| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09340756B2 |
Chlorine dioxide based cleanser/sanitizer
This invention relates to an improved chlorine dioxide solution or liquid mixture containing a phosphate and, as well, as to a composition for forming the chlorine dioxide and phosphate liquid mixture. This improved chlorine dioxide solution is used to clean and/or sanitize without causing corrosion. The corrosion nature of the chlorine dioxide solution is lessened due to the addition of phosphate to the composition. |
| US09340752B2 |
Enzymatic removal of steryl glycosides in fatty acid alkyl esters
The present invention relates to a process of reducing the content of steryl glycoside in a bio-diesel composition which comprises a step of contacting the composition with an enzyme being capable of acylating the steryl glycoside. |
| US09340749B1 |
Method for degumming triglyceride oils
A multi-stage homogenization method for degumming triglyceride oil is used to increase oil yield and reduce impurities. Two high-pressure homogenizers are used in series. The homogenizers have multiple flow constrictions to finely disperse reagents in the oil while simultaneously suppressing cavitation in the fluid. A separation step can be used to remove the phosphatides and other impurities from the treated oil to form a purified oil product. |
| US09340739B1 |
Enhanced landfill gas treatment
A method for recovering methane gas from a landfill involves the use of a main absorber, a flash system, an optional ancillary absorber and an optional polishing absorber. The recovered gas is maintained at a temperature that enhances a solvent's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the recovered gas. While the main absorber uses the solvent for absorbing most of the carbon dioxide from the recovered gas, the flash system removes much of the carbon dioxide from the solvent exiting the main absorber. In some examples, at least portion of the flash system operates at subatmospheric pressure to create a vacuum that draws in a generally inert stripper gas (e.g., air, nitrogen, etc.) at atmospheric pressure. The stripper gas helps remove carbon dioxide from the solvent in the flash system. |
| US09340736B2 |
Solid gasification apparatus
A solid gasification apparatus includes a reaction chamber thermally insulated by a heat insulating material, a heat beam fluid heat exchange apparatus that produces a first heated gas and a second heated gas, and a unit that includes a gas flow path. The unit sprays the first heated gas against a material solid in a reaction chamber to heat the material solid, and, simultaneously, makes the material solid react with the first heated gas to produce a produced gas containing the element of the material solid. The unit makes a second heated gas contact and react with the produced gas. |
| US09340735B2 |
Method and system for producing hydrogen from carbon-containing raw materials
The invention refers to a process to produce H2 from biomass containing carbon. The biomass is gasified to obtain a gaseous flow essentially containing molecules of carbon monoxide (CO) and molecules of molecular hydrogen (H2). These molecules (CO) and (H2) are then oxidized by oxygen holders in oxidized state (MeO) to obtain a gaseous flow essentially containing CO2 and water steam (H2Osteam) and oxygen holders in reduced state (Me). The oxygen holders are then oxidized by water steam. That oxidation produces oxidized oxygen holders and a gaseous flow essentially containing di-hydrogen (H2). The invention also refers to a system containing the means to perform the steps of such a process. |
| US09340731B2 |
Production of fuel gas by pyrolysis utilizing a high pressure electric arc
A system for the production of fuel gas from solid or liquid organic feedstock uses a reentrant structure and a high pressure electric discharge to distinctly separate regions of slow and fast pyrolysis. Efficient re-use of discharge energy sustains the evolution of tar gas, through slow pyrolysis, which forms the feed gas for the discharge without introduction of air. Output is the result of fast pyrolysis and can be optimized to yield a high fraction of hydrogen and low fraction of carbon monoxide. |
| US09340729B2 |
High-efficiency and high-quality acidic cupric chloride etchant for printed circuit board
A high-efficiency and high-quality acidic cupric chloride etchant for printed circuit board, which contains cupric chloride, a sub-etchant and an oxidant, where the sub-etchant includes (in percentage by weight) 1%-36.5% of Hcl; 0.01%-45% of one or more compounds selected from FeCl3, FeCl2, Fe, FeO and Fe2O3. The etchant is used in connection with an automatic detection and charging control during the etching process to ensure the concentration of copper ions, the concentration of dissociated hydrogen ions and the oxidation-reduction potential in the solution arriving at set numerical values. |
| US09340722B2 |
Water-based mud lubricant using fatty acid polyamine salts and fatty acid esters
Water-based drilling mud lubricants using a blend of fatty acid polyamine salts and fatty acid esters give synergistically better lubricity results than either component used separately. For example, the blends with different ratios of fatty acid diethylenetriamine salt and fatty acid methyl ester demonstrate much better lubricity in water-based drilling fluids than those where only fatty acid diethylene-triamine salt or fatty acid methyl ester are separately used. The amines in fatty acid amine salt might also include other polyamines, such as butanediamine pentamethylenediamine, spermidine, spermine, propylene diamine and propylene polyamines. The fatty acid esters might also include fatty acid ethyl ester, fatty acid glycerol ester and fatty acid trimethylolpropane ester. The carbon numbers of the fatty acids used to make the components in the lubricant blend may range from C4 to C28. |
| US09340720B2 |
Heat transfer fluids containing nanoparticles
A nanofluid of a base heat transfer fluid and a plurality of ceramic nanoparticles suspended throughout the base heat transfer fluid applicable to commercial and industrial heat transfer applications. The nanofluid is stable, non-reactive and exhibits enhanced heat transfer properties relative to the base heat transfer fluid, with only minimal increases in pumping power required relative to the base heat transfer fluid. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of ceramic nanoparticles comprise silicon carbide and the base heat transfer fluid comprises water and water and ethylene glycol mixtures. |
| US09340719B2 |
Water/oil repellent composition and article
It is possible to obtain a porous substrate having a water/oil repellent-treated surface and a moisture-permeable waterproofing film, which has favorable water/oil repellency and wash durability, through which penetration of a coating liquid for formation of the moisture-permeable waterproofing film is suppressed, and from which peeling of the moisture-permeable waterproofing film is suppressed. A water/oil repellent composition comprising a copolymer (A) having from 60 to 95 mass % of units based on a monomer having a RF group having at most 6 carbon atoms and from 5 to 40 mass % of units based on vinylidene chloride, a copolymer (B) having from 50 to 95 mass % of units based on a halogenated olefin and from 5 to 50 mass % of units based on a monomer having a crosslinkable functional group, and a medium (C), wherein the proportion of the copolymer (A) is from 70 to 90 mass %, and the proportion of the copolymer (B) is from 10 to 30 mass %. |
| US09340715B2 |
Methods of mercaptanizing olefinic hydrocarbons and compositions produced therefrom
The present invention discloses processes for forming polythiol compositions from olefinic hydrocarbons such as cyclooctadiene, cyclododecatriene, and trivinylcyclohexane. The polythiol compositions produced from these processes, including the sulfur-containing compounds of these compositions, also are described. |
| US09340713B2 |
Adhesives having adhesion promoters with sulphonamide groups
Adhesive for adhering synthetic and/or metal substrates, selected from liquid or thermoplastic adhesives which have urethane groups in the polymer chain, wherein the adhesive is selected from NCO-reactive adhesives, silane-reactive adhesives or thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) and include as a constituent 0.01 to 10 wt. % of at least one compound (H) having a molecular weight of less than 500 g/mol, which compound has at least one sulphonamide group having an SO2—NH—C(O) structure or at least one amidosulphonate group. |
| US09340712B2 |
Adhesive material
An adhesive material comprises a polymeric component, a heat conductive filler and a curing agent. The polymeric component comprises 30%-60% by volume of the adhesive material, and comprises thermoset epoxy resin and polymeric modifier configured to improve impact resistance of the thermoset epoxy resin. The polymeric modifier comprises thermoplastic, rubber or the mixture thereof. The polymeric modifier comprises 4%-45% by volume of the polymeric component. The heat conductive filler is evenly dispersed in the polymeric component, and comprises 40%-70% by volume of the adhesive material. The curing agent is capable of curing the thermoset epoxy resin at a temperature below 140° C. The adhesive material has a heat conductivity greater than 3 W/m-K. |
| US09340710B2 |
Light-reflective conductive particle, anisotropic conductive adhesive and light-emitting device
A light-reflective conductive particle for an anisotropic conductive adhesive used for anisotropic conductive connection of a light-emitting element to a wiring board includes a core particle coated with a metal material and a light-reflecting layer formed from light-reflective inorganic particles having a refractive index of 1.52 or more on a surface of the core particle. Examples of the light-reflective inorganic particles having a refractive index of 1.52 or more include titanium oxide particles, zinc oxide particles, or aluminum oxide particles. |
| US09340702B2 |
Coating compositions
A curable resin composition including (I) at least one thermoset resin composition; and (II) at least one hardener; wherein the powder coating has a balance of properties including a combination of high glass transition temperature and low water absorption. |
| US09340697B2 |
Solvent-based and water-based carbon nanotube inks with removable additives
In accordance with some embodiments, compositions and methods for forming solvent-based and water-based carbon nanotubes inks with removable additives are provided. In some embodiments, an ink composition is provided that includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, a solvent, and a triazole-based removable additive, where the plurality of carbon nanotubes are dispersed within the solvent and wherein the triazole-based removable additive stabilizes the plurality of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed in the solvent. |
| US09340695B2 |
Ink for inkjet textile printing and dyeing method
Ink for inkjet textile printing of the present invention contains water, a disperse dye, a water-soluble organic solvent and an anionic high-molecular dispersant. The water-soluble organic solvent is a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin. The water-soluble organic solvent is contained in an amount of 25 to 50 mass % with respect to the total mass of the ink. The anionic high-molecular dispersant is a styrene-(meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer having an acid value of 160 to 250 mg KOH/g and a weight-average molecular weight of 8,000 to 20,000. The ink for inkjet textile printing further contains an acetylene glycol-based compound expressed by the following Chemical Formula (I) as a penetrant. With this ink for inkjet textile printing, provided is disperse dye-containing ink for inkjet textile printing that has a high-quality and stable recording performance and achieves a high print density on the surface of a fabric while maintaining an ink storage stability, and an inkjet textile printing method using the ink for inkjet textile printing. |
| US09340694B2 |
Sublimating dye ink for ink jets and dyeing method
A sublimating dye ink for ink jets of the present invention contains water, a sublimating dye, a humectant and an anionic polymer dispersant. The anionic polymer dispersant is a styrene-(meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer having an acid value of 160 to 250 mgKOH/g and a weight average molecular weight of 8,000 to 20,000. The ink contains further as a penetrant an acetylene glycol-based compound expressed by a chemical formula (I) below. A sublimation transfer dyeing method of the present invention includes: inkjet printing the ink on a sheet recording medium; and superposing a printed surface of the recording medium on an object to be dyed, then heating to sublimate-transfer the sublimating dye to the object to be dyed. Thereby, the present invention provides a sublimating dye ink for ink jets containing a sublimating dye, which has high-quality and stable recording performance, maintains the ink storage stability, and at the same time, the ink has a high print density on a surface of a recording medium, and reduces environmental pollution during a dyeing process. |
| US09340693B2 |
Actinic ray curable inkjet ink and image recording method using same
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an actinic ray curable inkjet ink which, in an inkjet printing method, is capable of having both high pinning characteristics and high ejection characteristics. In order to achieve the above purpose, this actinic ray curable inkjet ink includes an actinic ray curable compound, ketone wax, and ester wax, and reversibly goes through a sol-gel phase transition depending on the temperature. |
| US09340690B2 |
Ink set and recording method
An ink set including: a treatment agent containing 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol-1-monoisobutyrate or a derivative thereof; and a bright pigment ink containing a bright pigment and water, wherein the treatment agent or the bright pigment ink contains urethane resin; and the ink set satisfies the following conditions (A) and (B): 1≦X≦6 (A) 0.2≦Y/X≦2 (B) X: the sum of a blending amount (% by weight) of the urethane resin in the treatment agent and a blending amount (% by weight) of the urethane resin in the bright pigment ink Y: a blending amount (% by weight) of the 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol-1-monoisobutyrate and the derivative thereof in the treatment agent. |
| US09340689B2 |
Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, water-based ink set for ink-jet recording, and treatment agent
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a self-dispersible pigment which is modified with phosphate group, at least one of dextran and a derivative thereof, and water. |
| US09340688B2 |
Thermal inkjet recording method
The present invention relates to a thermal ink-jet printing method including the step of ejecting a water-based ink including pigment-containing polymer particles from a print head by an action of a thermal energy, in which the polymer constituting the polymer particles includes not less than 78% by mass and not more than 88% by mass of a constitutional unit derived from an acrylic acid ester containing a hydrocarbon group having not less than 3 and not more than 8 carbon atoms, and not more than 22% by mass and not less than 12% by mass of a constitutional unit derived from acrylic acid, on the basis of a total mass of whole constitutional units in the polymer constituting the polymer particles; [2] a water dispersion for thermal ink-jet printing used in the above method; [3] a water-based ink for thermal ink-jet printing including the above water dispersion; and [4] a use of the above ink in a thermal ink-jet printing method. |
| US09340679B2 |
Decorative article containing an equipped, coloured and sintered zirconia part
Disclosed is a particulate mixture having the following chemical composition, in percentages by weight on the basis of the oxides: ZrO2: ≧10.0%; 2% |
| US09340675B2 |
Sustainable range of sulfur dyes for textile and paper dyeing
The invention refers to the manufacturing of a novel group of sulfur dyes in which are used, as raw material, different kind of natural “biomass”, usually existing in the nature, and transforming them into soluble dyestuffs, capable to dye textile fibers, preferably cellulose fibers and derivatives, as cotton, viscose, paper, tencel, with high strength and fast color properties. For this purpose, the concept “Biomass”, is defined as the residual product obtained from the usual human crop activities, in agricultural and forestry sectors. |
| US09340673B1 |
Blue dye compound, blue resin composition for color filter containing same and color filtering using same
Disclosed is a blue dye compound for a color filter represented by Chemical Formula 1. The blue colored resin composition including the blue dye compound has excellent solubility to an organic solvent, such as propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA), excellent miscibility with the other dyes or pigments and high heat resistance. Therefore, when using the blue dye compound, it is possible to obtain a color filter having high luminance and contrast. |
| US09340669B2 |
Composition, in particular a blocking agent composition for fixing blanks to ophthalmic or optical lenses
The present invention relates to a composition, in particular a blocking agent composition, in particular for fixing blanks for ophthalmic and/or optical lenses, preferably plastics material-based ophthalmic spectacle glass blanks. The composition comprises a mixture containing (a) at least one polyol (polyalcohol) and (b) at least one organic polyester. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing a composite structure, which comprises a carrier having a blank fixed thereon, and the composite structure as such. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing spectacle glass, in particular plastics material-based spectacle glass, and the spectacle lenses that can be obtained therefrom. Finally, the present invention relates to the use of the composition according to the invention in the production of ophthalmic and optical lenses, and for fixing the blank to a carrier. |
| US09340667B2 |
Hydrogenated block copolymer pellet, polyolefin resin composition, and molded product thereof
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydrogenated block copolymer pellet, which has the ability to become a molded product that is excellent in transparency, flexibility, bleeding resistance, and low combustion ash content, without causing blocking among pellets. A hydrogenated block copolymer pellet having 100 parts by mass of a pellet molded product of hydrogenated block copolymer A and 0.01 to 1.5 parts by mass of a dusting agent of polyethylene powder B, wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer A has at least one polymeric block a mainly including a vinyl aromatic monomer unit and at least one polymeric block b mainly including a conjugated diene monomer unit, in which a total of a 1,2-bond content and a 3,4-bond content in the polymeric block b before hydrogenation is 40% to 90%, the hydrogenated block copolymer A has a hardness of 30° to 67°, a content of the polymeric block a in the hydrogenated block copolymer A is 5% to 30% by mass, and the polyethylene powder B has a number average molecular weight of 15,000 or less, an average particle diameter of 1 to 15 μm, and an angle of repose of 45° to 70°. |
| US09340666B2 |
Use of recycled plastics for structural building forms
Modular plastic structural composites formed from a mixture of (A) high density polyolefin and one or both of: (B) a thermoplastic-coated fiber material, or (C) polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), or a combination thereof. Composites molded in the form of I-Beams and bridges constructed therefrom are also disclosed. |
| US09340662B2 |
Fatty acid condensation products as dispersing agent in pigment preparations
The invention relates to aqueous pigment preparations containing (A) 1.0 to 75.0 percent by weight of at least one organic or inorganic white or colored pigment or a mixture of different inorganic white or colored pigments, (B) 0.01 to 8.0 percent by weight of at least one fatty acid condensation product with the formula (I), (C) 0.01 to 12.0 percent by weight of a nonionic surfactant and (G) water. |
| US09340661B2 |
Coated magnesium oxide particles, method for the production thereof, heat-releasing filler, and resin composition
The object of the present disclosure is to obtain coated magnesium oxide particles suitably usable as a heat-releasing material in the electric/electronic field by improving acid resistance and water resistance. Coated magnesium oxide particles having a surface coating formed by curing an epoxy resin are provided. |
| US09340652B2 |
Transparent film
A cyclic olefin resin film which has heat resistance and improved brittleness. A heat-resistant transparent film which has an internal haze value of 1.0% or less and contains a cyclic olefin resin having a refractive index of n1 and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 170° C. or more and a styrene elastomer that has a refractive index of n2 so that Δn=|n2−n1| is 0.012 or less. The heat-resistant transparent film may contain two or more kinds of styrene elastomers, and the cyclic olefin resin may be a copolymer of norbornene and ethylene. |
| US09340645B2 |
Polymers with hydroxyl acid blocks
The present invention relates to the preparation of modified polymers by incorporating a compositional modifier into a polymer to produce the modified polymer. More particularly, the invention relates the preparation of condensation type copolyesters or copolyamides by joint short length polyester or polyester oligomers or short length polyamide or polyamide oligomers with a modifier which contains hydroxyl acids blocks. |
| US09340643B2 |
Alizarin-based polymer colorants
A polymer colorant including polymer monomer units, and at least one alizarin unit which is incorporated into the polymer and which provides color to the polymer colorant and a process for preparing the polymer colorant. An article or composition containing the polymer colorant. A toner including the polymer colorant, and optionally, one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of crystalline polyester resins, amorphous polyester resins, colorants, waxes, coagulants, mordants, and mixtures and combinations thereof. A polymer latex including an aqueous dispersion of polymer colorant, wherein the polymer colorant comprises polymer monomer units and at least one alizarin unit which is incorporated into the polymer and which provides color to the polymer colorant; and optionally, a mordant. |
| US09340640B2 |
Polyol for polyurethane preparation and polyurethane preparation method using same
A polyol (PL) for polyurethane preparation is disclosed that includes the polyol (a) and the strength-enhancing agent (b), as follows. Polyol (a): a polyoxyalkylene polyol that is the alkylene oxide adduct of an active hydrogen-containing compound (H), in which at least 40% of a hydroxyl group positioned on the terminal is a primary hydroxyl group-containing group represented by general formula (I). In general formula (I), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl group, or phenyl group. Strength-enhancing agent (b): a compound that is at least one compound selected from the group comprising an ester compound, a thioester compound, a phosphoric acid ester compound, and an amide compound, and that is derived from an aromatic polyvalent carboxylic acid with a valence of 2 or higher. |
| US09340637B2 |
ASA graft copolymer having superior shock resistance, weather resistance, coloring properties, and method for manufacturing same
The present invention relates to an acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA) graft copolymer having a core-shell structure, and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein the core of the ASA graft copolymer is a multi-core rubber copolymer in which alkyl acrylate monomers are sequentially polymerized, and the shell is formed by graft-polymerizing a styrene-based monomer and an acrylonitrile-based monomer with the core. The ASA graft copolymer resin is manufactured by the steps of manufacturing the multi-core rubber polymer latex by sequentially polymerizing the alkyl acrylate monomers; and forming a shell layer by graft-polymerizing the styrene-based monomer and the acrylonitrile-based monomer with the multi-core rubber polymer. The ASA resin composition according to the present invention has excellent impact resistance, weather resistance, and dyeability properties. |
| US09340635B2 |
Deoxybenzoin-derived anti-flammable polymers
The invention provides novel flame-retardant polymers and materials, their synthesis and use. More particularly, the flame-retardant polymers are deoxybenzoin-derived polymers. |
| US09340631B2 |
Process for preparing a polyethylene resin
A process for preparing a polyethylene resin having a multimodal molecular weight distribution in at least two loop slurry reactors connected in series can include polymerizing ethylene in the presence of at least one supported metallocene catalyst, a diluent, optionally one or more co-monomers, and optionally hydrogen, thereby obtaining the polyethylene resin. The supported metallocene catalyst can have a particle size distribution of a span value lower than 2.5 and a D50 value within the range of from 5 μm to 20 μm. |
| US09340630B2 |
Method for manufacturing a small particle diameter product of solid polymethylaluminoxane composition
A solid polymethylaluminoxane composition is provided having uniform particle diameter in the form of fine particles of less than 5 μm employed to polymerize olefins with high polymerization activity without silica. A method for manufacturing thereof, a polymerization catalyst, and a method for manufacturing a polyolefin are also provided. The solid polymethylaluminoxane composition: has an aluminum content within a range of 36 mass % to 43 mass %; has a mole fraction of methyl groups derived from trimethylaluminum moieties relative to the total number of mols of methyl groups of 12 mol % or less; and is particulate having a median diameter based on volume within a range of 0.1 μm to less than 5 μm. In a step of heating an aromatic hydrocarbon solution containing trimethylaluminum and the polymethylaluminoxane to cause solid polymethylaluminoxane composition to precipitate, prior to or during the heat treating step, a dry, inert gas is bubbled through. |
| US09340629B2 |
Polyethylene production with multiple polymerization reactors
A technique for polymerizing ethylene on catalyst in a first polymerization reactor and in a second polymerization reactor to form polyethylene particles, and controlling particle size of the polyethylene particles. |
| US09340628B2 |
Process for producing olefin polymer
To provide a process for producing an olefin polymer, which makes it possible to use, as a solvent for use in the catalyst preparation and the like, an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent instead of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent causing large environmental burden, and which has good olefin polymerization activity. A process for producing an olefin polymer, characterized by having a step comprising feeding an olefin polymerization catalyst solution, which is obtained by mixing a metallocene compound, a compound that reacts with the metallocene compound to form an ion pair and at least one compound selected from an organoaluminum compound and an organoaluminum oxy compound with a saturated hydrocarbon solvent, to a polymerization reactor and solution-polymerizing an olefin in the polymerization reactor. |
| US09340627B1 |
Elbow and horizontal configurations in a loop reactor
A reactor system containing one or more loop reactors for olefin polymerization is provided. The loop reactors include vertical sections, elbow sections, and/or horizontal sections connected into one or more loop reaction zones to polymerize an olefin monomer in the presence of a liquid diluent into a slurry comprising particles of a polyolefin polymer. The reactor system footprint is reduced to increase production efficiency and save cost, while maintaining a high processing capacity. In one embodiment a horizontal length (LH) of at least one horizontal section is greatly reduced with maintained processing capacity. In another embodiment, at least one elbow section of the reactor system is configured to maintain a Dean number (Dn) of the slurry flowing therein to be higher than 3,000,000. |
| US09340625B2 |
Cellulose resin
A cellulose resin produced by binding cardanol or a derivative thereof, and a flexible component to cellulose or a derivative thereof. |
| US09340618B2 |
IL-11R binding proteins
The present disclosure provides proteins comprising antigen binding sites of antibodies that bind to interleukin-11 (IL-11) receptor alpha (IL-11Rα) and uses thereof, e.g., in therapy. |
| US09340614B2 |
Antagonist antibodies directed against calcitonin gene-related peptide and methods using same
The invention features methods for preventing or treating CGRP associated disorders such as vasomotor symptoms, including headaches (e.g., migraine, cluster headache, and tension headache) and hot flushes, by administering an anti-CGRP antagonist antibody. Antagonist antibody G1 and antibodies derived from G1 directed to CGRP are also described. |
| US09340606B2 |
Immunization with amyloid-beta oligomers
The present invention provides methods of immunization against Alzheimer's Disease and compositions for use in such methods. |
| US09340603B2 |
Neutralizing anti-influenza A virus antibodies and uses thereof
The invention relates to antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, that bind to hemagglutinin and neutralize a group 1 subtype and a group 2 subtype of influenza A virus. The invention also relates to nucleic acids that encode, immortalized B cells and cultured single plasma cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of influenza A virus infection. |
| US09340602B2 |
Matricryptic ECM peptides for tissue reconstruction
Chemoattractant polypeptide compounds for progenitor cells and compositions and drug products comprising the compounds are provided herein. Methods for attracting progenitor cells to a location in or on a patient also are provided along with methods of growing and repairing bone. |
| US09340599B2 |
Single chain CD40L fusion polypeptides
The present invention refers to single-chain fusion proteins comprising three soluble TNF superfamily (TNFSF) cytokine domains and nucleic acid molecules encoding these fusion proteins. The fusion proteins are substantially non-aggregating and suitable for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications. |
| US09340593B2 |
Method of treating diabetes by a CTRP12 polypeptide
The present invention provides substantially purified peptide portions of adipokine polypeptides, including, for example, C1q/TNF-related protein-12 (CTRP12), a functional homolog or function fragment of CTRP12, and a fusion polypeptide comprising any of the above. Methods for treating Type 2 diabetes mellitus by administering to a patient any of the following; CTRP12, a functional homolog of CTRP12, a functional fragment of CTRP12 or its functional homolog, a fusion polypeptide comprising any of the above, a substantially purified nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide of any of the above, a vector comprising such nucleic acid molecule, a host cell transformed with such vector, a ligand that specifically binds to a polypeptide mentioned above, a compound that modifies the level of expression or activity of the amino acid sequence according to any of the above, a pharmaceutical composition comprising any one the above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and any combination of the above are also provided. |
| US09340591B2 |
Method of modulating the activity of a nucleic acid molecule
The present invention relates, in general, to agents that modulate the pharmacological activity of nucleic acid molecules and, in particular, to agents that bind therapeutic or diagnostic nucleic acid molecules in a sequence independent manner and modulate (e.g., inhibit or reverse) their activity. The invention also relates to compositions comprising such agents and to methods of using same. |
| US09340588B2 |
Peptide secreted by Lactobacillus plantarum with immunomodulating function
Among the fewer than 10 proteins primarily secreted by the species Lactobacillus plantarum, there is one of 30 kDa that contains an internal fragment without cleavage sites for the most important intestinal proteases and characterized by having a serine and threonine content of at least 50%. The genetic information encoded in this fragment, designated ST peptide, has been used for producing and purifying the peptide, thus making it possible to conduct various tests in vitro.To summarize, the ST peptide is considered to promote the process of immunologic ignorance of our gastrointestinal immune system toward the commensal bacteria of our gastrointestinal tract, thus favoring the mechanisms of oral tolerance. Therefore the ST peptide could be used in immunotherapy, especially in the context of certain autoimmune diseases and certain inflammatory diseases. |
| US09340587B2 |
Albumin-free botulinum toxin formulations
This invention relates to botulinum toxin formulations that are stabilized without the use of any proteinaceous excipients. The invention also relates to methods of preparing and using such botulinum toxin formulations. |
| US09340586B2 |
Streptococcus pyogenes antigens and corresponding DNA fragments
The present invention relates to antigens more particularly antigens of Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A Streptococcus (GAS)) bacterial pathogen which are useful as vaccine component for therapy and/or prophylaxis. |
| US09340583B2 |
VIP fragments and methods of use
The invention relates to composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of one or more functional vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) fragments, and the use of those compositions in the treatment of fibrosis, hypertension and other disorder. |
| US09340582B2 |
Bioconjugates of synthetic apelin polypeptides
The invention provides a bioconjugates comprising a synthetic polypeptide of Formula I′ (SEQ ID NO: 1): or an amide, an ester or a salt thereof, wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, X10, X11, X12 and X13 are defined herein and a half-life extending moiety wherein the peptide and the half-life extending moiety are covalently linked or fuse, optionally via a linker. The polypeptides are agonist of the APJ receptor. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the bioconjugates of the invention, and its therapeutic uses such as treatment or prevention of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), chronic heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, Brugada syndrome, ventricular tachycardia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, restenosis, ischemic cardiovascular diseases, cardiomyopathy, cardiac fibrosis, arrhythmia, water retention, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), obesity, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular accidents, transient ischemic attacks, traumatic brain injuries, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, burn injuries (including sunburn) and preeclampsia. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition. |
| US09340581B2 |
Ligands to radiation-induced molecules
A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands. |
| US09340580B2 |
Peptide with multiple epitopes
The present invention relates to peptides comprising multiple MHC Class II-binding T cell epitopes for tolerization therapy. |
| US09340579B2 |
DPP-4 inhibitor
A DPP-4 inhibitor comprising a peptide represented by the formula (1): Xe-Pro/Ala/Hyp-Xa-Xb-Xc-Xd (SEQ ID NO: 16) (wherein Xe is an amino acid residue with an isoelectric point of 5.9 to 6.3; Pro/Ala/Hyp represents Pro, Ala, or Hyp; Xa is an amino acid residue other than Hyp, Pro, and Arg, or deletion; 5 Xb is Gly, Pro, or deletion; Xc is Pro, Ala, or deletion; and Xd is an amino acid residue or deletion) as an active component. The inhibitor can be expected to bring out an effect of lowering blood glucose levels by enhancing effects of incretins; and the inhibitor may be used as a therapeutic agent for diabetes and, in addition, can act on the immune system or the like to be thus used in 10 treatment for skin diseases or the like. |
| US09340568B2 |
Solid forms of an antiviral compound
Crystalline solid forms of the anti-HCV compound (S)-isopropyl 2-((S)-(((2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)-4-fluoro-3-hydroxy-4-methyltetrahydrofuran-2- yl)methoxy)(phenoxy)phosphorylamino)propanoate (Compound I) are described Also provided are processes of making and methods of using the crystalline forms. |
| US09340567B2 |
Chemistry used in biosensors
The invention relates to novel compositions of 1,3-disubstituted ferrocenes useful for the modification of electrodes. |
| US09340566B2 |
Inhibitors of diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT-1) and uses thereof
The invention pertains to the use of fused bicyclo heterocyclic adducts of thiohydroxy pyridines or pyrimidines as diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT-1) inhibitors to treat hyperlipidiemias and various diseases and disorders associated therewith. Other conditions also can be ameliorated or avoided, such as high postprandial triglycerides or diet-related hypertriglyceridemia, cardiovascular risk associated with excessive triglycerides, and insulin resistance/glucose intolerance in overweight patients, those with diabetes or other glucose metabolic disorders such as Syndrome X and/or polycystic ovary disease. |
| US09340563B2 |
Salts of isophosphoramide mustard and analogs thereof
Disclosed herein are crystalline compounds of formula (I) wherein A+ represents a hydroxylated aliphatic ammonium species; and X and Y independently represent leaving groups. |
| US09340562B1 |
Chromatographic material and method for preparation thereof
A chromatographic material comprising a zwitterionic ligand covalently bound to a substrate, the ligand preferably has a formula II: wherein R1, R2, R3 are independently selected from an oxygen atom that is configured to connect to a substrate atom in the substrate, an oxygen atom that is configured to connect to a silicon atom of an adjacent ligand, a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, a dialkylamino group, an acyl group, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; L1, L2 and L3 are independently hydrophobic moieties; each containing 2 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein there are at least 10 carbon atoms in the combined chain lengths of L1, L2 and L3; X is an O atom, S atom, amide group or sulfonamide group; n is 0 or 1; R4, R5 are independently selected from a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon moiety containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and Rf is a negatively charged moiety comprising a sulfonic, carboxylic, or phosphonic functional group. |
| US09340560B2 |
Process for esterifying silicon-halogen compounds in a column and apparatus suitable therefor
What is described is a process for continuously esterifying halosilanes of the formula I with alcohols of the formula II to give silane esters of the formula III in a single column (1) R1aSiHalb (I) R2—(OH) (II) R1aS—(OR2)b (III) in which R1 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, where any two R1 radicals within a molecule may be different within the scope of the given definitions, Hal is a halogen atom, a plurality of Hal atoms within a molecule may be different within the scope of the given definitions, R2 is a monovalent organic radical, a and b are integers from 0 to 4 and the sum total of a and b is 4, comprising the measures of: i) feeding the total amount of the halosilane of the formula I required for the reaction in liquid form through line (6) into the upper third of the column (1), ii) feeding at least 60% by weight of the alcohol of the formula II required for the reaction in liquid form through line (7) into the upper third of the column (1), iii) feeding the remainder of the alcohol of the formula II required for the reaction in liquid form through line (8) into the lower third of the column (1), iv) conducting the reaction of the halosilane of the formula I with the alcohol of the formula II to give the silane ester of the formula III in the interior of the column (1), the temperature in the interior of the column (1) between line (7) and line (8) being below the boiling temperature of the alcohol of the formula II, v) removing the hydrogen chloride formed in the reaction via the top of the column (1), and vi) removing the esterification product of the formula III formed in the reaction from the bottom of the column (1). The invention also relates to a column (1) for continuously esterifying halosilanes of the above-described formula I with alcohols of the formula II to give silane esters of the formula III, comprising the following elements: A) line (6) which opens into the upper third of the column (1) and which serves to feed in the halosilane of the formula I, B) line (7) which opens into the upper third of the column (1) and which serves to feed in a portion of the alcohol of the formula II required for the reaction, C) line (8) which opens into the lower third of the column (1) and which serves to feed in the remaining portion of the alcohol required for the reaction, D) circulation evaporator (3) which is mounted in the lower third of the column and heats the bottom product present in the column (1), E) line (9) for removing the hydrogen halide formed in the reaction via the top of the column (1), and F) line (10) for removing the esterification product of the formula III formed in the reaction from the bottom of the column (1). The process described allows the preparation of silane esters of the formula III with high selectivity. |
| US09340558B2 |
Filamin a binding anti-inflammatory and analgesic
A compound or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, optionally including both individual enantiomeric forms, a racemate, diastereomers and mixtures thereof, composition and method are disclosed that can provide analgesia and reduce inflammation. A contemplated compound has a structure that corresponds to Formula A, wherein the R group substituents, d, e, f, k, n, m, D, E, F, K, G, P, Q, W, and Z are defined within. |
| US09340557B2 |
Substituted quinoxaline DNA-PK inhibitors
The compounds represented by Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful as inhibitors of DNA-PK: where each of R1, R2, X, Ring A, Ring B and Ring C is as described herein. Pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprise said compounds. These compounds and pharmaceutical compositions are used in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. |
| US09340556B2 |
Antibacterial compounds
