最新美国发明专利第2014-10-07期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08852855B2	Upper surface antireflective film forming composition and pattern forming method using same [Object] To provide a top anti-reflection coating composition equal or superior to known products in film-formability, in refractive index, in temporal stability and in safety; and also to provide a pattern formation method using the same. [Means] A top anti-reflection coating composition comprising a solvent, an alkylsulfonic acid having 10 to 18 carbon atoms, and a fluorine-containing polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 300000 to 800000 and represented by the formula (1): -Ax-By- (1). In the formula (1), A is a repeating unit represented by the formula (A): (R is a fluorine-containing alkylene group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms or R is a fluorine-containing alkylene group having 2 to 100 carbon atoms and an ether bond); B is a repeating unit capable of combining with A to form a copolymer; x and y are numbers indicating the polymerization ratios, provided that x is not equal to 0; and A and B may randomly combine with each other or may form blocks.
US08852851B2	Pitch reduction technology using alternating spacer depositions during the formation of a semiconductor device and systems including same A method for patterning a layer increases the density of features formed over an initial patterning layer using a series of self-aligned spacers. A layer to be etched is provided, then an initial sacrificial patterning layer, for example formed using optical lithography, is formed over the layer to be etched. Depending on the embodiment, the patterning layer may be trimmed, then a series of spacer layers formed and etched. The number of spacer layers and their target dimensions depends on the desired increase in feature density. An in-process semiconductor device and electronic system is also described.
US08852850B2	Method of photolithography using a fluid and a system thereof A photolithographic exposure system for use on a photoresist on a substrate includes an illumination system, a photomask with one or more object patterns, a projection optical exposure system, and a fluid dispensing system. The projection optical exposure system is positioned to project an image of the one or more object patterns toward an image plane. The fluid dispensing system positions a fluid between the projection optical exposure system and the photoresist on the substrate. The fluid has a refractive index value above a refractive index value of water and an absorbance below 0.8 per millimeter at wavelengths between about 180 nm and about 300 nm.
US08852849B2	Electron beam lithography system and method for improving throughput An electron beam lithography method and apparatus for improving throughput is disclosed. An exemplary lithography method includes receiving a pattern layout having a pattern layout dimension; shrinking the pattern layout dimension; and overexposing a material layer to the shrunk pattern layout dimension, thereby forming the pattern layout having the pattern layout dimension on the material layer.
US08852843B2	Dispensing toner additives via carrier dispense and clear toner A process is disclosed for the preparation of developer compositions comprising: providing a first developer including carrier and a first toner comprised of resin, pigment, polyolefin, a first compatibilizer, a first charge control agent, and a first metal oxide surface additive; and, adding thereto a second developer including carrier, and a second toner, second compatibilizer, a second charge control agent, and a second metal oxide surface additive.
US08852841B2	Toner for electrostatic image development A method for producing a toner for electrostatic image development containing at least a resin binder and a charge control agent, including step 1: melt-kneading components containing a resin binder and a charge control agent to provide a melt-kneaded product; and step 2: pulverizing the melt-kneaded product, and classifying a pulverized product, wherein the resin binder contains a polyester A obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component containing 1,2-propanediol and a carboxylic acid component containing a rosin compound and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid compound having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein 1,2-propanediol is contained in the alcohol component of the polyester A in an amount of 85% by mol or more. The toner for electrostatic image development obtained by the method of the present invention can be suitably used in, for example, the development or the like of latent image formed in electrophotography, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, or the like.
US08852839B2	Polyester for toner, electrostatic-image developing toner, electrostatic-image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image-forming apparatus, and image-forming method Provided is a polyester being a polymer including a dicarboxylic acid, a rosin diol, and an epoxy compound, the rosin diol being represented by general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or methyl; L1, L2, and L3 are independently a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of carbonyl, ester, ether, sulfonyl, optionally substituted chain alkylenes, optionally substituted cyclic alkylenes, optionally substituted arylenes, and combinations thereof; L1 and L2 or L1 and L3 are optionally joined together to form a ring; and A1 and A2 are rosin ester groups.
US08852831B2	Device for manufacturing a surface using character projection lithography with variable magnification A device for charged particle beam lithography is disclosed which includes an inputting device, a character projection stencil and a reducing lens. The inputting device reads a set of shots, where each shot has a magnification. The character projection stencil contains a character pattern. The reducing lens introduces magnification variation of the stencil character pattern when writing the pattern onto a surface, where the magnification of the reducing lens can be varied from shot to shot.
US08852828B2	Volume hologram photosensitive composition This invention provides a volume hologram photosensitive composition, which can realize a hologram having an excellent brightness and, at the same time, having excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength, and a photosensitive medium for volume hologram recording using the volume hologram photosensitive composition. The volume hologram photosensitive composition comprises at least a photopolymerizable monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, a sensitizing dye for sensitizing the initiator, and a binder resin. The binder resin comprises a heat curing resin, and optionally a thermoplastic resin, and the thermoplastic resin is contained in an amount of 0 to 25% by weight based on the total solid content of the photosensitive composition.
US08852826B2	Porous composite product for the production of a catalytic layer, in particular in fuel cell electrodes A composite product is for an electrode of a fuel cell including a catalyst, an electrically conductive phase which supports such catalyst, a protonically conductive phase, and a porous phase. At least the contact between the catalyst and the electrically and protonically conductive phases, and preferably also the contact of the porous phase with the catalyst and with the electrically and protonically conductive phases, is improved or maximized. Each of the phases is individually continuous, and such phases are continuous with each other.
US08852822B2	Reforming system, fuel cell system, and its operation method When terminating power generation by a fuel cell 3 in a fuel cell system 1, an amount of a raw fuel material introduced to a reforming catalyst 2a of a reformer 2 is reduced. Here, before the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a is lowered to the un-reformed gas generation temperature, an amount of water supplied to the reforming catalyst 2a is controlled to increase the temperature of the reforming catalyst 2a. Thus, upon termination of power generation in the fuel cell 3, no un-reformed gas is generated and the reformed gas is supplied to the fuel cell 3.
US08852818B2	Non-aqueous secondary battery A non-aqueous secondary battery contains a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The positive electrode contains a layered structure lithium-containing compound oxide, or a spinel lithium-containing compound oxide containing manganese as an active material. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution contains at least one additive selected from a sulfonic acid anhydride, a sulfonate ester derivative, a cyclic sulfate derivative and a cyclic sulfonate ester derivative, and a vinylene carbonate or a derivative of the vinylene carbonate.
US08852815B2	Electrolyte for electrochemical device, method for preparing the same and electrochemical device including the same A solid electrolyte for an electrochemical device includes a composite of a plastic crystal matrix electrolyte doped with an ionic salt and a crosslinked polymer structure having a linear polymer as a side chain chemically bonded thereto. The linear polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 100 to 5,000 and one functional group. The electrolyte has high ionic conductivity comparable to that of a liquid electrolyte due to the use of the plastic crystal, and high mechanical strength comparable to that of a solid electrolyte due to the introduction of the crosslinked polymer structure. A method for preparing the solid electrolyte does not essentially require the use of a solvent, eliminating the need for drying. The electrolyte is suitable for use in a cable-type battery whose shape is easy to change due to its high ionic conductivity and high mechanical strength comparable to that of a solid electrolyte.
US08852805B2	Electrode active material comprising a mixture of a layered crystal structure material and a spinel crystal structure material, electrode, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery The present invention provides an electrode active material, an electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The electrode active material contains the following powder (A) and powder (B):(A) a powder of a lithium mixed metal oxide that is represented by the following formula (1) and has a layered rock-salt type crystal structure, the powder having a BET specific surface area of from 3 m2/g to 30 m2/g, Li(Ni1−(x+y)MnxFey)O2 (1) wherein x is within a range of more than 0 to less than 1, y is within a range of more than 0 to not more than 0.1, and x+y is within a range of more than 0 to less than 1; (B) a powder of a lithium mixed metal oxide that has a spinel type crystal structure. The electrode contains the electrode active material. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes the electrode as a positive electrode.
US08852804B2	Negative electrode for lithium ion secondary battery and lithium ion secondary battery including the same A negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery, the negative electrode including a multilayer film, the multilayer film having three or more layers on a metal base, wherein the multilayer film includes one or more porous layers.
US08852797B2	Lithium ion secondary battery with anti-rotation cap assembly A lithium ion secondary battery is provided having a cap plate, an insulation plate, and a terminal plate, each shaped to prevent the terminal plate from rotating when assembling a cap assembly. The cap plate has an anti-rotation groove formed on a lower surface thereof and the insulation plate has an insulation plate protrusion formed on an upper surface thereof. When the anti-rotation groove is coupled to the insulation plate protrusion, the terminal plate may be prevented from rotating.
US08852791B2	Pouch type lithium secondary battery with sleeve and method of fabricating A pouch type lithium secondary battery includes a pouch bare cell having an electrode assembly and a pouch exterior for storing the electrode assembly and a sleeve member winding around the pouch bare cell. A method of fabricating a pouch type lithium secondary battery includes forming a pouch bare cell by storing an electrode assembly in a pouch exterior and wrapping the pouch bare cell with a sleeve member.
US08852789B2	Battery module having battery cell holder A battery module includes a first set of battery cells stacked in a first direction and a second set of battery cells stacked in the first direction, and the first and second sets of battery cells are arranged in a second direction and face in opposed directions relative to each other. The battery module also includes at least one battery cell holder between adjacent battery cells in at least one of the first and second sets of battery cells stacked in the first direction. The battery cell holder includes an insulating plate between the adjacent battery cells in the at least one of the first and second sets of battery cells stacked in the first direction, and a plurality of guides protruding from edges of the insulating plate to extend in the first direction over the adjacent battery cells in overhanging relationship therewith.
US08852769B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method for manufacturing the same A nonaqueous secondary battery includes a current cutoff mechanism that cuts off a current in a short period of time in response to a rise in pressure inside a battery outer body in at least one of a conductive path through which a current is taken out from a positive electrode plate to outside of the battery and a conductive path through which a current is taken out from a negative electrode plate to outside of the battery. At least one type selected from an oligomer containing a cyclohexyl group and a phenyl group, a modified product of the oligomer containing a cyclohexyl group and a phenyl group, a polymer containing a cyclohexyl group and a phenyl group, and a modified product of the polymer containing a cyclohexyl group and a phenyl group is present on the surface of the positive electrode plate.
US08852762B2	Magnetic random access memory with synthetic antiferromagnetic storage layers and non-pinned reference layers A synthetic antiferromagnetic device includes a reference layer having a first and second ruthenium layer, a magnesium oxide spacer layer disposed on the reference layer, a cobalt iron boron layer disposed on the magnesium oxide spacer layer and a third ruthenium layer disposed on the cobalt iron boron layer, the third ruthenium layer having a thickness of approximately 0 angstroms to 18 angstroms.
US08852760B2	Free layer with high thermal stability for magnetic device applications by insertion of a boron dusting layer A boron or boron containing dusting layer such as CoB or FeB is formed along one or both of top and bottom surfaces of a free layer at interfaces with a tunnel barrier layer and capping layer to improve thermal stability while maintaining other magnetic properties of a MTJ stack. Each dusting layer has a thickness from 0.2 to 20 Angstroms and may be used as deposited, or at temperatures up to 400° C. or higher, or following a subsequent anneal at 400° C. or higher. The free layer may be a single layer of CoFe, Co, CoFeB or CoFeNiB, or may include a non-magnetic insertion layer. The resulting MTJ is suitable for STT-MRAM memory elements or spintronic devices. Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is maintained in the free layer at temperatures up to 400° C. or higher. Ku enhancement is achieved and the retention time of a memory cell for STT-MRAM designs is increased.
US08852759B2	Compound having acridan ring structure, and organic electroluminescent device An organic compound with characteristics excelling in hole-injecting/transporting performance and having an electron blocking ability, a highly stable thin-film state, and excellent heat resistance is provided as material for an organic electroluminescent device of high efficiency and high durability, and the organic electroluminescent device of high efficiency and high durability is provided using this compound. The compound of a general formula (Chemical Formula 1) having a substituted acridan ring structure is used as a constituent material of at least one organic layer in the organic electroluminescent device that includes a pair of electrodes and one or more organic layers sandwiched between the pair of electrodes.
US08852756B2	Materials for organic electroluminescent devices The present invention relates to the improvement of organic electroluminescent devices, in particular blue-emitting devices, by using compounds of the formula (1) as dopants in the emitting layer.
US08852754B2	Surface-treated copper foil, method for producing same, and copper clad laminated board Provided is an industrially excellent surface-treated copper foil which satisfies requirements for adhesiveness to an insulating resin such as polyimide, heat-resistant adhesiveness, chemical resistance and soft etching properties. Also provided is a method for producing a surface-treated copper foil which achieves a high adhesion strength between an insulating resin and the copper foil, shows high chemical resistance in circuit formation and sustains good soft etching properties after forming vias by laser-processing. A base copper foil is subjected to a roughening treatment to give a surface roughness (Rz) of 1.1 μm or below. On the roughened surface, an Ni—Zn alloy layer is formed. The aforesaid roughening treatment is conducted in such a manner that the roughened surface comprises sharp-pointed convexes, which have a width of 0.3-0.8 μm, a height of 0.6-1.8 μm and an aspect ratio of 1.2-3.5, and the surface roughness (Rz) of said base copper foil is increased by 0.05-0.3 μm. The aforesaid Ni—Zn alloy layer has a Zn content of 6-30 wt % and a Zn deposition amount of 0.08 mg/dm2 or more.
US08852752B2	Flow formed drum with a retention ring and a substantially burr free tooth profile A flow formed part includes a first end, a second end, and a side wall extending therebetween. A reinforcing member is disposed around the second end. The side wall has a profile formed along an inner surface of the side wall. The profile is adapted to be substantially burr free after windows are formed in the sidewall. A method of making a flow formed part includes the steps of disposing a preform on a tailstock, providing a plurality of rollers adjacent the tailstock, providing a mandrel having an outer surface including a plurality of alternating channels and protuberances, and causing the rollers to press the preform against the outer surface of the mandrel.
US08852748B2	Polyethylene film having improved barrier properties and methods of making same A polymeric resin having a density of greater than about 0.960 g/cc, a melt index of from about 1.3 g/10 min. to about 2.8 g/10 min., a zero shear viscosity of from about 1×104 Pas to about 1×105 Pas, a recoverable shear parameter of from about 220 to about 370, and a CY-a parameter of from about 0.155 to about 0.200. A polymeric resin having an initial tension defined by the equation IT≧−1.67*(MI)+b where b is 5.17 and a percent decrease in the extrusion pressure of the resin of about 30% when compared to polymer resin of similar melt index prepared with a catalyst that has not undergone an activation comprising an oxidation, reduction, oxidation sequence wherein the resin when formed into a film has a moisture vapor transmission rate of from about 0.21 g.mil/100 in2/day to about 0.33 g.mil/100 in2/day.
US08852745B2	Optical glass, press-molding glass material, optical element and method of manufacturing the same, and bonded optical element An aspect of the present invention relates to an optical glass, which comprises, denoted as weight percent, 2 to 37 percent of SiO2, 0 to 25 percent of B2O3, 0 to 10 percent of GeO2, 18 to 55 percent of a combined content of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, CaO, SrO, and BaO, and 27 to 55 percent of a combined content of TiO2, Nb2O5, and WO3, wherein the weight ratio of SiO2 content relative to a combined content of SiO2 and B2O3 ranges from 0.1 to 1, a weight ratio of the Li2O content to a combined content of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, CaO, SrO, and BaO ranges from 0 to 0.4, and a weight ratio of TiO2 content relative to a combined content of TiO2, Nb2O5, and WO3 ranges from 0.35 to 1, with a refractive index nd of 1.860 to 1.990 and an Abbé number νd of 21 to 29.
US08852741B2	Resin particle and resin dispersion Resin particles which are excellent in electrostatic property, thermal storage stability and thermal properties, and have evenness of particle diameter are to be provided. The resin particles are core-shell resin particles (C2) each comprising one or more film-like shell layers (P) comprising a first resin (a) and a core layer (Q) comprising a second resin (b). Core-shell type resin particles (C2) each comprising a film-like shell layer (P) in one or more layer structure comprising a first resin (a) and a core layer (Q) in one layer structure comprising a second resin (b), wherein the weight ratio of (P) and (Q) is in a range of (0.1:99.9) to (70:30), the content of volatile components of (C2) is 2% by weight or lower, and (a) has an initial softening temperature of 40 to 270° C., a glass transition temperature of 20 to 250° C., a flow temperature of 60 to 300° C., and the difference of the glass transition temperature and the flow temperature in a range of 0 to 120° C. and contains 20 to 80% by weight of vinyl acetate as constituent units.
US08852737B2	Coating composition and photochromic optical article [Problem] To provide a coating composition capable of forming a hard coating on the surfaces of an optical base member such as a plastic lens featuring highly closely adhering property, excellent transparency and excellent scratch resistance.[Means for Solution] The coating composition comprise (a) a fine granular silica having a grain size of not larger than 30 nm; (b) organosilicon compound components containing an epoxy group-containing organosilicon compound (b1) and tetraalkoxysilane (b2) at a mass ratio (b1/b2) of 0.25 to 4.0; (c) water; and (d) a curing catalyst comprising a complex containing aluminum as a core metal, wherein the fine granular silica (a) is contained in an amount of 15 to 55 parts by mass, the water (c) is contained in an amount of 30 to 200 parts by mass and the curing catalyst (d) is contained in an amount of 0.1 to 5.0 parts by mass per the total amount of the fine granular silica (a) and the organosilicon compound components (b) of 100 parts by mass.
US08852733B2	Laminated composites and methods of making the same The present disclosure relates to a fibrous veil and methods of making the same. The fibrous veil includes a base having a plurality of fibers, each of the plurality of fibers having an average diameter ranging from about 7,000 nm to about 9,000 nm. Graphite nano-platelets are attached to at least some of the plurality of fibers without a polymeric binder.
US08852731B2	Pyrophoric sheet A pyrophoric sheet that comprises oxidizable iron, non-combustible fibers, stiction-reducing coating where the sheet has a water content <2%.
US08852729B1	Seep resistant masking material A masking material and method of forming a masking tape that includes a substrate and an adhesive layer disposed on the substrate. The adhesive layer is preferably thicker than the substrate and formed of a material that has a modulus of elasticity combined with a viscoelastic component that allows the adhesive to conform to discontinuities associated with a surface to which the masking material is applied. Preferably, the adhesive is formed in two rows that are aligned with the lateral edges of the substrate and which prevent seepage of liquid materials between the masking material and the surface to which it is applied.
US08852728B2	Conductive film There are provided a pattern exposure method, a conductive film producing method, and a conductive film, wherein a photosensitive material is subjected to a proximity exposure through a photomask disposed with a proximity gap of 70 to 200 μm, and thereby is exposed in the mask pattern periodically in the conveying direction to obtain a conductive film. The conductive film has a plurality of conductive portions of first and second conductive thin metal wires and a plurality of opening portions. A side of each thin metal wire has a protrusion extending toward the opening portion from a virtual line representing a designed width of the thin metal wire, and the protruding amount of the protrusion is 1/25 to ⅙ of the designed width.
US08852726B2	Photosensitive polymer composition, method of producing pattern and electronic parts A photosensitive polymer composition includes (a) a polyamide having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (I): wherein U represents a tetravalent organic group, V represents a bivalent organic group and p is an integer representing a number of the repeating unit; (b) a compound which generates an acid upon receiving light; and (c) a compound represented by the following general formula (II): wherein m and n are each independently integer of 1 or 2, Rs are each independently hydrogen, alkyl group or acyl group, and R1 and R2 each independently represents fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
US08852725B2	Vessel closing laminate A vessel closing laminate comprising: a seal laminate comprising a bottom subassembly of layers including a foil layer; and a seal substrate attached to the uppermost layer of the bottom subassembly of layers wherein the seal substrate has a bottom foam layer and a top plastic material layer and further includes a free tab lying wholly within the circumference of the seal; a wax layer on top of the plastic material layer of the seal substrate; and an absorbent liner adhered to the plastic material layer of the seal substrate by means of the wax layer.
US08852723B2	Air cushion pad An air cushion pad includes at least two sheet members, which are made of resilient materials. Each sheet member forms a plurality of hollow tubes projecting therefrom and the tubes are connected to each other by a substantially flat plate. The tubes of one sheet member and the tubes of the other sheet member are alternately fit to each other in an opposing manner to form the air cushion pad. When an external impact force is applied in a top down manner, the air cushion pad absorbs the impact force and undergoes sideways deformation so as to convert the impact force into a transverse to thereby realize shock absorption and eliminate damage caused by downward action of the impact force to provide the function of protection.
US08852721B2	Method for cutting tempered glass and preparatory tempered glass structure A preparatory tempered glass structure for a cutting treatment includes a glass substrate and at least one trench. The glass substrate is given a strengthening treatment to form, from a surface to the inside of the glass substrate, at least one compression stress layer and a tensile stress layer corresponding to the compression stress layer. The trench is formed in the compression stress layer of the glass substrate and overlaps a predetermined cutting path for the cutting treatment.
US08852719B2	Releasable metalized embossed transfer film A releasable transfer film is suitable to provide a metalized embossed composite onto a paper substrate without a release layer between the composite and a polymeric carrier layer. The transfer film includes a polymeric base layer, an embossing material layer and a metal layer. The transfer film is bonded to the paper substrate with an adhesive layer allowing the polymeric barrier layer to peel away from and to expose the metal-backed, embossing material layer. The substrate covered with the metalized embossed composite can be used to impart holographic style images to packaging, printed media products such as magazines.
US08852718B2	Sprayable waste rubber-based coating Surface coating composition, method and apparatus for coating a surface. The surface coating composition comprises a recycled rubber product, one or more binding agent and optionally one or more additional agent.
US08852714B2	Multidirectional fiber-reinforced tape/film articles and the method of making the same High tenacity, high elongation multi-filament polymeric tapes as well as ballistic resistant fabrics, composites and articles made therefrom. The tapes are fabricated from multi-filament fibers/yarns that are twisted together, bonded together, compressed and flattened.
US08852710B2	Surface flow enhancement device and method of using the same on a vehicle A detachable surface flow enhancement device is provided, comprising: an aerodynamic structure configured to deflect moving air incident upon the aerodynamic structure; and an attaching element configured to attach the aerodynamic structure to a surface of a vehicle and to detach he aerodynamic structure from the surface of the vehicle without altering the surface of the vehicle.
US08852706B2	Metal alloys for the reflective or the semi-reflective layer of an optical storage medium A silver-based magnesium alloy thin film is provided for the semi-reflective coating layer of optical discs. This alloy has moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.
US08852705B2	Packaging formed from a butt-welded film Packaging produced from a thermoplastic film of which the ends are placed so that they abut, said film being composed of several layers, including at least a first weldable layer and a second layer of which the butt-welding is only partial or non-existent, and at least one thin strip covering said ends and being directly attached to one of the faces of the second layer, the difference in the melting point between the first layer and the other layer or layers being greater than 20° C.
US08852695B2	Optical barriers, waveguides, and methods for fabricating barriers and waveguides for use in harsh environments Electromagnetic radiation barriers and waveguides, including barriers and waveguides for light, are disclosed. The barriers and waveguides are fabricated by directing charged particles, for example, ions, into crystalline substrates, for example, single-crystal sapphire substrates, to modify the crystal structure and produce a region of varying refractive index. These substrates are then heated to temperatures greater than 200 degrees C. to stabilize the modified crystal structure and provide the barrier to electromagnetic radiation. Since the treatment stabilizes the crystal structure at elevated temperature, for example, above 500 degrees C. or above 1000 degrees C., the barriers and waveguides disclosed are uniquely adapted for use in detecting conditions in harsh environments, for example, at greater than 200 degrees C. Sensors, systems for using sensors, and methods for fabricating barriers and waveguides are also disclosed.
US08852692B2	Low capacitance container coating system and method Apparatus and method for electrostatic charging of a container for an electrostatic coating operation includes a support member for supporting a container during an electrostatic coating operation with the support member comprising a non-metallic conductive material or electrically semiconductive portion that directly contacts a surface of the container. The electrically semiconductive portion comprises non-metallic, resistive or low conductivity material and is coupled to a source of electrical energy such that the container is electrostatically charged to an opposite polarity to offset or reduce electrostatic charge build up produced by the electrostatic coating operation.
US08852689B2	Surfaces having particles and related methods Particles are embedded in a substrate by applying to at least a portion of the substrate a fluid and a population of particles, such that the substrate is softened to at least a degree that particles are at least partially embedded in the softened portion of the substrate. The softened portion of the substrate is hardened so as to securely embed the particles in the substrate.
US08852683B2	Dry-coated oxygen-scavenging particles and methods of making them A method of dry coating oxidizable particles with activating particles. The method includes accreting at least portions of the activating particles onto surfaces of the oxidizable particles by mechanically induced juxtapositions to form composite particles; and abrading the composite particles to more evenly distribute the activating component over surfaces of the activating particles.
US08852680B2	Mineral surfaced asphalt-based roofing products with encapsulated healing agents and methods of producing the same An asphalt-based sheet roofing material includes capsules on its upper surface. When struck, as by hailstones, the capsules break to release a film forming fluid that spreads over the surface to heal the damage created by the hailstones.
US08852678B2	Chitosan-coated hydrophobic glass and method of making Glass surfaces, for example, windshield surfaces, have a durable hydrophobic coating applied thereto. The glass surface is first treated by any suitable method to enhance the ability of a chitosan polymer coating to durably or substantially permanently adhere thereto. Once the chitosan coating has been applied to the glass surface, the normally hydrophilic chitosan coating is rendered hydrophobic by suitable treatment, for example, by a combination of enzymatic and chemical treatments. Alternatively, the chitosan may be rendered hydrophobic prior to coating it on the glass surface, but that is a less preferred technique. The method of the invention provides a glass article having a hydrophobic surface.
US08852677B2	Magnetic random access memory with synthetic antiferromagnetic storage layers and non-pinned reference layers A method for fabricating a synthetic antiferromagnetic device, includes depositing a magnesium oxide spacer layer on a reference layer having a first and second ruthenium layer, depositing a cobalt iron boron layer on the magnesium oxide spacer layer; and depositing a third ruthenium layer on the cobalt iron boron layer, the third ruthenium layer having a thickness of approximately 0-18 angstroms.
US08852671B2	Severable support for a stent A stent with at least one severable supporting device and methods of coating using the same are disclosed. The severable supporting device can be an end tube or a tab attached to some portion of the stent by at least one “gate” or attachment. The end tube or tab may be part of the design of the stent when it is originally manufactured, or it may be attached to the stent in a secondary process by a biocompatible glue or solder. The end tube or tab can be used to support a stent during a coating process eliminating the need for a mandrel which would otherwise contact the stent during the coating process.
US08852670B2	Method for coating and drying multiple stents A coating and drying apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent and drying the stent is provided.
US08852667B2	Method for preparation of bioactive glass coatings by liquid precursor thermal spray The present invention belongs to the field of biomedical material, and is particularly related to a method of preparing bioactive glass coatings by liquid precursor thermal spray. The objective of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the air plasma spraying where the powder feedstock preparation is complicated and time-consuming, and sol-gel or other wet chemistry method where the synthesized coating generally has thin coating thickness and with low production efficiency. Therefore, a new method is provided for preparation of bioactive glass coatings. In this method, organic and inorganic raw materials were first weighed in accordance with the chemical composition of bioactive glasses, and sol or suspension was prepared; then the sol or suspension was used as the feedstock for thermal spray, and was deposited on the biomedical materials substrate, at high temperature to form the bioactive glass coating. The invention possesses the following advantages: simple operation, less complicated procedures, synthesis with high efficiency, low production cost, suitable for industrial production, and so on. This method can be used to prepare bioactive glass coatings.
US08852665B2	Whole grain flour and products including same A process for milling grain includes milling whole grain wheat kernels into whole grain wheat flour having a particle size distribution where at least about 98% of the whole grain wheat flour is less than or equal to about 212 μm. The whole grain wheat flour includes substantially the same proportions of natural constituents, other than moisture, as compared to a representative sample of the whole grain wheat kernels.
US08852664B2	Neo-menthyl derivatives as flavor materials The present invention relates primarily to the use of particular ureas, thioureas, carbamates, thiocarbamates and guanidines based on the neomenthyl structure and corresponding mixtures with one another or with further compounds as flavor materials or flavor material mixtures for producing, imparting, modifying and/or enhancing savory flavor notes. the invention furthermore relates to particular compositions, preparations and semifinished products which comprise the said compounds, as well as methods for producing, imparting, modifying and/or enhancing particular flavor impressions. Lastly, the invention also relates to the compounds themselves and to corresponding mixtures.
US08852661B2	Method and machine for continuous coating of cores of products, in particular, confectionary products A method and a machine for continuous coating of cores of products, in particular confectionery products, in which a hollow drum rotating about an axis of its own carries, stably connected inside it, a body wound axially in a helix or a spiral, with which it delimits a plurality of treatment chambers, each adapted to house a mass of cores to be treated; in at least part of the chambers, the mass of cores is sprayed with a coating material during rotation of the drum in a first direction of rotation about its axis, and impinged upon by a flow of process air during rotation of the drum in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, before feeding the coated cores into an adjacent chamber causing the drum to perform a complete rotation in one of the two directions of rotation.
US08852660B2	Compositions and methods for producing stable negative oxidation reduction potential in consumable materials Compositions of reducing agents and carriers for producing a stable negative oxidation reduction potential in consumable materials are disclosed and claimed. Compositions of the invention find use in enhancing the hydration and anti-oxidant value of consumable materials such as foods, beverages and cosmetics, for example. Compositions of the invention also find use in water treatment, agricultural and scientific research applications. Methods for using and making the compositions are also within the scope of the invention.
US08852659B2	Cartridge for the preparation of beverages A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients.
US08852657B2	Chromones as therapeutic agents The identification and isolation of chromones and novel chromone compositions from plant sources that exhibit up-regulation of adiponectin production by adipocytes and the normalization of virtually hundreds of genes related to glucose and fatty acid metabolic and signaling pathways. The chromone compositions are effective in enhancing adiponectin production by adipocytes and regulating genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis, mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids, steroid biosynthesis, gluconeogenesis, fat transport, PPARα/RXRα liver signaling and xenobiotic metabolism. The chromone compositions can be used to increase insulin sensitivity, improve glucose tolerance, lower triglyceride levels and balance glucose levels in mammals. Included are methods for the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions including, but not limited to insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, metabolic syndromes, dyslipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia.
US08852654B2	Use of a standardised dry extract of leaves of Buddleja globosa hope, BG-126, for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal disorders caused by treatment with nitrofurantoin and other antimicrobials The invention relates to the use of a composition comprising extract of Buddleja globosa Hope and pharmacologically accepted excipients for the preparation of a phyto-pharmaceutical agent, a drug or a nutraceutical for the prevention of gastrointestinal disorders, particularly those associated with treatment with nitrofurantoin or gastric disorders produced by ulcers, gastric diseases or damage to the gastrointestinal tract. The aforementioned disorders can correspond to abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, inflammation and cephalalgia resulting from treatment with nitrofurantoin and other antimicrobials. In addition, the extract and the compositions thereof can be used to enhance the antibacterial action of nitrofurantoin, particularly against Escherichia coli.
US08852652B2	Mucosal formulation Provided, among other things, is a method of treating or ameliorating an indication of mucosal or adjacent tissue comprising periodically applying to mucosa at or adjacent to disease affected tissue a rinse comprising: an effective amount of appropriate composition of herbal bioactive comprising active(s) of one or more of Sambucus nigra, Centella asiatica or Echinacea purpurea; an antimicrobially effective amount of a quaternary ammonium surfactant; and optionally a polymer or mixture of polymers effective to coat said tissue and entrap said extract(s).
US08852651B1	Plant extracts for use in enhancing immune system and brain modulation A pharmaceutical composition, nutraceutical composition or functional food product comprising a compound or a mixture of compounds selected from the group consisting of Sidr honey, Ajwa Al-Madinah, Sannoot, Senna, Indian Costus Root, Nuclei dates, Black Seed, and Zamzam Water, as active ingredient together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or carrier for treatment or prophylaxis of one or more of the following symptoms or disorders: diminished immune system, anxiety, memory deficits and dysfunctions, lack of concentration, diminished emotional well-being, low spirits, sexual dysfunction, impotence, or lack of appetite. Methods of treatment are also presented.
