Document | Document Title |
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US08808839B2 |
Vehicle glazing, method for the production thereof, and use
A vehicle glazing, method for the production of the vehicle glazing and the use of the vehicle glazing are described. The vehicle glazing comprises at least one transparent pane one transparent body, and at least one transparent polymer layer interposed between them. |
US08808838B2 |
Surface coatings and methods
Provided are methods and compositions pertaining to coatings (e.g., paints) for covering a substrate. In some aspects and embodiments the coatings may include a heat reflective metal oxide pigment that, applied to an external surface of a building (or applied on a substrate used for an external surface of a building) reduces energy consumption in the building. In other aspects and embodiments, provided are textured coatings having a texturing material; e.g., methods and compositions are provided pertaining to textured coatings that can be applied robotically or in an automated fashion. In various aspects and embodiments, textured coatings are provided that include a texturing material and a heat reflective metal oxide pigment. In some aspects and embodiments coatings are provided that include pumice texturing materials (e.g., pumice having particle sizes of greater than 150 microns). |
US08808832B2 |
Plate with easy assembly
An ornamental plate structure includes a supporting base and a sliding button. The sliding button includes a button portion, a first sliding portion, and a fastening portion whereon an incline and a wedging slot are formed. The ornamental plate structure further includes an ornamental plate having a plate, a hooking component and a fixing component. The fixing component includes a wedging portion, a second sliding portion and an assembly surface. The wedging portion wedges inside the wedging slot after the assembly surface slides relative to the incline at a predetermined distance so as to fix the ornamental plate on the supporting base. The button portion is pushed to slide the first sliding portion relative to the second sliding portion so as to separate the wedging portion from the wedging slot. The ornamental plate structure further includes a resilient component for driving the sliding button. |
US08808828B2 |
Cargo management system including a vehicle load floor to compartmentalize a cargo area
Cargo management system including a vehicle load floor to compartmentalize a cargo area into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment is provided. The system includes a composite plastic first outer layer having a substantially planar upper support surface to support cargo in the upper compartment. A composite plastic second outer layer has at least one cavity defined by lower surfaces of the second outer layer. Each cavity has a size and shape which corresponds in size and shape to a vehicle component to restrain movement of the vehicle component and to prevent sudden transfer of vehicle component weight during vehicle acceleration and deceleration. A core including adjacent core portions has different thicknesses. At least one of the core portions has a large number of cavities and each of the core portions is positioned between and bonded to the outer layers by press molding to form corresponding panel portions. |
US08808827B2 |
Cargo management system including a vehicle load floor having a vehicle component restraining feature
A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor having a vehicle component receiving feature is provided. The load floor compartmentalizes a cargo area into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment. The system includes a first generally planar member having a first depression of a first predetermined depth and a compression-molded, composite, second generally planar member having a second depression of a second predetermined depth. A portion of the second member is locally crushed by press molding to form the second depression. Opposed surfaces of the first and second depressions cooperate to restrain movement of a vehicle component positioned in a cavity defined by the first and second depressions between the first and second members and prevent sudden transfer of vehicle component weight during vehicle acceleration and deceleration. |
US08808824B2 |
Optical information recording medium, method of recording information and azo metal complex dye
An aspect of the present invention relates to an optical information recording medium comprising a recording layer on a surface of a support, wherein the surface of the support has pregrooves with a track pitch ranging from 50 to 500 nm, the recording layer comprises an azo metal complex dye being a complex of six azo dyes and seven transition metal ions. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of recording information onto the optical information recording medium and a novel azo metal complex dye. |
US08808821B2 |
Material roll and method for manufacturing material roll
Provided are a material roll and a method for manufacturing the material roll in which lifting between base films and an optical film is hardly generated. Provided is a material roll (R), wherein a first base film (F12), a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (F14), an optical film (F11), a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (F15) and a second base film (F13) are wounded together in a manner that said layers are laminated in said order from outer side. An adhesive power A of the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (F14) at an interface on the first base film (F12) side, an adhesive power B of the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (F14) at an interface on the optical film (F11) side, an adhesive power C of the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (F15) at an interface on the optical film (F11) side, and an adhesive power D of the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (F15) at an interface on the second base film (F13) side satisfy the relationships A |
US08808819B2 |
Tubular member, tubular member unit, intermediate transfer member, and image forming apparatus
A tubular member formed of a polyamide resin layer includes carbon black and a semi-aromatic polyamide resin having at least a repeating unit structure derived from an aromatic dicarboxylic compound and an aliphatic diamine compound with the alkyl carbon number in the range of from 9 to 13. |
US08808810B2 |
Large area deposition of graphene on substrates, and products including the same
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to the use of graphene as a transparent conductive coating (TCC). A substrate having a surface to be coated is provided. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) template is disposed on the surface to be coated. A precursor comprising a precursor molecule is provided, with the precursor molecule being a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and discotic molecule. The precursor is dissolved to form a solution. The solution is applied to the substrate having the SAM template disposed thereon. The precursor molecule is photochemically attached to the SAM template. The substrate is heated to at least 450 degrees C. to form a graphene-inclusive film. Advantageously, the graphene-inclusive film may be provided directly on the substrate, e.g., without the need for a liftoff process. |
US08808808B2 |
Method for imprint lithography utilizing an adhesion primer layer
The invention provides a method of applying an adhesion primer layer for an imprint lithography process that includes contacting a fluid with a surface of a substrate in a coating process and initiating a chemical reaction that forms a covalent bond between a component in the fluid and the surface of the substrate such that an adhesion primer layer is adhered to the surface of the substrate. A polymeric layer may be adhered to the surface of the substrate coated with the adhesion primer layer. The method allows adhesion primer coating for double-sided imprinting applications including patterned magnetic media. |
US08808807B2 |
Functionalized inorganic films for ion conduction
Novel membranes based on functionalized porous inorganic materials for ion exchange and conduction have been synthesized and characterized. The preparation procedure of these new membranes involves the synthesis of porous inorganic films, into which hydrophilic moieties are incorporated along the interior pore surfaces of the inorganic framework. Ion-conducting species are grafted into the pores via reactions with surface groups of the inorganic framework to allow for ion transport through the pore network. |
US08808800B2 |
Methods of forming three-dimensional structures having reduced stress and/or curvature
Electrochemical fabrication processes and apparatus for producing single layer or multi-layer structures where each layer includes the deposition of at least two materials and wherein the formation of at least some layers includes operations for reducing stress and/or curvature distortion when the structure is released from a sacrificial material which surrounded it during formation and possibly when released from a substrate on which it was formed. Six primary groups of embodiments are presented which are divide into eleven primary embodiments. Some embodiments attempt to remove stress to minimize distortion while others attempt to balance stress to minimize distortion. |
US08808799B2 |
Method and apparatus for organic vapor printing
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to providing a first gas stream carrying vaporized material and depositing the vaporized material onto a substrate by directing a plurality of gas streams containing the vaporized material to a substrate, forming an gas curtain around the streams to prevent its dissemination beyond a target print area, and allowing the vaporized material to condense on the target print area. In another embodiment, heat is used to regulate the flow of the material and the thickness of the deposited layer. |
US08808793B2 |
Disc vapor lubrication
A method comprising introducing a workpiece support into a chamber of an apparatus. The workpiece support is for supporting thereon a plurality of workpieces. The apparatus comprising: the chamber having an interior space configured to be maintained at a pressure below atmospheric pressure; a vapor source for supplying the interior space of the chamber with a linearly extending stream of lubricant vapor; the workpiece support for supporting thereon a plurality of workpieces with surfaces facing the vapor source; and a conveyor for continuously moving the workpiece support transversely past the linearly extending stream of lubricant vapor from the vapor source. The method also comprising continuously moving the workpiece support with the plurality of workpieces supported thereon transversely past the linearly extending stream of lubricant vapor from the vapor source and depositing a uniform thickness film of the lubricant on at least one surface of each of the plurality of workpieces. |
US08808786B2 |
Medicinal inhalation devices and components thereof
Medicinal inhalation devices and components having a non-metal coating and a fluorine-containing coating bonded to the non-metal coating wherein the fluorine-containing coating comprises an at least partially fluorinated compound comprising at least one functional group which shares at least one covalent bond with the non-metal coating are provided. In some embodiments, the partially fluorinated compound comprises a polyfluoropolyether silane of Formula Ia: Rf[Q-[C(R)2—Si(Y)3-x(R1a)x]y]z Ia wherein: Rf is a monovalent or multivalent polyfluoropolyether segment; Q is an organic divalent or trivalent linking group; each R is independently hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl group; each Y is independently a hydrolysable group; R1a is a C1-8 alkyl or phenyl group; x is 0 or 1 or 2; y is 1 or 2; and z is 1, 2, 3, or 4. Methods of making the devices and components are also provided. |
US08808783B2 |
Molded expanded pellet product and method of making
A method for making a snack product having a target shape from expandable pellets is disclosed. The snack product is formed into a target shape by expanding the pellets inside a mold. As the pellets expand inside the mold, the mold walls restrain the pellets expansion in the direction normal to the mold wall surface. The pellets also adhere to one another as they expand. An edible binder material can be included to facilitate such adherence. |
US08808781B2 |
Method for producing vanillin by electrochemical oxidation of aqueous lignin solutions or suspensions
The present invention relates to a method for producing vanillin, which comprises an electrochemical oxidation of an aqueous, lignin-comprising suspension or solution at an anode, wherein the anode used is a silver electrode. |
US08808777B2 |
System and method for preparing a beverage
A capsule, system and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product is shown. The capsule includes a circumferential first wall, a second wall closing the circumferential first wall at a first end, and a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous third wall closing the circumferential first wall at a second, open, end opposite the second wall. The first, second and third wall enclose an inner space including the extractable product. The third wall forms an outermost boundary of the capsule in an axial direction thereof. The third wall comprises a woven or nonwoven filtering material, such as filtering paper. |
US08808776B2 |
Produce chamber with inflatable balloon seal
A produce chamber (1) is provided to subject produce in a crate (7) to a controlled atmosphere. The chamber (1) has at least one inflatable/deflatable balloon seal structure (15) for sealingly engaging with a side wall of a produce crate (7) which has at least one opening (13) in a side wall (11) thereof. The balloon seal structure (15) has at least one discharge opening (19) that aligns with the at least one crate opening (13). Crates (7) with produce therein can be loaded in the chamber (1) with the balloon seal structure (15) deflated. The balloon seal structure (15) can then be inflated and controlled atmosphere allowed to circulate through the balloon seal structure (15) and discharged from the opening (19) and through the crate opening (13) to expose the produce to a controlled atmosphere. |
US08808773B2 |
Microbial reduction in a processing stream of a milled product
A process for treating a milled product to reduce microbial activity at a high confidence level is disclosed. A sterile ready to eat milled product at a high confidence of sterility is also disclosed. |
US08808772B2 |
Method for cooking food products in an oven
The method for cooking a food product in an oven comprising elements, the operations of which determine cooking set-points, is remarkable in that: cooking set-points are captured for defining an associated and determined cooking mode; the food product is located in the oven; the cooking operation is initiated; the operation of the elements is monitored and, should one of such elements be defective, the operation of the cooking mode associated with the oven is automatically switched to a degraded cooking mode, having at least one of its associated set-points differing from the captured set-point. |
US08808771B2 |
Active ingredient delivery system with an amorphous metal salt as carrier
An active ingredient delivery system and a method of making or using the same, wherein the delivery system includes an active ingredient and a carrier component of an amorphous metal salt, with the active ingredient at least partly fixed to and partly encapsulated by the carrier component. The active ingredient may be a bitter tasting polyphenol such as a flavonoid. |
US08808764B2 |
Methods and compositions for increasing growth hormones
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods and supplements for improving the health of human beings. |
US08808763B2 |
Methods for improving sleep efficiency in healthy human beings
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods and supplements for improving sleep efficiency in human beings. |
US08808762B2 |
Cinnamaldehyde and diallyl disulfide formulations and methods of use
The present invention relates to agricultural emulsion concentrates which form stable oil-in-water emulsions when diluted with water. More specifically, the invention relates to stable oil-in-water emulsions which include cinnamaldehyde and diallyl disulfide with a Calsogen® EH and Surfonic® CO 36 emulsion system. The increased stability of the emulsion allows for efficient mixing of the emulsion ingredients and effective storage and application of the cinnamaldehyde and diallyl disulfide to areas in need of nematode protection or treatment. |
US08808758B2 |
NFAT signal inhibitor and calcineurin inhibitor
To provide a drug, an external use composition, and a cosmetic composition, which exhibit an NFAT signal inhibitory action, a calcineurin inhibitory action, and a hair growth-promoting effect.The NFAT signal inhibitor contains, as an active ingredient, American angelica or an extract thereof. |
US08808751B2 |
Methods for the preparation of biologically active compounds in nanoparticulate form
A method for producing a composition comprising nanoparticles of a biologically active compound, comprising the step of: dry milling a solid biologically active compound and a millable grinding compound in a mill comprising a plurality of milling bodies, for a time period sufficient to produce a solid dispersion comprising nanoparticles of the biologically active compound dispersed in an at least partially milled grinding compound is described as are various compositions produced using such methods. |
US08808750B2 |
Microporous zirconium silicate for the treatment of hyperkalemia
The present invention relates to novel microporous zirconium silicate compositions that are formulated to remove toxins, e.g. potassium ions, from the gastrointestinal tract at an elevated rate without causing undesirable side effects. The preferred formulations are designed avoid increase in pH of urine in patients and/or avoid potential entry of particles into the bloodstream of the patient. Also disclosed is a method for preparing high purity crystals of UZSi-9 exhibiting an enhanced level of potassium exchange capacity. These compositions are particularly useful in the therapeutic treatment of hyperkalemia. |
US08808749B2 |
Polymer conjugate of bioactive substance having hydroxy group
A polymer conjugate of a physiologically active substance, which enables drug release independent of a biological enzyme and can be expected to have a high therapeutic effect, is demanded.Provided is a polymer conjugate of a physiologically active substance, comprising a block copolymer of a polyethylene glycol moiety and a polymer having two or more carboxy groups, in which a substituent represented by general formula (I) or general formula (II) is linked to at least one of the side-chain carboxy groups of the block copolymer via an amide bond [in the formula, R8 and R9 each independently are hydrogen atom or (C1-C6)alkyl which may have a substituent, R10 is hydrogen atom, (C1-C40)alkyl which may have a substituent, (C1-C40) aralkyl group which may have a substituent, an aromatic group which may have a substituent, an amino acid residue having a protected carboxy group, or a sugar residue which may have a substituent, CX—CY represents CH—CH or C═C (double bond), and A represents a residue obtained by removing, from a physiologically active substance having one or more hydroxy groups, one of the one or more hydroxy groups]. |
US08808748B2 |
Biodegradable nanoparticles as novel hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and methods of using the same
Compositions of matter and methods for making, storing and administering artificial blood substitutes. Artificial blood substitutes may have oxygen carriers that encapsulate an oxygen-binding compound in a polymer vesicle. Oxygen-binding compounds may include hemoglobin, myoglobin, or other oxygen binding compounds having characteristics similar to hemoglobin. Oxygen carriers may include nanoparticles, polymers and/or polymersomes comprising of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) and related diblock copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(γ-methyl ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PMCL). The oxygen carriers may have tunable oxygen-binding capacities, uniform and appropriately small size distributions, and human bloodlike viscosities and oncotic properties. |
US08808747B2 |
Nucleic acid microparticles for pulmonary delivery
The present disclosure is related to microparticle compositions, in which the microparticles are made of nucleic acids and non-polymeric cations, which are suitable for administration to moist or aqueous target locations (e.g., the lung tissue), where the substantially spherical nucleic acid microparticles release the nucleic acids through dissolution, allowing the released nucleic acids to freely interact with the target cells. |
US08808744B2 |
Drug delivery system based on polyethylene vinylacetate copolymers
A drug delivery system consisting of one or more compartments and comprising a progestogenic compound dissolved in a thermoplastic polyethylene vinylacetate copolymer whereby, if the delivery system consists of one compartment, the compartment comprises (i) a core of a thermoplastic polyethylene vinylacetate copolymer comprising the progestogenic compound, such progestogenic compound being dissolved in the polyethylene vinylacetate copolymer up to a concentration below the saturation level at 25° C., and an estrogenic compound; and (ii) a skin of a thermoplastic polyethylene vinylacetate copolymer covering the core, said skin being permeable for both compounds; if the delivery system consists of more than one compartment, only one compartment comprises (iii) the progestogenic compound, such progestogenic compound being dissolved in a core of a thermoplastic polyethylene vinylacetate copolymer up to a concentration below the saturation level at 25° C., and an estrogenic compound; and (iv) a skin of a thermoplastic polyethylene vinylacetate copolymer covering the core, said skin being permeable for both compounds. |
US08808741B2 |
Tamper resistant dosage forms
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical dosage forms, for example to a tamper resistant dosage form including an opioid analgesic, and processes of manufacture, uses, and methods of treatment thereof. |
US08808740B2 |
Encased tamper resistant controlled release dosage forms
In certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to a solid controlled release dosage form comprising: a core comprising a first portion of an opioid analgesic dispersed in a first matrix material; and a shell encasing the core and comprising a second portion of the opioid analgesic dispersed in a second matrix material; wherein the amount of opioid analgesic released from the dosage form is proportional within 20% to elapsed time from 8 to 24 hours, as measured by an in-vitro dissolution in a USP Apparatus 1 (basket) at 100 rpm in 900 ml simulated gastric fluid without enzymes (SGF) at 37 C. |
US08808739B2 |
Orodispersible tablet containing compacted sildenafil base
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical intermediate, comprising the steps of (i) mixing (a-i) sildenafil base, (b-i) wicking agent, (c-i) disintegrant, (d-i) optionally glidant; (ii) compacting the mixture; and (iii) milling the compacted material; and to an intermediate obtainable by that process. In addition, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of an orally dispersible tablet (hereinafter also referred to as an “orodispersible tablet”) comprising the intermediate of the invention, and to orodispersible tablets obtainable by that process. |
US08808737B2 |
Method of treating pain utilizing controlled release oxymorphone pharmaceutical compositions and instruction on dosing for renal impairment
The invention pertains to a method of using oxymorphone in the treatment of pain by providing a patient with an oxymorphone dosage form and informing the patient or prescribing physician that the bioavailability of oxymorphone is increased in patients with renal impairment. |
US08808733B2 |
Method of controlled drug release from a liposome carrier
Disclosed are methods and compositions for the controlled release of a drug or agent from a liposome using light or radiation. Also disclosed are compositions comprising liposomes having a lipid layer, wherein the liposomes contain an agent, an enzyme capable of releasing the agent from the liposome, and an enzyme activator sequestered by a molecular cage. In another aspect, methods of delivering an agent to a target in a subject are disclosed. |
US08808732B2 |
Film forming personal care compositions and methods
Compositions, kits and methods of preparing a biocompatible film for cosmetic or medical uses are disclosed. The compositions or kits contain polyvinyl acetal (PVA), siloxane and a solvent. The siloxane can have a hydrophilic group. Once the solvent content is reduced, for instance, by evaporation, the mixture of PVA and siloxane is solidified, forming a film. The compositions and kits, optionally, further include one or more of an antimicrobial agent, a pigment, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anesthetic agent or a hemostatic agent. Such a film can be used, for example, in the form of an antimicrobial sealant, a liquid bandage, body paints, scar camouflage, water-proof sun block, makeup sealer, or antimicrobial wipe or spray. |
US08808729B2 |
Multilayered transmucosal therapeutic system
A film-shaped therapeutic system comprising at least two layers connected with each other, for transmucosal administration of active substances. The system has a layer which is mucoadhesive in an aqueous environment and a mono-layered or multi-layered backing layer. At least one of these layers contains an active substance. The mucoadhesive layer is capable of swelling in an aqueous media, but is insoluble or only poorly soluble in an aqueous media. |
US08808728B2 |
Feed additive for laying hen and feed containing the same
A feed additive for laying hens comprising lactobionic acid or a lactobionic acid salt and a feed characterized by containing a feed additive for laying hens comprising lactobionic acid or a lactobionic acid salt and a feed. Namely, a feed additive for laying hens, which is excellent in effect of reinforcing eggshells, shows a particularly remarkable effect of improving eggshell qualities in the second half of the laying period, relieves stress caused by forced molting, cage transfer and so on and can inhibit lowering in the egg-laying rate. |
US08808726B2 |
Bioerodible endoprostheses and methods of making the same
Bioerodible endoprostheses and methods of making the endoprostheses are disclosed. In some embodiments, an endoprosthesis includes a member including a bioerodible material, and an antioxidant carried by the member. Examples of antioxidants include phenols. |
US08808723B2 |
Polymers containing poly(ester amides) and agents for use with medical articles and methods of fabricating the same
Polymers containing poly(ester amides) and agents for use with medical articles and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The medical article generally comprises an implantable substrate having a coating, and the coating contains a polymer comprising a polymeric product of a reaction comprising a polyol, a polycarboxylic acid, an amino acid and an agent. |
US08808722B2 |
Stable antiseptic compositions and methods
Provided are methods of improving the stability of antiseptic compositions that include elemental iodine and certain hydroxycarboxylic acids, as well as stable, ready to use antiseptic compositions suitable for use in the nose and anterior nares. |
US08808720B2 |
Formulation
A product comprising microcapsules which themselves comprise (a) a polymeric shell; and (b) a core which comprises (i) a solid agrochemical dispersed in a matrix and (ii) a water-immiscible liquid characterized in that the matrix is distributed non-continuously throughout the water-immiscible liquid. |
US08808714B2 |
Use of a mixture of two or more enteric materials to regulate drug release via membrane or matrix for systemic therapeutics
Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, particularly oral dosage forms, which comprise two or more enteric coating materials, either as a coating or as part of a matrix dosage form, and methods of making and using the same. The compositions are characterized by having a sustained release profile at lower pH and an accelerated dissolution profile at higher pH. |
US08808713B2 |
Compositions for pulmonary delivery of long-acting β2 adrenergic receptor agonists and associated methods and systems
Compositions, methods and systems are provided for pulmonary delivery of long-acting muscarinic antagonists and long-acting β2 adrenergic receptor agonists via a metered dose inhaler. In particular embodiments, the compositions include a suspension medium, active agent particles, and suspending particles, in which the active agent particles and suspending particles form a co-suspension within the suspension medium. |
US08808710B2 |
Method of preparing an immunologically-active adjuvant-bound dried vaccine composition
The disclosure provides a method of preparing an immunologically-active adjuvant-bound freeze dried vaccine composition. A specific embodiment provides a stable vaccine composition comprising an aluminum-salt adjuvant, a recombinant Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin protein and a glass-forming agent. These vaccine compositions are useful in the treatment of humans and other animals at risk of infection from Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin. |
US08808703B2 |
Compounds (cystein based lipopeptides) and compositions as TLR2 agonists used for treating infections, inflammations, respiratory diseases etc
The invention provides a novel class of compounds viz. generally lipopeptides like Pam3CSK4, immunogenic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with Toll-Like Receptors 2. In one aspect, the compounds are useful as adjuvants for enhancing the effectiveness a vaccine. |
US08808702B2 |
Sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone chalcone analogues, derivatives thereof and therapeutic uses thereof
Compounds useful as antiproliferative agents according to formula (I): wherein Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, m and n are as defined herein, salts, antibody conjugates, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment, and synthetic methods are provided. |
US08808700B1 |
Use of TNF alpha inhibitor for treatment of erosive polyarthritis
The invention describes methods of treating erosive polyarthritis comprising administering a TNFα antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof. The invention also describes a method for testing the efficacy of a TNFα antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, for the treatment of erosive polyarthritis. |
US08808699B2 |
Compositions and methods related to protein A (SpA) antibodies as an enhancer of immune response
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve a non-toxigenic Protein A (SpA) variant or an antibody directed thereto. |
US08808697B2 |
Methods of use of soluble CD24 for therapy of rheumatoid arthritis
Provided herein is a method of treating rheumatoid arthritis using a CD24 protein. The CD24 protein may include mature human or mouse CD24, as well as a N- or C-terminally fused portion of a mammalian immunoglobulin. |
US08808691B2 |
Method for treating tumors and their metastases
The invention relates to a method of therapy against tumors and their metastases, which preferentially settle in bone tissue, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an active ingredient which comprises at least one binding molecule that binds to human bone sialoprotein or a fragment thereof. |
US08808689B1 |
Insulin independence among patients with diabetes utilizing a PPI in combination with an immune tolerance agent
To date, no immune tolerance agent or combination of immune tolerance agents has been able to sustain insulin-independence among type 1 diabetes patients. This patent provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for providing insulin independence among newly diagnosed and existing type 1 diabetes. Methods include utilization of PPIs, which increase gastrin resulting in the transformation of human ductal tissue into insulin-secreting new beta cells, used in combination with an immune tolerance agent to protect the new insulin-producing beta cells generated by the PPI from immune destruction. Compositions and methods are provided for beta cell generation therapy comprising at least one member from a group of PPIs with formulations selected from immune tolerance agents, when used in combination result in insulin-independence among new and existing type 1 patients whom currently require insulin to sustain life. Compositions and methods are provided for insulin-independence among type 2 patients using PPIs when combined with therapeutic agents utilized for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. |
US08808688B2 |
Cell preparation for erectile dysfunction or sensory disorders of the lower urinary tract containing adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells
An object is to provide a novel medical use of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. It was discovered that adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC) promote improvement of erectile dysfunction and recovery of the urge to urinate (improvement of sensory disorders of the lower urinary tract). On the basis of the discovery, a cell preparation containing adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which is effective to erectile dysfunction or sensory disorders of the lower urinary tract, is provided. In one embodiment, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and body fat are used in combination. |
US08808687B2 |
Biocompatible substrate for facilitating interconnections between stem cells and target tissues and methods for implanting same
Disclosed herein are substrates for cell delivery to target tissues requiring treatment for various diseases that induce cell death, damage or loss of function. The substrates are configured to provide seeded cells, including stem cells, with a structural support that allows interconnection with and transmission of biological signals between the cells and the target tissue. |
US08808686B2 |
Adjuvant-sparing multi-dose influenza vaccination regimen
An influenza vaccine is administered by a multi-dose regimen, in which (i) a first dose is administered with an adjuvant and (ii) a later dose is administered either without an adjuvant or with a different adjuvant. Thus the invention provides the benefits of a two-dose regimen without also doubling the supply need for a given adjuvant. |
US08808683B2 |
Genetically modified bacterium of the species Listeria monocytogenes
The present invention relates to a genetically modified bacterium of the species Listeria monocytogenes, wherein the genomic locus of the transcriptional factor PrfA has been deleted, characterized in that it comprises on genomic level an artificial sequence that acts as internal amplification control, the use of this bacterium as well as a method for detecting and determining qualitatively and/or quantitatively the occurrence of wild type Listeria monocytogenes in a sample suspected to be contaminated with said micro-organism and a kit. |
US08808681B2 |
Crosslinked, degradable polymers and uses thereof
Acrylate-terminated poly(beta-amino esters) are cross-linked to form materials useful in the medical as well as non-medical field. The polymeric starting material is combined with a free radical initiator, either a thermal initiator or a photoinitiator, and the mixture for cross-linking is heated or exposed to light depending on the initiator used. The resulting materials due to the hydrolysable ester bond in the polymer backbone are biodegradable under physiological conditions. These cross-linked materials are particular useful as drug delivery vehicles, tissue engineering scaffolds, and in fabricating microdevices. The materials may also be used as plastics, coating, adhesives, inks, etc. The cross-linked materials prepared exhibit a wide range of degradation times, mass loss profiles, and mechanical properties. Therefore, the properties of the material may be tuned for the desired use. The high-throughput approach to preparing a library of cross-linked poly(beta-amino esters) allows for the rapid screening and design of degradable polymers for a variety of applications. |
US08808679B2 |
Auristatin compounds and conjugates thereof
Auristatin compounds and conjugates thereof are provided herein. The conjugate comprises a protein based recognition-molecule (PBRM) and a polymeric carrier substituted with one or more -LD-D, the protein based recognition-molecule being connected to the polymeric carrier by LP. Each occurrence of D is independently an Auristatin compound. LD and LP are linkers connecting the therapeutic agent and PBRM to the polymeric carrier respectively. Also disclosed are polymeric scaffolds useful for conjugating with a PBRM to form a polymer-drug-PBRM conjugate described herein, compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating various disorders with the conjugates or their compositions. |
US08808674B2 |
Hair treatment agents comprising surfactant(s) and proteolipid(s)
The present invention is a hair treatment agent comprising at least one surfactant and at least one proteolipid of the formula R′—X—R″, wherein R′ is a straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having 11 to 24 carbon atoms; R″ is a protein, a peptide, or a protein hydrolyzate; X is —C(O)O—, —N+(RIII2)RIV—, or —N(RIII)RIV—; RIII is —(CH2)x—CH3— with x=0-22; and RIV is —CH2—CH(OH)—CH2— or —(CH2)x— with x=0-22; with the proviso that R″ consists of keratin or a keratin hydrolyzate when X is —C(O)O—. The agents of the present invention improve many properties of hair such as giving enhanced shine and impregnation of hair. |
US08808673B2 |
Long-wearing cosmetic composition
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition particularly useful for the application of color such as in a foundation, lip gloss, lip stick, mascara, eye shadow, blush, and nail polish, for example. A cosmetic composition according to the present invention includes a film-forming silicone-containing polyurethane having a viscosity from about 130,000 to about 2,500,000 cps, preferable from about 400,000 to about 2,500,000 cps and most preferably from about 750,000 to about 2,500,000. |
US08808671B2 |
Non-tumorigenic ointment/cream base for topical application
A non-tumorigenic skin care composition is provided. |
US08808670B2 |
Cosmetic and dermatological photoprotective formulations
Cosmetic or dermatological preparations which have a UVA balance of more than 15, and use thereof. |
US08808666B2 |
Peptides that specifically target amyloid deposits
The present invention provides a novel method of detecting amyloids in a subject. The present invention provides peptides that bind selectively to amyloids and are useful for detecting amyloids and diagnosing and/or monitoring the progression of amyloid mediated conditions. |
US08808665B2 |
In vivo copper-free click chemistry for delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents
The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use involving click chemistry reactions for in vivo or in vitro formation of therapeutic and/or diagnostic complexes. Preferably, the diagnostic complex is of use for 18F imaging, while the therapeutic complex is of use for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs or toxins. More preferably, a chelating moiety or targetable construct may be conjugated to a targeting molecule, such as an antibody or antibody fragment, using a click chemistry reaction involving cyclooctyne, nitrone or azide reactive moieties. In most preferred embodiments, the click chemistry reaction occurs in vivo. In vivo click chemistry is not limited to 18F labeling but can be used for delivering a variety of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents. |
US08808663B2 |
Hydrogen generation using compositions including magnesium and silicon
Embodiments relate to methods of generating hydrogen including contacting magnesium and silicon to form a mixture and reacting the mixture with an aqueous solution, sufficient to generate hydrogen. The solution can include water and salt. |
US08808657B2 |
Preparation of aluminum phosphate or polyphosphate particles
A process for the preparation of amorphous aluminum phosphate or polyphosphate-based pigment by reacting aluminum phosphate and sodium aluminate is provided. The amorphous aluminum phosphate or polyphosphate is characterized by a skeletal density of less than 2.50 grams per cubic centimeter and a phosphorus to aluminum mole ratio of greater than 0.8. In one embodiment, the composition is useful in paints as a substitute for titanium dioxide. |
US08808656B2 |
Garnet-type single crystal, optics using same and related apparatus thereof
A garnet-type single crystal is represented by a general formula, A3B2C3O12 (having a crystal structure with three sites A, B and C occupied by cations, wherein A represents an element occupying the site A, B represents an element occupying the site B, C represents an element occupying the site C, O represents an oxygen atom), and contains fluorine, in which the fluorine attains any one or both of substituting for the oxygen atom or compensating for oxygen defect. |
US08808653B2 |
Catalyst for purifying exhaust gas
PROBLEMThe present invention is directed to provide a catalyst for purifying exhaust gas capable of maintaining a superior catalytic performance even when the catalyst is exposed to an exhaust gas at a high temperature of 800° C. or higher.SOLUTIONThe catalyst for purifying exhaust gas of the present invention comprises a catalytically active component containing a noble metal and a promoter containing an oxygen storage material both being supported on a carrier. The oxygen storage material comprises cerium, zirconium, and iron, and content of iron in the oxygen storage material is 0.01% by mass or more and less than 0.70% by mass (Fe2O3 conversion) relative to the total mass of the oxygen storage material. And the oxygen storage material is (a) a complex oxide or a solid solution of iron and a metal comprising cerium and zirconium; or (b) an iron is supported on a complex oxide or a solid solution of a metal comprising cerium and zirconium. |
US08808652B2 |
Biomass boiler SCR NOx and CO reduction system
A selective catalytic reduction system and method for reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions comprising a boiler producing flue gas emissions, a particulate control device receiving flue gas emissions from the boiler, a selective catalytic reduction unit (SCR) receiving flue gas emissions from the particulate control device and reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and a heat exchanger located downstream of the selective catalytic reduction unit (SCR) for removing heat from the flue gas for preheating at least one of boiler feed water and combustion air for the boiler. |
US08808645B2 |
Molecular filters
Molecular filters are disclosed herein. An example of the molecular filter includes a rolled substrate having an interior surface and opposed ends that are substantially orthogonal to the interior surface. The rolled substrate defines a layer and a fluid flow path extending from one of the opposed ends to another of the opposed ends. A template is positioned on the interior surface of the rolled substrate. The template includes a matrix, and molecule template locations formed in the matrix. |
US08808644B2 |
Methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers
Automated apparatus and methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the fluids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station. |
US08808641B2 |
Assembly of a microfluidic device for analysis of biological material
In a microfluidic assembly, a microfluidic device is provided with a body in which at least a first inlet for loading a fluid for analysis, and a buried area in fluid communication with the first inlet are defined. An analysis chamber is in fluid communication with the buried area and an interface cover is coupled in a fluid-tight manner above the microfluidic device. The interface cover is provided with a sealing portion in correspondence to the analysis chamber, operable to assume a first configuration, in which it leaves the analysis chamber open, and a second configuration, in which it closes the analysis chamber in a fluid-tight manner. |