The present invention relates to cephalosporin antibacterial compounds of Formula (I): or corresponding pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, corresponding pharmaceutical compositions, compound preparation and treatment methods for bacterial infections, especially those caused by gram-negative bacteria. |
| US09340546B2 |
Compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR kinase
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating of various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors.The compounds of this invention have formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, wherein the variables are as defined herein. Moreover, The compounds of this invention have formula I-A: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, wherein the variables are as defined herein. |
| US09340543B2 |
Helquat derivatives, preparation thereof, and use thereof as medicaments
The invention provides helquat derivatives of general formula I, wherein substituents R1 and R2 are independently selected from a group comprising H and C1 to C3 alkyl; up to three of S1,2, S1′,2′, S3,4 and S3′, 4′ are present, each of S1,2, S1′,2′, S3,4 and S3′,4′ independently represents a linker consisting of a bivalent hydrocarbon chain having 3-6 carbon atoms; one or two atoms selected from the carbon atoms with the descriptor 2, 4, 2′, and 4′ are substituted with a substituent R3 of general formula II or general formula III wherein R4 is substituted or unsubstituted aryl; T1 and T2 independently represent a bivalent hydrocarbon chain having 2-5 carbon atoms; and anions (X1)− and (X2)− independently represent anions of pharmaceutically acceptable salts.The helquat derivatives are useful as medicaments in the treatment of diseases related to increased cellular proliferation, such as oncologic diseases. |
| US09340542B2 |
Propellane-based compounds and the use thereof
The application is directed to compounds of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, wherein R1-R5 are defined as set forth in the specification. The invention is also directed to use of compounds of Formula I, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, to treat disorders responsive to the modulation of one or more opioid receptors, or as synthetic intermediates. Certain compounds of the present invention are especially useful for treating pain. |
| US09340534B2 |
Compounds and methods for treating ocular diseases
Described herein are compounds of formula I compositions and methods for the treatment of diseases affecting the eye, including glaucoma or ocular hypertension. |
| US09340533B2 |
1,4-benzothiazepine-1-oxide derivative and pharmaceutical composition utilizing the same
Provided are novel compound that is useful as a treatment agent or a prophylactic agent for cardiac failure, cardiac failure due to dystelectasis, left ventricular diastolic impairment, angina or cardiac infarct, hypertension, ischemic cardiac disease, and myocardial relaxation impairment recognized in cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmia, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. The invention pertains to a 1,4-benzothiazepine-1-oxide derivative represented by general formula [I] (In the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group.) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same [I]. |
| US09340531B2 |
Cycloalkyl-substituted imidazole derivative
A compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A represents a C3 to C12 cycloalkyl group which may be substituted by one to three selected from a fluoro group, a hydroxy group, a C1 to C6 alkyl group, etc; R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a fluoro group, or a C1 to C6 alkyl group; R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a prodrug group; and Y represents —CH2—CHR5—CH2—NHR6 (wherein R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1 to C6 alkyl group, or a C1 to C6 alkoxy group, and R6 represents a hydrogen atom or a prodrug group), or the like exhibits excellent TAFIa inhibitory activity and is useful as a therapeutic drug for myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, acute coronary syndrome, cerebral infarction, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and the like. |
| US09340529B2 |
Triazolones as fatty acid synthase inhibitors
This invention relates to the use of triazolone derivatives for the modulation, notably the inhibition of the activity or function of fatty acid synthase (FAS). Suitably, the present invention relates to the use of triazolones in the treatment of cancer. |
| US09340526B2 |
Process for preparing pyridyl-substituted pyrazoles
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 1-pyridyl-substituted pyrazoles, comprising the reaction of acetyleneketones with pyridylhydrazine derivatives to give 1-pyridyl-substituted dihydro-1H-pyrazoles, the further reaction thereof with elimination of water to give 1-pyridyl-substituted trihalomethylpyrazoles, and the further processing thereof. |
| US09340525B2 |
Stem cell cultures
The present invention relates compounds for stabilizing cells and methods of their use. |
| US09340522B2 |
Pyrazolone-derivatives and their use as PDE-4 inhibitors
The compounds of Formula (I), are novel effective inhibitors of the type 4 phosphodiesterase. |
| US09340521B2 |
Method for dual inhibition of SGLT1 and SGLT2 using diphenylmethane derivatives
The present invention relates to a method for dual inhibition of sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) and sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) present in the intestine and kidney by using the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof: wherein ring A, ring B, X and Y have the same meanings as defined in the specification. |
| US09340517B2 |
Methods of modulating the activity of the MC5 receptor and treatment of conditions related to this receptor
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I) that are useful for modulating the biological activity of the melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5R). Compounds of this invention can be used to treat diseases and/or conditions in which downregulation of MC5R is beneficial. Such diseases and/or conditions include, but are not limited to, acne, seborrhea, seborrheic dermatitis, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. |
| US09340516B2 |
Form-II crystal of 2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl) acetamide, method for producing the same, and use thereof
Form-II crystal of 2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide and a method of producing the crystal are provided. The Form-II crystal exhibits diffraction peaks in its X-ray powder diffraction spectrum at least at the following angles of diffraction 2θ when the spectrum is obtained by using Cu Kα radiation: 9.0 degrees, 12.9 degrees, 20.7 degrees, and 22.6 degrees. The Form-II crystal can be produced by crystallizing the subject compound from an alcoholic solvent, a ketone solvent, a saturated hydrocarbon solvent, an ether solvent, water, or a mixture of these solvents. The crystal may be administered as an active ingredient to a subject for the purpose of treating or preventing certain diseases, disorders, and symptoms, or for promoting angiogenesis or gene therapy. The targeted diseases and disorders include transient ischemic attack, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic gangrene, peripheral circulatory disturbance, connective tissue disease, reocclusion/restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, and diabetic nephropathy. |
| US09340512B2 |
Morphinan compounds
This invention relates to novel morphinan compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering a σ1 receptor agonist that also has NMDA antagonist activity. |
| US09340510B2 |
Tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof
The invention relates to new pyrrolidine derivatives of the formula wherein R1 to R6, n and m are as defined in the description and claims, to their use as medicaments, to methods for their therapeutic use and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. |
| US09340505B2 |
Type III secretion inhibitors, analogs and uses thereof
The invention, in some aspects, relates to compounds and compositions useful for inhibiting Type III secretion systems in pathogenic bacteria, such as Yersinia Pestis. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for discovering inhibitors of the Type III secretion system and uses of such inhibitors in the treatment and prevention of disease. |
| US09340504B2 |
Pyridine and piperidine derivatives as novel sodium channel blockers
The invention provides compounds that are useful as sodium channel blockers. In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, or diastereomers thereof, wherein R1, R4, X, G, n, p, W1, W2, W3, W4, and the E ring are defined in the disclosure. In certain embodiments, the invention provides compounds of Formulae II-XIII as set forth supra. The invention also provides the use of compounds of any of the above discussed formulae to treat a disorder responsive to blockade of sodium channels. In one embodiment, Compounds of the Invention are useful for treating pain. |
| US09340503B2 |
Scriptaid isosteres and their use in therapy
Compounds of the invention are of the formula wherein: is a double bond and X is C; or is a single bond and X is N, CH or CQR1; and wherein: n is 1 to 10; R is H or QR1; each R′ is independently selected from H and QR1; each Q is independently selected from a bond, CO, NH, S, SO, SO2 or O; each R1 is independently selected from C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl, acyl, C1-C10 cycloalkyl, halogen, C1-C10 alkylaryl or C1-C10 heterocycloalkyl; L is a nitrogen-containing heteroaryl; and W is a zinc-chelating residue; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds are useful in therapy. |
| US09340502B2 |
Methods for producing and purifying 2-aryl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine compounds, the purified monomers, and polymers derived therefrom
Disclosed herein is a method for producing a purified 2-aryl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine of formula (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or a C1-25 hydrocarbyl group and R2 is a hydrogen, a C1-25 hydrocarbyl group, or a halogen, and wherein the method comprises dissolving a crude phthalimidine compound in an aqueous base solution; precipitating the dissolved, crude phthalimidine compound from the aqueous base solution by adding an acid in an amount effective to lower the pH of the solution to 9.0 to 12.0, to provide a semicrude phthalimidine compound; and isolating the semicrude phthalimidine compound from the aqueous base solution, to provide the purified 2-aryl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine of formula (I), and having a phenolphthalein compound content of less than 2,500 ppm, based on the weight of the purified 2-aryl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine. Subsequent trituration with aqueous methanol and recrystallization from isopropanol can result in product having levels of phenolphthalein derivatives that are not detectable. |
| US09340501B2 |
Marinopyrrole derivatives as anticancer agents
Marinopyrrole derivatives and methods for their synthesis and use are described herein. The methods of using the compounds include treating and preventing cancer. |
| US09340500B2 |
Aromatic heterocyclic derivative having TRPV4-inhibiting activity
A compound having TRPV4 inhibitory activity or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided. The present invention is related to a compound represented by the formula (I), wherein R1a is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like; R1b is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; R1c is hydrogen, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted nonaromatic heterocyclic group or the like; -L- is —C(=0)—NR2− or the like; X is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl or the like, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US09340496B2 |
Process for the production of a sulfone monomer
The present invention provides a method for the preparation of polymer grade 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in steps comprising reacting dimethyl sulfate and sulfur trioxide optionally containing a catalyst; reacting the formed dimethyl pyrosulfate with the unreacted sulfur trioxide optionally in the presence of a catalyst; reacting the reaction mixture with monochlorobenzene optionally containing a catalyst; optionally removing unreacted dimethyl sulfate; isolating crude 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone using an organic solvent/organic solvent-water mixture; recovering the solvent from mother liquor; optionally recovering the isomeric mixture of dichlorodiphenyl sulfones from mother liquor; optionally, conversion of residual isomeric mixture of dichlorodiphenyl sulfones to a product selected from diphenyl sulfone, 2-aminodiphenyl sulfone; 2,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone; optionally recovering monochlorobenzene sulfonic acid and/or monochlorobenzene from the mother liquor; optionally recovering sulfuric acid from the residual liquor; optionally recycling the solvent; and purifying 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone from crude followed by crystallization. Further the present invention discloses a process in which isomeric mixture of 4,4′-, 3,4′-, and 2,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone produced during the preparation of 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone is converted to value added products such as diphenyl sulfone, 2,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone and 2-aminodiphenyl sulfone. |
| US09340487B2 |
Halogenated diethyltoluenediamines
Disclosed are halogenated diethyltoluenediamines of formula wherein either R1 is an amino group and R2 is chlorine or bromine, or R2 is an amino group and R1 is chlorine or bromine, and isomeric mixtures thereof. The halogenated diethyltoluenediamines of formula I are useful as chain extenders for polyurethanes and hardeners for epoxy resins having a relatively long gel time. |
| US09340485B2 |
Process for preparing esters from formates and olefinically unsaturated compounds
The invention provides a process for preparing esters from formates and olefinically unsaturated compounds with catalysts based on palladium compounds. In addition, the invention discloses a polyphasic reaction mixture and nonyl methyl ester mixtures prepared by the process according to the invention. |
| US09340484B2 |
Method for producing bicyclic or tricyclic (meth)acrylates
Process for preparing bicyclic or tricyclic (meth)acrylates by reacting (meth)acrylic acid with a bicyclic or tricyclic hydrocarbon which contains at least one double bond using montmorillonite as catalyst. |
| US09340483B2 |
Methods of treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
The present invention relates to use of DHA analogs and their pharmaceutical compositions for treating ALS, by administering these compounds or pharmaceutical compositions to subjects in need thereof. |
| US09340481B1 |
Process for flashing a reaction medium comprising lithium acetate
A process for producing acetic acid is disclosed, in which the methyl iodide concentration is maintained in the vapor product stream formed in a flashing step. The process includes introducing a lithium compound into the reactor and maintaining a concentration of lithium acetate in the reaction medium is in an amount from 0.3 to 0.7 wt. %. The reaction medium is fed forward to the flashing step. The methyl iodide concentration in the vapor product stream ranges from 24 to less than 36 wt. %, based on the weight of the vapor product stream. The vapor product stream is distilled in a first column to obtain an acetic acid product stream comprising acetic acid and hydrogen iodide in an amount of less than or equal to 300 wppm and/or methyl iodide in an amount from 0.1 to 6 wt. %. |
| US09340479B2 |
Methods of synthesizing alpha acids and substantially enantiomerically pure compositions thereof
Methods of synthesizing a cis 3,4-dihydroxy-2-(3-methylbutanoyl)-5-(3-methylbutyl)-4-(4-methylpentanoyl)cyclopent-2-en-1-one (“KDT500”) derivative are provided. Such methods may be used to synthesize any desired KDT derivative. In one embodiment, the KDT500 derivative is KDT501. |
| US09340477B2 |
Process for production of hydroxystilbene derivative having physiological activity
A process for producing a hydroxystilbene derivative represented by formula (1) (wherein X1-X4 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a saturated or unsaturated linear or branched alkoxy group having 1-10 carbon atoms, or a saturated or unsaturated linear or branched alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms; Z1 and Z2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, or a group represented by the formula (2) (wherein X5 and X6 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a saturated or unsaturated linear or branched alkoxy group having 1-10 carbon atoms, or a saturated or unsaturated linear or branched alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms); and Z1 and Z2 may be the same as or different from each other; wherein X1-X6 may be the same as or different from one another), which is characterized by heating a 4-hydroxycinnamic acid compound and a hydroxystilbene compound in the presence of a metal salt. |
| US09340476B2 |
Continuous process for conversion of lignin to useful compounds
This specification discloses an operational continuous process to convert lignin as found in ligno-cellulosic biomass before or after converting at least some of the carbohydrates. The continuous process has been demonstrated to create a slurry comprised of lignin, raise the slurry comprised of lignin to ultra-high pressure, deoxygenate the lignin in a lignin conversion reactor over a catalyst which is not a fixed bed without producing char. The conversion products of the carbohydrates or lignin can be further processed into polyester intermediates for use in polyester preforms and bottles. |
| US09340475B2 |
Process for generating hemp oil with a high cannabidiol (CBD) content
A method for producing hemp oil, comprising decarboxylation of CBDA in hemp oil; short-path evaporation of CBD from the decarboxylated hemp oil to produce CBD oil; selective THC to CBN conversion performed on the decarboxylated hemp oil. |
| US09340474B2 |
Process for producing phenol
In a process for producing phenol and/or cyclohexanone, a cleavage reaction mixture containing cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-hydroperoxide and cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with sulfuric acid and water under cleavage conditions effective to form a cleavage reaction effluent containing phenol, cyclohexanone, cyclohexylbenzene, water, sulfuric acid and 1-phenylcyclohexanol. At least a portion of the cleavage reaction effluent is neutralized with a basic material to produce a neutralized cleavage product and at least a portion of the neutralized cleavage product is supplied in the absence of an added dehydration catalyst to a distillation column. The distillation column is operated so that at least a portion of the neutralized cleavage product is exposed to a temperature greater than 70° C. at at least one location in the distillation column whereby at least a portion of the 1-phenylcyclohexanol in the neutralized cleavage product is dehydrated to phenylcyclohexene. |
| US09340471B2 |
Metalated ligand, catalyst composition, and use thereof in the oligomerization of ethylene
A process for oligomerization of ethylene, comprising subjecting a catalyst composition to a gas phase of ethylene and conducting an oligomerization, wherein the catalyst composition comprises (a) a chromium compound, (b) a metalated ligand, and (c) an activator or cocatalyst; and catalyst composition as well as a metalated ligand. |
| US09340466B2 |
Method for drying spent filter media
Disclosed is a process of stabilizing spent filter material that comprises mixing the filter media with a dry media to produce a composition having a moisture content that is sufficiently low to retard microbial growth. The composition comprises spent filter media and a dry material, and preferably comprises diatomaceous earth. Soil is treated by adding the composition as a top dressing, soil amendment, or the like. |
| US09340463B2 |
Honeycomb structure
A honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb structure body constituted of a first region which is an inside region and a second region which is an outside region surrounding a periphery of the first region. An open area ratio in the first region is 83% or more and a porosity of partition walls is from 20 to 60%. A thickness t1 of the partition walls constituting the first region is 0.11 mm or less, a thickness t2 of the partition walls constituting the second region is larger than the thickness t1 of the partition walls, a ratio (t3/t1) between a thickness t3 of the partition walls forming first complete cells from the outermost periphery of the honeycomb structure body toward a center thereof in the second region and the thickness t1 of the partition walls is from 1.2 to 1.4, and a partition wall strength index A is 4.0 or more. |
| US09340462B2 |
Transient liquid phase, pressureless joining of aluminum nitride components
A monolithic, substantially hermetic joining or bonding of two or more aluminum nitride (“AlN”) ceramic components is made by promoting transient liquid phase sintering near the contact areas between the components. In a first approach, AlN particles are combined with a rare earth oxide sintering additive such as yttrium oxide (Y2O3) in a joining paste can be applied between the joining surfaces of fired ceramic preformed components prior to final firing to weld the components together. In a second approach, the additive is added to green mixture, and the components having different shrinkage aspect ratios are mated and cofired in an atmosphere containing a partial pressure of the additive. The additive encourages wetting and diffusion of the liquid phases present on the surfaces of ceramic interface particles in the contact areas during final firing. |
| US09340461B1 |
Method of making controlled morphology metal-oxides
A method of making metal oxides having a preselected morphology includes preparing a suspension that includes a solvent, polymeric nanostructures having multiplicities of hydroxyl surface groups and/or carboxyl surface groups, and a metal oxide precursor. The suspension has a preselected ratio of the polymeric nanostructures to the metal oxide precursor of at least 1:3, the preselected ratio corresponding to a preselected morphology. Subsequent steps include depositing the suspension onto a substrate, removing the solvent to form a film, removing the film from the substrate, and annealing the film to volatilize the polymeric nanostructures and convert the metal oxide precursor to metal oxide nanoparticles having the preselected morphology or to a metal oxide nanosheet including conjoined nanoparticles having the preselected morphology. |
| US09340459B2 |
Disk roll and base material thereof
A base material for a disk roll including ceramic fibers, an inorganic binder and scaly silica. |
| US09340455B2 |
Method and system for the production of hard plaster
A method for the production of hard plaster, a calcining plant, and a retrofit reactor for calcining plants. The method includes feeding plaster material, predominantly including beta-hemihydrate plaster, to a postreactor. The temperature is set to at least a calcining temperature of 95° C. during this step. The plaster material is retreated in the postreactor to form hard plaster, the beta-hemihydrate plaster being converted directly into alpha-hemihydrate plaster at a temperature above 95° C. The hard plaster can then be discharged out of the postreactor and cooled. Conversion can be carried out in the postreactor during continuous operation, and conversion of the beta-hemihydrate plaster can occur with a dwell time in the postreactor of less than 30 minutes. Steam can be externally supplied to the postreactor and the temperature and pressure in the postreactor can be regulated so that the temperature is at least 95° C. and an over pressure prevails. |
| US09340452B2 |
Coated article with low-E coating having absorbing layer over functional layer designed to increase outside reflectance
A coated article includes a low-E coating having an absorbing layer located over a functional layer (IR reflecting layer) and designed to cause the coating to have an increased outside reflectance (e.g., in an IG window unit) and good selectivity. In certain embodiments, the absorbing layer is metallic, or substantially metallic, and is provided directly over and contacting a lower of two IR reflecting layers. In certain example embodiments, a nitride based layer (e.g., silicon nitride or the like) may be located directly over and contacting the absorbing layer in order to reduce or prevent oxidation thereof during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, heat bending, and/or heat strengthening) thereby permitting predictable coloration, high outside reflectance values, and/or good selectivity to be achieved. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application. |
| US09340450B2 |
Etching method for surface structuring
An etching method for selective introduction of structures into surfaces of different substrates, such as glass or glass ceramic substrates, is provided. The method provides for surface structuring using an etch mask. The etchmask allows for the production of very fine structures on the substrate surfaces using liquid etching media. In this method the etch mask is produced on the substrate. |
| US09340442B2 |
Method and apparatus for hydrolyzing organic solid
A method and an apparatus for hydrolyzing an organic solid are described. The method includes mixing an organic solid and a nanobubble water having a plurality of nanobubbles, to form an organic liquid, in which the nanobubbles contain a combustible gas; and applying an ultrasonic wave on the organic liquid, such that the nanobubbles generate an additional cavitation effect. A preprocessor is applicable to an organic solid processing system having an anaerobic digestion tank, in which the anaerobic digestion tank has anaerobic microbes for generating a combustible gas. The preprocessor includes a nanobubble water generator, a digestion tank, and an ultrasonic wave generator. With the method and the structure, the nanobubbles are used to increase the probability of generation of the additional cavitation effect, and the combustible gas is used to improve an impact force of bursts produced by the cavitation effect. |
| US09340441B2 |
Wastewater treatment system including irradiation of primary solids
The present invention provides a system for treating wastewater in which the majority of solids and biological oxygen demand compounds are separated from the wastewater feed using a primary separation process, to produce a solids phase and a water phase. The solids phase is irradiated to reduce the level of pathogens such that it is safe to use as a soil substitute and/or additive so that the solids can thus be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. In additional embodiments, the solids that have been disinfected by radiation are mixed with a suitable inert filler material to produce a soil substitute, fertilizer, compost, or other soil additive. The liquid phase is treated in a substantially smaller system than would be required for treating the full-strength wastewater that can include a suspended media biological regeneration reactor system. The liquid treatment system can include a high flux adsorbent material treatment system integrated with a low flux adsorbent material biological regeneration reactor. |
| US09340439B2 |
Method and apparatus for nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment
A reactor and control method thereof for nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment achieves a measured control of maintaining high ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) oxidation rates while achieving nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) repression, using various control strategies, including: 1) ammonia and the use of ammonia setpoints, 2) operational DO and the proper use of DO setpoints, 3) bioaugmentation of a lighter flocculant AOB fraction, and 4) proper implementation of transient anoxia within a wide range of reactor configurations and operating conditions. |
| US09340436B2 |
Sea water desalination system
There is disclosed an electrochemical cell for treating water comprising at least one water chamber configured to hold water to be treated; at least one redox electrode comprising reactants capable of accepting and having a reversible redox reaction with at least one negative ion in the water; at least one intercalation electrode capable of accommodating and intercalating at least one positive ion in the water, wherein the intercalation electrode is immersed in the water chamber or separated from the water chamber by an optional porous separator; and an anion exchange membrane separating the redox electrode from the water chamber. The cell can be used to desalinate water having a wide range of salinities, including sea water, and brackish water. The cell can also be used to collect salt, which can subsequently used to concentrate industrial brine. Methods for using the electrochemical cell to treat water, such as desalinate saline solutions are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for concentrated brine production for making salt. |
| US09340435B2 |
Separation of multi-component fluid through ultrasonic acoustophoresis
An acoustic standing wave is utilized to separate components from a multi-component fluid, such as oil from an oil-water mixture, in a fluid flow scheme with an acoustophoresis device. For example, the flow scheme and device allows for trapping of the oil as the oil coalesces, agglomerates, and becomes more buoyant than the water. |
| US09340434B2 |
Recovery of nickel from industrial pickling acid solutions
Nickel is recovered from pickling acid solutions of crude ore using boric acid as catalyst by ultrasound assisted electrolysis. |
| US09340425B2 |
Process of making carbon fibers from compositions including esterified lignin and poly(lactic acid)
The present invention relates to compositions comprising esterified lignin and poly(lactic acid). In various embodiments, the present invention provides fibers comprising the esterified lignin and poly(lactic acid) blend, carbon fibers made therefrom, and methods of making the fiber and the carbon fibers. |
| US09340423B2 |
Catalysts
A catalyst effective for the direct reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide includes particles of gold, palladium or, preferably, gold and palladium deposited upon an acid-washed support. High selectivity to and production of hydrogen peroxide is observed, with low hydrogen peroxide decomposition. The catalysts have extended lifespan. |
| US09340422B2 |
Process for the production of chlorine dioxide
Process for the continuous production of chlorine dioxide comprising generating chlorine dioxide in an aqueous reaction medium in a reaction vessel (1) maintained at sub-atmospheric pressure, bringing gaseous chlorine dioxide from said reaction vessel to an absorption tower (7) and contacting it therein with a flow of water to form an aqueous solution containing chlorine dioxide, bringing said aqueous solution containing chlorine dioxide to a stripper (12), blowing a gas through said aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide in the stripper to strip off from 10 to 100% of the chlorine dioxide entering the stripper and form a gaseous chlorine dioxide product. |
| US09340416B2 |
Polynucleotides and related nanoassemblies, structures, arrangements, methods and systems
A linker polynucleotide for attaching a nanomaterial to a polynucleotidic platform and related nanoassemblies, arrangements, structures, methods and systems. |
| US09340409B1 |
MEMS cavity substrate
In accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device comprises a substrate, a CMOS die, and a MEMS die, each of which comprises a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side of the CMOS die is coupled to the top side of the substrate, and the MEMS die is coupled to the top side of the CMOS die, and there is a cavity positioned between the CMOS die and the substrate. The cavity may be sealed by a sealing substance, and may be filled with a filler substance (e.g., an adhesive) that is different than the sealing substance (e.g., a gaseous or non-gaseous substance). The cavity may be fully or partially surrounded by one or more downward-protruding portions of the CMOS die and/or one or more upward-protruding portions of the substrate. |
| US09340407B2 |
Cushion manufacturing method and cushion
A method of manufacturing a cushion and a cushion structure are disclosed. The manufacturing method includes employing a first sheet structure that is the cross-linked foamed polyethylene (PE) or cross-linked foamed polypropylene (PP) in material with the first sheet structure serving as an inner layer and an outer layer of the cushion structure. The method further includes crushing PU foam and adding an adhesive to the crushed PU foam before compressing the crushed PU foam and the adhesive to a second sheet structure, which is called “synthetic foam” functioning as an intermediate layer of the cushion structure. The multi-layer cushion structure may be prepared after having the outer layer, the intermediate layer and the inner layer integrated together using laminating, before being placed in an oven for heating until the inner layer and the outer layer are tendered and in a shape-mold of a molding machine for pressurizing. |
| US09340404B2 |
Water server
A water dispenser includes a pump which can lift water in an exchangeable raw water container into a water storage tank in a casing. The water dispenser further includes a water level sensor in the form of a float sensor for detecting the upper limit and the lower limit of the water level in the water storage tank. The water dispenser further includes a controller adapted to activate the pump upon receiving a sensor input indicative of detection of the lower limit, and deactivate the pump upon receiving sensor input indicative of detection of the upper limit. The controller is further adapted to measure the time elapsed since the pump was activated, and deactivate the pump when the time elapsed reaches a predetermined time at which the water level exceeds the upper limit and at which water in the water storage tank has not yet overflown the water storage tank. |
| US09340403B2 |
System and method of manual control of gasses used for spoilage retardation and dispensing of perishable potable liquids such as wine
A method of preserving and controlling dispensed liquids is achieved exclusively and uniquely through operation of direct or indirect actuation of gas control valves acting systemically upon the liquid container and its contents so as to cause and control the flow of dispensed liquids held within the container. |
| US09340402B2 |
Lifting element with extensible rinse sleeve
A supporting-and-lifting device for filling stations on a filling machine has a base element, a container carrier including a component that moves parallel to a filling-element axis, an auxiliary lifting element integrated in the container carrier, and a further piston mounted centrally in the auxiliary lifting element. The piston has a head plate. The auxiliary lifting element has, at its upper end, a container plate made from its collar-shaped upper and the head plate. The lifting element can be raised for cleaning or disinfecting. The lifting element is movable by the filling element into a sealed position. The piston is movable independently of the lifting element in a direction parallel to the filling element axis. In a work position, which represents a vertically lower end position, the piston and the lifting element in the sealed position define a rinse sleeve. |
| US09340400B2 |
Load lifting assembly
The invention relates to a load lifting assembly to lift and transport the loads. The assembly comprises a fixed pole and a lifting unit capable of moving longitudinally along the pole. The assembly further comprises a load transporting unit coupled to the lifting unit and a driving unit to provide the motive force to the load transporting unit. |
| US09340397B1 |
Illuminated vehicle lift assembly
An illuminated vehicle lift assembly having a jack assembly with a top wall, a base wall, first and second lateral walls, a front wall, a rear wall, and wheels. The jack assembly further has power means and illumination means. The illuminated vehicle lift assembly further has a handle assembly and an electrical system. The handle assembly mounts onto the jack assembly, whereby an end is forced into a receiving slot until a first electrical connector couples with a second electrical connector, and retaining walls block, or otherwise restrict, locking protrusions. The illuminated vehicle lift assembly facilitates lifting of a vehicle for changing a vehicle wheel assembly. |
| US09340393B2 |
Method for measuring opening and closing delay time of elevator brake
Disclosed is a method for measuring opening and closing delay time of elevator brake, the method including outputting, by a brake signal output unit, a brake signal, receiving, by a brake signal checking unit, the brake signal and determining whether the brake signal is an opening signal or a closing signal to output an opening/closing determination signal, receiving, by a brake counter unit, the opening/closing determination signal, and starting a count for measuring a brake opening time or a brake closing time to accumulate and output counted value, determining, by a motor drive checking unit, whether a motor configured to drive an elevator is driven upon receipt of the counted values and outputting a drive determination signal, and receiving, by a brake opening/closing delay computation unit, the drive determination signal and the counted value to compute a brake opening/closing delay time. |
| US09340391B2 |
Sheet bundle binding processing apparatus and image forming system having the same
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sheet bundle binding processing apparatus which can be structured small and compact while a setting portion for manually setting a sheet bundle from the outside is arranged at an external casing. The present invention comprises a sheet bundle binding processing apparatus including a manual setting portion to which a sheet bundle is inserted, a binding device which binds a sheet bundle inserted to the manual setting portion, a first driving portion, and a second driving portion; the first driving portion and the second driving portion being arranged respectively at the upper side and the lower side as sandwiching the manual setting portion. |
| US09340390B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A sheet processing apparatus includes a vertically movable tray that moves vertically in accordance with an amount of stacked folded sheets which are transported and stacked thereon, a plate that is disposed above the vertically movable tray and that does not move in accordance with transport of a folded sheet, a recognizing unit that recognizes a predetermined height state of a sheet stacked on the vertically movable tray, and a controller that controls the vertically movable tray so as to, in response to a recognition of the predetermined height state of the sheet by the recognizing unit, move the vertically movable tray upward, press the sheet stacked on the vertically movable tray against the plate, and subsequently move the vertically movable tray downward. |
| US09340385B2 |
Skew correction apparatus and image forming apparatus having a control unit to control rollers
A skew correction apparatus includes a first roller pair configured to nip a sheet to convey the sheet, a second roller pair provided upstream of the first roller pair and configured to nip the sheet and convey the sheet, a contact portion provided downstream of the first roller pair and configured to come in contact with a leading edge of the sheet conveyed with the first roller pair to correct a skew of the sheet, and a separation mechanism configured to set the second roller pair to a separated state before the skew of the sheet conveyed downstream with the first roller pair is corrected. |
| US09340382B2 |
Printing device with media path flushing
A method and article determine a greatest distance between adjacent sensors along the media path and command a flushing to advance media the determined greatest distance in the print engine and the peripheral device. |
| US09340376B2 |
Apparatus and system for transferring carts
In one embodiment, an apparatus for transferring carts may include a transfer surface, a loading station lift, a working station lift, and a controller. The transfer surface may include a loading station and a working station arranged laterally with respect to the loading station. The loading station lift may include loading station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the loading station lift. The working station lift may include working station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the working station lift. The controller that can actuate the loading station lift and the working station lift between a loading state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively low distance above the transfer surface and a transferring state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively high distance above the transfer surface. |
| US09340370B2 |
Deflection device for objects and a method for deflecting objects
A deflection device with an upstream conveyor transports objects on a first transport surface in a first direction of transport to a downstream conveyor which transports objects on a second transport surface in a second direction of transport. The first and the second direction of transport are aligned perpendicular to each other. The first and the second transport surface are substantially coplanar. A downstream assist conveyor, which transports objects on a third transport surface in the second direction of transport. The downstream assist conveyor is disposed alongside of the downstream conveyor and on one side towards the upstream conveyor. The second and the third transport surface are coplanar. Also, a method for deflecting objects using a deflection device. |
| US09340362B2 |
Conveyor with improved cleaning capabilities
A conveyor with enhanced cleanability includes a belt for conveying objects above a floor and having a forward run and a return run. A conveyor bed for supporting the belt provides an upper support for supporting the forward run of the belt and a lower support for supporting a return run of the belt. The upper support is adapted for moving toward and away from the lower support, including when the conveyor belt is sectioned into first and second portions corresponding to the forward run and the return run. A conveyor is also mounted in a cantilevered fashion, such as by embedding posts in a curable material forming a base for supporting the conveyor. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US09340358B2 |
