最新美国发明专利第2015-02-03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
US08945778B2	Conducting salts for galvanic cells, the production thereof and their use The invention relates to conducting salts which contain lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) and mixed lithium borate salts of the type of formula (I), wherein the portion of compound (I) in the conducting salt is 0.01 to 20 mole-% and X in formula (I) is a bridge linked with the boron via two oxygen atoms, selected from formula (II), wherein Y1 and Y2 together=O, m=1, n=0 and Y3 and Y4 independently represent H or an alkyl group with 1 to 5 C atoms, or Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 independently represent OR (with R=alkyl group with to 5 C atoms), or H or an alkyl group with 1 to 5 C atoms, and wherein m=0 or 1, n=0 or 1, or Y2 and Y3 are members of a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring (with N, O or S as the hetero element) which can be optionally substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, carboxy or nitrile, and if so, Y1 and Y4 are not applicable and n>0, m=0 or 1. The invention also relates to a method for producing the inventive conducting salts.
US08945776B2	Electrolyte for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including the same An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same, the electrolyte including a lithium salt, a silylborate-based compound, an anhydride component, and a non-aqueous organic solvent.
US08945775B2	Battery having a porous insulating member A main object of the present application is to provide a battery including an insulating member that insulates a battery case from an electrode body and is able to secure good injection performance of an electrolyte solution. The battery provided by the present application includes an electrode body provided with a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and a battery case that houses the electrode body together with an electrolyte solution. An insulating member that isolates the electrode body from the battery case is arranged between the electrode body and the battery case, and the insulating member is formed into a bag shape that encloses the electrode body and is made of a porous material having pores through which the electrolyte solution is able to flow.
US08945774B2	Additive for lithium ion rechageable battery cells The present invention claims the addition of vinylene carbonate (VC) and optionally also fluoroethylene carbonate to the electrolyte of lithium ion cells having a structural silicon composite anode, i.e. an anode containing fibers or particles of silicon. The additive significantly improves the cycling performance of the cells. A VC content in the range 3.5-8 wt % based on the weight of the electrolyte has been found to be optimum.
US08945773B2	Negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte battery, method of producing the same, nonaqueous electrolyte battery and battery pack According to one embodiment, a negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a titanium oxide compound having a crystal structure of monoclinic titanium dioxide. When a monoclinic titanium dioxide is used as the active material, the effective capacity is significantly lower than the theoretical capacity though the theoretical capacity was about 330 mAh/g. The invention comprises a titanium oxide compound which has a crystal structure of monoclinic titanium dioxide and a (001) plane spacing of 6.22 Å or more in the powder X-ray diffraction method using a Cu—Kα radiation source, thereby making an attempt to improve effective capacity.
US08945768B2	Lithium-ion secondary battery A lithium-ion secondary battery 100 includes a positive electrode current collector 221 and a porous positive electrode active material layer 223 retained by the positive electrode current collector 221. The positive electrode active material layer 223 contains, for example, positive electrode active material particles 610, an electrically conductive material 620, and a binder 630. In this lithium-ion secondary battery 100, the positive electrode active material particles 610 have a shell portion 612 constituted by a lithium transition metal oxide, a hollow portion 614 formed inside the shell portion 612, and a through hole 616 penetrating the shell portion 612. In the lithium-ion secondary battery 100, in the positive electrode active material layer 223 on average, the hollow portion 614 accounts for 23% or higher of an apparent sectional area of the positive electrode active material particles 610. In addition, a thickness of the shell portion 612 in the positive electrode active material layer 223 on average is 2.2 μm or less.
US08945767B2	Aqueous coating liquid for an electrode plate, electrode plate for an electrical storage device, method for manufacturing an electrode plate for an electrical storage device, and electrical storage device A water-based coating formulation for an electrode plate of an electricity storage device, said water-based coating formulation being adapted to form a coating film layer on the electrode plate, contains at least one resin binder having a saponification degree of 40% or higher and selected from unmodified and modified polyvinyl alcohols and unmodified and modified ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, an electrically conductive material, and a specific polybasic acid or its acid anhydride in a water-based medium containing water as a polar solvent. Per parts by mass of the electrically conductive material (2), the resin binder is from 0.1 to 3 parts by mass and the polybasic acid or the like is from 0.01 to 6 parts by mass. The coating formulation has a solids content from 0.02 mass % to 40 mass %.
US08945765B2	Secondary lithium battery electrolyte and secondary lithium battery including the same A secondary lithium battery electrolyte including a lithium salt, a nonaqueous organic solvent, and an electrolyte additive represented by Formula 1: where n is an integer in the range of 1 to 4. A secondary lithium battery having excellent cycle and high temperature retention characteristics can be provided by using such secondary lithium battery electrolyte.
US08945764B2	Battery pack of large capacity Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a battery cell, having an electrode assembly mounted in a pouch-shaped battery case made of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer and is sealed by thermal welding, mounted in a pack case, wherein the pack case includes a frame member constructed in a structure in which a receiving part for receiving the battery cell is open, opposite side sealing portions of the battery cell are mounted to the frame member such that the opposite side sealing portions cover the opposite sides of the frame member, and a sheathing film is applied to the outer surface of the frame member, to which the battery cell is mounted.
US08945760B2	Storage element and terminal fabricating method A storage element includes: an external terminal having an exposed surface which is exposed to the outside from an envelope, a current collector which is contained inside of the envelope and is connected to the external terminal, and a power generating element which is contained inside of the envelope and is connected to the current collector. The external terminal includes: a flat portion exposed to the outside; and a shaft projecting from the flat portion to the inside of the envelope and being connected to the current collector.
US08945757B2	Battery pack having conductive line holders A battery pack including: a plurality of battery cells; conductive tabs, each of which has a first portion electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, and a second portion extending from the first portion; conductive lines electrically connected to the second portions of the conductive tabs; and a protective circuit module electrically connected to the conductive lines. Each of the conductive tabs includes a conductive line holding portion formed at the second portion, to fix the corresponding conductive line. Due to this constitution of the battery pack, the conductive lines are prevented from entirely escaping from the area of solder joints with the conductive tabs, after being disconnected from the solder joints. Therefore, the conductive lines do not come into contact with the battery cells or circuits of the protective circuit module.
US08945753B2	Implantable battery having thermal shutdown separator The present teachings include an electrochemical cell including an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, a separator disposed between the cathode and anode, and a housing containing the anode, cathode, electrolyte, and separator. The separator can include a first sheet consisting essentially of a single layer material and a second sheet distinct from the first sheet. The second sheet can include an inner microporous layer laminated between two more outer layers. In some cells, the inner layer can have a transition temperature between a porous configuration and a substantially non-porous configuration that is between about 80 degrees C. and 150 degrees C., and in which the two more outer layers maintain their structural integrity to at least about 10 degrees C. greater than the first layer transition temperature.
US08945750B2	Electronic apparatus, control method and program thereof, and battery for operating electronic apparatus An electronic apparatus using a fuel cell as at least one electric power source. The fuel cell has an electric power output unit for outputting an electric power through a chemical reaction between fuel gas and oxidant gas, a purge device for purging the electric power output unit and a purge control unit for issuing a purge instruction to the purge device. The electronic apparatus has a monitor unit for monitoring a consumption power, an operation state or a manipulated state of the electronic apparatus, and a purge permission unit for judging from an output of the monitor unit whether the purge control unit is permitted to issue the purge instruction, and outputting a judgment result to the purge control unit.
US08945746B2	Battery pack with improved heat dissipation efficiency Provided is a battery pack with improved heat dissipation efficiency. The battery pack includes a holder case, and a plurality of batteries disposed inside the holder case. The holder case includes a plurality of ribs disposed inside the holder case. Each of the ribs has a column extending in a direction substantially parallel to a side surface of the holder case, and each of the batteries is accommodated between the columns of the ribs. The column has a heat dissipation hole therein extending along the extension direction of the column. An air flow is formed through the heat dissipation hole, and heat generated during a charge and/or discharge operation dissipates through the air flow in the heat dissipation hole. A portion of the columns are separated from each other forming a gap. The heat generated from the batteries also dissipates through this gap.
US08945743B2	Stepped electrode assembly having predetermined a thickness ratio in the interface between electrode units, battery cell and device comprising the same There are provided an electrode assembly, and a battery cell, a battery pack, and a device. The electrode assembly includes a combination of two or more types of electrode units having different areas, wherein the electrode units are stacked such that steps are formed, and electrode units are formed such that a positive electrode and a negative electrode face one another at an interface between the electrode units.
US08945740B2	Vent for electrochemical cell An electrochemical cell includes a housing having a first end and a vent located at the first end that is configured to deploy from the housing to allow the expulsion of gases from within the cell. The electrochemical cell also includes at least one projection extending outward from the first end adjacent the vent. The at least one projection is configured to prevent accidental deployment of the vent.
US08945734B2	Secondary battery including protection circuit module An easily assembled pack type secondary battery. The secondary battery includes a bare cell, a protection circuit module having a circuit board and coupled with the bare cell, and a top case covering the circuit board of the protection circuit module and having a coupling slot into which at least part of the circuit board is fitted. The secondary battery allows the top case to be attached to the protective circuit module and the bare cell without having to use an adhesive and without requiring an injection molding technique.
US08945731B2	Interlayer for device including NFT and cladding layers A device that includes a near field transducer (NFT); at least one cladding layer adjacent the NFT; and a discontinuous metal layer positioned between the NFT and the at least one cladding layer.
US08945727B2	Organoselenium materials and their uses in organic light emitting devices The present invention provides organoselenium compounds comprising dibenzoselenophene, benzo[b]selenophene or benzo[c]selenophene and their uses in organic light emitting devices.
US08945726B2	Polymer for organic electroluminescent element, and organic electroluminescent element using the same Provided are a polymer for an organic electroluminescent element, which improves light emission efficiency of the element and is applicable to a wet process, and an organic electroluminescent element, which is obtained using the polymer. The polymer for an organic electroluminescent element includes a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1) in a repeating unit constituting a main chain. Further, the organic electroluminescent element includes organic layers between an anode and a cathode laminated on a substrate, in which at least one of the organic layers includes the polymer for an organic electroluminescent element, including an indolocarbazole skeleton in the repeating unit constituting a main chain. In the general formula (1), Z represents an N-indolocarbazolyl group, W represents a charge transporting group, m and n represent molar ratios, m represents 0 to 95 mol %, and n represents 5 to 100 mol.
US08945722B2	Materials and architectures for efficient harvesting of singlet and triplet excitons for white light emitting OLEDs The present invention relates to organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), and more specifically to OLEDS that emit light using a combination of fluorescent emitters and phosphorescent emitters for the efficient utilization of all of the electrically generated excitons.
US08945719B2	Steel plate for cold forging and process for producing same This steel plate for cold forging includes a hot-rolled steel plate, wherein the hot-rolled steel plate includes: in terms of percent by mass, C: 0.13% to 0.20%; Si: 0.01% to 0.8%; Mn: 0.1% to 2.5%; P: 0.003% to 0.030%; S: 0.0001% to 0.008%; Al: 0.01% to 0.07%; N: 0.0001% to 0.02%; and O: 0.0001% to 0.0030%, with a remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities, an A value represented by the following formula (1) is in a range of 0.0080 or less, a thickness of the hot-rolled steel plate is in a range of 2 mm to 25 mm, and an area percentage of pearlite bands having lengths of 1 mm or more in a region of 4/10t to 6/10t when a plate thickness is indicated by t in a cross section of a plate thickness that is parallel to a rolling direction of the hot-rolled steel plate is in a range of not more than a K value represented by the following formula (2), A value=O%+S%+0.033Al% (1) K value=25.5×C%+4.5×Mn%−6 (2).
US08945717B2	Adhesive material The invention relates to a pressure-sensitive adhesive. It is envisaged that the pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises a first layer and a second layer,the first layer being a heat-activatable pressure-sensitive adhesive which has a static glass transition temperature Tg,a or a melting point Tm,a of at least +30° C.; andthe second layer being a polyacrylate pressure-sensitive adhesive which has a static glass transition temperature of not more than +15° C.
US08945715B2	Low V2O5—content and V2O5—free porcelain enamels The present invention relates to a low-V2O5-content and even V2O5-free porcelain enamel with improved dish-washer resistance, very good acid resistance and good adherence on various substrates. The invention moreover relates to a transparent low-V2O5-content and even V2O5-free porcelain enamel frit for application of enamel coatings with infinite color range on a substrate made of aluminum, cast aluminum, aluminum alloy, aluminum-magnesium alloy, cast aluminum alloy, copper, austenitic stainless steel and mild steel, presenting improved dish-washer resistance, good acid resistance and good adherence on the substrate.The composition of the porcelain enamel in question comprises about 30 wt-% to about 50 wt-% SiO2, about 30 wt-% to about 40 wt-% R2O, about 15 wt-% to about 25 wt-% TiO2, about 0 wt-% to about 5 wt-% RO, about 0 wt-% to about 4 wt-% V2O5, about 0.3 wt-% to about 7 wt-% Fe2O3, about 0 wt-% to about 3 wt-% Sb2O3, about 0 wt-% to about 3 wt-% SnO2, about 0 wt-% to about 2 wt-% B2O3, about 0 wt-% to about 3 wt-% Al2O3, about 0 wt-% to about 4 wt-% P2O5, about 0 wt-% to about 1 wt-% MoO3, about 0 wt-% to about 2 wt-% F2, about 0 wt-% to about 4 wt-% ZrO2, about 0 wt-% to about 4 wt-% ZnO, about 0 wt-% to about 6 wt-% NOx, R2O is a combination of alkaline oxides selected from the group of: Na2O 10-23 mol %, K2O 7-20 mol % and Li2O 1-6.5 mol %, wherein RO represent at least one earth alkali oxide and wherein the molar ratio of (Li2O+B2O3) to TiO2 amounts to 0.2 to 0.6.
US08945714B2	Coated article with IR reflecting layer and method of making same Example embodiments of this invention relate to a coated article including an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like, for use in an insulating glass (IG) window unit for example. In certain example embodiments, the coating is a single-silver type coating, and includes an overcoat including an uppermost layer of or including silicon nitride and a layer of or including tin oxide immediately under and contacting the silicon nitride based overcoat. In certain example embodiments, the thicknesses of the silicon nitride based overcoat and the tin oxide based layer are balanced (e.g., substantially equal, or equal plus/minus about 10%). It has surprisingly been found that such balancing results in an improvement in thermal cycling performance and improved mechanical durability. In certain example embodiments, the coating may realize surprisingly good substantially neutral film side reflective coloration, and may achieve an improved visible transmission, SHGC ratio and low U-values. Moreover, in certain example embodiments, stress in the overcoat of the coating may be reduced by reducing nitrogen gas flow (N2 ml/kW) and cathode power during a sputter-deposition process, thereby further improving thermal cycling performance.
US08945713B2	Glass material for press molding, method for manufacturing optical glass element employing same, and optical glass element Disclosed is a glass material for press forming providing an optical element having a sufficient optical performance without surface cracks, cloudiness, scratches, and the like even when the glass material contains an easily reducible component. Also disclosed are an optical element having a sufficient optical performance without surface cracks, cloudiness, scratches, and the like and a method for manufacturing the same. Specifically disclosed are a glass material for press forming and a glass optical element each of which comprises a core portion composed of multiple component optical glass and a composite surface layer covering at least a region serving as an optical functional surface of the core portion. The core portion is composed of optical glass that contains an easily reducible component and does not contain Pb. The composite surface layer includes a first surface layer that covers the core portion and a second surface layer that covers the first surface layer. The first surface layer is composed of a component that does not react with the glass of the core portion at the press forming temperature and does not diffuse in the glass of the core portion. The second surface layer is composed of a component that improves formability during the press forming. Also specifically disclosed is a method for manufacturing the optical element.
US08945711B2	Water-based composite resin composition and an article comprising the same It is an object of the present invention to provide a water-based composite resin composition which has an excellent long-term storage stability and which enables formation of a coating film having an excellent water resistance and solvent resistance. The present invention relates to a water-based composite resin composition and a coating agent; the water-based composite resin composition containing composite resin particles (A) and an aqueous medium (B), the composite resin particles (A) containing polyester resin (a1) particles having a sulfonate group and an epoxy resin (a2) of which some or all parts are encapsulated in the polyester resin (a1) particles, wherein a mass ratio [(a1)/(a2)] of the polyester resin (a1) to the epoxy resin (a2) in the composite resin particles (A) is in the range of 95/5 to 30/70.
US08945707B2	Surface-coated cutting tool The surface-coated cutting tool of the present invention is characterized in that a region of 10 μm in a surface of the base material from point a′ to point b′ has two to seven cracks with a width of not more than 200 nm, or two to ten pores are present per length of 10 μm in the surface of the base material from point a′ to point b′, where points a′ and b′ are points defined respectively by lines drawn perpendicularly from points a and b to the surface of the base material where point a is a position located away from an edge ridgeline toward a rake face by distance La and point b is a position located away from the edge ridgeline toward a flank face by distance Lb.
US08945700B2	Polymeric materials in self-assembled arrays and semiconductor structures comprising polymeric materials Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale microstructures in line arrays utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. Semiconductor structures may include self-assembled block copolymer materials in the form of lines of half-cylinders of a minority block matrix of a majority block of the block copolymer. The lines of half-cylinders may be within trenches in the semiconductor structures.
US08945695B2	Polyethylene terephthalate resin synthesized inorganic Ti—Mg catalyst and its applications thereof PET resins containing a small amount of a blue dye and/or further containing inorganic particles of Fe3O4 or BaSO4 are synthesized in the presence of an inorganic Ti—Mg catalyst employed as a polycondensation catalyst and a phosphorus stabilizer during a polycondensation process, and the resultant PET resins are free of yellowish appearance and reduced regenerated acetaldehyde and cyclic oligomers after processed so that PET bottle preforms if made of the PET resins can facilitate reduction in aging time thereby to improve the product yield of the bottle preforms and to save the stock space for storing the bottle preforms.
US08945691B2	Nano-material and method of fabrication A fluffy nano-material and method of manufacture are described. At 2000× magnification the fluffy nanomaterial has the appearance of raw, uncarded wool, with individual fiber lengths ranging from approximately four microns to twenty microns. Powder-based nanocatalysts are dispersed in the fluffy nanomaterial. The production of fluffy nanomaterial typically involves flowing about 125 cc/min of organic vapor at a pressure of about 400 torr over powder-based nano-catalysts for a period of time that may range from approximately thirty minutes to twenty-four hours.
US08945690B2	Method and apparatus for mass-producing DLC films A DLC film mass-producing apparatus 10 includes a chamber 12 connected to ground. In the chamber 12, a plurality of plate-shaped substrates 60 are disposed in parallel at regular intervals, without disposing a counter electrode that faces each of the plate-shaped substrates 60. Sputtering cleaning is then conducted by plasma discharge and an underlying contact layer is formed on each of the plate-shaped substrates 60. Subsequently, a DLC film is produced on each of the plate-shaped substrates 60 by injecting a carbon source gas into the chamber 12 such that the internal pressure of the chamber 12 reaches 0.1 to 10 Pa and applying a negative DC pulse voltage having a pulse half width of 0.1 to 3 μsec to each of the plate-shaped substrates 60 to generate plasma.
US08945688B2	Process of forming a material having nano-particles and a material having nano-particles A process of forming a material having nano-particles and a material having nano-particles are disclosed. The process includes arranging nano-particles in a predetermined pattern within a matrix material. The material includes arranged nano-particles forming a predetermined pattern in the matrix material.
US08945687B2	Heat transfer medium and heat transfer method using the same Disclosed are a heat transfer medium and a heat transfer method that uses the heat transfer medium. The heat transfer medium comprises a light-transparent substrate coated with a plurality of nano particles. The nano particles absorb light incident thereon to thereby produce heat, which is transferred to a target object to be heated. Nano particles can be applied onto a target object. After heating, the particles are removed by etching. Nano particles can be selectively applied to the light-transparent substrate or directly to a target object to be heat so as to localize heat-production and thus heat selective portions of the target object.
US08945686B2	Method for reducing thin films on low temperature substrates A method for producing an electrically conductive thin film on a substrate is disclosed. Initially, a reducible metal compound and a reducing agent are dispersed in a liquid. The dispersion is then deposited on a substrate as a thin film. The thin film along with the substrate is subsequently exposed to a pulsed electromagnetic emission to chemically react with the reducible metal compound and the reducing agent such that the thin film becomes electrically conductive.
US08945685B2	Method for dying and/or printing adhesive closure parts A method for dying and/or printing adhesive closure parts (10) having a plurality of hooks (12) predominately made of a plastic material connected to a carrier (14), applies a dye medium to the surface (16) of the adhesive closure part (10) or its parts by an application unit (18). Because the dye used is based on a solvent free wax applied by the application unit (18) in a melted form in droplets, bubbles, or pellet form, and enters into a fixed connection to the surface (16) in the cooled, cured state, a wax dye application may be achieved that is markedly colorfast and UV resistant.
US08945682B2	Deposition apparatus, method for manufacturing organic light emitting display apparatus, and organic light emitting display apparatus A deposition apparatus includes a first transporting unit configured to transport moving units, to which substrates may be detachably affixed, in a first direction; and a second transporting unit configured to transport empty moving units, from which the respective substrates have been detached, in a return direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the moving units are transported cyclically in reusing fashion.
US08945681B2	Coating composition comprising autoxidisable component There is described (pref. non-adhesive) coating compositions (which may be either water or solvent borne) that comprise an autoxidisable vinyl polymer, the autoxidisable polymer having a vinyl polymer backbone 25% to 75% by wt of the autoxidisable polymer; fatty acid residue 25% to 75% by wt of the autoxidisable polymer; Tg from −60° C. to +20° C., Mw from 3500 to 50000 g/mol; and polydispersity from 2 to 10; the autoxidisable polymer obtained by a process of: (A) polymerising ethylenically unsaturated vinyl monomers comprising: at least one epoxy functional vinyl monomer 15% to 100% by wt total monomers in (A); 0 to 85% of at least one other ethylenically unsaturated vinyl monomer, (preferably other than styrenic monomers) by wt total monomers in (A); (B) reacting the epoxy functional polymer from (A) with fatty acids having an average iodine value from 30 to 250 g I2/100 g fatty acid; where composition has: a) a opt. co-solvent content ≦40% by wt of the composition; b) a solids content either ≧30% (aqueous) ≧60% (solvent based) by wt of the composition, the composition as a coating film having a telegraphing value of less than 10 gloss units (difference between an initial smooth gloss minus an initial rough gloss of the film).
US08945677B2	Electronic device manufacture using low-k dielectric materials Materials and methods for manufacturing electronic devices and semiconductor components using low dielectric materials comprising polyimide based aerogels are described. Additional methods for manipulating the properties of the dielectric materials and affecting the overall dielectric property of the system are also provided.
US08945675B2	Methods for forming conductive titanium oxide thin films The present disclosure relates to the deposition of conductive titanium oxide films by atomic layer deposition processes. Amorphous doped titanium oxide films are deposited by ALD processes comprising titanium oxide deposition cycles and dopant oxide deposition cycles and are subsequently annealed to produce a conductive crystalline anatase film. Doped titanium oxide films may also be deposited by first depositing a doped titanium nitride thin film by ALD processes comprising titanium nitride deposition cycles and dopant nitride deposition cycles and subsequently oxidizing the nitride film to form a doped titanium oxide film. The doped titanium oxide films may be used, for example, in capacitor structures.
US08945673B2	Nanoparticles with grafted organic molecules An apparatus for producing grafted Group IV nanoparticles is provided and includes a source of Group IV nanoparticles. A chamber is configured to carry the nanoparticles in a gas phase and has an inlet and an exit. The inlet configured to couple to an organic molecule source which is configured to provide organic molecules to the chamber. A plasma source is arranged to generate a plasma. The plasma causes the organic molecules to break down and/or activate in the chamber and bond to the nanoparticles. A method of producing grafted Group IV nanoparticles is also provided and includes receiving Group IV nanoparticles in a gas phase, creating a plasma with the nanoparticles, and allowing the organic molecules to break down and/or become activated in the plasma and bond with the nanoparticles.
US08945671B2	Method for producing encapsulated sodium percarbonate particles A process for producing coated sodium percarbonate particles by spray application of a sodium sulfate-containing aqueous solution onto sodium percarbonate particles in a fluidized bed and simultaneous evaporation of water, wherein sodium sulfate and sodium percarbonate-containing dust is used to prepare the sodium sulfate-containing aqueous solution.
US08945668B2	Phenoxy resin composition for transparent plastic substrate and transparent plastic substrate using the same Provided are a phenoxy resin composition for transparent plastic substrate and a transparent plastic substrate using the phenoxy resin composition, capable of effectively substituting for a conventional glass substrate since having excellent thermal and chemical resistance, high adhesiveness, low water infiltration, and a small coefficient of linear thermal expansion. In one general aspect, there is provided a phenoxy resin composition for transparent plastic substrate, including: phenoxy resin having a chemical structure expressed as follows: wherein the n value is 35 to 400.
US08945665B2	Process for making a dental restoration and resultant apparatus A process for making a dental restoration includes forming a dental restoration base, selecting a decal representing a natural oral cavity characteristic, and attaching the selected decal to the base. Thereafter, the decal and the dental restoration base are conditioned to create a finished dental restoration having desired oral cavity color and characteristics such as teeth, enamel, dentin, crazing lines, stains, veins, blood vessels, bony coloration, hyper-calcification, mucosal tissue or gum tissue. In an alternative embodiment, the process may include placing a sealant over the decal and at least a portion of the dental restoration base. Additionally, a secondary decal may be attached over the sealant, followed by glazing the secondary decal.
US08945653B2	Extracted whole corn kernels and improved processed and processable corn produced thereby A processed corn kernel product is obtained from an extraction process in which: an initial unprocessed whole corn kernel is mixed with water at solids levels of between 10% to 50% kernel/water to form a mixture; the mixture is maintained at a temperature of between 50° C. and 85° C. for at least 30 minutes to form a liquid extract and corn kernels desirably having a moisture content greater than 15% by weight of corn kernel solids; the corn kernels are physically separated from a liquid extract; and the corn kernels are dried until a kernel moisture level of <15% is obtained, produced a processed corn kernel product that retains at least 95% of the weight of the unprocessed corn kernels at the same moisture content (i.e., 15%). The ≦5% extracted material may include, but is not limited to, soluble starches, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, oils, fibers, flavonoids, polyphenols, antioxidants, phenolic acids, dyes/pigments, and the like.
US08945651B2	Process for preparing Maillard flavour preparations The present invention relates to a process of producing Maillard flavor preparation, such as process flavors, comprising heating a combination of a carbohydrate source and a nitrogen source in a continuous liquid phase containing at least 10 wt % of an α-hydroxycarboxylic acid component selected from the group of α-hydroxycarboxylic acids according to the following formula (I): R1—CR2(OH)—COOH salts of these acids and combinations thereof. It was found that the flavor preparations so obtained exhibit unique flavor profiles, making them particularly suitable for use in foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutics, tobacco products and oral care products.
US08945650B2	Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for Baumkuchen There are provided a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus for Baumkuchen for easily and properly suppressing shape distortion of the Baumkuchen caused in a manufacturing process thereof. In manufacturing the Baumkuchen by alternately repeating application of batter around the whole outer circumference of a spit and baking of the applied batter, the batter is scraped off outer circumferences of opposite end portions of the spit before baking only in early stage of manufacturing until the number of repetitions reaches a specified value. As a result, the number of cake layers formed at the opposite end portions of the Baumkuchen is reduced from that at the other portion and outside diameters of the opposite end portions are reduced from a normal outside diameter to thereby suppress partial increase in the outside diameter at the opposite end portions of the Baumkuchen caused by drooping of the batter at the end portions of the spit before baking.
US08945647B2	Process and an apparatus for preparing a beverage under controlled pressure conditions A process of preparing a beverage from a beverage preparation chamber includes feeding water to the preparation chamber until a first pressure is reached, interrupting the flow of water to the preparation chamber, holding the preparation chamber in a closed condition for a first time interval, opening the outlet of the preparation chamber and delivering the thus prepared beverage.
US08945640B2	Genipin-rich material and its use A method of preparing genipin-rich materials from the fruit of Genipa americana fruit for their use as a cross-linking agent and as a raw material to produce colors is disclosed. The genipin-rich materials can be used in a broad range of applications including personal care, cosmetics, dietary supplements, packaging, textiles, beverages, foodstuffs, drugs, and animal feeds.
US08945633B2	Pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases containing an ethyl acetate fraction of dried extract of Trachelospermi caulis as an active ingredient, and method for producing the fraction The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating and preventing inflammatory diseases comprising an ethyl acetate fraction of dried extract of Trachelospermi caulis as an active ingredient and a method for producing the fraction. More particularly, the present invention relates to a composition for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases comprising an ethyl acetate fraction of dried extract of Trachelospermi caulis as an active ingredient, in which the extract of Trachelospermi caulis is refined and concentrated to contain 0.05˜12% by weight of arctigenin as an index material, and a method for producing the fraction.
US08945632B2	Methods and compositions for inhibiting the nuclear factor κB pathway The current invention provides therapeutic methods which include inhibition of nuclear factor κb pathway in a cell based on the discovery of an active fraction of a plant extract termed NUP or a composition which includes NUP. NUP is used in treating and managing different diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and virus infections.
US08945629B2	Nanoparticles for cytoplasmic drug delivery to cancer cells The invention is a nanoparticle that contains an anticancer drug that is released in cancer cells when administered to a subject. The nanoparticles have a core including the anticancer drug and polymer chains that are soluble at the pH of the cancer cell. The core is surrounded by a layer of polymer chains that are insoluble at the pH of healthy tissue but soluble at the pH of the cancer interstitium. An outside layer is made of water-soluble polymer chains to shield the nanoparticle from RES recognition and give the nanoparticle a long circulation time in the bloodstream of the subject. The outside layer may also include folic acid moieties that bind folic acid receptors on the surface of the cancer cell.
US08945624B2	Photoinitiated tissue filler Visible light-activated polymer cosmetic filler preparations useful in a variety of applications are provided. In some embodiments, the photo-activated polymer composition comprises a conventional polymeric material, such as HA, together with a modified, crosslinkable polymer, such as PEG or PEODA, to permit the formation of crosslinks within the polymer matrix in situ on exposure to a visible light source, such as an IPL device. The preparations provide for a more stabilized composition that is contourable during gelation.
US08945623B2	Compositions comprising biomembrane sealing agent for treatment of neuronal injury, and methods of use The invention provides compositions, kits, and methods for treatment of neuronal injury. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a biomembrane sealing agent, such as PEG, and a bioactive agent, such as a magnesium compound. The biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent an intravenous administration, an intramuscular administration, an intrathecal administration, a subcutaneous administration, an epidural administration, a parenteral administration, a direct application onto or adjacent to a site of the pathological condition, and any combinations thereof. Alternatively, the biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent may be delivered from a pump or an implant.
US08945620B2	Solid pharmaceutical compositions containing pregabalin A solid pharmaceutical composition containing pregabalin is described. The composition includes a matrix forming agent and a swelling agent and is suitable for once daily oral administration. Exemplary matrix forming agents include mixtures of polyvinyl acetate and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and exemplary swelling agents include cross-linked polymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone.
US08945614B2	Oral drug delivery system Dosage forms and drug delivery devices suitable for administration of pharmaceutical compounds and compositions, including the oral drug administration of compounds.
US08945611B2	Artificial oxygen carriers and use thereof The invention relates to dispersions of artificial oxygen carriers, wherein the dispersions contain capsules with reversible oxygen storage capacity, the capsules comprising an oxygen-permeable capsule material, that contains and/or encloses fluorinated, particularly perfluorinated hydrocarbons, preferably perfluorocarbons. The dispersions are particularly suitable as a blood substitute, preferably for the purpose of transfusion, e.g. in states of blood loss of the human or animal body, in particular following surgical interventions, accidents, injuries etc, or for the prophylactic treatment and/or treatment by therapy of ischaemic states or states following a reperfusion.
US08945610B2	Condensation products based on bicyclic or polycyclic aromatics or heteroaromatics The invention relates to a condensation product obtainable by reaction of a1) at least one bicyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic, where the bicyclic or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic is substituted by at least one carboxyl group (—COOH), and where the carboxyl group can be present in salt form, a2) at least one carbonyl compound, a3) if appropriate at least one sulfonating agent, a4) at least one urea derivative, and a5) if appropriate at least one further aromatic or heteroaromatic, or a physiologically tolerable salt thereof.
