing a dispersion of the pharmaceutical composition as particles having an average particle size of from about 150 nm to about 100 microns, and (ii) administering the dispersion to the mammalian subject for delivery to the brain of a portion of the pharmaceutical composition by cells capable of reaching the brain. The dispersion of the pharmaceutical composition as particles, for example, can be phagocytized or adsorbed by the cells prior or subsequent to administration into the mammalian subject. The dispersion of the pharmaceutical composition can be administered to the central nervous system or the vascular system. After administration, the loaded cells transport the pharmaceutical composition as particles into the brain.
US09044380B2	Custom molded nipple replicating a human nipple for use in both pacifiers and baby bottles A method for making a customized nipple for a pacifier or baby bottle. The method provides for molding an exact non-toxic material replica of the mother's breast, nipple, and areola area from a mold so that when the replica is filled with a non-toxic gel-like substance and adhered to a backing, the pacifier so created has the firmness, color, rigidity, and texture of the mother's natural breast, nipple, and areola area. Further, the simple to use mold is sent to a core facility which stores the identifying information with the mold once a first pacifier is created therefrom. Moreover, the mother can re-order or re-make the pacifier as needed over time. The pacifier so provided is a safe and effective pacifying device which promotes good emotional, muscular, and bone structure development for the baby, and at the same time, provides the mother with confidence and independence.
US09044373B2	Method and apparatus for improving cervical curvature and for maintaining proper curvature in persons predisposed to develop improper curvature A core muscle exercising and resistance training device includes a weighted bar having opposed bar ends adapted to removably mount at least one weight or other force generating element. A pad element is removably and frictionally mounted on the bar, the pad element being constructed from a lightweight foam material having a density within a specific range. The pad has an outer surface with a radius of curvature substantially the same as a normal cervical curvature. In use, the outer pad surface is placed adjacent a user's cervical curve and the weighted bar, the additional isometric resistance generating elements and the pad element act in combination to apply a force upon the user's core cervical curve muscles for improving the user's cervical curve posture by gradually modifying the cervical curvature to conform with clinically desirable curvature.
US09044370B2	Incubator A hand insertion door board is attached to the peripheral portion of each hand insertion window formed in an outside portion of a newborn infant container of an incubator. A holding portion is formed on one side portion of the hand insertion door board in the lateral direction. A bracket which pivotally supports a support shaft having a vertical axis is attached to the holding portion. A latch lever is pivotally supported by the support shaft of the bracket. A press lever which releases latching operation of the latch lever is pivotally attached by using the support shaft of the bracket. When the press lever is pressed against the biasing force of a compression coil spring, the press lever presses projecting pieces of the latch lever to make the latch lever pivot about the support shaft to the release position.
US09044368B2	Configurable air diffusion body supports A patient positioning wedge, mattress, pillow, pod, or other surface or apparatus for preventing or relieving pressure ulcers or other types of wounds through low air loss therapy, alternating pressure therapy, or both, and the ports, controllers, and manifolds used in combination. The mattress includes a plurality of perforated or otherwise porous air cells for supporting the patient's body weight. The mattress further includes valves and accessory ports to pump air into accessories, such as patient positioning wedges, pods, and pillows. Each accessory also includes perforated or otherwise porous air cells. The air cells in the mattress and accessories allow for low air loss therapy and/or alternating pressure therapy by passing air between the contact surface of the mattress or accessory and the contact surface of the patient, thus helping alleviate pressure, heat, friction, and moisture, while maintaining support and stability of the patient.
US09044366B2	Adjustable mattress support facility This disclosure concerns an adjustable bed with a deck-on-deck appearance. A concealing assembly is attached to the center frame of an articulating bed, wherein the concealing assembly is situated below the mattress platform and conceals the base frame as the center frame moves along the base frame when the bed articulates. In other embodiments, such as for non-wall hugger beds where the center frame is stationary, a concealing assembly may still be used but will also be stationary.
US09044361B2	Proxy caregiver interface A patient support apparatus for use in a healthcare facility has associated therewith a graphical user interface (GUI) that is operable to display information pertaining to features of the patient support apparatus and to display information pertaining to features of other patient support apparatuses. Under some circumstances, the GUI may also be used to control functions of some of the other patient support apparatuses. A bed data server is communicatively coupled to the patient support apparatus and to the other patient support apparatuses to control information flow to the GUI from the other patient support apparatuses.
US09044358B2	Absorbent article with waist-cuff An absorbent article is provided with a waist-cuff to prevent body waste from leaking beyond a waist-opening. An elastic sheet is used for the waist-cuff to be held in contact with the wearer's skin even if the wearer moves. The waist-cuff and a chassis may be joined to each other so as to be separated from each other in the vicinity of an absorbent structure to assure that fitness of the waist-cuff to the wearer's skin is not significantly affected by movement of the wearer and, at the same time, to assure that leg-cuffs can rise without being collapsed by the waist-cuff. The ends of the leg-cuffs are interleaved between the waist-cuff and the chassis to prevent body waste from leaking through a clearance which would otherwise be defined between the leg-cuffs and the waist-cuff.
US09044355B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article to absorb and contain human female bodily excretions from the genitalia for placement in the inner crotch portion of an undergarment of a human female wearer; and with a separate cosmetic human female crotch enhancer element which is positioned on garment faceable side and gives the simulated appearance of exaggerated contours and curves associated with the human female external genitalia with the simulated appearance of exaggerated pudendal cleft associated with the human female external genitalia and without or with the simulated pubic hair to provide the human female wearer with subtle understated sexual expression and subtle non-verbal communication.
US09044350B2	Alignment sheath apparatus and method The invention is direction to an alignment apparatus comprising a central sheath, an alignment sheath, and at least one stent. The central sheath and the alignment sheath each have a wall and a distal end where the wall of the alignment sheath is engaged to the wall of the central sheath. The wall of the central sheath defines a central lumen that has a central guide wire extending therethrough and the wall of the alignment sheath defines an alignment lumen that has an alignment guide wire extending therethrough. The distal end of the alignment sheath is positioned proximally to the distal end of the central sheath. The alignment apparatus has at least one stent disposed about one of the alignment guide wire or the central guide wire. The at least one stent has a pre-delivered state so that when the at least one stent is in the pre-delivered state, it is contained within at least one of the central sheath and the alignment sheath.
US09044336B2	Implantable spinal disk Spinal disk including a shell, first endplate, second endplate and core. The shell includes sidewalls, back wall, front wall, top wall and bottom wall defining a compartment. The first endplate includes a first base, first top and first attachment. The first base is retained in the compartment. The first top is disposed about a first opening in the top wall forming a top contact surface. The first attachment extends from the first top portion. The second endplate includes a second base, second top and second attachment. The second base is retained in the compartment. The second top is disposed about a second opening in the bottom wall forming a bottom contact surface. The second attachment extends from the second top portion. The core is disposed in the compartment between the first endplate and the second endplate.
US09044332B2	Toe joint replacement models In various embodiments, provided are implantable devices for replacing all or a portion of a metatarsophalangeal joint, comprising (i) a metatarsal component comprising a substantially convex bearing surface; or (ii) a phalanx component comprising a substantially concave bearing surface; or (iii) both. In various embodiments, also provided are methods of treating hallux valgus by replacing all or a portion of a metatarsophalangeal joint with one or more of the provided implantable devices.
US09044329B2	Garment with integral support system An article of apparel, including a garment such as underwear, boxers, or briefs is provided that has an integral support system. The garment is configured to provide improved genital support while the wearer exercises, plays sports, or engages in a physical activity. The garment includes a portion configured as an article of clothing such as underwear, for example, made of cotton and spandex/elastane material, and includes a support pouch, a wide waistband, support straps slidingly disposed through retaining means, and other supportive features. Use of the garment can eliminate the need for the user to wear multiple support layers or uncomfortable compression underwear in order to gain adequate support while exercising, playing sports, or engaging in other physical activities.
US09044327B2	Structure improvement of an orthopaedic implant of an artificial knee joint A structure improvement of orthopaedic implant for connecting a distal femur and a proximal tibia, and a stem was implanted into the proximal tibia, in which formed to allow inter-engagement between the stem of the tibia and the structure improvement of orthopaedic implant. The structure improvement of orthopaedic implant includes a tibial baseplate, a tibial insert, and a reinforcement. The tibial baseplate forms a recess having a bottom that has a central portion defining a through hole extending through the tibial baseplate. The tibial insert includes a support, a through region, and a projection, wherein an end of the tibial insert forming the projection corresponding to the recess of the tibial baseplate for press-fitting to the tibial baseplate. The reinforcement is inset in the tibial insert and includes a sleeve and a bolt. As such, the advantages of stable coupling includes force resistance, avoids insert loosening then extends prosthetic longevity.
US09044326B2	Femoral augments for use with knee joint prosthesis A femoral augment, or set of augments, for use with a knee joint prosthesis, where the femoral augment includes a main body portion, an aperture formed within the main body portion and extending in a generally distal/proximal direction, and a pair of legs extending outwardly from said main body portion in a generally posterior direction. In the preferred embodiment, the aperture is configured to receive a stem extension implant, and to allow it to pass through. Additionally, the legs of the femoral augment are preferably configured to be seated proximal of a proximal side of a pair of condylar portions of a femoral component of a knee joint prosthesis. The present invention is intended for situations in which the distal portion of the femur is defective, and it provides a method and devices that allow for preservation of healthy peripheral bone.
