最新美国发明专利第2015-03-10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
US08975251B2	Methods of improving cognitive functions Methods and articles of manufacture for use in improving a cognitive function, utilizing a conjugate comprising a first moiety having GABA agonist activity and a second moiety having CNS activity being covalently linked to the first moiety, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and articles of manufacture of preventing onset or inhibiting progression of a cognitive impairment or dysfunction utilizing the disclosed conjugate.
US08975248B2	Combinations of therapeutic agents for treating cancer A combination therapy for treating patients suffering from proliferative diseases or diseases associated with persistent angiogenesis is disclosed. The patient is treated with a camptothecin derivative and one or more chemotherapeutic agents selected from a microtubule active agent; an alkylating agent; an anti-neoplastic anti-metabolite; a platin compound; a topoisomerase II inhibitor; a VEGF inhibitor; a tyrosine kinase inhibitor; an EGFR kinase inhibitor; an mTOR kinase inhibitor; an insulin-like growth factor I inhibitor; a Raf kinase inhibitor; a monoclonal antibody; a proteasome inhibitor; a HDAC inhibitor; and ionizing radiation.
US08975247B2	Methods and compositions of treating a flaviviridae family viral infection Clemizole and clemizole analog compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions of the same, are useful in methods of treating a host infected with a virus from the Flaviviridae family of viruses, methods of inhibiting HCV replication in a host, methods of inhibiting the binding of NS4B polypeptide to the 3′UTR of HCV negative strand RNA in a host, and methods of treating liver fibrosis in a host.
US08975241B2	Composition for treating and preventing obesity including high water-soluble 2-hydroxypropyl-betacyclodextrin as effective component There is provided a composition for preventing and treating obesity including high water-soluble β-cyclodextrin derivatives as an effective component. Specifically, the composition including the high water-soluble β-cyclodextrin derivatives, especially, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD, HPBCD) has effects on suppressing an increase in body weight induced by a high fat diet, suppressing appetite through decreasing an amount of dietary intake, decreasing body fat, decreasing liver weight, and significantly decreasing a sharp increase of blood sugar induced by intaking glucose and maltose on an empty stomach so that it can be useful for preventing and treating obesity, preventing and treating various diseases induced by obesity, and suppressing a sharp increase of blood sugar after dinner.
US08975235B2	Lysophosphatidic acid receptor antagonists Compounds, methods of making such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat, prevent or diagnose diseases, disorders, or conditions associated with one or more of the lysophosphatidic acid receptors are provided.
US08975234B2	Anti-bacterial infection, inflammation, and leukemia composition and use thereof A method of inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive bacteria comprising administering an effective amount of Tellimagrandin II, its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, isomer or tautomer to a subject is provided. The Gram-positive bacteria comprise methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A method of treating sepsis comprising administering an effective amount of Tellimagrandin II, its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, isomer or tautomer to a subject is also provided. A method of treating leukemia comprising administering an effective amount of Tellimagrandin II, its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer, isomer or tautomer to a subject is further provided.
US08975232B2	Macrocyclic kinase inhibitors and uses thereof The present invention provides macrocyclic compounds of Formula (I): pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, RE, RF, RG, RH, RI, f, g, h, n, and m are as defined herein. The present invention further provides methods of synthesizing these macrocyclic compounds, and methods of their use and treatment. Certain aspects of the present invention relate to modulation of kinase activity, and in the treatment of kinase-associated diseases or disorders.
US08975227B2	Intraoral dosage forms of glucagon The present invention provides a composition (e.g., a pharmaceutical composition) comprising at least one delivery agent compound and glucagon. Preferably, the composition includes a therapeutically effective amount of glucagon and the delivery agent compound. The composition of the present invention facilitates the delivery of glucagon and increases its bioavailability compared to administration without the delivery agent compound.
US08975226B2	Pharmaceutical preparation comprising recombinant hCG The present disclosure describes recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and methods for the production thereof. The recombinant hCG can include α2,3, α2,6, and, optionally, α2,8 sialylation. The recombinant hCG can be produced in a human cell line such as a PER.C6® cell line.
US08975221B2	Use of sugars in a stabilization matrix and solid compositions The use of sugars in a stabilization matrix and solid detergent compositions is disclosed along with methods of making and using the solid detergent compositions.
US08975220B1	Hypohalite compositions comprising a cationic polymer The invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment employing compositions including a cationic polyelectrolyte, without any anionic polyelectrolytes, so that no polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) is formed. In addition to not forming PECs, and being free of anionic water-soluble polymers (i.e., an anionic polyelectrolyte polymer that could form a PEC with the cationic polyelectrolyte), the composition is also free of random copolymers, block copolymers, coacervates, precipitates, and silicone copolymers. The composition may be a concentrate, to be diluted prior to use to treat a surface.
US08975218B2	Grease composition comprising polymer alloy, a structure part enclosing the same and a method for producing the grease composition A grease composition having a thickener, a base oil containing a hydrocarbon oil, and a polymer alloy of an olefin copolymer and a styrene-based copolymer is disclosed.
US08975213B2	Pseudozyma aphidis as a biocontrol agent against various plant pathogens Biocontrol agents are provided, which protect plant and plant material from pests and pathogens, and promote the growth of plants. Also provided are compositions comprising the same, methods for protecting plant and plant material and promoting growth in plants, and uses of said biocontrol agent in the preparation of a pesticidal composition and a growth-promoting composition.
US08975212B2	Phenolsulfonic acid aryl ester derivative, and heat-sensitive recording material using same The invention provides a phenolsulfonic acid aryl ester represented by formula (1) wherein each symbol is as defined in the description. The phenolsulfonic acid aryl ester is useful as a developer to provide a thermal recording material with good color-developing sensitivity, image density when printed at a low application energy (i.e., high start-up sensitivity), and heat and plasticizer resistance. The invention also provides a thermal recording material using the developer.
US08975205B2	Photocatalytic structures, methods of making photocatalytic structures, and methods of photocatalysis Embodiments of the present disclosure include structures, photocatalytic structures, and photoelectrochemical structures, methods of making these structures, methods of making photocatalysis, methods of splitting H2O, methods of splitting CO2, and the like.
US08975203B2	Diaryliodonium salt mixture and process for production thereof, and process for production of diaryliodonium compound Disclosed are: a diaryliodonium salt mixture which is a precursor of a BF4 salt or the like of a diaryliodonium compound, can be produced in the form of crystals at ambient temperature, can be purified in a simple manner, can be produced with high efficiency, and can be induced into a BF4 salt or the like salt that has excellent solubility in a monomer or the like; and a process for producing the diaryliodonium salt mixture. Also disclosed is a production process which can achieve good yield and can produce reduced amounts of byproducts, and is therefore applicable to the industrial mass production of a diaryliodonium compound. The diaryliodonium salt mixture is characterized by containing at least two specific diaryliodonium salts.
US08975202B2	Polymerization catalysts and method for preservation of same The invention provides a polymerization catalyst produced by bringing components (A) to (D) into contact with one another in a hydrocarbon solvent at 30 to 60° C., wherein the component (A) is a transition metal compound, the component (B) is a solid boron compound capable of forming an ion pair with component (A), the component (C) is an organoaluminum compound, and the component (D) is one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds selected from among an α-olefin, an internal olefin, and a polyene; and the amounts of component (B) and component (C) are 1.2 to 4.0 mol and 5.0 to 50.0 mol, respectively, on the basis of 1 mol of component (A), which catalyst exhibits high activity and can be readily supplied to a polymerization reaction system. The invention also provides a method of storing the polymerization catalyst at 0 to 35° C.
US08975201B2	Matrix based on nanocrystalline cristobalite for a thermostructural fibrous composite material A matrix for a thermostructural fibrous composite material obtained by geopolymer synthesis based on nanocrystalline cristobalite resulting from the crystallization of geopolymer micelles of potassium polysiloxonate K—(Si—O—Si—O)n. The nanocrystalline cristobalite is in the form of micelles and/or microspheres having dimensions of less than 1 micron, preferably of less than 500 nanometers, connected together by an amorphous phase. The matrix contains at least 85 percent by weight of oxide SiO2 with at most 15%, preferably at most 10%, by weight of alkali metal oxide K2O. The nanocrystalline cristobalite results from the crystallization of geopolymer micelles of potassium polysiloxonate by a heat treatment at a temperature preferably between 600° C. and 800° C., for a time of less than 30 minutes. The fibrous composite material impregnated with this matrix is thermostructural.
US08975198B2	Glass with improved pitch stability Described herein are alkali-free, boroalumino silicate glasses exhibiting desirable physical and chemical properties for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, such as, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs) and active matrix organic light emitting diode displays (AMOLEDs). In accordance with certain of its aspects, the glasses possess excellent compaction and stress relaxation properties.
US08975194B2	Method for manufacturing oxide layer Disclosed a method for manufacturing an oxide layer, applicable to a manufacture procedure of a field oxide layer of a CMOS transistor in the field of semiconductor manufacturing, the method includes: injecting a first gas satisfying a first predetermined condition into a processing furnace in which a first CMOS transistor semi-finished product formed with an N-well and a P-well is placed, and dry-oxidizing the first CMOS transistor semi-finished product into a second CMOS transistor semi-finished product; and injecting a second gas satisfying a second predetermined condition different from the first predetermined condition into the processing furnace, and wet-oxidizing the second CMOS transistor semi-finished product into a third CMOS transistor semi-finished product.
US08975190B2	Plasma processing method A plasma processing method includes a surface improving step of improving a surface of the photoresist film by performing plasma processing using a hydrogen-containing gas as a processing gas and an etching step of etching the SiON film by performing plasma processing using a processing gas including a gas containing a CHF-based gas and a chlorine-containing gas while using as a mask the photoresist film having the improved surface.
US08975188B2	Plasma etching method A plasma etching method is provided for forming a hole using a first processing gas to etch a silicon layer of a substrate to be processed including a silicon oxide film that is formed into a predetermined pattern. The method includes a first depositing step (S11) of depositing a protective film on a surface of the silicon oxide film using a second processing gas containing carbon monoxide gas, a first etching step (S12) of etching the silicon layer using the first processing gas, a second depositing step (S13) of depositing the protective film on a side wall of a hole etched by the first etching step using the second processing gas, and a second etching step (S14) of further etching the silicon layer using the first processing gas. The second depositing step (S13) and the second etching step (S14) are alternately repeated at least two times each.
US08975187B2	Stress-controlled formation of tin hard mask Disclosed is a method to form a titanium nitride (TiN) hard mask in the Damascene process of forming interconnects during the fabrication of a semiconductor device, while the type and magnitude of stress carried by the TiN hard mask is controlled. The TiN hard mask is formed in a multi-layered structure where each sub-layer is formed successively by repeating a cycle of processes comprising TiN and chlorine PECVD deposition, and N2/H2 plasma gas treatment. During its formation, the stress to be carried by the TiN hard mask is controlled by controlling the number of TiN sub-layers and the plasma gas treatment duration such that the stress may counter-balance predetermined external stress anticipated on a conventionally made TiN hard mask, which causes trench sidewall distortion, trench opening shrinkage, and gap filling problem.
US08975186B2	Double patterning methods and structures Various embodiments provide double patterning methods and structures. In an exemplary method, a to-be-etched layer can be provided. A stress layer can be formed on the to-be-etched layer. The stress layer can have a tensile stress. A plurality of discrete sacrificial layers can be formed on the stress layer. A sidewall-spacer material layer covering the plurality of sacrificial layers and the stress layer can be formed. The sidewall-spacer material layer can be etched to form a sidewall spacer on a sidewall of each sacrificial layer of the plurality of sacrificial layers. The stress layer at each side of the each sacrificial layer can be etched to form a groove passing through a thickness of the stress layer. The plurality of sacrificial layers can be removed.
US08975182B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and semiconductor device A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is carried out by readying each of a semiconductor element, a substrate having Cu as a principal element at least on a surface, and a ZnAl solder chip having a smaller shape than that of the semiconductor element; disposing the semiconductor element and the substrate so that respective bonding surfaces face each other, and sandwiching the ZnAl eutectic solder chip between the substrate and the semiconductor element; increasing the temperature of the ZnAl solder chip sandwiched between the substrate and the semiconductor element while applying a load to the ZnAl solder chip such that the ZnAl solder chip melts to form a ZnAl solder layer; and reducing the temperature of the ZnAl solder layer while applying a load to the ZnAl solder layer.
US08975181B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor device and manufacture method thereof include a silicide material formed on a source region and a drain region on opposite sides of a gate, wherein the gate having sidewalls on both side surfaces is formed on a substrate. The gate has a first sidewall spacer and a second sidewall spacer on each sidewall, the first spacer has a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, the horizontal portion is located between the second sidewall spacer and the substrate, the vertical portion is located between the second sidewall spacer and the sidewalls. A protecting layer is selectively deposited on the silicide material.
US08975176B2	Gold die bond sheet preform The amount of gold required for bonding a semiconductor die to an electronic package is reduced by using a sheet preform tack welded to the package prior to mounting the die. The preform, only slightly larger than a semiconductor die to be attached to the package, is placed in the die bond location and tack welded to the package at two spaced locations.
US08975174B2	Interface-free metal gate stack A gate stack for a transistor is formed by a process including forming a high dielectric constant layer on a semiconductor layer. A metal layer is formed on the high dielectric constant layer. A silicon containing layer is formed over the metal layer. An oxidized layer incidentally forms during the silicon containing layer formation and resides on the metal layer beneath the silicon containing layer. The silicon containing layer is removed. The oxidized layer residing on the metal layer is removed after removing the silicon containing layer.
US08975171B1	Method of forming a high-k crystalline dielectric Provided are a method of forming a dielectric and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a preliminary dielectric including Hf, O and an “A” element on an underlying layer. The preliminary dielectric is formed in an amorphous structure or a mixed structure of an amorphous structure and an “M” crystalline structure. The “A” element about 1 at % to about 5 at % of the total content of the “A” element and Hf in the preliminary dielectric. Through a nitridation process, nitrogen is added to the preliminary dielectric. The nitrogen-containing dielectric is changed into a dielectric having a “T” crystalline structure through a phase transition process, wherein the “T” crystalline structure is different from the “M” crystalline structure. An upper layer is formed on the “T” crystalline dielectric.
US08975168B2	Method for the formation of fin structures for FinFET devices A SOI substrate layer formed of a silicon semiconductor material includes adjacent first and second regions. A portion of the silicon substrate layer in the second region is removed such that the second region retains a bottom portion made of the silicon semiconductor material. An epitaxial growth of a silicon-germanium semiconductor material is made to cover the bottom portion. Germanium is then driven from the epitaxially grown silicon-germanium material into the bottom portion to convert the bottom portion to silicon-germanium. Further silicon-germanium growth is performed to define a silicon-germanium region in the second region adjacent the silicon region in the first region. The silicon region is patterned to define a first fin structure of a FinFET of a first (for example, n-channel) conductivity type. The silicon-germanium region is also patterned to define a second fin structure of a FinFET of a second (for example, p-channel) conductivity type.
US08975167B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method A fabrication process of a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a first insulation layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and a fin formed on the surface of the first insulation layer, and forming a fully-depleted semiconductor layer on sidewalls of the fin, and the fully-depleted semiconductor layer having a material different from that of the fin. The method also includes forming a second insulation layer covering the fully-depleted semiconductor layer, and removing the fin to form an opening exposing sidewalls of the fully-depleted semiconductor layer. Further, the method includes forming a gate dielectric layer on part of the sidewalls of the fully-depleted semiconductor layer such that the part of the sidewalls of the fully-depleted semiconductor layer form channel regions of the semiconductor device, and forming a gate electrode layer covering the gate dielectric layer.
US08975158B2	Method for permanently bonding wafers A method for bonding of a first contact surface of a first substrate to a second contact surface of a second substrate. The method comprises: forming at least one reservoir in at least one reservoir formation layer on the first substrate and/or the second substrate, the reservoir comprised of an amorphous material, at least partial filling of the reservoir/reservoirs with a first educt or a first group of educts, forming or applying a reaction layer which contains a second educt or a second group of educts to the reservoir and/or the reservoir, the first contact surface making contact with the second contact surface for formation of a prebond connection, and forming a permanent bond between the first and second contact surface, at least partially strengthened by the reaction of the first educt or the first group with the second educt or the second group.
US08975153B2	Super junction trench metal oxide semiconductor device and method of making the same A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a hard mask layer over a substrate comprising a semiconductor material of a first conductivity type, and forming a plurality of trenches in the hard mask layer and extending into the substrate. Each trench has at least one side wall and a bottom wall. The method further includes forming at least one barrier insulator layer along the at least one side wall and over the bottom wall of each trench, removing the at least one barrier insulator layer over the bottom wall of each trench, and filling the plurality of trenches with a semiconductor material of a second conductivity type.
US08975151B2	Semiconductor body with a buried material layer and method One aspect includes a method for forming a buried material layer in a semiconductor body, including providing a semiconductor body having a first side and having a plurality of first trenches extending from the first surface into the semiconductor body. Each of the plurality of first trenches has a bottom and has at least one sidewall and the plurality of first trenches is separated from one another by semiconductor mesa regions. A first material layer is formed on the bottom of each of the plurality of first trenches such that the first material layer leaves at least one segment of at least one sidewall of each of the plurality of trenches uncovered. Each of the plurality of first trenches is filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from the at least one uncovered sidewall segment. After filling the first trenches, second trenches are formed in the mesa regions.
US08975146B2	Trench isolation structures and methods for bipolar junction transistors Device structures, fabrication methods, and design structures for a bipolar junction transistor. A first isolation region is formed in a substrate to define a lateral boundary for an active device region and an intrinsic base layer is formed on the substrate. The intrinsic base layer has a section overlying the active device region. After the intrinsic base layer is formed, the first isolation region is partially removed adjacent to the active device region to define a trench that is coextensive with the substrate in the active device region and that is coextensive with the first isolation region. The trench is at least partially filled with a dielectric material to define a second isolation region.
US08975144B2	Controlling the shape of source/drain regions in FinFETs An integrated circuit structure includes a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) including a semiconductor fin over and adjacent to insulation regions; and a source/drain region over the insulation regions. The source/drain region includes a first and a second semiconductor region. The first semiconductor region includes silicon and an element selected from the group consisting of germanium and carbon, wherein the element has a first atomic percentage in the first semiconductor region. The first semiconductor region has an up-slant facet and a down-slant facet. The second semiconductor region includes silicon and the element. The element has a second atomic percentage lower than the first atomic percentage. The second semiconductor region has a first portion on the up-slant facet and has a first thickness. A second portion of the second semiconductor region, if any, on the down-slant facet has a second thickness smaller than the first thickness.
US08975143B2	Selective gate oxide properties adjustment using fluorine Fluorine is located in selective portions of a gate oxide to adjust characteristics of the gate oxide. In some embodiments, the fluorine promotes oxidation which increases the thickness of the selective portion of the gate oxide. In some embodiments, the fluorine lowers the dielectric constant of the oxide at the selective portion. In some examples, having fluorine at selective portions of a select gate oxide of a non volatile memory may reduce program disturb of the memory.
US08975141B2	Dual work function FinFET structures and methods for fabricating the same A method for fabricating a dual-workfunction FinFET structure includes depositing a first workfunction material in a layer in a plurality of trenches of the FinFET structure, depositing a low-resistance material layer over the first workfunction material layer, and etching the low-resistance material layer and the first workfunction material layer from a portion of the FinFET structure. The method further includes depositing a second workfunction material in a layer in a plurality of trenches of the portion and depositing a stress material layer over the second workfunction material layer.
US08975138B2	Method of creating a maskless air gap in back end interconnects with double self-aligned vias A method including patterning a thickness dimension of an interconnect material into a thickness dimension for a wiring line with one or more vias extending from the wiring line and introducing a dielectric material on the interconnect material. A method including depositing and patterning an interconnect material into a wiring line and one or more vias; and introducing a dielectric material on the interconnect material such that the one or more vias are exposed through the dielectric material. An apparatus including a first interconnect layer in a first plane and a second interconnect in a second plane on a substrate; and a dielectric layer separating the first and second interconnect layers, wherein the first interconnect layer comprises a monolith including a wiring line and at least one via, the at least one via extending from the wiring line to a wiring line of the second interconnect layer.
US08975134B2	Fullerene-based capacitor electrode A doped fullerene-based conductive material can be used as an electrode, which can contact a dielectric such as a high k dielectric. By aligning the dielectric with the band gap of the doped fullerene-based electrode, e.g., the conduction band minimum of the dielectric falls into one of the band gaps of the doped fullerene-based material, thermionic leakage through the dielectric can be reduced, since the excited electrons or holes in the electrode would need higher thermal excitation energy to overcome the band gap before passing through the dielectric layer.
US08975131B2	Self-aligned method of forming a semiconductor memory array of floating gate memory cells with single poly layer A method of forming a semiconductor memory cell that includes forming the floating and control gates from the same poly layer. Layers of insulation, conductive and second insulation material are formed over a substrate. A trench is formed in the second insulation material extending down to and exposing the conductive layer. Spacers are formed in the trench, separated by a small and defined gap at a bottom of the trench that exposes a portion of the conductive layer. A trench is then formed through the exposed portion of the conductive layer by performing an anisotropic etch through the gap. The trench is filled with third insulation material. Selected portions of the conductive layer are removed, leaving two blocks thereof separated by the third insulation material.
US08975129B1	Method of making a FinFET device A method of fabricating a fin-like field-effect transistor (FinFET) device is disclosed. A plurality of mandrel features are formed on a substrate. First spacers are formed along sidewalls of the mandrel feature and second spacers are along sidewalls of the first spacers. Two back-to-back adjacent second spacers separate by a gap in a first region and merge together in a second region of the substrate. A dielectric feature is formed in the gap and a dielectric mesa is formed in a third region of the substrate. A first subset of the first spacer is removed in a fine cut. Fins and trenches are formed by etching the substrate using the first spacer and the dielectric feature as an etch mask.
US08975125B2	Formation of bulk SiGe fin with dielectric isolation by anodization A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided that includes providing a material stack that includes a silicon layer, a doped semiconductor layer, and an undoped silicon germanium layer. At least one fin structure is formed from the material stack by etching through the undoped silicon germanium layer, the doped semiconductor layer, and etching a portion of the silicon-containing layer. An isolation region is formed in contact with at least one end of the at least one fin structure. An anodization process removes the doped semiconductor layer of the at least one fin structure to provide a void. A dielectric layer is deposited to fill the void that is present between the silicon layer and the doped semiconductor layer. Source and drain regions are then formed on a channel portion of the at least one fin structure.
US08975122B2	Stacked bit line dual word line nonvolatile memory An arrangement of nonvolatile memory devices, having at least one memory device level stacked level by level above a semiconductor substrate, each memory level comprising an oxide layer substantially disposed above a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of word lines substantially disposed above the oxide layer; a plurality of bit lines substantially disposed above the oxide layer; a plurality of via plugs substantially in electrical contact with the word lines and, an anti-fuse dielectric material substantially disposed on side walls beside the bit lines and substantially in contact with the plurality of bit lines side wall anti-fuse dielectrics.
US08975120B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device The reliability of a semiconductor device is to be improved. A microcomputer chip (semiconductor chip) having a plurality of pads formed on a main surface thereof is mounted over an upper surface of a wiring substrate in an opposed state of the chip main surface to the substrate upper surface. Pads coupled to a plurality of terminals (bonding leads) formed over the substrate upper surface comprise a plurality of first pads in which a unique electric current different from the electric current flowing through other pads flows and a plurality of second pads in which an electric current common to the pads flows or does not flow. Another first pad of the first pads or one of the second pads are arranged next to the first pad. The first pads are electrically coupled to a plurality of bonding leads respectively via a plurality of bumps (first conductive members), while the second pads are bonded to the terminals via a plurality of bumps (second conductive members).
US08975119B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device A manufacturing yield of a semiconductor device including a power transistor is improved. When forming a tip portion LE1c of a first lead, a tip portion LE2c of a second lead, and a tip portion LE3c of a third lead by using a spanking die SDM1, the tip portion LE1c of the first lead, the tip portion LE2c of the second lead, and the tip portion LE3c of the third lead are pressed by an upper surface of a protrusion portion provided on a pressing surface of a lower die SD1 and a bottom surface of a groove portion provided in a pressing surface of an upper die SU1, and a bent portion of the second lead and a bent portion of the third lead are pressed by a flat pressing surface of the lower die SD1 and a flat pressing surface of the upper die SU1.
US08975118B2	Component having a via and method for manufacturing it An advantageous method and system for realizing electrically very reliable and mechanically extremely stable vias for components whose functionality is realized in a layer construction on a conductive substrate. The via (Vertical Interconnect Access), which is led to the back side of the component and which is used for the electrical contacting of functional elements realized in the layer construction, includes a connection area in the substrate that extends over the entire thickness of the substrate and is electrically insulated from the adjoining substrate by a trench-like insulating frame likewise extending over the entire substrate thickness. According to the present system, the trench-like insulating frame is filled up with an electrically insulating polymer.
US08975117B2	Semiconductor device using diffusion soldering A method includes providing a semiconductor chip having a first main surface and a second main surface. A semiconductor chip is placed on a carrier with the first main surface of the semiconductor chip facing the carrier. A first layer of solder material is provided between the first main surface and the carrier. A contact clip including a first contact area is placed on the semiconductor chip with the first contact area facing the second main surface of the semiconductor chip. A second layer of solder material is provided between the first contact area and the second main surface. Thereafter, heat is applied to the first and second layers of solder material to form diffusion solder bonds between the carrier, the semiconductor chip and the contact clip.
US08975114B2	Method for forming metal oxides and silicides in a memory device Embodiments of the invention generally relate to memory devices and methods for fabricating such memory devices. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a resistive switching memory device includes depositing a metallic layer on a lower electrode disposed on a substrate and exposing the metallic layer to an activated oxygen source while heating the substrate to an oxidizing temperature within a range from about 300° C. to about 600° C. and forming a metal oxide layer from an upper portion of the metallic layer during an oxidation process. The lower electrode contains a silicon material and the metallic layer contains hafnium or zirconium. Subsequent to the oxidation process, the method further includes heating the substrate to an annealing temperature within a range from greater than 600° C. to about 850° C. while forming a metal silicide layer from a lower portion of the metallic layer during a silicidation process.
US08975113B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and method for growing graphene A catalyst film (2) is formed over a substrate (1). A graphene (3) is grown on the catalyst film (2). A gap through which a lower surface of the catalyst film (2) is exposed is formed. The catalyst film (2) is removed through the gap.
US08975108B2	Opto-electronic module An optical proximity sensor module includes a substrate, a light emitter mounted on a first surface of the substrate, the light emitter being operable to emit light at a first wavelength, and a light detector mounted on the first surface of the substrate, the light detector being operable to detect light at the first wavelength. The module includes an optics member disposed substantially parallel to the substrate, and a separation member disposed between the substrate and the optics member. The separation member may surround the light emitter and the light detector, and may include a wall portion that extends from the substrate to the optics member and that separates the light emitter and the light detector from one another. The separation member may be composed, for example, of a non-transparent polymer material containing a pigment, such as carbon black.
US08975106B2	Chip package and method for forming the same A method for forming a chip package includes: providing a substrate having a first and a second surfaces; removing a portion of the substrate to form openings in the substrate, wherein the openings extend from the first surface towards the second surface or from the second surface towards the first surface; after forming the openings, at least a first portion of the substrate serves as a first movable bulk, and at least a second portion of the substrate serves as a second movable bulk, wherein the first movable bulk and the second movable bulk are respectively located between the openings; disposing a protecting substrate on the second surface of the substrate; forming a through-hole in the protecting substrate; and forming a conducting layer on the protecting substrate, wherein the conducting layer extends from a surface of the protecting substrate into the through-hole to electrically connect the second movable bulk.
US08975103B2	CMOS image sensor with wide dynamic range The present invention relates a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor capable of improving dynamic range by using an additional driver transistor. The CMOS image sensor according to the present invention has a pixel array which has a plurality of unit pixels each of which includes a photodiode and a fist transistor to act as a source follower buffer amplifier to amplify photogenerated charges accumulated in the photodiode. Also, the CMOS image sensor includes a second transistor for a buffer amplifier to amplify and output a gate input voltage in the unit pixel, wherein an output signal of the first transistor is applied to a gate of the second.
US08975093B2	Complete recrystallization of semiconductor wafers The instant disclosure relates to a device and method for recrystallising a silicon wafer or a wafer comprising at least one silicon layer. The silicon wafer or the at least one silicon layer of the wafer is totally molten.
US08975091B2	Method of fabricating a magnetic tunnel junction device The present disclosure relates to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and its fabricating method. Through forming MTJ through a damascene process, device damage due to the etching process and may be avoided. In some embodiments, a spacer is formed between a first portion and a second portion of the MTJ to prevent the tunnel insulating layer of the MTJ from being damaged in subsequent processes, greatly increasing product yield thereby. In other embodiments, signal quality may be improved and magnetic flux leakage may be reduced through the improved cup-shaped MTJ structure of this invention.
US08975090B2	Method for manufacturing a MEMS sensor A capacitance type gyro sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode integrally including a first base portion and first comb tooth portions and a second electrode integrally including a second base portion and second comb tooth portions, formed by processing the surface portion of the semiconductor substrate. The first electrode has first drive portions that extend from opposed portions opposed to the respective second comb tooth portions on the first base portion toward the respective second comb tooth portions. The second electrode has second drive portions formed on the tip end portions of the respective second comb tooth portions opposed to the respective first drive portions. The first drive portions and the second drive portions engage with each other at an interval like comb teeth.
US08975088B2	MRAM etching processes Various embodiments of the invention relate to etching processes used in fabrication of MTJ cells in an MRAM device. The various embodiments can be used in combination with each other. The first embodiment adds a hard mask buffer layer between a hard mask and a top electrode. The second embodiment uses a multilayered etching hard mask. The third embodiment uses a multilayered top electrode structure including a first Cu layer under a second layer such as Ta. The fourth embodiment is a two-phase etching process used for the bottom electrode to remove re-deposited material while maintaining a more vertical sidewall etching profile. In the first phase the bottom electrode layer is removed using carbonaceous reactive ion etching until the endpoint. In the second phase an inert gas and/or oxygen plasma is used to remove the polymer that was deposited during the previous etching processes.
US08975078B2	Method for expressing a mouse olfactory receptor Olfr15 on a cell membrane Provided is a method for effectively expressing mouse olfactory receptor Olfr15 on the cell membrane. The method includes steps of: bringing a cell into contact with a culture medium containing chlorpromazine; separating the culture medium from the cell so as to remove the culture medium; and incubating the cell using a culture medium which does not contain chlorpromazine to express the mouse olfactory receptor Olfr15 on the cell membrane.
US08975077B2	Methods for dispersing somatic plant embryos Methods and devices for dispersion of clusters of somatic plant embryos suspended in a liquid are disclosed. The methods comprise i) subjecting the clusters of embryos to fluid dynamics forces causing axially extensional strain and radially compressional strain and ii) subjecting the clusters of embryos to fluid dynamics forces causing axially compressional strain and radially extensional strain fluid dynamics and iii) repeating said steps in sequence until the individual embryos are separated from each other. The devices may comprise a flow channel including at least one constriction, such that clusters of embryos flowing through the flow channel are first subjected to axially extensional strain and radially compressional strain, and then to axially compressional strain and radially extensional strain from fluid dynamics forces.
US08975071B1	Compositions for treatment of cancer The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer in a human. The invention includes relates to administering a genetically modified T cell to express a CAR wherein the CAR comprises an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain, a costimulatory signaling region, and a CD3 zeta signaling domain.
US08975066B2	DNA analysis apparatus Accurate and sensitive sequencing in pyrosequencing is achieved by allowing complementary strand synthesis reaction to proceed homogeneously and completely in a short time while performing luminescence reaction for a sufficiently long time. DNA as a sequencing target is immobilized on the surface of a solid support. Nucleic acid substrates are injected from a dispenser to the support site where complementary strand synthesis is in turn performed rapidly and completely in a short time under a small reaction volume. Next, the support together with the product thereon is moved into a luminescence reaction solution where luminescence reaction is in turn performed. Thus, a DNA complementary strand synthesis reaction site and a luminescence reaction site are completely separated. The support surface is also washed by dipping the support in the luminescence reaction solution that contains a luminescence reagent and an enzyme that degrades redundant nucleic acid substrates.