US08945606B2	Oral adhering disc with dimple on adhering side A dissolving oral adhering disc (troche) with a dimple on at least one side to improve adhesion to hard convex surfaces in the mouth, including teeth, orthodontic braces, and gums (keratinized gingiva). The disc may be designed to prevent or treat a sore in the mouth opposite a tooth or brace and/or to release a medication into the mouth, to treat such as sore or to treat or prevent conditions elsewhere in the mouth or throat or stomach.
US08945603B2	Sodium channel blocker delivery system with scleral lens A scleral lens is provided with a sodium channel blocker or a sodium channel modulator disposed in the pre-corneal tear film between the scleral lens and the cornea. This system can be used to deliver sodium channel blockers or a sodium channel modulators not currently used because of poor bioavailability. Methods of using this sodium channel blocker delivery system or a sodium channel modulator delivery system are also disclosed.
US08945601B2	System and method for attaching soft tissue to an implant One embodiment of the present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing attachment of soft tissues to a metal prosthetic device. In one embodiment a construct is provided comprising a metal implant having a porous metal region, wherein the porous region exhibits a nano-textured surface, and a biocompatible polymer matrix coating the nano-textured surface. The polymer matrix coating comprises a naturally occurring extracellular matrix with biocompatible inorganic materials distributed within the matrix, or a biocompatible polymer and an osteo-inductive agent.
US08945599B2	Immobilized biologically active entities having a high degree of biological activity The present invention relates to immobilized biologically active entities having heparin cofactor II binding activity.
US08945597B2	Botanical insecticides The invention generally relates to environmental friendly pesticide compounds, formulations, methods of preparation and application and utilities thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to pesticide compounds and formulations that include terpenes or terpenoids having chemical formula of (C5H8)n, and its derivatives and analogs thereof, as active insecticidal ingredients; certain botanical essential oils as synergists, and other select ingredients as additives.
US08945596B2	Antimicrobial composition The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition. It particularly relates to an antimicrobial composition for cleansing or personal care. It is an object of the present invention to provide antimicrobial compositions that have relatively fast antimicrobial action. Present inventors have surprisingly found that compositions comprising selected ingredients, namely thymol and terpineol, in selective proportions provide relatively quick antimicrobial action.
US08945594B2	Vinylic mask with peel-off effect for topical use containing high concentrations of retinoic acid A formulation for topical use having a filmogenic (peel-off) action for professional and home use, containing high concentrations of Retinoic acid, the method of production and use thereof in the treatment of acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentations, psoriasis and all imperfections linked to keratinization disorders. The composition also comprises octyldodecyl octyldodecanoate, and polyvinyl alcohol. The composition is in the form of a face mask (pack).
US08945589B2	Immunogenic compositions for Streptococcus agalactiae This application relates to Group B Streptococcus (“GBS”) vaccines comprising combinations of GBS polypeptide antigens where the polypeptides contribute to the immunological response in a recipient. Preferably, the compositions of the invention comprise a combination of two or more GBS antigens, wherein said combination includes GBS 80 or a fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the combination may consist of two to thirteen GBS antigens selected from an antigen group consisting of GBS 80, GBS 91, GBS 104, GBS 184, GBS 276, GBS 305, GBS 322, GBS 330, GBS 338, GBS 361, GBS 404, GBS 690, and GBS 691.
US08945586B2	Therapeutic use of the encoding sequence of the carboxy-terminal domain of the heavy chain of the tetanus toxin The present invention relates to the therapeutic use of the carboxy-terminal domain of the heavy chain of the tetanus toxin for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
US08945585B2	Multi-Target recombination gene and the application of its protein to prevent and cure Helicobacter pylori The present invention discloses a multi-target recombination gene and the application of its protein to prevent and cure Helicobacter pylori. It includes a multi-target fusion polypeptide having amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, a multi-target recombination gene of encoding multi-target fusion polypeptide having nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, and the application of the multi-target recombination gene or the multi-target fusion polypeptide or specific antibody of the multi-target fusion polypeptide as biological products for preventing and curing Helicobacter pylori. The present invention effectively combines the key target protein UreI for Hp gastric colonization, and antigen target of UreB to create the best drug target.
US08945584B2	Cell culture system of a hepatitis C genotype 3a and 2a chimera A robust and genetically stable cell culture system for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotype 3a is provided. A genotype 3a/2a (S52/JFH1) recombinant containing the structural genes (Core, E1, E2), p7 and NS2 of strain S52 was constructed and characterized in Huh7.5 cells. S52/JFH1 and J6/JFH viruses passaged in cell culture had comparable growth kinetics and yielded similar peak HCV RNA titers and infectivity titers. Direct genome sequencing of cell culture derived S52/JFH1 viruses identified putative adaptive mutations in Core, E2, p7, NS3, and NS5A; clonal analysis revealed that all genomes analyzed exhibited different combinations of these mutations. Finally, viruses resulting from transfection with RNA transcripts of five S52/JFH1 recombinants containing these combinations of putative adaptive mutations performed as efficiently as J6/JFH viruses in Huh7.5 cells and were all genetically stable after viral passage.
US08945583B2	GLUT-1 as a receptor for HTLV envelopes and its uses The invention relates to the use of the ubiquitous vertebrate glucose transporter GLUT1, or of fragments or sequences derived thereof, for the in vitro diagnosis of cancers, when used as a tumor marker, or for the screening of compounds useful for the preparation of drugs for the prevention or the treatment of pathologies linked to an infection of an individual with a PTLV, or pathologies linked to an overexpression of GLUT1 on cell surfaces, or the in vitro detection of GLUT1 on cell surfaces. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing GLUT1, or fragments or sequences derived thereof, and to their uses such as in the frame of the prevention or the treatment of pathologies linked to an infection of an individual with a PTLV.
US08945582B2	Vaccine The standard dose of polio vaccines contains 40 D-antigen units of inactivated poliovirus type 1 (Mahoney), 8 D-antigen units of inactivated poliovirus type 2 (MEF-1), and 32 D-antigens units of inactivated poliovirus type 3 (Saukett). The present invention teaches that reduced doses of inactivated poliovirus can maintain adequate or improved level of protection against polio.
US08945580B2	Yersinia pestis antigens, vaccine compositions, and related methods The present invention provides antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by Yersinia pestis. The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions of such antigens and/or vaccines. The present invention provides methods for the production of Y. pestis protein antigens in plants, as well as methods for their use in the treatment and/or prevention of Y. pestis infection.
US08945577B2	Fusion proteins and combination vaccines comprising Haemophilus influenzae Protein E and Pilin A The present invention relates to compositions comprising Haemophilus influenzae Protein E and Pilin A. More particularly, the present application relates to fusion proteins and immunogenic compositions comprising Protein E and PilA, vaccines comprising such immunogenic compositions and therapeutic uses of the same.
US08945572B2	Methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer Methods and compositions are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancers associated with amplification or overexpression of the FGFR2 gene.
US08945571B2	Targeted immunoconjugates The present invention relates to immunoconjugates. In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to immunoconjugates comprising at least one single-chain effector moiety and two or more antigen binding moieties. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoconjugates, vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the immunoconjugates of the invention, and to methods of using these immunoconjugates in the treatment of disease.
US08945569B2	Jagged-binding agents and uses thereof Antibodies that specifically bind to an extracellular domain of human Jagged 1 or human Jagged2 and modulate Jagged activity, and methods of using said antibodies to inhibit tumor growth are disclosed. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an anti-Jagged antibody to a patient having a tumor or cancer.
US08945568B2	Pneumococcal Serotype 6D Disclosed is a new and emerging serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae designated serotype 6D, and assays and monoclonal antibodies useful in identifying same. Also disclosed is a novel pneumococcal polysaccharide with the repeating unit→2) glucose 1 (1→3) glucose 2 (1→3) rhamnose (1→4) ribitol (5→phosphate. This new serotype may be included in pneumococcal vaccines.
US08945567B2	Monovalent, bivalent and trivalent anti human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) nanobody constructs for the prevention and/or treatment of respiratory tract infections Amino acid sequences are provided that are directed against and/or that can specifically bind protein F of hRSV, as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences. The amino acid sequences, polypeptides and therapeutic compounds and compositions provided by the invention show an improved stability, less immunogenicity and/or improved affinity and/or avidity for protein F of hRSV. The invention also relates to the uses of such amino acid sequences, polypeptides, compounds or constructs for prophylactic and/or therapeutic purposes.
US08945566B2	Methods for improving the bioactivity of therapeutic IgE antibodies for the treatment of disease The invention provides a method for increasing the bioactivity (e.g. the biosafety and efficacy) of a therapeutic IgE antibody of the invention in the treatment of a patient. Methods of the invention include: i) administering to the patient a therapeutic IgE antibody in combination with at least one bioactivity-enhancing agent, ii) strategic treatment regimens and protocols for the dosing and administration of a therapeutic IgE antibody of the invention, and iii) the use of a therapeutic IgE antibody having a variable region comprising at least one antigen binding region specific for binding an epitope of an antigen wherein the epitope is not highly repetitive or is non-repetitive.
US08945562B2	Anti-complement C1s antibodies The present disclosure provides antibodies that bind complement C1s protein; and nucleic acid molecules that encode such antibodies. The present disclosure also provides compositions comprising such antibodies, and methods to produce and use such antibodies, nucleic acid molecules, and compositions.
US08945561B2	Receptor modulators Method of identifying a modulator of CD28 comprising comparing a structural model of a candidate modulator with a structural model of CD28 to thereby determine whether the modulator will bind to CD28, wherein the structural model is derived from, or comprises, structural coordinates of a crystal of: (i) CD28, (ii) a fragment of CD28, or (iii) a homolog of (i) or (ii). The crystal of CD28 in a soluble form complexed with the Fab fragment of a mitogenic (superagonistic) antibody has been obtained and used for the determination of the 3D-structure of the receptor. The application also relates to modulators of superagonistic signalling for any receptor of the CD28 family, i.e. to superagonistic antibodies and chimeric proteins thereof, and to the screening of the superagonistic modulators. In the methods of screening, the binding of the candidate modulators to a portion of the receptor proximal to the cell membrane is investigated.
US08945558B2	Methods for treating myocardial infarction comprising administering an IL-6 inhibitor The present inventors investigated the effects of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies on improving the condition of infarcted areas in myocardial infarction, and on suppressing left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. As a result, the administration of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies significantly suppressed the increase of MPO activity in the infarcted area and suppressed myocardial MCP-1 expression in both the infarcted area and the non-infarcted area. Furthermore, echocardiography and histological examinations revealed that cardiac hypertrophy is also suppressed.
US08945557B2	Use of immunesuppressant receptor The present invention relates to use of an antagonist of BIR1 (B cell immunoglobulin receptor 1) related to the present invention, a method for screening the antagonist, in addition to subtype polypeptides of BIR1, the polynucleotide encoding them and antibodies for the polypeptides.BIR1 functions as an immunosuppressive receptor, and the antagonist of BIR1 has immunopotentive activity, which is able to use for preventing and/or treating a cancer, an immunodeficiency disease or an infectious disease.
US08945550B2	Antibodies and methods for making and using them The invention provides antibodies, including chimeric human antibodies, recombinant antibodies, synthetic anti-bodies, and the nucleic acids encoding them, and methods for making and using these immunoglobulins. The invention provides recombinant and synthetic polypeptide and nucleic acid embodiments of these polypeptides and/or antibodies. The invention also provides polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, consensus human framework regions, or “Independently Consensused Frameworks (ICFs)”, nucleic acids encoding them, and libraries and kits comprising these ICFs and/or antibodies of the invention, individually and in combinatorial libraries and combinations.
US08945548B2	Anti-IL12Rbeta1 antibodies and their use in treating autoimmune and inflammatory disorders The present invention relates to antibodies that specifically bind to IL12Rβ1, the non-signal transducing chain of both the heterodimeric IL12 and IL23 receptors. The invention more specifically relates to specific antibodies that are IL12 and IL23 receptor antagonists capable of inhibiting IL12/IL18 induced IFNγ production of blood cells and compositions and methods of use for said antibodies to treat pathological disorders that can be treated by inhibiting IFNγ production, IL12 and/IL23 signaling, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or inflammatory bowel diseases or other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.
US08945545B2	Methods of treating psoriasis by administration of antibodies to the p40 subunit of IL-12 and/or IL-23 The invention provides a method of treating psoriasis in a subject by administering to a subject an antibody capable of binding to the p40 subunit of IL-12 and/or IL-23.
US08945542B2	Methods for treating lysosomal acid lipase deficiency The present invention provides compositions and methods for effective treatment of a lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LALD) disease, in particular, Wolman's disease and Cholesteryl Ester Storage Disease (CESD). Among other things, the present invention provides a method of treating developmental impairment or malnutrition in an individual suffering from a lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LALD) disease, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutic effective amount of a lysosomal acid lipase.
US08945533B2	Oral cavity composition The object of the present invention is to provide an oral cavity composition which is nontoxic, excellent in plaque control, can prevent or treat onset of caries and periodontal disease caused by oral pathogens as well as can prevent or eliminate bad breath. The invention provides an oral cavity composition containing a lactic acid bacterium, Streptococcus faecalis as an active ingredient, the oral cavity composition wherein the lactic acid bacterium, Streptococcus faecalis is Streptococcus faecalis WB2000 strain and the oral cavity composition which is a non-aqueous oral cavity composition.
US08945527B2	Degradable compounds and methods of use thereof, particularly with particle replication in non-wetting templates The present invention provides compounds that will degrade under specified conditions, methods of using such compounds, and compositions comprising such compounds. The degradable compounds of the invention may be characterized by the labile —Si-A-C— groups present in the compounds (A representing an atom, such as O, N, or S, or a group, such as C═O). The compounds may be incorporated into a composition that further may include a polymeric matrix and/or a cargo component. A wide variety of cargo components may also be used in the present invention. In particular embodiments, the cargo component comprises a drug or other therapeutic agent. Accordingly, the invention particularly provides pharmaceutical formulations and methods of delivering a drug or other therapeutic material.
US08945519B2	Compositions useful for tooth whitening The present invention provides tooth whitening compositions in the form of a liquid crystal or a microemulsion that includes a tooth whitening agent in an amount effective to whiten teeth, a hydrophilic phase including water, a hydrophobic phase including at least one oil, at least one anionic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant, and a water soluble co-solvent having a Hildebrand solubility parameter above 12 (cal/cm3)1/2, as well as methods for whitening teeth including applying the liquid crystal or microemulsion composition to the teeth for a period of time and under conditions effective to whiten the teeth.
US08945516B2	Surfactant-free water-free foamable compositions, breakable foams and gels and their uses A substantially surface active agent free composition which includes a hydrophobic solvent, and/or a petrolatum, a paraffin wax and/or a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid and/or a wax and/or shea butter, with and without a propellant. A substantially surface active agent free composition, further comprising, a tetracycline antibiotic, or a vitamin D derivative, or one or more other active agents. A method of treatment using a substantially surface active agent free composition.
US08945513B2	Star polymer nanoshells and methods of preparation thereof A nanoshell is disclosed, comprising a star polymer occlusion complex comprising i) an amphiphilic unimolecular star polymer having a crosslinked core covalently linked to 6 or more independent polymer arms, and ii) a cargo material occluded in the star polymer; and a shell comprising an inorganic material in contact with a peripheral surface of the star polymer occlusion complex.
US08945508B2	Dendrimer compositions and methods of synthesis The present invention relates to novel dendrimer compounds and methods of synthesizing the same. In particular, the present invention is directed to novel polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers, novel dendrimer branching units, methods for synthesizing such novel PAMAM dendrimers and functionalized dendrimers, as well as systems and methods utilizing the dendrimers (e.g., in diagnostic and/or therapeutic settings (e.g., for the delivery of therapeutics, imaging, and/or targeting agents (e.g., in disease diagnosis and/or therapy, etc.))).
US08945506B2	Method of producing hydrated lime A method of producing a hydrated lime. The process hydrates quicklime in conjunction with standard means of hydrating lime. The resulting hydrated lime has highly reduced contents of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide. The hydrated lime has little to no remaining reactivity when placed in contact with water after the process. The hydrated lime can is with stoichiometric volumes of water as required to fully hydrate the quicklime and water mixture as well as with volumes beyond the calculated stoichiometry with some potential for remaining water left after the process without the potential for lime putty or a wet hydrate as the result.
US08945505B2	Use of arsenic compounds for treatment of pain and inflammation The present invention relates to the use of arsenic compounds such as sodium meta arsenite (NaAsO2), arsenic trioxide (As2O3), and arsenic hexoxide (As4O6) or combinations thereof, for the treatment of painful, hyperalgesic and/or inflammatory conditions. The present invention also relates to compositions containing the above arsenic compounds for use in the treatment of pain, inflammation and immunological and autoimmune diseases and disorders.
US08945503B2	Methods for making doped and undoped copper chalcopyrite nanoparticles and thin films thereof A method of forming CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles. The method includes, in the presence of one or more ligands, reacting an iron-containing compound, a copper-containing compound and a sulfur-containing compound to form CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles; and wherein at least one of the ligands forms a coordination complex with copper, and at least one of the ligands forms a coordination complex with iron. Also a method of forming metal-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles such as Zn-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles. Also, a CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticle layer on a substrate. Also, a composition of matter including Zn-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles. Also, a Zn-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticle layer on a substrate.
US08945502B2	Patterned, dense and high-quality SWNTs arrays An electronics component is disclosed herein. The electronics component include a substrate and a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) formed on said substrate, wherein said plurality of SWNTs form a patterned, dense and high-quality arrays of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on quartz wafers by using FeCl3/polymer as catalytic precursors and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of methane. With the assistance of polymer, the catalysts may be well-patterned on the wafer surface by simple photolithography or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp microcontact printing (μCP).
US08945501B2	Method for preparing carbon nanotube or carbon microtube A method for preparing a carbon nanotube, including: a) preparing an LPAN solution, stirring the LPAN solution at between 100 and 200° C. for between 100 and 200 hours to yield a cyclized LPAN solution; b) heating the cyclized LPAN solution at between 200 and 300° C. for between 1 and 10 hours to yield an OPAN; c) grinding, screening, and drying at room temperature the OPAN to yield a thermal oxidative precursor; d) calcining the thermal oxidative precursor at between 400 and 1000° C. for between 1 and 24 h in the presence of inert gas having a flow rate of between 10 and 500 mL/min to yield a carbonated precursor; and e) calcining the carbonated precursor at between 1000 and 1500° C. for between 1 and 10 hours in the presence of the inert gas having a flow rate of between 10 and 500 mL/min to yield a carbon nanotube material.
US08945500B1	High capacity hydrogen storage nanocomposite materials A novel hydrogen absorption material is provided comprising a mixture of a lithium hydride with a fullerene. The subsequent reaction product provides for a hydrogen storage material which reversibly stores and releases hydrogen at temperatures of about 270° C.
US08945496B2	Carbon capture systems and methods with selective sulfur removal Disclosed herein are systems and methods for treating carbon dioxide in an environmentally effective manner. Systems and methods include providing a carbon dioxide enriched stream having CO2 and at least one oxidizable sulfur compound and passing at least some of the carbon dioxide enriched stream to carbon dioxide storage, wherein the method further comprises passing at least some of the carbon dioxide enriched stream to selective sulfur removal during a period of system upset. Selective sulfur removal may comprise treatment with an solid or liquid capable of oxidizing the oxidizable sulfur compound.
US08945493B2	Method for extraction of beryllium from raw genthelvite (danalite, genthelvite, helvite) and bertrandite (chryosberl, euclase, bertrandite) mineral groups when processing the raw minerals (ores, concentrates) The invention relates to non-ferrous metallurgy and can be used for extracting beryllium from genthelvite and bertrandite groups when processing the raw minerals (ores, concentrates) by heap and vat leaching. The objective of the invention is to disclose a method of teaching beryllium from danalite (Fe8(BeSiO4)6S2), genthelvite (Zn8(BeSiO4)6S2), helvite (Mg8(BeSiO4)6S2), chrysoberyl, euclase, and bertrandite, thus expanding the range of raw minerals used for processing and providing more economical production and improved environmental impact via use of an effective reagent at low temperatures by hydrochemical method. The offered method is beneficial both economically and ecologically, as the alternate modern pyrometallurgical method of beryllium extraction has the following drawbacks: emission of toxic gases, high energy requirements, and the need for fireproof materials. The newly developed method is recommended as a basis for the innovative technology of beryllium extraction from genthelvite and bertrandite concentrates and ores.
US08945491B2	Method for extracting vanadium from shale A method for extracting vanadium from shale, the method including: a) grinding the shale into fine powders, mixing the fine powders with an additive in a mass ratio of 1:0.04-0.12 to yield a mixture, heating the mixture to a temperature of between 850 and 950° C. at a heating rate of 5-9° C./min, and baking the mixture for between 30 and 90 min; b) immersing the product in water and acid respectively to yield a first solution and a second solution, combining the two solutions, and performing ion exchange adsorption on the combined solution using a styrene-divinylbenzene based macroporous anion-exchange resin; and c) performing desorption, purification, and precipitation to yield poly ammonium vanadate, and calcining the poly ammonium vanadate at a temperature of between 450 and 530° C. for between 20 and 50 min to yield V2O5.
US08945488B2	Gas-to-liquid technology A gas-to-liquids process and plant for treating natural gas, in which the natural gas is subjected to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect, enables liquids to be separated from the gas stream. The natural gas may be cooled before it reaches the flow restrictor by heat exchange with fluid that has passed through the flow restrictor. This decreases the proportion of longer-chain hydrocarbons in the natural gas, which may simplify subsequent processing, and may enable the size of the plant to be decreased.
US08945487B2	Self-sealing sample compartment for a liquid chromatography system Described is a self-sealing thermal enclosure. In various embodiments, the self-sealing thermal enclosure includes an enclosure having a wall with an opening. The enclosure is configured to surround a temperature-controlled environment. The self-sealing thermal enclosure also includes a porous seal disposed adjacent to the wall at the opening. The porous seal is compressible and is fabricated from an open cell foam material. When the porous seal has absorbed a fluid such as a condensate, the temperature-controlled environment is sealed from an ambient environment such that the flow of air into or out of the enclosure is substantially reduced or eliminated.
US08945486B2	Microwell device A microwell device is provided. The device includes a plate having a upper surface. The upper surface has first and second recesses formed therein. Each recess has an outer periphery. First and second portions of microwells are formed in upper surface of the plate. The first portion of microwells are spaced about the outer periphery of the first recess and the second portion of microwells spaced about the outer periphery of the first recess. A first barrier is about a first portions of the microwells for fluidicly isolating the first portion of the microwells and a second barrier about a second portions of microwells for fluidicly isolating the second portion of the microwells.
US08945476B2	Controlled dissolution solid product dispenser A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.
US08945475B2	Exhaust-gas aftertreatment system An exhaust post-treatment device is designed in a layered fashion and comprises an exhaust cleaning arrangement lying between a supply chamber and a transition chamber with soot filters lying at both sides of a denitrification-catalytic converter unit, with the transition chamber comprising a mixing chamber open towards the denitrification-catalytic converter unit, in which starting at the soot filters via separate guide channels, the exhaust is injected in the opposite direction of flow and which mixing chamber is limited by guide panels, which form walls of the guide channels extending encompassing along the housing towards the mixing chamber.
US08945474B2	Fluidized bed reactor heater This invention is a heater used to heat the feed process gas from 450° C. to greater than about 600° C. for the fluidized bed reactor (FBR) used for conversion of silicon tetrachloride (STC) to trichlorosilane (TCS). The invention involves stacked heater element carbon plates. The design of the plates allow the plates to act as baffles which improve heat transfer to the feed gas. Also, the heat gradients across each plate is calculated to be approximately 100° C. which is much lower than the gradient seen by conventional vertical heater elements. The design of the present invention prevents electrical grounding. In the design, the elements are surrounded by graphite wrapped in carbon felt to prevent heat loss by radiation and conduction.
US08945470B2	Sample analyzer and sample analyzing method The present invention is to present a sample analyzer comprising: a first measurement unit; a second measurement unit; a transport unit for transporting a sample container to the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: obtaining measurement item information indicating a measurement item of the sample contained in the sample container; and controlling the transport unit so as to transport the sample container to the second measurement unit when a first measurement item and a second measurement item different from the first measurement item are indicated in the measurement item information, and controlling the transport unit so as to transport the sample container to the first measurement unit or the second measurement unit when the first measurement item is indicated and the second measurement item is not indicated in the measurement item information.
US08945467B2	Method and apparatus for the sterilisation of articles A method and apparatus for sterilizing an article. The method comprises placing an article in a sterilization container, generating oxidizing plasma radicals at atmospheric pressure, and providing the oxidizing plasma radicals to the sterilization container to sterilize the article in the container.
US08945464B2	Heating method and system for controlling air ingress into enclosed spaces An apparatus for heating vessels, the vessels having enclosed spaces therein and controlling air ingress into the enclosed spaces through gaps. The method includes providing a lid structure for the vessel having the enclosed space, the lid structure having a burner assembly mounted therein. The burner is configured to provide a predetermined flame diameter. The vessel and lid structure are mated such that the gap is formed between the vessel and the lid structure. Fuel and oxidant are discharged from the burner assembly under conditions to provide the predetermined flame diameter and impart a flame velocity sufficiently large to create an outward gas flow from the enclosed space through the gap and control air ingress.
US08945462B2	Methods for manufacturing a calcined gypsum and a gypsum board The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a calcined gypsum wherein the mixing water amount is reduced and the setting time does not increase. As a raw gypsum is compounded with a carboxylic acid-type material and calcined, a calcined gypsum can be manufactured wherein the mixing water amount is small and the setting time does not increase. Furthermore, a regular gypsum board can be manufactured without reducing the productivity of the gypsum board even if a large quantity of recycled gypsum causing increase of the mixing water amount is used as a raw gypsum, because the mixing water amount is small and the setting time does not increase for the calcined gypsum manufactured as described above.
US08945460B2	Extrusion blown molded bottles with high stiffness and transparency A polypropylene composition comprising a random propylene copolymer, a high melt strength polypropylene having a branching index g′ of 0.9 or less, a polypropylene having a MFR2 (230° C.) of at least 400.0 g/10 min and a clarifier, wherein the polypropylene composition has a MFR2 (230° C.) of at least 2.0 g/10 min.
US08945452B2	Method for producing flexible sheet A method for producing a flexible sheet includes a stretching step in which a base sheet (10) is fed from between a pair of first drive rollers (42, 43) into the bite of a pair of intermeshing corrugated rollers (2, 3) and stretched in the machine direction between the corrugated rollers (2, 3). In the method, the peripheral velocity V1 of the first drive rollers (42, 43) and the peripheral velocity V2 of the corrugated rollers (2, 3) have a relation of V1>V2.
US08945450B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing fiber reinforced plastic structure In an apparatus for manufacturing a fiber reinforced plastic structure, a cavity is formed by a first mold and a film second mold covering the first mold, and plastic is impregnated to a fiber laminate provided in the cavity in a depressurized state. The apparatus includes: a mesh plastic flow medium that is disposed on the side of the second mold and increases the volume of the plastic to be impregnated to the fiber laminate; and a plastic flow suppressing member that is disposed on the side of the first mold of the plastic flow medium, and suppresses advance of a flow front of fluid plastic injected from a main plastic supplying unit (a first plastic supplying unit).
US08945449B2	Method for making a cleated plate A method for making a cleated plate member for an article of footwear is described. The method includes a number of steps where various molds are used to form different components of the cleated plate member. A collar receptacle is formed using a first molding process. A cleat member is formed from a non-compatible material with a fastener of the cleat member associated with the collar receptacle using another molding process to form a combined cleat assembly. The combined cleat assembly is placed into corresponding receptacles in a mold used to form the cleated plate member. The cleated plate member is formed using another molding process that embeds the collar receptacle into the body of the cleated plate member. The completed cleated plate member includes releasably attached cleat members.
US08945445B2	Method of producing anode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery Provided is a method of producing an anode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having battery characteristics equivalent to those of a conventional product by simpler production steps than those of a conventional method.A thermally-polymerized petroleum based or coal based pitch is cooled to the softening point or below so that the pitch is solidified to obtain a solidified pitch. The solidified pitch is ground to form a fine pitch powder having an average particle size (median size) of 60 μm or smaller. Then, the fine pitch powder is compression molded at a pressure of 20 to 100 MPa or 0.1 to 6 MN/m to form a porous compression molded pitch. The porous compression molded pitch is subjected to infusibilization treatment.
US08945444B2	High throughput imprint based on contact line motion tracking control Systems and methods for controlling velocity of a contact line and height profile between a template and a substrate during imprinting of polymerizable material are described.
US08945443B2	Process for utilising waste drill cuttings in plastics An environmentally beneficial process for utilizing waste drill cuttings from oil and gas exploration. The waste drill cuttings (20) are used as a filler and combined with plastic to provide a plastic based product (26) in the plastics industry. In an embodiment the cuttings are thermally treated and formed into pellets. In a further embodiment the cuttings are treated and mixed with recycled plastic to be formed into pellets. The pellets are then used in the manufacture of rigid plastic products such as bollards, planters, benches and decking.
US08945439B2	Method for manufacturing lens, apparatus for manufacturing lens, and method for manufacturing optical apparatus A method for manufacturing a lens having a refractive index distribution includes: a step of contacting a monomer with a structural member of a polymer, the monomer and a material obtained by polymerization of the monomer showing refractive indices which are different from the refractive index of the polymer; a step of diffusing the contacted monomer in the structural member; and a step of polymerizing the monomer. In the step of diffusing the contacted monomer in the structural member, the method further includes the steps of: irradiating light on at least 50% of one of the surfaces of the structural member which is parallel to the diffusion direction of the monomer, and measuring the intensity of the light passing through the structural member in a predetermined region, and when the measured intensity of the light reaches a predetermined value, the step of polymerizing the monomer is started.
US08945437B2	Biodegradable suspension forming compositions A fire suppression composition includes starch, a pseudo-plastic, high yield, suspending agent, and hydrophobic agglomerating material.
US08945436B2	Conductive paste and electronic part equipped with electrode wiring formed from same Provided is a conductive paste which contains an inexpensive metal, such as copper or aluminum, as an electrode wiring material and has oxidation resistance that enables the paste to withstand a high-temperature process performed in an oxidizing atmosphere and an electronic part equipped with electrode wiring formed from the paste. The electronic part in accordance with the present invention is equipped with electrode wiring that comprises a conductive glass phase containing transition metals and phosphorus, metal particles, and none of the substances prohibited by the RoHS directive. The electronic part is characterized in that each of the transition metals contained in the conductive glass phase is present in the state of having a plurality of oxidation numbers and that the proportion of the atoms which have the largest oxidation number for each transition metal satisfies a given relationship.
US08945435B2	Compositions of matter: system II The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
US08945434B2	Antistatic or electronically conductive polyurethanes, and method for the production thereof The present invention relates to an antistatic or electrically conductive, thermoset polyurethane obtained by reacting A) an organic polyisocyanate; B) a compound comprising NCO-reactive groups; and C) optionally a catalyst, a blowing agent, an auxiliary, an additive, or mixtures thereof; and wherein, the polyurethane comprises a carbon nanotube present in an amount of from 0.1 to 15% by weight based on the total weight of the polyurethane.
US08945431B2	Intercalation of silicon and/or tin into porous carbon substrates The invention relates to a process for producing an electrically conductive, porous, silicon- and/or tin-containing carbon material which is suitable in particular for the production of an anode material, preferably for lithium ion batteries; in a first step of the process, preferably crystalline silicon nanoparticles and/or tin nanoparticles and/or silicon/tin nanoparticles are introduced into a matrix based on at least one organic polymer, being more particular dispersed therein, and subsequently, in a second step of the process, the resultant polymer matrix containing the silicon, tin and/or silicon/tin nanoparticles is carbonized to form carbon.
US08945428B2	Device and method of sanitation and/or sterilization A device for washing, sanitizing, and/or sterilizing an item is disclosed. The device may comprise a solution applicator for coating a surface of said item with a washing, sanitizing and/or sterilizing solution. The device may also comprise a heating unit for heating the solution coated on the surface of said item to a working temperature. The device may further comprise a control unit for keeping the temperature of the treating substance at the working temperature for a predetermined amount of time.
US08945427B2	Electrically conductive polymer compositions and films made therefrom The present disclosure relates to electrically conductive polymer compositions, and their use in electronic devices. The compositions are an aqueous dispersion including: (i) at least one electrically conductive polymer doped with a non-fluorinated polymeric acid; (ii) at least one highly-fluorinated acid polymer; and (iii) electrically insulative oxide nanoparticles.