Conveyor belt section
A conveyor belt section (10) capable of bending vertically and horizontally includes a base (12) and side walls (14, 16) extending anguiarly from opposing sides of the base (12) to form a channel (18), wherein the belt section (10) is corrugated with at least two alternating peaks (20) and troughs (22) extending continuously across the side walls (14, 16) and base (12). |
| US09340355B2 |
Storage and/or order collection system
Storage device for storing and/or retrieving articles from storage, includes a frame having a first series of mutually parallel elongated storage sections, preferably positioned in a column set-up, that extend between a first end and a second end of the frame; a number of holders for the articles; storage sections being provided with holder supports, wherein at the first and second ends of the frame, first and second platforms, respectively, have been arranged for accommodating at least one holder; and first movement elements for moving the platforms, from one storage section to another; second movement elements for horizontally moving at least one holder from the first platform at the first end of the frame to the holder supports of a selected storage section while moving one or more holders from the selected storage section to the second platform at the second end of the frame, and vice versa. |
| US09340353B2 |
Methods and systems to transfer proppant for fracking with reduced risk of production and release of silica dust at a well site
Embodiments of methods and systems of transferring proppant for fracking to reduce risk of production and release of silica dust at a well site are provided. An embodiment of a method can include positioning a plurality of containers each having proppant for fracking contained therein onto a conveyor at a well site, downwardly discharging proppant from each respective container of the plurality of containers, funneling proppant from the one or more outlets of each of the plurality of containers through a plurality of conveyor hoppers, receiving proppant onto the conveyor belt, conveying proppant on the conveyor to a chute, and depositing the proppant into the chute for use in a blender or other location at the well site. |
| US09340349B2 |
Standard footprint egg carton for holding up to jumbo size eggs
Plastic egg cartons having mating cell and lid posts for improved egg protection, and able to accommodate up to jumbo size eggs in a standard footprint. The carton has a base tray and hinged lid, the tray including a plurality of cells for receiving individual eggs, and the tray having a plurality of cell posts each formed at an intersection of four adjacent cells as an extension of the sidewalls of the four adjacent cells. Preferable, each cell post has four generally planar ramp surfaces, one disposed respectively on each of the four sidewall extensions. The lid has a plurality of lid posts for mating with the cell posts when the lid is in a closed position. |
| US09340348B2 |
Wardrobe box
The wardrobe box comprises a lid a bottom and side walls, comprising also a door at one of its side walls, wherein the lid comprises two hinged sectors engageable to each other. The sectors of the lid comprise preferably complementary flaps engageable to each other, and the door comprises a detachable closing element. This permits to use no additional closing element, such as e.g. adhesive tape, to close the lid and to keep the door closed. |
| US09340340B2 |
Selectable-length zip tie and tape
New fastening devices and techniques are provided. A new self-ratcheting cord is provided, with unlimited possible divisions and insertion points for self-threading and -ratcheting along its length. In some embodiments, the insertion points have ports through which an end of the cord can be threaded. Ridges perpendicular to the length of the cord line the exterior and have an appropriate size, shape and material permitting the cord to move in the direction of insertion through the ports, but limiting reversal. In some embodiments, ridges also line the inside of each port, parallel to the port, and perpendicular to a length of cord at points threaded through the port. In some embodiments, the ports themselves have an exterior shape to lock the cord. Some embodiments also have periodic scoring and other built-in devices to permit snapping the cord by hand at any desired length. |
| US09340338B1 |
Water pipe end cap
A water pipe end cap having a front end and a rear end. The front end has a tapered tip. A flattened head is disposed on the tapered tip. A tapered buttress is also disposed on the tapered tip. The rear end has an elongate cylindrical male piece, a rounded buttress, a tapered heel, and at least one rigidly flexible raised ridge. Each of the rounded buttress, the tapered heel, and the raised ridge are configured to frictionally engage the inner wall surface of the water pipe preventing the water pipe end cap from becoming disengaged. The tapered buttress snugly covers the terminal end of the water pipe preventing dirt and grit from entering. The tapered tip prevents the water pipe from snagging or getting stuck on ribbed conduits. An elongated cylindrical inner cavity is continuously disposed within each of the male piece, the tapered buttress, and the tapered tip. |
| US09340335B2 |
Closure assembly with valve and method for its manufacturing
A closure assembly for a container includes a closure cap having an open ended body with a peripheral wall and a top wall provided with a dispensing passage which is defined by a collar arranged to the top wall. A self-closing valve is arranged in the closure cap. The valve includes a slit central portion and a skirt extending downwardly from the central portion, which has an outwardly extending flange. The skirt is arranged in the collar and the flange is located below the collar and extends radially outwardly beyond it. On a lower surface of the top wall, a plurality of lips is formed outward from the collar. The lips are folded over the flange such that the latter is partly enveloped between the lips and the top wall so as to secure the valve in the closure cap. |
| US09340333B2 |
Lid with nose accommodation
Lids with nose accommodations configured to reduce the need for a consumer to tilt his or her head during consumption of a beverage. In one aspect, a lid assembly includes a pivotable flap that pivots relative to a lid (and beverage container) as the container is tilted toward the beverage consumer. The configuration of the lid is such that it creates a clearance for a consumer's nose, thus enabling the container to be tilted back further without impacting the consumer's nose. In another configuration, the pivotable flap is biased toward a closed position, but is easily displaced by the consumer's nose. In another lid configuration, a cavity is formed toward a rear portion and the lid is sized and shaped to accommodate a consumer's nose. Disposable lids are also provided, including a lid with an aperture toward the rear of the lid with a cover that may be peeled back or removed and a lid with a perforated floor that is configured to enable the consumer to create a flap and/or aperture toward the rear of the lid. |
| US09340332B2 |
Closure for container
A closure is provided for use in covering an opening in a container and engaging a peripheral rim defining the opening. The closure includes a body for covering the container opening and a plurality of projecting portions that extend from a periphery of the body. The projecting portions are spaced from one another around the periphery of the body, with each formed to surround a portion of the container rim. A ring is connected to the projecting portions and surrounds the container rim. A plurality of retaining fingers are provided, with each fingers spaced from one another and interleaved within the spacing between adjacent projecting portions. The fingers project inwardly from the ring and include a projected end for engagement with the container rim. The projected ends of the fingers include a varied or undulating surface. |
| US09340327B2 |
Cash bag lock
A combination operated lock for use with a security container that has a zippered closure operated by a pull tab movable between open and closed positions, with the lock being operable, when locked, to retain the pull tab in closed position until the lock is unlocked by setting a combination. The lock preferably has a housing connected to a flexible fabric wall of the security container, and dials that are turned to set a combination for unlocking the lock. In some embodiments, the lock cannot be unlocked unless and until a one-use seal is broken and removed from the housing to which the seal was attachable only after the lock was locked. |
| US09340321B2 |
Pump assembly storage box and work platform method and apparatus
A method of transporting fluid containing tanks and of off loading the fluid contents of the tanks. Providing a frame having a base with a floor, a front, a rear, and upper and lower end portions, the frame including a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base and including at least left and right side walls. Mounting a plurality of gates to the frame, each spanning between two corner columns, each gate being movable between open and closed positions, the open position of each gate providing an open doorway, the gates enabling a fork lift to place a selected one of the tanks on the floor by moving the selected load module laterally through a the open doorway. The floor having a plurality of load holding positions. Placing one or more tanks and a work platform on the floor, wherein the work platform has a work surface and a storage area, and a folding staircase that is movable between upper and lower positions, wherein in the lower position stairs are provided that enable a user to climb the stairs and occupy the platform work surface and wherein in the upper position the stairs are positioned above the work surface. The gates enabling removal of any one of the tanks or the work platform laterally when a gate is opened and without removing any other tank. Transporting the frame from a beginning location to an ending location, and wherein the work platform remains on the frame. |
| US09340320B2 |
Plastic pallet with single layer top deck having inserts therein and related methods
A pallet includes a cargo layer, a base layer and support structures coupled between. The cargo layer includes a pair of horizontally positioned outer plastic deck boards and at least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board therebetween. The at least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board has opposing sidewalls, and a spaced apart openings at least partially extending through the opposing sidewalls. The pair of horizontally positioned outer plastic deck boards have opposing sidewalls, and spaced apart openings extending through at least one of the sidewalls of each outer plastic deck board. The spaced apart openings in each horizontally positioned outer plastic deck board are aligned with the spaced apart openings in an adjacent sidewall of least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board. Inserts are in the spaced apart openings. |
| US09340319B2 |
Cargo pallet and method of manufacture thereof
A reinforced composite material cargo pallet including a core reinforced with two fused opposed layers of thermoplastic material and two opposed layers of aluminum is provided. The core, the layers of thermoplastic material and the two opposed layers of aluminum can be sized and designed to fit into a recess portion defined in the frame. |
| US09340317B2 |
Recyclable container blank and method of forming a shipping pack having articles secured therein
A container blank (1) of the RSC type having a material web (2) attached thereto to retain an article within a container formed from the blank (1). The web material (2) is selected from one or more materials having substantially identical recycling characteristics to the material from which the blank (1) is formed. The web material is coated in a cohesive film and can be stacked and handled without tack. |
| US09340307B2 |
Stable laquinimod preparations
The subject invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising N-ethyl-N-phenyl-1,2,-dihydro-4-hydroxy-5-chloro-1-methyl-2-oxoquinoline-3-carboxamide or the salt thereof; a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and not more than 0.5% w/w relative to N-ethyl-N-phenyl-1,2,-dihydro-4-hydroxy-5-chloro-1-methyl-2-oxoquinoline-3-carboxamide of 2-Chloro-6-(1-ethyl-N-methyl-2-oxoindoline-3-carboxamido)benzoic acid, 1H,3H-spiro[5-chloro-1-methylquinoline-2,4-dione-3,3′-[1]ethylindolin-[2]-one], or 5-Chloro-N-ethyl-3-hydroxy-1-methyl-2,4-dioxo-N-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinoline-3-carboxamide. |
| US09340306B2 |
Viscous-material filling apparatus
An apparatus for filling a syringe by transferring a viscous material from a container into the syringe includes a container having an interior that holds the viscous material and a plunger that expels the viscous material from the container. A syringe is connected to the container for receiving the viscous material at an entrance opening. The syringe includes a plug that separates the syringe into first and second sub-chambers and a rod contacting the plug and applying a force in the direction of the entrance opening. An assisting device assists in moving the rod away from the entrance opening as the first subchamber fills with the viscous material. |
| US09340305B2 |
Dispensing device for a flowable product
A dispensing device for a flowable, in particular powdery product, includes at least one screw conveyor discharging the product, a drive for rotating the screw conveyor about its longitudinal axis, and a forming tube for guiding a tubular film. The screw conveyor protrudes with its longitudinal axis into the forming tube, wherein at least one screw guide, in which the screw conveyor is guided transversally to its longitudinal axis, is formed by the inner wall of at least one cylindrical recess in the forming tube. |
| US09340302B2 |
Aircraft grounding system
Liquid dispensing assemblies including adhesive anchoring assemblies configured to adhere to a support surface external to a device such as a vehicle. An air vehicle includes (a) a fluid adhesive container assembly detachably attached to the air vehicle, wherein the fluid adhesive container assembly comprises: (i) an adhesive container comprising fluid adhesive; and (ii) one or more fibers, wherein the one or more fibers are configured, or a brush of fibers, or a fabric of fibers, is configured to conduct the fluid adhesive and to structurally support an adhesive bond between the one or more fibers and a surface; and (b) means for dispensing the fluid adhesive from the fluid adhesive container, to the one or more fibers. |
| US09340299B2 |
Long range electric aircraft and method of operating same
Electric aircraft, including in-flight rechargeable electric aircraft, and methods of operating electric aircraft, including methods for recharging electric aircraft in-flight, through the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying independent of and in proximity to the electric aircraft. The electric aircraft and methods of operating and recharging same may involve establishing, in-flight, an electrical connection between the aircraft and the UAV flying in proximity to the aircraft and transferring electricity from an electricity source associated with the UAV to the aircraft through the electrical connection. |
| US09340298B1 |
Aircraft refueling safety system
A system ensures the correct type of fuel is dispensed in an aircraft while removing the introduction of human error in the refueling process. The system includes an RFID tag disposed at one or more aircraft that electronically stores data such as engine type, engine hours, fuel type, tail number, and pilot/subscriber data for the aircraft on which the RFID tag is disposed. An RFID reader is disposed at or near a fuel dispensing mechanism, such as a fuel truck or tank. A signal indicative of fuel type is emitted from the RFID tag to the RFID reader. RFID tags on aircraft that are enrolled in the system's subscription service enable aircraft to be recognized by a module operating the fuel dispensing mechanism. Based on a comparison performed by the module, authorization to begin fueling is either permitted or declined. |
| US09340295B2 |
Inlet duct screen assembly
An example inlet duct screen assembly includes a grid portion including a plurality of apertures and a frame portion circumscribing the grid portion. The grid portion and the frame portion are formed from a single sheet of material. |
| US09340294B1 |
Aircraft cabin egress
A system and method for exiting a crew rest area located in an overhead area in an aircraft. An opening in the crew rest area is located in an overhead area in the aircraft. An egress apparatus is configured to move between a closed state and an open state. The egress apparatus is configured to direct a person moving on the egress apparatus from the opening to a passenger cabin in the aircraft when the egress apparatus is in the open state. |
| US09340292B2 |
Carry-on passenger seat
A carry-on passenger seat adapted to mount upon a support pedestal in an aircraft, the seat including a seatback pivotably connected to a seat bottom such that the seatback is configured to fold against the seat bottom, and an elongate slot formed in an underside of the seat bottom, an elongate member of the support pedestal adapted to be received through the elongate slot and rotated relative thereto to prevent the seat bottom from being pulled apart from the support pedestal. |
| US09340281B2 |
Submerged vortex generator
A vortex generator may include a depression in an aerodynamic surface, and a vortex generator leading edge located in the depression. The vortex generator leading edge may include a leading edge upper surface. The leading edge upper surface may be positioned at or below a tangent line defined at a location along the aerodynamic surface upstream of the depression relative to an oncoming local flow. |
| US09340280B2 |
Flight control using distributed micro-thrusters
A method and apparatus to control movement of a vehicle using a plurality of thrust-producing devices formed in at least one control surface is disclosed. A supply of power to the plurality of thrust-producing devices that are configured to propel gas through the control surface to produce thrust is controlled such that a physical displacement of the control surface is generated. The physical displacement is in accordance with the supply of power to the plurality of thrust-producing devices and controls the movement of the vehicle. |
| US09340279B2 |
Fluid transfer chamber for aircraft fluid transmission lines
One example of an aircraft fuel transfer chamber includes a chamber housing including a first sub-chamber defining a first inlet to be connected to an outer tube of a first aircraft fuel line assembly. The first sub-chamber receives fuel leaked into the outer tube of the first aircraft fuel line assembly from an inner tube of the first aircraft fuel line assembly. The chamber housing also includes a second sub-chamber connected to the first sub-chamber, the second sub-chamber defining a second inlet to be connected to an outer tube of a second aircraft fuel line assembly. The second sub-chamber receives fuel leaked into the outer tube of the second aircraft fuel line assembly from an inner tube of the second aircraft fuel line assembly. The chamber housing defines an outlet connected to the first inlet and the second inlet to transfer leaked fuel toward a drain of the aircraft. |
| US09340278B2 |
Flight control system
A system and method for a controlling an aircraft with flight control surfaces that are controlled both manually and by a computing device is disclosed. The present invention improves overall flight control operation by reducing the mechanical flight control surface components while providing sufficient back-up control capability in the event of either a mechanical or power-related failure. Through the present invention, natural feedback is provided to the operator from the mechanical flight control surface which operates independent of computer-aided flight control surfaces. Further, through the present invention, force input signals received from the pilot are filtered to improve the operation of the computer-aided flight control surfaces. |
| US09340277B2 |
Airfoils for use in rotary machines
An airfoil section of a propeller for a propulsion device includes a pressure surface and a suction surface, the pressure surface and suction surface intersecting at a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil section has a meanline defined midway between the pressure surface and the suction surface and a meanline angle is defined as an angle between a tangent to the meanline and a centerline of the propeller. The blade has a meanline curvature defined as the slope of a meanline angle with respect to chord fraction along the meanline, and at least a portion of the meanline has a meanline curvature that increases from between approximately 0.1 chord fraction progressing toward the leading edge and at least a portion of the meanline has a meanline curvature that decreases from between approximately 0.1 chord fraction progressing toward the leading edge. |
| US09340274B2 |
Impact protection plate for vehicles
An impact protection plate is provided for mounting on the structure of an aircraft. The impact protection plate includes a first layer, close to the aircraft, made of a fiber-reinforced plastic having a wave-shaped pattern of alternating elevations and depressions, the transverse tensile strength of the fiber-reinforced plastic being greater than 50 MPa. The impact protection plate includes a second layer situated on the first layer, remote from the aircraft, and is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic, the elongation at break of the reinforcement fibers being greater than 3%. |
| US09340272B1 |
Altitude control via adjustment to mass of air in bladder within lift-gas filled envelope
This disclosure relates to the use of a method for adjusting an altitude of variable-buoyancy vehicle, such as an aerostatic balloon. The method includes determining a target mass for a variable-buoyancy vehicle, where the target mass is based on a target altitude for the variable-buoyancy vehicle. Additionally, the method includes adding a first mass to the variable-buoyancy vehicle. The mass added is less than a difference between the target mass and a current mass. The method also includes adding a second mass to the variable-buoyancy vehicle in response to a decrease in an internal pressure of the variable-buoyancy vehicle caused by adding the first mass. Further, adding the second mass makes a current mass of the variable-buoyancy vehicle approximately equal to the target mass. |
| US09340270B2 |
Nautical automatic steering device, automatic steering method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing automatic steering program
There is provided an automatic steering device with which a heading can be stably controlled even under powerful disturbance. The control computer 8 outputs an ordered rudder angle calculated based on the drift angle and the turning angular velocity. The angular velocity inversion timing acquisition component 21 acquires a timing at which the turning angular velocity changes from a direction in which a divergence of the drift angle from zero increases to a direction in which the divergence decreases. The steering stop command component 22 orders a steering stop based on the above-mentioned timing. The steering gear controller 10 controls a steering gear such that it changes a rudder angle of the steering gear based on the ordered rudder angle, and such that it does not change the rudder angle while a command of the steering stop has been received. |
| US09340268B2 |
Floor device capable of up-down movement for vessels
Provided is a floor apparatus which is vertically movable with a thruster canister within a vertical trunk of a hull. The floor apparatus includes a floor frame which is installed in an upper space of a vertical trunk of a ship, that is, a space above a thruster canister. The floor frame is installed to be vertically movable along the vertical trunk. The side of the floor frame is installed to be vertically movable while being guided along the sidewall of the vertical trunk. In particular, at least one pair of guide frames which guide the side of the floor frame are symmetrically installed on the sidewall of the vertical trunk. |
| US09340265B2 |
Arrangement of floating platforms
An arrangement of floating platforms is provided, including (a) an anchored main platform and (b) one or more outer platforms, each of which being connected to the main platform by at least one connection element. One or more of the main and/or outer platforms are rotatable about a vertical axis by drive units which are fixed thereon. Marine engines having a propeller propulsion system are provided as drive units on the main platform and/or the outer platforms. |
| US09340259B2 |
Semi-submersible floating structure for vortex-induced motion performance
The disclosure provides a semi-submersible offshore platform with columns having an enlarged base on the bottom of each column with pontoons coupled between the columns. The enlarged column base can be at least as high as a height of the pontoon and on at least embodiment can be about 50% of the draft of the platform. The enlarged base can change a current flow shape around the base and columns for lower VIM. An outside corner of the base can be trimmed at an angle. Alternatively, the lower portions of the columns can be extended horizontally outward to form an effectively enlarged base having similar characteristics. In some embodiments, the pontoon volume can be reduced inversely proportional to the base enlargement to have comparable total buoyancy. |
| US09340257B2 |
Trim stabilizer device having adjustable foil for speed boats
A trim stabilizer device to be communicated with a transom of a motor boat includes a foil tiltable around its transversal axis and the foil is structurally independent from the transom. An actuator communicates with the foil for tilting. A slide mechanism communicates with the actuator for making a translatory motion thereof relative to the transom. A disc having at least one guide groove guides the slide member; and a connecting member connects the trim stabilizer device to the transom, the connecting member communicates with the disc. |
| US09340255B2 |
Adjustable shoe mounting structure for bicycle brake device
An adjustable shoe mounting structure for bicycle brake device is disclosed. Users may use the first adjusting member of the adjusting assembly to be turned relative to the second adjusting member of the adjusting assembly. That is, the first adjusting member may be pulled inwardly to turn an angle. The first adjusting member uses the elasticity of the spring to move axially and the brake shoe may be adjusted the angle by matching convex teeth with different heights of the first adjusting member and the second adjusting member. It may achieve the efficiency of adjusting brake shoe. Also, it has simple structure and is easy to operate while adjusting. |
| US09340251B2 |
Bicycle wheel axle
An apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical and hollow main body having an open end and a closed end and a bayonet component extending therein. The bayonet component has a shaft at least partially enclosed within the main body and a pair of opposing protrusions extending radially outside of the main body proximate to a first end of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a lever rotatably coupled to the main body proximate to the open end thereof, and the lever includes a locking recess selectively aligned with the open end of the main body. The apparatus also includes a resilient member enclosed within the main body between the closed end thereof and the first end of the shaft of the bayonet component, and the resilient member biases the bayonet component toward the lever. The bayonet component engages the locking recess to inhibit rotation of the lever relative to the main body. |
| US09340248B2 |
Mechanical restraint for securing motorcycle rider footwear to footpeg
A restraint is configured to restrain a rider's footwear to a motorcycle footpeg along at least a nearly vertical first axis. The footpeg extends away from the motorcycle along a second axis. The restraint is based upon a combination of a hook and a clasp. The restraint can be engaged by linearly moving the footwear alternatively along either of two axes including the first axis, and a third axis that is mutually perpendicular to the first and second axes. The restraint may also be disengaged by linearly moving the footwear along the third axis. The third axis generally passes from the heel to toe of the footwear. Moving the footwear in a backward direction (toe to heel direction) engages the restraint; moving the footwear in a forward direction (heel to toe direction) disengages the restraint. |
| US09340245B2 |
Free-standing storage rack for one or more bicycles
The present disclosure provides an aesthetically pleasing, functional, versatile solution to the problems associated with bicycle storage. The free-standing bicycle rack includes a base having at least two legs, a vertical support member projecting from the base, and a hook attached to the vertical support member for holding the wheel of a bicycle, such that the bicycle is stored in a vertical orientation. The bicycle rack is readily expandable to accommodate different numbers of bicycles, and the hook may be repositioned to different heights to accommodate bicycles of different sizes. |
| US09340243B2 |
Modular structure and method of creating modular structures
A modular structure and method of creating a modular structure where the structure has a cover made from a corrugated, lightweight material, at least one end wall and at least one corner connection means where the cover has at least one channel cut therein and where the end wall is inserted into the channel so that the cover wraps around the end wall to form a structure, and where at least one corner connection means connects and secures the cover to the end wall. |
| US09340239B2 |
Passenger service vehicle
There is disclosed a passenger service vehicle having an upper deck (100) and a lower deck (110), and a passenger staircase (400) extending between the upper deck and the lower deck. The staircase is positioned internal to the vehicle. In some examples, the staircase has at least an upper stair portion and a secondary stair portion, where the upper stair portion is connected to the upper deck and comprises at least one tread, and further connected to the secondary stair portion via an intermediate landing (420, 440), whereby the secondary stair portion extends parallel with respect to the length of the upper deck, and the upper stair portion extends transversely, and in some cases perpendicularly, with respect to the secondary stair portion. In some examples, the staircase comprises a lower stair portion. One embodiment envisages a U-shaped staircase. In some further examples, the staircase is described together with a fuel tank configuration. |
| US09340237B2 |
Frame structure of vehicle
A frame structure of a vehicle of the present invention has: a frame member that structures a frame of a vehicle; and a reinforcing member that is made of a fiber reinforced resin. The frame member is formed in a closed cross-sectional shape by a plurality of wall portions, and the frame member includes opening portions in at least one of the wall portion among the plurality of wall portions. The reinforcing member is disposed along the wall portions that have the opening portions, the reinforcing member includes engaging portions having inserted-through portions that are inserted-through the opening portions and lock portions whose surface area is larger than the opening portions, and the engaging portions are integrally formed by the inserted-through portions and the lock portions. |
| US09340231B1 |
Energy-absorbing apparatus
In one example, an apparatus includes a casing configured to be coupled to a frame of a vehicle at a first end of the casing. The casing comprises friable foam having a first stiffness. The apparatus further includes a void within the casing defined by (i) an inner wall of the casing and (ii) an opening at a second end of the casing. The apparatus further includes an insert positioned within the void, the insert comprising a material having a second stiffness that is different from the first stiffness. |
| US09340229B2 |
Cradle assembly for a vehicle
A sub-frame assembly for attachment to a unibody of a vehicle and for supporting at least one vehicular component is provided. The sub-frame assembly includes a pair of longitudinal members which are spaced from one another in a lateral direction and extend in a longitudinal direction between first and second ends. The longitudinal members at least partially converge towards one another from the first ends to the second ends such that the second ends are closer to one another than the first ends. A cross-member is coupled with and extends laterally between the longitudinal members. Each of the longitudinal members and the cross-member has a single and no more than one body mount for connection with the unibody of the vehicle such that the sub-frame assembly has exactly three body mounts in total. |
| US09340226B2 |
Steering apparatus
A steering wheel is coupled to a steering gear via a steering shaft, an intermediate shaft, a clutch input shaft and a clutch output shaft. When viewed in a vehicle transverse direction, a tilt angle α of the clutch input shaft relative to the horizontal plane is set to be smaller than a tilt angle β of the intermediate shaft relative to the horizontal plane. A steering column is supported by a vehicle body via a tilt pivot for adjusting a tilt position. Even when the steering column is located at any tilt position, the relationship of α<β is set to be maintained when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction. The center position of a universal joint between the steering shaft and the intermediate shaft is misaligned with the center position of the tilt pivot when viewed in the vehicle transverse direction. |
| US09340224B2 |
Mobile cooler with sled or ski attachment
Disclosed is a cooler that is adapted for use on various terrain. The cooler includes an insulated body having an inner compartment defined by a bottom wall having side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and a lid hingedly attached at the open upper portion of the body. The body further includes a bottom portion having a pair of rear wheels. In one embodiment, the device includes a sled arrangement. In another embodiment, the device includes a ski arrangement. The ski arrangement includes a pair of skis that may be removably attached to the bottom of the cooler. The sled or ski arrangement of the present invention are preferably attached to the bottom portion of the body, and in front of the rear wheels. In this way, the present invention provides a convenient way to transport a cooler to different locations by preventing the rear wheels from getting stuck on various terrain. |
| US09340222B2 |
Castor assembly for modular dolly and kit
A castor assembly structured for use in combination with or independently of a dolly assembly or other support platform, which may include substantially equivalently structured struts, wherein the castor assembly includes a one piece base comprising a housing and a head integrally connected to the housing and extending radially outward from one end thereof. The housing includes an open interior and a open end structured to movably retain a surface engaging roller ball therein. A retaining portion may be formed on said base in cooperative relation with said head so as to secure a support platform to the base when in a first operative position. A second operative position comprises said head disposed in engagable and at least partially supporting relation to an object while the base is not secured to or used in combination with a dolly or other support platform. |
| US09340221B1 |
Hand truck
A hand truck includes a support base, a plurality of wheels connected rotatably to the support base, a handle unit connected to the support base, and a fork unit. The support base has a pair of holding portions and a recess portion disposed between the holding portions. The fork unit has a pivoting portion connected pivotally to the support base, an inserting portion opposite to the pivoting portion, and a connecting portion interconnecting the pivoting portion and the inserting portion. The fork unit is pivotable between a retracted position, where the inserting portion and the connecting portion are adjacent to the support base, and a projected position, where the inserting portion and the connecting portion are away from the support base. |
| US09340220B2 |
Systems and methods for management of crossings near stations
A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle that travels along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module that is configured to impede travel of a second vehicle through the crossing, and to identify an upcoming stop at a station within a range of a track detection system associated with the remote crossing module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the determination module to the remote crossing module, and to transmit an inhibit request message to the remote crossing module. The inhibit request message is configured to prevent the remote crossing module from activating a warning when the first vehicle is stopped at the station. |
| US09340219B2 |
Wayside measurement of railcar wheel to rail geometry
Considerable damage to rails, wheels, and trucks can result from geometric anomalies in the wheelsets, rails, and truck hardware. A solution for identifying and quantifying geometric anomalies known to influence the service life of the rolling stock or the ride comfort for the case of passenger service is described. The solution comprises an optical system, which can be configured to accurately perform measurements at mainline speeds (e.g., greater than 100 mph). The optical system includes laser line projectors and imaging cameras and can utilize structured light triangulation. |
| US09340215B2 |
Door opening and closing apparatus
A door opening and closing apparatus including a lock mechanism that is configured to hold the door in a fully closed state, and that has an engaging member which engages with a lock member provided in the door when in the fully closed state. A link mechanism having a plurality of link members is configured to be able to undergo deformation into a linear state and a bent state, and restricts rotation of the engaging member by being brought into the linear state. In the link mechanism, a first face is pressed by a projecting shaft moved by the actuator in order that the link mechanism changes from the linear state to the bent state, and a second face is pressed by the projecting shaft in order that the link mechanism changes from the bent state to the linear state. |
| US09340214B2 |
System for remotely controlling a machine
A system for remotely controlling a machine includes a remote input device, a transmitter remote from the machine, and a receiver at the machine. A controller is configured to store a desired communications threshold, receive input commands from the remote input device, generate a plurality of remote control input signals based upon the input commands, and transmit the plurality of remote control input signals at a location remote from the machine. The controller is further configured to receive at least some of the plurality of remote control input signals at the machine, determine a communications parameter based upon at least one of the plurality of remote control input signals, compare the communications parameter to the desired communications threshold, and generate a command to stop the machine if the communications parameter is outside the desired communications threshold. |
| US09340213B2 |
Vehicle with a safety system involving prediction of driver tiredness
A vehicle (2) has a tachograph (4) which generates a tachograph signal (6) containing information about current clock time and the times of the vehicle's movements, a driver's report input unit (8) generates a signal (10) containing information about driving and rest times for the driver, including monitoring (12) of driver activity which generates an alertness signal (14) containing information about the driver's activity in the vehicle. A safety system (18) has a control unit (20) and an alertness modelling unit (22) which calculates a current and a predicted tiredness values (KSS) for the driver based on the tachograph signal (6) and/or the driver's report signal (10). The tiredness values are conveyed to a control unit which determines control signals (24) for the vehicle's driver support systems. |
| US09340212B2 |
System and method for estimating road grade based on an output of a longitudinal acceleration sensor in a vehicle
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a longitudinal acceleration estimation module, a vehicle longitudinal acceleration sensor, a road grade estimation module, and an actuator control module. The longitudinal acceleration estimation module estimates a longitudinal acceleration of a vehicle based on at least one of a transmission output speed and a wheel speed. The vehicle longitudinal acceleration sensor measures the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. The road grade estimation module estimates a grade of a road on which the vehicle is traveling based on the estimated longitudinal acceleration and the measured longitudinal acceleration. The actuator control module controls an actuator of the vehicle based on the estimated road grade. |
| US09340209B2 |
High-voltage system control device for vehicle
A high-voltage system control device is used for a vehicle provided with a high-voltage system including a motor as a power source and a battery to supply electric power to the motor. The device includes: an inter-vehicle distance detection unit to detect an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and an target such as a preceding vehicle; an automatic brake to automatically brake the vehicle according to the inter-vehicle distance; and a cut-off control unit to cut off the high-voltage system when the automatic brake is activated. When the vehicle is traveling at a high vehicle speed and the automatic brake is activated, the high-voltage system is cut off with a main relay. |
| US09340199B1 |
Method of braking in hybrid vehicle