US08975065B2	Meandering channel fluid device and method Methods and devices of performing reactions for which presence of light is desirable are provided. Biological or chemical materials such as algae are put in a chamber shaped as a meandering fluid channel. The algae can be combined with biomass such as human or animal waste and then subject to light, such as natural light or light coming from a LED, to produce fuel. Production of fuel can be optimized by controlling the height-to-width ratio of the channels.
US08975064B2	Methods and means for producing hyaluronan The present invention relates to fungal cells and fungi which synthesize hyaluronan and to methods for preparing such fungi, and also to methods for preparing hyaluronan with the aid of these fungal cells or fungi. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of fungi for preparing hyaluronan and to food or feed which comprises hyaluronan.
US08975061B2	Regulation of toxin and antitoxin genes for biological containment The present invention relates to the regulation of a toxin and/or antitoxin genes in a genetically engineered microorganism, such as cyanobacterial or eukaryotic algal strains, in particular for preventing unintentional and/or uncontrolled spread of the microorganisms. The present invention also includes methods of controlling the growth and/or survival of the engineered microorganism
US08975060B2	Method for pretreatment of microbial samples Methods and devices are provided for pretreatment of a sample containing microbial cells. In some embodiments, the pretreatment of the sample is performed via the initial selective lysis, within a sample pretreatment vessel, of non-microbial cells (such as blood cells) and the subsequent centrifugation of the sample to remove the resulting debris and concentrate the microbial cells. An immiscible and dense cushioning liquid may be included, for collecting the microbial cells adjacent to a liquid interface formed by the cushioning liquid, upon centrifugation of the pretreatment vessel. After removal of a substantial quantity of the supernatant, resuspension of the collected microbial cells, and re-establishment of the liquid interface, at least a portion of the remaining suspension may be removed without substantially removing the cushioning liquid. One or more intermediate wash cycles may be performed to prior to extraction of the pretreated sample.
US08975058B2	Endoglucanases for treatment of cellulosic material The present invention relates to production of fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic material by enzymatic conversion. The fermentable sugars are useful e.g. in the production of bioethanol. Novel polypeptides having endoglucanase activity, polynucleotides encoding them and vectors and host cells containing the polynucleotides are disclosed. A method for treating cellulosic material with the novel endoglucanase as well as uses of the enzymes and enzyme preparations and a method of preparing them are described.
US08975057B2	Protein having β-glucosidase activity and uses thereof By combination of hydrophobic chromatography and strongly basic anion-exchange chromatography, a novel, highly hydrophobic β-glucosidase was successfully identified from Acremonium cellulolyticus. Further, a gene corresponding to the identified β-glucosidase was isolated. When multiple modifications were introduced into the base sequence of the gene, the gene was successfully expressed in Trichoderma viride at a high level, and the expression product successfully exhibited a high β-glucosidase activity.
US08975056B2	Variant alpha-amylases from Bacillus subtilis and methods of uses, thereof Alpha-amylases from Bacillus subtilis (AmyE), variants thereof, nucleic acids encoding the same, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids are provided. Methods of using AmyE or variants thereof are disclosed, including liquefaction and/or saccharification of starch. Such methods may yield sugars useful for ethanol production or high fructose corn syrup production. In some cases, the amylases can be used at low pH, in the absence of calcium, and/or in the absence of a glucoamylase.
US08975054B2	Microorganisims used to synthesize oligosaccharides The present invention relates to the enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharides, particularly, sialylated oligosaccharides comprising the carbohydrate moeities of the gangliosides GM3, GD3, and GT3.
US08975052B2	Marking paper products Methods of marking paper products and marked paper products are provided. Some methods include irradiating the paper product to alter the functionalization of the paper.
US08975050B2	Production of volatile dienes by enzymatic dehydration of light alkenols Described is a method for generating conjugated dienes through a biological process. More specifically, the application describes a method for producing conjugated dienes (for example butadiene, isoprene or dimethylbutadiene) from light alkenols via enzymatic dehydration, in particular by making use of an alkenol dehydratase.
US08975048B2	Multimeric oxidoreductases Described herein are multimeric oxidoreductase complexes which function in the enzymatic conversion of a carbon substrate. The complexes comprise a dehydrogenase subunit and a cytochrome C subunit. Also described are polynucleotides coding for the multimeric complexes and methods of use thereof.
US08975046B2	Polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways for the production of stereoisomers of monatin and their precursors Monatin and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R monatin and S,R monatin, as well as salts thereof, are produced using polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways. These polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways are also useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy-2-(indoly-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, an intermediate that is formed in certain monatin synthesis pathways, including some biosynthetic pathways.
US08975043B2	Enzymatic degradation of lipid A fatty acids of bacterial LPS Novel enzymes, processes and antigenic structures useful in producing vaccines and compounds useful in combating gram-negative bacteria are described. Enzymes were isolated from the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum and used to specifically degrade lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Enzymatic degradation permits residues of the LPS molecule, including immunogenic epitopes of the core oligosaccharide portion of the LPS, to remain unmodified during this enzymatic removal of fatty acids from the lipid A region of the LPS molecule.
US08975041B2	Fusion proteins and method of expression thereof The present invention relates to novel Prolipase-Bovine trypsinogen (PLBTR) fusion proteins, the genes encoding them, and the production and uses thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods of producing in optimal quantities PLBTR fusion proteins which comprise a heterologous polypeptide which is normally susceptible to autocatalytic activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to fusion proteins which comprise an heterologous polypeptide, such as a serine protease, fused to a lipase signal sequence, which can be expressed by recombinant host cells in desired amounts. The present invention further relates to polynucleotides encoding such fusion proteins, to expression vectors for expression of such fusion proteins, to host cells transformed with such polynucleotides/vectors, and to methods of generating such fusion proteins.
US08975034B2	Maternal biomarkers for gestational diabetes Embodiments herein relate to the field of screening tools for fetal/maternal wellness, and, more specifically, to biomarkers for gestational diabetes. In various embodiments, the methods may provide non-invasive and minimally-invasive screening tools for gestational diabetes that involve detection of changes in a proteomic profile of a test sample relative to a reference sample. In particular embodiments, the method may include determining whether a proteomic profile of a test sample from the subject includes at least one expression signature characteristic of gestational diabetes, wherein the proteomic profile comprises information on the expression of glycosylated fibronectin and glycosylated PSG, for example information on levels of fibronectin-SNA or a fibronectin-antibody complex, and PSG-AAL or a PSG-antibody complex. In some embodiments, the proteomic profile may also include information on the expression of adiponectin, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), C-reactive protein (CRP), a ratio of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to placental lactogen, or a combination thereof.
US08975033B2	Human autoantibodies specific for PAD3 which are cross-reactive with PAD4 and their use in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and related diseases In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a novel biomarker which provides a link between a distinct clinical phenotype and a biochemical effect of an autoantibody on an enzyme implicated in disease pathogenesis. In particular, the present invention provides an isolated or purified human autoantibody to PAD3 protein. Methods of diagnosis of subjects for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using these antibodies as well as diagnosis of the severity of RA in the subject, and methods for monitoring treatment of a subject with RA are also provided. The biomarkers provided herein are also useful in the diagnosis of connective tissue-interstitial lung disease (CT-ILD) in patients having or suspected of having RA.
US08975031B2	Method for predicting a need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) A method for predicting a need for Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) in a patient comprises: determining a concentration of pi glutathione S transferase-(πGST) in a first urine sample from the patient; and wherein a need for RRT is predicted when the πGST concentration is determined to be elevated in comparison to a patient without kidney injury. The method according to the invention can further comprise detecting for the presence of risk factors for RRT in a patient, the risk factors including elevated serum creatinine concentration, type I diabetes, type II diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycaemia, proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia.
US08975029B2	Integrin alpha-2 binding agents and use thereof to inhibit cancer cell proliferation The invention provides an integrin alpha-2 binding agent and methods of using an integrin alpha-2 binding agent to, e.g., inhibit proliferation of cancer cells, modulate tumor growth in a subject, inhibiting angiogenesis, or treating a fibrotic disorder. The invention further provides a method of producing an antibody, the method comprising propagating cancer cells in a 3-dimensional matrix; immunizing a mammal with the propagated cancer cells; and isolating an antibody from the immunized mammal. A method of identifying an agent that inhibits cancer cell proliferation also is provided.
US08975028B2	Method for the identification of the clonal source of a restriction fragment The present invention relates to a high throughput method for the identification and detection of molecular markers wherein restriction fragments are generated and suitable adaptors comprising (sample-specific) identifiers are ligated. The adapter-ligated restriction fragments may be selectively amplified with adaptor compatible primers carrying selective nucleotides at their 3′ end. The amplified adapter-ligated restriction fragments are, at least partly, sequenced using high throughput sequencing methods and the sequence parts of the restriction fragments together with the sample-specific identifiers serve as molecular markers.
US08975023B2	Method for controlling the amount of gene product, and agent for controlling the amount of gene product The invention relates to a method of intracellularly controlling amounts of gene products, which can increase an amount of gene product intracellularly, comprising a step of introducing into the cell a substance having a sequence complementary to the base sequence of mRNA corresponding to the gene product, its precursor or another substance which can have equivalent action in the cell.
US08975020B2	Methods of detecting Charcot-Marie Tooth disease type 2A Methods are described for screening a subject for risk of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2A or for diagnosing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease or a predisposition for developing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in a subject, by detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the mitofusin gene in a biological sample collected from the subject. Methods are also described for detecting the presence of a genetic polymorphism associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2A in a sample of patient nucleic acid, by amplifying a mitofusin gene sequence in the patient nucleic acid to produce an amplification product; and identifying the presence of a Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2A associated polymorphism in the amplification product.
US08975018B2	Method of detecting expanded CAG repeat region in spinocerebellar ataxia-2 gene The present invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding human SCA2 protein, or fragments thereof, and isolated SCA2 proteins encoded thereby. Further provided are vectors containing invention nucleic acids, probes that hybridize thereto, host cells transformed therewith, antisense oligonucleotides thereto and compositions containing antibodies that specifically bind to invention polypeptides, as well as transgenic non-human mammals that express the invention protein. In addition, methods for diagnosing spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 are provided.
US08975016B2	Methods for direct fluorescent antibody virus detection in liquids The present invention describes a liquid direct fluorescence antibody assay that is rapid and sensitive to detect respiratory virus in infected cells. The assay includes centrifugation of the specimen, incubation of sample and reagents in solution, and detection of the absence or presence of respiratory virus. Sapogenin is used as a detergent to permeabilize the cells for entry of the monoclonal antibodies to react with intracellular antigens. The cells are stained with fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibodies against the viral antigens along with a background stain and a fluorescent nuclear stain. This counter staining decreases background and allows co-localization of antigen and nuclear structures for enhanced detection.
US08975013B2	Process to control CO concentrations in fermentations A process for controlling concentration of CO in a bioreactor provides a direct and real time measurement of dissolved CO in a fermentation medium. The process for controlling concentrations of CO in a bioreactor includes contacting an aliquot of fermentation medium with at least one CO binding ligand and at least one microbial inactivator.
US08975011B2	Multi-layer articles capable of forming color images and method of forming color images Multi-layer articles are described that are capable of forming color images. The articles may contain at least two layers, a thermally activatable layer and a blocking layer, or at least three layers with two thermally activatable layers and a blocking layer between. The thermally activatable layers absorb light of a write wavelength and have an absorption threshold for activation. The blocking layer blocks light of the write wavelength at certain incident angles or polarization states and permits light of the write wavelength and certain incident angles or polarization states to pass through. The thermally activatable layers may be layers with a light to heat convertor composition and a color changing compound or they may be a group of layers arranged to change its reflective characteristic upon exposure to light while maintaining the structural integrity of the group of layers.
US08975010B2	Method of forming resist pattern A method of forming a resist pattern including: applying a first resist composition containing a base component that exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution and a photobase generator component that generates a base upon exposure to a substrate to form a first resist film; conducting exposure; conducting baking; conducting an alkali development, thereby forming a negative-tone resist pattern; applying a second resist composition containing a second base component that exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution, an acid generator component that generates acid upon exposure and an organic solvent that does not dissolve the negative-tone resist pattern to the substrate having the negative-tone resist pattern formed thereon to form a second resist film; conducting exposure; and conducting an alkali development, thereby forming a resist pattern.
US08975006B2	Compositions comprising carboxy component and processes for photolithography New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise one or more block copolymers. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention can exhibit reduced leaching of resist materials into an immersion fluid contacting the resist layer dining immersion lithography processing.
US08975005B2	Black curable composition for wafer level lens and wafer level lens A black curable composition for a wafer level lens includes (A) a metal-containing inorganic pigment, (B) a polymerization initiator, and (C) a polymerizable compound. The (A) metal-containing inorganic pigment is preferably titanium black.
US08975001B2	Photoresist compositions and methods of forming photolithographic patterns Provided are photoresist compositions useful in forming photolithographic patterns. Also provided are substrates coated with the photoresist compositions and methods of forming photolithographic patterns. The compositions, methods and coated substrates find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.
US08974997B2	High NVS liquid toner The present disclosure is drawn to LEP toners, systems, and methods of manufacturing LEP liquid toners. Specifically, a high NVS liquid toner can comprise a ground up admixture of a hydrocarbon carrier fluid, pigment particles, and a polymer paste having an NVS content of about 38 wt % to about 65 wt %. The resultant high NVS liquid toner has an NVS content of about 28 wt % to about 38 wt % and a viscosity of about 3,000 cPs to about 25,000 cPs.
US08974996B2	Liquid developer A liquid developer used for wet-type image forming apparatuses includes toner particles and an insulating liquid, the toner particles include a resin, a pigment, and a pigment dispersant, the pigment includes a pigment having an acid group, and the pigment dispersant is a basic polymer dispersant including units derived from ε-caprolactone.
US08974992B2	Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus Provided is an electrophotographic photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate, an undercoat layer that is provided on the electroconductive substrate, contains a binder resin, metal oxide particles and an electron accepting compound having an acidic group and has an AC impedance of from 1×105Ω to 1×108Ω under the measurement condition in which a temperature is 22° C., a humidity is 50% RH, an AC voltage is ±1 V, and a frequency is 1 Hz and an AC impedance of from 1×103Ω to 1×108Ω under the measurement condition in which a temperature is 22° C., a humidity is 50% RH, an AC voltage is ±1 V, and a frequency is 100 Hz, and a photosensitive layer that is provided on the undercoat layer.
US08974989B2	Lithographic mask, lithographic apparatus and method A lithographic mask has a substrate substantially transmissive for radiation of a certain wavelength, the substrate having a radiation absorbing material in an arrangement, the arrangement configured to apply a pattern to a cross-section of a radiation beam of the certain wavelength, wherein the absorbing material has a thickness which is substantially equal to the certain wavelength divided by a refractive index of the absorbing material.
US08974982B2	Fuel cell, fuel cell stack, and method for manufacturing fuel cell A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) having an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes arranged on both sides of the electrolyte membrane in the thickness direction, a pair of frames having a frame shape and holding an outer periphery portion of the electrolyte membrane, a pair of gas diffusion layers arranged inside the pair of frames and on both sides of the MEA in the thickness direction, and a gasket covering at least a part of the pair of frames. The fuel cell further includes a first cross-linking adhesive member formed of rubber which includes a membrane accommodating portion having an indented shape for accommodating the outer periphery portion of the electrolyte membrane and a first intermediate portion interposed between the pair of frames and which is subjected to cross-linking adhesion with the outer periphery portion of the electrolyte membrane and the pair of frames.
US08974981B2	Fuel cell system with interconnect The present invention includes a fuel cell system having a plurality of adjacent electrochemical cells formed of an anode layer, a cathode layer spaced apart from the anode layer, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode layer and the cathode layer. The fuel cell system also includes at least one interconnect, the interconnect being structured to conduct free electrons between adjacent electrochemical cells. Each interconnect includes a primary conductor embedded within the electrolyte layer and structured to conduct the free electrons.
US08974978B2	Solid oxide fuel cell device The present invention comprises a fuel cell assembly, a reformer, a fuel flow rate regulator unit for supplying fuel gas to the reformer, a reforming air supply device, a power generating air supply device, and a control unit for igniting fuel gas using an ignition device and conducting a combustion operation causing the fuel gas to combust using power generating air, then sequentially implementing a POX operation, ATR operation, and SR operation; whereby the control section starts the supply of fuel gas, reforming air, and power generating air, then controls the fuel gas supply device, the reforming air supply device, and the power generating air supply device to hold constant the respective supply flow rates of fuel gas, reforming air, and power generating air, without variation, in the combustion operating region in which fuel gas is ignited by the ignition device and combusted.
US08974976B2	Method of humidifying fuel cell inlets using wick-based water trap humidifiers A fuel cell system that employs a split fuel cell stack, where fresh anode gas is humidified by water trap humidifiers. The fuel cell system includes a plurality of valves that are opened and closed to provide stack order switching between the split stacks so that the flow of hydrogen through the stacks is always in the same direction. A water trap humidifier is provided at the anode inlet to both split stacks, possibly in the anode inlet manifold or fuel cell non-active region, to provide the humidification. The valves are selectively opened and closed to provide fresh hydrogen to one stack, and humidified hydrogen to the other stack.
US08974973B2	Starch-based battery system The present invention is directed to a starch-based battery system. The starch-based battery system uses a rheological and replaceable starch gluten electrolyte that generates colloidal starch gel adhesive contacted with and/or attached on electrodes to generate current for powering electronic devices. The starch-based battery system that includes control circuit and standard cap module replaces a conventional dry cell battery or is integrated with electronic devices to power, for example, flash-light, lighting ornaments or magnetic actuated motion products and toys. In other embodiments of the invention, the starch-based battery system is integrated into a device for attracting aquatic life forms in an aquatic environment, wherein the starch-based battery powers a light source and/or sound source and also the starch gluten electrolyte acts as bait for attracting aquatic life forms within the aquatic environment.
US08974972B2	Battery grid A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.
US08974969B2	Negative electrode material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same A mixed carbon material is useful for an electrode of a nonaqueous secondary battery. The material has two component materials: carbon material A and carbon material B. Both materials have high capacity and rapid charge-discharge characteristics. Carbon material A, a multilayer-structure material containing an amorphous carbon covering the surface of a graphitic particle, has particularly excellent charging-discharging properties. Carbon material B has particularly excellent electrical conductivity properties. A battery with an electrode having the mixed carbon material can have both rapid charge-discharge characteristics and high cycle characteristics.
US08974968B2	Composite graphite particle for nonaqueous secondary battery, negative electrode material containing the same, negative electrode and nonaqueous secondary battery To provide a nonaqueous secondary battery exhibiting a sufficiently small charge/discharge irreversible capacity in the initial cycle, exhibiting an excellent charge acceptance and excellent cycle characteristics, even when the negative electrode material-containing active material layer on a current collector is highly densified so as to obtain a high capacity. A composite graphite particle for nonaqueous secondary batteries, which is a composite graphite particle (B) obtained by forming a spherical graphite particle (A) and a graphitized product of graphitizable binder, wherein the spherical graphite particle (A) is a specific graphite particle or the composite graphite particle satisfies (a) and/or (b): (a) assuming that the cumulative 50% diameter (d50 size), 90% diameter (d90 size) and 10% diameter (d10 size) of the (A) by a laser diffraction method are D50(A), D90(A) and D10(A), respectively, and the cumulative 50% diameter (d50 size), 90% diameter (d90 size) and 10% diameter (d10 size) of the (B) by a laser diffraction method are D50(B), D90(B) and D10(B), respectively, the composite graphite particle satisfies all of (formula 1), (formula 2) and (formula 3): 1.1≦D50(B)/D50(A)≦2.0 (formula 1) 1.1≦D90(B)/D90(A)≦2.4 (formula 2) 1.0≦D10(B)/D10(A)≦1.8 (formula 3) (b) assuming that the value of 110(A)/004(A) which is the ratio between 110 plane and 004 plane measured from XRD of the (A) is x and the value of 110(B)/004(B) which is the ratio between 110 plane and 004 plane measured from XRD of the (B) is y, the ratio z therebetween is defined by the following formula and z is from 1.2 to 3.5: z=y/x.
US08974964B2	Metal air cathode: manganese oxide contained in octahedral molecular sieve An oxygen reduction electrode, e.g., an air cathode, comprising manganese oxides having octahedral molecular sieve structures as active catalyst materials and use of such an electrode as a component of a metal-air cell.
US08974954B2	Battery Disclosed is a battery having an improved life. Specifically disclosed is a battery which comprises an electric power generating element in which one or more unit cell layers are stacked, each being constituted by sequentially laminating or stacking a positive electrode, an electrolyte and a negative electrode; a first collector plate which is provided on the outermost positive electrode surface of the electric power generating element; a second collector plate which is provided on the outermost negative electrode surface of the electric power generating element; a convex or protruding portion provided on the first collector plate and/or the second collector plate with a width that is not less than a half of the width of the end edge of the collector plate; and a terminal which is attached to the convex portion for retrieving electric current from the convex portion.
US08974951B2	Battery pack A battery pack includes a plurality of unit batteries disposed in a spacer and connected via electrode tabs in a case so as to facilitate assembly of the battery pack and to prevent movement of the unit batteries when the battery pack is used, thereby increasing performance and efficiency of manufacture of the battery pack.
US08974947B2	Electric storage device and its production method When an electrode material having a weight-average mesopore/macropore specific surface area within a specific range is used, there arises an expansion of a cell caused by the generation of decomposed gas from a component of electrolyte solution during the pre-doping process of lithium ions. A potential drop upon the pre-doping process is adjusted so as to reduce or suppress the expansion of the cell. Specifically, since the pre-doping speed is increased, the negative electrode can speedily reach the potential by which an SEI component made of lithium alkyl carbonate can be produced on the surface of the negative electrode. Consequently, the absolute amount of the gas produced by the decomposition of the electrolyte solution can be reduced, whereby the expansion of the electric storage device can be reduced.
US08974945B2	Electricity supply system An electricity supply system includes a circuit substrate, a first electrode substrate, a second electrode substrate, a first package unit, and a second package unit. The circuit substrate includes at least a separating area. The first electrode substrate includes a first current collector and a first active material layer, which is disposed opposed to the separating area and is located between the separating area and the first current collector. The second electrode substrate includes a second current collector and a second active material layer, which is disposed opposed to the separating area and is located between the separating area and the second current collector. The first and second package units are located between the first electrode substrate, the second electrode substrate and the circuit substrate respectively.
US08974942B2	Battery thermal management system including thermoelectric assemblies in thermal communication with a battery In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.
US08974941B2	Storage device for battery modules A storage device for battery modules includes a housing made up of outer walls, inner walls between the outer walls, and bridge walls connecting the outer walls with the inner walls. The inner and outer walls define through holes, each configured to receive a battery module therein. The housing defines several fluidly isolated air flow spaces. The device also includes fins, each protruding from one of the bridge walls and blocking a portion of one of the flow spaces. An alternative storage device for battery modules includes a housing made up of outer walls and inner walls between the outer walls. The inner and outer walls define through holes, each configured to receive a battery module therein. The housing defines several fluidly isolated air flow spaces. The device also includes fins, each blocking a portion of one of the flow spaces and connecting the outer walls with the inner walls.
US08974938B2	Battery system and method for coupling a battery cell assembly to an electrically non-conductive base member A battery system is provided. The battery system includes a first battery cell assembly having first and second interconnect members. The first and second interconnect members have first and second blades, respectively. The battery system further includes an electrically non-conductive base member having first and second grooves. The battery system further includes first and second bus bar members disposed in the first and second grooves, respectively. The first bus bar member has a first aperture configured to removably receive the first blade therein. The second bus bar member has a second aperture configured to removably receive a second blade therein.
US08974936B2	Prismatic secondary battery employed with safety groove A prismatic secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a cathode, an anode, and a separator mounted in a prismatic battery case in a sealed state, the battery case including a hexahedral case body open at the top thereof, the hexahedral case body being made of a metal material, and a case cap coupled to the open top of the case body, the case cap having an electrode terminal, wherein the case body is provided at a region exhibiting a stress distribution equivalent to 40% or less of the maximum stress of the case in a high pressure state with a line-shaped safety groove configured to be ruptured when high pressure occurs in the battery, and the safety groove is configured such that a residual thickness of the case body is decreased toward the middle from opposite ends of the safety groove in the longitudinal direction.
US08974931B2	Cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery The present disclosure relates to a cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery, which can prevent a cylindrical can from being cracked due to an external shock applied during an assembling process while controlling a rupture pressure of the cylindrical can. The cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery includes a cylindrical can, an electrode assembly accommodated in the cylindrical can with an electrolyte, and a cap assembly sealing the cylindrical can, wherein the cylindrical can has a cylindrical bottom portion and a side portion extending from the bottom portion to the cap assembly, and a safety vent having a thickness gradient is formed on the bottom portion.
US08974927B2	Power and hydrogen generator An apparatus for producing hydrogen from an electrolyte solution, in particular an aqueous solution, is described. The apparatus includes a hydrogen-developing body having an electrolyte-contacting surface. The electrolyte-contacting surface of the hydrogen-developing body includes regions formed from magnesium, Mg, zinc, Zn, aluminium, Al, or alloys thereof alternating with regions formed from ferrum, Fe, or a ferrous alloy, Fe alloy. The apparatus may further include means for accumulating hydrogen which has developed on the surface of the body.
US08974926B2	Secondary battery Provided is a secondary battery in which an insertion hole where an electrode terminal is insertable is defined in a center of a bottom case disposed under a can to connect batteries to each other in series. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, a can in which the electrode assembly is received, an insulation case inserted into a top opening of the can, the insulation case having a first hole and a second hole through which the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab pass, a protective circuit module disposed on the insulation case, the protective circuit module being electrically connected to the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab, and a cap assembly including a cap plate disposed on the protective circuit module to close the top opening of the can, the cap plate being electrically connected to the protective circuit module and an electrode terminal inserted into a through hole defined in the cap plate.
US08974925B1	Gypsum board Described herein is a composite board and a method of producing a composite board, the board having increased fire endurance. The board comprises a sheet having a thickness greater than about 0.014 inches, and a thermal conductivity of about 0.1 w/(m.k.) or less. The composite board can be part of a wall assembly comprising two boards defining an interior cavity, the sheet facing the interior cavity.
US08974917B2	Optical device comprising a charge transport layer of insoluble organic material and method for the production thereof A method of forming an organic light emitting diode comprising the steps of: providing a substrate comprising a first electrode for injection of charge carriers of a first type; forming a charge transporting layer by depositing over the substrate a charge transporting material for transporting charge carriers of the first type, the charge transporting material being soluble in a solvent; treating the charge transporting layer to render it insoluble in the solvent; forming an electroluminescent layer by depositing onto the charge transporting layer a composition comprising the solvent, a phosphorescent material, and a host material; and depositing over the electroluminescent layer a second electrode for injection of charge carriers of a second type.
US08974913B2	Chassis for electronic apparatus There is provided a thin-plate shaped chassis for an electronic apparatus, which has a plurality of step portions extended substantially in parallel with each other in such a way as to form at least one bulge portion which is bulged in a convex shape. The step portions are formed to have a larger thickness than that of other thin-plate portion having a predetermined thickness, and wherein there is provided at least one rib having a predetermined height which extends from the step portion to the thin-plate portion.
US08974911B2	Method for applying a fireproof coating on a substrate The invention relates to a process for applying a fire-protection coating to a substrate using a process comprising the steps of applying a first clearcoat layer to the substrate, applying an intumescent fire-protection layer to the first clearcoat layer, and applying a second clearcoat layer to the intumescent fire-protection layer.
US08974906B2	Weather-resistant adhesive composition The present invention is to provide a weather-resistant adhesive which achieves adhesive property, moist heat resistance and weather resistance in a practical level by means of aging at low temperature and for short time. There is provided a weather-resistant adhesive composition, characterized in containing (A) a polyester polyol having an acid value of 30 to 150 equivalents/106 g and (B) a polyisocyanate compound comprising an aliphatic polyisocyanate compound and/or an alicyclic polyisocyanate compound. Also, there is provided a layered product, characterized in being prepared by laminating films using said composition.
US08974899B1	Pseudomorphic glass for space solar cells A flexible hybrid coverglass for spacecraft solar panels comprised of small beads of either fused silica or ceria-doped borosilicate glass embedded in a matrix of conventional coverglass adhesives. These beads may also be used in a matrix of Kapton as the solar panel's substrate which may be combined with flexible solar cells to form flexible solar panels.
US08974897B2	Refractory vessels and methods for forming same The disclosure relates to methods of forming a vessel and to the resulting vessel. The vessel may be formed by providing a first fumed silica soot layer comprised of primary particles of fumed silica soot, and then providing over the first fumed silica soot layer a second fumed silica soot layer comprised of agglomerated particles formed into an agglomerated form from primary particles of fumed silica soot. The primary particles of the first fumed silica soot layer may have a substantially uniform density distribution, and the agglomerated particles of the second fumed silica soot layer may have a substantially non-uniform density distribution. The methods may include consolidating the first and second soot layers together to form a consolidated body.
US08974894B2	Decorative sheet, method for producing decorative sheet, in-mold injection molding method, and resin molded product A decorative sheet includes a resin substrate, and an image layer that includes a fixed-ink image formed of an ink composition containing (a) a pigment, (b) polymer particles, (c) a water-soluble organic solvent, and (d) water, on the resin substrate. When a tensile test is performed on the decorative sheet in an atmosphere at 180° C., a stretching rate thereof that is defined as below is 150% or higher. Stretching rate (%)=[(length at the time of breakage−length before stretching)/(length before stretching)]×100.
US08974892B2	Multi-ply paper product or the like, method for the production thereof and relative system A device is provided to produce an embossed multi-ply material, comprising: a first embossing-laminating unit (3) comprising a first embossing cylinder (5) equipped with first projections (5P) defining a first pattern, a first pressure roller (7) cooperating with said first embossing cylinder (5), a first laminating roller (9) and a first glue dispenser (11), disposed between said first pressure roller (7) and said first laminating roller (9); an embossing unit comprising at least a second embossing cylinder (25) provided with second projections (25P) defining a second pattern and a second pressure roller (27) cooperating with said second embossing cylinder (25); a first path (P1) through said first embossing-laminating unit (3); a second path (P2) for at least a second ply (V2) towards and through said second embossing unit (23); a third path (P3) for said third ply (V3).
US08974890B2	Nonwoven fabric having projections and recesses, comprising extensible fiber and elastic fiber, and method of producing nonwoven fabric It is an object of the invention to provide a nonwoven fabric having projections and recesses, comprising extensible fiber and elastic fiber, which has excellent feel on the skin and elasticity, and excellent air permeability in the planar directions and the thickness direction, as well as a method of producing the nonwoven fabric.A nonwoven fabric having projections and recesses, comprising extensible fiber and elastic fiber, wherein the first surface of the nonwoven fabric has a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses, and the proportion of extensible fiber in the projections is higher than the proportion of extensible fiber in the recesses.
US08974889B2	Nanostructured thin film and method for controlling surface properties thereof Disclosed herein is a nanostructured thin film. The nanostructured thin film comprises a nanoparticle layer and a number of micro-undulated surfaces formed on the nanoparticle layer. The two micro-undulated structures of the nanostructured thin film are uniformly introduced over a large area. This configuration makes it easy to control the surface properties of the nanostructured thin film. Therefore, the nanostructured thin film can be widely applied to a variety of devices. Also disclosed herein is a method for controlling the surface properties of the nanostructured thin film.
US08974885B2	Structural element for reinforcing a fuselage of an aircraft A structural element for reinforcing a fuselage cell of an aircraft is provided. The structural element comprises a reinforcement profile which is made in one piece from a metallic material. The profile is provided with a strap at least in regions. As a result of the strap which is made of a fiber-reinforced layer material or fiber metal laminate and is adhesively bonded, at least in regions, to a flange of the reinforcement profile the structural element has high damage tolerance and advantageous fatigue properties. The fiber metal laminate or layer material is made of a plurality of metal layers and fiber-reinforced plastics material layers which are stacked in alternating fashion and adhesively bonded to one another over the entire surface. The reinforcement profile and the strap are joined by means of a joining layer. Said joining layer is preferably constructed from two prepreg layers and a non-fiber-reinforced adhesive layer.