US09044323B2	High wear-resistant bearing material and artificial joint replacement using the same The present invention provides a bearing material that is excellent in durability and is capable of maintaining wear resistance over a long period of time. The bearing material of the present invention is a high wear-resistance bearing material 10 for being used under a humid environment comprising: a base body 12 made of a polymer material having a methylene group; and a polymer layer 30 covering a bearing surface 16 of the substrate 12, the polymer layer 30 comprising polymer chains which have a phosphorylcholine group and are grafted from the bearing surface 16, wherein a phosphoric index of the sliding surface 16 which is calculated by dividing a peak intensity of phosphate group in an infrared spectrum measured on the sliding surface by a peak intensity of the methylene group therein is not less than 0.28.
US09044320B2	Device for the implantation and fixation of prosthetic valves A device for the transvascular implantation and fixation of prosthetic heart valves having a self-expanding heart valve stent (10) with a prosthetic heart valve (11) at its proximal end is introducible into a patient's main artery. With the objective of optimizing such a device to the extent that the prosthetic heart valve (11) can be implanted into a patient in a minimally-invasive procedure, to ensure optimal positioning accuracy of the prosthesis (11) in the patient's ventricle, the device includes a self-expanding positioning stent (20) introducible into an aortic valve positioned within a patient. The positioning stent is configured separately from the heart valve stent (10) so that the two stents respectively interact in their expanded states such that the heart valve stent (10) is held by the positioning stent (20) in a position in the patient's aorta relative the heart valve predefinable by the positioning stent (20).
US09044319B2	Anchored cardiovascular valve Anchored cardiovascular valves having a support member with at least one leaflet formed therein that is sized and configured to selectively restrict regurgitating blood through the valve, and at least one anchoring mechanism. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the anchored valves have two anchoring mechanisms, i.e. proximal and distal anchoring mechanisms.
US09044313B2	System and method for securing tissue to bone Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A tissue anchoring device is described that comprises an anchor body and a spreader such that tissue may be captured or compressed between outside surfaces on the anchor and inside surfaces of a bone tunnel to secure the tissue within the tunnel. An anchoring device is described that comprises an anchor body having compressible tabs with teeth, and a spreader that forces the compressible tabs into an expanded state when inserted into anchor body, facilitating engagement between bone and the teeth of the compressible tabs. Also described is an inserter tool that can be used to insert the anchor into bone and move the spreader within the anchor to expand the anchor and capture the tissue between the anchor and the bone. Methods are described that enable use of the bone anchoring device to secure a tissue graft into the tibial and femoral bones during anterior cruciate ligament (“ACL”) reconstruction.
US09044311B2	Aortic graft device An aortic graft device (10) is provided with a graft portion (12) integrally fixed to a corrugated trunk portion (14). A fixing ring (16) is provided between the graft and trunk portions. The trunk portion (14) can be everted into the graft portion, leaving the fixing ring (16) at an extremity of the device for suturing purposes. The fixing ring (16) is preferably made from a relatively stiff material such as a compressed foam or rubber like material, which provides a relatively solid component for a surgeon to hold during suturing and which can provide a strong support for sutures.
US09044308B2	Systems and methods for reshaping an eye feature Systems and methods include a cutting instrument that creates incisions in selected areas of the cornea; an eye therapy system that applies reshaping forces to the cornea; and a controller that determines the selected areas of the cornea for the incisions and the reshaping forces from the eye therapy system, such that the reshaping forces and the incisions combine to achieve corrective reshaping of the cornea. Other systems and methods include measuring an eye to determine a required amount of reshaping of a cornea; determining one or more doses of cross-linking agent and one or more corresponding doses of photoactivating light according to the required amount of reshaping; applying the cross-linking agent to the cornea; and delivering, from a light source, the photoactivating light to the area of the eye, the photoactivating light combining with the cross-linking agent to induce the corrective reshaping of the cornea.
US09044305B2	Self cleaning devices, systems and methods of use The invention relates to medical devices, systems and methods for preventing the embolic material flowing about a junction of at least one branch blood vessel and another blood vessel from entering the other blood vessel. The device includes a self cleaning flexible filter and a frame. The external surface of the filter is configured to temporarily trap at least some of the embolic material flowing about the junction as a result of the blood inflow though the filter. The filter is also configured to expel the trapped embolic material into the other blood vessel.
US09044304B2	Patient interface with variable applanation A variable-applanation patient interface can include a lens support system, attachable to a distal end of an ophthalmic surgical laser system; a contact lens, supported by the lens support system and configured to make contact with an eye-surface; and an adjustable coupler, coupled to at least one of the lens support system and the contact lens, and configured to be coupled to a non-central region of the eye-surface, to accommodate the contact lens to contact a central region of the eye-surface with a central applanation, to enable a change between the central applanation and an extended applanation, and to accommodate the contact lens to contact an extended region of the eye-surface larger than the central region with the extended applanation.
US09044302B2	Patient interface for ophthalmologic diagnostic and interventional procedures One embodiment is directed to a patient interface system for ophthalmic intervention on an eye of a patient, comprising: a housing; an optical lens coupled to the housing and having a focal axis; a eye surface engagement assembly coupled to the housing and comprising an inner seal having an inner seal diameter and being configured to circumferentially engage the eye, an outer seal having an outer seal diameter and being configured to circumferentially engage the eye, and a tissue migration bolster structure configured to be positioned circumferentially between the inner and outer circumferential seals and to prevent migration of tissue of the eye toward the eye surface engagement assembly when a vacuum load is applied within the assembly to cause vacuum engagement of the inner and outer seals against the eye.
US09044301B1	Methods, systems and devices for treating glaucoma A system is provided including an elongate needle body and an aqueous humor drainage device. The drainage device includes an elongated flexible tube that is operatively coupled to a proximal end of the needle body. Methods for the implantation of the aqueous humor drainage device in the eye are provided. A system including an elongate needle body and drainage device is also provided for draining other body cavities.
US09044300B2	Gastrointestinal prostheses A system for therapy within a gastrointestinal system includes anchoring or attachment functionality embodied in a low-profile implant technology and removable therapy components, which can be reversibly attached to these low-profile implants to accomplish various therapies. This design allows the physician to tailor the therapy to the patient's needs. The system has the potential to create conduits for diversion and/or restriction of food and organ secretions and to facilitate the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity and T2DM.
US09044299B2	Microfabricated instruments and methods to treat recurrent corneal erosions In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device and method for treating recurrent corneal erosion. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of contacting an epithelium layer of a cornea with an array of glass micro-rods including a plurality of sharp features having a length that penetrates a Bowman's layer of the eye, wherein the plurality of sharp features of the array of glass micro-rods produces a plurality of punctures in the Bowman's layer of the eye that are of micro-scale or less. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method and device for drug delivery. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods, wherein the sharp feature includes a treated surface for delivering a chemical compound to the eye.
US09044298B2	Self-adjusting gastric band Generally described herein are automatic, self-adjusting, gastric banding systems and improvements thereof, that are capable of automatically relaxing and contracting in response to a large bolus passing through the area of a patient's stomach constricted by a gastric band. Alternatively, and/or in addition in one or more embodiments, the gastric banding systems described herein may also help prevent pouch dilatation and/or erosion. The apparatus and systems described herein aid in facilitating obesity control and/or treating obesity-related diseases while generally being non-invasive once implanted. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the self-adjusting gastric banding systems disclosed herein are automatically adjustable without complicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limiting devices, and/or valves. The automatic adjustments may also be made in response to other changes in the patient's esophageal-gastric junction, for example, in response to size, shape, and or location changes.
US09044296B2	Dental bridge A system for attaching a natural tooth to a dental implant. The system comprises a dental prosthesis and an elastomeric cushion. The dental prosthesis has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed to a natural tooth and the second end is engaged with a dental implant. The elastomeric cushion is positioned in contact, either directly or indirectly, with at least a portion of the dental implant and at least a portion of the dental prosthesis such that the elastomeric cushion permits movement of the second end relative to the dental implant in response to movement of the natural tooth transferred through the dental prosthesis to the second end.
US09044292B2	Dental articles including a ceramic and microparticle coating and method of making the same Provided are methods of improving the wear resistance and aesthetic properties of dental articles though use of ceramics and microparticles, as well as dental articles having an abrasion resistant microparticle and ceramic coating thereon.
US09044291B2	Jaw powered electric generator An electric generator powered by the opening and closing of a user's jaw. In one embodiment, a portion of an electric generator is mechanically stressed by a user's teeth when the user opens or closes his jaw. The mechanical stress is converted to electric energy and may be stored in a battery or power an electric device. In another embodiment, a magnet is passed through a coil when the user opens or closes his jaw to generate electric energy.
US09044286B2	Enhanced surgical driver Devices, systems, and methods are provided for applying a controlled amount of torque during a surgical procedure. In one exemplary embodiment, after the amount of torque applied reaches a threshold amount, a modular driver tip can be deformed, for instance by breaking into pieces. A containment shield disposed around at least a portion of the tip is configured to receive at least a portion of the tip after it is deformed. In one aspect, multiple modular driver tips can be disposed in a cartridge, with a distal-most tip being held by a driver tip holder that has a holding force that is greater than a threshold torque value of the tip. Exemplary methods for operating surgical drivers and systems that include tips that deform at a threshold torque value, and a multitude of embodiments of tools and systems, are also provided.
US09044283B2	Bone nail with smooth trailing end A bone nail has a shaft with a leading section and a trailing section, wherein the trailing section includes an end surface having at least one depressed portion and at least one elevated portion. The transition between one of the depressed portions and the adjacent elevated portion is smooth. The end surface is formed so as to transmit rotational forces as well as translational forces from a medical device to the shaft of the bone nail, when the medical device is coupled at the end surface to the trailing section of the bone nail.