US08945423B2	Reduced fossil fuel in an oxidizer downstream of a biomass furnace Method of extracting syngas between the zone in a furnace where oxygen-starved combustion of biomass occurs and the zone in the furnace where secondary air is added to complete combustion, conditioning and cleaning the extracted syngas, and delivering it in a metered amount to the oxidizer or upstream of the oxidizer to reduce or eliminate the need for additional fossil fuels once the oxidizer has achieved its operating temperature. The gasifier or furnace burns solid waste and produces a syngas containing relatively high levels of CO, which is extracted from the furnace, conditioned, and introduced into an RTO as a fuel source. In certain embodiments, no extraction of syngas from the furnace takes place; the furnace conditions are manipulated so that normally undesirable levels of CO and other VOC's remain in the process stream. The heat from the furnace is used as intended (e.g., to heat a dryer), the stream is conditioned, and ultimately proceeds to a downstream RTO. Since the gas stream remains rich in CO and VOC's, its fuel value in the RTO is substantially higher than otherwise would be the case.
US08945413B2	Etching method, etching apparatus, and ring member Etching is performed through the following process. A substrate is loaded into a processing chamber and mounted on a mounting table therein. Then, in the state where a ring member at least a surface of which is made of a same material as a main component of an etching target film is provided to surround the substrate, a processing gas is injected in a shower-like manner from a gas supply unit oppositely facing the substrate and the etching target film is etched by using a plasma of the processing gas; and evacuating the inside of the processing chamber through an exhaust path. Through this process, unbalanced distribution of plasma active species in the vicinity of a circumferential edge portion of the substrate can be suppressed.
US08945411B2	Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method The present invention is to achieve a reduction both in size of a plasma processing apparatus and an installation area thereof. A dry etching apparatus includes a stock unit that includes a cassette storing a tray that can be conveyed and that stores substrates. In a conveying unit storing a conveying apparatus of the tray, a rotary stage is provided. Rotational angular position adjustment of the tray is performed by rotating the rotary stage placed on the tray before being subjected to dry etching and detecting a notch by a notch detecting sensor.
US08945410B2	Fuel cell with enhanced mass transfer characteristics Disclosed is a fuel cell with enhanced mass transfer characteristics in which a highly hydrophobic porous medium, which is prepared by forming a micro-nano dual structure in which nanometer-scale protrusions with a high aspect ratio are formed on the surface of a porous medium with a micrometer-scale roughness by plasma etching and then by depositing a hydrophobic thin film thereon, is used as a gas diffusion layer, thereby increasing hydrophobicity due to the micro-nano dual structure and the hydrophobic thin film. When this highly hydrophobic porous medium is used as a gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell, it is possible to reduce water flooding by efficiently discharging water produced by an electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell and to improve the performance of the fuel cell by facilitating the supply of reactant gases such as hydrogen and air (oxygen) to a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA).
US08945405B2	Magnetic sensor with composite magnetic shield A magneto-resistive reader includes a first magnetic shield element, a second magnetic shield element and a magneto-resistive sensor stack separating the first magnetic shield element from the second magnetic shield element. The first shield element includes two ferromagnetic anisotropic layers separated by a grain growth suppression layer.
US08945403B2	Material test structure Material test structures having cantilever portions and methods of forming the same are described herein. As an example, a method of forming a material test structure includes forming a number of electrode portions in a first dielectric material, forming a second dielectric material on the first dielectric material, wherein the second dielectric material includes a first cantilever portion and a second cantilever portion, and forming a test material on the number of electrode portions, the first dielectric material, and the second dielectric material.
US08945401B2	Method and apparatus for separating solid impurities from a fluid The disclosed method and apparatus separates solid impurities from a fluid containing solid impurities. The method and apparatus allow the introduction of influent comprising a fluid containing solid impurities into a plurality of channels and allowing at least a portion of the solid impurities initially present in the influent to settle on upward-facing surfaces of a plurality of plates forming the channels or slide down the upward-facing surfaces, while permitting fluid, which has been depleted of at least a portion of solid impurities, to flow upward toward the top edges of the plurality of plates. The influent is introduced into the plurality of channels in a manner that inhibits a disrupting or disturbing of the solid impurities, which have separated from the influent.
US08945399B2	Systems and methods for separating sand from oil Systems and methods for separating sand and other solids from oil and other fluids produced from a well. The present systems and methods introduce the fluids at relatively high speed into a generally cylindrical separation chamber. The fluids flow in a generally circular path within the chamber, causing the solids and higher density fluid/media to be urged outward from the axis of the chamber as the fluids flow from the upper portion of the chamber. Because the solids become concentrated at the outer wall of the chamber, the fluid in a central portion of the chamber is substantially free of the solids, and can be removed from the chamber via a fluid outlet. The solids concentrated at the outer wall of the chamber continue to move downward into an accumulation chamber in which the fluid speed is reduced, allowing the solids to settle out of the fluid.
US08945397B2	Methods of inhibiting cyanobacteria growth by administering gramine derivatives This invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the growth of toxic bloom algae caused by cyanobacteria Mycrocystis aeruginosa in freshwater environments comprising administering an effective amount of 5,6-dichlorogramine to the freshwater. Also, the invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the growth of toxic bloom algae caused by M. aeruginosa comprising administering an effective amount of 5,6,7-trichlorogramine to the freshwater. Both compounds, 5,6-dichlorogramine and 5,6,7-trichlorogramine, may be administered individually or in combination to the freshwater. Both compounds are individually very potent and only need to be administered at a very low concentration to be effective at inhibiting the growth of M. aeruginosa in freshwater environments. Both 5,6-dichlorogramine and 5,6,7-trichlorogramine are each individually effective at inhibiting M. aeruginosa at low concentrations, between about 0.01 mg/L and about 0.05 mg/L, or more specifically at a concentration of about 0.03 mg/L. Also, both 5,6-dichlorogramine and 5,6,7-trichlorogramine individually have long potency durations, needing to be added no more frequently than once every 60 days to freshwater to inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa.
US08945393B2	Magnetic colloid petroleum oil spill clean-up of ocean surface, depth, and shore regions Method for oil removal. The method includes adding a magnetizable material, with or without appropriately selected surfactants, of order micron (having no net magnetization) or nanometer size to magnetize the oil or water phase by either making a ferrofluid, magnetorheological fluid, a magnetic Pickering emulsion (oil in water or water in oil emulsion), or any other process to magnetize either oil or water phases. The magnetized fluid is separated from the non-magnetic phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques or by permanent magnets or electromagnets thereby separating oil and water phases. The magnetized particles are separated from the magnetized phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques to recover and reuse the particles. The two magnetic separation steps can be repeated to further increase recovery efficiency of the liquid phases and the magnetizable particles reused in this continuous process.
US08945388B2	Filter A filter has first and second filter media (2, 3). The filter media define a flow space (4) between them receiving a device (5) for separation and flow guidance and dividing the flow space such that a functional space (25, 26) is disposed adjacent to the first or the second filter medium. The first filter medium (2) defines a hollow space (21) toward the outside, and the second filter medium (3) defines a hollow space (22) toward the inside. Each of the hollow spaces (21, 22) can be connected to at least one fluid duct (23, 24). The flow space (4) including the two functional spaces (25, 26) can be connected to at least one further fluid duct (27) that is separated in a fluid-tight manner from the other fluid ducts (23, 24).
US08945384B2	System for fluid treatment having fluid release cycle A method and system for fluid treatment that provides fluid release cycles within the regeneration sequence of a fluid treatment device. The fluid release or backwash air cycle permits the slow, controlled and metered release of air or gases from a treatment tank.
US08945379B2	Strainer for pump A pool pump strainer having a rotatable trim assembly within a flooded housing cavity. A suction inlet and filtered suction outlet pair and a backwash inlet and backwash outlet pair are formed in and pass through opposite regions of a housing with at least 30 degrees between each part of a pair. A strainer disposed inside a conduit fixed between a pair of shutter plates makes up the trim assembly which is rotated between strainer and backwater positions by a stem extending through the housing. In the strainer position, water is drawn through the strainer to catch debris and then passes to the pump's suction side. In the backwash position, water is drawn through the flooded housing cavity to the suction side of the pump by a shunt. Thereafter, water discharged from the pump flows under pressure across the strainer to dislodge debris to be deposited into a catch box.
US08945377B2	Installation-free water purifying device An installation-free water purifying device comprises a raw/waste water common container and a filtering body. This raw/waste water common container is separated by a partition into an upper space and a lower space. The filtering body has a storing space, a purified water container, a filtering unit, and a flowing controller. Raw water is initially stored in the raw/waste water common container 10. Next, raw water in the upper space is pumped to the filtering unit for water filtering and then guided as purified water into the purified water container. Waste water generated from the filtering unit is guided into the vertical guiding portion so as to push the raw water in the lower space moving upward. In which, it does not require any complicated installing work. Waste water can be recycled. The user can start to use it quickly by an electric plug.
US08945376B1	Systems, methods, and apparatus for resuspending cells in solution Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for resuspending and/or collecting blood and/or other types of cells in solution. In one embodiment, cells may be recovered from used surgical sponges and/or other types of surgical articles.
US08945375B2	Fluid flow control and debris intercepting apparatus A fluid flow control and debris intercepting apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid and the introduction of debris into the entrance of a water diversion system such as a curbside storm drain.
US08945369B2	Biosensor measurement system and measurement method There is provided a biosensor measurement system which can output a highly-precise measurement result even when an impact such as falling of the sensor occurs or the biosensor is an exposed sensor. An abnormal waveform detection electrode is provided in addition to electrodes for quantitative determination of a target substance. Therefore, when an impact is caused by such as falling of the sensor in a halt period where no voltage is applied in a voltage application algorithm, the abnormal waveform detection electrode can detect the impact. Further, also an exposed sensor can be detected by the abnormal waveform which is detected by the abnormal waveform detection electrode.
US08945364B2	Magnetic recording medium and method for producing the same A patterned magnetic recording medium, accessible by a magnetic recording head, including a plurality of tracks, a width direction of each track and that of the magnetic recording head being of a skew angle. The patterned magnetic recording medium includes a plurality of magnetic dots, each corresponding to a recording bit, formed on a non-magnetic material. The plurality of magnetic dots are arranged in a plurality of arrays, each array corresponding to one of the tracks. Every N adjacent magnetic dots of the array define a polygon, one side thereof being parallel to the corresponding track, and another side thereof being parallel to a direction corresponding to the skew angle of the corresponding track.
US08945361B2	Electrophoresis standards, methods and kits Electrophoresis Compositions, methods and kits useful for, among other things, detecting, quantifying and/or characterizing analytes are provided. The compositions are useful as electrophoresis standards for determine the isoelectric point and molecular weight of an analyte. The electrophoresis standards generally comprise at least one label moiety and one or more reactive moieties that when activated attach the standard to a substrate.
US08945358B2	Electrolysis cell The invention relates to an electrolysis cell of the single-element type design for chlor-alkali electrolysis plants, comprising an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, each of the two compartments containing an electrode connected to the rear wall of the respective compartment by means of parallel bars. The electrodes are thus subdivided into several sections. In accordance with the invention, at least one of two electrodes is provided with a curved shape in each section, this curved section protruding towards the opposite electrode and pressing a membrane area against the opposite electrode. According to a preferred embodiment, the curved shape of the various electrode sections is obtained by means of springs.
US08945352B2	Processing biomass Methods are provided for changing a molecular structure of a biomass feedstock. The methods include a screw extrusion process.
US08945350B2	Induction heated screw A method of separating a high boiling component from a mixture containing organic and/or inorganic boiling components which method involves providing an induction heated screw conveyor having an auger and passing the mixture through the induction heated screw conveyor while inductively heating the auger so as to heat the mixture in the induction heated screw conveyor. The mixture is heated to a temperature that is sufficient to cause the boiling component(s) to separate from the mixture as a vapor and the boiling component is removed from the induction heated screw conveyor.
US08945345B2	Method for producing furnish, furnish and paper A method for preparing aqueous furnish to be used in paper or paper board manufacturing. Filler and/or fibers are treated with cationic polyelectrolyte and nanofibrillated cellulose. A furnish and a paper or a paper board.
US08945344B2	Systems and methods of separating bonded wafers Systems and methods of separating bonded wafers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for separating bonded wafers includes a support for the bonded wafers and means for applying a sheer force to the bonded wafers. The system also includes means for applying a vacuum to the bonded wafers.
US08945339B2	Film formation apparatus A film formation apparatus includes a gas supply mechanism for supplying an aminosilane-based gas, and a silane-based gas that does not include an amino group. Processes of forming a seed layer on a surface of the insulation film having the opening reaching the conductive substance and on a bottom surface of the opening by supplying the aminosilane-based gas into the process chamber, and forming a silicon film on the seed layer by supplying the silane-based gas that does not include the amino group into the process chamber, are sequentially performed in the process chamber.
US08945338B2	Anaerobic curable compositions The invention provides anaerobic curable compositions, and methods of their production and use. These compositions provide excellent adhesion especially on oily surfaces.
US08945333B2	Method for applying edge strips onto narrow surfaces of in particular plate-shaped work pieces and work pieces obtained in said manner The invention relates to a method for applying edge strips (edge tape) onto narrow surfaces (narrow sides) of plate-shaped work pieces (material parts) by joining, wherein the edge strip is applied with a glue that can be activated by heat and is heated by plasma radiation. The invention further relates to the materials to which edge strips have been applied obtained in said way and to a device for carrying out said method.
US08945331B2	Method of transferring a laminate and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device An object of the present invention is to provide a method of transferring an object to be peeled onto a transferring member in a short time without imparting damage to the object to be peeled within a laminate. Also, another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device in which a semiconductor element manufactured on a substrate is transferred onto a transferring member, typically, a plastic substrate. The methods are characterized by including: forming a peeling layer and an object to be peeled on a substrate; bonding the object to be peeled and a support through a two-sided tape; peeling the object to be peeled from the peeling layer by using a physical method, and then bonding the object to be peeled onto a transferring member; and peeling the support and the two-sided tape from the object to be peeled.
US08945329B2	Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing printed wiring board A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board includes laminating a first core substrate and a second core substrate, forming a first upper buildup layer on a surface of the first core substrate, forming a second upper buildup layer on a surface of the second core substrate, separating the first core substrate and the second core substrate from each other, laminating the first upper buildup layer formed on the first core substrate and the second upper buildup layer formed on the second core substrate, forming a first lower buildup layer on the opposite surface of the first core substrate, forming a second lower buildup layer on the opposite surface of the second core substrate, and separating the first upper buildup layer and the second upper buildup layer.
US08945325B2	Methods and systems for forming integral composite parts with a SMP apparatus A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as a rigid lay-up tool. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. The composite material and/or nested components may be heated and compressed against the SMP apparatus. The SMP apparatus may be configured to remain rigid during the composite cure cycle. Once the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be triggered to a malleable state and urged away from the cured composite material.
US08945324B2	Process for making elastomeric absorbent garments to reduce absorbent bunching A method of making disposable absorbent garments includes providing an elastomeric body panel and an absorbent assembly having an absorbent core. The method includes stretching the elastomeric body panel in the transverse direction, attaching side margins of the absorbent assembly to the stretched elastomeric body panel at attachment regions, and relaxing the body panel so as to induce folds in the absorbent assembly. A center region of the absorbent assembly between the attachment regions is minimally attached to the stretched elastomeric body panel to reduce bunching of the absorbent core. A garment made thereby is also disclosed.
US08945323B2	Method of building carcass band and stitcher apparatus The invention enables to pressure-bond a carcass ply sheet pasted onto a rubber laminating member wound around a periphery of a building drum firmly along a recessed and projected shape of the rubber laminating member without producing a deformation or a warp of a carcass cord, by using a stitcher apparatus constituted by arranging a plurality of pressure-bond rollers having axis centers in a tangential direction of a concentric circle having a diameter larger than that of a building drum in a peripheral direction by a plurality of rows and by a constant pitch by being respectively supported to be able to progressively displace to an inner side in a diameter direction, while moving the building drum in an axial direction relative to the pressure-bond rollers on an inner side of a circular arrangement of the pressure-bond rollers, a carcass ply sheet is pressed by a predetermined pressure to pressure-bond over an entire periphery and simultaneously by the respective pressure-bond rollers progressively displaced to the inner side in the diameter direction.
US08945320B2	Belt connector and method A belt connector and method for interconnecting opposite ends of a filtering belt has a plurality of wire hooks, each with two shanks disposed adjacent opposite faces of the belt, a coupling loop interconnecting the shanks and hook ends that are pressed into the opposite faces of the belt. A flat cover element extends across the width of the belt, covers at least portions of the wire hooks, overlies the opposite faces of the belt, and has a carrier material and a coating that is applied to the belt side of the carrier material, and is constructed from a thermoplastic or an adhesive material which is pressed into the pores of the belt to positively and mechanically interconnect the cover element with the belt.
US08945317B2	System and method for cleaning gas injectors An injector cleaning apparatus with a concentric dual flow introducer and a flow-dispersing injector seat along with a method of cleaning an injector. The concentric dual flow introducer has concentric cleaning fluid flowpaths configured to communicate with a central passage and a plurality of peripheral passages of a gas injector. The input-side injector engaging interface of the concentric dual flow introducer and the flow-dispersing injector seat each have a compressible sealing portion having compressibility sufficient to yield under fluid cleaning surges attributable to initiation and termination of cleaning fluid flow through the injector cleaning apparatus along with resiliency sufficient to prevent abutment of the gas injector and a rigid facing portion of the input-side injector engaging interface and output-side injector engaging interface respectively.
US08945314B2	Biodegradable stability binding agent for a solid detergent A solid composition includes a polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and a hydratable salt. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition includes a polysaccharide residue present in an amount from approximately 5% to 90% by weight of the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and a residue of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer present in an amount from approximately 10% to 75% by weight of the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition.
US08945311B2	Method for cleansing glass substrate of TFT-LCD The present invention provides a method for cleansing a glass substrate of a TFT-LCD, includes the following steps: providing an ultrasonic cleansing machine, a glass substrate in-feeding conveyor, and a glass substrate out-feeding conveyor, wherein the ultrasonic cleansing machine includes a cleansing tank, a cleansing liquid contained in the cleansing tank, and first and second ultrasonic frequency generators arranged in the cleansing tank and having different frequencies; conveying a glass substrate with the glass substrate in-feeding conveyor into the cleansing tank; immersing the glass substrate in the cleansing liquid of the cleansing tank; generating ultrasonic waves of different frequencies with the first and second ultrasonic frequency generators to be applied to the cleansing liquid to effect ultrasonic cleansing of the glass substrate; and conveying the cleansed glass substrate out of the cleansing tank with the glass substrate out-feeding conveyor.
US08945307B2	Apparatus and method for vapor deposition of dielectric wire coating Embodiments of the invention involve a technique and process for coating fine diameter, single strand wire of long continuous lengths with Parylene. The special fixture design and process allows for ultra thin (as thin as 0.2 micron), pore free, coatings. The advantages of this technology allow for wire products that offer minimal intrusion, superior routing and winding characteristics, and high heat and chemical resistance. The coating process can also be used for other types of material.
US08945302B2	Method for crystal growth of a metal-nonmetal compound using a metallophobic-metallophilic surfactant and a thin metal wetting layer Method for crystal growth from a surfactant of a metal-nonmetal (MN) compound, including the procedures of providing a seed crystal, introducing atoms of a first metal to the seed crystal thus forming a thin liquid metal wetting layer on a surface of the seed crystal, setting a temperature of the seed crystal below a minimal temperature required for dissolving MN molecules in the wetting layer and above a melting point of the first metal, each one of the MN molecules being formed from an atom of a second metal and an atom of a first nonmetal, introducing the MN molecules which form an MN surfactant monolayer, thereby facilitating a formation of the wetting layer between the MN surfactant monolayer and the surface of the seed crystal, and regulating a thickness of the wetting layer, thereby growing an epitaxial layer of the MN compound on the seed crystal.
US08945296B2	Water-reactive Al-based composite material, water-reactive Al-based thermally sprayed film, process for production of such Al-based thermally sprayed film, and constituent member for film-forming chamber Herein provided are a water-reactive Al-based composite material which is characterized in that it is produced by incorporating, into Al, 2.0 to 3.5% by mass of In, 0.2 to 0.5% by mass of Si and 0.13 to 0.25% by mass of Ti, and which can be dissolved in water through the reaction thereof in a water-containing atmosphere; a water-reactive Al-based thermally sprayed film produced using this composite material; a method for the production of this Al-based thermally sprayed film; and a constituent member for a film-forming chamber which is provided with this Al-based thermally sprayed film on the surface thereof.
US08945293B2	Silicon oxide removal apparatus and facility for recycling inert gas for use in silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus A silicon oxide removal apparatus for removing silicon oxide contained in an inert gas discharged from a silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus, including at least: a contact means for bringing the inert gas discharged from the silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus into contact with a strongly alkaline solution; and a neutralizing means for neutralizing an alkaline material contained in the inert gas brought into contact with the strongly alkaline solution. As a result, there is provided a silicon oxide removal apparatus and a facility for recycling an inert gas for use in a silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus that can more effectively remove the silicon oxide contained in the inert gas discharged from the silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus at low cost and enable recycle of the inert gas in which the silicon oxide has been effectively removed.
US08945285B2	Water separator having a gutter A water separator reduces a water content of an air stream, which is used in an HVAC unit for a vehicle. The water separator includes a diverter wall and an adjacent wall spaced from the diverter wall to define an air passage. The diverter wall has a terminal end extending into the air passage for changing a direction of the air stream flowing through the air passage to separate water droplets from the air stream to reduce the water content of the air stream. A gutter is coupled to the terminal end of the diverter wall and extends into the air passage. The gutter defines a drainage channel configured to receive the water droplets that form on the diverter wall for preventing the water droplets from reentering the air stream flowing through the air stream passage.
US08945282B2	Versatile compact air precleaner, air cleaning method and disposable air filter cartridge for air precleaner A versatile compact air precleaner, air cleaning method and disposable air filter cartridge for air precleaner for separating heavier-than-air particulate debris from debris laden air to provide a clean airflow, wherein a flow path for air passing through a separator chamber of the air precleaner is retroflexed en route to the outlet. A plurality of independently rotatably adjustable housing sections of a housing provide utility with multiple clean air outlet configurations, freedom of direction of ejection of particulate debris from the ejector ports, different inlet configurations, mounting of the precleaner from different sides, accommodation of different sizes of filters, and different clean airflow rate capabilities. A separator chamber end section including the ejector ports is connected to the filter as a removable, disposable air filter cartridge to obviate ejector port clogging with change of filters.
US08945281B1	Method and apparatus for vapor generation and wafer cleaning The present disclosure describes an apparatus and a method for generating IPA vapor for condensation on a substrate in order to provide a vapor that is substantially free of particulate and molecular contaminants. The apparatus includes an inlet for liquid to enter, and a plurality of heated sloped surfaces to create thin sheets of flowing liquid on the surfaces from which the liquid can vaporize to form vapor. The liquid flows from one surface to another, vaporizing the liquid.
US08945279B2	Polymer-encapsulated carbon capture liquids that tolerate precipitation of solids for increased capacity A system for carbon dioxide capture from flue gas and other industrial gas sources utilizes microcapsules with very thin polymer shells. The contents of the microcapsules can be liquids or mixtures of liquids and solids. The microcapsules are exposed to the flue gas and other industrial gas and take up carbon dioxide from the flue gas and other industrial gas and eventual precipitate solids in the capsule.
US08945278B2	Method and apparatus for concentrating ozone gas A method of concentrating ozone gas including: causing ozone gas contained in ozone-oxygen mixture gas to be selectively adsorbed to adsorbents which are filled in a non-cooled state in at least two adsorbing cylinders arranged parallel to one another; desorbing the ozone gas from the adsorbents by subjecting a depressurizing process to each adsorbing cylinder during an ozone gas desorption operation; repeating an adsorption step and a desorption step alternately in the at least two adsorbing cylinders; and controlling the adsorbing cylinders, in such a way that one of the adsorbing cylinders is performing the adsorption step while another one of the adsorbing cylinders is performing the desorption step.
US08945276B2	Parallel feed gas separation membrane element assembly A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes sets of manifolds, between which are mounted arrays of membrane modules, the manifolds and membrane modules forming a stack within a pressure vessel or housing. The stacked, manifolded arrangement enables many membrane elements to be fed in parallel with the gas to be treated.
US08945274B2	Method for operating blast furnace A coke layer and an ore layer are formed in a blast furnace. The coke layer is formed of conventional coke and the ore layer is formed of carbon iron composite, conventional coke, and ore. The mixing percentage of the conventional coke in the ore layer with respect to the ore is 0.5 mass % or more. Slowing of the gasification reaction of carbon iron composite in the cohesive zone can be suppressed.
US08945271B2	Method for producing urea fertilizer with low moisture absorption tendencies A method for producing urea granules having low moisture absorption capacity, with a urea granulator, having a granule flow inlet side and oppositely a granule flow outlet side, forming an axis alongside which granules from a urea solution and a urea/ammonium salt-stream are formed, whereby the solution and the salt-stream are sprayed as a mixture or separately via a feed system unit via various nozzles into the granulator onto a seed material. In this process the highest amount of the salt-stream is sprayed into the granulator at the granule flow inlet side and the amount of the salt-stream is decreased alongside the axis of the granulator from the granule flow inlet side to the granule flow outlet side.
US08945268B2	Seal arrangement for filter element; filter element assembly; and, methods A filter cartridge arrangement is provided which includes a media pack comprising Z-filter media, a preform and a housing seal member. Improvements in the preform and seal member are described which include: a single beveled surface of the seal member to facilitate installation; and, an inside region of the seal member having a tip adjacent in inwardly directed lip of the preform, to control flash during molding. A variety of media pack configurations and features are described.
US08945262B2	Gas cleaning separator The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.
US08945261B2	Apparatus for centrifugal separation of solid and/or liquid particles from a flow of gas Apparatus for centrifugal separation of solid and/or liquid particles from a flow of gas, wherein two or more rotors (12) provided with conical separation surface elements (16) are located in a surrounding stationary casing (14), which delimits a common chamber (15) for collecting particles separated in the rotors. Each rotor has a fan (26) rotating together therewith. The fans (26) of the rotors are located in a common fan housing (30) that is separate from and adjacent to the casing (14) defining the collection chamber (15).
US08945258B2	Vacuum cleaner A vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; an elongate body with a handle at longitudinal end and a cleaner head arranged at an opposite longitudinal end; a dirt separation means located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan; and at least one support wheel for supporting the vacuum cleaner upon a floor, wherein the dirt separation means comprises: a hollow substantially cylindrical dirt container with a longitudinal central axis arranged transverse to the elongate body; and an air inlet port to the dirt container, wherein the air inlet port is in communication with the cleaner head located in the path of the air flow upstream of the dirt separation means and wherein the at least one support wheel rotates about the dirt container.
US08945257B2	Liquid separator A liquid separator is provided with a vessel which defines a space which is sealed at the top by a lid in which is situated an outlet. A pipe is provided in the space extending round the outlet in the space, as of the lid. A fine filter also extends in the space round the outlet such that between the pipe and the fine filter is defined an outlet zone which is connected to the environment by means of a safety valve. The safety valve is connected to the outlet zone via a passage in the lid.
US08945255B2	Jet engine with deflector A deflector for a jet engine. The deflector may prevent the jet engine from ingesting birds during a bird strike scenario. The deflector may include a series of ribs, spokes, or vanes that may vary in width and/or thickness from fore to aft, and/or may be curvilinear in one or more planes of view, and/or may serve double duty as inlet vanes for redirecting inlet air.
US08945252B2	Coated abrasive laminate disc and methods of making the same A coated abrasive laminate disc (100) has a backing (120) with glass (125) and woven fabrics (124) laminated with a thermoplastic adhesive (122) having a melting onset temperature in a range of from about 140° C. to 190° C. and comprising polyamide and/or polyurethane. Methods of making are the coated abrasive laminate discs (100) are also disclosed.
US08945251B2	Cutting tool A cutting tool with a substrate which is coated with a coating layer containing TiaAlbNbdMe(C1-xNx), where M represents one or more elements selected from among Si, W, Mo, Ta, Hf, Cr, Zr and Y, where 0.1≦a≦0.7, 0≦b≦0.8, 0.02≦d≦0.25, 0≦e≦0.25, a+b+d+e=1.0 and 0≦x≦1 and is provided with a rake face; a flank face; a cutting edge between the rake face and the flank face; and droplets on the surface of the coating layer. The droplets include finer droplets having particle diameters of 300 nm or less; and coarser droplets having particle diameters of 1000 nm or more. The flank face has a higher percentage of the finer droplets than the rake face. An Nb content in the coarser droplets on the flank face is higher than an Nb of the coarser droplets on the rake face.
US08945249B1	Methods for characterizing a polycrystalline diamond element by magnetic measurements Embodiments of methods for measuring one or more magnetic characteristics of a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) element and use of those results to adjust one or more process parameters for fabricating a PCD element and/or for quality control are disclosed. Measurements of one or more magnetic characteristics may be used to adjust process parameters for fabrication of a PCD element to, for example, control catalyst concentration and/or the extent of diamond-to-diamond bonding in the PCD element.
US08945247B1	Methods and apparatus for the improved treatment of carbonaceous fuel and/or feedstocks The inventive technology includes methods and apparatus for the generation and application of segregated catalytic additives for the pre-combustion treatment of carbonaceous fuel and/or feedstocks. The application of such segregated additives results in the reduction of environmentally harmful emissions during combustion as well as gasification processes. Specifically, pre-combustion treatment of carbonaceous materials with the inventive additives results in the reduction of NOx and/or mercury emissions by least 20% and 40% respectively.
US08945246B2	Method for producing liquefied fuel oil using biomass as feedstock An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a liquefied fuel oil using biomass as a feedstock, in which a relatively inexpensive liquefaction apparatus is used; a good balance is maintained between the liquefaction of water-insoluble lignin and the liquefaction of water-soluble cellulose to achieve a high yield of the liquefied fuel oil based on the biomass solids content; and the amount of ash derived from an alkali catalyst and the like is low. The method for producing a liquefied fuel oil using biomass as a feedstock is characterized by adding, to biomass comprising lignocellulose, a solvent comprising an organic solvent and having a moisture content adjusted to 10 to 25 wt %, including moisture contained in the biomass, and liquefying the biomass at a temperature of 250 to 350° C.
US08945241B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing metal separator for fuel cell The present invention provides an apparatus and method for manufacturing a metal separator for a fuel cell, which can manufacture large-sized metal separators in large quantities using metal plates such as stainless steel by thermoplastic deformation using an incremental and synchronized rubber molding process.
US08945233B2	Hip joint method The present invention relates to a method of treating a hip joint of a human patient by providing at least one hip joint surface, said hip joint comprising a caput femur and an acetabulum, said method comprising the steps of: cutting the skin of said human patient, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone on the opposite side from said acetabulum, creating a hole in said dissected area, said hole passing through said pelvic bone and into said hip joint of said human patient, and providing at least one hip joint surface to said hip joint, through said hole in said pelvic bone of said human patient. The method further relates to a laparoscopic/arthroscopic method of treating a hip joint of a human patient by providing at least one hip joint surface, said hip joint comprising a caput femur and an acetabulum, said method comprising the steps of: inserting a needle or a tube like instrument into the patient's body, using the needle or tube like instrument to fill a part of the patient's body with gas and thereby expanding a cavity within said body, placing at least two laparoscopic/arthroscopic trocars in said cavity, inserting a camera through one of the laparoscopic/arthroscopic trocars into said cavity, inserting at least one dissecting tool through one of said at least two laparoscopic/arthroscopic trocars, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone on the opposite side from said acetabulum, creating a hole in said dissected area, said hole passing through said pelvic bone and into said hip joint of said human patient, and providing at least one hip joint surface to said hip joint, through said hole in said pelvic bone of said human patient.
US08945228B2	Endplate for a vertebral implant An endplate for a vertebral implant comprises a base portion connectable to one end of a support body and a bone contact portion. The bone contact portion including a plurality of bone contact sections, each of which has a bone contact surface and extends from the base portion in such a way that each of the bone contact sections is deflectable relative to the base portion independently of an adjacent one of the bone contact sections when a compressive load is applied to the bone contact surfaces of the bone contact sections.