US08852649B2	Compositions and methods for treating or preventing inflammatory bowel disease, familial adenomatous polyposis and colon cancer Methods for treating colon cancer include administering, to a patient in need thereof, a polymeric proanthocyanidin composition from a Croton species or Calophyllum species in an amount sufficient to treat colon cancer, which composition inhibits COX-2. Methods for treating inflammation locally in the intestines comprise administering, to a patient in need thereof, a polymeric proanthocyanidin composition from a Croton species or Calophyllum species in an amount sufficient to treat inflammation. In one embodiment, the polymeric proanthocyanidin compound is crofelemer.
US08852648B2	Delivery of biologically-active agents using volatile, hydrophobic solvents A composition and method adapted for delivery of hydrophilic, biologically-active agents are disclosed. The composition can include a reverse microemulsion formed from at least one hydrophilic, biologically-active agent solubilized by a hydrophobic reverse emulsion surfactant in a non-stinging, volatile, hydrophobic solvent. The non-stinging, volatile, hydrophobic solvent is selected from the group consisting of volatile linear and cyclic siloxanes, volatile linear, branched, and cyclic alkanes, volatile fluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons, liquid carbon dioxide under pressure, and combinations thereof. The reverse microemulsion can be an optically clear solution.
US08852645B2	Self-assembled toroidal-spiral particles and manufacture and uses thereof Toroidal-spiral shaped particles, their method of manufacture, and uses thereof are disclosed. The toroidal-spiral particles can contain at least one active agent, such as a drug, and provide a controlled, sustained release of the active agent.
US08852644B2	Method and device for producing microparticles or nanoparticles The invention relates to a method for producing microparticles or nanoparticles of water-soluble and water-insoluble substances by controlled precipitation, co-precipitation and self-organization processes in microjet reactors, a solvent, which contains at least one target molecule, and a nonsolvent being mixed as jets that collide with each other in a microjet reactor at defined pressures and flow rates and thereby effect very rapid precipitation, co-precipitation or a chemical reaction, during the course of which microparticles or nanoparticles are formed. In order to create such a method, with which the particle size of the resulting microparticles or nanoparticles can be specifically controlled, it is proposed within the scope of the invention that particle size be controlled by the temperature at which the solvent and nonsolvent collide, the flow rate of the solvent and the nonsolvent and/or the amount of gas, smaller particle sizes being obtained at lower temperatures, at high solvent and nonsolvent flow rates and/or in the complete absence of gas.
US08852640B2	Micelles for delivery of nitric oxide Embodiments include a vehicle for delivery of nitric oxide comprising: a collection of micelles having an internal micelle core that comprises a polymer with N-diazeniumdiolate comprising NO complexed with secondary amines of the polymer. Embodiments include a method of making a nitric oxide vehicle comprising dissolving a polymer that comprises secondary amines in an aqueous solution and combining the polymer with nitric oxide in the solution to form a N-diazeniumdiolate comprising the nitric oxide complexed with the secondary amines, with the formation of the N-diazeniumdiolate causing the polymer to be at least partially insoluble in the solution and to form a collection of micelles that have an internal core that comprises N-diazeniumdiolate.
US08852638B2	Sustained release small molecule drug formulation An injectable depot formulation includes a biocompatible polymer, an organic solvent combined with the biocompatible polymer to form a viscous gel, and a small molecule drug incorporated in the viscous gel such that the formulation exhibits an in vivo release profile having Cmax to Cmin ratio less than 200 and lag time less than 0.2.
US08852637B2	Extracellular matrix compositions for the treatment of cancer The present invention is directed to methods of inhibiting cancer cell growth or proliferation by contacting the cancer cell with an extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Also provided are methods of delivering a chemotherapeutic agent to a cancer cell by contacting a cancer cell with an extracellular matrix composition containing a chemotherapeutic agent. Also provided are compositions containing ECM and a chemotherapeutic agent.
US08852635B2	Pharmaceutical compositions of fenofibrate The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising unmicronized fenofibrate in admixture with a wetting agent and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the admixture is not comicronized before processing. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of such compositions.
US08852634B2	Dosage formulation The invention relates to a process for preparing a pharmaceutical tablet composition which comprises an active pharmaceutical ingredient of formula I wherein the definitions are described in claim 1, or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof and a water soluble poloxamer in which the compound of formula I and the water soluble poloxamer are processed by hot melt extrusion, and then the hot melt extrudate is mixed with other ingredients to form a tablet, that is optionally coated with a composition comprising an immediate release film coating system and purified water. The invention also relates to such pharmaceutical compositions and hot melt extrudates.
US08852633B2	Orodispersible domperidone tablets The present invention relates to an orodispersible tablet comprised of, by weight: a maximum of 15% of a low-dose, therapeutically active substance; from 55% to 70% of mannitol of a particle size between 30 μm and 300 μm; at least 2% of maltodextrin; from 3.5% to 8% of croscarmellose sodium; from 10% to 20% of microcrystalline cellulose; from 0.5% to 1.5% of magnesium stearate; and from 1% to 5% of flavoring (s) and sweetener (s).
US08852631B2	Acid resistant capsules The present invention relates to new acid resistant hard pharmaceutical capsules, a process for their manufacture and use of such capsules particularly but not exclusively for oral administration of pharmaceuticals, veterinary products, food and dietary supplements to humans or animals. The capsules of the invention are obtained by aqueous compositions comprising a water soluble film forming polymer and gellan gum in a mutual weight ratio of 4 to 15 weight parts of gellan gum for 100 weight parts of film forming polymer.
US08852627B2	Porous bioresorbable rope shaped wound dressing comprising microparticles and reduced pressure source Methods, system and compositions for making and using a bioresorbable linked dressing made of bioresorbable microspheres in various configurations are provided for use in applying reduced pressure to a wound site. The methods include manufacture of a bioresorbable dressing comprising a casing and bioresorbable microspheres in the form of a rope shape. Further, the casing of the dressing comprises pores formed by a porogen system that may be activated by external to the wound or formed in situ within the wound site. The shape of the dressing allows the dressing to be placed into the wound site such that it fills the shape and size of the wound. Embodiments include formation of various rope dressing and their use in conjunction with reduced pressure therapy.
US08852626B2	Controlled-release CNS modulating compositions and methods for the treatment of otic disorders Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of otic disorders with CNS modulating agent compositions and compositions administered locally to an individual afflicted with an otic disorder, through direct application of these compositions and compositions onto or via perfusion into the targeted auris structure(s).
US08852621B2	Multilayer fibrous polymer scaffolds, methods of production and methods of use Fibrous polymer scaffolds and methods of manufacture are provided. The scaffolds can be formed of multiple layers and the extent and direction of alignment of each layer can be controlled. Efficient fabrication systems and methods for producing such scaffolds include apparatuses and processes are also provided. Kits including the fibrous polymer scaffolds and methods for implanting such scaffolds are also provided.
US08852620B2	Medical devices comprising polymeric drug delivery systems with drug solubility gradients Disclosed are drug delivery systems comprising drugs admixed with polymers having drug solubility gradients and methods of making the polymers. Also disclosed are medical devices having coatings thereon comprising the drug solubility gradient-containing polymers and at least one drug.
US08852616B2	Cosmetic compositions with near infra-red (NIR) light-emitting material and methods therefor Cosmetic or dermatological compositions and substrates, containing a NIR light-emitting material, and methods for stimulating healing and/or regenerative properties in the skin, hair and/or scalp are provided.
US08852614B2	Hydrogels with network defects enhanced by nanoparticle incorporation Compositions and methods are provided for the manufacture and use of hydrogels with increased permeability to macromolecules with minimum loss of matrix mechanical strength and prepolymer viscosity for patternability. The hydrogels of the invention are formed from a prepolymer, which is polymerized in the presence of hydrophobic nanoparticles. In some embodiments of the invention cells are present during polymerization, and are encapsulated by the hydrogel. A high interfacial energy between the hydrophobic substrate and the aqueous polymerizing solution disrupts the hydrogel network structure, leading to network defects that increase permeability without loss of patternability.
US08852613B2	One dose vaccination against Mycoplasma infections of pigs The present invention provides a one phase, aqueous vaccine composition for immunizing an animal against infection by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, comprising: an immunizing amount of a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin, an acrylic acid polymer in the concentration range between 0.8 and 1.2 mg/ml, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and substantially no oil. It is especially useful for immunizing a pig against infection by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae for at least 20 weeks after a single administration, which effective immunity is reached within 4 weeks after vaccination.
US08852612B2	Universal carrier for targeting molecules to Gb3 receptor expressing cells The present invention concerns an universal polypeptidic carrier for targeting directly or indirectly a molecule to Gb3 receptor expressing cells and having the following formula STxB-Z(n)-Cys, wherein: STxB is the Shiga Toxin B subunit or a functional equivalent thereof, Z is an amino-acid devoided of sulfhydryl group, n being 0, 1 or a polypeptide, Cys is the amino-acid Cysteine, and the use thereof for MHC class I and MHC class II presentation of antigens.
US08852610B2	Compositions and methods for vaccinating against HSV-2 This invention relates to therapeutic compositions and methods for systemic immune activation which are effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in mammals. The methods are particularly effective for protecting mammals from herpes simplex virus.
US08852608B2	Antibodies against and methods for producing vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus The present invention relates to novel respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F peptides and compositions comprising them. The present invention also relates to methods of evaluating anti-RSV antibody binding to F peptides. The present invention also relates to antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an F peptide of the present invention. The invention further provides methods and protocols for the administration of F peptides and/or antibodies that immunospecifically bind to F peptides for the prevention, neutralization, treatment of RSV infection. Additionally, the methods of the invention may be useful for the treatment, prevention and the amelioration of symptoms associated with RSV infection.
US08852607B2	Excipients for use in adeno-associated virus pharmaceutical formulations, and pharmaceutical formulations made therewith Stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions are described. The compositions provide protection against loss of recombinant AAV vector genomes and transduceability under conditions such as exposure to cycles of freezing and thawing and storage in glass or polypropylene vials. The compositions comprise recombinant AAV virions in combination with one or more dihydric or polyhydric alcohols, and, optionally, a detergent, such as a sorbitan ester. Also described are methods of using the compositions.
US08852604B2	Multiepitope vaccine for Her2/neu-associated cancers The present invention includes fusion peptides comprising fragments of the cancer-related protein Her2/neu, methods of preparing such fusion peptides, virosomes comprising such fusion peptides, and uses of such fusion peptides or virosomes for the prevention, treatment or amelioration of a cancer characterized by expression or over-expression of the Her2/neu protein.
US08852595B2	Human binding molecules capable of binding to and neutralizing influenza B viruses and uses thereof Described are binding molecules, such as human monoclonal antibodies, that bind to hemagglutinin of influenza B viruses, and have a broad neutralizing activity against such influenza viruses. These binding molecules do not bind to hemagglutinin of influenza A viruses. Further provided are nucleic acid molecules encoding the binding molecules, and compositions comprising the binding molecules. The binding molecules can be used in the diagnosis of, prophylaxis against, and/or treatment of influenza B virus infections.
US08852591B2	Combination of BLyS and/or APRIL inhibition and immunosuppressants for treatment of autoimmune disease The invention relates to novel combination therapies involving BLyS or BLyS/APRIL inhibition and immunosuppressants for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. One preferred method is where the BLyS and/or APRIL antagonist is a Fc-fusion protein which can be a TACI-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of TACI or a functional fragment thereof, a BAFF-R-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BAFF-R or a functional fragment thereof, or a BCMA-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BCMA or a functional fragment thereof. In the methods of the present invention some of the immunosuppressive drugs contemplated include cyclophosphamide (CYC), azathioprine (AZA), cyclosporine A (CSA), or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), although any drug that suppresses the immune system may be suitable. The methods of the present invention reduce the levels of various immunoglobulins in patients in need of such reduction, such as those suffering from autoimmune diseases.
US08852588B2	Treating allergic airway disorders using anti-IL-20 receptor antibodies Treatment of an allergic airway disorder (e.g., asthma or bronchial airway obstruction) using anti-IL-20R1 antibodies such as mAb51D, mAb7GW, or functional variants thereof.
US08852587B2	Anti-prion protein antibody fragment The invention relates to an antibody, antibody fragment or derivative thereof which specifically recognizes a prion protein and which comprises a complementarity determining region (CDR), a retro-inverso D-peptide of said CDR and/or an anti-idiotypic antibody, antibody fragment or derivative thereof which recognizes said CDR. The invention further concerns a nucleic acid molecule encoding said antibody, antibody fragment or derivative thereof as well as a method for generating an antibody, antibody fragment or derivative thereof that specifically recognizes a prion protein, wherein an antibody that recognizes a specific domain of the prion protein is generated, an antigen-specific amino acid sequence is isolated from said antibody, and an anti-idiotypic antibody, antibody fragment or derivative thereof, which recognizes said antigen-specific amino acid sequence, is generated.
US08852585B2	Method of treatment and prophylaxis of diseases related to amyloid deposition using IgM The invention relates to a method of treating or preventing disease associated with β-amyloid polypeptides comprising administration of an immunoglobulin preparation enriched in immunoglobulin M (IgM), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such preparations.
US08852581B2	Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease A method of treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises collecting regulatory T cells in an activated or non-activated state from a patient's sentinel lymph nodes draining bowel segments with or without IBD, optionally activating the cells by contacting them with a cytokine and an antigen extract obtained from an inflamed bowel segment, expanding the T cells in vitro, and re-infusing the expanded T cell to the patient. Also disclosed are methods for obtaining sentinel nodes, for expanding T cells, for re-establishing the TH1/TH2 balance in the patient suffering from Crohn's disease, and corresponding uses of the expanded T cells, the cytokine and of antigen extract, as well as of correspondingly activated and expanded T cells.
US08852580B2	Method and device for synovial cell-charged collagen membrane or gel An implant for repair of a cartilaginous defect in a subject includes a collagen matrix charged with synovial cells. A method preparing an implant for repair of a cartilaginous defect in a subject includes obtaining a fluid containing synovial cells and charging the synovial cells to the matrix. A device for preparing a cell-charged implant includes a first chamber and a second chamber, the first and second chambers being separated by a membrane and a perforated filter. The membrane is adapted to collect cells from a cell-containing fluid introduced into the first chamber and the perforated filter is adapted to permit passage or diffusion of the fluid through the second chamber. A method for preparing a cell-charged implant utilizes the device.
US08852576B2	Modified sodium iodide symporter proteins and uses thereof A modified sodium iodide symporter (NIS) protein is provided. The modified NIS protein comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.1 with the proviso that at least one amino acid residue within SEQ ID NO. 1 is changed. The modified NIS protein has an enhanced transport function, and the expression of the modified NIS protein in the cells results in higher intracellular levels of a substrate of a NIS protein than does the expression of the same amount of a wild-type NIS protein.
US08852573B2	Cardiac muscle repair or regeneration using bone marrow-derived stem cells Disclosed are compositions and methods for repairing and/or regenerating cardiac tissue by administering adult bone marrow-derived stem cells to an individual. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectible or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.
US08852565B2	Odour-reducing substances The use is described (i)(a) of a single alcohol of formula (1) or (i)(b) of a mixture comprising or consisting of two or more different alcohols of formula (1), wherein in each case one of the two radicals Ra or Rb represents hydrogen and in each case the other radical Ra or Rb represents an acyl radical having 2 to 6 C atoms, for reducing an odor or as an auxiliary for reducing an odor.
US08852564B2	Cosmetic composition combining a copolymer, a non-volatile oil and a glossy oil A cosmetic composition includes, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least: one copolymer containing at least alkyl methacrylate, alkyl acrylate and acrylic acid monomers; one non-volatile oil having a hydrocarbon-based chain containing at least 16 carbon atoms and having a molar mass of less than 650 g/mol; and one glossy oil having a molar mass of greater than or equal to 650 g/mol.
US08852563B2	Cosmetic A cosmetic, includes: a composite powder containing titanium oxide and 4-tert-butyl-4-methoxybenzoylmethane and having an average particle diameter of less than 1 μm; and sorbitan fatty acid ester represented by the following Formula (I): wherein, in Formula (I), R1 to R4 each independently represent —(CH2)nCOOH, —(CH2)nOH, —R5, or —OR6; R5 represents an aliphatic group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms; R6 represents an acyl group having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms; n represents 0 or an integer from 1 to 29; and at least one of R1 to R4 represents —OR6.
US08852561B2	Fluoride varnish compositions including an organo phosphoric acid adhesion promoting agent Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth. The composition includes a carrier comprising a resin and an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. A fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) is dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to the tooth tissue being treated. The composition adheres only temporarily to tooth tissue (e.g., for a period of at least about 4 minutes, but not more than about 1 year), after which the composition spontaneously wears away as a natural result of the action of the tongue, saliva and/or other factors.
US08852560B2	Adhesive dental bleaching compositions containing polyvinylpyrrolidone A dental bleaching composition comprises a dental bleaching agent and a polyvinylpyrrolidone thickening agent. The bleaching composition may include water, flavoring agents, a basic substance and desensitizing agents, as desired. Polyvinylpyrrolidone avoids acid etching and chelation of teeth that were problematic in bleaches using carbomer as a thickener. A delivery system for delivering the bleaching composition comprises the aforementioned dental bleaching composition in combination with a moisture-resistant barrier layer such as a dental tray or a flexible strip of material.
US08852559B2	Borinic compositions A stabilized oral care composition comprising a borinic acid derivative, e.g., a borinic ester.
US08852556B2	Animal model for evaluating vasomotor response in vivo A method for evaluating the effect of a compound on vasomotor response in vivo comprises the steps of administering said compound to a rabbit and measuring the diameter of the vessel lumen of a central ear artery of said rabbit in comparison with the baseline diameter of the vessel lumen of said central ear artery of said rabbit, said baseline diameter being measured prior to the administration of said compound.
US08852555B2	Process for production of surface-coated inorganic particles Nano-sized inorganic particles having uniform particle sizes and precisely controlled particle diameters have already been produced by synthesis in an organic solvent, but these nano-sized inorganic particles are hindered from dispersing in a polar solvent because of the adsorption of a long-chain fatty acid on the surfaces of the particles. Further, it was difficult to form nano-sized inorganic particles dispersible in a polar solvent by replacing the long-chain fatty acid coats. According to the invention, various surface-coated inorganic particles dispersible in polar solvents can be produced from fatty acid-coated inorganic particles by adding a temporary coating substance such as thiomalic acid to a nonpolar solvent containing fatty acid-coated inorganic particles dispersed therein to replace the fatty acid coats by the temporary coating substance, dispersing the inorganic particles coated with the temporary coating substance in a polar solvent, and then adding a coating substance dispersible in a polar solvent, e.g., citric acid to the obtained dispersion to replace the temporary coating substance coats covering the inorganic particles by the coating substance dispersible in a polar solvent.
US08852553B2	N-alkoxyamide conjugates as imaging agents The present disclosure is directed to compounds, diagnostic agents, and related methods. In some cases, methods for treating patients are provided. More specifically, the disclosure provides compounds, diagnostic agents, and kits for detecting and/or imaging and/or monitoring elastin rich tissues. In addition, the disclosure provides methods of detecting and/or imaging and/or monitoring the presence of coronary plaque, carotid plaque, iliac/femoral plaque, aortic plaque, renal artery plaque, plaque of any arterial vessel, aneurism, vasculitis, other diseases of the arterial wall, and/or damage or structural changes in ligaments, uterus, lungs or skin, as indicated by changes in total vessel wall area, internal lumen size, and exterior arterial perimeter.
US08852550B2	Chelator conjugates The present invention relates to improved chelator conjugates with biological targeting molecules, suitable for forming metal complexes with radiometals. The radiometal complexes, especially with the radiometal 99mTc, are useful as radiopharmaceuticals.
US08852549B2	Method for maintaining the ratio of the oxime to equilibrium modifier concentration in solvent extraction circuits Provided are methods for maintaining the ratio of the oxime to equilibrium modifier concentration in solvent extraction circuits, said solvents essentially consisting of at least one ketoxime and/or aldoxime; at least one equilibrium modifier; and at least one diluent.
US08852540B2	Apparatus and method for removing sulfur dioxide from flue gases An apparatus and method for removing sulfur dioxide from a flue gas is described. The apparatus has sequentially operable scrubbing zone and regeneration zone, which communicate with one another via a molten eutectic mixture of lithium, sodium and potassium carbonates. In the scrubbing zone, an ingress flue gas interacts with the molten carbonates, resulting in chemical absorbance of the sulfur dioxide and in discharge of reaction gases. In the regeneration zone, ether a chemical or electrochemical melt regeneration takes place resulting in formation of sulfur-containing vapor which is cooled down for converting the sulfur-containing vapor into a liquid and solid phase for a further collection and utilization.
US08852537B2	Method of manufacturing a reaction vessel A method of adapting an axial flow reaction vessel having opposed ports to an opposed axial flow reaction vessel includes installing a process fluid collection system within the body of the vessel in fluid communication with one or more of the ports; providing the vessel with a bed of particulate catalyst or sorbent containing a layer of inert particulate material around the process fluid collection system; and adapting the feed to the vessel through one or more of the ports such that a process fluid fed to the vessel is passed axially and in the opposite direction through the fixed bed of catalyst or sorbent and is collected by the process fluid collection system disposed centrally within the bed and in fluid communication with one or more of the ports.
US08852536B2	Hierarchical sample storage system In one embodiment, a cold storage system for biological samples has one or more freezers, each freezer having one or racks, each rack receiving one or more boxes, each box receiving one or more sample containers. In addition to the biological sample, each sample container has a unique passive RFID tag. Control electronics in each box energize reader coils to query individual RFID tags. Control electronics in each rack communicate with and provide power to the control electronics of each corresponding box, and control electronics in each freezer communicate with and provide power to the control electronics of each corresponding rack, and a host computer communicates with the control electronics in each freezer. In each instance, communication and power provisioning is implemented using magnetic inductive coupling. The system is able to determine the identity of each sample container in the system and maintain that information in a database.
US08852535B2	Device and method for measuring elemental sulfur in gas in gas lines A device and method for measuring the level of elemental sulfur present in a gas in a gas line. The device may include: an access fitting detachably connectable with the gas line, the access fitting having a first end and a second end; a probe detachably connectable to at least one end of the access fitting and adapted for insertion into a gas flow stream from the gas line to recover condensed components on the probe's outer surface; and a piping partially disposed within the probe for providing a cooling medium to the probe. The method may include the steps of: collecting a sample of elemental sulfur-containing gas from the gas line, wherein the sample is collected on an outer surface of a probe by condensing some or all of the elemental sulfur-containing gas in the gas line on a surface of the probe while the gas line is operational, the probe being removably placed into a gas flow stream from the gas line; separating the elemental sulfur from other species in the sample into an amount of elemental sulfur; and analyzing the amount of elemental sulfur collected. The device and method of the present invention for measuring the level of elemental sulfur present in a gas in a gas line, when compared with previously proposed devices and methods, has the advantages of: providing an accurate measurement of elemental sulfur, being able to distinguish between free elemental sulfur and sulfur in other sulfur-containing chemicals, and being practical and effective for use in process plant applications, particularly pressurized gas lines.
US08852526B2	Method of fabricating microfluidic systems A method of fabricating a microfluidic system having microfluidic channels on a surface of a hydrophilic substrate, the method including the steps of: hydrophobizing the substrate surface; locating a mask defining the substrate surface, the mask having open areas defining the periphery of the microfluidic channels; and applying an irradiation treatment to areas of the substrate surface exposed by the open areas of the mask, said exposed areas becoming hydrophilic to therefore form said microfluidic channels.
US08852525B2	Various-substance holder, various-substance holder treating apparatus, and various-substance holder treating method A various-substance holder, a various-substance holder treating apparatus, and a various-substance holder treating method are provided which enable the mutual identification of particulate carriers to which various substances are or can be immobilized without the need to arrange the particulate carriers at predetermined positions or in a predetermined order, eliminating the need for time and effort to arrange the various substances at predetermined positions or in a predetermined order to allow treatments to be quickly and easily achieved. The various-substance holder has a plurality of particulate carriers or plural sets of particulate carriers to which plural types of chemical substances are or can be immobilized and a carrier holding portion holding the plurality of particulate carriers or the plural sets of particulate carriers in a substantially stationary state such that the plurality of particulate carriers or the plural sets of particulate carriers can be externally measured.
US08852519B2	Exhaust gas purifying catalyst and production process thereof Disclosed is an exhaust gas purifying catalyst in which grain growth of a noble metal particle supported on a support is suppressed. Also, disclosed is a production process of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, by which the above exhaust gas purifying catalyst can be produced. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises a crystalline metal oxide support and a noble metal particle supported on the support, wherein the noble metal particle is epitaxially grown on the support, and wherein the noble metal particle is dispersed and supported on the outer and inner surfaces of the support. The process for producing an exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises masking, in a solution, at least a part of the surface of a crystalline metal oxide support by a masking agent, introducing the support into a noble metal-containing solution containing a noble metal, and drying and firing the support and the noble metal-containing solution to support the noble metal on the support.
US08852514B2	Electronic device for analyzing aqueous solutions An electronic device for analyzing an aqueous solution may comprise a housing, one or more measurement circuits and a control circuit all arranged inside the housing. The housing may be configured to receive a test element. The one or more measurement circuits may be configured to produce one or more corresponding sets of measurement signals relating to an aqueous solution received on the test element. The control circuit may include a memory having instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to process the one or more sets of measurement signals to determine one or more corresponding characteristics of the aqueous solution.
US08852513B1	Systems and methods for packaging integrated circuit gas sensor systems Systems and methods are provided for packaging integrated circuit (IC) gas sensor systems that employ at least one gas sensor that is formed as part of an integrated circuit and configured to sense the presence and/or concentration of a target gas or other gas characteristics that may be present in the ambient gaseous environment surrounding the packaged IC gas sensor system.
US08852508B2	Microinjection apparatus and method The present invention discloses a microinjection apparatus (100) for microinjection of substances into individual substances comprising at least one carrier (120, 130) on which at least one sample is immobilizable. In embodiments, the apparatus comprises at drivable support (110) on which at least one carrier is positioned, wherein the support drives the at least one carrier in a closed loop to a respective plurality of stations along the loop. The plurality of stations constitutes at least one sample-substance-providing station (141), at least one sample-substance microinjection station (142) and at least one sample-extraction station (143).
US08852504B2	Apparatus and method for detecting and identifying microorganisms The present invention is an apparatus for detecting the presence, quantity and identity of one or more microorganisms in a sample and a method for using the same. The apparatus is composed of one or more chambers and a sensing element for sensing microorganisms. In particular embodiments, the sensing element is an array of chemoresponsive dyes deposited on a substrate in a predetermined pattern combination, wherein the combination of the dyes have a distinct and direct spectroscopic, transmission, or reflectance response to distinct analytes produced by the microorganism which is indicative of the presence, quantity and identity of the microorganism.
US08852502B2	Sterilization wrap system and methods of use A method of sterilizing an article is provided. The method includes providing sterilization wrap system with which to wrap the article to be sterilized. The sterilization wrap system comprises a plurality of wrap units configured in a stack, at least one wrap unit in the stack being detachably attached to at least one other wrap unit in the stack.
US08852495B2	Method for producing a component made of a composite material and associated device A process for manufacturing a piece made of composite material including a fiber preform that is embedded in a matrix, includes placing the preform in a first chamber that is delimited by a first semi-sealed wall, i.e., permeable to gas and impermeable to a product that is able to form the matrix, extracting the gases in a second chamber that is delimited by a second gas-tight wall and the first semi-sealed wall so as to obtain the diffusion of the product that is able to form the matrix in the preform, characterized in that it consists in using—as a first semi-sealed wall—at least one plate with a number of pipes of tapered shape that empty on either side of the at least one plate and at least one semi-sealed membrane that is superposed on the at least one plate.
US08852494B2	Method and apparatus of electrical field assisted imprinting A method and apparatus for performing nanoimprint lithography. When an electric field is applied between the mold and the substrate, various forces can be generated among molds, substrates, and resists. The electrostatic force between the mold and the substrate can serve as an imprinting pressure to press the structured mold into the conformable resist. In addition, the electric field induces additional wetting forces (electrowetting or dielectrophoresis) in a liquid resist, which can assist the flow and filling of the liquid resist into fine structures.
US08852491B2	Method manufacturing electroforming mold In a method of manufacturing an electroforming mold, a first photoresist layer is formed on an upper surface of a bottom conductive film of a substrate, and the first photoresist layer is divided into a first soluble portion and a first insoluble portion. A conductive material is thermally deposited on an upper surface of the first photoresist layer within a predetermined temperature range, to thereby form an intermediate conductive film. An intermediate conductive film is patterned. A second photoresist layer is formed on an exposed upper surface of the first photoresist layer after the intermediate conductive film is removed, and on an upper surface of the intermediate conductive film remaining after patterning. The second photoresist layer is divided into a second soluble portion and a second insoluble portion. Next, the first and second photoresist layers are developed, and the first and second soluble portions are removed.
US08852490B2	Systems and methods of concrete apparatus with incorporated lifter Systems and methods for a concrete apparatus with incorporated lifter are provided. A concrete apparatus is formed by placing a reinforcement system in a mold. The reinforcement system comprises a lifter. Concrete is poured into the mold such that the lifter protrudes from the poured concrete. After the concrete has hardened and the mold is removed, the lifter is used to carry and position the concrete apparatus. After the concrete apparatus is positioned, the lifter is removed at the circumference of the concrete apparatus leaving no holes, thereby eliminating water leakage due to lifting methods.
US08852489B2	Process for preparing moldings using mixtures of amines with guanidine derivatives The present invention provides a process for producing moldings, the curing of the mold being carried out using a blend comprising one or more epoxy resins and a mixture, the curing component a) being used within the mixture in the range from 0.3 to 0.9 amine equivalent per equivalent of epoxide of the epoxy resin used, and the hardener component b) being a compound of the formula I.
US08852488B2	Manufacturing process for high performance short ligno-cellulosic fibre—thermoplastic composite materials The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of short or discontinuous lignocellulosic fiber in combination with synthetic fiber filled thermoplastic composites, in which the process consists of preferably, defiberization and dispersion of the cellulosic fibers in the thermoplastic matrix, further consolidation and dispersion of the blended thermoplastic composition, further blending of the same with inorganic fibers to get the moldable thermoplastic composition and further injection or compression or compression injection molded under high pressure ranging from 100 tones to 1000 tones and a temperature range from 170 to 210 degree centigrade into composite products. The said composites have a tensile strength of at least 75 MPa and a flexural strength of at least 125 MPa. The invention also relates to the use of the said composites in automotive, aerospace, furniture and other structural applications.
US08852484B2	Bead-forming apparatus A bead-forming apparatus and method for its use are described. The bead-forming apparatus includes a base with a pair of legs extending from a top surface. First ends of the legs couple to respective eccentric elements. The eccentric elements removeably and rotatably couple to a platen. Second ends of the legs are rotatably and slideably mated with a gear train disposed within the base. The legs are slideably translatable into the base and the gear train maintains a rotational orientation of the legs and the eccentric elements coupled thereto. The platen is thus moveable through a circular path defined by the rotation of the eccentric elements and legs. As such, a plug of moldable material placed between the base and the platen and in contact with the platen, is formed into a double-cone shape by movement of the platen through the circular path.
US08852481B2	Method of encapsulating an electrical energy accumulation component A method for encapsulating a device, such as an battery, having two opposite and parallel main faces and a peripheral edge, wherein one main face includes an electrical contact zone, includes the steps of retaining the device within an injection chamber of a mold and injecting encapsulation material into the injection chamber to overmold an encapsulation block on the device. The injection chamber is configured to hold a portion of the device, adjacent its peripheral edge, so as to center the device within the injection chamber. The mold includes centering structures that at least partially cover the electrical contact zone. Opposite positioning studs protrude into the injection chamber and bear on the opposite main faces of the device. The resulting packaged device includes an overmolded encapsulation block enveloping the device except for portions covered by the centering structure.
US08852478B2	Injection molding method including machining of both injection mold and molded product A method for manufacturing an injection molded product includes producing an injection mold by building a one-piece mold block including a mold cavity sized and shaped to correspond to a desired shape of the injection molded product and a first feeder duct extending from the mold cavity and injecting a molten material into the mold cavity via the feeder duct to form an injection molded product and a sprue extending therefrom into the first feeder duct in combination with machining a portion of the injection block to expose the injection molded product and machining the injection molded product while the sprue firmly holds the product in a remaining portion of the injection mold. The product is then cut from the sprue.