US08808639B2 |
Test strip card
The present invention relates to a test strip for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved test strip and scale for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen. |
US08808635B2 |
Reactor and method for obtaining carbon material by short circuit electric current
A new and low cost method for producing single wall nanotubes and other allotropic forms of carbon. The method uses a high electric current and 127 VAC or 220 VAC power supplies to sublimation of a solid precursor, which material can be made of graphite. The solid precursor is connected to metallic electrodes, so that an intense electric current cross the contacts to pulverize the graphite under high temperature. The carbon materials are deposited in the wall of the reactor as well as in the electrodes, in an atmospheric pressure. The obtained material is purified in acids and, then, the carbon nanotubes are separated. In general, the synthesis is characterized by the absence of a metal catalyst, the employ of a short circuit current with an agent to produce carbon materials, the low pressure into reaction, and the assembly of the apparatus involving a low voltage of operation. |
US08808625B2 |
Dispensing apparatus and a dispensing method
In a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid, such as a sample solution, on a substrate, such as a glass slide, the dispensing apparatus includes a capillary provided with a distal end and a proximal end, a pump unit configured to pump an operating liquid into the capillary and to pump the operating liquid out of the capillary, and a controller configured to control the pump unit so as to change a position of a liquid surface of the operating liquid in the capillary so that a predetermined volume of liquid is suctioned from the distal end into the capillary and the liquid suctioned in the capillary is discharged from the distal end. As a result, it is possible to precisely dispense extremely small volume amounts of liquids such as a nanoliter. |
US08808623B2 |
Diagnosis assisting system, diagnosis assisting information providing device and computer program product
A diagnosis assisting system comprising: an analyzing section for analyzing a sample collected from a subject; a determining section for determining whether there is a possibility that a subject has a predetermined disease based on an analysis result obtained by the analyzing section; a notification section for notifying the possibility when the determining section has determined that there is the possibility; and a diagnosis assisting information display section for displaying a diagnosis assisting information screen which displays diagnosis assisting information related to the predetermined disease, is disclosed. A diagnosis assisting information providing device and a computer program product are also disclosed. |
US08808622B2 |
Sterilization system and device
A system, device and method for sterilizing or decontaminating an object that by exposing the object to a sterilant gas comprised of one or more oxides of nitrogen, such as NO, NO2, NO3, N2O3, N2O4, N2O5, N2O and mixtures thereof. The source of the sterilant gas can be generated from a sterilant gas-generating composition or provided by a source of the sterilant gas. |
US08808616B2 |
Bustle pipe arrangement
There is provided a bustle pipe arrangement of a shaft furnace that comprises a circumferential bustle pipe arranged along the outer casing of the shaft furnace, the bustle pipe being arranged at a certain distance from the outer casing. The arrangement further comprises a plurality of first arms connecting the bustle pipe to the outer casing of the shaft furnace on a first level; and a plurality of second arms connecting the bustle pipe to the outer casing of the shaft furnace on a second level, the first level being different from the second level. First and second blow channels are respectively arranged through the first and second arms for fluidly connecting the bustle pipe to the interior of the shaft furnace. |
US08808614B2 |
Method of manufacturing porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride ceramics from granular Si mixture powder and porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride ceramics manufactured thereby
Disclosed is a porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride ceramic, which includes an array of sintered granules having fine pore channels in the sintered granules and coarse pore channels formed between the sintered granules, and in which the pore channel size is controlled so that both coarse pores and fine pores are formed together in the ceramic, thus simultaneously enhancing air permeability and capturing efficiency. A method of manufacturing the porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride ceramic is also provided. |
US08808612B2 |
Computer controlled flow manipulation for vacuum infusion processes
Methods and apparatus for vacuum infusing resin into a fabric preform within a mold. The methods comprise increasing permeability in a selected region, such as by deploying a VIPR chamber in a location corresponding to the resin injection port corresponding to the resin flow front furthest from the mold vent or a location identified by predictive modeling as best to achieve a desired flow front geometry. Suitable apparatus comprise a VIPR chamber, an image detector for detecting resin flow fronts, a processor programmed to identify a desired location to deploy the VIPR chamber, and an automatic positioner for moving the VIPR chamber to the identified location. |
US08808607B2 |
Thermally conductive sheet and process for producing same
A thermally conductive sheet has cut surfaces with low surface roughness and hence shows reduced thermal resistance at the interfaces, and high thermal conductivity in the thickness direction. Thus, the thermally conductive sheet can be interposed between any of various heat sources and a radiation member. The process for producing the thermally conductive sheet includes at least: an extrusion molding step in which a thermally conductive composition containing a polymer, an anisotropic thermally conductive filler, and a filler is extruded with an extruder to thereby mold an extrusion-molded product in which the anisotropic thermally conductive filler has been oriented along the extrusion direction; a curing step in which the extrusion-molded product is cured to obtain a cured object; and a slicing step in which the cured object is sliced into a given thickness with an ultrasonic cutter in the direction perpendicular to the extrusion direction. |
US08808602B2 |
Method of treating a net made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
A method of treating a net (2) formed from interconnecting strands (4a, 4b) of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the net (2) being formed with knotless intersections (6), comprising the steps of: a) heating the net (2) to a temperature of from 80° to 135° C.; b) applying tension to the net (2); c) reducing the temperature to below 80° C.; and d) removing tension from the net (2). |
US08808601B2 |
Method for manufacturing ceramic filter
Honeycomb ceramic wall flow filters exhibiting reduced plug depth variability, produced by introducing flowable ceramic plugging cements into the ends of selected channels in the honeycombs and wherein the ceramic plugging cements consist of shear-conditioned mixtures exhibiting reduced viscosity differentials. |
US08808593B2 |
Cap for the neck of a container and method for producing one such cap
The invention relates to a cap for the neck of a container and to a method for producing one such cap. According to the invention, the skirt (12) of the cap (1) is provided with frangible bridge elements (44A, 44B) which break when the cap is first opened. In addition, on either side of the aforementioned frangible bridge elements, the skirt includes a non-removable part and a removable part provided with an outer biasing tab (24) that only extends along a peripheral portion (12A) of the skirt. In order to limit the biasing force of the tab, so as to release the removable skirt part, the radial dimension (e44A) of the bridges (44A) located in the skirt portion (12) associated with the tab is smaller than the radial dimension (e44B) of the bridges (44B) located outside said portion. |
US08808588B1 |
Methods for integrating a functional component into a microfluidic device
Injection molding is used to form microfluidic devices with integrated functional components. One or more functional components are placed in a mold cavity, which is then closed. Molten thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold and then cooled, thereby forming a solid substrate including the functional component(s). The solid substrate including the functional component(s) is then bonded to a second substrate, which may include microchannels or other features. |
US08808587B2 |
Preparation of microcapsule with double layered structure
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a microcapsule with a double-layered structure which comprises the steps of performing an interfacial polymerization of an amine-aldehyde prepolymer on droplets containing an inorganic metal precursor selected from carboxylate and alkoxide compounds, and hydrolyzing the including inorganic precursors for formation of inorganic inner layer. The method of the present invention can prepare a microcapsule with a double-layered structure of an inorganic inner layer and a polymer outer layer, which is effective for eluting and substituting a core material inside the capsule. |
US08808585B2 |
Vegetable oil of high dielectric purity, method for obtaining same and use in an electrical device
A dielectric high purity vegetable oil—free from antioxidants and/or external additives to be used in electric equipment such as transformers, as isolating element and as cooling means and a method for obtaining the same in which the dielectric high purity vegetable oil—is obtained by means of the optimization of the bleaching steps—and deodorizing—from the Refining process—known as Modified Caustic Refining Long-Mix (RBD). |
US08808575B2 |
Process for the preparation of porous crystalline lithium-, vanadium and phosphate-comprising materials
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of general formula (I) Lia-bM1bV2-cM2c(PO4)x (I) wherein M1, M2, a, b, c and x have the following meanings: M1: Na, K, Rb and/or Cs, M2: Ti, Zr, Nb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Al, Mg and/or Sc, a: 1.5-4.5, b: 0-0.6, c: 0-1.98 and x: number to equalize the charge of Li and V and M1 and/or M2, if present, wherein a-b is >0, to a compound according to general formula (I) as defined above, to spherical agglomerates and/or particles comprising at least one compound of general formula (I) as defined above, to the use of such a compound for the preparation of a cathode of a lithium ion battery or an electrochemical cell, and to a cathode for a lithium ion battery, comprising at least one compound as defined above. |
US08808564B2 |
Method and apparatus for selective nitridation process
Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods for manufacturing flash memory devices. In one embodiment, a method for removing native oxides from a substrate is provided. The method includes transferring a substrate having an oxide layer disposed thereon into a first processing chamber, exposing the substrate to a plasma generated from a cleaning gas mixture, wherein the cleaning gas mixture comprises a hydrogen-containing gas and a fluorine-containing gas, heating the substrate to a temperature sufficient to remove the oxide layer from the substrate, transferring the substrate from the first processing chamber to a second processing chamber without breaking vacuum, and flowing a plasma containing substantially nitrogen-containing radicals into the second processing chamber to expose the substrate to nitrogen containing radicals. |
US08808562B2 |
Dry metal etching method
A method of etching an aluminum-containing layer on a substrate is described. The method includes forming plasma from a process composition containing a halogen element, and exposing the substrate to the plasma to etch the aluminum-containing layer. The method may additionally include exposing the substrate to an oxygen-containing environment to oxidize a surface of the aluminum-containing layer and control an etch rate of the aluminum-containing layer. The method may further include forming first plasma from a process composition containing HBr and an additive gas having the chemical formula CxHyRz (wherein R is a halogen element, x and y are equal to unity or greater, and z is equal to zero or greater), forming second plasma from a process composition containing HBr, and exposing the substrate to the first plasma and the second plasma to etch the aluminum-containing layer. |
US08808561B2 |
Inert-dominant pulsing in plasma processing systems
A method for processing substrate in a processing chamber, which has at least one plasma generating source and a gas source for providing process gas into the chamber, is provided. The method includes exciting the plasma generating source with an RF signal having RF frequency. The method further includes pulsing the gas source, using at least a first gas pulsing frequency, such that a first process gas is flowed into the chamber during a first portion of a gas pulsing period and a second process gas is flowed into the chamber during a second portion of the gas pulsing period, which is associated with the first gas pulsing frequency. The second process gas has a lower reactant-gas-to-inert-gas ratio relative to a reactant-gas-to-inert-gas ratio of the first process gas. The second process gas is formed by removing at least a portion of a reactant gas flow from the first process gas. |
US08808559B2 |
Etch rate detection for reflective multi-material layers etching
A method and apparatus for etching a photomask substrate with enhanced process monitoring, for example, by providing for optical monitoring at different regions of the photomask to obtain desired etch rate or thickness loss is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes performing an etching process on a reflective multi-material layer that includes at least one molybdenum layer and one silicon layer through a patterned mask, directing radiation having a wavelength from about 170 nm and about 800 nm to an area of the multi-material layer uncovered by the patterned mask, collecting an optical signal reflected from the area uncovered by the patterned mask, analyzing a waveform obtained from the reflected optical signal, and determining a first endpoint of the etching process when an intensity of the reflected optical signal is between about 60 percent and about 90 percent less than an initial reflected optical signal. |
US08808556B2 |
Embroidery and method of making same
Chemical burnout is used on fabrics having beaded and/or glittered areas to create embroidery that realistically simulates hand-sewn embroidery. A chemical fluid etchant is printed only on selected areas of a pattern on a fabric of cellulose fibers. Preferably, the fabric is a composite fabric that also has non-cellulose fibers. A curable fluid adhesive is printed only on other selected areas of the pattern. Ornamental particles are deposited onto the curable adhesive. The composite fabric is heated to cure the adhesive and fix the particles to the other selected areas, and to simultaneously activate the etchant to dissolve the cellulose fibers at the selected areas. The chemical etchant is removed by rinsing the composite fabric. |
US08808555B2 |
Method of manufacturing substrate for liquid discharge head
Provided is a method of manufacturing a substrate for a liquid discharge head including a first face, energy generating elements which generate the energy to be used to discharge a liquid to a second face opposite to the first face, and liquid supply ports for supplying the liquid to the energy generating elements. The method includes preparing a silicon substrate having, at the first face, an etching mask layer having an opening corresponding to a portion where the liquid supply ports are to be formed, and having first recesses provided within the opening, and second recesses provided in the region of the second face where the liquid supply ports are to be formed, the first recesses and the second recesses being separated from each other by a portion of the substrate; and etching the silicon substrate by crystal anisotropic etching from the opening of the first face to form the liquid supply ports. |
US08808554B2 |
Method for making thermionic electron emission device
A method for making a thermionic electron emission device. The method includes the following steps. First, an insulating substrate is provided. Second, a number of lattices are formed on the insulating substrate. Third, a first electrode and a second electrode are fabricated in each lattice on the insulating substrate. Fourth, a carbon nanotube film structure is provided and at least part of the carbon nanotube film is suspended structure above the insulating substrate. Sixth, excess carbon nanotube film structure is cut away to obtain a number of thermionic electron emitters. The thermionic electron emitters are spaced from each other and located between the first electrode and the second electrode in each lattice. |
US08808552B2 |
Stackable filter cup apparatus and method
An apparatus and method to perform multiple filtration steps with a modular filtration apparatus and single cycle. A stackable modular filter cup has features to allow stacked cups to be separated without the need for substantial effort yet without diminishing the effect of vacuum assisted filtration. Each cup is formed with a slip seal segment and/or a series of substantially vertical channels or ridges on an inner or outer wall to reduce surface contact between nested filter cups. |
US08808550B2 |
Apparatus and method for dissolution of ozone in water and catalytic oxidation
A system and method for oxidation treatment of water in which ozone gas is dissolved in water by passing a mixed gas-liquid stream through a monolith at an elevated pressure that is close to the preferred gas output pressure for an ozone generator. The monolith is preferably contained at least partially within a gas-liquid separator vessel. Advanced oxidation is optionally provided by injecting hydrogen peroxide and/or embedding a catalyst on the monolith. At least a portion of the treated water is preferably recycled in order to increase total ozone dosing in the effluent stream. |
US08808549B2 |
Method of making zirconia-containing nanoparticles
A method of preparing zirconia-containing nanoparticles and a method of preparing a composite material that includes the zirconia-containing nanoparticles are provided. A method of treating a zirconium carboxylate salt solution to remove alkali metal ions and alkaline earth ions is provided. The treated solution can be used as a feedstock to prepare the zirconia-containing nanoparticles. Additionally, a continuous hydrothermal reactor system is provided that can be used, for example, to prepare the zirconia-containing nanoparticles. |
US08808546B2 |
Hydrocarbon removal from gas process feed streams by regenerable filters
A system and process for removing hydrocarbons from a gas process feed stream is presented. The treatment process may be, but is not limited to, glycol dehydration, amine sweetening, and MEG reclamation. As an example, a hydrocarbon removal bed containing a solid adsorbent material adsorbs the hydrocarbons in a rich MEG feed stream as it passes through the hydrocarbon removal bed. After the hydrocarbons have been removed, the feed stream flows through a flash separator and a distillation column to reclaim MEG. Alternatively, the hydrocarbon removal bed may be used after the MEG reclamation process to remove hydrocarbons in the distilled water from the distillation column. Spent solid adsorbent material may be regenerated in place. |
US08808544B2 |
Contact-stabilization/prime-float hybrid
Systems and methods for treating wastewater including a dissolved air flotation operation performed upon a portion of a mixed liquor output from a contact tank prior to the mixed liquor entering a biological treatment tank. |
US08808543B2 |
Method for wet weather wastewater treatment
Method for treating wastewater, in particular municipal wastewater, in which the wastewater is initially received in an equalization basin reactor for performing an infiltration and inflow equalization process. The equalization basin reactor has sufficient capacity for the increased inflow of wastewater received under wet weather conditions. However, the increased inflow is not merely stored in the equalization basin reactor for later processing, but the wastewater treatment process continues throughout the wet weather period with the first stage wastewater treatment being performed in the equalization basin reactor, which further provides a substantially constant outflow of partially treated wastewater for subsequent treatment stages. |
US08808541B2 |
Dialysis cell and tray for dialysis cells
A dialysis cell is provided for the measurement of free thyroxine. The dialysis cell preferably includes a polyhedral housing including a top, a bottom and four sides. The dialysis cell is made up of a buffer portion and serum portion. The buffer portion includes a cavity and the serum portion includes a cavity which, when the buffer portion and serum portion are assembled together, form a central chamber. The central chamber is divided by a vertically aligned dialysis membrane held in place by two O-rings. Buffer is introduced into the dialysis cell's buffer portion through a buffer inlet extending from the dialysis cell's top side to the buffer portion's cavity. Similarly, serum is introduced into the serum portion through an inlet which extends from an opening formed on the dialysis cell's top to the serum portion's cavity. |
US08808538B2 |
Batch-operated reverse osmosis system
A reverse osmosis system in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and a method of operating the same includes a pressure vessel having a membrane therein, a high pressure fluid input, a low pressure fluid input, a permeate output and a brine output. The system further includes a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve and a high pressure pump in fluid communication with the high pressure input through the high pressure valve. The system also includes a low pressure pump in fluid communication with the low pressure input through the low pressure valve. The high pressure pump and the low pressure pump are in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The low pressure pump initially fills the pressure vessel and the high pressure pump operates during permeate production. |
US08808535B2 |
Vacuum distilled DAO processing in FCC with recycle
System and method for processing hydrocarbon. One or more embodiments of the method include combining a first hydrocarbon including a de-asphalted oil with a recycled hydrocarbon product to produce a combined hydrocarbon, cracking the combined hydrocarbon to produce a cracked hydrocarbon product, and recycling at least a portion of the cracked hydrocarbon product to provide the recycled hydrocarbon product, wherein the recycled hydrocarbon product comprises a cycle oil product, a naphtha product, or a combination thereof. |
US08808531B2 |
Small volume in vitro analyte sensor
A sensor designed to determine the concentration of analyte in a sample having a volume of less than about 1 μL. The sensor has a working electrode coated with a redox mediator that acts as an electron transfer agent between the analyte and the electrode. A second electron transfer agent, such as an enzyme, can be added to facilitate the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the analyte. Various electrochemical detection methods, such as amperometric, voltammetric, and potentiometric techniques, can be used to determine the analyte concentration. The sensor can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum. |
US08808520B2 |
Vertical slice gel electrophoresis cell
In the present innovated vertical slice gel electrophoresis cell, at least one piece of large diameter screw urging ring is held to face to one U-shaped side opening of an upper buffer chamber, but an interval is left therebetween. After inserting a gel cassette into the interval, turning tight the screw urging ring can force at least one piece of gel cassette to join the upper buffer chamber tightly, no matter how thick the cassette is. In addition, some other materials are found also suitable for absorbing the Joule-heat after sealing them into dielectric shells respectively. |
US08808519B2 |
Microfluidic device
A microfluidic device includes a micro-channel that defines a plane. A plurality of drive electrodes is located on a first side of the plane. At least one ground electrode is operable to establish an electric potential with the plurality of drive electrodes. An array of electrochemical biosensors is located on a second, opposite side of the plane. |
US08808516B2 |
Devices and methods for long-term intracellular access
Nanoscale probes for forming stable, non-destructive seals with cell membranes. The probes, systems including these probes, and methods of fabricating and using the probes described herein may be used to sense from, stimulate, modify, or otherwise effect individual cells or groups of cells. In particular, described herein are nanoscale cellular probes that may be used to span the lipid membrane of a cell to provide stable and long lasting access to the internal cellular structures. Thus, the probes described herein may be used as part of a system, method or device that would benefit from stable, non-destructive access across a cell membrane. In some variations the nanoscale probe devices or systems described herein may be used as part of a drug screening procedure. |
US08808514B2 |
Magnetron sputtering apparatus
A magnetron sputtering apparatus comprising: a deposition chamber; a processing chamber in communication with the deposition chamber, wherein a target area composed of targets is located at the place where the processing chamber is connected with the deposition chamber; a transfer chamber provided adjacent to the processing chamber, wherein a first gas-tight gate is provided on a wall of the transfer chamber, the first gas-tight gate being opened or closed so as to control the vacuum degree in the transfer chamber and to replace the targets; a transfer device which is provided in the processing chamber and/or the transfer chamber, transfers the target between the transfer chamber and the processing chamber via a second gas-tight gate provided on the adjacent walls of the transfer chamber and the processing chamber for replacement when the transfer chamber is in a set vacuum degree state. |
US08808511B2 |
Method of cleaning and recycling glycol-tainted water from de-icing operations at airports
The invention disclosed and claimed herein relates to treatment of water contaminated with glycol to be recycled for further effective use of the cleaned water resulting therefrom, especially at airports. More specifically, this invention relates to improved techniques for efficiently and reliably generating continuous flows of cleaned water as well as a continuous flow of recyclable glycol water of controlled concentration. |
US08808510B2 |
System and method for a constituent rendering of biomass and other carbon-based materials
A system and method for a constituent rendering of biomass and other carbon-based materials is provided. The system can be configured for receiving a feedstock material to be rendered into its constituent components, grinding the feedstock to a desired size and/or consistency, and placing the feedstock in contact with a hot mix heat transfer medium within a pressure chamber. In an aspect, the system can utilize a feedstock input system to receive the feedstock material, with the feedstock input system including an auger feed tube, at least one feed stock auger screw, a grinding station with a die configured to interact with the feed stock auger screw, and a movable compression gate. Pyrolysis of the feedstock can lead to a breakdown of the feedstock into constituent components that can then be collected. |
US08808509B2 |
Pyrolytic gas generator
Pyrolytic gas generator for generating clean useful gas from biomass, particularly wood, oil seeds or the like, where a gasification channel in multi-chambered construction is provided, which gasification channel is provided with an assist burner which can supply heat from the outside to the gasification channel during gasification of the biomass, a pre-pyrolyzing pipe is connected upstream of the gasification channel and an ash discharge downstream of the gasification channel, wherein the generated gases are re-gasified in the gasification channel while the material to be gasified is mechanically transported from a material container to the ash discharge. |
US08808508B2 |
System and method for obtaining hydrocarbons from organic and inorganic solid waste
This invention relates to a system for obtaining hydrocarbons from organic or inorganic solid waste, wherein said system comprises: an inlet chamber, within which is a mixer assembly which mixes and conveys the waste through said chamber, which is also at ambient temperature, thus avoiding any thermal shock to the solid waste for processing; a dehydration chamber with a mixing assembly therein, and the upper part of this chamber contains an expansion chamber for promoting more efficient molecular breakdown; the thermal breakdown is carried out in two reactors which are operated at different temperatures, the first thermal disassociation reactor which has inside a mixer unit, and which in its upper part houses an expansion chamber, the second thermal breakdown reactor, therein has a mixer unit, and in the upper portion thereof houses an expansion chamber and at the top end thereof a vertical expansion tower; wherein the thermolytic steam is homogenized, a separator of heavy hydrocarbons, which does not require an additional cooling system, a multiple valve determines the temperature and oxygen content of the vapors and conveys them to the expansion tower in order to optimize the production of hydrocarbons, and to obtain a liquid hydrocarbon with high heating value. |
US08808502B1 |
Substrate treatment processes
A process where substrates, such as documents like smooth coated papers, are exposed to a weak acid, a weak acid solution, or mixtures thereof for the purpose of increasing the surface roughness of the substrate. |
US08808501B2 |
Methods for individualizing trichomes
A method for individualizing a trichome from an epidermis of a non-seed portion of a trichome-bearing plant in the Asteraceae family and Melastomataceae family to form a fibrous structure is provided. The method comprises contacting the plant with a device to separate the trichome from the epidermis and incorporating the separated trichome into fibrous structure. |
US08808496B2 |
Plasma tuning rods in microwave processing systems
The invention provides a plurality of plasma tuning rod subsystems. The plasma tuning rod subsystems can comprise one or more microwave cavities configured to couple electromagnetic (EM) energy in a desired EM wave mode to a plasma by generating resonant microwave energy in one or more plasma tuning rods within and/or adjacent to the plasma. One or more microwave cavity assemblies can be coupled to a process chamber, and can comprise one or more tuning spaces/cavities. Each tuning space/cavity can have one or more plasma tuning rods coupled thereto. Some of the plasma tuning rods can be configured to couple the EM energy from one or more of the resonant cavities to the process space within the process chamber and thereby create uniform plasma within the process space. |
US08808486B2 |
Method for manufacturing color electrophoretic display device
A method for manufacturing a color electrophoretic display device includes the following steps. First, a substrate having a displaying region and a circuit region around the displaying region is provided. Next, a driving array is formed in the displaying region. Subsequently, an electrophoretic display layer is formed on the driving array. Afterwards, a thermal transfer process is performed so that a color filter layer is formed on the electrophoretic display layer. The method can increase the production eligibility rate of the color electrophoretic display device, thereby improving the display quality of the color electrophoretic display device. |
US08808485B2 |
Environmentally friendly polyurethane composite panel
The present invention is a method to make an environmentally friendly polyurethane molded article (100) comprising at least 20 percent renewable materials and molded articles made therefrom. Specifically, the method provides for molding a polyurethane coated sandwich structure (40) comprising a honey comb core (30) having fiber reinforcing layers (10, 20) to provide an environmentally friendly polyurethane molded article with a desired shape such as an automobile load floor. The polyurethane coating is derived from a polyurethane—forming mixture comprising an isocyanate component and a polyol component. Specifically, the polyol component comprises one or more natural oil based polyol, preferably comprising at least one of a hydroxymethylated fatty acid or a hydroxymethylated fatty acid (methyl) ester. |
US08808484B2 |
Method of manufacturing a universal door skin blank
A universal door skin blank comprises an exterior side and an interior side for securing to a frame member, first and second molded, spaced stiles, and a flat planar portion disposed between the stiles and lying on a plane spaced from the plane of the stiles. An interface portion is disposed between and contiguous with the stiles and the flat planar portion. The invention also relates to a door having at least one universal door skin blank, with at least two separately formed rails secured to the planar portion of the blank at opposite ends thereof. |
US08808483B2 |
Method of making a curved touch panel
A method of forming a curved touch surface is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the method includes depositing a touch sensor pattern on a flexible substrate; and curving the flexible substrate, using a chuck surface supporting the flexible substrate, to conform to a shape of a curved cover surface. Then, the curved flexible substrate can be laminated or otherwise adhered to the cover surface. The flexible substrate can be a glass substrate greater than 200 μm in thickness, and can be reduced to a desired thickness below 200 μm after the touch sensor pattern is deposited thereon. The flexible substrate can be curved by supporting the flexible substrate on the chuck surface such that the flexible substrate conforms to a shape of the chuck surface, or forcing the flexible substrate against the cover surface, such that the flexible substrate conforms to the shape of the curved cover surface. |
US08808476B2 |
Gas generating compositions having glass fibers
Compositions and methods relate to gas generants used in inflatable restraint systems. The gas generant grains include a fuel mixture having at least one fuel and at least one oxidizer, which have a burn rate that is susceptible to pressure sensitivity during combustion. The gas generant composition further includes a plurality of pressure sensitivity modifying glass fiber particles distributed therein to lessen the pressure sensitivity and/or to increase combustion stability of the gas generant. Such gas generants can be formed via spray drying techniques. |
US08808475B2 |
Iron-nickel alloy
Disclosed is a creep-resistant low-expansion iron-nickel alloy that is provided with increased mechanical resistance and contains 40 to 43 wt. % of Ni, a maximum of 0.1 wt. % of C, 2.0 to 3.5 wt. % of Ti, 0.1 to 1.5 wt. % of Al, 0.1 to 1.0 wt. % of Nb, 0.005 to 0.8 wt. % of Mn, 0.005 to 0.6 wt. % of Si, a maximum of 0.5 wt. % of Co, the remainder being composed of Fe and production-related impurities. Said alloy has a mean coefficient of thermal expansion <5×10<−6>/K in the temperature range of 20 to 200 DEG C. |
US08808472B2 |
Steel alloy, holders and holder details for plastic moulding tools, and tough hardened blanks for holders and holder details
A steel alloy suitable for holders and holder details for plastic molding tools contains in weight-%: 0.06-0.15 C, 0.07-0.22 N, wherein the total amount of C+N shall satisfy the condition, 0.16≦C+N≦0.26, 0.1-1.0 Si, 0.1-2.0 Mn, 12.5-14.5 Cr, 0.8-2.5 Ni, 0.1 1.5 Mo, optionally vanadium up to max. 0.7 V, optionally, in order to improve the machinability of the steel, one or more of the elements S, Ca and O in amounts up to max. 0.25 S, max. 0.01 (100 ppm) Ca, max. 0.01 (100 ppm) O, balance iron and unavoidable impurities. |
US08808471B2 |
Martensitic stainless steel strengthened by copper-nucleated nitride precipitates
A martensitic stainless steel alloy is strengthened by copper-nucleated nitride precipitates. The alloy includes, in combination by weight percent, about 10.0 to about 12.5 Cr, about 2.0 to about 7.5 Ni, up to about 17.0 Co, about 0.6 to about 1.5 Mo, about 0.5 to about 2.3 Cu, up to about 0.6 Mn, up to about 0.4 Si, about 0.05 to about 0.15 V, up to about 0.10 N, up to about 0.035 C, up to about 0.01 W, and the balance Fe and incidental elements and impurities. The nitride precipitates may be enriched by one or more transition metals. |
US08808470B2 |
High-carbon chromium bearing steel and production method of the same
Provided is a production method including: heating a workpiece at a temperature higher than an Ac1 transformation point in a carburizing atmosphere; slowly cooling the workpiece at not more than 70° C./Hr down to a temperature T satisfying Formula (1) while maintaining the carburizing atmosphere: Ar1−20≧T(° C.)≧300° C. . . . (1); and cooling the workpiece in an oxidizing atmosphere. According to this method, it is possible to efficiently produce a high-carbon chromium bearing steel whose depth of the recarburized layer or the overcarburized layer is within a range from 0 to 0.2 mm, having less machining allowance, and excellent in machinability, using a steel tube after hot tube-making. |
US08808463B2 |
Method of recycling a rinse aid to precondition soils
A method of preconditioning soils on wares in a dishwasher between successive wash cycles of the dishwasher includes retaining a fluid containing a rinse aid from an initial wash cycle of a dishwasher and applying at least a portion of the fluid containing the rinse aid to soils on wares in the dishwasher before the start of a subsequent wash cycle of the dishwasher. Application of at least a portion of the fluid containing the rinse aid to soils on wares in the dishwasher may be in response to the occurrence of an event. Dishwashers which retain a fluid containing a rinse aid from an initial wash cycle and apply at least a portion of the fluid containing the rinse aid to soils on wares before the start of a subsequent wash cycle are also disclosed. |
US08808459B1 |
Method for cleaning post-sputter disks using tape and diamond slurry
A method for cleaning a post-sputter flat media disk, comprises submerging the disk in a wet conveyor containing a liquid, loading the disk onto a spindle of a spindle system, rotating the disk, engaging the disk on both sides with a pair of rollers such that the disk is wiped on both sides at a disk-roller interface due to the motion of the spindle system, and dispensing a slurry at the disk-roller interface. |
US08808458B2 |
Continuous process for the preparation of crystalline lactulose
The present invention concerns a process that can be realised continuously for the preparation of anhydrous crystalline lactulose from commercial aqueous syrups that contain it, characterised in that the crystallisation and consequent separation of the high-purity lactulose with high yields from the syrup is triggered by mixing the ore pulp (or recycled ore pulp), obtained from a previous lactulose crystallisation phase, with the syrup itself. |
US08808457B2 |
Apparatus for depositing a multilayer coating on discrete sheets
A tool for depositing multilayer coatings onto a substrate. The tool includes a housing defining a vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum source, deposition stations each configured to deposit a layer of multilayer coating on the substrate, a curing station, and a contamination reduction device. At least one of the deposition stations is configured to deposit an inorganic layer, while at least one other deposition station is configured to deposit an organic layer. In one tool configuration, the substrate may travel back and forth through the tool as many times as needed to achieve the desired number of layers of multilayer coating. In another, the tool may include numerous housings adjacently spaced such that the substrate may make a single unidirectional pass. The contamination reduction device may be configured as one or more migration control chambers about at least one of the deposition stations, and further includes cooling devices, such as chillers, to reduce the presence of vaporous layer precursors. The tool is particularly well-suited to depositing multilayer coatings onto flexible substrates, as well as to encapsulating environmentally-sensitive devices placed on the flexible substrate. |
US08808455B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided are a substrate processing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which are able to form a conductive film, which is dense, includes a low concentration of source-derived impurities and has low resistivity, at a higher film-forming rate. The substrate processing apparatus includes a processing chamber configured to stack and accommodate a plurality of substrates; a first processing gas supply system configured to supply a first processing gas into the processing chamber; a second processing gas supply system configured to supply a second processing gas into the processing chamber; and a control unit configured to control the first processing gas supply system and the second processing gas supply system. Here, at least one of the first processing gas supply system and the second processing gas supply system includes two nozzles which are vertically arranged in a stacking direction of the substrates and have different shapes, and the control unit is configured to supply at least one of the first processing gas and the second processing gas into the processing chamber through the two nozzles having different shapes when films are formed on the substrates by supplying the first processing gas and the second processing gas into the processing chamber at pulses having different film-forming rates. |
US08808450B2 |
Cement compositions comprising crystalline organic materials and methods of using same
A method of servicing a wellbore comprising placing a composition comprising cement, water, and a heat sink material into a wellbore, and allowing the composition to set, wherein at least a portion of the heat sink material undergoes a phase transition by absorbing at least a portion of the heat released upon hydration of the cement. A method of completing a wellbore, comprising forming a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising permafrost, gas hydrates, or both, preparing a cement composition comprising cement, water, and a heat sink material, placing the cement composition into an annulus formed between a casing and the wellbore, and allowing the composition to set, wherein at least a portion of the heat sink material undergoes a phase transition by absorbing at least a portion of the heat released upon hydration of the cement, thereby reducing an amount of heat transferred from the annular cement to the surrounding permafrost and/or gas hydrates. |
US08808447B2 |
Pigment paint for an exterior material having good weather resistance and method for manufacturing same
The present invention relates to a pigment paint for an exterior material and to a method for manufacturing the same. The pigment paint comprises: a flake matrix, a first metal oxide layer coated on the upper portion of the transparent matrix, an oxide layer containing MgO—SiO2 coated on the upper portion of the first metal oxide layer, and a second metal oxide layer coated on the upper portion of the oxide layer. In order to ensure humidity resistance and weather resistance required for a lustrous pigment paint for exterior materials, a cerium layer and an aluminum oxide layer are further coated. Properties such as high luminance, high chromaticity, and high gloss, which could not be achieved using conventional techniques, can be achieved and a pigment paint having a multi-colored pearl luster can be provided. |