US09044281B2	Intramedullary implants for replacing lost bone A bone transport system includes a nail having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end configured for securing to a first portion of bone, the distal end configured for securing to a second portion of bone. The system includes a housing having a wall with a longitudinal opening extending a length along a portion thereof. The system further includes a transport sled having a length that is shorter than the length of the longitudinal opening, the transport sled configured for securing to a third portion of bone, the transport sled further configured to be moveable along the longitudinal opening. The system further includes a magnetic assembly disposed within the nail and configured to be non-invasively actuated by a moving magnetic field, wherein actuation of the magnetic assembly moves the transport sled along the longitudinal opening. The system further includes a ribbon extending on opposing sides of the transport sled and substantially covering the longitudinal opening.
US09044280B1	Surgical access system and related methods A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. The tissue retraction assembly has a plurality of blades which may be introduced while in a closed configuration, after which point they may be opened to create an operation corridor to the surgical target site, including pivoting at least one blade to expand the operative corridor adjacent to the operative site.
US09044270B2	Apparatus for controlling a load on a hip joint An apparatus and related method for controlling a load on a human hip joint during normal gait while preserving motion. The approach is intended to treat osteoarthritis of the hip without substantially resisting an angular displacement associated with full mobility of the pelvis and femur bones.
US09044268B2	Method of identifying the orientation of a tissue sample A method of identifying the orientation of a tissue sample is provided. The method includes the use of a single-use tissue marking system for use in marking a tissue sample. A first surface of the sample is marked with a first ink defined by a first color; a second surface of the tissue is marked with a second ink defined by a second color; and a third surface of the sample is marked with a third ink defined by a third color.
US09044266B2	Implant deployment device An implant deployment device (10) includes a pusher member (30), inner catheter (24), dilator tip (20) upon which an implant (18) is supported during deployment into a lumen of a patient. A sheath (32) substantially surrounds the pusher member (30), the inner catheter (24), the dilator tip (20), covering the implant (18) and containing the implant (18) therewithin. The pusher member (30), inner catheter (24), dilator tip (20) has at least one longitudinal groove formed in its outer surface. This engages with at least one tooth (112) formed in an inner surface of the sheath (32) or an inner surface of a component of the device that is attached to the sheath (32), such as a clamping collar (90) or a locking unit (100). The tooth (112) engages with a longitudinal groove (80) and is able to move along the groove (80) in a longitudinal direction. The engagement of the tooth (112) within the groove (80), however, prevents relative rotation between the sheath (32) and the pusher member (30), inner catheter (24), dilator tip (20). Twisting of an implant (18) supported on the inner catheter (24) is thus avoided.
US09044259B2	Methods for dissection of subcutaneous tissue A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.
US09044254B2	Microwave ablation catheter and method of utilizing the same A microwave ablation system configured for use in luminal network is provided. The microwave ablation system includes a microwave energy source and a tool for treating tissue. An extended working channel is configured to provide passage for the tool. A locatable guide, translatable through the extended working channel, is configured to navigate the extended working channel adjacent a target.
US09044252B2	Method for improving pedicles screw placement in spinal surgery An adjustable awl for forming a hole for the insertion of a screw or other device in a pedicle or other body part. The awl comprises an elongated housing having an open end, and an elongated awl member movably mounted in the housing and being extendable beyond the open end to vary the length of the awl. The awl comprises means for locking the awl member in a selected position relative to the housing. The awl member is provided with markings thereon to indicate its position relative to the housing.
US09044250B2	Bone treatment system A system for removing bone growths and realigning bones includes a bone planer and an osteotomy guide. The bone planer includes a hollow sleeve that has an end embeddable within a bone. The bone planer also includes a rotary blade that is coupled to the hollow sleeve. The rotary blade is positioned within and rotatable relative to the hollow sleeve. The osteotomy guide includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal and proximal portions are slidably coupled together. Each of the distal and proximal portions includes an upright that defines a cut guide surface. A space defined between the cut guide surfaces defines a cut path corresponding with a desired cut through the bone.
US09044248B2	Catheter deflection anchor A system and method for anchoring a round catheter pull wire within the distal end of a catheter. A steering deflection mechanism includes a pull ring having a plurality of apertures and one or more receiving slots. The method includes affixing one or more round pull wires to the one or more receiving slots of the pull ring. The shape of the round wire and manner of affixing the wire to the pull ring provide a steering assembly that can withstand greater pull forces while maintaining design integrity.
US09044245B2	Multipolarity epicardial radiofrequency ablation A method of ablating an epicardial tissue region, including positioning a medical device adjacent the epicardial tissue region, the medical device having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode located in between the first and second electrodes; delivering an irrigation fluid to the tissue region; and ablating at least a portion of the tissue region by sequentially activating the third electrode in a monopolar radiofrequency delivery mode and activating the first and second electrodes in a bipolar radiofrequency delivery mode.
US09044242B2	Bipolar forceps A bipolar forceps may include a first forceps arm having a first forceps arm aperture, a first forceps jaw, and a first forceps arm conductor tip; a second forceps arm having a second forceps arm aperture, a second forceps jaw, and a second forceps arm conductor tip; and an input conductor isolation mechanism having a first forceps arm housing and a second forceps arm housing. The first forceps arm may be disposed in the first forceps arm housing and the second forceps arm may be disposed in the second forceps arm housing. An application of a force to a lateral portion of the forceps arms may be configured to close the forceps jaws. A reduction of a force applied to a lateral portion of the forceps arms may be configured to open the forceps jaws.
US09044241B2	Bushing arm deformation mechanism A medical device includes (a) a capsule including a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end of the capsule including at least one window extending therethrough; (b) a bushing including a channel extending therethrough, a distal end including at least one arm extending distally therefrom such that a corresponding one of the arms is releasably engagable with a corresponding one of the windows; and (c) a core member including a locking portion and at least one engaging element. The locking portion is sized and shaped to be received within the channel of the bushing to apply a pressure to the arm such that the arm engages the windows. The engaging element extends laterally outward from a portion of the core member such that the engaging element engages a corresponding one of the arms to deform the arms radially inward and out of engagement with the windows.
US09044232B2	Medical heating device and method with self-limiting electrical heating element A medical heating device is based on an electrical heater formed out of a self-limiting conductive material, such as a conductive polymer or ceramic. An electrical resistance that gradually changes with temperature characterizes the material such that heat production from electrical current through the material varies with temperature. A thermally insulating jacket contains the self-limiting heater element, which can be coupled to an electrical power supply. A probe thermally coupled to the heater extends outward from the jacket. The self-limiting medical heating device can be used by touching the end of the probe to target tissue, such as skin, adipose tissue, nerves, glands, vascular tissue, or abnormal growths or tumors to effect the desired treatment, typically by thermally ablating, cutting, or shrinking the target tissue where touched by the probe or in the vicinity therein.
US09044229B2	Surgical fastener instruments Surgical instruments and cartridges for cutting and fastening tissues and organs such as vessels are disclosed. In various non-limiting forms, the surgical instrument includes a first jaw that operably supports a substantially flexible elongated tissue closure assembly therein. A second jaw is movably supported relative to the first jaw and is selectively movable between open and closed positions in response to opening and closing motions applied thereto. A closure retraction assembly is configured to selectively apply cinching motions to the substantially flexible elongated tissue closure assembly.
US09044226B2	System and method for attaching soft tissue to bone Methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone are disclosed herein. A bone anchor is described that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor base to clamp suture material there between. Also described is a soft-tissue and bone piercing anchor and associated inserter. Methods are described that allow use of the bone anchors to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone.
US09044221B2	Exchangeable system for minimally invasive beating heart repair of heart valve leaflets Improved methods and apparatuses for heart valve repair in a beating heart of a patient utilize an exchangeable heart valve repair system. Heart valve repair system can include a port adapted to be seated in the heart wall and an imaging catheter slidable within the port. The imaging catheter can be selectively locked relative to the port for insertion into the heart and unlocked once the port is seated to allow the imaging catheter to move distally towards target tissue. A deployment catheter slidably disposed in the imaging catheter and a repair cartridge slidably disposed in the deployment catheter can be used to capture the target tissue and deploy a repair device into the tissue after proper capture is confirmed. System elements can be selectively removed from and replaced within port to deploy additional repair devices while port maintains a seal while elements are and are not inserted.
US09044218B2	Distractor A surgical distractor comprising a base plate (2), an intermediate stage (6) telescopically coupled to the base plate (2) and a distraction plate (4) telescopically coupled to the intermediate stage (6). The intermediate stage (6) is arranged to rotate relative to at least one of the base plate (2) and the distraction plate (4) to cause telescopic movement between the intermediate plate (6) and at least one of the base plate (2) and the distraction plate (4) such that the distraction plate (4) moves towards or away from the base plate (2). Surgical instrument kits incorporating distractors and drive elements and a method of distracting two bones within a joint are also disclosed.
US09044217B2	Distractor device for joints A distractor device (1) comprises a distracting element that includes a fixed plate (3) and a mobile plate (4), said mobile plate (4) being translatable by means of an actuator with respect to a body (2) of said distracting element between a first position where it is in contact with said fixed plate (3) and a second position where it is spaced therefrom. The distractor device further includes at least one rod (10) suitable to be introduced in the medullary cavity of a femur (F) and provided with a stem (10a) and an abutment plate (10b) fixed at one end of the stem (10a) and inclined by a known angle (α) with respect thereto, said abutment plate (10b) being suitable to receive in abutment the mobile plate (4) in said second position, and one between the mobile plate (4) and the fixed plate (3) being also rotatable with respect to the other, the angle of rotation of the rotatable plate (3, 4) determined by the contact between the mobile plate (4) and the abutment plate (10b) being measured by means of a graduated scale (5d) and an indicator (4a) secured to said rotatable plate (3, 4). Thanks to these features, the distractor device according to the invention allows to check in situ and to correct the theoretical valgism angle of a patient's knee determined during a pre-surgery phase, thus allowing to correctly place the jig for the first distal resection of the femur.
