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
US08852887B2	Antibodies against human tweak and uses thereof An antibody binding to TWEAK comprising as heavy chain variable domain a CDR3H selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 8, 16 or 24.
US08852882B2	Biosensors and their use A FRET donor-acceptor pair for use as a biosensor, comprising at least two fluorescence proteins, wherein at least one fluorescence protein is stable with respect to a parameter to be detected by the biosensor and at least one fluorescence protein is unstable with respect to the parameter to be detected by the biosensor.
US08852879B2	Materials and methods for the detection of nitrated fibrinogen Compositions are disclosed comprising an effective amount of nitrated fibrinogen and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for detecting a patient's risk for coronary artery disease. The compositions can be used to determine the presence of nitrated fibrinogen which is linked with coronary artery disease. Also disclosed is a method for determining the presence or risk for coronary artery disease or risk for increased propensity for an adverse thrombotic event in a patient. The method comprises obtaining a sample of blood or fraction thereof from a patient; determining by immunoassay the amount of nitrated fibrinogen in the sample based on binding of the nitrated fibrinogen to an antibody that specifically recognizes SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3; and comparing the amount of the antibody-bound nitrated fibrinogen in the sample with the amount of nitrated fibrinogen in a sample from a normal individual, such that a greater amount of nitrated fibrinogen in the patient sample than in the normal individual indicates that the patient has or is at greater risk of coronary artery disease or risk of increased propensity for an adverse thrombotic event. Kits for performing the method which include the composition and aforementioned antibody or antibodies are also provided.
US08852878B2	Method for identifying an antagonist of guanine nucleotide releasing factor 1 The invention concerns the use of whole or part of the GRF1 protein, or of cells expressing whole or part of the GRF1 protein, in methods for detecting compounds for preventing and/or treating pathologies or disorders of the central nervous system involving neuronal death, such as apoptosis, or related to leptin metabolism. The pathologies of the central nervous system are in particular cerebral ischemia, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.
US08852874B2	Anti-amyloid β activity of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in vitro The present invention relates to a cell-based in vitro screening assay for identifying and selecting therapeutic agents that inhibit amyloid β-induced cytotoxicity.
US08852873B2	Maternal biomarkers for gestational diabetes Embodiments herein relate to the field of screening tools for fetal/maternal wellness, and, more specifically, to biomarkers for gestational diabetes. In various embodiments, the methods may provide non-invasive and minimally-invasive screening tools for gestational diabetes that involve detection of changes in a proteomic profile of a test sample relative to a reference sample. In particular embodiments, the method may include determining whether a proteomic profile of a test sample from the subject includes at least one expression signature characteristic of gestational diabetes, wherein the proteomic profile comprises information on the expression of glycosylated fibronectin and glycosylated PSG, for example information on levels of fibronectin-SNA or a fibronectin-antibody complex, and PSG-AAL or a PSG-antibody complex. In some embodiments, the proteomic profile may also include information on the expression of adiponectin, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), C-reactive protein (CRP), a ratio of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to placental lactogen, or a combination thereof.
US08852872B2	Methods for detecting oncofetal fibronectin Methods and products for the detection of oncofetal fibronectin indicating molecules in samples are provided. Methods for imaging of oncofetal fibronectin are provided. In some methods provided herein, the sample is treated with a reagent and/or contacted with a non-specific binder. Provided are methods for testing subjects to ascertain health and disease status and to assess the risk of developing a disease or condition. Methods for detecting the presence of oncofetal fibronectin indicating molecules by a variety of methods such as immunoassays and mass spectrometry also are provided. Methods and products for detection of oncofetal fibronectin for selection of concepti are provided.
US08852871B2	Humanized anti-IL-10 antibodies for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Provided is a humanized or chimeric antibody or fragment thereof capable of binding to interleukin-10 (Th-10), wherein said antibody or fragment thereof is capable of being administered to a subject in the absence of an intolerable increase in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Further provided are methods of treatment involving the use of the antibody or fragment thereof.
US08852869B2	Method of determining functional deficiencies in the complement system The present invention relates to a method of in vitro determining functional deficiencies in the lectin pathway of the complement system, the method comprises the steps of (a) diluting a mammalian sample of body fluid with a diluent comprising one or more inhibitors of the activation of the classical and the alternative pathways of the complement system; (b) activating the lectin pathway of the complement system in the sample obtained from (a); and (c) determining in the sample obtained from (b) the activation of one or more of the complement factors C3, C4, or one or more of the components of the C5-C9 complex. The invention furthermore relates to kits for use in connection with the above-mentioned method, the first kit comprises i) a first component comprising a carrier, one or more inhibitors of the classical and the alternative complement pathways and a diluent; and ii) a second component comprising one or more substances for activation of the lectin complement pathway and optionally an inert carrier. The second kit comprises a container comprising a predetermined amount of one or more inhibitors of the classical and the alternative complement pathways and a diluent, wherein the container is adapted for receiving a predetermined amount of sample, so that when the predetermined amount of sample is added, the concentration of the one or more inhibitors is an inhibitory effective concentration of the classical and alternative pathways, but not the lectin pathway.
US08852868B2	Method for real-time nucleic acid amplification by droplet manipulation The present invention provides a real time nucleic acid amplification reaction method comprising performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction in a droplet present in a container. The droplet is composed of a nucleic acid amplification reaction liquid including a nucleic acid to be amplified and magnetic particles. The container holds a droplet encapsulating medium immiscible with the nucleic acid amplification reaction liquid forming the droplet, and has a transport surface having a temperature gradient. Fluorochrome is initially contained in the droplet encapsulating medium, and optionally in the droplet, at start of the nucleic acid amplification reaction. The droplet is transported together with the magnetic particles by generating and applying a magnetic field so that the droplet is placed on the transport surface at a temperature point at which the nucleic acid synthesis reaction is started and maintained, thereby controlling a temperature of the reaction liquid.
US08852865B2	Method and system for automated image analysis in cancer cells A method of screening for the presence and/or extent of a pathology in a subject, the pathology characterized by an abnormal chromosomal component in a cell of the subject, comprising the steps of: contacting a biological sample comprising cell nuclei from said subject with, one or more distinguishable labeled probes directed to at least one chromosomal sequence that characterizes the abnormality under conditions that promote hybridization of the one or more probes to the at least one sequence, automatically obtaining a representation of the one or more distinguishable labels hybridized to the chromosomal sequences, automatically analyzing the distribution and intensity of binding of the one or more labels in the representation to determine the presence and/or extent of an abnormal chromosomal component; and automatically reporting results of the analysis; wherein the steps are carried out without intervention by a human.
US08852863B2	Detection of multiple nucleic acid sequences in a reaction cartridge The present invention relates to a method for amplifying and detecting nucleic acid sequences in a reaction cartridge comprising, (i) providing a sample comprising at least one nucleic acid molecule, (ii) in a first reaction chamber of the cartridge providing reagents for an amplification reaction, (iii) mixing the sample with the amplification reagents, (iv) amplifying the at least one nucleic acid in the first reaction chamber of the cartridge, (v) transferring at least parts of the amplification reaction into a second and third reaction chamber of the cartridge each comprising a probe set and performing a melting point analysis in order to determine which of the probes has specifically bound a nucleic acid.
US08852862B2	Method for processing polynucleotide-containing samples Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.
US08852858B2	Methods and devices for hybridization and binding assays using thermophoresis Methods for performing a hybridization assay between a target biomolecule and an array comprising a surface to which are attached biomolecular probes with different, known sequences, at discrete, known locations, the method comprising: providing a container holding a hybridization mixture comprising the target biomolecule and also holding the array; and creating a temperature gradient in the hybridization mixture oriented within the container such that at least a portion of the target biomolecule is driven onto the surface of the array.
US08852853B2	Photo-mask and method for manufacturing liquid crystal display device using the same A photo-mask is capable of preventing stain defects and a method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device using the photo-mask which achieves the same capability. The photo-mask includes a transparent substrate configured to transmit ultraviolet light and a light shielding layer configured to block ultraviolet light on a surface of the transparent substrate. The light shielding layer includes an absorption layer configured to absorb ultraviolet light.
US08852852B2	Narrow frame touch input sheet, manufacturing method of same, and conductive sheet used in narrow frame touch input sheet A method for manufacturing a narrow frame touch input sheet includes forming and stacking transparent conductive films, light-excluding conductive electrode films, and first resist layers sequentially on both surfaces of a transparent base sheet, exposing and developing the first resist layers simultaneously on the both surfaces, etching the transparent and light-excluding conductive electrode films on the both surfaces, and stripping the first resist layers to form a fine wiring circuit pattern with the stacked transparent conductive film and light-excluding conductive electrode film in an outer edge portion on each of the two surfaces. The method further includes forming a second resist layer to cover the fine wiring circuit pattern on each surface, and etching only the light-excluding electrode conductive film layer on which the second resist layer is not formed, to expose a circuit pattern of the transparent conductive film in a central window portion on each surface.
US08852848B2	Composition for coating over a photoresist pattern The present invention relates to an aqueous composition for coating over a photoresist pattern comprising a first water soluble compound comprising at least a silicon moiety and at least one amino group, and a second compound comprising at least 1 carboxylic acid group. The invention further relates to processes for using the novel invention.
US08852846B2	Salt and photoresist composition comprising the same The present invention provides a salt represented by the formula (I): wherein Q1 and Q2 independently each represent a fluorine atom or a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl group, L1 represents a C1-C20 divalent saturated hydrocarbon group in which one or more —CH2— can be replaced by —O— or —CO—, W represents a group represented by the formula (W1), (W2), (W3), (W4) or (W5): and Z+ represents an organic counter ion.
US08852840B2	Magnetic composite particles, magnetic carrier and developer The present invention relates to magnetic composite particles comprising at least magnetic fine particles and a bio-based polymer, wherein the magnetic composite particles have an average particle diameter of 10 to 100 μm, and a content of the magnetic fine particles in the magnetic composite particles is 50 to 99.9% by weight; a magnetic carrier; and a developer. The magnetic composite particles, magnetic carrier and developer according to the present invention are effective for reduction of environmental burden such as saving of underground sources and prevention of global warming, have a high safety for human bodies and a high durability, and are capable of forming developed images with a high quality.
US08852838B2	Electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles that contain a binder resin having a carboxyl group, in which the carboxyl group in the binder resin present on the surfaces of the toner particles forms an alkaline earth metal salt, and an amount of the alkaline earth metal which is detected through ion chromatography of the toner particles is in a range of from 1.00×10−10 mol/g to 0.90×10−6 mol/g.
US08852834B2	Toner for electrophotography, developer, image forming method, and process cartridge To provide a toner, including: a crystalline binder resin including a urethane bond or a urea bond, or both thereof; and a colorant, wherein the colorant has a number-average particle diameter of 0.5 μm or less, and a ratio of particles having a particle diameter of 0.7 μm or greater in a number-size distribution of the colorant is 5% by number or less.
US08852832B2	Radiation-sensitive colored composition, color filter and method for producing the same, solid state image device, and liquid crystal display apparatus Provided is a radiation-sensitive colored composition which exhibits excellent developability, has excellent heat resistance and solvent resistance, and is capable of forming a colored pattern with less color transfer and color unevenness.The radiation-sensitive colored composition includes a colorant multimer (A), a polymerizable compound (B), a photopolymerization initiator (C), and an organic solvent (D), wherein the content of an inorganic metal salt (X) including no colorant skeleton is 0.1% by mass or less with respect to a dye solid contents.
US08852824B2	Method to generate H2-exhaust sensor test pulse using electrically controlled pressure regulator A fuel cell system for generating a hydrogen test pulse includes a fuel cell stack having an anode inlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen source via a fuel spending line, a cathode inlet in fluid communication with an oxidant source, and an anode outlet and a cathode outlet in fluid communication with an exhaust line. An electric pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the fuel spending line. An overpressure valve is in fluid communication with an overpressure line, which is in fluid communication with the fuel spending line between the electric pressure regulator and the fuel cell stack. A hydrogen sensor is in communication with the exhaust line, and is configured to measure the hydrogen test pulse.
US08852823B2	Sodium stannate additive to improve the durability of PEMS for H2/air fuel cells An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a tin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such tin-containing compounds.
US08852821B2	Energy unit with safe and stable hydrogen storage An energy unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application stores at least water and hydrogen. The energy unit includes an electrolysis component operable to provide hydrogen from the water, a hydrogen storage component operable to safely and stably store hydrogen in solid form and a fuel cell component operable to produce electricity from the hydrogen. The energy unit may be grouped with other like energy units to provide constant power for desired applications.
US08852820B2	Fuel cell stack module shell with integrated heat exchanger A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks, and a metal shell located over the base and the fuel cell stacks. The metal shell contains an integrated heat exchanger.
US08852816B2	All-solid secondary battery In the all-solid secondary battery of the present invention, a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer are disposed on both sides of a solid electrolyte layer, a first inorganic solid electrolyte and a second inorganic solid electrolyte are included into at least one of the positive electrode layer, the negative electrode layer, and the solid electrolyte layer, the content of transition metal in the first inorganic solid electrolyte is less than 15% by mass on oxide basis, and the content of transition metal in the second inorganic solid electrolyte is 15% by mass or more on oxide basis.
US08852813B2	Electrolytes comprising polycyclic aromatic amine derivatives A non-aqueous electrolyte composition, useful in batteries, capacitors and the like, said electrolyte composition comprising an electrolyte support salt, a non-aqueous electrolyte carrier, and a polycyclic aromatic amine, e.g., a naphthyl amine.
US08852810B2	Electrode collector for battery and use thereof The electrode collector 40 for a battery provided by the present invention is an electrode collector 40 having a base 10 that mainly composed of a conductive metal such as aluminum, and a DLC film 20 covering the surface 12 of the base 10. The DLC film 20 is not thicker than 10 nm, and preferably has a hydrophilic surface on which hydrophilic functional groups are present.
US08852802B2	Anode active material, anode, and battery A battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics is provided. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The anode has an anode active material layer that contains an anode active material containing silicon on an anode current collector, and intensity ratio I1/I2 between peak intensity I1 originated in (220) crystalline plane of silicon obtained by X-ray diffraction and peak intensity I2 originated in (111) crystalline plane of silicon obtained by X-ray diffraction is 0.05 or more.
US08852801B2	Battery A battery with more superior reliability is provided. The battery includes: a battery element in which a cathode having a cathode active material layer on a strip-shaped cathode current collector and an anode having an anode active material layer on a strip-shaped anode current collector are layered with a separator in between, wherein the anode active material layer is provided to occupy a first region that is overlapped with a cathode active material layer formation region in which the cathode active material layer is provided on the cathode current collector and a peripheral region thereof in the anode, and out of a second region adjacent to the first region in the longitudinal direction in the anode, a width of a third region in which the anode active material layer is not formed and the anode current collector is exposed is smaller than a width of the first region.
US08852799B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that allows reversible charge and discharge to be carried out and can be used for a long period because of a stable non-aqueous electrolyte used therein. The invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material and capable of storing and releasing sodium, a negative electrode capable of storing and releasing sodium, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, and the positive electrode active material includes sodium, nickel, manganese, and a transition metal that can exist in a hexavalent state. An example of the transition metal that can exist in a hexavalent state may include tungsten (W). An example of the negative electrode may include a sodium metal capable of storing and releasing sodium ions.
US08852792B2	Electricity storage device An electricity storage device has an electricity storage unit and a case that contains the electricity storage unit and a coolant for cooling the electricity storage unit. The case includes guide portions on an inner wall surface above the electricity storage unit, each of the guide portions having an oblique portion for, when gas is produced by the electricity storage unit, leading the gas to a predetermined position; and contact portions each of which protrudes in a direction of the electricity storage unit with respect to the oblique portions of the guide portions and is brought into contact with the coolant.
US08852788B2	Porous membrane for a secondary battery and a secondary battery Disclosed is a porous membrane used for a secondary battery, such as lithium-ion secondary battery, wherein strength is improved and break is difficult to occur while maintaining lithium-ion conductivity. The porous membrane for a secondary battery comprising a binder for the porous membrane and a nonconductive particle, wherein the binder for the porous membrane is a polymer particle having a hetero phase structure, in which internal layer is a polymer wherein vinyl monomer components are polymerized and outer layer is a polymer wherein monomer components containing a hydrophilic functional group are polymerized. The hydrophilic functional group is at least one selected from the group consisting sulfonic acid group, carboxyl group, hydroxyl group and epoxy group.
US08852787B2	Batteries having inorganic/organic porous films An electrochemical cell, such as Li-Ion, having (a) a positive electrode; (b) a negative electrode, (c) a porous inorganic/organic composite layer interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and (d) an electrolyte comprising a lithium salt and a non-aqueous solvent. The composite layer includes inorganic nanoparticles and a binder to form a nanocomposite separator (NCS). In addition to the composite layer, the electrochemical cell includes a porous separator.
US08852785B2	Bipolar secondary battery and method for producing the same A bipolar secondary battery has a battery element that includes first and second bipolar electrodes each having a collector disposed with a conductive resin layer containing a first resin as a base material and positive and negative electrode active material layers formed on opposite sides of the collector and a separator containing a second resin as a base material, arranged between the first and second bipolar electrodes and retaining an electrolyte material to form an electrolyte layer. The positive electrode active material layer of the first bipolar electrode, the electrolyte layer and the negative electrode active material layer of the second bipolar electrode constitute a unit cell. A melting point of the first resin is lower than or equal to a melting point of the second resin. Outer peripheries of the collectors of the first and second bipolar electrodes and an outer periphery of the separator are fused together to thereby seal an outer peripheral portion of the unit cell.
US08852784B2	Self-alignment and shock impact relief battery connector Methods and apparatus supporting an electrical connection are disclosed. Systems previously equipped with wire interfaces, such as battery terminals, can be equipped with a connector assembly to significantly reduce a hazard of electrical shock to a user. The connector assembly includes a stress relief component that attenuates a force, applied to the stress relief component, to reduce its effect on the connector assembly. By attenuating the force, the connector assembly maintains a substantially fixed position relative to the battery pack component and mitigates a potential for disruption in electrical connectivity. Techniques disclosed herein benefit users of battery packs or other devices as well as manufacturers by increasing safety, reliability, and ergonomics.
US08852782B2	Battery pack having novel structure Disclosed herein is a battery pack, temperature of which is controllable, including at least one battery module including a plurality of battery cells or unit modules (‘unit cells’) which can be charged and discharged, a fluid channel formed such that a fluid to cool or heat the battery module passes through the battery module, a flow change unit located on the fluid channel to change a flow direction of the fluid based on a temperature state of the battery module, and an operation controller to control an operation of the flow change unit based on information regarding the temperature of the battery module.
US08852780B2	Battery pack support with thermal control A battery support includes a rigid, thermally conductive upper plate having first and second opposing major surfaces. The support also includes at least one lower plate disposed on the second major surface and comprising a plurality of protrusions extending away from the second major surface and in fluid communication, the plurality of protrusions defining a first manifold portion, a second manifold portion, and plurality of non-linear passages extending along a first direction between the first and second manifolds, a cross-section of the plurality of protrusions defining the plurality of non-linear passages comprising a curved portion with a width that is at least twice the height of the curved portion. The support further includes a first conduit in fluid communication with the first manifold portion and a second conduit in fluid communication with the second manifold portion.
US08852777B2	Methods for the preparation and purification of electrolytes for redox flow batteries A method for preparing a redox flow battery electrolyte is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes the processing of raw materials containing sources of chromium ions and/or iron ions. The method further comprises the removal of impurities such as metal ions from those raw materials. In some embodiments, a reductant may be used to remove metal impurities from an aqueous electrolyte containing chromium ions and/or nickel ions. In some embodiments, the reductant is an amalgam. In some embodiments, the reductant is a zinc amalgam. Also provided is a method for removing ionic impurities from an aqueous acid solution. Further provided a redox flow battery comprising at least one electrolyte prepared from the above-identified methods.
US08852775B2	Industrial process field device with energy limited battery assembly An industrial process field device has a housing with a wall. The wall has a feedthrough opening between a battery compartment and an electronics compartment. A feedthrough connector seals the feedthrough opening and includes a power connector connected to industrial process field device electronics. A battery assembly includes a battery housing with a battery connector, and includes a battery and an energy limiter connected to the battery connector. The battery connector mates with the power connector to energize the industrial process field device electronics. A seal seals the mating connection of the power connector and the battery connector.
US08852773B2	Battery pack A battery pack capable of improving heat dissipation characteristics and reducing the temperature variation between cells. A battery pack includes at least one battery module including a plurality of battery cells aligned in one direction, a housing that accommodates the at least one battery module and includes a coolant flow path arranged therein and a junction box arranged at a predetermined location in a vicinity of the battery module, the junction box having a sleeve arranged parallel to the coolant flow path.
US08852772B2	Lithium ion battery cooling system comprising dielectric fluid A Lithium Ion battery cooling system for use in a hybrid vehicle comprises a plurality of self-contained liquid cooling modules, each cooling module including a closed and sealed container having an interior space. Each cooling module includes a battery assembly disposed within the interior space of the container and a plurality of battery cells having at least one fluid channel formed therebetween for receiving a fluid therein. A dielectric fluid is disposed within the at least one fluid channel. The dielectric fluid substantially immerses and is in contact with the battery assembly to heat and cool the battery assembly. A heating element is disposed within the interior space and heats the dielectric fluid. A cooling element is disposed within the interior space and cools the dielectric fluid.
US08852770B2	Device for extending the lifetime of a battery in a particular of a vehicle A device includes two electrically conductive rods to couple to connection terminals of a battery cell of a battery, with a force tending to squeeze the electrically conductive rods together. The device includes an insulating block to keep the electrically conductive rods from making electrical contact with each other. An insulating block disable element disables the insulating block in response to a control signal generated by a disable element controller. The disable element controller monitors at least one operating state signal of the cell, and generates the control signal based on the monitoring, allowing the rods to come into electrical contact and short-circuit the battery cell.
US08852768B2	Aqueous electrolyte battery An aqueous electrolyte battery is provided with a positive electrode, a negative electrolyte, an aqueous electrolyte, and a deposition portion that promotes deposition of discharge product and that is provided at a location that contacts the aqueous electrolyte and that is a location other than at a catalyst included in the positive electrode.
US08852767B2	Safety apparatus and protection method of secondary battery for electric vehicle using switch The present invention relates to a safety apparatus and a protection method of a secondary battery, which can prevent explosion and fire of the secondary battery using a switch or a rupture switch attached on the outside of the secondary battery if a swelling degree of the secondary battery reaches a predetermined value when the secondary battery is swelled due to abnormal usage such as overcharge, short-circuit, reverse-connection and heat-exposure of large-capacity lithium polymer battery.
US08852766B2	Secondary battery pack Disclosed herein is a secondary battery pack including a battery cell having an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure mounted in a battery case together with an electrolyte in a sealed state, an insulative mounting member having openings, through which electrode terminals of the battery cell are exposed to the outside, the insulative mounting member being configured to have a structure in which a safety element is mounted to the top of the insulative mounting member, the insulative mounting member being disposed in direct contact with the top of the battery cell, and an insulative cap coupled to the top of the battery cell so that the insulative cap surrounds the insulative mounting member in a state in which the safety element is mounted to the insulative mounting member, wherein the battery case is provided at the top thereof with a coupling groove, and the insulative cap is provided at the bottom thereof with a coupling protrusion formed in a shape corresponding to the coupling groove, the coupling of the insulative cap to the battery cell being achieved by the insertion of the coupling protrusion into the coupling groove.
US08852765B2	Microbial fuel cell It is an object of the present invention to provide a microbial fuel cell capable of increasing a current density without employing a mediator. The microbial fuel cell 1 includes a 3-dimensionally structured agglomerate formed from conductive fine particles 2 and microorganisms 3. In the agglomerate 4, the conductive fine particles 2 disperse among pieces of Shewanella 3 and the conductive fine particles 2 are coupled to one another to hold Shewanella 3, thus forming the 3-dimensional structure as a whole. Accordingly, with respect to Shewanella 3, conductive fine particles 2 hold Shewanella 3a on a surface of an electrode 103 and even Shewanella 3b positioned vertically away from the surface of the electrode 103. Hence, it becomes possible that more pieces of Shewanella 3 are allowed to transfer electrons.
US08852763B2	Perfluoropolyether containing lubricants with mixed end groups Compounds of formula I: wherein X are independently —(CH2)b—, wherein b is 0 or an integer from 1 to 6; Rf are independently —CF2O(CF2CF2O)p(CF2)qCF2—, —CF2CF2O(CF2CF2CF2O)rCF2CF2—, or —CF2CF2CF2O(CF2CF2CF2CF2O)sCF2CF2CF2—, or derivatives thereof, wherein p, q, r and s are independently integers so that Mn of Rf is about 150 to 4500; and Z are independently chosen from groups that comprise —OH, —(OH)2, —COOCH3, —F, —CF3, or —CF2CF3, with the caveat that not all Z are the same.
US08852758B2	Aromatic amine compound, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device using the aromatic amine compound Novel aromatic amine compounds are provided. Light-emitting elements having high emission efficiency and high reliability are provided. Further, light-emitting devices and electronic devices using the light-emitting devices are provided. Specifically, an aromatic amine compound represented by the general formula (1), and light-emitting elements, light-emitting devices and electronic devices that are formed using the aromatic amine compound represented by the general formula (1) are provided. By using the aromatic amine compound represented by the general formula (1) for light-emitting elements, light-emitting devices and electronic devices, the light-emitting elements, light-emitting devices and electronic devices can have high emission efficiency.
US08852755B2	Oxadiazole metallic complexes and their electronic and opto-electronic applications The present invention relates to oxadiazole metallic complexes. More specifically it relates to the synthesis and electronic and opto-electronic applications of oxadiazole metallic complexes having a general Formula I, wherein each of variables is defined herein.
US08852751B2	Wear resistant device and process therefor A wear resistant device includes a substrate of a first metallic material and a wear resistant layer disposed on a substrate. The wear resistant layer includes a matrix of a second, different metallic material, particulates dispersed throughout the matrix, and a boron material dispersed within a portion of the matrix.
US08852750B2	Method for the coating of a cellulose material by using a glucan The present invention is directed to a method for coating a sheet-like cellulose containing material by applying a composition comprising at least one glucan (G), which has a β(beta)-1,3-glycosidically linked main chain and at least one side group having a β(beta)-1,6-glycosidic bond to the main chain, particularly Schizophyllan, and at least one solvent (S), particularly a ionic liquid, on the surface of the sheet-like material.
US08852747B2	Coextrusion binders on a renewable/biodegradable basis The invention relates to coextrusion binders including renewable and/or biodegradable polymers having good adhesion properties: at least one renewable and/or biodegradable polymer (A) grafted with a functional monomer including at least one reactive function, the grafting ratio being <1% in weight of the grafted polymer (A); at least one non-grafted renewable and/or biodegradable polymer (B) identical to (A) or compatible with (A) optionally a softener (C); and optionally a starch-based material (D). The invention also relates to multilayered structures including the binder of the present invention, in which the layers are preferably made of renewable and/or biodegradable compounds. The multilayered structures are advantageously useful in the field of food packaging.
US08852740B2	Electrode active material and electrode active material production method An electrode active material including a lithium-transition metal complex oxide having a layered rock salt structure or spinel structure and a fluorine and nitrogen introduced therein. Also disclosed is an electrode active material production method including a nitrogen introduction step of synthesizing a lithium-transition metal complex oxide (c) having a layered rock salt structure or spinel structure and a fluorine and nitrogen introduced therein, by firing a material composition including a lithium-transition metal complex oxide (a) having a fluorine introduced therein and a nitriding agent (b) being represented by the formula (1) and being solid or liquid at ordinary temperature.
US08852739B2	Carbon black, method for the production thereof, and use thereof The invention relates to a carbon black with a CTAB surface area of from 20 to 49 m2/g, with a COAN greater than 90 ml/(100 g), and with a sum of OAN and COAN greater than 235 ml/(100 g). The carbon black is produced in a furnace reactor, where from 20 to 55% by weight of the feedstock used for the carbon black are introduced radially through a nozzle within the first third of the reaction zone, and the remaining amount of the feedstock used for the carbon black is introduced through a nozzle upstream at least one further point into the reactor. The carbon black can be used in rubber mixtures.
US08852736B2	Method of forming a reconstituted wood block A method of forming a reconstituted wood block can include providing a recovered wood having a high aspect ratio along wood grains of the recovered wood. The recovered wood can be radially crushed or obtained as strips of recovered veneer. The recovered wood can be pretreated to increase resin absorption to form a degreased wood. The degreased wood can then be dried sufficient to reduce a moisture content to produce a dried wood. The dried wood can be soaked in a resin solution to form a resin impregnated wood. The resin impregnated wood can be dried to reduce the moisture content without substantially curing the resin to form a dried resin impregnated wood. The dried resin impregnated wood can then be molded having wood fibers oriented in a non-random predetermined pattern substantially common direction and compacted to form an uncured molded wood. The pattern can be oriented along a substantially common direction or portions may be oriented transverse to others to obtain a knotted appearance. The uncured molded wood can then be cured to form the reconstituted wood block.
US08852735B2	Trim element A trim element having a visible side (12) formed of a skin (10), the element includes a skin (10) laid on a plastic foam (24) bonded to the skin by a continuous bonding layer (26) formed spontaneously at the skin-foam interface during the foaming operation, the skin (10) has a preferential rupture initiator comprising at least one scored feature. Throughout the region in which the scored feature lays, the bonding layer (26) is in contact only with the skin (10) and the foam (24), and, at the scored feature and in the direction of the thickness of the skin, the bonding layer (26) is laid over the opening with a thickness very much smaller than the depth of the scored feature.
US08852732B2	Fiber-reinforced composite articles made from fibers having coupling-initiator compounds and methods of making the articles Methods of making a fiber-reinforced composite article are described. The methods may include providing fibers to an article template, where the fibers have been treated with a coupling-initiator compound. They may further include providing a pre-polymerized mixture that includes a monomer and a catalyst to the article template. The combination of the fibers and the pre-polymerized mixture may be heated to a polymerization temperature where the monomers polymerize around the fibers and form at least a portion of the composite article. The article may then be removed from the article template. Examples of the fiber-reinforced composite articles may include wind turbine blades for electric power generation.
US08852727B2	Ink composition, image forming method, and printed matter The present invention provides an ink composition including (Component A) a compound having two or more groups represented by Structural Formula (1), (Component B) a compound represented by Formula (2), (Component C) a coloring material, and (Component D) water: wherein in Structural Formula (1), Ra and Rb represent alkyl groups, and Ra and Rb may be bonded to each other to form a ring; and in Formula (2), Rb1 and Rb2 each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or the like; Yb1 and Yb2 each represent —O—, —S—, —NRb3—, or the like; Gb1 and Gb2 each represent a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, an amide group, or the like; Rb1 and Rb2, and Gb1 and Gb2 may be respectively bonded to each other to form a ring; and at least one of Rb1, Rb2, Yb1, Yb2, Gb1 and Gb2 is substituted with a hydrophilic group.
US08852724B2	Bridge member spanning formliner joint A form liner system comprises a first form liner, a second form liner and a bridge member. Each form liner comprises a plurality of raised portions defining a plurality of cells and at least one partial cell. The form liners are arranged such that the partial cells form a collective cell. The bridge member can be oriented in said collective cell, wherein a first portion of the bridge member is oriented in the first liner partial cell and a second portion of the bridge member is oriented in the second liner partial cell.
US08852720B2	Substrate features for mitigating stress An article may include an array of features formed in a substrate and may be coated by a thermal barrier coating (TBC). The array of features may mitigate thermal stress experienced by the coated article. In particular, the array of features may reduce or limit crack propagation at or above the interface of a thermally insulative layer and a bond coat in the TBC. In some embodiments, the array may be formed proximate to and substantially aligned with cooling holes formed in the substrate. In other embodiments, an article may include a first array of features formed in a first location of a substrate and a second array of features formed in a second location of a substrate. The first and second locations may be determined or selected based on a prediction of thermal stresses that the substrate will experience at the first and second locations during use.
US08852716B2	Insert-molded transceiver body with heat sink and method therefor An insert-molded fiber optic transmission component has at least one insert and a main body portion. The main body portion has at least one adjoining surface, a portion of the at least one adjoining surface lying in a first plane. The insert has an engaging face disposed against the outer edge surface and a reference surface adjacent the engaging face, where the reference surface lies in a second plane, and the adjoining surface is adjacent the engaging face of the at least one insert and the first and second planes being parallel to and offset from one another.