US08808445B2 |
Asphalt-rubber compositions and systems and methods for preparing same
One embodiment provides a process for preparing an asphalt-coated crumb rubber composition that meets the specification set forth in ASTM D80-02 or deviations thereof which may be established by the specifying agency from time to time. The process generally comprises obtaining asphalt of different penetration grades, combining the asphalt of each grade with preselected chemicals to form separate premixed components, blending the premixed components together under predetermined conditions to form, upon curing, an asphalt-coated crumb rubber composition that meets certain physical requirements for asphalt-rubber binder (ARB), such as those set forth in ASTM D8-02. Advantageously, the resulting asphalt-coated crumb rubber composition not only meets the physical requirements of ARB used in road paving but also has improved dispersion of the rubber, such as dispersion of the rubber in an oil-in-water emulsion of an asphalt. |
US08808441B2 |
Inkjet inks
The present disclosure provides inkjet inks and associated methods and systems. In one example, an inkjet ink can comprise an ink vehicle and a colorant, wherein the ink vehicle includes an organic co-solvent, water, and from 0.0001 wt % to 0.1 wt % dextran based on the inkjet ink as a whole. |
US08808439B2 |
Phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines with near-IR absorptions for inkjet inks
A water-soluble phthalocyanine dye or naphthalocyanine dye with near-infrared absorption comprises at least one complexed unit. Each unit comprises a phthalocyanine or a naphthalocyanine moiety and a metal atom complexed thereto and having a valency of at least three, with two valencies complexed to the phthalocynanine ring or the naphthalocyanine ring, each unit joined to another through a fused ring, at least one valency attached to water-soluble axial ligands. The dyes to may be employed in inkjet inks in conjunction with colorants. |
US08808435B2 |
Adsorption-separation device
The present invention relates to the field of adsorption-separation technology, and more particularly, to an adsorption-separation device. The device includes a base component, a top cover component and adsorption pipes arranged between the base component and the top cover component. One end of the adsorption pipe is detachably connected with the base component and, the other end of the adsorption pipe is detachably connected with the top cover component, a locking component used for compressing the adsorption pipes is arranged between the base component and the top cover component. The adsorption pipes are detachably inserted between the base component and the top cover component, the base component and the top cover component 200 are connected by the locking component to be convenient for assembly and disassembly. Therefore the adsorption-separation device can be assembled and disassembled quickly, the adsorption pipes can be easily replaced, and the low cost maintenance and the stable reliably of the device are achieved. |
US08808433B2 |
Carbon ion pump for removal of carbon dioxide from combustion gas and other gas mixtures
A novel method and system of separating carbon dioxide from flue gas is introduced. Instead of relying on large temperature or pressure changes to remove carbon dioxide from a solvent used to absorb it from flue gas, the ion pump method, as disclosed herein, dramatically increases the concentration of dissolved carbonate ion in solution. This increases the overlying vapor pressure of carbon dioxide gas, permitting carbon dioxide to be removed from the downstream side of the ion pump as a pure gas. The ion pumping may be obtained from reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, thermal desalination methods, or an ion pump system having an oscillating flow in synchronization with an induced electric field. |
US08808430B2 |
Process for purifying N2O
The present invention relates to a process for purifying a gas mixture comprising dinitrogen monoxide, at least comprising the treatment of a gas mixture G-0 comprising dinitrogen monoxide to obtain a gas mixture G-A, at least comprising the absorption of the gas mixture G-0 in a solvent mixture S-I to obtain an offgas stream and a composition C-A, and the desorption of a gas mixture G-1 from the composition C-A to obtain a solvent mixture S-I′, subsequent condensation of the gas mixture G-A to obtain a liquid composition C-1 comprising dinitrogen monoxide and a gaseous mixture G-K, wherein the gaseous mixture G-K is recycled into the process. |
US08808428B2 |
Fuel vapor removal methods and systems for flammability reduction
A fuel vapor removal method includes removing fuel vapor from ullage of a fuel tank of a vehicle, adsorbing the fuel vapor removed from the ullage onto adsorption media on the vehicle, and desorbing the fuel vapor from the adsorption media while on the vehicle. A fuel vapor removal method includes purging fuel vapor from ullage of a fuel tank using air added into the ullage, reducing a fuel-air ratio in the ullage using the air purging, and adsorbing the purged fuel vapor onto adsorption media. A fuel vapor removal system includes a fuel tank having ullage, an adsorption system including fuel vapor adsorption media fluidically connected to the ullage and to an ullage purging system, and a controller. The controller includes a flammability determination system and is configured to start fuel vapor removal by the purging system from the ullage onto the adsorption media before the ullage exhibits flammability. |
US08808427B2 |
Process and apparatus for the treatment of a carbon dioxide-containing gas stream form a large-scale combustion plant
The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the treatment of a carbon dioxide-containing gas stream from a large-scale combustion plant, in particular of a power station. The gas stream is separated in a carbon dioxide purification stage R into a gas substream having an increased carbon dioxide content and a gas substream having a reduced carbon dioxide content. The gas substream having an increased carbon dioxide content is fed to a further use and/or storage S. In particular, compression of the carbon dioxide under the ground can reduce the emission of gases which affect the climate. To increase the proportion of compressible CO2, it is proposed that the gas substream having a reduced carbon dioxide content is fed to a pressure swing adsorption stage PSA in which a fraction which is rich in carbon dioxide and a fraction which is low in carbon dioxide are produced. The fraction which is rich in carbon dioxide is recirculated to the carbon dioxide purification stage R or is passed directly to further use and/or storage S. |
US08808425B2 |
Process and apparatus for producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide
Apparatus and process for producing a hydrogen-containing product stream and a carbon monoxide-containing product stream from a crude synthesis gas produced in a syngas production unit. Carbon dioxide is removed from the process gas by a non-cryogenic means and the hydrogen-containing product stream is separated from the process gas in a pressure swing adsorber. Residual gas from the pressure swing adsorber is passed to a cryogenic separation unit where the cryogenic separation unit separates the residual gas stream into the carbon monoxide-containing product stream, a hydrogen-enriched stream, a methane-enriched stream, and a carbon monoxide-containing intermediate stream by cryogenic fractionation. At least a portion of the hydrogen-enriched stream is recycled to the pressure swing adsorber. |
US08808423B2 |
Magnesium-based alloy for high temperature and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a manufacturing method of a magnesium-based alloy for high temperature. The manufacturing method includes melting a magnesium (Mg) or magnesium alloy into a liquid phase, adding calcium oxide (CaO) 1.4 times the weight of a final calcium (Ca) target composition onto a surface of a melt in which the magnesium or the magnesium alloy is melted, forming a targeted amount of Ca in the magnesium or magnesium alloy through a reduction reaction between the melt and the added CaO. Specifically, the amount of Ca formed is in the range of 0.8 wt % to 2.4 wt %, and a final composition of the Mg alloy includes 6.0-8.0 wt % of aluminum (Al), 0.1-0.3 wt % of manganese (Mn), 0.2-0.3 wt % of strontium (Sr), less than 0.04 wt of zinc (Zn), less than 0.9 wt of tin (Sn), and a balance being Mg. |
US08808420B2 |
Process for preparing nanoparticles
A process for producing nanoparticles comprises the steps of preparing silver seeds in the presence of a water soluble polyanionic polymer and growing the silver seeds to form nanoparticles. The polyanionic polymer may be poly(sodium styrenesulphonate). |
US08808413B2 |
Abrasive tool having controlled porosity distribution
An abrasive tool having a body including an abrasive portion having abrasive grains contained within a matrix material and porosity characterized by a bimodal distribution of pores including large pores having an average large pore size (Pl) and small pores having an average small pore size (Ps), wherein Pl>Ps. The body of the abrasive tool further includes a first reinforcing member contained within the abrasive portion, and a percent thermal expansion over a temperature range for 25° C. to 450° C. of not greater than about 0.7%. |
US08808412B2 |
Microfiber reinforcement for abrasive tools
A composition that can be used for abrasive processing is disclosed. The composition includes an organic bond material, an abrasive material dispersed in the organic bond material, and a plurality of microfibers uniformly dispersed in the organic bond material. The microfibers are individual filaments having an average length of less than about 1000 μm. Abrasive articles made with the composition exhibit improved strength and impact resistance relative to non-reinforced abrasive tools, and improved wheel wear rate and G-ratio relative to conventional reinforced tools. Active fillers that interact with microfibers may be used to further abrasive process benefits. |
US08808411B2 |
Gaseous transfer in multiple metal bath reactors
Disclosed is a process for making a high-purity gas. The process includes an interrelationship among at least four bath vessels, each of which has a molten metal bath. In one embodiment, the process generally includes adding a gas stream into a first bath vessel and then removing that gas stream to introduce it into a third bath vessel. The third bath gas stream is removed to ultimately obtain hydrogen. Steam is added to a fourth bath vessel to ultimately produce additional hydrogen. One or more gas streams produced in the third and/or fourth bath vessels are added to a second bath vessel to ultimately result in production of methane or carbon monoxide. |
US08808406B2 |
Method of manufacturing secondary battery
A secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including an external surface, an electrolyte, a sealing tape including an adhesive layer attached to at least portion of an outer surface of the electrode assembly and contacting the external surface of the electrode assembly and a base sheet disposed on an adhesive layer and formed of a material having directionality, and a can receiving the electrode assembly, the electrolyte, and the sealing tape, wherein the base sheet loses directionality and is shrunk and deformed in shape by contact with the electrolyte, and at least portion of the base sheet contacts an inner surface of the can to prevent the electrode assembly from being freely moved within the can. |
US08808401B2 |
Hair dyeing process using an insoluble silicate, an aromatic compound and a hydroxylated aliphatic solvent
The present invention relates to a process for dyeing hair using at least one water-insoluble silicate, at least one compound of formula (I), in which Y represents a C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl group or a C1-C4 hydroxyalkyloxy radical, n denotes an integer ranging from 0 to 5, X, which may be identical or different, represents a C1-C4 alkyl radical or a halogen; and at least one hydroxylated aliphatic solvent comprising therein from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. |
US08808399B2 |
Ready-to-use cosmetic composition for oxidation dyeing keratin fibers
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for oxidation dyeing keratin fibers comprising, in an aqueous medium: (1) at least one oxidation dye; (2) at least one oxidizing agent; and (3) 1.5 wt % or more, relative to the total weight of the composition, of at least one amphoteric surfactant which is preferably a betaine-type amphoteric surfactant that may preferably be selected from the group consisting of alkylbetaines, sulfobetaines, alkylamidoalkylbetaines and alkylamidoalkylsulfobetaines, in particular alkylbetaines. The present invention is useful because the cosmetic composition according to the present invention can be prepared by a simple and inexpensive process, avoiding potential compatibility issues, and can provide better cosmetic properties and color intensity. |
US08808398B2 |
Non metal tanning
Tanned leather, skin or pelt is produced by non-metal tanning, comprising the step of tanning a bated hide, skin or pelt with a tanning agent (A), the tanning agent (A) being a sulfo-group-containing dichloro-diazine selected from compounds of formula (I), (II), (III) and mixtures of two or more thereof, wherein R1 signifies hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, benzoyl, naphthoyl, mono- or di(C1-4-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, C1-8-alkoxy-carbonyl or oxy-mono- or oligo-C2-3-alkyleneoxy)-carbonyl, R2—(SO3M)n signifies a radical of formula (a) or (b), wherein R3 signifies hydrogen, C1-8-alkyl or C1-8-alkoxy, m is 1 or 2, n is 1 or 2, and M signifies hydrogen or an alkali metal cation or an ammonium cation, the ammonium cation being a protonated tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium cation, in a tanning bath, the tanning bath having a pH of from 6 to 10 at the beginning of tanning step. |
US08808395B2 |
Resilient prosthetic and orthotic components which incorporate a plurality of sagittally oriented struts
A method of making a resilient prosthetic/orthotic component, particularly a shank for a lower extremity prosthesis in which the shank includes multiple sections which are unbounded in one or more portions of each other, and wherein the shank sections incorporate at least one voids and inserted materials between one or more shank sections to enhance shank flexibility while reducing stresses which can cause premature failure. |
US08808394B2 |
Prosthetic liner with perspiration elimination mechanism
Disclosed is a prosthetic elastomeric liner, which can be used without lanyards or straps, in which, upon ambulation, perspiration is voided simultaneously with the reestablishment of a vacuum-aided seal without a vacuum pump. The liner's distal tip comprises a buttress anchored sweat port containing a one way valve continuous with a channel passing through the buttress and liner from its inner surface to its outer surface. The sweat port is connected, optionally integrally, to a prosthetic pin which is inserted into a prosthetic limb. |
US08808393B2 |
Leg prosthesis
A leg prosthesis wherein the prosthesis shaft and the transtibial part are connected by a prosthesis shaft adapter. The prosthesis shaft adapter is constructed as a compact one-part component with a liner (sleeve as inner prosthesis shaft adapter) of the amputation stump and with a rearward extension for the prosthesis receptacle connection. The prosthesis shaft adapter is designed such that, in addition to the rearward extension of 1 cm to 10 cm, the prosthesis receptacle connection is also angled and laterally offset. Advantageously, the leg prosthesis according to the invention has a relatively low weight due to the prosthesis shaft adapter as a connecting element. The leg prosthesis operates absolutely safely and can be efficiently produced. The fabrication of a leg prosthesis with an individual biomechanical fit to the patient is significantly facilitated, which also results in fewer faulty prostheses. |
US08808388B2 |
Constrained knee prosthesis
A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component. |
US08808384B2 |
Anatomy accomodating prosthetic intervertebral disc with lower height
An intervertebral disc includes a superior endplate having an upper vertebral contacting surface and a lower bearing surface, wherein the upper vertebral contacting surface of the superior endplate has a central portion that is raised relative to a peripheral portion of the superior endplate, and wherein the lower bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the raised central portion. The disc includes an inferior endplate having a lower vertebral contacting surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower vertebral contacting surface of the inferior endplate has a central portion and wherein the upper bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the central portion. A core is positioned between the upper and inferior endplates, the core having upper and lower core bearing surfaces configured to mate with the bearing surfaces of the upper and inferior endplates. The upper vertebral contacting surface of the superior endplate has a different shape than the lower vertebral contacting surface of the inferior endplate. |
US08808382B2 |
Implant retention device and method
An implant retention device is provided to assist in restraining movement of a nuclear implant and to assist in preventing expulsion of the nuclear implant through an incision portal or defect in the annular wall. In one form, the implant retention device may include an elongated tensioning member having a portion configured to connect to the implant and at least one anchoring device disposed on the tensioning member, the anchoring device configured to at least partially penetrate spinal tissue such as the annulus, vertebral body, or other secure tissue. |
US08808380B2 |
Method and apparatus for an osteotomy fixation or arthrodesis cage
A method and apparatus for an osteotomy fixation or arthrodesis cage allows the adjustment of the relative position of two bone segments while supporting the joining of those bone segments into one structure through the implant and methods described herein. The implant's embodiments fixate to the adjacent bones while inter-positioning its body between the bone segments. This inter-positioning allows anatomical adjustments in the distance between and angle of the bone segments. The adjustment is further enhanced by the use of shape memory materials that when activated through the application of heat energy, transition from a second shape to a first shape while changing the distance between the bones or their relative angle. This method and apparatus can be used on any adjacent bone or bone segments including but not limited to the vertebrae of the spine or long bone such as the tibia or metatarsal. |
US08808373B2 |
Breast implant with regionalized analyte sensors responsive to external power source
Breast implants including sensor modules and related methods are described herein. Breast implants include those with: a shell configured to be substantially filled with a viscous material; a plurality of projections extending from an external surface of the shell, the projections forming a plurality of compartments adjacent to the external surface of the shell; at least one fluid-permeable cover attached to the projections, the cover completely enveloping the shell and the plurality of projections; and a plurality of sensor modules attached to the shell and positioned at a distance from each other, each of the sensor modules oriented to detect one or more analytes in a fluid within one of the plurality of compartments, wherein each of the plurality of sensor modules includes a unique identifier and is configured to utilize energy transmitted from an external source. |
US08808370B2 |
Recoil inhibitor for prosthetic valve
A valve loading apparatus is provided for loading a crimped prosthetic valve into a lumen of a delivery system. The valve recoil adapter can counteract recoil of a compressed prosthetic valve, and maintain the valve at its desired crimp diameter. An integrated bioprosthesis/delivery system is provided for delivering a bioprosthesis to a target area within a body lumen is provided. The delivery system includes a valve covering member and a compressing member, which compresses the valve covering member to surround, hold, and/or compress the valve during delivery to the target area. |
US08808369B2 |
Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement
A minimally invasive method of implanting a prosthetic aortic valve includes forming a surgical site within a patient's chest that includes a first access port, a second access port, a viewing port and a delivery port. A camera is inserted into the viewing port. The native aortic valve leaflets may each be grasped and removed via tools inserted through the first and second access ports. The prosthetic aortic valve may be delivered through the delivery port to the valve annulus using a delivery device. The prosthetic aortic valve is implanted at the valve annulus and the delivery device is withdrawn. A surgeon may perform the remotely operated steps while viewing images provided by the camera. |
US08808368B2 |
Implantation of repair chords in the heart
A method is provided, including positioning, at an intraventricular site of a ventricle of a patient, a spool coupled to a first end portion of a longitudinal member and coupling a second end portion of the longitudinal member to a portion of tissue facing a lumen of the ventricle. Other embodiments are also described. |
US08808364B2 |
Local delivery of therapeutic agent to heart valves
The present invention relates to implantable medical devices and methods that employ these medical devices to treat heart valves. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided comprising a body. The body may have a portion thereof including therapeutic agent and can be configured to support the device proximate a heart valve. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may also include providing a medical device having a body with at least a portion thereof including a therapeutic agent. These methods may also include positioning the medical device in a location proximate to a downstream surface of the heart valve and securing the device. The therapeutic agent released may then be delivered to the heart valve. |
US08808362B2 |
System and method for providing a graft in a vascular environment
An apparatus is provided that includes a graft for coupling two vascular conduits within a patient. The graft includes: 1) an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and 2) a body element coupled to the anchor system. The anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent. In particular embodiments, portions of the graft are either self-expandable or balloon-expandable. In still other embodiments, anchor system includes NITINOL and the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at one end of the conduits. In one embodiment, the body element comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE). In yet other embodiments, the body element includes either a gelatinous or an elastomeric coating disposed on its surface. |
US08808361B2 |
Protuberant aneurysm bridging device and method of use
A bridging device for supporting occlusive masses within an aneurysm located at a vascular bifurcation. |
US08808352B2 |
Cast bioremodelable graft
A cast bioremodelable graft (22) including a cast tubular construct (33) of a bioremodelable substance (34). The bioremodelable substance is cast on or applied to a form and then vacuum pressed to dry or harden the substance. Expandable members (18) are disposed on, in, under or about the cast tubular construct to expand the graft when released from an endoluminal delivery system. A second layer (39) can be applied over the first layer (38) and the expandable stents to contain the stents there between without the need for any separate attachment. The graft is dehydrated and preferably vacuum pressed to harden the bioremodelable substance. The form is removed to form one or more lumens (23-25) in the graft, which is then loaded on an endoluminal delivery system. |
US08808346B2 |
Stent delivery system
One preferred embodiment includes a stent delivery system including a retractable sheath and an outer stability sheath. The stability sheath freely rotates relative to the retractable sheath, relieving compression forces caused by twisting of stability sheath in when in a tortuous conformation. |
US08808342B2 |
Nanoshell therapy
Nano-constructs comprising nanoshells and methods of using the nano-constructs for treating or ameliorating a vascular condition are provided. |
US08808338B2 |
Flexible bone screw
A flexible bone screw for insertion into the intramedullary cavity of a fractured bone facilitates enduring fixation of the fracture. The flexible bone screw includes a substantially smooth shaft and a threaded portion positioned at one end of the shaft, wherein the outer diameter of the threaded portion is greater than the shaft diameter and the length of the threaded portion is about 20% of the overall length of the flexible bone screw or less. |
US08808337B2 |
Method and device for delivering medicine to bone
Bone screws and inserts disposed therein or thereon are provided for the delivery of medicants to bone. The bone screws provide a method to strengthen or repair damaged bones, or to promote bony fusion, and in conjunction with the inserts, provide a method of delivering a continuous or regulated amount of medicant to a desired location within the bone such as a fracture interface. In one embodiment, the inserts are customized in size, shape, or configuration after the bone screw has been inserted into the patient. |
US08808332B2 |
Method for stabilizing the spine
Spine stabilization systems and integrated rods are disclosed. One spine stabilization system disclosed has at least four bone anchors and a stabilization member attached to the bone anchors. The stabilization member has first and second elongate portions interconnected by a connector portion. The first and second elongate members extend longitudinally and generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis and connector portion extends transverse to the central longitudinal axis from a first lateral end to a second lateral end. The connector portion is integrally connected to the first and second elongate portions such that there is no relative movement between the lateral ends and the respective elongate portion to which each end is attached. |
US08808331B2 |
Offset variable angle connection assembly
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an offset connection assembly that can be used to securely connect a spinal implant to a bone anchor. In particular, the present invention preferably provides a variable angle connection assembly that is able to securely connect the spinal implant to the anchors even when there is a variance in the angle and position of the anchors with respect to the spinal implant. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection assembly that will not inadvertently lock the components of the connection assembly preventing the relative movement of the components. |
US08808326B2 |
Suture
A knotless suture system formed from two lengths of suture joined at a suture junction point, with at least four suture limbs extending from the suture junction. The knotless suture system provides the ability to construct a suture bridge for soft tissue repair and fixation across a medial and lateral row bone fixation anchor configuration while passing the suture system in a simplified method of suture management. |
US08808324B2 |
Hand pressure device to diminish gag reflex response
A method and device for reducing gag reflex by applying pressure to a pressure point in the palm of the hand. A splint that holds the hand relatively immobile has a rigid member and an actuating pressure system, such as a solenoid, at the pressure point. The rigid member at least partially immobilizes the human user's palm and fingers. The actuating pressure system is mounted at an inner side of the volar side of the enclosure adjacent to a pressure region of the palm. A power supply is connected to the actuating pressure system to apply an electrical current to the pressure system, which exerts pressure to the pressure region of the user's palm in order to diminish or normalize the user's gag reflex response. |
US08808321B2 |
Integrated lancet and bodily fluid sensor
A lancing device integrated with a sensing strip and method of making and using the same are provided. A lance and analyte sensing strip are combined in a single, preferably disposable, device. In a preferred embodiment, a slot is provided in a support member so the lance can be engaged by a lance driver and driven into the skin producing a bodily fluid sample from a wound. The sensing area of the sensing strip is adjacent to the wound location reducing dexterity requirements for patients. |
US08808319B2 |
Surgical instruments
A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis and an end effector coupled to the transducer and extending from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The surgical device also may comprise a lower jaw extending parallel to the end effector. The lower jaw may comprise a clamp face extending toward the longitudinal axis. Also, the lower jaw may be slidable relative to the end effector to bring the clamp face toward a distal end of the end effector. |
US08808309B2 |
System and method for all-inside suture fixation for implant attachment and soft tissue repair
A system for repairing a meniscus includes a suture including a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible portion connecting the first anchor and the second anchor. The flexible portion includes a self-locking slide knot between the first anchor and the second anchor. The system also includes a needle having a longitudinal extending bore and an open end. The bore is configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor. The system further includes a pusher configured to be movable within the bore of the needle. The pusher is configured to (1) discharge the first anchor and the second anchor, and (2) push the self-locking slide knot after the discharge of the second anchor. |
US08808307B2 |
Driver for a surgical device
A tool for holding or driving an implant member having a recess is provided including an elongate tool shaft having a distal head portion for being received in the recess and a securing mechanism that keeps the head portion in the drive recess and which is disposed proximally up along the tool shaft from the distal head portion. In one form, the securing mechanism includes a plurality of resilient leg member having distal end locking portions. In another form, a drive system includes a drive tool and a driven member. The drive tool has a generally annular flange portion that is radially larger than the drive head portion. The driven member has a generally annular securing portion for receiving the flange portion in releasably locked engagement so that the circumferential extent of the locking engagement is maximized relative to the smaller radial size of the drive head portion. |
US08808304B2 |
Insertion tool assembly
Insertion tool assemblies for positioning an implant at a target location in a patient. Insertion tool assemblies that comprise first and second jaw portions configured to engage an implant; a sleeve assembly coupled to the first and second jaw portions; and a handle coupled to the sleeve assembly. |
US08808302B2 |
Customized patient-specific acetabular orthopaedic surgical instrument and method of use and fabrication
A customized patient-specific acetabular orthopaedic surgical instrument is disclosed. A method for fabricating and using the orthopaedic surgical instrument us also disclosed. |
US08808301B1 |
Rapid custom intra-articular ligament reconstruction guide
Custom surgical guides based on the patient's unique anatomy that can be quickly and accurately applied intra-operatively without navigation are disclosed. The device is created using preoperative MRI images and uniquely conforms to the bone in the region of the desired tunnel. The images are filtered and used to generate computerized three dimensional models of the patient's anatomy. The models can be introduced through a portal and applied to the bone denuded of soft tissue. |
US08808298B2 |
Pivoting cut guides
The present disclosure provides a cut guide for use in preparation of the distal femur to form the anterior, anterior chamfer, distal, posterior chamfer and posterior facets as well as the intercondylar box cuts utilized to prepare a femoral intercondylar box. To allow for the use of a single cutting guide to make all of these femoral osteotomies, the present disclosure implements an orthopedic guide assembly including a primary guide body with a secondary guide body rotatably connected to the primary guide body. With this configuration, the secondary guide body can be rotated into an operable position to guide a femoral osteotomy and may also be rotated into an inoperable position in which it is moved from a configuration (i.e., the operable position) in which it acts as a barrier to movement of an osteotome across a guide surface of the primary guide body. |
US08808290B2 |
Customized intraoral jaw distractor and use of such a distractor in order to obtain almost continuous distraction
The invention relates to a customized intraoral jaw distractor, of the type that comprises two anchoring means (1, 2) fastened to the mandibular body at two fixed anchor points, located on either side of the osseous callus. Such a distractor is characterized in that it includes: a) a threaded cylindrical rail (6) connecting the two anchoring means (1, 2); b) a mobile carriage (10) guided to slide on the rail (6) and attached to the osseous segment to be distracted, said mobile carriage being provided with a worm screw (11) with a thread that complements that of the rail and engages with the latter; c) a pin (12) integral to the worm screw (11) and controlling the rotation thereof, said pin, which is parallel to the rail (6), being supported by two bearings (13, 14) arranged on the mobile carriage (10), on either side of the worm screw; d) at least one resilient part (15) through which said pin (12) passes and which rests against one end (16) of the worm screw (11) and against the inner wall (18) of the bearing (14) that faces said end (16). The invention can be used for reconstruction of a missing or deficient osseous segment by means of osteogenic distraction. |
US08808288B2 |
Surgical forceps including belt blade reverser mechanism
A forceps includes first and second shafts having a jaw connected thereto. At least one jaw is moveable from an open to a closed position and includes a blade slot extending therealong configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. An actuation assembly is disposed within one shaft and is configured for translating the blade between retracted and extended positions. The blade extends at least partially through the blade slot in the extended position. The actuation assembly includes an actuator engaged to a belt disposed within the shaft. The belt is configured for rotation about at least one pulley. A blade holder having the blade connected thereto is engaged to the belt. The blade holder defines a pre-determined load limit that, when exceeded, disengages the blade holder from the belt. Translating the actuator proximally translates the blade distally to the extended position when the blade holder is engaged to the belt. |
US08808283B2 |
Inductive powered surgical device with wireless control
A system and method for wirelessly powering an electrosurgical device using a generator to generate a radio frequency (RF) energy field. A switch on the electrosurgical device sends a wireless signal to the generator, where the generator allows a current to pass through an inductive coil to generate the RF energy field. The RF energy field induces a current to flow across an inductive coil within the electrosurgical device. The current flow is then processed through a RF conditioning circuit and outputted to the end effector assembly of the device. |
US08808280B2 |
Systems, assemblies, and methods for treating a bronchial tree
Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue. |
US08808278B2 |
Patient side systems with a counterbalance subsystem
In one embodiment of the invention, a patient side-system is provided that includes a column with a rail and a counterbalance subsystem. The patient side-system may further include a braking subsystem. The counterbalance subsystem includes a spring assembly coupled at one end to the column with a spring member, and a housing movably coupled to the rail. The housing includes a drum to receive the spring member and a plurality of roller elements to guide a movement of the spring member winding or unwinding on the drum. If present, the braking subsystem includes a first pulley rotatably coupled to the column, a second pulley with a locking mechanism spaced apart from the first pulley and rotatably coupled to the column, and at least one brake cable wrapped around the first pulley and the second pulley with ends coupled to the housing. The locking mechanism can set a position of the housing along the column. |
US08808274B2 |
Wound dressing
A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a sealing layer comprising at least one orifice, an absorbent layer over the sealing layer, absorbing wound exude and a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer. |
US08808271B2 |
Medical or veterinary digestive tract utilization systems and methods
Systems and methods are described for implementing or deploying medical or veterinary utility modules comprising a first module operable in a digestive or respiratory tract to engage a second module, optionally by a magnetic field. Alternatively or additionally, systems may be operable to remain in situ and also operable to permit a therapeutic material dispensation. In some contexts, for example, systems or methods may dispense a therapeutic material via a subject's throat or elsewhere in the digestive or respiratory tract. |
US08808260B2 |
Fluid collection reservoir
A fluid collection reservoir for receiving an aspirated fluid has a secretion connection for connecting a drainage tube situated at a patient's side, and a vacuum connection for connecting to a suction pump. The reservoir has an interior space which is divided by means of ribs. The interior space is divided at least into a vacuum chamber and a secretion chamber, with said two chambers being connected to one another by means of at least one passage. The vacuum connector is arranged in the vacuum chamber and the secretion connector is arranged in the secretion chamber. This reservoir prevents contamination of the suction line or of the suction pump with aspirated fluid. |
US08808254B2 |
Luer receiver and method for fluid transfer
An improved luer lock receiving septum having a configuration which provides rapid and tight resealing and yet allows penetration of the septum by the luer tip with a low penetration force. The elongated septum includes an upper portion of enlarged diameter having a target surface, a central slit, and a central, lower septum extension projecting about the slit below the upper portion and into a housing so that following luer insertion there is provided sufficient room for both the laterally displaced extension of the septum, the luer taper, and the housing to be received into a conventional luer lock connector. The septum is further preferably configured to minimize or eliminate the negative pressure deflection normally associated with the withdrawal of the large diameter luer cannula from an enclosed fluid filled lumen or chamber, by substantially isolating the lumen or chamber from the septum material displacement resultant from luer insertion. In an exemplary embodiment, the luer receiving septum is provided at a port of a stop cock. |
US08808243B2 |
Implantable infusion device with multiple controllable fluid outlets
An implantable infusion system includes at least two controllable fluid transfer devices that may be used to transfer different fluid flows to the same or different body sites. |
US08808241B2 |
Rapid fluid cooling devices and methods for cooling fluids
A cooling device includes a target fluid inlet, a target fluid outlet, an inner conduit, and a chamber surrounding the inner conduit. The inner conduit communicates with the target fluid inlet and the target fluid outlet, and provides a flow path for a target fluid to be cooled. The chamber contains a first endothermic reactant and includes a reactant inlet selectively alterable from a closed state to an open state. When the reactant inlet is in the closed state, the first endothermic reactant is isolated from a second endothermic reactant and no endothermic reaction occurs. When the reactant inlet is in the open state, the reactant inlet provides a flow path for enabling the second endothermic reactant to come into contact with the first endothermic reactant in the chamber for initiating the endothermic reaction and cooling the target fluid in the inner conduit. |
US08808240B2 |
Activity guard
A fluid infusion system including a pocketable pump housing with a reservoir cavity with helical coupling features. The system further has a reservoir with an open end that is removable from the reservoir cavity. A removable cap coupled to the housing is also included in the system. The cap has corresponding coupling features, an exterior surface and a tab. The corresponding coupling features couple the cap to the housing while the tab is a ridge that extends away from the exterior surface. The tab has a port to accommodate flow from the reservoir and the port defines an axis of rotation such that torque applied to the tab about the axis of rotation disengages the coupling between the cap and the housing. The system further has a removably coupled guard with a slot defined to immobilize rotation of the tab about the axis of rotation. |
US08808237B2 |
Expandable perfusion balloon
A balloon catheter for dilation of stenotic tissue within a tubular member of the body such as a blood vessel provides fluid flow such as blood flow through the balloon while it is being inflated and after it has been inflated. For valvuloplasty applications or for predilitation prior to a TAVI procedure the balloon is placed across the stenotic aortic valve leaflets and inflated to push the leaflets aside to create a greater blood flow area or allow improved subsequent passage of the large TAVI catheter across the stenotic aortic valve leaflets. As the balloon is inflated in diameter, it is required to reduce in length; this length reduction causes a braided inner tubing to also reduce in length. The braided inner tube is thereby required it to increase in diameter during the balloon inflation and create a suitably large blood flow path through the inner tubing. The continuous perfusion through the inner tubing of the balloon allows greater balloon inflation times, improved valvular dilation, and obviates the need for rapid pacing during the valvuloplasty procedure. |
US08808233B2 |
Multiple fluid combining syringe
A combining syringe wherein multiple fluids are dispensed through a primary plunger into a primary cylinder when a force is applied to the secondary plunger shaft. The fluids are combined and dispensed from the primary cylinder's attaching end when a force is applied to the primary plunger shaft. The primary plunger shaft has a primary plunger attaching end opposite a primary pressure applying end. The primary plunger is connected to the primary plunger attaching end. The primary plunger shaft accepts a secondary cylinder and secures it with an attaching element. The secondary cylinder has a secondary plunger receiving end opposite a dispensing end. The secondary cylinder's dispensing end is inserted into an opening of the primary plunger. The secondary plunger shaft has a secondary plunger attaching end opposite a secondary pressure applying end. The secondary plunger is connected to the secondary plunger attaching end. |