A method of operating a hybrid electric vehicle coordinates operation of an internal combustion engine, a motor, and friction brakes to mitigate a driveline lash crossing without delaying generation of negative torque. In response to a request to transition from positive torque to negative torque, the engine and motor are controlled to rapidly reduce powertrain torque to a small positive value, slowly reduce powertrain torque through the driveline lash zone, and then rapidly reduce powertrain torque to the target. To avoid delay, the friction brakes are applied in a coordinated manner to supply the negative torque during the transition. |
| US09340198B2 |
Drive control device of hybrid vehicle
A drive control device of a hybrid vehicle including a motor torque instruction value calculator, an electric power loss predictor, an electric power upper limit/lower limit value calculator, and a target electric power calculator are arranged, and the motor torque instruction value calculator calculates torque instruction values of a plurality of motor generators using a torque balance equation including target engine torque required at a target engine operating point and an electric power balance equation including target electric power. |
| US09340196B2 |
Coasting downshift control device for automatic transmission
Under a specified condition where a torque converter is kept in a lockup state to prolong the fuel-cutoff time, because of vehicle coasting with an accelerator opening APO=0, a downshift command is generated and then an automatic transmission causes a reengagement downshift by a drop in a release-side clutch hydraulic pressure Poff and a rise in an engagement-side clutch hydraulic pressure Pon. During the reengagement downshift, the engagement-side clutch hydraulic pressure Pon is reduced from a high lockup-ON hydraulic pressure to a low lockup-OFF hydraulic pressure after the time when the lockup is predicted to be released, thus preventing a torque drawing-in tendency of transmission output torque, which may occur at the time of the beginning of the inertia phase, from increasing, and also reducing in the width of a subsequent change in vehicle deceleration G, and consequently enhancing the shift quality. |
| US09340195B2 |
System, method, and computer readable media for adaptively determining a brake application level for signaling a remote locomotive of a train during a communication loss
In a railroad train having a brake system including a fluid carrying brake pipe (14) having an exhaust (52) and connecting a lead locomotive (12) and at least one remote locomotive, the train further comprising a communication system (24) for communicating between the lead locomotive and the remote locomotive, a method for adaptively determining a brake application for signaling a remote locomotive of a train during a communication loss includes determining a brake system operating condition of the train (72). The method also includes determining an operability condition of the communication system (74) and identifying an operator commanded brake application level at the lead locomotive during a communication system inoperability condition (76). The method further includes determining a signaling brake application level sufficient for signaling the remote locomotive via the brake pipe responsive to the monitored brake system operating condition (78). |
| US09340190B2 |
Disk brake with a parking brake, mechanical thrust assembly, and method of assembling
An arrangement contains a brake piston for operating at least one disk brake pad and a nut-and-screw unit for producing an axial thrust, from the rear to the front, of the piston containing a nut arranged in the piston's interior, and secured thereto to prevent rotation, and mounted therein to slide axially, whose front axial end face interacts with an internal section facing the piston's front wall to push the piston axially towards the front when the screw is rotatably driven in the unscrewing direction, and the screw containing a front section screwed into the nut, an intermediate radial flange and a rear section, wherein the piston screw contain centering elements that interact with one another when the screw is in a predetermined front axial mounting position in relation to the piston in order to center the rear section of the screw radially in relation to the piston. |
| US09340187B2 |
Method for operating a brake device of a vehicle with a brake pressure difference on an axle adapted as a function of a steer input
A method, and related device, for operating a brake device of a vehicle with brake slip regulation (ABS) on roadways with different friction coefficients on different sides, as a result of which a braking yaw moment is imparted to the vehicle during braking, characterized in that, on at least one axle of the vehicle, an absolute brake pressure difference between the brake pressure at the wheel with the higher friction coefficient and the brake pressure at the wheel with the lower friction coefficient is adapted as a function of a steer input, intended to produce a yaw moment acting counter to the braking yaw moment, by the driver and/or by an automatically intervening auxiliary steering system. |
| US09340184B1 |
Motorized car wash device
A motorized car wash device having a hand held washer with a telescopic handle for reaching up to ten feet, as well as a sealed control tube featuring a plurality of control buttons. The tube is connected to a head by a double ear axle joint. The head includes a soap reservoir. A soap pump and soap jets are disposed on a bottom side of the head. Variable speed choices are available for multi-speed motorized direct drive of a receiver selectively holding a plurality of spinning brushes and pads. Pivoting lights provide use of the device in low light conditions. Each of the pump, the jets, the multi-speed motor and the lights in operational communication with the control buttons and batteries. |
| US09340183B2 |
Support device and assembly for a windscreen-wiper blade
The invention relates to a support device for a windscreen-wiper blade comprising a wiping strip (3) and a structure element (8), the device having an open section (5a) designed for receiving the wiping strip (3) of the windscreen-wiper blade (2), to allow it to be held substantially flat.According to the invention, the support device (1) comprises, means (7) for positioning the windscreen-wiper blade (2) in the support device (1), means (6) for attaching the windscreen-wiper blade (2) in the support device (1), said attachment means being in the form of at least one attachment point (6a) acting on the structure element (8) of the windscreen-wiper blade (2). The invention also relates to a support assembly for windscreen-wiper blades comprising two support devices, a packaging integrating a support device or assembly and a method of mounting a windscreen-wiper blade in a support device. |
| US09340181B2 |
Belt member and seatbelt apparatus including the belt member
A belt member includes: a strip member having an elongate shape; a fastener disposed along the longitudinal direction of the strip member; and an opening-closing device that opens or closes the fastener. For reducing a contact pressure of the belt member per unit area, the fastener is opened by the opening-closing device to unfold the belt member into a form of a wide strip so that the width of the belt member is increased. On the other hand, when the fastener is closed by the opening-closing device, the belt member takes a form of a narrow tube so that the width of the belt member is reduced. |
| US09340179B2 |
Active hood apparatus for vehicle
An active hood apparatus for a vehicle may include a vehicle body bracket including a guide slot formed upwardly, an operation pin having one end configured to be inserted and slid into the guide slot and the other end connected to a hood by a link, an operation link pivotally coupled to the vehicle body bracket by a hinge pin and having one end configured for contacting the one end of the operation pin to slide the one end of the operation pin upwardly along the guide slot simultaneously with moving the operation pin in a length direction of one end at the time of being rotated, and an inflator rotating the operation link at the time of applying an operation signal thereto. |
| US09340175B2 |
Side airbag, airbag apparatus, method of making side airbag
A side airbag includes a panel having a first left face and a first right face and folded along a fold line to form a chamber, another panel having a second left face and a second right face and folded to form a chamber, wherein the second left face has a left edge part joined to the first left face along a line from an upper edge part to a lower edge part of the first left face at a position closer to the fold line than to a left edge part of the first left face, and the second right face has a right edge part joined to the first right face along a line from an upper edge part to a lower edge part of the first right face at a position closer to the fold line than to a right edge part of the first right face. |
| US09340167B2 |
Interior trim part and exterior facing part of a vehicle having an ultrasonic sensor
The invention relates to an interior trim part of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a composite having a carrier (30) and a decorative element (10) on one side of the carrier, the decorative element comprising a viewing side (11) visible to an observer from the interior (100) of the vehicle comprising a substantially continuously closed surface at least in a partial region (B1), characterized in that the composite is thinner within the partial region (B1) facing away from the viewing side perpendicular to the viewing side, and is capable of ultrasonic vibration in the thinned region (B1), and by an ultrasonic sensor having an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is connected to the side of the composite facing away from the viewing side (11) over the entire surface of the thinned area (B1). |
| US09340165B2 |
Collapsible bicycle rack with an extension set
The invention relates to a foldable bicycle carrier (1) which serves for the transport of one or several bicycles, with an extension set (11), in which the bicycle carrier (1) presents bicycle-carrier-fixed positioning areas (8) for running wheels of the bicycles, and each time two positioning areas (8a 8b, 8b or 8c, 8d) are assigned to a bicycle, wherein the positioning areas (8) of the bicycle carrier (1) for folding are pivotable around at least one pivoting axis (ST), and the extension set (11) is detachably applied at the bicycle carrier (1) and presents a first positioning area (18a) and a second positioning area (18b) separated from the first positioning area (18a), which are assigned to the running wheels of a further bicycle, and the two parts of the extension set (11) comprising the positioning areas (18a; 18b) are applied at the collapsible area of the bicycle carrier (1) detachably and pivotably forwards and backwards in direction of the bicycle-carrier-fixed positioning areas (8), in which the bicycle carrier (1) is collapsible together with the mounted, pivoted forwards extension set (11), wherein the pivotable bearing of the two parts of the extension set (11) each time presents a first bearing place (L1) and a second bearing place (L2), in which an element pivotably supported in both bearings (L1, L2) depending on relative position makes possible tensioning the corresponding part of the extension set (11) with the bicycle carrier (1) in the pivoted forwards position, as well as tensioning the corresponding part of the extension set (11) with the bicycle carrier (1) in the pivoted back position as well as a pivoting the corresponding part of the extension set (11) as to the load carrier (1), the bearings (L1, L2) being off-center towards each other. |
| US09340164B2 |
Dashboard handgun holster
A holster for securing a handgun to the dashboard of a car is provided. The handgun holster is adjustably attached to the lower portion of the dashboard, typically below the steering wheel. |
| US09340162B2 |
Seat cushion assembly
A vehicle seating assembly having a seat back including a polymeric body portion defining a support frame having a plurality of forwardly extending connection pins disposed about a periphery of a forward surface of the support frame. A flexible comfort carrier is disposed over a front surface of the polymeric body portion and includes a multitude of openings defining a support matrix configured to support the weight of a passenger. The body portion includes a plurality of slots configured to receive and engage the plurality of forwardly extending connection pins. A cushion layer extends over the flexible comfort carrier. A head restraint extends upwardly from the forward support frame. |
| US09340157B2 |
Automotive mirror adjustment system
Systems for optimizing adjustment of automotive side-view mirror assemblies are provided that aid in adjusting the side-view mirrors to reduce blind areas. In general, examples of the systems for optimizing adjustment of automotive side-view mirror assemblies described herein are located on the mirror and the housing. Embodiments of the system generally include a mirror having surface indicia marking a target zone, a housing attached to a vehicle, the housing supporting the mirror; and an alignment guide viewable in the mirror integrated into or attached to the housing. When the alignment guide is visible in the target zone of the mirror, the mirror is optimally adjusted, reducing or eliminating the blind areas normally caused by misadjustment of the side-view mirrors. |
| US09340152B2 |
Photoluminescent scuff plate and grab handle
A lighting system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes at least one light source configured to output a first light at a first wavelength. The system also includes a first photoluminescent material coupled to a first doorway structure, wherein the first photoluminescent material is configured to convert the first light into a second light characterized by a second wavelength. |
| US09340151B2 |
Optical coupler for vehicle lighting systems
An optical coupler for a vehicle lighting system includes a housing having first and second openings, each opening having an optical axis passing through the opening into the housing, with the optical axes of the openings forming an obtuse angle. The optical coupler has one or more optics carried by the housing and arranged between the openings such that light entering the first opening along its optical axis passes through the one or more optics and exits through the second opening along the other optical axis. The optic(s) may include a first Fresnellian surface adjacent the first opening and a second Fresnellian surface adjacent the second opening such that light passing through the optical coupler from the first opening to the second opening passes through both Fresnellian surfaces and is redirected from the optical axis of the first opening to the optical axis of the second opening. |
| US09340150B2 |
Articulated machine proximity system
In one embodiment, a towed implement proximity system, the system comprising: a first device comprising a transceiver, the first device configured to: transmit a signal; receive a first signal at a first angle and a second signal at a second angle responsive to the transmitted signal, the first and second signals comprising first information and second information, respectively, the first and second information each corresponding to respective positional information; and a controller coupled to the first device, the controller configured to determine a relative position in three axes between a first machine and a second machine based on the first and second information. |
| US09340148B2 |
Method and control unit for distance-dependent adjustment of the illumination range of a lighting system for a vehicle
A method for increasing the illumination range of a vehicle, having a step of receiving high beam activation information via an interface, the high beam activation information indicating an option for the glare-free operation of the high beam. The method also includes a step of ascertaining a distance covered by the vehicle in response to receiving the high beam activation information, and a step of providing range-increasing information for increasing the illumination range when the covered distance after receiving the high beam activation information is greater than a predetermined minimum distance, and/or a step of providing at least one value of the increase in the illumination range (illumination range-increasing value) as a function of the distance covered. |
| US09340143B2 |
Adjustable cargo track system on side panel
A cargo retention apparatus for a vehicle includes a vehicle panel defining an interior, an exterior, and an elongate slot open between the interior and exterior that extends in a first direction therealong. A track member is disposed on the interior of the panel and is aligned with the slot in the first direction. The apparatus further includes a hook having a base received through the slot and slidably coupled with the track member. |
| US09340142B1 |
Cover for cargo lashing fitting
A cover assembly for a cargo lashing fitting having a substantially planar cover plate which can be readily installed/uninstalled to and from the fitting, which connects to the fitting in an impact-resistant manner, which can resist the forces incurred when subjected to loading from on-deck vehicles and equipment, and which provides a long lasting watertight seal of the socket cavity. |
| US09340141B1 |
Watercraft trailer and latching mechanism for same and related method
A watercraft trailer having a latching mechanism for receiving a watercraft connection member in order to secure the watercraft on the trailer is provided. The latching mechanism includes a main body having a channel for receiving the watercraft connection member in a receiving position, a latching member supported by the main body for rotational movement between the receiving position and a secured position, a plunger supported by the main body and biased generally toward the latching member, a block biased generally away from the latching member and positioned between the latching member and the plunger for engaging the latching member in the secured position whereby engagement of the latching member by the watercraft connection member causes rotational movement of the latching member which secures the watercraft. |
| US09340140B1 |
Dry goods bulk trailer with uninterrupted slope sheet
A dry goods bulk trailer for transporting fluidic dry goods includes a frame supported on rear wheels and arranged for connection at a front end to a towing vehicle. A containment structure on the frame assembly for supporting the fluidic dry goods therein includes front and rear slope wall assemblies which slope downwardly and inwardly towards centrally located bottom discharge hoppers. Each slope wall assembly includes an inner panel, an outer panel and at least one internal structural member joined between the panels to provide sufficient structural support to enable the slope wall assembly to be only supported on the trailer frame about its perimeter. The inner panel is joined to the structural member without fasteners so that the inner surface thereof is substantially uninterrupted for easier cleanout. The outer surface of the outer panel is uninterrupted by frame members to minimize collection of snow and ice thereon. |
| US09340139B1 |
Trailer ramp system
A trailer ramp system which may be easily transitioned between a rested position against the inner wall of a trailer and a lowered position extending out of the trailer. The trailer ramp system generally includes one or more ramps which are adjustable between a first storage position against an inner wall of a trailer and a second lowered position extending out of the trailer for use in loading or unloading objects. A mount rod is utilized in combination with a rotational assembly and an L-bar to allow the ramp to be adjusted into various positions. An anchor on the inner wall of the trailer may be utilized with a locking pin to secure the ramp against the inner wall in its storage position. Two or more ramps may be utilized in combination with each other for loading or unloading vehicles such as ATV's or UTV's. |
| US09340138B2 |
Towable trailer having an elevating and tilting platform
A towable trailer has a main frame and an inner frame, and a scissors-type lift structure between them so as to elevate the inner frame above the main frame. A first hydraulic cylinder is used to actuate the scissor-type lift in order to raise the inner frame. A second hydraulic cylinder is also preferably provided in order to raise the front end of the inner frame, so as to provide a towable trailer having a tiltable and raisable platform which can be more easily loaded and unloaded. |
| US09340137B2 |
Vehicle floor cover affixation system
An affixation system for a vehicle floor cover prevents the misinstallation by a consumer of a vehicle floor cover in a vehicle foot well. |
| US09340134B2 |
Vehicle seat cover
The invention relates to a vehicle seat cover with an underlay, a cover and an upholstered element which is provided between the cover and the underlay, wherein the underlay, the cover and/or the upholstered element are connected to one another by means of at least one longitudinal seam and at least one transverse seam. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a seat cover, and to a vehicle seat having the seat cover according to the invention. |
| US09340132B2 |
Headrest, in particular for a motor vehicle
A headrest for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, is proposed. The headrest includes a padded part facing the head of a seat occupant, a basic part and a comfort-adjustment device. When the headrest is in use, the padded part can be adjusted by the comfort-adjustment device relative to the basic part from a first position, in which it is further away from the head of the seat occupant, into a second position, closer to the head of the seat occupant. The comfort-adjustment device has two control elements which can be set in a locking position and in an unlocking position, the movement of the control elements being synchronized. |
| US09340131B1 |
Head restraint with a multi-cell bladder assembly
A vehicle seating assembly includes a pump and a headrest. The headrest has a support base, a flexible foam layer coupled with the support base, a flexible substrate overlying the foam layer and defining an outer surface, and an inflatable bladder assembly positioned between the base and the foam layer. The bladder assembly has a plurality of cells corresponding to respective regions of the outer surface that are independently operable between inflated and deflated conditions by the pump. The seating assembly further includes a control operably coupled to the pump. |
| US09340130B2 |
Vehicle seat
Links are provided, each between one of the side frames of the seat cushion and the support member, and can be swung. A band extends at a substantially center part of the seat cushion and between the side frames, and is provided beneath the seat pad. One end of the band is secured to the top of one side frame, and the other end (free end) hangs over the top of the other side frame. The free end of the band further extends via the direction changing member provided on the side frame, first passing by a first relay point, i.e., the axle of the link provided on the side frame, and then passing by a second relay point, i.e., the axle of the link provided on the support member. At an emergency, the traction device pulls and stretches the band. |
| US09340128B2 |
Vehicle seat
In the left and right sides of the bezel, guide grooves are made, extending straight in the front-back direction. The cap has hinge pins, which are fitted in the guide grooves and which can slide along the guide grooves. Control pins protrude inward from the left and right sides of the bezel, and may abut on the back of the cap covering the opening of the bezel. If the cap is pushed, sliding the hinge pins along the guide grooves, the back of the cap slides on the control pins, and the cap swings around the hinge pins. As a result, the cap jumps up and is stored into the bezel. |
| US09340126B2 |
Autonomous vehicle with reconfigurable seats
A vehicle includes a passenger compartment and at least one seat located in the passenger compartment. The seat can be moved from a front-facing position to a rear-facing position for when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode. The vehicle may further include autonomous driving sensors and an autonomous controller that receives signals generated by the autonomous driving sensors and controls at least one vehicle subsystems according to the signals received. |
| US09340125B2 |
Easy entry adjustable end stop
A seat adjuster may include an end stop bracket and an adjustable end stop lever. An adjustable end stop lever may be configured to rotate between a first position in which the adjustable end stop lever engages the end stop bracket and prevents movement of a seat from a comfort range into an easy entry range, and a second position in which the adjustable end stop does not prevent movement of the seat from the comfort range into the easy entry range. |
| US09340113B2 |
Switched reluctance generator integrated controls
A control system for a generator of an electric drive is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit configured to communicate with one or more phases of a stator of the generator, and a controller in communication with the converter circuit and an engine associated with the electric drive. The controller may be configured to determine an operational state of the electric drive based on at least engine speed, and engage one of a map-lookup control scheme and a fixed-theta off control scheme for operating the generator based on the operational state of the electric drive. |
| US09340112B2 |
Control apparatus for vehicle with different driving modes
According to a vehicle control apparatus of the invention, at a point in time when a driving mode switching part switches driving modes from any driving mode to another driving mode, a reference energy consumption amount calculation part multiplies a reference energy consumption amount by a driving mode switching coefficient which corresponds to the switching of the driving modes, whereby a reference energy consumption amount is compressed or expanded. An energy consumption rate calculation part calculates an energy consumption rate based on a reference mileage and the reference energy consumption amount. |
| US09340108B2 |
Canopy fuel tank placement
A canopy for a refuse collection vehicle wherein the canopy can be placed on the vehicle without adding additional height to the vehicle. The canopy has a frame attachable to the vehicle which holds at least one container of fuel. The fuel is typically a compressed natural gas and depending on the model of vehicle a plurality of containers can be housed to extend the service area of the vehicle. |
| US09340106B2 |
Systems and methods for an externally accessible refueling request switch
A method for a vehicle, comprising: depressurizing a fuel tank while restricting access to a fuel fill line responsive to receiving a refueling request from a refueling request module located external to a vehicle cabin; and allowing access to the fuel fill line responsive to the fuel tank pressure decreasing below a threshold. In this way, all of the steps of a refueling procedure can be carried out entirely outside of a vehicle. |
| US09340102B2 |
Hybrid drive configuration for a motor vehicle
A hybrid drive configuration for a motor vehicle includes a first planetary set whose internal gear is coupled via a first brake to a transmission housing. A second planetary set is embodied as a Ravigneaux set. The first sun of the Ravigneaux gear set, which meshes with the long planets thereof, is connected to the rotor of a first electrical machine and is coupled via a first clutch to the internal gear of the first planetary set. The second sun of the Ravigneaux set, which meshes with the short planets thereof, is coupled via a second brake to the transmission housing. The carrier of the Ravigneaux set is coupled via a second clutch to the carrier of the first planetary set and the ring gear of the Ravigneaux set is connected to the input shaft. |
| US09340097B2 |
Assembly for connecting two objects
An assembly is provided for operatively connecting a first object which is capable of a to and fro movement, with a second object, in such a manner that the second object, when connected to the first object, will move in correspondence with the first object. The first and second objects are provided with first and second facing ends, respectively, provided with cooperating first and second coupling provisions, respectively, wherein at least one of said objects is housed in a guide. The coupling provision of at least one of said facing ends is capable of cooperation with said guide for moving said coupling provision from a first position disengaging the other coupling provision to a second position engaging the other coupling provision in which both objects are connected. |
| US09340096B2 |
Vehicle and a method of attaching a sunroof assembly to the vehicle
A vehicle and a method of attaching a sunroof assembly to the vehicle are disclosed. A structural frame is provided having a roof portion. The structural frame defines a passenger compartment adjacent to the roof portion. The structural frame includes a flange extending along at least a segment of the roof portion. The flange includes a first side facing inwardly toward the passenger compartment and a second side facing outwardly away from the passenger compartment. A sunroof frame is attached to the first side of the flange from inside the passenger compartment. Furthermore, a glass apparatus is operatively connected to the sunroof frame from the second side of the flange outside of the passenger compartment. Attaching the sunroof frame to the first side of the flange occurs before operatively connecting the glass apparatus to the sunroof frame. The sunroof frame and the glass apparatus define the sunroof assembly. |
| US09340095B2 |
Sun shield device for windshield
A sun screen for a vehicle having a windshield, an A-pillar and a dashboard includes a spool rotatably coupled with the dashboard and a guide moveably coupled with the A-pillar. The sun screen further includes a unitary, flexible substrate spanning a width of the windshield and having a trailing end coupled with the spool and a leading end coupled with the guide such that the substrate is selectively extendable over the windshield and retractable on the spool. |
| US09340093B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically controlling HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) for vehicle based on discomfort index
An apparatus for controlling an HVAC device for a vehicle includes a sensor unit mounted on the vehicle and configured to sense a bodily response of the user, an HVAC device control unit configured to control temperature and humidity inside the vehicle, and a control unit configured to control the HVAC device control unit based on the bodily response sensed by the sensor unit and to control temperature, direction, air volume, and speed of wind supplied inside the vehicle. The bodily response includes any one selected from the group consisting of body temperature, respiration volume, carbon dioxide amount in breath, voice, used words, facial expression of the user, and combinations thereof. The control unit is configured to calculate the discomfort index of the user based on the bodily response and to dynamically control the HVAC device control unit based on the discomfort index. |
| US09340091B2 |
Blow-molded foam and process for producing the same
An object of the invention is to provide a blow-molded foam which has homogeneous foamed cells in size, is light in weight, and is excellent in surface smoothness, and a process for producing the same. The invention is directed to a blow-molded foam 1 having a wall portion formed in such a manner that a thermoplastic resin containing a foaming agent mixed therewith is subjected to blow molding. Herein, the wall portion has a closed cell structure in which a plurality of foamed cells are contained. The wall portion has an expansion ratio of not less than 2.0 times. The wall portion has an outer face having a center-line average surface roughness Ra of less than 9.0 μm. The foamed cell has a cell diameter having a standard deviation of less than 40 μm in a thickness direction of the wall portion. |
| US09340088B2 |
Suspension device
A suspension device includes damper interposed between vehicle body and wheel in vehicle and exerted damping force for suppressing vertical movements of vehicle body and wheel, damping force adjustment mechanism adjusts damping force, control device controls damping force adjustment mechanism, lateral acceleration detection unit detects an lateral acceleration acting on vehicle body, roll angular velocity detection unit detects roll angular velocity of vehicle body, and steering angular velocity detection unit detects steering angular velocity of steering wheel. The control device sets maximum damping force out of damping force calculated from steering angular velocity, damping force calculated from lateral acceleration and damping force calculated from roll angular velocity as steering initial stage additional damping force, calculates final damping force of damper using steering initial stage additional damping force and performs steering initial stage control of controlling damper when steering angular velocity exceeds predetermined dead band. |
| US09340087B2 |
Adjustable height trailer
A trailer is disclosed. The trailer may be pulled behind a vehicle such as, but not limited to, a jeep, dune buggy, or ATV. Embodiments of the trailer may include a frame and an adjustable suspension. The adjustable suspension may be used to vary the height of the trailer in order to accommodate different types of terrain and loading. By changing the height, the clearance and/or approach angle of the trailer may be varied. Additional embodiments may include a tongue connected to the frame, which tongue may have an adjustable length and/or height. Where the trailer includes a cover and a tailgate, an optional locking system may be used. In one embodiment, the locking system includes a handle that may release both the tailgate and cover. In some embodiments, the handle may be partially pulled to release the cover while fully pulling the handle may release the tailgate. |
| US09340086B2 |
Thrust bearing and suspension for vehicle
The suspension thrust bearing device for a motor vehicle comprises a rolling bearing forming an axial thrust bearing and provided with an upper ring, with a lower ring and with at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings, a bearing cap in contact with the upper ring, and a support cap in contact with the lower ring and forming a bearing means for a suspension spring. The support cap comprises a body of rigid material and seals of flexible material fixed to the body and comprising dynamic sealing lips in contact with the bearing cap or one of the rings of the rolling bearing and delimiting radially a sealed space containing at least the rolling elements of the rolling bearing. The support cap further comprises an annular ring to which the lower ends of the seals are connected and forming a bearing surface for the suspension spring. |
| US09340085B2 |
Wheel suspension system for a vehicle
A wheel suspension system of the type including a wheel support. A resilient connecting element connects the wheel support to a vehicle frame element. The resilient connecting element having a wheel support side and a frame element side. At least one joint element connects the wheel support side of the resilient element to the wheel support and at least two rotary joints connect the frame element side of the resilient element to the frame element. |
| US09340084B2 |
Drive axle for an industrial truck
A drive axle for industrial trucks is, by fastening mechanisms, on the one hand able to be connected to the vehicle frame and, on the other hand, connected to the axle housing. Flexible elements that take effect in the main directions of force in such a manner that they are mainly subject to pressure are arranged between the fastening mechanisms and the axle housing. |
| US09340083B2 |
Suspension arrangement
A passenger service vehicle includes one or more suspension mounts. Each suspension mount attaches a front axle to a chassis. In some cases, the axle is a drop beam axle. The or each suspension mount is further mounted with one or more suspension components of the following: suspension arm links, suspension air springs, suspension dampeners, anti-roll bars and Panhard rods. |
| US09340081B2 |
Vehicle
The present invention discloses a vehicle (1) capable of being converted between a flying condition and an automotive riding condition. The vehicle has a telescopically extendable tail (10) comprising a first tubular tail segment (11) and a second tail segment (12) disposed axially slideable within the first tubular tail segment. The tail is provided with at least two form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) located at an axial distance (LI) from each other for providing a force-transferring coupling between the second tail segment (12) and the first tubular tail segment (11) in the extended state of the second tail segment (12), each of said form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) capable of transferring torque and transverse forces, and each of said form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) coming into engagement by axial displacement of the second tail segment (12) in the outward direction. |
| US09340080B2 |
Kingpin stabilizer
A kingpin stabilizer having a kingpin-retaining bracket having a base plate and upwardly extending walls along at least two sides of the base plate. The upwardly extending walls and the base plate forming a receiving cavity with the upwardly extending walls spaced apart to fit said kingpin therebetween. At least one upwardly extending wall has a pin retainer. The stabilizer includes three telescoping legs extending from the pin-retaining bracket forming a tripod. |
| US09340079B2 |
Brake actuator hitch for a towed vehicle
An apparatus and method are described for a brake actuator hitch. The brake actuator hitch is configured to be connected to a tow vehicle receiver and a towed vehicle and includes mechanical linkage to actuate a brake pedal of the towed vehicle when there is a difference between relative motions of the brake actuator hitch and the tow vehicle receiver. |
| US09340077B2 |
Air compressor for a pneumatic tire and a tire comprising a compressor mounted within the tire's cavity
An air compressor mountable to a sidewall of an annular tire cavity, wherein the compressor comprises an air inlet for receiving air to be pumped into the tire cavity and an air outlet for releasing air into the tire cavity. Further, the compressor comprises a double membrane assembly having a first membrane and a second membrane arranged in parallel to the first membrane. A pressure compensation chamber is provided between the first membrane and the second membrane, the pressure compensation chamber being in fluid communication with the tire cavity. Further, an air compression chamber is arranged on a side of the second membrane opposite to the pressure compensation chamber, wherein the compression chamber is in fluid communication with the air inlet and the air outlet. Moreover, a tire comprises the aforementioned compressor. |
| US09340072B2 |
Motorcycle tire
A motorcycle tire comprises a tread portion provided with first T-grooves and second T-grooves arranged and oriented alternately along the tire equator. The angles of the main portion and branch portion of the T-groove, with respect to the tire circumferential direction, are gradually increased toward the tread edges. The axial distances of the branching point and an inside end of the main portion are not more than 25% of the axial distance of the tread edge, each measured from the tire equator along the tread surface. The circumferential distance from the inside end of the main portion to the circumferentially adjacent T-groove is 5 to 15% of the circumferential pitch length of the first T-grooves. |
| US09340060B2 |
Slide type writing tool having device for preventing dryness
A slide type writing tool includes: a pen housing (10); an ink holder (30); a sealing member (40) having a cover (41); a spring (50) elastically supporting the sealing member (40) and the ink holder (30); and a guide member (60) positioned between the sealing member (40) and the pen housing (10) and having an operation hole (65) for the coming in and out of the pen tip (31) in response to the forward or backward movement of the ink holder (30), wherein the opening and closing operations of the cover (41) of the sealing member (40) are guided when the sealing member (40) moves, the ink holder (30) has cam protrusions (70) for enabling the guide member (60) to move and moving along the operation slits (62), and the sealing member (40) has a sealing portion (42) coming into contact with the ink holder (30) and protrusions (44). |
| US09340059B2 |
Static dissipating laser engravable film
Laser engravable films are disclosed. In one aspect, the laser engravable film of the present invention includes a monolayer film, preferably comprising polycarbonate, having a laser engraving additive and an antistatic composition mixed within the layer of polycarbonate. In another aspect, the laser engravable film of the present invention includes a first layer, preferably comprising polycarbonate, having an antistatic composition mixed within the first layer, and a second layer, preferably comprising polycarbonate, with laser engraving additives mixed within the second layer. |
| US09340058B2 |
Blanket for offset printing and manufacturing method therefor
The present invention relates to a blanket for offset printing and a manufacturing method thereof. The blanket for offset printing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a cushion layer, a support layer, and at least two surface printing layers, wherein the at least two surface printing layers comprise a silicon-based resin in which at least one of a hardness value, a fluorine group content value, and a silicon oil content value is different. The blanket for offset printing according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises the surface printing layer formed in at least two layers to prevent the surface printing layer from being swollen due to ink, thereby reducing a process waiting time and improving a process margin. |
| US09340057B1 |
Transfer device
The present invention is to eliminate loosening of a transfer film on a rear end side of a card caused due to collision of a front end of the card against a conveying roller pair provided downstream of a transfer roller to prevent wrinkles from occurring in a transferred image, by increasing a card conveying speed or reducing a feed speed of a transfer film 46 during a time from when transfer processing for a card K to immediately before or after the card front end rushes into a conveying roller pair 37, excessive loosening of the transfer film 46 occurring on the card rear end side is eliminated. After the card rear end passes through the transfer roller 33, the feed speed of the transfer film 46 is further reduced to eliminate the loosening of the transfer film 46 on the card rear end side. |