US08974883B2	Thin packaging film having an incipient tear A thin packaging film 1 includes a reference area 2 having a closed contour and which is surrounded over its entire periphery by a tear-off area, an incipient tear 3 being precut in this film so as to intercept this contour while leading into the latter while forming a gripping portion 4 capable of being pulled away from the plane of this thin film, the reference area being designed so as to trap one end of this incipient tear within the contour while the other end propagates by tearing in a spiral from the tear-off area over at least 180° around this reference area when the gripping portion begins to undergo pulling. This closed contour is preferably circular. The closed contour area can in particular be an opening, or a portion of film surrounded by a reinforcement material loop.
US08974881B2	Resin composition, film, bag product and production process of resin composition An object of the present invention is to provide a resin composition improved in film formability and/or mechanical property, particularly tensile elastic modulus or tearing strength, of the film. The present invention provides a resin composition including at least (A) an aliphatic polyester-based resin and (C) a starch, the aliphatic polyester-based resin (A) forming a matrix phase and the starch (C) forming a dispersed phase, wherein the average particle diameter of the dispersed phase is 1 μm or less.
US08974880B2	Wax blends containing long-chain hydrocarbons and alcohols, printing ink compositions and thermal transfer ribbons containing such wax blends, and use of the wax blends The invention relates wax blends containing long-chain hydrocarbons and alcohols, to printing ink compositions and thermal transfer ribbons containing the wax blends, and to the use of said wax blends as additives in printing inks.
US08974875B2	Cellulose acylate film, polarizing plate using the same and liquid crystal display device A cellulose acylate film containing a cellulose acylate and a specific polymer, the specific polymer containing a repeating unit derived from a monomer represented by formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 represents a substituent; (A) represents an atomic group necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered ring; and n represents an integer of 0 to 4.
US08974866B2	Process for manufacturing an inner flocked coating for vehicles with a two-colour effect This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an inner flock coating for vehicles with an indicative and/or decorative motif, which inner flock coating is made up of a support, an adhesive layer and a flock layer made up of a set of fibers adhered to the support via the adhesive layer, wherein said motif is located on a visible surface of said inner coating and wherein said motif is performed by the combination of at least two visibly different areas of the coating, a first area and a second area on which a laser beam is applied.
US08974862B2	Method of manufacturing composite carbon sheet using expanded graphite sheet and mixed dispersion solution Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a composite carbon sheet, including the steps of: mixing 70 parts by weight of a first solution as a dispersant with 30 parts by weight of a second solution as a binder to prepare a third solution; mixing 80˜97 parts by weight of the third solution with 3˜20 parts by weight of any one selected from the group consisting of single-wall carbon nanotubes, double-wall carbon nanotubes, multi-wall carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanoparticles, graphene and fullerene to prepare a fourth solution; dispersing the fourth solution to prepare a mixed dispersion solution; and coating an expanded graphite sheet with the mixed dispersion solution. The method is advantageous in that the thermal conductivity of the composite carbon sheet manufactured by this method can be improved, the physical properties thereof can be enhanced, the exfoliation thereof can be prevented, and the tensile strength and tear strength thereof can be improved.
US08974856B2	Method for fabrication of ceramic dielectric films on copper foils The present invention provides a method for fabricating a ceramic film on a copper foil. The method comprises applying a layer of a sol-gel composition onto a copper foil. The sol-gel composition comprises a precursor of a ceramic material suspended in 2-methoxyethanol. The layer of sol-gel is then dried at a temperature up to about 250° C. The dried layer is then pyrolyzed at a temperature in the range of about 300 to about 450° C. to form a ceramic film from the ceramic precursor. The ceramic film is then crystallized at a temperature in the range of about 600 to about 750° C. The drying, pyrolyzing and crystallizing are performed under a flowing stream of an inert gas. In some embodiments an additional layer of the sol-gel composition is applied onto the ceramic film and the drying, pyrolyzing and crystallizing steps are repeated for the additional layer to build up a thicker ceramic layer on the copper foil. The process can be repeated one or more times if desired.
US08974854B2	Compositions and methods for treating cellulose-based materials with micronized additives A composition for treating cellulosic materials is provided. The composition comprises a dispersion of micronized additives. The dispersion comprises additive particles with diameters in the range of 0.001 to 25 microns. Also provided is a method for the application of the additive-containing composition to wood, as well as wood products which have been treated with the composition.
US08974851B2	Method for applying a high-temperature lubricant The present invention relates to a method for applying hexagonal boron nitride to a rough surface, wherein it is intended for the boron nitride to be provided as a temperature-resistant lubricant of the surface. According to the invention, a pin composed of hexagonal boron nitride is rubbed with pressure over the rough surface, such that abraded boron nitride adheres to the surface.
US08974850B2	Convoluted chocolate product with regions of weakness and process for preparation thereof A confectionery composition is described. The confectionery composition includes a convoluted chocolate sheet having fold lines arranged generally along a first direction and having at least one region of weakness. Each region of weakness extends along the full width of the chocolate sheet substantially in a single plane transverse to the first direction. Also described are scraper blades for removing chocolate from a roller to form a chocolate sheet, and apparatus and methods for producing the confectionery composition described.
US08974849B2	Concentrated shelf stable liquid coffee The present invention is directed to a technique of producing an ultra-concentrated liquid coffee that is shelf-stable at ambient temperature without the need for refrigeration or freezing. This invention further relates to a process for manufacturing ultra-concentrated stabilized liquid coffee with enhanced freshness, aroma and flavor retention without acidity or bitterness.
US08974848B1	Ingestible product and method for enhancing the appearance and quality of teeth in-vivo Tooth stain resulting from exposure to coloring agents contained in food and beverages, generally termed foodstuffs, is reduced, prevented and/or reversed by the addition of consumable anti-staining materials to the foodstuff anytime prior to ingestion. The anti-staining materials may be introduced into the foodstuff during the manufacturing process or added by the consumer at the time of preparation or use. A number of materials which interact with tooth stains and/or staining agents to counteract their effect and/or reduce their coloration as well as substances which interact with teeth to block the interaction of staining agents with teeth are disclosed.
US08974845B2	Shelling of cooked eggs An improved process for peeling hard boiled eggs includes contacting the cooked egg with a cold inert gas before peeling.
US08974844B2	Methods for sterilizing, stabilizing and packaging harvested produce Disclosed are methods for processing harvested produce such as fruits and vegetables, where the sterilization, stabilization and packaging is done in such a manner that it allows for longer retention of freshness, texture, flavor and overall quality than is possible with conventional retort processes and packaging. One specific embodiment discusses sterilizing and packaging harvested produce into a bulk storage container, comprising the steps of cleaning, dicing and blanching said produce, thereby creating pre-processed produce; adding water, at least one acid or salt, and at least one carbohydrate, to said pre-processed produce to form a mixture of pre-processed produce and a liquid packing medium; processing said mixture in an ohmic processing vessel to form a sterilized mixture suitable for aseptic packaging in said container, without first packaging said mixture.
US08974843B2	mTOR pathway optimized nutritional compositions Method of reducing the mTOR pathway stimulating activity of amino acid containing nutritional materials. This method comprises treating an enzymatically hydrolyzed protein material such as casein, whey, or soy protein with at least one enzyme capable of converting mTOR pathway stimulating amino acids and amino acid residues, such as leucine or methionine, into alternate chemical entities that do not stimulate or stimulate to a significantly lesser degree the mTOR pathway, while preserving the non-mTOR stimulating amino acids. These one or more alternate chemical entities should ideally be suitable for consumption, or alternatively be capable of being removed from the treated material through low cost extraction or conversion techniques. The material may then be sold as is, or alternatively packaged with low glycemic carbohydrates, healthy lipids, vitamins, and flavors and sold as a variety of different food products intended for an artificial diet intended to mimic the effects of caloric restriction.
US08974837B2	Pharmaceutical composition comprising an extract of Pseudolysimachion longifolium and the catalpol derivatives isolated therefrom having antiinflammatory, antiallergic and antiasthmatic activity The present invention relates to a composition comprising an extract of Pseudolysimachion genus plant, and the catalpol derivatives isolated therefrom having anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic activity. The extract of Pseudolysimachion genus plant and the catalpol derivatives isolated therefrom shows potent suppressing effect on elevated IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 levels and eosinophilia in the plasma and BALF, and mucus overproduction in the lung tissues in an OVA-induced asthmatic mouse model. Therefore, it can be used as the therapeutics or functional health food for treating and preventing inflammatory, allergic and asthmatic disease.
US08974836B2	Angiogenesis regulating composition and method for regulating angiogenesis An angiogenesis regulating composition used to treat/prevent an angiogenic disease in a subject, that contains in an effective amount at least one of nitrate, nitrite, and a compound convertible into nitrate or nitrite after the compound is absorbed into the subject, and an angiogenesis regulation method administering to a subject a composition containing as an active ingredient at least one of nitrate, nitrite, and a compound convertible into nitrate or nitrite after the compound is absorbed into the subject, provide a composition effective in treating and preventing angiogenic diseases, that can medically control angiogenic diseases, and medically regulate angiogenesis in ophthalmologic diseases in particular, and allows treatment without inhibiting physiological neovascularization, with a limited side effect and significantly safely, and an angiogenesis regulation method using the same.
US08974830B2	Particles and contrast agent including the same for optical imaging A particle includes a copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid, and at least one compound selected from silicon naphthalocyanine and derivatives of silicon naphthalocyanine, in which the particle has a particle size of 10 nm or more and less than 1000 nm.
US08974829B2	Embolization A particle includes a ferromagnetic material, a radiopaque material, and/or an MRI-visible material.
US08974821B2	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.
US08974820B2	Apparatus and process for encapsulating microparticles with liquid in soft gel capsules The invention provides an apparatus for producing soft gel capsules having encapsulated therein microparticles, nanoparticles and fluids, said apparatus comprising: (a) two spreader boxes; (b) two casting drums; (c) a pair of rotary dies; (d) a liquid fill system (medicine pump system); (e) a wedge for heating gelatine ribbons and feeding said fill; and (f) one or more microgranule or nanogranule feeders located on each side of the rotary dies, said feeders being synchronized to rotate at the same tangential speed as the rotary dies.
US08974816B2	Water resistant patch preparation The present invention provides a water resistant patch preparation having a central part and a peripheral part, which preparation is comprised of a support and an adhesive layer comprising a drug, which is formed on one surface of the support, wherein at least a part of a lateral end of the adhesive layer in the peripheral part is located inside a lateral end of the support, and the adhesive layer in the peripheral part has a thickness smaller than that of the adhesive layer in the central part.
US08974815B2	Fibrous membrane for biomedical application based on poly(ester-amide)s Electrospun biodegradable poly(ester-amide) fabric is especially suitable as a scaffold for tissue engineering and to incorporate drug for burn or wound healing treatment to accelerate healing, or to prevent tissue adhesion after surgery.
US08974814B2	Layered drug delivery polymer monofilament fibers The present invention is directed generally to a layered polymeric monofilament fiber drug delivery device, where each layer of the device can contain a different polymer, drug, additive, or any combination or mixture thereof. The layered nature of the current monofilament polymeric monofilament device provides the capability to modulate the release of one or more drugs and/or the mechanical properties of the fiber so that drug release and device failure can be separately tuned to provide for the tailored introduction of therapeutically effective drugs or agents to a target tissue. Moreover, the fiber may comprise more than one distinct segments along its length, each segment itself having different combinations and/or numbers of layers thereby providing even greater freedom in the design of the therapeutic delivery device. The invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing such a layered polymeric monofilament fiber drug delivery device, and methods of treatment using such devices.
US08974813B2	Hydrophilic polyurethane compositions A water-swellable linear polymer is made by reacting together a polyethylene oxide of number average molecular weight less than 4,000, an aliphatic diol, and a difunctional diisocyanate. Controlled release composition comprises the polymer together with an active agent. The polymer is able to take up pharmaceutically active agents of molecular weight 200 to 20,000.
US08974812B2	Extended release biodegradable ocular implants Biodegradable implants sized and suitable for implantation in an ocular region or site and methods for treating ocular conditions. The implants provide an extended release of an active agent at a therapeutically effective amount for a period of time between 50 days and one year, or longer.
US08974810B2	Tissue graft compositions and methods for producing same A tissue graft composition is described herein that includes a segment of small intestinal submucosa having at least one nanoparticle incorporated therein such that the permeability of the segment of small intestinal submucosa is altered, thereby providing the segment of small intestinal submucosa with a more substantially uniform structure for cell migration and proliferation. The tissue graft composition may further comprise at least one macromolecule incorporated into the nanoparticle. The tissue graft composition may be utilized in seeded or unseeded methods of tissue repair.
US08974805B2	Dental cleanser composition for improving adhesion to teeth The present invention relates to a dental cleanser composition for improving adhesion to teeth, and more particularly to, a dental cleanser composition which functions to remove not only a smear layer from the dentin surface of an exposed tooth root, but also oral bacteria, and thus is effective in improving adhesion to teeth in periodontal surgery. The present invention provides a dental cleanser composition containing sodium ethylene diaminotetraacetate and octyl phenol ethoxylate which is a surfactant. Sodium ethylene diaminotetraacetate in the composition functions to remove a smear layer on the tooth root surface and has antibacterial activity, and octyl phenol ethoxylate in the composition functions to lipopolysaccharide. Thus, the composition improves adhesion to teeth in periodontal surgery.
US08974804B2	Composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion and uses thereof Composition for topical application in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion containing an oily phase dispersed in an aqueous phase, and a hydrophilic polymer, the composition further containing (1) at least one elastomeric organopolysiloxane and (2) at least one lipophilic compound chosen from lipophilic amino acid compounds and lipophilic salicylic acid compounds. Uses thereof, including topical application to the skin, lips, hair, etc. Stabilization of certain emulsions using a lipophilic compound.
US08974800B2	Proteins expressed by mycobacterium tuberculosis and not by BCG and their use as diagnostic reagents and vaccines The present invention is directed to reagents useful for generating immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and for diagnosing infection and disease in a subject that has been exposed to M. tuberculosis.
US08974796B2	Agent for preventing adverse side effects of carcinostatic agent The present invention provides a side effect inhibitor of drug therapy for colorectal cancer using 5-fluorouracil, comprising fucoidan or a fucoidan-containing material; a method for inhibiting side effects of drug therapy for colorectal cancer using 5-fluorouracil, which comprises administering fucoidan or a fucoidan-containing material to a colorectal cancer patient; and use of fucoidan or a fucoidan-containing material for the production of a side effect inhibitor of drug therapy for colorectal cancer using 5-fluorouracil.
US08974794B2	C(epsilon)mX peptides for inducing immune responses to human mIgE on B lymphocytes The invention pertains to methods of using CεmX peptides (e.g., GLAGGSAQSQRAPDRVL; SEQ ID NO:2) that can bind effectively induce immune responses to membrane-bound IgE (mIgE) expressed on the surface of human B lymphocytes.
US08974791B2	Methods and compositions for increasing α-L-iduronidase activity in the CNS Provided herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject suffering from a deficiency in α-L-Iduronidase in the CNS. The methods include systemic administration of a bifunctional fusion antibody comprising an antibody to a human insulin receptor and an α-L-Iduronidase. A therapeutically effective systemic dose is based on the specific CNS uptake characteristics of human insulin receptor antibody-α-L-Iduronidase fusion antibodies as described herein.
US08974790B2	Methods of administering anti-TNFα antibodies Methods of treating disorders in which TNFα activity is detrimental via biweekly, subcutaneous administration of human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human tumor necrosis factor α (hTNFα) are disclosed. The antibody may be administered with or without methotrexate. These antibodies have high affinity for hTNFα (e.g., Kd=10−8 M or less), a slow off rate for hTNFα dissociation (e.g., Koff=10−3 sec−1 or less) and neutralize hTNFα activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Kits containing a pharmaceutical composition and instructions for dosing, and preloaded syringes containing pharmaceutical compositions are also encompassed by the invention.
US08974788B2	Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of influenza The present invention provides compositions, vaccines, and methods for diagnosing, treating, and preventing influenza infection using a combination of antibodies raised against the influenza hemagglutinin and the matrix 2 ectodomain polypeptides.
US08974785B2	Fully humanized anti-HER2 antibody, preparation method and use thereof The invention provides a fully human anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, which has an amino acid sequence of heavy chain variable region as shown in SEQ ID NO: 6 and an amino acid sequence of light chain variable region as shown in SEQ ID NO: 8. The invention also discloses the nucleotide sequence encoding the antibody, the expression vector and the host cell comprising the nucleotide sequence, and the use of the antibody for manufacturing the medicament for the treatment of tumor.
US08974781B2	P-cadherin antibodies The present invention relates to antibodies including human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that bind to P-cadherin, and that function to inhibit P-cadherin. The invention also relates to heavy and light chain immunoglobulins derived from human P-cadherin antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoglobulins. The present invention also relates to methods of making human P-cadherin antibodies, compositions comprising these antibodies and methods of using the antibodies and compositions. The invention also relates to transgenic animals or plants comprising nucleic acid molecules of the present invention.
US08974778B2	Method for drying biomaterials The present invention provides a means to concentrate, dry and formulate biomaterials such as polysaccharides, gums and related biopolymers, and microorganisms such as cells, spores, and the like from dilute solutions using spent germ and other oil bearing residues. In addition, the spent germ can serve as a carrier for such biomaterials. The sorbed materials are useful in animal feeds.
US08974777B2	Adenovirus with mutations in the endoplasmic reticulum retention domain of the E3-19K protein and their use in cancer treatment The present invention relates to an adenovirus wherein said adenovirus replicates and it contains a mutation in the endoplasmic reticulum retention domain of E3-19K, and to the use of said mutant in treating cancer. Said mutant virus may also contain other mutations and insertions of DNA sequences used to confer selectivity and antitumor potency. The invention has application in the field of cancer therapy.
US08974772B2	Two phase toothpaste composition An oral care composition having a first phase of clinically efficacious 2,4,4′-trichloro 2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether admixed in a first orally acceptable aqueous vehicle, and a second phase having a stannous salt (such as stannous fluoride) admixed in a second orally acceptable aqueous vehicle. The second phase has no less than 10 molar percent of soluble stannous ion respective to a mathematical sum of moles of the soluble stannous ion and moles of the stannous salt in the second phase. In one embodiment, the two phases are provided in a dual-tube toothpaste oral care kit.
US08974766B2	Labeled alginate conjugates for molecular imaging applications Described are bifunctional NOTA-based derivatives capable of conjugating with alginate and with metal ions, as well as NOTA-alginate conjugates which can be labeled with stable or radioactive metal ions. Also described are conjugation methods of the bifunctional NOTA-based linker with alginate, and methods of using radiometal-labeled NOTA-alginate conjugates or other radio-labeled alginate conjugates as imaging reagents.
US08974764B2	Composition including a lanthanum perovskite on an alumina or aluminium oxyhydroxide substrate, preparation method and use in catalysis A composition is described that includes a perovskite of the formula LaMO3, where M is at least one element selected from among iron, aluminum or manganese, in the form of particles dispersed on an alumina or aluminum oxyhydroxide substrate, wherein after calcination at 700° C. for 4 hours, the perovskite is in the form of a pure crystallographic phase, and in that the size of the perovskite particles does not exceed 15 nm. The described composition can be used in the field of catalysis.
US08974763B1	System and method for production of granular ammonium sulfate A system for the production of ammonium sulfate granules including a pipe cross reactor (PCR) configured to contact concentrated sulfuric acid with anhydrous ammonia to produce a PCR product comprising ammonium sulfate; and a granulator fluidly connected to the PCR, whereby PCR product extracted from the PCR can be introduced into the granulator, an inlet for ammonium sulfate seed material, an ammonia sparger configured to spray liquid anhydrous ammonia directly onto a bed of ammonium sulfate granules within the granulator, a granulator vent configured for extraction of a vapor comprising unreacted ammonia from the granulator, and a granulator product outlet configured for extraction of granulator product comprising ammonium sulfate granules from the granulator. A method of producing ammonium sulfate granules is also provided.
US08974754B2	Method for producing nickel-containing acid solution The method for obtaining an acid solution containing nickel is obtained by treating a positive electrode material of a nickel-metal hydride battery. The method includes a water-washing step, wherein a positive electrode material of a nickel-metal hydride battery is water-washed by adding water, and then separated to form a positive electrode material after water-washing and a water-washed slurry. An acid-washing step then is performed, wherein an acid is added and mixed into the positive electrode material obtained after water-washing in the water-washing step, and, separation is performed to form a positive electrode material after acid-washing and an acid-washed slurry. A dissolution step is performed wherein the positive electrode material obtained in the acid-washing step is separated into a nickel solution and a dissolution residue by adding any one of an acid and an oxidizing agent.
US08974750B2	Nozzle device and liquid sample analyzer A nozzle device which can perform accurate quantitative suction without being affected by a pressure when, for example, a nozzle (2) is inserted into a closed container (T). The nozzle device has the nozzle (2) that is inserted into the closed container(T) and that sucks a liquid in the closed container (T), an exposure to atmosphere mechanism (3) that opens the closed container (T) to the atmospheric air, and an opening/closing structure (4) that is arranged at a proximal end of the nozzle (2) and that has an internal flow channel (411) communicated with a flow channel in the nozzle (2) and an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the internal flow channel (411), and an opening/closing control section (5) that controls the opening/closing mechanism.
US08974749B2	Assay device and method There is disclosed an analysis device for the analysis of a liquid sample, said device comprising a substrate, said substrate at least partly having projections substantially vertical to the surface of said substrate, and having a height (H1), diameter (D1) and center-to-center distance (x1, y1) such, that lateral capillary flow of said liquid sample is achieved, wherein that said substrate comprises at least one substrate zone comprising projections substantially vertical to the surface of said substrate, and having a height (H2), diameter (D2) and center-to-center distance (x2, y2), such, that lateral capillary flow of said liquid sample is achieved and wherein at least one substance is applied at least partly between the projections in said at least one substrate zone. Moreover there is provided a method for the analysis of a sample. The device and method provide for instance improved control of the dissolution of a substance.
US08974746B2	Biological sample measuring device for medical institutions A biological sample measuring device has the display screen of a display section divided into a first display area that displays measurement values, and a second displays area that displays the operating status. When the scheduled maintenance is needed for the biological sample measuring device, a controller displays an scheduled maintenance warning in the first and second display areas upon the first start-up that day, and displays an scheduled maintenance warning only in the second display area upon the second and subsequent start-ups that day.
US08974745B2	Device for disinfecting, sterilizing and/or maintaining medical, especially dental, instruments A conditioning device for disinfecting, sterilizing and/or maintaining medical, especially dental, instruments comprises a distributor unit for supplying cleaning or maintenance media to the instruments, said distributor unit having respective inlets for every medium, said inlet being connected to a support for an instrument via a valve. Every valve comprises a sealing element which can be brought into a valve-opening position by means of the actuating element of the distributor unit which can be selectively positioned.
US08974743B2	Device for continuously carrying out chemical reactions at high temperatures The invention relates to a device for continuously carrying out chemical reactions. The device comprises a microwave generator, a microwave applicator accommodating a microwave-transparent tube, and an isothermal reaction section which is arranged such that the material to be reacted is guided inside the microwave-transparent tube through a microwave applicator which is used as the heating zone and in which it is heated to reaction temperature by means of microwaves that are emitted from the microwave generator into the microwave applicator. The material to be reacted, which is heated and optionally under pressure, is transferred from the microwave applicator to an isothermal reaction zone once it has left the heating zone, said reaction zone being arranged downstream of the heating zone, and is cooled once it has left the isothermal reaction zone.
US08974742B2	Device for photocatalytic treatment of fluids A reactor unit for photocatalytic treatment of fluids such as air, includes a catalyzer device (4) comprising a catalytic material support having a generally tubular shape defining a fluid flow channel extending around and along a fluid flow path and a photocatalytic material coated on at least a portion of an internal surface of the support, and a radiation source (30) received in a central portion of the catalyzer device. The catalytic material support comprises a wall portion and a plurality of tapered protrusions (8) extending from an internal surface of the wall portion to a tip proximate to the radiation source, the tapered protrusions being arranged around the radiation source and along the fluid flow channel.
US08974739B2	Method for producing porous film or tape of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene supporting catalyst particles, and ozone-removing filter An improved method for producing an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous film or tape supporting catalyst particles.The method for producing an expanded PTFE porous film or tape supporting catalyst particles according to the invention comprises a step of preparing tape-like porous PTFE, a step of impregnating the tape-like porous PTFE with a solution or dispersion of catalyst particles, a step of substantially removing the solvent or dispersing medium, and a step of further stretching the tape-like porous PTFE containing the catalyst particles in the machine direction (MD) and/or the transverse direction (TD).
US08974737B2	Space Disinfection A method for disinfecting a volume or surfaces bounding a volume comprising nebulizing a solution comprising a sterilizing agent in a solvent having a lower boiling point than the sterilizing agent, for example ultrasonic nebulization of aqueous hydrogen peroxide, to form a nebulant. The nebulant is subjected to energy of a kind and for a duration sufficient to vaporize solvent in preference to sterilizing agent, eg heating element means, infra red, laser, microwave, RF or other radiation generating means; induction heating means; heat exchanger means; conduction means; convection means; or mechanical energy transfer means to increase the concentration of the agent in the nebulant particles. Vaporized solvent is removed from the gas stream at or above atmospheric pressure and, if necessary, the nebulant is cooled to below 70° C. The volume or surfaces are exposed to the nebulant for a time sufficient to sterilize said volume or surfaces. Also, apparatus for carrying out the method.
US08974735B2	Air purification system An air purification system includes an internally hollow cylindrical casing made of a non-conducting material; an inner electrode arranged on an inner surface of the supporting member; an outer electrode arranged on an outer surface of the supporting member; a photocatalyst filter arranged on an outer surface of the outer electrode for purifying air inside a plasma generation zone; and a power source for supplying power of opposite polarities to each of the inner electrode and the outer electrode so as to generate plasma. The photocatalyst filter includes a filter element, and the filter element includes a porous titanium foil having a non-periodic spongy structure impregnated with anatase titanium dioxide particles as a photocatalyst.
US08974734B2	Electronic nose device An electronic nose device is disclosed in an embodiment of the invention. The electronic nose device includes a fan module, a gas molecule sensor module, a control unit and an output unit. The fan module is used to pump air actively to the gas molecule sensor module. The gas molecule sensor module detects the air pumped into by the fan module. The gas molecule sensor module at least includes a gas molecule sensor which is covered with a compound. The compound is used to combine preset gas molecules. The control unit controls the fan module to suck air into the electronic nose device. Then the fan module transmits an air current to the gas molecule sensor module to generate a detected data. The output unit calculates the detected data to generate a calculation result and outputs an indicating signal to an operator or compatible host computer according to the calculation result.
US08974733B2	Automatic analyzer Using a microplate having wells for the dispensing and reaction of a sample including blood and a reagent, an automatic analyzer captures an image of whether reactions have occurred inside the wells and performs analysis, the automatic analyzer comprising: a section for, with captured images obtained by capturing images of the inside of the wells corresponding to categories, calculating photometric parameters of the images, evaluating whether a measurement result based on the images is negative for each test, and analyzing characteristic information of the sample; a section for matching and storing characteristic information of samples and measurement results; a section for extracting a photometric parameter of a measurement result judged as negative; and a section for calculating a difference between maximum and minimum values of an extracted photometric parameter, determining whether a measurement is valid using the difference, and adding a result of the determination to characteristic information.
US08974729B2	Anti-thermally-expansive resin and anti-thermally-expansive metal Provided are resin-based and metal-based anti-thermally-expansive members each having small thermal expansion. More specifically, provided are an anti-thermally-expansive resin and an anti-thermally-expansive metal, each including a resin or a metal having a positive linear expansion coefficient at 20° C. and a solid particle dispersed in the resin or metal, in which the solid particle includes at least an oxide represented by the following general formula (1): (Bi1-xMx)NiO3 (1), where M represents at least one metal selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y, and In; and x represents a numerical value of 0.02≦x≦0.15.
US08974727B2	Method for manufacturing three-dimensionally shaped object and three-dimensionally shaped object There is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object, the method comprising the repeated steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing a sintering of the powder in the predetermined portion or a melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, followed by the irradiation of a predetermined portion of the powder layer with the light beam, wherein a heater element is disposed on the solidified layer during the repeated steps (i) and (ii), and thereby the heater element is situated within the three-dimensional shaped object.
US08974724B2	Aluminum titanate batch compositions and method Aluminum titanate precursor batch compositions comprising a recycled aluminum titanate component, at least a portion of the recycled aluminum titanate component being comprised of a recycled pre-reacted aluminum titanate composition or alternatively of an un-reacted green aluminum titanate precursor composition, and methods for producing aluminum titanate ceramic articles utilizing the inventive batch compositions.
US08974722B1	Method for manufacturing aluminum-titanate-based ceramic honeycomb structure A method for manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb structure includes kneading titania particles, alumina particles and a binder ingredient such that raw material paste including the titania particles, alumina particles and binder ingredient is prepared, forming a body made of the raw material paste and having a honeycomb structure such that the body has the honeycomb structure having through-holes extending in the longitudinal direction of the body and partitions formed between the through-holes, immersing each of end portions of the body in the longitudinal direction into a sealant slurry heated at a temperature in the range of from 50° C. to 100° C. such that the sealant slurry infiltrates into the through-holes at one of the end portions of the body and seals either end of each of the through-holes of the body, and sintering the body having the honeycomb structure such that a ceramic body having the honeycomb structure is formed.
US08974717B2	Method for producing ceramic stereolithography parts In addition to working curves, other equally important, but previously not understood, relationships exist for both the green strength and the cured line width of ceramic-loaded resins. These characteristics of cured parts are strongly affected by the dose rate, a parameter usually controlled with laser power. Multiple smaller doses are used to produce a total integrated dose. Multiple exposures benefit from using high power to produce a fast process. However, since the dose for a given layer is broken into several smaller doses, the negative effect of high power on strength and cured linewidth is reduced.
US08974708B2	Coloring matter compound, ink, resist composition for color filter, and heat-sensitive transfer recording sheet The coloring matter compound is represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1, R2, R6 represent an alkyl group; R3 to R5 represent an alkyl group, or satisfy either of the following conditions i) and ii): i) R3 and R4 are bonded to each other, so as to form a cyclic organic functional group containing R3, R4 and a carbon atom bonded to R3 and R4, and R5 represents an alkyl group; ii) R3 to R5 are bonded to one another, so as to form a cyclic organic functional group containing R3, R4, R5 and a carbon atom bonded to R3 to R5; and R7, R8 represent an alkyl group or an acyl group, or R7 and R8 are bonded to each other, so as to form a cyclic organic functional group containing R7, R8 and a nitrogen atom bonded simultaneously to R7 and R8.
US08974704B2	Paste composition for solar cell electrode, electrode prepared using the same, and solar cell comprising the same A paste composition for solar cell electrodes includes a conductive powder, a glass frit, and an organic vehicle. The glass fit includes about 5 wt % to about 55 wt % of Bi2O3, about 10 wt % to about 40 wt % of TeO2, and a balance of PbO.
US08974703B2	Conductive paste and electronic device and solar cell including an electrode formed using the same A conductive paste may include a conductive powder, a metallic glass including a first element having a heat of mixing value with the conductive powder of less than 0, and an organic vehicle, and an electronic device and a solar cell may include an electrode formed using the conductive paste.
US08974702B2	Composition for the preparation of organic electronic (OE) devices The present invention relates to novel formulations comprising an organic semiconductor (OSC) and one or more organic solvents. The formulation comprises a dimethyl anisole solvent. Furthermore, the present invention describes the use of these formulations as inks for the preparation of organic electronic (OE) devices, especially organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells and OLED devices, to methods for preparing OE devices using the novel formulations, and to OE devices, OLED devices and OPV cells prepared from such methods and formulations.
US08974701B2	Integrated process for the gasification of whole crude oil in a membrane wall gasifier and power generation An integrated process for the partial oxidation of whole crude oil mixed with a low cost finely divided solid ash-producing material in a membrane wall gasification reactor produces a syngas and, optionally, a more hydrogen-rich product stream by subjecting the syngas to a water-gas shift reaction. Process steam and electricity are produced by recovering the sensible heat values from the hot syngas.