US08945225B2	Prosthetic spinal disc system A prosthetic spinal disc system is provided. The prosthetic disc system has a nucleus component having an upper surface configured to engage a superior vertebra and a lower surface configured to engage an inferior vertebra, an anchor configured to affix to an anterior surface of at least one of the superior vertebra or the inferior vertebra, and a tether tying the nucleus component to the anchor. In such embodiments, the nucleus component further has a perimeter situated substantially between the upper surface and the lower surface of the nucleus component and the tether is at least partially situated on the perimeter of the nucleus component. In certain embodiments, the upper surface and the lower surface of the nucleus component are configured to allow for implantation of the disc system such that after a discectomy, no preparation of at least one of the superior and inferior vertebrae is necessary.
US08945223B2	In-situ formable nucleus pulposus implant with water absorption and swelling capability Embodiments of the invention relate to a curable nucleus pulposus implant having water absorption and swelling capabilities, compositions for producing the curable nucleus pulposus implants, and methods of using the curable nucleus pulposus implants. The curable nucleus pulposus implant can be created from a polymer blend composition comprising a ratio of a curable material and at least one hydrophilic polymer. The resulting polymer blend composition may be used to generate curable nucleus pulposus implants to treat a number of disease and/or disorders, such as herniated discs. The curable nucleus pulposus implants may further contain polyelectrolytes and elastomer compounds, as well as pharmacological and biological agents.
US08945221B2	Anterior lumbar interbody graft An anterior lumbar interbody graft includes a wedge-shaped body including a hole and recesses formed in the top and bottom surfaces, radiating away from the hole.
US08945217B2	Medical devices incorporating ceragenin-containing composites A medical device that includes a coating of a composite material that includes a polymeric material having a void structure and particulate ceragenin material (i.e., ceragenin particles) associated with the void structure. The average particle size of the ceragenin particles in the composite is in a range from 5 nm to 20 μm, 50 nm to 10 μm, 100 nm to 5 Ξm, or 1 μm to 10 μm. The composite has a high loading of ceragenin particles (e.g., about 10% to about 25%, by weight). The composite has good polymer stability, the ability to release ceragenins from the ceragenin particles disposed in the composite over a sustained period of time at a characteristic elution rate, and the ability to kill large numbers of bacteria and other susceptible microbes over the sustained period of time.
US08945216B2	Objective fitting of a hearing prosthesis A system for fitting a hearing prosthesis to a recipient. The system comprises a stimulation arrangement configured to at least one of mechanically and acoustically stimulate the recipient's inner ear based on an input signal; a neural response detection arrangement configured to detect the recipient's neural responses to the stimulation; and a processor configured to assess the recipient's neural responses, and to adjust operation of the hearing prosthesis based on the assessment of the neural responses.
US08945214B2	Intravitreal applicator An assembly for implanting ocular implants into a mammalian eye is provided. The assembly generally includes a cannula having a curved distal end, an injector mechanism coupled to the cannula for linearly moving one or more implant segments in the cannula toward the curved distal end, and a rotator mechanism for rotating the cannula about a longitudinal axis thereof.
US08945211B2	Tissue plication device and method for its use A device for treating mitral regurgitation including an anchor which features one or more reinforcing bars, ribbon and suture.
US08945209B2	Encapsulated heart valve The present disclosure concerns embodiments of implantable prosthetic devices, and in particular, implantable prosthetic valves, and methods for making such devices. In one aspect, a prosthetic device includes encapsulating layers that extend over a fabric layer and secure the fabric layer to another component of the device. In particular embodiments, the prosthetic device comprises a prosthetic heart valve, and can be configured to be implanted in any of the native heart valves. In addition, the prosthetic heart valve can be, for example, a transcatheter heart valve, a surgical heart valve, or a minimally-invasive heart valve.
US08945205B2	Branch vessel prostheses The present embodiments provide a branch vessel prosthesis for placement at least partially between a main vessel and a branch vessel of a patient. The branch vessel prosthesis has a graft including a generally tubular body of a biocompatible material. At least one stent is coupled to a proximal region of the graft, and at least one stent is coupled to a distal region of the graft. The proximal region of the graft includes a generally straight configuration in an expanded deployed state that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a main vessel. The distal region of the graft includes a generally straight configuration in the expanded deployed state that is substantially parallel to a branch vessel. A curvature of a central region varies an angle in which the distal region of the graft is disposed relative to the proximal region.
US08945198B2	Locating side catheter branch relative to inflation portion A side catheter branch of a catheter assembly is oriented with respect to the main or side balloons of a catheter assembly. In some examples, the orientation is accomplished by connecting the side catheter branch to the main and/or side balloons or waist portions thereof. In other examples, the side catheter branch is positioned within the folds of the main or side balloons during assembly of the catheter assembly. In this manner, the side catheter branch remains in a known orientation with respect to the main and/or side balloons prior to and/or after deployment.
US08945187B2	Spinal rods having different flexural rigidities about different axes and methods of use A vertebral rod for stabilizing a patient's spine. The rod may include an elongated body with first and second ends and have an elongated cross-sectional shape with a major axis and a minor axis and a centroid positioned at an intersection of the axes. First and second longitudinal channels may extend through the body. The channels may be spaced apart and contained within the body. The body may have a first flexural rigidity along the major axis and a different second flexural rigidity along the minor axis.
US08945183B2	Interspinous process spacer instrument system with deployment indicator A percutaneous and minimally invasive instrument system for implanting an interspinous process spacer into a patient is disclosed. The insertion instrument system includes an inserter and a driver. The inserter is configured to releasably clamp to an interspinous process spacer for its delivery, implantation and deployment. The driver is configured for removable insertion into a proximal end of a passageway of the inserter. The driver has a distal spacer engaging portion configured to engage that part of the spacer requiring activation for the deployment of the spacer from at least one undeployed configuration to at least one deployed configuration and vice versa. As the spacer goes from the undeployed to the deployed configuration and vice versa, the system advantageously provides a degree of deployment information to the user via at least one deployment indicator.
US08945181B2	Suture retention devices and associated products and methods A suture retention device includes a stack of suture engaging members which can be provided by coils or other segments of a spring. A suture engages with the stack so as to permit travel of the retention device along the suture in one direction more facilely than travel along the suture in the other direction. The retention device can include a housing that encloses the spring or other stack structure, and the suture can pass from a first hole in the housing, through the suture engaging members, and to a second hole in the housing. A suture anchor can be attached to the suture, and the resulting assembly can be combined with a needle designed to introduce the anchor and suture into patient tissue, e.g. in the conduct of a gastropexy procedure.
US08945178B2	Apparatus and methods for sealing a vascular puncture Apparatus for sealing a puncture through tissue to a blood vessel includes a cartridge including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a puncture, and a lumen extending therebetween. A bioabsorbable plug is disposed within the lumen adjacent the distal end, and an anchoring element is disposed within the lumen proximal to the plug. A pusher member is disposed within the lumen for deploying the plug and anchoring element out the distal end of the cartridge. The plug may be formed from lyophilized hydrogel and the anchoring element may be formed from air-dried hydrogel, the anchoring element hydrating slower than the plug when exposed to an aqueous environment. During use, the plug and anchoring element are delivered into the puncture, the plug is cinched against the vessel wall. Protrusions on the anchoring element engage tissue surrounding the puncture to prevent proximal movement of the plug.
US08945176B2	Extraluminal sealant applicator and method An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site is provided. The apparatus includes a handle, conduit and an end effector. The handle has means configured and adapted for operating the end effector and dispensing biological sealant to the surgical site via the end effector. The conduit stores and/or carries sealant towards the end effector. The end effector is configured to clamp around a body organ or tissue and apply and confine biological sealant in a substantially uniform manner thereto.
US08945172B2	Devices for restoring blood flow and clot removal during acute ischemic stroke Devices for restoring blood flow to facilitate lysis of clots and/or enable capture of clots are disclosed. The devices can be configured to be disposed within a lumen of a microcatheter that is inserted within neurovasculature above a carotid siphon to a location of a clot. The devices can include an elongate pusher member and a self-expandable capturing member coupled to a distal end of the elongate pusher member. The capturing member can comprise a generally cylindrical body having an cell structure that is configured to compress the clot against an inner wall of the neurovasculature and capture the clot at least partially on a surface of the generally cylindrical body upon deployment of the capturing member from the microcatheter, thereby restoring blood flow to the neurovasculature downstream of the clot.
US08945170B2	Occluding device An occluding device is provided for occluding fluid flow through a lumen of a body vessel. The occluding device includes an expandable tubular body having a tubular wall defining a lumen formed therethrough. The tubular wall has a proximal end extending to a distal end along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body. A plurality of longitudinal slits is formed through the tubular wall to define a plurality of flexible strips bound by a proximal non-slit portion and a distal non-slit portion. A plurality of barbs is disposed on the flexible strips. The tubular body is configured to open radially to engage the barbs with the vessel wall defining an expanded state and to collapse along the longitudinal axis to draw the vessel wall radially inward defining a collapsed state. Occluding material is housed within the lumen of the tubular body and the occluding material is configured to move between a collapsed state and an expanded state with the tubular body.
US08945169B2	Embolic protection device An embolic protection device is provided for deployment within a body vessel to collect embolic debris there from. The device includes a filter for collecting the embolic debris and a frame for supporting the filter. The frame generally defines a closed loop that has a collapsed state and an opened state. Furthermore, the frame includes a tube portion that receives an opening means to open the closed loop from the collapsed state to the opened state.
US08945168B2	Medical balloon having strengthening rods A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing the internal pressure within the balloon. The balloon comprises a balloon layer having an outer surface, the balloon layer including a base layer, a first reinforcing layer and a second reinforcing layer. The base layer is formed of a polymer material. The first reinforcing layer is one of either a plurality of discrete inelastic fibers oriented substantially parallel to the long axis of the balloon and a first layer of textile fabric material, the textile fabric material being one of a woven, knitted, braided and non-woven fabric. The second reinforcing layer is one of either at least one inelastic fiber wrapped around the circumference of the balloon substantially transverse to the long axis of the balloon and a second layer of textile fabric material, the textile fabric material being one of a woven, knitted, braided and non-woven fabric. At least one of the first and second reinforcing layers is a layer of textile fabric material. At least one strengthening rod is connected to the outer surface of the balloon layer.
US08945167B2	Gastric space occupier systems and methods of use Systems for controlling obesity utilize a number of space occupiers positioned in the stomach to reduce the effective volume of the stomach. Such arrangements provides sufficient stomach volume consumption to induce weight loss, but enable use of space occupiers that are proportioned to minimize the threat of obstruction even if they should migrate into the intestine. In general, numerous small volume space occupiers are placed in the stomach such that the total volume equals or exceeds the single volume of prior art single unit space occupiers. However, each individual space occupier is proportioned so that it will pass without obstruction if it moves into the intestine.
US08945163B2	Methods and devices for cutting and fastening tissue Methods and devices are provided for cutting and fastening tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical device can be used to at least partially transect a stomach by not cutting and/or not fastening a portion of tissue engaged in an end effector located at the device's distal end. A portion of the stomach can be engaged by the end effector, and the end effector can be actuated to cut and/or to apply one or more fasteners to tissue engaged in a distal portion of the end effector but not to cut and/or apply fasteners to tissue engaged in a proximal portion of the end effector. In a similar way, the surgical device can be used in any surgical procedure in which it is desired to cut and/or fasten a distal portion of tissue engaged by the end effector but not a proximal portion of tissue engaged by the end effector.
US08945162B2	System and method for pulsed ultrasonic power delivery employing cavitational effects A method and apparatus for delivering energy during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include delivering energy during a surgical procedure, including applying energy at a level and for a time period sufficient to induce transient cavitation, and reducing applied energy after applying energy during a second nonzero lower energy period.
US08945161B2	Device for opening occluded blood vessels The invention relates to a device for opening occluded blood vessels, comprising a braided structure (2) on a guide wire (1), said braided structure (2) being securely and permanently attached to the guide wire and consisting of a plurality of filaments (4) arranged in a helical manner and at least at the proximal end combined into a bundle, with the braided structure (2) assuming an elongated form of smaller diameter when subjected to external force while when in unstressed state defining a tubular element of larger diameter closed at least at its proximal end, with the device being provided with restraining/bracing fiber elements (9).
US08945156B2	Tissue fixation Methods and apparatuses are provided for tissue fixation. In some aspects, an apparatus includes: a carrier member having a first part, a second part, and a junction therebetween; first attachment members protruding at a first angle from the first part toward the junction, where the first attachment members are configured to engage a first portion of connective tissue for attaching the first part to the first portion; and second attachment members protruding from the second part, where the second attachment members are configured to engage a second portion of connective tissue for attaching the second part to the second portion. When the first part is attached to the first portion and the second part is attached to the second portion, the first portion and the second portion are limited in being pulled apart from one another during physiological use of the connective tissue.
US08945155B2	Clip for assisting surgical procedures The present invention provides a clip for use during surgical procedure, comprising a body, said body is characterized by a main longitudinal axis and having a distal end and a proximal end coupled together by a shaft; said shaft is adapted to reciprocally move along said main longitudinal axis of said body; said shaft is at least partially encapsulated by a sleeve-like enveloping compression spring; said proximal end comprising actuation means; said distal end comprising one movable jaw characterized by at least one open configuration and at least one closed configuration; wherein said transformation is performed by reciprocally and linearly moving said actuation means along said longitudinal axis of said clip such that (i) said shaft is linearly moved towards and away said proximal end of said body; and, (ii) said compression spring is compressed or released such that said at least one movable jaw reconfigured.
US08945153B2	Endoscopic apparatus having a clip device A hemostatic clip delivery system cooperable with an elevator of an endoscope and a method of treating a target with the system are disclosed. The system comprises a delivery apparatus comprising an operating wire, an outer sheath and a handle. The operating wire is cooperable with the elevator of the endoscope and slidably disposed within the outer sheath. The system further comprises a hemostatic clip cooperable with the delivery apparatus. The clip comprises a first retainer, a plurality of arms extending distally from the first retainer, and a sliding ring disposed about the plurality of arms. The arms are shaped so that the arms tend to be spaced apart from each other. The sliding ring is configured to close the arms together as the elevator engages and moves the sliding ring toward the arms by retraction of the operating wire.
US08945152B2	Multi-actuating trigger anchor delivery system A single trigger system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.
US08945151B2	Surgical clip applicator and apparatus including the same Apparatus and methods for delivering a surgical clip to a patient during a minimally invasive surgical procedure are disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus for isolating an atrial appendage of a patient includes a surgical clip that locks onto the atrial appendage of the patient, and a surgical clip applicator that releasably engages the surgical clip. The surgical clip can include a top portion and a bottom portion. The surgical clip applicator can include a first flexible flap and a second flexible flap. The first and second flexible flaps can be sufficiently rigid to prevent the surgical clip from falling off of the surgical clip applicator when the surgical clip is engaged to the surgical applicator and the surgical clip applicator is in a relaxed state, and sufficiently flexible to facilitate separation of the surgical clip from the surgical clip applicator when the surgical clip is locked onto the atrial appendage.
US08945150B2	Systems and methods for selecting a desired quantity of follicular units Systems and methods for selecting follicular units in a distribution of follicular units are provided. A selection parameter, such as a distance-related parameter separating the follicular units to be selected, may be used to determine a desired quantity of follicular units to be selected, such as a desired percentage of follicular units to be selected, and to help provide a substantially uniform distribution of selected follicular units. In addition, a characteristic parameter, such as a characteristic distance or characteristic density, may be determined. The characteristic parameter may be used in determining the desired quantity of follicular units to be selected and or may be used for treatment purposes.
US08945147B2	System and method for identifying a landmark A field generator for use in a surgical targeting system is disclosed. The field generator includes a mounting structure including elements that are configured to receive components of an electromagnetic field generator. The elements are disposed on the mounting structure at locations and orientations relative to each other. The field generator includes at least one covering formed over the mounting structure, wherein, in use, the locations and orientations of the elements relative to each other remain substantially unaltered after exposure to one or more sterilization processes.
US08945146B2	Delivery system assemblies and associated methods for implantable medical devices A delivery system assembly includes an outer tube, an inner member, extending within a lumen of the outer tube, and a deflectable shaft, extending within the outer tube lumen and around the inner member; the tube and inner member are longitudinally moveable with respect to the shaft, and a distal end of the inner member is located distal to the shaft within the tube lumen. A medical device can be loaded into the tube lumen, along a distal-most portion of the tube, and contained between the inner member and a distal opening of the tube lumen. Deflecting the shaft orients the distal-most portion for navigation of the assembly, and, when the distal end of the inner member is engaged within the tube lumen, distal movement of the tube, with respect to the shaft, causes similar distal movement of the inner member and the loaded medical device toward an implant site.
US08945138B2	Instrument for modular orthopaedic prosthesis A kit for use in performing a trail reduction in joint arthroplasty is provided. The kit includes a trail stem assembly including a first component, a second component selectably moveable with respect to the first component, and a fastener for securing the first component to the second component. The kit also includes an articulating trial component removeably fixedly secured to the trail stem assembly and a driver for cooperation with the fastener to secure the first component to the second component. The kit also includes a handle. The handle has a first feature for permitting the driver to pass through the handle and a second feature for orientably connecting the handle to the articulating trial component.
US08945134B2	Syringe and stand A stand for use with a syringe is disclosed. The stand includes a base and a clip affixed to the base. The clip engages a portion of the syringe so as to removably secure the syringe to the stand in a position such that the distal end of the syringe is spaced vertically away from the base. Preferably, the syringe includes a handle extending outwardly from a barrel of the syringe, and the feature which the clip engages includes the handle of the syringe.
US08945133B2	Spinal distraction tool for load and position measurement A spine alignment system is provided to assess load forces on the vertebra in conjunction with overall spinal alignment. The system includes a spine instrument having an electronic assembly and a sensorized head. The sensorized head can be inserted between vertebra and report vertebral conditions such as force, pressure, orientation and edge loading. A GUI is therewith provided to show where the spine instrument is positioned relative to vertebral bodies as the instrument is placed in the inter-vetebral space. The system can distract vertebrae to a first height and measure the load applied by the spine region. The GUI can indicate that the load is outside a predetermined range. The spine region can be distracted to a second height where the load is measured within the predetermined load range.
US08945126B2	Single action tissue sealer An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.
US08945125B2	Compressible jaw configuration with bipolar RF output electrodes for soft tissue fusion The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical instruments for use in sealing various tissues. The instrument includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto and an end effector assembly attached to a distal end of the shaft, wherein the end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members attached thereto. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position for approximating tissue to at least one additional position for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members have an elastomeric material disposed on an inner facing tissue contacting surface thereof with the elastomeric materials including an electrode disposed therein. The electrodes are offset a distance X relative to one another such that when the jaw members are closed about the tissue and when the electrodes are activated, electrosurgical energy flows through the tissue in a generally coplanar manner relative to the tissue contacting surfaces.
US08945120B2	Catheter for circumferential ablation at or near a pulmonary vein A catheter has a three-dimensional, hollow ablation assembly that carries at least one ribbon electrode for circumferential ablation. In one embodiment, the assembly has a free-form framework that is constructed of multiple tensile members or wires that are interwoven such that the length of the framework increases while the circumference of the framework decreases, and vice versa. The assembly can also have a self-expanding stent-type framework which is mounted on the expander. In another alternative embodiment, the framework is a tubular or cylindrical structure whose side wall has longitudinal slots between longitudinal slats for radial expansion to a greater circumference when the length is decreased. The flexible ribbon electrode on the assembly is elastic, or is pleated so that it folds when the framework is collapsed and unfolds when the framework is deployed.
US08945115B2	System and method for power supply noise reduction An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator, a power source configured to deliver power to at least one load connected to the generator, a master configured to generate an initial pulse, the initial pulse cooperating with a first floating power supply configured to create an electrical connection between at least one first load and the power source, and a plurality of slaves connected in series to the master, wherein a first slave is configured to generate a subsequent pulse based on the initial pulse, the subsequent pulse cooperating with a second floating power supply configured to create an electrical connection between at least one second load and the power source, the subsequent pulse configured to cause an ensuing slave to generate an additional pulse, the additional pulse cooperating with a corresponding floating power supply configured to create an electrical connection between at least one additional load and the power source.
US08945113B2	Electrosurgical tissue ablation systems capable of detecting excessive bending of a probe and alerting a user An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device, one or more temperature sensors associated with the electrosurgical device, a fluid-flow path leading to the electrosurgical device, and a flow-control device disposed in fluid communication with the fluid-flow path. The electrosurgical device includes a probe for directing energy to tissue. The electrosurgical system includes circuitry for detecting bending of the probe. The circuitry alerts the user of excessive bending by activating an alarm, such as an audible alarm, lighting one or more LEDs or other light sources, tactile feedback, or any other means. The electrosurgical system further includes a processor unit communicatively-coupled to the one or more temperature sensors and communicatively-coupled to the flow-control device. The processor unit is configured to control the flow-control device based on determination of a desired fluid-flow rate using one or more electrical signals outputted from the one or more temperature sensors.
US08945111B2	Choked dielectric loaded tip dipole microwave antenna A microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and an inner insulator disposed therebetween. A radiating portion is also included having an unbalanced dipole antenna including a proximal portion and a distal portion that are of different lengths. The proximal portion includes at least a portion of the inner conductor and the inner insulator and the distal portion includes a conductive member.
US08945110B2	Apparatus for contactless electrophysiology studies An electrophysiology catheter includes an elongate catheter body having an elastically-deformable distal region predisposed to assume a spiral shape and a first plurality of electrodes disposed thereon. Each of the first plurality of electrodes includes an electrically active region limited to the inner surface of the spiral shape for use in non-contact electrophysiology studies. A second plurality of electrodes may also be disposed on the distal region interspersed (e.g., alternating) with the first plurality of electrodes, with each of the second plurality of electrodes having an electrically active region extending into the outer surface of the spiral shape for use in contact electrophysiology studies. The distal region may be deformed into a straight configuration for insertion into and navigation through the patient's vasculature, for example via use of a tubular introducer. As the distal region deploys beyond the distal end of the introducer, it resumes the spiral shape.
US08945109B2	Methods and devices for treating tissue The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
US08945108B2	Method of using vasoconstrictive agents during energy-based tissue therapy A mammal undergoing an energy-based therapy is treated by administering at least one vasoconstrictive agent to the mammal prior to or during the procedure. The at least one vasoconstrictive agent is added in amounts sufficient to reduce or prevent vasodilation. This treatment method increases or promotes the size of the coagulation zone created after energy-based therapy.
US08945107B2	Neuromodulation cryotherapeutic devices and associated systems and methods Neuromodulation cryotherapeutic devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A cryotherapeutic device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include an elongated shaft having distal portion and a supply lumen along at least a portion of the shaft. The shaft can be configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site proximate a renal artery or renal ostium. The supply lumen can be configured to receive a liquid refrigerant. The cryotherapeutic device can further include a cooling assembly at the distal portion of the shaft. The cooling assembly can include an applicator in fluid communication with the supply lumen and configured to deliver cryotherapeutic cooling to nerves proximate the target site when the cooling assembly is in a deployed state.
US08945106B2	Tip design for cryogenic probe with inner coil injection tube A cryogenic probe design is provided containing, for example, an inner coil injection tube with a continuous flow of circulating liquid and an outer jacket enclosing the inner coil injection tube. A transducer may monitor parameters in the region between the inner coil injection tube and the outer jacket. An outer jacket serves to prevent gas leakage. One or more embodiments of a probe design provide continuous flow for example via a continuous and controlled path from inlet to outlet and an expanded thermally transmissive region. Expanding a thermally transmissive region of the cooling zone may be provided, for example, in one or more embodiments of injection tube designs.
US08945104B2	Microdermabrasion system with combination skin therapies A microdermabrasion system offers a combination of other skin therapies in conjunction with microdermabrasion. In an implementation, the system applies light therapy, photodynamic therapy, radio frequency and microwave energy therapy, massage therapy, or combinations of these while exfoliating the skin.
US08945102B2	Laser corneal flap cutting system and associated methods A method for performing wavefront-guided laser surgery on a cornea includes the step of calculating a corneal flap configuration based upon collected anatomical information on an eye and wavefront data on a cornea of the eye. Such data may be collected by, for example, an aberrometer, although this is not intended as a limitation. The calculated configuration is transmitted to a processor in controlling relation to a corneal flap-cutting device. The flap-cutting device is used to create a corneal flap based upon the calculated configuration. A system for performing wavefront-guided laser surgery on a cornea includes a processor for receiving the anatomical information and wavefront data. A software package is adapted to calculate the corneal flap configuration and to control a corneal flap-cutting device to cut a corneal flap commensurate with the calculated corneal flap configuration.
US08945100B2	Stiffening assembly A stiffenable structure is made of longitudinal beams that are positioned around a longitudinal axis. In one state, the longitudinal beams are bendable so that the structure is bendable. As the structure bends, the longitudinal beams slide longitudinally with reference to one another. In a second state, the beams are clamped in a fixed position relative to one another so that the structure is stiffened. In some aspects the longitudinal beams are made of two or more longitudinal laminar elements. As each beam bends, the laminar elements slide longitudinally with reference to one another. Each beam, and accordingly the structure, is stiffened by preventing the laminar elements from sliding longitudinally relative to one another.
US08945099B2	Shaft rotating device and medical instrument with such a device A medical instrument including a shaft rotating device for rotating a shaft of a medical instrument about its longitudinal axis relative to a handle of the medical instrument The shaft rotating device includes a operating element arranged at a proximal portion of the shaft such that the shaft is rotatable relative to the handle against frictional forces. The shaft rotating device includes a coil spring arrangement having a surface and being in frictional contact with a surface of a counterpart for keeping the shaft and the handle rotationally stationary with respect to each other and movable against frictional forces. The operating element is operatively connected with the coil spring arrangement such that torque applied to the operating element decreases the frictional forces, while the shaft and coil spring arrangement are operatively connected such that torque applied to a distal portion of the shaft increases the frictional forces.
US08945098B2	Surgical manipulation instrument A surgical manipulation instrument which is particularly suitable for minimal invasive surgery, comprising an extra-corporeal drive device and a partial intra-corporeal manipulator part. The drive device comprises several axially displaceable first actuation elements. The first actuation elements are detachably connected to axially displaceable second actuation elements, by a coupling device, the second actuation elements being used to actuate an end effector. The coupling device comprises two coupling elements, one of the coupling elements having undercut recesses in which the second coupling element engages.
US08945092B1	Luer connector for an over-the-needle guidewire vascular access system Systems and methods for accessing body tissue are disclosed. The systems and methods can include an introducer assembly for percutaneous access to a body lumen. The assembly can include a needle and an over-the-needle guidewire. The needle and the guidewire can be inserted into body tissue and the guidewire advanced into the body tissue relative to the needle. The needle can be removed after advancing the guidewire.
US08945091B2	Breakaway coupling assembly A breakaway coupling assembly includes a male coupling and a female coupling. The male coupling includes ribs that flex portions of the female coupling as an insert of the male coupling is positioned within the female coupling. Once the insert of male coupling is positioned into the female coupling a predefined distance, the ribs snap into a circumferential retention groove of the female coupling to secure the male coupling to the female coupling and form a fluid seal. The male coupling is decoupled from the female coupling by pinching the female coupling to release the ribs from the retention groove.
US08945089B2	Infusion catheter with composite tip A catheter for use with a medical infusion or other fluid system. The catheter may include a flexible elongate tubular core that is resistant to radial collapse, and a separate tubular tip member forming the catheter distal tip. The catheter may further include a flexible, e.g., elastomeric, jacket that surrounds at least a portion of the tubular core. The jacket may have a radial compliance that is greater than that of the tubular core. The jacket may further define an outer diameter that is about 4 to about 6 times greater than an outer diameter of the core.
US08945087B2	Pre-pierced IV access port An access port for the introduction of a needle cannula tip into an IV tube set includes a rigid tubular housing and a resilient member disposed adjacent an inlet of the housing. The resilient member includes an axial perforation extending through the resilient member, and is normally closed by a resilient character of the resilient member. A depression is defined in a proximal face of the resilient member, and includes sidewalls extending between the proximal face and the axial perforation to guide the needle cannula tip toward the axial perforation as a needle cannula associated with the needle cannula tip is introduced into the access port.
US08945086B2	Retrobulbar needle and methods of use A syringe and needle assembly includes a needle that extends through the barrel of the syringe and is attached to a proximal portion of the syringe. The distal end of the needle extends through a sleeve attached to the distal end of the syringe. The proximal end of the needle includes a spring which biases the needle proximally, so that the distal tip of the needle is normally retracted within the sleeve. The assembly can be used for injections in portions of a patient's body including delicate tissues that could be damaged if contacted by the needle tip.
US08945084B2	Pressure-regulating vial adaptors and methods In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a housing and a bag. In some embodiments, an initial volume of a regulating fluid can be contained within the bag. In some embodiments, the regulating fluid flows into the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts.
US08945077B2	Female urination device with a retractable tip The female urination device assists a female in urinating from a standing position and directs the urine a suitable distance from the female. The device comprises a first end having a first opening for discharging urine and a second end having a second opening for receiving the urine. The second opening is larger than the first opening. The device further comprises a retractable tip to extend the length of the device.
US08945076B2	Ostomy appliance with integrated belt tabs A one-piece ostomy appliance adapted to be removably attached to a patient for receiving discharge from a stoma of the patient includes a pouch that defines a cavity. A first opening is defined by the pouch for receiving a stoma and communicating discharge from the stoma into the cavity. The ostomy appliance also includes a face plate having a first side secured to the pouch and a second opposing side that includes an adhesive for securing the pouch to a patient. A second opening is defined by the face plate and is generally aligned with the first opening. Further, the ostomy appliance includes one or more tabs for coupling a belt thereto, wherein the one or more tabs are coupled directly to the face plate.
US08945074B2	Device with controller and pump modules for providing negative pressure for wound therapy A device for use with a negative pressure bandage for supply negative pressure. The device includes a pump module and a controller module. The pump module contains a power source and a pump. The pump module is removably contained in the controller module. The pump module and controller module can be connected with a connector that provides both a physical and pneumatic connection. The controller module may include one of more visual indicators for allowing the status of the device to be observed at a distance.
US08945073B2	Vacuum generation device for medical applications A device (2) for generating a vacuum for vacuum therapy of wounds has a facility for generating a vacuum and a vessel (10) for receiving wound exudates suctioned out of a wound. The vessel (10) can be detachably fastened to the device. A connection (12) is provided for a suction tube, the suction tube leading to the body to establish vacuum communication among the facility generating the vacuum, the vessel (10) and the suction tube. A holding facility (102) provides for detachable fastening of the device (2) onto a strut or bar and comprises an essentially rigid holding part (104), which can be attached to a housing (4) of the device and which has a receptacle (106) for detachable disposition of a flexible holding strap (108). The holding strap (108) can be wrapped around the strut or bar through application of a tensile force.
US08945063B2	Hazardous agent injection system Injection systems comprising a powered injector and one or more hazardous agents are disclosed.
US08945060B2	Access sheath and needle assembly for delivering therapeutic material Medical device (10) for delivering therapeutic material to a patient. The device comprises an access sheath (12) having a proximal section (18) extending to a distal section (20). A working lumen (22) is formed in the proximal and distal sections. The distal section has a plurality of side ports (48) formed therethrough in fluid communication with the working lumen. The distal section has a deflection section (42) actuatable to bend at an angle for positioning the side ports in the patient. A needle assembly (14) is configured to move within the working lumen between a retracted position and an extended position. In fluid communication with a central lumen is a plurality of needles (80). The needles are disposed within the access sheath in the retracted position and the needles extend through the side ports outwardly from the access sheath in the extended position.
US08945058B2	Trocar cannula with atraumatic tip A surgical access port is provided with a trocar cannula having a substantially rigid portion and an atraumatic distal tip. The atraumatic distal tip is substantially compliant relative to the rigid portion of the cannula. The trocar cannula provides unobstructed surgical access into a body cavity allowing the insertion and removal of surgical instruments through the trocar cannula and into the body cavity using a minimal sized incision or entryway.
US08945042B2	Medical fluid machine with supply autoconnection A medical fluid system including: fluid containers and a tube extending from same, each tube including a cap; a pumping cassette including port spikes; a medical fluid machine including: occluders; a shuttle configured to receive the tubes, wherein each tube is associated with one of the occluders; a driving mechanism translating the shuttle; a cap removal device between the cassette and the shuttle; and a control unit programmed to cause: (i) the occluders to pinch their tubes, (ii) cause the driving mechanism to translate the shuttle towards the fluid pumping cassette, the cap removal device engaging the tube caps, (iii) the driving mechanism to translate the shuttle away from the fluid pumping cassette and cap removal device, pulling the tube caps off of the tubes, and (iv) the driving mechanism to translate the shuttle back towards the fluid pumping cassette for the port spikes to spike the occluded tubes.