| US09340054B2 |
Method for producing a patterned insulation board used for exterior wall of building by using screen printing
A method for producing a patterned insulation board used for exterior wall of building by using screen printing, and the patterned insulation board comprising a metal veneer, a substrate an insulation layer between the metal veneer and the substrate, and the method comprising a step of screen printing the metal veneer, wherein, a flattening device is arranged at a bottom of the printing table, and used to flatten a surface of metal veneer, prior to the screen printing. The flattening device makes the scraper transfer ink by uniform force, which reduces printing difficulties overcome the printing difficulty. |
| US09340053B2 |
Flexographic printing with curing during transfer to substrate
Methods and systems for flexographic printing are described and include curing of material to be printed while the material is in contact with both a feature of a flexographic printing plate and a recipient substrate. The systems and method are useful in preventing slippage between the feature and the recipient substrate, and are particularly useful when printing at high resolution. |
| US09340051B2 |
Printing apparatus, method for controlling printing apparatus, and storage medium for test printing
When test print is performed for printing an image on a transparent sheet, an inexpensive sheet is used instead of the transparent sheet. A method for controlling a printing apparatus includes receiving a setting of the test print, and performing control to print the image as a mirror image on a second side of the transparent sheet if the setting of the test print is not received, and performing control to feed an alternative sheet instead of the transparent sheet to print the image as a normal image on a first side of the alternative sheet if the setting of the test print is received. |
| US09340049B2 |
Multiple-conductor flat cable
A multiple-conductor flat cable includes: an analog cable portion formed such that ground signal lines and analog signal lines are alternately arranged side by side across a signal transmission direction and each adjacent pair of the ground signal lines and the analog signal lines are joined while being electrically insulated from each other; and a digital cable portion joined with the analog cable portion while being placed adjacent to the digital cable portion and formed such that digital signal lines are arranged side by side across the signal transmission direction and each adjacent pair of the digital signal lines are joined while being electrically insulated from each other. |
| US09340041B2 |
Drying device and image forming apparatus
There is provided a drying device including a plurality of surface-emitting laser elements each having a plurality of laser elements and arranged along a feeding direction of a recording medium. First power supplying pads are respectively provided at both ends of an electrode on a laser illumination surface of each surface-emitting laser element in a width direction of the recording medium and a second power supplying pad is provided at one end of the electrode on a backside of each surface-emitting laser element in the feeding direction. The respective first power supplying pads of the surface-emitting laser element arranged at an upstream-side in the feeding direction and the second power supplying pad of the surface-emitting laser element arranged at a downstream-side in the feeding direction are connected to each other by wires. |
| US09340040B2 |
LED illuminaton source
A LED illumination source may include one or a plurality of LED illumination modules, each LED illumination module comprising a plurality of LED clusters, wherein each LED cluster comprises a LED array which is rotated by an angle of rotation with respect to an axis which is parallel to a predefined direction of sweep. |
| US09340039B2 |
Printer, printing method, optical fiber and optical fiber cable
A printer for printing on an optical fiber includes an ink tray storing an ink; a drawing roll configured to draw the ink from the ink tray; a printing roll, having a print pattern which is capable of filling the ink transferred from the drawing roll, configured to transfer the ink filled in the print pattern to a surface of the running optical fiber, the print pattern being a mesh pattern having a mesh size in a range of 75-mesh to 150-mesh; and a doctor blade configured to press the ink into the print pattern and to scrape the excess ink deposited on a surface of the printing roll. |
| US09340038B2 |
Drawing apparatus and method for controlling drawing in drawing apparatus
A drawing apparatus detects, as base coat information, a contour of a base coat region which is formed on a surface of a drawing object by applying a first ink used for a base coat on the surface of the drawing object with a drawing tool so as to fill in a design region surrounded with a contour of a design image, before the design image is printed on the surface of the drawing object, and adjusts a size of the design image and generates an adjusted design image which has a size sufficient to cover a whole area of the base coat region, based on the detected base coat information.The drawing apparatus then prints, by a print head, the adjusted design image on the base coat region at a position at which the adjusted design image covers the whole area of the base coat region. |
| US09340037B2 |
Laser marking using scalable fonts
A system directs a laser beam to mark a material with an alphanumeric code. Character and quality information corresponding to a mark to apply to the material with the laser beam can be received, a font definition that specifies character segments can be obtained, a set of multiple spaced locations can be generated from the character segments in accordance with the character and quality information, and the material can be marked with the laser beam by directing the laser beam to dwell at the locations and move between the locations without deactivating the laser beam. |
| US09340035B2 |
Ink jet printer and recording method
An ink jet printer in which a plurality of nozzles includes a failed nozzle that fails to discharge an ink droplet, a primary vicinal nozzle that forms a dot in an adjacent pixel which is adjacent in a direction intersecting a scanning direction to a dot-missing pixel which is caused by the failed nozzle and is continuous in the scanning direction, and a secondary vicinal nozzle that forms a dot in a secondary adjacent pixel which is adjacent to the adjacent pixel on the opposite side of the adjacent pixel from the dot-missing pixel, and a dot formation unit forms a dot by displacing the position of a dot formed by an ink droplet from the primary vicinal nozzle in the scanning direction and the position of a dot formed by an ink droplet from the secondary vicinal nozzle in the scanning direction. |
| US09340031B2 |
Ink circulation type inkjet printer
A controller, upon a pressure of one tank of a positive pressure tank and a negative pressure tank reaching a setting pressure of the one tank prior to a pressure of the other tank reaching a setting pressure of the other tank after driving an air pump, sets an air opening valve opening time at each unit time according to a difference between the pressure of the one tank and the pressure of the other tank, and repeatedly drives one of a positive-pressure-side air opening valve and a negative-pressure-side air opening valve corresponding to the one tank to switch to and hold an air open state of the one tank for the set air opening valve opening time within the unit time, until the pressure of the other tank reaches the setting pressure of the other tank. |
| US09340030B2 |
Liquid container
A liquid container can be smoothly mounted to a mounting portion, and the liquid container is reliably locked when mounting is complete. The liquid container includes: a first surface that is on a side in a direction of insertion (+Y direction); a second surface that opposes the first surface; a third surface that intersects the first surface and the second surface and has formed therein a groove portion that can engage with a lever member; a fourth surface that opposes the third surface; and lower protruding wall portions that are provided on at least one of the third surface and the fourth surface, and are positioned by guide surfaces of lower guide ribs of the mounting portion when the ink cartridge is locked by engagement of the groove portion with the lever member due to the ink cartridge moving in the direction of insertion into the mounting portion. |
| US09340022B1 |
Liquid discharging substrate, printhead, and printing apparatus
A liquid discharging substrate comprising discharging units, a first pad arranged on a first side, a second pad arranged on a second side, a signal generating unit arranged between the first pad and the second pad, level shifters, for shifting a level of a signal generated by the signal generating unit to output the signal to the discharging units, arranged between the signal generating unit and the second pad, a first wiring line for supplying the signal generating unit with a first reference voltage received by the first pad, and a second wiring line for supplying the level shifters with the second reference voltage received by the second pad, wherein the first wiring line and the second wiring line are isolated from each other between the signal generating unit and the level shifters in a planar view. |
| US09340021B2 |
Liquid ejection head and recording device using the same
A liquid ejection head includes: a liquid ejection head body; and a reservoir, wherein the reservoir includes: a reservoir flow passage; and a branched flow passage, the branched flow passage extends in one direction, and is communicated with the liquid ejection head body at both end portions thereof, and in viewing the liquid ejection head from a reservoir side, at least one of the reservoir flow passage and the branched flow passage in the vicinity of a connection portion where the reservoir flow passage and the branched flow passage are communicated with each other is bent such that an angle made by the reservoir flow passage and the branched flow passage approximates a right angle. |
| US09340020B2 |
Liquid ejecting head unit and liquid ejecting apparatus
A head unit includes a head, an upstream member with an upstream passage supplied with liquid, a downstream member with a downstream passage communicating with the upstream passage and supplying liquid to the head, an elastic sealer connecting the upstream and downstream passages, and including a tube with a connection passage, and a support between the sealer and the downstream member. In the head unit, the upstream member and the sealer apply pressure in a penetration direction of the connection passage and hermetically seal the upstream passage, the sealer and the downstream member apply pressure in a direction perpendicular to the penetration direction of the tube and hermetically seal the downstream passage, and the support abuts a region on a surface of the sealer, the surface being opposite the upstream member, the region overlapping a region to which the sealer and the upstream member apply pressure. |
| US09340017B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus that minimizes the amount of ink mist adhering to a rectifying member is provided. A rectifying member can be toggled between a rectifying state for rectification and a retracted state in which the rectifying member is retracted from the rectifying state, and the rectifying member can be kept in the retracted state while the carriage is moving. The rectifying member is toggled to the rectifying state or to the retracted state while the carriage is moving, according to at least one condition from among the distance between the print head and a sheet, and the movement speed of the carriage. |
| US09340016B2 |
Method and device for printing on heated substrates
A printing device for dispending material on a heated substrate is provided. The device may include a printing head having one or more nozzles and a heat shield that partially masks a side of the printing head that faces the heated substrate when printing so as to reduce heat transfer from the substrate to the printing head. The shield includes a slot aligned with the one or more nozzles to enable passage of material from the one or more nozzles to the heated substrate. |
| US09340014B2 |
Prefire before pixel in an inspection mode
Described are a system and a method to activate an actuator for a first nozzle of a plurality of nozzles of an inkjet printing system. The inkjet printer system can be configured to generate triggers with a frequency for printing of a respective line of pixels by the plurality of nozzles. The frequency of the triggers can depend on a print speed of the inkjet printing system, and the print speed can be modifiable. A time period between two successive triggers can correspond to a total duration available to the first nozzle for an ink firing for printing of a pixel of the line. An indicator for a current print speed of the inkjet printing system can be determined. Depending on the indicator for the current print speed, a waveform for activation of an actuator can be defined to produce an ink firing for printing of the pixel of the line on the recording medium by the first nozzle within the total duration available at the current print speed. The waveform can be defined such that, depending on the indicator for the current print speed within the total duration available at the current print speed, the waveform includes: a prefire portion for excitation of a meniscus of the first nozzle without firing the ink droplet, and a fire portion for firing the ink droplet from the first nozzle. |
| US09340010B2 |
Liquid discharge head and recording device using same
An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid discharge head in which a driver IC is not easily damaged at the time of assembling, and a recording device using the same. A liquid discharge head of the present invention is the liquid discharge head including a head main body, a casing, and a driver IC that drives the head main body. The casing has an opening and is in contact with the head main body at the opening so as to cover at least a part of the head main body, a part of an inner surface of a side plate of the casing continuing from the opening has an inclination portion inclined toward the inner side of the casing with respect to the opening, and the driver IC is in contact with the inclination portion of the inner surface. |
| US09340008B2 |
Image recording method
An image recording method includes recording an intermediate image by applying an ink to an intermediate transfer body, and transferring the intermediate image onto a recording medium while heating the intermediate image. The ink contains a coloring material and polymer fine particles each including a core constituted by a crystalline polymer and a shell constituted by an amorphous polymer. In transferring the intermediate image, the intermediate image is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of the crystalline polymer constituting the core and equal to or higher than a glass transition point of the amorphous polymer constituting the shell. |
| US09340005B2 |
Gravure printing plate and manufacturing method thereof, gravure printing machine, and manufacturing method for laminated ceramic electronic component
Banks, as well as a plurality of recess-shaped cells defined by the banks, are provided in an image section formed in a gravure printing plate. A projecting portion is provided in each of the cells so as to protrude from a part of the base surface of that cell. The projecting portions are in positions distanced from the banks. Like the banks, the projecting portions can serve as starting points for the transfer of a printing paste. Accordingly, printing paste that would, in the case where the projecting portions are not provided, remain in the bases of the cells is transferred to the printing target material via the projecting portions, which increases the transfer efficiency. As a result, a paste film that is smooth and has the required thickness can be printed. |
| US09339996B2 |
Durable hydrophobic structured surface
The present invention relates to a scratch-resistant micro- and/or nanostructured surface comprising a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale surface elements, said surface being essentially unchanged when being subjected to 10 rubbing cycles according to A.A.T.C.C. test method 8-1972 using a cotton cloth and a total stamp weight of 300 g, and comprising a polymeric material having 1) an elongation at break of at least 10%, 2) an irreversible relative plastic deformation (permanent set) of less than 2% and a 3) a tensile strength of at least 5 MPa. The present invention furthermore relates to a hydrophobic micro- and/or nanostructured surface comprising a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale surface elements and having a static contact angle against water of at least 90, said surface comprising a polymeric material having 1) an elongation at break of at least 10%, 2) an irreversible relative plastic deformation (permanent set) of less than 2% and a 3) a tensile strength of at least 5 MPa. |
| US09339985B2 |
Transfer mold body
A transfer layer is transferred well to a step portion. In a transfer mold body, a projection and indentation portion is formed to a front face of a bottom wall of a step portion. When covering a transfer film over a base member, air between the transfer film and the step portion is accordingly expelled from between indented portions of the projection and indentation portion and the transfer film at an edge portion of the bottom wall. The transfer film can accordingly be covered over the step portion whilst suppressing air from remaining between the transfer film and the step portion. A transfer layer of the transfer film can accordingly is transferred well to the front face of the step portion. |
| US09339983B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling material in a pneumatic materials handling system
Method for handling material in a pneumatic materials handling system, in which material is input from an input aperture of an input point and is handled with a shaping device, arranged in connection with the input point or in the proximity of it, to be more compact and is transferred onwards, which shaping device is a rotary shaper, which includes a rotatable handling device, which includes an aperture, which is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation, and which rotary shaper includes at least one stationary handling device, in which case the material to be handled is conducted into the rotary shaper and/or through it at least partly by means of gravity. The material to be handled is conducted into the rotary shaper and/or through it at least partly by means of suction and/or a pressure difference. |
| US09339982B2 |
Waste paper rebaler
A method of forming a higher density bale of waste paper from two or more lower density bales of waste paper includes positioning the lower density bales intact and in side-by-side relationship with respect to each other, moving them to a compression zone, and compressing the bales together in the compression zone to form a higher density bale. The higher density bale can then be strapped to maintain its higher density configuration and shape. Thus, a larger tonnage of waste paper in bales can be loaded into a shipping container for transport. A rebaler for carrying out the method includes side feed and side retrieval of bales, significantly improving over traditional top feed machines. |
| US09339981B2 |
Method of making a floor tile with elastomer jacketed support members
A modular plastic floor tile is formed by molding a body of a first polymer compound and overmolding features onto the body from a second polymer compound. The compounds may be different from each other in hardness and/or color. The overmolded features may include skins on the sides and bottoms of support member cores disposed below the tile lower surface. |
| US09339980B2 |
Process and apparatus for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels
A carcass ply is built on a forming drum by application of a plurality of strip-like elements, through the steps of: setting a width of these strip-like elements, setting a width of the overlapped part between two adjacent strip-like elements, setting a fitting diameter of the forming drum, calculating a whole number of strip-like elements to be applied. The whole number of strip-like elements is applied by rotating the forming drum around a geometric rotation axis thereof, and applying pairs of strip-like elements by means of a first and second laying unit located close to opposite portions of the forming drum. When the calculated whole number of strip-like elements is an odd number, the first laying unit is shifted along an adjustment path orthogonal to the geometric rotation axis and substantially tangent to the radially external laying surface of the forming drum. |
| US09339974B2 |
Application of additive manufacturing processes to efficiently achieve higher levels of hardware integration
A fused deposition modeling (FDM) extrusion head is configured to receive control signals from a controller. The FDM extrusion head receives a stream of thermofusible material into an input channel; forces the stream of thermofusible material into a liquefier channel using a mechanical driver; heats the stream of thermofusible material within the liquefier channel to a specified temperature above melting point of the thermofusible material; and receives the heated thermofusible material from an outlet of the liquefier channel and expels the heated thermofusible material through an extrusion tip. The controller determines at least one specified location to deposit the heated thermofusible material according to a coordinate system; cause the extrusion nozzle to selectively deposit a first layer of the heated thermofusible material onto a build platform; and after thermal fusion of the first layer is complete, vertically adjust the distance between the extrusion nozzle and the first layer; and select to deposit a second layer immediately on top of the first layer pause deposit a subassembly, or to pause to receive a subassembly onto at least a portion of the first layer. |
| US09339971B2 |
Control method for mapping
A method for producing a three-dimensional object from solidifiable material, which is either present in the starting state in a fluid phase or can be liquefied, by the sequential discharge of drops from at least one pressurisable material storage device for the fluid phase by means of at least one discharge unit through an outlet provided with a pulsable closure element, the closure element is actuated by means of an actuator and its initial stressing is measured at the operating point by means of the actuator, where the initial stressing is controlled by means of an adjusting element, and a mapping for the elastic deformation of the closure element is determined by means of the actuator actuated by the adjusting element, such that an elastic working range of the closure element is adjusted by means of the adjusting element within the mapping. |
| US09339967B2 |
Bottle neck with internal embossments and method of manufacture
A bottle of one-piece integrally formed construction has a body with a closed base and a shoulder at an end of the body remote from the base, and a neck extending from the shoulder along an axis and terminating in a neck finish for attachment of a closure. The bottle neck includes at least one internal embossment for affecting flow of liquid from the body through the neck. In exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the at least one internal embossment includes at least one internal annular rib or at least one internal rib coplanar with the neck axis or at least one internal spiral rib or at least one internal elliptical rib. |
| US09339965B2 |
Extruding device
The device serves for extruding and includes an extrusion head for connection to at least two extruders. Moreover, in the area of the extrusion head, at least one tool is arranged for shaping a product composed of at least two extruded materials. At least one expanding element is arranged in an area of the tool facing the extrusion head. The expanding element is constructed so as to be essentially smooth in an area of a first surface and has at least one flow path for the extruded material in the area of its second surface facing away from the first surface. |
| US09339964B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing products
A method of extruding products comprises varying the rate of flow of at least one material (12) through an extrusion aperture in a die (10). The method may be used to produce an extrudate body (16) whose cross-sectional area varies along its length or to produce an extrudate body comprising two or more different materials in which the proportions of the materials varies along its length. Apparatus (11) for carrying out the method comprises an extrusion die (10) defining an extrusion aperture and a material delivery system for delivering the material(s) to the die in a suitable condition for extrusion. A control system is operative to vary the rate of flow of the material. The control system may comprise a flow control mechanism (240) in a supply path for the first material upstream from the die (10). The flow control mechanism (240) may be operative to vary the volume of the supply path and may comprise a fluid actuated resiliently deformable flexible element. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for manufacturing food products, especially confectionery products such as chocolate bars. |
| US09339963B2 |
Controller for an injection molding machine having an abnormality detection unit
A controller of an injection molding machine includes a power supply converter which supplies electric power from a power supply to a drive device which drives a servomotor, and an electric storage unit coupled between the power supply converter and the drive device. The controller detects abnormality of a voltage detection unit which detects voltage of the electric storage unit based on voltage of the electric storage unit, a supply electric energy to the electric storage unit, and electrostatic capacity of the electric storage unit. |
| US09339961B2 |
Metering controller for injection molding machine
During metering, a screw is retreated to a preset metering completion position while it is being forwardly rotated. Pilot injection is performed such that the screw is reversely rotated and advanced so that a resin pressure reaches a predetermined compression pressure, during a time period between the end of the metering and the start of injection. The screw reverse rotation is continued before the screw advance is started for the pilot injection. In this way, a check valve can be closed at a relatively low pressure such that precision metering can be achieved. |
| US09339956B2 |
Molding thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers
A method of molding a composition comprising a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) comprising mesogens; providing a mold having a mold cavity, with a feature cavity (43) comprising a fine feature chamber; heating the composition to form molten composition; filling the fine feature chamber with molten composition moving at a flow velocity that causes flow alignment of at least a portion of the mesogens in the molten TLCP filling the fine feature chamber (49), relative to a flow direction of the moving molten composition; and solidifying the molten composition such that mesogens of at least the solidified TLCP in the fine feature chamber maintain their flow alignment. A molded article comprising a body and a 3-dimensional structural feature protruding out from the body and comprising a fine feature element having a minor dimension, with TLCP mesogens across the minor dimension being in a flow aligned state. |
| US09339955B2 |
Vehicular mat and method of molding vehicular mat
A vehicular mat to be placed on a vehicular floor panel includes a floor portion, a tunnel portion, a rear edge portion, at least two score lines extending in a vehicular width direction, and a tunnel cutoff portion. The floor portion commonly covers at least two types of vehicular floor panels having different lengths. The rear edge portion is continuous from a vehicular rear edge of the floor portion and has a through hole to be fitted to the opening of the tunnel portion. The vehicular mat is folded along one of the at least two score lines so that the rear edge portion is angled and lifted upward with respect to the floor portion. The tunnel cutoff portion included in the tunnel portion is to be cut off from the vehicular mat to be placed on the second vehicular floor panel. |
| US09339954B2 |
Portable sample pulverizing and pelletizing system and method
A portable sample pulverizing and/or pelletizing system and method operable in conjunction with a repetitive impact device includes a base member with an upper surface, a hollow sample chamber with an open top end, an open bottom end disposed on the upper surface of the base member, and an internal annular cutaway portion adjacent the open top end; and a plunger member, which repetitively impacts a sample material disposed in the hollow sample chamber, the plunger member being configured at one end to matingly engage with a repetitive impact device. |
| US09339953B2 |
Method of making a formed felt device
A bumper for protecting a contact point of a surface from engagement with an object and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The bumper includes a shell having first and second ends, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a passageway through the shell between the first and second ends. A resilient material is positioned in the passageway and extends between the first end and the second end of the shell. |
| US09339952B2 |
Nanofluid mold cooling
A nanofluid molding arrangement includes a mold tool (12) having movable pieces (14, 16) that move between an open and closed position. When the moveable pieces (14, 16) are in the closed position, they form a mold cavity (18) that defines a surface for creating a molded part. The nanofluid molding arrangement also includes at least one injection port (22) for injecting molten resin directly into the mold cavity (18) such that when molten resin flows into the cavity and begins to cool, the molded part begins to form. After the molded part begins forming and injection of the molten resin is stopped, a nanofluid having a colloidal suspension of thermally conductive nanoparticles suspended in an aqueous or organic solution is applied to the mold tool (12), through at least one cooling port, to wick away or draw heat out and cool the mold cavity and the formed part within the mold cavity (18). |
| US09339951B2 |
Resin-releasing jig
Provided are a resin-releasing jig including a base and a releasing layer formed on a surface side of the base, in which the releasing layer is composed of a resin containing a perfluorinated polymer as a main component, and the perfluorinated polymer is crosslinked; and the resin-releasing jig further including a primer layer disposed between the base and the releasing layer, in which the primer layer is composed of a resin containing, as a main component, a perfluorinated polymer and an engineering plastic, the perfluorinated polymer in the primer layer is crosslinked, and the releasing layer has high abrasion resistance and a good adhesive force to the base and thus the resin-releasing jig has good durability. In particular, provided is the resin-releasing jig which is an extrusion molding mold used in an extruder for producing a long resin molded article. |
| US09339950B2 |
Reprogrammable shape change sheet, uses of the sheet and method of producing a shaped surface
The invention relates to a reprogrammable shape change sheet, a method of shaping a surface and a reprogrammable injection molding machine. The sheet comprises a plurality of muscle elements capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation, the elements being arranged in an array to define a surface. According to the invention, the muscle elements comprise two muscle material layers capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation and a flexible wiring layer sandwiched between the muscle material layers, the wiring layer being electrically connected to said muscle material layers for delivering electric stimulation signals to the muscle material layers for changing the shape of the muscle elements and further the topology of the surface. The invention provides a new shape change sheet structure, which can be made thin, accurate and durable for various uses. |
| US09339947B2 |
Metallic extrusion processing elements
A restored metallic extrusion processing element comprises a tubular metal core around which is consolidated a powdered metal extrusion component that includes metallurgically bonded interior shell and exterior working portions. The interior shell portion covers the core and is characterized by a first multiple-crystalline microstructure, and the exterior working portion is characterized by a second multiple crystalline microstructure of densified powdered metal particles. The exterior working portion has an outside surface including outer working surface features that extend along the length of the extrusion processing element. A bond interface of metallurgical type defines a crystalline microstructure boundary between the first and second multiple-crystalline microstructures. |
| US09339946B2 |
Device for mixing bone cement and method for mixing bone cement and use of the device
A device automatically mixes bone cement and has two separate plunger space sections with a gas feed and a gas outlet, which are separated from each other through a plunger. A blocking organ is provided in the plunger and can be switched at the turnaround points of the plunger path. Suitable connecting facilities connect the plunger to a mixing facility that is arranged in a mixing vessel. Alternating build-up of a pressure difference and pressure equalization in both plunger space sections causes the plunger to move up and down. The plunger motion effects a simultaneous up-and-down motion and rotation of the mixing facility. |
| US09339936B2 |
Device for lifting and positioning an object
A device for lifting and positioning an object generates a low pressure by a whirlwind for suctioning the object. The device includes a housing having a suction opening. The housing has at least one friction element which at least partly covers the suction opening. The friction element can have a three-dimensional structure. The device can facilitate handling of objects having a curved shape or rough surface. |
| US09339935B2 |
Scalable common interface plate system (SCIPS)
The present invention provides a low profile, compact, scalable concept end-effector for use in robotic handling applications. The end-effector acts as the interface between multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) manipulator and its base (if applicable), as well as the tools it handles and is compatible with both large manipulator systems such as the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) and Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and smaller dexterous manipulators such as the Orbital Express Dexterous Manipulator System. An active/controlled component is attached to the roll joint(s) at one or both end(s) of the manipulator, with an entirely passive component attached to the structure/tools that the manipulator interfaces with. Interface engagement and mate operations are performed by way of the manipulator roll joint. Once mated, shear pins are extended to lock the mated assembly in place and achieve a high stiffness, zero free play mated interface. |
| US09339930B2 |
Robot, robot control device, and robot system
A robot includes a base, a first arm rotatably connected to the base around a first rotating axis, a second arm rotatably connected to the first arm around a second rotating axis, a third arm rotatably connected to the second arm around a third rotating axis, a first angular velocity sensor provided in the first arm and having a first angular velocity detection axis parallel to the first rotating axis, a second angular velocity sensor provided in the second arm and having a second angular velocity detection axis parallel to the second rotating axis, and a third angular velocity sensor provided in the third arm and having a third angular velocity detection axis parallel to the third rotating axis. |
| US09339921B2 |
Driveshaft removal tool with angled tip
A tool for removing a first shaft from a second shaft, in which the first and the second shafts are coupled by fasteners. The tool generally includes the flanged connection and a driving rod. One or more apertures extend completely through a first portion extend into the second flange portion a distance less than the thickness of the second flange portion. The driving rod has first and second ends, with a removable cap adapted to engage the second end to provide a striking surface. At least one removable driver tip is also provided, having a connecting end adapted to engage the first end, and a driver tip, sized to fit into the aperture and extending outward from the connecting end. The driver tip is angled such that the second end of the driving rod is accessible when the driver tip is inserted into the aperture. |
| US09339920B2 |
Jewelry tool
A handheld charm opener having a cheliform charm-opening body comprising an upper and lower piece, each with at least one protrusion oriented vertically but aligned horizontally and inserted into closed bracelet charm, and through manual compression of the apparatus between the thumb and forefinger, the protrusions traveling towards one another through translational vertical motion while engaging with the opening of the charm until the charm halves split apart revealing the center portion inside, the arcs of the protrusions protecting the charm from being damaged. |
| US09339916B2 |
Propshaft holding tool
A holding tool for releasably securing a shaft from rotation relative to the holding tool. The holding tool may have a head including a pair of semi-cylindrical main bodies, each head having a hinge flange extending from a respective first end of the main body and a bolt flange extending from a respective, opposed second end of the main body, with each bolt flange including a fastener hole; a hinge pivotally securing the hinge flanges together; a fastener received through the fastener hole and selectively biasing the bolt flanges toward one another; a pair of semi-cylindrical shaped resilient inserts, each secured to an inner surface of the main bodies, defining a cylindrical channel to receive the shaft; and a handle extending generally radially outward from the head. The holding tool may be used to secure a propshaft to a vehicle. |
| US09339911B2 |
Method for automatic sharpening of a blade
The method is for sharpening a blade. An automatic sharpening apparatus is provided that has a housing with an elongate opening defined therein. A blade is placed inside the elongate opening. The blade is tightened between self-centered clamp holders. The rotation of the grinding wheel is turned on. The rotating grinding-wheel engages an underside of the blade and automatically moves along the blade by following a contour of the blade. While the grinding wheel moves along the blade, a counter-weight provides a counter-weight to the grinding wheel. The blade is sharpened while the blade is stationary inside the elongate opening of the housing. |
| US09339910B2 |
Grinding machine for the grinding of spring ends
A grinding machine for grinding an end of a spring, the machine comprising a fixed spring mounting, which is fixable in a known position in the machine, for a spring or springs and a grinding surface secured to a support structure and arranged with the support structure to relatively oscillate to and fro along an oscillation path or cycle across one end of the mounting. |
| US09339909B2 |
Working machine for making gears
A machine for making gears.The machine comprises a piece-holder unit and an operating unit equipped with an operating head provided with at least one tool for machining a piece. Moreover, one piece-holder unit and the operating unit are provided with relative motion with respect to each another in a direction. The machine is characterized in that the operating unit is suitable to move, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction, and in that the tool is mounted on a slide provided with a tangential motion defined by a direction. |
| US09339908B2 |
Machine tool with cover structure adapted for discharge of chips
A machine tool has a cover structure adapted for the discharge of chips. The cover is composed of a front cover, left and right side covers, and a bottom part. The bottom part is connected to a bed through the respective lower ends of the front cover and the side covers. Further, at least a part of the bottom part includes a slope gradually inclining from the side connected to the bed toward the outer periphery. Even if the chips produced during machining adhere to members inside the cover, they are washed away by a cutting fluid and discharged into a cutting fluid supply device through a channel located farthest from the central portion of the machine tool. |
| US09339906B2 |
Pneumatic beveler
A pneumatic rotary tool including a housing having an inlet passage. The inlet passage extends from an inlet operatively connectable to an air source. The inlet passage extends to a motor cylinder inside the housing. The housing has an outlet passage extending from the motor cylinder to an outlet. The tool includes a rotor mounted in the cylinder for rotation relative to the cylinder under pneumatic power. The tool includes a valve positioned along the inlet passage operable to selectively permit air to pass for rotating the rotor and flowing through the outlet. The tool has a cutter head connected to the rotor including a clamp for holding a cutter to cut material as the head rotates. The cutter head is positioned in the outlet so air passing through the outlet passes over the head to blow material away from the head as the cutter cuts the material. |
| US09339896B1 |
Method for making an oil field mat
A method making an oil field mat from a plurality of synthetic board to create a tri-layer oil field mat usable to support trucks, equipment, and personnel around a derrick, or a Christmas tree having central couplers and end caps. |
| US09339895B2 |
Universal retrofit kit apparatus and methods thereof
A system and method for retrofitting a manual benchtop milling machine utilizing servo controls and/or stepper motors, in which a retrofit kit and method for the modification of a milling machine incorporates ball screws and ball nuts, without removing or replacing the original acme nuts, which have been properly configured and aligned to the machine on which they were originally installed. The retrofit kit and method allow for the modification using the alignment of the original acme nuts in their proper location and alignment obviating the need for custom machining or alignment. |