US08852475B2	Method of making continuous filament reinforced structural plastic profiles using pultrusion/coextrusion A system and method are disclosed for producing a continuous filament reinforced thermoplastic profile having consistent cross section. A continuous reinforcing filament is pre-wetted with a first thermoplastic resin and introduced into a die, where it is contacted with a second thermoplastic resin extruded from an extruder at melt state. The temperature of the die is carefully controlled so that the pre-wetted filament and first resin do not cure or solidify until after they have contacted and mixed with the second thermoplastic resin. The mixture temperature is then controlled to make a substantially solidified profile pre-shape. A capping layer comprising a third thermoplastic resin is then co-extruded onto the outer surface of the pre-shape. A multistage die for bringing together the filament and thermoplastic resins and for maintaining appropriate temperatures at each stage of the profile-forming process is also disclosed.
US08852474B2	Process for making fibrous structures Processes for making fibrous structures and more particularly processes for making fibrous structures comprising filaments are provided.
US08852473B1	Reinforced polymer composite foams and method of manufacture A pin or tube reinforced polymeric foam and a method of manufacture thereof. The reinforcing pins or tubes are incorporated into the polymeric foam during or after fabrication of the reinforced polymer foam and are preferably coated with an adhesive or binder layer prior to fabrication.
US08852472B2	Coated lipid complexes and their use The present invention is related to a lipid composition comprising at least a first lipid component, at least a first helper lipid, and a shielding compound which is removable from the lipid composition under in vivo conditions.
US08852466B2	Switchgear for breaking a medium- or high-voltage electric current and a manufacturing method therefor The present invention relates to switchgear for breaking a medium- or high-voltage electric current, which switchgear comprises a leaktight enclosure in which electrical components are found as well as a gaseous medium for extinguishing the electric arcs likely to occur in said enclosure, and which switchgear is characterized in that: the gaseous medium comprises at least one fluoroketone alone or in a mixture with at least one gas that does not form part of the fluoroketone family; the fluoroketone is present in the enclosure in part in the liquid state and in part in the gaseous state; and in that the enclosure further comprises means for absorbing molecular species that form after the ionization experienced by said fluoroketone during arcing. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing said switchgear.
US08852462B2	Light-reflective anisotropic conductive adhesive and light-emitting device A light-reflective anisotropic conductive adhesive used for anisotropic conductive connection of a light-emitting element to a wiring board includes a thermosetting resin composition containing a silicone resin and a curing agent, conductive particles and light-reflective insulating particles. The light-reflective insulating particle is at least one kind of inorganic particles selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, boron nitride, zinc oxide, silicon oxide, and aluminum oxide. The silicone resin is a glycidyloxyalkyl-alicyclic alkyl-modified organopolysiloxane.
US08852458B2	Glycidyl carbamate coatings having improved corrosion resistance This invention relates to coating compositions comprising a glycidyl carbamate functional resin, an epoxy resin, and an amine curing agent. The coating compositions have improved corrosion resistance, particularly on untreated steel substrates.
US08852457B2	Method for purification and conditioning of crude syngas based on properties of molten salts A method for purification and conditioning of crude syngas based on properties of molten salts, includes removing particles at a high-temperature by enabling the high-temperature crude syngas produced by a gasification device to firstly pass through a high-temperature particle removal device to remove solid particles in the gas; removing hydrocarbons in the presence of oxygen by introducing an oxidant into the crude syngas after treatment, selectively removing the hydrocarbons in the crude syngas and simultaneously utilizing high temperature produced by oxidation of the hydrocarbons to crack tar; and removing gas pollutants and conditioning by introducing the obtained crude syngas into molten salts medium, removing pollutants containing sulfur and chlorine in the crude syngas, and simultaneously adjusting the H2/CO ratio of the syngas to obtain purified syngas.
US08852456B2	Method for the production of hydrogen combined with carbon dioxide capture The present invention relates to a method for the combined production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon mixture, in which the hydrocarbon mixture is reformed to produce a syngas which is cooled, then enriched with H2 and CO2, optionally dried, and treated in a PSA hydrogen purification unit to produce hydrogen, the PSA offgas being treated to capture the CO2 and to supply an offgas. This offgas is again treated to supply a stream enriched with H2 and CO2 which is returned to the PSA, where it constitutes a second feed distinct from the main feed.
US08852452B2	Core-shell lithium transition metal oxides A lithium transition metal oxide powder for use in a rechargeable battery is disclosed, where the surface of the primary particles of said powder is coated with a LiF layer, where this layer consists of a reaction product of a fluorine-containing polymer and the primary particle surface. The lithium of the LiF originates from the primary particles surface. Examples of the fluorine-containing polymer are either one of PVDF, PVDF-HFP or PTFE. Examples of the lithium transition metal oxide are either one of —LiCodMeO2, wherein M is either one of both of Mg and Ti, with e<0.02 and d+e=1; —Li1+aM′1−aO2±bM1kSm with −0.03
US08852449B2	Refrigeration oil and compositions with carbon dioxide refrigerant Lubricant compositions comprising certain mixtures of esters of pentaerythritol, di-pentaerythritol, tri-pentaerythritol and higher pentaerythritol oligomers are ideally suited for use with CO2 as refrigerant in heat transfer devices provided that at least 30% by weight of the esters are esters of pentaerythritol oligomers containing 4 or more pentaerythritol monomer units and wherein a majority of the alkylcarboxylate groups are straight chain C3-6 alkanoyl groups, such as n-pentanoyl. Said mixture of alkylcarboxylate esters are shown to not only have higher than expected viscosity and exceptional CO2 miscibility, but also possess excellent lubricity, film building properties and load bearing properties even as part of a lubricant/CO2 solution.
US08852447B2	Porous nanostructures and methods involving the same A method for simultaneously detecting and separating a target analyte such as a protein or other macromolecule that includes providing a porous silicon matrix on the silicon substrate, exposing the porous silicon matrix to an environment suspect of containing the target analyte, observing optical reflectivity of the porous silicon matrix; and correlating the changes in the silicon substrate to the target analyte.
US08852441B2	Apparatus for purifying liquids, in particular for purifying ballast water The invention relates to an apparatus for purifying liquids, in particular for purifying ballast water.
US08852438B2	Membrane filtration module with adjustable header spacing A membrane filtration device has a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship; said first header and said second header having opposed ends of each fiber sealingly secured therein, all open ends of said fibers open to a permeate-discharging face of at least one header; permeate collection means to collect said permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming an integrated combination wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed and ends of individual fibers are potted in closely spaced-apart relationship in cured resin; with opposed faces at a fixed distance; each of said fibers having a length from 0.1% to less than 5% greater.
US08852435B2	Purification and separation treatment assembly (PASTA) for biological products An assembly capable of capturing and purifying expressed biological products during or at the end of a bioreaction cycle is disclosed wherein a binding resin is kept separated from the contents of the bioreactor allowing capturing, harvesting and purification of biological products in a bioreactor; the invention additionally provides means of removing undesirable metabolic products as well as provides for efficient loading of chromatography columns.
US08852434B2	Filter element for a disc filter A filter element (2) for use in a disc filter (1), wherein a plurality of filter elements (2) are arranged on a rotor shaft (3) in a manner allowing liquid communication between the inside (4) of the filter elements (2) and the inside (5) of the rotor shaft (3), for the filtering of liquids. The filter element (2) includes a framework (6) carrying a filter cloth (7) on both its side surfaces (8), wherein the framework (6) and the filter cloth (7) are permanently joined forming a single use filter element (2) and the filter element has at least one passage (21) in each edge (22) for liquid communication between the inside (4) of adjacent filter elements. A disc filter (1) including a single use filter element (2) is also provided.
US08852430B2	Water treatment device A water treatment device includes a control module communicating with a feed line; an energy pipe communicating with the control module; a light wave pipe assembly communicating with the energy pipe; and magnetizing pipe communicating with the light wave pipe assembly through the second manifold then with an exit line. The light wave pipe assembly communicates with the light wave generator so that the wave guide tube grants the light wave energy to the water liquid. The magnetic energy of magnets of the magnetizing pipe magnetizes the water liquid. Furthermore, with the use of multiple loops which refine molecules of the water liquid, the energy of the water liquid increases to allow the water liquid to be easily absorbed by human body.
US08852426B2	Integrated hydrotreating and isomerization process with aromatic separation Deep desulfurization of hydrocarbon feeds containing undesired organosulfur compounds to produce a hydrocarbon product having low levels of sulfur, i.e., 15 ppmw or less of sulfur, is achieved by hydrotreating the feed under mild conditions, and separating the hydrotreated effluent into an aromatic-rich fraction which contains a substantial amount of the aromatic refractory and sterically hindered sulfur-containing compounds, and an aromatic-lean fraction. The aromatic-rich fraction is contacted with isomerization catalyst, and the isomerized aromatic-rich fraction is recycled to the mild hydrotreating process.
US08852414B2	Converter for use with sensing devices A system and method are disclosed for utilizing sensors with existing devices. An interface module is used in combination with a newer sensor, such as a fluorescence oxygen sensor, and an older legacy device. The older legacy device supplies a polarizing voltage, and anticipates a measured current of between 0 and 100 nA. The newer sensor requires no polarizing voltage and delivers an output of 0-10 volts in one embodiment, and 4-20 mA in another embodiment. The interface module receives the output from the sensor, and converts it into a useable signal to the legacy device. In another embodiment, the interface module comprises a number of outputs, such that both legacy devices and newer devices can be in communication with the sensor simultaneously. The interface module can be used in conjunction with a reactor chamber or other pharmaceutical process.
US08852407B2	Electron beam sculpting of tunneling junction for nanopore DNA sequencing A nanodevice is provided that includes a reservoir filled with a conductive fluid and a membrane separating the reservoir. The membrane includes an electrode layer having a tunneling junction formed therein. A nanopore is formed through the membrane, and the nanopore is formed through other layers of the membrane such that the nanopore is aligned with the tunneling junction of the electrode layer. When a voltage is applied to the electrode layer, a tunneling current is generated by a base in the tunneling junction to be measured as a signature for distinguishing the base. When an organic coating is formed on an inside surface of the tunneling junction, transient bonds are formed between the electrode layer and the base.
US08852405B2	Dual-mode dividing wall column A dual-mode dividing wall column capable of mode switching between a dividing wall column operating mode and a conventional column operating mode, and a distillation method using the dual-mode dividing wall column, wherein when compared to the existing conventional column, the invention can reduce device costs and energy and improve productivity is described. Furthermore, since a mutual conversion between a dividing wall column operating mode and a conventional column operating mode is enabled without shutting down a process, an economic loss which can occur during shutdown caused by the malfunction of a device can be prevented.
US08852403B2	Twin wire press A twin wire press for dewatering solid-liquid suspensions, such as pulp suspensions, between top and bottom webs is described herein which includes consecutive primary, secondary and tertiary dewatering sections. The primary dewatering section includes a wedge area. The secondary dewatering section is positioned adjacent to the primary section downstream therefrom and includes grooved rolls in an s-roll configuration. The tertiary dewatering section includes rolls in a scissor-nip configuration. The press rolls in the secondary and tertiary section are all supported onto a frame. Whenever maintenance is to be performed on any one of the grooved rolls or on the press roll assemblies, an overhead crane can for example be used since no frame structure is provided on top thereof.
US08852402B2	Method for producing calcium carbonate during formation of a fibrous web A method for production of calcium carbonate in a target suspension of a fibrous web forming process of a fibrous web machine, wherein the calcium carbonate is produced in a reactor, the method includes: injecting a chemical including carbon dioxide or lime milk through an injection mixer to the target suspension flowing through the reactor; allowing the chemical including to react while in the target suspension to form calcium carbonate crystals, and inhibiting precipitation of the chemical or a reaction product of the chemical on a surface of or in the reactor by application of an electric or magnetic field to or proximate to the surface along a region of the surface adjacent to the reaction involving the chemical.
US08852399B2	Polymer-containing articles of manufacture and methods for making same Polymer-containing articles of manufacture that provide one or more superior properties, such as soil adsorption properties, mirror cleaning properties, and/or absorption properties, compared to known polymer-containing articles of manufacture, are provided.
US08852396B2	Sheet material comprising at least one watermark having a colored shade The present invention relates to a sheet material (2) comprising at least one first layer defining an outer surface of the sheet material and having at least one first color, at least one second layer comprising at least one watermark (6) and having at least one second color, the first and second colors having at least different saturations and/or hue angles.
US08852394B2	Submerged combustion heating water evaporation for natural gas wells Apparatus for evaporating waste water having chemicals therein which cause foaming comprises a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, one or more submerged combustion chambers with burners suspended within the holding tank, and, one or more foam skimming weirs located in an upper portion of the holding tank, the one or more foam skimming weirs defining one or more foam collection zones.
US08852393B2	Submerged combustion heating water evaporation for natural gas wells Apparatus for evaporating waste water having dissolved solids therein comprising a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, a submerged combustion chamber with burner suspended within the holding tank, the submerged combustion chamber having a plurality of vertical slots defined therein near a bottom thereof which span a substantial portion of a height of the submerged combustion chamber, a blower connected to provide air under positive pressure to the burner, and, a vent stack coupled to an upper portion of the holding tank for allowing water vapor to exit the holding tank.
US08852392B2	Method for the production of an elastic composite material with a textile surface A method for the production of an elastic composite material with a textile surface. First, a laminate is produced, which has elastic cover layers and a core composed of a nonwoven fabric. Subsequently, the laminate is separated into two strips, each of which has a cover layer and an adhering layer of nonwoven fabric, by tearing open the core.
US08852391B2	Method and apparatus for removing a reversibly mounted device wafer from a carrier substrate New demounting methods and apparatuses for separating temporarily, permanently, or semi-permanently bonded substrates and articles formed from those methods and apparatuses are provided. The methods comprise demounting a device wafer from a carrier wafer or substrate that have only been strongly bonded at their outer perimeters. The edge bonds are chemically, mechanically, acoustically, or thermally softened, dissolved, or disrupted to allow the wafers to be easily separated with very low forces and at or near room temperature at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process. A clamp for facilitating separation of the bonded substrates is also provided.
US08852388B2	Plasma processor The present invention relates to a plasma processor capable of regulating the temperature of the inner surface of the processing chamber efficiently and with excellent response, with a low-cost configuration. A plasma processor 1 includes a processing chamber 11, a processing gas supply device 20, an exhaust device 40, coils 23, a high-frequency power supply unit 24, a heater 26, a cooling device 30, and a control device 50. The cooling device 30 is configured with a cooling member 32 facing the processing chamber 11 at a distance therefrom, a cooling fluid supply section 31 for supplying cooling fluid into a cooling passage 32a of the cooling member 32 and circulates it, and annular seal members 35 and 36 provided between the cooling member 32 and the processing chamber 11. The exhaust device 40 reduces the pressure in a space S surrounded by the seal members 35 and 36, the cooling member 32, and the processing chamber 11. The control device 50 controls the exhaust device 40 to reduce the pressure in the space S when high-frequency power is not applied to the coils 23, and to set the pressure in the space S at atmospheric pressure when high-frequency power is applied to the coils 23.
US08852382B2	Thermosetting composition A thermosetting composition comprising (a) 97 to 40 percent by weight of at least one bis(dihydrobenzoxazine) prepared by the reaction of an unsubstituted or substituted bisphenol with at least one unsubstituted position ortho to each hydroxyl group, formaldehyde and a primary amine; and (b) 3 to 60 percent by weight of at least one bisphenol, wherein the percent by weight refer to the total amount of components (a) and (b), with the proviso that (a) and (b) add up to 100 percent by weight; and (c) optionally other components. Cured products made from these compositions have valuable chemical, physical and mechanical properties.
US08852379B2	Method for exfoliating carbonization catalyst from graphene sheet, method for transferring graphene sheet from which carbonization catalyst is exfoliated to device, graphene sheet and device using the graphene sheet A carbonization catalyst for forming graphene may be exfoliated from a graphene sheet by etching. A binder layer may be formed on the graphene sheet on which a carbonization catalyst is formed, to support and fix all or part of the graphene sheet. Further, the graphene sheet from which the carbonization catalyst is exfoliated may be transferred to a device. When exfoliating the carbonization catalyst from the graphene sheet, an acid may be used together with a wetting agent.
US08852376B2	Method for making heaters A method for making a heater is related. A rotator having an axis and a flexible substrate with a plurality of electrodes located on a surface of the flexible substrate are provided. The flexible substrate is fixed on a surface of the rotator and a carbon nanotube film drawn from a carbon nanotube array is adhered on the surface of the flexible substrate. The rotator is rotated about the axis to wrap the carbon nanotube film on the surface of the flexible substrate to form a carbon nanotube layer. The flexible substrate and the carbon nanotube layer are cut along a direction to form the heater.
US08852374B2	Method for manufacturing optical film laminate including polarizing film A method for manufacturing an optical film laminate including subjecting a laminate including the non-crystallizable ester type thermoplastic resin substrate and the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer formed on the non-crystallizable ester type thermoplastic resin substrate to an elevated temperature in-air stretching to form a stretched laminate comprising a stretched intermediate consisting of a molecularly oriented polyvinyl alcohol type resin, impregnating the dichroic material in the stretched laminate to form a dyed laminate including a dyed intermediate comprising a polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer having the dichroic material impregnated therein in an oriented state, and stretching the dyed laminate in boric acid solution to form an optical film laminate.
US08852373B2	Method for manufacturing lace tip and lace tip A method for manufacturing a lace tip includes: A glue layer, a pattern layer and a transparent layer are stacked in sequence on a predetermined location of a lace body. A surface of the pattern layer includes a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions which are alternately arranged on the pattern layer. The glue layer, the pattern layer and the transparent layer are fixed in sequence on the predetermined location of the lace body by thermal pressing. A plurality of concave portions and a plurality of convex portions are formed on a surface of the transparent layer which are alternately arranged on the surface of the transparent layer, so that the concave portions or the convex portions can refract light through the first portions and the second portions in accordance with changes of user's view angle.
US08852372B2	Pant-type absorbent article and a method for producing pant-type absorbent articles A method for producing pant-type absorbent articles, each article including a chassis structure having at least one elastic panel and an integrated absorbent core component, the method including a continuous pant-forming process including forming the chassis structure and incorporating the absorbent core component into the chassis structure. The at least one elastic panel is formed by a) separately producing a two-layer laminate having a first non-elastic fibrous nonwoven web and an elastic film, b) activating the two-layer laminate by incremental stretching in at least one activation direction to render the two-layer laminate elastically stretchable, c) stretching the activated two-layer laminate by 10-200% in the activation direction, d) introducing the two-layer laminate) in the pant-forming process, and e) laminating the elastic film of the stretched two-layer laminate to an elastic or nonwoven chassis component. An absorbent pant-type article produced in accordance with the method.
US08852371B2	Method of forming an air passageway in an air maintenance tire A method of forming an air passageway in a an air maintenance tire carcass includes: embedding an elongate strip within a pre-cured flexible tire component of a pre-cured tire carcass, the elongate strip extending in a longitudinal direction between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component; curing the pre-cured tire carcass including the flexible tire component; extracting the elongate strip longitudinally end-to-end from occupancy within the flexible tire component; and defining an air passageway in the flexible component by the space previously occupied by the withdrawn elongate strip. A free end portion of the strip is accessible at either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity, and the elongate strip may be extracted from either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity by a tensile withdrawal force applied to the elongate strip free end.
US08852370B2	Labelling machine and method thereof There is described a labelling machine for applying a plurality of labels to a respective plurality of articles; the machine comprises a conveying device movable along a given path (P) and having a plurality of operating units for receiving and retaining the articles to be labelled, feeding means for feeding the labels to the operating units, application means for applying the labels to the articles, and a marking unit (100) arranged upstream from the conveying device and comprising means (101) for marking a surface of each label with a mark (M) univocally associable with the corresponding operating unit by which said label shall be received and processed.
US08852368B2	Polyolefin coated fabric reinforcement and cementitious boards reinforced with same The present invention provides a method making glass fiber fabric reinforcements, cement boards, and glass fiber coatings for such reinforcements. The glass fiber fabric reinforcement includes a glass fabric containing multiple yarns containing glass filaments and a polymeric coating disposed onto the multiple yarns to form a coated glass fabric. The polymeric coating comprises a polyolefin based copolymer composition whereby the glass fabric has a Gurley Stiffness measurement of about 100-3000 mg and an ASTM D 638 (2% Secant) modulus of compression of about 1-100 MPa. The reinforcement is sufficiently drapable and lacking in shape memory so as to be curved around the edge of a cement board during the manufacture of same.
US08852367B2	Method of production of high-strength hollow bodies from multiphase martensitic steels A method of production of high-strength hollow bodies from multiphase martensitic steels includes a heating process, a forming process and a cooling process. A heating device heats hollow steel stock to the austenitic temperature of the material from which the stock is made. The stock is then converted by deformation in a forming device into a hollow body having the final shape. A cooling device thereafter cools the hollow body such that the material with the original austenite microstructure refined by deformation during the forming process cools to a temperature at which incomplete transformation of austenite to martensite occurs. The retained austenite stabilization is performed in an annealing device by diffusion-based carbon partitioning within the material from which the hollow body is made. The hollow body is cooled in a cooling device to ambient temperature after stabilization.
US08852364B2	Aluminum alloy and high strength bolt made of aluminum alloy Provided is material for an aluminum alloy exhibiting a sufficient heat resistance, tensile strength as well as stress corrosion cracking resistance necessary for use as automobile parts. Also, provided are a forged part forged from such aluminum alloy and an aluminum alloy high strength bolt made thereof. The aluminum alloy (by mass) is consisted of (by mass) 1.0 to 1.7% of Si, 0.05 to 0.5% of Fe, 0.8 to 1.5% of Cu, 0.6 to 1.2% of Mn, 0.9 to 1.5% of Mg, 0.05 to 0.5% of Zn, 0.05 to 0.3% of Zr, 0.01 to 0.2% of V, and when needed, Ti exceeding 0% and not more than 0.05%, and, when further needed, Ni exceeding 0% and not more than 0.7%, the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities.
US08852360B2	High strength hot-rolled steel plate exhibiting excellent acid pickling property, chemical conversion processability, fatigue property, stretch flangeability, and resistance to surface deterioration during molding, and having isotropic strength and ductility This high strength hot-rolled steel sheet includes: in terms of percent by mass, C: 0.05 to 0.12%; Si: 0.8 to 1.2%; Mn: 1.6 to 2.2%; Al: 0.30 to 0.6%; P: 0.05% or less; S: 0.005% or less; and N: 0.01% or less, with the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities, wherein a microstructure includes specific ranges (in area %) of ferrite phases as well as martensite phases, and a maximum concentration of Al detected by a glow discharge emission spectroscopic analysis is in a range of 0.75 mass % or less in a region from a surface of the steel sheet to a thickness of 500 nm after being acid-pickled.
US08852358B2	Process for surface treating aluminum or aluminum alloy and article made with same A process for surface treating aluminum or aluminum alloy comprises the following steps. Providing a substrate made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The substrate is treated with a chemical conversion treatment solution containing molybdate as the main film forming agent, to form a molybdate conversion film on the substrate. Then, a ceramic coating comprising refractory compound is formed on the molybdate conversion film by physical vapor deposition.
US08852357B2	Rheology modified pretreatment compositions and associated methods of use Disclosed are methods for treating metal substrates that include contacting the metal with pretreatment compositions comprising: (a) a group IIIB metal, a group IVB metal and/or a group VB metal; and (b) a rheology modifier composition.
US08852356B2	Method for producing a hot rolled strip and hot rolled strip produced from ferritic steel The invention relates to a method for producing a hot strip from transformation-free ferritic steel, wherein a melt is cast into a roughed strip and the latter is subsequently rolled into a hot strip. For this purpose, it is provided that the melt is cast in a horizontal strip casting facility under conditions of a calm flow and free of bending into a roughed strip in the range between 6 and 20 mm and is subsequently rolled into hot strip having a degree of deformation of at least 50%.
US08852355B1	Elevated potable water tank and tower cleaning system A system for vacuuming out sediment when installed on the inside of a gravity feed, elevated potable water tank or tower holding water at a pressure head of the kind having a riser serving as a water inlet and outlet. The system having a manifold installed along the bottom wall of the tank or tower connected to a plurality of downwardly directed nozzles. The manifold is connected to a drain pipe passing down through the riser and is supported so that the nozzles are positioned above the bottom wall in the vicinity of the sediment. When water is allowed to flow through the drain pipe, the pressure head causes sediment which may otherwise be a health risk and promote electrolytic corrosion to be vacuumed out by the nozzles.
US08852354B2	Dishwasher and control method thereof This invention relates to a dishwasher (1) and a control method thereof, where the effects influencing the washing performance negatively such as filter clogging, rotor blocking, foaming or increase in viscosity are identified by detecting the current (I) drawn by the circulation pump (4) from the network and the solution steps applied to solve this problem.
US08852353B2	Solid dishmachine detergent not requiring a separate rinse additive New solid detergent compositions and methods of forming and using those compositions are provided. The compositions for forming the solid detergents comprise a copolymer, scale inhibiting agent, and non-phosphate builder dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system. Advantageously, the inventive solid detergents provide dramatically improved cleaning performance and drying time without the use of a separate rinse additive. The detergents are especially suited to commercial dishmachine processes. The solid detergents are also in the form of a solid, homogeneous, self-sustaining body for improved handling and use.
US08852347B2	Apparatus for chemical vapor deposition control A gas heating device and a processing system for use therein are described for depositing a thin film on a substrate using a vapor deposition process. The gas heating device includes a heating element array having a plurality of heating element zones configured to receive a flow of a film forming composition across or through said plurality of heating element zones in order to cause pyrolysis of one or more constituents of the film forming composition when heated. Additionally, the processing system may include a substrate holder configured to support a substrate. The substrate holder may include a backside gas supply system configured to supply a heat transfer gas to a backside of said substrate, wherein the backside gas supply system is configured to independently supply the heat transfer gas to multiple zones at the backside of the substrate.
US08852344B2	Large area deposition in high vacuum with high thickness uniformity The invention relates to an effusing source for film deposition made of a reservoir comprising one hole characterized by the fact that the hole diameter is less than one order of magnitude than the mean free path of the molecules determined by the pressure and its thickness is at least one order of magnitude smaller than the diameter. Preferably the source has several holes.
US08852338B2	Cementitious binders and wood particles-based incombustible coloured composite panel with structural high performance A composite panel is made from wood and cementitious binders, with flat surfaces and several possible colors. The panel comprises 35 to 85% of grey or white Portland cement; 10 to 30% of debarked resinous wood particles; 5 to 20% of semi-hydrated calcium sulphate; 0 to 10% of a surface accelerator; 0 to 10% of aluminum sulphate solution; 0 to 30% of calcium carbonate; and 0 to 15% of pigments. The process of preparation for the existing VIROC panel is adjusted to the new material. This panel, in addition to being very resistant and showing high performances in terms of resistance to impact, humidity, temperature variation, noise and fungi, as well as other microorganisms, also complies with all the requirements of the associated product standard.
US08852337B2	Fiber reinforced cement based mixed material Provided is a fiber reinforced cement based mixed material capable of securing high tensile strength and high toughness even after development of a crack. A fiber reinforced cement based mixed material contains cement, a mineral admixture, water, a chemical admixture, aggregate particles, and fibers, the aggregate particles contained in the fiber reinforced cement based mixed material in a proportion of 50 to 95% in terms of a weight ratio to the total weight of the cement and the mineral admixture, wherein a mean particle diameter of the aggregate particles is 0.2 to 0.8 mm, and at least some of the fibers is formed to be a bumpy fiber having asperities formed in the surface thereof, and a ratio (h/H) of a depth h of each of recessed portions among the asperities of the bumpy fiber to a smallest cross-sectional diameter H thereof is 0.05 to 0.8.
US08852334B1	Low pH compositions for hardening concrete and associated methods A composition for hardening concrete that has a pH of less than 10, and may have a pH of 8 or less. Thus, the hardening composition may be free of or substantially free of alkaline materials. The hardening composition is water-based and includes silica particles and an aluminum-based (e.g., alumina, etc.) stabilizer, which may be present on portions of the surfaces of the silica particles. In use, the hardening composition is applied to the surface of concrete, either alone, with curing compounds, or as part of a polishing process. Any residue that remains on the treated surface may simply be swept, blown, or sprayed away.
US08852330B2	Separator tank for separating oil and gas from water A separator tank (1) for separating oil and gas from water comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank with at least one separator tank unit. The separator tank unit has an inlet for fluid (2) and a first inner annular wall (5) a first conical portion (9) and a first central opening (8). A second inner annular wall (15) is positioned at a distance from the first inner annular wall and has a second conical portion (19) and a second central opening (18). A first flow opening (10) is provided at an end of said first inner annular wall (5) and a second flow opening (20) is provided at an end of second inner annular wall (15).
US08852329B2	Dry carbon dioxide capturing device with multistage supply structure Disclosed is a dry carbon dioxide capturing device which can improve sorption efficiency by supplying sorbent for absorbing carbon dioxide or exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide to a recovery reactor in multistages at various heights. The dry carbon dioxide (CO2) capturing device with multistage supply structure comprises a recovery reactor 102 to recover CO2 by contacting a solid sorbent with exhaust gas; a recovery cyclone 110 connected to the recovery reactor 102 to discharge a gas while separating the CO2-captured solid sorbent only; a regenerator 114 connected to the recovery cyclone 110 to receive the CO2-captured solid sorbent and separate CO2 captured in the solid sorbent; and a pre-treatment reactor 122 connected to the regenerator 114 for cooling the solid sorbent free from CO2, wherein at least one of the exhaust gas supply line and the sorbent supply line has two or more arranged according to the height of the recovery reactor 102.
US08852327B1	Air dryer cartridge with integrated check valve An air dryer cartridge having an outer shell, an inner shell positioned within the outer shell, and a check valve positioned at least partially between the inner and outer shells. The inner and outer shells each have an inlet and an outlet. The outer shell is preferably operable to removably engage an air dryer. The check valve is operable to regulate the rate of flow of fluid through the outlet of the inner shell. Preferably, the check valve also seals between portions of the inner and outer shells and/or is operable to sealingly engage an air dryer.
US08852321B2	Cold-weather recharging dehydrating breather A recharging dehydrating breather for providing dehydrated air to electrical components includes a desiccant chamber configured to hold desiccant and a heating element configured to heat the desiccant held in the desiccant chamber to at least partially eliminate water. The device further includes a housing configured to hold the desiccant chamber and the heating element, an outlet configured to provide an outlet to guide the water away from the housing, and the outlet configured to be heated by the heating element. A process of configuring a recharging dehydrating breather for providing dehydrated air to electrical components is also disclosed.
US08852318B2	Method and apparatus for drying and compressing CO2-rich flow In a method for compressing a water-containing CO2-rich fluid wherein the CO2-rich fluid is compressed in a compressor located upstream from the compression step, an antifreeze agent is injected into the water-containing CO2-rich fluid in order to lower the water solidification temperature. The antifreeze agent-containing CO2-rich fluid is frozen, water is extracted from the frozen fluid, and the frozen fluid is compressed in the compressor.
US08852316B2	Process for the preparation of silver nano particles The invention relates to a process for the preparation of silver nano particles comprising dissolving a surfactant in ethanol to obtain a first solution; dissolving a silver precursor in water to obtain a second solution; adding the second solution to the first solution to obtain a third solution; dissolving a reducing agent in water to obtain a reducing agent solution and adding the reducing agent solution to the third solution to obtain silver nano particles.
US08852310B2	Filter and filter media having reduced restriction A pleated filter media comprises a plurality of pleats comprised of pleat segments extending in an axial direction between first and second axial ends and extending in a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction between first and second sets of pleat tips at least partially defined by first and second sets of bend lines. Axial flow channels are defined between the pleat segments in the lateral direction and the plurality of pleats has a width in the transverse direction that varies along the axial direction.
US08852304B2	Thermally stable diamond bonded materials and compacts Thermally stable diamond bonded materials and compacts include a diamond body having a thermally stable region and a PCD region, and a substrate integrally joined to the body. The thermally stable region has a microstructure comprising a plurality of diamond grains bonded together by a reaction with a reactant material. The PCD region extends from the thermally stable region and has a microstructure of bonded together diamond grains and a metal solvent catalyst disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains. The compact is formed by subjecting the diamond grains, reactant material, and metal solvent catalyst to a first temperature and pressure condition to form the thermally stable region, and then to a second higher temperature condition to both form the PCD region and bond the body to a desired substrate.