US08808228B2 |
Integrated medicament delivery device for use with continuous analyte sensor
An integrated system for the monitoring and treating diabetes is provided, including an integrated receiver/hand-held medicament injection pen, including electronics, for use with a continuous glucose sensor. In some embodiments, the receiver is configured to receive continuous glucose sensor data, to calculate a medicament therapy (e.g., via the integrated system electronics) and to automatically set a bolus dose of the integrated hand-held medicament injection pen, whereby the user can manually inject the bolus dose of medicament into the host. In some embodiments, the integrated receiver and hand-held medicament injection pen are integrally formed, while in other embodiments they are detachably connected and communicated via mutually engaging electrical contacts and/or via wireless communication. |
US08808224B2 |
Glaucoma drainage device with pump
A glaucoma drainage device has a main drainage tube with a first end an anterior chamber of an eye and a second end in a drainage location. A bypass drainage tube is fluidly coupled to and in parallel with the main drainage tube. A pump is in communication with the bypass drainage tube. The pump comprises a first driver and a first flexible membrane enclosing a first chamber. A first check valve is located upstream from the pump, and a second check valve is located downstream from the pump. An active valve is located upstream from the first check valve. The active valve comprises a second driver and a second flexible membrane enclosing a second chamber. A third check valve is located between the active valve and the second end of the main drainage tube. A volume of the first chamber is changed to pump fluid from the anterior chamber. |
US08808223B2 |
Device for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid
A device (1) for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid such as fluid which is diverted from a part of a human or animal body. The device comprises: an inlet (2); an outlet (4); and a resistance member (6), operatively connected to the inlet (2) and the outlet (4), the resistance member (6) comprising: a first plate (8), a surface of which comprises a groove which defines a resistance flow channel, an entry of the flow channel being in fluid communication with the inlet (2) and an exit of the flow channel being in fluid communication with the outlet (4); and a second plate (12), the second plate being held in abutment with the grooved surface of the first plate (8) so as to define a resistance (tube 14). |
US08808215B2 |
Branded lace-tongue attachment for ankle stabilizing device
An ankle stabilizing device having a lace-tongue attachment includes a body member, a plurality of eyelets extending along the front edges of the body member, and a centering lace. The centering lace is secured to the ankle stabilizing device between the pair of eyelets at the toe-end of the device such that the central portion of the centering lace is precluded from passing through either of the toe-end pair of eyelets. |
US08808211B2 |
Elastic brace assembly and methods of use
Example embodiments of the brace assembly utilize an elastic cross strap attached to mounting facilities about a joint to provide progressive resistance to the extension, flexion or other movement of body parts about the joint. In some embodiments for a knee joint, the brace assembly provides a progressive resisting force to resist hyperextension of the knee. Some embodiments of the assembly may be able to accommodate different joints, different size wearer's of the assembly and different tension settings such as for athletes during competition. Some embodiments of the brace assembly may be used bilaterally and can be made without metal bracing to comply with the requirements of some sports. |
US08808210B2 |
Compression sleeve augmenting calf muscle pump
A method of selecting and using a compression garment is disclosed. The method may include selecting a garment comprising a compression sleeve including a proximal end and a distal end. The compression sleeve may comprise material having one of short-stretch function and inelastic function. The method may include donning the garment by inserting a limb of an animal or human through an opening in the proximal end and positioning the compression sleeve such that the material extends over at least a portion of a muscle mass of the limb. When the muscle mass is activated, the compression sleeve may augment the venous muscle return produced by the muscle mass. |
US08808208B2 |
Exercise apparatus
An exercise apparatus (260) comprises a plurality of modules (100, 120, 130, 180) which are able to be detachably secured relative to each other in a plurality of configurations. |
US08808206B2 |
Analgesic implant device and system
Techniques associated with an implant system for imparting vibratory massage to tissue within a body is disclosed. Methods include placing an implant device near a surface of a stomach, the implant device configured to produce and communicate a vibration to stomach tissue, the implant device including a case forming a portion of an exterior of the implant device and defining an interior of the implant device, a vibration generator mounted on the case to vibrate the implant device, and a tissue engaging structure located on the exterior surface of the case to engage the stomach tissue, securing the implant device to the stomach, and activating the vibration generator of the implant device to cause the implant device to vibrate against the stomach, wherein the vibration stimulates a nerve to suppress an appetite. |
US08808202B2 |
Systems and interfaces for blood sampling
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or receiving a substance or substances such as blood from subjects. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for receiving or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a substance transfer component (for example, one or more needles or microneedles) and a reduced pressure or vacuum chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some embodiments, the device may contain a “snap dome” or other deformable structure, which may be used, at least in part, to urge or move needles or other suitable substance transfer components into the skin of a subject. In some cases, for example, the device may contain a flexible concave member and a needle mechanically coupled to the flexible concave member. |
US08808184B2 |
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises: an ultrasound probe having a plurality of ultrasound transducers; an apparatus body which supplies analog drive signals to the ultrasound transducers and generates ultrasound images based on reception signals output from the ultrasound transducers; and a connection cable which connects the ultrasound probe and the apparatus body, the ultrasound probe comprising: a plurality of receiving circuits, each including a preamp which amplifies the reception signal output from one of the ultrasound transducers and an A/D converter which converts the amplified reception signal; and a time division unit which controls output of the reception signal to the apparatus body such that the drive signal supplied from the apparatus body and the reception signal output to the apparatus body after being converted to a digital signal by the receiving circuit are mutually time-divided and sent via the connection cable. |
US08808183B2 |
System and method for determining a transfer function
A system and method is provided for using ultrasound data backscattered from vascular tissue to estimate the transfer function of a catheter (including components attached thereto—e.g., IVUS console, transducer, etc.). Specifically, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a computing device is electrically connected to a catheter and used to acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure (e.g., a blood vessel, etc.). The backscattered ultrasound data is then used, together with an algorithm, to estimate the transfer function. The transfer function can then be used (at least in a preferred embodiment) to calculate response data for the vascular tissue (i.e., the tissue component of the backscattered ultrasound data). In a second embodiment of the present invention, an IVUS console is electrically connected to a catheter and a computing device and is used to acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure. The backscattered data is then transmitted to the computing device, where it is used to estimate the catheter's transfer function and to calculate response data for the vascular tissue. The response data and histology data are then used to characterize at least a portion of the vascular tissue (e.g., identify tissue type, etc.). |
US08808182B2 |
System and methods for processing analyte sensor data
Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor. |
US08808180B2 |
Patient monitor having entertainment functions and control method thereof
The disclosure provides a patient monitor having entertainment functions and a control method thereof. If a user initiates the entertainment functions of the patient monitor having entertainment functions, a system thereof sends an entertainment signal to an entertainment signal processing unit, the entertainment signal is then processed to display an image on an entertainment specific display apparatus, and sound playing is achieved via an entertainment specific loudspeaker. The system sends a parameter signal to a parameter signal processing unit in real time, the parameter signal is then processed to display real-time measurement values and waveforms of parameters on a monitor specific display apparatus, and playing of various sounds is achieved via a monitor specific loudspeaker. An alarm processing unit detects, in real-time, whether the physiological characteristics of patient meet the alarm condition, and once the condition is met, alarm is triggered immediately. With the patient monitor of the disclosure, patients can enjoy some entertainment activities for mental relaxation while lying on the bed without having an impact on normal real-time monitor for patients. |
US08808171B2 |
Endoscopy device and method for simultaneous observation of several zones of interest
An endoscopy device includes several light guides (1, 2, 3), each light guide having one or more optical fibers. The light guides are coupled with a sweeping system (4) arranged to direct an excitation light beam in alternation in one of the fibers of the guides from the proximal end of the guide including the one of the fibers. In this way, the proximal ends of the guides may make use of the same sweeping system, whereas the distal ends of the guides may be installed simultaneously in different zones of interest of an object or animal (10) under study for an almost simultaneous observation of the zones of interest. The invention also relates to an endoscopy method used in a device according to the invention. A device and a method according to the invention may be applied to quasi-simultaneous reflectance, fluorescence, multi-photon imaging of several areas of interest. |
US08808167B2 |
Bending operation apparatus for endoscope
A rotation shaft, a bending operation knob, a fixed shaft, two movable disks, a fixed disk, a cam member, a resistance giving member and a fixing lever are included. The resistance giving member has a rocking portion that fixes a rotation position of the cam member in a second position of the movable disks by abutting onto an inner circumferential face of a protruding portion provided at the cam member that moves with rotation of the cam member with an urging force, and is rockable in a diameter direction of the cam member. |
US08808166B2 |
Endoscope
An endoscope includes an endoscope insertion portion having a bendable bending portion and a bending mechanism configured to bend the bending portion. The bending mechanism includes a pulley, at least one annular member, a pulling member, and a pulling operation member. The pulley is rotatably driven. The annular member is formed into a C-shape with a cut-out, and can be elastically deformed. The annular member is externally fitted to the pulley with a gap. The pulling member has an intermediate portion wound around the annular member. The distal end portion of the pulling member is connected to the bending portion, and the proximal end portion of the pulling member is connected to the pulling operation member which pulls the pulling member. The width direction position at the winding start position of the pulling member wound around the annular member is made different from the width direction position at the winding end position of the pulling member. |
US08808165B2 |
Casing of capsule endoscope, capsule endoscope kit, assembly method of capsule endoscope kit and assembly device of capsule endoscope kit
An inner casing according to the present invention includes a hole which is a holding portion that is provided at the center of a base portion having a planar shape so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to a principal surface of the base portion and hold a capsule endoscope and a plurality of step portions each protruding from a side surface of the hole and abutting on an area of an outer surface of a hemispheric dome portion, which is located inside an optical viewing angle of the capsule endoscope and which does not contribute to generation of an image captured by the capsule endoscope to realize alignment in a longitudinal direction of the capsule endoscope. |
US08808160B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing therapy using spontaneous otoacoustic emission analysis
A method and apparatus for providing therapy using spontaneous otoacoustic emission (SOAE) analysis is described. In one embodiments, a method for utilizing the voice-ear-brain connection to achieve self-healing includes capturing audio emissions of at least one ear of a patient, determining a frequency spectrum of the audio emissions, identifying a peak frequency in the frequency spectrum, and producing at least one audio signal in response the peak frequency. |
US08808159B2 |
Apparatus for stimulating local and higher homeostatic autoregulatory mechanisms in the organism
The invention relates to an apparatus for stimulating local and higher homeostatic autoregulatory mechanisms during the sleep phase and the rest of relaxation phase of the organism by means of a pulsed electromagnetic field. Said apparatus comprises a pulse generator, a control device, and a filed generating device. The pulse generator is designed in such a way as to generate a pulsed electromagnetic field along with the control device and the filed generating device by applying 5 special series of pulses in which the frequency is the same for all signals, ranging from 8 to 15 Hz, the series of pulses are repeated multiple times, and the control time amounts to at least 3.5 h within a period of 7 to 9 hours. |
US08808154B2 |
Drive apparatus in a scroll centrifuge having a gearbox with a housing nonrotatably connected to a drive shaft
A drive apparatus for a scroll centrifuge having a rotating drum and a scroll mounted coaxially therein has a drive motor associated with the drum and a scroll motor that is coupled to the scroll shaft via a gearbox whose housing is nonrotatably connected to the drum drive shaft. According to the invention, the housing of the gearbox for driving the scroll is rotatably mounted in a floor-mounted housing and has a hollow output shaft that is connected via a coupling to the hollow drum drive shaft. |
US08808151B1 |
Exercise equipment and adjustable band peg assemblies for exercise equipment
Exercise equipment and adjustable band peg assemblies for exercise equipment have a base frame with a plurality of band peg holes therein. A band peg is movably connected to the base frame so as to be selectively inserted in different holes in the plurality of band peg holes while remaining connected to the base frame. |
US08808146B2 |
Activity meter
An activity meter includes an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires an amount of physical activity of a user, an activity age acquisition unit that acquires an activity age representing a standard age of a person who does a same amount of activity as the activity amount acquired in a unit period, using body information and a basal metabolic rate of the user, and an output processing unit that outputs information relating to the acquired activity age. |
US08808145B1 |
Interactive climbing wall system using touch sensitive, illuminating, climbing hold bolts and controller
A system that uses touch sensitive, illuminating, climbing hold bolts connected to a network control unit to create an interactive environment featuring climbing hold illumination and the ability to detect a climber's presence on a hold. The system is connected to the internet where it is configured and enables users with a web enabled device to illuminate a route, or engage in a wide variety of interactive training activities and games. |
US08808143B2 |
Output control device for vehicle
There is provided an output control device for a vehicle. The device includes an accelerator operator to receive an output adjustment operation of a drive power of a vehicle; a brake operator to receive a braking operation of a braking device; an accelerator operation amount detection unit for detecting an operation amount of the accelerator operator; a brake operation force estimation unit for estimating an operation force of the brake operator; and an output suppression control unit for suppressing an output of the drive power regardless of a state of the accelerator operator, in the case where for a predetermined time or longer, a state continues in which the operation amount of the accelerator operator is greater than or equal to a predetermined accelerator threshold value, and the operation force estimated by the brake operator is greater than or equal to a predetermined brake threshold value. |
US08808141B2 |
Torque hole filling in a hybrid vehicle during automatic transmission shifting
A system and method for reducing torque disturbances during a shift event for a hybrid vehicle having an engine selectively coupled to a traction motor and an automatic transmission to control or compensate actual transmission input shaft torque based on measured transmission input torque by controlling a torque source, such as a traction motor. The system and method may include an engine, a transmission, a traction motor between the engine and the transmission with the engine being selectively coupled to the motor and the transmission by a disconnect clutch and a controller configured to control motor torque to cause an actual transmission input shaft torque to achieve a target transmission input shaft torque during a transmission shift event. |
US08808140B2 |
Methods and systems for driveline sailing mode entry
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, entry conditions for entering a driveline sailing mode are described. Driveline sailing mode may improve driveline torque response and vehicle drivability. |
US08808138B2 |
Vehicle and method for controlling powertrain components of a vehicle
A vehicle includes an engine, a traction motor, and a torque converter that is driven by the traction motor. A clutch arrangement mechanically couples an output of the torque converter to transmission gearing. A controller is provided in the vehicle that is configured to command an increase in slip, or decrease in clutch pressure, in the clutch arrangement in response to an increase in speed of the traction motor. The commanding of an increase in slip enables a product of the torque ratio of the torque converter and an input torque to the torque converter to remain generally constant during the increase in speed of the traction motor. |
US08808132B2 |
Differential with integrated torque vectoring
A torque vectoring differential includes a pair of planetary gear assemblies having a common planet gear carrier which is driven from the output of a transmission. Each of the planetary gear assemblies include a ring gear that may be individually and selectively grounded (braked) to a stationary housing by a friction brake and a sun gear that is coupled through an axle to a respective drive wheel. Selective activation of the brakes controls the distribution, i.e., vectoring, of torque to each of the drive wheels. Each planetary gear assembly includes elongated planet gears which mesh not only with their respective sun and ring gears but also with the planet gears of the other planetary gear assembly. |
US08808130B2 |
Gear reduction assembly and winch including gear reduction assembly
A gear reduction assembly may include an input shaft, a first spur gear, and a second spur gear. The first and second spur gears may be coupled to one another. At least one of the first spur gear and the second spur gear may be associated with the input shaft such that the input shaft drives at least one of the first and second spur gears. The gear reduction assembly may further include a first internal gear engaged with the first spur gear, a second internal gear engaged with the second spur gear, and a hub associated with the first internal gear The first and second internal gears have a first number of teeth and a second number of teeth, respectively, and the first number of teeth differs from the second number of teeth by from one to five teeth. The gear reduction assembly may be included in a winch. |
US08808129B2 |
Transmission device with a hydraulic system comprising a transmission main pump apparatus
A transmission device (1) with a hydraulic system (4) comprising a main transmission pump device for supplying various transmission components with hydraulic fluid. The main transmission pump device is driven by torque applied to the transmission input shaft (2). A force flow between the transmission input shaft (2) and transmission output shaft (3) is produced by various hydraulically actuated transmission components. When the hydraulic system (4) is not supplied by the main transmission pump, the force flow is interrupted. The hydraulic system (4) has an auxiliary pump device (5) by virtue of which the hydraulic system (4) too can be supplied with hydraulic fluid. The auxiliary pump device (5) is driven by torque applied to the transmission output shaft (3) at least when the force flow is interrupted. |
US08808125B2 |
Hybrid vehicle driving apparatus
A hybrid vehicle driving apparatus includes: a first rotor shaft of a first electric motor, the first electric motor being disposed on a first axis; a power distribution mechanism that includes a planetary gear device and is disposed on the first axis; an output gear shaft that serves as an output member of the power distribution mechanism and is disposed on the first axis; a counter shaft disposed on a second axis; a second rotor shaft of a second electric motor disposed on a third axis; a power transmission shaft disposed on the third axis; a differential gear disposed on a fourth axis; and a casing that includes a plurality of case members. The output gear shaft, the power transmission shaft, the counter shaft, the differential gear, the first rotor shaft, and the second rotor shaft are rotatably supported by a common case member that is one of the plurality of case members. |
US08808123B2 |
Front derailleur with frame support structure
A bicycle front derailleur that includes a chain guide configured to engage a bicycle chain and a mounting member operatively coupled to the chain guide. The mounting member includes a frame support structure that includes a contact member that is configured to contact the frame of the bicycle, and a support member mounted to the mounting member. The contact member is supported by the support member. |
US08808115B2 |
Football tackling dummy apparatus
A football tackling dummy apparatus includes a tackling dummy, a support structure for suspending the tackling dummy therefrom, and a release mechanism. The release mechanism is mounted on the support structure and situated between the support structure and the tackling dummy. The tackling dummy is releasably attached to the release mechanism and is released thereby when a predetermined force is applied to the tackling dummy. |
US08808110B2 |
Multi-piece solid golf ball
A multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core having an inner core layer and an outer core layer encased by a cover of one or more layer. The inner core layer has a JIS-C cross-sectional hardness of from 60 to 83 at any single point on a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner core layer in half, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference between any two points on the cross-section of within ±5. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer. |
US08808109B2 |
Golf club head with undercut
A golf club head having a translucent insert disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recess is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. The recess causes more of the club head mass to be oriented towards the perimeter of the club head, and optionally also toward the back of the club head. This enlarges the club sweet spot and increases the moment of inertia, and facilitates imparting a desired flight path to a struck golf ball, producing a more forgiving club. The recess may have a varying depth and/or a varying draft angle. A rear wall of the recess may be provided with a cutout to further reposition mass toward the club head perimeter. A translucent insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess. The insert may contain secondary inserts, such as weight members, therein in strategic locations. The insert may completely fill the recess, or may fill only a portion thereof. |
US08808105B2 |
Fitting system for a golf club
A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts. |
US08808103B2 |
Golf training system and method
The training system comprises a base assembly, an upright extension, a chin support member, and a putter. In use, the training system positions the user's overall-body prior to and throughout the execution of a putt, and teaches proper putting technique, thus improving the user's putting accuracy. The chin support engages the chin of the user, preventing movement of the user's head. |
US08808102B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring and/or analyzing swing information
In a first aspect, a system for monitoring a swing is provided that includes (1) a swing measurement device adapted to couple to a swinging object and to output a signal indicative of a characteristic of the swinging object; (2) a wireless transmitter coupled to the swing measurement device and adapted to wirelessly transmit the signal output by the swing measurement device; and (3) a wireless device adapted to receive the wirelessly transmitted signal and to provide information regarding the swinging object based on the received signal. The wireless device is a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA). Numerous other aspects are provided. |
US08808100B2 |
Swing play systems and methods of play
A play swing system includes a safety harness attached to each seat, as well as other features for interactive and competitive throwing and tossing games. The safety harness may incorporates various games features, and thus encourage use in activities that require at least one free hand, or otherwise increase the risk of slippage and falling from the play swing seat. Various embodiments accommodate as well as challenge the spatial perception, dexterity and reflexes of players of different ages. For examples, younger players might compete by throwing objects at a fixed target mounted on the ground. In other embodiments, the target is moving in synchronization with the oscillatory motion of the adjacent players swing by a physical coupling or attachment. Interactive play is encouraged at the higher skill levels by configuring the targets associated with adjacent seats to face each other. In this embodiment, the players oscillate in opposite directions so that they are closest to the target when the relative velocity is highest. The objects of the associated games can be building a higher score, as well as soaking the other player(s) with water supplied by an external source and actuated by instantaneous or accumulated contact of a throwing object with a target. |
US08808099B2 |
Protective screen for constant-velocity joints and wheel hub-bearing/constant-velocity joint unit provided with said protective screen
A protective screen mounted on an outer cylindrical surface of a constant-velocity joint and facing towards a sealing device of a rolling-contact bearing which is angularly coupled to the constant-velocity joint for protecting the sealing device and the rolling-contact bearing from the action of external agents; the screen being provided with: an annular wall, which is transverse to an axis (A) of rotation of the constant-velocity joint and is arranged in axial abutment against a side wall of said constant-velocity joint, a central hole, which is made through the annular wall and through which a shaft of the constant-velocity joint passes with play, and a plurality of elastic mounting and centering fins, which are distributed uniformly about the central hole and extend unsupported from the annular wall such that they are coupled to the outer cylindrical surface of the constant-velocity joint. |
US08808096B2 |
Flywheel
An apparatus and method for transmitting torque from a flywheel inside a vacuum chamber to a driveshaft outside the vacuum chamber includes constructing a magnetic gear coupling using a pair of permanent magnet arrays having magnetic flux coupling elements arranged in the vacuum chamber wall therebetween so as to effectively couple magnetic flux between the arrays. |
US08808095B2 |
Torque connector assembly
A torque connector assembly includes an outer tube having a first threaded portion, a first hole and multiple windows. Each window has first and second scales formed on its two sides. An inner tube has a second threaded portion, a second hole and an index line. The first and second threaded portions are threadedly connected to each other. The index line is located corresponding to the windows. A first connector has a first engaging end and a second engaging end. A second connector has a first matching portion and a second mounting portion which is mounted to the second engaging end. A third connector has a second matching portion which is connected with the first matching portion. The third connector has a third mounting portion which extends from the second hole. The resilient member is biased between the second connector and the outer tube. |
US08808093B1 |
Asynchronous social events in computer-implemented games
This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to provide an asynchronous social event in a computer-implemented game. The social event may for example be a virtual party that is staged in a game instance of a host player and may comprise automated attendance of player characters associated with one or more guest players. An event invitation may be sent to the guest players, with the player characters of guest players who accept the invitation being displayed as automatically attending the social event. The social event may be played back to the guest players asynchronously upon request. |
US08808090B2 |
Game device, game control method, program, recording medium and game management device
Provided is a game device with strong entertainment value which realizes a sensory input operation (sign operations for a baseball game, or the like) while reducing the processing load. The game device includes instructing character display unit (31) for displaying the instructing character on a screen, selectable parts setting unit (32) for setting, as selectable parts, a plurality of predetermined areas of the instructing character, instruction storage unit for storing, in a storage device, associated information related to a selected order and an instruction; and a sign identification unit (36) for identifying an instruction corresponding to a selected order or a combination of the selectable parts based on the associated information when a plurality of selectable parts of the instructing character are selectively operated, and a game advancement unit (50) for advancing the game by reflecting the instruction identified by the sign. |
US08808089B2 |
Projection of interactive game environment
The projection of an interactive game environment image on one or more surfaces. The interactive game environment image may be a three dimensional image, or may be two dimensional. Data is received that represents virtual objects that are spatially positioned in virtual space. An image is then projected on the substantially horizontal surface that includes a visual representation of all or a portion of the virtual space including one or more of the virtual objects. The system may then detect user interaction with the projected visualized representation of the virtual space, and in response thereto, change the projected visualized representation. |
US08808087B2 |
Game device, game control method, and game control program
A game device is provided with an input reception unit that receives an operating input from a player, a control unit that controls a game in accordance with the timing of the operating input, and a screen generation unit that displays a screen of the game, wherein the screen generation unit generates and displays a screen of a player's character in the motion of making a shot, and a power determination unit and an impact determination unit determine the power or impact of a shot in accordance with the degree of the progress of the motion of making the shot at the point when the operating input is received. |
US08808086B2 |
Insurance enabled hybrid games
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate an insurance enabled hybrid game, including: a gambling game providing a game of chance and an entertainment game providing a game of skill, where the insurance enabled hybrid game utilizes a multisession module constructed to: activate an insurance proposition associated with an insurance trigger event in accordance with an insurance activation rule to generate at least one insurance relationship between an insurance safeguard that can be applied in exchange for an insurance fee, and where a challenge is a gameplay event dependent upon player action with a negative outcome of the challenge defined by the insurance safeguard; collect an insurance fee; and apply an insurance safeguard associated with the collected insurance fee by altering insurance enabled hybrid game gameplay in response a negative outcome of a challenge detected by the insurance module that mitigates the negative outcome. |
US08808081B1 |
Multiplayer bingo with twin win intermediate award
A system and method for conducting a multi-player wagered networked bingo game. The system comprises a game controller operatively connected to at least two client devices. The game controller is preferably programmed to operate the networked bingo game and form patterns on a playing pieces associated with each client device. The game controller is preferably programmed to compare a plurality of intermediate patterns on each playing piece associated with each client device to determine if one of the intermediate patterns from the playing piece on at least two different client devices identically matches. The game controller can also be programmed to award an intermediate prize to each client device with the identically matched intermediate pattern and to conclude the networked bingo game when at least one pattern on the playing piece of at least one client device matches a game ending pattern. |
US08808079B2 |
Lottery game reward system and method
Systems and methods for conducting a lottery game that implements a lottery rewards program are disclosed. The system may include a terminal for providing a game ticket to a player for use in a lottery game play. The game ticket has a randomly assigned redemption point value assigned thereto. The redemption point value includes at least one redemption point for use in a lottery rewards program. The system includes a player interface configured to permit a player to enter game ticket data into the lottery gaming system. The system further includes a controller configured to determine whether the game ticket is a winning game ticket eligible for the payout value of the lottery game play and to award the redemption point value of the game ticket to the player when the game ticket is not a winning ticket. In this manner, the rewards program of the present invention permits players to redeem or collect rewards even if the player loses the lottery game. |
US08808075B2 |
Configurable pliable air ducts
In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location. |
US08808074B2 |
Motorized diffuser
Disclosed is a motorized diffuser which is shut when not in use and which reduces energy consumption in a building, eliminates the necessity of a maintenance hole, prevents contamination, has a simple configuration, and enables easy maintenance when applied in a cooling/heating system adopting a proportional air flow control scheme. According to the disclosed diffuser, a diffuser cone includes: a diffuser cone body which forms a fluid passage on the outer surface thereof which is disposed between the diffuser cone body and a diffuser casing when the diffuser cone is opened; a diffuser cone cover fixed to the diffuser cone body such that the diffuser cone cover can be assembled/disassembled to/from the diffuser cone body with a space therebetween; and a motor means fixedly installed in the space. |
US08808073B2 |
Air passage open/close device
An air passage open/close device includes a casing having an air passage, and a sliding door having a board member slidably located in the casing so as to open or close the air passage. The casing has a guide groove for guiding a movement of the board member. The guide groove has an upstream wall extending in a moving direction of the board member at an upstream side of the board member in an air flow direction, and a downstream wall opposing to the upstream wall at a downstream side of the board member in the air flow direction. The board member is configured to be elastically deformed when the board member is arranged in the casing. |
US08808065B2 |
Surface treating device
A surface treating device includes an open lofty non-woven layer (1) and a woven layer (2). The non-woven layer and woven layer have facing sides (5, 6) which are adhered to each other. A plurality of abrasive segments (3) is adhered to the woven layer on the side (7) of the woven layer (2) which faces away from the non-woven layer (1). Thus, the abrasive segments are held in a stable manner so as to better withstand the frictional forces exerted thereon during service. |
US08808063B2 |
Method for removing polishing byproducts and polishing device
A method for removing polishing byproducts and a polishing device are provided. The method includes mounting a positive electrode on the center of a polishing platen and a negative electrode on an edge of the polishing platen, applying a voltage between the positive electrode and the negative electrode after a polishing process for metal is finished, and rotating the polishing platen and rinsing a polishing pad with deionized water or a chemical cleaning solution to remove polishing byproducts that are formed in the polishing process. The combination of the centrifugal force and the electromotive force increases the removal rate of the polishing byproducts. |
US08808061B2 |
Method and apparatus for dressing polishing pad
The method of the present invention are capable of stabilizing a polishing rate, reducing number of times of performing dressing operations, improving work efficiency and extending a span of life of the polishing pad. The method for dressing a polishing pad, which has been used to polish a surface of a work by pressing the work onto the polishing pad fixed on a polishing plate with supplying slurry thereto, by using a grind stone, comprises the steps of: cleaning the polishing pad by supplying high-pressure cleaning water to the polishing pad; and dressing the polishing pad by moving a dressing grind stone, in the radial direction of the polishing pad, along a surface profile thereof, while performing the cleaning step. |
US08808059B1 |
Spectraphic monitoring based on pre-screening of theoretical library
An optical model for a layer stack has a plurality of input parameters, the plurality of input parameters defining a parameter space. A plurality of model spectra are generated by calculating a model spectrum using the optical model for each of a first plurality of different points in the parameter space. A test spectrum of a test substrate is measured. For each model spectrum of the plurality of model spectra, the test spectrum is compared to the model spectrum to determine a difference value, thereby generating a plurality of difference values. A plurality of minima in the plurality of difference values are determined. Reference spectra can be generated clustered around points in the parameter space corresponding to a local minimum from the plurality of minima, or the local minimum can be used as a seed value in fitting the optical model to a measured spectrum. |
US08808058B2 |
Decorative cover for straps
A decorative strap cover that is fastened to a strap on an article of clothing that may cover a portion of a bra, a dress, lingerie, shirt, tank top, halter top, pants, belt loops or belt and may provide a decorative compartment. The decorative strap cover may be worn as a single component or combined with others as desired. |
US08808055B2 |
Protruding tongue and sounding structure of puppet
A protruding tongue and sounding structure of a puppet includes a protruding tongue and sounding device mounted inside the puppet. The puppet is a soft and hollow bag-shaped configuration. The protruding tongue and sounding device includes a housing and a slide member which is movable in the housing by air flow. A whistle is provided in the slide member. The slide member includes a tongue at one end thereof. The tongue can extend out of the slide member and the puppet. When the puppet is pressed by the user's fingers, the air in the puppet flows out through the protruding tongue and sounding device. The air in the puppet pushes the slide member of the protruding tongue and sounding device to move outward and forces the whistle to sound. Furthermore, the tongue extends outward, like the puppet to protrude its tongue. |
US08808053B2 |
System and method for toy adoption and marketing
A computer system provides a virtual world. The computer system includes a server subsystem serving virtual world data, via a communication network, and receives data and/or commands. A registration subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, verifies information from a toy, registers the toy, and determines a quantity of toys registered by a user who is registering the toy. The verifying includes determining the validity of the information. A virtual world providing subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, provides the virtual world data, which produces data that presents the virtual world. The virtual world data includes a virtual toy representing the toy and a reward provided to the user for registering the toy. The reward is based on the quantity of toys previously registered by the user, such that the reward received for registering the toy is different than another reward previously received by the user for registering another toy. |
US08808049B2 |
Method for making sheet-shaped heat and light source
The present disclosure relates to a method for making the sheet-shaped heat and light source. An array of carbon nanotubes on a substrate is provided. A carbon nanotube film is formed by pressing the array of carbon nanotubes. A first electrode and a second electrode are electrically connected with the carbon nanotube film. Furthermore, a method for heating an object is related. |
US08808046B2 |
Protective bridle for waterskiing
A protective bridle for waterskiing includes a handle connected to a pair of ski lines, the lines being joined at a point. The handle and lines together define a generally triangular region. The bridle includes a barrier which fills out substantially all of the triangular region, and thus prevents a limb, or other body part, from passing through the bridle in the event of a fall. The bridle may also include a flat plate, connected to the lines, and located within the triangular region. The flat plate stabilizes the bridle, and tends to prevent the bridle from spinning if the bridle is dropped into the water. The invention also includes a waterski line having sections of differing elasticities, enabling a student waterskier to train using a line that does not stretch excessively. |