US09044206B2	Pulse detector A pulse detector (100) includes a pulse wave sensor (10); a pulse wave signal filtering section (200) having a first adaptive filter (202a) and second adaptive filter (202b), and an adaptive filter switching section (17); and a pulse wave frequency analyzer (400), wherein the adaptive filter switching section (17) starts an adaptive processing of the second adaptive filter (202b) at a first time point partway through a second interval in which the first adaptive filter (202a) is continuously carrying out adaptive processing, where the second interval occurs in the first interval, and switches from the first adaptive filter (202a) to the second adaptive filter (202b) at a second time point, which is a time point after the first time point and which is the end point of the second interval.
US09044197B2	Method for x-ray dose tracking A method for providing x-ray dose information is executed at least in part by a computer and includes obtaining two or more technique setup parameters for a pending x-ray examination for a patient, at least one dimensional distance parameter related to the x-ray system, patient information parameters identifying one or more physical characteristics of the patient, and identifying the patient anatomy that is to be exposed. The projected effective dose value are calculated and displayed according to the obtained technique setup, dimensional distance, patient information parameters, and patient anatomy information. A message is displayed to the operator related to disabling the pending x-ray examination according to the calculated projected effective dose value.
US09044195B2	Implantable sonic windows A sonic window includes a body sized and configured to close an opening formed through the cranium, wherein at least a part of the body is made of a sonically transparent material through which ultrasonic waves can pass.
US09044191B2	Radiographic image capturing apparatus A radiographic image capturing apparatus includes a mobile cart unit, a plurality of devices used for capturing a radiographic image, and an electric power supply activator enabling supply of electric power between the devices, based on an instruction of permission to supply electric power.
US09044190B2	C-arm computerized tomography system A system and method for generating CT-type three dimensional imaging information from a conventional C-arm fluoroscope system. This enables the adaptation of widely used C-arm installations to provide CT-type information. The system uses a three dimensional target disposing in a fixed position relative to the subject, and obtains a sequence of video images of a region of interest of a subject while the C-arm is moved manually or by a scanning motor. Images from the video sequence are analyzed to determine the pose of the C-arm relative to the subject by analysis of the image patterns of the target. Images are selected from the video sequence according to predetermined criteria. A set of two-dimensional image data with associated positional data is obtained, which is used to reconstruct a three dimensional volumetric set of imaging data of the region of interest of the subject.
US09044189B2	Method and computed tomography system for generating weighted tomographic image datasets A method and a computed tomography system are disclosed for generating tomographic image datasets of a measurement object. The computed tomography system includes at least two simultaneously operable sets of detector elements which jointly scan a measurement object from a multiplicity of projection angles in an integrating manner on the one hand and an energy-resolving manner on the other hand. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining a first projection dataset from measurement data recorded in an integrating manner. Further, at least one second projection dataset is determined from energy-resolved measurement data, and in addition a weighted tomographic result image dataset is calculated based on weighted use of the first and the second projection dataset, the weighting being applied to the projection data or the tomographic image data reconstructed therefrom.
US09044180B2	Noninvasive physiological analysis using excitation-sensor modules and related devices and methods Methods and apparatus for qualifying and quantifying excitation-dependent physiological information extracted from wearable sensors in the midst of interference from unwanted sources are provided. An organism is interrogated with at least one excitation energy, energy response signals from two or more distinct physiological regions are sensed, and these signals are processed to generate an extracted signal. The extracted signal is compared with a physiological model to qualify and/or quantify a physiological property. Additionally, important physiological information can be qualified and quantified by comparing the excitation wavelength-dependent response, measured via wearable sensors, with a physiological model.
US09044177B2	Lancet pricking device A lancet pricking device comprises a lancet, a launching spring, a trigger part and a holder housing the lancet, launching spring and trigger part. The lancet comprises a lancet body, lancet cap and pricking needle. The pricking needle is in both the lancet body and lancet cap. The trigger part has a pair of arms positioned inside the holder. The launching spring is attached to the lancet body. The lancet body is secured to the arms of the trigger part by an abutment of the lancet body on the arms such that the launching spring is compressed before a pricking operation. The trigger part cannot be pushed toward the inside of the holder before the lancet cap is removed, but can be pushed toward the inside of the holder after the cap is removed. The lancet body warps when pressed to release the secured lancet body.
US09044172B2	Ergonomic detection, processing and alerting for computing devices Methods, apparatuses and systems receive information, via at least one sensor, indicating an ergonomic characteristic of a user of a computing device. The information is user to determine if the ergonomic characteristic of the user is within a reference ergonomic boundary. In response to determining the ergonomic characteristic of the user is not within the reference ergonomic boundary, processing is executed to determine an adjustment for the user to make so that the ergonomic characteristic of the user is within the reference ergonomic boundary, the adjustment to include at least one of an adjustment to the ergonomic characteristic of the user and an adjustment to the computing device.
US09044171B2	GPS power conservation using environmental data Biometric monitoring devices, including various technologies that may be implemented in such devices, are discussed herein. Additionally, techniques, systems, and apparatuses are discussed herein for providing power-conserving techniques and systems for efficiently utilizing a GPS receiver are described. The positional fix frequency of the GPS receiver may, according to some implementations, be modified or adjusted between various levels according to data from one or more non-GPS sensors. Such non-GPS sensors may include, for example, ambient light intensity or spectrum sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, heart rate sensors, galvanic skin response sensors, infrared sensors, etc.
US09044169B2	Intra-operative heart size measuring tool A heart size measuring tool includes a tubular body, a flexible measuring cord having length indicia, a measuring cord support mechanism movable between retracted and extended states with respect to the body, and an actuating mechanism to move the measuring cord support mechanism. When in the retracted state the measuring cord support mechanism is positioned within the tubular body with the measuring cord in a collapsed position. When the measuring cord support mechanism is in the extended state the measuring cord extends around a portion of a heart to be measured. A scale on the body can be used in connection with the indicia on the measurement cord to provide a reading of the heart size.
US09044168B2	Ophthalmologic apparatus An ophthalmologic apparatus includes an aberration measurement unit configured to measure aberration caused by a subject's eye, a correction unit configured to correct aberration of return light from the subject's eye of measurement light applied to the subject's eye caused by the subject's eye based on the aberration measured by the aberration measurement unit, a storage unit configured to store a plurality of combinations of frame rates for obtaining an image of the subject's eye with a number of pixels of the obtained image according to values of the frame rates, and an obtaining unit configured to obtain the image based on the frame rate and the number of pixels in one combination among the plurality of combinations using aberration-corrected return light from the subject's eye.
US09044167B2	Image processing device, imaging system, image processing method, and program for causing computer to perform image processing An image processing device includes a first identification unit configured to identify the spatial configuration of a vessel in an object to be imaged, a second identification unit configured to identify information on a blood flow rate of the vessel based on an SLO moving image obtained by signal light that has a focus position deeper than at least a part of the area of the vessel, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on a blood flow of the vessel based on the identified area and the information on the blood flow rate.
US09044166B2	Optical tomographic image photographing apparatus An optical tomographic image photographing apparatus includes: an OCT optical system for capturing tomographic images of an object to be examined, the OCT optical system including a light source, a splitter for splitting a light from the light source into a measurement optical path and a reference optical path, an optical scanner, and a detector for detecting a spectrum of light obtained by combining the light of the measurement optical path reflected from the object and the light from the reference optical path; a drive unit to move at least a part of optical components of the OCT optical system in an optical axial direction; a monitor to output at least the tomographic image; and a display controller for displaying the tomographic image and identifying information used to determine whether the tomographic image output to the monitor is a normal image or a reverse image.
US09044162B2	Marker delivery device with releasable plug A marker delivery device includes an elongated delivery cannula which has a distal end section, an inner lumen and a discharge opening in the distal end section in communication with the inner lumen. At least one elongated fibrous marker body is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula. The at least one elongated fibrous marker body includes a plurality of bioabsorbable polymeric strands. The strands are compressed to a compressed configuration and bound together in the compressed configuration with a polymer binding agent prior to insertion into the elongated delivery cannula.
US09044160B2	Apparatus and method for generating and moving a magnetic field having a field free line The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for generating and changing a magnetic field in a field of view (28), said magnetic field having a, in particular ball-shaped or line-shaped, first sub-zone (62) having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone (64) having a higher magnetic field strength. The proposed apparatus comprises at least three pairs of first coils (136a-136d), wherein the coils are arranged along a ring around the field of view and wherein the two coils of each pair are opposingly arranged on opposite sides of the field of view, at least one pair of second coils (116) opposingly arranged on opposite sides of the field of view at the open sides of said ring, generator means (110, 130) for generating current signals for provision to said first and second coils for generating the desired magnetic fields by said first and second coils, and control means (150) for controlling said generator means.