US08974697B2	Luminescent material According to one embodiment, the luminescent material shows a luminescence peak in a wavelength range of 570 to 670 nm when excited with light having an emission peak in a wavelength range of 250 to 520 nm. The luminescent material includes a host material having a crystal structure substantially same as the crystal structure of Sr2Si7Al3ON13. The host material is activated by Eu, and includes Sr and Ca to satisfy a relationship of 0.008≦MCa/(MSr+MCa)≦0.114, where MCa is a number of moles of Ca and MSr is a number of moles of Sr.
US08974696B2	Preparation of complex fluoride and complex fluoride phosphor A complex fluoride A2MF6 wherein M is a tetravalent element Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ge or Sn, A is an alkali metal Li, Na, K, Rb or Cs is prepared by providing a first solution containing a fluoride of M, providing a second solution containing a compound of A and/or the compound of A in solid form, mixing the first solution with the second solution and/or the solid for reacting the fluoride of M with the compound of A, and recovering the resulting solid product via solid-liquid separation.
US08974693B2	Liquid-crystalline medium The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, characterized in that it contains a polymerizable component (A) containing one more polymerizable compounds and a liquid-crystalline component (B) containing one more compounds of the general formula I in which R, rings A1 and A2, Z1, Z2, Y1, Y2, X0 and r are as defined in Claim 1.
US08974691B2	Composition for polishing and composition for rinsing A polishing composition for a silicon wafer and a rinsing composition for a silicon wafer according to the present invention contain a nonionic surfactant of a polyoxyethylene adduct. The HLB value of the polyoxyethylene adduct is 8 to 15. The weight-average molecular weight of the polyoxyethylene adduct is 1400 or less. The average number of moles of oxyethylene added in the polyoxyethylene adduct is 13 or less. The content of the polyoxyethylene adduct in each of the polishing composition and the rinsing composition is 0.00001 to 0.1% by mass.
US08974689B2	Working medium for heat cycle and heat cycle system A working medium for heat cycle includes 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and a hydrofluorocarbon. A content of the hydrofluorocarbon is from 1 to 60 mass % in the working medium for heat cycle. The working medium for heat cycle preferably further includes a hydrocarbon. The hydrofluorocarbon is preferably at least one of difluoromethane, difluoroethane, trifluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane, pentafluoroethane, pentafluoropropane, hexafluoropropane, heptafluoropropane, pentafluorobutane or heptafluorocyclopentane. A heat apparatus includes the working medium for heat cycle.
US08974688B2	Compositions and methods for refrigeration Heat transfer systems, methods and compositions which utilize a heat transfer fluid comprising: (a) from about 30% to about 65% by weight of HFC-134a; (b) from about 0% to about 70% by weight of HFO1234ze; and (c) from about 0% to about 70% by weight of HFO-1234yf, provided that the amount of HFO-1234ze and HFO-1234yf in the composition together is at least about 35% by weight, with the weight percent being based on the total of the components (a)-(c) in the composition.
US08974683B2	Method and system for modifying resist openings using multiple angled ions A method of reducing roughness in an opening in a surface of a resist material disposed on a substrate, comprises generating a plasma having a plasma sheath and ions therein. The method also includes modifying a shape of a boundary defined between the plasma and the plasma sheath with a plasma sheath modifier so that a portion of the boundary facing the resist material is not parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the substrate. The method also includes providing a first exposure of ions while the substrate is in a first position, the first exposure comprising ions accelerated across the boundary having the modified shape toward the resist material over an angular range with respect to the surface of the substrate.
US08974680B2	Pattern forming method A pattern forming method includes forming a coating film containing a hydrophilic first homopolymer having a first bonding group and a hydrophobic second homopolymer having a second bonding group capable of bonding with the first bonding group, forming a bond between the first and second bonding group to produce a block copolymer of the first and second homopolymers, and heating the coating film to microphase-separating the copolymer into a hydrophilic domain and a hydrophobic domain. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains are arranged alternately. The bond is broken, then selectively dissolving-removing either domain by a solvent to provide a polymer pattern of a remainder domain.
US08974679B2	Method for manufacturing an opto-electronic component A method of producing an optoelectronic component comprises the steps of: A) providing a radiation-emitting layer sequence (1) having an active zone (13), which emits electromagnetic primary radiation when in operation, B) providing a first wavelength conversion layer (2), which converts the primary radiation at least partially into electromagnetic secondary radiation, and C) arranging the first wavelength conversion layer (2) on the radiation-emitting layer sequence (1) in the beam path of the primary radiation.
US08974678B2	Methods using block co-polymer self-assembly for sub-lithographic patterning Block copolymers can be self-assembled and used in methods as described herein for sub-lithographic patterning, for example. The block copolymers can be diblock copolymers, triblock copolymers, multiblock copolymers, or combinations thereof. Such methods can be useful for making devices that include, for example, sub-lithographic conductive lines.
US08974675B2	Porous solids, selective separations, removal of sulfur compounds, adsorption Crystals of [VOBDC](H2BDC)0.71 were synthesized hydrothemally. The guest acid molecules were removed by heating in air to give high quality single crystals of VOBDC. VOBDC was observed to show crystal-to-crystal transformations on absorption of the guest molecules aniline, thiophene and acetone from the liquid phase. Accurate structural data of the guest molecules and framework deformations were obtained from single crystal X-ray data. VOBDC was also shown to absorb selectively thiophene and dimethyl sulphide from methane.
US08974667B2	Module case and hollow fiber membrane module using the same A hollow fiber membrane module is disclosed, which is capable of preventing a bundle of hollow fiber membranes from being separated from a module case, the hollow fiber membrane module for accommodating a bundle of hollow fiber membranes closely held together through the use of potting agent, including a module case including: a first inner surface serving as a projection on which the bundle of hollow fiber membranes is stably placed; a second inner surface upwardly extending from one end of the first inner surface, the second inner surface including at least one separation-preventing groove to prevent the bundle of hollow fiber membranes from being separated from the module case; a third inner surface downwardly extending from the other end of the first inner surface; and a fourth inner surface connected to the third inner surface.
US08974665B2	Sediment filter system for a storm water pipe A welded wire mesh is rolled into an elongated tubular wire frame, and sizing rings surround the tubular wire frame to maintain the tubular frame with a predetermined diameter. The wire frame is partially covered with a sediment filter fabric attached by wire clips, and an end portion of the tubular frame is inserted into an inlet portion of an installed storm water pipe. A collar member includes a wire collar frame secured to the tubular wire frame and is covered by a flexible filter material to filter storm water flowing between the tubular frame and the water pipe and to form a stop which prevents the tubular frame from moving further into the pipe. A top portion of the tubular wire frame is uncovered by filter fabric to define an overflow opening for storm water with very light sediment to flow into the storm water pipe.
US08974664B2	Storm water treatment system A procedure for treating rain water run-off includes forming a swale for the capture, treatment, and re-use of the storm water to improve the overall quality of the water before discharge.
US08974662B2	Filtration of a pumped hydrocarbon containing liquid An apparatus for and method of filtering hydrocarbon contaminated water, which is used in a system requiring a pump to lift low lying hydrocarbon contaminated liquids from said pump through a filtration system which lifts and completely filters all debris and hydrocarbons from said liquid.
US08974657B2	Amperometric electrochemical cells and sensors Amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise, in one embodiment, an electrolyte layer, a sensing electrode layer comprising a ceramic phase and a metallic phase, and a counter electrode layer, wherein the cell is operable in an oxidizing atmosphere and under an applied bias to exhibit enhanced reduction of oxygen molecules at the sensing electrode in the presence of one or more target gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) or NH3 and a resulting increase in oxygen ion flux through the cell. In another embodiment, amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise an electrolyte layer comprising a continuous network of a first material which is ionically conducting at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.; a counter electrode layer comprising a continuous network of a second material which is electrically conductive at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.; and a sensing electrode layer comprising a continuous network of a ceramic phase and a metallic phase which is electrically conductive at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C., which sensing electrode is operable to exhibit increased charge transfer in the presence of one or more target gas species. These electrochemical cells and additional electrochemical cell embodiments are suitable for use in gas sensors and methods of sensing or detecting one or more target gases.
US08974656B2	Method for roughening metal surfaces and article manufactured thereby A method for surface roughening a metal work piece includes disposing a region of the workpiece to be roughened proximate to a counter electrode. The region of the workpiece to be roughened and the counter electrode are subsequently disposed together in an electrolyte. An electric potential with current flow is applied between the work piece and the counter electrode to roughen the metal surface to a desired roughness.
US08974655B2	Methods of planarization and electro-chemical mechanical polishing processes A method of removing a material from a surface includes providing a substrate comprising a material having a surface, contacting the surface with a polishing medium, applying a voltage to the substrate to remove material from the surface, and changing the voltage during the removing material from the surface. An electro-chemical mechanical polishing method includes providing a substrate having a surface, applying a platen to the surface, applying a first voltage to the substrate, rotating the platen and surface relative to each other at a first rotational speed, increasing to a second voltage, and decreasing to a second rotational speed.
US08974654B1	Multilayer ceramic capacitor with terminal formed by electroless plating A multilayer ceramic capacitor and method of creating are provided. The capacitor includes a plurality of interior plates having edges that are brought to and exposed upon a first surface and also upon a portion of a second surface of the capacitor at a region where the second surface meets the first surface. An electroplated terminal is directly in contact with and mechanically and electrically connected to an edge of each of the interior plates where each plate's edge is exposed upon the first surface. The terminal wraps over the region of the capacitor from the first surface onto the portion of the second surface and is directly in contact with and mechanically and electrically connected to an edge of each of the interior plates where each plate's edge is exposed upon the second surface. The terminal does not extend to any additional surfaces which meet the first surface.
US08974653B2	Shower with ionization apparatus The shower includes: a shower body having a lower end connected with a hose for receiving tap water and an upper end connected with a head portion; an ionization apparatus having a pair of protective covers forming the outward appearance of the ionization apparatus and being mounted inside the shower body, a flow passage pipe mounted inside the protective covers, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted on opposite sides of the flow passage pipe and respectively having an end portion being in contact with the flow passage pipe along a longitudinal direction of the flow passage pipe, and magnetic induction frames each having a horizontal portion being in contact with the other end portion of each of the permanent magnets and vertical portions; and a flow control part having a seating hole formed on the outer circumference of the upper portion of the shower body.
US08974651B2	Illuminator for visualization of fluorophores The present invention discloses apparatuses and methods for the visualization of fluorophores in biological systems such as electrophoresis gels and cell cultures. Preferred embodiments of the apparatuses consists of a tray or tank having one or more light sources disposed to direct light through an electrophoresis gel disposed within the vessel such that the luminescence from fluorophores in the gel are easily visualized.
US08974650B2	Microfluidic system A method for forming a microfluidic channel with improved flow characteristics for one or more analytes is disclosed. A microfluidic channel having modified surfaces is formed in a glass layer or glass substrate. The glass surfaces of the microfluidic channel are modified by the addition of a layer of borophosphosilicate glass. The addition of the borophosphosilicate glass results in an improved flow velocity profile of the analyte. As a result, control over the position and movement of analytes within the solution is improved.
US08974646B2	Portable hydrogen-rich water generator Disclosed herein is a portable hydrogen-rich water generator that includes a separable drinking cup, an electrolytic cell which includes an anode, a cathode, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, etc. and is disposed at the bottom of the drinking cup, a reservoir base on which the drinking cup is mounted and in which an anode reaction of the electrolytic cell is generated, a float valve which allows water to be continuously supplied at a certain water level from a water tank, and a power supply to apply direct current power to the electrolytic cell. In the portable hydrogen-rich water generator, when power is applied after putting purified water into the drinking cup and mounting the drinking cup on the reservoir base, the electrolytic cell electrolyzes the water in the reservoir base so that oxygen is generated at the anode of the reservoir base side and hydrogen is generated at the cathode of the drinking cup side, thereby allowing hydrogen gases to be dissolved in the purified water in the drinking cup within a short time with the consequence that hydrogen-rich water is produced.
US08974645B2	Method and device for plasma reformation of fuel for engine applications The invention relates to a method for plasma reformation of fuel, in particular kerosene, which method comprises the steps of:feeding fuel through a line to the inlet of an expansion nozzle; supplying energy from an energy source by way of a hollow waveguide to generate a plasma state in the expansion nozzle; injecting further fuel through nozzles into the arising plasma flame in order to decompose the fuel in the heat into components such as CO, C and H; and expanding the plasma flame at high speed into the combustion chamber.
US08974643B2	Method and device for purifying a liquid The present invention relates to a method for purifying a liquid comprising liquid particles and residual particles. It is hereby possible to generate substantially pure water from, for instance seawater.
US08974641B2	Self-adjusting preload for memory alloy wire A preload mechanism for a memory alloy wire actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the memory alloy wire actuator such that contraction of the memory alloy wire actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.
US08974639B2	Angle and height control mechanisms in fourdrinier forming processes and machines Improved height and angle adjustment mechanisms and methods for producing paper includes a plurality of height and angle adjustment mechanisms arranged in the forming or wet section of a Fourdrinier. Glide shoes and cam-blocks having sloped grooves are arranged to be driven within a recess of an upper pultrusion assembly to change the angle or height of a particular foil blade. Actuators extend or withdraw a connecting rod, coupled to the cam-blocks, to influence heights and angles of various foils blades.
US08974633B2	System and method for the pumped feed of chips to a continuous digester The system and method is for the pumping of finely divided cellulose material to a continuous digester. The system has a concentric arrangement of pipes. A fluid (Liq) is added to a chamber formed between the pipes to establish a cylindrical film of fluid around a rod-shaped flow of cellulose material before the inlet to the pump. It is possible in this way to reduce the pressure drop in the lines, reduce wear in the pump, and ensure a maximal pressure build up in the pump.
US08974632B2	Device and method for treating wafer-shaped articles A method and device for processing wafer-shaped articles comprises a closed process chamber. A rotary chuck is located within the process chamber, and is adapted to hold a wafer shaped article thereon. An interior fluid distribution ring is positioned above the rotary chuck, and comprises an annular surface inclined downwardly from a radially inner edge to a radially outer edge thereof. At least one fluid distribution nozzle extends into the closed process chamber and is positioned so as to discharge fluid onto the annular surface of the fluid distribution ring.
US08974625B2	Method for bonding supplemental material to textiles A method for bonding supplemental materials of various shapes to a base textile comprises printing an adhesive material, such as a thermoplastic ink, onto a backing sheet, such as a paper backing. The thermoplastic ink may be printed onto the paper backing using a print head, silk screen, gravure, or any other appropriate printing device capable of printing the ink onto the backing sheet in a desired shape and with a desired thickness. The adhesive material is generally printed in substantially the same shape as the perimeter of the supplemental material to be bonded to the base textile. After the thermoplastic ink is printed onto the backing sheet, the thermoplastic ink is transferred to the base fabric using a bonding process. The backing sheet is then peeled away, and the supplemental material is then bonded to the exposed adhesive material on the base fabric using a subsequent bonding process.
US08974623B2	Method and a placement tool for the manufacture of a non-crimp fabric Disclosed is a method for placing fiber-reinforced, pre-impregnated, planar semi-finished products on a placement tool for the manufacture of a non-crimp fabric, wherein a placement film is clamped on the placement tool for purposes of holding the non-crimp fabric, and by means of evacuation and/or the application of pressure is fixed in position on the placement tool and/or can be released from the latter. Also disclosed is a placement tool for the execution of such a method.
US08974622B2	Composite ePTFE-silicone covering for stent A medical device consists of a stent having a first surface and a second surface parallel to the first surface; a single expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) layer contacting the first surface of the stent; and an elastomeric layer applied to at least one surface of the stent. In at least one embodiment, the elastomeric layer is silicone. In at least one embodiment, the medical device is manufactured by positioning the ePTFE layer such that a first surface of the ePTFE layer contacts a first surface of the stent to form a stent-ePTFE assembly; and applying an elastomeric solution to the first surface of the ePTFE layer and at least one surface of the stent.
US08974621B1	Composite friction elements and pultrusion method of making same A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed of a substantially uniform array of predominately glass strands of primary reinforcing fibers in matrix of phenolic resin material, the reinforcing fibers in the form of fabric distributed throughout the body forming a friction unit having a predetermined size and configuration and uniform distribution and alignment of fibers throughout. An alternate friction unit includes a substantially rigid or rigid backing co-pultruded in forming the unit. The units are produced in a pultrusion process wherein the reinforcing fibers and matrix are pulled through a forming die.
US08974613B2	Method of quenching a ring-shaped article and apparatus therefor A method of quenching a ring shaped article includes heating the article to a quenching temperature; primarily cooling the article down to a deformation correction initiating temperature, which is higher than a martensitic transformation point; and secondarily cooling the article down to a temperature lower than the martensitic transformation point by, while a pair of receiving rolls are held in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the article for rolling motion about an axis of rotation parallel to a center of the article, pressing a press roll, rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the center of the article, against the outer peripheral surface of the article from one side of the article opposite to a point intermediate between the receiving rolls.
US08974610B2	High-strength welded steel pipe and method for producing the same A high-strength welded steel pipe is obtained by welding a seam weld portion of a steel plate that are formed in a pipe shape. In the high-strength welded steel pipe, a base metal of the steel plate includes, by mass %, C: 0.010% to 0.080%, Si: 0.01% to 0.50%, Mn: 0.50% to 2.00%, S: 0.0001% to 0.0050%, Ti: 0.003% to 0.030%, Mo: 0.05% to 1.00%, B: 0.0003% to 0.0100%, O: 0.0001% to 0.0080%, N: 0.006% to 0.0118%, P: limited to 0.050% or less, Al: limited to 0.008% or less, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, Ceq is 0.30 to 0.53, Pcm is 0.10 to 0.20, [N]−[Ti]/3.4 is less than 0.003, the average grain size of the prior γ grains in heat affected zones in the steel plate is 250 μm or less, and the prior γ grains include bainite and intragranular bainite.
US08974609B2	Ferromagnetic amorphous alloy ribbon and fabrication thereof A ferromagnetic amorphous alloy ribbon includes an alloy having a composition represented by FeaSibBcCd where 80.5≦a≦83 at. %, 0.5≦b≦6 at. %, 12≦c≦16.5 at. %, 0.01≦d≦1 at. % with a+b+c+d=100 and incidental impurities, the defect length along a direction of the ribbon's length being between 5 mm and 200 mm, the defect depth being less than 0.4×t μm and the defect occurrence frequency being less than 0.05×w times within 1.5 m of ribbon length, where t and w are ribbon thickness and ribbon width, respectively, and the ribbon in its annealed state and straight strip form of the ribbon, has a saturation magnetic induction exceeding 1.60 T, and exhibits a magnetic core loss of less than 0.14 W/kg when measured at 60 Hz and at 1.3 T induction level. The ribbon is suitable for use in transformer cores, rotational machines, electrical chokes, magnetic sensors and pulse power devices.
US08974605B2	Methods and apparatus for conserving electronic device manufacturing resources A method for operating an electronic device manufacturing system is provided, including: introducing an inert gas into a process tool vacuum pump at a first flow rate while the process tool is operating in a process mode; and introducing the inert gas into the process tool vacuum pump at a second flow rate while the process tool is operating in a clean mode. Numerous other embodiments are provided.
US08974603B2	Method of purifying filter, and method of cleaning or drying object to be treated A filter that filters carbon dioxide in the gaseous, liquid or supercritical state is efficiently purified. The carbon dioxide is used to at least clean or dry an object to be treated, or to clean or dry the object to be treated. A method of purifying a filter for filtering carbon dioxide in a gaseous, liquid or supercritical state is provided. The carbon dioxide is used to at least clean or dry the object to be treated, or to clean and dry the object to be treated. According to the method, the filter 13 is purified before the carbon dioxide is filtered in the gaseous, liquid or supercritical state by the filter 13. The filter 13 is purified by allowing carbon dioxide to pass through the filter.
US08974602B2	Method of reducing contamination in CVD chamber The present invention discloses a method of reducing contamination in a CVD chamber. The method comprises cleaning the CVD chamber with first cleaning gases containing NF3; removing the particles in the CVD chamber with second cleaning gases containing N2; further removing the particles in the CVD chamber with third cleaning gases containing O2; and seasoning an amorphous carbon layer with mixed gases containing C2H2 and an inert gas.
US08974598B2	High or ultra-high performance concrete A binder premix includes from 0.2% to 63% of a material of an ultrafine particle size category, including individual particles with a D90 value less than 1 μm and/or with a BET specific surface greater than 5 m2/g; from 8% to 63% of selected Portland cement including particles with a D90 value less than 30 μm and from 25% to 85% of a material, other than the cement, of a fine particle size category, including particles for which the D10 and D90 values are from 1 μm to 120 μm and with a BET specific surface less than 5 m2/g. A binder mix including, in addition to the premix, a material of a medium particle size category, including particles for which the D10 and D90 values are from 120 μm to 5 mm is disclosed.
US08974595B2	Dry composition comprising a binder and a modified vegetable oil A dry composition including at least one binder and an oil comprising at least one compound of formula (I) below: wherein, Z represents an optionally substituted, linear or branched C4 to C28 alkyl radical or an optionally substituted, linear or branched C4 to C28 alkenyl radical, and R, R′ and R″ are identical or different and separately represent an optionally substituted, linear or branched hydrogen atom, hydroxyl radical, C1 to C12 alkyl radical, an optionally substituted, linear or branched C1 to C12 heteroalkyl radical, an optionally substituted, linear or branched C5 to C10 cycloalkyl radical, or an optionally substituted, linear or branched C6 to C18 aryl radical.
US08974594B2	Microcapsule corrosion control in reinforced concrete Corrosion control in reinforced concrete is generally disclosed. Some example embodiments may include concrete including aggregate, cement, and/or microcapsules distributed within the cement, where the individual microcapsules may include a high pH salt substantially contained within an acid-soluble shell. If the pH of the concrete decreases, the acid soluble shell may swell and/or dissolve, such as below a pH of about 11, which may release the high pH salt. The high pH salt may locally increase the pH of the concrete. By increasing the pH above about pH 11, corrosion of steel rebar may be prevented and/or reduced.
US08974592B2	Coating composition containing high-refractive-index metal oxide fine particles, and curable coating film obtained by applying the coating composition onto base The present invention relates to a coating composition containing metal oxide particles with a high refractive index and low photocatalytic activity and a coating film obtained by applying the coating composition onto a substrate. The coating composition contains metal oxide particles with a high refractive index obtained by coating the specific fine particles of the titanium-based oxide on their surfaces with at least a silica-based oxide or a silica-based composite oxide, and the coating film is obtained by applying the coating composition onto a substrate. The metal oxide particles with not only a high refractive index but also low photocatalytic activity, and therefore a coating film with excellent weathering resistance and light resistance can be formed on a substrate.
US08974590B2	Treatments and kits for creating renewable surface protective coatings Methods, treatment compositions and treatment systems for forming a detachable and renewable coating on a receptive surface by a process of applying a treatment composition comprising a plurality of hydrophobically modified fumed silica particles colloidally dispersed in a volatile solvent; allowing the volatile solvent to evaporate; and thereby depositing a protective coating on the receptive surface consisting of a layer of the hydrophobically modified particles. The process provides a coating with dirt- and water-repellency properties that effectively shed dry particulate soils as well as water from the treated receptive surface. The methods, treatment compositions and treatment systems are useful in providing detachable coatings and treated articles featuring surface protective benefits including dirt- and water-repellency, self-cleaning with water, and easier cleaning benefits when applied to a variety of automotive and home surfaces, both interior and exterior.
US08974588B2	Coating composition, a process of applying a coating, and a process of forming a coating composition A coating composition, a process of applying a coating having a coating composition, and a process of forming a coating composition are disclosed. The coating composition includes an alloy and an oxide component comprising nickel oxide. The process of applying the coating includes cold spraying the coating onto the article. The process of forming the coating composition includes blending and milling the alloy with the oxide component.
US08974586B2	Dental composition One subject of the invention is a composition comprising from 5 to 65%, by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, of calcium silicate crystals; from 1 to 20%, by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, of calcium carbonate crystals; in addition from 0 to 50%, preferably from 1 to 40%, by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, of a compound of general formula mCaO.nSiO2.pH2O in which m and n, each independently, vary from 1 to 3 and p varies from 3 to 6; the ratio between the particle size d50 of the calcium silicate crystals and the particle size d50 of the calcium carbonate crystals being less than 10; another subject of the invention is a process for preparing said composition, and also the use of said composition in the dental field.
US08974583B2	Swirl element, inlet valve, device and method for evaporating or driving out highly volatile A swirl element is provided for an inlet valve of a brewing vessel for introducing a liquid, in particular a mash, a wort, a yeast suspension, a sparge water or the like into the brewing vessel, in particular into a mash tun, a mash vat, a combined mash/wort tun, a combined mash/wort/stripping tun, a wort tun, a combined whirlpool tun, a whirlpool, a clarifying device, an evaporating vessel or the like, comprising at least one flow-directing element by means of which an angular momentum can be imparted to the liquid flowing through the inlet valve. An evaporating device comprises a brewing vessel, also for evaporating highly volatile substances/gases, in particular highly volatile flavor substances, DMS, carbon dioxide, oxygen or the like from the aforementioned liquids. The brewing vessel comprises the swirl element and/or an inlet valve admitting the liquid. A brewing process evaporates highly volatile substances/gases from the aforementioned liquids.
US08974582B2	CO2 recovery system and CO2 recovery method A CO2 recovery system includes an absorber 2 and a regenerator 3. The absorber 2 includes a CO2 absorbing section 21 and a water-washing section 22. The CO2 absorbing section 21 allows flue gas 101 to come into contact with a basic amine compound absorbent 103 so that the basic amine compound absorbent 103 absorbs CO2 in the flue gas 101. The water-washing section 22 allows the decarbonated flue gas 101A in which the amount of CO2 has been reduced in the CO2 absorbing section 21 to come into contact with circulating wash water 104 and to be washed with the wash water 104 so that the amounts of the basic amine compounds entrained in the decarbonated flue gas 101A are reduced. The regenerator 3 releases CO2 from the basic amine compound absorbent 103 the CO2 absorbed therein.
US08974580B2	Modification of cold jet nozzle in a jet modulator design for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography A collimator fixed to the cold jet nozzle of a modulator of a two-dimensional gas chromatograph to aid in the alignment of the cold jet nozzle and loop modulator tube.
US08974578B2	Porous polymer networks and ion-exchange media and metal-polymer composites made therefrom Porous polymeric networks and composite materials comprising metal nanoparticles distributed in the polymeric networks are provided. Also provided are methods for using the polymeric networks and the composite materials in liquid- and vapor-phase waste remediation applications. The porous polymeric networks, are highly porous, three-dimensional structures characterized by high surface areas. The polymeric networks comprise polymers polymerized from aldehydes and phenolic molecules.
US08974577B2	Sorbent compositions, sorbent articles, methods for preparing sorbent articles, and methods for capturing target gases using the sorbent articles Articles for capturing or separating a target gas from a gas stream may include a porous substrate such as a flexible sheet or mat, or a rigid ceramic monolith impregnated or coated with a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition may include a polyamine and a coexistent polymer chemically bonded to the polyamine. The polyamine may include a polyethylenimine. The coexistent polymer may include a polyurethane, a polyolefin-acrylic acid copolymer, or a combination thereof. The sorbent composition may be substantially less water-insoluble than compositions containing only a polyamine and may have high durability and good adsorption capacity for acidic target gases such as carbon dioxide. Methods for preparing the articles using aqueous polymer solutions are provided. Methods for capturing or separating target gases using the articles are provided.
US08974574B2	Unsteady-state gas permeation process There is provided a process for effecting permeation of at least an operative material component of an operative mixture from a higher pressure space, through a membrane, and into a lower pressure space, wherein the higher pressure space is disposed in mass transfer communication with the lower pressure space through the membrane.
US08974573B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring a refrigeration-cycle system A monitoring system for monitoring operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is disclosed. An electrical sensor measures an electrical quantity indicative of power consumption of a component of the refrigerant-cycle system. A processing system selectively identifies a condition indicative of an airflow restriction through the refrigerant-cycle system based on the power consumption of the component.
US08974570B2	Retaining seal material and exhaust gas purifying apparatus A retaining seal material includes inorganic fibers, inorganic particles adhering to surfaces of the inorganic fibers, a first principal surface, and a second principal surface. A mean particle diameter of the inorganic particles in a vicinity of a center in a thickness direction of the retaining seal material is smaller than at least one of a mean particle diameter of the inorganic particles in a vicinity of the first principal surface and a mean particle diameter of the inorganic particles in a vicinity of the second principal surface.
US08974568B2	Inertial separator for gas liquid separation The present invention relates to an inertial separator for gas liquid separation, comprising: a tubular body (12) having an inlet (14) extending through a sidewall of the body (12) substantially in tangential direction, an annular duct (16) arranged inside the tubular body (12) and being in fluid communication with the inlet (14), wherein the annular duct (16) extends into an interior chamber (18) of the tubular body (12) via an annular gap (20) extending between an inside facing side wall portion (15) of the body (12) and a first insert (30; 50).
US08974564B2	Screen cleaning system A screen cleaning system cleans debris from a material catching screen surrounded by a frame. A hollow vacuum arm which moves over the screen. The arm has a slot in a side which is adjacent to the screen. The arm includes an inner arm pivotally coupled to a duct and an outer arm which movable with respect to the inner arm. The arm is moved by an actuator mechanism which includes a first pulley coupled to a drive shaft, a second pulley coupled to an end of the arm, a belt drivingly coupling the first pulley to the second pulley. The outer arm is slidably coupled to the inner arm and a spring is biased to urge the outer arm radially inwardly. A track is formed by the frame and a roller rides along the track and is rotatably coupled to an end of the outer arm.
US08974563B2	Exhaust gas purification system An exhaust gas purification system includes a diesel particulate filter (“DPF”) which collects particulate matter (“PM”) in exhaust gas, an exhaust pipe injector which performs exhaust pipe injection, and a DPF regeneration control unit which performs temperature rise control of an exhaust gas temperature by the exhaust pipe injection to regenerate the DPF when the PM collected by the DPF exceeds a fixed amount and which, during the regeneration, integrates an amount of time during which the exhaust gas temperature exceeds a PM combustion temperature and completes the regeneration when an integrated value thereof reaches a set regeneration completion value. The DPF regeneration control unit aborts the regeneration when, during regeneration, a total amount of the exhaust pipe injection exceeds an upper limit before the integrated value.
US08974562B2	Method of making a diamond particle suspension and method of making a polycrystalline diamond article therefrom A method of forming a substantially homogeneous suspension of nanodiamond particles and microdiamond particles is disclosed The method includes disposing a first functional group on a plurality of nanodiamond particles to form derivatized nanodiamond particles, and combining the derivatized nanodiamond particles with a plurality of microdiamond particles and a solvent to form a substantially homogeneous suspension of the derivatized nanodiamond particles and microdiamond particles in the solvent. A method of making an article is also disclosed. The method includes forming a superabrasive polycrystalline diamond compact by combining: a plurality of derivatized nanodiamond particles, a plurality of derivatized microdiamond particles having an average particle size greater than that of the derivatized nanodiamond particles, and a metal solvent-catalyst. The method also includes combining the polycrystalline diamond with a substrate comprising a ceramic. The method further includes removing a portion of a metal solvent-catalyst from the polycrystalline diamond compact by leaching.
US08974558B2	Method and device for producing a fuel containing carbon Described is a method for producing a fuel containing carbon, wherein the fuel is formed by compressing raw material containing a carbon and adding an additive that promotes thermal utilization of the fuel at a specified amount. The additive contains a chemical compound made of the elements calcium and/or magnesium and having or not having carbon. In a first method step, the raw material containing carbon is pressed and in this way a pressed article is produced. Then the additive is fed to at least one area of said pressed fuel article.
US08974557B2	Tunable catalytic gasifiers and related methods The present disclosure provides tunable catalytic gasifier systems suitable for gasifying coal, biomass, and other fuel sources. The gasifier reactors of the disclosed systems may be heated by, e.g., a catalytic tube or other jacket that generates heat by catalytically combusting syngas, which syngas may be syngas produced by the gasifier system.