US08808045B2 |
Method and system for controlling the exhaust gases from an engine
A method for controlling the exit of exhaust gases from an engine which is used to power an underwater propeller drive arranged at the hull bottom of a boat is provided. According to the method exhaust gases are allowed to flow from the engine through an exhaust channel and exit through a first underwater exhaust outlet in the underwater propeller drive. According to the method, if the engine is running and the transmission of the propeller drive is in neutral position, a second underwater exhaust outlet is opened for letting exhaust gases in the exhaust channel exit in a position closer to the hull bottom of the boat than the first underwater exhaust outlet. |
US08808041B2 |
Watercraft that harvest both locomotive thrust and electrical power from wave motion
This disclosure provides improved nautical craft that can travel and navigate on their own. A hybrid vessel is described that converts wave motion to locomotive thrust by mechanical means, and also converts wave motion to electrical power for storage in a battery. The electrical power can then be tapped to provide locomotive power during periods where wave motion is inadequate and during deployment. The electrical power can also be tapped to even out the undulating thrust that is created when locomotion of the vessel is powered by wave motion alone. |
US08808040B2 |
Outboard motor control apparatus
In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having a shift lever used to change a shift position between an in-gear position that enables driving force of an internal combustion engine to be transmitted to a propeller by engaging a clutch with one of a forward gear and a reverse gear and a neutral position that cuts off transmission of the driving force by disengaging the clutch from the forward or reverse gear, it is configured to detect a throttle opening of the engine; detect a speed of the engine; calculate a change amount of the detected engine speed; and conduct driving force decreasing control to decrease the driving force of the engine based on the detected throttle opening, the detected engine speed and the calculated engine speed change amount. |
US08808039B2 |
Connector assembly and terminal retainer
A receptacle assembly is provided with an electrically conductive terminal received within a receptacle. A longitudinal guide body is received within the receptacle in engagement with the terminal. The guide body has an aperture formed therethrough, which is sized to receive a pin through the aperture. At least one fastener extends from the guide body to provide an interference fit with a housing of the receptacle. A retainer is also provided with at least one fastener extending from a guide body to fasten the retainer to the receptacle. A charge assembly is also provided with a handle housing. A shoulder extends transversely from the guide body to engage a distal end of the receptacle and to position the guide body relative to the receptacle. A sleeve extends from the shoulder at least partially over the receptacle housing. The sleeve is formed integrally with the handle housing. |
US08808034B2 |
Cable assembly with new arrangement of terminals
A cable assembly comprises: a housing defining a receiving space; a metallic shell surrounding the housing; and a number of terminals arranged into two rows and received in the housing, each terminal defining a front mating portion and a rear terminating portion and a cable electrically connected with the plurality of terminals. The terminals are divided into several terminal groups, each terminal group comprises a pair of signal terminals and a grounding terminal located on different rows, two terminating portions of the pair of signal terminals and a terminating portions of the grounding terminal are arranged into right-angled triangular configuration in a vertical plane. |
US08808030B2 |
Simplified connector receptacle housings
Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another embodiment provides a connector receptacle having a housing where a portion of the housing has been removed to save space. |
US08808025B2 |
Electrical connection terminal and connector using same
An electrical connection terminal for securely retaining a connection object without degrading connection reliability, and a connector using the electrical connection terminal. A first contacting portion adapted to cut into a lead wire of a cable to restrict displacement thereof in a counter-insertion direction is provided in the leading-end corner of a first contact piece of a terminal, and a second contacting portion with which the lead wire slidably makes contact is provided on the leading end of a second contact piece of the terminal. Disconnection of the lead wire is prevented by means of the first contacting portion and securing a sufficient area of connect with the lead wire by the second contacting portion. The second contacting portion is formed by chamfering the leading-end corner of the second contact piece. Accordingly, the leading-end side of the second contact piece need not be bent to form a curved-surface contacting portion. |
US08808023B2 |
Lampholder-socket-supported electrical appliance
An electrical appliance for a lampholder socket having a socket axis of rotation has a housing rotatable by an application of an applied torque thereto. A screw base is configured to be inserted in the lampholder socket and threadedly connected to the lampholder socket upon a rotation of the screw base in a first direction about the socket axis of rotation. A torque limiter is fixedly attached to the screw base for rotation therewith. The torque limiter couples the housing to the screw base for rotation therewith when the applied torque is less than a predetermined magnitude and couples the housing to the screw base for rotation relative thereto when the applied torque is greater than the predetermined magnitude. An electrical device is mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the screw base. |
US08808022B2 |
Connector structure
A connector structure includes a clamping terminal including a first terminal part and a second terminal part which project from a terminal base, and an insertion space which is formed between the first terminal part and the second terminal part. An insertion member is formed with a fixing slope part, which is inclined with respect to an insertion direction, at a front end part of the insertion member in the insertion direction. A conductor exposed from the circuit body is fixed to the fixing slope part. A connecting protrusion is formed on one of the first terminal part and the second terminal part. The connecting protrusion is formed with a connecting slope part which is inclined in accordance with the fixing slope part. |
US08808016B2 |
Rotatable connector device
A rotatable connector device includes a steering roll connector that accommodates a flat cable in an accommodation space in the state where the flat cable can be wound and unwound. Also, a plurality of rotatable rollers are located on a top surface of a retainer concentrically with the retainer at an equal interval in a circumferential direction of the retainer. A regulation section on which a reversed part is allowed to be pressed is provided on the top surface of the retainer at a position away from one of the plurality of rotatable rollers, namely, a rotatable roller, on the side of a part of the rotatable roller along which the reversed part can be wound. The regulation section is away from the part of the rotatable roller by a gap which allows the reversed part to contact or detached from the rotatable roller. |
US08808014B2 |
Plug connector
The instant disclosure relates to a plug connector for inserting into at least one hole of an electrical outlet. The plug includes a plug body, a switch, a pushing member, at least one conductive member, and at least one locking member. The plug body is constructed of at least one shell defining a via hole, where the via hole penetrates entirely through the shell. The switch has a connecting end inserted through the via hole for connecting pivotally to the pushing member. The conductive member protrudes from the plug body, and the locking member is arranged in close to the conductive member. Thus, when the switch is operated, the connecting end is driven to push the pushing member to move with respect to the conductive member, and the locking member is pushed by the pushing member to deform or move. |
US08808010B2 |
Insulated metal socket
A socket for use in a test system is provided, where the test system is configured to align at least a portion of an electronic device with a plurality of aligned connectors. The socket can include a metal structure having a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings spaced to accommodate the plurality of aligned connectors. At least one opening in the plurality of openings can extend through a thickness of the metal structure and can have an annular inner surface. The annular inner surface can be proximal to at least a portion of a conductive outer surface of at least one aligned connector of the plurality of aligned connectors in the test system. The socket can further include an insulation layer provided on the annular inner surface. |
US08808006B2 |
Multiplanar display system
Disclosed is a display system that combines the advantages of a dry-erase surface with a customized, interchangeable background so that information and or fields over which dry-erase markings are made are integrated with the background display. |
US08808004B2 |
Biological model for training and production method of biological model for training
Disclosed is a biological model for training which is in a tubular shape having an inner cavity, has a narrowing or closing portion at a mid portion of the tube, and is provided with a artificial lesion member simulating a lesion occurring in a tubular tissue. In this biological model for training, the artificial lesion member includes, at least in a portion thereof, a plastic and deformable material. The biological model for training is used in expansion training for implementing expansion. As the plastic and deformable material, a material including, as the main component, at least one member selected from among a silicone clay, a resin clay and an oil clay can be specifically used. Such a material is preferred because of ensuring the maintenance of a expanded state in the expansion training. |
US08807999B2 |
Prosthodontic and orthodontic apparatus and methods
System and method for developing a treatment plan for achieving a treatment goal including creating a virtual model of a dental patient's dentition; transforming the virtual model of the dentition using virtual prosthodontics to facilitate achievement of the treatment goal; transforming the virtual model of the dentition using virtual orthodontics to facilitate achievement of the treatment goal; iterating on the transforming steps until substantially achieving the treatment goal; and generating an orthodontic treatment plan and a prosthodontic treatment plan based upon the substantially achieved treatment goal |
US08807998B2 |
Orthodontic fixing apparatus
An orthodontic fixing apparatus is provided, wherein the apparatus includes a linear fixing body, bisymmetrically defined, having a plurality of connection grooves in each left and right sides thereof, and a plurality of cylindrical fixing rings arranged on the upper and lower sides of the central portion of the fixing body with a connection member being placed between the upper and lower sides, wherein a screw is inserted, to thereby fix the fixing body to the palate. Each fixing ring may protrude by a width of 0.1 mm to 4 mm in a direction of contact with the palate to minimize the contact of the fixing ring or the fixing body with the palate. The fixing ring may include a taper having a diameter that gradually decreases from an inlet to an outlet along an insertion direction of the screw, wherein an internal thread is arranged in the fixing ring. |
US08807992B2 |
Fire generator having a controllable venting mechanism
A combustion device has a controllable venting mechanism, within a piston/plunger or a chamber/housing, to allow the flow of air out of the chamber to enable the piston/plunger to be freely inserted for the purpose of storage or to maintain the air within the chamber to enable the piston/plunger to create a pressure necessary for combustion. |
US08807991B2 |
Oxy-fuel combustion oxidant heater internal arrangement
A regenerative oxidant heater internal arrangement, including a system and method for use thereof, utilizing a unique recycle oxy-combustion methodology which includes at least two primary combustion oxidant sectors placed adjacent to both the flue gas side as well as a secondary oxidant sector positioned between the two primary sectors. |
US08807990B2 |
Furnace efficiency tuning device
A gaseous fuel fired furnace having a vapor condensing flue gas vent conduit, a flue gas flow restrictor disposed in the vapor condensing flue gas vent conduit having a flue gas upstream side and a flue gas downstream side, and a condensate bypass conduit extending around the flue gas flow restrictor having a condensate inlet in fluid communication with the flue gas downstream side of the flue gas flow restrictor and a condensate outlet in fluid communication with the flue gas upstream side of the flue gas flow restrictor. |
US08807989B2 |
Staged gradual oxidation
Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber. |
US08807985B2 |
Apparatus and method for forming tapered products
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming molded tapered products, such as masonry blocks, whereby high quality finished products are removed from their mold without the need for complex machinery for demolding. The mold may include one or more mold cavities having one or more movable cavity walls. The movable cavity walls may include an end liner having a planar product forming surface capable of moving from a vertical position to an angled position. Tapered products may be formed by moving the mold towards a pallet so that the pallet engages with the end liner and causes the end liner to move from the vertical position to the angled position. Moldable material may then be introduced into the mold cavity and may be allowed to remain in the mold cavity until it is self-sustaining. |
US08807980B2 |
Magazine apparatus for the storage of blow moulds and methods of storing blow moulds
A magazine apparatus including a plurality of receiving elements that are constructed and arranged to separately receive individual blow molds each having a plurality of parts and each configured to shape plastic-material preforms into plastic-material containers. The magazine apparatus being constructed and arranged to store a plurality of blow molds outside the working operational area of a blow molding machine. |
US08807972B2 |
Housingless positive displacement pump assembly
Housingless positive displacement pump assembly comprises one or more vane or gerotor type housingless positive displacement pump units, each comprising pump unit components. One or more retaining rods extend through axially aligned holes in a mounting flange at one end of the pump assembly and the pump unit components to hold the pump unit components in stacked relation to one another and connect the pump assembly to the mounting flange. |
US08807970B2 |
Cooling system for a multistage electric motor
A multistage electric motor includes a plurality of motor stages connected in series, each motor stage comprising a stator, and a rotor; a plurality of cooling fluid paths, each cooling fluid path forming a recirculating loop independent of the other cooling fluid paths, each cooling fluid path in communication with the stator of one of motor stages; and a cooling fluid flowing through each cooling fluid path, the cooling fluid removing heat from the stator of each motor stage. A submersible pump including the multistage electric motor, and a method of cooling the multistage electric motor are also described. |
US08807965B2 |
Control system for electromagnetic pumps
A control system for controlling electromagnetic pumps, such as electromagnetic driven membrane pumps, has at least one microprocessor and at least one sensor, the microprocessor controlling the power supply to at least one electromagnet whose changes in emitted magnetic field causes at least one moving part, directly or indirectly, to perform an oscillating pumping movement. The control system has at least one positioning sensor which senses the moving part's position in the electromagnetic driven pump. By use of the positioning sensor's measurements, the pump can be controlled with great accuracy. A method for controlling electromagnetic pumps is also provided. |
US08807964B2 |
Variable oil pump
A variable oil pump capable of rapidly ejecting a required amount of working fluid using an oil pressure of the working fluid generated according to an engine RPM, and improving a lubrication effect to improve engine efficiency. Also described is a variable oil pump, in which a gap is provided between a plunger and a cylinder to easily operate the plunger using an oil pressure output from an oil pump, enabling more rapid supply of a required amount of oil using an oil pressure varied according to variation in an engine RPM. A variable oil pump is described in which the plunger is perpendicularly operated with respect to a flow direction of the working fluid, such that the plunger can be operated in a direction in which a pressure of the working fluid is applied to operate the oil pump. |
US08807961B2 |
Capacity modulation system for compressor and method
An apparatus is provided and may include a control valve that moves a pressure-responsive unloader valve between a first position permitting flow through a valve plate and into a compression mechanism and a second position restricting flow through the valve plate and into the compression mechanism. The control valve may include at least one pressure-responsive valve member movable between a first state supplying discharge-pressure gas to the unloader valve to urge the unloader valve into one of the first position and the second position and a second state venting the discharge-pressure gas from the unloader valve to move the unloader valve into the other of the first position and the second position. |
US08807960B2 |
System and method for servicing a wellbore
A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising establishing a pumping profile having a performance plan, operating a first pump according to a first pumping parameter value, and operating a second pump according to the second pumping parameter value, wherein the second pumping parameter value is selected relative to the first pumping parameter value to improve a conformance of a phase sensitive combined pump effect operational characteristic to the performance plan. A wellbore servicing system, comprising a pump group comprising a plurality of plungers wherein at least some of the plurality of plungers are substantially configured according to an equal phase angle distribution arrangement. |
US08807959B2 |
Reciprocating compressor and methods for monitoring operation of same
A condition monitoring system for use with a reciprocating device. The condition monitoring system includes at least one pressure sensor that is configured to sense a pressure within the reciprocating device. At least one vibration sensor is configured to sense a vibration of the reciprocating device. A protection system is communicatively coupled to the pressure sensor and the vibration sensor. The protection system is configured to calculate a stiffness value of the reciprocating device based on the sensed pressure within the reciprocating device and the sensed vibration of the reciprocating device. |
US08807958B2 |
Electronic camshaft motor control for piston pump
A two (or more) piston pump system (10) is provided with both pumps (12) being crank (14) driven. The system does not have a mechanical camshaft, but a software algorithm, which acts like one in controller (20). The algorithm will LEARN and create a unique speed profile, which will mimic the mechanical camshaft. For practical purposes the speed profile of output gear is called Cam profile with software acting as an imaginary camshaft. The algorithm utilizes Crank Angle Estimation, Learn Curve Generation, Smoothing and Advance Timing Calculation. |
US08807956B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling speed of a fan via a first control module connected by a cable and/or conductors between a motor and a second control module
A fan system includes a motor control module external to a motor housing of a fan assembly. The motor control module includes a speed control module. The fan assembly includes a fan and the motor housing. One or more first conductors are configured to connect the motor control module to a motor in the motor housing. One or more second conductors are configured to connect the motor control module to a host device control module. The host device control module is separate from the motor control module and is configured to generate a control signal. The speed control module is configured to control speed of the fan based on the control signal. |
US08807953B2 |
Reinforced wind turbine blade
The present invention relates to a reinforced blade for a wind turbine, particularly to a blade having at least one elongated reinforcing member connected inside the shell for increasing the strength of the blade, each of the at least one elongated reinforcing member having a first end and a second end and extending in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end and wherein the first end is connected to the upper part of the shell and the second end is connected to the lower part of the shell thereby decreasing peeling and shear stresses in the trailing edge of the blade. |
US08807947B1 |
Wind power generator with auxiliary energy production
A wind power generator has a frame, an axle extending horizontally and rotatably mounted relative to the frame, a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly of the axle, a plurality of panels respectively connected to the plurality of arms, and an electrical generator affixed to a surface of at least one of the plurality of panels. The electrical generator produces electrical energy as the panels move relative to the frame and produces electrical energy in relation to gravity acting on the panel. The Faraday generators has a housing, a coil positioned in the housing so as to define a longitudinal pathway therein, and a magnet slidably received in the longitudinal pathway. |
US08807944B2 |
Turbomachine airfoil component and cooling method therefor
An airfoil component for use in a turbomachine, and method of promoting the heat transfer characteristics within the component. The component includes an airfoil portion having a span-wise direction delimited by an airfoil root and airfoil tip, and a chord-wise direction delimited by leading and trailing edges. A chamber within the airfoil portion contains a permeable foam member. The chamber is fluidically connected to a cooling fluid source and to a cooling hole through first and second passages, respectively, within the airfoil portion. The chamber is located relative to the first and second passages so as to be offset in the chord-wise direction therefrom so that cooling fluid entering the chamber through the first passage is diverted by the foam member in the chord-wise direction before exiting the airfoil portion through the cooling hole. |
US08807941B2 |
Cross-over purge flow system for a turbomachine wheel member
A wheel member includes a body having a first surface that extends to a second surface through an intermediate portion. The body includes an outer diametric surface and a central bore. A first plurality of purge circuits are formed in the body. The first plurality of purge circuits extend from a first end to a second end through the body. The first plurality of purge circuits are arranged to direct a first purge flow in a first direction. A second plurality of purge circuits are formed in the body and fluidly isolated from the first plurality of purge circuits. The second plurality of purge circuits extend from a first end portion to a second end portion through the body and are arranged to direct a second purge flow in a second direction, that is distinct from the first direction, to establish a cross-over purge flow system. |
US08807938B2 |
Combined light fitting and ceiling fan
A combined ceiling fan and light fitting (fan/light) having folding fan blades is provided. The fan light has a blade support arranged to be rotated by an electric motor, with blades being secured to the blade support, a root end of each blade being pivotable between folded and operative positions about a blade pivot axis fixed in the blade support. In one aspect of the invention, an improved mechanism is provided for synchronizing movement of the blades. This uses a sun gear mounted to the blade support and arranged to mesh with planet gears that rotate about the blade pivot axes. In addition improvements are provided to blades and blade mounting arrangements that balance compact folding of the blades and good air moving effectiveness. |
US08807935B2 |
Fan frame and wire arrangement mechanism thereof
A wire arrangement mechanism including a guiding slot and an arranging slot is formed on a fan frame. The guiding slot includes a bottom wall and two holding walls extending therefrom. The arranging slot is defined by an outer frame and a confining portion connected thereto. The arranging slot is staggered from and communicated with the guiding slot. |
US08807933B2 |
Method for manufacturing a rectifier
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a turbine-engine composite rectifier comprising a ferrule provided with a plurality of stator vanes (2), said stator vanes each comprising a blade (4) and optionally a platform (3), said method comprising at least the following steps: a) first layers of a reinforcement (6) are wound on a mandrel, said mandrel also acting as a mold and comprising protruding portions, said first reinforcement layers (6) comprising buttonholes (7) positioned facing the protruding portions; b) a prefabricated disc (9) is positioned on each of the protruding portions: c) last reinforcement layers (8) are wound above the discs (9), thereby forming a preform; d) a resin is injected into the closed mold with the preform and the resin-impregnated preform is polymerized; e) the polymerized preform is taken out of the mold and the base of the blade (4) or optionally the platform of the vane (3), if the latter comprises one of them, is added by welding on each of the discs (9). |
US08807932B2 |
Hydraulic power unit having ceramic oscillator, and hydraulic engine including the hydraulic power unit
This invention discloses a hydraulic power unit, which is capable of strongly jetting a working fluid, may be used to implement a new hydraulic engine. The hydraulic engine generates rotational power by using environmentally friendly electric energy, and has improved performance and a long life span. The hydraulic power unit includes: an inner tube comprising a hollow portion, wherein a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are formed in the inner tube; a vibration tube comprising a hollow portion, an elastic tube layer and a metal tube layer, and the hollow portion of the vibration tube is connected in line to the hollow portion of the inner tube; an oscillator that is disposed to contact a back end of the vibration tube; an outer check member that is disposed to contact the fluid outlet; and an inner check ring that is disposed to contact the fluid inlet. |
US08807927B2 |
Clearance flow control assembly having rail member
A flow control assembly is provided, including a member and a wall. The member has a surface, a flow diverting member and a rail member. The rail member is situated upstream of the flow diverting member. The flow diverting member and the rail member each project from the surface of the member. The flow diverting member has a distal end. The wall is disposed in relation to the member to create a clearance gap between the distal end of the flow diverting member and the wall. A fluid path is created between the member and the wall, and flows from an upstream section and through the clearance gap. A first chamber and a second chamber are defined by the wall and located upstream of the clearance gap. |
US08807924B2 |
Fan blade channel termination
A fan blade has a main body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. Channels are formed into the main body from at least one open side. A plurality of ribs extend across the main body intermediate the channels. The fan blade has a dovetail, and an airfoil extending radially outwardly from the dovetail. The channels have a termination end adjacent a radially inner end of the ribs. The termination end is formed along a complex fillet with a first radius of curvature formed at the termination end, and a second radius of curvature merging into sides of the ribs. The second radius of curvature is greater than the first radius of curvature. |
US08807923B2 |
Access apparatus for a wind turbine and method of using same
A wind turbine having a tower and a rotor hub that is supported by the tower. At least one blade extends from the rotor hub, and a nacelle is located proximate the rotor hub. The wind turbine also has a transport conduit that selectively provides communication between an interior of the nacelle and an interior of the rotor hub. The transport conduit may have a collapsed condition in which the transport conduit is located completely within the nacelle, and an extended condition in which the transport conduit partially extends into the interior of the rotor hub. In a specific embodiment, the transport conduit is a telescoping structure. A method for using the transport conduit includes accessing the interior of the nacelle to position an object therein and transporting the object to the interior of the rotor hub using the transport conduit. |
US08807921B2 |
Journal air bearing for small shaft diameters
A bearing foil assembly includes a top foil, an intermediate foil, and a bump foil. The bump foil is provided with corrugations at circumferentially spaced locations. The bump foil has an end that is bent radially outwardly from a center of the foil assembly. The top foil has a bent portion extending radially outwardly and adjacent to the bent end of the bump foil. A first radius of curvature is defined to a curved portion leading into the bent portion at a first end adjacent to the bent end. A second radius of curvature is defined at an end of the bent portion on an end opposed to the bent end. A ratio of the first radius of curvature to the second radius of curvature is between 0.6 and 10. A bearing assembly, a shaft sub-assembly, an air machine, and a method of assembling a bearing into an air machine are also disclosed. |
US08807919B2 |
Counter-rotating axial flow fan
A counter-rotating axial flow fan with reduced noise at the target operating point achieved without modifying a front impeller, a rear impeller, or a middle stationary portion is provided. An annular rib including a projecting surface for generating turbulent flow is formed on an inner wall portion of a casing at a position off from the middle stationary portion to a side of the rear impeller, the projecting surface extending radially inwardly of the inner wall portion and extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the inner wall portion. A fluid striking the projecting surface for generating turbulent flow is partially disturbed to form a turbulent flow before entering an area in which the rear impeller is provided. The turbulent flow suppresses flow separation of a fluid flowing along the surfaces of rear blades of the rear impeller from the surfaces of the rear blades. |
US08807917B2 |
Maintenance system of helical turbine
Disclosed is an assembled helical turbine system, which can prevent its assembly/disassembly from being hindered by a rotational force generated during the assembly/disassembly process. The assembled helical turbine system includes a helical turbine formed with a plurality of blades in such a manner as to continuously generate a rotational force under unidirectional or multidirectional fluid flow; a housing assembly for rotatably supporting the helical turbine while surrounding the helical turbine; stoppers formed on a peripheral surface of the housing assembly in such a manner as to protrude to a predetermined height from the peripheral surface; and a housing supporter for supporting the housing assembly in such a manner that the housing assembly can be inserted into and withdrawn from the housing supporter, the housing supporter having catch grooves that are recessed in a shape corresponding to the stoppers so as to fix the stoppers. |
US08807916B2 |
Method for setting a gear ratio of a fan drive gear system of a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes a fan section including a fan that is rotatable about an axis. A speed reduction device is connected to the fan. The speed reduction device includes a star drive gear system with a star gear ratio of at least 1.5. A bypass ratio is greater than about 11.0. |
US08807914B2 |
Seal device and method for operating the same and substrate processing apparatus comprising a vacuum chamber
The present invention provides a seal device comprising a sealing passage which allows communication between a first space and a second space, and evacuation lines individually connected to the first space and the sealing passage. A gas feed line for feeding dry gas is connected to the sealing passage. |
US08807912B2 |
Infeed station and stack gripper of a palletizing system and method for transferring stacks from an infeed station to a stack gripper
An infeed station has a carriage that is supported on a machine frame of the infeed station in a way that allows it to be moved laterally and a stack conveyor mounted on the carriage for conveying stacks from an infeed position to a transfer position, from which the stacks can each be removed by the stack gripper. The stacks can be centered in two stack chambers, which are arranged side by side on the carriage. A stop element supported on the carriage is assigned to each stack chamber and can be moved between a working position and a retracted position, such that in their working position, the stop elements project into the associated stack chamber in such a way that the stacks can be moved by the stack gripper from a forward holding position of the transfer position towards the stop elements and placed against the stop elements. The stacks positioned on the stop elements are gripped by the stack gripper between a finger and pressing means and conveyed to a pallet. |
US08807908B2 |
Mechanical pressure control for a load-handling device
A control for a load-handling device including a gripper for handling a load and being connected to pressure controlled gripping, lifting and tilting actuators The control including a pressure-sensing actuator assembly, a gripping pressure regulator and pressure control assembly. The pressure-sensing actuator assembly being is placed in pressure communication with the lifting and tilting actuators. The gripping pressure regulator regulates the gripping pressure. The pressure control assembly includes interrelated movable members for interacting with the pressure-sensing actuator assembly and for acting on the gripping pressure regulator. The pressure-sensing actuator is adapted to sense the weight of the load from the pressure of the lifting and tilting actuators and to communicate this pressure to the pressure control assembly. Thereby, interacting with the pressure control assembly as to cause to latter to so act on the gripping pressure regulator as to provide a suitable gripping pressure in response to the weight of the load. |
US08807900B2 |
Snap faster
Snap fastener for fastening a first thin wall to a second thin wall, having a base part to be arranged in a through-opening of the first thin wall. A head part extends away from the base part. The head part presents a guide for two holding elements which are pressed by a spring so that they project out over the end of the guide. The head part includes a housing with fastening projections, and can be snapped into the through-opening so that it grips only one thin wall. Unlocking devices, via which the holding elements can be pulled back into the housing from the front, are provided in the housing. The holding elements are formed by the ends of a two-armed lever which is held on a shaft in the housing so as to be rotatable at an angle of approximately 45 to 90 degrees against spring force. |
US08807897B2 |
Fastening assembly and method for manufacturing fastening assembly at case
This invention provides a fastening assembly and a method for manufacturing the fastening assembly. The method for manufacturing the fastening assembly is used for an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a first case. The method at least includes the following steps. A boss is embedded into a seat by hot melting to allow the boss and the seat to form a first fastening element, and the boss has a screwed hole. Then, the first fastening element is disposed at the first case by hot melting. |
US08807887B2 |
Drill bit with high performance for chip removal
A drill bit with high performance for chip removal. The drill bit comprises a cutting tip and a drill body. The cutting tip comprises a chisel edge, a back edge, a cutting edge groove and a rear rib. The cutting edge groove is a circular groove having meniscus shape. A primary cutting surface interposed between the cutting edge groove and the back edge has a trapezoidal or triangular shape. Grinding the rear rib forms a quadratic rear plane. The quadratic rear plane crossing with the chisel edge and the cutting edge groove defines a cutting edge groove plane. The drill bit has three tips and seven cutting edges. A drill bit according to the present invention provides a significant improvement in cutting performance over known twist drill bit in the prior art. |
US08807886B2 |
Hole cutter
A hole includes a blade cylinder and at least one first blade portion and at least one second blade portion, which are arranged along the rotation direction at intervals. Each of the first and second blade portions includes an inside blade and an outside blade. In the first and second blade portions that are adjacent to each other along the rotation direction, the sum of the number of cutting edges of the outside blade and the cutting edge of the inside blade of the first blade is three or more, the sum of cutting edges of the outside blade and the cutting edge of the inside blade of the second blade is two or more, the number of the cutting edge of the first blade being different from the number of the cutting edges of the second blade. |
US08807881B2 |
Throwaway rotary cutting tool
In a semi-finishing cutter, rectangular tips and square tips are disposed in a staggered pattern in an axial direction in second to fourth step portions, so a single cutting edge is formed by a pair of one of the rectangular tips and one of the square tips. It is therefore possible to effectively reduce a frequency of contact with a blade root. A cutting speed of the semi-finishing cutter may be increased and a cutting feed may be made faster, so work in a semi-finishing process may be performed efficiently. The rectangular tips and the square tips have simple shapes, so known commercially available throwaway tips may be used. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the semi-finishing cutter in an easy-to-use form without increasing the cost. |
US08807876B2 |
Method and device for supporting lightly loaded structures and pavements on highly expansive soils
A device and method for supporting lightly loaded structures on highly expansive soils. A plurality of domes is positioned between the lightly loaded structure and the soil. Each of the domes has a convex side and a concave side. The convex side faces upward against the lightly loaded structure and the concave side faces downward against the soil. The concave side provides a void area for expansion of soil. Each dome also has two soil contact ends. The soil contact ends provide a small contact area with the soil to increase the pressure exerted by the lightly loaded structure at the soil contact area to overcome the swelling effects of expanding soil. In a preferred embodiment each dome is fabricated from PVC pipe. |
US08807872B2 |
Method and apparatus for laying a marine pipeline
Disclosed is an apparatus to be mounted on a vessel for laying a marine pipeline having accessories on the end of the pipeline and/or at one or more intermediate locations along the pipeline, the apparatus including a launch ramp having a guide for guiding and controlling the movement of a pipeline along a pipeline firing line in the direction of the seabed, a clamp downstream of the guide for selectively clamping and supporting the launched pipeline, wherein the launch ramp is provided with an opening downstream of the guide and upstream of the clamp for passage of an accessory between a storage position and an installation location in the pipeline firing line to allow the accessory to be connected to an end of the pipeline supported by the clamp. |
US08807870B2 |
Method for treating soil material
The invention relates to a method for treating soil material. According to the invention, the soil material is treated by a mixture composition containing at least microfibrillated cellulose and water. |
US08807867B2 |
Road milling machine and method for measuring the milling depth
A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track. |
US08807863B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing collapsed shipping racks
A securement device is provided for securing articles such as collapsed shipping racks together for maintaining their stability and alignment. The device includes a tether that is connectable between adjacent shipping racks to secure the racks together, and that provides a clear visual indication that the racks are secured. A securement device affixed to a collapsible shipping rack may further comprise a bracket member and upper and lower pin members coupled to the bracket member, with the tether having first and second opposite end portions and the first end portion of the tether being coupled to one of the upper and lower pin members, and the second end portion being releasably attachable to another securement device of another collapsible shipping rack adjacently stacked relative to the first collapsible shipping rack. |
US08807861B2 |
Spreading implement
An implement 1 for applying a volume of liquid to a treatment surface can include a support 3 onto which is mounted a receptacle 2, the receptacle defining a reservoir space 4 which receives the liquid. The receptacle includes a wall 6 having a working surface that is used to spread the liquid over the treatment surface. The wall 6 is resiliently deformable so in use the working surface maintains contact with the treatment surface when spreading the liquid. The implement has a specific application in applying a transdermal lotion to the axilla area of the user. A system for transdermal administration of a physiological active agent from a liquid composition and a method of using this system are described. |
US08807860B2 |
Writing implement, and cap with inner grooves for a writing implement
A writing implement that includes a writing body extending from an end; a writing tip integral with the writing body, and a removable cap that covers the writing tip in a coupled position of the cap with the writing body, the cap having a bottom, a tubular wall that extends along a central axis between a first end that joins with the bottom and a second end that defines an axial opening, the tubular wall has an inner surface on which protrusions are capable of holding the cap by engagement with the writing body in the coupled position, where the inner surface of the cap has at least one groove arranged between two of the protrusions and extends to the second end of the tubular wall. |
US08807859B2 |
Liquid applicator