US08852301B1	Composition of lignin pellets and system for producing A system for treating biomass for the production of a composition of lignin pellets .is disclosed. Pellets comprising at least 50 percent lignin by dry weight is disclosed. Also disclosed are pellets produced from a lignin composition by a process comprising: pre-treating lignocellulosic biomass into pre-treated biomass; separating the pre-treated biomass into a first liquid component comprising sugars and a first solids component comprising cellulose and the lignin composition; hydrolysing the first solids component of the pre-treated biomass into a hydrolysed biomass comprising sugars and the lignin composition; separating the hydrolysed biomass into a second liquid component comprising sugars and a second solids component comprising the lignin composition; supplying the second solids component comprising the lignin composition to a pelleting apparatus to produce the pellets; wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin. According to an aspect, at least a portion of the lignin is not sulfonated.
US08852300B2	Lithium conditioned engine with reduced carbon oxide emissions This invention relates to an internal combustion engine combusting hydrocarbon fuel having a lithium conditioned combustion chamber for reduced carbon oxide engine emissions. The condition chamber is formed by combusting therein a hydrocarbon fuel containing a lithium salt.
US08852298B2	Fuel composition containing iron and manganese to reduce spark plug fouling There is disclosed a method of reducing the conductivity of deposits formed from the combustion of a fuel comprising an iron-containing compound, said method comprising adding a manganese-containing compound to the fuel.
US08852293B2	Compound having triazine side chain, coloring composition, inkjet ink, inkjet recording method, color filter, and color toner There is provided a compound represented by Formula (1), and a coloring composition including the compound: wherein, in Formula (1), R0 to R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and R0 and R1, R0 and L, or R1 and L may be combined with each other to form a ring, L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, D represents a residue in which n hydrogen atoms are removed from a compound represented by Formula (2), n represents an integer of 1 or more, provided that when n represents an integer of 2 or more, a plurality of R0's to R3's and L's may be the same or different, the compound represented by Formula (1) has at least one ionic hydrophilic group, and in Formula (2), R4 to R24 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent.
US08852292B2	System and method for determining terrain transitions A prosthetic or orthotic system including a sensor module and a processing module usable to determine a terrain variable, such as a terrain transition. In certain examples, the system is capable of anticipating a terrain transition prior to the user experiencing the terrain transition, which may include, for instance, a transition from level ground walking to walking on stairs or may include a change in a slope of the ground surface. In certain embodiments, the system advantageously monitors a posture and/or movement of the patient to anticipate the terrain transition. Furthermore, the system may control an actuator to appropriately adjust the prosthetic or orthotic device to encounter the anticipated terrain transition.
US08852289B2	Ureteral stent A ureteral stent is designed to be placed within a patient's ureter to facilitate drainage from the patient's kidneys to the bladder. An elongated portion of the stent includes a length sufficient to extend substantially within the ureter from the kidney to the bladder, and the elongated portion defines a lumen extending therethrough. A retention portion extends from one end of the elongated portion and retains the position of the ureteral stent when placed substantially within the kidney. The retention portion includes an interior space that is in communication with the lumen within the elongated portion and has at least one opening for urine drainage. A flared portion extending from the other end of the elongated portion is positioned within the patient's bladder. The flared portion curves outward and includes an elastic member that maintains the shape of the flared portion when positioned within the bladder.
US08852287B2	Femoral head cap implant including a device for electrically stimulating tissue In a femoral head cap implant having a cup-shaped cap component and a pin fixed to its concave inner surface, a pick-up coil is arranged in the latter, each respective terminal of the same being connected to a tissue electrode. One tissue electrode comprises a cap component, the other an electrode provided insulated on the pin or on at least one part of the pin which is electrically insulated from the cap component. By inducing a low-frequency alternating current in the pick-up coil by means of an external coil, this low-frequency alternating current flows from the two tissue electrodes through the femoral head bone provided with the implant, thereby promoting the maintenance of its vitality.
US08852284B2	Hydrogel proximal interphalangeal implant A prosthetic for use in an interphalangeal joint including a body portion and a weave portion. The body portion may be manufactured from a hydrogel material. The body portion includes an pair of stems and an intermediate section located in between the two stems. The intermediate section includes a recess allowing for flexing of the body portion.
US08852283B2	Glenoidal component, set of such components and shoulder prosthesis incorporating such a glenoidal component This glenoidal component for a shoulder prosthesis comprises a base which may be immobilized on the glenoid cavity of a shoulder, and an element provided to be mounted on this base and forming a convex surface of articulation centered on an axis of symmetry. This axis of symmetry is non perpendicular to a rear face of the base intended to abut against the glenoid cavity, this making it possible to compensate a defect in parallelism between the resectioned surface of the glenoid cavity and the axis of the patient's spinal column.A surgeon can select the component most adapted to the orientation of the resectioned surface from a set of components in which the axes of symmetry of the components are oriented differently with respect to their rear faces.
US08852279B2	Expandable fusion device and method of installation thereof The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube.
US08852277B2	Ear molding device for correcting misshaped ears A system and method for correcting misshaped ears using a molding device having one or more braces supporting a scaphal mold. The one or more braces and the scaphal mold are adapted to retain the helix and the helical rim of a misshaped ear within a space defined between the one or more braces and the scaphal mold, and to maintain a substantially correct anatomical shape of the helix and the helical rim.
US08852267B2	Stent with flaps A medicinal device with a tubular wall made of webs which delimit the cells, and a flexible membrane which forms at least one flap which has a first end connected to at least one first web of a cell, and a free second end which is disposed opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction of the flap. The flap, in the closed position, extends along the tubular wall and at least partially closes the cells, and can be moved to an open position in which the flap is radially deviated in relation to the wall in order to open the cells in a valve-like manner.
US08852265B2	Radiopaque compositions, stents and methods of preparation The invention relates to an implantable radiopaque stent adapted to be disposed in a body lumen. In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of elongate filaments including one or more radiopaque filaments are arranged to form a hollow tubular structure having a tubular wall that defines an inner surface and an outer surface and opposing first open end and second open end. One of the open ends of the stent is formed by an intersection of adjacent filament ends. A radiopaque compound is applied to the intersection, the radiopaque compound comprising radiopaque material and polymeric material. The radiopaque compound and radiopaque filament provide improved external imaging of the tubular structure on imaging equipment.
US08852255B2	Microprocessor controlled medical laser device A microprocessor controlled medical laser device that has a precise laser beam alignment system indicated by a series of sequentially color changing LEDS. The power management system adjusts the LED'S power input so as maximize battery life, increasing it by up to six times. It's alignment is enabled by a triaxial accelerometer that may be accurately calibrated horizontally or to a plethora of angles relative to the horizontal axis. It is shock resistant and times out to turn the laser off after a predetermined time.
US08852252B2	Endosseous screws and orthopaedic device to assist the rigid osteosynthesis of fractures Endosseous screw (1) for fixing a plate (102) to a bone site (300), comprising an at least partially threaded shaft (2), insertion means for inserting the screw into a bone site and a distal portion (33) provided for engaging said plate to fasten it to said bone site and comprising a head (3) having facets (30) defining an external peripheral profile provided for engagement with a tubular manipulating wrench, to allow the screw (1) to be extracted from the bone site (300) into which it has been inserted, wherein the facets (30) are curvilinear and the external peripheral profile defined by same facets (30) has a convex barrel-like shape, in order to allow a stable coupling between the tubular manipulating wrench and said profile, which is maintained during the untightening phase of screw from plate, even when said tubular manipulating wrench is oriented in an inclined direction with respect to a longitudinal axis (x) of the endosseous screw (1).
US08852251B2	Mechanical fixation system for a prosthetic device A fixation system for a bone conduction device is disclosed. An abutment is coupled to a bone anchor such that vibrations applied to the abutment pass into the bone anchor. The abutment defines a conduction path to the bone anchor such that vibrations applied to the abutment are transferred to the bone anchor. The abutment comprises a plurality of interlocking stacked plates disposed adjacent the bone anchor, wherein the plates form part of the conduction path. The fixation system also comprises a vibratory coupler extending from the bone conduction device, comprising a second conduction surface and a magnet, wherein the magnet attracts to the abutment so as to couple the second conduction surface to the abutment, thereby enabling vibrations to pass through the conduction path. The plates are configured to slide laterally in response to tangential forces incident upon the abutment.
US08852246B2	Device for internal fixation of the bone fragments in a radius fracture The present invention relates to a device for internal fixation of the bone fragments (2, 3) in a radius fracture (4). The device comprises at least one body (1) for abutment against the bone fragments (2, 3) in the radius fracture (4), and fixing elements (6, 7) which are intended to be locked to the body for fixation of said bone fragments. The body (1) itself has in a distal end portion (1a) at least two predrilled holes (8) for fixing elements (6), and in a proximal end portion (1b) at least two predrilled holes (9) for fixing elements (7). To allow effective optimum internal fixation of the bone fragments in the radius fracture, the predrilled holes (8, 9) run obliquely relative to a longitudinal axis (L) of the body (1) so that all of the fixing elements (6, 7) which, after the body has been caused to abut against the bone fragments (2, 3) in the radius fracture (4), are introduced into said bone fragments through holes (8, 9) in the body's distal end portion (1a) and proximal end portion (1b) cross the radius fracture (4) as viewed in the transverse direction of the body. Each fixing element (6, 7) has at least one fixing portion (10; 10a, 10b) for locking the fixing element in the bone fragments (2, 3) in the radius fracture (4) and for locking the fixing element to the body (1).
US08852245B2	Bone plate A bone plate has an underside on the side of the bone, an upper side and a plurality of holes in the plate connecting the underside with the upper side, with a central hole axis. At least one of these holes in the plate has an internal jacket surface that tapers towards the underside, while the internal jacket surface has N≧3 recesses which extend radially away from the axis of the hole.
US08852244B2	Configured and sized cannula A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.
US08852239B2	Sagittal angle screw with integral shank and receiver A spinal bone screw has a receiver with upstanding arms forming a channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member, such as a rod, the receiver being integral with a threaded shank. The receiver further includes inner surfaces in sliding engagement with an insert, the insert having a seating surface for the rod. The insert and rod being pivotable with respect to the bone screw in a single plane.
US08852238B2	Implant system and minimally invasive method for immobilizing adjacent vertebral bodies A spinal implant system for use in immobilizing adjacent vertebral bodies in a minimally invasive manner, including a pair of implants having lengths sufficient so that one of the ends extend outside of a patient's body when the implants are installed. Each implant has a pair of opposed elongated posts which in conjunction with an orthogonally arranged support surface define a transverse opening for receiving a stabilizing rod. A cap having upper and lower surfaces is associated with each implant, each cap and its associated post has means for advancing the cap along the posts toward the support surface to lock a stabilizing rod therebetween. The rod is pivotally coupled to one of the caps so that the rod, when pivoted, will extend between the transverse openings in adjacently installed implants.
US08852237B2	Spinal rod connector A rod connector for joining a first rod and a second rod includes bore holes that are offset and/or non-parallel to each other. The rod connector provides an offset or non-parallel connection between the rods that allows for the rods to match the contour of a patient's body without requiring bending of the rods. The rod connector may include a first bore hole for receiving the first spinal rod and a second bore hole for receiving the second spinal rod that is adjustable relative to the first bore hole to adjust the position and/or orientation of the second spinal rod relative to the first spinal rod. The rod connector may comprise a first housing component defining the first bore hole and a second housing component that is movable relative to the first housing component and defining the second bore hole.
US08852234B2	System and method for spine stabilization using resilient inserts An apparatus for anchoring a rod to a bone fastener in a spine stabilization system. A first resilient insert may have two deflectable arms and a first channel formed therein. A second resilient insert may have two deflectable arms and a second channel formed therein. A cylindrical body may have a passage, wherein the first resilient insert and the second resilient insert have a width greater than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body when the first resilient insert is in a neutral state. Advancement of the first resilient insert or the second resilient insert into the passage deflects the two deflectable arms inward, causing the width of the first or second channel to decrease, and inhibiting the first resilient insert or the second resilient insert from moving relative to the cylindrical body.
US08852229B2	Locator and closure device and method of use An apparatus for sealing a vascular puncture and for properly locating and deploying a sealing member. The apparatus comprises a lumen which extends from an opening in the distal region of the apparatus to another opening in the proximal region of the apparatus. A sealing member is located at the end of the lumen. When the distal opening is positioned within the blood vessel lumen, blood flows through the distal opening, through the lumen and out of the proximal opening indicating that the sealing member is within the blood vessel lumen. When the sealing member is withdrawn from the vessel lumen, it blocks the blood flow into the distal opening. The sealing member may be further withdrawn a predetermined distance so that no part of the sealing member extends into the blood vessel lumen. The sealing device is then detached from the delivery apparatus to seal the vascular puncture.
US08852226B2	Vascular device for use during an interventional procedure A vascular device for use during an interventional procedure, the device having a stent structure having a collapsed configuration, an expanded configuration, a proximal end, and a distal end; and a delivery member for delivering the stent to a treatment site within a vasculature, wherein the proximal end of the stent structure is fixed to the delivery member when the stent structure is in the expanded configuration at the treatment site.
US08852225B2	Emboli guarding device A device including a stent structure or frame to which a sheet is attached for use in minimizing or preventing emboli, particles. and/or air bubbles from migrating into certain areas of the anatomy. The device can be placed in the blood stream in an area of the heart, such as the aortic arch, to direct particles toward the descending aorta rather than toward the brain. The sheet of the device can be a thin film material, which may include multiple fenestrations that are smaller in size than the particles that are to be filtered.
US08852224B2	Therapeutic delivery system Therapeutic delivery systems are provided which, in a first embodiment, contain a plurality of multiphase capsules in which first and second therapeutic agents are contained in separate phases within said multiphase capsules, and are disposed to deliver said first and therapeutic agents by at least two different delivery mechanisms.
US08852223B2	Fixed wire dilatation catheter with an elongateable distal end A fixed wire dilatation catheter for treating the vasculature of a patient. The dilatation catheter includes an elongated member that has a distal end portion which can be elongated to puncture through blockages within the blood vessels. The dilatation catheter also includes an expandable device located along the elongated member at a location proximal the distal end portion of the elongated member.
US08852216B2	Tissue approximation methods Methods and devices for approximating tissue are disclosed. The methods and devices utilize a device for applying an implantable tissue fastener and a variety of implantable tissue fasteners. The tissue-fastening device can be delivered endoscopically and can be adapted to function along side or in conjunction with a flexible endoscope. In general, the device can include a flexible shaft having an implantable tissue fastener applier disposed at a distal end of the shaft and a handle for operating the implantable tissue fastener applier disposed at a proximal end of the shaft. A variety of self-deploying implantable tissue fasteners can be used with the tissue fastener applier device.
US08852213B2	Transapical mitral valve repair device Methods and devices for repairing a cardiac valve. A minimally invasive procedure includes creating an access in the apex region of the heart through which one or more instruments may be inserted. The device can implant artificial heart valve chordae tendineae into cardiac valve leaflet tissues to restore proper leaflet function and prevent reperfusion. The device punctures the apex of the heart and travels through the ventricle. The tip of the device rests on the defective valve and punctures the valve leaflet. A suture or a suture/guide wire combination is inserted, securing the top of the leaflet to the apex of the heart. A resilient element or shock absorber mechanism adjacent to the outside of the apex of the heart minimizes the linear travel of the device in response to the beating of the heart or opening/closing of the valve.
US08852212B2	Suturing system and assembly A suturing assembly is provided that is configured to pull a capsule attached to a suture through tissue. The suturing assembly includes a shaft aligned on a longitudinal axis of the suturing assembly, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat. The proximal portion houses a needle that is movable through a needle exit port. The proximal portion of the head and the needle exit port are both aligned on the longitudinal axis. A proximal side of the distal end of the head defines a cavity adapted to receive the capsule and a distal side of the distal end of the head defines a slot adapted to allow the suture to pass through the distal end of the head and into the cavity.
US08852209B2	Instrument adaptor for image guided surgery The invention relates to an adaptor for tracking an instrument location during image guided surgery. The adaptor has a drive shaft, a proximal handle and a distal instrument tip. The drive shaft has a linear proximal portion, a curved mid-portion and a linear distal portion that is co-linear with the linear proximal portion. Three tracking elements (such as reflective balls) are placed on the sinusoidal portion. When the handle is rotated, the two linear portions remain fixed on the longitudinal axis, but the tracking elements on the sinusoidal portion travel in orbits about the longitudinal axis, thereby allowing a computer to track the location of the instrument tip.
US08852208B2	Surgical system instrument mounting Robotic surgical systems and methods of coupling a surgical instrument to a manipulator arm are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a base; a setup link operably coupled to the base, the setup link locating a remote center of motion for the robotic surgical system; a proximal link operably coupled to the setup link; and a distal link operably coupled to the proximal link. A plurality of instrument manipulators are rotatably coupled to a distal end of the distal link, each of the instrument manipulators including a plurality of actuator outputs distally protruding from a distal end of a frame.
US08852207B2	Compliant guiding catheter sheath system A guiding catheter system employs a compliant shaft with an inflatable balloon affixed to a distal portion of the shaft. The inflatable balloon includes channels that allow some amount of blood to flow past the balloon when inflated in a blood vessel. One or more inflation lumens is in fluid contact with the balloon and allows inflating the balloon from a proximal end of the catheter. A series of perfusion orifices may be included on the shaft proximal to the balloon.
US08852202B2	Bone fixation tool A tool and a method are provided for driving a bone pin into a fractured bone to stabilize the fractured bone by maintaining the fractured bone in a reduced state. The tool may be a handheld device including a cartridge having at least one passageway that receives the bone pin. The tool may also include a pneumatically-powered piston having a needle that is sized for receipt within the passageway of the cartridge, the needle applying sufficient force to the bone pin to drive the bone pin out of the cartridge and into the fractured bone.
US08852200B2	Device for injecting high viscosity material A device for injecting a high viscosity material into a cannula, comprising a container being non-compliant and having an outlet adapted to communicate with the cannula for transferring the high viscosity material thereto, a pressure applicator in fluid communication with the container, the pressure applicator defining a fluid flow path through which an incompressible fluid is displaceable, and a material-moving member interrupting the fluid flow path and defining an incompressible fluid receiving portion on one side thereof in communication with the fluid flow path and a high viscosity material receiving portion in communication with the outlet of the container on an opposed side. The material-moving member being displaceable by a pressure of the incompressible fluid acting thereagainst to force the high viscosity material out of the high viscosity material receiving portion of the container and into the cannula.
US08852195B2	Guide templates for surgical implants and related methods A guide template for use in resurfacing a portion of a bone includes a body adapted for positioning over a natural or resected articulation surface of the bone. The body has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface that each extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal end. The body at least partially bounds an opening extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. At least a portion of the top surface or the bottom surface has a convex curvature or a concave curvature that extends between the proximal end and the opposing distal end. At least three spaced apart supports project below the bottom surface of the body such that the body can be supported by the supports. Fasteners are provided for securing the body to the bone.
US08852192B2	Method and apparatus for osteochondral autograft transplantation A surgical procedure for preparing a graft for insertion in an opening in a human body, according to which a mold is formed in the opening and transferred from the opening to a position adjacent a stylus. A contour of the mold is traced with the stylus; and the tracing movement of the stylus is transferred to corresponding movement of a cutting member so that the cutting member cuts the same contour in the graft.
US08852185B2	Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure An endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom for treating tissue. A longitudinal axis is defined through the shaft. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A rotating assembly operably coupled to the shaft is configured to rotate the shaft and the end effector about the longitudinal axis. A drive assembly is configured to selectively and releasably engage the rotating assembly. Engagement of the rotating assembly with the drive assembly couples the rotating assembly to the shaft such that the shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a predetermined direction when the rotating assembly is rotated. And, disengagement of the rotating assembly from the drive assembly uncouples the rotating assembly from the shaft such that the shaft is non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis when the rotating assembly is rotated.
US08852183B2	Scissor tip for bipolar high frequency endoscope A bipolar scissor for cutting and coagulating tissue includes a first blade having a first cutting edge and a first shearing blade surface and a second blade having a second cutting edge and a second shearing blade surface. Additionally, one of the first and second blades may include a non-conductive material having an embedded electrode.
US08852180B2	System and method for monitoring ablation size A system for monitoring ablation size is provided and includes a power source including a microprocessor for executing at least one control algorithm. A microwave antenna is configured to deliver microwave energy from the power source to tissue to form an ablation zone. A radiation detection device is operably disposed on the microwave antenna. The radiation detection device is configured to generate a voltage corresponding to a radius of the ablation zone, wherein the radiation detection device is in operative communication with at least one module associated with the power source. The at least one module triggers a signal when a predetermined threshold voltage is measured corresponding to the radius of the ablation zone.
US08852179B2	Apparatus, system and method for monitoring tissue during an electrosurgical procedure A system for monitoring and/or controlling tissue modification during an electrosurgical procedure is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical apparatus adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical apparatus configured to transmit energy to tissue. The system also includes a control system having one or more electromagnetic wave sources configured to generate the interrogator wave of one or more frequencies adjacent tissue. One or more sensors are configured to transmit and sense a reflected portion of the interrogator wave of at least one frequency to determine dielectric boundary data. A processor operatively coupled to the control system and to the electrosurgical generator configured to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to tissue based on dielectric boundary data provided by the one or more sensors.
US08852178B2	Systems for treating a hollow anatomical structure A working end of a catheter includes at least one therapeutic element, such as a resistive heating element, usable to deliver energy for ligating, or reducing the diameter of, a hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, the catheter includes a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. In certain embodiments, a balloon is inflated to place resistive element(s) into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure. Indexing devices and methods are also disclosed for successively treating portions of the hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, marks along the catheter shaft provide visual verification to the physician of the relative position of the therapeutic element of the catheter. Embodiments of indexing devices may include pairs of rings and/or hinged arms that move a catheter a desired indexed position between successive treatments.
US08852176B2	Apparatus for opthalmological, in particular refractive, laser surgery An apparatus for ophthalmological, in particular refractive, laser surgery includes a laser-beam source (20) for emitting a focused treatment laser beam (20′) and also includes an optical-coherence interferometric measuring device (34), for example an OLCR pachymeter, for measuring the z-position of a predetermined point of an eye to be treated in the coordinate system of the laser-surgery apparatus. A computer (C) serving as evaluating and control unit has been set up to assess, on the basis of the measured z-position, whether a desired treatment point of the eye in the z-direction falls in the focal plane of the treatment laser beam or is offset in relation to said plane. Depending on whether or not the patient is correctly positioned in relation to the focal plane, the computer (C) can bring about a range of actions.
US08852170B2	Auxiliary powered negative pressure wound therapy apparatuses and methods A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus that can include a wound dressing, a fluid collection device, a vacuum pump comprising a pump motor, and tubing can be powered by auxiliary power sources such as high efficiency batteries, photovoltaic panels or cells, fuel cells, combustion generators, human powered generators, or other mechanical, electrical, or chemical power sources such as hand operated dynamos or wound springs, or any combination of the foregoing. Additionally, the apparatus can include a high efficiency pressure controller for controlling the output of the vacuum pump. In some embodiments, the pressure controller can control the pump without using a processor, and can have other features such as an intermittent delay function and an anti-stall mechanism to reduce the energy consumption of the apparatus.
US08852169B2	Suction device for evacuating fumes A suction device for evacuating fumes includes a tongue depressor having a pair of opposed walls; at least one suction tube connected to the tongue depressor; an elongated support member to which the suction tube is connected; and a connecting member attached to an end of the suction tube for connecting the suction tube to a suction generating device. A light such as a fiber optic light can be added to the suction device. The tongue depressor, suction tube and elongated support member can be made of one piece.
US08852168B2	Connection system for multi-lumen catheter A catheter connection system and a method of connecting the catheter connection system to a catheter. The catheter connection system includes a hub assembly and a collar. The hub assembly includes a cannula extending from a distal end thereof, and a collet defining an inner surface spaced apart from the cannula to permit passage of a catheter wall between the body and the cannula.
US08852167B2	Medical connector A medical connector includes a body defining a lumen for fluid flow through the medical connector. The medical connector includes a luer member and an annular member disposed about the luer member. The annular member includes internal and/or external engagement structures. The medical connector may be provided on the outlet of a syringe or on a catheter. A fluid path is disclosed including a first section and a second section. The first and second sections may each include a medical connector to provide a removable connection with a syringe and a catheter, respectively. The medical connector may provide a removable connection between the first and second sections. A fluid delivery system is disclosed including an injector, a syringe operatively associated with the injector, and a fluid path connecting the syringe and a source of injection. The medical connector may provide a removable connection between the syringe and fluid path.
US08852165B2	Endoluminal drug delivery devices and methods A device and method for delivering a drug from inside a body lumen to tissue surrounding the body lumen. An endoluminal drug delivery device includes a dual-lumen catheter for housing a guidewire and a needle connectable to a drug source. The guidewire exits the catheter through an opening at the distal end, and the needle exits the catheter through an exit port in the outer wall of the catheter. A distal portion of the catheter has a single lumen and includes a taper, allowing the distal tip to act as a dilator. The device optionally includes a catheter lumen splitter and/or a handpiece assembly. A method of delivering fluid to tissue surrounding a body lumen includes inserting a guidewire into the body lumen, tracking the device over the guidewire, deploying the needle through the exit port to the tissue, delivering fluid, and retracting the needle into the catheter.
US08852164B2	Method and system for shape-memory alloy wire control A method for controlling a device using a shape-memory alloy wire is disclosed. The method includes determining an ontime for the shape-memory alloy wire based on a target volume to be pumped by a pump plunger, determining the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire and adjusting the ontime based on the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire.
US08852163B2	Renal neuromodulation via drugs and neuromodulatory agents and associated systems and methods Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.
US08852160B2	Venous access port with molded and/or radiopaque indicia A venous access port assembly having a housing base, a flange, and a septum. The housing base defines an interior reservoir. The flange includes integrally molded X-ray discernable indicia identifying that the assembly is rated for power injection. The X-ray discernable indicia may extend through a height of the flange from a top surface to a bottom surface of the flange. According to one aspect, the flange may be formed from X-ray discernable material, and the X-ray discernable indicia may be formed from the X-ray discernable material of the flange, or they may be formed by voids in the X-ray discernable material. According to another aspect, the flange may be formed from a radiotransparent or radiolucent material and applied with a radiopaque agent, and the X-ray discernable indicia may be one or more voids in the radiopaque agent or may be portions of the flange applied with the radiopaque agent.
US08852155B2	Medicine reservoir for drug delivery device A medicine reservoir (10) is provided for use with a drug delivery device (50). The medicine reservoir (10) is arranged for comprising a drug (13) and comprises a dispensing hole (15) for dispensing the drug (13) into an environment of the drug delivery device (50). The medicine reservoir (10) further comprises a deformable plug (14) which plug (14) is removable by pressure caused by a dispensing action of the drug delivery device (50).
US08852154B2	Huber needle safety enclosure A method of using a safety enclosure for a needle, the needle including an aft end and a fore end together forming a right angle, the fore end including a sharp outer end. The method includes providing a safety enclosure including a needle housing and a panel unit, the needle housing having a finger pad, orienting the safety enclosure in a desired location for insertion of the needle, and applying pressure to the finger pad sufficient to cause penetration of the needle at the desired location and to move the panel unit to the installation position.
US08852151B2	Swallowable drug delivery device and method of delivery Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Some embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. The device comprises a capsule sized to be swallowed and pass through the intestinal tract. The capsule can include at least one guide tube, one or more tissue penetrating members positioned in the guide tube, a delivery member, an actuating mechanism and a release element. The release element degrades upon exposure to various conditions in the intestine so as to release and actuate the actuating mechanism. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.
US08852148B2	Infusion pump having function keys An infusion pump having a plurality of function keys which initiate different processes depending on the state of the infusion pump is disclosed. In the configuration state, the function keys operate to set the various configurable options with regard to the desired medication treatment parameters. In the infusing state, the function keys operate to transmit various operational data to a readout screen depending on the function key pressed. Essentially, multi-function, state dependent function keys operable on an infusion pump is disclosed.
US08852146B2	Reinforced medical balloon The invention relates to medical balloons, and methods of modifying said balloons by forming a void pattern in their exterior surfaces and filling the voids with a material, such as a fiber or a nanomaterial (e.g., nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes) and a matrix material, e.g., a polymer.
US08852144B2	Nursing device A nursing device for feeding infants with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate includes upper and lower portions. The upper portion includes a bottle with an opening in its top for containing a liquid, a nipple and a screw cap for maintaining the nipple in sealing engagement with the opening. A submersible pump is disposed in the bottom of the bottle and connected to an opening in the nipple by a tube. A lower portion of the device includes a motor and a magnetic coupling for activating the pump. A microprocessor control timer regulates the timing and flow of a feeding cycle with a display for help in regulating the feeding cycle.
US08852133B2	Hyperextension brace assembly and methods of use Embodiments of the hyperextension brace assembly utilize a cross-strap attached to mounting facilities about a joint to limit the extension of limbs about the joint. The cross-strap assembly is positioned from a cross origin behind the joint to attachment points on upper and lower mounting facilities on the upper and lower limbs and provides an opposing tensile force that limits the extension of mounting facilities and the limbs. In embodiments for a knee joint, the brace assembly provides a resisting force to resist hyperextension of the knee. Embodiments of the assembly are able to accommodate different joints, different size wearer's of the assembly and different tension settings such as for athletes during competition. Embodiments of the brace can be used bilaterally and can be made without metal bracing to comply with the requirements of some sports.
US08852131B2	Support surface system providing simultaneous alternating pressure and low air loss therapies A support surface system provides alternating pressure therapy and low air loss therapy simultaneously using a single pump. The system includes a plurality of cells. Each cell has a foam-filled lower chamber and an upper chamber. Fluid communication between the lower and upper chambers is controlled by a normally closed valve that opens if the pressure within the lower chamber exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. Pressurized air is alternatingly supplied to the lower chambers of a first subset of cells and the lower chambers of a second subset of cells, thereby providing alternating pressure therapy. When the pressure in the lower chamber exceeds the threshold, the valve opens to allow air from the lower chamber to flow into the upper chamber. Air is expelled from the upper chamber through perforations therein, to remove moisture and humidity and possibly reducing the temperature of the micro-climate beneath a patient.
US08852129B2	Stroke rehabilitation program A method for the treatment of paralysis caused by injury to the brain. A set of movements by a healthy extremity is recorded and stored in a computer. Movements made by an affected extremity are recorded and compared to the standard provided by the healthy extremity. A score based on the similarity of the movement is reported to the user to aid in tracking progress. A similar system may also be used to detect and track the progress of degenerative diseases by comparing past movements to current movements.
US08852124B2	Tape transport lance sampler A lancet-sampler system is configured to automatically remove a protective cover from a lancet and automatically unpack a test pad just prior to use. This minimizes the risk of injury and reduces the chance of cross-contamination between the lancet and the test pad. The lancet defines a capillary groove for drawing body fluid from the incision via capillary action and a sample transfer opening for collecting the fluid from the groove. A carrier tape is coupled to the lancet. The carrier tape includes a test pad for analyzing the fluid. The tape is folded around the test pad to form an airtight package. The test pad is located at a position to align with the sample transfer opening when the tape is unfolded. The protective cover covers a portion of the lancet, and when the tape is pulled, the protective cover is automatically pulled from the lancet.
US08852117B2	Identification of disease characteristics using isotope ratios in breath Methods are disclosed for distinguishing whether an animal is experiencing a bacterial infection or a viral infection. One monitors breath taken from the animal over time to measure the relative amount of a first breath stable isotope to a second breath stable isotope therein over time. A quick change in the isotope ratios within several hours from the likely infection is indicative of a bacterial infection. A delayed change in the isotope ratios, followed by periodic repeated alterations in the ratios, is indicative of viral infection. The methods are particularly efficient when using cavity ringdown spectroscopy for the monitoring. They may be used for monitoring a patient already admitted to a hospital, or for monitoring a patient initially complaining of adverse symptoms, or for triage, or for collectively monitoring a population of animals.
US08852112B2	Catheter with deflectable imaging device and bendable electrical conductor An improved catheter is provided. The catheter may include a deflectable member located at a distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The catheter may include a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter to the distal end. The lumen may be used to deliver an interventional device to a point distal to the distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may be selectively deflectable in a pivot-like manner through an arc of at least 90 degrees. In embodiments where the deflectable member includes an ultrasound transducer array, the ultrasound transducer array may be operable to image both when aligned with the catheter and when pivoted relative to the catheter. When pivoted relative to the catheter, the ultrasound transducer array may have a field of view distal to the distal end of the catheter.
US08852103B2	Transmissive imaging and related apparatus and methods Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described.
US08852101B2	Method and apparatus for providing analyte sensor insertion Devices and methods for positioning a portion of a sensor at a first predetermined location, displacing the portion of the sensor from the first predetermined location to a second predetermined location, and detecting one or signals associated with an analyte level of a patient at the second predetermined location are disclosed. Also provided are systems and kits for use in analyte monitoring.