| US09339893B2 |
Lead-free solder alloy
The present invention provides a lead-free solder alloy having high reliability and excellent solder bonding properties and suited for the mounting of micronized electronic components at low cost. The lead-free solder alloy according to the present invention has a composition containing 0.5 to 1.5 wt % of Ag, 0.3 to 1.5 wt % of Cu, 0.01 to 0.2 wt % of Ni, 1.0 wt % or less of Ga, and the balance being Sn and unavoidable impurities. |
| US09339888B2 |
Bonding apparatus
A bonding apparatus includes a bonding arm which has a receiving portion facing a center axis of a bonding tool; a pair of capillary holding portions in contact with the bonding tool; a pair of piezoelectric elements configured to generate an ultrasonic vibration in contact with the capillary holding portions; and a pressurizing device which has a pressurizing member arranged to face the receiving portion of the bonding arm and a moving device configured to move the pressurizing member toward the receiving portion of the bonding arm. The pressurizing member is moved in a state in which the pair of piezoelectric elements, the pair of capillary holding portions, and the bonding tool are placed between the receiving portion of the bonding arm to cause the bonding arm to hold the pair of capillary holding portion and the bonding tool. |
| US09339887B2 |
Method for bonding dissimilar metals to each other
In the bonding of an aluminum alloy material (11) to a steel material (12) by TIG welding, a tungsten electrode (1) which has a tip having a diagonally cut tip face (2) and asymmetrical to the electrode center axis (6) is used. The tungsten electrode (1) is oriented toward the welding line from the upper side of the aluminum alloy material (11) in such a manner that the tip face side of the tungsten electrode (1) faces the aluminum alloy material (11) side and the tip (2a) of the tip face (2) faces the steel material (12) side. In this manner, an arc (3) from the tip (2a) is directed to the steel material (12) side. |
| US09339886B2 |
Method of and a welding station for laying a pipeline, with pipe section welded together by internal and external welding
A method of laying a pipeline is described in which both internal and external weld passes are performed in order to weld together the pipe sections. The method includes arranging a pipe section adjacent to the end of a pipeline thereby defining a circumferential joint to be welded, performing an external weld pass, with for example GMAW—MIG torches, on the root of the joint to be welded during which weld material is deposited in the root of the joint to be welded, thereby forming a root weld, and then performing an internal weld pass, with for example a GTAW—TIG torch, on the root weld during which the root weld is melted and re-shaped. The method has particular application in relation to pipes clad with corrosion resistant alloy. |
| US09339884B2 |
Simple type electric heating tool and heating device thereof
An electric heating tool includes a body to which a power supply member is mounted. A heating device includes a power receiving connector, a seat mounted to the power receiving connector, two connection legs, and a heating element. The power receiving connector is mounted to the power supply member and has two electrodes electrically connected to two electrodes of the power supply member. Each connection leg is received in one of two through-holes of the seat and includes a connection end and a heating end. The connection ends of the connection legs are electrically connected to the electrodes of the power receiving connector. The heating element is connected to the heating ends of the connection legs. |
| US09339876B2 |
Strap and band cutter
The strap and band cutter is specially configured to produce smoothly rounded corners on the ends of a cut band or strap when opening palletized loads and other materials secured together by straps or bands for shipping. The cutter is a manually operated shear having two elongate lever arms joined by a pivot. The arms terminate in handles at one end and cutting jaws at the other. The cutter operates in double shear, i.e., a central jaw having two cutting edges passes through the opposite jaw and its two shear faces. The jaws are specially configured to produce rounded corners on the two cut ends of the strap or band after cutting, thus greatly reducing or eliminating the chance of injury from contact with one of the ends of the cut strap. |
| US09339874B2 |
Cutting tool
A cutting tool including a body, a blade, a feed shaft, and a locking member. The body defines an axis and is adapted to be received by a spindle of a power tool. The blade is removably supportable on the body and rotatable about the axis for cutting a workpiece. A feed shaft is removably supportable in the body and rotatable about the axis for engaging a workpiece, the feed shaft being mountable in the cutting tool to engage and at least partially restrain the blade. The feed shaft further includes an opening transverse to the axis. The locking member is engageable with the body and with the opening in the feed shaft. Advancement of the locking member into the opening tightens both the blade and the feed shaft to the body. |
| US09339870B2 |
Phosphorus-doped nickel nanoparticle and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a phosphorus-doped nickel nanoparticle. The method includes the steps of: mixing a nickel solution including a nickel compound and a solvent, a seed particle, and a phosphorus-containing reductant in an arbitrary order to prepare a mixed solution; and adjusting pH of the mixed solution such that the mixed solution becomes acidic. According to the method, a phosphorus-doped nickel nanoparticle that is suitable to be applied to solar cell electrodes requiring low contact resistance can be manufactured. |
| US09339869B2 |
Apparatus and method for droplet casting of reactive alloys and applications
Apparatus and method for the production of shaped reactive alloys are disclosed. The shaped reactive alloys are obtained by controlled droplet casting in inert atmosphere, wherein the droplets are produced by using mechanical force on a metallic ampoule containing the molten alloy. The manufacture of gas sorbent and elements for vacuum systems according to the above method are also described. |
| US09339867B2 |
Device, system and method for die-casting metallic material in the thixotropic state
A device for die-casting metal material, including a screw unit for bringing the material into a thixotropic state and a cylinder/piston unit fed by the screw unit for applying pressure to the thixotropic material for the die casting, wherein a thermally controllable valve is arranged between the screw unit and the cylinder/piston unit. |
| US09339866B2 |
Core sand filling method
The core sand filling method comprises a step of operating an aeration air supply means, so as to float and fluidize core sand within a sand blow chamber and, when a pressure Pf of the sand blow chamber measured by the first pressure sensor reaches a first pressure, operating a compressed air supply means and a step of stopping the aeration air supply means and compressed air supply means from operating when each of the pressure Pf within the sand blow chamber and a pressure Pc within a sand storage chamber is a second pressure or higher while a differential pressure ΔP=Pc−Pf is a third pressure or lower. |
| US09339863B2 |
Device and a method for setting a spring to a controlled extent
A device and a method for controlled setting of a coil spring, enabling a coil spring to be blocked in controlled manner with a selected compression length, in particular when compression with touching turns is unfavorable. According to the invention, the device comprises a first support configured to hold the first end of the spring and a second support configured to hold the second end of the spring, the first and second supports being configured to move relative to each other; the device further comprising at least one insertable rest configured to be inserted between certain turns of the spring during compression of the spring. |
| US09339857B2 |
Roll arrangement
The invention relates to a roll arrangement for use in metallurgical technology, comprising a roll that has a roll barrel and two roll necks, and at least one neck bushing for accommodating at least one of the roll necks in a rotationally fixed manner. A carrier element that functions as a form-locking rotationally fixed connection is arranged between the roll neck and the neck bushing. In order to increase the load-bearing capacity of the roll bearing without increasing the size of or the mounting space for the roll bearing and at the same time ensure easy assembly, the roll neck is mounted in the neck bushing with some radial play such that a circumferential cavity is formed between the neck bushing and the roll neck in the unloaded stated as a result of the radial play. In order to increase the size of the cavity, the roll neck or the inner surface of the neck bushing additionally has a concave contour or profile. |
| US09339856B2 |
Transdermal patch disposal system
Devices for use in the disposal of pharmaceutical compositions are provided. Aspects of the devices include: a support having a surface; an activated carbon layer present on the surface; and an adhesive for stably associating a pharmaceutical composition with the activated carbon layer upon application of the pharmaceutical composition to the activated carbon layer. Also provided are methods of using the devices and kits containing the devices. |
| US09339855B2 |
Projectile dispensing system and use
In one embodiment the present invention is a system comprising a feeder to feed projectiles. There is a conveyor for metering the projectiles, and that conveyor is in communication with the feeder. A pipe is in communication with the conveyor, for impelling projectiles through the pipe. In another it is use of a barrel internally lined with a helical blade for unconfined metering of projectiles to clean a gas pressurized pipe. |
| US09339853B2 |
Surface materials for decontamination with decontaminants
Reversibly switchable (transformable) surface layer changeable from (super)hydrophobic to (super)hydrophilic surface states are described. Methods of decontamination of surfaces exposed to contaminate are provided. The reversibly switchable properties of the surface layer can be controlled by an external stimulus. |
| US09339849B2 |
Method for detaching coatings from scrap
The invention relates to a method for the processing of metal scrap, in particular steel scrap, wherein the metal scrap material is treated with at least one fluid with a view to removing surface coatings before a spectroscopic analysis of the metal scrap composition is performed. On the basis of this composition the metal scrap can then be sorted and further processed in a purposeful manner. Moreover, the fluid used for the removal of the surface coatings can be suitably treated to recover the metal constituents contained therein. On the one hand, a resource-conserving and economic recovery of metals, in particular zinc, contained in surface coatings is achieved by means of the inventive method and, what is more, the method also enables a purposeful sorting of metal scrap material to be performed for a variety of uses in the iron and steel producing industry. |
| US09339847B2 |
Vibrating aggregate, an apparatus for processing mineral material, and a method for moving a processing device of an apparatus for processing mineral material
A vibrating aggregate for moving the processing device, the vibrating aggregate including at least a frame, a shaft having an axial line and being arranged to rotate with respect to the frame, as well as a first element connected to the shaft in such a way that the center of mass of the element is not on the axial line, and fitted to move along a circular path. The vibrating aggregate also comprises a second element coupled to the shaft and arranged to move along a linear path. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for processing mineral material, and a method for moving the processing device of an apparatus for processing mineral material. |
| US09339845B2 |
Surface modification method and surface-modified elastic body
The present invention aims to provide a surface modification method for a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer, which can impart excellent sliding properties and durability against repeated sliding motion and can allow the surface to maintain the sealing properties, without using expensive self-lubricating plastics. The present invention relates to a surface modification method for modifying a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer as an object to be modified, the method including: Step 1 of allowing a photopolymerization initiator to be adsorbed on a surface of the object to be modified; and Step 2 of radical polymerizing monomers, starting from the adsorbed photopolymerization initiator, by irradiation with UV light at a wavelength of 300 nm to 400 nm to grow polymer chains on the surface of the object to be modified. |
| US09339844B2 |
Method for the preparation of a catalysed particulate filter and catalysed particulate filter
Method for the preparation of a catalysed particulate filter and a particulate filter prepared by the method. |
| US09339838B2 |
Aerosol generator assembly
An aerosol generator assembly comprising a vibratable piezo ceramic body (2) having first and second opposing sides, an aperture (o) defined in the vibratable body and extending through the body from the first side to the second side and having a layer of electrical contact material on each side of the vibratable body, the vibratable body being vibratable by application of an electrical signal thereto; a vibratable member (1) with pores defined therein, the vibratable member mounted across the aperture; and an electrical contact material free-zone (4) is provided on at least one side of the body about the aperture, characterized in that the electrical contact material free-zone and the vibratable member are dimensioned so that the vibratable member is mountable directly onto the vibratable body on top thereof within the electrical contact material free-zone such that a gap area free of electrode contact material is formed between the terminating edge of the electrical contact material and the periphery of the vibratable member. |
| US09339836B2 |
Ultrasonic atomization apparatus
The invention relates generally to a mesh type apparatus for liquid atomizing and filtration, for example, of the atomizer having a concave ultrasonic transducer, which also forms a part of the liquid container (1). This transducer is emitted an ultrasonic energy which created a spout (2) of the liquid (3) to be atomized. The liquid (8) plays a role of the transmission media. The container (9) with liquid (3) is set up on the top of the container (1). The liquid (3) is separated from the transmission media (8) through the bottom of the container (9) by a material that has minimum attenuation of ultrasonic energy. This separation could be temporary or permanent. The focal zone extender (7) is placed in the vicinity of the bottom of container (9). In this case all liquid above the bottom of the focal zone extender will be forced up to the top of the focal zone extender and atomized at the constant intensity of acoustical energy conveyed from the bottom of the focal zone extender. |
| US09339835B2 |
Overspray collection apparatus for a powder spray booth
Overspray collection apparatus comprises an extraction duct (54) between two sloped floors (50, 52) with unobstructed inlet slots (88, 90) on either side thereof. The extraction duct (54) comprises two moveable panels (56, 58) pivotally mounted to the sloped floors (50, 52). Each moveable panel (56, 58) pivots about an axis that is offset from a lower portion of the moveable panel and a lower portion of the sloped floor. In another embodiment, the pivotal mount comprises an offset hinge. The overspray extraction duct (54) comprises a duct floor (60) and an air diffuser assembly (100) that extends at least partially across the duct floor. The air diffuser assembly (100) receives pressurized air and directs pressurized air into the extraction duct (54), whereby the pressurized air may be pulsed. The overspray extraction duct (54) comprises a suction hood (62) that includes moveable panels (56, 58). Optional actuators may apply a force impulse to one or more of the moveable panels (56, 58), and/or to open and close the suction hood (62) automatically. |
| US09339834B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlled application of liquid streams to a substrate
An improved system for application of liquid streams to a substrate. The system incorporates open face flow channels for carrying the liquid away from fully enclosed flow segments prior to discharge along an unconstrained flow path. The present invention further provides an improved, self-aligning modular assembly for delivery of impingement jet to the liquid streams for diverting the direction of the liquid streams. The present invention further provides an improved arrangement for collection of the deflected liquid in response to application of the impingement jet without excess residue build-up. |
| US09339831B2 |
Pump device and flow control system
A fluid delivery device (100) includes a pump (190), a fluid chamber (129) having an inlet (123) and two or more exits (126) wherein each of the exits (126) from the fluid chamber (129) are equidistant from the inlet (123) such that product pumped through the fluid chamber (129) may flow through each of the exits (126) at an equivalent rate. |
| US09339830B2 |
Lid with ventilation system
A lid (2) for a reservoir (1) to be connected to a liquid spraying device, comprising a ventilation hole (3); a flexible tube (4); and a valve (5), wherein the combination of the ventilation hole (3), the flexible tube (4), and the valve (5) forms a ventilation system which allows an air movement from the outside of the reservoir (1) via the ventilation system to the inside of the reservoir (1) while it blocks the movement of a liquid (6) from the inside of the reservoir (1) via the ventilation system to the outside of the reservoir (1). |
| US09339828B1 |
Percussive sprinkler
A percussive sprinkler includes a base having a supporting portion and a mounting portion. An inlet pipe is secured on the mounting portion for guiding water into the percussive sprinkler. A guide frame is rotatably mounting on the inlet pipe. A watering tube is mounted on the inlet pipe and communicates with the inlet pipe for spraying water from the inlet pipe. The guide frame has a tube coupling extending therefrom near the inlet pipe and the watering tube is mounted onto the tube coupling such that the eater from the inlet pipe firstly sprays out from the watering tube before flowing to the spray head of the guide frame. |
| US09339825B2 |
Fluidic oscillator having decoupled frequency and amplitude control
A fluidic oscillator having independent frequency and amplitude control includes a fluidic-oscillator main flow channel having a main flow inlet, a main flow outlet, and first and second control ports disposed at opposing sides thereof. A fluidic-oscillator controller has an inlet and outlet. A volume defined by the main flow channel is greater than the volume defined by the controller. A flow diverter coupled to the outlet of the controller defines a first fluid flow path from the controller's outlet to the first control port and defines a second fluid flow path from the controller's outlet to the second control port. |
| US09339820B2 |
Jaw crusher support frame
A jaw crusher movable jaw support frame mounts a linkage assembly for suspending a movable jaw in a floating relationship within a jaw crusher relative to a stationary jaw. The support frame includes reinforcement regions extending along a main force transmission wall to absorb and transmit loading forces imparted to the support frame from the movable jaw. |
| US09339819B2 |
Conditioning/moisturizing device for processing almond kernels
The invention relates to a conditioning/moisturizing device for almond grains, especially designed to provide the grains of the fruit with the elasticity required in order to cut the grain into flakes, sticks, cubes or other configurations, with minimum loss through production of flour and others. The device essentially comprises an elongate body, with a generally cylindrical shape and tilted position, which includes on the inside thereof a means for sweeping the almond, made up of a spindle which sweeps the fruit in an upward direction in a steam-saturated environment with controlled temperature, for which purpose the cylindrical body comprises a plurality of steam injection nozzles, said steam being distributed externally and fed to said nozzles from an external steam distributor. The device includes temperature and steam sensors whose measurements are suitable for regulating the rotating speed of the spindle in order to adjust the time during which the almond remains in the environment inside the body. |
| US09339813B2 |
Substance determining apparatus
The invention relates to a substance determining apparatus for determining a substance within a fluid. Particles attach the substance and bind to a binding surface (30), wherein a sensing signal is generated depending on the bound particles. Binding events indicating a binding of a particle on the binding surface (30) are determined from the generated sensing signal, and the substance within the fluid is determined based on the determined binding events. During a procedure of determining a substance within a fluid, particles may bind to the binding surface and may leave the binding surface. Therefore, during this procedure a number of binding events can be determined being much larger than the number of bound particles. The determination of the substance within the fluid can therefore be based on a very large amount of data, thereby increasing the accuracy of determining the substance within the fluid. |
| US09339808B2 |
Enhancement of surface-active solid-phase heterogeneous catalysts
Surface-active solid-phase catalyst activity may be substantially improved by creating deliberate repetitive surface-to-surface contact between portions of the active surfaces of catalyst objects. While they are immersed in reactant material such contact between portions of the active surfaces of catalyst objects can substantially activate the surfaces of many heterogeneous catalysts. Examples are given of such action employing a multitude of predetermined shapes, supported catalyst structures, etc. agitated or otherwise brought into contact to produce numerous surface collisions. One embodiment employs a gear pump mechanism with catalytically active-surfaced gear teeth to create the repetitive transient contacting action during pumping of a flow of reactant. The invention is applicable to many other forms for creating transient catalytic surface contacting action. Optionally catalytic output of such systems may be significantly further improved by employing radiant energy or vibration. |
| US09339806B2 |
Catalytic adsorbents obtained from municipal sludges, industrial sludges, compost and tobacco waste and process for their production
Industrial waste derived adsorbents were obtained by pyrolysis of sewage sludge, metal sludge, waste oil sludge and tobacco waste in some combination. The materials were used as media to remove hydrogen sulfide at room temperature in the presence of moisture. The initial and exhausted adsorbents after the breakthrough tests were characterized using sorption of nitrogen, thermal analysis, XRD, ICP, and surface pH measurements. Mixing tobacco and sludges result in a strong synergy enhancing the catalytic properties of adsorbents. During pyrolysis new mineral phases are formed as a result of solid state reaction between the components of the sludges. High temperature of pyrolysis is beneficial for the adsorbents due to the enhanced activation of carbonaceous phase and chemical stabilization of inorganic phase. Samples obtained at low temperature are sensitive to water, which deactivates their catalytic centers. |
| US09339804B2 |
Method for preparation of a ruthenium indenylidene complex
The present invention is directed to a method for the preparation of ruthenium catalyst (PCy3)2CI2Ru(phenylindenylidene) (Umicore catalyst “M1”). The method comprises a one-step reaction reacting the precursor compound (PPh3)2CI2Ru(3-phenylindenylidene) with PCy3 in a cyclic ether solvent (preferably THF) in concentrations in the range of 0.2 to 0.6 mol catalyst/I while simultaneously precipitating the product from the reaction mixture. A cyclic ether solvate product with high crystallinity and high purity is obtained. |
| US09339800B2 |
Methods for treating engine exhaust
A method for treating engine exhaust. The method includes contacting an NOx exhaust with an upstream catalyst material coated onto a substrate and including copper or iron loaded in a first zeolite at an upstream loading of 0 to 3.5 g/l to convert the NOx exhaust in a first temperature range of 150° C. to 500° C. to a first NOx converted exhaust. The method further includes contacting the first NOx converted exhaust with a downstream catalyst material coated onto the substrate downstream of the upstream catalyst material and including copper or iron loaded in a second zeolite at a downstream loading of 1.5 to 9.5 g/l to convert the first NOx converted exhaust in a second temperature range of 450° C. to 700° C. |
| US09339796B2 |
Nanocatalysts for hydrocracking and methods of their use
Novel catalysts comprising nickel oxide nanoparticles supported on alumina nanoparticles, methods of their manufacture, heavy oil compositions contacted by these nanocatalysts and methods of their use are disclosed. The novel nanocatalysts are useful, inter alia, in the upgrading of heavy oil fractions or as aids in oil recovery from well reservoirs or downstream processing. |
| US09339795B2 |
Process of using a catalyst for photo-catalytic degradation of contaminant in water
This invention relates to the process of using a catalyst for the photo-catalytic degradation of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in water. A Pd/Ce2O3—ZnO photo-catalyst is formed to react with MTBE dissolved in water sample and UV irradiated to reduce the MTBE concentration in the water sample. A 95-97% degradation of MTBE is observed using this process. |
| US09339792B2 |
Photocatalyst, method for preparation, photolysis system
The present invention relates to a photocatalyst for the generation of diatomic hydrogen from a hydrogen containing precursor under the influence of actinic radiation comprising semiconductor support particles comprised of SrTiO3 and TiO2 with one or more noble and/or transition metals deposited thereon. Further disclosed is a method for preparing such catalyst and a method for generating diatomic hydrogen by photolysis. |
| US09339791B2 |
Low thermal expansion aluminum titanate zirconium tin titanate ceramics
Disclosed herein is a ceramic body comprising at least one phase comprising a pseudobrookite-type crystal structure and at least one phase comprising zirconium tin titanate. Also disclosed are porous ceramic honeycomb structures comprising a ceramic body comprising at least one phase comprising a pseudobrookite-type crystal structure and at least one phase comprising zirconium tin titanate and methods of preparing a ceramic body comprising at least one phase comprising a pseudobrookite-type crystal structure and at least one phase comprising zirconium tin titanate. |
| US09339788B2 |
Zeolites and composites incorporating zeolites
According to the invention there is provided a zeolite having a porous structure produced by forming the zeolite on a porous carbon substrate which has been substantially or completely removed, wherein (i) the zeolite was formed on the substrate at a loading of at least 8% by weight and/or (ii) the zeolite has a reinforcing layer. |
| US09339786B2 |
High-performance structured packing for a fluid contacting column
The packing includes a pile of plates having corrugations forming a succession of positive and negative edges, each edge comprising fins, each fin being made up of at least one band cut out in one of the plates and remaining secured to the plate on at least one side, the band being deformed so as to create an orifice forming a discontinuity on the surface of the plate, wherein the direction of the edges of a plate forms a non-zero angle with respect to the direction of the edges of an adjacent plate. Each plate has at least one longitudinal zone parallel to one lip of the plate where the edges have no orifice, the zones being positioned in such a way that two adjacent plates have their zone one above the other so as to form at least one point of contact between a positive edge and a negative edge of the two adjacent plates. |
| US09339785B2 |
Methods and systems for acoustically-assisted hydroprocessing at low pressure
Hydroprocessing can be performed at low pressure using acoustic energy. For example, hydroprocessing a feedstock having one or more hydrocarbon compounds carried in, or mixed with, a transport gas involves flowing the feedstock through a reaction zone in a reactor that has a bulk pressure less than 68 atm and applying acoustic energy through the reaction zone. The hydrocarbon compounds are chemically reacted with a hydrogen source in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the reacting occurs in the reaction zone. |
| US09339784B2 |
Plasma synthesis of metal and lithium fluoride nanostructures
Provided are methods and apparatus for forming electrode active materials for electrochemical cells. These materials include a metal (e.g., iron, cobalt), lithium, and fluorine and are produced using plasma synthesis or, more specifically, non-equilibrium plasma synthesis. A metal containing material, organometallic lithium containing material, and fluorine-containing material are provided into a flow reactor, mixed, and exposed to the electrical energy generating plasma. The plasma generation enhances reaction between the provided materials and forms nanoparticles of the electrode active materials. The nanoparticles may have a mean size of 1-30 nanometers and may have a core-shell structure. The core may be formed by metal, while the shell may include lithium fluoride. A carbon shell may be disposed over the lithium fluoride shell. The nanoparticles are collected and may be used to form an electrochemical cell. Besides fluoride components, these methods may be used to form oxides, chlorides, nitrides, and sulfides. |
| US09339769B2 |
Filled porous membrane
A porous membrane may have a high concentration of spherical fillers with a polymer binder. The polymer binder may have an affinity for the filler materials and may hold the filler materials together in a porous structure with high tortuosity and consistent pore size. The membrane may be manufactured with a reinforcing web, such as non-woven web. The membrane may be greater than 50% porous with a less than 1 micron pore size. Within the pore walls that may be less than 0.02 microns in width, a densely packed filler material may have an average diameter of less than 0.005 microns. |
| US09339768B2 |
Multi-cartridge membrane contactors, modules, systems, and related methods
A multi-cartridge membrane contactor that can be used for many purposes, including, but not limited to, being a multi-cartridge degassing module. In accordance with at least particular certain embodiments, the module includes a plurality of hollow-fiber cartridges placed in a radial pattern around a central cartridge within a single larger vessel. For example, there may be two radial sets of cartridges placed in series at each of the radial positions. |
| US09339766B2 |
Method and apparatus for purifying alcohol
A method of purifying an alcohol, such as isopropyl alcohol, includes a first ion exchange step of performing ion exchange treatment on an alcohol-containing liquid; a step of performing dehydration treatment using a dehydration membrane on the liquid treated in the first ion exchange step; a distillation step of performing distillation on the dehydration-treated liquid; and a second ion exchange step of further performing ion exchange treatment on the liquid obtained in the distillation step to obtain a purified alcohol. |
| US09339762B2 |
Carbon dioxide recovery apparatus and carbon dioxide recovery method
In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus includes a heat exchanger which heats a first rich liquid, a flow divider which divides the first rich liquid heated by the heat exchanger into a second rich liquid and a third rich liquid, a first release device which heats the second rich liquid and discharges a first semi-lean liquid, a second release device which heats the third rich liquid and discharges a second semi-lean liquid, and a regeneration tower which heats the first and second semi-lean liquids to generate a lean liquid. The first release device heats the second rich liquid, using the lean liquid. The second release device heats the third rich liquid, using a carbon dioxide-containing steam discharged at the regeneration tower. The heat exchanger heats the first rich liquid, using the lean liquid which has passed through the first release device. |
| US09339760B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for removal of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from biogas
Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S from biogas with ease of operation and reduced operating and capital costs. Methods, systems and apparatuses herein provide a unique and novel process to remove H2S over CO2 from biogas. |
| US09339758B2 |
Gas barrier resin composition and gas barrier composite film
Provided are a gas barrier resin composition, and a gas barrier composite film excellent in gas barrier properties with respect to oxygen, carbon dioxide gas, water vapor or the like, particularly in gas barrier properties even after hot water treatment. The gas barrier resin composition includes an oxazoline group-containing aqueous polymer (A), an aqueous acrylic resin (B) and/or an aqueous polyester resin (C) each at a specific concentration, wherein the ratio of the mole number of the oxazoline group to the mole number of the carboxyl group [the ratio of the mole number of the oxazoline group (x mmol) to the mole number of the carboxyl group (y mmol), which is indicated as (x/y)×100 (mol %)], is within the specific range. The gas barrier composite film uses this composition. |
| US09339757B2 |
Rate enhancement of CO2 absorption in aqueous potassium carbonate solutions by an ammonia-based catalyst
The technical field of the invention is CO2 capture and sequestration, as well as gas separation and purification technologies. In an aspect is a process for capturing purified CO2 from a CO2-containing gas, comprising steps: (a) contacting in an absorber column the CO2-containing gas with an absorption solution comprising water, ammonia, and potassium carbonate, to enable adsorption of CO2, thereby producing a CO2-depleted gas and a CO2-rich solution; and (b) subjecting the CO2-rich solution to desorption conditions in a regeneration column producing a purified CO2 gas stream and a CO2-depleted solution. |
| US09339755B2 |
Ethylene separation with temperature swing adsorption
A process for component separation in a polymer production system, comprising (a) separating a polymerization product stream into a gas stream and a polymer stream, (b) contacting the polymer stream with a purge gas to yield a purged polymer and a spent purge gas comprising purge gas, ethylene, and ethane, (c) contacting the spent purge gas with a temperature swing adsorber contactor (TSAC) to yield a loaded TSAC, wherein at least a portion of the ethylene is adsorbed by the TSAC at a first temperature to yield TSAC-adsorbed ethylene, wherein a portion of the ethane is adsorbed by the TSAC at the first temperature to yield TSAC-adsorbed ethane, (d) heating the loaded TSAC to a second temperature to yield a regenerated TSAC, and (e) contacting the regenerated TSAC with a sweeping gas stream to yield a recovered adsorbed gas stream comprising sweeping gas, recovered ethylene and recovered ethane. |
| US09339753B2 |
Treatment of crude synthesis gas
A process for treating steam-saturated crude gases from an entrained flow gasification of fuels before entry into heat exchangers sited upstream of a crude gas converting operation. To avoid solid deposits in an entrance region of the heat exchangers, the crude gas is converted from a saturated into a superheated state by supply of a hot gas to the crude gas. Hot gas contemplated is superheated high pressure steam or recycled superheated converted crude gas. |
| US09339750B2 |
Filter insert, and filter comprising a filter insert and a housing
A filter (10) for removing oil from air exiting an air compressor or a vacuum pump includes a housing (11) and at least one filter element (12, 13), the end region of which is adhesively bonded to a flange (14). The flange (14) has a flanged edge (15) and a bead (16) which is adjacently arranged to the edge, the edge and the bead together forming a groove (17) into which the filter element (12, 13) and an adhesive (20) is introduced. |
| US09339747B2 |
Carbon block filter
The present invention relates to a process for making metal impregnated bound Carbon block filters. In particular the present invention to a process for preparing a moulded Carbon block filter impregnated with a metal selected from Silver, Copper or Zinc, with relatively low level of variation in metal content across the blocks, relatively lower deviation from the theoretical metal content, and where the leach-rate of metal from the block during use is relatively low. |
| US09339746B2 |
Method for filtering a liquid
An oil filter assembly is disclosed for a machine, such as an internal combustion engine, that has an oil output port and an oil input port. A mounting plate is fixed with an outer enclosure. The mounting plate is further adapted to conduct oil from the machine into a peripheral portion of the outer enclosure, and then returning oil from a central portion of the outer enclosure back to the machine. Oil may pass from the peripheral portion to the central portion through a primary filter having a first porosity. A pressure-actuated valve is fixed fluidly between the portions of the outer enclosure. |
| US09339741B2 |
Density phase separation device
A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases is disclosed. The mechanical separator includes a float having a first portion and a second portion, a ballast circumferentially disposed about a section of the float, and a deformable bellows defining an open passageway extending between a first end and a second end. The ballast is longitudinally moveable with respect to the float and engaged with the deformable bellows between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the float is transitionable from a restraint position to a sealed position through the first end of the bellows. The first portion of the float can be positioned within the interior of the deformable bellows in the restraint position, and the first portion of the float can be positioned at an exterior location longitudinally displaced from the deformable bellows in the sealed position. |
| US09339737B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating bubbles
A bubble generating device and a method for producing bubbles. In one aspect, the invention can be an apparatus for generating bubbles comprising: a housing; a motor; an air flow generator operably coupled to the motor; a trough containing a bubble solution; a cam surface comprising a raised portion and a valley portion; a follower member comprising a bubble generating device, the follower member in operable cooperation with the cam surface; the motor operably coupled to the follower member to drive the follower member along the cam surface such that: (1) upon the follower member being located along the valley portion of the cam surface, the bubble generating device is in the trough; and (2) upon the follower member being located along the raised portion of the cam surface, the bubble generating device is aligned with an air flow generated by the air flow generator for producing bubbles. |
| US09339729B2 |
System and method for playsets using tracked objects and corresponding virtual worlds
There is provided a system and method for playsets using tracked objects and corresponding virtual worlds. There is provided an object for use with a physical environment and connectable to a virtual world corresponding to the physical environment, the object including a processor and a plurality of sensors including a position sensor. The processor is configured to establish a first connection with the virtual world, wherein the virtual world contains a virtual object corresponding to the object, determine a position of the object using the position sensor, and send the position of the object using the first connection. There is also provided a physical environment having similar capabilities as the object. |
| US09339726B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying the presentation of information based on the visual complexity of environment information
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are herein provided for modifying the presentation of information based on the visual complexity of environment information. A method may include causing presentation of information on a display. The method may further include determining a visual complexity level of environment information. The method may further include causing, based at least in part on the determined visual complexity level, modification of presentation of at least a portion of the information on the display. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided. |
| US09339724B2 |
Method and apparatus for using a common pointing input to control 3D viewpoint and object targeting
A computer graphics display system such as a video game system provides virtual camera 3-D viewpoint panning control based on a pointer. When the pointer is displayed within a virtual camera panning control region, the system automatically pans the virtual camera toward the pointer. When the pointer is displayed within a different region, panning is deactivated and the user can freely move the cursor (e.g., to control the direction a weapon is pointed) without panning the virtual camera viewpoint. Flexible viewpoint control and other animated features are provided based on a pointing device such as a handheld video game optical pointing control. Useful applications include but are not limited to first person shooter type video games. |
| US09339723B2 |
Casino card handling system with game play feed to mobile device