US08852711B2	Carpeted, vehicle load floor including a pivotable cover segmented into articulated, sectional members A carpeted, vehicle load floor including a pivotable, carpeted cover segmented into articulated sectional members is provided. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel and the segmented cover to removably cover a storage area in the interior of the vehicle. The cover is segmented into articulated, planar sectional members to allow desired cover positioning over the storage area. The members are pivotally connected to one another for folding one over the other. The load floor also includes a substantially continuous carpet layer bonded to a top support surface of the panel and top support surfaces of each of the members. A first living hinge allows the carpeted cover to pivot between different use positions and a second living hinge allows the members to easily pivot and fold one over the other in a compact, folded, open position of the cover.
US08852709B2	Composite material part with large variation in thickness A composite material part and method for manufacturing the part. The part has a large variation in thickness between a first zone having a thickness E1 and a second zone having a thickness E2, which is made as a single part with a transition zone, external surfaces of which have gradients of magnitude, in which the structure of the stack includes; b1) a plurality of continuous plies that extend in the three zones; b2) a plurality of plies that extend in the first zone and in the transition zone, terminating in a stepped manner in the transition zone; b3) a plurality of plies that extend in the first zone and in the transition zone, terminating in a stepped manner in the transition zone.
US08852707B2	Polyarylene sulfide resin composition and insert-molded article Provided is a PAS resin composition with which molded articles having excellent high- and low-temperature impact properties can be obtained and which can be highly inhibited from leaving mold deposits when molded and is suitable for use in insert molding. Also provided is an insert-molded article obtained using the resin composition. The PAS-derived resin composition comprises a PAS resin having carboxylic terminal groups and an olefin-derived copolymer, wherein the olefin-derived copolymer comprises units of an α-olefin, a glycidyl ester of an α,β-unsaturated acid, and an acrylic ester as comonomer units, the PAS resin has a number average molecular weight of 1,000-10,000, and the content of the comonomer units derived from the glycidyl ester in the resin composition is 0.08-0.20 mass %, the ratio of the content of the comonomer units derived from the glycidyl ester (mmol/kg) to the amount of the carboxylic terminal groups (mmol/kg) being 0.35-1.00.
US08852704B2	Resin welded body and method for manufacturing the same A X-Y plane is a plane parallel to abutting surfaces on which a joining portion is formed, and a Z direction is a direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane. A sealing member is held between the outer circumference side of a guide provided on a lid body and the inner circumference side of a rib provided on a case, and is pressed in a direction parallel to the X-Y plane. Laser light is scanned on the inner circumference side with respect to a ring-shaped pressurization jig with a stopper pressurized by the pressurization jig, so the pressurization jig does not break the path of the laser light. This expands the range of options in the material for the pressurization jig, which enables an easy-maintenance jig to be used, improving productivity.
US08852703B2	Linerless label media Linerless label media comprises a substrate, a thermally-sensitive coating, and an adhesive. The substrate has a front side and a back side opposite the front side. The thermally-sensitive coating is disposed on the front side of the substrate. The adhesive is disposed on a portion of the back side of the substrate. The adhesive may comprise emulsion polymer particles and high-aspect reinforcement particles dispersed within the emulsion polymer particles to provide a relatively high level of reinforcement per reinforcement particle. The adhesive may include a tapered surface interconnecting first and second adhesive edge surfaces which extend substantially parallel to a longitudinally-extending axis. The substrate may comprise a transparent material. The thermally-sensitive coating may comprise a clear material.
US08852701B2	Self adhering membrane for roofing applications A preformed, self adhering single ply roofing membrane including a water impermeable membrane; a pressure sensitive, hot melt adhesive adhered to one side of the water impermeable membrane, and a release liner on the side of the pressure sensitive, hot melt adhesive opposite of the water impermeable membrane.
US08852694B2	Articles including surface microfeatures and methods for forming same A method of forming a polymer film includes dispensing a substrate and coating the substrate with a composition that is curable using actinic radiation. In an example, the method further includes exposing the composition to actinic radiation in presence of an atmosphere including 1 vol % to 37 vol % oxygen, whereby the surface of the composition forms an undulating morphology. In another example, the method further includes applying an oxygen-containing overlay over the composition, exposing the composition to actinic radiation through the oxygen-containing overlay, and removing the oxygen-containing overlay, whereby the surface of the composition forms an undulating morphology.
US08852686B2	Method of forming phase change material layer using Ge(II) source, and method of fabricating phase change memory device In one aspect, a method of forming a phase change material layer is provided. The method includes supplying a reaction gas including the composition of Formula 1 into a reaction chamber, supplying a first source which includes Ge(II) into the reaction chamber, and supplying a second source into the reaction chamber. Formula 1 is NR1R2R3, where R1, R2 and R3 are each independently at least one selected from the group consisting of H, CH3, C2H5, C3H7, C4H9, Si(CH3)3, NH2, NH(CH3), N(CH3)2, NH(C2H5) and N(C2H5)2.
US08852685B2	Coating method for gas delivery system A method of coating the inner surfaces of gas passages of a gas delivery system for a plasma process system such as a plasma etching system includes (a) flowing a fluidic precursor of a corrosion-resistant material through the gas passages and depositing a layer of the fluidic precursor to completely coat the inner surfaces of the gas passages; (b) removing excess fluidic precursor from the inner surfaces; (c) curing the deposited layer of the fluidic precursor to form a corrosion-resistant material coating.
US08852684B2	Finish for acrylic fiber processed into carbon fiber, and carbon fiber manufacturing method therewith A finish for acrylic fiber to be processed into carbon fiber includes an ester compound having at least three ester groups in its molecule and a silicone compound, wherein the silicone compound constitutes 10 to 50 weight percent of the whole of the nonvolatile matter of the finish. A method of manufacturing carbon fiber includes the processes of applying the finish for acrylic fiber to be processed into carbon fiber to acrylic fiber to be processed into carbon fiber; oxidative-stabilizing the finish-applied acrylic fiber in an oxidizing atmosphere at 200 to 300 deg. C. to convert the fiber into oxidized fiber; and carbonizing the oxidized fiber in an inert atmosphere at 200 to 3000 deg. C.
US08852682B2	Process for incremental coating of proppants for hydraulic fracturing and proppants produced therefrom A high strength composite particle comprised of a series of incrementally applied resin microlayer coatings such that each of the microlayer partial coatings are interleaved with each other is described. Methods of making the composite particles, as well as methods of using such particles as a proppant in oil and gas well hydraulic fracturing are also described.
US08852679B2	High-throughput combinatorial dip-coating methodologies for selecting particle-containing formulations and depositing contaminants on substrates Embodiments of the current invention describe a high performance combinatorial method and apparatus for the combinatorial development of coatings by a dip-coating process. The dip-coating process may be used for multiple applications, including forming coatings from varied sol-gel formulations, coating substrates uniformly with particles to combinatorially test particle removal formulations, and the dipping of substrates into texturing formulations to combinatorially develop the texturing formulations.
US08852676B2	Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) with enhanced magnetic stiffness and method of making same A spin toque transfer magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) element and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed having a free sub-layer structure with enhanced internal stiffness. A first free sub-layer is deposited, the first free sub-layer being made partially of boron (B), annealing is performed of the STTMRAM element at a first temperature after depositing the first free sub-layer to reduce the B content at an interface between the first free sub-layer and the barrier layer, the annealing causing a second free sub-layer to be formed on top of the first free sub-layer and being made partially of B, the amount of B of the second free sub-layer being greater than the amount of B in the first free sub-layer. Cooling down the STTMRAM element to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature and depositing a third free sub-layer directly on top of the second free layer, with the third free sub-layer being made partially of boron (B), wherein the amount of B in the third sub-free layer is less than the amount of B in the second free sub-layer.
US08852674B2	Method for segregating the alloying elements and reducing the residue resistivity of copper alloy layers Methods for forming interconnect or interconnections on a substrate for use in a microelectric device are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the method includes depositing an alloy layer comprising Cu and an alloying element, for, example, Mn, in a dielectric layer and segregating or diffusing the alloying element from the bulk Cu portion of the alloy layer. In one or more embodiments, the method includes annealing the alloy layer in an atomic hydrogen atmosphere. After annealing, the alloy layer exhibits a resistivity that is substantially equivalent to the resistivity of a pure Cu layer.
US08852672B2	Implant surface with increased hydrophilicity A method of increasing the hydrophilicity of an implant to be implanted into living bone. The method comprises the act of depositing non-toxic salt residuals on the surface of the implant by exposing the surface to a solution including the non-toxic salts. The method further comprises the act of drying the implant.
US08852669B2	Coating method and coating device for medical implants Methods and devices coat, at least regions of, a medical implant, preferably of an artificial joint or a fixation for a joint. The method provides a medical implant, fills a device with a liquid having at least one pharmaceutically active substance, wherein the device has a compressed, at least over regions thereof, elastic, porous transfer means increases a volume of the transfer means, whereby the liquid is taken up at least partly into the pores of the transfer means, and transfers the liquid from the transfer means to a medical implant surface to be coated. The device coats, at least regions of, a medical implant, by means of the method, whereby the device has a compressed, at least over regions thereof, elastic, porous transfer means.
US08852668B2	In-line bubble removal mechanism A mechanism for preventing or inhibiting bubbles of dissolved gasses from outgassing due to phase change phenomenon of the pressure differential inside a liquid-filled incompressible line can be provided. This mechanism may be useful in a variety of applications, such as coating of stents and scaffolds.
US08852662B2	String cheese cutting system A string cheese-forming machine provides for extrusion of cheese into control volumes, for example, implemented with tubes each movably blocked with a piston having a stop. Complete filling of each tube is detected before ejection of the cheese from the tubes is undertaken, thereby ensuring consistent product volume and weight.
US08852656B2	Sleep improvement composition An object of this invention is to provide a sleep improvement composition, which contains theanine and other components and can be used safely by anybody on a daily basis without side effects. This object is attained by a sleep improvement composition comprising: (a) theanine; and (b) at least one component selected from the group consisting of chamomile, lavender, Saint John's wort, kawakawa, valerian, passion flower, tryptophan, γ-aminobutyric acid, serotonin, melatonin, and cedrol.
US08852655B2	Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant cosmetic composition containing green tea polysaccharide and tricholoma matsutake extract Disclosed herein is a cosmetic composition which can inhibit skin aging resulting from external harmful environmental factors such as UV light and environmental pollution, which promote aging. More specifically, disclosed is a cosmetic composition, which contains green tea polysaccharide and Tricholoma matsutake extract and shows an excellent anti-aging effect by inhibiting skin inflammatory and oxidative processes.
US08852650B2	Use of BBI/BBIC for treatment of muscular atrophy and degenerative muscle disease Methods for use of a composition comprising Bowman-Birk Inhibitor (BBI) or a derivative thereof in the treatment and/or prevention of skeletal muscle atrophy, to improve of skeletal muscle function, and to alleviate symptoms and/or slow progression of degenerative skeletal muscle diseases or disorders are provided.
US08852646B2	Particulate implants and biodegradable fiducial markers Implantable materials may be used in an iatrogenic site. Applications include radioopaque materials for fiducial marking. Applications include a method of treating a patient with a pharmaceutically acceptable implant system comprising implanting a collection of pharmaceutically acceptable, covalently-crosslinked hydrogel particles, wherein the collection comprises a plurality of sets of the particles, with the sets having different rates of biodegradation.
US08852642B2	Glyphosate formulation The present invention provides a solid glyphosate formulation comprising glyphosate acid and further comprising at least one agriculturally acceptable salt of glyphosate, wherein the glyphosate acid and the at least one glyphosate salt are in admixture and wherein the mole ratio of glyphosate acid to total glyphosate moieties in the formulation is at least 10%. Methods of preparing said formulations are also provided. The present invention further provides a method of removing unwanted foliage comprising administering a diluted form of a formulation according to the present invention.
US08852639B2	Antimicrobial foam and method of manufacture An antimicrobial foam includes an open-cell foam in a foam matrix defining a plurality of interconnected bubbles therein. Silver nanoparticles are suspended within the foam matrix. The foam matrix may be made from polyether polyurethane, polyester polyurethane, polycarbonate, thermoplastic olefin, thermoplastic elastomer, and thermoplastic polyurethane. The silver nanoparticles may have an average size between about 5 and 100 nanometers. The silver nanoparticles may be incorporated into the foam matrix in a concentration of between about 0.01 weight-% and about 0.20 weight-%. A method of manufacture of the foam also is described.
US08852636B2	Pharmaceutical compositions for the coordinated delivery of NSAIDs The present invention is directed to drug dosage forms that release an agent that raises the pH of a patient's gastrointestinal tract, followed by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The dosage form is designed so that the NSAID is not released until the intragastric pH has been raised to a safe level. The invention also encompasses methods of treating patients by administering this coordinated release, gastroprotective, antiarthritic/analgesic combination unit dosage form to achieve pain and symptom relief with a reduced risk of developing gastrointestinal damage such as ulcers, erosions and hemorrhages.
US08852628B1	Transdermal drug delivery system for diclofenac Disclosed is a transdermal composition for delivery of diclofenac comprising the use of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or salt form in an admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable adhesive matrix carrier. In a preferred embodiment, diclofenac is present as the free acid and potassium salt form in the adhesive matrix composition together with a dual permeation enhancer. The adhesive matrix composition is applied in a method of substantially increasing drug delivery for 24 or more hours.
US08852624B2	Biomedical implants comprising surface-modified ceramic particles and biodegradable stereo complex polymers, its use for suppressing inflammation and improvement of mechanical property, and preparation method thereof A biomedical implant according to this invention comprises ceramic complex, which includes a surface-modified basic ceramic particles, which are basic ceramic particles modified their surface with first biodegradable polymers, and the second biodegradable polymers. The first and second biodegradable polymer are combined each other and form a stereo complex. The biomedical implant has a superior effect to suppress inflammation caused by degradation of biodegradable polymers with improving its mechanical property.
US08852619B2	Compositions of dibromomalonamide and their use as biocides A biocidal composition comprising 2,2-dibromomalonamide and 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide, and its use for the control of microorganisms in aqueous and water-containing systems.
US08852617B2	Antimicrobial dental care preparation A dental care preparation in a form of a toothpaste or tooth gel dentifrice includes an antimicrobial amount of at least one antimicrobial N-methylol transfer agent, and at least one of a fluoride compound or a source of fluoride ions.
US08852615B1	Clear, greaseless skin-care compositions The present invention relates to compositions including anhydrous compositions which include a dimethicone crosspolymer and/or dimethicone elastomer gum and one or more skin care products which may include retinoic acid, retinoic acid derivatives, retinal, retinol and/or retinyl esters, and methods of making, storing, and using such compositions.
US08852603B2	Inhibition of secretion from non-neuronal cells The present invention relates to treatment of disease by inhibition of cellular secretory processes, to agents and compositions therefor, and to manufacture of those agents and compositions. The present invention relates particularly, to treatment of disease dependent upon the exocytotic activity of endocrine cells, exocrine cells, inflammatory cells, cells of the immune system, cells of the cardiovascular system and bone cells.
US08852602B2	Immunological herpes simplex virus antigens and methods for use thereof The invention provides HSV antigens that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection. Disclosed herein are antigens and/or their constituent epitopes confirmed to be recognized by T-cells derived from herpetic lesions or from uterine cervix. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection.
US08852598B2	Puumala virus full-length M segment-based DNA vaccines The invention contemplates a new synthetic, codon-optimized Puumala virus (PUUV) full-length M gene open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a unique consensus amino acid sequence. The PUUV ORF was cloned into a plasmid to form the first stable PUUV full-length M gene that elicits neutralizing antibodies. The gene can be engineered into a molecular vaccine system, and is useful to protect mammals against infection with Puumala virus.
US08852596B1	Detection of Giardia lamblia trophozoites and cysts and protection against G. lamblia infection Immunolocalization of β- and δ-giardin in Giardia lamblia trophozoites revealed that both giardins are strictly associated with the ventral disc. Optical sectioning of immunolabeled ventral disc, together with quantitative co-localization of δ- and β-giardin immunoreactivity, demonstrated that δ-giardin is primarily localized to the ventral side, and β-giardin is localized to the dorsal side of the ventral disc. Antibodies to δ-giardin and β-giardin can both be used as diagnostic agents; anti-δ-giardin antibody can be used as a therapeutic reagent to inhibit binding of trophozoites to host cells.
US08852593B2	Antagonist antibodies and their fab fragments against GPVI and uses thereof The present invention discloses novel antibodies that specifically bind to the human platelet membrane protein Glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and their monovalent fragments or derivatives. The antibodies of the invention are antibodies from hybridoma clone 390 and fragment antibodies thereof able to induce a GPVI depletion phenotype. These antibodies and Fab fragments are able to block collagen binding and thus preventing platelet activation by collagen. The invention also relates to hybridoma clones and expression plasmids for the production of disclosed antibodies and Fab fragments. The present invention further refers to the uses of monovalent antibody fragments to manufacture research, diagnostic and immunotherapeutic agents for the treatment of thrombosis and other vascular diseases. The invention also concerns a Fab bearing a molecule at the C-terminal extremity, as well as method for prevention of recognition of Fab by antibodies using such modified Fab. The invention concerns a method for prevention of platelet activation when an anti-GP VI Fab is used.
US08852592B2	Systems and methods for anti-PAX8 antibodies The present invention is related to the anti-PAX8 antibodies, kits, cocktails, and use of anti-PAX8 antibodies for detection of cancer.
US08852590B2	Compositions and methods for treating cancer A method of treating a cancer with an mTOR inhibitor and an anti-IGF-1 R antibody is disclosed.
US08852578B2	Combination therapy for treatment of patients with neurological disorders and cerebral infarction The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating stroke patients using TCM and a Western medicament used for the treatment of stroke patients.
US08852577B2	Recombinant proteins of Parapoxvirus ovis and pharmaceutical compositions therefrom The invention relates to polynucleotides coding for the PPVO viral genome, to fragments of the polynucleotides coding for the PPVO genome and to polynucleotides coding for individual open reading frames (ORFs) of the PPVO viral genome. The invention also relates to recombinant proteins expressed from the above mentioned polynucleotides and to fragments of said recombinant proteins, and to the use of said recombinant proteins or fragments for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions.
US08852575B2	Cardiac muscle repair or regeneration using bone marrow-derived stem cells Disclosed are compositions and methods for method of treating a subject having reduced cardiac function or cardiac disease by administering adult bone marrow-derived stem cells to an individual. In some embodiments, the subject is a myocardial infarction patient or congestive heart failure patient. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectable 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.
US08852572B2	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.
US08852562B2	Artificial tanning solution and other fluid application apparatus, system and method An apparatus, method, composition, and system for coating of the skin of a person with a fluid. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a relatively small, lightweight framework that supports a reservoir for containing a tanning solution, a plurality of misting heads for simultaneously dispensing relatively short, gentle misting bursts of the tanning solution upon operation of actuators.
US08852554B2	Radiolabelled PDE10 ligands The present invention relates to novel, selective, radiolabelled PDE10 ligands which are useful for imaging and quantifying the PDE10A enzyme in tissues, using positron-emission tomography (PET). The invention is also directed to compositions comprising such compounds, to processes for preparing such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds and compositions for imaging a tissue, cells or a host, in vitro or in vivo.
US08852547B2	Processes for the recovery of catalytic metal and carbon nanotubes A new method for recovering a catalytic metal and carbon nanotubes from a supported catalyst is provided. The carbon nanotube, including carbon nanotube structures, may serve as the support for the catalytic metal. The valence state of the catalytic metal, if not already in the positive state, is raised to a positive state by contacting the supported catalyst with a mild oxidizing agent under conditions which does not destroy the carbon nanotube. The supported catalyst is simultaneously or subsequently contacted with an acid solution to dissolve the catalytic metal without dissolving the carbon nanotube.
US08852544B2	Process for preparing porous silica particles, said particles and uses thereof The present invention relates to a process for preparing a porous silica particle comprising a step that consists in preparing a silica particle comprising a water-soluble pore-forming agent then in removing said pore-forming agent by dissolution. It also relates to the porous silica particles capable of being prepared by this process and to their various uses and applications.
US08852543B2	Rare earth metal compounds, methods of making, and methods of using the same Rare earth metal compounds, particularly lanthanum, cerium, and yttrium, are formed as porous particles and are effective in binding metals, metal ions, and phosphate. A method of making the particles and a method of using the particles is disclosed. The particles may be used in the gastrointestinal tract or the bloodstream to remove phosphate or to treat hyperphosphatemia in mammals. The particles may also be used to remove metals from fluids such as water.
US08852541B2	Systems and methods for removing impurities from a feed fluid Systems and methods for removing impurities from a feed fluid in a single vessel. A method generally includes, in single vessel, contacting a feed fluid passing through the vessel with a copper-based material for removing oxygen from the feed fluid; and contacting the feed fluid passing through the vessel with an adsorbent for removing at least one of water, carbon dioxide, and oxygenated hydrocarbons from the feed fluid.
US08852534B2	Multi-sample holder for decomposition or extraction There is described a sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame adapted to receive at least two open-ended sample recipients thereon for holding the sample material; and a rack cover releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps to be positioned above the at least two open-ended sample recipients to form pressure-relief valves thereon.
US08852533B2	Controlled pressure release vessel for microwave assisted chemistry A controlled release and self-resealing vessel assembly for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The vessel assembly includes a microwave-transparent, heat expandable reaction vessel having at least two cylindrical portions axially adjacent one another, with one of the portions having a diameter larger than the diameter of the other portion. A transition portion is between the two cylindrical portions, the vessel mouth is in the larger-diameter portion, and a cylindrical retaining sleeve surrounds the vessel.
US08852531B2	System for detecting microbial contamination The present invention relates to a system for detecting microbial contamination of a liquid specimen comprising a device for concentrating micro-organisms from a liquid specimen, having (i) a hypobaric chamber, (ii) a filter housing comprising a liquid-permeable bed of an adsorbent material and adapted for being fluidly connected to said hypobaric chamber, and (iii) a vacuum pump adapted for being fluidly connected to said hypobaric chamber, said system further comprising a kit for detection of micro-organisms adsorbed to said adsorbent material, wherein said kit is based on enzymatic detection using chromogenic and/or fluorescent substrate analogs.
US08852530B2	Automated analyzer An automated analyzer according to an embodiment includes a probe. The probe has a step part configured to be provided between a lower shaft and an upper shaft, and to be formed such that the outer diameter changes. A descending controller lowers the probe from a predefined position that positions the step part above the liquid surface to an operating position that positions the step part below the liquid surface. A ascending controller raises the probe at a high speed from the operating position until immediately before the step part reaches the position of the liquid surface, subsequently raises the probe at a low speed until the step part passes through the liquid surface, and raises the probe at a higher speed than the low speed from immediately after the step part passes through the position of the liquid surface up to the predefined position.
US08852529B2	Particle processing device using centrifugal force A particle processing device includes a substrate and at least one fluidic path. The substrate is rotatable with respect to the middle region thereof. The fluidic path is provided in the substrate to extend from the middle region to a peripheral region. The fluidic path transfers a fluid having a particle from an input portion to an output portion of the fluidic pather by using a centrifugal force of the rotation of the substrate. A capturing region is formed between the input portion and the output portion of the fluidic path to have a changeable sectional shape for capturing the particle.
US08852528B2	Fragrance product, dispenser, and dispenser assembly A fragrance product is disclosed including a container containing liquid fragrance and a dispenser assembly for dispensing the liquid fragrance including a transport assembly and a tube connected to the transport assembly and extending into the liquid fragrance. The tube and the liquid fragrance each have a refractive index, and the difference between the refractive index of the tube and the liquid fragrance is not greater than about 0.04.
US08852524B2	Cell counting slide with lateral reservoir for promoting uniform cell distribution Cells in a suspension are counted in a hemocytometer slice with a chamber of controlled depth and one or more reservoirs along one or more side edges of the chamber. The suspension is fed to a reservoir to first fill the reservoir, and then to overflow into the chamber. The result is an even distribution of the cells in the chamber.
US08852523B1	Ordered open-cellular materials for mass transfer and/or phase separation applications A mass transfer system including a housing and a three-dimensional ordered open-cellular micro-truss material within the housing for a mass transfer application. Here, the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular micro-truss material includes a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction, a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction, and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third ordered truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material. In one embodiment, the continuous material is a metal material.
US08852521B2	System and method for producing ultrafine metal particles suspended in aqueous medium The present disclosure is drawn to methods and systems for producing solutions containing ultrafine metal particles. The method for producing ultrafine metal particles in an aqueous medium includes providing a reaction chamber having a transition metal anode and a transition metal cathode disposed therein. The reaction chamber can also contain an aqueous medium. An anode and cathode are associated at a distance with respect to one another such that when activated by a power source, a discharge arc occurs between the anode and cathode within the aqueous medium. Activation of a power source causes the discharge arc to occur between the anode and the cathode, thereby generating ultrafine metal particles suspended within the aqueous medium.
US08852512B2	Monitor and a method for measuring oxygen concentration A monitor for monitoring the concentration of oxygen in a fuel or in an ullage over a fuel comprises (i) a sensing element comprising a luminescent substance comprising a luminophore and a support in which the luminophore is covalently bound to the support, (ii) a light source arranged to irradiate the sensing element with light, and (iii) a photosensor arranged to detect light emitted from the luminescent substance. The luminescent substance may be, for example, a platinum porphyrin covalently bound to silica.
US08852511B2	Automatic analyzer To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.
US08852507B2	Interfacing apparatus between a pneumatic mail system and a feeding system of biological product containers to a laboratory automation system An interface apparatus between a pneumatic mail system and a feeding system of biological products to a laboratory automation system is described, the apparatus comprising a capsule suitable for being conveyed in a pneumatic mail system which accommodates therein one or more biological material containers, said capsule opening and connecting to a device for transferring said biological material containers contained in said capsule into at least one recruiting device of said biological product containers, said at least one recruiting device being used to load said containers of biological products into a positioning device interfaced with a gripping device of said biological product container for transferring said biological product container on an automatic conveyor belonging to a laboratory automation system. Said capsule has an inner chamber containing foam elements adapted to withhold said biological product containers present in said capsule.
US08852506B2	Sample analyzer and method of notifying user by the same A sample analyzer comprising: a first container set section in which a first reagent container, wherein the first container set section includes a first operating section which is operated by a user when setting the first reagent container; a first detector configured to detect an operation of the first operating section; a second container set section in which a second reagent container, wherein the second container set section includes a second operating section which is operated by the user when setting the second reagent container; a second detector configured to detect an operation of the second operating section; an output section; and a controller configured to control the output section to output a predetermined notification, if the second detector detects the operation of the second operating section by the user when it is required to set the first reagent container in the first container set section.
US08852505B2	Hematological analyzer on whole blood with stirring device A hematological analyzer on whole blood, for analyzing bloods contained in tubes, wherein the tubes are brought and treated in tube mode by the tube. The analyzer includes a stirring device for receiving a blood tube and stirring the blood tube according to a selected stirring mode, a controller connected to the stirring device for stirring the blood tube under conditions controlled according to specific parameters, and a sampling mechanism for extracting a blood sample in the blood tube previously stirred by the stirring device and transferring the blood sample to an analyzing unit. The analyzer is applicable in particular to hematological analyzers for blood cell count.
US08852503B2	Method of biological soil decontamination A method of biological soil decontamination, including the introduction into the soil of a product that contains a material chosen from a group consisting of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The product introduced into the soil does not contain any unprocessed fresh plants or unprocessed fresh plant residues. The method also includes the application of a barrier layer over the soil, e.g., between the soil and the air.
US08852501B2	Method for removing or treating harmful biological and chemical substances within structures and enclosures A process for removing or treating harmful biological and chemical substances from an enclosure, such as a building or vehicle by using heated air. The method of the present invention is non-toxic and can be performed in a relatively short amount of time while effectively killing and removing a large proportion of dead organisms and substantially reducing volatile organic compounds.
US08852499B2	Nanocrystalline alloys of the FE3AL(RU) type and use thereof optionally in nanocrystalline form for making electrodes for sodium chlorate synthesis The invention concerns a nanocrystalline alloy of the formula: Fe3−xAl1+xMyTz wherein: M represents at least one catalytic specie selected from the group consisting of Ru, Ir, Pd, Pt, Rh, Os, Re, Ag and Ni; T represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mo, Co, Cr, V, Cu, Zn, Nb, W, Zr, Y, Mn, Cd, Si, B, C, O, N, P, F, S, Cl and Na; x is a number larger than −1 and smaller than or equal to +1 y is a number larger than 0 and smaller or equal to +1 z is a number ranging between 0 and +1 The invention also concerns the use of this alloy in a nanocrystalline form or not for the fabrication of electrodes which in particular, can be used for the synthesis of sodium chlorate.
US08852492B2	Heating device and heating method for blow molding machine as well as blow molding machine A heating device and a heating method for a blow molding machine comprise a heating element for radiating heat radiation for heating of preforms. A bottom reflector is movable relative to a counter reflector and is arranged opposite to the heating element for reflection of heat radiation radiated by the heating element in the direction of the preforms. A setting device is used for setting a position (LA+BM, LB+BM) of the bottom reflector relative to the counter reflector.
US08852486B2	Low-stress molded gasket and method of making same A molded discrete low stress gasket is constructed of restructured filled PTFE for use in corrosive or severe chemical environments under relatively low bolt loads. The gasket has a gasket surface and includes a raised outer sealing ring and a raised inner sealing ring. The gasket may constructed from a restructured filled PTFE material, with the sealing rings deforming at lower pressures than the remaining portions of the gasket.
US08852485B2	Dry-forming three dimensional wood fiber webs A method for the dry-formation of a deep drawn, three-dimensional wood fiber structural core is provided. The method comprises providing a preformed, substantially flat, dry-formed mat of wood fibers, providing a three-dimensional mold, introducing the dry-formed mat of wood fibers into the three-dimensional mold, and drawing and molding the mat of wood fibers into said three-dimensional wood fiber structural core.
US08852483B2	Method and apparatus for producing figured veneer A method for making a piece of figured veneer comprises softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and advancing the sheet of veneer between a first roller having a semi-flexible outer surface and a second roller. Apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer comprises a device for softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and first and second rollers between which the sheet of veneer is pressed. The first roller has a semi-flexible outer surface.
US08852482B2	Method and apparatus for incrementally stretching a web A method and apparatus is provided which uses activation members for incrementally stretching a web at a low strain rate. The activation members include an activation belt and a single activation member wherein the activation belt and single activation member comprise a plurality of teeth and grooves that complement and engage one another at a depth of engagement in a deformation zone. The depth of engagement can be controlled to increase linearly over at least a portion of the deformation zone such that a web interposed between the activation belt and the single activation member in the deformation zone is incrementally stretched at a low rate of strain.
US08852480B2	Method for manufacturing hollow structure for breathing mask A method for producing a filled hollow structure includes producing an open hollow structure of a first material, positioning the open hollow structure on a tool adapted to hold the open hollow structure, filling the open hollow structure with a filler medium, and closing the filled open hollow structure with a second material. A hollow structure may be produced by such method, and a tool may be structured to perform such method.
US08852479B2	Escape route marking for an aircraft and method for producing an escape route marking Escape route marking for an aircraft comprising photoluminescent pigments in a carrier material, which luminesce in the dark, the carrier material comprising silicone and the photoluminescent pigments having a mean particle size of less than 150 μm.
US08852476B2	Method for producing thin flake A process for forming thin flake particles includes coating the liquid release agent over a base substrate, forming a multilayer structure by depositing a thin film over the liquid release agent, collecting the multilayer structure, and separating the thin flake from the multilayer structure using a suitable solvent. The liquid release agent comprises a curable compound that can form a solidified layer less than 0.001 mm thick onto which the thin film can be deposited. Separation requires little solvent because of the thinness of the solidified layer.
US08852471B2	Optical-parts molding die and optical-parts manufacturing method A die having a plurality of cavities and a temperature sensor for acquiring a temperature value in which the number of the cavities is larger than that of electrothermal conversion elements. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of a parting line, all cavities and a temperature sensor are arranged in a region occupied by the electrothermal conversion elements. Interval between the outlines of the cavities is smaller than the minimum interval between the outline of the cavity and the electrothermal conversion element, and the shortest distance between the electrothermal conversion element and the temperature measuring portion of a temperature measuring element is shorter than the minimum interval between the outline of the cavity and the electrothermal conversion element.