US08852098B2	Method and apparatus for deriving and reporting the thermic effect of food and calories consumed for an individual utilizing physiological parameters Various methods and apparatuses for measuring a state parameter of an individual using signals based on one or more sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first set of signals is used in a first function to determine how a second set of signals is used in one or more second functions to predict the state parameter. In another embodiment, first and second functions are used where the state parameter or an indicator of the state parameter may be obtained from a relationship between the first function and the second function. The state parameter may, for example, include calories consumed or calories burned by the individual. Various methods for making such apparatuses are also disclosed.
US08852095B2	Headband for use with medical sensor Headbands configured to provide pressure against a medical sensor secured to a patient's forehead are provided. The headbands may include one or more low friction materials to enable an elastic band of a tensioning mechanism to evenly stretch. Additionally or alternatively, the headbands may include two or more bands adapted to secure the headband to various portions of a patient's head. Still further, the headbands may be configured to independently vary the pressure created between two or more sensors and the patient's head.
US08852094B2	Physiological parameter system A physiological parameter system has one or more parameter inputs responsive to one or more physiological sensors. The physiological parameter system may also have quality indicators relating to confidence in the parameter inputs. A processor is adapted to combine the parameter inputs, quality indicators and predetermined limits for the parameters inputs and quality indicators so as to generate alarm outputs or control outputs or both.
US08852093B2	Home care logistics and quality assurance system A mobile home care logistics and quality assurance system to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, accountability, and overall level of care for nurses visiting patients in their home. The system has a patient home health communication interface to establish a communication between a patient and a central server to receive instructions from and to transmit collected data/information to a remote server. The remote server generates various reports including a home visit prioritization report and a routing report based on the collected and stored data. The information and reports are used for billing, performance reviews, and patient data for assessment of each homecare nurse's in-field assignments.
US08852086B2	Endoscope with variable direction of view Provided is an endoscope with a handle, an endoscope shaft connected to the handle, and imaging optics arranged in the endoscope shaft. An object can be located in the direction of view of the imaging optics in front of the endoscope shaft. The endoscope may also include a swivellably housed deflecting element that sets the desired direction of view. The deflecting element can be positioned at the distal end of the endoscope shaft facing away from the handle. An actuating element can be attached to the handle, which is mechanically connected to the deflecting element, and with which the swivel position of the deflecting element can be changed in order to set a desired direction of view.
US08852085B2	Tissue resecting system A surgical system includes a first instrument defining a first channel and a second instrument receivable by the first channel. The second instrument defines a second channel. A valve coupled to the first instrument controls fluid flow through the first channel, such that impedance of fluid flow through the first channel is substantially the same without the second instrument received in the first channel and with the first channel partially blocked by the second instrument. In another aspect, a surgical apparatus includes an outer member and an inner member received within the outer member to define a first channel therebetween. The inner member houses an optical lens and defines a second channel for receiving a surgical instrument. The first and second channels are configured such that a pump having an inflow rate of up to about 0.7 L/min connected to the second channel can maintain fluid pressure inside an organ.
US08852078B2	High-throughput and non-invasive method to vitrify porcine embryos The present invention provides a practical, non-invasive, and efficient method for cryopreservation of an in-vitro-produced porcine embryo. The inventive method treats the NP (such as IVF- or NT-derived) embryo at the one-cell or cleavage stage prior to compaction with high osmolality followed by high speed centrifugation. The high osmolality treatment enlarges the periviteline space, and with centrifugation, enables the separation of the lipids from the cytoplasm. The lipid-separated embryos after high osmolality treatment have been successfully cryopreserved and later recovered and transferred to produce live offspring.
US08852072B2	Ventricular assist device for intraventricular placement A ventricular assist device includes a pump such as an axial flow pump, an outflow cannula connected to the outlet of the pump, and an anchor element. The anchor element is physically connected to the pump, as by an elongate element. The pump is implanted within the left ventricle with the outflow cannula projecting through the aortic valve but desirably terminating short of the aortic arch. The anchor element is fixed to the wall of the heart near the apex of the heart so that the anchor element holds the pump and outflow cannula in position.
US08852069B2	Centrifuge with vacuum pump configured of auxiliary vacuum pump and oil diffusion pump A centrifuge includes a vacuum pump machine configured of an auxiliary vacuum pump and an oil diffusion pump for exhausting gas inside a rotary chamber to outside, in which a rotor rotates at high speed. In the centrifuge, a thermistor for detecting a temperature of oil and an oil surface inside a boiler of the oil diffusion pump is provided inside the boiler, and power of a heater is adjusted with the temperature detected by the thermistor, so that a degree of vacuum inside the rotary chamber is stably reduced from atmospheric pressure to a high vacuum state. Besides, when the heater does not heat, a current is carried through the thermistor for self-heating, and it is determined from variation in a resistance value whether the oil exists or not at a position at which the thermistor 8 is placed.
US08852066B2	Hearth roll having high Mn build-up resistance The hearth roll includes a thermally sprayed coating formed on the surface thereof. The thermally sprayed coating includes a nitride, an oxide, or a multiple oxide, and a matrix material composed of one or two or more metals. In the hearth roll having high Mn build-up resistance, the following expressions are satisfied: 3% by volume≦X1≦50% by volume; 3% by volume≦X2≦50% by volume; and 40% by volume≦X1+X2≦80% by volume, in which X1 is the percentage by volume of the nitride contained in the thermally sprayed coating with respect to the total volume (10% by volume) of the thermally sprayed coating, and X2 is the percentage by volume of the oxide or the multiple oxide contained in the thermally sprayed coating with respect to the total volume of the thermally sprayed coating.
US08852065B2	Rolling roll, rolling ring, rolling mill, and rolling roll assembling method The present invention provides a rolling roll that has a shaft, which rotates around an axis and has one end that is connected to an output shaft of a rolling mill, and is configured such that a tubular sleeve member is mounted to a portion of the shaft on the side of another end, and a rolling ring, which is formed from a hard material, is fixed to an outer circumference of the sleeve member, wherein an inner circumferential support part is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the sleeve member; the rolling ring is supported by the sleeve member via the inner circumferential support part; a pressing member and a pressing mechanism are disposed on the other end side of the rolling ring; and the pressing member and the pressing mechanism press the rolling ring toward the one end side, thereby fixing it.
US08852064B2	Reduced feed roll wear using carbon nanotube additives in rubbers In accordance with the invention, there are media feeding assemblies and methods of making a roll of a media feeding assembly. The method can include providing a soluble carbon nanotube composition, providing a first elastomeric rubber composition, and mixing the soluble carbon nanotube composition with the first elastomeric rubber composition to form a composite rubber composition, such that the soluble carbon nanotubes are substantially uniformly dispersed in the composite rubber composition. The method can also include applying the composite rubber composition to a mold and curing the composite rubber composition to form a composite rubber tire, such that the substantially uniformly dispersed soluble carbon nanotubes in the composite rubber tire provide at least about 10% decrease in wear.
US08852063B2	Humerus-stabilized shoulder stretch device A humerus-stabilized shoulder stretching device including a first rod, gripping handle coupled to the first rod, force handle, and stationary arm having a first portion and a second portion oriented relative to each other by an angle. The first portion of the stationary arm is coupled to the gripping handle by the first rod and the force handle is coupled to stationary arm via the second portion. An elbow cradle having a base coupled to the stationary arm is configured to accommodate a user's arm such that when the user's elbow is within the elbow cradle and the user grips the gripping handle with the hand of that arm, the user's forearm will be releasably constrained between the gripping handle and the elbow cradle and the distance between the base and the gripping handle will be maintained by the first rod at a length approximately equal to the user's forearm.
US08852061B2	Exercise device with suspended inertial core An inertial exercise device includes a hollow outer ball and a weighted inner ball elastically suspended inside the outer ball by at least two opposing suspension members. The weighted inner ball may contain a fluid mass. The hollow outer ball, the weighted inner ball and the at least two opposing suspension members may all be integrally formed with each other. In one embodiment, the outer ball, the inner ball, and the suspension members are all formed from integral segments of a pliant tube. The hollow outer ball is formed by everting first and second end segments of the tube over the middle segment of the tube and joining the first and second end segments of the tube together at their openings. The weighted inner ball is formed from the middle segment of the tube which, in one embodiment, is a bulge in the tube.
US08852058B1	Interactive finger ladder An interactive device includes a housing and a finger ladder held within the housing and having a number of parallel rungs. Each rung includes at least one sensor. A display system, which may include panels attached to either side of the ladder, produce sounds and/or images when the rungs of the ladder are contacted sequentially. Alternately, the display system may be integral with the finger ladder. The sounds and/or images may produce a song or a familiar sequence, such as the alphabet. The sequential activation of the sensors results in the development of both gross and fine motor skills, for example, in children, persons with developmental differences, and persons needing physical or occupational therapy.
US08852057B2	Structure for connection and separation between an engine and a main unit Problems to be solved: Providing a structure for connection and separation between an engine and a main unit, adapted to release coupling by separating a centrifugal clutch.Means for solving the problems: A structure for connection and separation includes an engine side adapter (1) with a clutch shoe (11), an engine side annular surface (121), and an engine side projection (13); and a main unit side adapter (2) with a clutch drum (21), a main unit side annular surface (221), and a main unit side projection (23), wherein the engine side projection (13) projects in a radial direction from a circle centered on the power transmission shaft as a center, and the main unit side projection (23) projects in a direction radially opposite to the direction in which the engine side projection (13) projects; and when the engine side adapter (1) or the main unit side adapter (2) is relatively rotated about the axis of the power transmission shaft with the engine side annular surface (121) and the main unit side annular surface (221) brought into contact with each other, the engine side projection (13) and the main unit side projection (23) are moved to a back side of each other from the circumferential direction to be engaged in the axial direction of the power transmission shaft.
US08852055B2	Vehicle drive control apparatus Provided is a vehicle drive control apparatus including a shift mechanism configured to be able to selectively switch its shift position to either a driving position or a non-driving position; and a controller configured to control the drive force output from a motor serving as a drive source of the vehicle according to operation of an accelerator, to transmit the drive force from the motor to wheels when the shift position is in the driving position, and to stop the transmission of the drive force from the motor to the wheels when the shift position is in the non-driving position. The controller also performs drive force suppression processing to control the drive force, when the shift position is switched from the non-driving position to the driving position with the accelerator turned ON, such that the acceleration of the vehicle does not exceed an upper limit of acceleration.
US08852052B2	System, method, and apparatus for controlling power output distribution in a hybrid power train A method includes operating a hybrid power train having an internal combustion engine and an electrical torque provider. The method further includes determining a machine power demand and an audible noise limit value for the internal combustion engine. The method includes determining a power division description in response to the machine power demand and the audible noise limit value, and operating the internal combustion engine and the electrical torque provider in response to the power division description.
US08852050B2	Continuously variable transmission Components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT) having a control system adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT are provided. In one embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT.
US08852048B2	Planetary harmonic differential transmission Described is a planetary harmonic differential transmission, comprised of a rigid externally-toothed inner sprocket, a rigid internally-toothed outer sprocket, a deformable belt that is toothed on both its internal and external faces, and a set of free-rotating planetary sprockets that are mounted on a rotating carrier cage and cause the belt to progressively engage and disengage from successive portions of the rigid sprockets. The input to the transmission is the relative motion between the carrier cage and the inner sprocket, and the output is the relative motion between the outer sprocket and the inner sprocket, resulting in a differential transmission.
US08852045B2	Electric oil pump system and control method thereof An electric oil pump system and a control method thereof include an electrical oil pump that is derated or the derating of the electrical oil pump is released according to a coil temperature of the electrical oil pump, and a torque of a transmission is control according to whether or not the electrical oil pump is derated.
US08852044B2	Torque split type automatic transmission A torque split type automatic transmission which transmits torque output from an engine through two paths, adds the torque passing through and increased in each path, and outputs a final torque, may be provided wherein the torque of the engine is dividedly transmitted to first and second power delivery paths, a launching device for converting the torque and a transmission device for achieving multiple-shift are disposed on the first power delivery path in series, and a torque combining device is disposed on the second power delivery path, and wherein the first power delivery path is connected to the torque combining device such that output torque of the first power delivery path is added to output torque of the second output path to output the final torque.
US08852040B2	Switchable friction clutch having a drive wheel driven by a drive motor via a drive belt, and drive unit The proposal is for a switchable friction clutch having a drive wheel (5) driven by a drive motor via a drive belt, wherein a first electromagnet arrangement (19) is provided for actuating a first friction clutch (21), and a second electromagnet arrangement (24) is provided for actuating a second friction clutch (23) in order to be able to drive a drive shaft (13) of an auxiliary unit (3) at different rotational speeds via the drive wheel (5) at one rotational speed of the drive wheel. According to the invention, a belt drive arrangement is provided between the drive wheel (5) and the drive shaft (13) of the auxiliary unit (3) to drive the drive shaft (13) at the different speed.
US08852036B2	Baseball or softball bat, and method for manufacturing a baseball or softball bat A baseball or softball bat and a method for manufacturing the bat are provided. The bat includes a batting portion formed of wood into a cylindrical shape, and a bat main body made of a fiber-reinforced plastic. A part of the bat main body is inserted in the batting portion from an open end of the batting portion, and the rest of the bat main body is exposed from the batting portion. The bat further includes a suppressing member arranged on an outer circumference of the bat main body. The suppressing member prevents change of orientation of fibers in the fiber-reinforced plastic. The suppressing member is positioned so as to contact a step formed between the outer circumference of the bat main body and an outer circumference of the batting portion at the open end of the batting portion.
US08852034B2	Basketball backboard A basketball backboard assembly and a method of making the backboard assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes a backboard frame structure and an acrylic backboard which are bonded together with a suitable elastomeric adhesive, providing adequate adhesion and flexibility. The elastomeric adhesive has a bond gap in the range from 2 to 2.5 mm. The adhesive is catalyzed to provide control of the set time in the range from about 5 minutes to 1 hour. A plurality of bond gap spacers are located between the frame bonding surface and the backboard bonding surface to provide the bond gap.
US08852033B1	Hand grip A flexible, semi-rigid hand accessory designed to harness power from relatively strong, tough areas of the hand and disperse stress away from weak, sensitive areas by means of anchors pressing into tough fleshy areas with connecting structure capable of bracing and leveraging a handle away from sensitive bony areas, relocating fleshy areas into supporting and insulating positions, preventing bone bruises, enhancing finger gripping and widening the effective grip of the hand for greater control while augmenting the hand's range of motion especially in swinging a baseball bat.
US08852032B1	Bat swing training machine A bat swing training machine for improving a user's bat swing technique and developing muscular strength includes a frame carried by an adjustable post for height adjustment and two mounting brackets for installation in various locations. The machine also includes a torsion spring, a swing arm with swivel linkage and a bat handle. The machine provides torsional resistance with precise positional control throughout the swing motion and does so equally for right and left handed swings. Backswing is relatively un-resisted thereby allowing the athlete or trainee to stay in position and continuously repeat the swing motion.
US08852031B2	Training harness for a basketball defender A wearable training harness for dissuading the committing of reach in fouls and including a looped belt adapted to be worn about a waist of a wearer, from which an upwardly extending suspender includes a first portion extending from a rear midpoint of the belt. A pair of second portions branches from the first portion and is adapted to extend over shoulder locations of the wearer, the second portions connecting at opposite lower ends to forward locations of the belt. A pair of elongate linkages are pivotally secured to a rigid planar member supported at a location associated with the first suspender portion. A pair of circular bands are adapted to be worn about the arms of the wearer, the bands pivotally secured to remote extending ends of the linkages.
US08852029B2	Golf handicap systems and methods to calculate a golf handicap Embodiments of golf handicap systems and methods to calculate a golf handicap are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08852026B2	Golf balls having multi-layer cores based on polyalkenamer compositions The present invention generally relates to golf balls and more particularly to golf balls having multi-layered cores comprising a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. A cover layer is disposed about the multi-layered core. At least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber. The polyalkenamer rubber may be blended with other rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene diene, and styrene-butadiene rubbers. The polyalkenamer rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel.
US08852025B2	Multi-layer golf ball Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
US08852024B2	Golf club head having a nanocrystalline titanium alloy Embodiments of a golf club head and methods to manufacture such a golf club head are generally described herein. The golf club head generally includes at least one ball-striking face, which comprises a titanium alloy that is associated with an average grain size measuring no more than about 1 micron (μm) in the longest dimension.
US08852023B2	Golf club head having a bridge member and a damping element A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member and a damping element is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a damping element extends from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member to define a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball. For the shorter iron clubs, the damping element extends from the top portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member. The damping element may reduce the vibration and sound of the golf club head upon impact with a golf ball.
US08852021B2	Golf club shaft and golf club using the same A golf club shaft in which the isotropy of the prepregs configuring a torsion rigidity holding layer is high and in which sufficient torsional rigidity can be secured with fewer plies of fewer prepregs. The golf club shaft includes a torsional rigidity holding layer made of a thermosetting resin which contains reinforced fibers extending obliquely to a longitudinal direction of the shaft. The torsional rigidity holding layer includes a multilayer set prepreg, in which at least two layers of prepregs made of reinforced fibers are impregnated with a thermosetting resin. A plurality of prepregs in the multilayer set prepreg include reinforced fibers extending in mutually different directions. The multilayer set prepreg is continuously wound by at least two turns with the plurality of prepregs layered on each other. A golf club uses the shaft.
US08852019B2	Variable length golf club shaft A variable length shaft assembly comprising at least one upper shaft portion, a lower shaft portion and a threaded fastener, wherein the threaded fastener removably connects the upper shaft portion to the lower shaft portion, is disclosed herein. The variable length shaft assembly may further comprise at least two upper shaft portions having different lengths so a golfer can adjust the total length of the shaft by removing one upper shaft portion and replacing it with another upper shaft portion having a different length. Methods of adjusting the length of a golf club shaft without damaging any portion of the shaft and variable length shaft kits are also disclosed herein.
US08852017B2	Golf sand bunker simulator A golf sand bunker simulator which mimics the feel of sand by using beaded chains that are attached to a mat. The golf sand bunker simulator creates a sand-like experience which can assist a golfer to develop their sand shot technique. The golf sand bunker simulator is portable and because it does not generate dust or debris provides a clean golf training experience for both indoor and outdoor practice. The golf sand bunker simulator can also have a grass turf attached to enable a golfer to practice both sand and grass shots.
US08852005B2	Angled offset ball type constant velocity joint for vehicle An angled offset ball type constant velocity joint for a vehicle, which can enhance the strength of the joint by compensating for a contact surface pressure between an outer race groove and a ball while maintaining an outer diameter of the outer race by making rotation centers of the outer race and the inner race positioned to be symmetrical with respect to each other by an offset angle. The angled offset ball type constant velocity joint includes an inner race connected to an end of a shaft, an outer race installed outside the inner race, a plurality of balls for transmitting a torque of the inner race to the outer race, and a cage having windows for supporting the respective balls, wherein a rotation center of an outer race ball track is symmetrical with a rotation center of an inner race ball track by an offset angle.
US08852004B2	Downhole torque limiting assembly for drill string A method includes a rotary torque limiting assembly including a rotary input member having an internal cavity having sprag receptacles. A rotary output member is disposed within the internal cavity, the secondary rotary member having radial protrusions and recesses. Radial ratchet members are disposed radially between the input member and the output member, each ratchet member having a radially inner surface, and a radially outward surface that includes at least one radially protruding sprag. Bearings are disposed radially between the ratchet members and the output member. A retaining assembly is adapted to provide a compliant force to maintain contact among the ratchet members, bearings, and second rotary member. Each bearing is partly retained between one of the ratchet members and the second rotary member, and each sprag is partly retained within a corresponding sprag receptacle.
US08852003B2	Storage medium storing a game program, game apparatus and game controlling method A game apparatus includes an inward camera, and a skin color is extracted from an imaged image imaged by the inward camera. During execution of the game, it is determined whether or not a skin color region being above a predetermined ratio is detected at a specific region. If the skin color region is above the predetermined ratio, it is determined the face of a user is correctly recognized, and feature points are detected from the imaged image. By detecting whether or not the entire face of the user is recognized, by detecting a part of the face or its movement, on the basis of the feature points, the game is progressed depending on whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. However, if the skin color is equal to or less than the predetermined ratio, it is determined that the face of the user is not correctly recognized, and a determination based on the feature points is not performed.
US08852001B2	Tournament gaming systems Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming system for presenting tournament games includes a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a tournament server as well as a plurality of tournament displays positioned throughout a gaming establishment. Each gaming device is configured to enable concurrent play of a base game and on-demand tournament games in which the on-demand tournament games are player initiated. The tournament server manages play of the on-demand tournament games. The plurality of tournament displays are positioned throughout a gaming establishment, and the tournament displays are also in communication with the tournament server.
US08852000B1	Using crowd-sourcing to verify the accuracy of results of client-side determinations The accuracy of results of client-side determinations used for defining views of a virtual space may be verified via crowd-sourcing. Results of primary client-side determinations may be received from client computing platforms. Individual ones of the primary client-side determinations may be performed by individual client computing platforms presenting views of an instance of the virtual space to users. The results of the primary client-side determinations may form a basis for determining view information. The accuracy of the results of the primary client-side determinations may be verified by comparing the results of the primary client-side determinations with results of secondary client-side determinations performed by one or more client computing platforms. Individual ones of the secondary client-side determinations may simulate corresponding primary client-side determinations.
US08851994B2	Game device, game control method, and game control program adapted to control game by using position and posture of input device A game device is provided with a position acquisition unit for acquiring the position of an input device for moving the position of a given object on a screen displayed on a display device; an inclination acquisition unit for acquiring the inclination of the input device; and a position computation unit for determining the position of the object on the screen based on both a positional displacement amount of the input device and an inclination displacement amount of the input device.
US08851990B2	Method and apparatus for audio scaling at a display showing content in different areas A method and device for scaling audio content associated with first and second sources at a user apparatus such as a gaming machine. When the gaming machine is in a first condition displaying only game content speakers are controlled to produce game related audio content. In a second condition where the display is controlled to share game content and other content from a remote source in a picture-in-picture arrangement, the method and device control the speaker volumes to associate the audio content with the associated video content to provide audio directionality and primacy.
US08851989B2	Method and apparatus for hinging and hanging a gaming machine door A gaming machine includes a cabinet having a compartment for housing circuitry for gaming and a door for closing the compartment. The door is attached to the cabinet by a hinge system. The hinge system includes a first portion attached to a door and a second portion attached to the cabinet. The first portion includes a first pin proximate a first corner of the door, and a second pin further including a round head proximate a second corner of the door. The second pin has a longitudinal axis aligned to the longitudinal axis of the first pin.
US08851987B2	Method and apparatus for adapting to gaming venue states A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving a signal representative of a displacement of at least a portion of a computer mouse from a surface of a mouse pad, and causing a change in a state of a video game presented by a gaming system according to the signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08851983B2	System and method for insuring casino operators against improbable gaming outcomes Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to systems and methods for providing gaming insurance to casino operators by aggregating historical gaming results over an electronic medium or network of qualified casino patrons who choose to participate in one or more gambling loyalty programs and modeling those players against available games within a specific property to predict future gross gaming revenue so an insurance contract can be structured to protect against statistical variances in the gross gaming revenues.
US08851982B2	Wagering game with multi-level progressive game A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.
US08851980B2	System and method for conducting online video game tournaments The present invention is a system and method for conducting online video game tournaments involving a series of levels. The system comprises a tournament server connected to a communications network that is in electronic communication with remotely located players who register for the tournament. The server maintains a record of registered players competing in the tournament indicating at which level each player is eligible to play and, after players indicate they are ready to play a match, the server matches players who are ready to play at the same level. This matching may be repeated at regular intervals. After being matched, players play a match and the results are reported back to the server which may award prizes or allow players to unlock other levels based on the results. In general, a player who wins a pre-defined number of matches is a row wins a grand prize.
US08851979B2	Gaming system and method for providing a symbol elimination game In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein provides a symbol elimination game which utilizes a single continuous series or chain of symbols displayed at a plurality of symbol display positions of a formed path and further utilizes one or more eliminators displayed at one or more eliminator display positions associated with and distinct from the symbol display positions of the formed path. Specifically, in various embodiments, the gaming system: (i) displays the chain of symbols continuously moving through the path of symbol display positions, and (ii) eliminates zero, one or more of such symbols based on one or more interactions between such symbols and the symbol display eliminators displayed at the eliminator display positions.
US08851976B2	Wagering game with game enhancement feature A gaming system includes at least one memory device that stores instructions that cause a processor to operate with a display device an input device to display a wagering game having a basic game and a bonus game having a first end-game outcome, trigger a first instance of the bonus game during play of the basic game, provide a first number of award opportunities during play of the first instance of the bonus game, complete the first instance of the bonus game in response to the first end-game outcome, store any remaining award opportunities in the at least one memory device in response to the first end-game outcome being achieved with at least one award opportunity remaining, trigger a second instance of the bonus game during play of the basic game, and provide any stored remaining award opportunities during play of the second instance of the bonus game.
US08851973B2	Method, system, and device for conducting a gambling game to issue an escrow award A user device is programmed to display a game application outcome. Among the possible outcomes is at least one escrow award which may be earned through the game application but is not issued at the user device. When an escrow award is earned, it is stored at an award server, optionally in association with a player identifier. A gaming device includes a primary display for displaying a gambling game and an escrow display to display escrow awards retrieved from the award server (optionally in response to receipt of a player identifier). A gambling game is conducted and resolved. Through the course of conducting one or more gambling games, a determination is made whether an escrow award trigger has occurred and, if so, an escrow award is issued. Optionally, an escrow award is held at the escrow display until an escrow display refresh event.
US08851972B2	Gaming device having multiple interacting independently operable wheels A gaming device having multiple interacting independently operated symbol generators, such as wheels. In one embodiment, each wheel includes a plurality of sections that are associated with a plurality of different outcomes which are displayed to a player. One or more of the wheels are activated, either sequentially or simultaneously and the results of the wheel activations influence one or more subsequent wheel activations. Upon a terminating event, an outcome based on the results from one or more spins of one or more of the wheels is provided to the player.
US08851970B2	Method of simultaneous indication of multiple winning combinations in a symbol matrix The present invention teaches novel methods for simultaneous indication of winning combinations in the symbol matrix. More specifically, the present invention simultaneously indicates all winning combinations formed by symbols appearing in symbol positions common to multiple pay lines. In a preferred embodiment, symbol positions common to multiple pay lines that display winning symbol combinations are simultaneously indicated to the player in a first manner. In addition, the remaining symbol positions for each of said multiple pay lines are simultaneously indicated in a second manner.
US08851967B2	Skill calibrated hybrid game Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a networked system for a skill calibrated hybrid game that includes: a gambling game; an entertainment game; a game world engine constructed to manage the entertainment game and communicate gameplay gambling event occurrences based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game that trigger a wager in the gambling game; and a skill calibration module constructed to: receive player data for a player, where the player data is indicative of a player's gameplay performance at the entertainment game; analyze the player data to determine a player's skill level; determine whether the terms of a wager of a gambling game are calibrated in a manner appropriate to the player's skill level; and send a command during play of the skill calibrated hybrid game that causes the real world engine to calibrate the terms of a wager in the gambling game.
US08851966B2	Predictive analytics for targeted player engagement in a gaming system A gaming system may include an event filter to identify players as targets for engagement. The player may be modeled to predict what they might do under a given situation. One or more engagement actions may be developed based at least on the player's predicted behaviour. The player is then engaged in accordance with the engagement actions. Results from engagements with many players may be assessed and the gaming system may be adjusted according to the assessment.
US08851961B2	Sharpener for a snow travel member such as a ski or a snowboard In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a corner edge of a snow travel member, which may be, for example, a ski or a snowboard. The corner edge is between a bottom face and a side face of the snow travel member. The sharpener includes an angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle between surfaces on the sharpener that support the bottom face and side face of the snow travel member, in order to accommodate different snow travel members, that may have different angles between their bottom face and their side face. For example, the angle adjustment member may be capable of adjusting the angle between a bottom face orienting surface on the sharpener and a side face orienting surface on the sharpener between a range of angles. The range of angles may be, for example, a range from 85 degrees and 90 degrees.
US08851958B2	Method for the simultaneous double-side material-removing processing of at least three workpieces A method for simultaneous double-side material-removing processing of at least three workpieces includes disposing the workpieces in a working gap between rotating upper and lower working disks of a double-side processing apparatus. The workpieces lie in freely movable fashion in respective openings in a guide cage and are moved under pressure in the working gap using the guide cage. Upon attaining a preselected target thickness of the workpieces, a deceleration process is initiated that includes reducing an angular velocity ωi(t) of a respective drive i of each of the upper working disk, lower working disk and guide cage to a standstill. The reducing is carried out such that ratios of the angular velocities ωi(t) with respect to one another as a function of time t deviate by no more than 10% from initial ratios of the angular velocities ωi(t) corresponding to when the preselected target thickness was attained.
US08851954B2	Yo-yo with an accessory attachment system and a movable string bead This invention is a yo-yo with a non-spinning and externally accessible, independently rotating axle that functions as an accessory attachment system to which stunt attachments can be attached. Also described are a variety of possible trick and stunt accessories. Further disclosed is a bead, which surrounds the yo-yo string, such that recoil of the yo-yo is controlled through engagement with the internal wall of the rotating disks.
US08851947B2	Inflatable watercraft with battery powered motorized cassette An inflatable watercraft comprises a motorized cassette and at least one inflatable chamber. The at least one inflatable chamber is foldable relative to the motorized cassette at least when the inflatable watercraft is in a deflated configuration. The motorized cassette includes a motor, an impeller, at least one battery, and a pump configured to inflate the at least one inflatable chamber. The pump can include a reversible pump configured to deflate the at least one inflatable chamber.
US08851943B2	Motorized water vehicle adapted for supplying a pressurized fluid and associated delivery system A Motorized Water Vehicle (MWV) adapted to operate as a fluid-compression station in addition to the primary transport function thereof. Such an MWV can supply compressed fluid to a third device. In a preferred and non-exhaustive manner, such an MWV can supply a passenger propulsion device allowing the propulsion device to move through the air or through a fluid. A propulsion system is thereby provided, in which a remote station is a motorized water vehicle adapted to engage with a propulsion device.
US08851942B2	Thrust generating apparatus A thrust generating apparatus which is positioned under water and configured to generate a thrust by ejecting water includes a duct-shaped stator provided with a plurality of armature coils, and a plurality of ring-shaped rotors which are arranged radially inward of the stator and provided with permanent magnets respectively corresponding to the plurality of armature coils, wherein the plurality of rotors are arranged in series in a rotational axis direction thereof and each of the rotors has a propeller vane protruding radially inward. A thrust generating apparatus is capable of outputting a high driving power without increasing a propeller diameter.
US08851941B2	Crimping terminal and manufacturing of same Disclosed is a crimping terminal that suppresses as far as possible an increase in contact resistance with an electrical wire even in a severe thermal impact environment. A crimping terminal is formed into a substantial U-shape section with a bowed bottom plate. Also, a bead is formed whose in inner surface is made convex by punching a concave shape from an outer surface of a wall plate, on the wall plate at any position in a range from at least a bottom plate to a conductor swage piece. A work hardening portion hardened by crushing at a center portion in a width direction of the bottom plate is also formed.
US08851936B2	Terminal block including a conductor routing system for an apparatus including an electrical component and method of routing a conductor across a terminal block A terminal block for an apparatus includes at least one terminal conductor having a first end that extends to a second end. The first end includes a first connection portion and the second end includes a second connection portion. A non-electrically conductive member covers the at least one terminal conductor. The non-electrically conductive member includes a body having a first end section arranged at the first end extending through an intermediate section to a second end section arranged at the second end. The first end section includes a first opening exposing the first connection portion, and the second end portion includes a second opening exposing the second connection portion. The body further includes a conductor routing system having at least one conductor routing member configured and disposed to restrain and guide a conductor member across the at least one terminal conductor.
US08851934B2	Electrical module housing An assembly is configured to retain a plurality of electrical modules and mate with a shroud having a plurality of connecting interfaces configured to mate with the plurality of electrical modules. The assembly includes a frame having at least one shroud-securing bracket and at least one bay configured to retain at least one of the plurality of electrical modules, and at least one keying insert retained within at least one insert passage of the at least one shroud-securing bracket. The at least one keying insert includes at least one adjustable keying feature that is configured to be adjusted to different positions in order to accommodate a reciprocal alignment post of the shroud.
US08851933B2	Releasable electrical connection A releasable electrical connection and related methods use lateral compression of an electrically conductive spring to form a forced abutting solderless connection between the spring and a corresponding electrical lead, with the lead pressed between the spring and a support. The connection can be readily broken and remade for servicing related electrical equipment, such as an oxygen sensor assembly.