A liquid applicator contains a hollow body portion incorporating a reservoir portion for containing a liquid to be applied by the applicator; an outlet portion having first and second ends, the first end being connected to an outlet mouth of the reservoir; an applicator tip assembly provided on the second end of the outlet portion for discharge of liquid from the reservoir portion via said outlet portion; a plug located in the mouth of the reservoir portion; and actuator for applying an actuating force to the mouth wall to effect movement of the plug towards the outlet portion and for squeezing the walls of the reservoir portion to effect discharge of liquid from the reservoir portion via the outlet portion and the applicator device. The liquid to be dispensed is retained in a reservoir that is sealed by a plug until usage. |
US08807854B2 |
Camera system, interchangeable lens and method of manufacturing interchangeable lens
A camera system having a predetermined image circle, comprises: an interchangeable lens having a lens mount portion; and a camera body having an image sensor that is disposed within that image circle, and a body mount portion, wherein, when a radius of circular portion at a maximum internal diameter part of an opening portion of the lens mount portion is termed rM, a flange back that is a distance from the lens mount portion to a light reception surface of an image sensor in a state that the interchangeable lens and the camera body are mutually engaged is termed da, and the diameter of the image circle is termed D, the following equations are satisfied: 14.0 mm≦2rM≦40.0 mm Conditional Expression #1 16.0 mm≦da≦20.0 mm Conditional Expression #2 14.0 mm≦D≦20.0 mm Conditional Expression #3. |
US08807851B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device comprising a front cover which covers a front face excluding an aperture of an apparatus in a fixed state to the apparatus, a barrier cover configured to cover the aperture, an attachment unit which attaches the barrier cover to the front cover so that the barrier cover can move, and a locking unit that locks the front cover in a forward protruding state when the barrier cover is in an open state, attachment unit positions the barrier cover at a first position when the barrier cover is in a closed state, and guides the barrier cover to a second position protruding forward from the front cover, and then guides the barrier cover to a third position at which the barrier cover is locked by the locking unit, and moving the barrier cover from the third position. |
US08807848B2 |
Systems and methods for coupling components
The present disclosure includes a system including a receptacle component configured to detachably couple with an elongate member, and a support member configured to detachably couple with the receptacle component, the support member configured such that an upper portion of the support member detachably couples with an opening of the receptacle component. The present disclosure also includes a system including a plate comprising a plurality of first support members, a plurality of arms, at least one of the plurality of first support members disposed upon at least one of the plurality of arms. The system also includes a plurality of second support members, the second support members configured to removably couple with the first support members. |
US08807847B2 |
Lens barrel and imaging device
An interchangeable lens unit is provided that includes a lens housing, a cam frame, a zoom motor mounted to the lens housing, and a transmission mechanism. The zoom motor has a zoom driveshaft that outputs a driving force. The transmission mechanism is configured to transmit the driving force from the zoom driveshaft to the cam frame. The lengthwise direction of the zoom motor is oriented differently than the direction of the optical axis. When viewed along the direction of the optical axis, the zoom motor is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cam frame. |
US08807840B2 |
Insulating and damping sleeve for a rolling element bearing cartridge
A turbocharger uses a high speed rolling element bearing system. An exemplary rolling element bearing system includes a polymer sleeve to impede the flow of heat from the bearing housing into the outer race of the rolling element bearing system. In a second embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is supported by an oil film. In a third embodiment of the invention, the bearing cartridge is damped by a damping medium which also connects the bearing cartridge to the bearing housing. |
US08807834B2 |
Easy open and reclosable package with panel section with easy open sealant, and reclosure mechanism
An easy-open and reclosable package includes a pouch including a reclosure mechanism including a first and second interlocking strip each having an interlocking segment having a base surface and an interlocking surface; a panel section so arranged that when the panel section is displaced, and the package is opened, a product can be accessed between the first and second interlocking strips, the first and second interlocking surfaces are at least partially exposed, and the package can thereafter be reclosed by folding the package such that the interlocking surface of the first interlocking strip is interlocked with the interlocking surface of the second interlocking strip. The first and second strips are not exposed until the package is initially opened, and are not interlocked with one another until the package is initially opened and then reclosed. |
US08807826B2 |
Static mixing device for flowable substances
A static mixing device has a flow duct (10) with at least one mixing element (12) arranged in the flow duct (10). Each mixing element (12) has a multiplicity of webs (14A, 14B) which are arranged in a crossed fashion and which enclose an angle (α) of greater than 0° with the longitudinal axis (x) of the flow duct (10). The webs (14A, 14B) are of waisted design between adjacent crossing points (16), and in the middle between adjacent crossing points (16) the webs (14A, 14B) have their smallest width (b) and mutually adjacent webs (14A, 14B) have their greatest intermediate spacing (a). Those webs (14A, 14B) which are adjacent to the inner wall of the flow duct (10) have, between face-side abutting edges (22), a recess which corresponds to the waisting of the webs (14A, 14B) so as to form a greatest wall spacing (c) in the middle between the face-side abutting edges (22), with the sum, measured over the diameter of the mixing element (12), of the smallest widths (b) of the webs (14A, 14B) amounting to at least 35% of the diameter of the mixing element (12). |
US08807824B2 |
Milk frothing apparatus having improved frothing effect
An apparatus for frothing a liquid food product is disclosed. It comprises a drive unit (1) and a frothing unit (3). The frothing unit (3) comprises a guide rod (30), which is configured along at least one section as a threaded rod (31). A frothing element (40) is in threaded engagement with the guide rod (30) and can thus be moved along a helical path on the guide rod (30). At least one dog (36, 36′) is driven by the drive unit (1) in a circular motion about the longitudinal axis of the guide rod (30) and in the process entrains the frothing element (40) such that said element is driven to perform a helical motion on the guide rod (30). In this way, the frothing element can perform an up and down motion superimposed on the rotational motion thereof along the longitudinal direction. |
US08807823B2 |
Automated mix in-cup apparatus and the method of operating the same
The present disclosure describes an automated blend in-cup apparatus and the related method of operation. The disclosure relates generally to the field of mixing consumable material. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a mixer that is automatically operable to lower a mixing blade into a cup or vessel that contains material to be blended/mixed. A shield is automatically lowered to at least partially isolate the cup. After mixing, the shield and blade are automatically retracted, and the cup is removed from the apparatus. The shield and blade may be automatically lowered again for a cleaning operation. Use of the apparatus can be accomplished with one hand. Overall, the apparatus contains various structural and safety elements that provide a unique construction and method of operating the apparatus. The apparatus is effective, fast, easy to operate, safe, and clean. |
US08807822B2 |
Method and apparatus for mixing fluid flow in a wellbore using a static mixer
Methods and apparatus are presented for mixing fluid flowing through a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation. A static mixer assembly is positioned in a tubing string, the mixer having a plurality of vanes extending radially into an interior fluid flow passageway. Downhole tools are movable through a tool passageway defined in the static mixer assembly. The tools can pass unobstructed by the fixed vanes. Alternately, the tool can flex the elastic vanes as it passes through, the vanes returning to position after passage of the tool. The vanes are preferably circumferentially spaced and longitudinally spaced. The vanes can extend from an interior wall surface of the assembly or from a sleeve inserted into the mixer assembly. |
US08807820B2 |
Display apparatuses
A display apparatus includes a display panel which displays an image, a backlight unit which provides light to the display panel, a heat sink plate adjacent to the backlight unit, the heat sink plate including a catch portion on one side surface thereof, and a mold frame between the display panel and the backlight unit, the mold frame including a first hook which is coupled with the catch portion. |
US08807818B2 |
Backlight device
A backlight device wherein LEDs which are arranged side by side at a first arrangement interval (P1) are provided to each LED unit. The LED units are mounted to a flexible board at a second arrangement interval. A light guide plate is disposed in such a manner that an end surface thereof is spaced from the LEDs by a distance (H). The light guide plate is disposed so as to satisfy the following relationship: first arrangement interval (P1) |
US08807812B2 |
Light emitting device, illuminating device, and headlamp
A light emitting device of the present invention includes: an LD chip for emitting excitation light; a light emitting body for emitting fluorescence upon irradiation with the excitation light from the LD chip; and a mirror including a light reflecting concave surface for reflecting the fluorescence from the light emitting body, the light reflecting concave surface of the mirror having a through-hole at a region other than a bottom region in the vicinity of the bottom of the light reflecting concave surface, and a truncated pyramid light converging section being inserted into the through-hole in order to guide the excitation light from the LD chip to the light emitting body. |
US08807811B2 |
Sealing structure for vehicle lighting unit
A vehicle lighting unit sealing structure includes a continuous sealing wall protruding from a rear surface of a housing of a rear combination tail lamp so as to surround bulb sockets supported by the housing, an engagement protrusion positioned outside the sealing wall, the engagement protrusion protruding from the rear surface of the housing so as to extend substantially parallel to the sealing wall, a sheet-like sealing member attached to an end of the sealing wall so as to cover the sealing wall, the sealing member having a slit through which the engagement protrusion extends to provide friction force between the slit and the protrusion, and a stud bolt, positioned inside the sealing wall, temporarily retaining the sealing member. The sealing member is sandwiched between the sealing wall and a lighting unit attachment wall portion of a vehicle body panel to seal a space inside the sealing wall. |
US08807804B2 |
Miniature SMD-HPLED replaceable lamp
A miniature SMD-HPLED replaceable lamp (10) comprising a main body (1) which can be alternatively made of ceramic or metallic material, an electrical connector (20) housed in said main body (1) and a PCB (3a) embedding an HPLED lighting source. The connector (20) is suitably designed both for assuring an electrical continuity between PCB (3a) and an external power supply and locking it in a slot (2) formed on said main body (1). |
US08807802B2 |
Reflector and a lighting device having the same
A reflector for a lighting device is provided. The reflector may include: a plurality of reflecting bodies each having a plurality of internal reflecting facets; wherein the plurality of reflecting bodies are arranged to rotate by different rotation angles around their respective rotation axes, so as to be capable of compensating unsmooth light distribution caused by the internal reflecting facets. |
US08807801B2 |
Two-photon endoscopic scanning assembly for inflammatory disease detection
An endoscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue. |
US08807795B2 |
LED lighting device
An LED lighting device at least comprises a base made of metal materials; a substrate which is disposed on a surface of the base and has one electrode and at least one LED chip; and an insulation sheet which is disposed between the base and the substrate. The insulation sheet and the substrate satisfy the correlations L2+2×T≧L1+2×Cr, W2+2×T≧W1+2×Cr and Cr≧1.6 mm. By controlling the dimension of the insulation sheet, a creepage distance between the electrode and the base can be increased, so as to solve the safety problem of lighting devices without increasing manufacturing costs. |
US08807793B2 |
Device for securing a source of LED light to a heat sink surface
A device for securing a source of LED light to a heat sink includes a LED light source engaging surface that is arranged and configured to engage a least a portion of a the source of LED light and which is provided with an integrated force applying spring. |
US08807791B2 |
Illuminating device with adjustable light beams and method for assembling the same
An illuminating device with adjustable light beams and a method for assembling the same. The light-emitting units are disposed on the substrate. The optical element is disposed in the path of a light emitted by at least one of the light-emitting units. The driving unit drives a first or second set of the light-emitting units, wherein a light beam formed by light that is emitted by the first set of the light-emitting units and passes through the optical element has a different shape or projection angle from a light beam formed by light that is emitted by the second set of the light-emitting units and passes through the optical element. |
US08807788B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering visual information
An information display device illuminates a light pipe, and includes a controller to regulate the power levels delivered to a light source, thereby regulating the amount of light delivered to the light pipe. Alternatively, the information display device delivers visual data, including alpha-numeric characters, predetermined images, or a controlled phasing. The information display device may be utilized to illuminate information associated with the structure. The illumination system provides the ability to phase between different colors, as well as blended colors. Accordingly, an information display device phases between varying colors, and may blend colors to create color schemes. The illumination system includes a control module disposed within the structure to control device parameters. The illumination system further includes landscape lights that are in communication with the control module and the information display device, such that the landscape lights may phase with the information display device, thereby providing a unified phasing effect. |
US08807786B2 |
Illumination apparatus employing light-emitting device package
An illumination apparatus includes a light source unit comprising at least one light source module comprising a plurality of light-emitting device chips and a lead frame on which the light-emitting device chips are mounted and which connects the mounted light-emitting device chips; a diffusion cover having an interior space in which the light source module is accommodated and diffusing light emitted from the light source module; and an installation portion formed adjacent to the diffusion cover to install the light source module. |
US08807785B2 |
Electric shock resistant L.E.D. based light
An LED-based light comprises: a tubular housing formed of a high-dielectric material and defined at least in part by a light transmitting portion; an elongate circuit board disposed within the housing; at least one LED mounted on the circuit board; an elongate heat sink disposed within the housing, the heat sink having an interior circuit board mounting surface opposing a radially outer surface, the circuit board mounted in thermally conductive relation to the circuit board mounting surface, substantially all of the radially outer surface of the heat sink in thermally conductive relation with the tubular housing for electrically insulated thermal transmission of heat generated by the LED from the circuit board to an ambient environment surrounding the LED-based light; and a pair of end caps disposed on opposing ends of the housing with connectors configured to physically connect the LED-based light to a conventional fluorescent light fixture. |
US08807784B2 |
Luminaires and light engines for same
Light engines for inclusion in luminaires. Some embodiments of the light engine include a heat sink, a reflector, and light emitting diodes. Some embodiments of the heat sink include perforations. The reflector includes a reflective surface that extends around at least a portion of the light emitting diodes. In some embodiments, a portion of the reflector is sandwiched between the light emitting diodes and the heat sink. In some embodiments, an end of the reflector terminates above the light emitting diodes to reduce the concentration of light directly above the light emitting diodes but rather distribute the light outwardly from the luminaire. |
US08807771B2 |
Light source device and display device
There are provided a light source device and a display device which do not generate a wrinkle on an optical sheet even if the optical sheet is held on an LED substrate. A reflection sheet is disposed between each of head portions possessed by a rivet, a positioning rivet and a support rivet and one surface of an LED substrate where an LED is mounted, and a gap in a direction of a sheet thickness is provided between the head portion of each of the rivets and the reflection sheet. In the case in which a sudden thermal change is caused, therefore, the reflection sheet expands or contracts between the head portion of each of the rivets and the reflection sheet so that the wrinkle can be prevented from being generated over the reflection sheet. |
US08807770B2 |
Appliance user interface having reverse mount LEDs
A system and method of displaying appliance information to a user is provided. Reverse mount LEDS may be used in a seven segment configuration and correlating to any other icon or indicator. The reverse mount LEDs may be mounted on single sided printed circuit board to form an appliance user display. |
US08807769B2 |
Wavelength plate, light emitting element, and image display device using the light emitting element
Provided is a wavelength plate that can increase incident angle tolerance. The wavelength plate in which a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer are alternately stacked, each layer having a concave-convex structure the period of which is equal to or shorter that a wavelength in one direction within a plane, includes, as periods in the thickness direction of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer: a first period defined so that a used wavelength can belong to the first band of a photonic band structure; and a second period defined so that the used wavelength can belong to a wavelength side longer than the center wavelength of the second band of the photonic band structure. |
US08807762B2 |
Projector
A projector includes: an image forming unit that forms a projection image; a detection unit that detects a condition at a projection surface onto which the projection image is projected; a correction unit that corrects a source image based upon the condition at the projection surface to obtain the projection image; and a projection unit that projects the projection image. |
US08807761B2 |
Lamp unit and projector employing same
Cooling air conveyed through a cooling duct 3 is supplied to a discharge lamp 10 via a cooling air exit 21 having a plurality of flow paths 23a to 23c partitioned by a partition plate 22. An air flow direction changeover section 24 changes a flow path through which the discharge lamp is supplied with the cooling air from the cooling air exit. An air flow blocking ball 25 in the air flow direction changeover section moves by its own weight through a guide portion 26 to thereby block the flow path of the cooling air exit. This allows the cooling air to be directed specifically toward an upper side 11a in a direction of gravity of a lamp bulb of the discharge lamp to eliminate a temperature difference, even if a mounting style of the discharge lamp is varied among desk mounting, ceiling mounting, and vertical mounting. |
US08807760B2 |
Light source apparatus and projector type image display apparatus
The present invention is directed to provide a light source apparatus that includes space-saving LED cooling unit, and a projector type image display apparatus including the same. The light source apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of LEDs, a plurality of heatsinks that are respectively thermally coupled to the LEDs and that are disposed in series with an interval between each other, and a cooler mechanism that sends a cooling airflow into the heatsinks along their disposition direction. A heatsink included in the plurality of heatsinks that dissipates the heat of an LED having a greater heat generating amount out of the plurality of LEDs is disposed downstream in the cooling airflow from the other heatsink. |
US08807758B2 |
Light source unit and projector
A light source unit is provided which includes a first light source which shines excitation light of a predetermined wavelength band; an optical path switching device which switches in a time-sharing fashion the light shone from the first light source into first light which is shone in a first direction and second light which is shone in a second direction; a light emitting plate on which a luminescent material layer is formed which emits luminescent light of a wavelength band which is different from that of the excitation light when receiving the second light; and a light guiding optical system which guides the first light and the luminescent light to the same optical path. |
US08807757B2 |
Mobile electronic device having a partial image projector
A mobile electronic device includes: a housing; an image projector provided on the housing for projecting a portion of an original image to a projection area; and a processing unit. The processing unit causes the image projector to change an image projected to the projection area from a first image corresponding to a first portion of the original image to a second image corresponding to a second portion of the original image according to change information for changing the image projected by the image projector. |
US08807756B2 |
Laser projector for removing speckle noise
A laser projector includes a laser light source; a two-dimensional light modulator which modulates light from the laser light source; and a projection optical system which projects images onto a display plane by expanding the light modulated by the two-dimensional light modulator. Shift of a display position of the two-dimensional light modulation element and shift of the projection optical system are performed in synchronization with each other so that display positions of the images on the display plane are made substantially identical to each other. Thereby, speckle noise is sufficiently removed, and high-grade images are displayed. |
US08807753B2 |
Pupillary assessment method and apparatus
A system and method for assessing the function of parts of the nervous system of a subject by measuring the pupillary responses to at least one stimulus ensemble comprising a plurality of individual stimuli; the method comprising: presenting a sequence of selected individual stimuli from the at least one stimulus ensemble to the nervous system of a subject thereby evoking pupillary responses in at least one pupil of the subject, selected individual stimuli being concurrently presented in the sequence, wherein the individual stimuli are each individually balanced such that the pupillary responses evoked by individual stimuli in the ensemble are balanced according to the strength of the neural responses evoked by the individual stimuli; detecting responses of the pupil or pupils evoked by the stimuli using a sensor; and processing the detected responses to relate them to the function of the subject's neural responses to some or all of the individual stimuli of the ensemble. |
US08807751B2 |
Retinal fundus surveillance method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for quantitative imaging of the retinal fundus. The method for retinal health assessment comprises imaging the retinal fundus of a patient's eye at different wavelengths within a spectral range and determining spectral reflectivity of the retina for each pixel within a field of view (FOV). The retinal health is assessed based on the spectral reflectivity of the retina. The metabolic and anatomical activity of the eye is monitored to detect, at the earliest stage, activity that could lead to the onset of blinding eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, etc. |
US08807749B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for amblyopia and ocular deviation correction
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for amblyopia and ocular deviation correction are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for amblyopia correction, the system includes, an image processing unit to identify a set of image parameters and, when, in operation, the image processing unit modifies a source visual content based on one or more of the set of image parameters to generate visual content and a visualization unit coupled to the image processing unit operable to receive visual content from the image processing unit, the visualization unit having a screen, when, in operation, the screen displays the visual content. |
US08807748B2 |
Appliance for reading the shape of a rim or a half-rim of an eyeglass frame, and a corresponding reading method
An appliance for reading a rim (110) or a half-rim of an eyeglass frame, includes holder elements for holding the eyeglass frame and a feeler (10) that is mounted to turn about an axis of rotation (A1) in order to follow a longitudinal profile (P1) of the rim or half-rim of the eyeglass frame held in the holder elements. The feeler is fitted with a reader head (12) including a V-shaped bearing shoe (15) that is open in a direction facing away from the axis of rotation and that is adapted to be engaged on the rim or half-rim in order to slide therealong. |
US08807747B2 |
Spectacle eyeglass for myopic child
A spectacle eyeglass of progressive addition type has been designed for myopic children. To this purpose, an ergorama has been constructed, taking into account vision conditions encountered by the children in their everyday life. In particular, the eyeglass has a limited optical power increase between two reference eye directions (D1, D2), a start (D0) of the optical power increase which is located quite low in the eyeglass, and an offset value (OS) for a meridian line (ML) which is higher than that of eyeglasses designed for adults. |
US08807741B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a recording head that ejects liquid onto a recording medium, a transporting device that transports the recording medium along a supporting surface of a supporting member, and a preheating device that preheats the recording medium to the upstream side of the recording head in a transporting direction of the recording medium. The preheating device includes a preheating unit that increases the amount of heat per unit time which is applied to the recording medium as the recording medium is moved toward the downstream side in the transporting direction. The supporting member includes the supporting surface and bending portions. |
US08807737B2 |
Inkjet printer having an image drum heater with heater seals
An inkjet offset printer includes a heated drum assembly having a hollow drum with an internal surface defining an internal cavity and a heater located in the internal cavity. The heater includes a reflector having a seal, and at least one heating element configured to generate heat and disposed between the reflector and the internal surface of the drum. The seal contacts the internal surface of the hollow drum to confine the generated heat within a space defined by the reflector and the internal surface of the drum. |
US08807734B2 |
UV curable inkjet compositions for high-density print heads
A combination of: a) an inkjet print head having a nozzle density of at least 600 dpi and nozzles with an outer nozzle diameter D smaller than 25μm; and b) a UV curable inkjet composition containing 0 to 10 wt % of one or more monofunctional monomers and at least A wt % of 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)ethyl acrylate, wherein both wt % are based on the total weight of the UV curable inkjet composition; and wherein A is defined by the formula 100 wt %−D×3.0 wt %/μm≦A≦100 wt %−D×1.0 wt %/μm. |
US08807733B2 |
Electromagnetic irradiation device and image forming apparatus
An electromagnetic irradiation device is provided. The electromagnetic irradiation device includes an irradiator which irradiates droplets that are attached to a recording medium with an electromagnetic wave, an irradiation control unit which causes the irradiator to periodically irradiate the attached droplets with the electromagnetic, and a frequency setting unit which sets a frequency of an irradiation period which is a period during which the irradiator is caused to emit the electromagnetic wave. The period may be set to be equal to or greater than 5 Hz, and less than 1000 Hz. |
US08807729B2 |
Ink set for ink jet recording, recording apparatus, and recorded matter
An ink set for ink jet recording is provided, the ink set including a first ink containing first resin particles and not substantially containing a colorant; and a second ink containing titanium oxide particles and containing the first resin particles in an amount less than 6 weight %, the second ink being ejected substantially at the same time as ejection of the first ink. |
US08807727B2 |
Gas removal from a fluid delivery system
Systems and methods of automatically bleeding air from a primary ink delivery system, so little or no air is mixed with the ink once it reaches a secondary ink system containing print heads. An air bleeder return assembly with a flow restrictor orifice that is configured to remove air from ink pumped to the carriage of print heads, thereby minimizing jet dropouts. Additionally, this setup provides the added advantage of the ability to run the bulk bags dry without ingesting large quantities of air to the ink delivery system. |
US08807724B2 |
Replaceable ink bag and ink cartridge with replaceable ink bag
A replaceable ink bag and an ink cartridge with replaceable ink bag are provided. The ink bag includes an ink amount trigger, a bag body and a positioning element. The two opposite sides of the bag are partially adhered with the ink amount trigger and the positioning element respectively. The ink cartridge includes a cartridge body, an ink bag and a lid body. The lid body is removably engaged to the cartridge body to house the ink bag. The wall on long side of the cartridge includes at least a retention block. The surroundings of the positioning element of the ink bag are disposed with at least a retention element. The retention element can be inserted between the retention block and the bottom of the cartridge body for fixing the ink bag inside the cartridge. |
US08807721B2 |
Cartridge and printing material supply system
A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface. |
US08807720B2 |
Printing material cartridge, cartridge set and printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes a holder in which a cartridge set that is configured of N printing material cartridges is mounted and a mounting detection circuit for detecting a mounting state of the printing material cartridge inside the holder. Each of N printing material cartridges has a storage device for storing information regarding the contained printing material, an electric device for the mounting detection, storage device terminals and the electric device terminals. The electric device for N printing material cartridges is configured such that the detection current is predetermined threshold value current or more when N printing material cartridges are all mounted inside the holder. |
US08807718B2 |
Pressure regulated inkjet printhead with replaceable on-axis ink tank
An inkjet printhead assembly includes: a reservoir for ink; an ink inlet for supplying ink to the reservoir; and an ink outlet disposed proximate a bottom side of the reservoir for supplying ink to a nozzle array; a first valve; a valve opening and closing mechanism for the first valve including: an inflatable bag immersed in ink and having an opening to atmosphere; and a biasing mechanism tending to force air to exit the bag; and a filter disposed in the reservoir of a printhead body, wherein the filter is tilted relative to a nozzle face; a replaceable ink tank including: an ink chamber; a vent to atmosphere; and a tank outlet disposed proximate a bottom side of the ink tank; a second valve disposed at the tank outlet; and an ink conduit for providing ink between the tank outlet and the ink inlet of the printhead body. |
US08807715B2 |
Printed drop density reconfiguration
A method of printing includes selectively loading a memory element during a printing operation with data that modifies a subsequent actuation of jet control elements to form or steer or form and steer print drops that print pixels on a receiver in a second regularly spaced pixel grid, the second regularly spaced pixel grid having a second spatial density of pixels extending in a direction perpendicular to a travel path of the receiver that is different when compared to a first spatial density of a first regularly spaced pixel grid, printing pixels on the receiver in the second regularly spaced pixel grid, and catching drops that are formed but not used to print pixels on the receiver in the first regularly spaced pixel grid or used to print pixels on the receiver in the second regularly spaced pixel grid. |
US08807709B2 |
Ink-jet head and method of manufacturing ink-jet head
According to one embodiment, an ink-jet head includes a substrate, a piezoelectric member, electrically conductive portions, a frame member, an insulating film, an electronic component and a protective agent. The piezoelectric member is mounted on the substrate and includes pressure chambers. The electrically conductive portions extend from the pressure chambers and are disposed on the substrate. The frame member inside which the piezoelectric member is disposed is attached to the substrate from above the electrically conductive portions. The insulating film covers the piezoelectric member, the frame member, and a part of the electrically conductive portions. The electronic component is connected to the electrically conductive portions. The protective agent covers an end portion of the insulating film located between the frame member and the electronic component and the electrically conductive portions between the electronic component and the end portion of the insulating film. |
US08807708B2 |
Semiconductor device, liquid discharge head, liquid discharge cartridge, and liquid discharge apparatus
A semiconductor device including segments, a power supply pad and conductive patterns is provided. Each segment includes driving units for discharging a liquid. Each driving unit includes a driving circuit and an element driven by the driving circuit to apply discharging energy to the liquid. The conductive pattern includes a first conductive portion connected to the power supply pad, a second rectangular conductive portion, a third conductive portion connected to the driving portions, and a connection portion which connects the second and third conductive portions. These conductive portions elongate in a first direction. In a second direction, a length of the second conductive portion is larger than a length of the first conductive portion. The second conductive portion is connected to the first conductive portion at a first corner and the connection portion at a second corner diagonal to the first corner. |
US08807706B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head includes: a head casing including a plurality of block-shaped portions and a plurality of plate-shaped portions, the plate-shaped portions including a first plate-shaped portion and a second plate-shaped portion which are staggered, the first plate-shaped portion arranged next to both the first and second block-shaped portions, the second plate-shaped portion arranged next to both the first and second block-shaped portions; a plurality of flow channel units, each of which is fixed on a surface of corresponding one of the block-shaped portions, the flow channel units including: a first flow channel unit that includes a first nozzle plate; and a second flow channel unit that includes a second nozzle plate, the first and second nozzle plates which are staggered; and a plurality of drive units configured to eject liquid from the flow channel units. |
US08807701B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus
A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a liquid ejection head having an ejection face; a sealing mechanism configured to selectively establish a sealing state in which an ejection space is sealed and an unsealing state; first and second openings, interposing at least a part of the ejection face in one direction, for supplying air into the ejection space; a generating portion configured to generate humid air; a supply portion configured to supply the generated humid air into the ejection space via the first or the second opening; and a controller configured to control the supply portion such that a period in which the humid air is supplied via the first opening and a period in which the humid air is supplied via the second opening do not overlap each other when the humid air is supplied into the ejection space in a current humid-air supply processing. |
US08807697B2 |
Encapsulated reactive ink and method for forming images using same
An ink including at least one first reactive component, at least one second component comprising a triggerable component, at least one third reactive component, and an optional colorant; wherein the at least one first reactive component and the at least one third reactive component are capable of reacting with one another to form a solid ink on a substrate; wherein the at least one first reactive component is encapsulated in a microcapsule; wherein the ink can be jetted onto a substrate and treated whereby the treatment causes the at least one triggerable component to trigger the rupture of the microcapsule thereby releasing the at least one first reactive component from the microcapsule so that the at least one first reactive component and the at least one third reactive component come into contact, react, and polymerize thereby curing the ink. |
US08807686B2 |
Printing device and printing method using the same
Including either a platen or a flat bed, and a printer head; the printing device is configured in such a way as to print by making a combination of a reciprocating motion of the printer head and an operation of discharging ink toward a white medium. Meanwhile, the printer head includes a plurality of heads individually corresponding to each color. The printing device includes a control unit for setting a test pattern for testing each color, and pattern print areas where the test pattern is printed. The control unit makes a setting in such a way that, for the pattern print area where a test pattern is printed by discharging white ink of a nearly-identical color as a color of the white medium, the test pattern is printed with the white ink on a primer print prepared with black ink. |
US08807677B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus includes a first part of nozzles that ejects at least one of brilliant ink and white ink to a medium, a second part of nozzles that ejects color ink to the medium, and a control unit that forms a first image by the first part of nozzles and forms a second image on the first image by the second part of nozzles, and deforms, when a part of an edge of the first image and a part of an edge of the second image are overlapped before forming the image on the medium, at least one of the first image and the second image so that a portion of the overlapped edge in the second image is positioned outside a portion of the overlapped edge in the first image. |
US08807676B2 |
Control device
A control device may generate processed image data, supply the processed image data to a print performing unit and execute a compensation process on a target pixel by using correcting data for a target image forming element which is to form an image at a position corresponding to a target pixel. The correcting data may be data acquired by using a difference between a target value and a value being acquired by using characteristic data corresponding to a first image forming element within a plurality of image forming elements. The target value may be acquired by using characteristic data corresponding to the target image forming element. The first image forming element may be an image forming element which is to form a first neighbor raster neighboring a target raster formed on the print medium by the target image forming element. |
US08807672B2 |
Drawer pull-out guide element
A drawer pull-out guide has a body rail to be attached to a furniture body, a drawer rail to be attached to the drawer and which is mounted such that it can move relative to the body rail, and a locking apparatus arranged on the drawer rail so that the drawer can be releasably locked relative to the drawer rail. The locking apparatus has at least one latching part mounted so that it can be moved between an arrest position, which locks the drawer, and a release position, which releases the drawer. A carrier rail is premounted on the drawer, and the carrier rail has, in cross section, a portion which has a V-shape and has two vertically running limbs. This portion of the carrier rail surrounds the drawer rail, and the latching part of the locking apparatus can be releasably latched to a limb of the carrier rail. |
US08807670B2 |
Piece of furniture with actuating arm arrangement
A piece of furniture has an actuating arrangement for a flap of the piece of furniture. An actuating arm arrangement includes a lever arrangement for moving the flap and a main spring that acts in the closing direction (SR) to hold the flap closed. The piece of furniture also has an ejecting device for ejecting the flap in the opening direction (OR) by overpressing the flap in the closing direction (SR). At least one support spring acts in the opening direction (OR) and is separate from the ejecting device, and supports the ejecting motion of the ejecting device. At least in an overpressed closed position (US), the spring forces (A, U) are together greater than the closing force (Z) which acts on the flap and which is provided by the main spring acting in the closing direction (SR). |
US08807669B2 |
Apparatus and method for protecting axles from winding debris
An apparatus and method for preventing debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of a vehicle, such as a landfill compactor, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a wheel having a rim from which radially extend a plurality of cleats or tips. A subset of tips may be provided circumferentially around a laterally inner edge of the wheel. A wheel guard may be mounted between adjacent pairs of tips of the subset. Each wheel guard may be welded to the rim and to the adjacent pairs of tips. Each wheel guard may be a unitary piece of metal, or could be provided in two or more segment so as to be adjustable and thus facilitate use on wheels of differing diameters, or with different tip spacing. The wheel guards and adjacent tips form a continuous barrier around the circumference of the wheel to prevent debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of the compactor. |