US08852469B2	Optical member, display device having the same and method of fabricating the same Disclosed are an optical member, a display device including the optical member and a method of fabricating the optical member. The display device includes a light source; a wavelength conversion member into which light generated from the light source is incident; and a display panel into which light is incident from the wavelength conversion member. The wavelength conversion member includes a receiving part having a pipe shape; a matrix in the receiving part; and a plurality of wavelength conversion particles disposed in the matrix to convert a wavelength of the light generated from the light source.
US08852468B2	Phosphonate-substituted lignin as a flame retardant Modified lignin having covalently attached phosphorous containing groups and methods for preparing such compounds are described herein. The modified lignin described herein provides a renewable source of flame retardant material.
US08852465B2	Electro-conductive paste for forming an electrode of a solar cell device, a solar cell device and method for producing the solar cell device In order to provide an electro-conductive paste bringing no increase of the contact resistance for forming an electrode of a solar cell device, the electro-conductive paste is characterized by containing an electro-conductive particle, an organic binder, a solvent, a glass frit, and an organic compound including alkaline earth metal, a metal with a low melting point or a compound affiliated with a metal with a low melting point.
US08852463B2	Metal fine particle for conductive metal paste, conductive metal paste and metal film A metal fine particle for a conductive metal paste includes a protective agent covering a surface of the metal fine particle. An amount of heat generated per unit mass (g) of the metal fine particle is not less than 500 J at a temperature of an external heat source temperature in a range of 200° C. to 300° C. when being calcined by the external heat source. The protective agent includes at least one selected from the group consisting of dipropylamine, dibutylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine, butanethiol, pentanethiol, hexanethiol, heptanethiol, octanethiol, nonanethiol, decanethiol, undecanethiol and dodecanethiol. The content of the protective agent is in a range of 0.1 to 20% by mass with respect to the mass of the metal fine particle.
US08852455B2	Europium-activated, beta-SiAlON based green phosphors Embodiments of the present invention are directed a β-SiAlON:Eu2+based green emitting phosphor having the formula Eux(A1)6−z(A2)zOyN8−z(A3)2(x+z−y), where 0
US08852450B2	Deicing formulation utilizing co-products from lignocellulose to bio fuel process The use of a side stream and residue from the lignocellulose to ethanol process for use in preventing the formation of ice and in melting ice and snow on roadways. The future lignocellulose to ethanol industry will provide a significant proportion of these streams that provide an organic solution that when added to chloride salts of calcium, magnesium and sodium provides an improved environmentally friendly road deicing product with reduced corrosiveness and increased friction. A deicer composition of calcium chloride aqueous solution containing 25-38% by weight calcium chloride mixed up to 50% by volume of hemicellulose hydrolysis side stream can reduce the corrosivity of calcium chloride to 70% less that of a sodium chloride solution.
US08852444B2	Sorting two-dimensional nanomaterials by thickness The present teachings provide, in part, methods of separating two-dimensional nanomaterials by atomic layer thickness. In certain embodiments, the present teachings provide methods of generating graphene nanomaterials having a controlled number of atomic layer(s).
US08852443B2	Filtration system with a variable restriction orifice Various “no filter, no run” fuel filtration designs are described that include a variable restriction orifice (VRO) designed to vary the amount of fluid, for example fuel, that reaches a fluid outlet. The VRO has a fully open position at which a maximum non-zero fluid flow is permitted, and a fully closed position at which a limited amount of fluid can flow to the outlet. In the case of diesel fuel, the amount of fuel flow permitted at the fully closed position provides lubrication of downstream fuel system components, for example the fuel pump, but is insufficient to permit engine operation.
US08852436B2	Solvent removal and recovery from inorganic and organic solutions A process for recovering solvents from inorganic and organic solutions is disclosed. The process utilizes a polymer capable of selectively extracting the solvent from the inorganic or organic solution. Introduction of the polymer into the solvent solution creates formation of a polymer-rich phase and a solute-rich phase. The recovered solvent may be separated from the polymer-rich phase by heating the polymer-rich phase to at least the cloud point of the polymer. The polymer and/or solute may be recycled for further use in the solvent recovery process.
US08852432B2	Induced symbiotic osmosis [ISO] for seawater deslination and pumping to high altitude An induced symbiotic osmosis pump (ISOP) (and method of using same) comprising: a closed loop comprising a riser pipe and a downpipe having substantially the same length fluidly communicating at a base with an induced osmosis semipermeable membrane and fluidly communicating at an opposed end with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a pressure exchanger fluidly communicating with a reverse osmosis membrane, the downpipe comprising a check valve; the induced osmosis semipermeable membrane of the closed loop fluidly communicating with an initial reverse osmosis module fluidly communicating with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a source of fluid having an initial salinity; the brine pump electronically communicating with an electrical source; and, the reverse osmosis membrane fluidly communicating with a storage tank.
US08852429B2	Method for processing froth treatment tailings A method for processing froth treatment tailings, including separating the froth treatment tailings in order to produce a coarse mineral material fraction and a fine mineral material fraction therefrom, subjecting the coarse mineral material fraction to froth flotation in order to produce a heavy mineral concentrate and a coarse mineral material tailings therefrom, and subjecting the heavy mineral concentrate to solvent extraction in order to produce a debitumenized heavy mineral concentrate and a bitumen extract therefrom.
US08852428B2	Hydrorefining method The hydrorefining method of the invention is characterized by contacting, in the presence of hydrogen, a fuel stock comprising normal paraffins and oxygen-containing compounds, with a hydrorefining catalyst comprising a support containing USY zeolite and at least one solid acid selected from among silica-alumina, alumina-boria, silica-zirconia, silica-magnesia and silica-titania, and at least one metal selected from among metals of Group VIb and metals of Group VIII of the Periodic Table supported on the support.
US08852424B1	Sequestering polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in asphalt This invention is based upon the discovery that activated carbon can be used to sequester polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that may be present in asphalt and creosote compositions. The treatment of asphalt and creosote compositions with activated carbon accordingly reduces the level of free polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in such compositions by sequestering them therein or removing them from the composition. After being sequestered the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons remain trapped in the asphalt or creosote composition, and are not available to the environment during normal processing into useful industrial products. This sequestration reduces the risk of exposing humans and the environment to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which would otherwise be free to migrate from the asphalt or creosote product during manufacturing and the service life of the product. In other words, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are absorbed onto the activated carbon and are not available for bioaccumulation from the environment.
US08852422B2	Concentration determination in a diffusion barrier layer The present invention relates to improved electrochemical biosensor strips and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. By selectively measuring a measurable species residing in a diffusion barrier layer, to the substantial exclusion of the measurable species residing exterior to the diffusion barrier layer, measurement errors introduced by sample constituents, such as red blood cells, and manufacturing variances may be reduced.
US08852421B2	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.
US08852419B2	Method and apparatus for recycling high-vapor pressure, low-electronegativity metals Recycling methods and apparatus produce elements of high purity from diverse feedstock materials melted in an electronically conductive liquid. Distinct anodes are used in respective circuits configured for electrorefining and electrowinning. The electrorefining circuit is operable to produce an element in a gaseous state. The electrowinning circuit includes a SOM anode, allowing feedstock materials incorporating significant oxide constituents to be recycled. The methods and apparatus are suitable for magnesium recycling.
US08852417B2	Electrolytic process using anion permeable barrier Processes and systems for electrolytically processing a microfeature workpiece with a first processing fluid and a counter electrode are described. Microfeature workpieces are electrolytically processed using a first processing fluid, a counter electrode, a second processing fluid, and an anion permeable barrier layer. The anion permeable barrier layer separates the first processing fluid from the second processing fluid while allowing certain anionic species to transfer between the two fluids. Some of the described processes produce deposits over repeated plating cycles that exhibit resistivity values within desired ranges.
US08852415B2	Sensor element having limiting current calibration free of cracks A sensor element for determining at least one physical property of a gas in a measuring gas chamber, particularly for determining an oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas. The sensor element includes at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode, and at least one solid electrolyte connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. The second electrode is situated on the inside of the sensor element and is able to have gas from the measuring gas chamber applied to it via at least one gas access hole and at least one diffusion barrier. At least partially gas-impermeable cover layer is provided on the diffusion barrier, at least from area to area. The gas access hole has at least one chamfer in the vicinity of the cover layer.
US08852412B2	Magnetron source and method of manufacturing A magnetron source comprises a target (39) with a sputtering surface and a back surface. A magnet arrangement (30, 32, 19a, 19b) is drivingly moved along the backside of the target (39). A tunnel-shaped magnetron magnetic field is generated between an outer loop (30) and an inner loop (32) of the magnet arrangement. Elongated pivotable or rotatable permanent magnet arrangements (19a, 19b) of the magnet arrangement are provided in an interspace between the outer and inner loops (30, 32) of the overall arrangement.
US08852409B2	High purity ceramic oxygen generator A high purity ceramic oxygen generator incorporating a module utilizing a plurality of tubular ceramic membrane elements and configured to operate in: (i) a pressurizing mode to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed stream when an electric potential difference is applied to induce oxygen ion transport in an electrolyte thereof; and (ii) an idle mode when the electric potential difference is removed. The ceramic oxygen generator further includes one or more manifolds as well as one or more automatic purge valves located upstream of the oxygen receiving tank. The purge valve is opened for a pre-set duration upon initiation of the pressurization mode to purge any nitrogen or other contaminating gas that diffuses into the ceramic oxygen generator during idle mode thereby ensuring the desired purity level of oxygen is received by the oxygen receiving tank.
US08852408B2	Electrochemical liquid cell apparatus An electrochemical cell apparatus is disclosed where the cell has a chamber for containing an electrolyte. The chamber is situated between a bottom and a top substrate. One or more bottom windows are in the bottom substrate and one or more top windows are in the top substrate. Each window has a window cover facing the chamber. The top window and bottom window each have a portion in alignment so that an electron beam passes through both respective portions. A spacer is deposited between the top and bottom substrate and forming walls surrounding the chamber. Two or more electrodes, each having an interior portion that is within the chamber and electrically continuous with an exterior portion external to the chamber, are located on the chamber side of the bottom substrate.
US08852398B2	Rolled tissue products The present invention provides tissue products having increased CD stretch, which may be manufactured using a process in which the nascent web is subjected to two distinct rush transfers. The first rush transfer occurs when the web is transferred from the forming fabric to the transfer fabric, i.e., the “first position,” and the second occurs when the web is transferred from the transfer fabric to the through-air drying fabric (TAD) fabric, i.e., the “second position.” The overall speed differential between the forming fabric and the TAD fabric may be, for example, from about 10 to about 50 percent, with the amount of rush transfer being divided between the first and second position in a manner sufficient to achieve the desired CD stretch and other sheet properties.
US08852397B2	Methods of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet prepared with a perforated polymeric belt A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet. The method includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a dewatered web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber orientation. The dewatered web is applied to a translating transfer. The web from the transfer surface is belt-creped at a consistency of from about 30% to about 60%, utilizing a generally planar polymeric creping belt having a plurality of perforations. The belt-creping step occurs under pressure in a belt creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping belt. The belt travels at a belt speed that is slower than the speed of the transfer surface, and the web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt to form a web having a plurality of interconnected regions of different local basis weights.
US08852390B2	Substrate processing apparatus A substrate processing apparatus includes: a cylindrical shaped chamber configured to accommodate a substrate; a movable electrode capable of moving along a central axis of the cylindrical shaped chamber within the cylindrical shaped chamber; a facing electrode facing the movable electrode within the cylindrical shaped chamber; and an expansible/contractible partition wall connecting the movable electrode with an end wall on one side of the cylindrical shaped chamber. In the substrate processing apparatus, a high frequency power is applied to a first space between the movable electrode and the facing electrode, a processing gas is introduced thereto, and the movable electrode is not in contact with a sidewall of the cylindrical shaped chamber. At least one low dielectric member is provided in a second space between the movable electrode and the end wall on one side of the cylindrical shaped chamber.
US08852389B2	Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method There is provided a plasma processing apparatus capable of stably generating plasma by suppressing oscillation of a plasma potential, and capable of preventing contamination caused by sputtering a facing electrode made of metal. A high frequency bias power is applied to an electrode within a mounting table for mounting a target object thereon. An extended protrusion 60 is formed at an inner peripheral surface of a cover member 27. The extended protrusion 60 is formed toward a plasma generation space S and serves as a facing electrode facing an electrode 7 within a mounting table 5 with the plasma generation space S therebetween. A ratio of a surface area of the facing electrode with respect to that of an electrode for bias (facing electrode surface area/bias electrode area) is in a range of from about 1 to about 5.
US08852386B2	Plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing apparatus includes a shower head that supplies a gas toward a substrate in a shower pattern through a plurality of gas discharge holes provided in a facing surface of the shower head facing a mounting table; a multiple number of gas exhaust holes provided in the facing surface of the shower head; a vertically movable ring-shaped member that is installed along a circumference of the mounting table and is configured to form, at a raised position, a processing space surrounded by the mounting table, the shower head and the ring-shaped member; a multiplicity of gas supply holes opened in an inner wall of the ring-shaped member to supply a gas into the processing space; and a plurality of gas exhaust holes opened in an inner wall of the ring-shaped member to evacuate the processing space.
US08852385B2	Plasma etching apparatus and method An upper electrode and a lower electrode are disposed opposite to each other in a process container configured to be vacuum-exhausted. The upper electrode is connected to a first RF power supply configured to apply a first RF power for plasma generation. The lower electrode is connected to a second RF power supply configured to apply a second RF power for ion attraction. The second RF power supply is provided with a controller preset to control the second RF power supply to operate in a power modulation mode that executes power modulation in predetermined cycles between a first power set to deposit polymers on a predetermined film on a wafer and a second power set to promote etching of the predetermined film on the wafer.
US08852381B2	Stretchable absorbent article A method for making an absorbent article includes the steps of applying a layer of adhesive composition to a stretchable substrate and applying a layer of particulate superabsorbent material to the adhesive composition after applying the adhesive composition to the stretchable substrate.
US08852380B2	Concrete cure blanket having reflective bubble layer and method of manufacturing A method of manufacturing a lightweight multilayer heat reflective concrete cure blanket having a moisture-impervious top outer layer, a moisture-impervious bottom outer layer, and the top and bottom layers sealingly connected to each other at the boundaries of the layers to form a moisture-impervious chamber between the first and second layers. The chamber includes at least one bubble type insulative layer therein, and the bottom surface of the blanket comprises a heat reflective material to reflect heat emanating from the concrete when the blanket is placed over the concrete. In a further embodiment, heat reflective material is applied to at least one inner bubble type layer to reflect additional heat which radiates from the concrete through the insulative layer and back towards the concrete.
US08852377B2	Container with insulative label An insulative label is provided for a beverage container to reduce heat transfer, particularly heat transfer by conduction from a consumer's hand to the beverage container. The label comprises a dual-ply construction, with a grid pattern placed between the layered materials. Preferably, the label comprises a film base layer secured to the container, the grid pattern comprising an ink and varnish mixture printed over the film base layer, and a laminate top layer secured to the film base layer. Air is trapped in the gaps or spaces between the protrusions created by the grid pattern, and the trapped air insulates the container. The label has a very thin profile, thereby not perceptibly changing the appearance of the label or the container.
US08852366B2	Method for producing steel pipe with excellent expandability A steel pipe with excellent expandability, comprising, by mass %, C: 0.1 to 0.45%, Si: 0.3 to 3.5%, Mn: 0.5 to 5%, P: less than or equal to 0.03%, S: less than or equal to 0.01%, soluble Al: 0.01 to 0.8% (more than or equal to 0.1% in case Si content is less than 1.5%), N: less than or equal to 0.05%, O: less than or equal to 0.01%, and balance being Fe and impurities, having a mixed microstructure comprising ferrite and one or more selected from fine pearlite, bainite and martensite, and having a tensile strength of more than or equal to 600 MPa and a uniform elongation satisfying following formula (1).This steel pipe, having the above described chemical composition, can be obtained, for example, by being heated at temperatures from 700 to 790° C., then being forced-cooled down to a temperature of lower than or equal to 100° C. with the cooling rate of greater than or equal to 100° C./min at the temperature from 700 to 500° C. u-el≧28−0.0075TS (1), wherein u-el means uniform elongation (%), and TS means tensile strength (MPa).
US08852365B2	Weldable high-strength aluminum alloys An aluminum alloy comprises aluminum, magnesium, scandium, and an enhancing system. The magnesium is from about 0.5 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight based on the aluminum alloy. The scandium is from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight based on the aluminum alloy. The enhancing system is from about 0.05 percent to about 1.5 percent by weight based on the aluminum alloy.
US08852363B2	Magnesium alloy sheet material The invention offers a magnesium alloy sheet material having excellent plastic processibility and rigidity and a magnesium alloy formed body having excellent rigidity. The sheet material has magnesium alloy that forms the matrix containing hard particles. The region from the surface of the sheet material to a position away from the surface by 40% of the thickness of the sheet material is defined as the surface region, and the remaining region as the center region. Hard particles existing in the center region have a maximum diameter of more than 20 μm and less than 50 μm, and hard particles existing in the surface region have a maximum diameter of 20 μm or less. Because the hard particles existing at the surface side are fine particles, they are less likely to become the starting point of cracking or another defect at the time of plastic processing. Because the hard particles existing in the center region are coarse, they can increase the rigidity of the sheet material.
US08852361B2	Stainless steel sheet with excellent heat and corrosion resistances for brake disk A stainless steel sheet with excellent heat and corrosion resistances for a brake disk is provided. Specifically, in mass %, C: less than 0.10%, Si: 1.0% or less, Mn: 1.0 to 2.5%, P: 0.04% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Cr: more than 11.5% but not more than 15.0%, Ni: 0.1 to 1.0%, Al: 0.10% or less, Nb: more than 0.08% but not more than 0.6%, V: 0.02 to 0.3%, and N: more than 0.03% but not more than 0.10% are contained so that 0.03≦{C+N−(13/93)Nb}≦0.10, (5Cr+10Si+15Mo+30Nb+50V−9Ni−5Mn−3Cu−225N−270C)≦45, and {(14/50)V+(14/90)Nb}
US08852352B2	Method of cleaning air diffuser apparatus An air diffuser apparatus component in a membrane filtration unit including an air main pipe connected to an aeration blower(s), liquid supply piping that joins the air main pipe in midstream, a branch conduit horizontally connected through a gas supply pipe branched from the air main pipe, and a plurality of air diffusion pipes horizontally to the branch pipe conduit, each diffusion pipe having diffusion holes opening substantially vertically downward, is cleaned. This involves setting a gas flow rate in the branch pipe conduit in a range of 1 m/sec or more and 8 m/sec or less, and a liquid supply rate in the branch pipe conduit in a range from 0.03 L/min/mm2 to 0.2 L/min/mm2. This solid sludge clogging diffusion holes to be efficiently removed with a gas-liquid mixing fluid without stopping for a drainage treatment.
US08852350B2	Smoking article and apparatus and process for manufacturing a smoking article A smoking article, and a method and apparatus for producing a smoking article, in which a web material containing an adsorbent material such as activated carbon and a stabilized flavorant such as menthol is positioned adjacent an interior surface of a cigarette wrapper to deliver flavor to a smoker with minimal/insignificant migration of flavor to other parts of the smoking article or packaging. The web material may be a section that extends over only a portion of the smoking article to deliver flavor to a smoker at a specific point during smoking and if positioned at the mouth end of a smoking article will be able to deliver a flavor sensation in the final puff(s).
US08852346B2	Mask frame assembly for thin layer deposition and organic light emitting display device A mask frame assembly for thin film deposition is disclosed. In one embodiment, the assembly includes: a frame, and a plurality of unit mask strips attached to the frame, wherein each of the unit mask strips includes a plurality of unit masking patterns which are spaced apart from each other. In one embodiment, each of the unit masking patterns includes: i) a plurality of stripe pattern slits and ii) a plurality of sets of dot pattern slits each set formed to be substantially parallel with the stripe pattern slits. Further, the stripe pattern slits and the sets of dot pattern slits are alternately formed with respect to each other, wherein each set of the dot pattern slits includes a plurality of dot pattern slits, and wherein the length of each stripe pattern slit is substantially the same as the length of each set of the dot pattern slits.
US08852345B2	Method and apparatus for electronic device manufacture using shadow masks Electronic devices are formed on a substrate that is advanced stepwise through a plurality of deposition vessels. Each deposition vessel includes a source of deposition material and has at least two shadow masks associated therewith. Each of the two masks is alternately positioned within the corresponding deposition vessel for patterning the deposition material onto the substrate through apertures in the mask positioned therein, and positioned in an adjacent cleaning vessel for mask cleaning. The patterning onto the substrate and the cleaning of at least one of the masks are performed concurrently.
US08852341B2	Methods for producing GaN nutrient for ammonothermal growth The present invention discloses methods to produce large quantities of polycrystalline GaN for use in the ammonothermal growth of group III-nitride material. High production rates of GaN can be produced in a hydride vapor phase growth system. One drawback to enhanced polycrystalline growth is the increased incorporation of impurities, such as oxygen. A new reactor design using non-oxide material that reduces impurity concentrations is disclosed. Purification of remaining source material after an ammonothermal growth is also disclosed. The methods described produce sufficient quantities of polycrystalline GaN source material for the ammonothermal growth of group III-nitride material.
US08852336B2	Manner of obtainment of binding agent for mass for production of shaped construction elements and binding agent for mass for production of shaped construction elements A method is provided that solves the problem of the manner of obtainment of mass for production of shaped construction elements. The manner consists of the fact, that in the mechanical mixer a ceramic granulate is placed, preferably in the form of perlite and is soaked, preferably with water until complete soaking of the granulate and is mixed with the binding agent until obtainment of the situation, where each loose grain (1) of the granulate is coated with a layer of moist binding agent, creating a coating (2) around the grain. Priorly prepared moulds are filled with the obtained mass. The mass for production of shaped construction elements consists of 15-25% of bond weight, preferably in the form of perlite, 35-45% of binding agent weight, preferably in the form of plaster with improved resistance parameters and 35-45% of water weight.
US08852333B2	Multi-functional environmental coating composition with mesoporous silica nanomaterials A new generation environmental friendly water-based coating composition which exhibits excellent coating film properties is disclosed. Said water-based coating composition comprises mesoporous silica nanoparticles in organosilica, water, and a film-forming catalyst, and optionally with a small amount of ethanol. Method for manufacturing said water-based coating composition and the use thereof are also disclosed.
US08852332B2	Synthetic modifier for hot asphaltic mixes for road paving and method of making same A synthetic modifier known as JSSM for hot asphaltic paving mixes is formed of refinery bitumen, of which one example is 60/70 penetration grade, and clay and/or sand that is siloxane bonded. Another component may be a UV absorber. The synthetic modifier is added to refinery bitumen to produce a paving asphalt cement.
US08852328B2	Rotary fluid processing systems and associated methods Rotary fluid processing systems and associated methods are disclosed. A purification system in accordance with the particular embodiment includes a rotatable adsorbent-containing heat/mass transfer element that is generally symmetric about a rotation axis, and includes multiple radial flow paths oriented transverse to the rotation axis and multiple axial flow paths oriented transverse to the radial flow paths. The axial flow paths and radial flow paths are in thermal communication with each other, and are generally isolated from fluid communication with each other at the heat transfer element. Particular embodiments can further include a housing arrangement having multiple manifolds with individual manifolds having an entry port and an exit port, and with individual manifolds having different circumferential locations relative to the rotation axis. Still further embodiments can include a seal arrangement positioned between the heat transfer element and the housing arrangement to expose the radial flow paths, but not the axial flow paths, to the entry and exit ports of one of the manifolds, and expose the axial flow paths, but not the radial flow paths, to the entry and exit ports of another of the manifolds.
US08852325B2	Device for collecting particles that have a strong electron affinity A device for collecting particles that have a high electron affinity, particularly explosive particles, from a gas, includes a flow channel (12a) in which at least one electrically positive collector electrode (20a) and at least one ionising electrode (18a) are arranged, between which an electrical field is present so that the particles having high electron affinity can be indirectly charged by corona discharge on the ionising electrode (18a) and can be displaced towards the collector electrode (20a).
US08852324B2	Venting device for a housing and method for producing same A venting device for a housing, for example, a battery housing, has a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane attached to the housing so as to close off a venting opening of the housing. The membrane has a membrane section that overlaps and covers the venting opening. The membrane section has a predetermined bursting pressure. The membrane section deforms without being destroyed when pressure differences between the interior of the housing and the environment occur that are below the bursting pressure and when gas passes through the membrane section.
US08852323B2	Device for separating into fractions a fluid comprising several fractions with double separation The invention relates to a device for separating a flowing liquid into at least two fractions with differing mass density, comprising: a main tube in the form of a cylinder jacket and having an infeed opening and an outfeed opening; a first swirl element arranged in the main tube for imparting a rotating movement to the fluid flowing through the main tube; a first auxiliary tube placed in the main tube at a distance from the first swirl element; and first discharge means connecting to the jacket of the main tube for discharging a heavier fraction of the fluid. The invention also relates to a method for separating into fractions a fluid comprising several fractions.
US08852322B2	Gas purification process utilizing engineered small particle adsorbents A gas separation process uses a structured particulate bed of adsorbent coated shapes/particles laid down in the bed in an ordered manner to simulate a monolith by providing longitudinally extensive gas passages by which the gas mixture to be separated can access the adsorbent material along the length of the particles. The particles can be laid down either directly in the bed or in locally structured packages/bundles which themselves are similarly oriented such that the bed particles behave similarly to a monolith but without at least some disadvantages. The adsorbent particles can be formed with a solid, non-porous core with the adsorbent formed as a thin, adherent coating on the exposed exterior surface. Particles may be formed as cylinders/hollow shapes to provide ready access to the adsorbent. The separation may be operated as a kinetic or equilibrium controlled process.
US08852319B2	Membrane loop process for separating carbon dioxide for use in gaseous form from flue gas The invention is a process involving membrane-based gas separation for separating and recovering carbon dioxide emissions from combustion processes in partially concentrated form, and then transporting the carbon dioxide and using or storing it in a confined manner without concentrating it to high purity. The process of the invention involves building up the concentration of carbon dioxide in a gas flow loop between the combustion step and a membrane separation step. A portion of the carbon dioxide-enriched gas can then be withdrawn from this loop and transported, without the need to liquefy the gas or otherwise create a high-purity stream, to a destination where it is used or confined, preferably in an environmentally benign manner.
US08852317B2	Method for recovering tantalum The present invention provides a technology for recovering high-content tantalum from tantalum-containing waste with reducing various impurities such as antimony (Sb) and phosphorus (P) which hinder reuse of the tantalum in tantalum capacitors. The method for recovering tantalum from tantalum-containing waste according to the present invention is characterized in that tantalum-containing waste is subjected to an acid treatment and then to an alkali treatment, thereby recovering tantalum. The acid treatment is preferably performed with use of an acid containing hydrochloric acid and the alkali treatment is preferably performed with use of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The tantalum-containing waste in the present invention is preferably a tantalum sintered compact collected from a tantalum capacitor.
US08852313B2	Method and matrix for enhancing growth media The invention relates to a growth media comprising a hydrophilic polyurethane polymer matrix containing particulate inclusions. The invention also relates to a method of providing the growth media.
US08852311B2	Honeycomb structure The present invention aims to provide a honeycomb structure capable of preventing a plugging failure and forming cracks by heat shock which are caused by a cell having a small cross-section. The present invention is a honeycomb structure used for a filter for purifying an exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine, wherein the honeycomb structure has a double structure of an outer tube and an inner tube, on the inner side of the inner tube, an inside cell partitioning wall forming an inside through-hole is provided, between the outer tube and inner tube, an outside cell partitioning wall forming an outside through-hole is provided, the inner tube and the inside cell partitioning wall form a through-hole having an irregular cross-section, and connected through-holes are formed by making at least one of the following connection patterns: the connection between a through-hole having an irregular cross-section and an outside through-hole, the through-holes sharing the inner tube, the connection between a through-hole having an irregular cross-section and another through-hole having an irregular cross-section, the through-holes sharing an inside cell partitioning wall, and the connection between a through-hole having an irregular cross-section and an inside through-hole, the through-holes sharing an inside cell partitioning wall.
US08852309B2	Air cleaner; replaceable filter cartridges; and, methods The disclosure concern air cleaners. Preferred air cleaners are shown which include a housing and a removable and replacement primary filter cartridge. Optional and advantageous features are shown. An optional mechanical interlock, operated with a non-threaded, movement of the cartridge, is provided between the primary filter cartridge and the housing. The preferred primary filter cartridge is conical in shape. A preferred optional safety or secondary filter cartridge is shown. Preferred methods of assembly and use are provided.
US08852308B2	Reverse V-cell or minipleat filter with pleat pack mechanically sealed A filter arrangement for a system within which fluid is filtered and an associated method of providing the arrangement. A frame of the arrangement includes an outer periphery shape that is complementary to a shape for location of the filter arrangement therein and a plurality of filter pleat pack locations. At each filter pleat pack location the frame includes at least one portion having a saw-tooth contoured surface. A plurality of filter pleat packs each includes a plurality of pleats. Each filter pleat pack is removably located at a respective filter pleat pack location of the frame, with the pleats of the filter pleat pack mating against the saw-tooth contoured surface. A plurality of removable retainers that non-permanently hold the filter pleat packs. Each retainer has at least one saw-tooth contoured surface that mates against the pleats so that the pleats of the filter pleat pack are sandwiched.
US08852307B2	Filter unit, filtration method and system A filter unit, system and method for removing grease, oil and other particulates from air, for example, in a kitchen environment. The filter unit includes a housing having an upstream side, an downstream side, and a cavity therebetween, a heat exchanger disposed within the cavity and comprising at least two tubes, at least one entrance aperture disposed on the upstream side of the housing and defined by at least one fin, at least one baffle disposed on the downstream side of the housing so as to be oppositely disposed from the at least one entrance aperture, and at least one exit aperture disposed on the downstream side of the housing adjacent the at least one baffle. The baffle and fin define at least one flow path through the housing and around the tubes.
US08852306B2	Vacuum cleaner filter bag The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner filter bag having a filter medium comprising a first layer consisting of a netting, a perforated sheet or a perforated non-woven with an air permeability of at least 10,000 l/(m2 s), and a first fiber layer consisting of man-made fibers and/or vegetable fibers and connected to one side of the first layer.
US08852303B2	High pressure feeder and method of operating to feed granular or fine materials A coal feed system to feed pulverized low rank coals containing up to 25 wt % moisture to gasifiers operating up to 1000 psig pressure is described. The system includes gas distributor and collector gas permeable pipes imbedded in the lock vessel. Different methods of operation of the feed system are disclosed to minimize feed problems associated with bridging and packing of the pulverized coal. The method of maintaining the feed system and feeder device exit pressures using gas addition or extraction with the pressure control device is also described.
US08852297B2	Fuel additives for treating internal deposits of fuel injectors A method cleaning up internal components of a fuel injector for a diesel engine. The method includes operating a fuel injected diesel engine on a fuel composition that includes a major amount of diesel fuel and from about 5 to about 500 ppm by weight of a reaction product derived from (a) a hydrocarbyl substituted dicarboxylic acid, anhydride, or ester and (b) an amine compound or salt thereof of the formula wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbyl group containing from about 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, and R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbyl group containing from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. The reaction product is characterized by a particular FTIR spectrum.
US08852295B2	Secondary battery and method of producing the secondary battery A secondary battery includes: an electric cell layer including a stack structure sequentially including: a positive electrode layer, a separator layer, and a negative electrode layer having an electrolyte higher in conductivity than an electrolyte of at least one of the separator layer and the positive electrode layer.
US08852291B2	Method and apparatus of an integrated raised gel sealing liner A gel liner made by starting initially with a one-piece knitted tubular sock-shaped fabric having a closed distal end section of gel impermeable knitted fabric, an open proximal end section of gel impermeable knitted fabric and at least one intermediate section being a gel permeable loosely knitted fabric. Molding the liner to have a gel cushion layer on its interior surface with the gel passing through and embedding the at least one intermediate fabric section therein to form at least one annular seal. The intermediate fabric section selected of meltable fibers and knit construction that may or may not be melted by the gel during the molding process whereby the at least one annular seal is not inhibited in compression and/or elongation by the presence or absence of fabric when the liner is worn thereby reducing or eliminating any discomfort of the liner during ambulation caused by the annular seal.
US08852285B2	Prosthesis for distal radioulnar joint Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of implants for repairing or relieving damage to the distal radioulnar joint. A component for replacing at least part of the ulnar head includes a concave surface for accommodating a convex surface of a component for attachment to the radius, e.g. in the sigmoid notch of the radius.