US08851931B2	Electrical connector with soldering sections of contacts exposed on a single side A plug connector compatible to type-A USB 3.0 standard includes an insulative housing having a supporting portion, and a number of contacts divided into a first contact group and a second contact group on the insulative housing. The first contact group includes a number of first contacts compatible to USB 2.0 standard. The second contact group includes a number of second contacts compatible to USB 3.0 standard together with the first contacts. Each first contact and each second contact includes a flat first soldering section and a flat second soldering section, respectively. The flat first soldering sections and the flat second soldering sections are supported by and exposed on a single side of the supporting portion. As a result, cables can be easily and simultaneously soldered to the first and the second soldering sections for improving assembling efficiency.
US08851928B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector comprises an insulating seat, a plurality of conductive terminals inserted on the insulating seat, and a cage covering on the insulating seat. The insulating seat comprises a body, a tongue plate projecting forward from the body for the arrangement of the conductive terminals, and a bottom plate extending along from the body under the tongue plate. The cage includes a bottom wall located between the tongue plate and the bottom plate of the insulating seat. The electrical connector further comprises a securing part for securing the insulating seat. The securing part comprises a main body abutting above the bottom plate of the insulating seat and two soldering parts bend downwards and extending from two ends of the main body respectively.
US08851924B2	Electrical assembly connection of a motor vehicle An electrical motor connection, in particular of an electrical cooling fan motor for a motor vehicle, has a connected cable harness whose cable ends are connected to a motor-end connecting terminal. A connecting housing has two housing parts, which are joined together in the assembled state to form a cavity, and which hold connection-end cable ends of the cable harness. One of the housing parts has at least one filling opening, which opens into the cavity, for filling with a curable encapsulation compound, and with the cured encapsulation compound surrounding the cable ends in the area of the connecting terminal, and being joined to the housing parts.
US08851923B2	Hermetically sealed terminal pins with holes for connecting to wires A hermetic terminal assembly includes a terminal body and terminal pins extending through the terminal body. The terminal pins each have a first end configured for connection to a power source disposed outside of a hermetic compressor and a second end configured for direct connection to motor windings disposed within hermetic compressor.
US08851918B2	Electrical connector with automatic lock member The operability and usage durability of a lock cancellation operating part (12e) can be improved with a simple configuration. A latch lock part (12a) and a lock cancellation operating part (12e) are integrally provided to an elastically-displaceable lock arm member (12g), which is integrally extending like a cantilever from a board connecting part (12c) solder-joined with a main wiring board. The board connecting part (12c), the latch lock part (12a), and the lock cancellation operating part (12e) are integrally provided with the lock arm member (12g) so that a retaining action and a cancelling action of the inserted signal transmission medium (F) is carried out by operation of a single member.
US08851916B2	Card edge connector with improved locking arm A card edge connector includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts and a pair of locking arms for holding a card. Each locking arm includes a retaining portion fixed to the insulative housing and a resilient arm extending forwardly from the retaining portion. The resilient arm is deformable outwardly so as to lock or unlock with the card. The resilient arm includes an engaging portion extending inwardly and a hook at a front of the engaging portion. The engaging portion includes a downwardly inclined surface for guiding installation of the card. The hook protrudes upwardly beyond the engaging portion so that when the card is not so inserted along a card-insertion direction, even if the card is downwardly pressed, a top edge of the hook resists against the card so as to prevent the card from further downward movement.
US08851913B2	Electrical connector A connector for a light source comprises a first cam having a contact surface that is mounted such that the contact surface is extended and retracted relative to the housing. An electrical contact is provided and positioned to contact an electrical terminal in the socket. A conductor is electrically coupled to the electrical contact where the conductor is connected to a light source. An actuator rotates the cam to the retracted position. The connector may be inserted linearly into the socket and the actuator released to mount the light source in the socket.
US08851910B2	Connector A receiving housing is displaceable in the direction to be pushed out from the opening of a bottom panel by a connecting operation. One end of a lever can be engaged with a counterpart housing and the other end can be engaged with a rotating shaft protrusion of the bottom panel. The counterpart housing is pulled towards the receiving housing by means of the lever that pivots around a portion to be engaged with the rotating shaft protrusion of the bottom panel as a fulcrum by the displacement of the receiving housing in cooperation with the connecting operation.
US08851907B2	Contact node of portable terminal A contact node of a portable terminal includes: a body fixed on a main board of the portable terminal; at least one first contact piece protruding through one side surface of the body; and at least one second contact piece protruding through another side surface of the body, wherein one of the first contact piece and second contact piece is disposed toward an outer side surface of the portable terminal.
US08851905B2	Field-replaceable printed circuit board cable assembly and method of use A field-replaceable printed circuit board (“PCB”) cable assembly comprises at least one field-replaceable PCB, at least one cable, a connector with a plurality of beams, and top and bottom hood portions. A first end of the at least one field-replaceable PCB is attached to the at least one cable, and a second end of the at least one field-replaceable PCB is attached to the plurality of beams. The at least one field-replaceable PCB can be replaced by disassembling the hood portions, detaching the at least one field-replaceable PCB from the plurality of beams, and attaching at least one new field-replaceable PCB.
US08851904B2	Shielding socket with two pieces housing components An electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module with a printed circuit board includes an insulative housing and a number of contacts fixed in the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes an upper component and a lower component cooperated with the upper component. The upper component has a protruding portion and the lower component has a hole cooperated with the protruding portion. The protruding portion is in touch with the hole and the contacting area is plated with a metal fillings. It is easy to assemble and it has better shielding effects.
US08851903B2	Connector assemblies for connector systems A connector assembly includes a housing having a body and a head extending outward from the body. The housing is coupled to an LED circuit board with the head mounted to a front side of the LED circuit board and with the body extending through an opening of the LED circuit board to a rear side of the LED circuit board. The housing has driver card slot in the body configured to receive a driver card from the rear side of the LED circuit board. The housing has a contact channel open to the driver card slot with a contact therein. The contact has a mating interface configured to engage and be electrically connected to the driver card. The contact has a mounting leg extending from the head that is configured to be mounted to the front side of the LED circuit board.
US08851895B1	Method and system for teaching and practicing articulation of targeted phonemes A method and system for teaching and practicing articulation of targeted phonemes for use in the treatment of various speech sound disorders including problems with articulation, phonological processes, voice and resonance. A student chooses cards intentionally or randomly from a deck and places them on spaces provided in a story template. The cards include words or images that contain the phoneme to be practiced and which are appropriate for completing the story. The student then reads the story orally or just the words on the cards inserted into the spaces thereby drilling on the phoneme to be practiced. The student also has an opportunity to use learned phonemes in conversational speech in response to questions.
US08851886B2	Substrate processing apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device Provided is a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate processing apparatus includes a reaction tube; a heating device configured to heat the reaction tube; and a manifold installed outward as compared with the heating device and made of a non-metallic material. A first thickness of the manifold defined in a direction perpendicular to a center axis of the reaction tube is greater than a second thickness of the manifold defined at a position adjacent to the reaction tube in a direction parallel to the center axis of the reaction tube. The manifold includes a protrusion part of which at least a portion protrudes inward more than an inner wall of the reaction tube, and a gas supply unit disposed at at least the protrusion part for supplying gas to an inside of the reaction tube.
US08851885B2	Air fire lighter An air fire lighter having fuel, an igniter and a ducted fan for igniting a solid fuel fire. The fuel travels through the fire lighter to a collar at a distal end of the fire lighter, transforming into a vapor that is ignited by an igniter. As the solid fuel begins to glow at the initiation of the fire, the fan is activated, shutting off the vapors from the fuel. The fan blows air through a chamber onto the fire, causing the fire to spread throughout the solid fuel, establishing and spreading the fire through an ignition period. The chamber has a volume and ducting for providing optimal airflow to the fire. The fan is battery-operated. The lighter is lightweight and compact with a swiveling handle that adjusts for optimal placement of the lighter for addressing the solid fuel, folding for portability and storage.
US08851882B2	System and apparatus for applying an electric field to a combustion volume According to an embodiment, combustion in a combustion volume is affected by at least two sequentially applied non-parallel electric fields. According to an embodiment, a combustion volume is equipped with at least three individually modulatable electrodes. According to an embodiment, an electric field application apparatus for a combustion volume includes a safety apparatus to reduce or eliminate danger.
US08851877B2	Die for extrusion forming of honeycomb formed body, and method of forming honeycomb formed body Provided is a die for extrusion forming for extrusion forming of a honeycomb formed body comprising a honeycomb forming die having a structure that there is provided at a surface a groove-like slit in a form of a cell block as well as there is provided at a backside a clay introduction hole in communication with the slit, and a frame-shaped presser plate that is disposed at an outer peripheral portion of the honeycomb forming die and that regulates a shape and dimension of a honeycomb formed body. Among the cell blocks, in an extrusion direction of forming clay, a cell block which end face is positioned to be overlapped with an inner circumferential surface of the presser plate is formed to be shorter than the other cell blocks resided inside the inner circumferential surface of the presser plate.
US08851874B2	Mold and method for manufacture thereof There is disclosed a mold comprising a first mold portion and a second mold portion engageable to define a mold cavity in a closed position of the mold. The first mold portion comprises a first part-line surface and the second mold portion comprises a second part-line surface. The first part-line surface comprises a projection portion and the second part-line surface comprising a resilient portion for substantially sealing engagement with the projection portion in the closed position of the mold. The present mold allows for the production of a so-called “positive seal” between the two mold halves at the part-line of the mold, particularly in the areas of the part-line where there is no vent. This allows for production of a molded part having minimal or no flash produced at the part-line of the mold.
US08851866B2	Methods and apparatuses for joining a pumping cartridge to a pump drive Embodiments are described for engaging a pumping cartridge with a pump drive. In certain embodiments, the cartridge, including a cylinder and a movable piston assembly, is initially assembled or subsequently positioned so that the distance between the attachment point on the piston assembly for coupling to a drive assembly, and a reference point on the cylinder, is greater than the maximal distance that will be encountered during normal oscillation of the piston during use. The cartridge, in certain embodiments, may be pressed into a drive assembly that immobilizes the cartridge and couples the piston assembly to the driveshaft. In certain embodiments, when the cartridge is fully inserted into the drive assembly, the piston is pressed into the cylinder sufficiently to establish a selected distance so that the piston shaft is in the proper position to engage with a coupling mechanism carried on the driveshaft.
US08851863B2	Gas booster system and related method An improved booster for use in piped fluid systems includes a motor, a fan wheel and a hermetically sealed tank assembly. Fluids enter the tank assembly through an inlet and are compressed within the tank assembly by a rotating fan wheel, before leaving the tank assembly through an outlet, which may be aligned in a plurality of angular configurations. The motor is powered by a versatile electrical connection which enters the tank assembly through a connector that maintains the hermetically sealed condition in the tank assembly, and can accommodate power of any voltage or frequency. The incremental pressure gain provided by the booster may be controlled by modifying the speed of the rotating fan wheel, and a sled assembly provides structural support and positional alignment for portions of the tank assembly when the booster system is opened for access.
US08851862B2	Oil sand slurry transportation system and method for variable slurry flow rates Provided is a system for transporting an oil sand slurry, comprising a pump, upstream and downstream lines, a shaft connectable to the pump, a driving mechanism driving the pump and a regulator for regulating the torque applied to the shaft between positive and negative torque modes, to pump the slurry at higher or lower flow rates. Also provided is a method comprising pumping the slurry through a pipeline using a pump driven by a motorised shaft and adjusting the flow rate of the slurry by varying the torque applied to the motorised shaft between positive and negative torque modes. The oil sand slurry transportation system and method enable positive head (regular pump action) for normal and high flow rates and negative head (pump brake action) for low flow rates, which reduces system energy loss, pipeline wear, vapor breakout and sanding off.
US08851851B2	Super low noise fan blades, axial flow fans incorporating the same, and commercial air cooled apparatuses incorporating such axial flow fans Large diameter axial Super Low Noise flow fans and commercial air cooled apparatuses incorporating such fans are provided. The large diameter axial flow fan is mounted on the air cooled apparatus for generating an axial air flow in the air cooled apparatus for accomplishing the cooling. The fan has a diameter of at least four feet. The fan has plurality of blades. Each blade includes a leading edge opposite a trailing edge. The entire of the leading edge of each of the blades is linear and forward swept, and each blade includes a metallic outer surface.
US08851850B2	Annulus filler assembly for a rotor of a turbomachine An annulus filler assembly for a rotor of a turbomachine, the assembly comprising: an annulus lid (56) having a radially outwardly facing surface (58) for forming an inner wall of a flow annulus of the rotor and a radially inwardly facing surface; and a frame for supporting the annulus lid (40), the frame being mountable to a disc of the rotor such that the annulus lid (56) is spaced away from the disc, wherein the frame (40) comprises a connection portion (46) which, in use, passes through an aperture (60) in the annulus lid (56) from the radially inwardly facing surface towards the radially outwardly facing surface (58) such that at least a portion of the connection portion (46) is visible from the radially outwardly facing surface (58); the assembly further comprising a locking element (68) which locks the connection portion (46) to the annulus lid (56) via the visible portion of the connection portion (46).
US08851843B2	Rotating blade and air foil with structure for increasing flow rate According to one embodiment of the present invention, a rotating blade, having a collision face that collides with fluid and is rotated by the flow of said fluid, has at least one flow path that has been caved in from said colliding face; said flow path is located forward with respect to said rotation direction so that it is located in the rear with respect to the inlet wherein said flow is introduced and said rotation direction, and it has an outlet from which said fluid exits. Here, the cross-sectional area of said inlet may be greater than the cross-sectional area of said outlet. In addition, the cross-sectional area of said inlet may gradually decrease toward said outlet.
US08851838B2	Displayable wind turbine The present invention relates to a displayable wind turbine. The displayable wind turbine includes a central shaft arranged vertically to a flow direction of fluid. Radially extending upper spokes are coupled to an upper hub. Radially extending lower spokes are coupled to a lower hub. Blades have first ends connected to an end of the upper hub and second ends connected to an end of the lower hub. A pitch control unit adjusts a blade pitch angle. A detection unit includes a fluid direction detection unit, a fluid velocity detection unit, a central shaft speed detection unit, and a central shaft position detection unit. A light emitting unit includes a printed circuit board and light emitting devices. A control unit controls operations of the pitch control unit and the light emitting unit.
US08851836B2	High efficiency wind turbine including photovoltaic cells A wind turbine is provided with turbine blades mounted for axial rotation about an axis. The blades are surrounded by a shroud to define an axial air passage. A conical ring is attached to the shroud and includes vanes for directing the airflow. Plates are attached to the shroud at a position radially outward from the shroud forming an air passage between the shroud and the plates. The plates have gaps between the adjacent plates so that air exiting the downstream opening of the shroud and air moving through the axial air passage between the shroud and the plates are mixed and a portion of the mixed air exits through the gaps. The wind turbine includes photovoltaic cells to increase the electricity generated by the wind turbine.
US08851835B2	Air cycle machine compressor diffuser A diffuser for an air cycle machine defines airflow both to a compressor rotor from the inlet and from the compressor rotor through a plurality of vanes that define radially extending airflow passages. The size and shape of both the inlet and the vanes of the diffuser define and tailor the character of airflow presented to and leaving the compressor rotor to provide a desired change in air flow.
US08851830B2	Harmonization of multiple gear train configurations A gear arrangement is disclosed herein. The gear arrangement includes a housing. The gear arrangement also includes a plurality of gears at least partially disposed in the housing and engaged with respect to one another. The gear arrangement also includes a support post mounted to the housing. The support post supports at least one of the gears. The support post has a first portion extending away from the housing and encircled by one of the gears. The support post also has a pin projecting away from the first portion. The first portion and the pin are eccentric to one another such that the first portion is centered on a first axis and the pin is centered on a second axis. The first and second axes are parallel to and spaced from one another. The gear arrangement also includes a plurality of pin apertures defined by the housing. The plurality of pin apertures are positioned about a circle and each is operable to receive the pin for adjustably positioning the first portion in one of a plurality of different positions.
US08851829B2	Vacuum pump A pump insert (50) for supporting a rotor (14) of a pump comprises an annular resilient support (52) for engaging the body (26) of the pump, the support (52) extending about a rolling bearing (10) having an inner race (12) for engaging the rotor (14), an axially preloaded outer race (16) fixed to the support (52), and a plurality of rolling elements (18) located between the races. During assembly, the rolling bearing (10) can be accurately positioned within the support (52) so that there is a very low tolerance stack-up when the insert (50) is fitted to the rotor (14). Consequently, the position of the rotor (14) will hardly change, if at all, when the rolling bearing (10) is replaced during servicing of the pump.
US08851827B2	Automated system and method of automatically order-picking or consolidating articles The invention relates to a method for automatically order-picking or consolidating articles of a wide variety of different formats and varieties, using the following steps: separating the stored articles, storing the articles in a rack bay, retrieving the articles and palletizing them. The method is predominantly characterized in that the articles which are to be order-picked for an order are put together in a rack bay already in the sequence which is necessary for palletizing. The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method.
US08851822B2	Seed cart A vehicle for transporting bulk seed containers and for transferring seed from the bulk seed containers to a seed planting machine includes a frame; a number of bulk seed container supports attached to the frame, each bulk seed container support supporting a bulk seed container; a feed tube connected to each of the bulk seed container supports, each feed tube engaging a bulk seed container; a delivery tube connected to each feed tube; a funnel commonly connected to the delivery tubes; an auger tube connected to the funnel, and an auger to transfer seed to a seed planting machine.
US08851820B2	Substrate container storage system A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for loading and unloading substrates to be processed. The storage system locally stores one or more containers of substrates. The storage system assembly includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with shelf features for supporting a container. Each of the plurality of storage shelves are coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the rail to the one or more positions. The rail has at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop.
US08851818B2	Automatic warehouse and control method thereof An automatic warehouse includes a rack including vertically arranged shelves and traveling vehicles each of which is provided to a corresponding one of the shelves. The automatic warehouse includes stations receiving an article to be stored on and an article unloaded from the rack, elevators each mediating traffic of articles between the corresponding station and at least one of the traveling vehicles, and a shelf assigning unit assigning, to each of the stations, one or more of the shelves to which the station has priority of use over the rest of the stations.
US08851812B1	Quick change power tool chuck A chuck device for holding an unmodified, circumferentially round tool shaft or collet includes an annular head portion having a distal end surface, a laterally spaced coupling end section, an outer circumferential surface, and a central longitudinally extending bore with an inner circumferential bore surface to slidingly receive the tool shaft or collet with the tool axis aligned collinearly with the bore axis. The head portion includes a first slot extending inwardly on one side of the annular head and normal to the distal end surface, and a second slot extending from the outer circumferential surface normal to and intersecting the first slot to form stationary and pivotable segments having a bore-facing, tool grasping surface that radially directs a compressive grasping force in an amount sufficient to hold the tool with a slip-torque of up to about 430 inch-lbs. at a rotational speed of up to at least about 20,000 rpm.
US08851808B2	Drill having multiple flanks A drill capable of suppressing inter-layer peeling (delamination) while keeping hole diameter accuracy even if the number of holed to be worked increases is provided. The drill includes a first flank which has a ridge line forming a cutting edge, a second flank which is adjacent to the first flank and has a ridge line forming a land portion, and a third flank which is adjacent to the first flank and has a ridge line forming a chisel edge. The drill further includes a fourth flank which is surrounded by a ridge line forming the first flank, a ridge line forming the third flank, and a trough line forming the second flank.
US08851805B2	Telescopic mine roof support A longitudinally yieldable support for underground roof support includes a first support section with a first elongate outer shell filled with a solid compressible filler material and a second support section filled with a second solid compressible filler material with a second elongate outer shell extending above the first elongate outer shell. The second support section has density that is greater than a density of the first solid compressible filler material. A pair of attachment members are coupled to the second elongate outer shell and are configured for lifting the second elongate outer shell relative to the first elongate outer shell and for securing the second elongate outer shell relative to the first elongate outer shell once lifted.
US08851797B1	Three rail multi-directional direct cantilever skidding system The present subject matter provides a three-rail multi-direction direct cantilever skidding system suitable for an offshore drilling system, where the three-rail multi-direction direct cantilever skidding system comprises movable guides accommodating the cantilever of a Jackup drilling unit and enabling transverse skidding rails to provide direct support for the cantilever so the cantilever may be moved in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
US08851794B2	Methods and systems for sulfur disposal Methods and systems are provided for sulfur disposal through preparation of a micro-sized sulfur slurries. Micro-sized sulfur slurries are created for downhole disposal by forming sulfur particulates, which are then combined with a carrier fluid. The micro-sized sulfur slurries may be introduced to a subterranean formation, in some cases, to an unconsolidated sand formation by way of a dilation mechanism. Some embodiments comprise forming micro-sized sulfur slurries through a conversion process that converts molten sulfur to powder sulfur by gas cooling of atomized sprays of molten sulfur. Advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein as compared to many conventional methods include higher efficiencies, lower cost, and enhanced disposal of sulfur material. Furthermore, forming a micro-sized sulfur slurry allows for a more convenient form of transport. Additionally, high sulfur loading rates may be achieved, ultimately allowing for more economical sulfur transport.
US08851793B2	Water wave breaker assembly A water wave breaker assembly comprising a buoyant wave breaker element including a plurality of longitudinally extending members spaced-apart from one another and defining an open cage structure; and an anchor assembly connectable to the buoyant wave breaker element and which can allow rotation of the buoyant wave breaker element when floating on a body of water. The buoyant wave breaker element can include a plurality of transversal arms extending through the open cage structure and outwardly past the longitudinally extending members. The water wave breaker assembly can be provided as a kit.
US08851792B1	Rotary mixer and method for controlling material gradation thereof A rotary mixer herein includes: a rotor chamber configured to receive a first surface and produce a reclaimed surface, the rotor chamber including: a front door, a rear door, and a rotor; a particle size detector configured to detect a particle size of the reclaimed surface; and an electronic control module (ECM) electronically coupled to the rotor chamber and the particle sensor, the ECM configured to: receive a particle size from the particle sensor, compare the detected particle size to a desired particle size, adjust the degree of pulverization of the reclaimed surface according to the difference between the detected particle size and the desired particle size.
US08851791B1	Manhole cover venting and precipitation guarding devices A manhole cover venting and rain guarding device for a manhole cover having an exterior manhole cover surface and an interior manhole cover surface includes a device housing adapted for attachment to the manhole cover. The device housing includes manhole cover venting and precipitation guarding device includes a device housing adapted for attachment to the manhole cover, the device housing including a head portion having a head portion surface adapted to protrude beyond an entire plane of the exterior manhole cover surface and a device bore extending through the head portion and adapted to communicate with the interior manhole cover surface of the manhole cover.
US08851787B2	Corner joint and method of manufacturing Corner joints and methods of forming corner joints. The corner joints may provide the appearance of a mortise and tenon joint on both the exterior and interior surfaces of the corner joint, but include a mitered connection within the joint. Structures including at least one of the corner joints are also described.
US08851782B2	Brush having storage bag A brush includes a substrate, a number of brush bristles, a storage bag, and a pushing element. The substrate includes a main body and a handle extending from the main body. The main body has a first loading surface supporting the brush bristles. The first loading surface defines a through hole. The main body defines a first receiving groove communicating with the though hole. The handle has a second loading surface, and defines a second receiving groove communicating with the first receiving groove. The second receiving groove passes through a portion of the second loading surface adjacent to the first receiving groove. The storage bag receives paste, and is received in the second receiving groove and partially extends into the first receiving groove to communicate with the through hole. The pushing element squeezes the storage bag to make the paste flow into gaps between the brush bristles.
US08851778B2	Content-reservoir/product-applicator assemblies, and packages The present invention relates to a content-reservoir/product applicator assembly that comprises a refill associated to a housing that supports an applicator for applying a product, the assembly being associable, in a detachable and interchangeable manner to a storage package, the storage package storing the assembly. The refill contains cosmetic products and comprises a case; a neck; a housing; and an applicator. The applicator is a substantially spherical, continuous rotary surface and is associated to the housing. The housing is associable to the housing by thermal welding. The refill is made from a squeezable flexible material.
US08851767B2	Magnetic driver, method of manufacturing the same, light amount controller, and optical apparatus A magnetic driver includes a rotor magnet, a coil bobbin around which a coil is wound, and which has a through hole in a central portion, a yoke including a straight portion to be inserted into the through hole, and an arcuate portion connected to a distal end of the straight portion, a support member which rotatably supports the rotor magnet, and a thrust receiving member which includes an engaging portion to be engaged with the support member, has one surface which regulates one end of the rotor magnet in a thrust direction, and the other surface on which the coil bobbin is placed, and is held between the coil bobbin and the arcuate portion of the yoke. The yoke is assembled as an integrated yoke by inserting the straight portion into the through hole, and fixing the straight portion to the arcuate portion as another member.
US08851761B2	Split cage for rolling bearing and rolling bearing using the split cage In a split cage for a rolling bearing, cage segments each having a plurality of pockets that accommodate rolling elements are arranged in a circular manner along the circumferential direction. Protrusions are formed on end faces of rims of one of the adjacent cage segments, and grooves are formed in end faces of rims of the other one of the adjacent cage segments. By fitting the protrusions into the grooves, the adjacent cage segments are prevented from moving relative to each other in the radial direction.
US08851759B2	Rolling bearing for power steering mechanism The rolling bearing, in particular for a power steering mechanism, comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, an elastic sleeve in contact axially and radially with one of said rings, and a housing holding the sleeve. The housing provides an axial portion and two lateral flanges extending the axial portion and mounted in contact against the sleeve to exert an axial pre-stress on said sleeve.
US08851757B2	Bearing unit for a vehicle wheel A bearing unit has an axis of rotation and a stationary ring and a rotatable ring, these rings being coaxial with each other and axially delimited on one side by respective axial surfaces which are transverse to the axis. An encoder is fixed to an outer cylindrical surface of the inner ring, and a protective cover is mounted on the outer ring to protect the encoder and to close off a space formed between the two rings. The axial surface of the outer ring and the protective cover jointly delimit a compartment for housing the encoder that is positioned substantially outside the space and that extends radially from the outer cylindrical surface to a boundary in the proximity of an outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring.
US08851752B2	Bag with a bag wall designed to dissolve in a moist environment and use of the bag as a cement bag A bag, consisting of a single-layer or multi-layer bag wall, which is bonded to form a tube (1) and, at least at one end, has a bottom (4) which is suitable for filling with charge through a filler of a bag-filling machine, is folded and bonded and is realized with a valve opening (13), and said bag wall being designed to dissolve in a moist environment thereby releasing the charge, makes complete dissolving of the bag wall (2) possible even in the region of the bottom (4) which is provided with the valve opening (13), characterized in that the bonding of the bottom (4) is effected using a dextrin adhesive.
US08851748B2	Thermal detector, thermal detector device, electronic instrument, and method of manufacturing thermal detector The thermal detector includes a substrate, a thermal detector element including a light absorbing film, a support member supporting the thermal detector element and supported on the substrate so that a cavity is present between the member and the substrate, and at least one auxiliary support post of convex shape protruding from either the substrate or the support member towards the other. The height of the at least one auxiliary support post is shorter than the maximum height from the substrate to the support member.
US08851744B1	Calibration apparatus and method for heat transfer measurement A calibrator for calibrating a compatible heat transfer meter comprises a temperature controlled reference thermowell and a reference temperature sensor. The reference thermowell is similar in dimensions to thermowells usable for measuring inlet and outlet temperatures of a heat exchanger so that the reference temperature sensor is selectively insertable into any of the thermowells. The calibrator also comprises temperature measurement circuitry operable to generate a temperature reading from an output of the reference temperature sensor; and control circuitry operable to control the temperature of the reference thermowell.
US08851743B1	Trigger mechanism for a chronograph watch A trigger mechanism for remotely operating the chronograph functions of a watch. A lever mounted to the watchcase is swingable about a pivotal connection for rotating a cylindrical cam. A rotary cam follower is displaced by the cam. A striker member extending from the cam follower actuates a pushbutton for controlling the chronograph functions.
US08851741B2	Emulsifier with two shear stages An agricultural system including an emulsifier, an oils and additives tank, an oils and additives feed pump, a water tank, a water feed pump, a spray pump, and at least one spay nozzle, wherein the agricultural system is configured for shearing oil drops into oil droplets at a first mechanical shear stage of the emulsifier and forcing the oil, the additive, and the water by centrifugal force for shearing the oil droplets at a second mechanical shear stage of the emulsifier into oil emulsion droplets against a centrifugal force.
US08851740B1	Liquid level detection and autonomous calibration for self-serve blending apparatus and methods A self-serve drink blending device includes a blend chamber, at least one product source, a water source, an ice source, a liquid level sensor, a controller and a dispenser. The blend chamber includes a blending blade. The at least one product source is configured to deliver a volume of product to the blend chamber. The water source is configured to deliver a volume of water to the blend chamber. The ice source is configured to deliver a volume of ice to the blend chamber. The liquid level sensor is mounted to the blend chamber and configured to create a liquid level signal when contents in the blend chamber reach a predetermined level. The controller is configured to automatically calibrate the at least one product source, the water source, and the ice source based on the liquid level signal. The dispenser is arranged to dispense contents from the blend chamber.
US08851738B2	Dough blender with scraper A dough blender includes a handle and a plurality of tines. The tines may be in the form of thin plates having channels between them. A scraper is provided on the tines, attached to the blender to be moved across the tines to scrape food particles from the channels between the tines.
US08851736B2	Light emitting module with heatsink plate having coupling protrusions Provided are a light emitting module and a backlight unit. The light emitting module comprises a module board comprising a plurality of first and second pads and a plurality of protrusion holes, a heatsink plate corresponding to a second surface opposite to a first surface of the module board, the heatsink plate comprising a plurality of protrusions respectively inserted into the protrusion holes of the module board, and a plurality of light emitting devices, each comprising a heatsink frame connected to the protrusions of the heatsink plate which comprises a first frame part on which the plurality of protrusions are disposed and a second frame part folded from the first frame part and disposed under the module board.
US08851732B2	Light-guide module, method of manufacturing the same and backlight assembly having the same In a light-guide module, a method of manufacturing the light-guide module and a backlight assembly having the light-guide module, the light-guide module includes a light-guide plate (“LGP”) and a thin-film layer. The LGP has a light-incident surface into which lights are incident and a light-exiting surface through which lights exit. The thin-film layer is formed on the LGP. The thin-film layer has a concavo-convex pattern formed on an opposite surface of a surface contacting the LGP. Accordingly, a thin-film layer having a concavo-convex pattern is formed on a light-incident surface of an LGP, so that a reflectance of light incident into the LGP may be decreased. Moreover, a light amount transmitted through the LGP is increased in accordance with a decreasing of reflectance, so that a light transmittance may be increased in total.
US08851731B2	Light-diffusion LED lamp The light-diffusion LED lamp according to the present patent application includes LED blue light chips and light-guiding column, wherein a substrate of the LED blue light chips is provided with a blocking wall made of reflective heat-conducting materials, chips thereof are provided within the blocking wall, and the upper surface of the substrate within the blocking wall is covered with a transparent heat-conducting layer. The lower portion of the transparent light-guiding column is attached with a cover plate, the bottom surface of which is provided with stepped grooves that match with the LED blue light chips, the side wall of the second stepped groove thereof and the upper surface of the cover plate are provided with a light reflective layer, the top surface of which is covered with a fluorescent layer, and the top portion of the transparent light-guiding column has a reflective structure mounted thereon.
US08851729B2	Vehicular lamp A vehicular lamp includes: a light source that emits light; a lamp body, inside of which the light source is arranged; a circuit board that has a conductive pattern that functions as an electrically-conducting path of drive current to be supplied to the light source, and on one end portion of which an electrode portion connected to the conductive pattern is formed; a socket connected to the lamp body; and a contact member that is arranged in the socket and has an elastically deformable connecting terminal portion connected to the electrode portion of the circuit board, and a plug connecting portion, to which a power supply plug is connected, wherein the circuit board is pressed by restoring force of the connecting terminal portion, elastically deformed, so as to be held by the contact member.
US08851727B1	Vehicle tail light operational indicator A vehicle tail light operational indicator is mounted to a vehicle tail light to visually communicate the proper operation of turn signals, tail lights, and brake lights to an operator seated in the driver's seat of a motor vehicle. The vehicle tail light operational indicator comprises a reflecting light bar positioned to be viewable in a side view mirror of the vehicle. The vehicle tail light operational indicator further comprises a pair of base anchors that are adhesively attached to a vehicle tail light and which support the light bar. Each base anchor further includes a hinge and threaded adjuster which allows adjustment of the vehicle tail light operational indicator on various tail light designs as well as allowing the vehicle tail light operational indicator to pivot without damage if accidentally struck by an object while driving.