US09044158B2	Wearable microstrip antennas for skin placement for biomedical applications A method of imaging biological tissue enables imaging structure in the biological tissue with an antenna tuned to emit radio energy through at least a covering layer of the biological tissue without significant attenuation of the radio energy. The method includes contacting skin covering tissue with a radio frequency emitting antenna, and adjusting at least one of a radiator and a feed in the antenna with reference to at least one measured electrical or physical property of the skin. The adjustment of the radiator and feed enable a combination of the antenna and skin to emit radio energy at a predetermined magnitude and frequency into a portion of the tissue covered by the skin.
US09044154B2	Joint imaging apparatus A joint imaging apparatus includes a subject table and a radiographic unit including a radiation generating section disposed above the subject table to irradiate a joint of a finger, and a detecting section disposed under the subject table to detect radiation passing through the joint. The subject table includes a base unit to fix the wrist, and a subject fixing unit to fix the joint to a predetermined position. The subject fixing unit includes a first fixing member to fix a part on the trunk side of the joint, and a second fixing member to fix a part on the side, opposite to the trunk side, of the joint. A position of the second fixing member is adjustable relative to that of the first fixing member.
US09044146B2	Arm-fastening device for pulse diagnosis, pulse sensor, pulse diagnosis apparatus comprising the device and sensor, and method for manufacturing pulse sensor The present invention relates to an arm-fastening device for a pulse diagnosis, a pulse sensor, a pulse diagnosis apparatus comprising the device and sensor, and a method for manufacturing the pulse sensor. Embodiments of the present invention permit the pulse of a person to be examined to be correctly measured in the state in which the person to be examined is a comfortable one when the pulse of the person to be examined is being measured.
US09044145B2	Pulse wave analysis device and recording medium A pulse wave analysis device stores a pulse waveform for multiple beats, and calculates a pulse wave analysis index by analyzing the pulse waveform. In the calculation of the pulse wave analysis index, pulse waveform shapes of each beat that constitute the pulse waveform for multiple beats are integrated, and beats for which a degree of approximation between the integrated pulse waveform shape and the pulse waveform shape of the beat is low are excluded as targets of calculation of the pulse wave analysis index.
US09044144B2	Method of processing cardiovascular sound signals Each spectral slice array of a plurality is generated for each time segment of a plurality of time segments of a cardiovascular sound signal is convolved with a local spectral averaging window to generate a local spectral average array that is searched for bruit candidates responsive to associated time power or energy values, power levels, and skew values, so as to provide an indication of cardiovascular disease, that may also be responsive to skew-responsive and power-level-responsive probability terms and to a composite thereof. A probability indicator of cardiovascular disease is responsive to a second product of second terms, each second term responsive to a first product of first terms, each first term representative of a probability of no bruits for all time segments for each frequency segment of a two dimensional bruit candidate probability array, each second term representative of a probability of no repetitive bruits within each frequency segment.
US09044143B2	Fluidic esophageal heat sensors Heat sensors can be positioned within the esophagus of a patient so as to monitor temperature changes during ablation procedures in the heart. Some heat sensors can include one or more fluid passageways that define an extended heat sensing region capable of detecting a change in the local temperature. Some heat sensors can be conformable to an inner surface of the esophageal wall to maintain contact therewith or to be in close proximity thereto.
US09044135B2	Endoscope apparatus and electronic apparatus According to one exemplary embodiment, an endoscope apparatus includes: an insertion unit that is an object to be disinfected by boiling; an operation unit connected to the insertion part; a main unit connected to the operation unit; a first circuit board embedded in the main unit; a first electronic component electrically connected to the first circuit board via a first solder; a second circuit board embedded in at least any one of the insertion unit and the operation unit; a second electronic component electrically connected to the second circuit board via a second solder having higher stress resistance than that of the first solder; and a bonding member bonded to the second electronic component and the second circuit board, the bonding member having a glass transition point higher than that of the second circuit board.
US09044128B1	Edge cleaning vacuum sweeper system A lower section has an open bottom, a closed top, and intermediate front and side panels defining a vacuum chamber there within. Each panel has a lower generally vertical leg with a horizontally disposed pivot pin couples each panel to the top. A bumper extending outwardly from each vertical leg moves into operative proximity with an edge of a floor and pivots a panel to increase the size of the vacuum chamber for overlying and vacuuming dust adjacent to the edge of the floor.
US09044124B2	Paper dispenser A paper dispenser dispenses paper sheet by sheet. Paper projects from a dispenser housing in an operational position so that it can be pulled off from a supply roll by hand. The paper dispenser has a delivery roller driven by the web of paper that is being pulled. A stop which is moved from a rest position to a blocked position against the force of a return spring blocks the rotation of the delivery roller so that the sheet is torn off due to the pulling power, and is slowed down by a braking device when returning to the rest position. A post-delivery device is configured to further drive the delivery roller once the sheet has been torn off and completes the rotation in a time-delayed manner so that the paper projects from the dispenser housing and can be pulled again.
US09044121B2	Character-shaped porous mitt for housing and dispensing soap A character-shaped porous mitt for housing and dispensing soap comprised of an outer body formed from terry cloth or similar material and a sponge-like material lining an interior cavity containing a soap pocket in which to hold bar or liquid soap that is fastened using a hook-and-loop fastener. An area at the mouth, the body or the rear of the mitt through which the bar of soap or the liquid soap can be received and housed until the soap mixes with water to produce a rich lather with which to cleanse a user's body. Finger pockets or loops are configured to receive the fingers of a user to allow the user to securely hold the mitt, even in the presence of rich lather. A rough-textured portion of the outer body provides added friction between the outer body and skin of a user to allow the user to scrub or exfoliate his or her skin.
US09044120B1	Spice grinder A spice grinder is revealed. The spice grinder includes a base connected to a bottom of a container body, an inner grinding member, and an outer grinding member arranged between the container body and the base. The inner grinding member includes a plurality of grinding blades. Each grinding blade has an insertion hole on a center thereof. A rod of a fixing shaft is inserted through the insertion hole of each grinding blade. Thus a first fixing block on one end of the fixing shaft and a second fixing block on other end thereof are against a top and a bottom of the inner grinding member respectively. While in use, the container body and the base are rotated to drive the inner and the outer grinding members. Thus granular spices are ground gradually by the grinding blades. Therefore the granular spices are broken into fine grains precisely.
US09044117B2	Automatic coffee maker and tube valve An automatic coffee maker comprises a tube valve which has a passage tube for liquids and/or gases and a control device for controlling a throughput through the passage tube. The tube valve is improved by a direction changing device which changes an orientation of the passage tube during operation.
US09044114B1	Snap-in replacement curtain hanger and method A product that can be used to repair curtain hangers and/or extend them and includes a bipedal attachment that affixes to a standard curtain hanger. In order to repair a broken or damaged hanger, simply slide the hanger parallel to the curtain slide and snap into position. Afterwards rotate the handle ninety degrees and the task is finished. The invention further contemplates a method for removing and replacing curtain hangers in an expeditious and safe manner.
US09044111B2	Cocktail plate A plate that is designed to be held in one hand of a user together with a drinking glass.
US09044110B2	Hanger for hollow walls An anchoring system for use with hollow panels, comprises an anchor member and a separate fixture, which are adapted to be mounted together. The anchor member includes an elongated element, such as a wire, adapted to be inserted into and partly through a hollow panel, such as a wall, and to bear against a rear surface of the panel. The fixture is adapted to bear against a front surface of the panel for securing the anchoring system to the panel.
US09044108B1	Combination storage and display system The present invention relates to a combination storage and display system, and in particular to a system that is modular, provides high density storage and easy display of mattresses. In one embodiment, the rack has a base frame with several longitudinal rails. Several display frames are also provided (one for each longitudinal rail). The display frames have a translating bar that is movable relative the longitudinal rails. The display frame has a post and an angled support. The angled support holds the mattress in a nearly vertical orientation. A mattress support is pivotally connected to the post. The mattress support has a base, two ears, a leg and a lip. The lip engages a small portion of a side of the mattress. The leg pivotally depends from an ear.
US09044104B2	Child support apparatus An apparatus for seating a child comprising a seat and a foldable frame for supporting the seat. The frame comprises on left and rights sides: a first and a second frame member connected by a hinge assembly and relatively pivotal through substantially 180 degrees between an unfolded condition and a folded condition, and a third frame member connected to the hinge assembly and pivotal relative to the first and second frame members by less than 180 degrees between an unfolded condition and a folded condition. The first and second frame members are aligned and on opposite sides of the hinge assembly when unfolded and parallel and on the same side of the hinge assembly when folded. The third frame member is parallel with the first and second frame members when folded to provide a compact folded apparatus.
US09044103B2	Bassinets and related methods Bassinet assemblies and related methods are disclosed. An example bassinet assembly includes an upper frame, a first support arm and a second support arm coupled to the upper frame and a floorboard coupled or adjacent to the first support arm and the second support arm. The example bassinet assembly also includes a support liner coupled between the floorboard and the upper frame and a cover disposed over at least a portion of each of the upper frame, the support liner and the floorboard.
US09044100B1	Bed frame A bed frame includes a longitudinal supporting member, a joint arrangement, an upper tubular member having a receiving portion and an upper connecting hole, a lower tubular member having an inserting portion and a lower connecting hole, wherein the inserting portion of the lower tubular member is slidably inserted into the receiving portion of the upper tubular member at a position that the upper and lower connecting holes are coaxially aligned with each other. The joint arrangement includes a frame locker provided at an end of the longitudinal supporting member and an elongated fastener extended through the upper and lower connecting holes to securely fasten with the frame locker so as to securely lock up the upper tubular member, the lower tubular member, and the bed support together.