US08852282B2	Methods and systems for interbody implant and bone graft delivery A spacer for implantation between adjacent vertebrae is provided. The spacer includes a distal end and a proximal end. The spacer also includes top and bottom surfaces spaced by sides. The top and bottom surface define a height, and the sides define a width. Each of the sides of the spacer may include a depressed region sunk into the side including a sloped surface at least toward the proximal end of the spacer. The distance between the sloped surfaces of the sides may decrease proximally to form a web having a leading edge proximate to the proximal end of the spacer. The web may be sized and configured to aid distribution of bone graft material to either side of the spacer, wherein bone graft material is supplied to a site of interest is distributed to at least one side of the spacer.
US08852281B2	Artificial spinal disk prosthesis The present invention provides an intervertebral endoprosthesis disc for surgical implantation between two vertebrae having an endoprosthesis body comprising an anterior region and a posterior region designed to be positioned between a first vertebra and a second vertebra with a first and second movable insert positioned rotatably in anterior cavities and is rotatable to adjust the fasteners.
US08852280B2	Intervertebral implant Implants for positioning between vertebral members. The implant may include a superior surface to contact against a first vertebral member, and an inferior surface to contact against a second vertebral member. The implant may include a central web that extends between first and second flanges. The flanges may be shaped to form gaps that extend the height of the implant. Spaces in communication with the gaps may be formed in an interior of the implant to hold bone growth material.
US08852274B2	Composite ophthalmic devices and methods with incident light modifying properties A composite ophthalmic device comprising an ophthalmic structure, means or lens having a photo-shifting material deployed thereon or therewithin so as to up-shift or down-shift the amplitude, wavelength (or both) of incident radiation into the visible wavelength range.
US08852273B2	Correction of higher order aberrations in intraocular lenses In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of designing an intraocular lens (IOL) to address variations of at least one ocular parameter in a population of patient eyes. The method can include establishing at least one eye model in which the ocular parameter can be varied over a range exhibited by the population. The eye model can be employed to evaluate a plurality of IOL designs in correcting visual acuity for eyes in the patient population. An IOL design that provides a best fit for visual performance over at least a portion of the parameter range can then be selected.
US08852272B2	Techniques for percutaneous mitral valve replacement and sealing Apparatus is described for use with a native heart valve of a subject, the apparatus including (1) a prosthetic valve support, comprising an upstream support portion, the upstream support portion having (a) a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration in which the upstream support portion has an inner perimeter that defines an opening; and (2) a prosthetic valve, advanceable into the opening defined by the upstream support portion, and intracorporeally couplable to the upstream support portion by being expanded within the opening defined by the upstream support portion, the apparatus being configured such that, when the prosthetic valve is expanded within the opening defined by the upstream support portion, the expansion of the prosthetic valve is restricted by the inner perimeter of the upstream support portion, without causing the prosthetic valve support to apply a radially-expansive force to the native annulus. Other embodiments are also described.
US08852271B2	Transcatheter prosthetic heart valve delivery device with biased release features A delivery system for percutaneously delivering and deploying a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a delivery sheath slidably disposed over an inner shaft, and a capture assembly. The capture assembly includes a spindle and a biasing member. The spindle is attached to the inner shaft and defines slot. The biasing member is disposed within the slot and self-transitions from a deflected condition to a normal condition. In a delivery state, the delivery sheath retains the prosthesis over the inner shaft and coupled to the spindle via the capture slot, including a portion of the prosthetic valve being engaged within the slot and the biasing member forced to the deflected condition. In a deployment state, the delivery sheath is proximally withdrawn and the biasing member self-transitions toward the normal condition to eject the prosthetic valve from the capture slot.
US08852268B2	Stent having expandable elements A medical implant for the expansion and support of a body vessel is formed as elongate struts in a shape of a tube. The struts are plastically deformable at least in sections so that the implant remains permanently expanded in the radial direction transversely to a longitudinal axis of the struts in the expanded state. A course of the expandable element has a plurality of direction changes with respect to the longitudinal axis. The expandable element has a constriction point in the contracted state designed as an intended breaking point for the expandable element. The constriction point breaks upon application of excessive force applied in the radial direction preventing further expansion of the expandable element.
US08852266B2	Delivery mechanism for implantable stent A delivery system including an inner catheter with a reinforcing element and an outer catheter having a proximal end attached to a movable member. An abutment element may be attached to a distal end of the reinforcing element, configured to engage an implantable device disposed between the inner catheter and the outer catheter.
US08852262B2	Stent A stent (10) formed by slitting a tube to create a matrix of struts which are separated from each other by no more than the width of the slit and which lie more or less parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the tube, the slitted tube being radially expandable to a stenting disposition in which the struts exhibit a zigzag pattern in successive loops around the circumference of the stent, the angle each strut makes with the longitudinal axis increasing as the stent diameter increases the zigzag pattern exhibiting a cusp between any two adjacent struts with selected tied cusps of any one loop being connected by a bridge (12) to a facing cusp of the adjacent loop, the bridge extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube and with intervening free cusps (46, 48), between any two bridge of a loop, not being connected to the adjacent loop the zigzag pattern exhibiting a lengthwise staggering of circumferentially adjacent said slits to the extent that the lengths of two circumferentially adjacent struts on the zigzag pattern that flank a tied cusp are different and further such that, in the said stenting disposition, the free cusps of adjacent loops are circumferentially displaced from each other; and characterized in that: a majority of the struts in any one of the successive loops share a first common length X, and any remaining struts in said one loop share a second common length Y (42), wherein Y
US08852261B2	Repositionable endoluminal support structure and its applications An endoluminal support structure includes strut members interconnected by swivel joints to form a series of linked scissor mechanisms. The structure can be remotely actuated to compress or expand its shape by adjusting the scissor joints within a range of motion. In particular, the support structure can be repositioned within the body lumen or retrieved from the lumen. The support structure can be employed to introduce and support a prosthetic valve within a body lumen.
US08852260B2	Drug-eluting stent and delivery system with tapered stent in shoulder region A drug-eluting stent delivery system for the treatment of edge restenosis in a blood vessel. The drug-eluting stent delivery system has a balloon disposed about at least a portion of a catheter, the balloon having a first end and a second end and a working length therebetween, the first end and the second end each including a tapered portion, each tapered portion being attached to the catheter, the balloon being inflatable from a collapsed configuration to an inflated configuration. A drug-eluting stent contacts a wall of the blood vessel to maintain the patency of the vessel. The drug-eluting stent has a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end each including a tapered portion, wherein the drug-eluting stent is disposed over the balloon such that at least a portion of the first end and the second end of the balloon are covered by the tapered drug-eluting stent. A method for making the same is also disclosed herein.
US08852259B2	Indwelling device for tubular medical treatment instrument and front tip of indwelling device for tubular medical treatment instrument A tubular medical treatment instrument indwelling device for indwelling a stent graft expandable in the radial direction, includes a tubular sheath, a rod member configured to move forward and backward inside the sheath along the axial direction of the sheath, and a front tip provided in the forward end portion of the rod member and includes, formed therein, an engaging portion being engageable with an engagement portion provided in the stent graft. The engaging portion is formed in a position where it is hided inside the sheath when the forward end portion of the sheath is sealed with the front tip. The tubular medical treatment instrument indwelling device is capable of inhibiting damaging of a blood vessel or freeing of parietal thrombus/parietal atheroma from occurring.
US08852258B2	Catheter assembly with user-assisting handle A catheter assembly includes a catheter, including an inner member and a sheath, extending from a handle. The handle includes a housing, a braking assembly, a carriage and a carriage driver. The braking assembly comprises a braking element within the housing interior and a braking element rotator. The carriage comprises at least one carriage braking surface engaging the braking element. The carriage driver, such as a spring, biases the carriage towards the proximal end of the handle. The inner member has a proximal end secured to the housing. The sheath has a proximal end secured to the carriage. Rotating the braking element causes the carriage to move proximally as the carriage braking surface slides along the braking element. This causes the sheath to move proximally relative to the inner member.
US08852257B2	Sheaths used with polymer scaffold A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. A sheath pair is placed over the crimped scaffold after crimping to reduce recoil of the crimped polymer scaffold and maintain scaffold-balloon engagement relied on to hold the scaffold to the balloon when the scaffold is being delivered to a target in a body. The sheath pair is removed by a health professional before placing the scaffold within the body.
US08852254B2	Apparatus and method for providing a multi-stage light treatment Apparatus and methods for treating psychiatric disorders, mood disorders and circadian rhythm disorders with a multi-stage light protocol are disclosed. The presently disclosed multi-stage light protocol provides a synergistic treatment including up to 4 types of therapies: bright light therapy, extended sleep deprivation therapy, dawn simulation therapy and short to medium wavelength light therapy. According to some embodiments, the first stage of the protocol includes a first time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is between 50 lux and 2000 lux. According to some embodiments, the second stage of the protocol includes a second time window of at least 90 minutes during which, for every 10 minute period within the second time window, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is exceeds 100 lux. According to some embodiments, the third stage of the protocol includes a third time window of 60 minutes during which, for a majority of the time, the light intensity exceeds 2000 lux In some embodiments, the light is provided by apparatus including a plurality of LEDs. Typically, the light includes white light having a broad spectrum. In some embodiments, the light further includes light having a medium wavelength, for example, wavelengths between 520 nm and 535 nm.
US08852249B2	Bone plate A bone plate comprising a bottom side that is to rest against the bone, an upper side, and a plurality of holes along the longitudinal axis of the plate through which bone screws can be inserted to be anchored to a bone. At least one hole is a continuous oblong hole comprising a longitudinal axis running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate. Thread flights are provided in a partial area of the lateral side of the oblong hole that when in a direction transversal to the plane of the upper side, are arranged only over a part of the depth of the oblong hole. In the direction transversal to the plane of the upper side, a support structure with smooth walls for the positive fit with a correspondingly configured negative structure at a screw head or screw neck of a bone screw is provided.
US08852247B2	Orthopedic anti back-out mechanism A bone plate that is inserted into a vertebral column includes a hole, an eccentrically-shaped annulus, and a channel. The hole includes an eccentrically-shaped sidewall and the annulus includes an aperture positioned on an upper surface of the annulus. The hole is configured to receive a bone screw. The channel is positioned adjacent to the sidewall and adapted to hold the annulus. The channel may permit the annulus to rotate with respect to the sidewall. The channel may include a notch and the annulus may include a flared end. The flared end may be adapted to fit into the notch of the channel. A portion of the annulus may be adapted to cover a portion of the bone screw. As the annulus rotates with respect to the sidewall, the portion of the annulus may cover the portion of the bone screw.
US08852241B2	Surgical devices and methods providing sacroiliac stabilization A surgical method is for at least one ilium having an iliac crest and inner and outer tables on opposing sides of the iliac crest. The method may include inserting at least one base into the ilium, where the at least one base has a channel therein. The method may further include inserting a support member through the ilium and through the channel of the at least one base so that the support member extends between the inner and outer tables, and securing the support member to the at least one base.
US08852233B2	Apparatus for the correction of skeletal deformities An implantable apparatus for use in the correction of skeletal deformities comprising a rod, a pair of spaced apart attachment members, each of the attachment members being attachable to a bone. At least one of the attachment member mounts a rod receiving member, the rod being slidable along a predetermined path with respect to the rod receiving member.
US08852232B2	Self-retaining sutures having effective holding strength and tensile strength A barbed suture with a first end and a second end and a body with a plurality of barbs extending from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. Projections extend from said suture. The projections can also engage tissue. The barbs cover the projections when the first end of the suture is moved in tissue and exposes the projections in order to engage tissue when the suture is moved in the direction of the second end through tissue.
US08852230B2	Apparatus and methods for sealing a vascular puncture Apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture through tissue or otherwise treating a body lumen of a patient. The carrier includes at least one, but not all, of the adherent layer components required to form a tacky or sticky adherent layer on the carrier. The remaining adherent layer precursor(s) are delivered to the carrier in situ to form a sticky and/or tacky adherent layer on the carrier that enhances the attachment and retention of the carrier to tissue surrounding a target treatment location in which the carrier is delivered. The carrier may include hydrogel and/or other porous material, e.g., for releasing one or more agents carried by the carrier at the treatment location.
US08852227B1	Woven radiopaque patterns Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measurable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.
US08852220B2	Thrombus penetrating devices, systems, and methods A device for penetrating occlusive material in a body lumen is provided that may include an outer tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube. At least a portion of the intermediate tube may be moveably disposed within the outer tube. At least a portion of the inner tube may be moveably disposed within the intermediate tube. A first dynamic member may be operably connected to the intermediate tube and the inner tube. The first dynamic member may be configured to penetrate the occlusive material and to anchor the first dynamic member within the occlusive material. A second dynamic member may be operably connected to the outer tube and the intermediate tube. The second dynamic member may be configured to penetrate the occlusive material and to anchor the second dynamic member within the occlusive material and to support movement of the first dynamic member.
US08852217B2	Implantable injection port with tissue in-growth promoter A surgically implantable injection port has a tissue in-growth promoting surface associated with a fluid conduit that is coupled to the injection port. The injection port includes a housing, a fluid reservoir defined in part by the housing, a needle penetrable septum, a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir, and a tissue in-growth promoting surface coupled to the fluid conduit. The tissue in-growth promoting surface may be provided by surgical mesh wrapped around the conduit or through which the conduit is threaded. The injection port and the fluid conduit may be used as part of a gastric band system or some other type of system.
US08852215B2	Hernia mesh tacks There are disclosed various embodiments of surgical tacks for use in surgical procedures. The tacks generally include a head and a barrel portion extending distally from the head. Preferably, the head and the barrel portion define a throughbore for receipt of a drive instrument. A thread on the head is provided to engage threads in the installation tool. A tissue thread is provided on the barrel portion to engage tissue. Distal and proximal surfaces of the tissue thread may be oriented at various angles relative to the barrel portion. There is also disclosed an insertion instrument to insert one or more tacks as well as a method of use. There is further disclosed a model device for use in explaining the operation of the instrument.
US08852214B2	System for tissue fixation to bone Methods and systems are provided for fixating connective tissue to bone. Some aspects include a carrier member having a length, width, and thickness, wherein the length and width are each at least two times greater than the thickness; attachment members extending from the carrier member and that engage connective tissue of an animal; and a bone engaging member extending from the carrier member and configured to attach to a bone of the animal. In some aspects, when the attachment members are engaged with the connective tissue and the bone engaging member is attached to the bone, the connective tissue and the bone are limited in being pulled apart from one another during physiological use of the connective tissue.
US08852211B2	Surgical device A wound closure device for closing a surgical wound is provided. The device includes a flexible base sheet and at least one flexible hemostatic clip for applying pressure to a patient's tissue. The flexible base sheet includes at least a first end and a second end, as well as an aperture extending through the base sheet longitudinally from proximate to the first end toward the second end. The aperture has a first and a second longitudinally extending edge. The clip has a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, and at least a first and a second clamping member. Each clamping member has a distal edge. The clip is attachable to the base sheet.
US08852205B2	Clot retrieval device for removing occlusive clot from a blood vessel A clot retrieval device (9501) for removing occlusive clot from a blood vessel comprises an inner elongate body (9503) and an outer elongate body (9504) at least partially overlying the inner elongate body (9503). The device also comprises an elongate member or shaft (9502) having a proximal end which extends exterior of a patient so that a user can retrieve the stent-basket device and captured clot by retracting the shaft (9502). The outer elongate body (9504) and the inner elongate body (9503) are connected to the distal end of the shaft (9502) and are expandable relative to the shaft (9502) from a collapsed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration. The outer elongate body (9504) is expandable relative to the inner elongate body (9503) to a radial extent which is greater than the radial extent of the inner body (9503) in the deployed configuration. The stent-basket construction of the device creates a reception space (9507) between the inner (9503) and outer (9504) to receive the target clot. The outer body (9504) is configured to allow as much as possible of the clot to migrate through it into the internal reception space (9507). Housing the clot in this reception space rather than pinning it to the wall of the vessel means that the clot is under less compression and can thus be retracted at a lower force. The inner elongate body (9503) and a distal capture net (9505) protect the distal vascular bed from embolization.
US08852204B2	Medical snare device An apparatus having a longitudinal shaft. A guide feature is associated with the longitudinal shaft. The guide feature is disposed adjacent to a distal end of the longitudinal shaft. At least one ensnarement feature is associated with the longitudinal shaft. The at least one ensnarement feature is disposed at least partially proximally relative to the guide feature.
US08852201B2	Microfracture instrument A bone drill that includes a shaft with a flexible portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a drill tip coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The bone drill also includes a cannulated sheath with a proximal end and a distal end, the sheath housing a portion of the shaft and having a curved portion at the distal end. The drill tip may also be housed within the curved portion of the sheath. The bone drill may also include a hub with an actuator mechanism, the hub being coupled to the sheath, wherein the actuator mechanism retracts the sheath to cause the drill tip to extend beyond the distal end of the sheath.
US08852199B2	Method and device for handling bone adhesives A bone adhesive application device has a pliable structure with an application surface upon which a bone adhesive may be applied. The application surface has a surface energy substantially equal to or less than a surface energy of the bone adhesive to reduce adhesion between the bone adhesive and the bone adhesive application device. The bone adhesive application device may be included in a kit for repairing bone defects having a bone adhesive formed from a reactive biocompatible polyurethane material. The bone adhesive may be applied to a bone defect by positioning the pliable structure over at least a portion of the bone defect, delivering the bone adhesive to the bone defect and removing the pliable structure from the bone adhesive.
US08852194B2	Removal of prostheses An apparatus to aid removal of a prosthetic implant cemented into bone that has an adapter to engage a proximal end of the implant, a clamp screw to hold the engaged end to the adapter in good acoustic contact, a generator for torsional or longitudinal mode ultrasonic vibrations and a coupling link to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the adapter and thence to the implant, the proximal end of the implant being gripped between a conical tip of the clamp screw and a raised portion of the adapter to avoid damping flexural mode oscillations induced in the implant by making the zone of contact between the adaptor and implant as narrow as possible.
US08852193B2	Systems and methods for vertebral disc replacement Methods and instrumentation for implantation of an intervertebral disc prosthesis are provided. A guide tool with sagittal and coronal reference features guides placement of guide pins relative to a sagittal plane and a coronal plane of the vertebrae. A retainer lockable to the guide pins has a ratcheting mechanism providing distraction or compression. A rasp, planer or other tools may be aligned to the retainer and inserted into the intervertebral space to prepare the vertebral endplates. An interoperatively adjustable trial is alignable to the retainer and measures an angularity of the intervertebral space. A prosthesis with keying features may be mounted to a prosthesis inserter with complementary features, held by pivotable arms and compressed between prongs. The inserter may be aligned to the retainer and advanced to implant the prosthesis in the intervertebral space. A prosthesis remover may grip one prosthetic end plate and extract the entire prosthesis.
US08852184B2	Arthroscopic surgical temperature control system An arthroscopic surgical temperature control system and method able to monitor and control the temperature within a surgical site during arthroscopic ablation procedures in order to prevent tissue damage is provided.
US08852182B2	Electrode assembly with separate bipolar cannula and supply electrode An electrosurgical system preferably used for denervation procedures of nerve tissue has a control unit and a pluggable electrode assembly. The electrode assembly has a disposable cannula and a preservable supply electrode assembly. The cannula has a tubular body that projects axially from a pointed distal end for piercing tissue to a proximal end engaged to a first coupling assembly of the cannula. The supply electrode assembly has a second coupling assembly and a supply electrode that projects axially and removably into a through-bore of the body when in an operating state. The first and second coupling assemblies are configured to releasably interlock to prevent clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the supply electrode in the body.
US08852181B2	Energy based devices and methods for treatment of anatomic tissue defects Methods and apparatus for treatment of anatomic defects in human tissues, such as patent foramen ovale (PFO), atrial or ventricular septal defects, left atrial appendage, patent ductus arteriosis, blood vessel wall defects and certain electrophysiological defects, involve positioning a distal end of an elongate catheter device at the site of the anatomic defect, engaging tissues at the site of the anatomic defect to bring the tissues together, and applying energy to the tissues with the catheter device to substantially close the anatomic defect acutely. Apparatus generally includes an elongate catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a vacuum application member coupled with the distal end for engaging tissues at the site of the anatomic defect and applying vacuum to the tissues to bring them together, and at least one energy transmission member coupled with the vacuum application member for applying energy to tissues at the site of the anatomic defect to substantially close the defect acutely.
US08852175B2	Apparatus, system and method for precision depth measurement Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for locating tissue layer transitions within a cornea, including focusing a laser to a laser spot with an energy below a photodisruption threshold of the cornea, varying a position of the focal spot of the laser between an anterior surface of the cornea and a posterior surface of the cornea, and determining one or more transitions of the tissue layers based on a change in harmonic light generated by the laser spot.
US08852172B2	Ingestible electronic capsule and in vivo drug delivery or diagnostic system An ingestible electronic capsule (100) for introduction into the bodily lumen comprises a circuit board with at least one electronic component (4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14). The circuit board is formed from a flex foil (10), thereby reducing the number of components and improving the robustness and reliability of the ingestible electronic capsule (100).
US08852171B2	Compact bag The present invention relates to a collecting device comprising a collecting device for collection of body fluids. The invention relates to a collecting device arranged in a compact configuration wherein the dimensions of the collecting device is small in comparison with the dimensions of the collecting device in an unfolded configuration. In particular the invention relates to a bag having an inner folding and an outer folding. Two pull points may further be arranged so that the application of oppositely directed forces to the first and second pull-points will lead to unfolding of the inner folding. With this arrangement the outer folding may be forced to unfold as the inner folding unfolds.
US08852166B1	Ultrasonic catheter power control A method of treating an occlusion at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises providing an ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic catheter has a distal region, a proximal region opposite the distal region, a fluid delivery lumen having at least one opening in the distal region, and an ultrasound radiating member positioned within the distal region. The method further comprises positioning the ultrasonic catheter at the treatment site, such that at least a portion of the distal region is within the occlusion. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises passing a therapeutic compound through the fluid delivery lumen such that the therapeutic compound is delivered to the treatment site. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises emitting ultrasonic energy from the ultrasound radiating member. The emitted ultrasonic energy has an amplitude that is periodically varied between a low amplitude and a high amplitude.
US08852162B2	Device, method, and computer program product for dispensing media as part of a medical procedure A device, method, and computer program product for controlling a dispensing device adapted to be capable of dispensing contrast media as part of a medical imaging procedure. The device comprises a controller device, user interface, injector portion, and a storage device such that a user of the device may initialize multiple dispensing functions in the injector portion and user interface via a user input. The method and computer program product for controlling a dispensing device comprises receiving a user input from a user interface and directing the dispensing device to perform multiple dispensing functions, including actuating the injector portion and updating the user interface, in response to a user input.
US08852159B2	Injection device preventing the return of the piston when the safety system is deployed The present invention relates to an injection device (1) comprising:—a body (3) designed to receive a product to be injected, furnished at its distal end with an injection needle (7) and receiving a piston (5) capable of being moved between a storage position and an end-of-injection position under the effect of a distal pressure exerted on a piston rod (8) to the distal end of which it is attached,—means of protecting the injection needle (7) capable of adopting an initial position, during which the injection needle (7) is uncovered, and a final position, in which the said injection needle (7) is covered,—biasing means (26) aiming at moving the said covering element (6) from its initial position to its final position,—immobilization means (16, 31) aiming at keeping the said covering element (6) in its initial position, the said injection device (1) being characterized in that:—the said piston rod (8) comprises at least a first portion (9) and at least one second portion (10) coupled to the said piston (8), the said first and second portions (9, 10) being operatively coupled together and selectively movable together in the distal direction, at least one of said first portion (9) and said second portion (10) being movable in the proximal direction separate from said other one of said first portion (9) and said second portion (10).
US08852156B2	Device for implanting medical catheters A stylet for use with a medical catheter has a lumen blocking portion and a shaft, where the shaft has a smaller effective diameter than the lumen blocking portion. The lumen blocking portion has an outer surface that is approximately flush with the catheter lumen in a working area of the catheter. The lumen blocking portion has a length capable of covering at least one side hole of the catheter.
US08852153B2	Stimulation of penis erection A penis erection stimulation system comprises one or more infusion needles disposed within and implanted along with one or more housings adjacent the patient's left and right corpora cavernosa. A reservoir and a pump are also implanted inside the patient's body to supply the infusion needle with infusion liquid. A drive unit also adapted for implantation inside the patient's body is arranged for advancing and retracting the tip end of the infusion needle such that it penetrates the housing in at least one penetration area, preferably at least in two different penetration areas either simultaneously or in immediate time succession, thereby injecting drugs along with the infusion liquid into the patient's body for stimulating penis erection. The outer wall of the housing accommodating the infusion needle comprises at least one door in the penetration area or areas. A drive is connected to the door for actively opening the door so as to allow for the infusion needle to be advanced through the opened door. The door may comprise a flap, such as a resilient, normally closed flap. It is particularly preferred if the drive connected to the door forms part of the drive unit coupled to the infusion needle. More specifically, the arrangement may be such that advancement of the infusion needle by means of the drive unit simultaneously causes the drive to open the door.
US08852152B2	Infusion pump systems and methods Some embodiments of an infusion pump system can include a controller in electrical communication with a pump device so as to provide selected dosages of a medicine to a user over a period of time. The infusion pump system can employ a number of power management techniques to reduce the likelihood current drain of a rechargeable battery of the infusion pump system.
US08852145B2	Inline liquid drug medical device having rotary flow control member Inline liquid drug medical devices for use with a source of physiological fluid and a medicinal vessel for liquid drug reconstitution and administration purposes. The inline liquid drug medical devices include a housing having a longitudinal device axis, a rotary flow control member and a vial adapter for transposing the flow control member from an initial first flow control position for liquid drug reconstitution purposes to a second flow control position for liquid drug administration purposes. The inline liquid drug medical devices include a syringe port and a drug dispensing port co-axial with the device axis. The rotary flow control member is rotatable about an axis of rotation co-axial with the syringe port and the drug dispensing port.
US08852143B2	Devices, systems and methods for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc.
US08852142B2	Needleless injection device components, systems, and methods Described are needleless injection systems and methods that involve features including one or more of a tissue tensioner and a fitting for attaching to a distal end of a shaft, exemplary embodiments including: an elastic sleeve sized to fit under tension about the distal end of a flexible scope, such as an endoscope; a non-metal, polymeric tube-like device being optionally attached to the elastic sleeve for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment site within a patient wherein the elastic sleeve may include an integral balloon (tissue tensioner) feature that can be used to position the injection orifice of the tube-like device proximate a treatment area.
US08852141B2	Occlusion sensing for an infusion pump Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may include an occlusion sensor that can be used to detect when an occlusion exists in the fluid path between the medicine reservoir and the infusion site on the user's skin. Such an occlusion may occur, for example, when the fluid flow line (e.g., a cannula, infusion set tubing, or the like) is kinked. If the medicine dispensation path to the user is occluded, the user may receive no dosage or a lower dosage of the medicine. As such, the occlusion sensor can be used to indicate when the fluid is flowing or not flowing, thereby permitting the infusion pump system to communicate an alarm to the user if an occlusion exists.
US08852140B2	System and method for adjustment of blood separation procedure parameters Systems and methods are provided for automatically adjusting the operational parameters of a blood separation procedure. A blood separation device has an inlet for passing fluid thereinto and an outlet for removing fluid therefrom. A pump system is provided for moving fluid into and out of the device. In use, blood is conveyed into the device, where platelets are separated from at least a portion of the blood. A controller determines the amount of platelets in the device. Based at least in part on the amount of platelets in the device, corrective action is taken to avoid platelet aggregation in the device. The corrective action may be conveying an elevated amount of anticoagulant into the blood and/or the device and may be initiated when the determined amount of platelets approaches, meets, or exceeds a threshold predicted likelihood of platelet aggregation.
US08852136B2	Methods for placing a shunt into the intra-scleral space The present invention generally relates to intraocular shunts, and in particular, to intraocular shunts configured to form a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and the intra-scleral space.
US08852130B2	Catheter with strain gauge sensor A medical probe, including a flexible insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a patient and which is configured to be brought into contact with tissue in the body cavity. The probe further includes a sensor tube of an elastic material, contained inside the distal end of the insertion tube and configured to deform in response to forces exerted by the tissue on the distal end. The probe also includes a plurality of strain gauges fixedly attached to a surface of the sensor tube at different, respective locations and configured to generate respective signals in response to deformations of the sensor tube.
US08852128B2	Computer system and method for assessing dynamic bone quality A computer system for assessing dynamic bone quality is provided, including a memory that stores executable instructions, a central processing unit (CPU) capable of accessing the memory and executing the instructions to provide an output, and a receiver for receiving data input and transmitting it to the CPU, wherein the receiver is operably connected to: (1) a plurality of accelerometers, each accelerometer adapted to contact an exterior surface of a human subject at a load-bearing anatomical site and to receive input from each point of contact including acceleration response data; and (2) a force plate adapted to receive input including vertical ground reaction force data provided by a heel strike on the force plate, wherein the CPU executes the instructions to process the input data transmitted from the receiver to provide the output as a bone damping value. A method for assessing dynamic bone quality is also provided.
US08852127B2	System and method for monitoring information related to sleep A system configured to monitor ambient illumination experienced by a subject. In one embodiment, the system comprises an illumination sensor, a timer, and a storage module. The illumination sensor is configured to monitor an intensity of ambient illumination within two or more wavelength ranges by generating one or more output signals that convey information related to the intensity of ambient illumination within the two or more wavelength ranges. The timer is configured to indicate the passage of periods of time. The storage module is configured to store information related to the intensity of ambient illumination within the two or more wavelength ranges, as conveyed by the one or more output signals, for individual periods of time. The system is portable to be carried by the subject.
US08852126B2	Medical guidewire Provided is a guidewire including a core shaft, an outer flexible tube, a stranded wire that is disposed parallel to a distal end portion of the core shaft, and an inner flexible tube that surrounds a distal end portion of the core shaft and the stranded wire. The inner flexible tube is disposed in the outer flexible tube so that a distal end thereof is positioned between the distal ends of the core shaft and the stranded wire and a proximal end of the core shaft so as to be separated from the distal ends of the core shaft and the stranded wire. A joint is formed so as to join the distal end of the inner flexible tube, the core shaft, and the stranded wire to each other.
US08852122B2	Liquid sampling, storage, transfer and delivery device The present invention provides a liquid sampling, storage, transfer and delivery device comprising housing containing a porous nib. The porous nib in the device contacts the sample, collects the sample, stores the sample, transports the sample inside its porous matrix and releases the sample from the porous matrix upon demand.
US08852121B2	Biopsy device with strainer The present application is directed to an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine wherein the biopsy instrument incorporates a rotation knob at the proximal end of the instrument to manually rotate the distal end of the probe, thus allowing the clinician to conveniently position the tissue port next to the tissue to be sampled.
US08852119B2	Bone marrow harvesting device having flexible needle A bone marrow harvesting device includes a flexible bone marrow harvesting needle that can bend during operation to prevent the needle tip from piercing the inner cortical wall of the target bone. The needle defines an aspiration channel that defines an intake end that is recessed to reduce the instances that the aspiration channel will be fouled by bone particles or other debris within the cancellous portion.
US08852116B2	Psychiatric symptom and psychiatric disorder onset risk evaluation method and evaluator using heart rate variability index An evaluator includes a heart rate variability analyzer A having a heart rate measuring instrument, a heartbeat interval measuring instrument, a frequency analyzer, a sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system index analyzer, and a psychiatric symptom/psychotic disorder onset risk calculator, and a random number generation analyzer having a random number input unit, a random number score calculation unit, and a display unit. Frequency analysis of a heart rate measurement and a heartbeat interval measurement of a subject is performed to determine a high-frequency index, a low-frequency index and a ratio therebetween.
US08852115B2	Patient monitoring systems with goal indicators Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to patient monitors designed to display goal indicators showing progress toward achieving patient monitoring goals. The goal indicators may be displayed on a main monitoring screen of the patient monitors, allowing caretakers to easily evaluate how effective they have been in managing the patient's condition. According to certain embodiments, the goal indicators may display a numerical value indicating the percentage of time that a physiological parameter, such as SpO2 or pulse rate, was within predetermined goal limits. The patient monitors further may include user interfaces that enable a clinician to adjust parameters of the goal indicators, such as the goal limits and/or the goal time frame.