A card game monitor manages play of a game with a video feed of casino table game play. A dealer deals a game using a card-handling device that randomizes and dispenses cards, which may be grouped into sets of hands by the card-handling device. A card recognition system recognizes card information including rank and suit of each card dispensed by the card handling device. A camera captures a video feed of casino table game play, which is transmitted to a mobile computing device operated by a player. A control system receives the card information from the card recognition device and manages control of the game using hand information associated with players. Player action elections from the mobile computing device are displayed to a dealer. The player provides a player action through the mobile computing device, which is used to facilitate play of the casino table game. |
| US09339719B2 |
Ski binding plate
A ski binding device having a plate adapted to engage the ski binding, in which the plate has a heel end and a toe end, and a heel absorption mechanism is adapted to absorb excessive lateral pivoting force from the heel of a ski boot. A restrictor biases the heel into engagement with a heel receptacle. A dual pivot engages the toe end of the plate for permitting both downward movement of the heel end and lateral movement of the heel end out of alignment with the ski. The lateral pivoting force corresponds to release of potentially harmful forces. The restrictor is responsive to upward force from the toe end, as results from disproportionate backweighting of a skier. The restrictor disengages the heel end from the heel receptacle based on a predetermined release force, and permit lateral outward displacement of the heel end upon disengagement of the heel. |
| US09339718B2 |
Assistance system for a gliding board or snowshoe
The present invention relates to a system for helping the movements of a user's foot, said foot being able to be received in a footwear portion, the front end of which is pivotably mounted relative to a sliding board or to walking equipment, with the system comprising a spring which can be secured to the sliding board or to the walking equipment so as to be applied to a bearing zone of the footwear portion by exerting a pressure on said bearing zone when the bearing zone is moved closer to the sliding board or to the walking equipment, characterized in that it comprises a binding device which can be removed from the spring, with the binding device being able to be fastened to a binding zone of the sliding board or of the walking equipment. |
| US09339713B2 |
Golf aid including heads up display
A golf aid including a practice mode for use while hitting a plurality of golf balls with a golf club includes a golf ball tracking system, a heads up display, and a processor. The golf ball tracking system tracks a plurality of golf ball trajectories, each corresponding to a respective golf ball being hit by the golf club. The heads up display is configured to be worn on the user's head and display an image within a field of view of the user. The processor is configured to compute one or more shot statistics for each one of the plurality of trajectories, display the one or more computed shot statistics and a plurality of trajectory traces within the field of view of the user. |
| US09339712B2 |
Exerciser
An exercise equipment including a support, a first footboard and a second footboard for supporting the feet of the user, arranged alongside one another and able to slide along the support according to a substantially rectilinear direction (A), and articulated connection elements for connecting the first footboard to the second footboard. |
| US09339710B2 |
Sport performance system with ball sensing
A apparatus for use with a portable performance system. The portable performance system includes a processor, a memory and a display. The training apparatus includes an American-style football, at least one sensor coupled to the football, at least one transmitter coupled to the football and operably coupled to the sensor, and a non-transient computer-readable medium containing code. The code directs the processor to: determine at least one football event by comparing the at least one attribute of the football to one or more predetermined signature characteristics of different football events; and an output device to present output to a person based on the determination of the at least one football event. |
| US09339709B2 |
Guide arm machine
A guide arm machine includes a guide arm and an equipment holder attached to the guide arm. The equipment holder is optimized to hold a sports equipment item. The guide arm is attached to a shaft so that the shaft defines a rotation axis around which the guide arm rotates. An adjustable main beam whose position is adjustable with respect to a stationary anchor, so that when the sports equipment item is held by the equipment holder and a position of the adjustable main beam is appropriately adjusted, rotation of the guide arm around the guide arm guides an athlete holding the equipment holder item into a desired motion that trains the athlete in efficient use of the sports equipment item. |
| US09339704B2 |
Methods for selecting golf balls based on environmental factors
Methods for selecting golf balls based on environmental factors are provided. Such methods involve indicating a golfing environment and establishing one or more corresponding environmental factors. Such methods may include ascertaining one or more trajectory components that are dependent upon the environmental factors. One or more aspects of golf ball construction may pertinent to the environmental factors, or to the trajectory components, may then be determined. Upon identifying a plurality of golf balls and a selection criteria related to the golf ball construction aspects, a golf ball may be selected. |
| US09339702B2 |
Shaft for golf clubs
A shaft 6 includes bias layers and straight layers. The bias layers include full length bias layers s1, s2, and butt partial bias layers s3, s4 arranged at a butt end side of the shaft. The straight layers include full length straight layers s7, s9, a tip partial straight layer arranged at a tip side of the shaft, and a butt partial straight layer arranged at a butt end side of the shaft. The tip partial straight layer includes a tip low-elastic layer s6. The butt partial straight layer includes a butt low-elastic layer s8. A low-elastic layer means a layer in which an elastic modulus of a reinforcing fiber is equal to or less than 20 ton/mm2. A shaft length Ls is equal to or less than 41 inches. |
| US09339699B2 |
Racquet configured with fewer cross strings than main strings
A racquet includes polyester, monofilament racquet string and a frame extending along a longitudinal axis and including a head portion coupled to a handle portion. The head portion includes a hoop having inner and outer peripheral walls. The hoop defines a head size having maximum longitudinal and transverse dimensions, a, and, b, respectively. The dimension a is at least 1.2 times the dimension b. The inner peripheral wall includes string holes. The string has a diameter within the range of 1.10 to 1.55 millimeters. The string forms a string bed of interlaced main and cross string segments. Each of the cross segments transversely extends from one of the string holes to another, and each of the main segments longitudinally extends from one of the string holes to another. The string bed has at least one more main segment than cross segment. At least one of the main segments contacting the tennis ball exhibits a snap back velocity of at least 1 meter per second. |
| US09339697B2 |
RFID golf ball target system and method
A radio-frequency identification (RFID) golf ball range target system is described. The RFID golf ball range target system includes a RFID golf ball, a scanner, a client computer, a game selection module, a target, a target RFID reader and a target network communications module. The RFID golf ball that includes a RFID tag fixedly coupled to the surface of a spherical golf ball core corresponding to the RFID golf ball, wherein the RFID tag is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell. A unique RFID golf ball identifier is associated with the RFID golf ball. In the illustrative embodiment, the RFID tag includes an omnidirectional antenna that operates in the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) range. Additionally, the illustrative RFID tag can be encapsulated in a flexible substrate that is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell. |
| US09339694B2 |
Multi-layer golf ball
Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a single layer cover are disclosed. The dual core consists of an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition. The Shore C hardness of the outer core layer's outer surface is preferably greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and more preferably is 56 Shore D or greater. |
| US09339691B2 |
System and method for controlling an exercise device
In general, the present invention relates to exercise devices and systems that can receive and run workout programs that include control command subsets that control the moveable members of a plurality of different exercise devices. Exercise devices of the present invention are able to ignore the control command subset(s) that do not control their moveable member(s) and recognize the control command subset(s) that control their moveable member(s). Exercise devices of the present invention are further able to, if necessary, perform a sizing restriction to the relevant control command subset(s). Motivational content may also be modified in connection with or independently from a sizing restriction made to the control commands. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling one or more exercise device with a workout file that includes control command subsets that control the moveable members of a plurality of different exercise devices. |
| US09339689B2 |
Foot exercise device
A foot exercise device includes at least one attachment means for a foot and a sole that forms a closed accommodation space having one or more compressible chambers to accommodate a particulate material or a fluid. The surface of the sole reaches beyond the foot surface circumferentially around the sides. |
| US09339688B1 |
Core exercise apparatus
An exercise apparatus allows a user lacking core muscle strength to perform a sit-up stand-up maneuver. The exercise apparatus includes a frame having a foot lowered portion, a head lowered portion, and a raised central portion having a knee bar. A back support is connected to the head lowered portion. A foot support and a foot plate are connected to the lower foot support to allow the user to engage one's feet to create leverage to elevate both upper and lower vertebrae from the back support and further facilitate the user to stand up to activate one's lower back muscles that are otherwise ignored in a conventional sit-up. |
| US09339687B2 |
Ski exercise apparatus
A method for using a ski exercise machine involves steps for putting on a pair of ski boots, stepping onto a pair of foot pads on the ski exercise machine one at a time, the foot pads implemented on a carriage rolling on arcuate rails, engaging a rearward portion of the sole of each ski boot in each foot pad beneath a heel retainer plate as a part of each foot pad, such that the heel portion of the ski boot is constrained vertically, placing the toe of each ski boot behind an adjustable toe stop on each foot pad such that the ski boot is constrained from moving forward in the foot pad, but the toe is not constrained vertically, and grasping a hand rail as part of the ski exercising apparatus and urging the carriage side to side on the arcuate rails, simulating skiing activity. |
| US09339686B2 |
High knees exercise apparatus
A high knees exercise apparatus includes a base, two actuator members, and two pedals. The base includes a supporting member and a pivot portion. The pivot portion has a pivot axis. The actuator members are pivotally connected to two sides of the pivot portion respectively and moving in response to each other reversely. Each of the actuator members includes a lower portion swinging along an arc path centered on the pivot axis. The arc path includes a first arc extended from a virtual vertical line passing through the pivot axis and an angle of the first arc is 45 degrees to 100 degrees. Each of the pedals is pivotally connected to a free end of each of the lower portions. |
| US09339684B2 |
Stationary exercise apparatus
A stationary exercise device having variable footpaths is disclosed. The exercise device includes a frame, a pair of supporting members that have a first end to rotate about an axis and a second end to move along a reciprocating path, a pair of pedals joined to the supporting members, and a guider assembly for adjusting an incline angle of the reciprocating path. |
| US09339682B2 |
Mountable exercise apparatus
An exercise apparatus that is mountable to a substrate, having a channel, a belt, and at least one buckle. The buckle has a bottom portion that is adapted to fit within the channel such that the buckle can move along the channel and resist moving in either perpendicular direction. The buckle has a top portion that includes an opening for attaching exercise equipment and at least one cam. The cam is selectively engaged with the belt such that when the cam is disengaged, the buckle can be moved along the belt and when engaged, the buckle resists movement with respect to the belt. |
| US09339680B2 |
Portable physical therapy and exercising device
A physical therapy and exercising apparatus comprising an upper surface configured to fit a person's foot or hand, and a bottom surface, wherein, when the apparatus is placed on a flat surface, only a portion of the bottom surface touches the flat surface, such that low-friction gliding on the flat surface, of the person's foot or hand and apparatus, together, is facilitated. |
| US09339674B2 |
Hat channel adaptor for sprinkler support assembly
An adaptor is provided that is configured to receive a support assembly for mounting a flexible fire sprinkler fitting in a ceiling support structure formed of parallel, spaced beams. The adaptor includes first and second long sides configured to be secured to each beam of an adjacent pair of beams, and first and second short sides configured to be secured to the support assembly. One end of each long side is joined by the first short side, and an opposed end of each long side is joined by the second short side such that the first and second long sides are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first and second short sides, whereby the adaptor is a generally elongated, hollow, rectangular structure. The adaptor permits the support assembly to be mounted in a suspended ceiling formed of hat channel or metal stud furring. |
| US09339673B2 |
Flexible dry sprinkler
An X-brace configuration locks a valve element in a latched position until a fusible element breaks releasing pressurized inert gas. Upon depressurization, the X-brace configuration releases the valve element to open and allow water flow through the flexible sprinkler assembly. |
| US09339670B1 |
Vertical pole spraying system
Methods and apparatus are provided for a system for applying a fluid chemical treatment to a vertical column. In one embodiment the system includes a frame configured to generally surround the column, with a substantial gap between an inner surface of the frame and an outer surface of the column. The system may further include a centering guide on the inner surface of the frame, and an array of fluid spray nozzles connected to a pressurized fluid chemical source, and arranged to apply a uniform spray coating to the column. A mobility system vertically translates the frame along the column in a level orientation while fluid chemical is being applied. |
| US09339669B2 |
Breathing apparatus simulator
A breathing apparatus simulator unit (BASU) comprises a mouthpiece/noseclip subassembly and a cartridge subassembly. The mouthpiece/noseclip subassembly includes the same mouthpiece/noseclip subassembly that is utilized in an actual self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) device. The cartridge subassembly comprises a container containing a reactionary material. The reactionary material reacts with at least one product of a user's exhalation to generate heat and resistance, thereby providing sensations to simulate the use of an actual SCSR. |
| US09339663B2 |
Wearable cardiac defibrillator system emitting CPR prompts
A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments the WCD system includes a speaker system that transmits a sound designed to assist a bystander to perform CPR. Optionally CPR chest compressions received by the patient can be further detected, and feedback can be given. In embodiments, a WCD system may include a user interface that can be controlled to output CPR prompts tailored to a skill level of the bystander. |
| US09339662B2 |
Methods and devices for accurately classifying cardiac activity
Methods, systems, and devices for signal analysis in an implanted cardiac monitoring and treatment device such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In illustrative examples, captured data including detected events is analyzed to identify likely overdetection of cardiac events. In some illustrative examples, when overdetection is identified, data may be modified to correct for overdetection, to reduce the impact of overdetection, or to ignore overdetected data. New methods for organizing the use of morphology and rate analysis in an overall architecture for rhythm classification and cardiac signal analysis are also discussed. |
| US09339661B2 |
Medical device adjusting operation when used with non-authenticated patient parameter collecting accessory
Embodiments are directed to a medical device, such as a defibrillator, for use with an accessory capable of collecting a parameter of a patient. The medical device is capable of at least performing a basic functionality, an advanced functionality, and of defibrillating the patient. The medical device includes an energy storage module within a housing for storing an electrical charge that is to be delivered to the patient for the defibrillating. The medical device includes a processor structured to determine whether a data set received from the accessory confirms or not a preset authentication criterion about the accessory. Although when the accessory is coupled to the housing the medical device is capable of the defibrillating and the basic functionality, the medical device is capable of the advanced functionality only when the accessory is coupled to the housing and it is determined that the preset authentication criterion is confirmed. Embodiments also include methods of operation and a programmed solution. |
| US09339660B2 |
Implantable medical device with one or more magnetic field sensors to assist with external charger alignment
An implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed having one or more magnetic field sensors for measuring a strength of a magnetic charging field provided by an external charger and used to provide operational power to the IMD, for example, to charge its battery. The measured field strength data, or derivations of such data, are telemetered to the external charger, which further process the received data if necessary and can inform a user whether alignment between the external charger and IMD is sufficient, a misalignment direction, and/or a misalignment distance, so that the user can attempt to improve the alignment of the external charger. The one or more sensors are preferably placed at or equidistantly around a center axis of the IMD's charging coil. However, the sensors may be placed at any number of locations in the IPG, and at different distances from the center axis. |
| US09339659B2 |
Efficient external charger for charging a plurality of implantable medical devices
An external charger for a battery in an implantable medical device (implant), and technique for charging batteries in multiple implants using such improved external charger, is disclosed. During charging, values for a parameter measured in the implants are reported from the implants to the external charger. The external charger infers from the magnitudes of the parameters which of the implants has the highest (hot) and lowest (cold) coupling to the external charger. The intensity of the magnetic charging field is optimized for the cold implant to ensure that it is charged with a maximum (fastest) battery charging current. The duty cycle of the magnetic charging field is also optimized for the hot implant to ensure that it does not exceed a power dissipation limit. As a result, charging is optimized to be fast for all of the implants, while still safe from a tissue heating perspective. |
| US09339658B2 |
Adaptive event storage in implantable device
Monitoring physiological parameter using an implantable physiological monitor in order to detect a condition predictive of a possible future pathological episode and collecting additional physiological data associated with the condition predictive of a possible future pathological episode. Monitoring another physiological parameter in order to detect a condition indicative of the beginning of a present pathological episode and collecting additional pathological data in response to the condition. Determining that the condition predictive of a future episode and the condition indicative of a present episode are associated and, in response thereto, storing all the collected physiological data. |
| US09339656B2 |
Methods and systems for identifying reasons for ineffective left ventricular capture in cardiac resynchronization therapy based on EGM morphology
The present disclosure pertains to cardiac pacing methods and systems, and, more particularly, to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In particular, the present disclosure pertains to determining the efficacy of CRT through use of an effective capture test (ECT). One or more embodiments comprises sensing a signal in response to a ventricular pacing stimulus. Through signal processing, a number of features are parsed from the signal. Exemplary features parsed from the signal include a maximum amplitude, a maximum time associated with the maximum amplitude, a minimum amplitude, and a minimum time associated with the minimum amplitude. The data is evaluated through use of the ECT. By employing the ECT, efficacy of CRT is easily and automatically evaluated. In one or more other embodiments, the reason for ineffective capture is displayed to the user. Exemplary reasons for ineffective capture include pseudo-fusion pacing and lack of capture of the ventricle. |
| US09339655B2 |
System and method for compounding low-frequency sources for high-frequency neuromodulation
A neuromodulation system and method of providing therapy to a patient. A plurality of individual electrical pulse trains is generated at a respective plurality of individual pulse rates. The plurality of individual electrical pulse trains are concurrently respectively from a plurality of electrodes to a common electrode via tissue of the patient, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train having an average pulse rate equal to or greater than 1 KHz. |
| US09339654B2 |
Timing control for paired plasticity
Systems, methods and devices for paired training include timing controls so that training and neural stimulation can be provided simultaneously. Paired trainings may include therapies, rehabilitation and performance enhancement training. Stimulations of nerves such as the vagus nerve that affect subcortical regions such as the nucleus basalis, locus coeruleus or amygdala induce plasticity in the brain, enhancing the effects of a variety of therapies, such as those used to treat tinnitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. |
| US09339652B2 |
Neural stimulation system for cardiac fat pads
Various aspects relate to a device which, in various embodiments, comprises a header, a neural stimulator, a detector and a controller. The header includes at least one port to connect to at least one lead, and includes first and second channels for use to provide neural stimulation to first and second neural stimulation sites for a heart. The controller is connected to the detector and the neural stimulator to selectively deliver a therapy based on the feedback signal. A first therapy signal is delivered to the first neural stimulation site to selectively control contractility and a second therapy signal is delivered to the second neural stimulation site to selectively control one of a sinus rate and an AV conduction. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US09339651B2 |
System for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve for controlling the position of a patient's tongue
A system for controlling a position of a patient's tongue includes attaching at least one electrode to the patient's Hypoglossal nerve and applying an electric signal through the electrode to at least one targeted motor efferent located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue. The system may also include the use of more than one contact to target more than one motor efferent and stimulating more than one muscle. The stimulation load to maintain the position of the tongue may be shared by each muscle. The position of the patient's tongue may be controlled in order to prevent obstructive sleep apnea. |
| US09339649B2 |
Implantable cochlear systems with intracochlear electrode array for balance stabilization
A system for rehabilitating patients affected by balance disorders with or without vestibular hypofunction and/or malfunction with or without an associated hearing loss, which includes sensors of sound and head movement, processing circuitry, a power source coupled to head phones, an air conduction hearing aid, bone conduction hearing aid, middle ear implant or an electrical stimulator implanted into the cochlea capable of stimulating areas within the cochlea with the potential for current spread to surrounding non-auditory areas including the vestibular system. |
| US09339648B2 |
Stimulus timing for a stimulating medical device
Methods and systems are disclosed for determining the timing of stimulation applied using a medical device. In embodiments, the medical device filters a received signal to obtain a plurality of band-pass filtered signals, each corresponding to one or more stimulation channels. The medical device then determines the envelopes of these band-pass filtered signals. Next, the medical device determines the stimulation timing (i.e., the pulse times) for the corresponding stimulation channel based on the timing of a particular phase (e.g., a peak, a minimum, etc.) of the envelope. A pulse amplitude for the stimulation channel may then be determined, and stimulation applied using the determined amplitude and pulse time. |
| US09339645B2 |
Modulating function of the facial nerve system or related neural structures via the ear
Stimulation of the facial nerve system (e.g., electrically, electromagnetically, etc.) in stroke patients will cause dilation of occluded arteries and dilation of surrounding arteries, allowing for blood flow to circumvent the obstruction and reach previously-deprived tissue. The device approaches the facial nerve and its branches in the vicinity of the ear. In use, the device can be inserted into the ear canal or placed in proximity to the ear in order to stimulate the facial nerve system without puncturing the tympanic membrane (e.g., using an electromagnetic field). The device can also be advanced into the middle ear through a puncture created in the tympanic membrane. Branches of the facial nerve in the middle ear can then be stimulated directly (e.g., by application of electrical current). The device can be used in the emergency treatment of acute stroke or as chronically-implanted/inserted variations for long-term maintenance of blood flow to the brain and stroke prevention. |
| US09339642B1 |
System and method for conducting multi-electrode electrical stimulation
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for effecting a physiological effect are provided. In some embodiments, a system is provided which comprises a plurality of current sources, where each current source having a positive output and a negative output and each being configured to provide a first current. The system may also include a plurality of stimulating electrodes electrically connected with the plurality of current sources such that at least a pair of the stimulating electrodes share at least one output of at least one of the plurality of current sources. The stimulating electrodes may be configured to provide electrical energy to tissue of a patient at the first current. The system may further include at least one sentinel electrode, and a first voltage monitor configured to monitor a first voltage across the at least one sentinel electrode and at least one of the plurality of stimulating electrodes. |
| US09339641B2 |
Method and apparatus for transdermal stimulation over the palmar and plantar surfaces
Various methods and devices for providing transdermal electrical stimulation therapy to a patient are provided. In certain variations, a method may include positioning a stimulator electrode over a glabrous skin surface overlying a target nerve of a subject. Electrical stimulation may be delivered through or across the glabrous skin surface to the target nerve to stimulate the target nerve, while remaining safe and tolerable to the patient. Electrical stimulation may be delivered at frequencies that may be painful or intolerable when applied over non-glabrous surfaces of the body. Various applicators or devices for providing transdermal electrical stimulation therapy are also provided. |
| US09339632B2 |
Catheter shaft designs
Disclosed is a balloon catheter that can comprise an elongate support member, an inflation tube, a guidewire tube and a balloon. The guidewire tube can define a guidewire port at its proximal end, and can extend from the port through an opening in a wall of the elongate support member and distally through a first lumen of the elongate support member, in some cases to the distal end of the catheter. The inflation tube can be disposed over a distal portion of the elongate support member, a portion of the guidewire tube, a portion of the inner assembly, or any combination thereof, forming a second lumen. The distal end of the balloon can be attached to the guidewire tube and the proximal end of the balloon can be attached to the inflation tube. The inside of the balloon can be in fluid communication with the first lumen and with the second lumen, allowing the balloon to be inflated and/or deflated. The elongate support member can also have cuts in it. For example, the elongate support member can have apertures formed in it, or apertures and spiral cuts. |
| US09339630B2 |
Retractable drug delivery system and method
A system for treating a vascular condition includes a catheter having an inner member and an outer member, the outer member concentrically arranged about the inner member and a retractable drug delivery device disposed at a distal end of the inner member. A coating disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the retractable drug delivery device includes at least one therapeutic agent. |
| US09339625B2 |
Over-molded rotationally coupled assemblies
An assembly including a first component and a second component movably coupled to the first component. The second component is formed about and coupled to at least a portion of the first component via an over-molding process. |
| US09339621B2 |
Mask
A mask is disclosed that has a gas outlet which is quiet and provides for a diffused outlet flow of gases. The outlet is preferably a slot formed between a hollow body and cover over said hollow body. The mask also preferably extends and seals under a user's chin in use. |
| US09339620B2 |
Negative-pressure oral apparatus and method for maintaining negative oral pressure and collecting liquid
The present invention discloses a negative-pressure oral apparatus capable of relieving discomfort of soft tissues in the oral cavity and improving fixation of the oral apparatus to prevent the oral apparatus from falling off due to mouth opening. The oral apparatus is compact and elastic so that it fits various shapes and sizes of the oral cavity and is easy to be put on and taken off to provide convenience and safety to the user. In another embodiment, a method for maintaining a negative oral pressure and collecting liquid by coupling the oral apparatus to a liquid collecting apparatus capable of effectively providing the oral cavity with a negative pressure to expel liquid in the oral apparatus and deliver the liquid to an absorbing element in the liquid collecting apparatus so as to prevent liquid leakage or contamination. |
| US09339619B2 |
Pressure adjustment method for CPAP machine
A positive airway pressure apparatus is automatically adjusting. Pressure increases in response to apnea events when the apparatus is in one or more responsive states. Pressure does not increase in response to apnea events when the apparatus is in a non-responsive state. The apparatus switches between responsive and nonresponsive states depending upon any of a number of different criteria that help differentiate between open airway apnea events and closed airway apnea events. |
| US09339615B2 |
Dry powder inhaler and system for drug delivery
A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable. |
| US09339614B2 |
Filtering powder medicament inhaler and application
A filtering powdered medicament inhaler comprising a base (1) and an upper base (2). The upper base (2) has arranged therein a separator (62), which is connected at the bottom to a pressure groove (63). The upper base (2) has arranged thereon a hollow tube exterior connector (10) matching a suction tube (131). The hollow tube (19a) and a cavity (9) on one side of the separator (62) are interconnected via conduit (18), or, the hollow tube (19a) is extended for about 8 centimeters to form a mouthpiece. The upper base (2) has arranged in the cavity (9) thereof a filter (121). The base (1) is provided with an external base cover (72) which covers a press-button (5a) so as to reduce air flow into the cavity (9). The medicament inhaling conduit of the inhaler is relatively sealed and allows for rapid entrainment of a sufficient dosage of powdered medicament. |
| US09339612B2 |
Tissue penetration device
A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin. |
| US09339606B2 |
Foldable finger flange for a syringe
A conventional syringe includes a syringe barrel having a syringe barrel flange laterally extending from an open proximal end of the syringe barrel and a syringe plunger for advancement into the syringe barrel through the open proximal end. A foldable finger flange for such a syringe comprises an attachment member configured to be removably mounted onto the syringe barrel flange, and a flange member pivotably attached to the attachment member. At least a portion of the flange member is pivotable between a use position, wherein said portion of the flange member extends generally perpendicular to the syringe barrel, thereby providing a flange having a greater extent than the syringe barrel flange, and a non-use position, wherein said portion of the flange member does not extend generally perpendicular to the syringe barrel. |
| US09339605B2 |
Electro-mechanical drug delivery device
An electro-mechanical drug delivery device comprises a main body having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is configured to attach to a dispense interface. A separable housing that can prevent an administration of a drug by the drug delivery device, the housing configured to cover at least a portion of the distal end of the main body when the separable housing is coupled to the main body of the drug delivery device. A conduction element is provided by the main body and configured for establishing an electrical connection with an electrical connector. Establishment of the electrical connection is prevented when the housing does not cover at least a portion of the distal end of the main body. The electrical connection may be established when the housing covers at least a portion of the distal end of the main body of the drug delivery device. |
| US09339604B1 |
Infusion systems with failure and alarm tolerant operating mode
Infusion systems and methods for infusing one or more drugs or other agents into the body of a human or animal subject. The system is programmed to take remedial action(s) upon sensing of a fault or error in connection with the infusion. In some embodiments, an agent may be infused through redundant flowpaths and, if a fault occurs in one flowpath, the system may respond by increasing flowrate through other non-faulting flowpath(s). In some embodiments, the fault may be a physiological reaction or symptom in the subject and the system may respond by adjusting or stopping flowrate(s) or one or more agents or changing the ratio of simultaneously infused agents. |
| US09339603B2 |
Adhesive and peripheral systems and methods for medical devices
A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems. |
| US09339601B2 |
Method and apparatus for guiding an external needle to an implantable device
A support tool or a supply assembly that delivers a functional fluid to a patient includes an antenna array for receiving or sensing a navigation field. The navigation field can be generated from a localizer. The localizer can be incorporated or included in an implanted device. |
| US09339597B2 |
Hemodynamic assist device
A hemodynamic flow assist device includes a miniature pump, a basket-like cage enclosing and supporting the pump, and a motor to drive the pump. The device is implanted and retrieved in a minimally invasive manner via percutaneous access to a patient's artery. The device has a first, collapsed configuration to assist in implantation and a second, expanded configuration once deployed and active. The device is deployed within a patient's aorta and is secured in place via a self-expanding cage which engages the inner wall of the aorta. The device includes a helical screw pump with self-expanding blades. Also included is a retrieval device to remove the hemodynamic flow assist device once it is no longer needed by the patient. Also included is an arterial closure device to close the artery access point after implantation and removal of the hemodynamic flow assist device. The hemodynamic flow assist device helps to increase blood flow in patients suffering from congestive heart failure and awaiting heart transplant. |
| US09339594B2 |
Bladder evacuation system
The evacuation system employs a piston to deliver fluid for irrigating and aspirating a body cavity, such as a bladder. A pivotal screen is disposed across the flow path of the fluid to move out of the fluid flow path during irrigation of the bladder and to move back into the flow path during aspiration of the bladder. The screen screens out particulate matter from the return flow for depositing into the container of the system. |
| US09339592B2 |
Polymers of fluorinated monomers and hydrocarbon monomers
A polymer of fluorinated monomers and hydrocarbon monomers is provided. It is also provided a polymer blend that contains a polymer-formed of fluorinated monomers and hydrocarbon monomers and another biocompatible polymer. The polymer or polymer blend described herein and optionally a bioactive agent can form an implantable device such as a stent or a coating on an implantable device such as a drug-delivery stent, which can be used for treating or preventing a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, or combinations thereof. |
| US09339591B2 |
Embolization
Embolization, as well as related particles, compositions, and methods, are disclosed. |
| US09339589B2 |
Method of demineralizing bone
The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone. The apparatus demineralizes bone by subjecting bone, including, for example, ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to either a rapid high volume pulsatile acidification wave process or to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The pulsatile acidification wave process includes subjecting bone to two or more rapid pulse/drain cycles in which one or more demineralizing acids is rapidly pulsed into a vessel containing bone, and after a desired period of time, is rapidly drained from the vessel. The continuous acid demineralization process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution in which the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the container holding the bone through an ion exchange media. Calcium and phosphate are thereby removed from the bone to produce a regenerated acid, and the regenerated acid is returned to the container holding the bone. Both processes allow bone to be rapidly demineralized to a precise and specific desired residual calcium level without sacrificing osteoinductivity. |
| US09339588B2 |
Substrate having an electron donating surface with metal particles comprising palladium on said surface
A substrate has an electron donating surface, and metal particles on its surface, the metal particles including palladium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and platinum, wherein the amount of the metal particles is from about 0.001 to about 8 μg/cm2. Examples of coated objects include contact lenses, pacemakers, pacemaker electrodes, stents, dental implants, rupture nets, rupture mesh, blood centrifuge equipment, surgical instruments, gloves, blood bags, artificial heart valves, central venous catheters, peripheral venous catheters, vascular ports, haemodialysis equipment, peritoneal dialysis equipment, plasmapheresis devices, inhalation drug delivery devices, vascular grafts, arterial grafts, cardiac assist devices, wound dressings, intermittent catheters, ECG electrodes, peripheral stents, bone replacing implants, orthopaedic implants, orthopaedic devices, tissue replacing implants, intraocular lenses, sutures, needles, drug delivery devices, endotracheal tubes, shunts, drains, suction devices, hearing aid devices, urethral medical devices, and artificial blood vessels. |
| US09339587B2 |
Composition and methods for repair of connective tissue
Compositions and methods for repairing a ruptured connective tissue are disclosed. The composition may include a first biocompatible material to provide a scaffold for connective tissue cell growth and tissue repair. This first biocompatible material may withstand a tensile load of up to 250 N. The composition may also include a second biocompatible material including at least one bioactive agent that can stimulate connective tissue cell growth and tissue repair. The method may include positioning a first end of the first biocompatible material adjacent a first end of a ruptured connective tissue, positioning a second end of the first biocompatible material adjacent a second end of the ruptured connective tissue, and anchoring the first biocompatible material to the first and second tendon ends. The method may alternatively comprise or further include positioning a second biocompatible material between the first and second ends of the ruptured connective tissue. |
| US09339585B2 |
Porous coating for surgical orthopedic implants