US09044099B2	Chair with adjustable tablet A chair including a writing tablet that can be used with both a right handed and a left handed seat occupant. The chair includes a writing tablet that is supported on a tablet arm. The tablet arm is pivotable beneath the seating element of the chair such that the tablet arm can be positioned on either the right side or left side of the user. The writing tablet is pivotally mounted to the tablet arm such that the writing tablet can pivot toward and away from the seat occupant. The writing tablet is further movably mounted to the tablet arm such that the writing tablet can move toward and away from the seat occupant. The seating element of the chair is pivotably mounted to a support structure including chair legs and preferably caster wheels.
US09044097B1	Leg cushioning and relative placement system Leg Ease provides users with a way to relax their legs when travelling long distances. The device may come in different embodiments, one that wraps around both of a user's legs and then secures at the top. This allows users to fully relax their legs without touching the person next to them. Leg Ease helps align a user's hips, knees and ankles in their natural positions, thereby reducing the stress on those joints. Leg Ease provides a soft barrier between a person's legs and the rigid, narrow, and sharp edges of a chair. Leg Ease effectively prevents knee-to-knee contact when sitting between two people which helps to ensure a more relaxed and private travel experience. Leg Ease can be easily placed in a bag or pocket for use at any time.
US09044093B1	Height-adjustable handrest A height-adjustable handrest has constituent components describe below. A middle bar element is inserted into a handrest external bar and has an internal space for containing a spring and an inner bar element. The handrest external bar is enclosed by a support unit with an upper end pivotally coupled to a press element. The press element has one end abutting against the inner bar element and has the other end protruding under an upward thrust from the spring. A pin passing through slots formed at the handrest external bar to penetrate oblong holes disposed at the inner bar element and the middle bar element, respectively. When pressed, the press element drives the inner bar element to move downward, thereby moving the pin upward along the inclined oblong hole of the inner bar element, compressing the spring downward, and moving the pin into a longitudinal channel of the handrest external bar.
US09044091B2	Aquatic furniture A seating device for use in a liquid, the seating device including a body having a closed first end, an open second end and a wall running between the closed first end and the open second end, the closed first end and the wall defining a cavity that is accessible through the open second end, the closed first end defining a seating surface having one or more holes formed therethrough, the one or more holes enabling flow of a fluid therethrough as the seating device is submerged in the liquid.
US09044079B2	Lip balm applicator strip and method of use Lip balm strip is a sheet of material that conveniently dispenses lip balm. A section of the lip balm strip is not covered in lip balm which provides a clean surface for the user to hold on to. The balm covered side of the strip is placed in the mouth. The user then presses their lips down and slides the strip through their lips to apply the lip balm. There is a smooth edge on this side of the strip provided to prevent injury to the mouth. The lip balm strip is individually wrapped to preserve the strip for re-use. Other variations and features are described.
US09044074B1	Bulletproof backpack systems The bulletproof backpack system provides a rapidly deployable bulletproof vest and hood assembly, conveniently stored in a backpack. A deployment assembly provides rapid deployment and protection from flying projectiles, while the notification assembly allows notification, GPS positioning, and real time communication with proper authorities either through an activation button in a vest pouch or remotely through a hands-free headset device.
US09044069B2	Article of footwear with interlocking cleat member and raised base A cleat member for an article of footwear is configured to associate with a raised base on a sole of the article of footwear. The raised base includes an angled face with a plurality of protruding portions extending outwards from the angled face. An underside of the cleat member has an indentation that corresponds to the angled face of the raised base. A plurality of recessed portions are disposed along the indentation on the underside of the cleat member and are configured to associate with the plurality of protruding portions on the angled face of the raised base. The plurality of recessed portions and the plurality of protruding portions have coincident shapes so that the protruding portions fit with the recessed portions. With this configuration, the cleat member and sole are configured with an interlocking arrangement that resists loosening when the article of footwear is used on a ground surface.
US09044068B2	Fastening system and method A fastener assembly is provided including a fastener body having at least one aperture and a cavity formed at a top portion. A cap is provided configured to be removably inserted into the cavity. A method for fastening an article is provided including providing an article having holes in opposing edges of an article opening and a lace passed through said holes. At least one fastener body is provided having an attachment point, wherein the lace is secured to the attachment point, forming at least one slack portion. Each slack portion is pulled through a set of holes in the opposing edges of the article to form lace loop(s). Each lace loop is overlapped over the at least one fastener body.
US09044065B2	Fluid-filled chambers with tether elements A chamber may have an outer barrier and a tensile member. The barrier is formed from a polymer material that defines an interior cavity. The tensile member is located within the interior cavity and includes (a) a first layer element secured to the barrier, (b) a second layer element secured to an opposite portion of the barrier, and (c) a plurality of I-shaped tether elements that extend through the first layer element and the second layer element. In some configurations, the tether elements may include (a) a first end member located between the barrier and the first layer element, (b) a second end member located between the barrier and the second layer element, and (c) a central member extending through the first layer element and the second layer element and secured to the first end member and the second end member.
US09044064B2	Article of footwear having a sole structure with heel-arch stability An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure may include an outsole including ground engaging members and a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member may extend between (1) a first mounting member located in a forefoot region of the outsole and configured to connect the reinforcement member to the outsole, and (2) a second mounting member located in a heel region of the outsole and configured to connect the reinforcement member to the outsole. The first mounting member may be located adjacent to a ground engaging member in the forefoot region of the outsole and the second mounting member is located adjacent to a ground engaging member in the heel region of the outsole.
US09044063B2	Infant footwear An article of infant footwear includes a sole made of a flexible, compliant layer of material with a thickness of between about 1 mm and about 3 mm. The article of infant footwear includes an upper attached to the sole, the upper and the sole together define a void to receive a foot. The upper has a heel cap independently movable relative to a remaining portion of the upper. The article of infant footwear further includes lateral and medial expanders. The lateral expander has a first end attached to a lateral heel portion of the upper and a second end attached to the heel cap. The medial expander has a first end attached to a medial heel portion of the upper and a second end attached to the heel cap. Each expander independently moves between a relaxed state and a stretched state to accommodate receipt of the infant foot.
US09044061B2	Footwear assembly with integral footbed suspension system A footwear assembly with integral footbed suspension system is disclosed. A shoe comprises a sole, a blade extending away from the sole, an Energy Return System (ERS) connected to the blade, an upper, and a cradle coupled to the upper and coupled to the ERS via a plurality of ties, wherein the ERS is intermediate the cradle and the blade. The ERS is configured to resiliently deform under pressure from the foot while the foot is substantially suspended via the cradle relative to the sole. A plurality of sensors are configured to detect relative movement between components of the shoe and to transmit data to a chip positioned in the shoe. The data can be used for gait and performance analysis.
US09044058B2	Article of footwear with integral upper and sole An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed.
US09044057B2	Goggle attachment system for a helmet Goggles, goggle attachment systems, and helmets are described. One such goggle attachment system includes an attachment post and a resilient goggle strap tab. The attachment post includes a post portion and a stop and the goggle strap tab includes an opening. The goggle strap tab is configured to be stretched and the opening pulled over the stop and onto to the post portion. The goggle strap tab is retained on the post portion by the stop. An example goggle includes a frame, a resilient strap attached to the frame, and a resilient goggle strap tab attached to the strap. The goggle strap tab having an opening disposed between a strap tab and a tab pull. The goggle strap tab is configured to stretch when pulled by the tab pull along a longitudinal axis and the opening being asymmetrical about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when stretched.
US09044055B2	Garment with a retroreflective and electroluminescent article A garment (30) with a retroreflective and electroluminescent article (35) includes one or more electroluminescent structures (36), which may in some embodiments be discontinuous from each other. In some embodiments, the electroluminescent structures can be electrically connected with conductors (34) including conductive adhesive. The article further includes one or more retroreflective structures (39) disposed at least partially in the light path capable of being emitted by one or more of the electroluminescent structures. The article can be disposed on a support (33), such as a garment shell. The present disclosure also includes methods for making such garments.
US09044048B2	System and process for applying seasoning to a food item Systems and methods for applying seasoning or flavoring to food items or products, for example, taco shells, are provided. A seasoning system can include a seasoning hopper or other storage container, a scarf plate, a scalping screen, a conveyor system, and a collection bin. The scalping screen can help reduce clumps in seasoning that falls onto the food items to allow for more even and consistent seasoning distribution. The conveyor system can include a mechanism for tilting or pivoting the food items to allow for application of seasoning to multiple surfaces of the food item as the food items are conveyed under the seasoning delivery system. A method for applying seasoning to food items can include adjusting process parameters such as presentation angle of the food items, throughput, seasoning flow rate, etc. to adapt to varying conditions such as temperature, humidity, and seasoning coverage.
US09044046B2	Combined citrus press and zester A combined citrus press and zester. The citrus press is of a known type, and includes an upper handle and a lower handle joined at a forward pivot point. The lower handle includes a cup sized to receive a halved citrus fruit, such as a lemon or lime. The upper handle includes a male die which mates with said cup to compress and thus juice the halved fruit. To save material and weight, the male die is formed as relatively constant thickness, which results in a depression on the opposite, outer side of the upper handle. The citrus zester includes a body with a grating blade received or formed therein. The inner side of the body has a collar extending therefrom and surrounding the blade. This collar is sized to be received within the depression formed in the upper handle of the citrus press. The collar may be sized and formed such that the zester may be selectively mounted to the press.
US09044041B2	Systems and methods for feeding sugar alcohol to ruminants during periods of heat stress Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.