US08852114B2	Heart pulse rate monitor Disclosed herein are methods and devices for monitoring a heartbeat. In one embodiment, the device may comprise a sensor package mountable over a pulse location of a user. The sensor package may include a first sensor element configured to sense at least one signal at the pulse location and to provide a first output signal comprising a heart pulse signal and a first set of noise artifacts, a second sensor element configured to sense at least one signal at the pulse location and to provide a second output signal indicative of a second set of noise artifacts, and a mechanically isolating material located between the first sensor element and the second sensor element. The device may further comprise processing circuitry connected to the sensor package and configured to extract the heart pulse signal from the first output signal based on the first output signal and the second output signal.
US08852111B2	Ultrasound guidance system A compact ultrasound needle guidance system and method of use is described. The needle guidance system has components to adjustably target a needle's destination in the plane of a two-dimensional ultrasound image before insertion of a needle into a patient. Needle movement is tracked using a position detector that provides a visual display of the needle path on the ultrasonic image.
US08852110B2	Flow measurement apparatus and method The velocity of fluids containing particles that scatter ultrasound can be measured by determining the Doppler shift of the ultrasound scattered by the particles in the fluid. Measuring fluid flow in cylindrical vessels such as blood vessels is an important use of Doppler ultrasound. This invention teaches using various configurations of cylindrical diffraction-grating transducers and cylindrical non-diffraction-grating transducers that suppress the Doppler shift from non-axial components of fluid velocity while being sensitive to the Doppler shift produced by axial velocity components. These configurations thus provide accurate measurement of the net flow down the vessel, even when the fluid flow is curved or not parallel to the vessel wall.
US08852109B2	Ultrasound imaging apparatus and a method for generating an ultrasound image A controller makes a scan part scan a three-dimensional first scanning region so as to acquire volume data in the first scanning region and makes the scan part to consecutively scan a second scanning region that is smaller than the first scanning region and is included in the first scanning region more than once so as to consecutively acquire the volume data in the second scanning region. An image generator generates ultrasound image data in the first scanning region including the second scanning region based on the volume data in the first scanning region. Further, the image generator generates new ultrasound image data by updating the volume data in the second scanning region every time volume data in the second scanning region is acquired. The display controller causes a display to update and causes to display an ultrasound image every time new ultrasound image data is generated.
US08852108B2	Ultrasound imaging device An ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a transmitter which transmits an ultrasound pulse to a subject, a receiver which receives ultrasound coming from the subject, and a signal processor to process a received signal at the receiver and generate image data. The receiver has a predetermined reception band, and the ultrasound pulse transmitted by the transmitter has one frequency band with a frequency peak. Each of an upper limit frequency and a lower limit frequency of the one frequency band is set to be values which make a low frequency harmonic component and a high frequency harmonic component produced by the ultrasound pulse be within the reception band. The signal processor generates image data by using a nonlinear component of at least one of the low frequency and high frequency harmonic component received by the receiver.
US08852105B2	Ultrasound system and method of forming ultrasound images The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system capable of providing a plurality of M-mode images corresponding to M-mode lines without moving a probe. A volume data forming and reconstructing unit of the present invention forms volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals, the volume data forming and reconstructing unit being configured to determine a beat period of the moving object and reconstruct the volume data based on the beat period. A processor forms at least one reference image based on the reconstructed volume data and one or more M-mode images corresponding to one or more M-mode lines set on the reference image. A display unit displays the reference image, the M-mode lines and the M-mode images.
US08852104B2	Method and apparatus for ultrasound assisted local delivery of drugs and biomarkers The current invention provides an ultrasound-assisted delivery device, that includes a focused ultrasound transducer having an ultrasound focal point, a real-time imaging device having an imaging focal point, and a therapeutic delivery device, where the transducer and the imaging device are integrated with the delivery device, and the ultrasound focal point coincides with the imaging focal point, where the delivery device and transducer are disposed to provide an unobstructed imaging path for the real-time imaging device. The invention further includes a scanning optical or laser beam having a focal point disposed to sweep across the target, where the delivery device is disposed to deliver an optical contrast material to the target, and the scanning focal point coincides with the ultrasound and imaging focal points, where the target or the optical contrast material react to the scanning beam to generate at least one interface signal.
US08852102B2	Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method of determining elasticity index reliability An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a method of determining elasticity index reliability control transmission and reception of an ultrasonic beam, track displacements in a transmission direction of a plurality of points of a blood vessel in the transmission direction of the ultrasonic beam, calculate an elasticity index of the blood vessel based on the tracking result, acquire the direction of a displacement or the amount of displacement in the transmission direction of a specific point of the blood vessel, and determine reliability of the elasticity index based on the acquisition result. A program for determining elasticity index reliability causes a computer to execute the respective steps of the method. A computer readable storage medium stores the program.
US08852099B2	Systems and methods for deriving relative physiologic measurements One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for deriving physiologic measurement values that are relative to ambient conditions. In one embodiment, the system comprises an implantable medical device (“IMD”), an external computing device, and a backend computing system. The IMD determines a physiologic parameter value within a patient's body, and communicates the physiologic parameter value outside the patient's body, for example, to the external computing device. Further, the external computing device receives the physiologic parameter from the IMD and communicates it to the backend computing system. The backend computing system receives the physiologic parameter value and obtains an ambient condition value outside the body. The backend computing system then calculates a relative physiologic parameter value from the ambient condition value and the physiologic parameter value, and in some embodiments, stores the relative physiologic parameter value in a storage location, such as a memory or database.
US08852097B2	Metabolic energy monitoring system A metabolic energy monitoring system is provided which comprises: a wearable device having a movement sensor, a temperature sensor and a pulse wave sensor and adapted to be worn on a human body; a database to store activity state decision knowledge data including activity state decision condition data and calorie consumption calculation knowledge data including a calorie consumption calculating algorithm for each metabolic state; an activity state decision unit to determine the activity state based on a detection signal from the wearable device and activity state decision knowledge data; a metabolic state decision unit to detect an activity continuation state, and determine the metabolic state; a calorie consumption calculating unit to calculate a calorie consumption according to the metabolic state; and an output unit to output the calorie consumption.
US08852096B2	System and method for medical information monitoring and processing A method of monitoring health parameters of subjects within a defined space and over a period of time includes collecting first data corresponding to a physiological parameter of an ambulatory subject, collecting second data corresponding to a behavioral and cognitive parameter of the ambulatory subject, collecting third data corresponding to an identity and a location of the one of the subjects, collecting fourth data corresponding to the one of the ambulatory subjects from third party sources, generating a data record for the one of the ambulatory subjects based upon the first, second, third, and fourth data, and outputting a modified data record, the modified data record containing portions of the data record, the portions selected based upon an access level of a person requesting the data record and a format of the modified data record selected based upon the access level and community needs.
US08852091B2	Devices, systems, and methods for pupil expansion A pupil expander is disclosed. The pupil expander comprises a support member sized to expand a pupil and a plurality of engaging portions. The plurality of engaging portions are coupled to and spaced about the support member. The engaging portions have a recess and are shaped and sized to receive an inner margin of an iris.
US08852090B2	System and method for retracting body tissue A method for retracting body tissue providing a retractor system that includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.
US08852088B2	Tissue retractor assembly An intracorporeal surgical tissue retractor is provided having an anchor selectively deployable in a first tissue not to be retracted and a grasper selectively deployable on a second tissue to be retracted. A longitudinally selectively movable support is threadable through the anchor and attached at a substantially distal end of the movable support to the grasper. A deployment user interface is couplable to the movable support and has a proximal end manipulable by a user extracorporeally and a distal end releasably attachable to both the anchor and the grasper, adapted to intracorporeally deploy the anchor into the first tissue and the grasper onto the second tissue. The user interface includes a first actuator having an anchor positioning tool enabling selective deployment of the anchor in the first tissue, and a second actuator enabling selective opening and closing of the jaws of the grasper.
US08852087B2	Endoscope with variable direction of view An endoscope includes a handle and a shaft connected thereto. Imaging optics are arranged in the shaft that image an object located in the direction of view of the imaging optics in front of the shaft as an image and which to set the desired direction of view. The imaging optics comprise a swivellably housed deflecting unit positioned at the distal end of the shaft facing away from the handle. The possible swivel range of the imaging optics has a first and a second limit, as well as an actuating element, which is attached to the handle and which is mechanically connected to the deflecting unit. Thereby the swivel position of the deflecting unit within the swivel range can be changed in order to set a desired direction of view. A first mechanical stop is provided against which the deflecting unit lies when the first limit is reached.
US08852084B2	Orientation adapter for injection tube in flexible endoscope An endoscope adapter ring for a needleless fluid delivery system for delivering therapeutic fluids to treatment sites within a patient. The needless fluid delivery system can include an automated injector source and a needleless access device. The access device can include a delivery scope and a treatment specific applicator. The adapter ring is operably attached to the endoscope to keep the injector lumen in a known orientation for the use of a side injector.
US08852083B2	Self-stabilized encapsulated imaging system Wireless capsule endoscope technology has been used to image portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the small bowel. However in other GI organs, especially those having larger-lumens, the capsule may become destabilized and tumble, precluding meaningful interpretation of the acquired images. The present invention describes a method and apparatus for permitting capsule imaging of organs having larger-lumens without tumbling, and includes an outer shell surrounding the capsule that targets the colon, as an example. Once the colon has been reached, the shell breaks or dissolves, and allows expansion of expandable materials attached to each end of the capsule, thereby stabilizing the capsule in the targeted organ, while permitting it to be moved by peristalsis and/or other means for locating the capsule. Imagers and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are activated during the expansion process, and enable overlapping of images. The capsule is moved through the colon, taking images at chosen frame rates with data being wirelessly transmitted by means of an RF transmitter, and is eventually expelled from the body.
US08852082B2	Stimulation of penis erection A penis erection stimulation system comprises a fully implantable drug delivery device for delivering a drug in relation to a penis to achieve erection of the penis. The drug delivery device may comprise a catheter adapted to be implanted in the corpora cavernosa of a penis or in close proximity thereto in order to deliver drugs through said catheter. Alternatively, one or more infusion needles may be disposed within and implanted along with one or more housings adjacent the patient's left and right corpora cavernosa. A reservoir and a pump may also be implanted inside the patient's body to supply the infusion needle with infusion liquid. A drive unit also adapted for implantation inside the patient's body is arranged for advancing and retracting the tip end of the infusion needle such that it penetrates the housing at least in two different penetration areas either simultaneously or in immediate time succession, thereby injecting drugs along with the infusion liquid into the patient's body for stimulating penis erection.
US08852081B2	Amusement device An apparatus for use during sexual activities, such as sexual intercourse, comprising a belt, a means of securing the belt to a user's body, and one or more handles connected to the belt, wherein the handles extend outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the belt and extend outwardly from the user's waist and substantially perpendicularly from the user's waist when the belt is secured around the waist of the user.
US08852080B2	Stimulation device The invention relates to a simple and easy to use stimulatory device which allows the user to apply vibrations to the frenulum, while being an essentially hands-free device, so that the user does not have to manually hold or manipulate the device during use. In an embodiment, the device allows the user to control the amplitude and frequency of the vibrations applied to the frenulum.
US08852075B2	Pelvic implant systems and methods with expandable anchors An implant for supporting pelvic anatomy includes a first soft tissue anchor, a second soft tissue anchor, and a support portion. The first and second soft tissue anchors each include a central portion and a plurality of projections biased radially from the central portion of the soft tissue anchors, respectively. The implant is configured for selective adjustment of an effective length of the implant between the first and second soft tissue anchors.
US08852060B1	Swiveling user support for exercise machine A swiveling user support assembly has a user support or seat rotatably mounted on a user support mounting device or frame for rotation about a first pivot axis, while the mounting device or frame is pivotally or rigidly connected to a main frame of an exercise machine. The user support has a base, and a primary user support and stabilizing device mounted on the base. A pivot connection between the base and mounting device or frame allows the user support to swivel from side to side about the first pivot axis. A centering mechanism helps to orient the user support in a central position for user entry or exit.
US08852056B2	Method for starting an engine A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one example, the method adjusts a desired engine speed to at least two levels during engine speed run-up from cranking to engine idle speed. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
US08852054B2	Modulating engine torque to synchronize engine speed with motor speed for disconnect clutch engagement in hybrid vehicle A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a traction motor, and a transmission selectively coupled in series by a clutch include modulating engine torque while the clutch is disengaged and while engine speed is less than motor speed to increase the engine speed. The clutch is engaged to connect the engine to the motor in response to the engine speed exceeding the motor speed.
US08852053B2	Power generation control device for electric vehicle A power generation control device for an electric vehicle includes a power generator driven by an internal combustion engine, a drive battery that stores power generated by the power generator and sensing an SOC that is a state of charge, and a drive motor that propels a vehicle using power generated by the power generator or power stored in the drive battery. The power generation control device controls a power generation torque of the power generator to correspond to an output that is a sum of a drive request output calculated based on a manipulation separately from a drive torque of the drive motor and a battery request output calculated based on the SOC.
US08852049B2	Fast valve actuation system for an automatic transmission A fast valve actuation system for an automatic vehicle transmission includes a pair of spring-biased shift valves. Solenoids control the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the head of each of the shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is coupled to a fluid chamber of a torque transferring mechanism of an automatic transmission. The position of each of the shift valves determines whether its ports are connected with fluid pressure. Fluid passages connect the head of each shift valve to the spring pocket of the other shift valve.
US08852035B2	Lacrosse head and stick A lacrosse head is disclosed, comprising: a frame having a base, a pair of sidewalls extending from the base, and a scoop connecting the pair of sidewalls opposite the base, the scoop defining an aperture for receiving a portion of a net, wherein the aperture has an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge having a first notch, a second notch, and a center portion intermediate to the first notch and the second notch. Also disclosed is a lacrosse stick comprising: an elongated shaft having a butt end and a head end, and a port formed through the head end; and a head attachable to the shaft.
US08852030B2	Basketball collection and return apparatus A basketball return apparatus for collecting and returning basketballs includes a ball collector, with a top opening and a bottom opening, and a ball returner. The ball returner is connected to a base for receiving balls from the bottom opening of the ball collector and returning the balls to a user. A rotatable support mechanism connects the ball collector to the base so that the ball collector is rotatable with respect to the base and the ball returner.
US08852027B2	Multi-layer core golf ball Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a thermoset composition other than diene rubber.
US08852022B2	Golf-club shafts having selectable-stiffness tip regions, and golf clubs comprising same The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions.
US08852020B2	Interchangeable shaft system A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
US08852018B1	Method and device for retrieving a golf ball A method for retrieving a golf ball employs a gripper with a magnetic coupling. The coupling has a cavity containing a magnet. The magnet has a field strength adequate to hold onto a vertical surface of an unmagnetized metal object while a golf ball is held in the gripper. The magnetic coupling is magnetically attached a non-magnetized head of a golf club. In operation, downward force is applied through the golf club to depress the magnetic coupling in order to encompass and grip the golf ball with the gripper. The head of the club is lifted and the golf ball removed from the gripper. The device can be stored by clipping it to an object.
US08852014B1	Standing golf swing trainer A golf swing training device constructed of flexible material that stretches when deployed and that provides feedback to a user during golf swing execution regarding vertical head movement and hip rotation. The device includes a collar portion, a first tension strap, and a second tension strap. The first tension strap includes a first extension portion being adapted to be disposed along a back of the user from the collar portion down toward a waist of the user and a second extension portion that is adapted to extend from the waist at the user's back to the ground at a predetermined angle, wherein the first tension strap includes a first pass-through region disposed between the first extension portion and the second extension portion. A second tension strap includes a second attachment means at one end and a third attachment means at a second end.
US08852011B2	Inflatable play structure and system An inflatable play structure and system, the inflatable play structure including an inflatable envelope; and a weighted base attached to the inflatable envelope, the weighted base having a first base portion and a second base portion, the first base portion being attached to the second base portion by a base hinge. The first base portion and the second base portion are operable to enfold the inflatable envelope when the inflatable envelope is deflated and the first base portion and the second base portion are folded along the base hinge toward the inflatable envelope.
US08852010B2	Six-degree-of-freedom cam-controlled support platform A platform is provided, which platform is adapted to engage a base through a multiplicity of pulley engaging cables. A first end of each cable is attached to a cam follower assembly located on the base and a second portion of the cable is attached to the platform. A motor driving the multiplicity of cams, cam followers, and cables will move the platform, the platform typically being suspended above the base on the cables or the cables and compression springs.
US08852002B2	Method of providing game application and image display device using the same Disclosed herein are a method of providing a game application through an image display device and a user terminal connected over a network and a game application provision system employing the method. The method of providing the game application includes assigning a play identifier to the user terminal, executing the game application, generating game execution information, and transmitting the game execution information to the user terminal.
US08851998B2	Fantasy sports roster management system and method Disclosed is a system and method for an active roster of a fantasy sports team in a fantasy sports league. In one aspect, a server computer receives, over a network from a user computer operated by a user managing a fantasy sports team in a head-to-head fantasy sports league, an active roster of players, bench players, and an inactive roster of players. The inactive roster includes players that are assigned by the user to not accumulate points during a predetermined period of time and who cannot become bench players or part of the active roster during the predetermined period of time. The server computer determines points earned by each player of the active roster of the fantasy sports team. The server computer transmits to the user computer the active roster, the bench players, the inactive roster, and the points earned by each player of the active roster.
US08851995B2	Game apparatus for performing game processing according to an attitude of an input device and game program A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU sets a moving direction, that is, a position and an orientation of a moving object within a game space on the basis of angular velocity data transmitted from a first controller, that is, an attitude of a gyro sensor unit (gyro sensor). Then, when a second controller is drawn toward a near side in a state that a C button and a Z button thereof are simultaneously pressed, and the C button and the Z button are simultaneously released in that state, the moving object is shot.
US08851993B2	Game device, game method, non-transitory storage medium encoded with computer readable program for controlling game device, and game system, allowing for fun in tactics and enhanced zest of game An exemplary embodiment provides a game device. The game device includes an indication acceptance unit for accepting an indication for determining an amount of movement, a movement amount determination unit for determining an amount of movement on the prescribed route, a position updating unit for updating positions of all player characters on the route in accordance with the determined amount of movement, and an event processing unit for executing an event on the player character and the indication acceptance unit includes a normal indication acceptance unit for accepting a normal indication for determining a normal amount of movement and a special indication acceptance unit for accepting a special indication for determining an amount of movement different from normal, which is executed alternative to the normal indication and of which number of permitted times of issuance by the plurality of player characters is limited.
US08851984B2	System and method to impose activity limitations on a user with biometrical enforcement A system and method are disclosed by which, in one embodiment, a user of a user terminal may select or be subject to one or more imposed limitations on their activities over a period of time. The commitment and data corresponding to an identifying biometric feature of the user are stored. When the user uses a user terminal the system and method compares a capture biometrical image of the user with the stored image and if there is a match the one or more limitations is/are enforced. Biometrical data for files where the temporal period of the limitation has passed are ignored to reduce the number of files with which the comparison must be made reducing the number of false matches.
US08851981B2	Personalized jackpot wagering game, gaming system, and method A gaming system and method is disclosed that includes a personalized tournament or group event hosting website wherein players may participate in or organize one or more groups and/or associated group events online or at participating casinos, invite friends and acquaintances to join one or more groups, accept or extend invitations to play in tournaments or competitions, and, set up and enter tournaments or competitions.
US08851978B1	System and method for the provision of time-based awards in an online game A system and method are disclosed for providing stochastic, tiered awards in an online game based on a user's real-time completion of a task in the online game, where a time clock for the task begins running (in real-time) at the completion of a user's immediately previous task. The game may include a plurality of tasks, where a second task may be made performable in response to a user completing a first task. An award may be distributed to a user based on an amount of real world time taken by the user to complete the second task. A plurality of awards may be available for provision to a user. The plurality of potential awards may include various levels of potential awards.
US08851977B2	Dual liquid crystal shutter display A dual switchable LCD display is disclosed that allows the juxtaposition of a front and rear image. A rear switchable screen is in proximity to the projector system. The rear image is projected on the rear screen at a first time interval. The rear switchable screen has an open state allowing light transmission through the rear screen and a closed translucent state obscuring the rear screen. A front switchable screen overlays the rear switchable screen. The projector system projects the front image on the front screen at a second time interval. The front switchable screen has an open state allowing light transmission through the front screen and a closed translucent state obscuring the front screen. A controller periodically cycles the respective closed and open states between the first and second time intervals to present a juxtaposition of the front image and the rear image to a viewer.
US08851975B2	System and method of accumulating and recording outcomes generated by a gaming device The present invention provides a variety of systems and methods of playing a slot machine game in which players accumulate elements during one or more spins and at the conclusion of any spin may record the accumulation of said elements for future use at the same or different slot machine game. In three preferred embodiments, a player accumulates: the cumulative number of times one or more predetermined symbols appear in the symbol matrix; the cumulative number of points awarded by the game for winning symbol combinations appearing in the symbol matrix; or a set of predetermined winning symbol combinations.
US08851971B1	Method and system for dynamic binding of prizes to multi-outcome games A method and system for dynamically binding prizes to a multi-outcome game. The invention allows an enterprise to generate a playerlist of customer names from a CRM database of the enterprise and send a game application from a content server to the customers on the playerlist while dynamically binding prizes and outcomes of the game application just prior to or during transmission of the game application to the data capable communication devices of the customers on the playerlist.
US08851969B2	Gaming system having a plurality of gaming machines linked by network and control method thereof According to a gaming system of the present invention, illuminants included in a coupling illuminated line provided for each slot machine are lighted. Such lighting is conducted to the illuminants in an order starting from the illuminant provided at a position closest to the gaming machine. Further, more illuminants are to be lighted in the coupling illuminated line provided for the gaming machine in which the larger number of game media have been betted.
US08851968B2	Method and device for conducting a numbers game with a prize component At least one game matrix is generated. Number indicia are selected and any matches between the selected number indicia and the game matrix are identified. The numbers game component is resolved based on the identified matches. One or more game hands are formed by assigning a prize indicium and/or game indicium to each match. Optionally, game indicia are randomly assigned to game matrix locations lacking a match. In an embodiment based on Bingo, a game hand may be formed based on the pattern of matches. The game hand component of a game is resolved based on a comparison of the game hand to a standard, such as a pay table, dealer hand, and/or other game hands of other players. A prize component is resolved based on whether a predetermined collection of prize indicia is obtained.
US08851963B2	Butchering processes for the beef clod A method for mass-production butchering of a chuck roll of beef includes: sectioning the beef clod into a first portion and a second portion substantially along a natural seam, the first portion comprising triceps brachii long head muscle and essentially being free of triceps brachii lateral head muscle, and the second portion comprising triceps brachii lateral head muscle and essentially being free of triceps brachii long head muscle; and sectioning the first portion generally with or parallel to the grain into a first set of separate portions. Another method for mass-production butchering of a beef clod may include: sectioning the beef clod into a first portion and a second portion substantially along a natural seam, the first portion comprising the teres major; and sectioning the first portion generally with or parallel to the grain into a first set of separate portions.
US08851962B2	Barrel-shaped threaded tool for machining internal gear An object is to provide a barrel-shaped threaded tool for machining an internal gear which is capable of machining with high accuracy by appropriately setting a helix angle. To achieve the object, in a threaded grinding wheel (11) formed into a barrel shape having a diameter gradually decreasing from an axially intermediate portion thereof toward axially opposite end portions thereof so that the threaded grinding wheel (11) is meshed with a workpiece (W) with a crossed axes angle (Σ) therebetween during the machining of the workpiece (W), the helix angle is set in accordance with the length from the axially intermediate portion.
US08851959B2	Chemical mechanical polishing device and polishing element A polishing apparatus used in chemical mechanical polishing device is provided. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing plate for holding a wafer to be polished; a polishing pad arm, one end of the polishing pad arm being fixed, another end of the polishing pad arm holding a polishing pad, and the polishing pad arm driving the polishing pad for moving relatively to the wafer; the polishing pad moving relatively to the wafer with drive from the polishing pad arm, and the polishing pad arm ensuring the polishing pad contacting the wafer during movement; and a slurry supply route for supplying polishing slurry between the polishing pad and the wafer during polishing. The present invention also provides a chemical mechanical polishing device. It makes for realizing miniaturization of a chemical mechanical polishing device, saving polishing slurry and improving utilization rate of the polishing pad in the chemical mechanical polishing device to apply the present invention.
US08851955B2	Rocking inflatable figure A rocking inflatable figure has a hollow inflatable body, a rocking mechanism and an air pump. The inflatable body has an air inlet, a movable portion and two partition diaphragms securely mounted on an inner wall inside the movable portion. The rocking mechanism is mounted between the two partition diaphragms and has a housing and an oscillating lever pivotally mounted on the housing. An electric motor and a transmission mechanism are mounted inside the housing. When the electric motor and the transmission mechanism drive the oscillating lever to keep oscillating, the two partition diaphragms on the movable portion rock relative to each other. Accordingly, the rocking inflatable figure can exhibit a continuously rocking form to increase the viewing fun and animated effect.
US08851951B2	Method of fabricating dual panel type organic electroluminescent display device An method of fabricating an organic electroluminescent device includes forming a switching element and a driving element connected to the switching element on a substrate in a pixel region, forming an overcoat layer on the switching element and the driving element, forming a contact layer on the overcoat layer, wherein the contact layer is made of one of molybdenum and indium tin oxide, forming a cathode on the contact layer, the cathode connected to the driving element through the contact layer, forming an emitting layer on the cathode, and forming an anode on the emitting layer.
US08851950B2	Recyclability of fluorescent lamp phosphors Improved recyclability of phosphors in fluorescent lamps is provided. A fluorescent lamp is constructed with phosphor particles having a specific surface area less than a certain predetermined value. During recycling, these phosphor particles are more readily separated from the basing cement used in such fluorescent lamp. A method is also provided by which such phosphors are more readily separated from the basing cement.
US08851949B2	Systems and methods for inflatable avalanche protection with active deflation One embodiment of the present invention relates to an avalanche safety system including an inflatable chamber, activation system, inflation system, and a harness. The inflatable chamber is a three-dimensionally, partially enclosed region having an inflated state and a compressed state. The inflated state may form a particular three dimensional shape configured to protect the user from impact and/or provide inverse segregation during an avalanche. The activation system is configured to receive a user-triggered action to activate the system. The inflation system is configured to transmit gas into and out of the inflatable chamber to transition between the inflated state and compressed state. The inflation system may automatically deflate or transmit the gas from the inflatable chamber external of the system. Automatic deflation of the inflatable chamber may be via a valve corresponding to a particular value such as time or three dimensional position of the user.
US08851946B2	Outboard motor control apparatus In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and transmission, it is configured to determine whether acceleration is instructed to the engine by an operator when the gear position is the second speed, detect a slip ratio of a propeller based on theoretical velocity and actual velocity of a boat, control a throttle opening to suppress increase in the slip ratio when the acceleration is determined to be instructed, and change the gear position from the second speed to the first speed when the slip ratio is equal to or less than a first predetermined value and the change amount of the slip ratio is equal to or less than a prescribed value. With this, it becomes possible to appropriately control operation of the engine and the transmission during acceleration, thereby improving the acceleration performance of immediately after acceleration start.
US08851945B2	Outboard engine unit An outboard engine unit capable of efficiently cooling the interior of an engine cover is disclosed. The outboard engine unit includes a cooling opening capable of guiding air to an interior from an upper part of the engine cover, a first intake channel having a first outlet open to an upper front end and communicating with the opening, a partition wall disposed so as to be oriented substantially in a perpendicular direction below the first outlet; and a second intake channel extending substantially in the perpendicular direction along a rear wall of the engine cover rearward of the partition wall. The outboard engine unit is configured so that air directed from the cooling opening to the interior of the engine cover is directed to the throttle unit via the second cooling air intake channel.
US08851944B1	Marine engine hydraulic system A hydraulic system for a marine engine has a fluid reservoir, a bi-directional pump, a valve assembly, and a hydraulic actuator. The valve assembly includes: first and fourth apertures fluidly communicating with the pump, second and third apertures fluidly communicating with the actuator, and a fifth aperture fluidly communicating with the fluid reservoir. Operating the pump to supply hydraulic fluid to the first aperture causes hydraulic fluid to flow from the pump to the actuator and from the actuator to the fluid reservoir, and causes the actuator to move in a first actuator direction. Operating the pump to supply hydraulic fluid to the fourth aperture causes hydraulic fluid to flow from the pump to the actuator and from the actuator to the pump, and causes the actuator to move in a second actuator direction opposite the first actuator direction.
US08851939B2	Solder-less electrical connection A solder-less wire connector sleeve of conductive material has a first bore portion extending from a first end and configured for rotatable connection to an end portion of an electrical rod or pin of a subsea connector or the like, and a second bore portion extending from the second end and configured for receiving a wire. The sleeve has a crimp portion overlying the wire receiving end portion. An annular, resilient, snap engaging member is mounted in the first bore portion to extend radially inwardly into the bore, and is configured for resilient, snap engagement in an annular groove in the conductor rod adjacent the tip of the rod to retain the rod in the sleeve while permitting relative rotation between the rod and sleeve.
US08851935B2	Electrical wire harness connector A connector includes a plurality of terminal metal fittings that are arranged in parallel to one another and respectively have electric wire connection sections to which electric wires are electrically connected, and a connector housing that accommodates the plurality of terminal metal fittings therein. The plurality of terminal metal fittings are configured that the lengths of the electric wire connection sections are made longer in accordance with the arrangement thereof from one side toward the other side in an arrangement direction of the plurality of terminal metal fittings. The electric wires are connected to the electric wire connection sections respectively so that the electric wires extend from one end portions of the electric wire connection sections toward the one side and intersect with a longitudinal direction of the electric wire connection section.
US08851932B2	Contacts for electronic devices A contact includes an upper contact having a plunger with a tip configured to engage a first electronic component being movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The upper contact has deflecting beams deflected as the plunger is forced into the retracted position and forcing the plunger to return to the extended position when the plunger is released. The contact includes a lower contact having a base beam and a tail extending from the base beam for engaging a second electronic component. The base beam engages and is spring biased against the plunger. The plunger is movable relative to the lower contact. The base beam is biased against and maintains electrical contact with the plunger as the plunger is moved between the extended and retracted positions.
US08851930B2	Mini display port connector An electrical connector for connection with a circuit board having a plurality of through holes and a plurality of SMT contacts. The electrical connector having a plurality of through hole terminals positioned according to the plurality of through holes and arranged in a top-down manner along an upper row and a lower row, and a plurality of SMT terminals positioned sequentially adjacent to each other along a common row in corresponding position to the plurality of SMT contacts on the circuit board.
US08851927B2	Electrical connector with shielding and grounding features thereof An electrical connector for mating with a plug and mounting to a printed circuit board, includes an insulative housing defining a rear base and a front mating tongue, two rows of terminals received in the insulating housing and a shielding plate interposed between said two rows of the terminals. The terminals include contacting portions exposed upon opposite surfaces of the front mating tongue and board-connecting legs extending out of the rear base for mounting to the printed circuit board. The terminals are categorized with differential pairs of signal and grounding terminals mixed up with one another for coupling to the plug. The shielding plate includes at least one grounding finger split therefrom and a grounding leg for mounting to the printed circuit board. Each grounding finger is disposed between two adjacent differential pairs and parallel to the contacting portions of said terminals.
US08851925B2	Wire harness and method of manufacturing the same A wire harness includes a plurality of wires, and a connector including a housing for holding end portions of the plurality of wires. The housing includes an airtight block that includes a resin, an insertion hole formed thereon for inserting the plurality of wires, a flow channel in communication with the insertion hole to flow a molten resin therethrough for resin-sealing a gap between the insertion hole and the plurality of wires, and a melting section to be the molten resin being integrally formed with the flow channel. The gap between the insertion hole and the plurality of wires is resin-sealed such that an ultrasonic vibrator relatively moving with respect to the airtight block is brought into contact with the melting section, and the molten resin melted from the melting section by heat generated by vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator is poured into the gap.
US08851922B2	Electrical connector device and connector used in the electrical connector device An electrical connector device includes a first connector including a first metal shell member; and a second connector to be mounted on a board and including a second metal shell member. The second connector includes an opening portion for receiving a fitting portion of the first connector in a fitting direction. The second metal shell member includes a ground connecting portion to be contacted with the board and a ground contacting member situated in a cut hole. The ground contacting member is arrange to be capable of contacting with the first metal shell member. The ground connecting portion is arranged partially on a first imaginary straight line perpendicular to the fitting direction and a second imaginary straight line in parallel to the fitting direction so that the cut hole is not situated on the first imaginary straight line and is situated partially on the second imaginary straight line.