US08851719B2	Bicycle lighting systems and methods Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed.
US08851717B2	Directable magnetic mount for light emitter, a light source, a base and an illumination system The invention relates to a directable magnetic mount (10) for a light emitter (20). The invention also relates to a light source (200), to a base (40) and to an illumination system (100). The directable magnetic mount comprises interface means (30) configured for conducting thermal energy away from the light emitter to a heat sink (40), and comprises a magnetic connector (50) configured for magnetically connecting the directable magnetic mount to the base. The magnetic connector is configured for thermally interconnecting the interface means and the heat sink. The interface means is configured for being thermally connected to the heat sink at a plurality of orientations of the interface means with respect to the heat sink. Each of the plurality of orientations of the interface means comprises a different emission direction of the light emitter.The effect of the measures according to the invention is that it enables to omit the need for a heat sink in the light source which enables to reduce the size of the light source while also allowing to reposition and redirect the light emitted from the illumination system.
US08851713B2	Lens member and optical unit using said lens member A lens member includes a central axis, a light-incident side including a Fresnel-lens surface provided with a plurality of annular prisms concentrically arranged with respect to the central axis, and a light-exit surface opposite to the light-incident side. The Fresnel-lens surface further includes an annular lens portion that is concentrically arranged with respect to the central axis and that is extended to be longer and wider than the plurality of annular prisms. Provided is an optical unit in which a light source and a lens member are combined, and parts are disposed in a space provided in an outer periphery of the annular lens portion.
US08851712B2	Slim waveguide coupling apparatus and method In various embodiments, an illumination structure includes a discrete light source disposed proximate a bottom surface of a waveguide and below a depression in a top surface thereof. A top mirror may be disposed above the discrete light source to convert modes of light emitted from the discrete light source into trapped modes, thereby increasing the coupling efficiency of the illumination structure.
US08851711B2	Heat sink for a lighting system A heat sink module is provided for transferring heat from at least one light source in a modular lighting system. The heat sink module may include an integral molded body defining: at least one heat transfer element extending generally in a first direction; at least one molded wiring channel configured for routing wiring to the at least one light source; and at least one air flow opening configured to allow ambient air flow through the heat sink body.
US08851709B2	Remote control of illuminating headlamp A remote control operation of an illuminated unit attached to a headset consisting of a headband and at least one optical device providing illumination at a known distance from the optical device attached to the headband is disclosed. The remote control unit incorporates a sensing unit that causes power to be switched on and off by the detection of motion in front of the sensing unit. In addition, the illumination may be increased or decreased based on a signal strength of a detected remote sensing signal.
US08851707B2	Highly collimating reflector lens optic and light emitting diodes The present invention is directed to a beacon light with a light emitting diode (LED) optic. In one embodiment, the LED optic includes at least one LED comprising an LED plane, a first reflector positioned above the LED plane and comprising a curved cross-section, wherein the at least one LED is positioned approximately 90 degrees with respect to an optical axis of the first reflector and at least one second reflector positioned above the LED plane.
US08851705B2	Laser light source apparatus A laser light source apparatus comprises a laser light source that emits laser light; a prism with one optical flat face, through which the laser light from the laser light source passes, that is perpendicular to an optical path of the laser light; and a vibration driving device that vibrates the prism to move the prism parallel to a direction in which an optical path length of the laser light in the prism changes, along a flat face located in the other optical flat face that does not intersect perpendicularly with the optical path of the laser light in the prism.
US08851704B2	Seamless connecting shell and lighting device using the same The present invention provides a shell for a lighting device. The shell comprises a first lamp body, a second lamp body, a first connecting part, and a second connecting part. The ends of the second lamp body have a first end surface and a second end surface. The first connecting part lying along a first direction is set in the first end surface and threads through the first bottom surface. The second connecting part lying along a direction opposite to the first direction is set in the second end surface and threads through the second bottom surface. When the first lamp body is connected with the second lamp body, the two ends of the first lamp body are disposed extending over edges of the first end surface and the second end surface separately.
US08851699B2	Multi-level thermal air cooled LED light fixture There is provided a lighting fixture adapted to be installed on a ceiling having a predetermined plane. A light emitting diode light source is supported by the lighting fixture. At least a portion of the lighting fixture protrudes below the plane of the ceiling supported by the lighting fixture. A heat sink is attached to the back side of the LED light source. The heat sink includes a thermal chimney directing heat away from the LED light source.
US08851697B2	Compact flashlight A compact flashlight that allows a user to view documents in a dark situation without having to hold a flashlight. The pocket light fits easily over the top of the pocket and can be covered by a conventional pocket flap. The light is an LED display device that produces a significant amount of light so a user can check identification or documentation, as in a license check, or registration verification for police. The pocket light has a push button power switch that can be activated by the user through the fabric of their shirt.
US08851692B2	Holding device for an operating device A holding device for an operator control on a front cover of an electrical appliance is designed for attachment to the front cover and has a feedthrough for a rotating shaft of a rotary encoder of the operator control. The holding device is embodied in an annular fashion around the feedthrough and has a front cover attachment part as well as a lighting ring part which is fitted onto the front of the front cover attachment part. The lighting ring part essentially covers the front cover attachment part toward the front, wherein the two parts have a circular-ring-like intermediate space between them, in which intermediate space at least one component carrier, which has a plurality of LEDs on the side toward the front cover attachment part, is arranged.
US08851689B2	Interferometer, and optical assembly each having a three-pin mount for mounting an optical element at at least three points or areas and method of mounting same A frame for optics used in interferometers that may include different materials having substantially similar, identical, or as close as practicable coefficients of thermal expansion from the material(s) used to make the beamsplitter and/or compensator without warping, bending, tilting or distorting the optics. The beamsplitter and/or compensator are mounted onto the frame of the interferometer using a three-point method of mounting, preferably using three pins for each component. Preferably, the pins are made of the same material as the beamsplitter and compensator, and all three components are made of Potassium Bromide (“KBr”) or Calcium Fluoride (“CaF2”) such that the optic instrument can operate to scan into the mid or far infrared. Stability in optical alignment is therefore achieved without requiring the optic instrument include only one material. The invention provides stability in situations where it is not possible to utilize a single material for every component of the interferometer.
US08851683B2	Light source device and projection-type display device Provided is a light source device capable of effectively cooling a bulb included therein. The light source device includes: a luminous tube having a bulb to seal a pair of electrodes that generates light by electric discharging; a reflector formed into a concave surface shape and configured to emit light from the bulb; and an air blowing device that generates a flow of gas to cool the luminous tube. The light source device includes: a first flow path for jetting out gas along the inner surface of the reflector to a first hemispherical part located far from the installation surface of the bulb; a second flow path for jetting out gas along the inner surface of the reflector to a second hemispherical part located near the installation surface of the bulb; and a movable plate for separating the first flow path and the second flow path from each other to form a part of each flow path, adjusts the amount of gas flowing into each flow path to adjust the ratio of the air flow in each flow path, and gradually narrows the flow path area in the flow path adjusted to increase the air flow in the gas jetting-out direction.
US08851681B2	Illumination device and display unit An illumination device includes: a light source section having plural kinds of light sources, in which the light sources emits light beams having different wavelengths; a parallelizing optical system parallelizing each of the light beams entered from the light sources, and allowing each of the parallelized light beams to exit therefrom; a light path unifying optical system unifying the parallelized light beams exited from the parallelizing optical system into a single light path; an expanding optical system expanding a beam diameter of each of the parallelized light beams unified into the single light path, and allowing each of the expanded and parallelized light beams to exit therefrom; and a uniformizing optical system uniformizing an in-plane intensity distribution in each of the expanded and parallelized light beams exited from the expanding optical system.
US08851678B2	Visual perimeter measurement system and method In one example of the invention a patient display is provided on which a fixation graphic or video is shown in substantially the center of the display, and then target graphics or video are shown at different positions on the display about the center. A test subject is positioned in front of the patient display a known distance therefrom, and a camera captures an image of the test subject's eyes, to allow gaze direction determination to be performed. The captured images are displayed to a clinician user by a controlling test application, the clinician making a determination based on the images as to whether the test subject saw a target graphic or video when it was displayed. The clinician user then makes an appropriate input into the controlling test application, which also logs the position at which the target image was displayed. By displaying target graphics at multiple locations on the screen and logging the clinician inputs, the controlling test application is able to build up a plot of the peripheral vision field of the test subject. This plot can then be graphically displayed to the clinician user, and stored with the test results for future clinical use.
US08851676B2	Gonio lens system with stabilization mechanism This disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for use in viewing and positioning an eye with a gonio lens system, such as during ocular exams and ocular surgeries. Some embodiments of the gonio lens system can include a gonio lens for viewing one or more tissues and structures of the eye. In addition, the gonio lens system can include one or more positioning features for controlling movement positioning of the eye.
US08851675B2	Hybrid OCT scanning device The invention provides a hybrid OCT scanning device which improves OCT scanning of targets, including adaption for a ophthalmic targets (i.e. cornea, retina and fovea areas). The invention provides a movable beam modifying element which is adapted to be interposed in the probe radiation directed to the target, and the interposition of the movable element is synchronous with the periodicity of the OCT scan beam. The beam modifying element may include any of angular deflection regions, optical delay regions, or combinations of deflection and delay regions. Such regions of deflection and/or delay translate into a governable scan range, both lateral and depth, of a target region.
US08851674B2	Ophthalmologic apparatus, control method therefore, and recording medium storing method Provided is an ophthalmologic apparatus that can realize alignment with high stability when performing continuous automatic alignment. The ophthalmologic apparatus includes: an acquiring portion which acquires specific information of an eye to be inspected; a moving unit which moves the acquiring portion relatively to the eye to be inspected; a first positioning unit which performs positioning between the acquiring portion and the eye to be inspected by controlling the moving unit to move the acquiring portion relatively to the eye to be inspected within a first moving area; and a restriction unit which restricts a moving area of the acquiring portion by the moving unit to a second moving area smaller than the first moving area by controlling the moving unit, when a position relationship between the acquiring portion and the eye to be inspected satisfies a first condition by the first positioning unit.
US08851668B2	Glasses Glasses are described having a frame (3) and having nose pads (6) provided in the region of frame attachments (7), which have catch positions arranged in succession in an adjustment direction. To allow an advantageous glasses adaptation, it is proposed that the nose pads (6) be provided on the side opposite to their support surface (10) with a plug-in attachment (9) protruding transversely to the support surface (10), which forms at least two catches (11) in succession in the plug-in direction for alternately engaging in a catch recess (8) of the frame attachments (7).
US08851659B2	Recording apparatus Provided is a recording apparatus including: a recording unit for performing recording on a recordable medium; a transportation unit for transporting the recordable medium; and a drier for accelerating the drying of the recordable medium by ejecting gas to the recordable medium, wherein the drier is configured such that the ejection range of the gas in a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the recordable medium is changeable.
US08851657B2	Hybrid ink jet printer and method of hybrid ink jet printing This hybrid ink get printer HIP includes; a print medium supply unit MS for supplying a print medium W; and a printing unit 4 for printing on the print medium W, the printing unit 4 comprising at least two print head units each configured from a print head that discharges ink, and a drying format differing between ink discharged by one of the print head units and ink discharged by another of the print head units.
US08851651B2	Ink jet recording method and record An ink jet recording method includes forming a first image by applying by an ink jet method a glitter ink in which a glitter pigment is dispersed to a first region of a recording medium in which the glitter first image is to be formed, and forming a second image by applying by an ink jet method a color ink containing a coloring material to a second region of the recording medium in which the colored second image is to be formed, the amount per unit area of the glitter ink ejected in an overlapping region in which the first region overlaps the second region being larger than the amount per unit area of the glitter ink ejected in the first region excluding the overlapping region.
US08851649B2	UV ink jet printing ink composition A 1K UV-ink jet printing ink composition comprising effect pigments, wherein the composition comprises:a) at least one difunctional (meth)acrylate monomer,b) at least one photoinitiator,c) effect pigments having a volume averaged particle size distribution with a D98<10 μm,d) optionally trifunctional and/or polyfunctional (meth)acrylate monomers, and wherein the viscosity of the ink jet printing ink composition is at maximum 30 mPas, measured at 25° C. for 10 minutes with a Brookfield R/S rheometer using a double gap cylinder according to DIN 53453 (German Industrial Standards) at 150 rpm and wherein the total concentration of the at least one difunctional (meth)acrylate monomer of a) and the trifunctional and/or polyfunctional (meth)acrylate monomers of d) is in a range of 75 to 100 wt.-%, based on the total amount of (meth)acrylate monomers.
US08851645B2	Liquid container A liquid container contains liquid to be supplied to a body of an image forming apparatus. The liquid container includes a liquid supply port part having a liquid supply port supplying the contained liquid and a cap member mounted on the liquid supply port part. The cap member has a sealing part sealing the liquid supply port and a holding part holding an information storage device storing information concerning the liquid. The sealing part and the holding part are separably connected together. When the cap member is mounted on the liquid supply port while the sealing part and the holding part are connected, the holding part is immovably fixed to the liquid supply port via the sealing part. When the sealing part has been separated from the holding part, the holding part comes to be able to move with respect to the liquid supply port.
US08851640B2	Ink jet recording apparatus An ink jet recording apparatus includes a head unit, a discharge port including a region where a recording medium on which a recording is performed by the recording head is discharged and an ink tube having flexibility, that is connected to the head unit and leads the ink from an ink containing unit. The ink tube protrudes to the outside of the apparatus from discharge port side of the front surface.
US08851639B2	Liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a head including: a nozzle configured to eject liquid; a supply port to which the liquid is continuously supplied; and a recovery port from which the liquid is continuously recovered; a supply flow channel through which the liquid is supplied to the head; and a recovery flow channel through which the liquid is recovered from the head. A flow channel resistance inside the head from the supply port to the nozzle is R_HEAD_IN. A flow channel resistance inside the head from the nozzle to the recovery port is R_HEAD_OUT. A flow channel resistance of the supply flow channel is R_CHANNEL_IN. A flow channel resistance of the recovery flow channel is R_CHANNEL_OUT. The supply and recovery flow channels are laid out so as to satisfy a condition of R_CHANNEL_IN>R_CHANNEL_OUT when R_HEAD_IN>R_HEAD_OUT, or a condition of R_CHANNEL_IN
US08851637B2	Passivation of ring electrodes An inkjet device includes a pumping chamber bounded by a wall, a piezoelectric layer disposed above the pumping chamber, a ring electrode having an annular lower portion disposed on the piezoelectric layer. A moisture barrier layer covers a remainder of the piezoelectric layer over the pumping chamber that is not covered by the annular lower portion of the ring electrode.
US08851633B2	Liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection apparatus including: a head having: nozzles arranged in a nozzle-row direction; and ejection-energy applying portions; a drive IC for driving the ejection-energy applying portions; a control circuit board for controlling the drive IC; a wiring member on which the drive IC is mounted; and a support member for supporting the wiring member. The wiring member extends toward the control circuit board from a connection portion thereof connected to the ejection-energy applying portions, the wiring member having a first wiring portion extending in a first direction intersecting the nozzle-row direction and a second wiring portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The support member supports at least one of the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion, the at least one being located between the ejection-energy applying portions and the control circuit board.
US08851630B2	Low adhesion sol gel coatings with high thermal stability for easy clean, self cleaning printhead front face applications Various embodiments provide oleophobic, low adhesion coatings with high thermal stability and methods of forming and using them in an ink jet printhead, wherein the oleophobic, low adhesion coatings can include a sol-gel cross-linked coating by a self-condensation process of at least a silane-functionalized perfluoropolyether based polymer precursor.
US08851629B2	Image forming device and method of image forming An image forming device includes, the first head which ejects the first ink, the second head which ejects the second ink, a movement mechanism which moves a relative position of the first head and the second head in a predetermined direction, and a control unit which causes an ejection operation in which ink is ejected from nozzles while relatively moving the head and a medium in the movement direction intersecting the predetermined direction, and a transport operation in which the head and the medium are relatively moved in a predetermined direction to be repeated, and adjusts a head interval as an interval of the first head and the second head in a predetermined direction.
US08851628B2	Wiping device having on-board mechanism for rotating wiper roller for printhead A wiping device for maintaining a printhead is provided having a body supported within a maintenance unit of the printer, a porous roller rotatably mounted to the body, and a mechanism mounted to the body for rotating the porous roller. The body is configured to be lifted from the maintenance unit so as bring the porous roller into contact with a printhead of the printer. The mechanism rotates the porous roller so that the porous roller rotates against the printhead wiping the printhead clean. The mechanism is connectable to a power supply of the printer and is configured to be lifted from the maintenance unit together with the body while connected to the power supply.
US08851625B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head which has a nozzle formation surface that ejects a liquid containing a solvent in a vaporized state with a specific gravity greater than that of air onto a recording medium, and is in a standby state in which the nozzle formation surface faces a lower side in the vertical direction at a standby position deviating from a region where the recording medium is disposed during non-ejection of the liquid; and a head accommodation portion which has a concave portion that accommodates at least a part including the nozzle formation surface of the liquid ejecting head in the standby state and is provided so that a bottom portion of the concave portion opposes the nozzle formation surface in a state where the part is accommodated.
US08851624B2	Maintenance liquid Disclosed is a maintenance liquid for property carrying out imprints excellent in patternability. The maintenance liquid for imprints of an ink-jet discharging device comprises a compound comprising an ester group and/or an ether group.
US08851620B1	Image formation device and transport control method for recording medium An image formation device includes a transport section that transports a recording medium in a transport direction, a width-direction positional change section that changes a position of the recording medium in a width direction, a detector that detects a position of an edge of the recording medium in the width direction within a detection area, a control section that performs width-direction positional control by operating the width-direction positional change section in accordance with a detection result of the detector and by performing feedback control on the position of the recording medium in the width direction, and an image formation section that is located so as to face the recording medium and performs image formation on the recording medium. The control section performs control, during the image formation, in a first control mode where the width-direction positional control is performed with a first frequency response characteristic corresponding to a frequency band including a high frequency band or in a second control mode where the width-direction positional control is performed with a second frequency response characteristic corresponding to a frequency band lower than the high frequency band.
US08851619B2	Apparatus for optimizing non-ejection correction parameter of ink-jet head, and ink-jet printer The present invention efficiently optimizes a non-ejection correction parameter for each nozzle. The non-ejection correction parameter for each nozzle is optimized by repeatedly executing the operations of generating test chart data based on a non-ejection correction parameter for each of a plurality of nozzles provided on an ink-jet head; acquiring read data of a test chart recorded on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the plurality of nozzles based on the test chart data while relatively moving the ink-jet head and the recording medium; evaluating a correction intensity of the non-ejection correction parameter for each of the nozzles based on the acquired read data; and updating the non-ejection correction parameter for each of the nozzles based on a single variable root-finding algorithm using iteration method from the evaluated correction intensity.
US08851618B2	Inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method An ejection complement process is performed during which both a usual ejection failure and a sudden ejection failure can be appropriately coped with, without being accompanied by a frequent maintenance process. In a case wherein sequential printing is not currently being performed, the first detection process is performed with a high accuracy while being accompanied by the maintenance process, and in a case wherein sequential printing is currently being performed, the second detection process that requires only a small process load is performed at a predetermined timing without being accompanied by the maintenance processing. At this time, when the number of ejection failed nozzles detected in the second ejection process has reached a predetermined value or greater, the maintenance process is performed, and only the information for the ejection failed nozzle, detected in the second detection process, is reset.
US08851616B2	Print head pre-alignment systems and methods Systems and methods for pre-aligning print head(s) to alignment adapter(s) to increase print resolution of printed matter, and to reduce offline time of a printing system due to print head alignment, include the use of an alignment adapter to which a print head is pre-aligned and which includes precision alignment features which precisely engage cooperating precision alignment features on the print head carriage mounting plate of the print head carriage. Print head(s) can be pre-aligned and fine-tuned to alignment adapter(s) even while the printing system is still in print production. Pre-aligned print head/alignment adapter assemblies can then be quickly mounted on the print head carriage using the cooperating precision alignment features of the adapter and print head carriage mounting plate. Duplicate sets of print head mounting sockets can include print heads aligned at different relative offsets (e.g., half a pixel) to increase the print resolution.
US08851614B2	Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate on which nozzle openings for ejecting liquid are provided, a flow path formation substrate on which pressure generation chambers communicating with the nozzle openings are provided, communicating portions in which the liquid to be supplied to the pressure generation chambers is stored, and piezoelectric elements which generate pressure change in the liquid in the pressure generation chambers. In the liquid ejection head, a thermistor is arranged on a surface of the flow path formation substrate at an opposite side to the nozzle openings and one lead wiring of the thermistor is connected to wiring layers which are formed on the surface of the flow path formation substrate in a state where one side ends of the wiring layers face to the communicating portions.
US08851611B2	Correction information determination method and recording apparatus A correction information determination method may be used to control a recording apparatus. The recording apparatus includes a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit, and a recording unit arranged between the first and second conveyance units. The first conveyance unit is caused to rotate and record patterns for measuring a conveyance distance when a conveyance state changes from both the first and second conveyance units being utilized to the second conveyance unit being utilized. A conveyance start rotation phase of the first conveyance unit is acquired. Based on the conveyance distance measured based on the patterns, correction information about a rotation amount of the first conveyance unit is determined, the rotation amount used when the conveyance state is changed during recording by the recording apparatus.
US08851610B2	Image processing device A calculator calculates a total value of tone values of all pixels in each aggregation by allocating each pixel of M-valued image data to one aggregation. Each block is either one of ejection-port groups including ejection ports having a common liquid channel serving as a liquid supply source or one of divided ejection-port groups. Each aggregation includes pixels of the M-valued image data corresponding to dots formed on a medium when liquid is ejected from ejection ports in one block during one L ejection period. Each L ejection period is obtained by dividing, by a plural number, a number of ejection cycles required to record an image on one recording medium. A tone-value reducer reduces tone values of at least part of pixels in an adjustment-requiring aggregation so that the total value becomes less than a threshold. A transmitter transmits the adjusted M-valued image data to a liquid ejecting device.
US08851603B2	Driving device for driving liquid discharge head, recording apparatus, and recording method A driving device, and a liquid discharge head and a recording apparatus using the driving device are provided which permit precise printing under various conditions. The driving device includes a latch signal generation circuit for generating a latch signal every Tc seconds; a delay time retention circuit for retaining data of delay times of less than Tc seconds; a plurality of first latch circuits which are capable of retaining one-line pixel data, and latch pixel data from outside by the latch signal; a plurality of second latch circuits which are divided into a plurality of second latch circuit groups, and latch pixel data retained in the plurality of first latch circuits after the delay time of data retained in the delay time retention circuit for each of the second latch circuit groups is passed after the latch signal is transmitted; and a driving signal transmission circuit.
US08851601B2	System and method for compensating for drift in multiple printheads in an inkjet printer A method for calibrating in situ a plurality of printheads in an imaging device has been developed. Firing signals operate a plurality of printheads to form ink test patterns on an image receiving member. Reflectance measurements of light reflected from the test patterns and optical density measurements for a portion of the patterns formed by only one printhead in the plurality of printheads are used to adjust the firing signals and enable the printheads to print within a predetermined range about an average reflectance value and a predetermined optical density.
US08851599B2	Print control device and program A plurality of test patterns that are disposed in a predetermined direction are printed using dot arrays formed along an intersecting direction interesting with the predetermined direction using nozzles included in an overlapping portion of a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array, a plurality of rules lined in the predetermined direction are printed so as to be adjacent to the test patterns using nozzles included in the first nozzle array and the second nozzle array, density correction values are computed according to density of each of raster lines of the test patterns, and the positions of nozzles specified from the positions of rules are associated with the positions of the raster lines for which density correction values are computed.
US08851595B2	Liquid discharger and image forming apparatus having the same A liquid discharger is provided, which includes a condition determining unit configured to, based on a remaining amount of first liquid detected by a first liquid remaining amount detector and a remaining amount of second liquid detected by a second liquid remaining amount detector, determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied under a situation where the remaining amount of the second liquid is less than the remaining amount of the first liquid. When the condition determining unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, a second liquid discharge head is controlled to discharge onto image formation areas the second liquid of an amount smaller than an amount of the second liquid to be discharged onto the image formation areas in a case where the condition determining unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.
US08851594B2	Fill reduction for printing Systems and methods of fill area reduction during printing are disclosed. An example of a method includes identifying a fill area. The method also includes generating a depletion matrix corresponding to the fill area. The depletion matrix identifies which of the plurality of print heads to deactivate. The method also includes selectively adjusting output from the plurality of print heads based on the depletion matrix in order to reduce fill area during printing.
US08851589B2	Refrigerator includes an auxiliary shelf folded by contacting a shelf guide on a back surface of a second door A refrigerator includes an auxiliary shelf unfolded by being linked with an opening/closing of a second door which opens or closes a storage space defined in a first door. The second door covers the storage space and is rotated in the same direction as the first door.
US08851588B2	Sliding drawer storage rack for cold storage units A sliding drawer storage rack for cold storage units includes a rack body and a plurality of shelves operatively coupled to the rack body. A drawer defines a storage cavity and is configured to be supported for sliding movement by at least one of the plurality of shelves. A plurality of divider lips extends upwardly from the drawer to divide the storage cavity into a plurality of box receptacles sized to receive a storage box. At least some of the plurality of shelves are defined by opposing first and second L-shaped supports laterally spaced from each other and coupled to the rack body, thereby reducing material use and weight of the storage rack.
US08851584B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a refrigerator body with a storage space defined therein, a door frame rotatably coupled to the refrigerator body to open and close the storage space, a transparent molded body coupled to a front surface of the door frame, and a glass panel coupled to a front of the transparent molded body. The transparent molded body may include a three-dimensional pattern formed on a surface thereof, and the glass panel may include a two-dimensional pattern having a gradation in at least one of brightness, saturation and hue.
US08851583B2	Track with rotating bushings for track-type vehicles with improved sliding bearings A track (10) for track-type vehicles is described, comprising a continuous sequence of articulated joints (12, 12′) of the hinge type, oriented according to a first axis (A-A) substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal development axis (B-B) of the track (10). The articulated joints (12, 12′), provided with pins (36, 36′), are connected to each other and maintained at a constant distance through pairs of links (14) having longitudinal development, arranged laterally and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis (B-B). Around each pin (36, 36′) a bushing (40) is mounted free to rotate with respect to the pin (36, 36′) itself and at least one sliding bearing (44) is press-fitted between each pin (36, 36′) and the links (14). The presence of sliding bearings (44) made in composite material and having a small thickness and the geometrical/size characteristics of the links (14) and of the sliding bearings (44) themselves makes it possible to improve the stability and the fatigue and wearing resistance of the articulated joints (12, 12′) of the track (10).
US08851580B2	Control valve system A pneumatic brake system that includes at least one pneumatic latching valve; a single device, such as a solenoid, for providing momentary pilot signals to pneumatic latching valve; a source of pressurized supply air in communication with the pneumatic latching valve; a spring brake or other pneumatic device in communication with the pneumatic latching valve; and, optionally, an indicator device for monitoring and displaying the state of the pneumatic latching valve. Upon receiving a first momentary pilot signal the pneumatic latching valve changes from closed to open and delivers pressurized air to the spring brake. Upon receiving a second momentary pilot signal, the pneumatic latching valve changes from open to closed and exhausts pressurized air from the spring brake to the external environment. The valve remains “latched” in its current state until the signaling device is energized and the next momentary pilot signal is received.
US08851574B2	Folding vehicle head restraint assembly A head restraint assembly is provided to be mounted within a vehicle. A head restraint is supported by the cross member in a lateral direction and adapted to rotate about a lateral axis of the cross member. A fixed locking member is mounted within the head restraint. A latch is mounted to slide on the cross member between a first latch position engaged with the locking member and at a second latch position released from the fixed locking member. A lever is provided proximate the latch to move the latch between the first latch position and the second latch position. A motor is in communication with the lever such that the motor moves the lever to translate the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. The head restraint is rotatable about the cross member when the latch is in the second latch position.
US08851567B2	Tie down cord assembly and method of making and using same Disclosed are tie down cord assemblies and methods of assembling same. According to some aspects, the tie down cord assembly includes a webbing having a tunnel portion and a flat portion, with the tunnel portion configured to receive a slotted cord and the flat portion configured to attach to fabric. The slotted cord weaves in and out of the tunnel portion and is configured to interact with a seat frame or other suitable structure to secure the fabric to a seat frame. The tie down cord assembly is configured to be universal so that it can be used with seat frames having different dimensions and/or configurations.
US08851566B2	Ventilated saddle structure A ventilated saddle structure for bicycles, motorbikes and/or pedal powered machines, comprising: a support frame (2) designed to be anchored to a bicycle, motorbike and/or pedal powered machine, a seating surface (3) associated with the frame (2), wherein the seating surface (3) comprises a membrane (4) made of a perforated and at least partially deformable material, shaped to match the user anatomy. The frame (2) comprises at least one thrust device designed to elastically interact from below with the membrane (4) to appropriately counter the deformation thereof and to support the user.
US08851564B2	Chair with foldable desk A chair with a foldable desk includes a support leg having a crossbar. A seat plate installed above said support leg includes an upper seat, a lower cover and a coupler into which the crossbar is rotatably inserted. The seat plate rotates between a vertical position and a horizontal position. A back installed above a rear side of the seat plate is capable of tilting forward and rearward with tilting means. A desk installed above a side of the support leg includes an upper plate with an attachment member on its bottom. The upper plate may swing between an upper position and a lower position within an angle range.
US08851562B2	Head restraint for a vehicle seat A vehicle head restraint on a seat back is adjustable in height from a non-usage position to a usage position. The head restraint is disposed on a retaining element formed from a U-shaped tubular section and of which a horizontally disposed section forms the axis of rotation of the head restraint. The head restraint and retaining element are coupled by means of a spring element such that a biasing force of the spring element is applied to the head rest, wherein sections of the spring element engage in respective cutouts disposed on both sides in the region of rounded portions of the retaining element, and the biasing force generated rotates a lower end of the head rest automatically in the direction of the retaining element as the head rest is moved from the non-usage position to the usage position.
US08851558B2	Vehicle body structure A vehicle body structure of the present invention includes an elastic base frame formed in a ring shape; and three elastic upper frames each formed in a ring shape, the three upper frames being disposed on the base frame so as to configure a tetrahedron with the base frame, the three upper frames being connected to the base frame, and the upper frames that are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the base frame being connected to each other. A vehicle body structure is hence provided capable of exhibiting high impact absorption properties.
US08851557B2	Saddle-ride type vehicle A rear fender of a vehicle can include a front-side rear fender forming a front part and a rear-side rear fender attached to a rear portion of the front-side rear fender. The rear-side rear fender can include an outer fender configured to be visually recognized as exterior when viewed from the rear of the vehicle, an inner fender provided inside the outer fender, and a metal rear stay provided between the outer fender and the inner fender. The rear stay is detachably attached to a vehicle body frame.
US08851555B2	Cab rollover protective structure for enhanced visibility The cab of a mobile machine may include a first vertical plane centrally positioned along a width of the cab and extending along a length of the cab. The cab may also include a frame with an integrated rollover protective structure. The frame may include an A-post, a B-post, and a C-post arranged along a side of the cab and extending along a height direction of the cab. An elongated portion of the A-post may be inclined from a vertical axis of the cab to make an acute angle with the first vertical plane and an acute angle with a second vertical plane orthogonal to the first vertical plane. And, an elongated portion of the B-post may be inclined from the vertical axis to make an acute angle with the first vertical plane and an acute angle with the second vertical plane.
US08851552B2	Vehicle door A vehicle door includes a run channel including a molded rubber part that is molded using a mold and an extruded part that is molded by extrusion molding. A covering lip is formed on the molded rubber part in such a manner as to extend rearward from an inner side of the molded rubber part. A mounting hole is covered by the covering lip. The covering lip and an extruded lip are accommodated in a recess of a corner garnish and clamped between a flange and the corner garnish, so that the molded rubber part is strongly fixed to the upper corner of the door sash.
US08851548B2	Floor latch mounted to a seat bottom and compensating for vehicle striker height variation A height compensating latch supported upon an underside of a rotatable vehicle seat and including a pair of spaced apart support plates, between which are pivotally supported a hook rotatable between a floor supported striker engaging position and a further position permitting rotation of the seat. A cam is also supported between the plates and triggers actuation of the hook. A pair of pliant and resilient portions are supported within mounting apertures associated with the plate, an open interior of each resilient portion receiving a mounting fastener for securing the plate to the seat and providing a degree of height compensation between the latch and striker. The pliant and resilient portions include a pair of rubberized bushings sandwiched between the support plates, each of the bushings further including an integrally formed grommet supported within first and second aligning pairs of mounting apertures associated with the plates.