US09044039B2	Edible pet chew and method for making the same An edible pet chew has a member of meat based material. As a first aspect of present invention, the edible pet chew has a chewy sheet of meat based material. As another aspect, the edible pet chew has a meat based material chewy sheet member and additionally an edible material member being wrapped therein. As another aspect, the edible pet chew has an edible material member and additionally a meat based material chewy sheet member being wrapped therein. As another aspect, the edible pet chew has a THREE-DIMENSIONAL-SHAPE meat based material member and additionally an edible material member wrapped therein. As another aspect, the edible pet chew has an edible material member and additionally a THREE-DIMENSIONAL-SHAPE meat based material member wrapped therein. Other aspects of present invention provide a method for making the edible pet chew with the essential member of meat based material chewy sheet member or THREE-DIMENSIONAL-SHAPE member.
US09044036B2	Chocolate production method and apparatus The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a chocolate product. The method includes delivering liquid chocolate having a viscosity through a pipe along a delivery path to a production station for producing the chocolate product. The liquid chocolate includes solid particles suspended within the liquid chocolate. The method changes the viscosity of the liquid chocolate by applying an electric field to the liquid chocolate in a direction along the delivery path of a strength and duration determined to aggregate the suspended solid particles into streamlined shapes extending along the direction of the delivery path.
US09044034B2	Blue cheese product and process for preparing same The present invention is directed to a cheese product having a blue cheese flavor and appearance a method of making the same. The method includes generating a coagulum comprising whey and curd from a pasteurized milk product, cutting and stirring the coagulum to release the whey from the curd, draining the whey from the curd, forming an emulsifier, adding the emulsifier to the curd, and pressing the curd into blocks. The emulsifier is preferably formed by blending oil and a paste and heating the oil and the paste. The paste preferably includes, among other ingredients, inert Penicillium roqueforti. A preferred version of the method further includes adding black pepper and ash to the curd. The resulting cheese product, unlike blue cheese, is elastic, does not crumble, and can be sliced and shredded.
US09044031B2	Method and device for portioning a sausage string generated by a filling machine A method and a device for portioning a sausage string generated by a filling machine into individual sausage portions, having the following steps: transportation of the sausage string in the direction of transport, portioning the filled sausage string by means of opposing portioning elements, which engage in the sausage string, wherein the movement of the portioning elements is controlled, in each case, along a freely adjustable track.
US09044030B2	Apparatus and method for suspending sausage from hooks Hook groups formed by hooks in a number identical to a maximum number of loops of sausage to be suspended from a stick are provided on a wrapping connector moving body of a conveyor with a respective hook absent zone interposed between adjacent ones of the hook groups. When the sausage is suspended from all the hooks of one hook group, the supply of the sausage to the conveyor is interrupted, and the sausage whose supply to the conveyor has been restarted after the hook absent zone moved a predetermined distance is suspended from a first hook of an ensuing hook group to form one loop by a last hook of the one hook group and a first hook of the ensuing hook group.
US09044027B2	Method and apparatus for the euthanasia of animals A method and apparatus for the humane euthanasia of small animals involves the use of a programmable controller and animal holding chamber. The apparatus includes a Mass Flow Controller (“MFC”) having a closed-loop interface with a Programmable Logic Controller (“PLC”) to provide a predetermined flow rate of gas under specified pressures for specified time periods. The PLC is preprogrammed to provide various cycles that are designed to provide the proper flow rate for various animal species. The program may allow for a two-stage flow rate cycle so that in the first stage the animal is anesthetized and in the second stage the animals are euthanatized.
US09044024B2	Oven door There is provided an oven having an oven door assembly connected to a housing. The housing surrounds an oven interior and has an opening into the oven interior. The door assembly has an oven access door that covers the opening in the housing in a closed position. The oven access door moves in a first direction from a closed position to an open position uncovering the opening into the oven interior. The oven has a depth in the closed position. The oven access door moves in the first direction from the closed position to the open position within substantially the same depth of the oven in the closed position.
US09044023B2	System and method for preparing naan bread A method and system for preparing naan bread is provided. A conveyor oven is used to bake flattened and pre-shaped naan bread loaves. The conveyor oven uses high temperature gas heat to bake the naan, imparting traditional characteristics such as the slightly smoky or scorched appearance. The oven interior is preferably lined with stone, granite, clay or porcelain to enhance baking and provide traditional flavor.
US09044019B2	Compositions and methods for the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and flowering in plants Compositions and methods for modulating flowering, sugar metabolism and stress response in plants are provided.
US09044017B2	Processes for the preparation of pesticidal compounds The present application provides processes for making pesticidal compounds and compounds useful both as pesticides and in the making of pesticidal compounds.
US09044016B2	N-thio-anthranilamide compounds and their use as pesticides The present invention relates to N-thio-anthranilamide compounds of the formula (I), the stereoisomers, the salts, the tautomers and the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is halogen or halomethyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogen or cyano; R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl or the like; R4 is halogen; R5 and R6 independently of each other are optionally substituted C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, phenyl, or together represent an (hetero)aliphatic chain, or the like; k is 0 or 1. The present invention further relates to a method for combating or controlling invertebrate pests, to a method for protecting plant propagation material and/or the plants which grow therefrom, to plant propagation material comprising at least one compound according to the present invention, to a method for treating or protecting an animal from infestation or infection by parasites, to a process for the preparation of a composition for treating infested or infected animals and/or for protecting animals against infestation or infection by parasites, and to a compound according to the invention for use as a medicament.
US09044015B2	Heterocyclic compounds as pesticides The present application relates to novel heterocyclic compounds, to the use thereof for controlling animal pests, which include arthropods and especially insects, and to processes for preparing the novel compounds.
US09044011B2	Pesticidal compositions The present invention relates to compositions for the control of pests, to processes for their preparation, and to methods of treating surfaces with such formulations for the sustained weather-resistant control of pests. The composition includes a pesticide and an aqueous polymer dispersion.
US09044006B1	Game decoy lift apparatus and methods A game decoy component includes a support member, an anchor, a bearing member, a carrier member, and a flexible member. The support member includes distal and proximal ends. The anchor is connected to the proximal end of the support member. The bearing member is positioned at the distal end of the support member. The carrier member is slidably supported on the support member and configured for attachment to a portion of a game decoy. The flexible member has a first end connected to the carrier member and an opposing second end positioned remote from the carrier member. The flexible member is supported on the bearing member. Applying tension in the flexible member moves the carrier member along the support member to move the portion of the game decoy relative to the support member.
US09044005B2	Remote controlled target supporting device and cargo carrier The present device relates to a remote control target supporting device, and in particular to a device with an improved chassis and decoy supporting features. According to one embodiment of the present device, the device has a frame with multiple pieces that is selectedly extendable and retractable along a central longitudinal axis. A front axle is connected to the front of the frame, and is fully swivel-able relative thereto. The front axle supports turnable wheels and a steering controller. A motor assembly, power supply and receiver are at the rear of the frame with a rear axle that supports the rear wheels. Preferably two target connectors are provided, and are movably supported by the frame. The target connectors have at least one vertically mounted rod upon which decoys or targets can be mounted in virtually any angle or presentation to the shooter. Additional attachment embodiments are disclosed to affix a greater variety of targets and other functional devices such as dump boxes and others for loading and hauling materials.
US09044001B2	Apparatuses for capturing insects and related methods The presently disclosed subject matter provides an apparatus for trapping insects for purposes of monitoring insect load and in some cases studying the captured insects, and methods for using the same. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for trapping insects once they emerge from the soil, such as corn rootworm beetles and related insects, and methods for assembling and using the same. The apparatus comprises a frame having an open bottom and a removable top panel having at least one plant slot configured to receive a plant and a capture chamber opening configured to receive a capture chamber; a flexible sealing structure configured to seal the plant slot on the top panel; and a securing mechanism configured to secure the flexible sealing structure such that a seal is created about the plant to prevent the egress of the insects about the plant.
US09044000B1	Spin protection herring helmet A spinning device for covering and maintaining the front face of a bait fish resulting in greater utility, ease of use and bait durability. The device comprises a cup having a planar face and cylindrical wall adapted to extend rearward along the sides of the bait fish when the inside surface mates a “plug-cut” bait fish frontal face. The device has compound angled surfaces, a planar surface between multiple apertures enabling secure spin options and stability due to deep cup depth seating as well as enlarged flange apertures capable of accepting a standard toothpick. A trio of spaced apart apertures are formed in the device's frontal face allowing for a fishing leader terminating in one or more hooks extending through the device into the bait fish's body. The rotational spin rate of the device is determined by which of the three apertures the leader passes.
US09043999B1	Bowfishing reel Disclosed is a bowfishing reel that includes a first wheel, a second wheel that can be moved into contact with the first wheel to pinch a fishing line between the wheels, a biasing mechanism that bias the second wheel toward the first wheel with a biasing force sufficient to grip the fishing line between the wheels, an actuator arranged to move the second wheel away from the first wheel against the biasing force, a latch that can independently hold and retain the second wheel away from the first wheel against the biasing force, and a trigger mechanism that can controllably release the latch from holding the second wheel away from the first wheel to allow the biasing mechanism to bias the second wheel into contact with the first wheel to pinch the fishing line between the first and second wheels.
US09043998B2	Portable aquarium filter structure An improved portable aquarium filter structure has a box body, wherein its inside has a submersible pump externally connected to an air pipe. Air enters the submersible pump through the air pipe to mix with water flow pumped by the submersible pump so as to produce bubbles. Accordingly, water flow can be treated with bubble removing and purification. A bubble collection box is disposed on the box body to collect filth that is treated with bubble removing, wherein an opening is disposed on the bubble collection box. A converged taper section is disposed at the opening wall of the opening extended toward the box body therein. The filth is decomposed to produce carbon dioxide and acid gas by a protein decomposition unit disposed in the bubble collection box to attract mosquitoes entering the Trap through the tapered opening so as to achieve a goal of catching mosquitoes.