US08807668B2 |
Vehicle braking system and master cylinder
Provided are a vehicle braking system and a master cylinder which are capable of providing a good pedal feel. A valve-opening pressure for a pressure-reducing valve of the master cylinder is set higher than a hydraulic pressure which is obtained with a pressing force on a brake pedal being 500 N and lower than a hydraulic pressure obtained at a time when a booster reaches a full-load point in case of failure of the booster so as to be specialized for improving pedal feel. Required performance in case of failure of the booster is realized by a pressure-intensifying unit. |
US08807667B2 |
Hydraulic brake system
A hydraulic brake system includes a master cylinder forming a braking hydraulic pressure and wheel brakes receiving the braking hydraulic pressure and exerting a braking force. A first hydraulic circuit controls an oil pressure transmission by connecting a first port of the master cylinder and two wheel brakes, and a second hydraulic circuit controls the oil pressure transmission by connecting a second port of the master cylinder and remaining wheel brakes. A hydraulic block communicates main passages of the first and second hydraulic circuits with each other by a communication passage having one side opened. Pumps are mounted on the main passages to discharge oil toward the wheel brake or the master cylinder, and an orifice is mounted on each of the other side of the main passages. A damper assembly is coupled to the communication passage provided between an output port side of the pump and the orifice. |
US08807659B2 |
Automated cutting operation of a mining machine
Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes accessing at least one coordinate of a cutting face stored in a computer-readable medium, automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform a predetermined starting distance from the at least one coordinate, the platform supporting a cutterhead, and automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward the cutting face and beyond the at least one coordinate by a predetermined depth-of-cut to perform a cut of the cutting face with the cutterhead. |
US08807656B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat includes a seat main body having a seat cushion and a seat back which are connected via a reclining device, a shaft member which protrudes from the reclining device, and an operation lever which is connected to the shaft member and is rotated when operating the reclining device. The operation lever includes a lever main body which is attached to the shaft member, a sliding portion which is provided on the lever main body and configured to slide relative to the seat main body when the lever main body is rotated about the shaft member, and a protruding portion which protrudes from the lever main body toward the seat main body at a position further separated apart from the shaft member than the sliding portion and is brought into contact with the seat main body when the lever main body is tilted by an external force. |
US08807654B2 |
Structure for a vehicle seat
A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element with a cavity. At least one part of the cavity receives an insert in the region of a filling. The insert is connected to the structural element in a positively locking fashion at least with regard to one type of movement. The insert is bonded to the filling. |
US08807653B2 |
Adjustable head restraint assembly for vehicle seats
An adjustable vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a post mounted in a vehicle proximate to a seat back. A transverse shaft is mounted to the post. A head restraint is pivotally connected to the shaft. A series of teeth are provided on the head restraint. A locking mechanism is mounted to the shaft for translation in a transverse direction for engagement with the teeth. An actuator cooperates with the locking mechanism for disengaging the mechanism from the series of teeth for permitting adjustment of a tilt of the head restraint. A head restraint assembly is provided with a partial ring gear mounted to the head restraint. A sector gear is mounted to a transverse shaft in engagement with the partial ring gear. The actuator translates one of the partial ring gear and the sector gear for disengaging the gears and permitting adjustment of the tilt. |
US08807651B2 |
Power lift lumbar support system
A power lift lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a lumbar pad. A scissoring portion is rotatably connected to the lumbar pad and moves the lumbar pad between a fully retracted and a fully extended position. A lumbar actuation portion is connected to the scissoring portion and drives the scissoring portion using a powered actuator to displace the lumbar pad. A carrier support rod has first and second carriers slidably disposed on the carrier support rod. The scissoring portion is connected to each of the first and second carriers. Displacement of the first and second carriers toward each other operates through the scissoring portion to displace the lumbar pad away from the carrier support rod and toward the fully extended position. |
US08807649B2 |
System for attaching a saddle to a seatpost
A system for coupling a saddle to a seatpost; said saddle comprising a fork (12) positioned below it; said seatpost (50) comprises a first pin (53) and a slot; said fork (12) comprising two lateral apertures bounded by a bar structure; said first pin (53) being insertable into said two lateral apertures; said first pin (53) comprising two heads (54, 55); said coupling system comprising an eccentric second pin (60) disposed in said slot; said first pin (53) and said eccentric second pin (60) each comprising two heads (54, 55, 61, 62), one per side, which abut against said bar-like structure bounding said two lateral apertures; said eccentric second pin (60) being rotatable. |
US08807644B2 |
Sunroof positioning and timing elements
Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof. |
US08807641B2 |
Roof weather strip for motor vehicle
A roof weather strip capable of being readily attached to the motor vehicle with reduced costs. The roof weather strip adapted to effect a seal between a sliding panel and a fixed panel composing a vehicle roof, includes a base portion for attachment to an edge of a fixed base panel adapted to attach the fixed panel, and a seal portion for contacting the sliding panel. The base portion includes a panel engaging section for engagement with the edge of the fixed base panel, and a rim engaging section for engagement with a panel rim attached to the edge of the fixed panel. The panel engaging section is formed on the lower surface side of the base portion, and the rim engaging section is formed on the upper surface side of the base portion. |
US08807638B2 |
Roof arrangement
A roof arrangement comprising a cover for closing the opening of a vehicle roof, and fastening plate that is connected to the cover in the edge areas thereof, the cover being height-adjustable relative to the vehicle roof. The roof arrangement can have a sealing lip foamed to the fastening plate for sealing at least some sections of the fastening plate relative to the vehicle roof. |
US08807633B2 |
Cab suspension system for an off-road vehicle
A suspension system for a cab of an off-road vehicle includes a superstructure configured to receive a cab frame. The superstructure forms a framework, the corners of which receive suspension assemblies and dampers. The suspension assemblies include one or more springs or resilient elements to resist suspension motion, and the dampers provide dampening of the motion. Lateral and longitudinal suspension motions are resisted by links between the corners of the superstructure. An anti-roll bar reduces roll. The entire suspension system may be pre-assembled and then joined to the vehicle chassis frame. The cab frame may then be placed on the suspension system. Parts of the suspension system may interface with and be housed by roll-over protective structures. |
US08807626B2 |
Linear type center rail link structure of sliding door for vehicle
A linear type center rail link structure of a sliding door for a vehicle includes: a linear type center rail corresponding to the sliding door and mounted at a side of a car body; a base provided to be movable along the center rail; a link arm having one end rotatably inserted into the base; a slider rotatably connected to the other end of the link arm and having an outer side coupled to the sliding door slid from the car body; and a latch part provided in the base to limit rotation of the link arm. Therefore, an indoor invasion amount of the center rail is minimized, thereby making it possible to secure an indoor space, the linear type center rail is used, thereby making it possible to improve a design of a vehicle, and the link structure is provided, thereby making it possible to improve operability. |
US08807625B2 |
Tonneau cover apparatus for a pickup truck bed
A tonneau cover apparatus is provided. In one aspect, a tonneau cover apparatus includes a handle or lever, a mount, a locator, a finger, a detent and a complementary peg. In another aspect, a handle and mount are configured such that the handle is substantially horizontal when in a closed position. A further aspect employs at least one locator to align a tonneau cover to a truck bed. Another aspect includes a finger which is coupled to a handle to clamp a tonneau cover apparatus to a truck bed when the handle is in a closed position, thus securing the tonneau cover to the truck bed. |
US08807620B1 |
Partition assemblies for use in vehicles
A partition assembly for use in vehicles. The partition assembly aim to separate a first interior space of a vehicle, such as an operator space, from a second interior space of the vehicle, such as an aft living space. The partition assembly can be secured to the vehicle along its vertical sides. The partition assembly can include connection interfaces configured to frictionally fit, including being press fit, into a gap formed between interior trim of the vehicle. |
US08807617B2 |
Load ring having an axial securing element
A device for attaching, lifting, and/or lashing goods, has a load ring (1), the ring lug (2) of which has two retaining pins (7a, 7b) for connecting to fixing frames (3a, 3b), which in turn can be fastened to goods (4). A kit for a device having a load ring (1) and a method for producing the device are also provided. In order to ensure that the retaining pins (7a, 7b) are inserted far enough in the goods (4), the device has at least one axial securing element (X), by which one of the retaining pins (7a, 7b) is secured in a predetermined axial working position (P) in one of the retaining receptacles (8a, 8b). |
US08807616B2 |
Robot hand
A robot hand includes a mounting surface to which a work unit is mounted with some freedom of horizontal movement. A pair of anti-fall hooks is formed at a tip portion of the mounting surface to support a front edge portion of the work unit so as to prevent the work unit from falling off the mounting surface. A pair of support section is provided at a rear edge portion of the mounting surface to support a rear edge portion of the work unit. If, during placement of the work unit into a cassette, the work unit collides with the cassette, the work unit comes into contact with one of the support sections, and the work unit is rotated on the mounting surface about the contact point as a fulcrum so as to correct the misalignment of the work unit. |
US08807614B2 |
Gripping devices
A gripping device comprising: a house; at least one gripper configured with at least one claw, the claw being configured with a pair of first phalanxes linked to the house at a first joint, and a pair of second phalanxes linked to the first phalanxes at a second joint; a first actuator arranged on the first joint; a second actuator arranged on the second joint; and a motor configured to enable the first and the second actuators co-operate so as to push the second phalanxes off a gripping substrate, or to push the second phalanxes back to the gripping substrate. |
US08807611B2 |
Lifting unit for lifting a rotor of a wind energy installation
There is provided a lifting unit for lifting a rotor of a wind power installation. The lifting unit has at least one first sling for looping around a region of a rotor blade on a rotor of the wind power installation, which region is near the rotor blade root, at least one transverse strut, at least one first and second strut or sling portion, and at least one first and second hinge unit. The at least one first and second struts or sling portions extend between the at least one first and second hinge units and the transverse strut. The lifting unit further has at least one second sling having first and second sling portions and a strut. The first ends of the first and second sling portions are fixed to the first and second hinge units. The second sling is adapted to be arranged around a rotor blade stub. |
US08807610B2 |
Garnish pick
A garnish pick for food and/or beverages is disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the garnish pick includes a plurality of appendages that form skewering shafts for skewering garnishes. In at least some embodiments, at least one appendage of the garnish pick forms a hook for securing the garnish pick to a food or beverage container. In at least some embodiments, the garnish pick and its associated appendages may be shaped to simulate the appearance of organisms or portions thereof. As one example, the garnish pick may simulate the appearance of a branch of a tree or an antler of an animal. |
US08807609B2 |
Door lock with removable handle and puck lock
The present invention is directed toward a protector for a door latch mechanism. The protector comprises a shaft to which a removable handle is attached, a plate adapted to be fastened to a door, and a shroud extending from the plate and surrounding a portion of the shaft when the removable handle is removed. The shroud is adapted to receive a puck lock for engagement with the shaft when the removable handle is removed. The shroud is adapted to receive the removable handle for engagement with the shaft when the puck lock is removed. The removable handle is operable to rotate the shaft and effect operation of the latch mechanism between latched and unlatched positions. The shroud includes a slot and the removable handle includes a tab such that when the removable handle is rotated, the tab of the removable handle engages the slot of the shroud. |
US08807607B2 |
Locking device, particularly for double-hung windows
A sash lock mechanism of all-plastic construction incorporating a plastic detent spring arrangement having operating characteristics equal or superior those of conventional metallic springs while providing a more economical manufacture and assembly. The detent spring is of closed rectangular form, with inwardly bowed side elements positioned to act on opposite sides of a detent cam positioned between them, and connected at their ends by integral end and corner elements. The end and corner elements are closely confined against outward movement, causing the inwardly bowed side elements to be significantly more resistant to outward displacement by the detent cam when operating the lock. The arrangement provides a superior “feel” and snap-action effect than expected from all-plastic detent mechanisms for the purposes intended. |
US08807605B1 |
Bi-swing warehouse door latch system
A bi-swing warehouse door latch system installs an electro-mechanical lock horizontally in the door casings overhead. Each has two catches to drop down on either side of the door. The doors are allowed to swing open when the respective catches are unlatched by a solenoid. The doors are not allowed to swing open when the respective catches are held latched by another solenoid and a teeter arm. Battery powered models produce brief pulses to put the catches in their locked states or unlocked states using a capacitor to store enough energy after power is lost to kick the solenoids. Utility powered versions can be configured to automatically relax into locked or unlocked states when power is lost. The doors are controlled to unlock when those with authorized access are recognized. |
US08807600B2 |
Versatile label
A versatile label of the present invention comprises at least one label body. Each label body comprises at least one identifier set, with each identifier set comprising a plurality of identifier markers. The plurality of identifier markers is positioned on the face side of the label body. The label body further comprises at least one selection indicator. |
US08807599B2 |
Semi-tractor trailer for distribution of natural gas and system and method for use of same
A semi-tractor trailer for distribution of natural gas and a system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semi-tractor trailer supported fuel receptacle has a plurality of metered fuel dispensers along the sides thereof to permit customers to park along side the semi-tractor trailer and fuel their vehicles with clean natural gas, which may be compressed natural gas or liquid natural gas, for example. The semi-tractor trailer is filled at a central filling location and transported by a tractor to a convenient retail location. A volume monitor monitors the volume of clean natural gas in the semi-tractor trailer and transmits this information to the central filling location, which may dispense a replacement semi-tractor trailer upon the volume of clean natural gas reaching a pre-determined threshold and retrieve the spent semi-tractor trailer in one trip. |
US08807590B2 |
Multi-layer vehicle airbag coverings
A panel for use over a vehicle airbag includes a multi-layer covering disposed over a substrate outer surface. The covering includes a decorative skin layer and a foam layer between the substrate and the skin layer. The covering also includes a tear seam provided at a pre-determined location for an airbag deployment opening. The foam layer has one or more material properties that vary between the substrate and the skin layer. The density of an outside layer of the foam layer may be greater than the density of an inside layer of the foam layer to improve tear seam function. The covering layers may be bonded to each other without the use of additional adhesive material. The tear seam may be formed by laser scoring and may have at least a portion that extends into the foam layer and may further extend into the skin layer. |
US08807588B2 |
Sit or stand strollers and methods of making the same
Sit or stand strollers and methods of using and making the same are described herein. An example stroller includes a frame, a first set of mounts, a second set of mounts and a removable accessory. The removable accessory comprises a seat to be mounted to at least one of the first or second sets of mounts, a platform positioned beneath the seat, the platform to provide a standing surface for a stroller occupant, and a handle cantilevered above the platform and in front of the seat to provide a grip for the occupant when standing on the standing surface. |
US08807585B2 |
Seat tube assembly for a bicycle or the like
A bicycle seat tube assembly includes an arced component, a bottom bracket positioned below the arced component, and a seat tube including a pivot attachment at a lower end of the seat tube. The arced component includes a lower curved surface with a plurality of holes. The pivot attachment is coupled to the bottom bracket so that the arced component is pivotable relative to the seat tube about the bottom bracket, resulting in multiple seat tube positions between a fully forward position and a fully back position. A locking mechanism is configured to selectively lock the seat tube to the arced component. The locking mechanism includes a lock ring with a plurality of lock pins and a spring that pushes the lock ring towards the arced component. The lock ring and the spring surround the seat tube The lock ring is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. |
US08807580B2 |
Axle assembly for agricultural applicator
A front axle assembly for a floater or other agricultural implement has a hollow shaft with pressed-in axle stubs for mounting the shaft to a pair of bearing assemblies. A pair of discs are mounted or otherwise secured to ends of the hollow shaft. The discs are angled inwardly from a position generally adjacent an inner end of the pressed-in axle stubs. The placement of the discs reduces stress applied to the hollow shaft during use. |
US08807577B2 |
Skateboard assembly and skateboard having the same
A skateboard assembly and a skateboard having the same are provided. The skateboard assembly includes a truck and a frame. The truck includes a pivot that has two oppositely extending axial sections, and the frame includes a pivot hole, and a first segment and a second segment extending at two sides of the pivot hole, wherein the first segment and the second segment include an angle and each of the first and second segments has an end far from the pivot hole provided with an axle. |
US08807576B2 |
Gas spring piston assembly as well as gas spring assembly and suspension system including same
A gas spring piston and compressive bladder assembly includes a gas spring piston (220) and a compressive bladder (222). The gas spring piston (220) includes an outer side wall. The compressible bladder (222) extends at least partially around the gas spring piston (220) and at least partially defines a bladder chamber (250). The compressible bladder (222) can be compressively engaged by an associated flexible (206) wall such that the compressible bladder (222) can generate a first pressure level within a quantity of gas within the bladder chamber (250). A gas spring assembly and a suspension system are also included. |
US08807574B2 |
Spring-damper unit for height adjustment of a vehicle
A spring shock absorber unit for adjusting the elevation of a vehicle, including an oscillation absorber, a support spring to absorb shocks impacting the vehicle, an upper spring seat at which the support spring is supported, an adjustment device for adjusting the height of the upper spring seat with an actuator and an adjustment mechanism configured to convert the rotary motion generated by the actuator into a translational motion of the upper spring seat, an axial bearing for supporting the spring shock absorber unit, particularly the upper spring seat and/or a piston rod at a body of a vehicle, optimal utilization of the space available shall be possible in spite of a plurality of functional elements. The adjustment mechanism can additionally serve the function of an axial bearing. |
US08807570B1 |
Shooting target
A target having at least one plate that includes a first side, a second side, and a peripheral edge that has a top and a bottom, through which a rotational shaft projects along a vertical rotational axis. The first side of the plate is visually distinct from the second side of the plate. A frame rotationally captures each plate at both a bottom shaft receiver and a top shaft receiver. A ramp projects away from a rear side of the frame proximate each bottom shaft receiver, such that with the first side of the plate facing in a forward direction, a projectile striking the plate not along the rotational axis causes the plate rotate to contact the ramp, lifting the plate and the rotational shaft within the shaft receivers to flip the plate so that the second side of the plate is facing in the forward direction. |
US08807568B1 |
Ball game
A ball game is provided. The ball game has a generally flat surface which allows balls to bounce. The generally flat surface largely resembles a trampoline. In use, the generally flat surface is substantially parallel with respect to the ground. A user stands on solid ground outside a perimeter of the generally flat surface and bounces the ball off the generally flat surface. The height and tension of the generally flat surface may be easily adjusted. |
US08807566B2 |
Spatial logical and skill improvement game, particularly a labyrinth game
The spatial logical and skill improvement game according to the invention is characterized by that the body thereof consists of coaxial body portions arranged at one or multiple layers, and that a labyrinth is formed inside the body and/or the body portions by path sections, pockets and ends, and the game comprises at least one toy element movable through the path sections, pockets, and ends constituting the labyrinth. |
US08807560B2 |
Recording sheet guide structure and cartridge
A recording sheet guide structure configured to guide a recording sheet conveyed between an image carrier and a transfer part, including: a pair of first guide parts including first ridgeline parts which are configured to respectively slidingly contact with a transfer surface side of both end portions of a first recording sheet having a first width; and a pair of second guide parts including second ridgeline parts which are configured to respectively slidingly contact with a transfer surface side of both end portions of a second recording sheet having a second width narrower than the first width, wherein the pair of second guide parts is positioned at an inner side of the pair of first guide parts in a width direction and is arranged at a downstream side than the pair of first guide parts in a conveyance direction of the recording sheet. |
US08807559B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying apparatus including: a conveying roller pair conveying a sheet by a nip portion; a shutter portion which is rotatably supported on a rotary shaft of the first conveying roller; a same radius portion, provided in the shutter portion, which is formed to have substantially the same radius as a radius of the first conveying roller; an abutment portion, provided in the shutter portion, and against which the leading edge of the sheet is abutted; and a boundary portion, provided in a boundary of the abutment portion and the same radius portion, which guides the leading edge of the sheet to the nip portion when the shutter portion is rotated by abutting the leading edge of the sheet against the boundary portion. |
US08807557B2 |
Media size detection device and method
A media size detection device for detecting a size of a media held in a media tray is provided. The device includes a width adjuster and a length adjuster, a first magnetic member indicates width and a second magnetic member indicates length, and a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged on a lower surface of the media tray generates signals as to respective proximities of the first and second magnetic members, the act of placing and securing the media within the media tray enables the automatic calculation of the size of the media. A media size detection method is also provided. |
US08807556B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus, printing apparatus, and processing apparatus
Even in printing apparatus that make use of a plurality of kinds of sheets, the degradation of image quality is reduced. A sheet conveying apparatus includes: a sheet stacking unit; a sheet conveying unit being in contact with the sheet stacked on an uppermost portion, of the stacked sheets, and conveying the sheet; a separation unit separating the sheets into only one sheet of the uppermost portion by a separation slope that abuts a tip portion of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit; and a guide unit connected to the separation unit and guiding the sheet, in which an angle between the sheet stacking unit and the separation slope is switched to a first angle and a second angle smaller than the first angle by a rotation center of the separation unit provided in a vicinity of a connection portion of the separation unit and the guide unit. |
US08807550B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling force between reactor and substrate
A method for combinatorially processing a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a substrate disposed on a substrate support. The substrate and the substrate support are raised against a plurality of sealing surfaces of corresponding sleeves of a plurality of flow cells of a combinatorial processing chamber. The combinatorial processing chamber is operable to concurrently process different regions of the substrate differently. A sealing pressure between the sealing surface of the sleeves and a surface of the substrate is monitored and the raising is terminated when a desired pressure is obtained. The different regions of the substrate are then processed differently. |
US08807547B2 |
Spring housing unit connected with spring actuator for switchgear
A spring housing unit connected to a switch actuator for a switchgear, which is compact and easily installed, the spring housing unit comprises a main spring housing configured as a hollow cylinder, having a flange portion formed at one end portion thereof to support one end portion of a spring, and accommodating the spring therein such that the spring is compressed or elongated; a sub-spring housing connected to the other end portion of the main spring housing such that it is separated therefrom; and a compressing cover insertedly positioned in the main spring housing and compressing the spring. |
US08807542B2 |
Apparatus and methods for a vehicle shock absorber
A method and apparatus for a vehicle shock absorber comprising a main damper cylinder, a first reservoir and a second reservoir. One embodiment includes a first operational mode where both reservoirs are in fluid communication with the cylinder. In a second operational mode, only one reservoir communicates with the cylinder during fluid evacuation from the cylinder. In each mode, rebound from either or both reservoirs may travel through a single, user-adjustable metering device. |
US08807540B2 |
Fan-based volatile material dispensing system
A volatile material dispensing system includes a housing and a refill unit. The refill unit includes a volatile material and a wicking surface. A fan is disposed within the housing. During an active state the fan draws ambient air into the housing and over the wicking surface, which is angled between about 20 degrees to about 75 degrees relative to a central axis of the housing. Further, during the active state the drawn air is expelled from the housing through channels of the fan at an angle of between about 20 degrees to about 75 degrees relative to the central axis of the housing. |
US08807536B2 |
Roadway guardrail system
A roadway guardrail system including a rail and plurality of support posts assembled such that upon impact from a vehicle the rail moves upwardly with respect to the post. Fasteners may be used in the operative coupling of the rail to the support posts, such that upon impact the fasteners move upwardly with respect to the support posts and the rail moves upwardly along with the fasteners. The guardrail system may further include a reinforcing member that is slidable along the post and operatively coupled to the rail with the fasteners, such that the rail and fasteners slide along with the reinforcing member with respect to the support posts. The reinforcing member may be a spacer of various shapes, a washer, an additional rail section, or other type of member that allows the rail to slide upwardly with respect to the post. |
US08807528B2 |
Selective torque operator for a valve
A low torque operator for selectively engaging a gear unit in an actuating drive stem of a valve having a collar with an axial bore and a slot through its side. The slot includes a projection directed towards an upper end of the collar and has an edge oriented oblique to the collar axis. A drive shaft inserts in the bore, and a pin mounted in the drive shaft engages the slot during low torque conditions. The operator also includes an idler gear and a bullgear. A driven shaft with two drive pins inserts into the bore on a lower side of the collar. The upper of the two pins remains in contact with a shoulder formed on a lower end of the collar during low torque conditions. The lower of the two pins engages a shoulder formed on a lower side of the bullgear during high torque conditions. |
US08807527B2 |
Door valve
An up and down operating actuator unit which manages upward and downward motions of an opening and closing member, and a forward and backward actuator unit which manages forward and backward motions of the opening and closing member are configured so that the opening and closing member, which opens and closes a wafer movement path, can be accurately operated in an “L”-shaped motion. |
US08807521B2 |
Flow control system
A fluid flow control system having a fluid inlet configured to be operatively coupled to a fluid source, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet such that fluid may exit the system therethrough, a proximity sensor for detecting the position of an object within a region adjacent the sensor, and a flow control device configured to regulate fluid flow between the inlet and outlet in response to object detection by the sensor, wherein the flow control device varies the fluid flow proportional to the detected distance of an object from the sensor. A water flow control system for use in a shower environment is also provided, as well as a shower control system, methods for controlling water flow based on sensing of the presence and location of an object, and methods for reducing water consumption. |
US08807514B1 |
Accessory attachment system
An accessory attachment system for securing a dish such as a water feeder as well as a hook for hanging various items to a stake. The accessory attachment system generally includes clamp member adapted to be removably secured to a stake. An attachment member is provided which is secured at a first end to the clamp member. A second end of the attachment member includes a hook member for suspending a hanging plant as well as a horizontal portion adapted to retain a dish member thereon via use of a dish mount member. A dispenser holder extending from the dish member may be utilized to support a dispenser such as a bottle, which will automatically feed the dish member with its contents due to force of gravity. |
US08807505B2 |
Accessory holder system and related method
An accessory holder system and related method are disclosed. The invention features an accessory holder system for holding accessory items comprising at least one base plate comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall portion, a rubber band secured to the at least one base plate adapted to removably hold at least one accessory item inserted between the base plate and the rubber band, and attaching means for attaching the base plate to an object. |
US08807502B2 |
Adjustable fastener
An adjustable fastener includes a base configured to be fixedly attached to a structure. The base defines a longitudinally extending channel therein. At least a portion of the channel has a plurality of spaced-apart ribs or teeth extending inwardly into the channel. A carriage is movably attached to the base. The carriage is directly attachable to at least a portion of an object. The carriage includes at least two laterally spaced-apart elongated extensions. Each extension has a plurality of complimentary spaced-apart ribs or teeth for engaging the plurality of ribs or teeth of the base to locate and retain the elongated extensions within the channel of the base. |
US08807497B2 |
Footstand mechanism for adjusting a tilt angle of an electronic device and electronic device therewith
A footstand mechanism for adjusting a tilt angle of an electronic device includes a shaft, a first engaging member, a polygonal block and a second engaging member. The shaft is rotatably disposed on a base of the electronic device, and the first engaging member is disposed on the base and located in a position corresponding to an end of the shaft. The polygonal block is installed on the shaft and rotates with the shaft. The polygonal block includes a plurality of supporting surfaces, and the plurality of supporting surfaces is respectively away from the shaft by different distances. The second engaging member is disposed at the end of the shaft and includes a plurality of engaging portions. The plurality of engaging portions is corresponding to the plurality of supporting surfaces for respectively engaging with the first engaging member. |
US08807493B2 |
Wheeled bucket stand
A stackable wheeled bucket stand and method is disclosed. The bucket stand includes an elliptical support ring configured to support a bucket, a plurality of leg assemblies, each leg assembly connected to the support ring, and a plurality of wheels, each wheel connected to a leg. |
US08807492B2 |
Pipe crib-block
A pipe crib-block for supporting a portion of hose or pipe in an elevated disposition. The pipe crib-block comprises a body portion causing a generally flat lower support surface and an upper surface defining a generally wedge-shaped trough in a central portion thereof. A pair of engagement keys project upwardly from the upper surface on opposed sides of the trough and a pair of key receiving apertures are disposed in the lower surface of the body portion. The apertures are axially aligned with the engagement keys and configured to receive therein and cooperate with the engagement keys on a second pipe crib-block such that two or more pipe crib-blocks can be stacked in interlocked parallel or perpendicular orientations so as to define a supporting structure for the pipe or hose at variable elevations. |
US08807488B2 |
Mounting apparatus for storage device
A mounting apparatus for a storage device includes a positioning bracket, a receiving bracket receiving the storage device, and a rotating member. The positioning bracket includes two opposite end walls each defining a slide slot and forming a guiding pin. The receiving bracket includes two opposite side plates each forming a positioning pin. Each positioning pin is slidably received in the corresponding slide slot. The rotating member includes two rotating plates rotatably connected to the side plates of the receiving bracket. Each rotating plate defines a guiding slot with a positioning portion. The guiding pins are slidably received in the corresponding guiding slots. The positioning pins are slid along the slide slots of the positioning bracket, until the guiding pins are positioned in the corresponding positioning portions. |
US08807483B2 |
Electrothermal heater mat
An electrothermal heater mat (3) is provided for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1) or the like. The heater mat (3) is a laminated heater mat and comprises dielectric layers (50-58), a heater element (501) and a temperature sensor (507). Each dielectric layer (50-58) comprises thermoplastic material, and the temperature sensor (507) comprises a sprayed metal track (5010, 5012) deposited on a substrate (50, 5019) comprising thermoplastic material. The substrate may be one of the dielectric layers (50) or a separate carrier (5019) which is smaller than the dielectric layers (50-58). The substrate (50, 5019) is laminated to at least a first one of the dielectric layers (53, 58) and the thermoplastic material of the substrate is (i) the same as the thermoplastic material of the first dielectric layer such that the thermoplastic material of the substrate is dispersed or merged into the thermoplastic material of the first dielectric layer or (ii) compatible with the thermoplastic material of the first dielectric layer such that the thermoplastic material of the substrate is fused to the thermoplastic material of the first dielectric layer. Thus, the formation of an undesirable discontinuity at the interface between the substrate (50, 5019) and the first dielectric layer (53, 58) is substantially prevented or minimized. |
US08807482B2 |
Temporarily installed aircraft observer door plug, chair, sonotube ejection and control system
The system and apparatus of the present invention is generally comprised of a non-dedicated, temporarily-installed, aircraft observer bubble door, chair, sonotube ejection system, mission electronics LRU rack and workstation assembly which are affixed to the Air Deployment System (ADS) rails, cargo tie down “D” rings, seat belt restraint ring bolt sockets, and litter bar of a host aircraft, thereby precluding the requirement for dedicated airframe modifications. One embodiment of the present invention also utilizes a multi-axis, articulated, foldable chair temporarily-installed in conjunction with a segmented or one piece pressurized observer bubble door plug and door retraction system. Once installed the subject apparatus can be stowed outboard of the fuselage cargo transit envelope to permit use of the ADS rail system in-flight, without affecting normal air drop operations, crew egress, the flight performance envelope, or emergency procedures of the host aircraft. |
US08807481B2 |
Aircraft seating arrangement and seat
An aircraft seating arrangement including pairs of seat groupings arranged with the seats of each seat grouping parallel with the other, and with each seat and seat pair positioned at an offset angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the cabin. Privacy shells enclose the seats and include amenities such as a viewing monitor, and accommodation for the feet and lower legs when the seat is in the lie-flat condition. |
US08807479B2 |
Movable bushing interface and taxi drive system
A drive ring may be configured to receive a drive key from a wheel rim in a bushing on the ring. The bushing may include a slot with clearance to allow movement of the drive key within the slot during axial or rim flexure events. The axial or rim flexure events may occur for example, during taxiing of a vehicle and the loads of the vehicle can impart flexure forces on the connection between the wheel rim and the drive system. In one exemplary embodiment, the bushing may be movable on the drive ring to accommodate movement of the drive key during flexure. |
US08807476B2 |
Helicopter with oblique tail boom
A helicopter (1) has a horizontal rotor (2) driven for rotation about a vertical rotor axis (4), and a tail (9) extending backwards from the rotor axis (4) at a fixed angle (10) between about 20° and about 60° to a vertical longitudinal middle plane (7) of the helicopter (1) on a retreating blade side of the horizontal rotor (2). The tail (9) comprises a profiled body (16) including aerodynamic effective surfaces (19, 20) for selectively generating lift on the retreating blade side of the horizontal rotor (2) in forward flight of the helicopter (1). For hovering flight of the helicopter (1), the profiled body (16) can be swiveled about a swivel axis running parallelly to the main axis (21) of the tail for reducing a cross-sectional area of the profiled body facing the horizontal rotor (2). |
US08807474B2 |
Tape splicing systems and methods
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a tape splicing system for coupling a leading end of a staged tape to a trailing end of a running tape to form a continuous tape. The splicing system can comprise a connector having an opening for allowing the running tape to pass through, a leading end element having an opening for engaging the connector, and a trailing end element. The leading end element can be secured to the leading end of the staged tape and the trailing end element can be secured to the trailing end of the running tape. The connector can couple the leading end element to the trailing end element to splice the staged tape to the running tape. |
US08807473B2 |
Automatic winding device for cell core
An automatic winding device for cell core includes a mounting seat, a locking cap mounted on one end of the mounting seat, a winding assembly driving mechanism mounted on the other end of the mounting seat and a winding assembly. The winding assembly includes two winding needles and two winding plates. One end of the winding needles is fixed to the winding driving mechanism and the other end is opposite to the locking cap. One end of the winding plates is fixed to the winding driving mechanism and the other end thereof opposite to the locking cap. The winding plates are disposed on opposing sides of the pair of winding needles and separably contact the pair of winding needles. The winding needles are held together by complementary concave and convex portions, and a groove and a ring groove are formed in the locking cap. |
US08807472B2 |
Web winding method, producing method of a web, and web winding apparatus