US08974552B2	Liquid fuel compositions A liquid fuel composition suitable for use in an internal combustion engine is provided containing (a) from 50 to 90 % v/v of a C1-C4 alcohol; (b) from 10 to 50 % v/v of a Fischer-Tropsch derived naphtha; and optionally (c) up to 10 % v/v of a C3-C6 hydrocarbon component. A process for preparing a liquid fuel composition and a method of operating an internal combustion engine is also disclosed.
US08974547B2	Delivery particle The present application relates to encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents and processes for making and using compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents that do not require or require a reduced amount of scavenger materials. Such encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents are processed such that no or lower levels of scavenger materials are required.
US08974546B2	Method for treating laundry in a clothes dryer A method for treating laundry in a clothes dryer having a rotating drum defining a treatment chamber that includes applying a treating chemistry, which may include a treating chemistry that benefits from uniform distribution, on the laundry and drying the laundry after the applying of the treating chemistry.
US08974540B2	Method and apparatus for attachment in a modular hip replacement or fracture fixation device Methods and apparatus for orthopedic replacement of the hip and hip fracture fixation devices include structures and techniques for fixing or enhancing interconnection of implant components, such as by increasing the interconnection in an interference fit with one or more tapers, threads, and/or cooling of components prior to assembly. For example, a prosthetic femoral neck implant can include a thread and a Morse taper for lockable attachment to a prosthetic femoral head and/or intramedullary stem.
US08974539B2	Patient-adapted and improved articular implants, designs and related guide tools Methods and devices are disclosed relating improved articular models, implant components, and related guide tools and procedures. In addition, methods and devices are disclosed relating articular models, implant components, and/or related guide tools and procedures that include one or more features derived from patient-data, for example, images of the patient's joint. The data can be used to create a model for analyzing a patient's joint and to devise and evaluate a course of corrective action. The data also can be used to create patient-adapted implant components and related tools and procedures.
US08974530B2	Intervertebral implant An intervertebral implant comprises first and second parts having outer surfaces engaging adjacent vertebral surfaces. An insert between these parts provides relative movement therebetween. The first and/or second parts may have engagement means in the form of apertures for engagement with insertion instruments. The first and second parts may nest together, in the absence of the insert, for insertion into the intervertebral space. The boundaries of the implant may form a working space which would include insertion instruments therein. A detent and detent recess may be provided for engagement of the insert and one of said first and second parts.
US08974523B2	Stentless support structure A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.
US08974510B2	Treatment device for a blood circulation vessel The device includes at least a tubular endoprosthesis (6), deployable between a retracted state and a dilated state, and a hollow support (10) which extends longitudinally between a proximal end (18) and a distal end (16). The support (10) is provided, in the vicinity of the distal end (16), with at least a transverse retention opening. The device includes at least a releasable threadlike tie (12, 14) for holding the endoprosthesis (6) on the support (10). The tie is engaged in the retention opening (28) and actuated from the proximal end (18) of the support (10) to release the endoprosthesis (6). The support (10) includes, over at least a portion of its length, a spring (24) forming the support. The spring (24) has contiguous turns over at least a portion of its length.
US08974506B2	Medical device, apparatus, and surgical method A medical device is provided, the device, for example, being implantable into a human or animal body or being an augmentation device for strengthening human or animal hard tissue for subsequent implantation of a separate implant. The device includes a sheath element suitable of being brought into contact, during a surgical operation, with live hard tissue and/or with hard tissue replacement material. The sheath element has a, for example, generally elongate shape and a longitudinal bore defining a longitudinal opening reaching from a proximal end of the sheath element into a distal direction, and a plurality of holes in a wall of the opening. Further, the device includes a liquefiable element that is insertable or inserted in the longitudinal opening and at least partly liquefiable by the impact of energy impinging from the proximal side.
US08974503B2	Method of fixating two or more anatomical bodies A method of bone fixation comprises the steps of implanting at least one first fixation element into a respective first anatomical body such that a portion of the first fixation element extends out from an exterior surface of the first anatomical body, and implanting at least one second fixation element into a respective second anatomical body that is adjacent the first anatomical body, such that a portion of the second fixation element extends out from an exterior surface of the second anatomical body. A hardenable material is applied to the portion of each of the fixation elements that extends out from the exterior surface of the respective anatomical body when the hardenable material is in an unhardened state. The hardenable material is hardened such that the hardenable material forms a hardened construct together with the bone fixation elements that bridges the anatomical bodies.
US08974501B2	Distal loading receiver for a polyaxial bone screw and method for implantation thereof A distal loading receiver for a polyaxial bone screw includes a body member having a circumferential wall defining a bore disposed longitudinally through the body member. A skirt depends from a distal end of the body member. The skirt defines one or more distally opening slots and an abluminal surface of the skirt includes one or more transverse ribs proximate to a distal end of the skirt. A retaining ring includes a luminal surface having one or more transverse recesses proximate to a distal end of the luminal surface and one or more walls extending inwardly from the luminal surface. The slots accommodate the walls and the recesses accommodate the ribs to attach the body member to the retaining ring when the distal end of the skirt is inserted into a proximal end of the retaining ring.
US08974498B2	Spinal column stabilization system and surgical device for temporarily stiffening a flexible intermediate section of a connecting element of the spinal column stabilization system A surgical device is used for temporarily stiffening an at least partially flexible intermediate section of a connecting element for a spinal column stabilization system. The connecting element includes a first attachment section for fixing to a first bone fixation device and a second attachment section for fixing to a second bone fixation device. The at least partially flexible intermediate section is arranged between the first and second attachment sections. The intermediate section defines at least one recess configured to enable deformation of the intermediate section. The surgical device includes at least one blocking element which is adapted to be brought into engagement with the intermediate section at least partially with a positively locking connection for temporarily preventing deformation of the flexible intermediate section. An improved spinal column stabilization system includes at least one first bone fixation device, at least one second bone fixation device and a connecting element.
US08974488B2	Delivery assembly for occlusion device using mechanical interlocking coupling mechanism A pusher-occlusive coil delivery assembly 10 that is advanced through a microcatheter 40 to the desired vascular site within a patient. The delivery assembly 10 includes a pushwire 12 which interlocks with the occlusive coil 11 which can be manipulated to detach the occlusive coil 11. When the assembly 10 is positioned at the site, the pushwire 12 is advanced to allow the interlock joint 14, 15 to move out of the delivery sleeve 13 to uncouple the pushwire 12 and the occlusive coil 11.
US08974483B2	Methods and devices for deploying and releasing a temporary implant within the body Methods, devices and systems for delivering a device assembly into a gastric or other space within the body, allowing the device to expand to occupy volume within the gastric space and, after an effective period of time, delivering a substance or stimulus to begin breakdown of the expanded device so that it may release from the body.
US08974482B2	Device to steer into subintimal false lumen and parallel park in true lumen A device for steering J-tip guidewire through true lumen of artery to puncture site where an occlusion abuts artery wall and stylet wire in lumen of J-tip guidewire provides axis for screwing it between intimal and medial layers of artery wall and stiffens it sufficiently to transform J-tip to loop that dissects a false lumen between intimal and medial layers around occlusion to its end where tamping balloons push aside intimal layer and occlusion so false lumen and true lumen coincide allowing intimal layer to be safely pierced by stylet wire allowing blood flow through previously occluded artery segment.
US08974480B2	Nucleus chopper and splitter A surgical instrument which both incises and splits the nucleus of a lens has a pair of 5 spring steel segments slidably received in a metallic tube. Each segment terminates in a tip. As the spring steel segments are drawn into the tube the tips come together to form a cutting edge useful for incising the lens. When the segments are extended from the tube the tips separate, forcing the incision open until the lens is split.
US08974479B2	Ultrasonic surgical instruments An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. A first jaw member disposed at a distal end of the shaft is movable between open and clamping configurations. A pair of second jaw members disposed at the distal end of the shaft are movable between open and clamping configurations. A cutting blade extending to the distal end of the shaft is operably coupled to the housing. The pair of second jaw members and first jaw member are moveable to the clamping configuration to compress tissue of interest for removing moisture therefrom prior to the tissue of interest being treated.
US08974477B2	Ultrasonic operating apparatus In an ultrasonic operating apparatus which is provided with an insertion portion including a sheath having a distal end and a proximal end and formed of a cylindrical body having at least partially flexibility and a procedure portion disposed at the distal end of the sheath and performing a procedure for resection of a body tissue, and an operation portion disposed at the proximal end of the sheath and operating the procedure portion, the procedure portion is provided with an ultrasonic transducer unit including an ultrasonic transducer generating ultrasonic vibration, a probe portion integrally coupled with the ultrasonic transducer and transmitted with ultrasonic waves output from the ultrasonic transducer, and a casing accommodating the ultrasonic transducer, a jaw caused to face the probe portion which configures a distal end of the ultrasonic transducer and including a supporting point held in a state that the supporting point is not moved to the probe portion axially relative to the probe portion and an operating point movable axially relative to the probe portion, the jaw being driven to be opened and closed to the probe portion, a cover member coupled to the distal end of the sheath and rotatably supporting the operating point of the jaw, and a supporting portion disposed at a distal end of the casing and supporting the supporting point of the jaw, the operation portion is provided with a movable handle moving the operating point of the jaw axially relative to the probe member via the sheath and the cover member and rotating the jaw about the supporting point to drive the jaw to be opened and closed to the probe portion, and the jaw is set in a state that the operating point and the supporting point are positioned on a line orthogonal to a center line of the probe portion in a state that the jaw has been closed to the probe portion.
US08974475B2	Methods and devices for cardiac valve repair or replacement A delivery system for percutaneously guiding a repair or replacement device into a desired position relative to a valve within a patient. The delivery system includes a longitudinal support tube having a distal end, a deformable centering loop extending from the distal end of the support tube, at least one stop positioned on the centering loop and spaced from the distal end of the support tube, at least one clip delivery system slideably attached to the centering loop, and a sheath that is longitudinally slideable relative to the support tube, the centering loop, and the at least one clip delivery tube.
US08974474B2	Ligator and method of use A ligating apparatus and method. One embodiment includes a barrel-shaped ligator attached to the penetrating end of a structure, such as an endoscope, and cord pulling assembly at the opposed end of the structure. In the case of use with an endoscope, a pullable cord is wound on the cord pulling assembly and then extends through a working channel in the endoscope to penetrate the ligator. The barrel-shaped ligator is coaxial with the penetrating end of the endoscope, and a practitioner can look through the operating end of the endoscope and see through the endoscope and ligator to observe flesh, for example, in front of the ligating end of the ligator. The ligator includes coaxial inner and outer barrels that rotate with respect to each other upon pulling of the cord by the cord pulling assembly. This relative rotation causes one barrel to move laterally with respect to the other barrel and eject a ligature from the ligating end of the ligator. The cord pulling assembly is mounted and held in place on the endoscope by opposed arcuate arms and a transverse removable pin.
US08974470B2	Multiple loop snare A snare device having multiple loops is described. The loops may be configured having various sizes or shapes and may be configured for use within a single outer sheath. Each loop provided in connection with a single snare device may have a different size, shape, disposition, or orientation than other loops associated with the same snare device.
US08974456B2	Hybrid medical device implant with migration management A dynamic tissue holding device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another includes a resilient body having a spring and a band arranged for extending about the tissue portions to be held together. The band has a first end for attachment to a first attachment portion on the resilient body and a second end for attachment to a second attachment portion on the resilient body. Stops are disposed on portions of the resilient body for limiting both the compression and expansion of the spring. The compression of the spring is limited by engagement of two of the stops with one another and the expansion of the spring is limited by engagement of at least one of the stops with the spring.
US08974454B2	Kit for non-invasive electrophysiology procedures and method of its use An electrophysiology catheter for use with a steerable introducer sheath includes a flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one hollow elongate tip electrode disposed at the distal end of the catheter body. The hollow elongate tip electrode includes a sidewall having at least one elongate gap that provides flexibility allowing the tip electrode to bend relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The catheter body is an independent, non-steerable structure, and can be moved via movement of the steerable introducer through which it is introduced into a patient.
US08974453B2	Irrigated ablation catheter having a flexible manifold An irrigated ablation catheter includes a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an irrigation lumen therein. The catheter further includes an electrode assembly coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The electrode assembly includes an ablation electrode and a manifold. The manifold is coupled to each of the distal end of the shaft and the proximal end of the electrode. At least a portion of the manifold is constructed of a flexible material to allow the electrode assembly to deflect. The manifold includes a body, an inner cavity within the body configured for fluid communication with the irrigation lumen, and an irrigation port also within the body and configured for fluid communication with the inner cavity. The irrigation port extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the body, and is configured to allow for an irrigating fluid to be distributed from the manifold.
US08974451B2	Renal nerve ablation using conductive fluid jet and RF energy An ablation catheter is dimensioned for advancement through a vessel of the body. The catheter includes a lumen configured to receive a pressurized electrically conductive fluid. A nozzle is fluidly coupled to the distal end of the pressurizable lumen and configured to direct a jet of the pressurized conductive fluid at a wall of a target vessel, such as a renal artery, to create or expand a hole through the target vessel and to fill the hole and at least some of the space adjacent to the hole with the conductive fluid. An electrical conductor extends at least partially along the catheter and terminates proximate or at the distal end of the pressurizable lumen. The electrical conductor is configured to conduct radiofrequency energy to the conductive fluid sufficient to ablate target tissue, such as perivascular renal nerve tissue, proximate the hole.
US08974449B2	Dual antenna assembly with user-controlled phase shifting An electrosurgical ablation system includes an energy source adapted to supply energy to an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes a handle assembly configured to couple a pair of antennas extending from a distal end thereof to the energy source for application of energy to tissue. A power splitting device is operatively associated with the handle assembly and has an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a pair of output channels operably coupled to the respective pair of antennas. A phase shifter is operatively associated with the handle assembly and is operably coupled to the pair of output channels. The phase shifter is configured to selectively shift a phase relationship between the pair of output channels.
US08974448B2	Tissue extraction devices and methods The tissue cutting device comprises an elongated assembly including both an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a tissue-receiving window, and the inner sleeve has a distal end which cuts tissue as the inner sleeve is advanced past the window. The tissue is received into a lumen of the inner sleeve, and the inner sleeve lumen is typically enlarged in a proximal direction to reduce the tendency of resected tissue to lodge therein. The tissue displacement member is optionally provided at a distal end of the outer sleeve to further aid in dislodging tissue which becomes captured in a distal end of the inner sleeve of the lumen.
US08974442B1	Facial area rejuvenation Rejuvenation of the facial area, e.g., face, neck, jowls, and the like, that combines a plurality of different modalities is disclosed. A rejuvenation method can combine such modalities as skin tightening, in which electromagnetic energy, such as radio-frequency energy, visible light, and the like, or ultrasonic energy can be applied to the skin to tighten it; tissue tightening, in which sutures can be put in repositioned, tightened tissue underlying the skin to hold the tissue in place; tissue reinforcement, in which other sutures can be put around the tissue tightening sutures to reinforce their hold on the underlying tissue; and skin resection, in which excess skin can be excised and the remaining skin anchored over the tightened underlying tissue to produce a rejuvenating effect.
US08974441B2	Adjustable device handle and related methods of use An adjustable accessory for a medical device having an elongate tube and a lumen extending therein, the adjustable accessory including a handle adapted for connection to a proximal end of the elongate tube. The handle including a longitudinal axis and a slot on the handle transverse to the longitudinal axis. The slot includes multiple detent positions and a fitting movably disposed in the slot. The fitting is configured to be releasably secured within one of the detent positions, and the fitting includes a port in communication with the lumen of the elongate tube.
US08974436B2	Multi-sectioned cannula with multiple lumens A malleable cannula having multiple lumens, constrained at the proximal end portion to provide rigidity and malleable at the distal end portion. The cannula has a combination of flexibility and stiffness that assists in accessing body passageways without kinking.
US08974435B2	Administration device having a button with touch sensor Administration devices for supplying an injectable or infusible product into an organism include a reservoir for storing the product, a supply device for supplying the product from the reservoir into the organism, a controller to control operation of the administration device, a button communicatively coupled to the controller to initiate at least one action of the administration device and a touch sensor that generates an activation signal, wherein the touch sensor is incorporated into the button or is disposed in the vicinity of the button and is communicatively coupled to the button and/or the controller.
US08974429B2	Apparatus and method for applying topical negative pressure A method and apparatus for alerting a user of topical negative pressure therapy apparatus to a full waste canister condition are described, the apparatus comprising a device having vacuum pump means and a waste canister connected to the device and the waste canister operably connected to a wound dressing by aspiration conduit means for aspirating fluid from the wound, the aspiration conduit means, the waste canister and the device providing a fluid flow path therethrough and the vacuum pump means providing fluid flow through the apparatus, the apparatus further comprising fluid flow restriction means in the fluid flow path of said vacuum pump and fluid pressure sensing means upstream and downstream of said fluid flow restriction means.
US08974428B2	Mechanical wound therapy for sub-atmospheric wound care system A mechanical wound therapy (MWT) system includes a connection for a vacuum source, which is routed through an airtight covering to a porous material positioned over the wound. The porous material may be a tubing network interspaced by a netting material constructed of biologically inert or bioabsorbable material. Alternatively, the porous material may be a layered unified dressing in which layers of mesh, netting or thin perforated film are separated and fixedly attached to functional elements of the dressing (e.g., irrigation tubing) or spacers. The vacuum and irrigation systems may be completely separated. An airtight sealing layer or foldable adhesive sealing layer may seal the dressing and facilitate sealing the dressing to the wound margins. Additional modular devices such as a wound approximating system, positive pressure bladders and adjuvant therapy modules as well as enhanced monitoring technology can be added to synergistically increase the capabilities of each dressing.
US08974424B2	Syringe with plunger locking mechanism The syringe includes first and second outer cylinders having a flowing port at a distal end through which liquid is flowable, and a plunger inserted from the proximal side of the outer cylinder. The syringe includes a tooth portion provided along the direction of movement of the plunger, and a hook configured to lock the tooth portion at a predetermined locking position and prevent the movement of the plunger in the direction toward the proximal end. The hook retracts from the locking position in association with the unlocking operation and restores automatically to the locking position after the unlocking operation.
US08974422B2	Neurological apparatus comprising a percutaneous access device Apparatus for delivering therapeutic agents to the central nervous system of a subject is described. The apparatus comprises at least one intracranial catheter and a percutaneous access device. The percutaneous access device comprises a body having at least one extracorporeal surface and at least one subcutaneous surface, the body defining at least one port for connection to an implanted intracranial catheter. The port is accessible from the extracorporeal surface of the device, but is provided with a seal such as a rubber bung between the lumen of the port and the extracorporeal surface. The percutaneous access device may have more than two ports and/or a flange. A method of implanting the percutaneous access device is also described.
US08974421B1	Catheter strain relief clip A catheter strain relief clip includes a body having an upper surface, and a plurality of arm members extending upwardly from the upper surface. Each of the arm members defines an undercut region for receipt of a catheter. The arm members are disposed so as to define a bent path for a catheter threaded under each of the arm members from a first side to an opposite side of the body.
US08974419B2	Stretchable-diameter inserter for hemodynamic studies and related operations A stretchable-diameter inserter, for hemodynamic studies and related operations, is characterized in that it comprises an inserter tube, a hemostatic valve designed for preventing blood from exiting the patient toward the operator, a side line including a faucet, adapted to be used for performing blood taking and infusion operations and two dilatators: a first dilatator having a smaller cross-section and a second dilatator having a larger cross-section. The inserter tube is made of a rigid and flexible material with a substantially circular or oval contour, and comprises one or more longitudinally extending reduced thickness regions; each said reduced thickness region being folded on itself; the inner diameter therewith the tube is originally extruded is that desired for a maximum diameter configuration; the thus obtained extruded tube being then thermoformed so as to cause the reduced thickness region edges to be approached to one another thereby providing a minimum diameter tube; the thermoforming method so handling the reduced thickness region as to cause the tube material forming its thickness to be folded inward the tube, to allow the tube edges to move one another.
US08974417B2	Instrument for an endoscope and needle for an endoscope A needle for an endoscope, includes: an outer sheath tube having a fluid passage provided therein; a distal end discharging portion that is accommodated in the distal end of the outer sheath tube so as to be extended therefrom and retracted thereinto, and is connected to the distal end of the fluid passage; an operating device for operating the distal end discharging portion so as to be extended from the distal end of the outer sheath tube and retracted thereinto; a fluid supplying device, that is provided in the outer sheath tube and is caused to communicate with the fluid passage, and supplies a fluid to the distal end discharging portion through the fluid passage; and a blocking device that is provided in the fluid passage, for freely opening and shutting off circulation of a fluid in line with an operation of the operating device.
US08974413B2	Administration instrument for medical use The present invention relates to an administration instrument for medical use that can perform injection of a drug solution with stability and with great reliability. For example, at the administration, it is possible to prevent a force that presses the injection button from acting in a direction of inserting the needle that is inserted into the skin deeper, and enables the administration under a stable state where the needle does not wobble, thereby alleviating physical and mental pain of the administration patient.With a structure in which an injection button (3) is pressed at an angle that is not parallel to the needle with respect to a direction in which the needle (4) is inserted into the skin, it is possible to prevent the force of pressing the injection button from being transmitted in a direction of inserting the needle into the skin deeper than the initial insertion of the needle, thereby achieving an administration under a stable state.
US08974409B2	Occlusion catheter having compliant balloon for use with complex vasculature A catheter used for treatment of complex vasculature, such as a bifurcated aneurysm, is provided with an inflatable balloon at a distal portion thereof. The shape, location and material of the inflatable balloon are selected such that when inflated, the balloon conforms to the shape of the complex vasculature, or at least a portion thereof, without appreciably deforming the vessel walls. In this manner, the balloon can be used to control flow in the vasculature, for example occluding a selected branch of the vasculature during introduction of material in order concentrate the material and minimize its disbursement by blood flow.
US08974407B2	Buffering agent delivery system for anesthetic syringe A syringe for dispensing anesthetic from a cartridge having an interior wall defining a hollow interior sized and shaped for receiving a dose of anesthetic, and a piston. The syringe includes a tubular plunger slidably received in the hollow interior of the tubular cartridge. The plunger has a hollow interior extending between a distal end shaped for engaging the piston and an open proximal end. The syringe includes a plunger rod slidably received in the hollow interior of the tubular plunger. The rod has a sharp distal end adapted to penetrate the piston, a proximal end, and a length extending between the distal end and the proximal end sized so a delivery portion of the rod extends through the piston into the cartridge when the rod is driven through the piston. The delivery portion includes a recess for receiving a buffering agent to reduce acidity of the dose of anesthetic.
US08974405B2	Extracorporeal fluid circuit A dialysis fluid cassette that includes a rigid body and a flexible backing covering a recessed portion of the rigid body to at least partially form a gas release chamber.
US08974403B2	Apparatus for identifying falls and activities of daily living The present invention provides and apparatus for distinguishing falls from activities of daily living (ADLs). First, the human movements and muscle activities would be obtained by an electromyography measuring unit and/or an inertia measuring unit to record ADLs, and falls would be distinguished from ADLs to trigger the protecting devices in time to prevent or decrease injury. In addition, the apparatus would be preset for different operational conditions to adapt different users by a setting unit to increase accuracy. Finally, the moving distance and the direction of the user would be obtained by the electromyography measuring unit and/or the inertia measuring unit to obtain the location thereof in an interior space.
US08974394B2	Device and method for detecting irregular placement of an extracorporeal vascular access needle A device and method for determining intravascular pressure and irregular needle placement in a hemodialysis procedure include analyzing means for automatically deriving venous access pressure (VAP) at a location of venous needle insertion into the patient and determining a ratio of VAP to mean arterial pressure, where the analyzing means determines multiple VAP values over multiple time periods and determines multiple ratios, one for each VAP value. Detecting means compare each ratio to a predetermined standard ratio derived from a moving average of prior VAP ratios, where the detecting means detects irregular needle placement when elevation of the ratio above the standard ratio is indicated.
US08974390B1	Pulse compression systems and methods Systems and methods of optimal pulse compression are described. A method of determining an optimal pulse takes as an input a function of the impulse response of a transducer and produces a pulse optimized for transmission through that transducer. Images then produced with that transducer will have both superior range and spatial resolution.
US08974389B2	System and method for detecting irregular bone defects during dental implant osseointegration process A system and a method for detecting irregular bone defects during dental implant osseointegration process. The system comprises a detecting abutment, an ultrasonic driver, a signal receiving and analyzing device. When dental detection is performed, the detecting abutment is disposed on a substrate holder of a dental implant. The ultrasonic driver configures the piezoelectric transducers disposed on the detecting abutment to produce ultrasonic wave and transmits the ultrasonic wave to the contact surface between the dental implant and the alveolus bone. The piezoelectric transducers can receive the reflected wave caused by the each portion of the contact surface reflecting the ultrasonic wave and transform the reflected wave into time domain voltage signal. The signal receiving and analyzing device receives the time domain voltage signal to determine the depth, the severity and the location of the irregular bone defects of the contact surface.
US08974386B2	Analyte monitoring device and methods of use An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08974384B2	Data processing device for processing measured values A data processing device is provided for processing measurement values provided from a medical measurement device. The device generally comprises an input unit, a data input interface configured for communication with the medical measurement device, a memory unit for storage of data sets, a calculation unit, and an audible data output interface configured for communication with a data output unit. The input unit is configured for making a first selection of the data sets stored in the memory unit. Second selections based on or within the first selection may also be made. The audible data output interface is provided for generating an audible output of the selected data sets. The audible data output interface may also be configured to generate distinct audible signals before the audible output of each different selection of data sets.
US08974383B2	Patient monitor A patient monitor comprising a display means and a parameter connection unit, the parameter connection unit comprising parameter connectors for connecting cables from a patient to the patient monitor. The parameter connection unit is turnably pivoted to the display means.
US08974380B2	Surgical retractor A surgical retractor and a method of minimally invasive surgery, wherein the surgical retractor includes ribs and a mechanism for microns-resolution transferring of linear and rotational movements of the ribs and wherein each rib can be easily replaced without use of any additional tools.According to an embodiment of the present invention the transmission is simpler. Likewise, an auxiliary handle is added to facilitate the insertion of the ribs into the body of the operated patient, and the vast majority of components of the surgical retractor are made with biocompatible, and FDA approved material ULTEM HU 1000 RESIN transparent (radiolucent) to X-ray radiation and are designated for single use.
US08974377B2	Endoscope forceps plug A main body that has an installation portion which is formed from an elastic material having a cylinder shape, and installed at the metal opening at one end side; a lid insertion portion which cylindrically protrudes to the other end side, and a lid connected to the main body by a flexible connection portion having flexibility, that is formed from an elastic material, that has a tube shape with a cylindrical insertion channel, and that, at both sides where both ends of the insertion channel are respectively open, has first and second installation portions with different external shapes to each other which are installed by selectively inserting to the lid insertion portion. The first installation portion has a larger external shape than the second installation portion, at least a portion of a diameter of the insertion channel decreases when installed to the lid insertion portion of the first installation portion.
US08974375B2	Joint arrangement An actuatable joint is disclosed having a transmission member, for example a ring gear, associated with a member of a joint and rotatable about a longitudinal axis through the member. In particular a two degree of freedom actuatable joint is disclosed comprising tendon driven joint arrangements having a transmission member disposed around or inside a body of the joint arrangement, to provide transmission of a force from a driving means to two tendons actuating a rotational degree of freedom of the joint arrangement. Further disclosed is a segmented device, for example an endoscope, comprising a plurality of such joints, for example to define a flexible and steerable conduit for an instrument.
US08974372B2	Path-following robot A path-following robot, such as for creating a path to a target surgical site, includes a series of interconnected elements including a lead element at one end thereof, and a plurality of actuators each operably coupled to one of the plurality of elements. Each actuator is capable of effecting rotational and spherical motion of one element with respect to another element. The actuators are arranged to receive commands which individually control the relative position of one element compared with another element, where a position of the lead element determines a path and corresponding positions for all subsequent elements to create a path-following motion.
US08974367B2	Coaxial device for delivering an implant to a patient's pelvic region Systems and methods for implanting a surgical sling in a patient by a transobturator approach are disclosed. A sling delivery device couplable to a sling assembly with the surgical sling includes a guide tube and an extendible shaft section movable inside the guide tube. At least a portion of the shaft may be made of a shape memory material and can, when extended, assume a shape different from the shape of the guide tube in which the shaft is housed. This allows the extended shaft to navigate along a path that tracks close to bone structures, in particular the ischiopubic ramus, and prevents damage to surrounding tissue.
US08974366B1	High power ultrasound wireless transcutaneous energy transfer (US-TET) source A bio-implantable energy capture and storage assembly is provided. The assembly includes an acoustic energy transmitter and an acoustic energy receiver. The acoustic energy receiver also functions as an energy converter for converting acoustic energy to electrical energy. An electrical energy storage device is connected to the energy converter, and is contained within a bio-compatible implant for implantation into tissue. The acoustic energy transmitter is separate from the implant, and comprises a substantially 2-dimensional array of transmitters. The acoustic energy converter may also provide conditioned power directly to a load, connected to said energy converter.
US08974362B2	Centrifuge Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
US08974359B2	Food tray A food tray adapted to be removably located in a predetermined position in a compartment is provided having a tray body and a fixed movable stop member. The tray body includes a first end and a second end, a bottom and a sidewall structure defining a volume. The fixed movable stop member is located at one end of the tray body and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the tray is inserted in the compartment in the predetermined position, the fixed movable stop member is in the extended position and restrains further insertion of the tray into the compartment. A method of making a food tray in accordance with the invention is provided. Also provided is a method of storing food within a food tray to be contained in a pass-through compartment.
US08974358B2	Multi-spindle machining machine with tool changing mechanism A multi-spindle machining machine with a tool changing mechanism contains a base; a carrier including a seat to move in Z axis, a rotary shaft fixed on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in A axis, and a fixing holder coupled to an end portion of the rotary shaft to fix a work piece; a tool changing mechanism including a mount mounted to the rotary shaft to rotate with the rotary shaft and a monitor fixed on the seat to measure a length of the tool clamped on a driving spindle, and including a plurality of slots to receive the tools respectively; a working head moving above the carrier and the tool changing mechanism in X and Y axes and including the driving spindle mounted on a lower end thereof to rotate axially, and the lower end of the driving spindle allowing to engage and disengage the tool.
US08974357B2	Vertical turret lathe The invention provides a vertical turret lathe capable of preventing an inner diameter turning tool attached to a turret tool rest from interfering with a workpiece during machining of the outer diameter of the workpiece. The vertical turret lathe comprises a work table that holds a workpiece W1 and rotates, and a working head 40 having a turret tool rest 50 and capable of moving in X-axis and Z-axis directions. A tool holder 70 for holding an inner diameter turning tool T2 via hydraulic pressure is attached to a part of the tool supporting portions 60 of the turret tool rest. The automatic tool changer apparatus 100 includes a turret-type tool magazine 120 and pistons 160 and 162, which mechanically press the pins 74 and 76 of the tool holder 70 and clamp or unclamp the tool T2.
US08974354B1	Landmine apparatuses Landmine apparatuses include a mounting base and a receptacle for receiving a weight bar. The receptacle is coupled to the mounting base and rotatable about a horizontal axis and in 360 degrees about a vertical axis. A vertical pivot connects the receptacle to the mounting base such that the receptacle is retained in a single horizontal plane while rotating about the vertical axis.
US08974351B2	Bi-directional wrist exercise device A wrist exercise device includes a housing having circular portions, a grip handle extending across an inner area of each circular portion of the housing, with both ends of each grip handle being rotatably engaged in a circular direction with the circular portion of the housing, and a spring positioned within each circular portion of the housing. The elastic force of the spring between the grip handle and the housing is increased when the grip handle rotates in any direction.
US08974349B2	Wearable device assembly having athletic functionality A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
US08974341B2	Drive device with at least one electric engine A drive device having at least one electric machine, a gearbox, a differential which can be driven by the electric machine by means of the gearbox, at least one torque-fixed first operative connection between a first drive shaft of the electric machine and the gearbox.