US09043997B2	Filter assembly and methods for external filter for an aquarium An external filter for an aquarium includes a canister filter having a filter assembly removably oriented therein. The filter assembly includes at least two stacked trays releasably secured together in series. The stacked trays include a compartment for holding filter media. In one embodiment, the trays are releasably secured together with a strap. In one embodiment, the filter assembly also includes a handle. In one example, the strap forms a portion of the handle.
US09043994B2	Cre-lox based gene knockdown constructs and methods of use thereof The present invention relates to vectors, compositions and methods for conditional, Cre-lox regulated, RNA interference. The vectors allow for spatial and temporal control of miRNA expression in vivo.
US09043993B1	Animal behavior acquisition system and method A system and method used in the training of animals includes applying signals in two parts to the animal. The first part is a first conditioned stimulus cue signal having a first duration. The commencement of this signal is followed by the commencement of an unconditioned stimulus signal of a second duration. The commencement of the unconditioned stimulus signal may be either before the end of the first conditioned stimulus cue signal, simultaneous with the end of the first conditioned stimulus cue signal, or after a time interval of no signals between the end of the first conditioned stimulus cue signal and the commencement of the unconditioned stimulus signal. The signals may be electrical stimulation, vibration, sound, light, or odor. The first conditioned stimulus cue signal is used to catch the animal's attention; and the unconditioned stimulus signal is selected to be behaviorally significant to the animal for use in training of the animal.
US09043986B1	Wheat variety W030396G1 A wheat variety designated W030396G1, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W030396G1, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W030396G1 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W030396G1 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W030396G1. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W030396G1 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods.
US09043984B1	Wheat variety W030065A1 A wheat variety designated W030065A1, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W030065A1, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W030065A1 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W030065A1 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W030065A1. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W030065A1 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods.
US09043980B1	Soybean variety XB52K13 A novel soybean variety, designated XB52K13 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB52K13, cells from soybean variety XB52K13, plants of soybean XB52K13, and plant parts of soybean variety XB52K13. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB52K13 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB52K13, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB52K13, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB52K13. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB52K13 are further provided.
US09043979B1	Soybean variety XBP08006 A novel soybean variety, designated XBP08006 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP08006, cells from soybean variety XBP08006, plants of soybean XBP08006, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP08006. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP08006 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP08006, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP08006, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP08006. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP08006 are further provided.
US09043977B2	Soybean variety XB15J13 A novel soybean variety, designated XB15J13 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB15J13, cells from soybean variety XB15J13, plants of soybean XB15J13, and plant parts of soybean variety XB15J13. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB15J13 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB15J13, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB15J13, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB15J13. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB15J13 are further provided.
US09043973B1	Maize inbred PH1MDJ A novel maize variety designated PH1MDJ and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1MDJ with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1MDJ through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1MDJ or a locus conversion of PH1MDJ with another maize variety.
US09043970B1	Maize inbred PH188M A novel maize variety designated PH188M and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH188M with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH188M through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH188M or a locus conversion of PH188M with another maize variety.
US09043969B1	Maize inbred PH18Y1 A novel maize variety designated PH18Y1 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH18Y1 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH18Y1 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH18Y1 or a locus conversion of PH18Y1 with another maize variety.
US09043965B1	Soybean variety 20885R2Y Disclosed is the seed of a novel soybean variety, designated 20885R2Y, a sample of which is deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-121078. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the variety, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the 20885R2Y variety, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in a soybean breeding program.
US09043963B2	Tree stump excavation tool A tree stump excavation tool for use mounted for rotation from an excavation machine arm has first and second side plates extending from a body and a unitary plate mounted to lower ends of the side plates. The unitary plate has a generally helical profile and defines a blade with multiple, pointed teeth integrally formed along its forward edge. The teeth, disposed for cutting engagement with a substrate of soil and stump roots, are laterally spaced apart along the axis of rotation of the tool and angularly spaced in a direction of substrate ripping motion, wherein the teeth are engaged separately and in sequence for cutting the substrate. An excavation machine with a tree stump excavation tool is also described.
US09043962B2	Modular self-sustaining planter system A self-irrigating planter system that waters vegetation on a regular schedule using hollow upright supports to convey the water from a pump and reservoir to multiple organic-shaped pods that are attached to the upright supports in a tiered manner, and which uses gravity to deliver water so as to provide sustained plant growth and a healthier living environment with reduced energy usage.
US09043958B1	Round bale mover A round bale mover for attachment to either a tractor mounted front-end loader or a tractor three-point hitch for moving a pair of round bales. First and second bale teeth extend from a first end of the bale mover for supporting a first bale thereon. Third and fourth bale teeth extend from a second end of the bale mover for supporting a second bale thereon. The first and second bale teeth are selectively movable towards and away from the third and fourth bale teeth. The third and fourth bale teeth are selectively movable towards and away from the first and second bale teeth. The bale mover enables the first and second bales to be moved towards one another and moved away from one another.
US09043955B2	Header flotation system with computer control for a self-propelled windrower In one embodiment, a header control method for an agricultural machine, the method comprising receiving, through a graphical user interface, operator input corresponding to a first set point and a second set point for flotation pressures corresponding to independently controllable first and second header portions, respectively; and automatically causing first and second sets of hydraulic valves to increase or decrease pressure to the first or second header portions to meet or at least approximate the first and second set points, the first and second sets each comprising opposing-action hydraulic valves, the causing responsive to sensed pressure at respective first and second accumulators associated with respective first and second float cylinders.
US09043952B2	Lawn care robot A robot lawnmower includes a body and a drive system carried by the body and configured to maneuver the robot across a lawn. The robot also includes a grass cutter and a swath edge detector, both carried by the body. The swath edge detector is configured to detect a swath edge between cut and uncut grass while the drive system maneuvers the robot across the lawn while following a detected swath edge. The swath edge detector includes a calibrator that monitors uncut grass for calibration of the swath edge detector. In some examples, the calibrator comprises a second swath edge detector.
US09043951B2	System and method for creating agricultural tramlines A system for creating an agricultural tramline, comprising an agricultural planter, an application executing on a computer terminal, one or more seeding units mounted on the planter, a location sensor, and a planter control system, whereby an operator can use the application to create a file specifying the location of a desired agricultural tramline on a plot of land, which is downloaded from the computer terminal to the planter control system, and where the planter control system uses the location of the desired agricultural tramline and location information from the location sensor to enable and disable the plurality of seeding units, such that the area of land corresponding to the desired agricultural tramline is not planted with seed.
US09043950B2	Seed delivery system A seed delivery system is provided that includes a row crop seed planter having a seed meter that can pneumatically deliver seeds to the agricultural field at a rearward velocity that matches a forward velocity of the planter. The seed meter may include a positive pressure source that pressurizes the seed meter and creates an airflow out of a seed tube of the seed meter that carries the individual seeds out of the seed tube at a rearward velocity that is automatically adjusted to match a forward velocity of the seed planter and tractor.
US09043949B2	System and method of calibrating the meter of a product distribution machine A system and method of calibrating a meter of a product distribution machine, such as an agricultural air seeder is shown. The system uses one or both of optical and mass flow sensors to measure the product flow rate. The sensors are used to measure mass flow rate during a calibration process while the machine is in use. To improve sensor accuracy during the calibration process, the meter speed is changed to change the product flow rate to a rate at which the sensor accuracy is increased.
US09049809B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing double-sided mounting substrate Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a double-sided mounting substrate, the apparatus including: a backup table provided under the printed circuit board at the mounting position which supports the lower surface of the printed circuit board; and a servo motor which elevates and lowers the backup table, wherein the servo motor elevates the backup table to mount the new electronic components and lowers the backup table to carry-in and to carry-away the printed circuit board based on a lower limit position of the backup table, and wherein the lower limit position of the backup table is a position separated downwardly from a reference surface at the mounting position by a distance obtained by adding a preset clearance to a sum of a maximum height of the mounted electronic components mounted on the lower surface of the printed circuit board and a thickness of the printed circuit board.
US09049806B2	Integrated device and manufacturing method An integrated device includes an optical element and an electrical element that are implemented on a substrate. The optical element and the electrical element are bonded by surface-activated bonding technology to a bonding portion that is formed on the substrate and made of metal material.
US09049804B2	Modular monitor enclosed in a housing with a novel rear panel A monitor has a rear panel formed by injection molding plastic around a metal cooling element. The monitor includes a display panel, control electronics, a module support, and a monitor housing. The housing includes a front frame, the cooling element and a rear panel frame. The cooling element has cooling ducts formed between cooling fins. The rear housing panel frame has fin extensions that extend the fins of the cooling element into the rear housing panel frame. The display panel attaches to one side of the module support, while the control electronics attach to the other side. The front frame and the rear panel frame screw together, and the display panel and control electronics are clamped between the front frame and the rear panel frame. The monitor can be attached to a vehicle by slipping a retaining member into a T-shaped duct formed between two fins on the cooling element.
US09049803B2	Thermal management infrastructure for IT equipment in a cabinet The present invention attempts to reduce the thermal resistance with the use of heat-transfer devices (e.g., vapor chambers) placed directly on the heat-generating components in IT equipment and the integration of a cold plate within the cabinet. In some embodiments, the present invention is a thermal management system comprising a cabinet-side thermal management system and a server-side thermal management system using moveable thermal components.

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