US08851544B2	Console assembly with automatic egress for foreign objects A slidable tray assembly is provided having an aperture located on the housing near the track of the slidable tray assembly to promote egress of foreign objects out of the track. The housing includes a grid-like assembly to strengthen the overall housing assembly. The grid-like pattern promotes foreign objects to become stuck within the track thereby prohibiting movement of the slidable assembly. Foreign objects enter the tray by means of a gap between the slidable tray and a panel from the interior of the vehicle. The aperture located on the housing is sized in proportion to the gap created between the panel and the slidable tray.
US08851541B2	Modular robotic accessory system A system is provided in which a robot may be used having a robotic arm with a camera and gripper assembly, that enables the use of tools while also allowing use of a gripper assembly located at the end of the robotic arm. Mounting rails may be secured to the gripper assembly to provide a system that is easily adaptable to allow the relatively fast exchange of different tools. Tools may be secured to the mounting rails to allow for both the use of the tools and the existing gripper assembly on the robotic arm. The accessories may be configured to allow enhanced viewing of the accessory through a camera mounted to the robotic arm.
US08851540B1	Grill grate removal device A grill grate removal device lifts and removes grates from a grill in order to clean the grill grates. The device includes a main body. A lifting member is coupled to the main body and is configured to lift grates from a grill. The lifting member has a first portion coupled to and positioned perpendicular relative to a second portion wherein the second portion is configured for positioning perpendicularly between adjacently positioned grates such that a top end of the second portion abuts a bottom edge of the grates wherein upward force on the grates permits removal of the grates from the grill.
US08851536B2	Handle for a door leaf of a motor vehicle A handle for a door leaf of a motor vehicle, including a stationary portion mounted on the outer panel of the door leaf, and a gripping lever pivotably mounted relative to the stationary portion and configured to be operated by a user. The gripping lever includes: a pivotably movable outer shell having a front surface visible to a user and a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a recess provided in the outer shell, which forms an opening in the visible front surface of the outer shell, and a decorative insert attached inside the recess and having a front wall that is substantially flush with the front surface of the outer shell, a rear wall attached to the rear surface of the outer shell, and at least one rib connecting the front and rear walls of the decorative insert, the front and rear walls and the rib being made of one piece.
US08851535B2	Security device for a double door A security device for a double door, including a first locking portion having a curved portion and an elongated male portion, and a second locking portion having a curved portion and an elongated female portion. A lock mechanism includes a pair of rows of teeth having a gap therebetween and associated with the bottom side of the male portion and a locking prong mounted to the female portion. The locking prong has a flexible finger portion that terminates in a T-shaped end. The finger portion can slide between the gap in the rows of teeth. A release button mounted on the female portion, when pressed, causes the locking prong to bend downward, disengaging the T-shaped end from between the teeth and allowing the first and second locking portions to separate, thereby unlocking the security device.
US08851530B2	Electric latch retraction bar An electric latch retraction device comprising a housing for receiving a plurality of internal components of the electric latch retraction device. An actuator mechanism is included in the housing, the actuator mechanism is adapted to impart linear movement on a latch, such that the latch is retracted towards the housing. A holding mechanism is also included in the housing, the holding mechanism holds the latch in a fully retracted position.
US08851527B2	Reusable fitting for tubing A fitting for use with corrugated tubing, the fitting comprising: a nut having a passage therethrough for receiving the tubing, the tubing being corrugated tubing having a series of peaks and valleys; a plurality of retainers positioned forward of the nut, the retainers having a sealing surface for placement in a valley of the corrugated tubing; a body having an annular pocket formed circumferentially around the retainers, the body having a body sealing surface, wherein upon sealing, the tubing is compressed between the sealing surface and the body sealing surface; a spring positioned within a cavity in the retainers, the spring driving the retainers into the pocket when the fitting is not sealed.
US08851526B2	Cap for a quick connect fitting assembly and method of assembly using same A cap for a quick connect fitting assembly is a unitary component having a terminal portion and a body portion extending from the terminal portion to define an inner cavity. The body portion defines a first opening opposite the terminal portion and a second opening extending from the first opening toward the terminal portion. The terminal portion has a first locating feature and the body portion has a second locating feature. The first and the second locating features are spaced relative to one another such that the unitary component will connect to the quick connect fitting assembly with both of the locating features contacting predetermined locations of the quick connect fitting assembly only if a male fitting is inserted into a female fitting to a predetermined position, the unitary component thus ensuring proper connection of the quick connect fitting assembly. A method of assembly using the cap is provided.
US08851523B2	Vehicle frame having rear sub-pipe removably attached to rear pipe and main frame A frame for a vehicle to accommodate a large-sized accessory, such as a fuel tank, to be mounted downwardly of a rear pipe without having to lower a rear sub-pipe. A large-sized accessory, such as a fuel tank, can be inserted into a space under a rear pipe by removing a second rear sub-pipe from a main frame and the rear pipe. The second rear sub-pipe can be fixed to the main frame and the rear pipe by simply tightening bolts. Similarly, by simply loosening the bolts the second rear sub-pipe can be removed from the main frame and the rear pipe and the large-sized accessory can be removed onto an outside in a vehicle width direction. This facilitates mounting and helps reduce the number of man-hours involved in mounting the accessory.
US08851522B1	Seatbelt anchor assembly A seatbelt anchor assembly includes a ferrule, a cable, and seatbelt buckle. The ferrule can be mounted at one end to a seat base or other mounted structure of the vehicle, and can further include an anti-rotation pin that is received in a locating hole of the seat base to limit rotation of the ferrule during mounting and during normal occupant use. The pin can be made from aluminum or other material that can shear off in response to a dynamic vehicle load, allowing the ferrule to pivot about its mounting location to align the loads. The ferrule can be in the form of a blank including a body portion and a head portion having a pair of ears, and can include a recess between the ear portions and the body portion to limit tension in the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped to mount a cable thereto.
US08851521B2	Travel trailer having improved turning radius A travel trailer configured to be coupled to and towed by a vehicle is provided. The travel trailer has a compartment that is attached to a chassis which includes a front end and a rear end. A plurality of wheels are attached to the chassis adjacent the rear end, and a hitch assembly is attached to the chassis adjacent the front end. The compartment at the front end of the chassis forms first and second corners. A recess, directed inwardly toward the interior of the compartment, is located at each corner of the compartment. Cavities formed by each recess may receive a portion of the vehicle while the vehicle is engaged in a turn.
US08851519B1	Releasable tether retention system A releasable tether retention system is provided. The system includes a housing, a movable member movably mounted within the housing, and a sliding element coupled to the movable member so as to move with the movable member and so as to be extendible to an exterior of the housing to engage a tether.
US08851515B2	Method and device for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat of a vehicle A method for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat of a vehicle that includes at least one protection element arranged on the vehicle seat and that can be triggered in order to protect the vehicle occupant located on the vehicle seat is triggered in the event of an impending collision or in the event of a collision. A momentum (motion impulse) is exerted on the vehicle occupant or at least one body section of the vehicle occupant when the protection element is triggered. Due to the momentum the vehicle occupant or at least one body section of the vehicle occupant is moved away from a collision section of the vehicle that is colliding or will collide with the object. The intensity of the momentum is varied in relation to a determined accident severity and/or a determined accident type.
US08851507B1	Airbags with sewn leak reducing panels An airbag, or inflatable cushion assembly, can include an inflatable cushion and a throat liner. The throat liner can be coupled to an interior surface of the inflatable cushion at one or more coupling sites. The one or more coupling sites can include one or more panels that can be coupled to at least a portion of both of the inflatable cushion and the throat liner. The one or more panels can be configured to control or inhibit egress of an inflation gas at the one or more coupling sites.
US08851501B2	Fifth wheel hitch assembly with lock timing assembly The latch assembly of a fifth wheel hitch plate comprises a latch member movable between lock and unlocked positions, a plunger member movable between engaged and unengaged positions, an actuator movable between coupled and uncoupled positions, a locking member movable between first and second positions, and a biasing member that biases the locking member from the disengaged position to the engaged position, wherein the latch member abuts the locking member as the latch member is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position, thereby moving the locking member from the first position to the second position.
US08851499B1	Electronically retractable motorcycle wheel stabilizer device Aftermarket motorcycle stabilizer that attaches to motorcycle crash bars without making irreversible structural modifications to the motorcycle frame. The device is optimized to supplement motorcycle stability during intermittent periods of stopping or very slow speed operation. The stabilizer operates by way of a fixture (often a two part fixture) designed with various complementary indentations designed to allow the two parts of the stabilizer fixture to clamp onto different types of motorcycle crash bars. A pivoting arm is also attached to the fixture, along with an electronic actuator attached to both the arm and the fixture. The actuator raises or lowers the arm upon receiving appropriate manual or automatic signals. The opposite end of the arm has at least one small wheel. Thus extending the arm brings the wheel into contact with the ground, while retracting the arm will bring the arm generally flush with the motorcycle body.
US08851498B2	Adjustable geometry bicycle rear wheel suspension system A bicycle rear wheel suspension system having a number of movable suspension links includes a pair of adjustable eccentric pivot assemblies that connect respective members of the movable linkage to the underlying fixed shape portion of the bicycle frame assembly. Each adjustable eccentric pivot assembly is preferably infinitely adjustable within a range of rotation of the respective pivot assembly relative to the underlying bicycle frame to manipulate an orientation of an axis of rotation of the respective movable link relative to the underlying bicycle frame assembly. The pair of adjustable eccentric pivot assemblies is coupled to one another in a manner that creates a dependency between the orientations of the respective eccentric pivot assemblies thereby providing various geometric configurations of the moveable members of the suspension system without changing the leverage ratio provided by the suspension system.
US08851496B2	Motorcycle having a multi-piece frame assembly A motorcycle includes a first frame having a steering head and a first mount, an engine-transmission assembly coupled to the first frame, a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head, a front wheel rotatably coupled to the steering assembly, a swing arm assembly pivotably coupled to the first frame, a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the swing arm assembly, a second frame having a second mount coupled to the first mount with a threaded fastener, and a suspension component having a first end coupled to the swing arm assembly and a second end coupled to the second frame. Forces exerted by the suspension component on the first frame are directed through the second frame and the second mount.
US08851495B1	Integrally molded polymer hitch step A trailer hitch step, integrally molded of a polymer compound, is capable of accepting a predetermined off-axis vertical load without an objectionable degree of torsional displacement, while also being capable of resiliently absorbing energy from rear impacts.
US08851494B1	Combined step/muffler housing for a land vehicle A combined step/muffler housing for a land vehicle is mounted on a land vehicle immediately subadjacent to a doorway through which a user enters or exits the motor vehicle. The unit includes a housing on which is mounted steps that can have non-slip coatings and the housing contains a muffler which is fluidically connected to the engine of the motor vehicle.
US08851492B2	Mechanical stop for axle/suspension systems An axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles having a frame and at least one suspension assembly operatively connected to the frame, the axle/suspension system including a mechanical stop having a plurality of links and a first end and a second end, the second end rigidly attached to the suspension assembly and the first end rigidly attached to the vehicle frame, wherein the first end and the second end control a distance between the first end and the second end, and control the plurality of links to attain a movement tolerance range of said mechanical stop from about 0.0 inches to about 2.0 inches.
US08851491B2	Mechanically self-powered driveshaft center bearing height adjustment A link is configured to mechanically transfer movement sensed at an axle suspension assembly to a center bearing bracket for a vehicle driveshaft.
US08851488B2	Modular cargo dolly An improved cargo dolly has at least two top rail assemblies and a frame with an inner rail having mounting brackets for receiving the top rail assemblies. Each top rail assembly spans the width of the frame but not the length of the frame and can move between an attached state and an unattached state by actuating fasteners that pass through the top rail assembly to its respective mounting brackets on the frame. The movement between the attached and unattached states occurs independently of an attached or unattached state of the other top rail assembly.
US08851487B2	Infant transport apparatus and method An infant transport apparatus includes a Bucket assembly, an Insert assembly, and a Ring assembly (i.e. a BIR arrangement). The bucket assembly includes a bucket construction and a handle assembly. The bucket construction includes two bucket-based, leg-receiving apertures adjacent the bucket bottom. The inner bucket surface defines a volumetric space for receiving an infant. The insert assembly includes a liner assembly and a harness assembly. The liner assembly is sized and shaped to fit the inner bucket surface. The harness assembly is removably attached to the bucket assembly and donnable by the infant. The ring assembly includes an upper ring assembly. The bucket assembly is received and supported by the upper ring assembly such that the bucket-based and certain mesh-based leg-receiving apertures of the upper ring assembly are aligned. The bucket assembly is selectively removable from the mesh sack for transporting the infant.
US08851481B2	Seal assembly with pre-strained sealing member A seal for sealing a space between a shaft and a housing, includes a base member coupled with one of the housing and the shaft and a generally annular, elastomeric sealing member sealingly contactable with the other one of the housing and the shaft. The sealing member is coupled with the base member such that the sealing member is circumferentially strained to reduce friction between the sealing member and the other one of the housing and the shaft. The seal assembly is preferably formed by providing a base member having a generally annular carrier portion and a generally annular, elastomeric sealing member, coupling the sealing member with the annular portion of the base member, and plastically deforming at least a section of the base member carrier portion such that the sealing member is circumferentially strained.
US08851480B2	Lip type seal A lip type seal has a cartridge fitted to an inner periphery of a shaft hole, a first lip seal member, a case, a resin second lip seal member, a backup ring and an adapter, a protrusion section in a partial portion on a circumference is provided in a first flange section of the case to engage with the second lip seal member, whereby the second lip seal member is prevented from whirling with respect to the case and coming off to an inner side in a radial direction, and a projecting section in a partial portion on a circumference is provided in a flange section of the backup ring to engage with the second lip seal member, whereby the second lip seal member is prevented from whirling with respect to the backup ring and coming off to the inner side in the radial direction.
US08851479B2	Shuffled playing cards and manufacturing method thereof The present invention provides shuffled playing cards which eliminate the need for a game host to shuffle cards before games by taking a lot of time as well as eliminate the possibility of cheating. A shuffled playing cards (1) obtained by shuffling a predetermined number of decks of playing cards (12) using a shuffling machine is packaged as an individual pack. The shuffled playing cards (1) is individually packaged and sealed with an adhesive label (13). A bar code (13a) which represents a unique shuffled card ID has been printed on the adhesive label (13). The shuffled card ID is registered in a database by being associated with information which allows identification of a shuffling machine used to shuffle the playing card set.
US08851477B2	Educational game board An educational device comprising a game board demarcated with a plurality of positions, each position having associated with it and actuator, actuation of which causes the communication device to provide instruction to the player as to what the player is supposed to do. A player can activate a random number generator to determine how many positions to move. Once instruction has been received, the player utilizes game pieces on the game board to execute the instruction. By going through this process, any player can learn a particular skill or gain particular knowledge that can be applied in life.
US08851476B2	Strategy game A game set and method for playing a strategy game on a playing surface by one or more persons including a plurality of playing pieces, each playing piece having a predetermined number of edges, wherein each edge is at least one of an exterior edge and a connecting edge; a plurality of playing cards, each playing card containing an indicia corresponding to the shape of one of the plurality of playing pieces; and a playing surface. Each player randomly selects a plurality of playing cards; exchanges each of the playing cards for a corresponding one of a plurality of playing pieces, and places each playing piece obtained by the exchange on a playing surface by (i) orienting an exterior edge according to a perimeter of the playing surface and (ii) orienting a connecting edge according to a corresponding connecting edge of an adjacent playing piece. The strategy game may be played in various configurations, including without playing cards, without playing pieces, without a game board, or with a timer.
US08851475B2	Electronic gaming system The present invention relates to a gaming system for providing a random number, comprising a touch screen, and a control unit connected to the touch screen, wherein the control unit is configured to identify a user movement on the touch screen corresponding to an activation signal for generating a random number, provide the activation signal to a random number generator, receive a random number from the random number generator, and display the random number on the touch screen, wherein the random number generator is an externally arranged hardware random number generator configured to receive a gambling device for generating the random number. Advantages with the invention include for example increased security in relation to manual operation of a dice game.
US08851471B2	Image forming apparatus and sheet adjusting device incorporated therein An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device and a sheet adjusting device to adjust a lateral position of the sheet by moving a sheet in a lateral direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction. The sheet adjusting device moves a driving roller in one of a first direction and a second direction for adjusting a lateral position of the sheet between the driving roller and a driven roller and then adjusting a lateral position of the driven roller to the driving roller by moving the driving roller in the second direction until the misaligned driven roller laterally contacts respective stoppers to restrict a range of lateral movement of the driven roller while the sheet is separated from the driving roller and the driven roller and by further moving the driving roller to a predetermined position while the driven roller remains contacting the stoppers.
US08851465B2	Medium cassette and recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes a medium cassette provided with a medium accommodation tray that has a medium accommodation unit for accommodating a medium which is transported to a recording unit, and a paper discharge tray that is disposed on the upper side of the medium accommodation tray and that receives a medium on which recording has been performed at the recording unit. The paper discharge tray has a cutout formed from an end portion of the paper discharge tray which is on a feed-out side in a transport direction of the medium accommodation unit, and the cutout exposes the medium accommodation unit.
US08851462B2	Level adjusting device for worktable of jointer/planar machine A woodworking machine includes a base, an adjusting device, and an adjustable worktable. The adjusting device is engaged with the base and includes a platform, a plurality of adjusters, and a plurality of fastening members. The platform is slidably engaged with the base. The plurality of adjusters are adjustable, and the plurality of fastening members are releasably inserted through the plurality of adjustors respectively. The adjustable worktable is engaged with the adjusting device. Moreover, the platform bears the adjustable worktable and the plurality of adjusters are abutted against the adjustable worktable. Additionally, the adjustable worktable is adjustably moved upon adjusting of the adjustors, and prior to adjusting each adjustor, the fastening member engaged therewith is removed.
US08851459B2	Elastic device structure An elastic device structure includes two identical connection seats and multiple elastic members. Each connection seat is defined with a central line and has a protruding connection section and a connected section. The connection section and connected section are symmetrically disposed on two sides of the central line. A laterally protruding lateral hook is disposed on the connection section. The connected section is formed with a receiving channel for receiving the connection section of the other connection seat. A stop raised block is disposed in the receiving channel and positioned at a dead end of slide paths of the lateral hook. Multiple receiving sockets are disposed beside the connection section and connected section. Two end sections of the elastic members respectively extend into the receiving sockets, whereby the two connection seats are elastically slidable relative to each other.
US08851456B2	Barbed tape with sensor conductor and reinforcement wire The present invention provides a fencing system having interconnected tubular elements comprised of longitudinally extending conductor wires and reinforcement wires. Said conductor wires are conventionally disposed in an outer casing's cavity with an open round or rounded section. Said outer casing is formed by a crimping process such that said conductor wires are reinforced by parallelly extending reinforcement wires, the latter wires being disposed in a separate partition of the longitudinal inner volume of said outer casing. Said partition assigned to said reinforcement wires provides that said reinforcement wires does not damage said conductor wires during the final stage of crimping process in which barbed tapes with pointed and/or cutting barbs are transversely folded around the interconnected tubular elements.
US08851452B2	Self-aligned plunger for chromatographic valve Plungers and plunger assemblies for a diaphragm-sealed valve are provided. Each plunger is adapted to be received in a passage of the valve body and includes a base member and an upper member having a transversal play in this passage with respect to the base member. A resilient middle element is provided between the upper and base member. The base member is connected to a plunger actuating mechanism within the valve body. The upper member may therefore be self-aligning within the passage.
US08851450B2	Metallic composite component, in particular for an electromagnetic valve A composite component includes at least two sections having different magnetization, the at least two sections in the integrally formed component lying directly next to each other. The base material of the composite component is a semi-austenitic steel. A first section has a higher saturation polarization JS than an adjacent second section, the second section having a minimum saturation polarization JS of 0.1 T to 1.3 T and/or a maximum relative permeability μr of 2 to 150. The composite component is suitable for use in electromagnetic valves, e.g., in fuel injectors of internal combustion engines.
US08851449B2	Magnetic valve The invention relates to a valve having a closure element which is movable in an inner chamber and closes or clears a valve seat. The closure element is activated by a magnetic assembly in the magnetizable wall surrounding the inner chamber. According to the invention, the closure element has a low density. It comprises a hollow body having at least one activator body made of magnetizable material that is freely movable therein. The closure element has a low weight and a large surface. The large surface facilitates the resetting of the closure element on the valve seat by the action of the flowing medium.
US08851446B2	Cam operated valve A product transfer valve (1) includes a valve body (3), an inlet port (2), an outlet port (18). A safety interlock mechanism includes a segmented collar (22) with internal threads (23) for mounting the valve to a connection. A safety collar (6) is axially movable between a valve open position and a valve closed position, and causes movement of the segmented collar. An interference member (12) is supported on the cam operated mechanism (8) and engages the safety collar (6) to prevent inadvertent radial outward movement of the internal threads on the segmented collar until the safety collar is moved to the valve closed position.
US08851444B2	Pump flow restricting device A restrictor mechanism is provided in a pilot operated solenoid valve that restricts the pilot flow to the actuating piston of the valve if the pressure differences within the valve are great. This reduces the actuating forces allowing the valve to open or close softly. As the pressures within the valve start to balance, the restrictor device opens, allowing full pilot flow to hold the valve in position.
US08851436B2	Cup holder The cup holder includes a base adapted to be fixed to an attached portion; a lid body provided switchably between a closed position and an open position by turning relative to the base, overlapped with the base in the closed position, and supporting the cup from a lower side thereof in the open position; and a holder supported at the base or the lid body through an arm, and moving in association with a turning of the lid body to become a housed state when the lid body is in the closed position, and to become a used state when the lid body is in the open position. The arm includes a support portion controlling the lateral movement of the cup in the used state of the holder.
US08851435B1	Rod assembly with reversible locking device A curtain rod assembly comprises a set of telescoping tubes running between brackets and a locking assembly for setting the length of the telescoped tubes. The locking assembly comprises a screw body, attached to the end of the smaller inner tube, which has a tapered screw along which a captive expansible sleeve moves. The sleeve may be a split cylinder with spring elements running across the gap of the split. When the tubes are twisted relative to each other, the sleeve moves lengthwise along the tapered screw and expands radially outwardly to lock the assembly; and simultaneously with the locking action there is a desirable small change in the length of the tube assembly. The screw body is reversible within the tube assembly, so the rod assembly can be used in applications where the rod both pulls inwardly on, or pushes outwardly against, a window frame.
US08851428B2	Cable fixing bracket and manufacturing method thereof A cable fixing bracket includes: a fixed section fixed to a supporting body; a connection section integrally extended from one surface of the fixed section; and a cable supporting section folded from the end section of the connection section to be integrally extended towards the other surface of the fixed section and supporting a cable. The cable fixing bracket is manufactured integrally in a single process, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process, reducing the manufacturing cost and improving productivity.
US08851427B2	Space debris removal management system and method of operation thereof A debris removal management system and a method of removing space debris. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of net sections coupled to the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles, coupled to the plurality of net sections, configured to employ propulsion units therein to be ejected relative to the frame to deploy the plurality of net sections, the plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris.
US08851426B1	Enhanced cruciform parachute A modified cruciform parachute is configured to provide improved aerodynamic efficiency and/or reduced construction expense. In an exemplary parachute, a shoulder panel is disposed between a center panel and a side panel to at least partially equalize load path lengths in the cruciform parachute. Components of the parachute may be two-dimensional in construction in order to reduce construction expense. Components of the parachute may also be modular and/or interchangeable. The cruciform parachute may be steerable and/or may be configured to glide via inclusion of venting means on the parachute canopy.
US08851419B2	Method and apparatus for changing a deployed position for a tail skid assembly A method and apparatus for positioning a tail skid assembly for a maximum rotation angle for an aircraft may be provided. A determination may be made as to whether the tail skid assembly is to be deployed for takeoff or landing. A set of parameters may be identified based on a determination of whether the tail skid assembly is to be deployed for takeoff or landing. A desired maximum rotation angle for the aircraft may be identified using the set of parameters. The tail skid assembly may be deployed to allow the desired maximum rotation angle for the aircraft.
US08851412B2	Recording apparatus and roll medium lifting device A roll medium lifting device of a recording apparatus includes: an elevating unit that has a loading unit therein and can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction; an operation lever that is rotatable about a fulcrum; and a cam that performs force transmission by converting rotational movement of the operation lever in the vertical direction to vertical movement of the elevating unit at a position closer to the fulcrum in the operation lever. Further, when the operation lever is rotated to cause the cam to move the elevating unit upward, a portion of the cam that makes contact with the elevating unit faces to the moving direction when the elevating unit is moved upward.
US08851406B2	Pump apparatus including deconsolidator A pump apparatus includes a particulate pump that defines a passage that extends from an inlet to an outlet. A duct is in flow communication with the outlet. The duct includes a deconsolidator configured to fragment particle agglomerates received from the passage.
US08851405B2	Auto-feeding device for food processor An auto-feeding device includes a container provided on one side with a hollow sleeve; a bottom cover operably connected to an open bottom of the container; a fixing seat having an upright rod upwardly rotatably extended into the hollow sleeve and a stop rod normally located below the bottom cover; and a swaying arm upwardly connected to the fixing seat opposite to the stop rod. When the auto-feeding device is mounted on a bowl of a food processor filled with water, and blades in the bowl are rotated at a preset time to produce swirling water, the swaying arm is pushed by swirls to move the stop rod away from the bottom cover, so that the bottom cover turns downward to open the bottom of the container, allowing foodstuffs in the container to automatically fall into the bowl and be directly heated and ground into different types of food juice.
US08851400B2	Sprinkler head for an embedded sprinkler A sprinkler head for an embedded sprinkler includes a base having a adjust device arranged to an upper portion thereof and an inlet pipe formed to a lower portion thereof. The inlet pipe has a lateral outlet and a receiving chamber. A nozzle is received to the receiving chamber. A gap is formed between the nozzle and the receiving chamber so as the nozzle can be easily removed. A lower toothed ring indirectly rotated by the adjust device is arranged to a bottom of the inlet pipe. Angle between a flexible adjusting sheet extending from the lower toothed ring and a fixed adjusting sheet extending from a bottom of the base can be changed. A sleeve is arranged to the inlet pipe to receive an axial tube of a sprinkler so as to oscillate clockwise and counterclockwise with a driving shaft of the sprinkler.
US08851399B2	Spraying member, spraying device comprising such a member and spraying installation comprising such a device The invention relates to a member (10) for spraying a coating product comprising a primary surface (20) for spreading the product and at least two secondary, inner (21) and outer (22) surfaces for spreading the product that extend downstream of the primary surface (20), the primary (20) and secondary (21, 22) surfaces being coaxial (X10-X10), the downstream portions of the secondary surfaces (21, 22) defining an inner spraying edge (23) and an outer spraying edge (24). The downstream portions (21b, 22b) of the secondary surfaces (21, 22) have, relative to one another, directions (A21, A22) that are overall divergent towards the downstream direction. The inner edge (23) has a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the outer edge (24).
US08851397B1	Bell cup atomizer having improved cleaning capability Rotary bell cup atomizing apparatus is provided having a rotatable bell cup driven by a motor shaft dimensioned so as to provide an annular gap between the outer, rear surface of the cup and the shaft extending an effective distance axially adjacent the shaft. Solvent channels extend within the assembly circumventing the gap and discharge into the gap. During cleaning of the atomizer, solvent passes partially through the paint nozzle and partially through the solvent channels impinging directly upon the shaft, then migrating over the outer surface of the cup. The inner and outer surfaces of the bell cup and the motor shaft are simultaneously cleaned. A replaceable sleeve placed inside the cup adjacent the front surface thereof absorbs the force of paint impinging thereon. The cup may have at least one balancing indentation immediately adjacent the sleeve.
US08851394B2	Expansion valve and method of producing the same An expansion valve to expand high-pressure refrigerant and send the expanded refrigerant toward an evaporator is used in a refrigeration cycle, and includes a body portion, an element portion, and a valve portion. The body portion has a first passage through which the high-pressure refrigerant passes, a throttle passage located in the first passage so as to expand refrigerant, and a second passage through which refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator passes. The element portion arranged outside of the body portion has a pressure responding member to be displaced in accordance with a difference between an inner pressure of a seal space and a pressure of refrigerant flowing through the second passage. Temperature sensing media is filled in the seal space, and a pressure of the media is changed by temperature. The valve portion is displaced in accordance with the pressure responding member so as to control an opening of the throttle passage. Additive is filled in the seal space with the media so as to lower a condensing temperature of the media.
US08851393B1	Air conditioner/heater system A bureau is adapted to monitor and forecast weather conditions and to generate forecasting data. A thermostat operatively coupled to an air conditioner/heater initiates and terminates both heating and cooling. A communication network operatively couples the bureau and the thermostat. Operational components within the thermostat are a first screen to display the actual temperature, a second screen to display the desired temperature, a mode switch having a primary position for cooling and a secondary position for heating, and an electronic controller for receiving input from the bureau and for operating the mode switch and for generating signals for the operation of the air conditioner/heater, the interpreting being based upon the generated forecasting data.
US08851388B2	RFID (radio frequency identification) tag An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag includes a grounding casing, an coupling casing disposed opposite to the grounding casing and an RFID module. The coupling casing includes a coupling part cooperating with the grounding casing to define a coupling space there-between. The RFID module is disposed in the coupling space and includes an RFID chip and a coupling member coupled electrically to the RFID chip such that upon receipt of one of the driving signal and the identification signal, surface current is generated on an upper surface of the RFID tag, which, in turn, induces a resonant electromagnetic energy within the coupling space, thereby increasing a detecting strength of the RFID module relative to the one of the driving signal and the identification signal.
US08851387B2	Anti-counterfeiting bottle An anti-counterfeiting bottle includes a metal cap, a bottle body and a RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tag. The RFID tag includes a grounded surface, a monopole antenna and a RFID chip. The grounded surface is attached to the bottle body. The monopole antenna is attached to the bottle and is electrically connected to the grounded surface. The RFID chip is attached to the bottle and is electrically connected to the monopole antenna and the grounded surface respectively, wherein the RFID chip, the monopole antenna and the grounded surface form a loop structure. When the RFID tag is torn up, the loop structure is destroyed as well, such that the RFID tag cannot be read anymore, thus achieving the anti-counterfeiting function.
US08851384B2	Coded fibers Provided herein are coded fibers. In some embodiments, informationally-encoded carbon fiber structures are provided. In some embodiments, methods of manufacturing and/or reading a coded fiber are provided.
US08851377B2	Card reader and processing method thereof A card reader for use with a card having a magnetic stripe may include a card path through which the card having the magnetic stripe is transferred, a magnetic head placed in the card path, and card position detecting sensors for detecting a position of the card. The card position detecting sensors may be located at positions where the magnetic stripe passes through in the card path.
US08851375B2	Systems and methods for facilitating in-aisle scanning Various methods are described for facilitating in-aisle scanning of one or more items to be purchased at a store. One example method may comprise scanning a barcode associated with an item. The method may further comprise adding the item to a list of items to be purchased. Additionally, the method may comprise receiving an indication that the item needs to be weighed. The method may further comprise flagging the item in the list to be weighed during checkout. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.
US08851374B2	Coupon device A device includes first, second, and third components. The first component scans a coupon. The coupon is moved from the first component to the second component after the first component scans the coupon and the coupon has been validated. The second component holds the coupon and other coupons associated with just the current checkout session until the current session has been successfully completed, at which time the coupons are moved in unison from the second component to the third component. The third component stores these coupons, together with additional coupons associated with other checkout sessions. The first component returns the coupon where validation of the coupon has failed. The second coupon permits a user to retrieve the coupons associated with just the current checkout session where the current checkout session has been unsuccessfully completed, without the user having to look through the coupons associated with the other checkout sessions.
US08851373B2	Tracking information in a note handling facility Tracking information in a note handling facility, such as an amusement gaming facility, involves, in some implementations, communications between components of the system to facilitate tracking the location and movement of note acceptors and cassettes for storing notes. Such components can include host machines, note acceptors, cassettes for storing notes, databases, and/or note counting machines. RF tag chips can be embedded in or mounted to some of the components to facilitate the communications. RF tag readers can be provided at appropriate locations within the facility to facilitate reading information from and writing information to the RF tag chips.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10