A surgical implant component comprising an implant component body manufactured from a Co-based substrate alloy comprising Co, Cr, Mo, Si, and C, and a coating on a bone-ingrowth surface of the component body manufactured from a Co-based coating alloy comprising Co, Cr, Mo, Si, C and B. The coating is a network of fused particles of the Co-based coating alloy with spherical particles, irregular aspherical particles, and between about 35 and about 70 volume % porosity. A method of manufacturing the foregoing surgical implant component. |
| US09339583B2 |
In situ bonds
A biocompatible tissue-bonding adhesive composition having a polyol of functionality N. The polyol being terminated has at least one polyisocyanate in solution with at least (N−1)% of the solution having free polyisocyanate. N may be in the range 1.5-8. The polyol may be a branched polypropylene/polyethylene oxide copolymer. |
| US09339581B2 |
Absorbent and absorbent article provided therewith
The present invention addresses the problem of providing a novel absorbent that comprises a water-absorbing cellulose-based fiber and a thermoplastic resin fiber, said thermoplastic resin fiber containing as a monomer component an unsaturated carboxylic acid or an unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride, and has both a sufficient strength and a sufficient absorption property. The absorbent comprises a water-absorbing cellulose-based fiber and a thermoplastic resin fiber, said thermoplastic resin fiber containing as a monomer component an unsaturated carboxylic acid or an unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride, wherein the mass ratio (the content of the water-absorbing cellulose-based fiber: the content of the thermoplastic resin fiber) is controlled to 90:10 to 50:50 and the density of the absorbent is controlled to 0.06 to 0.14 g/cm3. |
| US09339577B2 |
Emanator device
An emanator device for emanating an air treatment agent into the surrounding air comprises a housing (102) which contains a solid or liquid source of the air treatment agent, wherein the housing comprises a blister or capsule containing an air treatment agent (108) and a plurality of openings which are sufficiently small that they can be closed by a film or plug of water. For example the openings may be provided by a gauze or mesh (114). The openings do not inhibit the emanation of air treatment agent released from the blister, but when the emanator device is subject to wet conditions, as may happen in a dishwashing machine, the openings are blocked by a film or plug of water. The air treatment agent does not therefore enter the water, where it may have caused adverse effects, or simply have been wasted. Under dry conditions, however, emanation occurs normally. |
| US09339576B2 |
Portable electronic device sanitizer
A personal electronic device (PED) sanitization device comprises a compartment configured to receive a plurality of PEDs and one or more emitters configured to emit electro-optical (EO) radiation into the interior of the compartment. The compartment may comprise a support member configured to maintain the plurality of PEDs such that substantially an entire surface of each of the plurality of PEDs is exposed to EO radiation emitted by the one or more emitters. |
| US09339573B2 |
Apparatus and method for the external sterilization of plastics material pre-forms
An apparatus (1) for the sterilization of plastics material containers (10), and in particular of plastics material pre-forms (10), with a conveying device (2) which conveys the plastics material containers (10) along a pre-set conveying path, with at least one stressing device (4) which acts upon an external surface of the plastics material containers to be sterilized with a flowable medium. According to the invention the stressing device is arranged in such a way that it acts upon a pre-set area of the plastics material containers (10)—situated below an aperture of the plastics material pre-forms—with the sterilization medium. |
| US09339572B2 |
Methods and solutions for killing or deactivating spores
Exemplary methods and systems for killing or deactivating spores include applying a fluid to a surface containing a spore; and applying direct or indirect plasma to the surface for a period of time. In some embodiments, the fluid includes water. In some embodiments, the spore is Clostridium difficile and in some is Bacillus Anthracis. In some embodiments, the fluid is in the form of a mist and in some is in the form of a vapor. In some embodiments, peroxynitrite is created in the fluid during the method. Another exemplary embodiment of killing or deactivating a spore includes treating spores with direct plasma or an indirect plasma for a period of time and applying an antimicrobial to the spores. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial is an alcohol, a bleach or an alcohol-based sanitizer. |
| US09339571B2 |
Device for disinfecting a surface of an item using ultraviolet radiation
A solution for disinfecting a screen of an item using ultraviolet radiation is provided. The solution can provide an electronic device including a screen utilized by a user of the electronic device. The screen can be an ultraviolet transparent screen that covers at least some of the internal portion of the electronic device and a set of ultraviolet radiation sources can be located adjacent to the transparent screen. The set of ultraviolet radiation sources can be configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed towards an external surface of the ultraviolet transparent screen. The electronic device can further include a monitoring and control system, which can manage the ultraviolet radiation generation by monitoring a set of attributes relating to the external surface of the screen and controlling, based on the monitoring, ultraviolet radiation directed at the external surface of the screen. |
| US09339570B2 |
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation cabinet and components and features therefor
A sanitization cabinet for sanitizing items such as kitchen utensils using ultraviolet light type C (UVL-C). In some embodiments, the sanitization cabinet includes an enclosure having interior surfaces having mirror-type surfaces to increase the sanitizing efficiency relative to conventional UVL-C cabinets having like-power UVL-C light sources. Some embodiments include an article support having an article support region that contacts an article to be sanitized and is made of a material transparent to UVL-C. Transparent portions of an article support of the present disclosure may be additionally configured to direct UVL-C to contact regions and/or shadowed regions of the article. Other features, such as article stabilizing features, are provided to article supports of some embodiments. Methods of making an article support for a UVL-C based sanitization cabinet are also disclosed. |
| US09339569B2 |
Medical device sterilization for minimizing a variance in received dosage when the medical device is disposed in a plurality of orientations
A system and method for sterilization of medical devices includes methods for reducing the variance in dose levels over the medical device by either varying the dose levels for each pass before a radiation source, such as an electron beam, or by increasing the number of passes before a radiation source. |
| US09339567B2 |
Autoclavable bucketless cleaning system
An autoclavable bucketless cleaning system, including a vessel for storing fluid under pressure, a removably-connectable outlet regulator assembly for dispensing fluid from the vessel, a removably-connectable inlet regulator assembly for pressurizing the vessel, a removably-connectable outlet autoclave stem for installing in the outlet regulator assembly so that steam may pass through the outlet regulator assembly, and a removably-connectable inlet autoclave stem for installing in the inlet regulator assembly so that steam may pass through the inlet regulator assembly. |
| US09339561B2 |
Mutant protease biosensors with enhanced detection characteristics
A polynucleotide encoding a biosensor polypeptide comprising a modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase and a linker linking the C-terminal portion of the thermostable luciferase to the N-terminal portion of the thermostable luciferase. The modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase is modified relative to a parental circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase. The linker contains a sensor region capable of interacting with a target molecule in a cell. The modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase has an enhanced response after interaction of the biosensor with the target molecule relative to the parental circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase in the presence of the target molecule. Alternatively, the modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase has an enhanced response after interaction of the biosensor with the target molecule relative to the modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase in the absence of the target molecule. |
| US09339560B2 |
Method for determining the anti-tumor efficacy of monoclonal antibodies
The present invention relates to a method for determining the anti-tumor efficacy of monoclonal antibodies in pre-clinical rodent testings and the use of said method for the reduction of side testings. |
| US09339552B2 |
Diclofenac topical formulation
The present invention provides a gel formulation comprising diclofenac sodium which has superior transdermal flux properties, which may be used for the topical treatment of pain, such as in osteoarthritis. |
| US09339550B2 |
Solid ivabradine-containing composition
The present invention relates to a solid composition containing ivabradine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Further, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of such a composition as well as a pharmaceutical product comprising such a composition. |
| US09339549B2 |
Cationic graft-copolymer for drug delivery system
A cationic graft-copolymer for a drug delivery system comprising a unit derived from a having a hydroxyl groups, namely, a cationic polysaccharide of the following formula (1) (C6H7O2(OH)3-a (OX)a)xH2O (1) and a unit derived from a polymerizable olefin compound of the following formula (2) (a, x, X, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are defined in claim 1-8); a process for preparing the same and a transfection reagent made therefrom. |
| US09339547B2 |
Radiopaque iodinated and iodide-containing crystalline absorbable aliphatic polymeric materials and applications thereof
Radiopaque, iodinated, absorbable polyesters, polyester urethanes, and polyether-ester-urethanes with and without inorganic iodide micro-/nanoparticles dispersed or solubilized therein, and composite inorganic iodide micro-/nanoparticles in an absorbable polyester, polyester-urethane, polyester-ester, or polyether-ester urethane matrix are employed in medical devices and therapeutic compositions. |
| US09339546B2 |
Silicone scar treatment preparation
Disclosed is 1) a method for greatly increasing the solubility of useful actives in siloxane matrix-forming preparations, and 2) the associated preparations, themselves. Volatilizing coagents are utilized to give novel gels containing heretofore siloxane-insoluble additives. |
| US09339538B2 |
Bystander immune suppression as a predictor for response to a vaccine
The present invention relates to antigen-specific immune regulatory response. Methods for detecting an antigen-specific immune regulatory response, methods for selecting candidate vaccine recipients, and methods for improved vaccination strategies are presented. |
| US09339536B2 |
Fusion proteins for use as immunogenic enhancers for inducing antigen-specific T cell responses
A vaccine composition comprising a fusion protein for inducing enhanced pathogen antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain, located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein; (b) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length, comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 2, 3, or 6, located at the C-terminus of the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, located at the C-terminus of the translocation peptide; (d) a nuclear export signal, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; and (e) an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence, located at the C-terminus of the fusion protein. |
| US09339533B2 |
Modified live vaccine of Mycoplasma bovis, methods of producing modified live Mycoplasma bovis vaccines, combination vaccines and methods of treatment
The present invention relates to new attenuated M. bovis bacteria strains passaged at least 110 times. Moreover, the present invention also provides immunogenic compositions comprising live bacteria of any of those attenuated M. bovis bacteria strain, their manufacture and use for the treatment and prophylaxis of M. bovis infections and combinations with other veterinary vaccines or medicaments. |
| US09339531B2 |
Recognition of CYP2E1 epitopes
A critical epitope of human cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) associated with the development of hepatic autoimmune disease, including methods and kits for diagnosis and prognosis using the critical epitope as a biomarker for hepatic autoimmune disease. |
| US09339529B2 |
Glucose-responsive microgels for closed loop insulin delivery
Injectable insulin loaded microgels that are capable of modifying the amount of insulin released based on the patient's tissue glucose levels, methods for making and using these compositions have been developed. The microgels contain insulin, glucose oxidase entrapped in or bound to the microgels, and an agent that reduces hydrogen peroxide, entrapped in or bound to the microgels, wherein the polymeric microgel expands when pH decreases from physiological pH and shrinks when pH increases towards physiological pH, thereby releasing insulin at a rate corresponding to the glucose concentration. In one embodiment, the glucose oxidase and/or the agent reducing hydrogen peroxide are encapsulated in nanogels, then encapsulated within the microgel. |
| US09339528B2 |
Methods for treating epithelium trauma of the intestinal mucosa using interleukin-1 receptor antagonist
The invention provides a use of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein for preparing a medicament for preventing or treating epithelium trauma of the intestinal mucosa, wherein the protein is selected from: (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a protein which has a sequence having at least 70% homology with the amino acid sequence in the (a) and has the effect of preventing or treating epithelium trauma of the intestinal mucosa. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein (a) or (b) as the active component. |
| US09339525B2 |
Inhibition of biofilm organisms
The present invention relates to a product comprising at least two antibiofilm agents wherein at least one of the antibiofilm agents is an antimicrobial peptide. The second antibiofilm agent is cysteamine. There is also provided the use of the product in the treatment of a microbial infection. |
| US09339524B2 |
Drug inhibiting the progression of atherosclerosis, preventive drug, blood cholesterol-lowering drug, functional food, and specific health food
Disclosed are a novel therapeutic agent and a novel prophylactic agent for atherosclerosis, a blood cholesterol level-lowering agent, and a functional food or a food for specified health uses effective for the inhibition and/or prevention of aging of blood vessels or inflammation in blood vessels. Specifically disclosed are an inhibitor of the progression of atherosclerosis, a prophylactic agent for atherosclerosis, a blood cholesterol level-lowering agent, and a functional food and a food for specified health uses both effective for the inhibition and/or prevention of aging of blood vessels or inflammation in blood vessels, each of which comprises, as an active ingredient, a hydrolysis product of a collagen comprising at least one collagen tripeptide Gly-X-Y [wherein Gly-X-Y represents an amino acid sequence; and X and Y independently represent an amino acid residue other than Gly]. |
| US09339523B2 |
Estrogenic extracts of Asparagus conchinchinensis (Lour.) Merr of the Liliaceae family and uses thereof
Estrogenic extracts of Asparagus conchinchinensis (Lour.) Merr of the Liliaceae Family are provided. Also provided are methods of using said extracts to achieve an estrogenic effect, especially in a human, e.g. a female human. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment of climacteric symptoms. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment of estrogen receptor positive cancer, such as estrogen responsive breast cancer. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment or prevention of osteoporosis. |
| US09339521B2 |
Use of vernonia extract
The present invention relates to the use of an extract of a Vernonia plant from Madagascar in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food supplements for improving the skin status, more specifically by strengthening the dermal-epidermal junction and/or by activating fibroblasts synthesis of dermis and extracellular matrix compounds. |
| US09339520B2 |
Methods and compositions for treatment of bone defects with placental cell populations
Provided herein are methods of using adherent placental stem cells and placental stem cell populations, and methods of culturing, proliferating and expanding the same. Also provided herein are methods of differentiating the placental stem cells. Further provided herein are methods of using the placental stem cells to formulate implantable or injectable compositions suitable for administration to a subject. Still further provided herein are provides methods for treating bone defects with stem cells and compositions comprising stem cells. |
| US09339518B2 |
Genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells expressing sST2 for the treatment of airway immune inflammatory and lung disease
The present invention relates to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) genetically modified to express sST2 or parts thereof for use in the treatment of airway immune inflammatory and lung diseases, wherein said mesenchymal stem cells are not human embryonic stem cells. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said mesenchymal stem cells. |
| US09339516B2 |
Compositions and methods for the prevention of esophageal cancer
Methods of inhibiting Barrett's esophagus and/or adenocarcinoma in a subject are provided. In a particular embodiment, the method comprises administering at least one composition comprising at least one zinc compound and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the esophagus of the subject. The zinc may be a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of zinc, such as zinc gluconate. The zinc may be administered, for example, orally, topically, or by an implantable medical device. In a particular embodiment, the methods further comprise administering at least one analgesic, anesthetic, or other therapeutic agent or therapy for the treatment of Barrett's esophagus. The method may further comprise monitoring the progression of Barrett's esophagus in the subject. |
| US09339514B2 |
Method for treating glaucoma
A method of treating glaucoma or other eye disease in a patient is provided. The method includes injecting an eye of the patient with a cohesive monophasic gel containing cross-linked hyaluronic acid or its salt. The injection can be under the scleral flap and/or conjunctiva of the eye, thereby creating and maintaining a conjunctival bleb, and/or the injection can be in the supra-scleral and/or supra-choroidal (sub-scleral) space of the eye thereby reducing the intraocular pressure. |
| US09339511B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulation containing choline alfoscerate
The present invention provides choline alfoscerate-containing pharmaceutical preparations which have improved storage-stability and are easily taken. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing pharmaceutical preparations comprising choline alfoscerate, which is easy and simple and is performed by normal manufacturing equipments. |
| US09339508B2 |
Use of 3-methoxy-pregnenolone for the preparation of a drug for treating a traumatic brain injury
A method for the treatment of a traumatic brain lesion comprises administering to the patient an effective quantity of 3∃-methoxy-pregna-5-ene-20-one (3∃-methoxy-PREG). |
| US09339505B2 |
Pesticidal mixtures including isoxazoline derivatives
The present invention provides a combination product comprising a component A and a component B, wherein component A is a compound of formula (I) wherein A1, A2, L, p, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in claim 1 and component B is a further therapeutic agent; wherein the combination product is for use in a method of therapeutic treatment. |
| US09339503B2 |
Tetrahydro-quinazolinone derivatives as TANK and PARP inhibitors
Compounds of the formula I in which U, V and W have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are inhibitors of Tankyrase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injury and different forms of inflammation. |
| US09339501B2 |
17a-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined herein. The compounds of the present invention have been found to be useful as 17α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase inhibitors. |
| US09339498B2 |
Sedating and immobilizing non-domesticated mammals
Non-domesticated mammalian animals are sedated and immobilized by injecting an effective amount of pharmaceutically effective combination of nalbuphine hydrochloride and medetomidine hydrochloride into the animal from a dart. Azaperone tartrate may also be included, if desired. |
| US09339494B2 |
Azaindoles as respiratory syncytial virus antiviral agents
Azaindoles having inhibitory activity on RSV replication and having the formula I compositions containing these compounds as active ingredient and processes for preparing these compounds and compositions. |
| US09339487B2 |
Dry powder pharmaceutical composition for inhalation
There is provided a dry powder pharmaceutical composition for inhalation useful for preventing and/or treating influenza virus infections contains as a medicinal component a compound represented by formula (I): and optionally a compound represented by formula (II): a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof. |
| US09339486B2 |
Heterocyclic modulators of cannabinoid receptors
Heterocyclic compounds which modulate cannabinoid receptors are presented. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, methods of using these compounds as modulators of cannabinoid receptors and processes for synthesizing these compounds are also described herein. |
| US09339485B2 |
Plasmonic engineering of singlet oxygen and/or superoxide generation
The present invention provides for a method to increase the triplet yield of a photosensitizer by the coupling to metal surface plasmons which leads to increased singlet oxygen generation by electric field enhancement or enhanced energy absorption of the photosensitizer. The extent of singlet oxygen enhancement can be tuned for applications in singlet oxygen based clinical therapy by modifying plasmon coupling parameters, such as metallic nanoparticle size and shape, photosensitizer/metallic nanoparticle distance, and the excitation wavelength of the coupling photosensitizer. |
| US09339484B2 |
Compositions and methods for the treatment of restless leg syndrome and fibromyalgia
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I, and methods for the treatment of fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of motor neurone disease, diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, acute opioid withdrawal management, obsessive-compulsive disorder, premature ejaculation, PTSD, injury, post-operative pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, migraine, HIV related neuropathic pain, bipolar depression, depression, stress, cancer pain and lower back pain. |
| US09339482B2 |
Methods to treat dysregulated blood glucose disorders
The invention provides methods and compositions for treating dysregulated blood glucose disorders. |
| US09339479B2 |
Dosage forms and related therapies
This invention is directed in part to novel doses, dosage formulations, and routes of administration of such doses and dose formulations, said dose and dose formulations containing one or more copper chelators, for example, one or more trientine active agents, including trientine analogs, trientine salts, trientine prodrugs, and trientine derivatives, useful in the treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions, including in indications where copper may play a role. |
| US09339476B2 |
Implantable meshes for controlling the movement of fluids
Meshes for use to control the movement of bodily fluids, such as blood, are described herein. The mesh can be partially or completely biodegradable or non-biodegradable. In one embodiment, the mesh is formed from one or more self-assembling peptides. The peptides can be in the form of fibers, such as nanofibers. The peptides can be assembled prior to formation of the mesh or after the mesh has been formed but before it is applied. Alternatively, the mesh can be prepared from unassembled peptides, which assemble at the time of application. The peptides can assemble upon contact with bodily fluids (e.g., blood) or can be contacted with an ionic solution to initiate assembly. |
| US09339471B2 |
Long acting dual release product containing carbinoxamine and pseudoephedrine
Provided are oral dosage forms that contain carbinoxamine in an immediate release format, and pseudoephedrine in a prolonged release format. The biphasic oral dosage forms may also contain other active ingredients in combination with carbinoxamine, including other decongestants, antitussives, analgesics and expectorants. |
| US09339469B2 |
R(+)-N-methyl-propargyl-aminoindan
The subject invention provides R(+)-N-methyl-propargyl-aminoindan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a composition containing R(+)-N-propargyl-1(R)-aminoindan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a compound of R(+)-N-methyl-propargyl-aminoindan or a salt thereof. |
| US09339466B2 |
Polymorphic forms of ST-246 and methods of preparation
Polymorph forms of 4-trifluoromethyl-N-(3,3a,4,4a,5,5a,6,6a-octahydro-1,3-dioxo-4,6-ethenocycloprop[f]isoindol-2(1H)-yl)-benzamide are disclosed as well as their methods of synthesis and pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US09339464B2 |
Fast dissolving azaperone granulate formulation
The present invention relates to a fast dissolving granulate formulation containing the veterinary drug azaperone and a method for preparing said granulate formulation. |
| US09339461B2 |
Arginine-based lipids for delivery of therapeutics
This disclosure provides a range of amino acid lipid compounds and compositions useful for drug delivery, therapeutics, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions. The amino acid lipid compounds and compositions can be used for delivery of various agents such as nucleic acid therapeutics to cells, tissues, organs, and subjects. |
| US09339460B2 |
Self-emulsifiable liquid florfenicol composition intended to be incorporated into the drinking water of livestock
The invention relates to a self-emulsifiable liquid composition intended to be diluted in an aqueous intermediate solution and then incorporated into the drinking water of livestock animals, and also to the use of such a composition. The invention is characterized in that the composition comprises at least—between 1% and 12% by weight of the florfenicol active ingredient, relative to the total volume of the composition; —at least 50% by weight, relative to the total volume of the composition (p/v), of a mixture of C8-C10 saturated polyglycosylated glycerides having an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of less than 16; and—at least 5% by weight, relative to the total volume of the composition (p/v), of a surfactant. |
| US09339459B2 |
Particulate materials
The present invention relates to active substances in particulate form, to methods for preparing them and to their uses. The present invention provides particulate powders, such as might be of use for delivery using a dry powder inhaler (DPI) or similar delivery device, having properties which may be beneficial to the DPI delivery process. |
| US09339455B2 |
Natural anti-bacterial toothpaste composition containing improvement in tooth pain, antibacterial mouth and nerve stability
The present invention relates to natural anti-bacterial toothpaste composition containing improvement in tooth pain, antibacterial mouth and nerve stability and particularly, it enables to contribute to improvement in tooth pain, antibacterial mouth and nerve stability, which represent effects of Na2SiO3-10H2O and oriental medicine, due to more than 63˜75% of SiO3, and Na2SiO3-10H2O and oriental medicine containing natural minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, etc. |
| US09339452B2 |
High internal water phase water-in-oil emulsified cosmetic and cosmetic liquid applicator
A high internal water phase water-in-oil emulsified cosmetic in which, in a system formed of an oil phase including silicone elastomer, polydimethylsiloxane and polyether modified silicone and a water phase including water in an amount of 60% or greater by mass. The water phase, at least, including one nonionic surfactant having an HLB value of 14 or greater, selected from a group consisting of polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene glycerin fatty acid esters and polyalkyleneglycol fatty acid esters, in an amount of 0.03 to 0.6% by mass, is blended with pigments including an organic pigment, in an amount of 0.05 to 8% by mass. The viscosity at the shear rate of 3.83 sec−1 at 25° C. is 1 to 100 Pa·sec, as well as an applicator with an applying part having a surface roughness Ra of 3 to 300 μm to store the cosmetic. |
| US09339446B2 |
Gel composition
A gel, comprising: an ester and a polymer having at least one of the following rigid block groups; polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and phenolics as well as one elastic block that is a member of the group consisting of ethylene/butadiene copolymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene/propylene copolymers, or ethylene-propylene/diene copolymers, wherein the polymer is either triblock copolymers, star polymers, radial polymers, multi-block copolymers, or combinations thereof, wherein the composition is substantially free of mineral oils; wherein the ester's chemical formula is: Wherein n=1, 2, 3, and 4, and R1 represents a member of the group consisting of: hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, phenyl, methoxyphenyl, alkylphenyl, substituted alkyl, and substituted phenyl; R2 represents a member of the group consisting of: hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, phenyl, methoxyphenyl, alkylphenyl, substituted alkyl, substituted phenyl, alkylene, phenylene, substituted alkylene, and substituted phenylene, and R3 represents a member of the group consisting of: alkylene, phenylene, substituted alkylene, or substituted phenylene, and wherein R4, R5, R6 all represent a member of the group consisting of: alkylene, phenylene, substituted alkylene, or substituted phenylene, and R7, R8, R9 all represent a member of the group consisting of: hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, phenyl, methoxyphenyl, alkylphenyl, substituted alkyl, and substituted phenyl. |
| US09339445B2 |
Hexagonal plate-shaped zinc oxide particles, method for production of the same, and cosmetic, heat releasing filler, heat releasing resin composition, heat releasing grease, and heat releasing coating composition comprising the same
An object of the present invention is to provide hexagonal plate-shaped zinc oxide particles which can be used as a cosmetic raw material, a heat releasing filler and the like, a method for production of the same, and a cosmetic, a heat releasing filler, a heat releasing resin composition, a heat releasing grease and a heat releasing coating composition each comprising the same. Provided are hexagonal plate-shaped zinc oxide particles having hexagonal-shaped surfaces, wherein the primary particle diameter is 0.01 μm or more and the aspect ratio is 2.5 or more, and 50% or more of 250 particles in a transmission electron microscope photograph satisfy both the requirements (1) the particle has a hexagonal-shaped surface; and (2) Dmin/Dmax≧0.3, where Dmax: a length of the largest diagonal line of three diagonal lines of the hexagonal-shaped surface of the hexagonal plate-shaped zinc oxide particle; and Dmin: a length of the smallest diagonal line of three diagonal lines of the hexagonal-shaped surface of the hexagonal plate-shaped zinc oxide particle. |
| US09339442B2 |
Multi-balloon dilation device for placing catheter tubes
A stoma dilation device that includes a tubular support defining a continuous pathway through the device; at least one inflatable dilation balloon and at least one inflatable retention balloon located on the tubular support; and inflation lumens for each balloon. The inflatable dilation balloon forms at least a first portion of the device and the inflatable retention balloon forms at least a second portion of the device. The inflatable retention balloon is configured to have a diameter upon full, unrestrained inflation that is greater than the largest diameter of the inflatable dilation balloon upon inflation. |
| US09339438B2 |
Telescopic female drug vial adapter
A telescopic female drug vial adapter including a spike component telescopically mounted on a skirt component for snap fit on and puncturing a drug vial in an actuated position. The telescopic female drug vial adapter is particularly suitable for implementation in a vented version to avoid wetting of its air filter during aspiration of liquid contents from a drug vial. |
| US09339436B2 |
Automatic cardiac therapy advisor with hidden markov model processing
A method of automatically determining which type of treatment is most appropriate for (or the physiological state of) a patient. The method comprises transforming one or more time domain measurements from the patient into frequency domain data representative of the frequency content of the time domain measurements; processing the frequency domain data to form a plurality of spectral bands, the content of a spectral band representing the frequency content of the measurements within a frequency band; forming a weighted sum of the content of the spectral bands, with different weighting coefficients applied to at least some of the spectral bands; determining the type of treatment (or physiological state) based on the weighted sum. |
| US09339433B2 |
Methods of diagnosing and treating neonatal reversion to fetal consciousness
This invention provides methods of diagnosing and treating syndromes of reversion to fetal consciousness in a neonate. |
| US09339432B2 |
Walker apparatus and backrest therefor
There is provided a walker apparatus having a pair of spaced-apart, upright frame members. The walker apparatus includes a seat operatively connected to the upright frame members. The walker apparatus has a backrest cantilevered from the frame members. The backrest has at least one opening extending therethrough for permitting a user's vision past the backrest when the user grips the upright frame members. |
| US09339429B1 |
Body transfer assembly
A body transfer assembly for moving a user on a bed includes a stand that may be positioned on a support surface. A housing is coupled to the stand. A motor is coupled to the housing. A processor is coupled to the housing. The processor is operationally coupled to the motor. A timer is coupled to the housing. The timer is operationally coupled to the processor so the timer controls a speed of the motor. An actuator is coupled to the housing. The actuator is operationally coupled to the processor. An arm is movably coupled to the housing. The arm is operationally coupled to the motor so the motor alternatively raises and lowers the arm. A rod is coupled to the arm. A bed is coupled to the rod so the bed may support the user. A mattress is positioned on the bed so the user lies on the mattress. |
| US09339421B2 |
Absorbent article having multiple graphic zones
An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region, wherein the first waist region and second waist region are joined with each other such that a pair of side seams are formed and the absorbent article has two leg openings and a waist opening. At least one of the first waist region or the second waist region include a first graphic zone, a second graphic zone, and a third graphic zone, wherein the first graphic zone, the second graphic zone, and the third graphic zone are disposed at a side seam of the absorbent article. |
| US09339418B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing absorbent article
An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article having a first material and a second material includes (A) a holding body that includes a holding surface and that holds the first material with the holding surface and (B) a transfer section that transfers the first material to the second material by moving the holding body, that is holding the first material, to the second material. (C) The first material has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a thickness greater than that of the first portion in a thickness direction of the first material. (D) The holding surface has a first region and a second region, the second region being located at a position that is more recessed to an inner side than the first region in a height direction of the holding body. (E) The holding body holds the first material by causing the first portion to be held by suction on the first region and causing the second portion to be held by suction on the second region. |
| US09339416B2 |
Dressings
There is provided a dressing (10) which comprises a cover sheet (20) and an absorbent sheet (30). In one embodiment the cover sheet (20) and absorbent sheet (30) have edges which are coterminous along part of their extent and the cover sheet (20) comprises a portion projecting beyond the edge of the absorbent sheet (30) such that, in use, said portion can overly part of an adjacent dressing. Also provided are methods of using dressings and a kit of parts for forming a patchwork dressing. |
| US09339414B2 |
Irradiating device and program
The invention provides an irradiating device and a program which can appropriately set a cross sectional shape of human tissue at a time of incising the human tissue by beam irradiation. For example, when a cornea (100) is incised by an irradiating device which outputs femtosecond laser, a cross sectional shape in an intersecting direction to a direction of advancing to a back surface side from a front surface side of the cornea in an incision (101) is set to a non-rectilinear shape, for example, a circular arc shape. As a result, there can be achieved effects such as suppression of drawing of the incision in the case of inserting the instrument by opening the incision, and self-closing of the incised site. |
| US09339411B2 |
Stabilized handle design
The various embodiments of the present invention provide delivery systems and methods of using the delivery systems. The delivery systems facilitate stabilization of a handle assembly against an endoscope during deployment of an occlusion device. |
| US09339409B2 |
Women's portable urinal
The Women's Portable Urinal is a molded plastic or metal piece that allows a person to relieve themselves in an emergency situation. It is designed to hold the liquid and allow any spillage while being stored and allows a very quick and easy emptying process. A top lid cover seals the unit so that no liquid can ever be spilled and becomes a very sanitary unit for its purpose. |
| US09339406B2 |
Lower spine brace
A brace comprises one or more panels having an aperture or slit that is at least partially defined by a first portion and a second portion. Each panel can couple with a lateral support that is configured to wrap around a portion of a wearer's body. One or both of the first and second portions can comprise an arc that is configured to prevent a twisting of the panel when the brace is tightened around a wearer. One or both of the first and second portions can additionally or alternatively comprise a plurality of protrusions configured to interact with a portion of a lateral support to thereby assist in maintaining a vertical position of the lateral support with respect to the panel. |
| US09339402B2 |
Apparatus and methods for delivering prostheses to luminal bifurcations
A catheter for delivering luminal prostheses comprises a catheter body having an expandable member near a distal end. The prosthesis has a side hole, and a guidewire extends beneath a proximal portion of the prosthesis and over the exterior of the expandable member. A distal end of the guidewire is retracted proximally from the closest point on the side opening to reduce possible interference with catheter advancement. |
| US09339400B2 |
Flexible intra-vascular aneurysm treatment stent
An intra-vascular aneurysm-treatment stent and a method for lowering pressure within an aneurysm bubble in a blood vessel. A stent coil is insertable into a blood vessel, the coil made of a material sufficiently flexible to move around curves, loops, and corners in the blood vessel. Selected portions of the stent coil, in cross-section, have substantially convex outer surfaces, and either substantially flat, or substantially concave, inner surfaces, plus upstream leading edges and downstream trailing edges. The stent coil is positioned in the blood vessel with selected stent coil portions proximate an opening into either a saccular aneurysm or a fusiform aneurysm. Blood in the lumen of the blood vessel flows past the leading edges and both over the convex outer surfaces, and under the either flat or concave inner surfaces. A portion of the blood inside the aneurysm becomes entrained with the blood flowing over the outer surfaces. At the trailing edges, the converging blood flows create eddies which result in dPs proximate the opening into the aneurysm. The dPs draw more blood out of the aneurysm and into the lumen, reducing pressure in the aneurysm. |
| US09339398B2 |
Radiopaque enhanced nickel alloy for stents
A stent includes a nickel-based alloy that includes 10-35 weight % metal member selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), gold (Au), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), rhenium (Re), palladium (Pd), tantalum (Ta), and combinations thereof; 0-6 weight % cobalt (Co); 17-24 weight % chromium (Cr); 13-15 weight % tungsten (W); 0-3 weight % molybdenum (Mo); 0-5 weight % iron (Fe); and balance nickel (Ni). The nickel-based alloy may be a thin outer shell of a hollow stent. The nickel-based alloy may be used to form at least one of an inner core and an outer shell of a core-shell structure of a stent. |
| US09339394B2 |
Linked bilateral spinal facet implants and methods of use
Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra. |