US08945040B2	Medical gas humidification system An apparatus and method for on-the-go humidifying an insufflation gas through water vapor transfer from a liquid to the insufflation gas through a barrier separating the gas from the liquid to enable the gas in a normally trauma inducing state to be brought to a conditioned state. If the gas is at an improper insufflation temperature the temperature of the gas can be brought to the proper insufflation temperature at the same time the gas is humidified through heat transfer through the barrier.
US08945039B2	Devices, systems, and methods for organ retroperfusion Devices, systems, and methods for organ retroperfusion. In at least one embodiment of a method of organ perfusion of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of positioning at least part of a first catheter having a cannula within an artery of a patient, the first catheter configured to permit arterial blood to flow therethrough and further configured to permit a portion of the arterial blood to flow through the cannula, positioning at least part of a second catheter within a vein of the patient at or near a target organ, the second catheter configured to receive some or all of the portion of the arterial blood, and connecting the cannula of the first catheter to a portion of the second catheter so that some or all of the portion of the arterial blood flowing through the cannula is provided into the vein to treat a condition or disease of the target organ.
US08945037B2	Blood purification apparatus A blood purification apparatus has a dialyzer (1), an arterial blood circuit (2) with a blood pump 4, a venous blood circuit 3, a dialysate introduction line L1, a dialysate discharge line L2, a substitution line L3, and a substitution pump 9 that supplies the dialysate flowing in the substitution line L3 to the arterial blood circuit 2. A control device (11) estimates or measures the concentration of blood in a dilution channel section A. The control device (11) controls the volume of dialysate supplied by the substitution pump 9 on the basis of the estimated or measured blood concentration.
US08945036B2	System and method for delivery of regional citrate anticoagulation to extracorporeal blood circuits The present invention includes a comprehensive replacement fluid system and method for the delivery of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) to extracorporeal blood circuits, wherein the system may include an online clearance monitor (OCM) and a circuit effluent online sensor system (OSS) for the continuous determination of patient plasma content of ultrafilterable solutes.
US08945030B2	Negative pressure dressing and method of using same Apparatuses and methods for treating a wound by applying reduced or negative pressure to the wound can include a wound cover, a fluid collection container, a vacuum pump, an inflation pump, and one or more conduits. The wound cover can be configured to move between at least a relatively rigid, generally raised position and a relatively flexible, generally collapsed position according to a predetermined program or in response to input from a user or one of more sensors. In some embodiments, the wound cover can be configured to move between at least the relatively rigid, generally raised position and the relatively flexible, generally collapsed position by adjusting the air pressure in one or more channels in the wound cover or by adjusting or by adjusting the length of piezoelectric or other length changing material supported by the wound cover.
US08945028B2	Device and method for decreasing energy consumption of a person by use of a lower extremity exoskeleton A lower extremity exoskeleton, configurable to be coupled to a person, includes: leg supports configurable to be coupled to the person's lower limbs and designed to rest on the ground during stance phases, with each leg support having a thigh link and a shank link; two knee joints, each configured to allow flexion and extension between respective shank and thigh links; an exoskeleton trunk configurable to be coupled to the person's upper body, rotatably connectable to the thigh links of the leg supports, allowing for the flexion and extension between the leg supports and the exoskeleton trunk; two hip actuators configured to create torques between the exoskeleton trunk and the leg supports; and at least one power unit capable of providing power to the hip actuators. In use, power is supplied to the hip actuators in an amount to reduce the energy consumed by a user during a walking cycle.
US08945023B2	Electrode layout for blood test sensor strip An improved electrode layout for a continuous strip sensor is provided which reduces misalignment of the electrodes with the contacts which read the position of the strip. Better contact with the electrodes reduces or eliminates transient signals between stop positions of the sensor strip.
US08945022B2	Puncturing system A puncturing system for obtaining a sample of body fluid comprises a magazine that comprises a lancet carrier that carries several lancets, a puncturing device comprising a compartment for the magazine, an incremental advancing mechanism for moving the lancets successively to a puncturing position, and a puncturing drive for accelerating one of the lancets that is positioned in the puncturing position in a puncturing motion. The magazine comprises a coupling facility with a receptacle for the lancet carrier. The receptacle is mobile with respect to a magazine housing The lancets that are carried by the lancet carrier can be moved relative to the receptacle by actuating the incremental advancing mechanism The receptacle is adapted to couple the puncturing drive to one of the lancets positioned in the puncturing position for transmitting a driving force generated by the puncturing drive during a puncture to the lancet positioned in the puncturing position.
US08945021B2	Removing tissue Tissue can be removed from a patient with a catheter or other medical device having a cutting member. A source of suction can be coupled to the device for suctioning removed tissue through a lumen in the device and out of the patient's body.
US08945009B2	Remote health monitoring system The invention relates generally to remote health monitoring systems, as applied to the field of public health surveillance. In particular, it relates to a multi-user remote health monitoring system that is capable of reliably identifying and collecting data from frontline healthcare providers, laboratory and hospital information systems, patients and healthy individuals in a number of ways, with a view to aid in the field of public health. The system can also be used to query and collect additional information regarding specifics pertaining to the health of the individuals, and for patient tracking, monitoring, and the collection of individual data.
US08945005B2	Controlled activation ingestible identifier Controlled activation identifiers for use in ingestible compositions, such as pharma-informatics enabled compositions, are provided. The identifiers include a controlled activation element that provides for activation of the identifier in response to the presence of a predetermined stimulus at a target site of interest. The invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including but not limited to, monitoring of therapeutic regimen compliance, tracking the history of pharmaceutical agents, etc.
US08945003B2	Surgical retractor with curved rotating blades Various embodiments of the present invention provide a surgical retractor having two blade-supporting arms, which are mounted to be laterally slideable towards and apart from each other by a toothed rack. Each arm supports a respective retractor blade. In some embodiments, the retractor blades are curved in the same direction as each other so that the first blade is concave in the first direction, and a second blade is also concave in the same direction. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, a cushioned material or cushioned sleeve is present on the blades where the blades contact the anatomy. The cushioned material or sleeve may be made of a soft silicone. Further, the cushioned material or sleeve may be coated or molded onto the blade structure, or may be a removable sleeve that is manually slid onto or off of the blade structure. Also, alternatively or in addition in some embodiments, blade-mounted lighting may be provided.
US08945000B2	Distal end hood for endoscope and endoscope system A distal end hood for an endoscope configured to be mounted on a distal end portion of an endoscope including an observation window, and a distal end surface of the distal end portion on which an opening is formed, the opening configured to spray a feed gas, the distal end hood for an endoscope including a conduit including: a first end portion on which a first opening is formed, the first opening being fitted together by insertion with an opening of the distal end surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope and being connectable to the opening; and a second end portion on which a second opening is formed, the second opening being disposed at a position away from the distal end surface toward a proximal end side of the endoscope.
US08944996B2	Electronic endoscope system with oxygen saturation enhancing image region An electronic endoscope system includes a light source device for sequentially emitting plural kinds of light having different wavelength bands, an electronic endoscope for outputting image data of acquired images corresponding to the plural kinds of light sequentially illuminated to a subject tissue containing blood vessels, a setter for setting a blood vessel characteristics amount from the image data, a setter for setting a region of interest in the acquired image based on the amount, an image producer for producing a first oxygen saturation level image representing a distribution of an oxygen saturation level in the blood vessel from the image data, and an image display for displaying in simulated color a second oxygen saturation level image in which the oxygen saturation level within the region of interest is selectively enhanced.
US08944995B2	Insertion device and endoscope An insertion device and an endoscope which are inserted and extracted through a small incision and have multiple functions. A device body has grip forceps as a treatment means. A first folding back section and a second folding back section are provided at a distal portion of the device body such that the first and second folding back sections are aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction of the device body. The first folding back section and the second folding back section respectively have image obtaining means. An operation means can move the first folding back section to a folded back position in which the first folding back section is folded back relative to the second folding back section, and can also move the second folding back section to a position in which the second folding back section is folded back relative to the device body.
US08944994B2	Device for sterilization check A device for sterilization check for an endoscope, comprising: an elongated insertion member insertable into an inner pipeline of the endoscope, wherein a plurality of indicator holding members each capable of holding a sterilization indicator for checking a sterilization effect by a sterilizing medium introduced to the inner pipeline are arranged on the insertion member along a longitudinal direction of the insertion member, and ones of the indicator holding members adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the insertion member are coupled together via a flexible coupling member deformable along a shape of the inner pipeline of the endoscope.
US08944993B2	Apparatus, system and operation method for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction An apparatus and a system for treating a sexual dysfunctional male patient comprise an implanted at least one vibrator adapted to stimulate at least a part of the sexually responsive tissue of the penis of the patient by vibration of said vibrator and contact between said vibrator and at least one area of the sexually responsive tissue. There is also provided a surgical method comprising the apparatus and the system.
US08944992B2	Implantable support with dilator attached to arm A pelvic organ prolapse treatment device includes an implantable support configured to treat a prolapsed area of a patient such as urethrocele prolapse, cystocele prolapse, vault prolapse, uterine prolapse, enterocele prolapse, or rectocele prolapse. The support includes a body portion and an arm connected to the body portion, a knot connecting a suture to an end portion of the arm, and a tubular dilator disposed over and connected to the knot.
US08944991B2	Inter-organ spacer for use in endoscopic surgery The invention provides a surgical device for endoscopic surgery having the function of temporarily storing liquid (a first function), the function of keeping a physical space for surgery and a sufficient endoscopic field (a second function), and the function of protecting organs (a third function), and an insertion device for inserting the surgical device into a body.[Solving Means]The surgical device for endoscopic surgery is an inter-organ spacer (10) including liquid holding means (1) formed of a porous soft material having the ability to temporarily store liquid and the ability to retain its shape. The insertion device for inserting the inter-organ spacer into a body includes a tubular holder capable of holding the inter-organ spacer for endoscopic surgery.
US08944990B2	Surgical needle and anchor system with retractable features Various surgical introducer needle and anchor systems are provided. The systems can include an introducer needle and a tissue support implant or sling device. The implant device can include one or more anchoring devices. The introducer needle device can include a handle assembly and a needle assembly. The needle assembly can include a generally hollow needle, and a wire traversable therein. The wire can include a distal tip adapted to selectively retract or withdraw from the engaged anchoring device upon deployment of the anchor and/or implant.
US08944989B2	Systems, devices, and methods for treating pelvic floor disorders Disclosed are single-incision surgical procedures for treatment of urinary incontinence and/or pelvic floor disorders and related uses, devices, kits, and methods. Implants are also disclosed for use in the exemplary procedures. In certain embodiments, soft tissue anchors are used to anchor the surgical implants to obturator membranes of a patient.
US08944983B2	Multi-unit blood processor with isolated valves for radio frequency sealing An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into components, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of sets of blood bags. The valves comprise a jaw mounted on a shaft, the jaw being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to seal a tube, a stepper motor section, and at least two position sensors. The valve sections are mounted on an upper plate, and the stepper motor sections are mounted on a lower plate. A main radio frequency coil is selectively electrically coupled to each of the valves through a multiplexing switch.
US08944982B2	Drop and slide mechanism for use with dunnage conversion machine and method An apparatus comprising a dunnage conversion machine (30) for converting a stock material into a dunnage product, a stock material support (22) for a supply of stock material to be fed to the dunnage conversion machine, and a drop-and-slide mechanism (34) configured to allow the stock material support to be moved between an operating position and a loading position, which is spaced both horizontally and vertically from the operating position. The drop-and-slide mechanism includes a guide member (40) and a slide (42) to which the stock material support is mounted. The slide is supported by the guide member for horizontal movement relative to the guide member. A packer can pull the slide horizontally away from the operating position, causing the stock support to fall to the loading position, and the packer can push the slide away from the loading position, causing the stock support to rise to the operating position.
US08944976B2	Exercise device An exercise device includes a first strap portion having a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion joined together along a common longitudinal axis at varying points to define a first plurality of loops, a second strap portion having a third elongate portion and a fourth elongate portion joined together along a second common longitudinal axis at varying points to define a second plurality of loops, and an anchoring device. The first strap portion and the second strap portion are coupled to one another and the anchoring device is configured to hold or secure the coupled first and second strap portions such that the first plurality of loops and the second plurality of loops extend substantially symmetrically away from the anchoring device.
US08944975B2	Apparatus for exercise, body building and rehabiliation An apparatus for exercise, body building and rehabilitation includes a main body to be grasped by a user or bound around a proper part of a user's body. A fixing member is secured with the main body for fixing one end of an elastic rope, loop-shaped and provided with a first and a second end portion in proper proportion. The first end portion is formed with an open hole extending downward and contracting gradually to form a longer open hole at the second end portion. The elastic rope has one end head first put in the larger open hole of the first end portion and then the elastic rope is moved downward to force its end head to be stuck in the narrower open hole of the second end portion of the fixing member not to slip off, facilitating a user to carry out exercise, body building or rehabilitation.
US08944971B2	Progressive multi-purpose exercise device The present invention is a progressive multi-purpose exercise device, which can be configured as 1) an exercise ball (no handles), 2) a kettle bell (one handle), 3) a medicine ball (two opposing handles), 4) a kettle bell-2 (two handles and 90 degrees) and 5) a rope attached ball with stretch cord and/or rope. For illustration purposes, it may be comprised of a series of elements and systems including, but not limited to, a Connection System, an Attachment Technology System, a Progressive System and a Retainment System with a top hemisphere, a bottom hemisphere, a series of circular weighted discs, a variety of single slot handles or double slot handles and an alignment shaft. The user friendly system allows any user to easily add or change handle configurations and add or change weights for a wide variety of over sixty different combinations of fitness equipment described herein.
US08944970B2	Apparatus for aerobic exercise An apparatus comprises a first unit having a frame comprising a top and bottom arm and a first pivot point. A track comprises two rods disposed between the arms. A pad unit is configured to be slidably joined to the first track. The pad unit comprises a base portion having two grooves for joining to the rods, and a top portion to contact for moving the pad unit. A second unit has a frame comprising a top and bottom arm and a second pivot point. The second pivot point is configured for pivotal joining to the first pivot point. A second track comprises two rods disposed between the arms. A pad unit is configured to be slidably joined to the second track. The pad unit comprises a base portion having two grooves for joining to the rods, and a top portion to contact for moving the pad unit.
US08944966B2	Variable stride exercise device An adaptive exercise device includes a frame which supports swing arms which provide for horizontal motion of associated foot links. A crank system provides for vertical motion of the foot links and is movable relative to the frame. The vertical and horizontal motions of the foot links are mechanically decoupled and may be blended to approximate a desired foot path. The movable crank system causes the foot path to correspond to a natural running action.
US08944962B2	Gymnastic tool, apparatus and method to carry out it A gymnastic tool (1) is formed by at least two impermeable external walls (2, 3) which are each concave shaped and provided with respective edges (4,5). The at least two impermeable walls (2, 3) are mutually fixed together by a connector (6), the gymnastic tool having at least one inner cavity.
US08944960B2	Methods and apparatus for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness. In accordance with a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to assist in weight loss and exercise. The apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) having computer program code adapted to assist in at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. The PDA also includes computer program code adapted to display historical data regarding at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. Numerous other embodiments are provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products.
US08944959B2	Athleticism rating and performance measuring system A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes.
US08944955B2	Friction gearing A friction gearing has housing and a unit housed in the housing, the unit including a first roller, a second roller and rotatable support plates. The first roller and the second roller are in frictional engagement with each other under a radial pressing force. The radial pressing force is variable in response to a change in the radial distance between the first and the second roller. The rotatable support plates support the first and the second rollers and receive a resisting force that is generated when the first and the second rollers come in contact under the pressing force. The unit is received in the housing with the axis of rotation of the first roller radially fixed while the first roller is rotatably supported by the housing.
US08944952B2	Differential assembly having a clutch collar actuator mechanism A differential assembly having a clutch collar actuator mechanism. The clutch collar actuator mechanism includes an actuator and a fork that may pivot about a pivot axis to actuate a clutch collar.
US08944948B2	Flat belt A flat belt (B) includes a cord retaining layer (11) in which a cord (14) extending in a belt length direction and arranged helically at a certain pitch in a belt width direction is embedded, and an inner rubber layer (12) provided on a belt inner side of the cord retaining layer (11) and serving as a pulley contracting portion. The cord retaining layer (11) is made of a rubber composition containing short fibers (15) which are mixed in a rubber component in an amount of 1 to 20 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and are dispersed to be oriented in the belt width direction. The inner rubber layer (12) is made of a rubber composition not containing short fibers (15).
US08944946B2	Continuously variable transmission belt and continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission belt includes rings each superimposing annular component pieces on each other's inner and outer peripheries, and plural elements attached to the rings side by side in a circumferential direction. Each element includes a neck portion. The rings are disposed on opposite sides of the neck portion. The elements contact a driving pulley and a driven pulley. A lubrication oil discharge mechanism discharges out a lubrication oil in at least one of a gap between the component pieces, and a gap between each ring and the elements. A function of discharging the lubrication oil present in a region remote from the neck portion is higher than a function of discharging the lubrication oil present in a region near the neck portion. Thereby, the rings to which the elements are attached or the component pieces of the rings restrain decline in the centering characteristic in the width direction.
US08944945B2	Chain tensioner A roller-chain tensioning assembly includes a resilient bow-shaped structure to which are mounted first, second and third guide wheels. These guide wheels are mounted in such manner that a roller chain can be threaded around said first guide wheel on side facing away from said bow, around said second guide wheel on side facing said bow, and around said third guide wheel on side facing away from said bow.
US08944938B2	Golf ball having a resilient material A rebound resilient golf ball having one or more core layers, a cover surrounding the core layer or layers, and optionally a mantle layer positioned between the cover and the core layer or layers. At least one of the layers of the golf ball includes a material whose resilience increases as the hardness of the material increases.
US08944936B2	Golf ball resin composition and golf ball An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball resin composition excellent in resilience. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in a shot feeling and resilience. The golf ball resin composition of the present invention is characterized in that a storage modulus E′ (Pa) and a loss modulus E″ (Pa) satisfy a following expression; log(E′/E″2)≧−6.08 when measured at the conditions of the temperature of 12° C., the oscillation frequency of 10 Hz, and a strain of 0.05% in a tensile mode using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus.
US08944932B2	Swing analyzer A calculating unit of a swing analyzer calculates, assuming that a golf club is in a uniform circular motion about a virtual center of rotation O during a swing, a virtual speed Vh at a central point R of a golf club head, based on a distance between first and second acceleration sensors, a distance between the first acceleration sensor and the central point R of a golf club head and outputs from the first and second acceleration sensors, and calculates the speed of central point R of a golf club head utilizing the virtual speed Vh.
US08944926B2	Transmission device for transmitting a force and a torque in a medical instrument A transmission device for transmitting a force and a torque between a handling device and a tool of a medical instrument includes transmission members interconnected in a hinged manner. A convex coupling portion of a first transmission member is in each case held interlockingly in a concave coupling portion of an adjacent second transmission member in such a way that a rotation of the first transmission member about its longitudinal axis causes a rotation of the second transmission member about its longitudinal axis. A convex coupling portion of a first transmission member is in each case held interlockingly in a concave coupling portion of an adjacent second transmission member in such a way that a tensile force can be transmitted between the first transmission member and the second transmission member.
US08944923B2	System and method for simulating group play within asynchronous videogame content To simulate group play, player-controlled characters may be grouped prior to entry into a set of asynchronous videogame content. Then separate instances of the set of asynchronous videogame content may be provided to players associated with individual ones of the grouped player-controlled characters. In the separate instance provided to a given player, secondary instances of the player-controlled characters other than the player-controlled character being controlled by the given player may be controlled automatically to accompany the player-controlled character being controlled by the given player.
US08944918B2	System gaming A method provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.
US08944917B2	Multi-tier online game play Online multiplayer games are provided in multiple tiers. A first tier offers limited features and a second tier offers first tier features plus additional features. The additional features are exclusive to the second tier. During game play in the first tier, enticements are provided to participate in the second tier. The first tier requires no subscription to participate therein. Participation in the second tier requires a subscription. In an example configuration, the first tier allows players to host a game on a dedicated server, browse a list of dedicated server games, and join a game from a list of first tier eligible games. And, the second tier offers a variety of additional features, such as the ability to invite other players to join a game session, match making services, and cross-platform game play.
US08944914B2	Control of translational movement and field of view of a character within a virtual world as rendered on a display Apparatuses, methods and systems for controlling a view of a virtual world character on a display are disclosed. One apparatus includes a controller, wherein the controller is operative to control translational movement and field of view of a character within a virtual world as rendered on a display based upon a first input and second input. The first input controls the translational movement of the character within the virtual world, and the second input controls the field of view as seen by the character within the virtual world. The video game apparatus further includes a sensor for sensing a spatial position of a user, wherein the sensor provides the first input based on the sensed spatial position of the user.
US08944909B2	Gaming system having a plurality of players and randomly incremented progressive prize The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses. Prize input is entered into a prize table describing multiple available prizes and also describing payout information that indicates a desired amount of payout that the operator wishes to provide back to players of the game apparatus in terms of the value of the prizes. Prize information, such as prize costs and specific prize win ratios, is automatically determined by the system for each of the prizes in view of the desired profitability of the game apparatus.Additionally, the invention provides method and article of manufacture for implementing a user profile-driven gaming and prize redeeming system. The user profile-driven gaming and prize redemption system allows for the tailoring of a user's experience of playing a computer implemented game on a network gaming system by first receiving an identifier selected from a group of identifiers including a user identifier relating to the user (i.e., player) of the network gaming system, a game identifier relating to a particular game played by the user of the network gaming system, and a site identifier relating to the location (i.e. web site) from which the game is being played. The network gaming system then alters the computer-implemented game played by the user in a manner based upon the selected identifier. The foregoing technique may also be applied to a prize redemption system.
US08944906B2	Interactive slot machine In a gaming device means for providing the player with interactive features that include at least one of establishing at least one new winning combination of symbols, establishing at least one new pay line, and enabling a player to bet on the occurrence of a specific combination of symbols at a particular pay line for one or a plurality of spins.
US08944900B2	Game providing system, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing game providing program and game providing method A game providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes one or more processors capable of executing a game program. In one embodiment, the game program includes a conversion rate presentation module configured to present a conversion rate between a first basic point and a first varying point to a player. When a first basic object associated with the first basic point is selected, an acquired point of the player is determined on the basis of the first basic point. When a first varying object associated with the first varying point is selected, the acquired point is determined on the basis of the first varying point.
US08944898B2	Grain bin extension deployment apparatus for agricultural harvesting machine A grain bin located atop a harvester includes upstanding walls having a substantially continuous upper edge defining an opening. A grain bin extension is deployable between extended and retracted positions to expand the capacity of the grain bin. The extension includes extension panels and a cap overlaying the opening. The cap is supported by a cap frame that is also deployable between extended and retracted positions. An extension deployment apparatus raises and lowers the extension panels. Extension deployment mechanisms located at opposing corners of the grain bin control the deployment of adjacent extension panels. Each extension deployment mechanism has a first rack and a trunnion to drive extension panels in a vertical direction and pivot the panels in an outward direction and a second rack mounted to the trunnion to drive the cap frame in a vertical direction, and a drive gear between the first and second racks.
US08944897B2	Ventilation system and controlling method of the same A ventilation system and a controlling method of such a ventilation system are provided. The ventilation system may exhaust internal air from and draw fresh external air into a designated space. When an outdoor temperature is below a freezing point, some of the internal components of the ventilation system may be damaged due to the low external air temperature. This ventilation system controls operation of a supply fan and/or an exhaust fan based on the temperature of supplied and/or exhausted air to prevent such damage.
US08944891B2	Centreless cylindrical grinding machine for grinding workpieces in rod form and method for the centreless cylindrical grinding of workpieces in rod form In a machine for centerless cylindrical grinding, the workpiece is located in a grinding gap, which is formed by the regulating wheel, the grinding wheel and the support blade. The regulating wheel rotates about its axis of rotation with the direction of rotation, and thereby drives the workpiece to rotate in the direction of rotation. The grinding wheel is driven to rotate about its axis of rotation with the direction of rotation. The workpiece passes in the direction of its longitudinal axis through a number of sets of regulating wheels and grinding wheels, which are each themselves arranged coaxially one behind the other. The regulating wheels and grinding wheels have axial interspaces on their axes; the regulating wheels thereby engage in the interspaces between the grinding wheels, and vice versa, so as to form lateral regions of overlap between the wheels.
US08944889B2	Reciprocating skate blade sharpener In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a snowice travel member such as a skate blade, a ski or a snowboard, which includes a sharpening surface that is movable lengthwise along an edge face of the item to be sharpened. The sharpening surface may be movable lengthwise by means of a motor and a reciprocating mechanism, or may be manually moved by a user.
US08944886B2	Abrasive slurry and dressing bar for embedding abrasive particles into substrates An abrasive polishing slurry including abrasive particles in a carrier fluid and micro-nano members. A system and method for making an abrasive article using the polishing slurry is also disclosed. The system includes a gimballed dressing bar adapted to provide a compressive force sufficient to embed the abrasive particles into the substrate, wherein the members set a height the embedded abrasive particles protrude above the substrate.
US08944882B2	Wall mounted toy track set A track set configured to be mounted to a wall by a plurality of wall mounts, the track set having: a tower: a first upper track section configured to receive toy vehicles from a top portion of the tower; a second lower track section, wherein the first upper track section is angularly positioned such that toy vehicles traveling along the first track section move towards a second lower track section, wherein the second lower track section is configured to direct the toy vehicles towards a bottom portion of a tower; a corkscrew rotationally secured to the tower; and a motor coupled to the corkscrew, wherein operation of the motor causes the corkscrew to rotate, wherein rotation of the corkscrew causes the toy vehicles to move from the bottom portion of the tower to the top portion of the tower.
US08944876B2	Plush figure including multi-chamber storage system One example includes a body formed of body fabric, the body defining a body pocket opening, a body pocket disposed in an interior of the body and coupled to the body pocket opening and body plush disposed in the interior of the body, between the body pocket and the body fabric. The example includes a head formed of head fabric, the head having a posterior portion of the head coupled to the body at an anterior portion of the body, the head defining a head pocket opening disposed on an anterior portion of the head, a head pocket disposed in an interior of the head and coupled to the head pocket opening and head plush disposed in the interior of the head, between the head pocket and the head fabric. The example includes at least one pair of legs formed of leg fabric and fastened to the body.
US08944875B2	Method of manufacturing a display device A method for manufacturing a display device includes forming a releasing layer including graphene on a support substrate, forming a thin film substrate on the releasing layer, forming pixels and an encapsulation member on the thin film substrate, and separating the releasing layer and the support substrate from the thin film substrate.
US08944869B2	Pre-nozzle for a drive system of a watercraft to improve the energy efficiency A drive system for a watercraft has a water inlet opening, a water outlet opening, and a fin system. A propellerless pre-nozzle for the drive system is configured rotationally asymmetrically in order to further improve the drive efficiency.
US08944866B2	Wave-powered endurance extension module for unmanned underwater vehicles An Endurance Extension Module (EXM) for powering an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle. The EXM converts wave motion to locomotive thrust, towing the UUV from point to point or keeping it in place against an opposing current. The EXM may also supply the UUV with electricity for driving an electric motor or powering on-board electronics. The EXM can be refracted onto the UUV when not in use to minimize drag, or it can release the UUV as prologue to a subsequent rendezvous. The EXM-UUV combinations of this invention allow extended autonomous missions over wider territory for purposes such as surveying, monitoring conditions, or delivering cargo.
US08944863B1	Terminal set of electrical connector A terminal set of an electrical connector includes signal terminal duos and ground terminal duos. The signal terminal duos have two signal terminals. The signal terminals are spaced apart transversely. The ground terminal duos have two ground terminals. The signal terminal duos are disposed between the ground terminals. The ground terminals are each spaced apart transversely from an adjacent one of the signal terminals. The ground terminals are each larger than and hide transversely an adjacent one of the signal terminals. The terminal set functions as a shield for precluding crosstalk from taking place between terminals and precluding resonance from taking place between terminals.
US08944862B2	Structure of connection of crimping terminal to electric wire A crimping terminal (10) in which an electric wire connection part (12) is formed in substantially a U shape in cross-section view by having base plate parts (21, 23) and pairs of electric wire crimping pieces (22, 24) is used, and a metallic cap (30) having a tubular peripheral wall in which one end of a longitudinal direction is closed and the other end is opened is attached to a conductor (Wa) exposed by removing a portion of an insulating coating of the distal end of an electric wire W, and an opening end of the cap (30) is inserted into a gap between the conductor (Wa) and an insulating coating (Wb) of the electric wire W and is overlapped with an end of the insulating coating (Wb), and a part (24) of the electric wire crimping pieces is crimped to its overlapped portion (lapped portion) (35).
US08944860B2	Electrical female terminal An electrical female terminal, manufactured from a single metal sheet, comprising a crimping portion and a contact portion adapted to mate with a corresponding male terminal to be inserted therein, the contact portion comprising an outer frame having a top wall, a bottom wall parallel and opposed to the top wall, and two side walls, an inner frame encased in the outer frame, a first elastic contact member extending from the inner frame, and bearing on an inner portion of the bottom wall, a second elastic contact member extending from the inner frame and bearing on an inner portion of the top wall. The first and second elastic contact members have a convex shape oriented toward one another.
US08944857B2	Power connectors having common clip assembly Power plugs that may include portions that can be used in different regions, may provide reliable functionality, may be reliably manufactured, and have a pleasant appearance. One example may provide a power plug that has a clip assembly that may be used in different regions. Another example may provide a power plug that functions in a reliable manner by having a durable overmold. Another example may provide a power plug that may be reliably manufactured by providing a contact that eliminates the need for soldering or welding, and also provides alignment features to protect the contact during assembly. Another example may provide a power plug that has an attractive appearance by forming an overmold over an inner mold.
US08944855B2	Backward compatible connectivity for high data rate applications The present invention provides a communication jack for connecting to one of a first plug and a second plug. The jack includes a housing, plug interface contacts, and coupling circuitry. The plug interface contacts are at least partially within said housing and include a plurality of contact pairs having at least a first contact pair and a second contact pair. The coupling circuitry is configured for engaging said first contact pair and said second contact pair when said first plug is inserted into said housing. The coupling circuitry is configured for disengaging from said first contact pair and said second contact pair when said second plug is inserted into said housing.
US08944849B1	Electrical connector with two ground bars connecting each other An electrical connector includes an insulating housing and a plurality of contacts. The contacts include a plurality of signal contacts arranged in differential signal pairs and a plurality of ground contacts. Differential signal pairs are separated by signal contacts. A first ground bar connects each ground contact to form a first electrical connection. A second ground bar connects each ground contact to form a second electrical connection. The first ground bar is electrically connected to the second ground bar through at least a bridge.
US08944848B1	Electrical connector with improved high frequency signal transmission environment An electrical connector comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts retained in the insulative housing and including a grounding contact and a first pair of differential signal contacts. The first pair of differential signal contacts have a first signal contact and a second signal contact closing to the grounding contact. Each contact has a contacting portion, a soldering portion, a position portion and a connecting portion. A first distance is defined between a center line of the grounding contact and an inner side edge of the connecting portion of the second signal contact, a second distance is defined between the center line and an inner side edge of the soldering portion, and a third distance is defined between the center line and the position portion, the second distance and the third distance are both smaller than the first distance.
US08944846B2	Electrical signal connector An electrical signal connector for connecting a coaxial cable to a mating connector is disclosed to include a locknut, a metal central tube inserted through the locknut and defining a stop flange at one end, a barbed retaining portion at an opposite end, a locating groove around the periphery between the stop flange and barbed retaining portion and an annular bearing surface portion extending around the periphery between the stop flange and the locating groove, a chuck unit including a collar, which is press-fitted onto the annular bearing surface portion of the metal central tube and having longitudinal clamping strips suspending around the barbed retaining portion of the metal central tube, and a constraint shell surrounding the collar, and an actuation sleeve mounted within the constraint shell around the collar and manually axially movable relative to the chuck unit between two positions to compress or release the longitudinal clamping strips.
US08944844B2	Connector mating assurance An electrical connector for mating with a mating electrical connector. The electrical connector has a surface having a first reference member and a latch having a second reference member. The first reference member and the second reference member are positioned to indicate when the electrical connector is fully mated to the mating electrical connector.