US08851917B2	Locking mechanism having a driving component for locking and unlocking a plug to a plug base A plug device includes a plug base, a plug detachably mounted on the plug base, and a locking mechanism positioned on the plug base. The plug defines an engaging slot. The locking mechanism includes a latching component mounted on the plug base. When the latching component moves to an unlocking position, the latching component disengages from the engaging slot for allowing the plug being detached from the plug base. When the latching component moves to a locking position, the latching component is capable of being received in the engaging slot for locking the plug to the plug base.
US08851915B2	Plug cap One object of the invention is to provide a plug cap that more reliably prevents the leakage of current by suppressing the ingress of water from a gap between a terminal body and a rubber member.A plug cap 1 includes an electrical connection portion 5 that electrically connects a spark plug to a plug cord, a terminal body 2 that is provided on the outer periphery of the electrical connection portion 5, and a cylindrical rubber member 3 which is mounted on at least one of one end portion and the other end portion of the terminal body 2 and into which the spark plug or the like is inserted. The terminal body 2 includes a one end-side insertion portion 41 which is formed at one end of the terminal body and into which the spark plug is inserted and the other end-side insertion portion 42 which is formed at the other end of the terminal body and into which the plug cord is inserted. The rubber member 3 includes an inner cylindrical portion 31 that is inserted into the one end-side insertion portion 41 or the other end-side insertion portion 42, and a cylindrical outer cylindrical portion 32 that is positioned close to the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 31. The inner cylindrical portion 31 includes annular protrusions 35 that come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal body 2.
US08851912B2	Power socket having an electromagnetic pop-up mechanism An exemplary electrical connector assembly includes a power plug and a power socket. The power plug includes a magnet. The power socket includes a pop-up mechanism. The pop-up mechanism includes a sliding assembly which can be switched from a first position to a second position. When the sliding assembly is switched from the first position to the second position, the pop-up mechanism generates a magnetic field which repels the magnet of the power plug, and the power plug moves away from the power socket.
US08851911B2	Card connector A card connector for receiving a card is provided. The card connector includes a housing a plurality of contacts, a slider and a stopper. The housing includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a card receiving passageway formed therein. The contacts are secured in the housing. The slider is positioned and slidable between the front wall and the rear wall. The stopper is supported by the slider and includes end sections positioned adjacent to the slider, such that a space is provided between one of the end sections and the slider.
US08851909B2	Retractable universal electric wall outlet The retractable universal electrical wall outlet is a wall outlet unit that is designed to include multiple ports for providing power to a variety of devices. The ports may include a telephone jack, a USB port, a DSL/LAN port, and a cable jack. The unit also incorporates therein a power switch, a safety switch, and a digital screen for displaying the amperage consumption and the temperature at the unit's location. A retractable member may be deployed to expose additional ports.
US08851908B1	Electrical connector with ground traces An electrical connector may include a cord comprising a plurality of wires and a plug extending from the cord. The plug may include a row of conductive signal pads arranged in a plane across the plug, the pads in the row being coupled to the plurality of wires, a plurality of conductive ground traces arranged in the plane across the plug and extending between the pads in the row, with at least one trace extending between adjacent pads, and a ground pad arranged in the plane and located adjacent to the row of conductive signal pads.
US08851902B2	Modular connector for a cable-less patching device Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a modular jack or modular connector mountable on a patch panel and having two openings. A first opening may receive a standard modular plug and a second opening may enable access to the resilient part of the conductive contacts inside the jack by a conductive element. The conductive element may electrically connect the connector to a second connector. The connector may be disconnected from the second connector when a communication plug is inserted into the first opening of the connector.
US08851897B1	Method and device for gravity like simulation of natural balance movements We present a tool that can enhance the concept of BWS training by allowing natural APAs to occur mediolaterally. While in a supine position in a 90 degree tilted environment built around a modified hospital bed, subjects wear a backpack frame that is freely moving on air-hearings, as a puck on an air hockey table, and attached through a cable to a pneumatic cylinder that provides a load that can be set to emulate various G-like loads. Veridical visual input is provided through two 3-D automultiscopic displays that allow glasses free 3-D vision representing a virtual surrounding environment that may be acquired from sites chosen by the patient. Two groups of 12 healthy subjects were exposed to either strength training alone or a combination of strength and balance training in such a tilted environment over a period of four weeks.
US08851896B2	Virtual reality GTAW and pipe welding simulator and setup A simulator facilitating virtual welding activity. The simulator may include a logic processor based subsystem operable to generate an interactive welding environment in virtual reality space that emulates welding activity by simulating a virtual weld puddle having dynamic, real time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics, responsive to performing a simulated welding activity in real time. The simulator may include a foot pedal device in operative communication with the logic processor based subsystem and configured to affect a characteristic of the virtual weld puddle in real time, responsive to user control of the foot pedal device. The simulator may be configured to track the movements of a mock welding tool and a mock filler wire and determine interaction between the virtual weld puddle, a corresponding virtual welding tool, and a corresponding filler wire in virtual reality space that would result in the welding tool becoming contaminated.
US08851890B2	Impression cap for a dental implant Impression cap for a dental implant, with a recess (8) extending in the longitudinal direction between two end areas (4, 6) of the impression cap. The recess is configured in such a way that it can receive a fastening element, which is intended to connect the impression cap to the dental implant via a first of the two end areas (4). The impression cap, at its second end area (6) remote from the first end area, has a connection element that is configured in such a way as to produce a releasable snap-fit connection between the impression cap and the dental implant.
US08851884B2	Control system for the ignition of a gas burner A control system for the ignition of a gas burner that include an electromagnetic valve having a first coil and a second coil, the activation of the first and second coils controlling the flow of gas through the electromagnetic valve. An ignition element which is designed to be heated until it reaches the gas combustion temperature of the gas delivered to the burner is disposed electrically in series with the first coil, the ignition element and first coil forming a branch. The control system also includes an auxiliary electromagnetic valve with a coil, the activation of the coil controlling the flow of gas through the auxiliary electromagnetic valve. The flow of gas towards the burner is allowed when both the electromagnetic valve and the auxiliary electromagnetic valve are open.
US08851883B2	Preheating of fuel and oxidant of oxy-burners, using combustion air preheating installations The invention relates to a combustion method which is performed in a furnace that is equipped with energy recovery means and burners, whereby the heat from the combustion fumes is recovered by energy recovery means and said recovered heat is used in order to heat the air. According to the invention, at least part of the burners performs the combustion of an oxygen-rich comburent and a fuel and at least part of the air heated by the energy recovery means is used to heat the oxygen-rich comburent and/or fuel for the burners.
US08851881B2	Ovens for preforms Ovens for preforms in plastic material, applicable in particular but not exclusively to blowing machines and stretch blowing machines, are provided.
US08851879B2	Double bag vacuum infusion process and system for low cost, advanced composite fabrication Boeing is actively engaged in the production of lightweight composite airframes for both military and commercial applications. The double bag vacuum infusion process of the present invention provides a low cost, method for producing complex composite assemblies without an autoclave. It also enables the production of highly innovative structures. The quality of the composites produced using such an infusion process are comparable to composites made using prepregs, hand layup or fiber placement, and autoclave curing.
US08851878B2	Filter for a resin vessel A resin vessel including a sealed container (31) having an inlet (36) and an outlet (40) as well as a bottom surface (33) is described. The resin vessel further includes a filter device (60). The filter device (60) includes a housing (61) having a first end (62) and a second end (64). When seen from the first end (62) towards the second end (64), the filter device (60) includes: a first demister layer (66) having a first end (68) and a second end (70) and having a first thickness, a second layer (72) having a first end (74) and a second end (76) and having a second thickness and comprising silica, and a third layer (78) having a first end (80) and a second end (82) and having a third thickness and including activated carbon, the layers (66, 72, 78) of the filter device being arranged within the housing (61). The filter device (60) further includes: an inlet (84) for receiving a gaseous fluid provided at the first end (62) of the housing (61), and an outlet (86) for emitting the gaseous fluid after having passed the layers (66, 72, 78) of the filter device (60), the outlet (86) being provided at the second end (64) of the housing (60). The outlet (86) of the filter device (60) is connected to the outlet (40) of the sealed container (31) so that the inlet (84) of the filter device (60) is located at a distance from the bottom surface (33) of the sealed container (31).
US08851876B2	Injection mold An injection mold includes a first plate, a second plate, a movable plate, a ball screw, a ball nut, an injection screw, a transmission shaft, an injection motor, a metering motor, a first driving assembly and a second driving assembly. The ball screw is rotatably supported by the first plate. The ball nut is fixed to the movable plate, and is threadedly engaged with the ball screw. The injection screw is coaxially positioned with the ball screw. The transmission shaft is rotatably supported by the second plate. The injection motor is fixedly mounted on the first plate. The metering motor is fixed mounted on the second plate. The first driving assembly is connected to the injection motor to drive the ball screw. The second driving assembly is connected to the metering motor to rotate the transmission shaft for moving the injection screw.
US08851868B2	Scroll compressor including flow path with differing axial extents A scroll compressor includes two scrolls 40, 46 having respective scroll plates 42, 48 and respective scroll walls 44, 50. The scroll walls intermesh so that on relative orbital movement of the scrolls, a volume 52, 54 of gas is trapped between the scrolls and pumped from an inlet 31 to an outlet 33. The axial extent ‘A’ of the trapped volume between the scroll plates is less along a first portion 62 of a flow path 56 between the inlet and the outlet than the axial extent ‘B’ of the trapped volume along a second portion 64 of the flow path, and the first portion is closer to the inlet than the second portion along the flow path.
US08851867B2	Stator for progressive cavity pump/motor A stator for a progressive cavity pump or motor includes a stator housing and a stator thread made of a material moulded within the housing. The stator housing includes an outer tube and an inner anchor element within. The anchor element has radially disposed apertures and is spaced from outer tube. To fix the anchor element in the outer tube, the axial end faces of the anchor element each have a first set of protrusions and indentations around the circumference thereof. Two end caps of the housing are fixed at the end faces of the outer tube. Each end cap is provided with an interconnecting part having a second set of protrusions and indentations. The first and second sets of protrusions and indentations interengage to mechanically fix the anchor element axially and radially within the outer tube.
US08851864B2	Attenuating vibration in a submersible pump Vibration of a rotor positioned within a stator of an electric motor of an electric submersible pump assembly is attenuated in a first embodiment by adjusting the length of the rotor to position rotor bearings supporting the rotor within the stator at locations of low amplitude vibration. In a second embodiment, hydraulic pressure is applied to a fluid chamber supporting a thrust bearing that supports the rotor. When hydraulic fluid pressure is applied, the thrust bearing and the rotor move axially. Thus, moving the rotor bearings away from areas of high amplitude vibration of the rotor. In a third embodiment, a sliding mass affixed to the motor is moved in response to vibration of the motor. Movement of the sliding mass changes the vibration profile of the motor.
US08851861B2	Powertrain hydraulic system for hybrid electric vehicles A hydraulic system for a vehicle powertrain includes a module including a clutch, an electric machine and a first sump, a transmission including a line pressure source and a second sump, and a pump that supplies fluid from the first sump to the line pressure source when the source of line pressure is unavailable, and supplies fluid from the first sump to the second sump when fluid volume in the second sump is low.
US08851859B2	Nacelle stand and a method for assembling and testing a nacelle for a wind turbine A nacelle stand and a method for building and testing a nacelle for a wind turbine using a nacelle stand, the nacelle stand being suitable for supporting a nacelle for a wind turbine, during manufacturing and assembly of the nacelle, testing and transport. The nacelle stand has a connecting arrangement for rigid connection to a yaw system arranged at the main frame of the nacelle, a midsection, a horizontal bedplate and a center part with a number of fingers extending away from the center part in a horizontal plane, the fingers each having an angle larger than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the stand.
US08851858B2	Propeller blades having icephobic coating A propeller blade for rotation about a hub assembly is provided, wherein the propeller blade defines a radial direction along its length from a blade root to a blade tip, the propeller blade comprising: a radially inner region; a radially outer region located between the blade root and the blade tip at a position where rotational forces on the blade are sufficient, in use, to remove ice from an uncoated blade; a coating disposed at least along a leading edge of the propeller blade, the coating comprising an icephobic material, wherein the coating extends along the propeller blade from the radially inner region to the radially outer region.
US08851857B2	Wind turbine blade and wind power generator using the same Provided are a wind turbine blade that can reduce the thickness of a turbulent-flow boundary layer generated on the blade surface of a blade tip portion to prevent noise generated at a trailing edge portion effectively, as well as a wind power generator using the same. Provided is a wind turbine blade, which is a wind turbine blade having an airfoil shape in cross section, wherein an angle-of-attack decreasing portion that decreases an angle of attack during rotation at at least a predetermined rotational speed is provided over a predetermined range from a blade tip to a blade root side.
US08851856B2	Rotor blade comprising structural elements A rotor blade has a chord and a span length perpendicular to the chord. The rotor blade includes a first skin having an inner surface and a first plurality of elements extending from the inner surface. The first plurality of elements are distributed along at least a portion of the span length and inclined with respect to the chord of the rotor blade. A second skin is attached to the first skin so as to form an outer surface of the rotor blade. The second skin has a second plurality of elements extending towards the inner surface of the first skin and engaging with the first plurality of elements to form a plurality of ribs within the rotor blade.
US08851855B2	Composite turbomachine blade A composite turbomachine blade (34) comprises a composite material including reinforcing fibers in a matrix material, the turbomachine blade (34) comprises an aerofoil portion (36), a shank portion (38) and a root portion (40). The aerofoil portion (36) has a leading edge (42), a trailing edge (44). The composite turbomachine blade (34) also has a metallic protective member (52) arranged in the region of the leading edge (42) of the aerofoil portion (36) of the turbomachine blade (34). The metallic protective member (52) is adhesively bonded to the composite material in the region of the leading edge (42) of the aerofoil portion (36) of the composite turbomachine blade (34). The metallic protective member (52) has at least one metallic projection (56, 58) extending from the metallic protective member (52) towards the root portion (40) of the composite turbomachine blade (34). The at least one metallic projection (56, 58) reduces local peak stress levels and increases high cycle fatigue strength in the composite material, the adhesive and the metallic protective member.
US08851854B2	Energy absorbent fan blade spacer A gas turbine engine fan assembly includes a rotor disk, a fan blade and a spacer. The rotor disk includes a longitudinally extending slot with a first spacer contact surface. The fan blade includes a root with a second spacer contact surface arranged within the slot. The spacer includes a leaf spring backbone and a compliant member. The leaf spring backbone includes one or more root contact segments connected longitudinally to one or more slot contact segments. A first of the root contact segments contacts the second spacer contact surface, and a first of the slot contact segments contacts the first spacer contact surface. The compliant member is radially between the first spacer contact surface and the first root contact segment, and radially between the second spacer contact surface and the first slot contact segment.
US08851852B2	Turbine assembly A turbine assembly includes a rotor (1) with a channel (20) and a plurality of blades (10) with a root (30) rotationally fitted in the channel (20). The root (30) and channel (20) have complimentary angled end walls (26, 36) while the root (30) is further configured to have radial play in the channel (20). The combination of this radial play and end wall angle enables, when the base (31) of the root (30) is in contact with the base (21) of the channel (20), enable over-rotating compared to when the base (31) of the root (30) and channel (20) are not in contact. This over-rotation enables the fitting of a last root (30) in the channel (20).
US08851848B1	Turbine blade with showerhead film cooling slots A turbine blade with a leading edge region of the airfoil having rows of film cooling slots each connected by one or more metering holes to a cooling air impingement cavity, where the film slots have both a convergent and a divergent shape. The side walls converge while the top and bottom walls diverge within each slot and form a very narrow but tall slot opening on the leading edge surface of the blade.
US08851847B2	Rotor for a turbo machine The invention relates to a rotor (10) for a turbo machine, in particular for an aircraft turbine, having rotating blades (12), which are joined with a basic rotor body (16) and, radially underneath their blade platforms (18), comprise channels (22) for introducing cooling air (KL) into rotating blades (12), whereby a gas diffusor (24) is provided on a high-pressure (HD) side of rotor (10), this diffusor being designed to at least reduce a hot-gas (HL) flow into channels (22) during the operation of the associated turbo machine and to permit an entry of cooling air (KL) into channels (22), whereby gas diffusor (24) is joined to rotor (10) and comprises a blocking element (28) running annularly in the circumferential direction of rotor (10). A related method for manufacturing, repairing and/or overhauling a rotor (10) for a turbo machine is also provided.
US08851842B2	Retractable composite rotor blade assembly A retractable rotor blade for a flying vehicle is configured to undergo extension and retraction movement and includes an interlink assembly, a helical ribbon assembly for reinforcing the interlink assembly, and a flexible and elastic sleeve configured to cover the interlink assembly and the helical ribbon assembly in the extended and retracted states of the rotor blade. The interlink assembly has interconnected link base subassemblies each configured to be translated along a span of the rotor blade such that each subsequent link base subassembly becomes stacked one atop the other while remaining connected to a next link base subassembly. Each of the link base subassemblies has a damper configured to dampen movement of the interlink assembly during extension and retraction of the rotor blade.
US08851839B2	Wide blade multiple generator wind turbine The present invention is a wide blade multiple generator wind turbine, which produces electrical energy by harnessing the kinetic energy of the wind to rotate multiple generators. Unlike traditional wind turbines, the present invention uses wide blades to focus on producing more torque rather than rotational speed. The wide blades are concentrically attached to a large drive wheel. The drive wheel is engaged to each of the generators and must be large enough to properly transfer the torque produced by the wide blades to the generators. The present invention could either position the generators concentrically around the drive wheel, which would directly engage the drive wheel to the generators, or position the generators laterally along the base structure, which would engage the drive wheel to the generators through a belt-and-pulley system or a chain-and-gear system. In addition to harnessing wind power, the present invention is design to absorb solar energy through the surface of the wide blades.
US08851834B2	Centrifugal pump A centrifugal pump including a rotor and a housing surrounding the rotor, the housing having a connection on the pressure side and another on the intake side, respectively. The housing surrounding the rotor is constructed as a composite part in which a first thin-walled layer (5) defines the inner configuration of the housing, and at least one second layer (11) provides structural stability to the housing.
US08851833B2	Blades A rotor blade 40 for a gas turbine engine has an aerofoil portion 42 from a root 48 to a tip 54. In use, combustion gas may leak over the tip 54 from the pressure face 52 to the suction face 50. A gutter 62 extends across the tip 54 to entrain any over tip leakage gap. The floor of the gutter defines an increased depth portion 72 at the exit end of the gutter 62.
US08851831B2	Air dam module and electronic device having the same An electronic device includes an air dam module. The air dam module includes a frame defining a vent, a first rotating member, a second rotating member, and two third rotating members. The first rotating member is rotatably connected to a surface bounding the vent, to vertically block a lower half of the vent by its gravity. The second rotating member is rotatably connected to the surface bounding the vent. The third rotating members are rotatably connected to opposite ends of the second rotating member. The second and third rotating members vertically block an upper half of the vent by their gravities.
US08851826B2	Bucket and work vehicle A bottom surface part of a bucket includes first and second curved surface parts. The second curved surface part is positioned closer to a back surface part than the first curved surface part. A second curvature radius of the second curved surface part is shorter than a first curvature radius of the first curved surface part. The center of the first curvature radius is positioned to the outside of a main bucket body when viewed from the side. In a horizontal state, the first curved surface part is arranged along or above a reference curved surface when viewed from the side. A connecting part between the first curved surface part and the second curved surface part is positioned more towards a lip part than the portion of the bottom surface part that is positioned lowest in the bottom surface part in the horizontal state when viewed from the side.
US08851825B2	Fork carriage apparatus for a materials handling vehicle A materials handling vehicle is provided including a vehicle power unit, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus supported on the monomast. The fork carriage apparatus includes a mast carriage assembly directly coupled to the monomast for vertical movement, a fork carriage mechanism to which forks are mounted, and a reach mechanism coupled to the mast carriage assembly and to the fork carriage mechanism for actuating the fork carriage mechanism to move between an extended position and a retracted position.
US08851821B2	Substrate processing apparatus and substrate conveying apparatus for use in the same A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate processing section that processes a plurality of substrates assuming a vertical posture in a batch manner; a first traversing mechanism that laterally moves a first traverse holding portion along a first traversing path between a substrate transfer position and a substrate delivery position; a second traversing mechanism that laterally moves a second traverse holding portion along a second traversing path disposed below the first traversing path between the substrate transfer position and the substrate delivery position; an elevation mechanism that raises and lowers an elevation holding portion in the substrate transfer position; and a main transfer mechanism that conveys a plurality of substrates assuming a vertical posture in a batch manner between the substrate delivery position and the substrate processing section, the first and second traverse holding portions, and the elevation holding portion each holds a plurality of substrates assuming a vertical posture in a batch manner.
US08851819B2	Substrate processing apparatus A substrate processing apparatus, which utilizes a first transfer apparatus and a second transfer apparatus which are configured to transfer a transfer container containing a plurality of substrates, along a first transfer path and a second transfer path whose lateral positions differ from each other, respectively, including a first load port where the transfer container is loaded and unloaded by the first transfer apparatus, and a second load port that is arranged stepwise with respect to the first load port, with the transfer container being loaded to and unloaded from the second load port by the second transfer apparatus.
US08851817B2	Universal modular wafer transport system The present invention is a wafer transfer system that transports individual wafers between chambers within an isolated environment. In one embodiment, a wafer is transported by a wafer shuttle that travel within a transport enclosure. The interior of the transport enclosure is isolated from the atmospheric conditions of the surrounding wafer fabrication facility. Thus, an individual wafer may be transported throughout the wafer fabrication facility without having to maintain a clean room environment for the entire facility. The wafer shuttle may be propelled by various technologies, such as, but not limited to, magnetic levitation or air bearings. The wafer shuttle may also transport more than one wafer simultaneously. The interior of the transport enclosure may also be under vacuum, gas-filled, or subject to filtered air.
US08851815B2	Self-piercing rivet A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. The self-piercing rivet integrally joins an upper plate member and a lower plate member overlapping each other. The self-piercing rivet includes a head portion, a shank portion integrally connected with the head portion and a plurality of ribs formed to an external circumferential surface of the shank portion along a length direction of the shank portion in a spiral form, wherein a drive slot is formed to upper portion of the head portion.
US08851811B2	Stabilizer for dressing electrodes and method of using the same One embodiment includes an electrode dressing apparatus having a rotatable dressing blade including a first cutting face, an electrode comprising an electrode body and a weld face, and an electrode guide positioned absolutely relative to the rotatable dressing blade to position the weld face of the electrode at a designated location over the first cutting face.
US08851807B2	Cutting tool having axial position adjustment arrangement A cutting tool has a plurality of cutting portions located along a cutter peripheral surface, alternating between cutter side surfaces, with a cutting insert retained in each cutting portion. At least one cutting portion has a main recess, formed opposite of the respective cutting insert. The main recess has a recess arcuate surface and a recess bearing surface. The cutting portion also has a cam member with a cam arcuate surface and a cam bearing surface, located on different sides of a cam pivot axis. The cam member is located within the main recess, the cam arcuate surface being adjacent the recess arcuate surface and the cam bearing surface being adjacent the recess bearing surface. The cutting portion is moveable between a neutral position and an adjusted position, in which the axial position of the cutting insert is adjusted when the cam member is rotated about the cam pivot axis.
US08851806B2	Apparatus for the conveying of plastics material preforms An apparatus (1) for the conveying of plastics material pre-forms (10) along a pre-set conveying path (P) with a first guide rail (2) and a second guide rail (4) for guiding the plastics material pre-forms (10), wherein the plastics material pre-forms (10) are guided between the guide rails (2, 4) and the guide rails (2, 4) have in each case first support faces (12, 14) which extend along the conveying path (P) and which support the plastics material pre-forms (10) during the conveying thereof. The apparatus (1) has a stressing device (42, 44) for acting upon the plastics material pre-forms (10) with a gaseous medium. The plastics material pre-forms are conveyed along their conveying path by being acted upon with the gaseous medium, and a geometrical position of the guide rails is capable of being altered with respect to each other.
US08851804B2	Pumpable support with cladding A support for use in mines and other underground workings is provided comprising a flexible inflatable bag configured for receiving a pumpable load-bearing material. A reinforcing material is provided for supporting the bag when the bag is filled with the load-bearing material. The reinforcing material can include reinforcing plates, rings, bands or barrels positioned about the outer periphery of the bag. Alternatively, the support can be formed from a plurality of stackable barrels that are filled with load-bearing material but without the inflatable bag. The barrels can include internal reinforcing or cladding material at spaced locations along the barrels to define controlled deflection zones. According to another design, the support can be designed to be extensible. The support is inexpensive to transport, can be erected on-site and has a reinforced structure with residual yield strength. A method for supporting a mine or other underground workings is disclosed.
US08851803B2	Multi-component retaining wall block A multi-component segmented retaining wall (SRW) block that may form a mortarless retaining wall. Each SRW block includes an interlocking face unit and an anchor unit that together form a vertically oriented hollow core bounded by the inner walls of the face unit and the anchor unit. Each face unit and anchor unit pair are interlocked by complementary connector elements.
US08851801B2	Self-centralizing soil nail and method of creating subsurface support A subsurface support is provided comprising a soil nail having an outer member and an inner member placed within the outer member. The soil nail includes features that maintain a uniform spaced relationship between the inner and outer members. The soil nail may be installed by drilling or launching through a launching device. The spaced relationship between the inner and outer members may be achieved by crimping the outer member, or by use of an insert installed between the inner and outer members. In other embodiments, the support is made of composite construction materials, and having a self-drilling capability. The soil nail has two primary members, namely, an outer threaded member, and an inner threaded member that is placed through the outer member The outer member is made from fiberglass, and a metallic drill bit is secured to a distal end of the soil nail. The inner member is preferably steel. A method is also provided to improve pull-out capacity of the soil nails by galvanizing the inner and outer members.
US08851798B1	High travel floating dock hinge A hinge connector for connecting adjoining floating dock sections formed from a pair of hinge halves. Each hinge half has a top flat surface, a downwardly directed leg having a lower leg portion. A plurality of hinge knuckle loops is formed on each leaf and hinge pin sleeve sections are fastened therein. When the two hinge leaves are brought together with their respective hinge knuckle loops/hinge pin sleeve sections interleaved and aligned, a hinge pin is inserted axially through the hinge pin sleeve sections, the two hinge halves are each free to rotate around the hinge pin. An orthogonal relationship exists between the top flat surface and the lower leg portion of the downwardly directed leg portion. This allows the floating dock hinge to be connected to both a horizontal surface such as the top deck of a floating and a vertical surface such as the edge of a floating dock module to maximize the strength of the hinged joint between modules.
US08851795B2	Method and apparatus for pre-installing cold water pipes for a floating ocean thermal energy conversion facility An apparatus for installing means to supply cold water from depth to a floating vessel comprises a template having a plurality of receptacles for receiving a plurality of vertically-oriented cold water pipes. A method for installing a plurality of cold water pipes at a floating, offshore ocean thermal energy conversion facility comprises: lowering such a template to the seafloor; inserting vertically-oriented pipes into the receptacles on the template; providing sufficient buoyancy near the top of the pipe to maintain the pipe in a generally vertical state; positioning a floating vessel having receptacles configured to engage the upper ends of the pipes over the template; raising the template with the inserted pipes from the seafloor until the upper ends of the pipes engage the receptacles; and, locking the pipes in the receptacles such that the pipes are in fluid communication with a cold water sump on the floating vessel.
US08851785B1	Ball joint An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a ball joint having a housing defining an axis and a chamber having an open end. A bearing is disposed in the chamber. A ball stud having a ball portion is supported within the chamber by the bearing and a stud portion extends outwardly from the open end of the chamber. A retainer having a mounting portion is secured to the housing to retain the bearing in the chamber and an opening is formed therein through which the stud portion extends. The retainer is stamped and has a central portion configured with a dome shaped surface which extends over the open end of the chamber and is shaped complimentary to the ball portion.
US08851784B2	System of an extension pole An extension pole. At least some of the illustrative embodiments include a first tubular member telescoped within a second tubular member. A first locking system is disposed within the internal volume of the first tubular member, and a second locking system is disposed at least partially on an outside diameter of the second tubular member.
US08851783B2	Ring binder mechanism having snap-in ring members A ring mechanism has an elongate body made of a moldable polymeric material and rings for holding loose-leaf pages. Each ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member. The first ring members are movable relative to the housing and the second ring members between a closed position and an open position. At least one ring member for each ring is a separately formed ring member and comprises a ring portion and an anchor connected to the ring portion. The at least one separately formed ring member is formed separately from the body. The anchor of the separately formed ring member is secured to the body for pivoting movement relative to the body. The anchor can be received in a receptacle in the body adapted to receive the anchor.
US08851781B2	Brush, in particular toothbrush, and associated production method A brush, in particular a toothbrush, comprising a head part with a cleaning structure featuring bristles, a hand part and a neck part, and a cavity located in the head or neck part comprising at least one outlet opening for an active substance. In one embodiment, the cavity incorporates an active substance element, which contains the active substance in a carrier material and releases said substance in a controlled manner when it comes into contact with water. In another embodiment, the cavity is adapted to the shape of an active substance element by means of defined external contours. The volume of the cavity is preferably 1-2 times and no more than 4 times greater than the volume of the active substance element, ensuring that the latter is preferably surrounded by water during use. This allows the active substance to be effectively metered and ensures the brush is easy to use.
US08851779B2	Oral care system, kit and method A portable oral care system comprising a toothbrush having a detachable handle portion forming a dispenser containing an oral care product. The dispenser is configured as a dispensing pen having a dispensing orifice or applicator at one end. The dispenser includes a ratchet-type fluid dispensing system for delivering the oral care product. The dispenser includes a self-biasing push button actuator formed of a deformable elastomeric material with an elastic memory. A user may detach the dispenser from the toothbrush, apply the product to an oral surface by depressing the actuator, and re-mount the dispenser in the toothbrush for storage.
US08851777B2	Replacement cartridge for a safety razor A replacement cartridge for a safety razor includes a dispensing head and a reservoir for a flowable shaving aid material. A removable shield is between the reservoir and the dispensing head and the shield interrupts fluid communication between channels of the reservoir and the dispensing head when the shield is in place. Fluid communication is permitted when the shield is removed. Removal of the shield is a onetime event. The shield can be a thermoplastic film. A razor cartridge can be disposed adjacent the dispensing head and the housing of the razor cartridge can be integrally formed with the housing of the dispensing head.
US08851774B2	Retractable-point writing implement A writing implement that includes a barrel extending in a longitudinal direction; a writing cartridge provided at one front end with a tip and designed to be moved in the barrel in the longitudinal direction between a forward position in which the tip is extended and a retracted position in which the tip is retracted into the barrel; a push member movable in the longitudinal direction and in a radial direction relative to the barrel, connected to the cartridge in order to move the latter, that includes at least one control member extending through an opening in the side of the barrel in order to project radially outwards, and also including at least one locking member designed to cooperate with a complementary locking member of the barrel allowing the push member to be locked in the forward position of the cartridge.
US08851773B2	Adjustable attachment for an applicator box An adjustable attachment for an applicator box to attach a handle, the adjustable attachment including a mounting plate for attachment to the applicator box having raised portion defining an enclosure between the raised portion and the application box, the enclosure accessible from at least one side, and attachment portion to attach to the handle, and a clamping assembly to clamp the attachment portion to the mounting plate and including at least one threaded member associated with a thumbwheel, rotation of the thumbwheel moving the clamping assembly between a clean condition which at least temporarily fixes the application box and handle relative to one another and a free condition in which the applicator box and handle are movable in relation to one another.
US08851772B2	Printing apparatus and feeding control method According to the embodiment, a printing apparatus includes: a printing unit that forms an image on a web; a first feeding unit that feeds the web; a second feeding unit downstream of the printing unit in a feed direction; a buffer unit that has a buffer plate and absorbs flexure of the web generated by the two feeding units by operating the buffer plate; a first feeding control unit that causes the first feeding unit to execute a first deceleration operation; and a second feeding control unit that causes the second feeding unit to execute the first deceleration operation when a trigger for stopping the feed of the web has occurred, measures a feed amount of the web fed by the second feeding unit, and changes the first deceleration operation to a second deceleration operation based on the feed amount.