US08974338B2	Two-mode electrically-variable transmission with offset motor and two planetary gear sets A hybrid powertrain has an electrically-variable transmission with a compound planetary gear set that may be only two planetary gear sets. Two members of the first planetary gear set are connected for common rotation with two members of the second planetary gear set. A first motor/generator is connected for common rotation with a member of the first planetary gear set and a member of the second planetary gear set. An input member is connected to another member of the first planetary gear set. A first set of intermeshing gears includes a first gear connected for common rotation with one of the gears of the second planetary gear set and a second gear driven by a second motor/generator. A second set of intermeshing gears includes another gear driving the output member. A first clutch is engageable to establish an input-split mode. A second clutch is engageable to establish a compound-split mode.
US08974336B2	Power transmission belt A power transmission belt (10) includes: a belt body (11) including a part (14) which is in contact with a flat pulley and which is made of a rubber composition containing an ethylene-α-olefin elastomer with an ethylene content of less than or equal to 60% by mass as raw rubber. The rubber composition forming the contact part (14) with the flat pulley has a storage modulus of 20-60 MPa at 25° C. and a storage modulus of 12 MPa or more at 100° C., short fibers are not blended into the rubber composition, and the grain direction of the rubber composition corresponds to a belt lengthwise direction.
US08974334B2	Cable drive and tension assembly A tensioning assembly having a drive pulley, a tension pulley and a tension adjustment system is provided. The drive pulley has a first drive pulley channel and a second drive pulley channel. The tension pulley has a first tension pulley channel and a second tension pulley channel. The second tension pulley channel is aligned with the first drive pulley channel. The first drive pulley channel and the second drive pulley channel of the drive pulley and the first tension pulley channel and a second tension pulley channel of the tension pulley are configured and arranged to engage and route an endless looped member. The tension adjustment system is coupled to adjust the distance between the drive pulley and the tension pulley to adjust the tension in the endless looped member in relation to the drive pulley.
US08974332B2	Adjustment device The present invention provides methods and systems for an adjustment device for allowing the expeditious adjustment of drive belts that includes a frame having at least one channel, a tab extending substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis of the frame, and a boss rotationally disposed on the frame. A support member is disposed adjacent the frame and includes a bore for receiving an adjustment member having a first end and a second end, and the second end of the adjustment member is disposed in close proximity to the tab of the frame.
US08974326B2	Miniature locator device for use with hunting arrows A hunting arrow for tracking target animals is disclosed and described. The arrow can include a chamber. The arrow may also include a transmitter housing that is installable into the chamber. A pair of bores extending through the transmitter housing and chamber may be configured and adapted for receiving a pair of shear pins. The shear pins may secure the housing in the chamber. The transmitter housing may comprise an animal engagement member, such as a hook. The transmitter housing is ejected from the chamber when the arrow strikes a target animal and the hook stops the forward momentum of the transmitter housing with sufficient force to shear the shear pins, thereby ejecting and embedding the transmitter housing in the hide of the animal. The transmitter within the housing may broadcast the location of the animal to the hunter to enable easy tracking of the animal, if wounded.
US08974324B2	Dual-purpose baseball hitting trainer A baseball hitting trainer comprises a supportive cup, an upper pipe, a lower pipe, an upper sleeve, a lower sleeve, an resilient piece connected between the upper sleeve and the lower sleeve, a locking device for locking the upper sleeve with the resilient piece to the lower pipe, a base fixed to the lower sleeve, a weight block, and a fastening ferrule, wherein the lower pipe is allowed to be inserted through the central through hole of the weight block, and the fastening ferrule is fitted around the lower pipe to fasten the weight block onto the lower pipe, whereby the hitting trainer can provide two modes of operation. Under the swing mode, the weight block can be positioned at various heights by adjusting the weight block along the lower pipe to have the hitting trainer swung at various frequencies and speeds, at which a hitter wishes to practice a hitting.
US08974323B2	Methods and systems for biomechanic characterization An apparatus for characterizing a golf swing proximate a mat formed of an engineering material may include a shank having a cup shaped to receive a golf ball at an upper end and a lower end; an articulated joint connected to the lower end of the shank, wherein the articulated joint is configured to allow the shank to bend along at least two axes; a base connected to the articulated joint and having a spike at a lower end; a motion control device operatively engaging the articulated joint, the motion control device maintaining the shank in a nominal position before the golf swing and in a deflected position after the golf swing; and an adapter configured to engage a mat, the adapter having a pliant portion and an opening in the pliant portion for receiving the spike.
US08974316B2	Putting/chipping trainer A putting/chipping training apparatus which allows a trainee to develop an effective putting/chipping stroke through the use of a motion-generating device that, using the trainee's selected golf club, e.g. putter, repeatedly replicates the trainee's most comfortable swing, or one modified to incorporate well-accepted sound fundamentals or one patterned thereafter the swing path of a golf professional. The device achieves this desired end by effecting rotational movement on two parallel axes, simultaneously with linear movement, to move the club through the swing path, with the trainee's hands gently holding the grip. The method may be individualized by first tracking the trainee's desired stroke to create an average swing path for one stroke which is entered into a CPU databank and can then be precisely replicated.
US08974312B2	Automatic golf ball supply device The present invention relates to an automatic golf ball supply device, being an automatic golf ball supply device which automatically supplies golf balls to a position where the golf balls will be hit with a golf club by the user, which comprises: a frame on the upper part of which is formed a golf ball withdrawal hole; an ascending and descending mount which ascends and descends by means of a motor, and on the upper surface of which is provided a tee member where a golf ball rests, and which is provided so as to ascend and descend freely in the withdrawal hole direction following a guide provided in the frame; and a golf ball conveying loader which conveys golf balls towards the tee member of the ascending and descending mount as the outer circumferential surface rotates and makes contact with the golf balls inside a golf-ball-waiting chamber in such a way as to be able to push each golf ball and to rest the same on the tee member. Consequently, there are advantages in that the height of the frame can be minimized and there are great savings on the weight, volume and installation space of the product, and in that it is possible to reduce the number of parts and hence increase productivity and economize on production costs, and to minimize loss of motive force and so maximize the force with which the golf balls are conveyed.
US08974311B2	Method and device for installing synthetic turf A method and device for installing synthetic turf uses a motorized turf rollout vehicle and a frame removably carried by the vehicle, the frame holding a roll of synthetic turf on a spindle at a first, forward end thereof. The roll and spindle are held in an orientation that is transverse to the first forward direction, and have a transverse dimension that extends beyond that of the vehicle. As the vehicle moves forward in the first direction, the vehicle engages and pulls the roll of turf, and the vehicle also moves on top of the just-unrolled portion of the turf. This accurately and efficiently places the turf on and over the base, in a desired position. Because the vehicle moves on top of the just unrolled section of turf, the present invention eliminates direct contact with, and disruption to, the underlying prepared base. This method and device reduces the time and cost associated with locating a roll of synthetic turf over a base during the installation of an athletic field, compared to prior installation methods.
US08974309B2	Video game processing apparatus and video game processing program Multiple object information, in which first kind of object information indicating information on a first kind of object is associated with second kind of object information indicating information on a second kind of object, is stored in a multiple object information memory. The second kind of object is an object protected against a damage by means of the first kind of object. Multiple objects constructed by the first and second kinds of objects are displayed on a game screen on the basis of the multiple object information stored in the multiple object information memory. A damage cause indicating a cause of the damage that the displayed multiple objects receives is specified. At least the damage, which the second kind of object receives, is specified on the basis of the specified damage cause and a state of the first kind of object in the video game.
US08974305B2	Network gaming architecture, gaming systems, and related methods A gaming system, a network gaming architecture, and related methods are disclosed that provides game content to server-based gaming platforms. Players access game content and place wagers on through a client server. The client server may act as a thin client to the gaming platform such that the client server establishes the communication link to a remote gaming engine that performs game play processing. The gaming system includes the remote gaming engine, which may comprise a game rules server configured to administer a set of game rules for the wagering game, and a deck server that randomly selects game pieces according to the set of game rules. The gaming engine includes a game rules server configured to administer a set of game rules and a deck server to randomly select game pieces in response to requests from the game rules server. The deck server, game rules server, and game routing server can each include a firewall to protect unauthorized access. Communication between the deck server and the game rules server may be encrypted to provide additional protection.
US08974301B2	Computer readable storage medium having game program stored thereon and game apparatus Based on posture/motion information obtained from predetermined detection means for detecting a posture or a motion of an input device operated by a user, power value data, which is a parameter representing the power to be given to an object is calculated. In addition, a braking power applied to the input device is calculated based on the posture/motion information. Then, the object is moved based on the power value data and the braking value data.
US08974300B2	Interactive entertainment electronic system The present invention relates to a remote play device for an interactive entertainment system and may include a class D amplifier and at least one motion detection device. The remote play device may also include a processor to adapt sound effects played through the class D amplifier based upon the at least one motion detection device. A battery may also be included powering at least the class D amplifier.
US08974298B2	System for animating mechanical reels on a gaming machine A system for providing animation on reel games is disclosed. A gaming machine includes a plurality of reels each having symbols provided on an outer surface of each of the reels. A lighting system is configured to illuminate a selected symbol on at least one reel. A game controller generates a game outcome. A reel control unit determines the timing of illuminating of the selected symbol on the position of the symbol on the reel when it is illuminated.
US08974296B2	Game program and game apparatus A game apparatus executes game processing on the basis of microphone input information input through a microphone. The CPU of the game apparatus executes an imaging step for imaging a user with a camera, a detection determining step for determining whether or not a user is detected on the basis of image data indicating the image obtained by imaging through the imaging step, and a performing step for performing the game processing on the basis of the microphone input information when the detection determining step determines that the user is detected.
US08974293B2	Bonus game points in a gaming environment A system and method for using bonus points, where bonus points may be accumulated by a player in a casino setting to invoke a bonus play or bonus game ordinarily reachable only through a random event. Bonus points are usable in combination with tiered bonus levels, allowing the issuance of points or credits that a player may accumulate until they have enough to trade-in for a bonus round, event, or game at the chosen level.
US08974290B2	Wagering game for awarding attributes in a plurality of plays A method for conducting a computer-implemented wagering game includes using a processor to execute a plurality of plays of the wagering game, each play having an expected value. A plurality of randomly selected symbols, which are associated with each play, are displayed on a display. The processor is used to randomly assign a plurality of attributes across the plurality of plays. Each attribute increases an expected value of the play to which the attribute is assigned, from a first value to a second value. The first value is in the absence of the attribute and the second value is in the presence of the attribute.
US08974289B2	Integrating social contact identifiers into wagering games Described herein are processes and devices that integrate social contact identifiers into wagering games. Some embodiments include providing game play elements configured for use in presentation of possible outcomes for a wagering game, wherein the wagering game is associated with a first player account stored on an account server. Some embodiments further include selecting, via one or more processors, a second player account indicated in the first player account as a social contact of a player associated with the first player account. Some embodiments further include, via at least one of the one or more processors, providing a social contact identifier of the second player account for use in the wagering game to represent at least a portion of at least one of the game play elements.
US08974283B2	Wagering game with moving symbol arrays A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device, a display device, a processor, and a memory device for storing instructions that cause the processor to operate the gaming system. The gaming system receives an input to play the wagering game and randomly determines a plurality of symbols to populate symbol positions in one or more symbol arrays. The gaming system displays dynamic content in the symbol positions concluding with the randomly determined symbols while the one or more symbol arrays are moved with respect to an indicator region. The gaming system displays an indication of an outcome of the wagering game determined based on any of the one or more symbol arrays appearing in the indicator region after the one or more symbol arrays are moved.
US08974282B2	Electronic gaming platform having shared and private screens An electronic gaming system configured for executing an electronic game on a plurality of terminals, each terminal having a corresponding monitor the electronic game having a public portion and a private portion, wherein when the electronic gaming system is executed by the terminals, it causes the terminals to display the public portion of the game on one of the terminal's monitor; display a private portion of the game to on the other terminals monitors; enable wireless communication between the terminals; and manage flow of the game according to game rules and the wireless communication.
US08974280B2	Clockwork wheel mechanism with LCD background A gaming display apparatus includes a primary rotating device and a secondary rotating device. The gaming display apparatus also includes a rotary drive mechanism attached to the primary rotating device. A Geneva wheel mechanism is attached to the secondary rotating device. The rotary drive mechanism includes a pin for engaging the Geneva wheel mechanism. The pin and the Geneva wheel mechanism drive the secondary rotating device. A method for display of a game includes driving a primary rotating device with a drive mechanism, attaching at least one Geneva wheel to a secondary rotating device, and driving the secondary rotating device using a pin on the drive mechanism.
US08974279B1	Bad beat insurance In various embodiments, a system and a method of implementing bad beat insurance are disclosed. After a stage of a portion of a game is played, it is determined that a player is favored to win the portion of the game. After the portion of the game is completed, it is determined that the player has suffered a bad beat. The player is compensated at least partially for a loss that the player incurred as a consequence of suffering the bad beat.
US08974278B2	Internet / television game show A game show may be played online or may be played online while being simultaneously broadcast on television. The contestants of the game show are internet users who may use a web camera to connect to the online game. The host of the game show may be transmitted to the online game as well as to the television audience. A web-only (non-televised) based game may be used to get qualifying contestants to play in the online/televised game. The object of the game is to be the “last cam standing” by, for example, answering trivia questions correctly and eliminating other players.
US08974272B2	Aspirating induction nozzle An aspirating induction nozzle for vertical connection to the outlet of a pressurized exhaust gas flow comprises a central nozzle surrounded by a wind band and one or more guide vanes. Ambient air is induced into a mixing zone within the central nozzle to dilute the primary effluent and increase the volumetric discharge flow rate to achieve greater plume lift. The mixing zone within the central nozzle is protected from crosswind influences, which would otherwise diminish plume lift.
US08974271B2	Filleting device and method for harvesting fillets A filleting device and method for harvesting fillets from poultry carcasses that are moved in a conveyer-line supported on carriers is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the first guide rails are provided to guide at least a part of the fillets so as to increase this part's distance from the carcass and break the tissue connections that connect the fillet or fillets in their natural position to the keel-bone of the carcass. Flexible elements are provided that complete the harvesting of the fillets by peeling the fillets entirely loose from the keel-bone.
US08974269B2	Method for surface-treating mirror-finish stainless steel workpiece The present invention discloses a method for surface-treating a mirror-finish stainless steel workpiece, which comprises steps: dividing the surface of a mirror-finish stainless steel workpiece into different grinding areas according to the depths of the scratches; selecting sand papers respectively having appropriate grit sizes for the grinding areas, and grinding the grinding areas to remove all the scratches; sequentially using three combinations of polishing agents and grinding materials to undertake polishing; and using an abrasive paste and a fourth grinding material to perform mirror-finishing.
US08974268B2	Method of preparing an edge-strengthened article A method of preparing an edge-strengthened article comprises polishing of an edge of an article having a first edge strength using magnetorheological finishing, wherein after the polishing the article has a second edge strength and the second edge strength is greater than the first edge strength.
US08974265B2	Self-righting mechanism for a radio-controlled car A self-righting mechanism for a toy vehicle includes a base configured to be coupled to the vehicle; an actuator rotatably coupled to the base and extending generally toward a top of the vehicle, the actuator comprising a housing and an actuating rod, wherein the actuator has an inactivated position in which the actuating rod extends a first distance from the housing and an activated position in which the actuating rod extends a second distance from the housing greater than the first distance; an arm rotatably coupled to the base and rotatably coupled to the actuator; and a cartridge containing a pressurized gas coupled to the actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to be moved from the unactivated position and the activated position by the pressurized gas and wherein when the actuator is in the activated state, the arm protrudes from the vehicle.
US08974259B2	Electrical connectors with encapsulated corrosion inhibitor According to embodiments of the invention, an electrical connector structure with an encapsulated corrosion inhibitor may be provided. The structure may include a first electrical connector having a first contact surface. The structure may also include an encapsulated corrosion inhibitor applied to at least a portion of the first contact surface.
US08974257B1	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes an insulating housing and a plurality of electrical terminals. A top face of the insulating housing is concaved downward to define a plurality of terminal grooves alternately arranged into two rows along two longitudinal sides of the insulating housing. Each terminal groove extends transversely to have the outer end thereof penetrate through a corresponding side face of the insulating housing. The inner ends of the two rows of terminal grooves are alternate with one another along a substantial longitudinal middle of the insulating housing. The electrical terminals are firstly assembled downward and then pushed transversely inward to be assembled in the terminal grooves respectively.
US08974252B1	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of first terminals each having a first elastic portion, a plurality of second terminals each having a second elastic portion, and a shielding shell enclosing the insulating housing. The insulating housing has a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and two side walls which together surround an inserting chamber thereamong. The top wall and the bottom wall respectively define a plurality of first terminal grooves and second terminal grooves which are opened symmetrically about the inserting chamber and communicate with the inserting chamber. The first and second terminals are respectively inserted frontward in the first and second terminal grooves with the first elastic portions and the second elastic portions face-to-face projecting into the inserting chamber and being symmetrical in structure and arrangement about the inserting chamber.
US08974246B2	Mobile terminal A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a case having a battery loading part to load a battery thereon, a printed circuit board mounted in the case, a terminal connection accommodating space formed in a predetermined portion of the battery loading part and extending in a first direction, a connection terminal comprising a fixing part configured to be connected to the printed circuit board, a connecting part extending toward the battery loading part via the terminal connection accommodating space, and a flexible part having a plurality of curved portions arranged between the fixing part and the connecting part and a stopper extending in the terminal connection accommodating space to restrict contraction of the flexible part in the first direction by coming into contact with one of the curved portions when the flexible part is contracted.
US08974241B2	Bracket for connector pin seals An electrical connector includes a housing having a bracket mating surface and an opening that extends through the bracket mating surface; an electrical conductor that is positioned through the opening in the housing; a grommet that is positioned in a space defined between the electrical conductor and the opening in which the conductor is positioned to substantially prevent contaminants from entering the housing through the opening; and a bracket removably positioned on the bracket mating surface of the housing of the connector and positioned to bear on the grommet to substantially prevent displacement of the grommet with respect to the housing of the connector.
US08974239B2	Tamper resistant shutter device for electrical receptacle outlets To prevent electrocution from improper connections through electrical outlets including Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (commonly known as AFCI's), Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (commonly known as GFCI's) and power strips, plugs of matching configuration should be used. For purposes of this application, “electrical outlet” or “receptacle outlet” have the same meaning as an “outlet”. When unattended, some children could be electrocuted by inserting metallic objects into electrical outlets. To control these incidents, it becomes necessary to provide outlets with a shutter device incorporated into the housing cover so that only plugs of matching configuration can be used. For purposes of this application, “childproof”, “tamper-proof” or “tamper-resistant” outlets are the same and refer to an outlet provided with a shutter device as the present invention. These shutter devices are typically incorporated into the outlet housing cover to resist tampering or entry of any object other than a plug of matching configuration.
US08974236B2	Low profile electrical connector An electrical connector for electrically connecting a central processing unit (CPU) to a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a housing, a number of contacts, and a number of solder balls. The housing has a number of passageways extending passing through the housing and a number of protrusions located outside the passageways and corresponding the passageways one-to-one. A number of contacts partially are disposed in the passageways and each has a hole to match with the protrusion and secure the contacts on the housing. A number of solder balls are connected with corresponding contacts.
US08974233B2	Rotary connector In a rotary connector where a moving body turning with the rotation and revolution of planetary gears and flat cables including inverted portions at middle portions thereof are received in a receiving space between outer and inner cylindrical bodies, a bottom plate of a stationary-side housing is provided with an annular protrusion that comes into contact with lower surfaces of the planetary gears and a hollow portion that is positioned outside the annular protrusion in a radial direction, and the hollow portion is positioned directly below in a vertical direction when the stationary-side housing is mounted on an installation portion of a vehicle. Accordingly, a foreign matter entering the receiving space falls down onto the bottom plate and is accumulated in the hollow portion. Therefore, the hindrance to the rotation of the planetary gears, when the planetary gears catch a foreign matter, can be prevented.
US08974232B2	Apparatus and method for implementing a mobility aid device A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive sensor data measurements associated with usage of a mobility aid device and extract sensor feature parameters from the sensor data measurements. The computer readable storage medium further includes executable instructions to derive a usage state corresponding to the usage of the mobility aid device, based on the sensor feature parameters.
US08974220B2	Mold stack for a preform There is provided a molding stack assembly (202) for producing a molded article (214), the molded article (214) including a neck finish (218) which includes a support ledge (222), the molded article (214) suitable for subsequent blow-molding into a final shaped container. The molding stack assembly (202) comprises a core insert (204), a lock ring (206), a split mold insert (208), a cavity flange (209) and a cavity insert (210) for jointly defining, in use, a molding cavity (212) for forming the molded article (214), the split mold insert (208) and the cavity flange (209) defining a split line (226) therebetween, the split line (226) being defined substantially along a portion of the support ledge (222); a biasing member (230) disposed, in use, between the cavity flange (209) and the cavity insert (210), the biasing member (230) being configured to: (a) under applied clamp force, to allow the cavity flange (209) to abut the cavity insert (210); and (b) during initial stages of the mold operation to bias the cavity flange (209) away from the cavity insert (210).
US08974218B2	Mold plate and method of molding golf ball core A mold for manufacturing hemispherical sections for a golf ball includes a mold plate and a movable insert. The mold plate includes a first surface. The movable insert includes a second surface. The movable insert is connected to the mold plate. The first surface of the mold plate and the second surface of the movable insert may move relative to one another during molding of a hemispherical section for a golf ball.
US08974216B2	Device and method for mechanically texturing a silicon wafer intended to comprise a photovoltaic cell, and resulting silicon wafer A solution for texturing silicon wafers configured to constitute photovoltaic (PV) cells. Silicon wafers can be produced, the surface of which include uniformly engraved patterns having a depth of between 5 and 50 μm.
US08974215B2	Mold for thermal nanoimprint lithography, process for fabricating the same, and nanoimprint process using the same A heating mold for thermal nanoimprint lithography is disclosed. According to one aspect, the mold includes a resistive heating element and collecting element for collecting the electromagnetic energy of a variable electromagnetic field emitted by a source located outside the mold. The collecting element being connected to the resistive heating element in which the electromagnetic energy is dissipated. A method for manufacturing the mold, a thermal nanoimprint lithography device including the mold, and a a method for preparing a substrate including a surface nanostructured by a thermal nanoimprint lithography technique using the mold is applied are also disclosed.
US08974203B2	Hydraulic pump end cover A pump having an endplate with an orifice provided between the system ports and the charge pump pressure cavity. Fluid flows through the orifice so as to soften a transition of the vehicle from a stationary position to a forward or reverse motion when a swash plate of the pump is angled slightly relative to a neutral or zero position.
US08974199B2	Mixed flow fan A mixed-flow fan features a housing (42); an impeller (43) journaled rotatably with respect to the housing, and equipped with fan blades (54); a generally cylindrical air conduit (50) defined between the fan housing and the impeller, the fan blades extending into the air conduit in order, during operation, to transport air; an external-rotor motor (75) having an internal stator (100) and an external rotor (81) which includes a tubular ferromagnetic yoke (63) partly embedded in material of the impeller. A cup-shaped yoke (72) fits into a central cavity (68) of the tubular yoke (63) and accommodates a permanent magnet arrangement (66) which interacts with the stator. The tubular yoke (63) and the cup-shaped yoke (72) together serve as a magnetic return path for the external-rotor motor. The structure minimizes damage during final assembly, and simplifies insertion of balancing weights.
US08974198B2	Compressor having counterweight cover A counterweight cover for a compressor is provided and may include an annular body having a recess at least partially defined by an outer circumferential portion, an inner circumferential portion, and an upper portion connecting the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion. A suction baffle may be disposed on the annular body and may direct a flow of suction gas within the compressor.
US08974196B2	Fan and bearing bracket thereof A bearing bracket including a metal base and a bushing is provided. The metal base has an opening at its central portion. The bushing of the bearing bracket is made of plastic. The bushing encloses an axial portion or/and a radial portion of the metal base by injection molding. Furthermore, the bearing bracket further includes an anti-vibration member disposed on at least one side surface of the metal base.
US08974195B2	Fan A fan includes a housing and a motor. The housing has a compartment, at least one lateral air inlet and at least one lateral air outlet. The lateral air inlet and lateral air outlet communicate with the compartment. The motor has a stator and an impeller. The impeller is coupled with the stator and includes a hub and a plurality of blades coupled with a top face of the hub. Each blade has first and second ends. The first ends of the blades face outwards, and the second ends of the blades define an air-guiding room encompassed by a virtual geometric pattern formed by a virtual line linking the second ends of the blades. The virtual geometric pattern has a maximal diameter. A gap is formed between the second ends of two adjacent blades. The gap is smaller than the maximal diameter of the virtual geometric pattern.
US08974193B2	Synthetic jet equipment A synthetic jet equipment is provided, including a base, a frame fixed to the base, a first member, a pump diaphragm, a second member, and a valve diaphragm. The pump diaphragm connects the first member to the frame, and the valve diaphragm connects the second member to the frame. The base, the frame, the first member, the pump diaphragm, the second member, and the valve diaphragm define a chamber forming an intake and an outlet. When the first member moves in a first direction, the second member moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction and the external air flows into the chamber through the inlet. When the first member moves in the second direction, the second member moves in the first direction, such that the air is exhausted from the chamber through the outlet.
US08974192B2	Biomorphic wave energy collector An apparatus utilizing wave energy to capture ocean water and send it to shore for hydroelectricity, hydrodynamic energy conversion or desalination. The submerged device is located offshore and is preferably oriented orthogonal to the shoreline or the incoming water surges. Responding to underwater wave surges, a deformable bladder filled with sea water is compressed and the seawater contained therein is expelled and sent to shore. A one-way valve responds to the differential in water pressure inside the empty bladder as compared to outside the bladder and permits seawater to enter and refill the bladder. The bladder may have any of several forms including that of a bellows. The present invention discusses several ways by which the bladder may be compressed and several ways by which it can sense and respond to underwater wave surges.
US08974190B2	Variable-speed scroll refrigeration compressor The compressor includes a sealed enclosure containing a compression stage, an electric motor having a stator and a rotor, an oil pump rotationally coupled to the rotor, including an oil inlet port connected to an oil sump, and control means arranged to command the operation of the motor in a start-up mode in which the rotor is rotated at a first speed of rotation included in a first speed range, and a normal operating mode in which the rotor is rotated at a second speed of rotation included in a second speed range higher than the first speed range. The compressor includes an oil injection device having an oil injection duct connected to a first oil outlet port of the oil pump and arranged to supply the compression stage with oil.
US08974185B2	Balancing of rotatable components A balanced rotor component for a gas turbine engine having a aerofoil with a root and an rotor with an axial aerofoil root slot. The aerofoil root has a cavity which holds a balance weight. The cavity is open along at least one wall and the balance weight is spaced from the slot wall to minimise stress concentrations.
US08974182B2	Turbine bucket with a core cavity having a contoured turn The present application thus provides a turbine bucket. The turbine bucket may include a platform, an airfoil extending from the platform at an intersection thereof, and a core cavity extending within the platform and the airfoil. The core cavity may include a contoured turn about the intersection so as to reduce thermal stress therein.
US08974181B2	Rope-conveyer structure for supporting plates of wind or water power generator A rope-conveyor structure for supporting plates of a wind or water power generator, in which plates are coupled to a rope at positions spaced apart from each other so that the force of flowing water or wind applied to the plates rotates the rope. The rope-conveyor structure includes couplings which are coupled to the rope between the plates, and connection wires each of which has a predetermined length. Each connection wire is connected at a first end thereof to the corresponding coupling and at a second end thereof to the corresponding plate. The positions of the connection wires can be selectively changed so that each connection wire can support the corresponding plate in either directions. Therefore, the plates can be prevented from being displaced from the correct positions or from twisting, regardless of the direction of flow of the water.
US08974172B2	Boom assembly A boom has a central connection plate attached between a pair of side plates, and a rear portion side of a cover plate on a front boom portion and a front portion side of a cover plate on a rear boom portion are connected thereby. A pivoting support for a working tool cylinder used to move a working tool connected to a foremost portion of the front boom portion is provided on a front side of a top portion on each of the left and right side plates. The central connection plate is formed with a connection plate projection projecting from a front portion attached to the rear portion of the cover plate toward a midway portion so as to approach the pivoting support.
US08974171B2	Work vehicle A work vehicle includes a pair of booms, a link mechanism and a control unit. The booms are attached to a front part of a vehicle body in an upwardly and downwardly rotatable state. The link mechanism couples a working unit to tips of the booms. The link mechanism is configured to keep the working unit in a posture generally parallel to the ground without rotating the working unit with respect to the ground while the booms are elevated from a position where the working unit is disposed on the ground when the working unit is a fork. The control unit is configured to execute a tilt angle adjusting control for the working unit in accordance with variation in an angle of the booms while the booms are elevated when a tilt angle of the working unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.
US08974170B2	Position adjustment assembly for an agricultural conveyor A position adjustment assembly for an agricultural product conveyor, which delivers a product to a storage system, such as an air cart, includes an inner arm having a first end rotatably coupled to the air cart and a second end. An outer arm has a first end and a second end. The second end of the inner arm is rotatably coupled to the outer arm proximate to the first end of the outer arm. An intermediate link has a lateral positioning assembly to vary the length of the intermediate link.
US08974167B2	Automatic storage system The front automatic storage system includes a plurality of shelves, a transferring apparatus, and a moveable frame. The shelves are arranged facing a semiconductor processing apparatus and at least one of the shelves is positioned above a transfer port of the semiconductor processing apparatus. The transferring apparatus is contrived to move among the shelves and transfer cassettes C between any shelf and the transfer port. The frame is contrived such that it can move the transferring apparatus and the at least one shelf positioned above the transfer port. The frame is also contrived such that it can move in a first horizontal direction toward and away from a first position where the at least one shelf is arranged above the transfer section.
US08974164B2	Plastic high heat fastener A polymeric fastener includes a body having multiple sides adapted to accept a tool for applying torque to the body to axially rotate the body with respect to a body longitudinal axis. A flange integrally connected to the body extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A wave-shaped washer integrally connected to the flange has multiple valleys interposed between multiple oppositely directed peaks. Multiple triangular shaped frangible connectors integrally join the flange to the wave-shaped washer. Each frangible connector is integrally connected at a first end to the flange, and is integrally connected at an opposite connecting tip to an individual one of the peaks. The connecting tip has a reduced thickness compared to the first end to induce fracture of each frangible connector at the connecting tip.
US08974161B1	Removable bull ring with rotating attachment plate A bull ring for a vehicle comprises a top plate coupled to a rotating plate having a tie-down. Two opposing rail flanges extend from the rotating plate and a fastener selectively couples the rotating plate in a securing position relative to the top plate. The rail flanges extend beyond an outer edge of the top plate to define a clamping region with the top plate.
US08974160B2	Rail mounting system A rail mounting system includes a mounting rail that has a channel profile. The mounting rail is secured to a cargo area surface. Further, the rail mounting system includes a slide member that has a securement receiving area for securing a cargo product and the slide member within the channel profile of the mounting rail. The slide member is received within the channel profile.
US08974155B2	Machining tool The invention relates to a machining tool (14) for machining materials by removing material, in particular for wood or wood-like materials, metals, plastics and/or composite materials. The machining tool is provided to be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation (1) and comprises at least one row (17, 18, 19) of individual cutters (2, 2″) arranged in the peripheral direction and having cutting edges (3, 3″) which at least partly overlap. The cutting edges (3, 3″) have a rake angle and are located at an axial angle (λ) in relation to the axis of rotation (1). The axial angle (λ) lies in a range from 55° to <90° inclusive. The rake angle is >55°.
US08974151B2	Constant-resistance large-deformation anchor rod A constant-resistance large-deformation anchor rod includes a rod body (6), a tray (3), a nut (2), and a constant-resistance device (4). The constant-resistance device (4) is formed into a cylindrical structure, and the inner surface of the constant-resistance device (4) and the outer surface of the rod body (6) are both formed with thread structures. The constant-resistance device (4) is sleeved at the tail of the rod body (6), and the tray (3) and the nut (2) are sequentially sleeved at the tail of the constant-resistance device (4). The nut (2) is in threaded connection with the constant-resistance device (4). The constant-resistance large-deformation anchor rod in the invention can be automatically stretched when the tunnel surrounding rock deforms largely, and keep the constant working resistance.
US08974148B2	Deployable optical fiber cartridge A spool has a cylinder, a first flange coupled to a first end of the cylinder and a second flange coupled to a second end of the cylinder. A compressible material surrounds the cylinder and an optical fiber is wrapped around the compressible material. When tension is applied to the optical fiber the compressible material can be deformed to reduce the tension on the optical fiber. When submerged underwater the water pressure will not compress the compressible material.