US08944839B2	Method for connecting plug parts of an electrical plug-in connector, and electrical plug-in connector The present application relates to a method for connecting plug parts of an electrical plug-in connector, in which on a first plug part a hollow cylindrical retaining sleeve is disposed movably in axial direction relative to the first plug part, wherein the retaining sleeve is retained in a first position biased by a bias spring and the axial relative movement is effected against the spring force, and upon connecting the plug parts, a spring element disposed on the second plug part is pressed radially outwards in a connecting intermediate state, upon further axially pushing together the plug parts, the retaining sleeve is displaced axially backwards from the first position by the spring element, and upon further pushing together the plug parts, the spring element snaps radially inwards into a recess and the backward displacement of the retaining sleeve by the spring element is terminated and the retaining sleeve is automatically again brought into the first position by the bias spring, wherein the spring element is introduced into a first clearance between an outer side of the first plug part and an inner side of the retaining sleeve before contacting the retaining sleeve for the axial displacement thereof effected by the spring element. The present application also relates to an electrical plug-in connector.
US08944838B2	Connector with locking ring A connector is provided for mating with a mating connector. The connector includes a housing having an internal compartment and a locking segment. A contact is held within the internal compartment of the housing. A locking ring extends around the housing. The locking ring has a latch that is configured to cooperate with a latch member of the mating connector to lock the connector and the mating connector together. The connector includes a first actuator configured to compress the locking ring radially inward or expand the locking ring radially outward to release the latch of the locking ring from the latch member of the mating connector. The locking segment of the housing includes a second actuator that is configured to compress the locking ring radially inward or expand the locking ring radially outward to release the latch of the locking ring from the latch member of the mating connector.
US08944834B2	Universal foot switch contact port A universal contact port for receiving contacts of various cross-sectional dimensions and cross-sectional profiles of an electrosurgical component is provided. The universal contact port includes a plurality of rollers each defining a corporal axis, the corporal axes being at least substantially parallel to one another; and a plurality of shafts eccentrically supporting a respective roller, each shaft defining a longitudinal axis, wherein each corporal axis is spaced a radial distance from a respective longitudinal axis and wherein the rollers are rotatable about the longitudinal axes. The rollers define an opening therebetween, wherein the opening is expandable and constrictable upon rotation of the rollers about the longitudinal axes, whereby the contact port can accommodate receipt of contacts, from electrosurgical components, of varying cross-sectional diameter therein.
US08944832B1	Apparatus to interconnect orthogonal circuit boards for high data rate use A method includes securing a midplane in a chassis, wherein the midplane has one or more connectors, and securing a circuit board in a module, wherein the circuit board has one or more connectors secured along a leading edge of the circuit board for selectively connecting with the one or more connector on the midplane. The method further includes positioning the module so that the circuit board within the module is orthogonal to the midplane, and manually actuating a handle from an unlatched position to a latched position to rotate a cam plate and cause a cam surface of the cam plate to pull the circuit board toward the midplane and connect the one or more connector on the circuit board with the one or more connector on the midplane.
US08944830B2	Connector with differently arranged contact mounting portions and connector assembly have two such connectors belly-to-belly mounted to a circuit board A high speed card edge connector (20, 30) includes an insulative housing (21, 31), and a number of first, second, third, and fourth contacts (221-224) received in the insulative housing and arranged in a number of first columns (25) and a number of second columns (26). Each of the first columns includes one first, one second, and one third contacts. Each of the second columns includes one first, one fourth, and one third contacts. Each of the first to the fourth contacts includes a mounting portion (22b). The mounting portions of the second and the fourth contacts are designed as penetration type termination, and the mounting portions of the first and the third contacts are designed as surface mounted type termination. The mounting portions of the second and the fourth contacts are arranged in different rows.
US08944828B2	Audio jack connector for electronic device An audio connector includes a receiving portion and a connector. The receiving portion includes a base plate, two opposite sidewalls, and an end wall. The connector includes an insulating body and a plurality of elastic metal fingers. The insulating body is positioned snuggly among the base plate, the two opposite sidewalls, and the end wall.
US08944826B1	Magnetic connection for cable assembly of electronic device A cable connection apparatus for an electronic device receives and retains a cable connector at the end of a cable carrying power and/or data signals. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a receptacle sized to receive the cable connector, a compartment, and a passage communicating between the compartment and the receptacle. A magnetic retaining element is coupled to a spring member located in the compartment and extends through the passage and into an external recess of the cable connector to retain the cable connector in the receptacle. The retaining element is removable from within the cable connector recess against the spring member bias by a magnetic force applied from a location external to the housing. A tool having a magnet may be used to apply magnetic force to remove the retaining element from the recess to permit withdrawal of the cable connector from the receptacle.
US08944818B2	Temporary abutment with combination of scanning features and provisionalization features A lower region of a temporary abutment includes an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with a dental implant. An upper region of the temporary abutment includes a first anti-rotational structure and at least one retention groove. A top surface of the temporary abutment includes one or more informational markers that provide information concerning the dental implant. A temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled to the upper region of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has at least one projection configured to mate with the at least one retention groove of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has a second anti-rotational structure that is configured to slideably engage the first anti-rotational structure of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled with a temporary prosthesis such that the temporary prosthesis and the temporary abutment cap are removable from the temporary abutment.
US08944817B2	Connection of a prosthesis structure with an implant structure A connection device includes a holding shell and a retention insert. The retention insert has an end side and a substantially ring-shaped retention rim projecting therefrom. The holding shell has an end side and a substantially ring-shaped holding rim projecting therefrom. An outer surface of the retention rim is at least partly spaced from and adjacent to an inner surface of the holding rim when the retention insert is arranged in the holding shell and when essentially no radial forces are acting on the holding rim and on the retention rim. In that the outer surface of the retention rim and inner surface of the holding rim are at least partly not contacting each other when essentially no radial forces are acting, it can be achieved that the retention insert is connected relatively loosely with the holding shell when the connection device has not yet been placed on the implant structure.
US08944816B2	Temporary abutment with combination of scanning features and provisionalization features A lower region of a temporary abutment includes an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with a dental implant. An upper region of the temporary abutment includes a first anti-rotational structure and at least one retention groove. A top surface of the temporary abutment includes one or more informational markers that provide information concerning the dental implant. A temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled to the upper region of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has at least one projection configured to mate with the at least one retention groove of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has a second anti-rotational structure that is configured to slidably engage the first anti-rotational structure of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled with a temporary prosthesis such that the temporary prosthesis and the temporary abutment cap are removable from the temporary abutment.
US08944814B2	Hand apparatus, in particular for dental purposes, for dispensing a pasty filler mass The invention concerns a hand apparatus (1), in particular for dental purposes, for dispensing a pasty filler mass (M) the viscosity of which can be reduced by supplying vibration energy, having an apparatus housing (5), having a container (4) for the pasty filler mass (M), having an exit nozzle (11) standing in connection with the container (4), having a vibration generator (3), and having pressure production means (18) for exercising pressure on the pasty filler mass (M). In order to improve the transfer of vibrations in the region of the of the hand apparatus the vibration generator (3) and the container (4) are mounted movably with respect to the apparatus housing (5) and are directly vibration-coupled with each other.
US08944810B2	Metal card A method and apparatus for treating a selected region of a metal layer, used to form a metal card, by annealing the selected metal region so the selected region becomes soft and ductile, while the rest of the metal layer remains stiff. The softened, ductile, selected metal region can be embossed with reduced power and with reduced wear and tear on the embossing equipment. Alternatively, the annealed metal layer can undergo additional processing steps to form an assembly which can then be embossed. The method may include the use of a fixture for holding the metal layer, with the fixture having a window region for enabling heat to be applied to soften the region of the metal layer within the window region. The fixture includes apparatus for cooling the portion of the metal layer outside of the window region and for preventing the temperature of the metal layer outside the window region from rising above predetermined limits.
US08944809B2	Tubular flame burner and combustion control method A tubular combustion chamber including a tubular combustion chamber whose front-end is open; and, fuel-gas spraying nozzles and oxygen-containing-gas spraying nozzles, for spraying a fuel and an oxygen-containing-gas separately and individually, or for spraying a premixed gas; wherein respective orifices of the respective nozzles face toward an inner surface of the combustion chamber, so as to spray the fuel-gas and the oxygen-containing-gas in a neighborhood of a tangential direction of an inner circumferential wall of the combustion chamber; wherein the tubular flame burner is a multi-stage tubular burner that is unified in a body, by using a plurality of the tubular flame burners, and by connecting the front-end of the tubular flame burner with a smaller inner diameter of the combustion chamber into the rear-end of the tubular flame burner with a greater inner diameter of the combustion chamber.
US08944806B2	Blow mold unit and blow molding machine using same A blow mold unit including a blow mold including first and second blow cavity split molds and a plurality of raised bottom molds, first and second pressure receiving plates, a first fixing plate to which the first blow cavity split mold and the first pressure receiving plate are fixed, a second fixing plate to which the second blow cavity split mold and the second pressure receiving plate are fixed, a third fixing plate interposed between the first and second fixing plates and to which the plurality of raised bottom molds are fixed at a first surface thereof, a shaft portion extending vertically from a second surface of the third fixing plate, an elevation guide block fixed to one of the first and second fixing plates and elevation guiding the shaft portion, and an elevating rod extending vertically from the second surface. There is also a blow molding machine which includes the blow mold unit.
US08944804B2	Nanostructured surfaces for biomedical/biomaterial applications and processes thereof A medical device includes a textured surface having a predetermined nanostructure, wherein the nanostructure is less than about 500 nanometers in a broadest dimension. The textures nanostructure surface reduces friction between the medical device and biological tissue.
US08944803B2	Machine and method for producing extruded concrete product A machine and method of extruding concrete building product, e.g., brick, tile, paver, or shingles, and concrete mixture therefor. The mixture has aggregate, liquid and binder that includes fly ash and can include slag with moisture content controlled producing a zero or negative slump loose feed mixture compacted in a consolidation chamber of the machine into increased density consolidated mixture extruded from an extrusion chamber in communication with the consolidation chamber with compaction force being generally transverse to extrusion force. Compaction force is maintained during extrusion through a die of non-tapering construction. Where the extruded product is a brick, the extruded slug is cut into a plurality of bricks using a rotary cutter having an offset forming an increased moisture absorbing region in the cut surface of each brick formed from the slug that better bonds with mortar during bricklaying.
US08944802B2	Fixed printhead fused filament fabrication printer and method A fused filament fabrication printer uses a plurality of fixed printing heads mounted to a structure over a build platform on which the model is built by constructing each layer of the model as the build platform is indexed through a multiplicity of successive print planes. The build platform may be in the form of a circular disk mounted for rotation about a z-axis and for linear motion along the z-axis between successive print planes, and for linear motion along a y-axis which is a selected radial direction perpendicular to the z-axis. Because the printheads are fixed, multiple printheads are easily affixed with respect to the build platform along the same radial line defining the y-axis transverse to the selected radial direction along which the build platform moves.
US08944800B2	Kitchen tool apparatus and method A kitchen tool applies texture to gnocchi or gnocchetti. The kitchen tool has a bottom surface defining a plurality of parallel longitudinal ridges. Serrations on the longitudinal ridges help the longitudinal ridges to grip a ball of dough. A cross ridge is generally normal to the longitudinal ridges and depends below the longitudinal ridges. Sides depend below the cross ridge and the longitudinal ridges. The kitchen tool may be a part of a kit that also includes a dry dough mix. A method of using the tool also is provided.
US08944796B2	Mesh and apparatus for forming and/or using mesh A method of forming a mesh by a molding a link element around other link elements to form a mesh in which the interlinking link elements are formed as continuous unjoined loops by a molding process. An apparatus for forming a mesh including a plurality of first cavities for accommodating first link elements and a plurality of second cavities for forming interlinking link elements. The method and apparatus allow the continuous production of mesh formed of a range of materials including plastics materials.
US08944791B2	Compressor assembly having oil separation feature A compressor assembly for compressing a working fluid and lubricated with an oil, including a housing having a suction plenum and a discharge plenum that defines a discharge chamber and an exhaust chamber in fluid communication through a discharge chamber outlet, and a compression mechanism disposed in the housing. A baffle member proximate the discharge chamber outlet and against which a compressed admixture of working fluid and oil expelled from the discharge chamber is impactable for separating oil from the impacting admixture. The baffle member has an oil-impingement surface for collecting oil separated from the impacting admixture and directing the flow of oil separated from the impacting admixture. Working fluid substantially at a discharge pressure and devoid of the oil collected on the oil-impingement surface is exhaustible from the exhaust chamber through the discharge port.
US08944780B2	Pumping devices, systems including multiple pistons and methods for use with medical fluids A system for delivery of medical fluid to a patient which includes a pump system and a drive system. The pump system has at least three chambers, where each chamber includes an inlet for fluid intake and an outlet for fluid expulsion, a common outlet channel in fluid communication with the outlet of each chamber, and at least three pistons, where each piston is slidably disposed within one of the chambers. The drive system includes a cam shaft having at least three cam lobes, each having a profile, and at least three cam lobe followers, each in operative connection with one of the cam lobes and adapted to be placed in operative connection with a respective piston. The profile of each of the cam lobes is adapted to provide a transient increase or spike in calculated theoretical output of the pump system to reduce periodic variation in measured output thereof.
US08944779B2	Rotary lobe pump with angular gear The invention relates to a rotary lobe pump for conveying solids-laden fluids engendered in agriculture, in which the conveyed fluid volume flow adapts itself to different operating modes. For improved self-priming, the rotary lobe pump is designed for vertical mounting of the rotary lobes, wherein an angular gear is provided. The rotary lobes are mounted in a topside or underside cover, wherein the axes of the rotary lobes are vertically oriented. Using one of the covers, the rotary lobes can be vertically removed and maintained without having to dismantle other pump components from the pump housing. The rotary lobes can also be removed together with the angular gear as an integral pump component using one of the covers.
US08944778B2	Liquid ring pump and method for operating a liquid ring pump The invention relates to a liquid ring pump (1) for generating vacuum and for pumping a flow of sewage in a vacuum sewage system. The liquid ring pump comprises in the direction of the flow of sewage a pump inlet (11), an inlet chamber (13), a pump housing (14) provided with a rotor (15) arranged on a drive shaft (16) provided with a mechanical seal (20), an outlet chamber (17), and an pump outlet (19). The mechanical seal (20) is arranged within the outlet chamber (17). The outlet chamber (17) is provided with an integrated extension (18) providing an enlargement of the outlet chamber (17) in order to retain the flow of sewage in the outlet chamber (17) before it is discharged from the pump outlet (19) in order to improve the lubrication of the mechanical seal (20).
US08944769B2	Blade assembly with improved joint strength A blade assembly for a torque converter including a shell with an inner surface and a plurality of blades attached to the shell by brazing. Each blade has a first surface for guiding a fluid in the torque converter and a second surface substantially parallel to the inner surface. The blades may include sheet steel and may be made by stamping. In an example embodiment of the invention, each blade includes at least one tab, the shell comprises a plurality of slots or indents, and the at least one tab is disposed in a respective slot or indent. The shell may be an outer shell or a core ring for a pump or turbine for the torque converter.
US08944767B2	Fuel system centrifugal boost pump impeller A centrifugal boost pump inducer section includes a plurality of inducer main blades, and a plurality of splitter blades, each of which includes normal to the blade mean line cross sectional surfaces distributed over the length of the blades, the cross sectional surfaces defined as a set of R-coordinates, theta-coordinates and Z-coordinates relative to an impeller outer diameter set out in one set of tables. A centrifugal boost pump impeller section includes a plurality of impeller main blades, a plurality of primary splitter blades, and a plurality of secondary splitter blades, each of which includes normal to the blade mean line cross sectional surfaces distributed over the length of the blades, the cross sectional surfaces defined as a set of R-coordinates, theta-coordinates and Z-coordinates relative to an impeller outer diameter set out in another set of tables.
US08944766B2	Rotor lock for a wind turbine A locking arrangement for locking a hub (1) of a wind turbine against rotational movement is disclosed. The locking arrangement comprises at least one first locking part (6) and at least one second locking part (8). The first locking part(s) (6) is/are movable along a substantially radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the hub (1), between a locking position and a release position. Each second locking part (8) is adapted to retain a first locking part (6) when the first locking part (6) is in the locking position. The first locking part(s) (6) and the second locking part(s) (8) are arranged with one of them on the hub (1) and the other one on the base frame (5). Thereby, a first locking part (6) and a second locking part (8) prevent rotational movement of the hub (1) relative to the base frame (5) when the first locking part (6) is in the locking position, and allow such movement when the first locking part (6) is in the release position.
US08944765B2	Bellows type sealing device for partition penetration by a connecting rod of a turboprop fan blade orientation control system The invention relates to a sealing device for the partition penetration of a connecting rod of a turboprop fan blade orientation control system. The device includes a bellows (60) of trunconical shape designed to allow passage of the connecting rod (50a) and having, at its wider end, means (62, 64) of attachment to the partition (58) to be sealed and, at its narrower end, an O-ring through which the connecting rod is free to slide.
US08944763B2	Turbine blade cooling system with bifurcated mid-chord cooling chamber A cooling system for a turbine blade of a turbine engine having a bifurcated mid-chord cooling chamber for reducing the temperature of the blade. The bifurcated mid-chord cooling chamber may be formed from a pressure side serpentine cooling channel and a suction side serpentine cooling channel with cooling fluids passing through the pressure side serpentine cooling channel in a direction from the trailing edge toward the leading edge and in an opposite direction through the suction side serpentine cooling channel. The pressure side and suction side serpentine cooling channels may flow counter to each other, thereby yielding a more uniform temperature distribution than conventional serpentine cooling channels.
US08944762B2	Spoked spacer for a gas turbine engine A spacer for a gas turbine engine includes a rotor ring defined along an axis of rotation and a plurality of core gas path seals which extend from the rotor ring, each of the plurality of core gas path seals extend from the rotor ring at an interface, the interface defined along a spoke.
US08944760B2	Fan frame A fan frame includes a blade holder, a pair of ventilation plates, and at least one side plate. The pair of ventilation plates is attached to opposite sides of the blade holder along a first direction and includes a pair of securing blocks. The at least one side plate is attached to the blade holder along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and located between the pair of ventilation plates. The pair of mounting slots is defined in the at least one side plate and engaged with the pair of securing blocks, thereby securing the pair of ventilation plates and the at least one side plate to the blade holder.
US08944758B2	Pump for immersion within a fluid reservoir A pump for immersion in a fluid reservoir has an extensible body, fluid conduit and drive in order that a length of the pump may be varied in order to accommodate a variety of reservoir fluid heights. In addition, the pump may be pivotable relative to at least a portion of a frame in order that the entrance angle may be adjusted. The pump has a bottom housing with a bottom inlet and at least two tangential fluid outlets that are upwardly angled towards the conduit. A combiner is provided to merge the outlets with the fluid conduit. An impeller within the housing is shaped to transfer fluid tangentially and upwardly within the housing to co-operate with the upward angle of the outlets. These features reduce fluid pressure loss and thereby increase fluid flow rate through the pump for a given input power.
US08944757B2	Fluid machine A fluid machine of an embodiment includes a sealing portion formed of an annular minute gap between a runner band of a runner configuring a rotating portion and a sealing liner which is a stationary portion and arranged in opposition to the runner band. A groove having a quadrangular cross-sectional shape is formed circumferentially on a surface of the sealing liner configuring the sealing portion. In a cross section perpendicular to a groove forming direction of the groove, an angle θ, formed between a side WU of the groove on the most upstream side with respect to the flowing direction of the leakage flow and a side W0 of the groove which is on an extended line of the surface of the sealing liner, is determined to be 15° or more and 40° or less.
US08944754B2	Gas-turbine engine with bleed-air tapping device A gas-turbine engine with at least one compressor and at least one bleed-air tapping device, which includes an annular duct in a radially outer wall of a flow duct, and with an annular closing element, which is arranged in the region of the annular duct and can be moved in a substantially axial direction from a closed position to an open position, with the closing element having an annular flow divider projection which in the open position projects in the flow duct.
US08944741B2	Container utility system A transport system for moving containers comprises a plurality of elevated supports having powered rollers and a transport having rails engaging the powered rollers. The transport has a member(s) for supporting the containers and means for moving the transport over the elevated supports.
US08944738B2	Stacked process modules for a semiconductor handling system Methods and systems are provided for a vacuum-based semiconductor handling system. The system may be a linear system with a four-link robotic SCARA arm for moving materials in the system. The system may include one or more vertically stacked load locks or vertically stacked process modules.
US08944737B2	Construction system, method and apparatus A construction system, method and apparatus for erecting buildings and the like is disclosed. The construction system comprises a plurality of lifting rams (20) operatively coupled to a power source and a controller operatively coupled to the power source to control the lifting rams. A plurality of elongate, telescopic lifting rails (28) extending beneath a construction element or part thereof, such as conventional roof members (18), are also provided. Each lifting rail is coupled to at least one lifting ram of the plurality of lifting rams to elevate the construction element to a prescribed height.
US08944723B2	Tensioner latch with pivoting segmented base A tensioner assembly for applying tension to a tubular member, such as a riser, can include an upper latch connected to the tubular member, a platform with a bore, and a plurality of lower latch segments, each having a base that is pivotally connected to the platform. After applying tension to the tubular member, the segments pivot inward to form an annular lower latch ring having an inner diameter less than an outer diameter of the upper latch. The assembly can include a locking mechanism that prevents axial movement of the upper latch, relative to the lower latch ring, after engagement. The upper latch can self-center on the lower latch as it is moved into the latching position.
US08944714B2	Applicator for combing the eyelashes and/or eyebrows or for applying a composition thereto An applicator for combing and/or for applying a composition including a molded applicator member, that includes an elongate core extending along a longitudinal axis; and at least three rows of teeth connected to the core, the rows extending along the longitudinal axis of the core, having at least one row of long teeth and at least one row of short teeth, the implantation of the rows of teeth being substantially constant around the core over at least a fraction of the length of the applicator member, at least one row of long teeth is disposed on the core in a manner that is different from a row of short teeth, the two rows differing in at least one of the following ways: the spacing of the teeth in the row; the number of teeth in the row; or the thickness of the teeth measured perpendicularly to their long direction.
US08944713B2	Cosmetic applicator and cosmetic container A cosmetic applicator for applying cosmetic material includes a shaft body, a make-up comb having comb-teeth on an outer peripheral surface of a front end of the shaft body, a make-up applicator housed within the shaft body, a grip portion provided on the shaft body, and an operating portion provided on the grip portion and connected to the make-up applicator. A cosmetic container is provided with the cosmetic applicator and a container main body for accommodating cosmetic material. The make-up applicator is configured to be projected from and housed within the front end of the shaft body due to an operation of the operating unit by a user, thereby make-up by comb or applicator can be applied in a proper manner in accordance with the usage, and risk of adhesion of the cosmetic material is prevented when the make-up is applied by comb, and usability thereof can be improved.
US08944706B2	Printer, printing system and printing method The first image which is a continuous image divided into pages is printed on the first surface of web by the first printer, and the start mark is printed at the head of each page. The second image which is a continuous image is printed on the second surface by the second printer in synchronization with recording synchronization pulses. In printing of the second image, obtained is a difference between the number of pulses inputted to the second printing mechanism between detections of preceding and succeeding start marks, and the number of pulses estimated to be inputted thereto in the case where expansion or shrinkage of web doesn't occur, to adjust the frequency of pulses on the basis of the difference. Therefore, the second image is printed in accordance with the first image on the web without being affected by expansion or shrinkage of web.
US08944704B2	Transceiver socket adapter for passive optical cable A communication device includes a mechanical shell, which is configured to be inserted into a Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) receptacle and contains a notch configured to hold a ferrule for mating with a connector of a passive optical cable. The mechanical shell includes molded upper and lower covers, which are joined together along an assembly line. A pair of elastic clips are molded integrally with at least one of the upper and lower covers and are configured to receive and hold the connector when mated with the ferrule. Circuitry within the shell includes electrical terminals configured to mate with corresponding terminals of the receptacle.
US08944694B2	Bearing device for driving wheel, and its assembling method A bearing device for a driving wheel includes an outer race having an inner periphery in which double-row outer raceway surfaces are formed; a hub wheel and an inner race having outer peripheries in which double-row inner raceway surfaces opposed to the outer raceway surfaces are formed; and double-row rolling elements interposed between the outer raceway surfaces and the inner raceway surfaces. A shaft hole of the hub wheel is formed into a cylindrical shape, and a male spline is formed on an outer periphery of a stem section of the outer joint member so that the stem section of the outer joint member is press-fit into the shaft hole of the hub wheel. With this, recesses caused to fit on the male spline with interference are formed in the shaft hole of the hub wheel, whereby the hub wheel and the outer joint member are separably coupled to each other.
US08944693B2	Rolling bearing cage and rolling bearing Each pocket of a cage have a cylindrical surface formed by a cylindrical shape having a center line extending in a radial direction, and a tapered surface contiguous with the cylindrical surface. A radial displacement of the cage is regulated by a contact of the ball with the tapered surface. In a state in which the ball is in contact with the tapered surface, an angle formed by an imaginary line extending through a contact point between the ball and the tapered surface and the center of the ball, and an imaginary perpendicular plane extending through the center of the ball and perpendicular to the radial direction, is larger than a friction angle defined by a friction coefficient at the contact point between the ball and the tapered surface.
US08944692B2	Slewing bearing and rotating section support device for wind turbine A slewing bearing assembly effective to suppress additional expenses such as a mold cost and to resolve the problem associated with insufficient strength brought about by voids and, also, a rotation section support apparatus for a wind powered turbine are provided. The slewing bearing assembly includes inner and outer rings having raceway grooves, and a plurality of balls interposed between the raceway grooves, and a spacer interposed between the neighboring balls. This slewing bearing assembly is a four point contact ball bearing, in which respective sectional shapes of the raceway grooves are so shaped as to represent shapes in which each balls contacts inner surfaces of the raceway grooves in the inner and outer rings at four points. The spacer is made of a resinous material having a melt viscosity within the range of 1000 to 2000 Pa·s at a temperature of 270° C.
US08944691B2	Bearing device The support assembly contains a shaft in the form of a shallow pipe. At the ends of the shaft, separated from each other, roller bearings are installed. Their inner rings are mounted on the shaft, and the outer rings are installed in the body. Roller bodies are placed between the rings. If a cogged cage is used, they are separated by the cage teeth. The tubular support of the cage slides along the rigidly fastened cylindrical rod. Oil is supplied under pressure to the passage of the cylindrical rod. The roller bearings receive loads transferred to them from the shaft, and the support sliding over the rod form together a friction bearing which compensates for the harmful impacts of the centrifugal forces on the cage.
US08944689B2	Sliding bearing A sliding bearing 1 includes a cylindrical bearing body; slits provided in the bearing body; straight grooves provided on an inner side of the bearing body in such a manner as to extend in an axial direction A and respectively disposed between adjacent ones of the slits which are adjacent in a direction B about an axis; a sliding surface which is provided on the inner side of the bearing body and partially severed in the direction B about the axis by the slits to and the straight grooves; a fitting groove provided in an outer surface of the bearing body; and an elastic ring which is fitted in the fitting groove. Each of the straight grooves are closed on an end face side and is open on an end face side.
US08944688B2	Radial foil bearing This relates to a radial foil bearing (3) that supports a rotating shaft (1). The radial foil bearing (3) is provided with a top foil (10), a back foil (11), and a bearing housing (12) that houses them. An engagement notch (15) that extends from the inner circumferential edge to the outer circumferential edge of the bearing housing (12) is formed at both sides of the bearing housing (12). An engagement protruding piece (30) that engages with each engagement notch (15) is provided at both side end portions of the back foil (11) on one side in the circumferential direction of the bearing housing (12).
US08944687B2	Radial foil bearing The radial foil bearing (3) for supporting a rotary shaft (1) includes a cylindrical top foil (10) disposed to face the rotary shaft (1), a back foil (11) disposed on a radially outer side of the top foil (10), and a cylindrical bearing housing (12) accommodating the top foil (10) and the back foil (11). The back foil (11) is formed in a cylindrical shape using at least one back foil piece (11a). The back foil piece (11a) includes peak portions (11c) and valley portions (11b) which are alternately formed in a circumferential direction of the top foil (10) and is fixed to the bearing housing (12) at an intermediate portion between both end portions in a circumferential direction of the back foil piece.
US08944681B2	Mobile X-ray machine with an anticollision device An X-ray machine is provided. The X-ray machine comprises an X-ray tube; an X-ray detector placed opposite the X-ray tube in a direction of emission of X-rays; and a mobile device on which the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector are mounted, the mobile device comprising a motor capable of causing the automatic movement of the X-ray machine, and an impact-sensing system coupled to the motor in order to control the movement of the mobile device in the event of an impact applied to the X-ray apparatus.
US08944680B2	X-ray facility having a recording arrangement held on support arms An X-ray facility has at least one x-ray emitter, an x-ray detector and an isocenter arranged along a central beam path between the x-ray emitter and the x-ray detector. The x-ray emitter and the x-ray detector are arranged on separate support arms. At least one rotary device is provided on each support arm, by way of which the x-ray emitter or the x-ray detector can be rotated about an axis of rotation intersecting the isocenter and not corresponding to the central beam. Wherein the axes of rotation match rotary devices assigned to one another on different support arms.
US08944678B2	Instrumentation rake assembly An instrumentation rake assembly comprises a rake tower capped at an immersed end and mated to a lead carrier at a base end. The rake tower comprises a curved wall oriented along a longitudinal axis and supporting a plurality of probe holders. The curved wall has an inner surface defining an internal passage for carrying instrumentation from the probe holders to the lead carrier. In another aspect, an instrumentation rake assembly comprises a plurality of rake towers, each having a base end and an immersed end, and each rake tower being coupled at its immersed end to one or more other rake towers.
US08944673B2	Homogenizer valve A homogenizer valve includes two or more pressurized, movable valve cones, two or more valve seats and a valve housing which surrounds the valve cones and the valve seats. The valve cones and the valve seats are disposed so that throttles occur between them, which constitute homogenization gaps, which have a gap height h. The homogenization gaps are disposed at an angle in relation to the horizontal plane. The homogenizer valve is intended to be used in existing homogenizers and has been particularly produced to be able to obtain an efficient homogenization for liquids which are processed at a lower pressure and with a greater flow, such as, for example, pasteurized milk.
US08944669B2	LED light device including LED track means with multiple surfaces or a plurality of track means and movable LED-unit(s) An LED light device includes a multiple surface LED track, or multiple LED tracks, having built-in movable LED-unit(s) which can be clipped-on, added, or inserted anywhere along the track or from ends of the track.
US08944666B2	Lighting device A lighting device is provided and includes a light guide plate including a plurality of light incident surfaces and two light emitting surfaces, a plurality of edge frames, and at least one light source. Each of the edge frames includes a main body including an accommodating groove and an opening, first and second clamp members, and first and second fixing elements respectively located on first and second ends of the main body. The light emitting surfaces are clamped by the first and second clamp members of each edge frame. Each of the light incident surfaces is inserted in the main body of one of the edge frames through the opening and accommodated in the accommodating groove. The light source is located in the accommodating groove of one of the edge frames and adjacent to the corresponding light incident surface.
US08944665B2	Back frame, method for manufacturing back frame, and backlight system The present invention provides a back frame of flat panel display device. The back frame includes at least two primary assembling pieces and the at least two primary assembling pieces are connected through joining; the at least two primary assembling pieces having lengths that are adjustable in order to form a main frame structures of the back frame that is of various sizes, in which lengths of two parallel sides of the main frame structure are both subjected to adjustment. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a back frame of flat panel display device and a backlight system. Through above arrangement, the back frame mold is made simple in structure and the expenditure of the back frame mold is reduced, and the material used for back frame is saved so as to lower down the manufacturing cost of flat panel display device.
US08944664B2	Display device and heat dissipating member A display device includes: a display panel; a bottom container member which receives the display panel; an auxiliary member including a bottom, and a side extending from an edge of the bottom, and coupled with the bottom container member; a light source unit coupled with the side of the auxiliary member; and a first heat radiating member between the auxiliary member and the light source unit. The first heat radiating member includes a phase change material.
US08944658B1	LED holder for lighting panels A panel illumination light source positioning and holding mechanism and method of operation and installation is disclosed for a light panel comprising a panel having on a front side thereof a front film forming an illumination surface, and an insertion hole through the panel to the film, the positioning and holding mechanism may comprise a hollow insertion portion extending into the insertion hole, the hollow insertion portion receiving an LED assembly; a locking mechanism locking the insertion portion in place after insertion into the insertion hole; a light pipe reception and holding mechanism, with a light pipe inserted into the light pipe reception and holding mechanism. The positioning and holding mechanism may also comprise a parallel extending portion holding the LED.