US08851770B2	Printing apparatus A control unit includes a memory storing correction data obtained by associating information acquired by a first acquisition unit (rotary encoder) with information acquired by a second acquisition unit (direct sensor) with respect to, at least one rotation of a conveying roller. When a plurality of images are sequentially printed on a first surface and a second surface of a continuous sheet, the control unit reads the correction data corresponding to the rotation information acquired by the first acquisition unit from the memory and corrects at least one of driving control of a print head and driving control of the roller. The correction data used in printing on the first surface of the sheet is different from that used in printing on the second surface of the sheet.
US08851766B2	Fiber optic mechanical splicer A fiber optic mechanical splicer includes a fiber connection base, a base cover and one or more fastening clamps. The base includes a plurality of insertion parts, fiber connection parts, and auxiliary protuberances. Each of the insertion parts having an insertion hole through which an optical cable is inserted. A connection groove is formed at a central portion of the fiber connection parts and extends in a lengthwise direction of the fiber connection parts. The base cover covers the fiber connection parts and is supported by the auxiliary protuberances. The one or more fastening clamps elastically fit around the fiber connection base and the base cover to fixedly hold the fiber connection base and the base cover with each other while pressing the optical fiber seated in the connection groove.
US08851764B2	Electronic device with optical universal serial bus connector An electronic device includes a main body, and an optical USB connector mounted on the main body. The optical USB connector includes a hollow housing mounted on the main body, a mounting portion fixed within the housing, an electrical connecting portion, and an optical connecting portion mounted on the mounting portion. The electrical connecting portion is for transmitting electrical signals. The optical connecting portion is for transmitting optical signals. The optical connecting portion is surrounding the electrical connecting portion.
US08851763B2	Optical fiber adapter with shutter member An optical fiber adapter includes a main body, an elastic shutter member and a pair of inner housings. The main body has an accommodation room. The shutter member includes a fixed portion, a shutter plate, a connecting portion, an extending portion and a bent portion. The fixed portion is positioned in the accommodation room. The connecting portion connects the fixed portion with the shutter plate. The shutter plate is positioned within the accommodation room. The extending portion extends from the fixed portion and is connected with the bent portion. The bent portion is attached to a protrusion on a wall of the accommodation room. The inner housings are positioned within the accommodation room and each include a hollow cylinder extending from a flange. The flanges of the inner housings are attached to each other and one of the flanges is positioned above the bent portion of the shutter member.
US08851758B2	Bearing device A bearing device includes: an outer ring having an outer ring raceway groove on its inner circumferential surface; an inner ring having an inner ring raceway groove on its outer circumferential surface; balls arranged between the outer and inner ring raceway grooves; a retainer retaining the balls; and a liquid lubricant supply device supplying oil content of grease to the space between the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring and the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring. The liquid lubricant supply device includes a liquid lubricant passage providing fluid communication between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface; and a vibrating device contacting the grease to vibrate the grease to supply a liquid lubricant to the space between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface via the liquid lubricant passage.
US08851756B2	Whirl inhibiting coast-down bearing for magnetic bearing systems A coast-down bearing and method for a magnetic bearing system is provided. The bearing includes first, second, and third rings disposed around a shaft. The first, second, and third rings each have an inner diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the shaft and provide a running clearance therebetween. The first, second, and third rings are eccentrically positioned with respect to each other to form a pocket for receiving the shaft during a drop, radial shock, or both.
US08851753B1	Enclosure liner An enclosure liner is provided which includes a bag, which bag has a top panel, two side panels, a back panel, and a bottom panel. The front panel forms an access to enable items to be placed within, and withdrawn from, the interior of the liner, and a closure, such as a zipper, is attached to the periphery of the access to enable the liner to be sealed shut. Pockets to accommodate the hooks often found in conventional lockers are strategically placed and are sized to allow clothes and other items to be hung from the pocket-covered hooks. A plurality of magnets suspend the liner within the enclosure and a pad forms a floor suitable for storing shoes and other like articles.
US08851751B2	X-ray imaging apparatus An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit having an imaging unit power feeding mechanism configured to receive electric power from an external device; a pedestal including a pedestal power feeding mechanism configured to feed the electric power to the imaging unit; and a holder configured to position and hold the imaging unit so that a position of the imaging unit power feeding mechanism coincides with a position of the pedestal power feeding mechanism even if the imaging unit power feeding mechanism is moved with respect to the pedestal power feeding mechanism within a predetermined imaging plane.
US08851750B2	X-ray device An X-ray device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes an X-ray detector and a power contactor which includes a contact terminal. The device may further include an X-ray table that provides a space into which the X-ray detector is inserted and that includes a push pin pressing the power contactor, wherein the power contactor selectively protrudes from the inside to the outside of the X-ray detector due to a pressure applied by the push pin, and the contact terminal is electrically connected to a power terminal of the X-ray table. The X-ray detector prevents exposure of the power contactor to the outside thereof when the X-ray detector is carried or transported and thus prevents a malfunction of the X-ray detector.
US08851746B2	Geothermal heating and/or cooling system grout testing A subterranean grouting method including (a) placing a sample of a grout mixture within a test container, (b) separating a sand component from the sample, (c) determining if the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity within a predetermined thermal conductivity range based upon a proportion of the sand component within the sample, and (d) upon determining that the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity with the predetermined thermal conductivity range, securing a conduit within a subterranean bore with the grout mixture, wherein (a), (b), (c), and (d) are carried out proximate each other at a job site.
US08851745B2	Hygrometer and dew-point instrument A hygrometer and dew-point instrument is provided that is structurally simple while reducing the workload during maintenance. The hygrometer measures relative humidity of a measurement space, and has a main body that encapsulates a working fluid therein and causes a heat-pipe phenomenon. The main body is disposed across the measurement space and an external space spaced from the measurement space by a heat-insulating part and has a temperature lower than the measurement space. A first temperature deriving part derives the temperature of the main body in a section where the working fluid evaporates. A space temperature detecting unit detects the temperature of the measurement space. A computation unit calculate relative humidity of the measurement space based on the temperature of the main body derived by the first temperature deriving part and the temperature of the measurement space detected by the space temperature detecting unit.
US08851742B2	Methods and systems for mixing material The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for mixing at least two different solid materials (e.g., adsorbents) and loading the mixture into a vessel, such as an adsorption vessel or reactor.
US08851730B2	Vehicle lamp A transparent member 2 defines part of a lamp compartment 4. A light source 5a is accommodated within the lamp compartment 4 and shines light to the front through the transparent member 2. A detection device 6 is accommodated within the lamp compartment 4 and obtains information on what exists ahead. A stepped portion 7 is formed on an external surface of the transparent member 2 and guides drops of water which adhere to the external surface so as to avoid a detection enabled area of the detection device 6.
US08851725B2	Lighting device for vehicles A lighting device for vehicles with a number of light sources and with an optic unit to generate a predetermined light distribution, with the optic unit comprising at least one optic area, held via holding means in a predetermined assembly position, with a transparent substrate being provided with a plurality of grooves as fastening means so that an edge of the optic area can be framed in the groove.
US08851724B2	Headlight for a motor vehicle A headlight for a motor vehicle, in order to provide a cut-off light beam, comprising: a collector mirror of an ellipsoidal type with an optical axis; a source of light (S) placed in the vicinity of the inner focal point of the collector mirror; a substantially flat bender, the reflective surface of which is oriented towards the interior of the collector mirror, and has an edge which is situated in the vicinity of the other focal point of the collector mirror, and a lens, situated to the front of the collector mirror and the bender, in order to provide an image of the edge of the bender.
US08851723B2	LED reflector optic for an automotive headlight The present disclosure is directed to an automotive headlight. In one embodiment, the automotive headlight includes one or more first light emitting diodes (LEDs) and one or more second LEDs, wherein the one or more second LEDs are positioned at about 180 degrees with respect to the one or more first LEDs, wherein the headlight optical axis is about −90 degrees with respect to a LED optical axis of the one or more first LEDs, at least one first reflector, wherein the at least one first reflector redirects light from the one or more first LEDs to an angle of about −90 degrees with respect to a LED optical axis of the one or more first LEDs and at least one second reflector, wherein the at least one second reflector redirects light from the one or more second LEDs to an angle of about −90 degrees with respect to the LED optical axis of the one or more first LEDs.
US08851721B2	Hybrid projector LED low beam headlamp The optics system is a lamp assembly which produces the desired beam pattern by using a reflector, a lens, a retainer lens, and an LED as a light source. The lamp assembly has three main components (the reflector, the lens, and the retainer lens) that maintain proper alignment between the light source and the reflector, the lens, and the retainer lens. The optical system collects substantially 100% of the light from the light source while effectively shaping the beam pattern using both cylindrical and revolved reflector elements. The lens has a saddle-shape which is used with the surface of a revolution to eliminate any “dogbone” light pattern shape. The use of a reflective element forms the foreground of the beam pattern.
US08851718B2	Combined aircraft landing and taxi light An integrated aircraft landing and taxi light includes upper and lower reflector regions in the shape of substantially circular segments and a central longitudinal third reflector region extending between the upper and lower reflector regions. Landing light LEDs are arranged within the upper and lower reflector regions and the outer portions of the central longitudinal reflector region with the diagonals of the LED dies oriented substantially along radial lines extending outward from the center of the light. Taxi light LEDs are arranged within the central and outer portions of the central longitudinal reflector region such that the sides of the LED dies are oriented substantially horizontally and vertically with respect to the aircraft.
US08851715B2	Lamp ventilation system A lighting module has a housing that houses an array of light-emitting elements and has multiple channels that each have an opening at the end of each channel. All of the openings of the channels are positioned along the same plane in some examples. The plane is opposite the surface of the housing that emits the light from the light-emitting elements. An intake fan is positioned in at least one of the channels so that it causes air to enter the housing through that channel's opening. An exhaust fan is positioned in another one of the channels so that it causes air to be forced out of the housing through the other channel's opening. The air flow through the intake channel and the exhaust channel help cool the lighting module during use.
US08851714B2	Cooling arrangement for a luminaire A cooling arrangement comprising a source electrode, a first and a second target electrode arranged at a distance from the source electrode and control circuitry for controlling a voltage being applied between the source electrode and at least one of the first and the second target electrodes. The voltage is controlled such that an airflow resulting from a potential difference between the source electrode and at least one of the first and the second target electrodes is arranged to have alternating directions. By means of the invention it may be possible to provide cooling of a device having similar or better performances than a conventional heat sink and fan system, but with a smaller size and weight as well as being silent.
US08851706B2	Lighted road cone The lighted road cone has a base and an elongate hollow pyramidal body having a plurality of faces extending upward from the base. A column of lights is disposed on each face of the pyramidal body, the lights extending from proximate the base upward to proximate a top portion of the hollow body. A controller turns the lights on and off. Preferably, each column has a pair of red lights near the base of the device, an intermediate pair of blue lights disposed upward from the red lights, and then a pair of red lights disposed upward from the blue lights. A top dome light may be disposed on the top of the hollow body. The lights may be prismatic in shape. Alternatively, the lights may be arranged in polygonal layers that circumscribe the pyramidal body.
US08851703B2	Cooperating electrical ballast and socket A combination for replacing a ballast of a conventional fluorescent fixture without ever having to wire the ballast to the conventional fluorescent fixture, wherein the conventional fluorescent fixture has a conventional hood, a conventional set of power supply wires, and a conventional set of lamp socket wires. The combination includes a socket, a ballast, and apparatus for electrically, mechanically, and interchangeably connecting the ballast to the socket without ever having to wire the ballast to the conventional fluorescent fixture. The socket mounts to the conventional hood of the conventional fluorescent fixture, is electrically spliced to the conventional set of power supply wires of the conventional fluorescent fixture, and is electrically spliced to the conventional set of lamp socket wires of the conventional fluorescent fixture. The ballast is electrically, mechanically, and interchangeably connected to the socket so as to allow the ballast to be replaced without ever having to wire the ballast to the conventional fluorescent fixture.
US08851701B2	Padding for a carpet and carpet-padding combination The invention provides a padding for a carpet. The padding comprises a first padding face and a tube at least partly integrated in the padding. The tube comprises a transmissive section, transmissive for light having a predetermined wavelength selected from the visible spectrum. A lighting device may be introduced in the tube. The invention further provides a carpet-padding combination and a combination of the tube and a lighting device.
US08851700B1	Method and system for creating an illusion of a skylight A system and method for creating a trompe-l'oeil skylight in a ceiling where a light emitting image of the sky is provided in a structure configured to emulate a skylight frame, including an embodiment of a unified non-rectangular sky image area in a substantially rectangular fixture which mount as a single unit into a substantially rectangular hole in a ceiling.
US08851698B2	Articulation drill with illumination The present invention is an articulating hand power tool which in one embodiment includes a head portion including a head housing configured to articulate with a main housing, a bit holder rotatably positioned within the head housing, and a lighting assembly configured to emit a first elongated beam pattern from the head portion.
US08851695B2	Display apparatus A display device includes a display panel including a front substrate and a back substrate, a backlight unit disposed in the rear of the display panel, and a plurality of brackets attached to a non-display area of a back surface of the display panel. Each of the plurality of brackets includes a first portion and a second portion positioned between the first portion and the back substrate. A width of the second portion is greater than a width of the first portion. The second portion is positioned adjacent to the back substrate.
US08851694B2	Semiconductor light source apparatus A semiconductor light source apparatus can include a clad layer, a phosphor layer surrounded by the clad layer and a laser diode emitting a laser light. The phosphor layer can include a cavity having an opening for receiving the laser light, a phosphor material and a light-emitting surface of the apparatus. The laser light entering into the cavity can repeatedly reflect on an inner surface of the phosphor layer many times, each and every time most of the laser light entering into the phosphor layer. The laser light can be efficiently wavelength-converted by the phosphor material and the wavelength converted light can be emitted from the light-emitting surface having various shapes exposed from the clad layer. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter can include providing semiconductor light source apparatuses having a high light-emitting efficiency and high light-emitting density such that the devices can be used for a headlight, general lighting, etc.
US08851693B2	Stimulated lighting devices A stimulated lighting device for stimulatable light emission including a luminescent sheet including light stimulatable particles which emit secondary light upon receiving primary light. The lighting device includes a source configured to generate and direct the primary light obliquely onto the luminescent sheet, at least one reflector configured to reflect at least a part of the primary light and a part of the secondary light onto the luminescent sheet and configured to reflect at least a part of scattered primary light and a part of the secondary light from the luminescent sheet toward the light exit, and a light exit configured to emanate light as a combination of the primary light and the secondary light.
US08851687B2	Reflecting plate and reflecting frame An incident angle when illumination light from a position detecting device enters a reflecting surface may be large in some cases. In such cases, the retro-reflection rate of a reflecting surface having a prism structure decreases, leading to a cause of erroneous detection. In order to solve this problem, provided is a reflecting plate including a reflecting surface that retro-reflects illumination light emitted from an optical position detecting device towards the position detecting device that includes a light source, the reflecting plate further including: a surface structure in which a concavo-convex pattern having the same triangle shape in cross-section in a width direction of the reflecting plate continuously appears in a longitudinal direction thereof; and a retro-reflecting layer in which reflecting beads are evenly placed on at least one oblique surface of the concavo-convex pattern.
US08851685B2	Image display apparatus for displaying GUI image and method for controlling the same There is provided an image projection apparatus comprising: a measuring unit that measures a distance from the image projection apparatus to a projection surface; a generating unit that generates a first operation image if the measured distance is less than a threshold value and generates a second operation image if the measured distance is not less than the threshold value, wherein the first operation image is an image with respect to which an operation can be input by pointing on the first operation image that is being projected with a body part of a user, and the second operation image is an image with respect to which an operation can be input by operating a cursor displayed in the second operation image that is being projected using a predetermined operating unit; and a projecting unit that projects an operation image generated by the generating unit onto the projection surface.
US08851680B2	Polarization compensated stereoscopic systems Disclosed embodiments include stereoscopic systems having at least one compensator operable to reduce the sensitivity of polarization control over incidence angle of image source optics and analyzer optics. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed compensator is operable to compensate polarization changes induced by optics at either or both the image source subsystem and the analyzer subsystem, in which the polarization changes would be operable to cause leakage at the analyzer subsystem if uncompensated. As such, the disclosed compensators and compensation techniques are operable to reduce leakage at the analyzer subsystem even if the disclosed compensator may be located at the analyzer subsystem.
US08851673B2	Imaging apparatus Provided is an imaging apparatus for photographing an image by an intensity of return light obtained from an eye to be inspected irradiated with measuring light, the imaging apparatus including: a fixation target for the eye to be inspected to fixate, an illuminated position setting unit for setting an illuminated position of the fixation target; and an illuminated position controlling unit for controlling the illuminated position setting unit so as to move the illuminated position of the fixation target for a first observation area to an illuminated position of the fixation target for a second observation area, in which the imaging apparatus calculates a movement distance of the illuminated position of the fixation target on the basis of a diopter scale of the eye to be inspected.
US08851670B2	Accommodation compensation systems and methods Methods and systems for obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of an eye of a patient are provided. Exemplary techniques involve obtaining a first induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a first accommodation state of the eye, obtaining a second induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a second accommodation state of the eye, and determining a natural metric of the eye based on the first and second induced metrics. An induced metric may include a pupil size or a spherical aberration. Techniques can also include determining a target metric for the eye base on the natural metric, determining whether an actual metric of the eye meets the target metric, obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of the eye if the actual metric meets the target metric, and determining a treatment for the eye based on the ocular aberration measurement.
US08851669B2	Device for causing and/or rehabilitating the binocular motivity of a patient The invention relates to a device for rehabilitating and/or causing binocular motivity through sensory stimulation of a patient, said device including a planar stand (10) that is defined by a longitudinal axis of symmetry (AA′), the stand (10) including a plurality of means for transmitting at least one sensory stimulus, said transmission means including means for viewing a visual stimulus (101-136) and means for transmitting an auditory stimulus adjacent to the means for viewing a visual stimulus. The transmission means are evenly arranged along isovergence arcs (201-204) that are placed along the stand (10). Said device moreover includes a control system (20) that is at least intended for controlling the transmission of said at least one sensory stimulus (101-136).
US08851665B2	Recording apparatus There is provided a recording apparatus including an apparatus main body provided with a recording unit which performs recording on a recording medium, an extension unit provided with a containing unit of the recording medium, which is detachably attached to a lower portion of the apparatus main body on a side of a weight direction of the apparatus main body, main body legs which are provided on the lower portion of the apparatus main body and are in contact with a placement surface when the apparatus main body is placed on the placement surface, and gap forming members which are provided in the extension unit, have higher rigidity exhibiting less compressional deformation as compared with the main body legs, and form a gap between the lower portion of the apparatus main body and the extension unit while being in contact with the lower portion of the apparatus main body.
US08851663B2	Tractor unit and printer A printer has a tractor unit with a simple configuration that can prevent the feed holes in continuous paper from disengaging the engagement pins of the tractor unit during conveyance. The tractor unit of the printer has a pair of tractors that hold the continuous paper with tractor pins (engagement pins) engaged in sprocket holes (feed holes), a drive shaft and a support shaft that support the pair of tractors, and a frame that supports the drive shaft and support shaft. The first tractor is fixed in position to the support shaft after engaging and holding one side of the continuous paper, but the support shaft is supported on the frame movably widthwise to the printer. If the continuous paper becomes skewed, the first tractor moves with the support shaft widthwise to the printer following the skew, and the sprocket holes therefore do not disengage the tractor pins.
US08851658B2	Printer and printing method The present invention provides a printer and printing method that forms a lenticular lens or a transparent structure based on pseudo-embossment printing or the like on paper having penetrability, and an inkjet printer performs: with respect to a base material having a characteristic of being penetrated by radiation-curable ink, an undercoating step of using radiation-curable transparent ink to form a thin undercoat layer; an undercoat curing step of irradiating the formed undercoat layer with radiation to completely solidify the thrilled undercoat layer; a transparent structure forming step of using the radiation-curable transparent ink to form a spacer layer and microlens layer as a desired transparent structure on the solidified undercoat layer; and a transparent structure curing step of afterward further irradiating the radiation to cure the formed spacer layer and microlens layer.
US08851656B2	Image fixation apparatus and recording apparatus An image fixation apparatus includes a supporting surface that is a part of a path along which a recording target medium is transported from an upstream side to a downstream side and can support the recording target medium; and an image fixation section that is provided opposite the supporting surface and performs image fixation processing when the recording target medium is supported by the supporting surface after recording of an image on the recording target medium at a position upstream of the supporting surface, the image fixation processing being processing of fixing the image on the recording target medium, wherein, when measured in a direction in which the supporting surface and the image fixation section are provided opposite to each other, the supporting surface is relatively distant from the image fixation section as compared with a region that is located upstream of the supporting surface in the transportation path.
US08851652B2	Pre-treatment composition Pre-treatment composition and printing method using such pre-treatment composition are disclosed. A disclosed example of the pre-treatment composition includes a liquid vehicle, a polyvalent metal salt as fixing agent, and a latex resin having an acid number of less than 20.
US08851650B2	Method of producing transfer medium, set of ink and adhesive liquid used for the method, transfer medium, and apparatus for producing the transfer medium Provided is a method of producing a transfer medium including attaching ink which contains a resin and is discharged from an ink jet head onto a substrate; evaporating at least a part of the liquid component included in the ink having been attached to the substrate; and attaching adhesive liquid which contains a resin and is discharged from the ink jet head to a substrate surface where the ink in which at least a part of the liquid component has been evaporated is attached.
US08851646B2	Cartridge The object of the invention is to provide a cartridge in which the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid chamber can be accurately detected. The air introducing port is provided in a position closer to an upper end of the largest outer surface in a vertical direction and in a position closer to a left end of the largest outer surface relative in a horizontal direction. The liquid detecting section is provided in a position closer to a lower end of the largest outer surface in the vertical direction and in a position closer to a right end of the largest outer surface in the horizontal direction.
US08851644B2	Methods of manufacturing recycled liquid cartridge and liquid cartridge, and liquid cartridge The method includes: (a) preparing a liquid cartridge to be recycled and including a liquid storing unit, a liquid delivery path having an opening, a blocking member detachably mounted in the liquid delivery path to block the opening, and a valve configured to be switched between an open state and a closed state; (b) removing the blocking member from the liquid delivery path; (c) switching the valve from the closed state to the open state; (d) injecting liquid into the liquid storing unit through the opening with the blocking member removed in step (b) and the valve maintained in the open state achieved in step (c); (e) switching the valve from the open state to the closed state after performing step (d); and (f) assembling the blocking member or another blocking member different from the blocking member in the liquid delivery path to block the opening after performing step (e).
US08851641B2	Liquid-discharging device, liquid stirring method, and liquid filling method A liquid ejection device includes a head section, a first liquid reservoir section, a supply passage, a second liquid reservoir section, an outgoing passage that sends liquid from the first liquid reservoir section to the second liquid reservoir section and includes a shared passage shared with the supply passage, a return passage that sends the liquid from the second liquid reservoir section to the first liquid reservoir section, and a controller. After the controller performs a stirring process of stirring the liquid by causing the liquid in the first liquid reservoir section to pass through the outgoing passage and subsequently causing the liquid in the second liquid reservoir section to pass through the return passage, the controller performs a process of flowing out a part of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir section toward the shared passage.
US08851638B2	Multiple resolution continuous ink jet system A continuous ink jet printing system capable of printing at multiple predetermined print resolutions. The system comprises a drop generator having an array of nozzles for emitting a plurality of continuous streams of liquid for applying ink to media driven in a media advance direction having a source for pressurized liquid for supplying pressurized liquid to the plurality of nozzles. The plurality of nozzles have effective nozzle diameters D0 and a stimulation device associated with each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles for forming ink drops having predetermined drop volumes from the continuous streams of liquid. The predetermined drop volumes include non-print drops of a unit volume V0, and print drops having volumes that are integer multiples of the unit volume, mV0, wherein m is an integer greater than 1. A catcher collects the non-print drops and a selector selects a predetermined print resolution. Each predetermined print resolution has a corresponding print drop volume mV0.
US08851635B2	Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and piezoelectric element There are provided a piezoelectric element comprising a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer and a second electrode, the piezoelectric layer is made of a piezoelectric material that contains a bismuth ferrite and silicon dioxide.
US08851634B2	Liquid-jet head, liquid-jet device, and image forming apparatus A liquid-jet head includes nozzles disposed in a predetermined direction and configured to discharge a recording liquid, individual liquid chambers connected to the respective nozzles and configured to supply the recording liquid to the respective nozzles, a common liquid chamber connected to the individual liquid chambers and configured to supply the recording liquid to the individual liquid chambers, an air reservoir space disposed adjacent to the common liquid chamber and configured to retain air, a flexible division wall separating the common liquid chamber from the air reservoir space, a tube unit connected outside the liquid-jet head, a recording liquid supply tube passing through the air reservoir space to divide the air reservoir space into a plurality of spaces and configured to supply the recording liquid to the common chamber, and a connecting unit configured to connect the divided spaces to one another.
US08851621B2	Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting head has a flow channel substrate, an actuator formed on the flow channel substrate and having at least one mount, and a flexible wiring substrate electrically connected to the mount to supply a drive signal to the actuator. The mount of the actuator and the wiring substrate are bonded together using an epoxy adhesive agent containing p-aminophenol epoxy resin, bisphenol A epoxy resin, and bisphenol F epoxy resin.
US08851615B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and method of controlling the same A temperature sensor provided to a recording head detects a temperature when the recording head relatively moves outside an opposite region opposite to a platen heater. A driving signal generating circuit compensates an ejection pulse in accordance with the detected temperature.
US08851609B2	Inkjet recording apparatus Curing processing is realized according to differences in absorption characteristics of activation light among inks and characteristics of layers to be formed with the inks. A scanning device reciprocally moves in a first direction an inkjet head including a first nozzle array ejecting a first ink and a second nozzle array ejecting a second ink; a relative movement device relatively moves a recording medium in a second direction with respect to the head; an ejection control device divides the nozzle array into regions in the second direction and controls ink ejection for each unit of the divided nozzle region; an activation light irradiation device irradiates the inks deposited on the medium with the activation light; an irradiation region dividing device divides an irradiation range into divided irradiation regions corresponding respectively to the divided nozzle regions; and a light quantity control device controls light quantities respectively for the divided irradiation regions.
US08851607B2	Printing apparatus and printing method A printing apparatus includes (A) a head that discharges first ink and second ink having a color different from that of the first ink, (B) an optical sensor that includes a light source and a light receiving section, and (C) a controller. In the printing apparatus, when the controller corrects a discharge amount of the second ink, the controller causes the head to discharge the first ink to form a first pattern on a medium, causes the optical sensor to detect light reflected from the first pattern, causes the head to discharge the second ink to form a plurality of second patterns having different gradation values on the first pattern, and causes the optical sensor to detect light reflected from the second pattern.
US08851605B2	Image formation apparatus utilizing a transfer belt An LDV meter 21 cooperates with an LDV processor 22 to measure travel distances or travel speeds of a transfer belt at a prescribed measuring spot and at intervals with a prescribed rotation angle of one of a set of rollers, on which the transfer belt is stretched, as a set for one or more go-around revolutions of the transfer belt. A roller profile calculator 242 calculates a roller profile data as a set of fractions attributable to an eccentricity of the set of rollers in a set of measurement data. A belt profile calculator 241 removes the set of fractions attributable to the eccentricity from the set of measurement data and calculates a belt profile data representative of irregularities in thickness of the transfer belt based on the set of measurement data after removal of the set of fractions attributable to the eccentricity. In printing, a printing machine 1 controls timing for discharge of ink at an ink head based on the belt profile data and the roller profile data.
US08851600B2	Inkjet recording apparatus and method An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a paper conveying device which conveys paper; a line-type inkjet head which performs image formation on the paper by ejecting ink droplets to the paper conveyed by the paper conveying device; a paper conveyance speed measuring device which measures a paper conveyance speed of the paper at the image formation by the inkjet head; a dot arrangement data acquiring device which acquires data for arranging dots to form an image by the inkjet head on the paper conveyed at a predetermined paper conveyance speed; a dot arrangement data adjusting device which adjusts the data for arranging dots in accordance with the paper conveyance speed measured by the paper conveyance speed measuring device so that the image is formed on the paper with a constant image density even when the paper conveyance speed varies; and a head drive controlling device which controls drive of the inkjet head in accordance with the adjusted data for arranging dots.
US08851598B2	Printing device and printing method The printing device including: a first setting unit configured to set printing mode of a main image and to set either front-surface printing mode for printing a background image on the medium and then printing the main image on the background image or rear-surface printing mode for printing the main image on the medium and then printing the background image on the main image; and a second setting unit configured to set a printing mode of an additional image printed in association with the printing of the main image and to set either front-surface printing mode for printing a background image for the additional image on the medium and then printing the additional image on the background image for the additional image or rear-surface printing mode for printing the additional image on the medium and then printing the background image for the additional image on the additional image.
US08851597B2	Gas cushion control of OVJP print head position An OVJP apparatus and method for applying organic vapor or other flowable material to a substrate using a printing head mechanism in which the print head spacing from the substrate is controllable using a cushion of air or other gas applied between the print head and substrate. The print head is mounted for translational movement towards and away from the substrate and is biased toward the substrate by springs or other means. A gas cushion feed assembly supplies a gas under pressure between the print head and substrate which opposes the biasing of the print head toward the substrate so as to form a space between the print head and substrate. By controlling the pressure of gas supplied, the print head separation from the substrate can be precisely controlled.
US08851591B2	Fastening arrangement A fastening arrangement for fixing a guide rail of a pull-out guide to a side grid of an oven. The side grid includes a rod having end sections bent at an angle and each end section is fixed to a post of the side grid and the guide rail being fixed to the rod. The fastening arrangement includes fastening means for fixing the guide rail to the rod and the fastening means is formed integrally with the guide rail.
US08851587B2	Heavy-duty slide assembly A slide assembly having an outer segment, an intermediate segment, and an inner segment telescopically engaged with one another. The slide assembly includes forward pair of rollers and a rearward pair of rollers having a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the forward pair of rollers. The outer segment includes a protrusion that limits vertical movement of the intermediate slide segment. The intermediate segment includes a stop member arranged to contact a portion of the inner segment to limit vertical movement of the inner segment relative to the intermediate segment. The inner segment includes a stop arrangement that contacts the intermediate segment to define a closed position of the inner segment. The outer segment includes a stop member and a strengthening rib is positioned near a surface of the intermediate segment that contacts the stop member.
US08851582B2	Track with rotating bushings for track-type vehicles 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 between each pin (36, 36′) and the links (14) at least one sliding bearing (44) is press-fitted. The geometric/size characteristics of the links (14) and of the sliding bearings (44) make it possible to improve the stability and the resistance to fatigue and wearing of the articulated joints (12, 12′) of the track (10).
US08851577B2	Cap attachment structure and cap There is provided a cap attachment structure, including: a cap that is attached to a wheel of a vehicle; a first elastic deformation portion that is provided at the cap, the first elastic deformation portion being elastically deformed and engaging with the wheel while the cap is attached to the wheel; and a second elastic deformation portion that is provided at the cap, the second elastic deformation portion not being elastically deformed while the cap is attached to the wheel, and the second elastic deformation portion being elastically deformed by engaging with the wheel when the cap is detached from the wheel.
US08851570B2	Seat lifter and seat A seat lifter smoothly lifts and lowers right and left seat frames relative to respective base members so that a seat can be lifted and lowered smoothly. The seat lifter has first to fourth links (4a to 4d), and a coupling (6) that couples the first link (4a) and the second link (4b), and has a first sun gear (62) and a second sun gear (162). The first link (4a) has a first link body (41) that is coupled interlockably to a first planetary gear group (40) with a plurality of first planetary gears (44), and a planetary-gear operating section (5). The second link (4b) has a second link body (141) that is coupled interlockably to a second planetary gear group (140) with a plurality of second planetary gears (144).
US08851565B2	Seatback holder for tablet computers A seatback holder for a tablet computer including a bracket configured to releasably engage within a seatback pocket and a frame pivotally connected to the bracket configured to hold an installed tablet computer securely therein and pivot relative to the bracket to adjust the viewing angle of the installed tablet computer relative to a seatback.
US08851563B2	Furniture fitting system Fitting system including base seat surface and leg support segments. The seat surface segment is displaceable in relation to the base segment, and the leg support segment is pivotable between a storage position and a use position, and wherein the relative positions of the seat surface and leg support segments with respect to the base segment are forcibly coupled to each other. The seat surface segment is connected to the base segment by a first bracket. The leg support segment is pivotable about a pivot axis fixed in position with respect to the base and leg support segments. The leg support segment is connected to the seat surface segment by a second bracket pivotable about a pivot axis on the leg support and seat surface segment sides.