US08974147B1	Slot form for pipeline buoyancy control A device for controlling buoyancy of a buried pipeline, the device comprising a form placed atop the pipeline and a flexible strap extending around the form adjacent its top. The form may comprise a first trough located adjacent the first side of the pipeline, a second trough located adjacent the opposing second side of the pipeline, and a middle section with an inverted-U-shaped cross section such that the middle portion fits over the top of the pipeline and joins the first trough and the second trough. The troughs are filled with backfill when the pipeline is buried. Thus, when fully installed, the device may comprise the slot form, the strap, and the backfill. As the pipeline tends to rise, the straps deform, bringing the sides of the troughs inward and compressing the backfill therein. This prevents further upward movement of the pipeline.
US08974145B2	System and method for treating golf sand bunkers A method and system for treating golf course sand bunkers to maintain sand in a playable condition by improving the propensity for water to pass through, opening clogged drains, and decomposing organic sediment. The method and system include a drainage solution and a microbe-based solution which are applied to the sand bunker in at least two applications, separated by a period of time, preferably a month. The drainage solution comprises a blend of surfactants and/or physical stability agents and the microbe-based solution comprises a liquid and microbes.
US08974142B2	Crash cushion A crash cushion includes a plurality of resilient, self-restoring tubes each having a center axis and an interior surface. At least some of the tubes are positioned such that respective ones of the center axes are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction. The center axis of at least one tube is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction, with the tube defining a diametral plane intersecting and oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The center axis of the tube lies in the diametral plane. One or more segments are positioned in the tube, with the segments, or portions thereof, disposed on opposite sides of the interior surface of the tube. Each of the segments or portions is symmetrically secured to the tube relative to the diametral plane, with the tube being substantially open between the opposing segments. Various methods of using and assembling the crash cushion are also provided.
US08974141B2	Paddle converter A paddle converter for securing two singled bladed canoe paddles to form a single twin bladed kayak paddle. The paddle converter includes a body configured to structurally support a first canoe paddle and a second canoe paddle. The paddle converter also includes a groove on the body configured to receive the shaft of the first canoe paddle. The paddle converter further includes a grip match configured to match the grip of the first canoe paddle. The paddle converter additionally includes a fastener configured to secure the shaft of the first canoe paddle within the groove.
US08974140B2	Rotational assembly A rotational assembly comprises a first shaft having a plurality of circumferentially arranged axially extending outer splines on an outer surface thereof and a second shaft having a plurality of circumferentially arranged axially extending inner splines on an inner surface of an axially extending shaft recess. The first shaft is located with the shaft recess such that the outer splines are engaged with the inner splines. At least one biasing element is also provided which is arranged to rotationally bias the first and second shafts towards one another such that the driving faces of the inner and outer splines are forced together.
US08974139B2	Connector for furniture and method of frame manufacture and assembly A connector having a first interlocking member, a second interlocking member, and wherein the second interlocking member is structured to matingly engage the first interlocking member in a female/male connection.
US08974138B2	Fast disassembly fastening apparatus for musical instruments A fast disassembly fastening apparatus mounted onto a bracing post includes a mounting seat, a press portion, a latch portion and an elastic portion. The mounting seat has a housing compartment with an aperture run through by the bracing post. The latch portion is hinged in the housing compartment and has a fixed position intruding into the aperture and a release position escaping from the aperture. The elastic portion is compressed to push the latch portion to the fixed position. The press portion is inserted into the housing compartment to contact the latch portion and push the latch portion to the release position. By pressing the press portion, the bracing post runs through the aperture. After the press portion is released, the elastic portion pushes the latch portion to latch the bracing post so that the mounting seat is held on the bracing post to fix a musical instrument.
US08974137B2	Quick coupler A quick coupler for connecting an implement to a machine. The quick coupler including a frame, a first jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position, a second jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position, and a lock system connected to the first jaw and the second jaw. The lock system includes a first linkage pivotally connected to the frame and to the first jaw, a second linkage pivotally connected to the first linkage and to the second jaw, and a drive member connected to the first linkage and configured to selectively operate the lock system between an unlocked position and a locked position.
US08974134B2	Package for applying a personal care product A package for applying a liquid personal care product. the package including a body for storing and dispensing a personal care product and an applicator with a skin-contacting portion for applying the personal care product to the skin of a user. The body of the package and the skin-contacting portion both have first and second cross-sectional shapes with major and minor dimensions aligned with one another. The major dimension being greater than the minor dimension. The skin contacting portion includes a patterned surface. The patterned surface produces a corresponding pattern on skin when the personal care product is applied thereto. The pattern may be configured to deliver a discontinuous film of product to the skin, resulting in natural looking coverage.
US08974131B2	Tape catridge and tape printer A tape cartridge 2 includes a tape core 21b rotatably supported in a cartridge case 25 and houses a print tape 21a wound around the tape core 21b such that the print tape 21a can be unwound. The tape core 21b includes a core body 26 with the print tape 21a wound around an outer peripheral surface of the core body 26, a disk-like rib 27 provided at a middle portion in an axial direction of an inner peripheral surface of the core body 26, and a shaft hole 28 formed at an axis center of the rib 27. The cartridge case 25 includes a shaft support 41 that is inserted into the shaft hole 28 and rotatably supports the tape core 21b, and a rotation guide 42 that slides on the inner peripheral surface of the core body 26.
US08974122B2	Nano/micro roller bearing having tolerance compensation function and method of manufacturing the same A roller bearing having a tolerance compensation function, which is capable of being properly deformed and absorbing a processing tolerance within a range of an elastic region even when a distance between MEMS structures is changed due to the processing tolerance of the MEMS structures, being deformed to a minimum and rolled while maintaining a smooth contact with the MEMS structures by uniformly dispersing vertical loads applied from the MEMS structures through a plurality of the bearings, and thus minimizing the occurrence of abrasion and preventing damage to the bearing, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The roller bearing includes a roller bearing having a C-shaped section structure in which a gap having a specific interval is formed on one side of the roller bearing.
US08974121B1	Thrust plate with wear layer A thrust plate is provided. The thrust plate includes a first side surface and a second side surface. The thrust plate also includes an inner surface and an outer surface extending axially between the first and second side surfaces respectively. Further, the inner and outer surfaces of the thrust plate define an inner diameter and outer diameter respectively. The thrust plate further includes a number of mounting apertures extending between the first and second side surfaces. The number of mounting apertures is defined proximate to the outer diameter of the thrust plate. A wear layer is positioned radially inward from the mounting apertures. The wear layer is integrated into a stepped portion defining a wear prone area on the first and/or second side surfaces. Further, the wear layer is made of a material different from that of a core of the thrust plate.
US08974120B2	Slide bearing and method to perform service at the sliding bearing A sliding bearing and a service method of performing a service of a sliding bearing are provided. The sliding bearing includes a first bearing shell and a second bearing shell and a plurality of bearing pads arranged between the first bearing shell and the second bearing shell. In addition, the bearing includes an opening in the first bearing shell, wherein the opening is arranged such that the bearing pads are visible through the opening.
US08974118B2	Reclosable bag having a sound producing zipper A zipper for use in a reclosable bag including an elongated groove profile having two arms which form a general U-shape to define an opening to a channel, and an elongated rib profile opposing the groove profile. A plurality of first segments of the rib profile alternate with a plurality of second segments of the rib profile to create a structural discontinuity along a length thereof. The first segments have larger cross-sections and shorter lengths than the second segments such that interlocking the groove and rib profiles creates the audible clicking sound when the groove and rib profiles are engaged.
US08974117B2	Pulse width modulation output digital temperature sensor device In one example, a pulse width modulation output temperature sensor device includes a linearization module, an analog-to-digital converter module operatively connected to the linearization module, and a digital magnitude comparator module operatively connected to the analog-to-digital converter module. A binary counter module is also operatively connected to the digital magnitude comparator module. The pulse width modulation output temperature sensor device thereby generates a digital pulse width modulation output based on a temperature sensor reading.
US08974112B2	Barrel including an additional elastic means of accumulating energy The invention relates to a barrel. According to the invention, the barrel further includes a device for increasing the torque of said at least one spring including additional elastic energy accumulating means provided in addition to the spiral shape of said at least one spring, said elastic means being added to said at least one spring so that the barrel torque is personalized according to the winding tension of said at least one spring.
US08974110B2	Kneading device The present invention provides a kneading device 1 including a hopper 2 having a hopper body 4 that stores raw powder, and a mixer 3 that kneads material to be kneaded, which contains the raw powder, wherein the hopper 2 includes a stirring device 5 that stirs the raw powder in the hopper body, and a temperature-controlled air supply device 6 that supplies temperature-controlled air into the hopper body 4. This kneading device can stably prepare high-quality kneaded dough.
US08974109B2	Blending scale A blending scale for dosing and blending two products. The blending scale includes an auxiliary product dosing device, and an auxiliary product dispenser receiving the auxiliary product from the auxiliary product dosing device and releasing the auxiliary product within a dynamic unconstrained stream of the main product to produce and maximize a blend of the auxiliary and main products. A blend collector measures a quantity of the blend of the auxiliary and main products. A controller controls release of the auxiliary product in a synchronized manner with the dynamic unconstrained stream of the main product, based on the defined quantity of the auxiliary product measured by the auxiliary product dosing device. The dynamic stream of the main product is terminated once a targeted quantity of the blend measured by the blend collector is obtained. A method for accurately dosing and homogeneously blending two products is also disclosed.
US08974108B2	Truck mixer The present invention relates to a truck mixer having a chassis, a mixer subframe arranged on the chassis and a mixer drum which is arranged over a front drum support and a rear drum support on the mixer subframe, wherein at least the rear drum support is fastened on side members of the mixer subframe via elastic, shape-matched connections, wherein at least one of the connections for the fastening of the rear drum support to a side member of the mixer subframe has a connection arrangement for the shape-matched elastic connection which is arranged within the section width of the side member.
US08974107B2	System having a lamp assembled with an aroma capsule that disperses scent An aroma capsule assembly lamp system that disperses scent fast is provided, including a lamp and an aroma capsule. The lamp includes a support stand, a lamp stand installed on the support stand, a light bulb installed on the lamp stand, and a lamp cover installed on the support stand and covering the light bulb and the lamp stand, the lamp cover having a top opening. The aroma capsule is installed in the top opening of the lamp cover and includes a disposable container. The disposable container has an opening and an aroma material disposed in the disposable container. The light bulb is supplied with power and emits radiation light, the radiation light heating the disposable container and the aroma material, facilitating the system to disperse scent. When emitting radiation light, the light bulb of the lamp also generates heat at the same time, which heats the aroma material to disperse scent.
US08974106B2	Side-edge backlight module The present invention provides a side-edge backlight module, which includes a backplane, a backlight source arranged inside the backplane, and a light guide plate arranged inside the backplane. The backplane includes a main body and a bracket connected to the main body. The main body is made of a plastic material and the bracket is made of a metal material. The backlight source is mounted to the bracket. The side-edge backlight module of the present invention adopts a backplane that is composed of a plastic main body and a metal bracket and this helps making the side-edge backlight module light-weighted provides multiple choices of the raw materials. Further, the main body directly forms a reflection surface by which the use of an additional reflector plate is eliminated, so that the installation of a light guide plate is made easy and the manufacture cost is further reduced.
US08974098B2	Bicycle light A bicycle light for securing to a handlebar or other part of a bike, or to a rider's helmet, has an angled front face that allows use of a single, flat LED circuit board with one or more deep conic or parabolic reflectors positioned in front of the upper part of the board and one or more shallow reflectors in front of the bottom part of the board. This provides for both a spot beam produced by the deep reflector and flood light produced by the shallow reflector, in a compact and efficient assembly. Another important feature of the device is side lighting which can be independently controlled, important in affording the rider side lighting while in street traffic but the option to pulse or switch off the side lighting when riding on a trail.
US08974097B2	Method for controlling an aircraft light A method for controlling an aircraft having a plurality of LEDs, light so as to emit a desired light intensity includes the steps of providing a reference LED located within or outside of the aircraft light, providing thermal conditions resulting in a thermal stress for the reference LED similar to the maximum thermal stress, and observing the reference LED by means of an optical sensor for monitoring the optical aging behavior of the reference LED throughout its lifetime. The desired light intensity of the aircraft light is achieved by controlling the plurality of LEDs in accordance with the monitored aging behavior of the reference LED.
US08974095B2	Coupling component for lighting devices A coupling component has a groove for receiving a rim of a mouth portion of a lighting body protection bulb. The groove includes sculptured formations to keep the mouth portion rim received in the groove spaced from the bottom of the groove to produce a discontinuous contact between the mouth portion rim and the groove.
US08974090B2	High contrast water-proof LED lamp The present invention discloses a high contrast water-proof LED lamp, including: a casing provided with a reflective cup (10), a PCB (12) disposed on the bottom surface of the casing, an LED chip (1) disposed inside the reflective cup (10), and a light-guiding packaging adhesive (4). The casing is composed of a light color layer (8) in the lower part and a dark color layer (9) in the upper part, and a top surface of the PCB (12) and an outer surface of the light color layer (8) of the casing are provided with black water-proof adhesive sealant (11). The lower part of the inner surface of the reflective cup is a light color layer and the upper part is a dark color layer.
US08974081B2	LED lamp An LED lamp includes a socket and a shallow dish-shaped body detachably connected to the socket. The body includes a rear cover, a transparent front cover, a lamp board, a number of LED light sources, a driving circuit board, and a fixing member. The front cover has a honeycombed pattern including a plurality of cells. The LED light sources are mounted on the lamp board facing an inside of the front cover, and each LED light source is configured to emit a light beam toward the front cover so as to create a light spot in a corresponding cell on the front cover. The driving circuit board is electrically connected to the socket and the lamp board, and is configured for driving the LED light sources to emit light beams. The fixing member is configured for fixing the rear cover, the driving circuit board and the lamp board together.
US08974080B2	Light module An illumination module is provided that can be inserted into a receptacle with a ramp that includes a wall and may be mounted on a support surface, such as a heat sink, and the illumination module include a cover and an LED assembly rotateably coupled to the cover. The LED assembly seats within the receptacle which causes terminals of the LED assembly to align with contacts on the receptacle. Circuitry is provided in the module that accepts an input voltage and converts the input to a desired driving output. The cover can be rotated relative to the receptacle so as to engage ramps so as to direct the LED assembly into the receptacle. When the LED assembly is attached to the receptacle, the terminals on the LED assembly mate with the contacts on the receptacle.
US08974077B2	Heat sink for LED light source A back panel for use in a light emitting diode (LED) lighting assembly is disclosed. An extruded substrate formed of a thermally conductive material is provided, the substrate having a plurality of fins extending from a first side of the substrate, each of the fins having a substantially rectangular shape oriented so that a longitudinal axis of the fin is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the substrate. At least some of the fins include a hole formed through the fin to enable heated air to rise through the fins. A plurality of LEDs are mounted on a second side of the substrate, and oriented in a longitudinal orientation with the fins oriented parallel to the bottom edge of a surface to be illuminated, such that heat rises perpendicular to the surface of the fin.
US08974073B2	Carpet back lighting system with anti-slip coating The invention provides a carpet back lighting system comprising a carpet back lighting unit having a lighting unit front face and a unit back face, wherein the lighting unit front face comprises a light source, arranged to generate light, and an anti-slip coating. The back lighting system is suitable as back lighting at a carpet unit back side of a light transmissive carpet unit selected from the group consisting a light transmissive carpet and a light transmissive carpet tile.
US08974068B1	Chemiluminescent light stick with zip tie attachment A chemiluminescent light stick with zip tie attachment that includes an illuminable member having a first end and a second end, a connect aperture disposed upon the first end, and a zip tie disposed upon the connect aperture, wherein said chemiluminescent light stick with zip tie attachment is threadably securable to depend from an extant object and radiate light therefrom.
US08974067B2	Exterior mirror of a motor vehicle An exterior mirror of a motor vehicle includes a mirror casing attached to a vehicle body wall via a mirror base and connected to an air guide ring by webs. The air guide ring surrounds a region of the mirror casing to form an air gap therebetween. The rear edge of the air guide ring is arranged at a distance behind the rear edge of the mirror casing. The air guide ring and the mirror base are firmly connected to one another or are at least fixed to one another. The mirror base can be arranged largely accurately in respect of position on the vehicle body wall by way of a position finding device and can be attached to the vehicle body wall by at least one attachment element.
US08974066B2	Optical coatings with plate-shaped particles and methods for forming the same Embodiments provided herein describe optical coatings, panels having optical coatings thereon, and methods for forming optical coatings and panels. A transparent substrate is provided. An optical coating is formed on the transparent substrate. The optical coating includes a plurality of plate-shaped silicon dioxide particles.
US08974064B2	Light source apparatus and image projection apparatus A light source apparatus includes a light source unit that includes plural sets of a laser and a coupling lens corresponding to the laser, which are circumferentially provided to form a circle; and a reflecting unit placed within the circle and provided with plural reflecting surfaces corresponding to the lasers of the plural sets of the light source unit to be formed in a cone shape, the light irradiated from each of the lasers being injected into the corresponding reflecting surface via the corresponding coupling lens.
US08974059B2	Retinal imaging system for the mouse or rat or other small animals A small animal imaging system comprising a base element and a camera coupled to the base element, the camera being sized to image the eye of a small animal. A light-emitting diode is also included coupled to the base element. An OCT imaging apparatus is also included coupled to the base element. An X-Y scanner is also included coupled to the base element in communication with the OCT imaging apparatus.
US08974053B2	Contact lens having peripheral high modulus zones Soft contact lens having regions of a material forming one or more higher modulus of elasticity zones in the peripheral region of the lenses add stiffness to the contact lenses. This increased stiffness in different zones or regions enable the contact lens to be more easily handled and make it less likely to fold in on itself.
US08974046B2	Liquid circulation unit, liquid circulation apparatus and method of manufacturing coated body A liquid circulation unit adapted to be provided in a liquid circulation apparatus to circulate a liquid, including, a first liquid storage unit to store the liquid, a sensor to detect a fluid level of the liquid stored in the first liquid storage unit, a liquid sending pump to send the liquid to an outside from the first liquid storage unit based on a detection result of the sensor, a pipe arrangement for deaeration to remove a dissolved gas in the liquid sent from the liquid sending pump, a filter to remove an impurity in the liquid sent from the liquid sending pump, a diaphragm valve which opens when the liquid is sent to the outside from the first liquid storage unit, and a cock valve which opens when the liquid is sent to the first liquid storage unit from the outside, wherein the liquid circulation unit is adapted to be provided so as to be detachable to or from the liquid circulation apparatus.
US08974044B2	Cartridge and printing material supply system A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite (RD) from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
US08974043B2	Attachment and attachment system An attachment is mountable on a carriage in place of a liquid container that contains liquid and that is mounted on the carriage having a liquid jet head for jetting liquid, so that the attachment can supply liquid introduced from outside to the liquid jet head. The attachment has a pressure control means provided in a flow passage which is formed in an attachment body and through which the liquid introduced from the outside is supplied to the liquid jet head.
US08974042B2	Liquid supply flow path device and liquid ejecting apparatus using the same A recording apparatus comprises a case and an ink nozzle in the interior of the case. An opening and closing member is movably affixed to an upper side of the case. The opening and closing member is configured to open and close. An external tank is located exterior to the case. A tube provides a liquid from the external tank to the ink nozzle. A portion of the tube extends into the case through a gap between the case and the opening and closing member in the closed position.
US08974038B2	Liquid holding container and liquid consuming apparatus A liquid holding container includes an inlet port to which ink to be supplied to a printer is introduced. The liquid holding container has a first part where at least a portion is positioned to be outside the printer and a second part where at least a portion is inserted into the printer. At least a portion of the bottom section of the first part is lower than at least a portion of the bottom section of the second part.
US08974037B2	Film coating device having an inkjet head, and a method of forming a film The film coating device forms a film of a coating liquid on the surface of a material to be coated using an inkjet printer. A print head unit moves in a first direction with respect to a surface of a material to be coated, and a plurality of print heads are continuously mounted on the print head unit over an entire coating width in a direction or orthogonal to a first direction. A fixed control unit is provided on a fixed portion of the film coating device, and a coating control unit is provided on the moving portion of the film coating device. The coating control unit is configured to control a coating state of the plurality print heads and moves together with the print head unit. The coating control unit is connected to the fixed control unit by a transmission line.
US08974035B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus including a recording head that discharges UV ink onto a recording material and an ultraviolet light irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet light to the discharged UV ink so as to harden the UV ink; further includes a failure diagnostic unit that diagnoses a failure condition of the ultraviolet light irradiation unit and a controller that controls operations of the recording head, the ultraviolet light irradiation unit, and the failure diagnostic unit. Further, the controller is so configured as to change the operation mode of the recording apparatus to a failure-state mode when the ultraviolet light irradiation unit has been diagnosed as a failure by the failure diagnostic unit.
US08974031B2	Inkjet printer An inkjet printer including a body, a carriage, a recording head, a bendable connecting member, and a controller is provided. The controller executes a moving step to move the carriage in an orientation after the carriage is halted for a length, a measuring step to measure the period, and a discharging step to manipulate the recording head to discharge ink at a sheet. In the discharging step, if the measured period is within a first length, the recording head is manipulated to discharge the ink at a first discharging timing, and if the measured period is within a second length which is longer than the first length, the recording head is manipulated to discharge the ink at a second discharging timing, which is advanced to be earlier than the first discharging timing.
US08974025B2	Ink jet recording apparatus An ink jet recording apparatus includes a liquid-ejecting head including a pressure-generating chamber filled with a photocurable ink composition containing a polymerizable functional group-containing compound and water, a nozzle communicating with the pressure-generating chamber and ejecting a droplet of the photocurable ink composition, and a pressure-generating member causing a pressure change in the pressure-generating chamber; and an ejection pulse-generating unit generating an ejection pulse for driving the pressure-generating member.
US08974016B2	Surface marked articles, related methods and systems A method of surface marking an article, especially a building product, is provided. One described method includes the steps of laser marking a first graphic design element on a surface of an article and ink-jet printing a second graphic design element in registry with the first graphic design element on the surface of the article to create a high quality overall graphic design. Also provided are articles made according to this method, and systems for carrying out the method.
US08974015B2	Method for creating a printed image on a rotating, three-dimensional body A method for creating a printed image on a rotating, three-dimensional body or bottle eccentrically on a turntable, includes providing an inkjet printing unit having inkjet nozzles along a straight line for printing at a clock rate, rotating the body about a rotation axis parallel to the line using a motor, prescribing a fundamental frequency f0(t) for activating the motor, for example based on a constant angular velocity, activating the motor with the fundamental frequency f0(t), prescribing an average or constant body radius R0, determining a radius change ΔR(t) of the body during rotation, calculating a correction value k(t) for the printing unit clock rate, where k(t)=1+ΔR(t)/R0, and activating the printing unit with a frequency f(t) for the clock rate, where f(t)=f0(t)·k(t), for example permitting printing on eccentrically rotating bottles with a constant print resolution while avoiding image imperfections.
US08974014B1	Drawer for holding beverage cartridges A stand for a single-cup beverage brewer incorporates a beverage cartridge storage drawer and incorporates a lever mechanism which, when actuated, simultaneously lifts a plurality of elastomeric friction pads from contacting a support surface, such as a kitchen countertop, while supporting the assembly on rollers to facilitate moving the stand and beverage brewer supported thereon. Release of the lever again brings the friction pads into contact with the countertop to function as a brake.
US08974013B2	Method for regulating a hydraulic braking system of a motor vehicle A method for controlling a hydraulic braking system of a motor vehicle is provided. The method includes determining the vehicle speed and comparing the vehicle speed with a predefinable critical vehicle speed. If the vehicle speed lies below the critical vehicle speed, the method includes determining a required brake pressure or a brake pressure present in the braking system and comparing the brake pressure with a predefinable critical brake pressure. The method includes if the brake pressure lies below the critical brake pressure, blocking the buildup of a brake pressure in wheel brakes used for braking vehicle wheels of a vehicle rear axle.
US08974011B2	Tractor hydraulic brake circuit with ABS capability A vehicle brake system includes a pump, a sump, brake units and left and right manually operated brake valves. The brake system also includes, for each brake unit, a solenoid operated on-off valve having a first port connected to a pilot of one of the brake valves, a second port, a third port connected to one of the brake units, a solenoid and a spring which opposes the solenoid. The brake system also includes, for each brake unit, a solenoid operated proportional valve. Each proportional valve controls communication between the pump, the sump and the second port of a corresponding one of the on-off valves.
US08974010B2	Electric brake system for vehicles The electric brake system for vehicles includes a pressure supplier connected to a reservoir through a hydraulic passage to receive the oil, the pressure supplier outputting a brake will of a driver as an electric signal through the pedal displacement sensor, when the driver pushes the brake pedal, to operate a motor and convert a rotational force of the motor into linear motion, a hydraulic control unit including a first circuit including at least one first vehicle wheel and a second circuit including at least one second vehicle wheel to receive a hydraulic pressure with a force generated by the pressure supplier and thereby perform braking, a blocking valve to control the hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to a wheel cylinder disposed in each vehicle wheel, a simulation device connected to the master cylinder, to provide a reaction force response to the pedal effort of the brake pedal, and an electronic control unit to control the motor and the valves, based on pressure information and pedal displacement information.
US08974008B2	Driven wheel assembly and automotive vehicle equipped with such an assembly A wheel assembly includes a fixed axle spindle, a rotating drive shaft extending inside the axle spindle, a bearing, a hub, a brake disc, and a wheel rim. An inner ring of the bearing is mounted on the spindle, the hub is mounted on an outer ring of the bearing and the drive shaft, the brake disc and the rim are fast in rotation with the hub. The drive shaft is mounted on the hub, the brake disc is mounted on the drive shaft and the rim is mounted on the brake disc, in that order, from an interior side to an exterior side of the wheel assembly with respect to a vehicle provided with said wheel assembly.
US08974003B2	Rear seat cushion sound reduction mat A sound blocking rear seat assembly for an automotive vehicle. The rear seat assembly includes a seat back adjacent to a seat bottom. The seat bottom also defines at least two passenger seating locations. A seat base of the seat bottom extends the width of the seat assembly and has a non-planar three dimensional contoured upper surface. A nonporous resilient sound blocking layer has a shape substantially conforming to the upper surface of the seat base and is located over the seat base such that it extends substantially continuously and uninterruptedly over the width of the seat assembly. Positioned over the sound blocking layer is a resilient seat cushion, and a trim layer is located over the seat cushion layer.
US08973997B2	Seat structure with sit-to-stand feature A stand chair is operated by a pair of screw shaft-type linear actuators which extend upwardly and forwardly from a pair of spaced-apart frame members. One embodiment has a solid seat and another has a split seat with a drop-away front portion. One or more motors are provided to operate the screw shafts in such a way as to raise the rear seat portion without changing its angular orientation in space. Connector links interconnect the frame with the front seat portion so as to cause it to drop downwardly out from under the thighs of an occupant, while the back seat portion raises upward, thereby assisting the occupant to stand up and exit the chair. Various additional features such as armrests, wheels and a reclining backrest may also be provided.
US08973996B2	Congregational prayer chair The congregational prayer chair is designed to provide needed support for certain worshipers participating in Muslim prayer services. The chair is constructed with a seat and seat-back supported between two connecting arms. The connecting arms are mounted on chair legs. Grooves and tracks are provided on the arms that permit the seat and the seat-back to be moved in a predetermined manner so that a worshiper can attain the required prayer positions without disturbing the alignment of the prayer rows and the other worshippers.
US08973994B2	Variable lumbar support assembly A variable lumbar support assembly for a seatback of a vehicle seat assembly includes a support bracket and a lumbar member. The support bracket has an upper end, an opposite lower end, and a pair of side rails extending between the upper end and the lower end. The support bracket has a curved central portion positioned between the upper and the lower end. The lumbar member is slidingly attached to the pair of side rails of the support bracket. The slidingly attachment of the lumbar member along the pair of slide rails provides both a vertical displacement and a fore and aft displacement of the lumbar member.
US08973992B2	Child safety seat A child safety seat includes a seat base and a safety-belt clamping device disposed on the seat base, and is disposed to a car seat by a safety belt. The safety-belt clamping device includes a bottom seat, a rotatable clamping arm connected pivotally to an end of the bottom seat, and a retainer mounted to an opposite end of the bottom seat and retaining releasably a free end of the rotatable clamping arm thereon. The seat base has a mounting groove. The bottom seat is disposed fixedly on the seat base. The rotatable clamping arm and the retainer are disposed within the mounting groove. When the rotatable clamping arm is retained on the retainer, the safety belt is clamped between the rotatable clamping arm and two sidewalls defining the mounting groove.
US08973991B2	Seat anchoring element for child safety seats or baby carriers A seat anchoring element for child safety seats or baby carriers has an anchoring element which can be secured to fixation elements on the vehicle seat, or to the vehicle body, by connectors at the ends of a separate strap system. The seat anchoring element comprises at least one front and rear securing element on the upper face for fixing the child safety seat or the baby carrier thereto, and least one tensioning device for those parts at the ends of which the connectors are located. The straps of the strap system can be wound onto a ratchet spool of the tensioning device and can be unwound after a locking mechanism of the ratchet is unlocked. A lever mounted pivotably with the seat anchoring element is coupled with the ratchet, wherein the bearing axis of the lever runs transversely to the longitudinal axis of the seat anchoring element.
US08973989B2	Occupant detection sensor assembly A sensor system and seat assembly includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a seating force exerted on a portion of a seat cushion of a seat. The sensor assembly includes a base, a force transducer configured to output a signal indicative of the seating force, and a lever pivotably coupled to the base. The lever defines a sensing end configured to be disposed proximate to the portion of the seat cushion such that the seating force operates on the sensing end. The lever also defines an actuating end configured to apply an actuation force to the force transducer. The sensor assembly may comprise a plurality of levers. Each sensing end of each lever may be disposed in a separate location within the portion of the seat cushion. The sensor assembly may be configured to detect a child exerting a seating force on a portion of the seat cushion.
US08973986B1	Bicycle saddle to reduce perineal pressure A bicycle saddle adapted to reduce pressure on a rider's perineum zone including a shell having a support portion for the ischial tuberosities and a narrow nose portion extending forward of the support portion. A channel of sloped depth runs substantially the length of the nose portion and follows the dimensions of the human body. The channel is depressed at a shoulder of the support portion so that little or no pressure is applied by the saddle to the central point of the perineal body. An air filled elastic member may be provided in the channel.
US08973985B2	Vehicle seat There is provided a vehicle seat including: a seatback formed with a penetrating portion that penetrates from a front face side to a back face side; a placement member that is attached to the seatback so as to be capable of moving between a housed position housed inside the penetrating portion and closing off the penetrating portion and a lowered position lowered from the housed position towards the front side; and a flexible opening and closing member that is attached to the seatback and is capable of opening the penetrating portion and closing off the penetrating portion from the seatback back face side.
US08973981B2	Acoustic wheel well liner A wheel well liner for use in the wheel well of motor vehicles has an inner surface defining one or more acoustical sections. Each acoustical section includes a pattern of irregular or convoluted portions configured and arranged to absorb/attenuation sound. A layer of flock material is deposited on the inner surface of the wheel well liner to enhance aesthetics and provide supplemental sound attenuation.
US08973980B2	Load-bearing structural component for the body of a motor vehicle A load-bearing structural component of a motor vehicle body is provided. The structural component is designed as a cast component, and exhibits at least one suspension strut holding fixture and a bulkhead section, which are joined together as a single piece. The cast component is designed as a cast steel component of a fabricated front structural node.
US08973979B2	Bodywork A motor vehicle bodywork has a floor assembly with an upwardly convex and downwardly open longitudinal center tunnel and two side sills parallel thereto. Floor elements are disposed between the longitudinal center tunnel and the side sills. A driver side and a passenger side are each provided with at least one front and one rear seat crossmember, seen in the direction of travel. The seat cross-members extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle and rest on the associated floor elements. It is important that the driver side and/or passenger side seat cross-members are each connected to each other in their upper regions via a plate-like thrust element.