US08944654B1	Warning light and method of assembly thereof A warning light has a light transmissive dome, longitudinally extending base, plurality of clamps, and a plurality of warning light assemblies. The light transmissive dome has sidewalls which terminate in a bottom edge. Spaced apart attachment regions with a staging area, a locking area, and a first retaining lip are located along the bottom edge. The longitudinally extending base has sidewalls which terminate in a top edge. A second retaining lip extends downward from an exterior projection of the top edge. A plurality of clamps each have a face portion, and first and second engagement jaws which extend from the face portion. The first and second engagement jaws are configured to engage the first and second retaining lips. A fastener portion located on the face portion corresponds with a fastener. The fastener portion and fastener draw the first and second engagement jaws together.
US08944651B2	Vehicle light The invention relates to a motor vehicle lighting fixture which comprises at least: a light source comprising at least one LED; a light-transmitting part that is arranged such that it receives light from the light source; and a reflector that is arranged such that it reflects that portion of the light from the light source that passes through the light-transmitting part and couples it out to the front of the lighting fixture, a reflection portion and a refraction portion being provided within the light-transmitting part, wherein said reflection portion deflects the light issuing from the light source through total reflection in one direction that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the reflector, whereas the refraction portion couples out the light in the direction of the reflector.
US08944649B2	Vehicle headlight An arrangement of headlight lenses for a vehicle headlight, each headlight lens having a monolithic body of transparent material, which monolithic body includes at least one light entry face, a light passage section and at least one optically operative light exit face.
US08944643B2	Light emitting diode package, method for manufacturing the same and light source unit having the LED package Disclosed are a high efficiency LED package with reduced production costs, a method for manufacturing the same, and a light source unit having the LED package. The method for manufacturing the LED package includes preparing a mold frame on which an LED is mounted, forming a hemi-spherical lens having a reverse-conical top part and a lateral part with haze formed by sanding or bead treatment, and fixing the lens to the mold frame to enclose the LED.
US08944641B2	Lighting device, display device and television receiver A backlight unit includes: an LED; a chassis including a bottom plate provided on a side opposite to a light exit side; and a first reflection sheet. The first reflection sheet includes a quadrangular bottom portion extending along the bottom plate, and two raised portions raised from each of two adjacent sides of the quadrangular bottom portion toward the light exit side, a joint provided between two adjacent side edges of the raised portions. The side edge of a first one of the raised portions includes a facing portion facing the side edge of a second one of the raised portions in a direction in which the first one of the raised portions is raised from the quadrangular bottom portion, and the first one of the raised portions and facing portion bulge toward the light exit side to have an arched shape.
US08944635B2	Light source apparatus A light source apparatus is provided which uses a plurality of semiconductor laser devices and which offers adequate heat dissipation. The light source apparatus using a plurality of semiconductor laser devices includes a holding member on which the plurality of semiconductor laser devices is arranged, wherein at least one semiconductor laser device among the plurality of semiconductor laser devices is arranged on the holding member such that a relative position of the semiconductor laser device in an optical axis direction with respect to an adjacent semiconductor laser device in a front view of the holding member is greater than a relative position of the semiconductor laser device in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction with respect to the adjacent semiconductor laser device.
US08944633B2	Lighting device recessively mounted in a platform A lighting device includes a lighting unit, a base, a lighting trim, a connecting unit, at least one pull rope, and a plurality of resilient latching members and linking members. The base and the lighting trim are disposed on respective ends of the lighting unit. The base has a receiving hole formed thereon. At least one hole is formed on a flange portion of the lighting trim and is corresponding to the at least one pull rope. The connecting unit is received by the receiving hole and connected between one end of the pull rope and the resilient latching members. The other end of the pull rope is passed through the hole. The resilient latching members are disposed around the base and corresponding to the respective linking members.
US08944628B2	Transferrable purse organizer with interior lighting system A lighting system for illuminating the interior of a container, such as a purse, includes a light strip having multiple lights, a battery to power the lights, an ON/OFF switch to operate the lights, and a timer set to a predetermined time. Pressing the ON/OFF switch a first time activates the lights and starts the timer. Pressing the ON/OFF switch a second time while the timer is still activated will deactivate the lights. If the predetermined time elapses and the ON/OFF switch is not pressed a second time, the lights will deactivate automatically. The lighting strip is covered in a PVC protective coating and encased in a fabric encasement to match the interior of the container. The fabric encasement is stitched or otherwise fixedly attached to the interior of the container adjacent to the top opening of the container.
US08944626B2	Lighting device with switchable light sources Various lighting devices and related methods are provided. In one example, a lighting device includes a main member including a central axis. The lighting device also includes a bezel surrounding at least a portion of the main member and adapted to be concentrically rotated about the central axis. The lighting device also includes a lens asymmetrically disposed in the bezel and adapted to rotate with the bezel. The lens includes a light inlet offset from the central axis. The lighting device also includes a plurality of light sources fixed relative to the main member. Rotation of the bezel relative to the main member causes the light inlet to rotate through an arc about the central axis to selectively align different ones of the light sources with the light inlet.
US08944623B2	Display device and television receiver It is an object of the present invention to maintain high brightness of output light while ensuring sufficient color reproducibility in a liquid crystal display device. A liquid crystal display device 10 or 10′ according to the present invention includes a backlight device 12 or 40 and a liquid crystal panel 11. The backlight unit 12 or 40 includes LEDs 24 or 44 as light sources. The backlight unit 12 or 40 irradiates the liquid crystal panel 11 with light. The liquid crystal panel 11 includes a pair of substrates 11a and 11b, and a liquid crystal layer 11c. The CF substrate 11a of the liquid crystal panel 11 includes a color filter 19. The color filter 19 includes a plurality of the respective color sections R, G, B, and Y that exhibit the colors of red, green, blue, and yellow, respectively. The color filter 19 is configured such that the chromaticity of a blue color of output light obtained by passing light from the LEDs 24 or 44 through the color sections R, G, B, and Y in the color filter 19 lies outside a common region A3 of a NTSC chromaticity region A1 according to a NTSC standard and a EBU chromaticity region A2 according to a EBU standard in both a CIE1931 chromaticity diagram and a CIE1976 chromaticity diagram.
US08944622B2	Lighting system having reflector support and display device Disclosed herein are a backlight unit and a lighting system including the same. The backlight unit includes a first reflector and a bottom cover, a plurality of reflector support parts disposed on the bottom cover, each of the reflector support parts including at least two first and second slanted surfaces adjacent to each other about at least one inflection point, a second reflector disposed on the plural reflector support parts, and a light source module disposed between the first reflector and each of the second reflector.
US08944618B2	LED-based illumination modules with PTFE color converting surfaces An illumination module includes a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and a light conversion sub-assembly mounted near but physically separated from the LEDs. The light conversion sub-assembly includes at least a portion that is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material that also includes a wavelength converting material. Despite being less reflective than other materials that may be used in the light conversion sub-assembly, the PTFE material unexpectedly produces an increase in luminous output, compared to other more reflective materials, when the PTFE material includes a wavelength converting material.
US08944616B2	Display device and image-information processing apparatus equipped with the same An optical absorption layer having a plurality of openings corresponding to lenses is provided between a lens array and a first electrode. An edge of each of the openings is provided such that light entering in a normal direction of a substrate and traveling through an area where the corresponding lens has a maximum inclination angle is blocked.
US08944613B2	Vibrating device and imaging apparatus using the same A vibrating device includes a transducer including a plate-like dust-proof member and a vibration-applying member configured to vibrate the dust-proof member, a holder arranged a predetermined space apart from the dust-proof member, a sealing member configured to seal a space between the dust-proof member and the holder, and a pressing supporting member having formed therein pressing sections configured to press the dust-proof member, supporting sections for maintaining supporting of the dust-proof member or the vibration-applying member when an external force is applied to the dust-proof member, and fixing sections with respect to the holder. The pressing sections are respectively provided in positions symmetrical to each other across an imaginary axis passing a center of gravity of the transducer. Rigidity of the supporting sections is set higher than rigidity of the pressing sections.
US08944610B2	Image projection apparatus, control method, control program, and storage medium An image projection apparatus includes a light source; a projected image outputting unit having multiple mirrors arranged in a matrix, to which radiating light emitted from the light source while controlling an angle of a light reflection face of each of the mirrors; a control unit controls the angle of light reflection face of the mirrors using the a division half-toning control based on image data of a projected image, and settings of control parameters used for the time division half-toning control; and an image capturing device to capture the projected mage. When the control unit detects a false contour in a projected test pattern image based on image data of the projected test pattern image captured by the image capturing device, the control unit corrects the control parameters for the time division half-toning control based on detection of the false contour.
US08944607B2	Projector and projection condition adjustment method A projector includes an image projection section adapted to project an image, an imaging section adapted to shoot the image projected, an input image generation section adapted to generate an input image based on image information input to the projector, a first calibration image generation section adapted to generate a first calibration image having a first pattern including a plurality of detection areas superimposed on the input image to thereby make the image projection section project the first calibration image, and a projection condition adjustment section adapted to adjust a projection condition of the image based on the first calibration image shot by the imaging section. The first pattern has a first portion, and a second portion having a grayscale different from a grayscale of the first portion and rimming the first portion.
US08944603B2	Ophthalmologic apparatus An ophthalmologic apparatus includes an integration unit configured to integrate a light emission amount of a light source for illuminating a subject's eye, a comparison unit configured to compare an integration value by the integration unit with a first reference value, and an initialization unit configured to initialize the integration value if the integration value exceeds the first reference value as the comparison result by the comparison unit.
US08944597B2	Standardized display of optical coherence tomography imaging data Systems and methods for efficiently displaying large volumes of medical imaging data using pre-defined dynamic displays to illustrate key anatomic features are described. In a preferred embodiment, one or more pulse files comprising en face images of sub sections of the volume are displayed sequentially to the user in a playback loop. These displays can aid in navigation of data for review and future data acquisition. Additional images generated from the data can be displayed next to or overlaid on the pulse files.
US08944596B2	Digital-based medical devices A hand held ophthalmic examination instrument uses an illumination system that provides amber colored light from a first light source and white light from a second light source to illuminate a target of interest. An imaging system in cooperation with the illumination system captures digital images of the target of interest as illuminated by the light sources.
US08944593B2	Progressive lenses A method comprising: performing eye exam to a subject having a first and second eye; determining a prescription for the first and second eyes, the prescription describing focal power for each of the first eye and the second eye for at least three distances; and providing the prescription to a machine that produces progressive glasses that comprise a first and second lenses, wherein the first and second lenses each having at least three focal portions associated with the at least three distances that are located in a same height in the glasses thereby enabling clear vision for the subject in the first eye and the second eye with respect to the at least three distances.
US08944590B2	Electronic spectacle frames Embodiments may provide a first device that comprises eyeglasses, where the eyeglasses may further include a lens housing, a first temple and a second temple coupled to the lens housing, and a first and a second lens supported by the lens housing. The first device may further include a façade that covers the lens housing. The first device may further comprise an electronic component and at least one conductive path may be provided from the electronic component to the first lens having a portion that runs through the lens housing.
US08944588B2	Pneumatic sheet registration and clamping with vectored air flow A pneumatic table for registering and clamping thereon a sheet of substrate media for handling in a printing system including a media platen having a foraminous upper surface for receiving media. A first reversible air blower is in fluid communication with the media platen and selectively generates at least one of a positive air flow and a negative airflow through the upper surface. The positive air flow forms a gaseous layer of air between the upper surface and the media. The negative airflow fixes the media to the upper surface. A registration wall extends along an edge of the upper surface. A sheet biasing element selectively applies a biasing force to the media to move the media toward the registration wall.
US08944585B2	Printing apparatus A printing apparatus is provided which can prevent foreign matters such as ink adhering to the surface of the conveying belt from getting transferred to other constitutional components. When the conveying belt is rotating in one direction, the foreign matters adhering to the surface of the conveying belt is removed by the wiper. When the conveying belt rotates a predetermined distance in the opposite direction, the pinch roller, the electric charge removing roller and the electric charge supply roller that are in contact with the belt surface are disengaged from the surface of the conveying belt. The predetermined distance is set equal to a rotating distance that the conveying belt rotates until a portion of the surface of the conveying belt, which was in contact with the wiper, comes into contact with the pinch roller, the electric charge removing roller and the electric charge supply roller.
US08944582B2	Sheet processing apparatus and printing apparatus A sheet processing apparatus includes a heater, an irradiation unit, and a contact unit. The irradiation unit irradiates a sheet with heat rays from the heater to heat the sheet by radiant heat. The contact unit includes a member that heats a region of the sheet by coming into contact with the radiant heated sheet on a downstream side of the irradiation unit. A part of the heat rays output from the heater is radiated onto a part of a structure constituting the contact unit to raise a temperature of the member.
US08944581B2	Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, ink-jet recording apparatus, and ink-jet recording method There is provided a water-based ink for ink-jet recording, including: a self-dispersible pigment modified by sulfonic acid group; glycerol; diethylene glycol; a penetrant; and water, wherein the glycerol and the diethylene glycol satisfy the following condition (i): 0.01≦DEG/(Gly+DEG)≦0.11 (i) in the condition (i), Gly represents an amount of the glycerol in the water-based ink (% by weight); and DEG represents an amount of the diethylene glycol in the water-based ink (% by weight).
US08944580B2	Photosensitive resin composition, method for manufacturing structural body, and liquid discharge head A photosensitive resin composition includes: a cation polymerizable compound; a photoacid generator having an anion portion represented by the chemical formula 1 and a cation portion, wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group which may be substituted with a fluorine atom and has a total carbon number of 1 to 30; X is selected from the group consisting of a carbon atom and a phosphorous atom; Y is selected from the group consisting of —S(═O)2—, —O—CF2—, —C(═O)—CF2—, —O—C(═O)—CF2—, —C(═O)—O—CF2—, and a single bond; R has at least one fluorine atom when Y is —S(═O)2— or the single bond; m and n are integers selected from the group consisting of m+n=3 and n=0, 1, and 2 when X is the carbon atom; m and n are integers selected from the group consisting of m+n=6 and n=0 to 5 when X is the phosphorous atom; and R and Y may be different from each other when m is equal to or greater than 2; and a salt of an anion portion and a cation portion, wherein an acid strength of an acid derived from the anion portion is equal to or greater than that of hexafluorophosphoric acid and equal to or less than that of hexafluoroantimonic acid.
US08944576B2	Inkjet recording apparatus An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink passage member capable of supplying ink from an ink storage unit to a carriage, a passage connecting member capable of connecting the ink passage member to a recording head, an operating member capable of switching the passage connecting member between a connection state where the ink passage member is connected to the recording head and a disconnection state where the ink passage member is disconnected from the recording head, and an operating-member regulating member regulating the operating member. The operating-member regulating member is capable of switching the operating member between a state where switching to the disconnection state by the operating member is permitted and a state where this switching is prevented.
US08944572B2	Liquid discharge head and recording device using same A liquid ejecting head and a recording device are disclosed. The liquid ejecting head includes a fluid channel member and compressing members. The fluid channel member is elongated in a first direction. The fluid channel member includes ejection holes, compression chambers and a manifold. The compressing members is bonded to the fluid channel member. The manifold includes: a length extending in the first direction; openings at the first and second end portions of the fluid channel member; and secondary manifolds divided by one or more partitions that are elongated in the first direction. The compression chambers connected to one of the secondary manifolds configure two compression chamber rows disposed along the secondary manifolds, and the compression chambers belonging to the two compression chamber rows do not overlap in the first direction with compression chambers belonging to compression chamber rows adjacent to the two compression chamber rows.
US08944566B2	Inkjet print head There is provided an inkjet print head including: an ink discharging unit including a plurality of actuators; a connection substrate disposed on the ink discharging unit and having a first circuit pattern electrically connected to the plurality of actuators; and a switching board having a second circuit pattern connected to the first circuit pattern and including a plurality of driving integrated chips (ICs) controlling the plurality of actuators.
US08944563B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes an ejecting head that ejects fluid onto a recording medium, and a head moving portion that makes the ejecting head reciprocate in a first direction. In the recording apparatus, the head moving portion includes a guide shaft which is arranged along the first direction, a first carriage which is supported on the guide shaft, and moves in the first direction along the guide shaft, and a second carriage which is provided integrally with the ejecting head, is provided so as to be movable in a second direction in which a distance between the ejecting head and the recording medium is changed between the first carriage and the second carriage, and is positioned in a state where a part of the second carriage is abutted against the guide shaft such that inclination of the ejecting head with respect to the first direction is restricted.
US08944554B2	Liquid jetting apparatus There is provided a liquid jetting apparatus including: a main body, a liquid jetting head including a plurality of nozzles, a first board including a data generation circuit which generates a jetting control data, a second board, and first and second wiring members respectively connecting the liquid jetting head and the first and second boards, wherein the first wiring member is provided with jetting-data transmission wires, and the first wiring member is arranged to bend on an inner side of the second wiring member.
US08944545B2	Imaging device including a printhead controlled to eject fluid An inkjet printer maintenance system that includes a processing unit adapted for running a print application corresponding to an image to be printed in response to a print input. The processing unit is further adapted to run a print driver that is capable of receiving a pixel data and information based on the print input. The inkjet printer maintenance system further includes a controller unit communicably coupled to the processing unit for receiving a print data from the print driver. Furthermore, the inkjet printer maintenance system includes a plurality of printhead enclosures communicably coupled to the controller unit. One or more printhead enclosures are adapted to receive the print data and information corresponding to a printing configuration for a printing operation. The information includes information about one of activating and deactivating multiple firing. Further disclosed is a method for maintenance of an inkjet printer.
US08944544B2	Printing apparatus and printing method The present invention provides a printing apparatus and a printing method which, even if print media of different sizes are printed, can print images in well-balanced, optimum layouts according to the size of each of the print media. Thus, the printing apparatus according to the present invention has leading end detector which detects a leading end of a print medium and trailing end detector which detects a trailing end of the print medium. The printing apparatus further has print control unit which prints images based on a first print data for which a print start position is determined on the basis of the leading end detected by the leading end detector and second print data for which a print start position is determined on the basis of the trailing end detected by the trailing end detector.
US08944543B2	Process for the manufacturing of surface elements A process for the manufacturing of surface elements is provided herein. The surface elements can include a decorative upper layer and a supporting core. A supporting core with a desired format is manufactured and provided with an upper side and a lower side. The upper side of the supporting core is provided with a décor, by for example printing, which décor is positioned after a predetermined fixed point on the supporting core. The upper side of the supporting core is provided with a protecting, at least partly translucent, wear layer by for example spray coating, roller coating, curtain coating and immersion coating or by being provided with one or more sheets of α-cellulose impregnated with thermosetting resin or lacquer.
US08944541B2	Vacuum panel cabinet structure for a refrigerator A vacuum panel cabinet structure comprising a frame having side and back framing members defining a frame opening and panel receptacles, framing edges, at least one outwardly expanded framing member, and an inner surface. A plurality of vacuum panels disposed in the panel receptacles. A barrier layer disposed on the vacuum panels. An outer enclosure having at least one extruded channel engaging the at least one outwardly expanded framing member, at least one outwardly contoured hinge, and an inward surface defining a frame receptacle into which the frame is disposed. A liner having at least four sidewalls, a back panel, a liner outer facing surface, and a liner perimetrical flange, wherein the liner outer facing surface is disposed within the frame opening proximate the frame inner surface. The liner perimetrical flange is disposed to the outer enclosure and includes a hermetically sealed infrastructure notch.
US08944539B2	Sealing system for refrigerator The present invention discloses a sealing system for a refrigerator and, more particularly, a sealing system located between the doors of a refrigerator and its acclimatized chambers and of the kind that comprises a gasket to be inserted in a receiving channel existing also between the doors of a refrigerator and its acclimatized chambers. The sealing system for refrigerator herein reported consists of at least one gasket comprising a tubular body formed by at least one attaching end and by at least one sealing body; at least one groove defined in at least one movable door or at least one fixed cabinet; and by at least one rib defined in at least one movable door or at least one fixed cabinet.
US08944537B1	Drawer latch assembly a toolbox assembly A container 10 having a latch assembly 40 which reduces the likelihood that a drawer 16 will undesirably and/or inadvertently move to an open position.
US08944534B2	Refrigerator includes a second door disposed on a first door, a shelf disposed on the first door, a connection assembly connecting the shelf to the second door and linking opening of the second door to rotate the shelf Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage space, a first door opening or closing the storage space, an accommodation device defining an accommodation space opened toward a front surface of the first door, a second door disposed on the first door to open or close the accommodation device, a shelf disposed on the first door, the shelf being spread to the outside of the accommodation device by the rotation thereof, and a connection assembly connecting the shelf to the second door, the connection assembly being linked with the opening of the second door to rotate the shelf. Thus, convenience of use may be improved.
US08944531B2	Container assembly mountable to a door A container assembly may include a container having a side wall defining and circumscribing a container interior, a first frame extending from and about the side wall and defining an outer terminal portion sized and configured to abut a door about an opening formed therein, a second frame defining an outer terminal portion sized and configured to abut the door about the opening and an inner terminal portion sized and configured to extend over at least a portion of the opening about a periphery of the opening, and at least a first fixation member to secure the first frame to the second frame with the container extending into the opening and with a portion of the door adjacent to the opening positioned between the outer terminal portions of the first and second frames to clamp the container assembly to the door about the opening.
US08944529B2	Electronic device enclosure An electronic device enclosure includes a chassis, a mounting tray attached to the chassis, a handle rotatably attached to the mounting tray, and a resilient member. The handle includes a securing post. The resilient member includes a first portion, a second portion, and a curling portion connected to the first portion and the second portion. The curling portion is engaged with the securing post. The first portion is engaged with the handle, and the second portion extends out of the handle and abuts the mounting tray. The handle is rotated away from the mounting tray to deform the resilient member, and the resilient member is released to rotate the handle towards the mounting tray.
US08944528B2	Method and system for brake control Methods and systems are provided to reduce a hard brake pedal feel. A brake control variable is adjusted in anticipation of a hard pedal condition to increase hydraulic brake line pressure and maintain a normal pedal feel. A pedal force is inferred from brake line pressure relative to brake booster vacuum.
US08944527B2	Brake cylinder with parking brake function A brake cylinder having a parking brake function includes a cylinder housing, a piston, and a piston tube for actuating a brake. A threaded bolt protruding into the piston tube and fixed to the cylinder housing by its upper end is used to effect the parking brake function. A clamping nut displaceable by means of a forked, axially rotatable driving element extends over the threaded bolt. The driving element is rotated with the clamping nut while the cylinder is subjected to pressure by the parking brake until the clamping nut is supported against the piston in the parking position of the piston. The piston is mechanically locked when the cylinder housing is not subjected to pressure.
US08944526B2	Vehicle brake system Upon occurrence of a change in the load versus fluid loss property, the braking force for the given brake pedal operation amount is changed so that the vehicle operator is enabled to perceive the change in the load versus fluid loss property. In a vehicle brake system comprising a motor actuated cylinder, wheel cylinders, a stroke sensor for detecting a brake pedal operation amount, a target value setting circuit for setting a target stoke of the motor actuated cylinder, and a fluid pressure compensating circuit for correcting the target stoke upon detection of a deviation between a brake fluid pressure reference value corresponding to the brake pedal operation amount and an actual brake fluid pressure in a direction to reduce the deviation, a stroke limiting circuit restricts a compensation value produced by the fluid pressure compensation circuit according to the brake pedal operation amount.
US08944525B2	Valve arrangement for controlling a brake system of a trailer vehicle A valve arrangement for controlling a brake system, comprising at least one spring brake cylinder and at least one service brake cylinder, of a trailer vehicle of a traction vehicle-trailer combination, characterized in that said valve arrangement includes a 3/2 way valve which, as a function of the control pressure present at its control inlet, connects either its connection, which is connected to an outlet of a control valve device in order to generate service brake pressure for the at least one service brake cylinder, or connects its connection, which is connected to a trailer-vehicle-side compressed air supply, to its further connection which is connected to the at least one spring brake cylinder.
US08944518B2	Drum housing for a working drum of a construction machine or mining machine, construction machine or mining machine, as well as method for monitoring the condition of a working drum of a construction machine or mining machine In a drum housing for a working drum of a construction machine or mining machine for working off milled material movable in a working direction, said working drum being provided with tools and rotating about a drum axis, with a housing shell that at least partially encloses the circumference of the working drum, and with at least one monitoring device arranged radially outside of the housing shell, said monitoring device inspecting the condition of the working drum or of the tools thereof, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: at least one inspection opening for each monitoring device is arranged in the housing shell, and a partial flow of the milled material passes through the at least one inspection opening during the milling operation and guiding devices conduct the partial flow, in radial direction behind the housing shell, in front of or behind the working drum as seen in the working direction.
US08944514B2	Child support device with seat insert Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a child support device configured for providing an adjustable seating space for a child. According to various embodiments, the child support device includes one or more seat inserts configured for being secured within the child support device's seating space. The seat inserts may be positioned at various locations within the seating space in order to reduce the volume of the seating space and provide additional support for a child seated therein. In various embodiments, the seat inserts are secured to the child support device such that they remain in a fixed, supportive position within the child support device.
US08944511B2	Armrest assembly An armrest assembly includes a base, an arm support, and a connector. The base includes a connecting portion and an installing portion formed at two opposite ends thereof. The installing portion is adapted for installing to a chair. A first surface at one end of the connecting portion is opposite to the installing portion. The arm support is supported on the base and includes a second surface faced to the first surface of the base. A cavity is defined in one of the first and second surfaces. An engaging member is formed on the other of the first and second surfaces and pivotably received in the cavity between an unlocked position and a locked position. A connector is received in the cavity of the arm support and engaged with the engaging member. The arm support is fixed to the base in the locked position.
US08944509B2	Reclining device A reclining device includes: a first member attached to one of a seat back and a seat cushion and having an attachment protrusion with an erected wall surface; a second member fitted into the first member and attached to the other member of the seat back and the seat cushion; a lock mechanism that controls relative rotation of the first and second members; an operation member that controls the lock mechanism; a spring disposed at the first member and biases the operation member; and a spring cover covering the spring, the spring cover having an elastic protrusion that can press-contact the erected wall surface of the attachment protrusion of the first member.
US08944508B2	Seat reclining device In an eccentric-drive equipped seat reclining device including a cover having internal teeth, a base member, an external gear having fewer external teeth than a number of the internal teeth, a pair of wedge-shaped members and a guide plate located in an eccentric space between the cover and the external gear, a spring biasing the pair of wedge-shaped members apart from each other, and a driving member for circumferentially pushing the pair of wedge-shaped members, the external gear has a cylindrical protrusion. The base member has a first axially-recessed portion for press-fitting the external gear to the base member, a second axially-recessed portion accommodating the cylindrical protrusion, and a third axially-recessed portion accommodating the spring. Protrusions, formed integral with an annular outer peripheral portion of a backface of the second axially-recessed portion, are fitted to respective recessed portions of a seat-cushion side arm.
US08944507B2	Ergonomic adjustable chair mechanisms Seating mechanisms enable the user to vary the seating angle of a chair or stool by enabling at least the portion of the chair that supports the thighs to be tilted forwardly to controllably increase the seating angle while maintaining the spine and pelvic region in vertical alignment. The extent of forward tilt is controlled by pressure applied by the user's thighs that also serves to counterbalance the weight of the user's torso.
US08944505B2	Swiveling passenger seat Described are passenger seat assemblies having a seat back support, a seat pan coupled to the seat back support, a seat support structure coupled to the seat pan, wherein the seat support structure comprises a mounting channel, and a mounting bar inserted through the mounting channel and coupled to the seat support structure. The mounting bar is configured to pivotally couple to a passenger cabin. The mounting bar may also be configured to rotate the passenger seat assembly between an upright position and a reclined position.
US08944502B2	Saddle for a bicycle Saddle for bicycle, comprising a shaped shell (2) for the support of the user and at least a rail (3) for connecting the saddle to a seat post, the saddle comprises fixing detachable means (4) of the rail to the shell, and means of regulation (28) of the rigidity of the shell.
US08944499B2	Armrest for vehicle The present invention discloses an armrest for a vehicle, the armrest having a front end, a rear end, and two sides; an intake port formed in the front end of an armrest body; an exhaust port formed in the rear end of the armrest body; a blower installed in the armrest body, the blower being connected to the exhaust port by an exhaust duct, and to the intake port by an intake duct, wherein the intake duct is configured to extend rearward from the intake port, branch off into a plurality of diverged parts, and converge prior to connection with the blower; a plurality of cup holders arranged in a row and positioned forward of the blower and proximate to the diverge parts of the intake duct; and a thermoelement disposed on each of the cup holders, the thermoelement being brought into close contact with the intake duct.
US08944495B2	Fender panel mounting structure A front fender panel and an apron upper member are connected via an impact absorbing bracket. The impact absorbing bracket has a first supporting leg portion and a second supporting leg portion that form an angle with one another as seen from a vehicle vertical direction. The first supporting leg portion and the second supporting leg portion are connected, via a connecting portion, further toward a vehicle lower side than a fender panel mounting portion.
US08944491B2	Wind deflector In a wind deflector for installation in a vehicle roof in a front area, comprising a wind deflector body which extends in a direction of extension transversely to a direction of travel, a lifting device, with which the wind deflector body can be moved between a position retracted into the vehicle roof and a position extended out of the vehicle roof and projecting beyond a contour of the upper side of the vehicle roof and thus deflecting wind, wherein the lifting device has at least one lifting unit with a mounting base and a lifting arm which is mounted with a lifting arm bearing for pivoting about a first pivot axis relative to the mounting base and engages on the wind deflector body at an end located opposite the lifting arm bearing, in order to achieve a reliable movability of the wind deflector body with devices which are as mechanically simple as possible it is suggested that an actuating unit which is supported on the mounting base and engages on the lifting arm be provided for moving the lifting arm and that the actuating unit and the lifting arm bearing be displaceable relative to one another in a direction of displacement extending transversely to the first pivot axis of the lifting arm bearing for the purpose of pivoting the lifting arm.
US08944489B2	Variable aerodynamic device A variable aerodynamic device for a vehicle, comprising: a wing element (1) having a front and a rear; a frame or body (2) for mounting to a vehicle; a linear actuator (4, 5) mounted between the body (2) and a first mounting point or first location (8) on the wing element for moving the rear of the wing element between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the body; and a guide strut or linkage (9) mounted between the body and the wing element, the linkage being pivotally coupled to the wing element at a second mounting point or second location (10) forwards of the first location (8); the linkage being configured such that when the rear of the wing element is moved by the linear actuator between the raised position and the lowered position, the second location moves rearwardly relative to the body.
US08944488B2	Vehicle door arrangement and method for the assembly thereof A vehicle door arrangement includes a trim panel, a structural element and a second trim panel. A connection between the first trim panel and the second trim panel comprises a sealing element. The first trim panel comprises an attachment element which extends along the sealing element and interacts with the sealing element.
US08944482B2	Cast steel railway wheel A cast steel railway wheel includes a hub that has an axial bore. A rim is concentric with the bore. A plate extends substantially radially from the hub to the rim. The plate has a front face and a rear face. The plate has a plurality of spokes that extend between the hub and the rim. Adjacent spokes have different thicknesses defined between the front face and the rear face.
US08944479B2	Vehicle door fixing apparatus A vehicle door fixing apparatus, a fixed wedge configured to be fixedly attached to one of a vehicle body panel and a door panel, a base plate configured to be fixedly attached to the other one of the vehicle body panel and the door panel, a movable wedge slidably provided at the base plate, a biasing member biasing the movable wedge toward the fixed wedge, and a cover fixedly attached to the base plate and covering around the biasing member.
US08944475B2	Methods and systems for knotting a bead A knotting mechanism includes a rod having a tapered end. The retaining mechanism includes a first leg and a second leg. A nook is defined between the first and second legs. The retaining mechanism is actuatable between an open configuration to selectively provide access to at least a portion of the nook and a closed configuration to selectively restrict access to at least the portion of the nook.
US08944473B2	Quick connector with a sensor housing A quick connector assembly (20) includes a coupling housing (22) having a fluid quick connector (34) disposed about an end (24) and a sensor quick connector (40) axially aligned with an auxiliary axis (A2). A sensor housing (42) is insertable along the auxiliary axis (A2) to couple a sensor with the coupling housing (22). The sensor quick connector (40) includes at least one leg (48) and the sensor housing (42) includes a locking barb (44) extending radially outwardly to flex the leg (48) during axial movement of the sensor housing (42). The leg (48) includes a mechanical stop (54) and the locking barb (44) includes a shoulder (70) for engaging the mechanical stop (54) to establish an interlocked position of the housings (22, 42) and prevent rotational movement of the sensor housing (42) about the auxiliary axis (A2).