In a web winding apparatus for winding a web on a winding core, the winding core is rotated by a predetermined amount while an end portion of the web, which is held by a holding mechanism, is pressed against the winding core. Thereafter, the holding by the holding mechanism is released, and thereby the end portion of the web is attached to the winding core. Thereafter, the winding core is rotated, and the web is wound up on the winding core. A rotation speed of the winding core when the web is being pressed against the winding core is a higher speed than a rotation speed of the winding core at the time of attaching the web to the winding core. In this manner, the web is accurately wound on the winding core. |
US08807467B2 |
Shredder
The invention relates to a shredder for cutting up data storage media, for example sheet-like materials (paper, stacks of paper, etc.), CD-ROMs, DVDs, floppy disks or articles of that kind, the material feed of which is assigned a switching device for at least automatically starting its cutting tool when materials to be shredded are being fed, in particular an office shredder whose feed opening of the material feed, which leads to the cutting tool, is assigned at least two signal-emitting sensors which are arranged at a distance from one another and are operatively connected to a control unit by means of circuitry. |
US08807464B2 |
Particulate material applicator and pump
A nozzle assembly for a material application device includes an expansion chamber for slowing down the velocity of powder fed to the nozzle from a dense phase pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle insert that forms the expansion chamber and provides air assist function. The nozzle includes an integral deflector, and further includes a passageway for a charging electrode so that the electrical path is routed away from the powder path, while permitting the electrode tip to be centered in the powder spray pattern from the nozzle. The nozzle also includes air wash for the electrode. The nozzle outlet orifice has a cross-sectional area that is equal to or greater than the inlet cross-sectional area so that a slow moving dense phase powder cloud is produced by the nozzle. |
US08807463B1 |
Fuel injector with kinetic energy transfer armature
Injectors and solenoid valves incorporating actuators with kinetic energy transfer armatures. A fuel injector includes a longitudinally extending injector body and a valve supported in the injector body. The valve is configured for longitudinal movement within the injector body. An armature is connected to the valve and an impact member is disposed between the armature and a solenoid, and moveably connected to the armature. The solenoid is operative when energized to sequentially move the impact member and armature toward the solenoid, thereby actuating the valve. The fuel injector further includes a return magnet located adjacent the armature and opposite the solenoid, wherein the return magnet is operative to maintain the valve in a closed position when the solenoid is not energized. |
US08807462B2 |
Variable fluid flow in air-operated two component gun applicator
A two component spray gun with low/high flow rates allows the operator to spray in confined areas at lower flow without having to change the mix module. The lower flow reduces undesirable “spray back” and will also help reduce material waste. Pneumatic piston 12 travel, which determines on/off fluid flow, can be selected on the fly to either close the fluid ports 14 which stops fluid flow, partially open the fluid ports 14 which limits fluid flow, or to fully open the fluid ports 14 to allow for maximum flow. Pneumatic piston 12 travel can be limited by means of a simple multi-position mechanical stop plunger 16. The stop bar 22 can be connected to a knob 18 or other operator input and turned or adjusted to the desired position. |
US08807461B2 |
Shower head
A showerhead contains a chamber in connection with a connecting nozzle, said chamber from which the water is discharged from plurality of nipples formed on a membrane formed out of elastomeric material. The nipples feature a duct for the shower water. The nipples penetrate through openings of a perforated disc through the openings slightly larger than the outside diameter of the nipple. By shifting the perforated disc in a plane parallel to the membrane featuring the nipples, the direction of the nipple and thus the direction of the water jets discharged from the nipples will be changed. This adjustment can occur in two directions that are perpendicular to one another. The membrane is preferably approximately plane in shape, so that a front surface of the showerhead is likewise plane in shape. |
US08807460B2 |
Fluid through needle for applying multiple component material
Embodiments of a spray gun incorporating a needle for applying multiple component materials are provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, the spray gun includes a fluid delivery tip assembly comprising an inner passage, a hollow needle disposed within the inner passage of the fluid delivery tip assembly, wherein the hollow needle comprises at least two indentions along an outer circumferential surface of the hollow needle near an end of the hollow needle, a first passage configured to deliver a first spray fluid to a fluid tip exit of the fluid delivery tip assembly, wherein the first passage is defined by a volume between the fluid delivery tip assembly and the hollow needle, and a second passage through the hollow needle, wherein the second passage is configured to deliver a second spray fluid to the fluid tip exit of the fluid delivery tip assembly. |
US08807458B2 |
Vortex-generating nozzle-end ring
A vortex-generating nozzle-end ring includes a body having an outer periphery and an aperture disposed through the body, the aperture defining an inner periphery of the body, the body being adaptable to the end of a nozzle, and at least one tab extending from the inner periphery radially inwardly toward the center of the aperture. In another embodiment, a nozzle includes a housing having a central longitudinal axis having an inlet and an outlet; a vortex-generating nozzle-end ring disposed on the outlet, including a body having an outer periphery and an aperture disposed through the body, the aperture defining an inner periphery of the body, the body being adaptable to the end of nozzle; and at least one tab extending from the inner periphery radially inwardly toward the center of the aperture. |
US08807454B2 |
Methods and systems for delivering fluid through horns for applying multiple component material
Embodiments of a spray gun incorporating techniques for delivering a spray fluid between, next to, or inside of horn holes of an air atomization cap are provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, the spray gun includes a fluid delivery tip assembly. The spray gun also includes an air atomization cap disposed coaxially around the fluid delivery tip assembly, wherein the air atomization cap comprises one or more shaping air horns configured to deliver shaping air, and each shaping air horn comprises a first spray fluid passage configured to deliver a first spray fluid between, next to, or inside of one or more shaping air streams from the shaping air horn. The spray gun also includes a second spray fluid passage configured to deliver a second spray fluid to a fluid tip exit of the fluid delivery tip assembly. |
US08807452B2 |
Apparatus for producing reconfigurable walls of water
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for producing a water maze from walls of falling water that can be reconfigured to change the maze. In one embodiment, the apparatus is comprised of a plurality of spray bars that are each capable of producing a separate wall of falling water droplets and a plurality of water valves that are each associated with only one spray bar. The water valves can be used to define at least two different paths between the entrance and exit of the maze. The apparatus is also capable of being used to create interesting visual effects by projecting light/images on to multiple screens created by walls of falling water droplets. |
US08807451B2 |
Apparatus for applying fertiliser in strips
Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for discharging a fertilizer in strips onto agriculturally productive land by trailing hoses, which apparatus is designed for installing on the rear of a tank vehicle, with two jibs which can each be pivoted to and fro about a vertical axis (A1, A2) between a discharge position and a transport position. Certain embodiments relate in particular to an apparatus of this type which has a supporting device which is arranged on the apparatus so as to be pivotable about a vertical axis (B) and is designed, in the transport position, to support the jibs in relation to the carriageway in a supporting section spaced apart from the axis (B). Embodiments also relate to a tank vehicle with an apparatus of this type. |
US08807449B1 |
Combined tub water overflow valve and pesticide delivery system
A pesticide delivery system integrated into an overflow drain system of a bathtub, a sink, or any other water-retaining basin. The pesticide delivery system includes a pesticide intake segment passing through a transition passage, wherein the transition passage is formed through a wall of a section of the overflow drain system. A fluid retentive seal is located between an exterior of the pesticide intake segment and the overflow conduit wall. A pesticide distribution conduit extends from a distribution end of the pesticide intake segment to a termination end. Pesticide can be discharged through a pesticide delivery port located at an end of the pesticide distribution conduit or through a plurality of pesticide distribution ports spatially located along the pesticide distribution conduit. A plurality of pesticide distribution continuation conduits can be in fluid communication with the pesticide distribution conduit to distribute the pesticide along various directions and locations. |
US08807446B2 |
Heating device with cathode oxygen depletion function for fuel cell vehicle
The present invention provides a heating device with cathode oxygen depletion (COD) function for a fuel cell vehicle, in which an existing COD and a heating device for improving cold startability of the fuel cell vehicle are integrated. For this purpose, the present invention provides a heating device with COD function for a fuel cell vehicle, the heating device including: a housing having an inlet and an outlet formed on both ends thereof; a start-up heater and a shut-down heater provided in parallel on one side of the housing in a direction perpendicular to a coolant flow direction; and a plurality of heaters for heating coolant provided in parallel on the other side of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the coolant flow direction, wherein cross sections in the coolant flow direction of each of the respective heaters change periodically along the longitudinal direction of the heater so as to cause a flow disturbance. |
US08807445B2 |
Auxiliary heater pump control
A method of auxiliary heater pump control in a vehicle including a heater core and an auxiliary pump in a heater core branch of a vehicle coolant system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: determining if a power plant is on, the power plant being connected to the coolant system; calculating an estimated heating power required to meet HVAC system heating requirements that is a function of mass air flow, specific heat, and a change in temperature in a passenger compartment; determining if the calculated estimated heating power required is greater than a minimum required heating power that will be able to maintain thermal comfort in the passenger compartment of the vehicle; and if the calculated estimated heating power required is greater than the minimum required heating power and the power plant is not on, activating the auxiliary pump to pump a coolant through the heater core. |
US08807444B2 |
Air conditioning equipment, signal transmission method, and signal transmission method for air conditioning equipment
An air conditioning equipment having an in-room unit connected to one end of the refrigerant pipes and an out-room unit connected to the other end of the refrigerant pipes. The air conditioning equipment includes signal coupling portions which are respectively disposed at both end parts of the refrigerant pipes. Each of the signal coupling portions couples an alternating current (AC) control signal to the refrigerant pipes and exhibits a predetermined impedance with respect to an AC electric signal. The configuration of the air conditioning equipment brings forth the advantages that the electrical insulation devices used in the prior art are dispensed with, and the signal transmissions between the in-room unit and the out-room unit can be performed by a simple apparatus configuration. |
US08807438B2 |
RFID tag substrate for metal component
The present invention provides an RFID tag substrate in which communication characteristics of an RFID tag do not vary by an influence of contents in a container, the communication characteristics of the RFID tag are not deteriorated even if a metal container is used, the communication characteristics of the RFID tag can be excellently maintained irrespective of a material or contents of a container, and the tag can be reduced in thickness/size, and which can use a general-purpose RFID tag as it is and is suitable for a microwave type RFID tag that uses a UHF band or a frequency band of, e.g., 2.45 GHz in particular.There is provided an RFID tag substrate 10 on which an RFID tag 20 that performs wireless communication with a reader/writer is disposed, comprising: a substrate layer 11; and a functional layer 12 formed of a high-dielectric-constant layer 12a and a high-permeable layer 12b having different characteristics, wherein the functional layer having predetermined relative dielectric constant and relative permeability is provided, and a product of the relative dielectric constant and the relative permeability is not smaller than 250. |
US08807436B2 |
Card processing unit and card issuing device
A card processing unit that enables increasing a degree of freedom of a location of a communication antenna between pad rollers and simplifying a structure of the card processing unit itself. Specifically, a card processing unit equipped with a communication antenna for communicating with a non-contact IC card. The processing unit includes: two transfer rollers for transferring the non-contact IC card through contacting a surface of the non-contact IC card; pad rollers so placed as to face and bias themselves to the transfer rollers; fixed shafts protruding at both sides of each of the pad rollers in the axial direction for supporting the pad roller so as to be rotatable; and coil springs for biasing the fixed shafts at both the sides of the pad roller 16 in the axial direction so as to press the pad roller toward a corresponding one of the transfer rollers. |
US08807433B1 |
Direct methanol fuel cell system, fuel cartridge, system of operation, and system for detecting forgery
A cartridge for a fuel cell. In one aspect, the cartridge can have either fuel or water or cleaning solution. Multiple different cartridges can be used in a single electronic device. The cartridge can be pierced by a piercing device that can be electronically for mechanically operated. The piercing device allows water to be removed from the cartridge. A cover can be over the area which will be pierced by the piercing device. |
US08807429B2 |
Recognition system having periodic guided-wave structure
A recognition system is offered. The recognition system is for sensing a plurality of units under test of at least an object under test. The recognition system comprises a periodic guided-wave structure and a near field sensing device. The periodic guided-wave structure is disposed under the object under test and has a plurality of conductive units periodically arranged on a plane. The near field sensing device has a near field antenna and senses the plurality of units under test through detecting the near field magnetic field. The periodic guided-wave structure confines the electromagnetic field for facilitating to determine the distance from any one of the units under test to the periodic guided-wave structure. |
US08807426B1 |
Mobile computing device authentication using scannable images
User credentials are passed to a mobile computing device using scannable images. A scannable image is generated based on a previously created user profile. A user accesses a website from a computer and, in response, the scannable image is locally displayed on the computer. The mobile computing device may be authenticated by capturing the scannable image that is displayed on the computer. In the event that a user profile stored on the mobile computing device matches the previously created user profile that is encoded in the scannable image, the mobile computing device is authenticated. The user may then directly access data and/or interact with the website using the authenticated mobile computing device. |
US08807424B1 |
Automated banking machine controlled responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine can operate to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that can read a user identifier from a magnetic stripe of the user's card. Financial transfers are carried out responsive to machine communication with a transaction host computer. The machine also sends the read user identifier to a remote marketing computer. The marketing computer uses the user identifier to determine the next marketing presentation in a marketing campaign that is to be presented to the user. Responsive to a message received from the marketing computer, the machine operates to display the determined next marketing presentation to the user. The marketing campaign includes a sequence of presentations to be output in a predetermined order to the user. |
US08807415B2 |
Stapler for endoscopes
A stapling device for a surgical endoscopic device provided with at least one flexible portion, comprising a staple-firing portion and an anvil portion, wherein one of the staple firing portions and one of the anvil portions are located longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic device, with at least a part of said flexible portion between them. The parts of the stapling device are in correct working relationship when one or more alignment and/or locking pins or screws that are stored in one of the staple firing portions or one of the anvil portions are extended and engage and lock or screw into receptacles that have been provided on the other of the staple firing portion or of the anvil portion. |
US08807410B2 |
Carrying strap having an ever-ready case
A carrying strap having an ever-ready case for hand-held optical devices is characterized in that there are provided first (2) and second (3) flat strap parts which are connected together, in each case at one of their ends, in a rotatable manner lying one on the other, such that the second strap part (3) can be rotated with respect to the first strap part (2), in that the free ends of the strap parts (2, 3) can be connected together with a buckle (5, 5′, 5″) and in that an ever-ready case (6) which is open toward the part (5′) of the buckle (5) on the first strap part (2) is fixed to the first strap part (2) in the rotary region of the strap parts (2, 3). |
US08807409B2 |
Car holder
A car holder adopted to be assembled with a mobile apparatus is provided. The mobile apparatus has a loudspeaker located at a back portion thereof, and the loudspeaker has a sound-output surface. The car holder includes a fixing module and a supporting base. The fixing module is adopted to be assembled within a car, and the supporting base is connected to the fixing module. The supporting base has a leaning surface and a full opening indented therein. When the mobile apparatus is assembled to the supporting base, the back portion leans against the leaning surface, and a portion of the full opening is covered by the mobile apparatus. The sound-output surface of the loudspeaker communicates with the full opening, and sound wave outputted by the sound-output surface, after being reflected by the full opening, is transmitted from the full opening in a direction far away from the leaning surface. |
US08807406B1 |
Multi-purpose convertible carrier
The multi-purpose convertible carrier is a briefcase-styled housing inclusive of an adjustable strap, which supports said housing against an end user's torso or a car seat back. The housing opens to form a supporting surface upon which a laptop or tablet computer rests in perpendicular orientation with respect to the torso or car seat back. The adjustable strap extends around an end user's neck or a car seat head rest to support the housing thereon. |
US08807404B1 |
Holster retention device
A quick release device for preventing unintended withdrawal of a handgun from a holster comprises a generally U-shaped hood with mutually spaced legs spanned by a bridge. The legs are arranged to straddle the holster, with the hood being rotatable about a fixed first axis between a rearward position at which the bridge overlies the holster opening, and a forward position at which the bridge is removed from the holster opening. At least one interior side plate is fixed with respect to the holster at a location adjacent to one of the hood legs. The interior side plate defines a guide path bordered by and extending forwardly from a locking notch. A trigger plate is connected to the hood leg for rotation about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The trigger plate is rotatable about the second axis to disengage the boss from the locking notch, thereby freeing the boss for movement along the guide path as the hood is rotated about the first axis from its rearward position to its forward position. |
US08807401B2 |
Sealing arrangement
A sealing arrangement is intended for a flexible package. The sealing arrangement includes a circumferential sealing device which may be disposed about an opening in the package. An openable access device is provided for insertion in the opening of the package. The sealing device is disposed about the access device for urging the package against the access device. |
US08807394B2 |
System comprising a mixing and dispensing device and a material container
A system comprises an automatic mixing and dispensing device for a dental substance, and a material container. The mixing and dispensing device comprises a reservoir for receiving the dental substance, and first and second pressure plates. The material container has first and second material chambers for containing components of a material. The first and second material chambers have first and second cross-sectional chamber areas. At least one of the first and second cross-sectional chamber areas is smaller than smallest surface area of the first and second pressure plates. The system helps facilitating preparation and handling of dental materials. |
US08807391B2 |
Paint cartridge
A paint cartridge includes a baggy tank having a dual structure formed by an inner bag and an outer bag in a cylindrical body. Inside the inner bag is a paint chamber. Between the outer bag and the cylindrical body, an extruding liquid flows. A detector provided in the space between the inner bag and the outer bag is visually observable from outside the cylindrical body. In the detector, a pattern formed by using one or more materials changes due to contact with paint which leaks when the inner bag has broken or with extruding liquid which leaks when the outer bag has broken. In consequence, it is possible to detect the breakage of the inner bag and the outer bag by visually observing a change in the detector's pattern from the outside. |
US08807389B2 |
Item dispensing unit
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing items. In one embodiment, a magazine defining a channel adapted to store a plurality of items of substantially similar size in a uniform manner is provided. The magazine may also define (a) a rake element path adapted to allow one item of the plurality of items to be engaged and (b) a dispensing opening adapted to allow the engaged item to be urged out of the dispensing opening. In such an embodiment, a receptacle may also be provided. The receptacle may comprise a storage cavity and a rake element, wherein the rake element is adapted to (a) pass through the rake element path of the magazine to engage the item and (b) urge the item out of the dispensing opening of the magazine into the storage cavity of the receptacle. |
US08807388B2 |
Drinking containers
A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal. |
US08807387B2 |
Removable handle
Provided is a removable handle for a kitchen object, having a lateral wall extending upwardly by a part that is curved back towards the outside, the handle comprising an inner jaw and an outer jaw to be respectively brought against the inner and outer surfaces of the lateral wall, the two jaws being mobile in relation to each other between an open position and a closed position wherein they pinch the lateral wall. The outer jaw comprises a groove that can receive the free end of the curved part of the lateral wall in abutment when the jaws are in the closed position thereof. |
US08807385B1 |
Tamper evident container
A tamper evident container includes a first container portion, a second container portion, and a tamper evident closure. The tamper evident closure includes a first snap connected to the first container portion, a second snap connected to the second container portion, a tear strip connected to the second snap, and a third snap connected to the tear strip. In a closed position, the first snap is placed in a cavity in the second snap, the third snap is placed in a cavity in the first snap, and the tear strip faces outward from the taper evident container. The container is opened by removing the tear strip and then separating the first snap from the second snap. |
US08807381B2 |
Receptacle with cinch
A receptacle includes a body configured to receive a liner and a cinch disposed on the body. The cinch includes a projection disposed outward of the body and configured such that at least a portion of the liner can be disposed between the projection and the body. The cinch further includes a slot having an open end and a closed end, wherein the slot is disposed substantially adjacent the projection and configured such that at least a portion of the liner can be disposed and retained within the slot. |
US08807378B2 |
Trash can system with a folded bag dispensing supply
A trash can system and component elements are described. Folded or interfolded trash bags are provided in a container beneath a flexible insert. The flexible insert provides separation between a trash bag in an operative position within the trash can, and provides support to the container against the pulling operation performed by a user to pull a full trash bag out of the container and dispense a new, refill trash bag from the container. According to another exemplary embodiment, folded or interfolded trash bags are provided in a tray which slidably connect to a lid associated with a box disposed in the trash can. |
US08807376B1 |
Container for hospital patients
An organizing and storage container especially constructed for use by medical facility patients in which they may store personal items adjacent to their beds, chairs, etc. wherein the container is mounted to such bed, chair, etc. in an elevated position and is free to assume a horizontal position irrespective of the position of the bed, chair and which container is specifically constructed to both protect the contents from bacterial infection but to remind the patient of the continued need to do so. |
US08807375B2 |
Flush-mount fuel cap with valve
The present invention provides a fuel cap adapted to close an inlet of a fuel tank. The fuel cap includes a body portion adapted to engage the inlet of the fuel tank. The body portion defines a central axis. The fuel cap also includes a valve coupled to the body portion. The valve selectively allows an airflow through the body portion. The fuel cap further includes a cap cover coupled to the body portion and movable along the central axis relative to the body portion. |
US08807374B2 |
Bimetallic corrosion mitigation
A metal closure is described, in the form of a foil lid (1) bonded to a metal annular component (such as a container body or separate intermediate ring). The foil lid (1) and annular component are made of dissimilar metals, with the closure adapted to prevent bimetallic corrosion at the interface between the dissimilar metals of the foil lid and the annular component. The closure is adapted such that the lid comprises a peripheral wall which is upstanding from the annular component such that a gap is maintained between the annular component and an exposed metal peripheral edge of the lid. Further aspects of the invention include: i. a method for making such a metal closure; and ii. an apparatus for making such a metal closure. |
US08807369B2 |
Fuel-filling aperture open-closing device
A fuel-filling aperture open-closing device provided in a filler pipe communicated with a fuel tank includes a tube member forming a pathway and connected to one end of the filler pipe, and a valve body rotatably provided inside the pathway, blocking the pathway by an urging member, and opening the pathway when rotating to an inner end side of the pathway by being pressed by a fuel-filling nozzle inserted into the pathway. The tube member includes a discharge hole communicating an outer surface with an inner surface of the tube member in a portion in which an outer surface of a lateral circumferential portion thereof faces downward, and corresponding to a portion on the outer end side in a closed position of the valve body. The valve body includes a plurality of discharge grooves extending toward the discharge hole in a portion on the outer end side. |
US08807366B2 |
Folding assembly box
A folding assembly box includes vertical corner hinge frames disposed in corners of the box, and vertical middle hinge frames disposed between the vertical corner hinge frames facing each other at both sides thereof. The vertical corner hinge frames are unfolded at an angle to form the respective corners of the box, and are hinged in the opposite direction to the direction where the vertical corner hinge frames are unfolded. The vertical middle hinge frames are unfolded together with the vertical corner hinge frames at both sides thereof, and hinged in the opposite direction to the opposite direction where the vertical corner hinge frames are unfolded. Top and bottom horizontal frames are disposed to connect upper and lower ends of the vertical corner hinge frames facing each other. Panels are inserted between the first top and bottom horizontal frames facing each other. |
US08807365B2 |
Box having foldable and self-locking side walls
A foldable box includes a floor having a shaft arranged in a base area of an exterior wall area thereof. A guide opening in the fixed exterior wall area and includes a lateral opening section extending from an outside of the fixed exterior wall area inwards. A cam in the base area includes a cam contour which gets into contact with a contact surface of the exterior wall area. When exceeding a boundary angle the shaft is moved inwards. After exceeding the boundary angle a bottom side of the exterior wall is pressed against an internal edge area of the fixed exterior wall area by a force higher than a force by which the bottom side of the exterior wall in the erected vertical position is pressed against a top side of the fixed exterior wall area by the effect of the shaft or the cam. |
US08807357B2 |
Dual chambered bottle with weight distribution mechanism and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a bottle assembly is presented including forming/constructing a body portion having a single dividing wall extending therein and forming/constructing a first chamber for holding a first liquid, the first chamber configured to connect to a first orifice. The method also includes forming/constructing a second chamber for holding a second liquid, the second chamber configured to (i) connect to a second orifice and (ii) continuously abut the first chamber via the single dividing wall being fixed relative to the first and second chambers. The method also includes forming/constructing a weight distribution mechanism configured to be placed entirely within the body portion of the bottle assembly for counterbalancing the first liquid against the second liquid, the weight distribution mechanism traveling, in its entirety, in a substantially semi-circular direction. |
US08807356B2 |
Product merchandising outpost system
A product merchandising outpost system of the present invention is a versatile and adaptable system of construction that allows for the merchandising of virtually any product at retail. The finished product can be custom manufactured to specific size, finish, material and design. The display can be assembled in multiple configurations based on the merchandising requirements. The product can also be used with or without several optional components. The display consists of a square tube frame with pre-punched holes approximately every four inches along the top and bottom horizontal frame members. Multiple frames can be attached together to create several merchandising display configurations using manufactured connectors. Each frame is outfitted with a merchandising panel. A decorative or functional element, such as display headers and decorative fins may also be attached to the outside of the frame. The entire product merchandising outpost system can be built or reconfigured in the field with common tools and without welding. |
US08807355B2 |
Expandible container
A rectangular expandible container has lateral compartments each of which being composed of inner and outer panels which slide relative to each other for lengthening and shortening the effective length of the compartments. The container also has front and back compartments defined by sliding panels for lengthening the effective width of the front and back compartments. A middle compartment is surrounded by the lateral compartments and the front and back compartments. The walls of the middle compartment are all slidable for lengthening both the width and the length of the latter compartment. The front and back compartment may contain partitions which separate the interior of those compartments into a number of sub-compartment of differing sizes for accommodating articles of varying sizes both in length and in width. |
US08807354B2 |
Shelving system
A shelving system having at least one shelf mountable on a support, the shelf defining an edge face, at least one opening formed in the edge face, the opening including one or more projections, at least one accessory for fitting into the opening and having a complementary shape in order to mate with the at least one projection in the opening, and at least one protective edging member attachable to the shelf. The edging member includes at least one opening which corresponds to the at least one opening in the shelf and which has a protruding tongue shaped to receive the projection. |
US08807352B2 |
Crockery basket and dishwasher
A crockery basket of a dishwasher for receiving pieces of crockery. The crockery basket includes a bottom; lateral parts framing the bottom; and a row of projecting rods that are arranged on the bottom to hold the pieces of crockery. The row of projection rods has a base wire and individual rod wires that are attached to the base wire. Each end of the base wire is bent and fastened to the bottom and, in an area of the row of projecting rods, the base wire is located at a distance from the bottom. |
US08807345B2 |
Apparatus and method for analyzing aggregate
A device, method, and system for analyzing aggregate are described. An exemplary device may include a housing with one or more grading screens. Aggregate and liquid may be received by a port within the housing. The liquid and any suspended fines, after passing through the one or more grading screens and aggregate, may be received into an observation container for observing the clarity of the liquid. |
US08807339B2 |
Package
The present invention refers to a multi-layered package, and particularly to a container comprising a container opening and a container bottom. Preferably, at least one outer wall comprises a predetermined removable wall section, revealing an information. The feature of the package according to the present invention is that the package is formed with at least one inner wall and one outer wall. Thereby, the wall section is as part of the outer wall a removable card. |
US08807337B2 |
Golf bag
According to the invention, a golf bag is disclosed. The golf bag may include a frame and a removable cover. The frame may include a top member at a top most portion of the frame, and a bottom member at a bottom most portion of the frame. The removable cover may include a central portion, a first coupling member, and a second coupling member. The first coupling member may be coupled with at least a portion of a top of the central portion. The second coupling member may be coupled with at least a portion of a bottom of the central portion. The first coupling member may be reversibly coupled with a top most portion of the top member. The second coupling member may be reversibly coupled with a bottom most portion of the bottom member. |
US08807336B2 |
Golf bag assembly having a main bag and a removable accessory bag
A golf bag that includes a main bag and an accessory bag coupled to the main bag. The main bag is formed to include a bag-receiver chamber that is configured to accept the accessory bag. The accessory bag is coupled to the main bag by posts that engage a retention slots formed in the side walls of the bag-receiver chamber. The accessory bag is supported by the main bag and includes a foldable leg assembly that permits the accessory bag to be set up in a tripod configuration when separated from the main bag. The golf bag also includes a slot formed in the side walls of the main bag to allow the main bag to be secured to a golf cart by a retaining strap provided on the golf cart while still allowing the accessory bag to be separated from the main bag. |
US08807335B2 |
Security device
The invention relates to an anti-theft safer for a cassette comprising a cassette receiving case and a locking device being adapted to releasably secure the cassette in the case, wherein the cassette receiving case is a two-part case. |
US08807334B2 |
Multiple-purpose centerpiece
A multiple-purpose centerpiece includes: a container formed as a truncated cone shape slightly flared upwardly; a plurality of collapsible decorative gift stakes removably inserted in a holding base held in a lower portion of the container; and a drainage collector having a shallow recess formed in the collector and rested on a bottom of the container, whereby upon removal of all gift stakes from the container, a flower vase may be replaceably stored in the container and any water drained from the flower vase will be collected in the drainage collector. So, the container may be used continuously to thereby be environmentally friendly. |
US08807333B1 |
Tablet case
A tablet case with a cover, the tablet case comprising a housing having three upstanding walls, at least one of the three upstanding walls having a flange, the housing being adapted to receive and retain a tablet. The tablet case further comprises a cover having a substantially rectangular foldable planar member and an elongated member which extends from the cover into an indentation on the inside of the housing. A section of the elongated member is secured to the indentation to form a substantially planar surface arranged to abut the rear wall of a tablet. First and second magnetic means are provided on the housing and cover respectively to allow the cover to be folded into a stand and secured to the housing or to allow the cover to simply shield a tablet screen. |
US08807331B2 |
Belt conveyor with an actuator for moving the belt in a lateral direction
A positioning assembly is provided with an endless loop conveyor belt for transporting an object and a first and second roller (12) arranged inside the endless loop. A first mounting part connected to a first end of the first roller (12) and a second mounting part connected to a second end of the first roller (12) are independently movable in a length direction of the conveyor with respect to the frame (15). An actuator system is provided which includes a first lateral actuator (61) arranged to move at least a part of the first roller (12) in a direction parallel to the rotational axes (106) of the first roller (12). The first roller (12) is longitudinally divided into at least two longitudinal segments. The first lateral actuator (61) moves at least one of the longitudinal segments parallel to the rotational axis (106) of the first roller (12). |
US08807329B2 |
Chain drive system for bi-parting slatted floor
A chain drive system for a bi-parting slatted floor in a drive system relies upon two continuous loops of chain, one on each side of the slatted floor that move in opposite directions beneath the slats are arranged side-by-side in the same horizontal plane, at the same level. A single drive motor drives both loops of chain. With the operative portions of the chain sections between drive and idler shafts arranged side-by-side in the same horizontal plane, the vertical amount of space occupied by the chains is significantly decreased compared to the vertically stacked chains of the prior art. This allows the underlying surface onto which items are deposited to be moved vertically upward next to the lower surface of the slatted floor. |
US08807328B2 |
Conveyor system for conveying objects, and immersion treatment system having such a conveyor system
A conveyor system for conveying objects, particularly vehicle bodies, in an immersion treatment system, comprising at least one conveyor carriage having a chassis supporting at least one load-bearing wheel that can rotate about a rotary axis. At least one object can be attached to a mounting device that can pivot about a pivot axis. The at least one load-bearing wheel runs on a guide rail. The conveyor carriage is moved along the guide rail using drive means. The rotary axis of the at least one load-bearing wheel and the pivot axis of the mounting device are disposed coaxially to each other. An immersion treatment system comprising such a conveyor system. |
US08807324B2 |
Drum and machine for distributing tablets and relative method
The invention concerns a machine for distributing tablets on a support strip having a determinate number “n” of compartments or alveoli organized in parallel rows and each able to hold at least one tablet. The machine comprises a separation, preparation and alignment device, a conveyor device with transfer pipes and a rotating transfer drum provided with seatings on an external surface. The seatings are made on distinct gripping and transport elements, disposed peripherally and axially to the transfer drum. |
US08807323B2 |
Conveyor having bottom opening for accommodating a conveyor support structure and method of using same
A conveyor includes a frame having first and second spaced frame elements, first and second drive rollers between the frame elements, and a flexible belt mounted between the first and second drive rollers that has a load bearing portion and a return portion, the return portion extending between the first and second frame elements. The conveyor has a first end portion including the first drive roller, a second end portion including the second drive roller and a central portion including a midpoint between the first drive roller and the second drive roller, and the central portion of the conveyor includes a lift-table receiving space between the first drive roller and the second drive roller and between the first frame element and the second frame element, and the return portion of the belt extends between the load bearing portion and the lift-table-receiving space. |
US08807321B2 |
Mailpiece feed device having an angular delay
A feeder for a mail-handling machine is provided with a conveyor device having at least one row of drive rollers comprising at least first and second drive rollers standing proud through a mailpiece-receiving deck of the feeder and controlled by a suitable drive mechanism, said first and second drive rollers being inclined at an angle α relative to a perpendicular to a longitudinal referencing wall, and the second drive roller being driven in rotation with a first predetermined delay relative to the first drive roller, which is the closer to the referencing wall. |