US08973978B2	Vehicle sound absorption structure A vehicle sound absorption structure has: a recessed cell that has an opening on one end of the cell; a divider that is provided within the cell and that divides an acoustic wave entering the cell from the opening into two acoustic waves; reflectors that reflect one of the two acoustic waves divided at the divider and reflect the other acoustic wave respectively toward the opening, and that generate a phase difference between the one acoustic wave and the other acoustic wave; and an interfering portion that is provided within the cell and that causes the one acoustic wave and the other acoustic wave, which have been respectively reflected at the reflectors, to interfere with each other.
US08973974B2	Aerodynamic rear fairing system for a trailer A rear fairing system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a plurality of fairings coupled to a rear, vertical door post of the trailer. Each fairing includes (i) a mounting member adjacent to and engaged with a rearward, outer surface of the vertical door post and (ii) an air deflection member coupled to the mounting member and including a vertical portion and a curved portion which curves inwardly toward a centerline of the trailer. Each fairing is mounted to the door post at a location between hinges of a rear swing door of the trailer.
US08973965B2	Folding and stowing rear-facing vehicle seat A rear-facing seat for a vehicle comprises: a seat portion connected to the vehicle by a hinge so that the rear-facing seat assumes at least a stowed position and an unstowed position; and a back portion connected to the seat portion, wherein in the unstowed position the back portion assumes at least an up position and a down position, wherein in the up position (i) a hook on the back portion engages a first striker on a vehicle wall, and (ii) a latch on the back portion engages a second striker of a back of a forward-facing seat.
US08973956B2	Latch device A latch device has a housing, a sliding body including a striking portion abutting against a striker and disposed relative to the housing, a spring member urging the sliding body in a direction such that the sliding body protrudes from the housing, and an engaging body rotatably supported relative to the sliding body and including a claw portion on the end of the engaging body. The engaging body moves between a locking position wherein the claw portion is protruded to a striking portion side and engages with the striker, and a locking release position wherein the claw portion is retracted from the striking portion side and is released from engagement with the striker.
US08973949B2	Label, packaging, use of an adhesive label and method of providing a test sample It is provided a label for attaching on a packaging, particularly for cosmetical and/or pharmaceutical products, comprising a packaging label with a machine-readable identification code, particularly an EAN-barcode, and a cover label covering at least partially the identification code for rendering the identification code machine-unreadable, wherein the cover label is adapted for irreversibly damaging the identification code. Due to the cover label the identification code is machine-unreadable, so that a scanner cash register would not accept a packaging provided with this label and a resale is prevented. Since the identification code would be irreversibly damaged by the cover label, the identification code stays machine-unreadable even when the cover label is removed. The risk for an unauthorized resale of a packaging can be reduced in a facilitated manner.
US08973946B2	Multifunction ski pole A ski pole comprises an elongate pole having a distal end and a proximal end. A grip is attached to the proximal end of the pole and is configured for grasping by a user. A basket assembly is coupled proximate to the distal end of the pole. The basket assembly comprises a generally disk shaped body and a plate defining a bottle opener embedded in the body, the bottle opener defines a plate opening configured for at least partially receiving a cap of a bottle therein and prying the cap from the bottle.
US08973940B2	Folding wagon The present invention is a wagon that can be folded along a middle plane that bisects the wagon between a front and rear portion. The folding wagon comprises of wheels, a folding frame, a support structure, a front panel a handle connected to the frame, wheels, and a bag hanger that are detailed herein. The folding frame includes a top rail formed of a top rail front portion and a top rail rear portion, a middle rail formed of a middle rail front portion and a middle rail rear portion, a bottom rail formed of a bottom rail front portion and a bottom rail rear portion. The top rail, the middle rail, and the bottom rail are connected by a hinge means. The top rail front portion is mounted to the top rail rear portion.
US08973933B2	Suspension device A suspension device for suspension of an axle by an intermediate portion of a single leaf spring has first restriction device which restricts, upon breakage of the leaf spring at a position behind the intermediate portion of the spring, the rear portion of the leaf spring from tilting downwardly relative to a shackle, and a second restriction device for restriction of the shackle from pivotally moving backward beyond a predetermined angle. The first restriction device is constituted by a stopper plate on the shackle for support of the rear portion of the leaf spring from below upon breakage.
US08973927B2	Auxiliary rolling system and waste bin including same An auxiliary rolling system for a rolling bin having a container and a set of bin wheels mounted thereon. The auxiliary rolling system comprises a frame securable to the container of the rolling bin, at least one rotatable auxiliary wheel, and a handle for controlling the auxiliary rolling system. When mounted on the rolling bin, the at least one auxiliary wheel is positioned opposite to the set of bin wheels such that the auxiliary rolling system is movable between a stationary configuration, where movement of the bin is prevented, and a transport configuration where movement of the bin is allowed.
US08973926B1	Rolling chair and tool bin The invention includes a rolling chair for mechanics and the like to use on a floor to move around a work area. The rolling chair has a rigid frame with legs extending outwardly from a central riser housing an adjustable cylinder supporting a padded seat. The frame supports a rotary platform with a large section and a smaller walled section for storing tools or parts. The rolling chair is suspended above the ground by castered wheels secured to a leg terminal end. The castered wheels rotate vertically and horizontally. The castered wheels may be large and the central riser may protrude above and below the frame. The platform has an outer perimeter above the vertical axes of the castered wheels.
US08973925B1	Folding convertible wheelchair A folding wheelchair is easily convertible between a folding wheelchair of a first type and a folding wheelchair of a second type through the use of conversion components, some of which are mounted permanently to the wheelchair and some of which are received by the mounted conversion components. In one form, the first type is a folding beach wheelchair while the second type is a folding all-terrain or trail wheelchair. Conversion is achieved through changeable front and back wheels. For instance, the folding beach wheelchair includes right and left rear wheels having oversized, low pressure tires. Right and left front brackets are mounted to the existing frame and are configured to receive right and left wheel assemblies, having smaller, low pressure tires mounted for pivoting movement. The folding all-terrain wheels have solid, high pressure or the like tires.
US08973922B2	Air suspension height control valve with dual ride height positions A height control valve assembly having a housing with an air supply port, first and second ports, and an exhaust port. A valve positioned in the housing has a first surface in fluid communication with the air supply port and a second surface. The valve moves between first and second positions, in which the second surface sealingly engages a portion of the housing surrounding the first and second ports, respectively, to prevent fluid from flowing between the air supply port and the first and second ports, respectively. The valve is moveable from either of the first and second positions to a fill position, in which the air supply port is in fluid communication with one of the first and second ports, and an exhaust position, in which one of the first and second ports is in fluid communication with the exhaust port.
US08973921B2	High temperature/high pressure seal A sealing member including a body having a recess; one or more backups extending from the body and tapering over a length thereof; and a sealing element disposed in the recess, the element including one or more steps, each step being adjacent one of the one or more backups and on a surface of the sealing element intended to make contact with a target sealing surface.
US08973917B2	Deposit module A Self-Service Terminal (SST) or deposit module for an SST and a method of use are disclosed for transporting an item of media along a transport path. The SST includes a guide surface comprising a first region in which an item of media is transported in a first orientation with respect to a respective direction of transport, and a further region in which an item of media is transported in a further orientation with respect to a respective direction of transport. The SST also includes a re-orientation module that transports an item of media between the first and further regions and rotates an item of media received at a one of the first and further regions into an orientation associated with a remainder one of the first and further regions.
US08973916B2	Medium accumulating device with accumulation table detector A medium accumulating device has an accumulation table on which a medium is accumulated, an elastic member that supports the accumulation table, and an accumulation table detector that detects lowering of the accumulation table. The accumulation table is sensed to determine whether the accumulation table lowers below a predetermined position to thereby determine whether or not a medium is accumulated on the accumulation table.
US08973912B2	Printing control apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium A printing control apparatus according to one aspect of this invention controls to print images on sheets based on image data of a plurality of pages, generate a bookbinding product by executing folding processing for the image-printed sheets, and output the bookbinding product. The printing control apparatus further accepts the position of an insertion sheet to be inserted into the sheets for which the folding processing is executed, and controls to output a plurality of bookbinding products by using, as a reference, the accepted position of the insertion sheet.
US08973908B2	String-thick-plates pack for use in cooling tower and fabrication thereof The present invention relates to a fabrication of rectangular shape string-thick-plate and square columnar string-thick-plate pack fabricated by joining a multiplicity of string-thick-plates for use as fill media in cooling towers. The string-thick-plate consists of two vertical-string-screens, on both sides of plate, fabricated by winding one long string over semicircular holes on the top and bottom frames of the string-thick-plate. Intervals between adjacent strings of the vertical-string-screens are designed to preserve a maximum optimized surface area of the strings being able to obtain a maximum cooling efficiency of the string-thick-plate pack. The string-thick-plates are designed to be assembled into upright and tilted string-thick-plate packs, which are installed uprightly and slantly in cross- and counter-current cooling towers, respectively. The string-thick-plates of the present invention tremendously reduce the fabrication cost of a large square columnar string fill pack in one structure.
US08973907B2	Buoyant force pump A buoyant force pump is disclosed. A material which is buoyant relative to a non-solid material is used to cause a movable surface to move thereby causing the non-solid material to be pumped. The device can be used to move non-solid material in hazardous conditions or materials in biological reactors. The pumps can be used for mixing ingredients external to the pump by repeatedly moving materials into and out of the pump. The pumps can also be used to gently move materials from an inlet to an outlet.
US08973906B2	Device for conditioning an air flow The invention relates to a device for conditioning an air flow(2) comprising a humidifying apparatus (5) having humidifying elements(6), which are arranged in the air flow (2) to be humidified in the humidifying apparatus(5), can be loaded with pressurized water, and are made of a fluid-permeable, porous, preferably hydrophilic material. In order to increase the efficiency of the humidification of the air flow(2) in the humidifying apparatus (5), the humidifying elements(6) of the humidifying apparatus(5) loaded with pressurized water are designed with regard to the cross-section thereof in such a way that the peripheral surface or outer surface of the humidifying elements exposed to the air flow(2) to be humidified can be uniformly contacted by the air flow (2) to be humidified over the entire circumference of the humidifying elements.
US08973897B2	Valve seat retention pin Embodiments described herein relate to a retention pin for retaining a seat member in the body pocket of a gate valve. Two retention pins may be installed on the outer circumference of the seat member. The seat member is inserted into the body pocket and rotated so that the retention pins are positioned in grooves in the body pocket and the seat member is retained in the body pocket.
US08973896B2	Discharge and purging device, a connecting endpiece and connector comprising such a device The invention relates to a discharge and purging device (10) adapted for limiting the pressure of a fluid (F) occupying the inner volume of a connecting endpiece (2). The device (10) comprises a valve or a valve actuation piston; an inner enclosure (30) opening out on a front face (22) of the valve or of the piston; and an obturator (60) moveable between a closed position (C1) where it obturates the front face (22) at a first seal area (Z92) defining a first seal section (S92) towards the front face (22) and an open position where it no longer obturates the front face (22). The device (10) also comprises a first chamber (50) defined when the obturator (60) is in a closed position, between the enclosure (30), the obturator (60), the first seal area (Z92) and a second seal area (Z94) defining a second seal section (S94) opposite to the front face (22) relatively to the first seal area (Z92); a communication passage (36) between the first chamber (50) and the inner volume of the endpiece (2); means (96) for returning the obturator into the closed position; and a second chamber (40) defined between the enclosure (30), the second seal area (Z94) and the obturator (60), and isolated from the inner volume of the endpiece (2) and from the first chamber (50). The first seal section (S92) is smaller than the second seal section (S94).
US08973895B2	Electromagnetically controlled injector having flux bridge and flux break An injector for injecting a reagent includes an axially translatable valve member positioned within a housing. An electromagnet is positioned within the housing and includes a cylindrically-shaped coil of wire. The valve member moves between a seated position and an unseated position in response to energizing the electromagnet. A flux sleeve passes through the coil and includes two magnetic portions interconnected by a non-magnetic portion. Each of the magnetic portions is aligned with transverse planes defined by the ends of the cylindrical coil. The non-magnetic portion is axially positioned between the transverse planes.
US08973894B2	Solenoid and solenoid valve A solenoid includes a plunger, a core, an electromagnetic coil, and a casing. A core receiving portion of the plunger is to receive a core projection while the electromagnetic coil is energized. A plunger receiving portion of the core is to receive a plunger projection while the electromagnetic coil is energized. The casing houses the plunger, the core, and the electromagnetic coil. At least one of an end portion of the plunger projection and an end portion of the core projection has an acute angle in a cross section along the axial direction. A distance between the end portion of the plunger projection and the end portion of the core projection is shortest among distances between the core and the plunger while the electromagnetic coil is not energized.
US08973891B2	Air bypass valve device An air bypass valve device includes a case 3 and a valve assembly 5, a tenon 3l is provided to one of the case 3 and the valve assembly 5, and a tenon groove 8e is provided to the other, such that the case 3 and the valve assembly 5 are united by a tenon insertion structure.
US08973887B2	Slide structure, support structure and seismically isolated structure In a slide structure, a support structure and a seismically isolated structure, a first sliding surface (25) of a sliding member (21) is formed of a sliding body (24) made of synthetic resin. A film (27) made of synthetic resin and having a Young's modulus more than twice as large as that of the first sliding surface (25) is formed on the second sliding surface (28) of the counter member (22). At the same time, fine irregularities having a maximum height Rz of 3 μm or higher are formed on the surface of the film (27). As a result, the lubricant is trapped in small pits of the irregularities to prevent the lubricant from flowing out, and a stable low friction state can be maintained.
US08973880B2	Clamp A clamp is disclosed for coupling an accessory to a tube. The clamp includes a base configured to receive an accessory, and first and second arms rotatably coupled to the base by way of flexible members. Another flexible member adjoins ends of the first and second arms to define a continuous clamping surface for receiving the tube. The clamping surface has a size substantially identical to an outer diameter of the tube. A locking system is configured to restrict rotational and lateral movement of the first and second arms relative to each other.
US08973875B2	Universal heavy bag hanger The universal heavy bag hanger is used to secure a heavy bag to an overhead horizontal support member. The bag hanger includes a flat pad that has a length along a length direction to wrap around a support member. The pad includes a slip resistant material that engages the support member when mounted thereon. A strap is secured to the outside surface and extends beyond the longitudinal ends of the flat pad. A D-shaped ring is attached to one free end of the strap suitable for attachment to a heavy bag or the like. The other end of the strap is provided with a rectangular closed ring dimensioned to allow the D-shaped ring to pass through it to form a slip joint for tightening the strap about the pad, when increased load is applied to prevent or inhibit relative sliding movements between the hanger and the support member.
US08973874B2	Wing for generating lift from an incident flow The invention relates to a wing for generating lift and comprises a trailing edge, a leading edge, an inner end, an outer end, a top surface and a bottom surface. The wing comprises an aerofoil with a chord line and a span direction. The leading edge comprises a kink between the inner end and the outer end. The leading edge comprises a forward sweep part between the inner end and the kink extending towards the kink presenting an angle relative to the span direction. The leading edge comprises a backward sweep part between the kink and the outer end extending from the kink presenting an angle relative to the span direction. The top surface comprises a flow control means for controlling the lift at least partly located between a leading edge part between the kink and the outer end and located between the leading edge and the trailing edge.
US08973873B2	Spacecraft propellant tank mount A spacecraft having a primary structural frame and a propellant tank, in which the spacecraft may include a tank mount adopted to engage a portion of the propellant tank, the tank mount being configured to transfer launch loads directly from the propellant tank to a lunch vehicle interface ring.
US08973871B2	Box structures for carrying loads and methods of making the same There is provided a box structure for carrying load having upper and lower composite integrated sandwich panels. The panels have facesheets sandwiching one or more core portions and adjacent dense packs oriented in an axial direction. The box structure further has a plurality of spars. Each spar has a web and web attachments and has a spar length in the axial direction. The plurality of spars are connected to the panels with the web attachments located at the dense packs. The facesheets are configured to carry primarily torsion and pressure loads in shear and no significant axial loads. The dense packs are configured to carry all significant box bending in axial tension and compression loads.
US08973866B2	Transverse flux machine utilized as part of a combined landing gear system A landing gear for an aircraft has a set of axially spaced wheels rotatable about a common axis drive by a transverse flux drive. In another feature, a transverse flux drive includes a first rotor and a second rotor. One of the first and second rotors is positioned radially inwardly of the other. A single stator is positioned radially intermediate the first and second rotors. In another feature, a landing gear combination for use on an aircraft has a nose wheel assembly including at least one nose wheel to be associated with a nose cone on an aircraft. A main landing gear assembly is also associated with the aircraft. A transverse flux motor provides on-ground propulsion and/or braking to the aircraft.
US08973865B2	Tri-hull dirigible airship An airship system having a flexible envelope and at least one bladder positioned therein is described. The bladder(s) provide an impervious barrier between the gas within the bladder(s) and the air exterior to the bladder(s). The envelope includes longitudinal and hoops straps weaved together in a criss-cross manner. The envelope also includes rings positioned thereon that include truss members for receiving struts for removably coupling the airship to another airship. A tri-hull delta dirigible system is also described, comprising three airships coupled together using struts and arranged in an equilateral triangle formation. The tri-hull delta dirigible system has a similar lift capacity (volume) as a conventional large mono-hull dirigible, while minimizing the detrimental bending in the center of the conventional mono-hull dirigible.
US08973864B2	Independent blade control system with hydraulic cyclic control According to one embodiment, a radial fluid device includes a cylinder block having a plurality of radially extending cylinders, a plurality of pistons, and a cam disposed about the plurality of radially extending cylinders. A first linear control is coupled to the cam and operable to reposition the cam along a first axis. A second linear control is coupled to the cam and operable to reposition the cam along a second axis. A third linear control is coupled to the cam and operable to resist movement of the cam along a third axis.
US08973863B1	Blade root attachment apparatus and method The rotorcraft may include an airframe, at least one engine connected to the airframe, and a rotor connected to the airframe. The rotor may include a hub, a rotor blade, and a feathering spindle connected to the hub. The rotor blade may have a root and a tip and form a conduit extending in the radial 5 direction from the root to the tip. The root may comprise a wall forming a hollow circular cylinder. The hollow circular cylinder may form a portion of the conduit. A plurality of bolts may be distributed circumferential within the wall of the root. The plurality of bolts may extend in the radial direction from the wall of the root to secure the rotor blade to the feathering 10 spindle.
US08973861B2	Tetra-propeller aircraft Described herein is a vertical take-off and landing aircraft comprising: an upper enclosure comprising a first upper arm and a second upper arm; a lower enclosure comprising a first lower arm and a second lower arm; wherein the first upper arm and the first lower arm comprise a first upper buckle and a first lower buckle, respectively; wherein the second upper arm and the second lower arm comprise a second upper buckle and a second lower buckle, respectively; wherein the first upper buckle engages the first lower buckle and the second upper buckle engages the second lower buckle, thereby securing the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure.
US08973857B2	Innovative ratcheting system An innovative and advantageous ratcheting system having a housing, a corresponding ratcheting member, and a primary ratcheting member. Wherein the members provide dependent interlocking behavior between the corresponding ratcheting member and the primary ratcheting member whereby the dependent interlocking behavior takes place on the adjoining surfaces orthogonal to the axis in which the ratcheting mechanism is rotatably mounted. Such interlocking behavior is dependent upon the direction of relative torque between the corresponding ratcheting member and the primary ratcheting member thereby allowing relative rotary motion in the first predetermined direction while preventing relative rotary motion in the second predetermined rotary direction. Further, the interlocking behavior between the corresponding ratcheting member and primary ratcheting member can be disabled whereby relative rotary motion between the ratcheting members can be achieved in the second predetermined rotary direction.
US08973855B2	Food based homogenizer A food homogenizer is provided, including a base with a driving motor and a homogenizer assembly removably coupled to the base. The homogenizer assembly includes a homogenizing chamber, an inlet chute, and an exit spout. A shredder is disposed within the homogenizing chamber and is driven by the driving motor to homogenize food ingredients into a soft texture with a similar consistency as ice cream or sherbet.
US08973854B2	Food grater The present invention provides a food grater comprising a body; a cutting means adapted for cutting the food removably mounted inside the body; the body comprising a cutting means aperture adapted for receiving the cutting means and allowing the cutting means to be rotated inside the cutting means aperture; a first food receptacle being defined between the inner walls of the body; a pushing means adapted for pushing the food onto the cutting means being mounted to the body; a driving means adapted for rotating the cutting means mounted to at least one end of the cutting means and the driving means comprising a driving wheel adapted for moving along a surface and a first cover adapted for covering an aperture of the driving wheel.
US08973848B2	Composite air bearing assembly An air bearing assembly supporting a turbine driven rotatable motor shaft is provided. The assembly includes a composite cylindrical air bearing having alternating, bonded segmented porous carbon sections and nonporous carbon sections. The composite bearing has a sleeve installed circumferentially therearound. The sleeve has openings therein, therethrough and therearound such that the openings are adjacent the porous carbon sections and are oriented so as to be in longitudinal and circumferential registry with the porous carbon sections. Air passageways deliver supplied air into and through the sleeve openings, thence into and through the porous sections, thereby providing frictionless support for the rotating shaft. The assembly includes “O”-rings installed circumferentially therearound, one at each end of the assembly. A specific embodiment, namely a rotary bell cup atomizer driven by a turbine mounted on a rotatable motor shaft supported by the air bearing assembly, is disclosed and claimed.
US08973842B2	Tradeable packet for holding a portable data storage medium, and suitable portable data storage medium A method for producing a marketable package including an outer packaging for receiving a portable data carrier, and a portable data carrier. The data carrier possesses a viewing side and an underside and bears a secret code internally as well as identification information on the outer side. The identification information is applied to the underside of the data carrier in the form of a two-dimensional bar code, and the outer packaging is configured to be transparent on the underside so that the identification information can be read out through the outer packaging after the data carrier has been inserted into the outer packaging.
US08973841B2	Wireless IC device A wireless IC device includes a wireless IC chip arranged to process a radio signal, a power-supply circuit board that is connected to the wireless IC chip and that includes a power supply circuit including at least one coil pattern, and a radiation plate arranged to radiate a transmission signal supplied from the power-supply circuit board and/or receiving a reception signal to supply the reception signal to the power-supply circuit board. The radiation plate includes an opening provided in a portion thereof and a slit connected to the opening. When viewed in plan from the direction of the winding axis of the coil pattern, the opening in the radiation plate overlaps with an inner area of the coil pattern and the area of the inner area is approximately the same as that of opening.
US08973836B2	Method for personalizing a portable data carrier, in particular a chip card A method for personalizing a portable data carrier having a chip provided in a body of the portable data carrier. A portable data carrier whose chip contains data for personalizing the body of the portable data carrier is provided to a personalization unit. The personalization unit receives the data for personalizing the body of the portable data carrier from the chip of the supplied portable data carrier, and personalizes the body on the basis of the received data.
US08973835B2	Systems and methods for collecting primary and secondary data associated with shipping containers In various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for capturing primary and secondary data associated with a product in a container or placed on a pallet. For example, a method may include (a) retrieving a primary data from a first data source physically associated with the product or container; (b) gathering secondary data using a second data source physically associated with the product or container, wherein the secondary data relates to at least one condition experienced by the product or the container; (c) retrieving the secondary data from a second data source, wherein the secondary data and the primary data are retrieved at substantially the same time; and (d) determining whether the at least one condition has transcended a limit. If a condition has transcended a limit, at least one alert may be generated and transmitted.
US08973834B2	Secured identification document A secured identification document has at least two flexible layers embedding an electronic module. The electronic module includes a flexible substrate on which are positioned an antenna and a radiofrequency microcontroller storing identification data. The radiofrequency microcontroller is electrically connected to said antenna. The secured identification document has the at least two flexible layers locally joined together by means of a chemically and mechanically tamper proof material that is applied in cavities that are distributed in each of said at least two flexible layers that surround the electronic module in order to make the electronic module interdependent with the at least two flexible layers.
US08973829B2	Systems and methods for managing access to benefits associated with products Systems and methods for managing access to electronic products are described. In an embodiment, a system implemented method includes receiving, from a source, a first code associated with an item; receiving, from another source, another first code and a second code associated with the item; evaluating the first code with the another first code; associating the second code with the first code based on a result from the evaluating; identifying an access key, and transmitting the access key to the second source, the access key is for accessing one or more rights associated with the item.
US08973826B2	Imaging device having light field image sensor A method of imaging a target object with an imaging reader. The method includes the following: (1) detecting light from the target object through a lens arrangement with an image sensor to generate light-field data; (2) generating a stream of image data including image data representing an expected in-focus image of the target object, and (3) processing the expected in-focus image of the target object to decode a barcode on the target object. The image sensor includes an array of photosensitive elements and an array of microlenses that overlays the array of photosensitive elements located at a focus plane of the microlens.
US08973822B2	Method and apparatus for vending a containerized liquid product utilizing an automatic self-service refill system A method and apparatus for vending a containerized fluid includes placing a machine-readable indicia on the container identifying the base fluid. The container may be filled and then distributed or distributed prior to filling through various distribution channels to consumers. When a consumer wishes to fill or re-fill the container, the consumer places the container adjacent a reader that interprets the indicia to identify the base fluid to be dispensed. A dispenser then fills the container through a movable fill probe that elevates as the liquid within the container rises. In some embodiments, and prior to filling, the dispenser apparatus may also query the consumer about options are provided at the time of dispensing for further dispensing various optional ingredients, including scents, flavors, colors, nutritional supplements or other additives together with the base product. In further embodiments, the dispenser may also print discount tickets or coupons that may discount the purchase of the containerized fluid or other promotional merchandise. The machine-readable indicia may include affiliate codes that permit crediting or compensating various affiliates in relation to the container filling.
US08973820B2	Client customized virtual or physical card for use with selected merchants A client selects several merchants with whom the card may be redeemed, the amount redeemable, and a design for the card, which is personalized for the card recipient.
US08973816B1	Automatic connectors Some implementations provide a connector element that may be movable from a retracted position within a cavity to an extended position for contacting an external contact element that may be positioned proximate to an exterior end of the cavity. In some implementations, at least one of the external contact element or the connector element may include a magnet for causing the connector element to extend from the retracted position into contact with the external contact element for forming an electrical connection. In some implementations, a mechanical actuator may be provided for extending the connector element into contact with the external contact element. In some implementations, an actuator having a motive element may extend the connector element into contact with the external contact element based on a detected proximity or an identification of an accessory associated with the external contact element. Some implementations may also include an optical connection.
US08973814B2	Method for the verifiable delivery of an article A method delivers an item to a target point. The item is a distinguishable item. A data set for the item is generated in a central data storage unit. This data set contains identification feature values for the item. The item is conveyed to a predetermined target point. At the target point, the item is provided, at least temporarily, with an optically detectable delivery marking. At least one computer-accessible image of the item is generated by a portable image recording device. The image shows the item together with the delivery marking. With the aid of the image, the data set for the item, which is stored in the central data storage unit, is determined. The data set is supplemented with a computer-accessible marking of the delivery.
US08973810B2	Corrosion resistant fluid conducting parts, methods of making corrosion resistant fluid conducting parts and equipment and parts replacement methods utilizing corrosion resistant fluid conducting parts According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a part for an article of equipment includes a fluid conducting first region including a corrosion resistant first material, and a fluid conducting second region including a second material. The first region and the second region are either directly or indirectly joined by solid state welding to form a unitary fluid conducting part. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for replacing at least one fluid conducting part of an article of equipment is disclosed wherein a replacement part is provided that includes a fluid conducting first region including a corrosion resistant first material, and a fluid conducting second region including a second material. The second material is substantially identical to the material of a region of the equipment on which the replacement part is mounted. The first and second regions are either directly or indirectly joined by solid state welding to form a unitary fluid conducting replacement part. The replacement part is secured to the article of equipment by a process comprising fusion welding the second material of the second region of the replacement part to the substantially identical material of the mounting region of the article of equipment.
US08973809B2	Bonding of roof panels A method for attaching a roof panel to a roof rail of a vehicle bodyside frame, wherein the roof rail prohibiting access to an underside of an area at which the roof panel attaches to the roof panel, can include applying a single-component adhesive to a roof rail or to a portion of a roof panel that rests on the roof rail, placing the roof panel onto the roof rail, attaching the roof panel to the roof rail using single-sided spot welds, and heating the roof panel and vehicle bodyside frame to a temperature that cures the single-component adhesive.
US08973799B2	Hanger bracket for transforming and concealing existing gun holsters A hanger bracket is attached to any existing gun holster with the existing holster belt clip removed from the holster and attached to a top of the bracket. The bottom of the bracket is attached to the holster at the previous attachment location of the belt clip to the holster. The belt clip is attached over the outside of a belt of a user and the bracket, holster and gun are inserted down inside the pants of the user for complete concealment. The shape, spacing, orientation, and number of holster attachment openings through the bracket make it adaptable to a variety of holsters and adjustable to various vertical heights of the holster attachment to the bracket.
US08973798B2	Backpack and protective cover for bicycle A durable yet flexible protective bicycle cover is disclosed. The protective cover having properties of insulation from damage, wear, elements, dust and dirt, and the like. The protective cover further includes means for carrying a bicycle while within the cover, means for pushing a bicycle while within the cover, means for lifting a bicycle to and from a motor vehicle while within the cover, and means for transforming the cover into a backpack.
US08973797B2	Foldable bicycle pannier A folding pannier suitable for carrying a for accommodating a generally rectangular recyclable paper, or re-useable, grocery bag. The pannier manipulable between an expanded configuration and a folded configuration. The pannier featuring fasteners for use in securing a cover when in the expanded configuration and in securing the pannier in the folded configuration.
US08973794B2	Baby carrier A baby carrier has two strap loops, which are interconnected and arranged to extend around the two shoulder areas of the wearer, with each strap loop having a first part and a second part. A carrying pocket is mounted to the strap loops and has a front piece at the strap loop, and a seat part is adjustably attached to the respective strap loop by a lower connection device. A first part of the respective strap loop is connected with the lower connection device. The second part of the respective strap loop is connected with the first part on a level with an upper second connection device. Regulation of the size of the baby carrier according to the child's length is solely carried out by regulating the seat part so that the lower second connection device is always situated immediately below the child's arms.
US08973792B1	Fabric article folding machine and method A rotating rod in combination with a retractable concave/convex tape creates pairs of folds on a fabric article on a horizontal platform. A machine and method are described. The tape extends outward and downward to hold the article at a first fold location, while the rotating rod moves from below, then over and across the tape, pulling the fabric with it to create a second fold at the farthest motion of the rod. These motions are typically repeated on the other side of the article, then at right angles, created a finished, folded article of a generally rectangular shape.
US08973790B2	Inner nozzle for transferring molten metal contained in a metallurgical vessel and device for transferring molten metal An inner nozzle for casting molten metal from a metallurgical vessel incorporates a substantially tubular portion with an axial through bore, and an inner nozzle plate comprising a bottom flat contact surface and a second surface opposite the bottom contact surface and joining the wall of the tubular portion to the side edges of the plate. The inner nozzle incorporates a metallic casing cladding at least a portion of some or all of the side edges and second surface but not the sliding plane of the inner nozzle plate. The cladding is provided with a metallic bearing surface, facing towards and recessed with respect to the contact surface and extending from the cladded portion of the side edges beyond the perimeter of the contact surface. The bearing surface is defined by the ledges of at least two separate bearing elements distributed around the perimeter of the plate.
US08973769B2	Cargo holding device in particular for loading aircraft, and method for the production of a cargo holding device The invention relates to a cargo holding device, in particular cargo container or pallet, for loading aircraft, comprising a bottom element and a plurality of profile elements and corner elements, wherein a bottom element edge portion is connected to the profile elements and corner elements, wherein the profile elements are connected to the corner elements via push-fit connections, wherein at least one profile element is connected to at least one corner element via a push-fit connection which comprises a push-fit connection recess and a corresponding push-fit connection pin, wherein the push-fit connection recess and the push-fit connection pin are configured such that the profile element and the corner element can be connected together by push-fit by a translational movement, wherein a translational movement direction has an angle in relation to a profile longitudinal axis of the profile element.
US08973768B1	Gantry robot system A gantry robot system includes a bridge assembly and a carriage assembly. The bridge assembly and/or a mounting plate supported by the carriage assembly can be rotationally skewed.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10