US08851560B1	Multilevel vehicle roof supporting a deployable solar array The device is a vehicle with a carefully designed multi-layered roof and with a solar array consisting of at least five solar panels mounted on various parts of that roof. When the vehicle is being driven none of the solar panels will extend beyond the outer perimeter of the vehicle. When the vehicle is parked, the driver will be able to cause the at least four solar panels to be repositioned in such a way that their total footprint is more than twice the total footprint of the vehicle. This vehicle will also feature an onboard computer that can help the driver do a variety of tasks that are not normally necessary for typical vehicles and which involve levels of information processing which a normal person would be better off allowing the onboard computer to accomplish.
US08851559B2	Lid-fastening structure A lid-fastening structure for fastening a lid using a bolt, which is rotatably held in the lid for closing an adjustment opening. An insertion hole for inserting the bolt is formed in the lid. A portion of the circumferential edge of the insertion hole is cut out in a way that allows the bolt to slide, and a backslide-limiting opening for limiting the return of the bolt to the insertion hole is formed so as to be continuous with the circumferential edge. A supporting/fastening hole is formed continuous with the backslide-limiting opening to a smaller radius than is the insertion hole, the supporting/fastening hole being cut out so as to allow the bolt to advance.
US08851556B2	Vehicle-body side portion structure of vehicle A center pillar includes a first reinforcement panel which is arranged between an outer panel and an inner panel, comprises a bottom wall portion, both-side vertical wall portions extending in a vehicle width direction from the bottom wall portion, and both-side flange portions, and has a cross section formed in substantially a hat shape. A second reinforcement panel comprising a bottom wall portion and both-side vertical wall portions and having a cross section formed in substantially a U shape is arranged inside the first reinforcement panel. The second reinforcement panel is joined to the first reinforcement panel such that only the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions are joined to the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions, respectively.
US08851551B1	Vehicle floor cover retention system and device Closed sockets are formed in the lower surface of a vehicle floor cover, such as a mat or tray. Each socket is adapted to receive a vehicle floor cover retention device which stands up from the floor of the vehicle foot well in which the floor cover is being installed. The sidewall of the body of each device acts as a physical stop to the sidewall of a respective socket, preventing or mitigating movement of the floor cover within the foot well. The top surface of the device may have a first fastener which is adapted to engage a second fastener on the ceiling of the socket. The device may be an adapter which is fastened to preexisting OEM mat retention structure. Embodiments of the adapter include one assembled from two pieces around an OEM retention post with an enlarged head.
US08851546B2	Folding lateral extension adjoining at least one loading surface of a cargo-carrying vehicle A lateral extension (1), for road and rail vehicles, comprising a multitude of individual shafts (5) assembled so as to pivot freely, at each of their extremities, firstly, with regard to the interior extremity secured to the vehicle, on a longitudinal structure (11) that is fixed in relation to the load-carrying platform and, secondly, as regards the exterior extremity, on an edge and connecting rigid longitudinal member (10). The shafts bear, over a portion of their length, on an adjacent flat support surface (13) that is fixed in relation to the load-carrying platform, and are cantilevered towards the exterior over the remainder of their length. The extension can be moved to a deployed position, so that the supporting surface (14) provides a passageway, and, a retracted position of lesser width, and incorporates a railing. A changeover from one position to the other is accomplished by pivoting in a horizontal plane.
US08851545B2	Vehicle equipped with a luggage compartment having a height-adjustable loading floor A vehicle is provided with a luggage compartment that houses an additional support unit having a loading floor, height-adjustable between a lowered position and at least one raised position; the unit has two levers hinged to a fixed structure about a first horizontal axis and to the loading floor about a second horizontal axis, parallel to the first one; when placed in the raised position, the loading floor is supported, but can be rotated upwards about the second horizontal axis; the levers carry respective appendages, which rest on fixed brackets to support the loading floor in the raised position.
US08851543B2	Reversible lifting lug A lug reversibly connectable to a wear plate having a hole extending therethrough. The lug includes a coupling means and a plug. The plug comprises an upper surface. In a first position the lug is connectable to an underside of the wear plate such that the coupling means extends through said hole and outward from an upper surface of the wear plate an in this position can be engaged by a hoist. In a second position the lug is connectable to the underside of said wear plate such that the plug fills said hole whereby the upper surface of the plug is aligned with the upper surface of the wear plate to thereby present an even wear surface.
US08851542B2	Portable bag holder and kit A portable bag holder, kit and method are provided for maintaining a bag mouth of a disposable bag in an open position. The portable bag mouth holder may be provided in combination with one or a plurality of receptacles such that the bag mouth is maintained in an open position of contents in the bag.
US08851539B2	Energy absorbing assembly An energy absorbing assembly for impact energy absorption can comprise: an elongated plastic member having a major axis, a first side and a second side, comprising a central portion disposed between a first end portion and a second end portion, the second side defines a channel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion; and an elongated insert having a front, edges, tips, and a rear, wherein the insert is configured to flex upon impact, and is removably friction fit within the channel such that the plastic member surrounds the front, and greater than or equal to 50% of the edges and tips. The energy absorbing assembly can be configured to attach to a vehicle to absorb energy absorption impact. A vehicle can comprise: a vehicle rail and the energy absorbing assembly attached to the vehicle rail.
US08851538B2	Bumper rail for vehicle A bumper rail assembled into a bumper of a vehicle includes a bumper rail, a reinforcing member, and a forming part. A bumper rail is disposed at front. The reinforcing member is disposed at the rear side of the bumper rail and forming a closed section together with the bumper rail. The forming part is integrally formed at an inner side of the bumper rail and is disposed parallel along the longitudinal direction of the bumper rail to increase a stiffness of the bumper rail, the forming part having a pipe shape.
US08851534B2	Magnetic closure with an opening-assisting spring A magnetic closure comprises a magnet-armature structure having a magnet and an armature, the magnet and the armature being constituted such that, for an automatic closing, the armature and the magnet mutually attract each other in a closing direction below a predetermined minimum distance, and, for an opening, the magnet is laterally shifted or rotated with respect to the armature into an open position so that the surfaces of magnet and armature facing each other in a mutually attracting manner become smaller, whereby the force of attraction between magnet and armature comes smaller, Further, an opening-assisting spring is provided for assisting the opening, wherein the opening-assisting spring either is automatically pretensioned by the magnetic force during the automatic closing, or is pretensioned during the opening operation.
US08851533B2	Vehicle door locking device A vehicle door locking device Ao is integrated by assembling a base unit A2 provided with a latch mechanism A2a to a housing unit A1 provided with an actuating mechanism for actuating the latch mechanism A2a. A metal sub-base plate 27 of the base unit A2 has an attachment hole 27a fitted to a support shaft 11a provided in the housing unit A1 in the axial direction thereof, the support shaft extending in the vehicle length direction. The attachment hole 27a of the metal sub-base plate 27 is fitted to the support shaft 11a, so that the base unit A2 is integrated with the housing unit A1. The metal sub-base plate 27 is provided with a receiving portion 27b for restraining a lean in the vehicle width direction (W direction) of a child-proof lever 36 at a back part of the child-proof lever 36.
US08851531B2	Vehicle body shell and device for locking the door in a closed position A vehicle body shell includes an opening provided with at least one door, and at least one device for locking the door in a closed position. The shell includes: a locking member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, which interacts with a corresponding locking element; an electromagnetic element for moving the locking member from the locked to the unlocked position; and a resilient element for stressing the locking member (from the unlocked to the locked position. The locking member provides temporary control, and the device for locking the door in a closed position includes a supporting element that is movable at least from a first released position, in which the locking member is in the locked position, to a second stable and engaged position, wherein the supporting element engages with the locking member in the unlocked position so as to counter the stress of the resilient element.
US08851529B2	Electronic device and latching mechanism thereof An electronic device is provided, including a main body, a latching mechanism, and a movable member. The latching mechanism is disposed on the main body to join with the movable member. The latching mechanism includes a rod, a first latching member disposed on a side of the rod, a second latching member connected to the rod, a first elastic member connecting the first latching member with the main body, a second elastic member connecting the second latching member with the main body, and a rotary member. The rotary member pivotally connects to the main body, and connects the rod with the first latching member.
US08851525B2	Air intake hose for a vehicle An air intake hose for a vehicle may include a blow molding portion formed in a hollow hose shape by blow molding, an injection molding portion formed in a hollow hose shape by injection molding, and a coupling portion formed at one end of the blow molding portion, wherein the blow molding portion and the injection molding portion may be coupled with each other by injecting a material forming the injection molding portion into an injection mold in a state in which the coupling portion may be inserted in the injection mold.
US08851517B2	Safety device with elastic membrane In various embodiments, a safety device for a motor vehicle is provided. The safety device includes an elastic membrane, which partially or completely delimits a hollow space, which is provided for an accident-initiated filling subject to elastically expand the membrane. The elastic membrane is covered by a separate envelope in a gas-tight manner, which provides an opening through the expansion of the membrane.
US08851516B2	Airbag cushion with seam deviation and an airbag system including the same The present invention relates to an airbag cushion and an airbag system including the same, and particularly to an airbag cushion, including: at least one fabric; and seam parts connecting the fabric, wherein deviation of upper seam thread length per a unit length of the fabric between the first seam part sewed in forward direction and the second seam part sewed in reverse direction in the seam parts is 15% or less, a method of preparing the same, and an airbag system including the same.The airbag cushion of the present invention is superior in working stability and unfolding performance because of the optimized properties of the seam parts, provides superior shape stability and air-tight effect at the same time, and can protect a passenger by minimizing the shock given to the passenger.
US08851514B2	Childcare device including inflatable safety elements A child care device is configured to receive a child. The device includes a child-restraint harness including first and second shoulder straps and inflatable elements associated with each shoulder strap.
US08851513B2	Airbag and airbag device An airbag and an airbag device allowing the airbag to stably stand by itself are provided. The airbag is usually folded and embedded in an instrument panel, and in an emergency, a gas is supplied to inflate and expand the airbag between a windshield and a passenger. Also, the airbag includes a front inflation portion inflating toward a windshield side, and a back inflation portion inflating toward a passenger side. The front inflation portion includes a bottom portion pressed against a surface of the instrument panel at a time of an inflation and expansion; and a front face portion which projects to the windshield side in a projecting shape.
US08851510B1	Curtain airbag assembly with a reinforced region An inflatable curtain airbag system can include a first inflatable curtain airbag, a second inflatable curtain airbag, and a reinforced region. In some arrangements, the reinforced region may include a region where a portion of the first inflatable curtain airbag overlaps a portion of the second inflatable curtain airbag. In other arrangements, the reinforced region may include a region where either or both of the first and second inflatable curtain airbags comprise a localized region of increased stiffness.
US08851508B1	Delayed vent in airbag curtain An airbag, or inflatable curtain airbag assembly, can include one or more chambers and vents. The vents can be in fluid communication with one or more of the chambers. The vents can be configured to delay passage of inflation gas from an interior of the airbag into an interior chamber or to an exterior of the airbag upon deployment of the airbag. The vents can also be configured to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration when an internal pressure of the airbag reaches a predetermined value.
US08851504B1	Light duty X-frame cart The X-frame cart has pivotally connected X-frame legs with front and rear wheels at terminal leg ends, a lower rear cross frame member between the wheels, and a lower framework with fore-aft-left-right frame members to define a rectangular openwork space. The lower framework is pivotally mounted to opposing X-frame members at the lower rear cross frame member. A flexible panel spans a portion of the rectangular openwork space. The panel is mounted on either the lower fore and aft frame members or on the left and right longitudinal frame members which define the rectangular or square openwork space. A pull bar pivotally mounted to the front end lower framework and the rear wheel permits the pull bar to move the cart fore-end towards the rear-end when the pull-bar is moved upward. The X-frame legs collapse towards each other. The cart has a chair hanger and an open-top bag.
US08851503B2	Dual-chair beach wagon The dual-chair beach wagon includes attachable beach chairs with removable wheels that convert the beach chairs into a rolling wagon for transport of beach paraphernalia. The beach chairs have arm latches and frame brackets that allow them to be removably connected together at opposing front ends to form the wagon. When disconnected each chair serves as a standard beach chair. The removably attachable wheels attach to adjustable rear legs of the beach chairs. In preparation for beach wagon mode, the front legs can be folded up and secured with a recessed leg lock to facilitate attachment of the two chairs using the arm latches and frame brackets to form the beach wagon. A pull rod is attachable to one end of the dual chair configuration. Wheels on the pull rod attachment end of the dual chair configuration have independently pivotal axles to facilitate steering of the wagon transport.
US08851486B2	Utility cart frame assembly and undercarriage interface A utility cart frame assembly is provided. The frame assembly includes a handle assembly cross brace member and a wheel assembly with an axle. The cross brace member and the axle are coupled to, and are immediately adjacent, the tray. In this configuration, the handle assembly cross brace member and the axle provide support to the tray.
US08851483B2	Adjustable cartridge assembly for a workpiece-holding master jaw device An adjustable workpiece-holding chuck including a chuck body with at least one jaw recess formed therein, which receive an operating jaw. A master jaw may be connected to the operating jaw via an adjustable cartridge assembly that includes a cartridge insert mounted to a recess formed in the master jaw. The cartridge insert includes a cartridge opening formed therein for receiving an adjustable screw. The adjustable screw is mounted to a yoke formed in the operating jaw, thereby releasably connecting the master jaw to the master jaw.The cartridge opening and the adjustable screw preferably have corresponding threads that form a full-diameter circumferential connection with each other. More preferably, the cartridge opening and the adjustable screw have complementary Acme threads.
US08851468B2	Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus A finisher includes: a bundle discharge roller pair; a sheet stacking portion which has a lower stacking tray, an abutment member on which a sheet is abuttable, and a sheet stacking height detecting sensor detecting a height of the sheets on the abutment member side, the sheet stacking portion configured to stack the sheet while lowering the lower stacking tray in accordance with a detection result; tray paddles coming into contact with the discharged sheet in a direction from a top of the sheet, to bring the sheet into abutment on the abutment member; a stacking amount detecting portion detecting a stacking amount of the stacked sheet, and a finisher control portion performing control of reducing a relative distance between the tray paddles and the sheet stacked on the lower stacking tray at the time of transporting of the sheet along with increase in the stacking amount of the sheet.
US08851467B2	Recording material feed cassette and recording apparatus A recording material feed cassette includes first and second cassette portions. The second cassette portion is assembled so as to be capable of extending/retracting relative to the first cassette portion and, along with the first cassette portion, contains a recording material. A locking mechanism fixes the position of the second cassette portion relative to the first cassette portion. The locking mechanism has a lock portion capable of moving in a first direction that is orthogonal to the extension/retraction direction so as to take on a locked position and an unlocked position, an operation portion that is capable of moving in a second direction that follows the extension/retraction direction, and a connection portion that connects the lock portion and the operation portion and that is capable of deforming as a result of the movement of the lock portion in the first direction.
US08851464B2	Sheet post-processing device folding sheet output from image forming device, and sheet folding method Provided is a sheet post-processing device folding a sheet output from an image forming device at a predetermined target fold position, comprising: a first rotating body pair conveying the sheet; a second rotating body pair disposed along a sheet conveyance path and further downstream than the first rotating body pair in a sheet conveyance direction; a push unit moving a push member in a direction transverse to the sheet conveyance path so that, while the sheet is being conveyed, the push member comes into contact with the sheet and pushes the sheet into a nip of the second rotating body pair, the push member being disposed opposite the second rotating body pair across the sheet conveyance path; and a control unit controlling the push unit so that the pushing operation of the push member is performed at a timing preset according to the target fold position.
US08851461B2	Side positioning device for a system for assembling vehicle body panels A side home-position device for a vehicle body assembly system for various vehicle types is disclosed, which can be used to return a common use side jig that controls a side panel to a working position of a main buck process. The device includes a post frame that is disposed in a vertical direction corresponding to the working position, a moving member that is movably disposed at the post frame in a width direction of a vehicle body and substantially supports the common use side jig, a main control unit in connection with the moving member and which returns the common use side jig to an original position, a clamper disposed on the moving member which clamps a matching portion of the common use side jig for the moving member, and an operating portion disposed at the post frame and which moves the moving member in a width direction of the vehicle body.
US08851454B1	Utility tool and method of opening a door Disclosed is a tool for opening an inward-swinging door system having a door, a door latch, a door jamb, and a door stop. The tool includes a substantially rigid lock opening element having a proximal portion and a curved distal portion proportioned to fit between the door and the door jamb and between the latch and the door stop. The curved distal portion is configured to be used as a fulcrum to leverage the lock opening element against the door stop thereby causing actuation of the door latch.
US08851453B2	Slidegate opening system A system to open a shipping bin slide-gate may include an opener, a pivot point towards one end of the opener, and a handle towards the other end of the opener. The system may also include a puller, a connector towards one end of the puller, and a joiner towards the other end of the puller that connects to the opener. The system may further include an attacher that engages a shipping container and the pivot point, and the attacher transmits a force applied at the handle to the connector to open the slide-gate carried by the shipping container.
US08851448B2	Motor-operated valve To provide a small motor-operated valve which can control a high flow, there is provided a motor-operated valve of which a body has an orifice, seat and a valve element provided opposite to the seat. The valve element is operated by a driver which is driven to rotate by an output gear to which the rotation of a rotor having been reduced by means of a mechanical paradox planetary gear mechanism is transmitted. To force the valve element in the direction in which the valve is opened, a coil spring is disposed in a bore formed in the upper portion of the body oppositely to a bush.
US08851447B2	Integrated control circuitry and coil assembly for irrigation control An integrated irrigation valve control device has a coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of irrigation equipment. Control circuitry is electrically coupled to the coil to control the flux at the coil. A housing covers at least a portion of the coil and at least a portion of the control circuitry.
US08851445B2	Security valve A security valve having a body, a fluid control device, and an internal locking structure. The internal locking structure allows for partial movement of the valve before locking the fluid control device in place. A piping system based on the valve.
US08851443B2	Memory alloy-actuated apparatus and methods for making and using the same Actuator apparatus having a multi-stable element actuated by memory alloy actuating elements. In one embodiment, the multi-stable actuator comprises a bistable (two-state) diaphragm element adapted to alternate between two stable configurations via forces exerted on the diaphragm by more than one memory alloy filaments in response to thermal activation. The bistable diaphragm element is coupled to a magnetic actuator element resident on a dry portion of a valve fitting, while a plunger actuated by the magnetic actuator element is resident on a wet portion of a valve fitting. Methods for making and using the bistable actuator apparatus are also disclosed.
US08851442B2	Aerogel-bases mold for MEMS fabrication and formation thereof The invention is directed to a patterned aerogel-based layer that serves as a mold for at least part of a microelectromechanical feature. The density of an aerogel is less than that of typical materials used in MEMS fabrication, such as poly-silicon, silicon oxide, single-crystal silicon, metals, metal alloys, and the like. Therefore, one may form structural features in an aerogel-based layer at rates significantly higher than the rates at which structural features can be formed in denser materials. The invention further includes a method of patterning an aerogel-based layer to produce such an aerogel-based mold. The invention further includes a method of fabricating a microelectromechanical feature using an aerogel-based mold. This method includes depositing a dense material layer directly onto the outline of at least part of a microelectromechanical feature that has been formed in the aerogel-based layer.
US08851441B2	Engine skid assembly A skid assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first segment having a first engine support structure and a second segment having one or more second engine support structures. The first engine support structure configured to support a gas producer group of the gas turbine engine and the one or more second engine support structures configured to support a turbine power group of the gas turbine engine. A replaceable member removably attached to the first segment and the second segment.
US08851438B2	Fixture for securing a thin-walled component A fixture for securing a thin-walled component includes a support having one or more securing devices for securing the component to the support. An inflatable pressure element is adapted to press, when inflated, against a flexible liner located adjacent the thin wall of the component. The inflated pressure element and the liner act to damp vibrations in the component during machining of another side of the thin wall. The liner has at least one stiffening element located opposite a position where a machining operation is performed on the other side of the thin wall. The stiffening element holds the liner away from the thin wall to create a cavity between the liner and the thin wall.
US08851437B2	Adaptor band An adaptor band is flexible, C-shaped, and includes a torsion spring receiver. Additionally, the adaptor band includes one or more slots for receiving a screw to fasten the adaptor band to an internal surface of a pre-existing light housing. The adaptor band is compressed and inserted within the pre-existing housing that does not have torsion spring receivers already therein. Once inserted, the adaptor band is released, thereby expanding and pushing against the internal surface of the housing. The adaptor band is fastened to the internal surface of the housing without having to hold the adaptor band in a fixed position. The torsion spring receivers receive torsion springs coupled to other lighting components, including light modules and trim modules.
US08851429B2	Clamping device for rod-shaped profiled elements The invention relates to a clamping device for rod-shaped profiled elements with a substantially circular cross section and with a central axis (R) of the profiled element which axis runs along a longitudinal direction (L) of the rod-shaped profiled element. The device has at least two centering clamps distanced from each other along a theoretical central axis (S), and has at least two opposing clamping cheeks that can be centrally moved between a clamping position and a release position in a moving plane arranged transversely to the theoretical central axis (S). The cheeks each have a support that jointly surround the rod-shaped profiled element in the clamped position and align the central axis (R) of the profiled elements along the theoretical central axis. The shape of the supports can be changed by an adjustable adjusting device, and the adjusting device reduces an offset of the theoretical central axis (S) from the central axis (R) of the profiled elements in the clamped position.
US08851425B2	Removable support for optional external equipment on an aircraft, and an aircraft provided with such a support The present invention relates to a removable support (10) for optional equipment (6) on an aircraft (1). The support (10) comprises an elongate beam (20) fitted with at least one attachment point for a piece of equipment and extending from a first end portion (21) to a second end portion (22), and the support (10) is provided with first fastener means (30) provided with a first fastener arm (31) connected to a first link arm (32) that is releasably fastened to the first end portion (21), and with second fastener means (40) provided with a second fastener arm (41) connected to a second link arm (42) that is releasably fastened to the second end portion (22), a first support rod (34) also connecting the first fastener arm (31) to the first link arm (32), and a second support rod (44) also connecting the second fastener arm (41) to the second link arm (42).
US08851423B1	Air-film vibration damping apparatus for windows An improved vibration damping apparatus is provided for use with window structures, including windows used in vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft. The vibration damping system includes at least two separate layers of solid material that are typically substantially clear at visible wavelengths, in which the two layers are spaced-apart by a predetermined distance to form a space or gap therebetween. This gap will be of a size and shape to enhance vibration damping when it is filled with a gaseous compound, such as air. The air-film vibration damping system created by the above structure can be applied to an external pane of a window structure, or to the interior pane of a window structure, or perhaps to both an exterior pane and an interior pane of the same window structure, if desired.
US08851422B2	Bonded composite aircraft wing A unitized composite aircraft wing includes upper and lower composite laminate wing skins that have differing stiffnesses and are bonded to a composite grid structure. The grid structure includes grid spars extending in a span-wise direction, and cross beams extending in a chord-wise direction of the wing. The grid spars include caps bonded to the upper and lower wing skins.
US08851416B2	Aircraft nacelle including at least one radial partition between two conducts An aircraft nacelle that makes it possible to channel a stream of air in a longitudinal direction and that includes at least two panels (50, 50′) placed end to end in the longitudinal direction, each including a so-called aerodynamic surface (52, 52′) that is in contact with the air stream and an edge (54, 54′) that is in contact with the edge of the other panel, characterized in that at least one of the panels includes—at its edge (54, 54′)—at least one partition (58) that projects relative to the edge that extends in the direction of the edge of the other panel, in a manner that is secant to the aerodynamic surface and in a plane that contains the longitudinal direction, so as to limit the circulation of air between the edges of the panels.
US08851413B2	Reel assembly An improved reel assembly comprised of two identically molded semi-circular core halves having a pair of reel flanges on each end thereof that requires no fasteners. The core halves and reel flanges are constructed and arranged to connect without the need for fasteners to form an improved reel assembly for receipt of a flexible hose. The halves include a plurality of radially extending cross-braces having a conical cross-section. On opposite ends of each half is included a pair of radially extending tubular members having a hollow body and conical cross-section. Each half has opposite reciprocating cross-braces that interlock, as well as opposite reciprocating tubular members that insert within each other to create a strong connection between the halves. The improved reel assembly creates a stronger reel core structure that resists crushing of the reel and separation between the reel halves from a pressurized hose wound thereon.
US08851411B2	Reel and recording tape cartridge A reel has: a hub that has a cylindrical tube portion, an extending portion that extends from an inner peripheral edge of a lower end portion of the cylindrical tube portion toward a radial direction inner side, and an abutting portion provided at the extending portion; an upper flange; a lower flange; and a floor wall that is provided integrally at the radial direction inner side of the lower flange, and that has a position restricting portion that restricts a radial direction position of the abutting portion from the radial direction inner side. A region of the floor wall which is further toward the radial direction outer side than the position restricting portion is welded to the extending portion.
US08851407B2	Apparatus for shearing and breaking nonferrous casting An apparatus for shearing and breaking nonferrous castings of the present invention includes a first cutter unit and a second cutter unit disposed in a frame. Each of the first cutter unit and the second cutter unit includes at least an intermediate cutter unit located at the intermediate stage and a lower cutter unit located at the lower stage. Each of the intermediate cutter units is a multi-vertex cutter part formed into a multi-vertex shape by rhombic cutting edges and crucial cutting edges connected to the respective intersections of diagonals of the rhombic cutting edges. The lower cutter units respectively have a concave cutting edge and a convex cutting edge which are engaged with a gap being formed therebetween.
US08851403B2	Multiple discharge air induction spray nozzle assembly A liquid spraying system comprising a plurality of spray nozzles mounted in dependent fashion a liquid supply boom that travels in a field in a direction of movement. The liquid spray nozzle each have a first liquid discharge orifice and deflector flange for directing discharging liquid at a first angle to the vertical in a leading direction, and a second discharge orifice and deflector flange for simultaneously directing liquid in a trailing direction from a different elevation and at a second angle to the vertical different from the first angle for complete coverage of plant foliage.
US08851398B2	Overhead shower and its switching method thereof An overhead shower comprises a stationary part rotably connected to a rotating part having two water division apertures disposed oppositely left and right, and a cover plate having two movable members disposed left and right, rotably connected inside said rotating part. A switching method comprises: step 1, Push one side of the overhead shower to rotate the rotating part until the top surface of the movable member of said side of the cover plate leans against the stationary part, and until the water division aperture seals and leans against the underside of the movable member of said side of the cover plate, to seal said water division and simultaneously open another water division aperture; step 2, Release the overhead shower, then the rotating part and said movable member of the cover plate attach hermetically under the water pressure, the rotating part will be restored by a spring or gravity.
US08851396B2	Dual scent air freshener with manual combiner An air freshener includes a pair of wicks extending from a pair of reservoirs configured to contain different scents. A hood is sized and shaped to essentially cover only one of the at least two wicks and movable with respect to the wicks between a first scent position in which the hood essentially covers a second of the at least two wicks, a second scent position in which the hood essentially covers a first of the at least two wicks, and a plurality of combined scent positions in which the hood partially covers both of the at least two wicks.
US08851385B2	Card lamination Described herein are RFID structures and methods of manufacturing RFID structures. An antenna substrate is provided. A first stack layer is provided. An antenna assembly including an antenna track, and at least two contact pads, are formed on a first surface of the antenna substrate. An integrated circuit unit is coupled to the at least two contact pads. A first surface of the first stack layer, the first surface of the antenna substrate, or both are coated with a unidirectional thermally expansive coating material. The first surface of the antenna substrate is positioned to be adjacent to the first surface of the first stack layer.
US08851382B2	System and method for estimation and classification of barcodes using heuristic and statistical measures In a system and method of estimating and classifying a barcode using heuristic and statistical measures, a classification determination is generated for each of a plurality of estimated barcode digits that correspond to a decoded barcode estimation. The classification determination is selected from one of a first classification determination and a second classification determination. The first classification determinations among a plurality of estimation determinations are aggregated. The aggregated first classification determinations are compared to a first predetermined threshold to determine a validity of the decoded barcode estimation.
US08851381B2	Motor and motor drive diagnostic system using barcode A motor drive system includes a motor drive configured to provide signals to an electric motor to drive the motor in operation. A barcode is disposed on the motor drive and is configured to be scanned by a user device to provide the user device with information relating to the motor drive or operation of the motor drive.
US08851380B2	Device identification and monitoring system and method A method and system for collecting and recognizing information from a monitoring device is provided. On a mobile computer device a user can capture an image of a monitoring device. The image captures at least two aspects: (1) monitored data tracked or acquired by the monitoring device, and (2) a portion of the monitoring device sufficient to recognize the monitoring device. Recognition functions are provided for: (1) recognizing and converting the monitored data visible in the captured image into quantifiable data, and (2) for recognizing the monitoring device. A note taking function can be provided to allow a user to create notes. The notes can be enriched with the quantifiable data and/or the recognized monitoring device (or vice versa). A suggestion function can be provided for suggesting services where the quantifiable data, the recognized monitoring device, and/or the notes can be bound.
US08851379B2	Method and system for decoding small sized barcodes from blurred images An apparatus, system, and method to identify a region of an image including a barcode based on, at least in part, an entity specific feature associated with the barcode; detect a codeword boundary for the barcode based on, at least in part, an adaptive boundary determination mechanism; and decode the codeword based on, at least in part, a plurality of metrics associated with the entity.
US08851376B2	Method and system for protecting privacy of signatures on mail ballots Methods and systems that provide privacy of signatures on envelopes containing ballots are provided. The envelope for returning ballots includes a removable signature stub positioned on top of a signature area. The voter signs the back of the envelope on the signature stub, thereby imprinting a signature on the signature area by transferring a material from the signature stub to the signature area, and removes the signature stub. The signature is then covered by a label that conceals the signature under normal lighting conditions. To read the signature, light having a predetermined wavelength is directed onto the label, thereby rendering the label transparent and the signature visible.
US08851370B2	System and method for secure card with on-board verification Systems and methods for secure cards with on-board verification are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transaction device associated with at least one transaction account may have a substrate comprising a display that displays an account identifier for the transaction account; a sensor that receives authentication information from a user; a processor that processes the authentication information to verify the authenticity of the user; and a communicator that communicates at least the account information, the communicator including at least one of a magnetic stripe, an electrical interface, and a wireless RF interface. The display may not display the account identifier until the user is authenticated, and the communicator may be inactive to communicate the account information until the user is authenticated.
US08851369B2	Systems and methods for transaction processing using a smartcard Facilitating commercial transactions using a payment system directory are disclosed. A payment directory and/or wireless point of sale (POS) device may be configured to use predetermined rules, a multitude of data items and/or conditions to locate a payment system, and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to at least one payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. A smartcard may function as a payment directory and/or a payment system.
US08851366B2	Money transfer service with authentication A bank (or merchant) hosts and operates an online money transfer service (or “portal”). A sender logs into the portal and enters payment card and money transfer details and then submits the transaction. An authentication window appears displaying the sender's transaction details and the sender is prompted to enter his or her password. Upon successful authentication, the bank seeks authorization from the card issuer. Upon successful authorization, the bank credits the recipient's local bank account or existing payment card. The recipient can also receive a check, a draft, a prepaid card or cash. The money transfer service is used both cross-border and domestic to effect person-to-person money transfer. The money transfer service uses the “Verified by Visa” authentication service and VisaNet for authorization. Messages over VisaNet are used to deliver funds to a recipient.
US08851365B2	Adaptive storage and conditioning systems for nutritional substances Nutritional substance systems and methods are disclosed enabling the tracking and communication of changes in nutritional, organoleptic, and aesthetic values of nutritional substances, and further enabling the adaptive storage and adaptive conditioning of nutritional substances.
US08851363B2	Cup of paper material and method for the fabrication of a cup of paper material A cup of a paper material having a fillable interior, formed by an at least partially conical tubular wall and a bottom wall, which bottom wall is joined to the tubular wall in the region of the bottom end of the interior in a substantially liquid-tight manner. The tubular wall delimiting the interior has at least one deforming entity and the cup includes an outer sleeve that at least partially surrounds the tubular wall, in which the outer sleeve is cohesively joined to the tubular wall in a first region above the deforming entity and in a second region below the deforming entity.

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