US08944466B2	Vehicle outrigger and stabilized vehicle using same An outrigger is disclosed for stabilizing a wheeled vehicle having an extensible service equipment mounted to a chassis thereof. The outrigger is deployable between a stowed and a deployed position where a foot of a telescopic leg assembly comes into contact with the ground thus stabilizing the vehicle. The telescopic leg assembly is mounted to the chassis of the vehicle such that travel of the foot is initially in a horizontal direction with no downward component followed subsequently by travel in a substantially vertical direction with limited horizontal movement such that when the foot comes into contact with the ground, lateral forces are limited. There is also disclosed a stabilized wheeled vehicle comprising opposed pairs of outriggers.
US08944465B2	Vehicle A vehicle includes a pair of front wheels, at least a pair of rear wheels, a frame portion supported by the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels, a first seat portion and a second seat portion supported by the frame portion and arranged side by side in a width direction of the vehicle, a steering wheel in front of the first seat portion, and a roll-over protection cage supported by the frame portion and covering the first seat portion, the second seat portion and the steering wheel. The first seat portion includes a first seat back portion which has a first backrest surface. The second seat portion includes a second seat back portion which has a second backrest surface. The first seat portion and the second seat portion are adjacent to each other in a width direction of the vehicle. At a height of a lower end of the steering wheel, a center of the second backrest surface is at a more rearward position than a center of the first backrest surface.
US08944464B2	Arrangement for a motor vehicle A motor vehicle has a cover module (4) formed from a brittle material and a rollover hoop (10) in a passive position below the cover module (4). The rollover hoop (10) moves to an active position in a rollover and breaks through at least the cover module (4).
US08944462B2	Air bag with uninflated pocket An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) for being inflated between an instrument panel (36) and a seat (22) of the vehicle (12) is provided. The protection device (14) includes a front portion (70) that has a panel (72) presented towards the vehicle seat (22), a rear portion (76) adjacent the instrument panel (36), and top and bottom portions (90, 92) interconnecting the front portion (70) and the rear portion (76) to define an inflatable volume (54). A pocket (100) defines an uninflated volume (102) outside of the inflatable volume (54). The pocket (100) is defined by a single panel (160) of the protection device (14). The panel (100) extends along a centerline (162) and includes an extension (180) of material on each side of the centerline (162). The extensions (180) overly one another and are interconnected along a seam (106) to form the pocket (100).
US08944456B2	Dimensionally adjustable vehicle A dimensionally adjustable vehicle, which comprises a platform of pivoting and non-pivoting plates arranged such that the spacing between a pair of the non-pivoting plates is changed to dimensionally adjust the vehicle upon application of an initiating force to a plurality of the pivoting plates which causes a pivoting motion. A section of the platform includes a pair of laterally adjacent and laterally pivoting plates which is interposed between a pair of the non-pivoting plates such that a lateral side of each of the laterally pivoting plates is pivotally connected to a lateral side of an adjacent non-pivoting plate. Application of the initiating force the pair of laterally adjacent and laterally pivoting plates causes a lateral dimension of the vehicle to be adjusted.
US08944454B2	Dual-track tilt mechanism The present invention is directed to a tilt-in-space wheelchair that limits the shift of the center of a gravity of a wheelchair occupant during tilting. The wheelchair comprises a main frame adapted to be supported on a surface by wheels, a seat frame for supporting a occupant, and an arc plate for slidably or rollably supporting the seat frame with respect to the main frame. The arc plate defines a first track and a second track that guide the tilting of the seat frame relative to the frame. The first track and second track may have non-constant curvatures. Further, the first track and second track may be arranged non-concentrically on the arc plate and may have different lengths.
US08944451B2	Moveable support platform A retractable vehicle step is attachable to a vehicle or truck. The vehicle step facilitates access to a cargo hold of the vehicle. Advantageously, the vehicle step may be pulled out from under the vehicle by the foot of a user. The vehicle step desirably has a covered and protected biasing mechanism for transitioning between retracted and extended positions of the stepping member.
US08944450B2	Mountable water spray shield A mountable water spray shield device is shown herein. A rigid sheet, with an inverted, cropped tear-drop profile, is attached to a rear insert section, and is mounted to a designated vehicle within the area defined by the wheel well and between a pair of tires of the designated vehicle via a bracket secured to the undercarriage of the vehicle. During operation of the designated vehicle upon a wet roadway, the mountable water spray shield serves to divert water spray which would otherwise be emitted into the path of adjacent traffic by rotation of the tires upon the wet roadway at speed.
US08944445B2	System for manipulating concrete spreading hoses A mobile support system for supporting a concrete pouring hose supports ten to sixteen feet of hose while providing sufficient ground clearance to avoid common obstacles. The mobile support system features large castors and conveniently placed hand holds to permit the mobile support system to be moved safely and easily. The system provides for socketed leg attachment, thereby allowing for ease of disassembly and storage.
US08944442B2	Shrinkable load supporter of a pushcart A shrinkable load supporter of a truck includes a telescopic pole set having two end respectively combined with a front base and a rear base and threadably fixed with positioning tubes. Fixed over grooves of the front base and the rear base respectively is a pressing rod, which presses on outer tubes and inner tubes of the telescopic pole set. The pressing rod is provided with plural through holes corresponding to threaded holes of the front base and said rear base. With screws threadably fixed in said through holes of the pressing rod and the threaded holes of the front base and the rear base, the telescopic pole set can thus be firmly combined together with the front base and the rear base.
US08944441B2	Steering assembly for a human-driven vehicle, and human-driven vehicle The steering assembly is applicable to a human-driven vehicle having a chassis (1) mounted on self-orienting wheels (2). The steering assembly comprises a steering unit (50b) with a steering wheel (4) installed on a mobile support and maintained out of contact with the ground by elastic means at an end (1b) of the chassis (1), and a control unit (50a) with a command member (7) in another end of the chassis. The units are connected by transmission devices (19, 20, 21). The command member (7) is manually operable to lower the steering wheel (4) against the force of said elastic means and to make the steering wheel (4) rotate with respect to a substantially vertical shaft when the wheel (5) is in contact with the ground to steer the vehicle. The elastic means automatically lift the steering wheel (4) when the manual operation of the command member (7) ceases.
US08944436B2	Radial shaft seal A radial shaft seal has a support body and at least one sealing element that is a part produced separate from the support body and is connected to the support body by an adhesive connection. A static seal part that is a part separate from the sealing element and is arranged on a wall of the support body is provided. Alternatively, the sealing element comprises an integral static seal part and the static seal part is formed by a radially projecting edge of the holding part of the sealing element that projects radially past the wall of the support body.
US08944434B2	Melding card games with solving component The present disclosure is directed to card games, and more particularly to card games in which players play to form certain card combinations or “melds,” in order to collect information that in turn allows the players to solve a puzzle.
US08944432B2	Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus A sheet conveying device includes a shift unit. The shift unit includes a gate member configured to align a recording medium being conveyed thereto by causing a leading end of the recording medium to abut against the gate member so that part of the recording medium bends to form a curved portion; a pair of registration rollers configured to convey the recording medium aligned by the gate member at a predetermined timing, the pair of registration rollers including a driving roller and a driven roller, the driving roller having a rotating shaft coaxial with a rotational central shaft of the gate member; and a drive transmitting unit configured to transmit rotational drive from a drive unit to the driving roller, the drive transmitting unit being disposed on an end side of the rotating shaft of the driving roller.
US08944431B1	Compact inverter for cut sheet media A media inverting system is described for a cut sheet printing system. A first media transport advances a media sheet in a first direction, the media sheet having a first side that contacts the first media transport and an opposing second side. A rotatable member having a rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the first direction receives the media sheet from the first media transport and rotates to advance the media sheet around the rotatable member. A rotatable member force mechanism is switchable between a first state where the second side of the media sheet is held to the rotatable member, and a second state where the media sheet is released. A second media transport receives the media sheet from the rotatable member and advances the media sheet in an inverted orientation in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the first direction.
US08944430B2	Guard for a machine for processing sheets, e.g. punch or printing machine, in particular in the region of the delivery On a machine for processing sheets it is provided, in particular in a region of a delivery, to completely close a rear opening on the end side by at least one upper and one lower cover. Lateral openings are also closable by movable guards, which at least partially are formed from a transparent material.
US08944428B2	Removable media dam with separator roll positioner for a media tray A removable media dam for a media input tray. The removable media dam is mountable in a front wall of the media tray and may contain one or more rollers for feeding media from the media input tray. The removable media dam includes a separator roll positioner for angularly rotating a separator roll between a retracted position and an extended position to adjust the height of the separator roll with respect to a media contact surface thereby varying the media sheet separation force applied by the separator roll to media sheets being fed from the media tray. In one form, the removable media dam is mountable by a user without the use of tools.
US08944425B2	Methods and systems for installing screen protectors for electronic devices In some embodiments, the instant invention is a kit having at least: a tray, having: a first cutout, a second cutout, and a third cutout; and a protective film for an electronic device, where a first alignment tab and a second alignment tab are attached to the protective film, where the at least one first alignment tab includes a first alignment portion that extends from an edge of the protective film, where the at least one second alignment tab includes a second alignment portion that extends from the edge of the protective film, where the first alignment portion of the first alignment tab matches a shape of the second cutout and where the second alignment portion of the second alignment tab matches a shape of the third cutout so that the first alignment tab and the second alignment tab are capable of aligning the protective film within the first cutout.
US08944421B2	Device for aerating a suspension held in a treatment tank The invention relates to a device for aerating a suspension held in a treatment tank, in particular wastewater, activated sludge and the like, with a frame having longitudinal spars (1) and a compressed-air diffuser (3), the housing (G) of which has a multiplicity of first connecting pieces (4) for the connection of air diffuser lines (5) and a second connecting piece (6) for the connection of an air feed line, wherein the housing (G) is fastened to the frame such that first axes of the first connecting pieces (4) run approximately parallel to a plane containing the longitudinal spars (1). To simplify assembly, it is proposed that a second axis of the second connecting piece (6) forms an angle of 30 to 60° with the plane.
US08944419B2	Contact tray for a mass transfer column The valve cover has a guide vane extending laterally and downwardly from the central portion towards and in spaced relation to the tray deck for deflecting a majority of the vapor passing upwardly through an orifice downward towards the tray deck. A de-entrainment device with a downwardly angled deflector in vertical alignment with an orifice in the tray deck may be integrated or not with the valve cover below the tray deck.
US08944416B2	Membrane based contactor module for mass and heat transfer An apparatus for the transfer of mass and heat including a membrane having a hydrophilic surface and an opposing hydrophobic surface. The construction prevents transmission or leakage of fluids from one side of the membrane to the other regardless of pressure gradients within the membrane bubble point or water intrusion pressure range, but allows the transfer of vaporized fluid from one side of the membrane to the other.
US08944413B1	Solar-powered boat lift A solar-powered boat winch suited for installation upon boat lifting structures such as those in a remote location. The solar powered boat winch includes an electric motorized winch, a solar cell, a rechargeable battery, a recharger, and mechanical mounts for attaching the solar powered boat winch to a boat lift structure. The solar cell collects sufficient solar energy and converts it into electricity that charges the rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery acts as the power source for an electric motor of the winch. The winch assembly also includes remote controlled operation.
US08944412B2	Cable routing apparatus This invention is a machine designed to route the preliminary rope or small gauge cables in cable tray while creating a safer and easier work environment. The machine will be placed on top of the cable tray and be used to route desired cables. It will utilize a wireless remote switch that will be controlled by an operator from a safe location; it will use two motors to move the machine which be attached to four hinged wheels with an inner shaft and wheel shaft. The wheels will be set on top of the flanges of the cable tray and will guide themselves along the desired path.
US08944406B2	Throttle device A throttle device, includes a housing, a gas conduit, a throttle shaft, a throttle body movable by means of the throttle shaft. According to the invention, a bearing is provided for supporting the throttle shaft on the housing, in which for sealing off an interstice in fluid-tight fashion between the throttle shaft and the housing, and in particular outside the bearing, a viscous medium is disposed in the interstice.
US08944405B2	Solenoid valve plate An electromagnetic hydraulic valve or solenoid having an electric plug, housing, magnetic coil, armature and armature pin, valve body and associated valve seat and valve plate and associated valve seat, the valve plate axially retained, but, freely floating laterally within the housing, such that the valve plate and valve plate seat is movable to align with the valve body and valve body seat.
US08944404B2	Gas safety valve A gas safety valve (1) capable of avoiding unwanted or inadvertent opening and possible closing, with maximum safety and allowing an opening, and possible closing, of these safety valves only through a double intentional and reliable maneuver includes a knob (22) for controlling the shutter (7) of the valve (1), during the opening and closing rotation movement, stop projections (32, 33) of the valve (1) slide on sliding segments (37, 38; 37B, 38B) provided in the knob (22) coplanar or flat-like inclined and associated to relative positioning projections (41, 42), a spring (28) housed in a chamber between a threaded end (19) of a screw (11), and a chamber (23) of the knob (22).
US08944401B2	Vibration damper of a vehicle and method of reducing vibration In a vehicle an auxiliary machine (13) such as an air compressor is physically associated with the vehicle battery (12). The battery provides for substantial additional mass which resists transmission of noise and vibration from the small machine to the vehicle structure (11). The small machine (13) may itself form part of a battery clamp arrangement.
US08944396B2	Screen supporting device and torsion adjusting structure A torsion adjusting structure, which is installed on a shaft and a carrying member pivoted on the shaft, includes a gear, a pair of friction washers, and a linkage assembly. The shaft passes through the gear and the friction washers respectively abutted on two opposite surfaces of the gear. The linkage assembly installed on the carrying member has an engaging portion. The linkage assembly is adjusted between an engaging position and a separating position. When the linkage assembly is at the engaging position, the engaging portion engages with the gear for enabling rotation of the carrying member to rotate the gear to rub the friction washers, thereby providing the carrying member with an additional torsion. When the linkage assembly is at the separating position, the engaging portion separates from the gear for maintaining the relative position between the gear and the friction washers.
US08944391B2	Hand operated mount A hand operated mount 100 is disclosed which can be mounted into the roof of a vehicle, vessel, or building and used to accurately control from inside the vehicle, vessel or building various types of devices that can be externally mounted on it, such as spotlights 127, cameras 110, heat measuring devices 123, listening devices 129, loud speakers 130, water canons 150, guns 118, and other type devices that are necessary to aim. The horizontal axis remains on a horizontal plane and rotates 360 degrees uninterrupted. The vertical axis rotates 180 degrees. The two axis of movement gives the ability to aim mounted devices in any direction. Power is supplied though an electric disc and rod eliminating the restriction of a wire that would prevent 360 degree uninterrupted rotation. Vertical and horizontal brakes and adjustable resistance allows ease of use and the ability to lock the mounted devices in position.
US08944389B2	Flexible hose tensioning device A flexible hose tensioning device includes a shaper roller for receiving a flexible hose. The shaper roller includes guide grooves, into which raised sections of the flexible hose engage. The shaper roller and the guide grooves are configured so that there is a form fit between the shaper roller and the flexible hose. An element that holds the flexible hose in the shaper roller and a spring coupled to the shaper roller are also provided. The spring is tensioned when the flexible hose is pulled in a corresponding direction and generates an opposing force to a flexible hose tensile force.
US08944388B2	Clamp for a support bracket A clamp comprises a fastener, a clamp body, and a clamp leg. The clamp body comprises a housing including a cavity and a housing cavity; and a curved arm extending from the housing. The clamp leg comprises a leg body including a leg cavity, and a foot member. The clamp body and the clamp leg are attachable to and detachable from each other, and a portion of the leg body can be inserted into or removed from the housing cavity, and when the portion of the leg body is inserted into the housing cavity, the cavity and the leg cavity form a passageway for the fastener so that threads of the fastener are not externally exposed.
US08944387B2	Device for automatically controlling signals and multiple trans traveling on the same track An electrical device not only controls train signals as trains advance, but also alters the voltage in the tracks leading up to the signals so that the trains will actually stop at a red signal, slow at an amber aspect and continue on at full speed when the signal is showing green. The electrical device of the present invention can change the “block signal” from “green” to “red”, thereby signaling the engineer behind the train to come to a stop. In addition, the electrical device can simultaneously change the voltage in the tracks to stop the approaching train at the red signal. Only when the forward train has cleared will the approaching train get a clear signal and voltage to resume its forward progress.
US08944386B2	Split blended winglet A split winglet is disclosed having a first generally upward projecting wing end, and a second generally downward projecting wing end. The second generally downward projecting wing end may be integrally formed with the first generally upward projecting wing end to form a winglet assembly or may be separately attached onto an existing upwardly curved winglet.
US08944385B2	Device for reducing the impact on a surface section by positively charged ions, and ion accelelerator arrangement The invention relates to a surface section that is exposed to an ion flow, in particular for a drive arrangement in a spacecraft, comprising an electrostatic ion accelerator arrangement. According to the invention, in order to reduce erosion, an intermediate potential energy surface is provided, the surface being advantageous in that it allows a magnetic field that is essentially parallel to the surface section to be formed.
US08944384B2	Refuelling equipment and method for refuelling an aircraft tank system The aircraft refuelling equipment (20) of an aircraft comprises a pipework (22) in which a fuel supply line (13) is connected to a plurality of tank supply lines, fuel tanks connected to tank supply lines of the pipework, first valves (24, 25,26) allowing each fuel tank to be disconnected from the fuel supply line, and at least one captor (30) that provides a signal indicative of a pressure or a flow rate. For each of said first valves, a first valve flow parameter can be estimated, using said captor. The equipment further comprises:—at least one actuator associated with each of said first valves, the actuator allowing adjustment of the opening of the associated first valve; and an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the respective actuator-first valve assemblies and adapted to regulate an opening of the first ECU valves, using respective first valve flow parameter data.
US08944380B2	Movable fastening unit for a seat frame in an aircraft The invention relates to a movable fastening unit for a seat frame in an aircraft. In said fastening unit, a connecting element can be movably mounted on both a seat structure and a floor fixture by means of bearings, thus allowing the seat frame to be moved relative to the floor fixture without having to detach the fixture from the floor.
US08944377B2	Lavatory reconfiguration system A method and apparatus for reconfiguring a lavatory area. An apparatus comprises a first lavatory area, a second lavatory area, a first door for the first lavatory area, and a second door for the second lavatory area. The first door and the second door are configured to move between an open position and a closed position. A single passageway is present in both the first lavatory area and the second lavatory area when the first door and the second door are in the open position.
US08944376B2	Aircraft galley An aircraft galley is disclosed having a stand-alone beverage station and a stand-alone food preparation station. Each station is equipped with extendable work decks and integrated equipment for plug and play exchange. The beverage station is equipped with brewing stations and a top loading refuse compartment, and the food preparation station is configured with multiple ovens and refrigeration units. The galley further includes a side refrigeration unit which can be used as a self-service beverage area for passengers, and both stations may further be configured with LED displays for communicating with passengers.
US08944374B2	Safety cabin The invention relates to a cabin system for an aircraft fuselage, having one or more lining components for interior lining, and optionally one or more cabin equipment components, wherein the lining component can be installed either separately or in combination with a further lining component and/or a cabin equipment component under tension in the aircraft fuselage such that a cabin that is under tension in the circumferential direction and attaches to the aircraft fuselage is defined. In this manner a passenger cabin configured as a closed safety cell is created in a fuselage, which is of particular advantage in an aircraft fuselage made of a fiber composite material because no splinters or the like can penetrate the self-supporting passenger cabin in case of damage to the same.
US08944373B2	Line capture devices for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods Line capture devices for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a line capture device body having a line slot with an open end and a closed end. A retainer is positioned proximate to the line slot and has a rotor with a plurality of rotor arms positioned to extend at least partially across the line slot as the rotor rotates relative to the body. A joint rotatably couples the rotor to the body, and a ratchet device is operably coupled to the rotor to allow the rotor to rotate in a first direction and at least restrict the rotor arm from rotating in a second direction opposite the first. In other embodiments, the retainer can include other arrangements, for example, one or more wire-shaped elements.
US08944370B2	Plasma actuating propulsion system for aerial vehicles A plasma propulsion nozzle incorporates a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of substantially cylindrical planarly disbanded electrodes with sandwiched dielectric spacers is cascaded in an array to be concentrically expanding from the inlet through an interior chamber to the outlet for a nozzle. A voltage source applies a periodic signal with rapidly reversing polarity to the electrodes with differential phase applied to adjacent electrodes in the array creating and expelling plasma clusters at each dielectric spacer inducing flow from the nozzle outlet to produce thrust.
US08944367B2	Rotary wing aircraft propulsion system A rotary wing aircraft propulsion system includes an engine, a heat exchanger cooling a fluid from the engine and a thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the fluid to generate electrical power. The thermoelectric generator provides electrical power to at least one aircraft component.
US08944364B2	Quiet landing gear door A quiet landing gear door and methods are presented. A landing gear door comprises a trailing edge and a leading edge and is operable to deploy to a landing gear door deployed position. A door flap comprises the trailing edge and is hinged to the landing gear door. The door flap deflects toward a landing gear strut to a door flap deployed position in response to deployment of the landing gear door. A leading edge section comprises the leading edge and is coupled to the door flap. The leading edge section deflects toward the landing gear strut to a leading edge deployed position in response to deployment of the landing gear door.
US08944361B2	Method for handling a fiber reinforced plastic tube, and combination of such tube wound on a reel A method for handling a fiber reinforced tube the tubular wall of which has a stiffness which allows the tube to maintain a nominal circular cross section of its own, the tube including a liner, a fiber reinforcement surrounding the liner and a coating surrounding the fiber reinforcement, includes the steps of: flattening the tube so as to obtain a non-circular shape, such as an oval or elliptical shape, subsequently winding the flattened tube onto a reel. Thanks to the method, a combination of a wound flattened tube and a reel is obtained which is fit for road transport.
US08944360B2	Coreless paper roll rewinding machine A coreless paper roll rewinding machine using air flow to assist starting winding is mainly characterized in that: an air pipe (11) blowing air downwards is arranged above a rewinding lower roller (2); the roller gap (M) between a rewinding upper roller (1) and the rewinding lower roller (2) is no more than 10 mm; a plurality of air flow channels (4) are distributed in the roller body of the rewinding upper roller (1); a plurality of sets of air suction holes (5) are formed on the surface of the roller body; each set of the air suction holes (5) are interconnected with each air flow channel (4) formed in the roller body; an air suction cover (6) is arranged in the position close to the end part of the rewinding upper roller (1); and each air flow channel (4) formed in the roller body is interconnected with or disconnected with the air suction holes of the air suction cover (6) in turn along with rotating of the rewinding upper roller (1). The coreless paper roll rewinding machine neither needs to depend on the support of a winding assisting plate nor needs to change the roller gap between the rewinding upper roller (1) and the rewinding lower roller (2) during the whole process from starting rewinding to finishing rewinding.
US08944359B2	Machine for winding pairs of tubes parallel to an advancing direction and independent of each other A machine for winding pairs of tubes which are parallel to an advancing direction (Y-Y) and independent of each other in the longitudinal direction (X-X) of rotation of a reel connected to the machine comprising an apparatus for feeding and guiding the pair of tubes, formed by: a suitable pulling device arranged upstream of the reel in the direction of advancing movement of the tubes and intended to feed the two tubes in the transverse direction (Y-Y) as far as the point of entry thereof onto the winding reel; a tube-guiding device which is arranged in-line and downstream of the pulling device in the direction of advancing movement of the tubes and the internal seat of which is able to contain the two tubes arranged alongside each other in the advancing direction (Y-Y) and guided in the radial direction (Z-Z).
US08944358B2	Package and locking ring for dispensing wound material from a container Package and locking ring structure for removal of wound filamentary material from a container including a locking ring attached to a hole in a wall of the container for removal of the wound filamentary material; the locking ring forming a loop of the end portion of the wound filamentary material; the wound filamentary material is withdrawn from the container through the hole by pulling the loop; the locking ring including a pull-off cover plate covering access to the end portion of the wound filamentary material and including a hole for enabling passage of the end portion of the wound filamentary material, and further including means for receiving and retaining the end portion of the wound filamentary material in the form of a loop against the pull-off cover plate.
US08944350B2	Aerated shower head structure An aerated shower head structure has a body, a stationary disc, a water distributor and a pressing disc sequentially assembled. The stationary disc has an air inlet hole and a water inlet hole both formed through the stationary disc and communicating with a water inlet of the body. The water distributor and the pressing disc are combined and rotatably mounted under the stationary disc. The water distributor has an air compartment and a water compartment separately formed in a bottom of the water distributor, and has an air channel selectively communicating with the air compartment and multiple water orifices selectively communicating with the water compartment. The pressing disc has an air outlet hole communicating with the air compartment, a water outlet hole communicating with the water compartment, and an elongated water passage communicating with the air outlet hole and the water outlet hole and constitute a water outflow path.
US08944349B2	Shower apparatus The present invention provides a shower apparatus that allows the user to have a shower stream with a voluminous feel, even when a small volume of water is discharged, and also with a stimulus sensation arising from water being discharged in a pulsating manner. A shower apparatus F1 periodically changes the volume of air taken into an aeration unit 43 by oscillating a main water stream ejected toward the aeration unit 43 from a throttle unit 42 in a direction crossing the direction of the ejection, so that the bubbly water discharged from a water discharge unit 44 creates a pulsating shower stream.
US08944348B2	Handheld electric spray gun A handheld electric spray gun comprises a gun body, a spray can, a base for connecting the gun body with the spray can, and a housing. A nozzle is provided at the front end of the gun body. The upper portion of the housing is formed with a chamber, and the lower portion thereof is formed with a handle. The chamber is communicated with the gun body and provided with a motor therein. The handheld electric spray gun of the invention adopts a novel motor structure where a stator and rotor assembly is provided on the air-intake side of the blades, that is, the stator and rotor assembly is provided at the air inlet, so that the stator and rotor assembly may be forcibly cooled with cold air, thus the heat dissipation effect is greatly improved.
US08944346B2	Rotatable flange for a water monitor A rotatable apparatus for a water monitor. A flange assembly has a stationary portion, a rotatable portion disposed in the stationary portion, and a duct extending through the stationary and rotatable portions. A water-driven turbine has a rotatable water wheel in communication with the duct and an output shaft coupled to the water wheel. Fluid flowing through the duct causes the water wheel to rotate, the rotation of the water wheel causing the output shaft to rotate. An output crank, a first linkage, a rocker arm, and a second linkage comprising a first linkage member and a second linkage member are operable by the output shaft to convert the rotating motion of the output shaft to an oscillatory motion. Fluid exiting the duct is distributed by the rotatable portion in a determinable oscillatory pattern.
US08944345B2	Swing sprinkler A swing sprinkler includes a main body, a driving unit, a cover body, an inner plate and an action unit. The tightness of a resilient unit can be adjusted by the user through the action unit, and a secured positioning is formed by the engagement of restricting protruding ribs of the inner plate and positioning protruding ribs of the receiving space to prevent the resilient unit from rewinding after adjustment to effectively adjust the tightness of the resilient unit and swing unit, and increase variability, as well as practicability and convenience of the sprinkler.
US08944340B2	Adjuster for track-mounting assembly A mounting plate fixed to a longitudinally extending rail is secured by a plurality of bolts in a substrate. The mounting plate is formed at each bolt with an array of ridges. An adjuster plate formed with a vertically throughgoing transversely elongated slot through which the respective bolt extends has a lower face formed with an array of downwardly projecting generally complementary to the ridges of the mounting plate and an upper face formed with a central recessed seat defined between two longitudinally extending and parallel edges at a predetermined transverse spacing. A gauge plate formed with two parallel outer edges spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the transverse spacing of the seat edges and with an eccentric circular hole of a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the shank of the respective bolt that extends vertically through the circular hole fits in the seat.
US08944337B2	RFID switch tag Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. The RFID switch device may further include a visual indicator displaying a first color if the RFID switch device is in an active state and/or a second color if the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.
US08944336B2	Method, system and smart card reader for management of access to a smart card The described embodiments relate generally to devices, methods and systems for managing access to a memory card, such as a smart card, by a plurality of accessing devices. Certain embodiments relate to a smart card reader (SCR) for managing concurrent access to a smart card by a plurality of accessing devices, the SCR comprising: a processor; a channel manager responsive to the processor for interfacing with the smart card; a communication interface responsive to the channel manager for communicating with the plurality of accessing devices; and wherein, when a session is open on a first channel between a first accessing device and the smart card and the channel manager is configured to issue an open channel command to the smart card to cause the smart card to open a second channel between the smart card and the second accessing device in response to the session request.
US08944335B2	Wireless IC device A wireless IC device that improves radiation gain without increasing substrate size and easily adjusts impedance, includes a multilayer substrate including laminated base layers. On a side of an upper or first main surface of the multilayer substrate, a wireless IC element is arranged to process a high-frequency signal. On a side of a lower or second main surface of the multilayer substrate, a first radiator is provided and is coupled to the wireless IC element via a feeding circuit including first interlayer conductors. On the side of the first main surface, a second radiator is provided and is coupled to the first radiator via second interlayer conductors.
US08944332B2	Testing automatic data collection devices, such as barcode, RFID and/or magnetic stripe readers Automatic data collection devices such as barcode readers, RFID readers, magnetic stripe readers and the like may be tested using ADC device test executables, modules or processes stored at a variety of network locations. One or more sets of tests or work lists may be defined to facilitate testing. Tests may be identified by name and/or keyword. Keywords may be indicative one or more functionalities tested by the respective ADC device test module.
US08944326B2	System and method for monitoring precinct-based ballot tabulation devices A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of ballot tabulation devices is provided. The ballot tabulation devices are located at a plurality of polling locations, each of which is operable to process a plurality of marked paper ballots and maintain health status information for the device. The system includes a central server located remotely from the ballot tabulation devices that is operable to periodically receive the health status information for each device and generate an alert that identifies any irregularities associated with each device based on the received health status information. Preferably, the health status information is encoded in a machine-readable code that is displayed on a display screen of the ballot tabulation device, and a reading device is used to read the machine-readable code from the display screen and transmit the health status information to the central server.
US08944322B2	Tri-optic scanner A tri-optic scanner for checking out merchandise at stores includes first and second barcode scanners, and a third barcode scanner placed back-to-back to the second barcode scanner to face an opposite direction of the second barcode scanner. The tri-optic scanner is designed to allow the third barcode scanner to conveniently capture barcodes presented by a customer without a cashier touching barcode carriers that belong to the customer.
US08944321B1	Information processing using machine-readable codes Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for accessing, using an image capture device, a machine-readable code, the machine-readable code describing one or more rules that instruct a user device to determine whether the user satisfies one or more criteria; processing the machine-readable code to obtain the one or more rules; determining, based on the one or more obtained rules, that the user satisfies the one or more criteria; in response to determining, based on the one or more obtained rules, that the user satisfies the one or more criteria, displaying, on a display screen of the user device, data confirming that the user satisfies the one or more criteria.
US08944319B2	IC card An IC card comprises a card body, a power-signal receiving unit, an electro-phoretic display, a driving circuit, a rechargeable battery and a power management unit. The driving circuit is electrically coupled to the power-signal receiving unit and the electro-phoretic display for receiving the updating information from the power-signal receiving unit and driving the electro-phoretic display according to the updating information. The power management unit is coupled to the rechargeable battery for managing charging process of the rechargeable battery.
US08944317B2	Automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records with improved resistance to fraud A banking system machine is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader, a keypad, a cash dispenser, a cash outlet, a deposit accepting opening, and other transaction locations that may be susceptible to the installation of fraudulent devices adjacent thereto. Such unauthorized devices may include for example, a fraudulent card reading device, a fraudulent keypad input intercepting device, a cash outlet trap device, a deposit input diversion device, or other illegitimate devices. The machine includes an anti-fraud arrangement that is operative to deter the attachment of unauthorized devices to the machine. The arrangement can sense and/or dislodge an unauthorized device attached to the machine. The arrangement also allows for the machine's card slot bezel to be frequently exchanged for a differently contoured card slot bezel.
US08944315B2	Apparatus and method for working an optical lens and also an optical lens and a transporting container for optical lenses A device and a method for processing an optical lens are proposed, whereby lens-production data and/or geometric data of the lens are determined from desired optical data of the lens when a corresponding activation code is acquired. Preferably, the lens or a block piece and/or an assigned shipping container is/are provided with the activation code and/or other information relative to the lenses that are to be processed.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10